“Don’t talk about Father that way,” Cassandra hissed.
“Your father was a good man,” the countess insisted.
“But he didn’t return from the capital. If that is where you want to go, by all means, don’t let me stop you. But I’ll wait here for my friends.”
“You’ll do as you’re told, freak,” Frezya said.
“Your disrespectful attitude is very unbecoming,” Countess Mauryn added.
“There are worse things than being unbecoming,” Olyva shot back. “Like being an ignorant suck-up.”
“How dare you!” cried Cassandra.
“Throw her overboard, mother!” Frezya demanded.
“Look!” cried Desyra, pointing up at the sky. “It’s a ship. See!”
Olyva turned around and saw the hull of the war ship appearing out of the mist. She felt a stab of panic as the ship’s crew began to shout and run to their stations.
“To the cabin, girls!” Mauryn ordered. “That means you too, Olyva.”
But Olyva ignored her mother. She watched the ship descend and felt cold suddenly. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. How had the war ship known where they were? Did this mean that Rafe and Tiberius had somehow failed? Were they all dead? And what about Lexi?
Olyva didn’t know what to do. She wanted to get off the ship, where she could flee down the mountainside, but they were too high off the ground, and the ship’s captain was getting ready to flee from the war ship. Then Olyva realized what would happen next. The war ship would shoot fire bombs at the larger, slower sky ship. One hit would be all it took to set the vessel ablaze. The wood would burn quickly, and unless the bulbous hylum sail was somehow damaged, the fire would consume them all before they could escape to the blighted lands.
The war ship continued to descend, and for some reason Olyva couldn’t tear her eyes away from the smaller vessel. Then she noticed something odd. Someone in the bow of the ship was leaning over the railing and waving a white flag. Olyva was just about to shout to the captain when one of the crew saw the flag and called out to the captain.
“White flag, captain! They’re hailing us.”
Olyva couldn’t believe what she was seeing, but then she heard something. It was a sound so faint that only her enhanced hearing could pick it up. The sound carried on the wind and gave her a thrill.
Olyva! came Rafe’s strong voice. Olyva! It’s me!
She didn’t hesitate this time but ran across the deck toward the ship’s captain. He was still shouting orders to his men to make their sails ready.
“Wait!” she called out. “Wait, that’s Rafe. On the war ship—it’s our friends.”
The captain looked up and raised his brass spyglass to his eye again. The ship was finally far enough down from the mists that they could see the other crew. The captain’s face looked worried, but then he ordered his men to wait.
The war ship slowly turned, but it was still moving toward them. Olvya could see Rafe now; he was still waving the white flag.
“Olyva!” he shouted.
“I hear you!” she yelled back.
“Follow us back up to the city!” he called. “It’s safe now. Can you hear me?”
“I hear you,” she waved her arms. “You want us to follow you back to Avondale.”
Olyva turned toward the captain, “Did you hear that, Captain?”
“Aye,” he said sourly.
“We’re coming!” Olyva said.
She watched as the smaller ship’s sails turned, and it began to rise back up, lifted by the wind. The captain of the sky ship shouted orders, and his crew crawled out over the masts that stuck out from either side of the huge vessel. Sails were raised, and the rigging arranged. Slowly the huge ship began to ascend.
“What’s happening?” Desyra asked breathlessly.
“Rafe was in the sky ship. We’re going to Avondale.”
Olyva’s mother and her other two sisters finally came out of the cabin as the ship rose higher into the air.
“I can’t wait to see it,” Desyra said excitedly. “Is it beautiful?”
“More beautiful than you can imagine,” Olyva said. “The entire city is built on the top of an old volcano that’s shaped like a bowl. The city is built all around the edges, and there are tall, strong walls to protect it. Below the city are vast fields where food is grown, and then closer to the center is a forest. Thousands and thousands of strong, green trees. The kind that stay green all year and don’t lose their leaves in winter. And at the center of the bowl is a lake of blue water. It looks like a jewel.”
“Oh, it sounds wonderful,” Desyra said.
“Not dingy and cold like Hamill Keep,” the countess said in an icy tone. “But then, the Earl of Avondale has everything he needs, while your father worked tirelessly to keep his people fed.”
“I wasn’t criticizing, Mother,” Olyva said.
“Of course you weren’t. You were just telling your baby sister how much better Avondale is than our home.”
“Hamill Keep isn’t my home anymore, and it probably won’t be yours again, either.”
“What has made you so hateful?” her mother said.
“Perhaps it’s the fact that you never approve of anything you don’t understand,” Olyva said. “Or maybe it’s the fact that you are never grateful.”
“Grateful for what, my darling? That your warrior friend killed your father? That his pet wizard drove the people of Hamill Keep mad?”
“Stop fighting!” Desyra said as the ship was engulfed with mist.
Olyva turned away from her mother. She didn’t like fighting with her family, although she had done it all her life. Her mother was a cruel and selfish woman, her sisters self-absorbed and spoiled. Still, she couldn’t help but love them, even if she wanted to be away from them as soon as possible. Olyva hoped that her mother and sisters would be taken in and kept safe in Avondale. They hadn’t asked to have their world shattered, but Olyva had a nagging feeling that no one would be safe as long as Leonosis was King of Valana.
When they finally emerged from the clouds, all attention was turned toward the city. Desyra shouted when she saw it, but Olyva was busy drinking in the glorious sunlight. The sunlight below the mist filled her with strength and a sense of happiness that she couldn’t put into words. But above the mist, the sunlight was so rich and warm, it was intoxicating. She wanted to throw away her modesty and strip off her clothes so that she could feel the sunlight on every inch of her skin. The direct sunlight was so powerful it made her feel as if she could do anything, but it also made her feel as if the tree side of her nature was growing, as well. The change that the Hosscum grove had started was held in check below the mists, but something told her if she stayed in the direct sunlight, the change would continue until she became a tree, just like those at the bottom of the mountain.
“How do we know Rafe wasn’t taken captive and forced to say everything was safe?” Cassandra asked. “He could be leading us into a trap.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised,” Frezya said. “He probably betrayed us to save his own life.”
Olyva ignored her sisters. They were bitter and would always be. All Olyva cared about was seeing Rafe and her friends again. Then, once her family was safe, she would return to the blighted lands. She wanted a life with Rafe and she knew she couldn’t have that above the mists.
Chapter 17
Tiberius
Tiberius moved slowly for Lexi’s sake. They left the palace and found something to eat. Lexi didn’t have much of an appetite, but Tiberius insisted that she eat something. Then they made their way down to the lowest level of the city. Tiberius made them stop and rest often, despite Lexi’s worry that they wouldn’t make it to the old man’s house before sunset. If she’d had her way, she would have found a safe place to watch the house for several hours before they arrived, just to make sure that they weren’t walking into a trap. But Tiberius knew that Lexi was hurting. Despite his magical spells that healed the physic
al wounds, Lexi’s collapsed lung was taking time to overcome.
On the lower level of the city, they walked hand in hand. Under other circumstances Tiberius thought it might have been a romantic outing, but his curiosity was so high that he couldn’t think about anything other than what the old man might know. He hoped that he might get the missing pieces of the book he’d originally bought from the old man. He longed to know more about magic, but so far he’d only been able to glean bits and pieces about his craft.
The sun had just set, and the city paladins were making rounds to light the tall street lights. There were very few lights on the lower levels, and most of the decrepit homes along the narrow street kept their shutters closed. But the lack of light didn’t deter Lexi at all. She moved confidently toward their destination, while remaining cautious at the same time. When they finally reached the old man’s home, she insisted they wait a few more minutes so she could watch the activity on the street. To Tiberius everything looked normal, but he didn’t have Lexi’s experience, so he deferred to her expertise.
Finally, they went to the flimsy-looking door and knocked. The old man who had sold Tiberius the book fragments opened the door. He was an elderly man, thin with a slight stoop to his shoulders. His white hair was trimmed short around his ears, and the rest of his scalp was bald. His eyes were yellowed, but he seemed to have all his teeth. He waved them inside and then closed the door behind them.
There was no light in the first room of the house, and Tiberius could only see the shadows of ancient looking, run-down furniture. But the old man led them into the interior room, where two lamps filled the room with golden light. He closed and locked the heavy door that led to the inner room, and Tiberius began to understand that the outer room was merely for show. Anyone glancing into the home would see only worthless junk and decide the house wasn’t worth robbing. The interior room was nicely appointed. There was a thick rug on the floor and several chairs with well-mended cushions. The bed was narrow, but the mattress looked thick enough to be comfortable.
There was another man in the room; he was older than Tiberius but not elderly like the book seller. He had gray hair, but most of it was still intact. He held a cup in both hands and watched Tiberius intently.
“Tiberius,” Lexi said. “This is Ennis.”
“Hello,” Ti said, hoping he sounded friendly.
“Third son of our esteemed earl,” Ennis said. “You are most welcome in my home. Although I did not think you were welcome in Avondale.”
“We have returned, but not for long,” Tiberius said. “And it isn’t public knowledge.”
“I see. That is most wise. May I introduce a friend,” the old man said. “This is Pytor.”
“Nice to meet you,” Tiberius said.
“Lexi has claimed you are a wizard,” Pytor said. His voice was deep, and he didn’t move from his place across the room.
Tiberius looked nervously at Lexi. The proclamation had suddenly filled the small home with tension. Tiberius wasn’t surprised that the issue had been brought up. They were there to find out more about the Balestone, after all, and Tiberius was anxious to know more about magic, but he still felt as though acknowledging that he was a wizard in Avondale was dangerous.
He decided just to nod and wait to see what the two older men wanted.
“Can you show us?” Pytor asked.
“Why?” Tiberius asked.
“Lexi came to me seeking help,” Ennis said. “And we are willing to help, but the knowledge we have to share must be guarded. It has been kept secret for a long time, and we must ensure that we share it only with those who can use it.”
“The first principle of magic is that it exists to benefit all mankind,” Tiberius said.
“We need to see that you can work magic,” Pytor said. “It isn’t an unreasonable request since you seek knowledge about magic. We know that Ennis sold you a book on magic. We need to see what you have done with it.”
“Accendo,” Tiberius said softly.
Immediately he felt the magic portal open. He allowed a tall flame to pass into the physical world. It looked like a tall string of fire, but it waved back and forth in a fluid motion. Tiberius sent the flame flying around the room, lighting several small candles that Ennis had strategically positioned in his home. Then the flame disappeared.
“Flabra,” he said and felt the magical portal change.
He had to hold back the wind in the small home. He didn’t want to damage anything, and while the basic wind spell wasn’t a gale force, it was much too strong to be let loose in the small room. He only let tiny amounts of the wind pass through the portal, aiming the blasts of air so that one by one he blew out the candles he had previously lit with the tongue of fire.
“Parlor tricks,” Pytor said.
“You asked for proof,” Tiberius said.
“He is not ready,” Pytor insisted. “I cannot risk the brotherhood because he lit a few candles.”
“What brotherhood?” Tiberius asked. “I’m sorry you aren’t impressed, but there is only so much a person can do in this tiny space without wrecking things or risking someone getting hurt.”
“What else can you do?” Pytor asked.
“I’m not a trained animal,” Tiberius said. “I’m a wizard.”
“You must prove it,” Pytor insisted. “Not everyone who works magic is a wizard.”
Tiberius realized that the man before him knew something about magic. He had just quoted the third Principle of Magic from Tiberius’ book. Magic is available to all, but not every person who works magic is a wizard.
“He can heal people,” Lexi said.
“Is that so?” Ennis asked.
“Yes, I can heal most things,” Tiberius said.
Pytor looked at Ennis, and Tiberius saw that something passed between the two men. Then Ennis picked up a small knife.
“No,” Tiberius said. “Don’t do that.”
“I am old,” Ennis said. “If you can’t heal me, I understand.”
Then he sliced the blade across his wrist. Blood gushed forth, and Ennis’s hand went limp. He had cut deeply, severing several veins and tendons. Tiberius stepped to the old man, who sat shakily down into one of his chairs. There was pain on his face, but he didn’t complain or make any sound at all. He just watched Tiberius hopefully.
Tiberius was angry. He wanted to knock the two old men’s heads together. He couldn’t believe that Ennis had risked his life just so that Tiberius could prove that he was a wizard.
“Sano Sarcio Acies Deprimo Abscido,” Tiberius chanted.
Pytor moved closer to see what would happen. It was the first time he had moved from the corner of the room, but Tiberius didn’t notice. His mind was already deep in the elderly man’s ruined wrist. The knife had been sharp, and the cut was clean, but the blood was pumping out of the cut at an alarming rate. Ennis’ face was growing pale.
Tiberius directed his magic into the cut. He felt a burning pain in his own wrist. The ache was deep and strong, but it slowly receded as Tiberius mended the veins and reknit the tendons together. The spell didn’t take long, and soon the skin sealed back together. Finally Tiberius took a rag from the nearby table and wiped away the blood so that the skin was clear. There was no sign of the cut, not even a scar. The only evidence that Ennis had been hurt was the copious amount of blood on the floor and spattered across the old man’s arm and clothes.
“Impressive,” Pytor said.
“That was a stupid thing to do,” Tiberius said. “You could have died.”
“I had a feeling you were up to the task,” Ennis said with a chuckle. Then he turned to Pytor. “I think we’ve seen enough.”
The other man nodded.
“I’ll fix us something to eat,” Ennis said. “Then we can leave to meet the brotherhood.”
“What brotherhood?” Tiberius asked. “I don’t mean to be impatient or ungrateful, but I need to know that you have information that can help us.”
“
We do,” Pytor said. “But we can’t share it outside of the brotherhood. We were sworn to secrecy, but I will propose that you be allowed to hear the truth tonight when the brotherhood meets.”
“What truth?” Tiberius asked, his frustration making him irritable. “I need to know more about magic. Do you have the rest of the book that you sold me?”
“No,” Ennis said. “Those fragments were never meant to survive the purge.”
“But surely you have other books on magic.”
“No, we have no written knowledge of magic. Those writings were destroyed so that they could never be used to unleash the dreadful power of the cataclysm again.”
“So why are we here?” Tiberius asked.
“There are other ways to preserve knowledge,” Pytor said cryptically.
“What other ways?”
“The old ways,” Ennis said.
“Our knowledge has been passed down orally, from generation to generation,” Pytor said. “Only a small group of people know the truth. And we must protect both the secrets and the identities of the brotherhood.”
“We must ensure that our knowledge survives,” Ennis said. “You will be the first to hear the truth outside our order in over a century.”
“So what are we waiting for?” Tiberius said.
“We must give the brothers time to gather,” Pytor said. “Then we will take you—just you.”
“I’m not going anywhere without Lexi,” Tiberius said.
“Then I’m afraid we can’t help you.”
“Why can’t you just tell me what you know?”
“Ti,” Lexi said. “It’s okay. I’ll wait here.”
“We will do what we can to help you,” Pytor said. “Just be patient.”
Chapter 18
Rafe
He couldn’t get off the war ship fast enough. The warriors from the earl’s war band weren’t skilled at working the sails of the small vessel. Unlike the large sky ships, the war ship didn’t require the crew to climb out on the thick masts that protruded from the sides of the floating boat. The sails were instead manipulated by thick ropes, and it hadn’t taken long for the disciplined soldiers to figure out how to maneuver the small craft, but they were not skilled sailors.
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