The Study Series Bundle

by Maria V. Snyder

  “My friend, Opal. She’s a glass artist in Sitia.”

  “It glows like there is molten fire on the inside. How did she make it?”

  Trying to comprehend his words, I stared. He saw the inner glow. Impossible. Only magicians could see the light.

  The Commander had magical powers.

  20

  THE GLASS BAT GLOWED for the Commander. I had theorized only magicians could see the inner light. But I could be wrong. Maybe I hadn’t tested the bat on enough people. If the Commander had magical power, his magic would have raged uncontrolled and flamed out by now, killing him. The Masters in Sitia would have felt him long ago. Irys would have sensed it when she stood next to him.

  Shaking those ridiculous thoughts out of my mind, I answered the Commander’s questions about glassmaking.

  “But what causes it to glow?”

  I knew if I said magic, he would drop it as if burned. Instead, I told him the internal workings were a family secret.

  He passed the glass bat to me. “Extraordinary. Next time you see your friend, please ask her to make one for me.”

  I found the coins I had been searching for, and repacked my bag. Only when I had slung my pack onto my shoulders did I realize I forgot to rewrap the bat.

  The Commander picked up the coins, walked to his office door and opened it. Summoning Adviser Watts, he asked him to exchange my money and to show me to the guest area.

  Dismissed, I followed Watts into the throne room, holding the bat in my hand. The adviser noticed the creature when handing me the Ixian coins.

  “Sitian art?” he asked.

  I nodded.

  “Not a bad likeness, but rather dull. I thought the Sitians had more imagination than that.”

  I mulled over the Commander and Adviser Watts’s comments as I followed Watts through the castle. Still unable to bend my mind around the Commander’s ability to see the glow, I had to postpone further ruminations when I entered the guest suite.

  Leif peppered me with a million questions the moment I stepped through the door. The guest quarters were rather lavish by Ixian standards. The main room contained a comfortable sofa and soft chairs as well as a number of desks and tables. A faint odor of disinfectant scented the air. Four bedrooms branched off from the living area, two on each side. Sunlight streamed in through the circle of windows in the back wall, warming the empty room.

  I stopped Leif’s questions with a look. “Where are the others?”

  He pointed to the second door on the right. “They’re all resting. Moon Man and Marrok are in the big room next to Tauno’s.”

  Double doors marked the entrance to Moon Man’s room.

  “Which one is mine?”

  “Second door on the left, next to me.”

  I went into my room. Leif trailed along like a lost puppy. A simple layout of a bed, armoire, desk and night table all made of oak decorated the small interior. The bedding looked fresh and inviting. I stroked the soft quilt. The air smelled of pine. The lack of dust made me remember Valek’s housekeeper, Margg. She had plagued my existence when I first became the food taster, refusing to clean my room and writing nasty messages in the dust. I hoped I wouldn’t run into her during this trip.

  Leif’s questions began again, and I filled him in on what had happened in the Commander’s office, neglecting to mention his ability to see the bat’s glow. I wasn’t convinced that the Commander had magic, and certainly wouldn’t try to persuade Leif or anyone else.

  “Black and red really aren’t my colors. Which Military District has green? Maybe I can open my shop there,” Leif said.

  Leif’s joke wasn’t as funny now. “MD-5 is green and black. General Brazell used to govern the district, but now he’s in the Commander’s dungeon.” I wonder who was promoted.

  “What are we going to do next?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Leif pretended to be shocked. “But you’re our fearless leader. You have it all planned out. Right?”

  I shrugged. “I’m going to take a long hot bath. How’s that?”

  “Sounds good. Can I come?”

  “As long as you promise not to spend all day in there.” I gathered some clean clothes.

  “Why would I?”

  “You thought the feather mattress was a luxury. Wait until you see the Commander’s baths.”

  The hot water soaked my aches away.

  Leif joined me in the corridor with a contented smile on his face. “I won’t have any trouble adjusting to life in Ixia. Those pools and the overhead duct, pouring water…amazing. Does every town have a similar bathhouse?”

  “No. Only the Commander’s castle has such luxury. It’s a holdover from the King’s regime. The Commander usually disdains the extravagance, yet it remains.”

  During my soak, I had thought long and hard about our situation and the Commander’s offer. The temptation to stay tried to overpower my logic, but I knew we needed to return to Sitia. The Sandseed clan had already been destroyed by the Vermin, and Cahil and the Fire Warper remained a problem.

  How I would deal with them continued to be a mystery. Not being able to trust Moon Man, Tauno or Marrok, left Valek, Leif and me against the Daviians, the Fire Warper, Cahil and his army.

  And what would happen if I revealed Cahil’s involvement with the Vermin? The Council trusted him. I would need to convince them of his deceit. I would need hard evidence to gain their trust. Evidence I lacked.

  In fact, the more I thought about the whole situation, the less confident I felt about my ability to find a solution.

  When Leif and I returned to the guest suite, Moon Man and Tauno waited for us in the living room.

  “How’s Marrok?” I asked Moon Man.

  “Better.”

  “Can he talk?”

  “Not yet.”

  “Soon?”

  “Perhaps.”

  I stared at him. He answered in typical Story Weaver fashion. Refraining from shaking information out of him, I asked, “Have you learned anything while working with Marrok?”

  “I have seen bits and pieces. Marrok’s feelings of betrayal are making it difficult for me to get through to him. He does not trust me.” Moon Man’s eyes met mine and I could see his unspoken words.

  “Trust has to go both ways.”

  “It is not a lack of trust which causes me to keep my silence. It is a lack of acceptance on your part.”

  “And you’re afraid of what you might discover once you accept your role in all this, aren’t you?” Leif asked me.

  A knock at the door saved me from having to reply to Leif’s question. One of the housekeeping maids handed me a message from the Commander. We were invited to dine with him in his war room.

  “You don’t have an answer for me. Do you have an answer for the Commander? Are you going to stay and be his adviser?” Leif asked when the maid left.

  “Actually Leif, I don’t have any answers. I’ve no idea what I’m doing or going to do.” I went into my room and shut the door.

  The Commander’s war room was located in one of the four towers of the castle. With long stained-glass windows reflecting the lantern light, the circular chamber reminded me of the inside of a kaleidoscope.

  Our conversation followed mundane topics while we ate spiced chicken and vegetable soup. Leif wolfed his food with obvious relish, but I took my time, sampling all the dishes with care. A few guards stood near the Commander. Star hovered close by, ready to taste the Commander’s food whenever a new course was served. Moon Man and Tauno remained quiet during dinner.

  We discussed the new general in MD-5. Colonel Ute from MD-3 had been promoted and transferred. The Commander thought it best an officer from outside the district be in charge. In other words, a loyal person who had not been tainted by General Brazell’s attempt to become the new leader of Ixia.

  When the subject turned to General Kitvivan’s worry over the upcoming blizzard season, I told the Commander about the Stormdance Clan and how they handl
ed the storms from the sea.

  “Magicians could harness the power of the blizzard,” I said, “saving the people in MD-1 from the killing winds. Then you could use the power for General Dinno’s sawmills in MD-8.” Dinno used the wind to fuel his mills, and calm days hurt production.

  “No. The matter of magicians and magic in Ixia will not be discussed,” the Commander said.

  His stern tone had once intimidated me, but not this time. “You want me to be your adviser, yet you won’t consider using magic for the good of your people. I’m a magician. How can I be an effective adviser to you?”

  “You can advise me on how to counter the magicians in Sitia. I’m not interested in what magic can do for Ixia.” He made a cutting motion with his hand. End of discussion.

  I wouldn’t let the subject drop. “What happens when one of your generals becomes ill or injured and I can save their life with my magic?”

  “You don’t. If they die, I’ll promote another colonel.”

  I considered his answer with mixed feelings. I knew his firm style of governing was inflexible. The Code of Behavior’s strict list of proper Ixian conduct left no room for debate. However, I hoped once he saw the benefits of magic to his people, he might relax his views.

  As if reading my mind, the Commander said, “Magic corrupts. I’ve seen it before with the King’s magicians. They start out wanting to help and performing great deeds, but soon the power consumes them and they hunger for more despite the cost. Consider what has occurred to Moon Man’s clan. Frankly, I’m surprised something like that hasn’t happened sooner.”

  “My clan will repopulate,” Moon Man said. “I have no doubt.”

  “And I have no doubt if these Vermin of Sitia are conquered, it’s only a matter of time before another magician wishes to take over the current government. The talent to control another’s mind and body is intoxicating and addicting. Better to ban magic and eliminate magicians altogether.”

  I wondered if the Commander’s views would change if he knew he might possess the skill to access magic. My thoughts returned to Opal’s bat and his ability to see the glow, mulling over the implications.

  “Better to kill people the old-fashioned way,” Leif said, his voice indignant. “You’re saying that taking over a government with poisons, knives and swords is much better than using magic. Frankly, I see no difference.”

  “Magic forces a person to do things they don’t want to. It controls their will.” The Commander leaned forward; his eyes lit with an intense passion.

  Leif quailed under the Commander’s scrutiny, but he continued with his debate. “And your Code of Behavior doesn’t force people to do things they don’t want? Everyone in Ixia wants to wear uniforms? They want to obtain permission to marry or move to another district?”

  “Small inconveniences to live in an area where there is no hunger and no corruption. To know exactly where your place is in society and what is expected from you. Being rewarded for your abilities and efforts instead of getting privileges because of who you were born to or what gender you are.”

  “But the reward for having magical abilities is death,” Leif said. “I’m sure the families of those potential magicians don’t feel the loss of their loved one as inconvenient. Why not send them to Sitia instead?”

  “Send them so they could be used against me?” The Commander’s voice reflected his incredulity. “That would be poor military strategy.”

  Leif remained quiet.

  “No government is perfect,” the Commander said, relaxing back into his chair. “The loss of a few personal freedoms has been embraced by most of Ixia, especially those who suffered under the King’s corruption. However, I know the younger generation is feeling restless and I will have to address that issue fairly soon.” He stared at Leif as if contemplating the future. “Yelena, I see your intelligence is a family trait. I hope you both decide to stay.”

  A determined line formed along my brother’s jaw. Leif could be stubborn and perhaps he viewed changing the Commander’s mind about magicians as a challenge.

  A messenger arrived and handed a scroll to the Commander. After reading the message, he stood. “Please enjoy the rest of your dinner. I have some matters to attend to.” He left, taking his guards and Star with him.

  Before Star followed him, she flashed me a calculating look.

  The Commander’s opinions about magic and magicians replayed in my mind as we returned to the guest suite. Although I agreed with Leif that Ixians with magical powers should not be killed, I also felt magic corrupted. Even Roze, the most powerful magician in Sitia, had been affected. To fear my potential as a Soulfinder was one thing, to support Cahil was another.

  When we arrived at our quarters, I pulled Leif into my room.

  “What’s the matter?” he asked.

  “I want to contact Irys. See what’s going on in the Citadel.”

  “What I want to know is what’s going on with you?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Since crossing the border, you have changed, treating Moon Man like a traitor and not trusting anyone. If you decide to stay as the Commander’s adviser, you’ll be a traitor to Sitia. What happened to Liaison Yelena? The neutral third party?”

  “To be a Liaison, I need to have support of both parties. Are you going to help me contact Irys or lecture me?”

  Leif grumbled and pouted but agreed to share his energy. I lay on the bed and drew power, projecting my awareness south to the Keep. Bypassing the busy thoughts of the Citadel’s inhabitants, I searched the campus for Irys. I couldn’t find her within her tower, but I sensed a faint echo as if the scent of her soul remained behind after she had left the room. Odd.

  I moved on to the Keep’s other towers, hoping Irys was visiting with another Master. Zitora’s thoughts were walled off from intruders. Bain’s tower had that same odd feeling as Irys’s, and the cold barrier of Roze’s mind slammed into me. I bounced off and retreated, but an icy wind sucked me back toward her. This time her barrier was down, and cold fingers clamped around my awareness, pulling me into her mind.

  Searching for someone? Roze asked.

  I refused to answer.

  You make it so easy, Yelena. Roze laughed. I knew you would contact Irys. You won’t be able to talk to her, I’m afraid. The Council decided Masters Irys and Bain were engaged in treasonous activities. They’re currently in the Keep’s cells.

  21

  HOW DID YOU MANAGEto frame two Master Magicians, Roze? I said, suppressing my shock and outrage.

  They refused to sign the letter to the Commander, and they have been stalwart defenders of you and your brother. She said the word brother with heated contempt. They doubted Cahil’s word. Cahil, who single-handedly increased the strength of our army with Daviian Warriors.

  Those Warriors are not there to help you. They’re there to use you.

  I’m not going to take advice from you. Roze tightened her grip on my consciousness. A simpleton who’s about to lose her mind.

  She peeled the layers of my consciousness away with a knife made of ice. Cold stabbed deep into the core of my thoughts, attempting to expose what I kept hidden.

  Thinking of becoming an adviser to the Commander, what a laugh. After I’m done with you, you won’t be able to advise a baby on how to suck its thumb.

  Unable to pull away, I panicked. Leif’s energy poured into me, but I still couldn’t break free. Flayed by her arctic magic, I remained helpless.

  Valek was in Sitia to assassinate the Council. Hmm…most interesting, she said.

  Desperate and knowing I couldn’t sever her hold, I reached closer to her, searching for a part of her I could control. Her soul. I tugged at the ghostlike force, smelling its rotten stench, and feeling it fray as if her soul was splitting into multiple personalities.

  Roze jolted in horror and expelled me from her grip. As I escaped, her words reached me.

  Try to rescue Irys and Bain. Come to the Citadel. We’re ready for you. Roz
e yanked a defensive wall between us, breaking our link.

  I returned to my body, feeling exhausted and weak.

  Leif loomed over me. “What happened? I lost you.”

  “I got caught by Roze…” My thoughts returned to what she had said about Irys and Bain.

  “And?”

  “And, I broke free before she could dissect all my thoughts.”

  “What did she find out?”

  I told him she knew about the Commander’s offer and about Valek being in Sitia.

  He creased his thick eyebrows as he considered. “Knowing about Valek could be a good thing. The Council can take measures to protect themselves in case Valek comes back.”

  “If Roze warns them. Their deaths may be exactly what she wants.”

  “No. Roze wants what is best for Sitia. She’s a strong-willed person and many Councilors are swayed by her arguments, but I don’t believe she would use murder or magic to get her way.”

  I shook my head. After the attack, I knew she would resort to both to get what she wants. “You were her student. Of course you still hold charitable thoughts for her.”

  “I know her better than you.” Leif’s voice huffed with anger. “I’ve worked for her and with her for nine years. Her methods can be harsh, but her concern is always for Sitia. She has always supported Cahil’s desire to become King of Ixia. In her mind, your Soulfinder abilities are a threat to Sitia. And I’m starting to agree with her.” Leif stormed from the room.

  I wondered what had really upset Leif. In my opinion, Roze was a murderer. She didn’t kill the body, but she destroyed minds without any remorse. Look at Marrok. But then again I had done the same thing with Ferde. At least, I admitted to being a killer. Was I any better? No.

  My mind sorted through all the information from Roze. Rescuing Irys and Bain became a priority. I needed eyes and ears inside the Citadel’s walls, and a way to get messages inside the Keep. All without being seen or without risking anyone else. Magic was no longer an option. If I projected my awareness near the Keep, Roze would catch me again. Mundane methods remained my only recourse.