In the end she settled for a version of the truth.
“Recently you’ve all been so busy. Almost every teacher has taken sudden trips and the other members of staff seem distracted. We’ve all heard rumours about the Seekers and have seen unusual visitors coming and going from the school for weeks. Something important is happening out there. My problems seemed small and unimportant by comparison.”
“There’s nothing more important to us than the students at the Red Tower,” said Balfruss and even Garvey agreed.
“Everything we do here is for you and the other children,” said the grizzled man. Wren was so surprised she was rendered speechless. He was a far better actor than she realised. He sounded genuine and as if he really cared about her and the other students.
Master Eloise appeared at the door and Wren started to feel overwhelmed with all three members of the Grey Council standing in her room. The echo of power coming from two of them had been intense, but with all three so close it felt as if someone were beating a huge drum in her head.
“We’re overwhelming her,” said Eloise. “Come, there is important news we need to discuss.”
“The students will hear about it soon enough. I’d rather she hear it from us, than a version of the truth through the grapevine,” said Balfruss.
Eloise glanced at Wren with an unreadable expression and she had the sense of being assessed. “Very well, but shroud us, before we give her a migraine.”
Balfruss made a peculiar circling gesture with one hand and she felt a brief flare of magic. It was too subtle and had been too quick for her to follow, but immediately after Wren couldn’t sense the others any more. They were still standing in the room, but now hers was the only connection to the Source she could feel.
Eloise passed Balfruss a tiny piece of paper which he unrolled and quickly scanned before passing it to Garvey.
“Following recent events, with children dying during their tests, the Regent of Zecorria has banned all Seekers from the country,” said Eloise. Wren noticed the others were disappointed by the news but neither of them seemed particularly surprised.
“Anything else?”
“He made a public declaration announcing his intent. There is a one-week amnesty, at which point any Seekers found within Zecorria will be escorted to the border.”
“Or murdered,” muttered Garvey, but all of them heard.
“There’s something else,” said Balfruss, a frown creasing his brow.
Eloise wiped a hand over her face. She looked exhausted and it wasn’t yet midday. Wren wondered how long it had been since she’d had a decent night’s sleep.
“During his speech, the Regent mentioned that he has called on other rulers to take a stand as well. I knew that he’d sent private missives to several of them, but apparently they’re taking too long to respond. Now he’s forced their hand.”
“What about Queen Olivia?” asked Balfruss.
Eloise held up another roll of paper, this one larger than the other. “A raven just came in from the capital. A child had an accident during a test here in Shael. The Seeker tried to intervene but the crowd misinterpreted what she was doing and attacked. Seven people are dead, and fourteen severely wounded. The Seeker is being blamed.”
“How many incidents is that now?” asked Garvey. “How many dead?”
“Too many,” said Eloise. “It’s all over the west and now here, right on our doorstep. Queen Olivia has always been a strong advocate of Seekers, but this latest incident will force her to respond.”
“Is it worth us trying to speak to her directly?” asked Balfruss. “One of us could travel to Oshoa and explain what’s happening.”
“It’s too late for that. They won’t want us there,” said Garvey. “It would probably just make things worse.”
“Sadly, I agree with Garvey,” said Eloise.
Wren had heard rumours of children exploding from Tianne, but she’d assumed her friend had been exaggerating. To hear it from the Grey Council, and to see how worried they all looked, was a different matter. Banning Seekers made no sense to Wren. They were the only ones who could help children with their emerging magic, and yet they were being blamed. Something was happening during the tests, but she couldn’t believe the Seekers were responsible, which led to the notion of sabotage. But who would do such a thing and why?
Without the Seekers surely it would lead to an increase in the number of accidental deaths, where children didn’t receive training in time and lost control. If other countries banned them as well, what would happen?
“It doesn’t make any sense,” said Wren, mostly to herself. The others heard and Garvey grunted.
“You’re right, girl. It’s madness that will only lead to more bloodshed. We’re not involved, but somehow we still get the blame.”
“Hush, Garvey, you’re scaring the girl,” said Eloise.
“I thought we were being honest,” he said. Wren couldn’t understand the man. His behaviour was so inconsistent. One moment he was full of anger and giving her poor advice and the next he was treating her like an adult, wanting to include her in their conversations.
“We can discuss this later. Let’s leave her to rest,” said Eloise, ushering the others out of the room. “Try not to worry too much. You’re safe here.”
When they were gone she felt slightly relieved but also fears about the future began to creep in. The world was becoming increasingly hostile to those with magic and people were scared of Seekers when all they wanted to do was help.
Wren would have said the Red Tower was the safest place for her, except that even here, behind its walls, someone had tried to murder her. It seemed as if there wasn’t anywhere in the world that was safe any more.
CHAPTER 27
Tammy followed the stooped form of the Old Man through the hallways of the palace, trying not to stare too much. It was her first visit to the palace of Perizzi and it was just as she imagined. The interior of the building was even more ostentatious and gaudy than the outside. The high ceilings and elaborate coving looked impressive, but she knew the rooms would be difficult to clean and impractical to heat in winter. The building had the feel of a museum rather than someone’s home. Everything was just a little too neat. There wasn’t a pinch of dust anywhere. Every surface was highly polished until it gleamed. Moving silently around them she saw an army of staff, tidying, rearranging and cleaning, to maintain the impeccable façade.
The decor of the palace was a horrible mishmash, seemingly without rhyme or reason, with peculiar artefacts from all over the world sitting next to each other on plinths and tables. She guessed they were gifts from visiting dignitaries, but there were very few objects she’d ever want in her house. It was all for show. Nothing felt real. Tammy wondered if the Queen’s private rooms were equally as immaculate. If she dropped something on the floor, how long would it stay there before it was picked up by a member of staff and put away? Tammy liked order but this was something else entirely. It was artificial.
“Impressive, isn’t it?” said the Old Man, glancing over his shoulder.
“Very interesting,” said Tammy, confident he would hear the lie if she claimed to like it. “Do you like it, Munroe?”
“I’ve seen it before.”
Ever since she’d returned from Rojenne last night, Munroe had been unusually quiet. It was more than a little unnerving. She hadn’t gone into much detail, but did report that the Seeker was safe. It was clear something else had happened and she didn’t want to talk about it, but Tammy knew that was only part of the reason for her silence.
Working together they had managed to warn all the Seekers in Yerskania about the danger. Despite knowing that those responsible in Morheaton would eventually be brought to justice, Munroe remained annoyed. Tammy had thought it was because they had been forced to run, in order to save their lives, rather than stand and fight.
The main reason for her sulk was that, despite completing her first assignment, although not to her satisfact
ion, Munroe had been ordered by Balfruss to remain in Perizzi and help Tammy. Munroe wouldn’t say how Balfruss had been in touch with her, when there’d been no letters or birds, but when pressed had just said “magic.” It seemed as if being away from her family for this long was taking its toll.
They entered the Queen’s outer office and were greeted by a plump assistant who waved them straight into her meeting room. This was the first time Tammy had met Queen Morganse and her impression was that of a powerful woman in her prime. Tall, with a curvy figure and flawless pale skin, her age was difficult to pinpoint. The weight of her office and its responsibilities showed in a few places, notably the deep ridges between her eyebrows and the dark circles under her eyes. Morganse’s dark brown eyes were studying her just as closely and Tammy resisted the urge to rub her hands when the Queen glanced at her scarred knuckles.
“Your Majesty, may I introduce Guardian Baker,” said the Khevassar.
Morganse’s smile was warm and generous. “I’ve heard many good things about you.”
“Thank you, Majesty.”
“Is it true you were the Guardian sent to Voechenka?”
“Yes, Majesty.”
Tammy wondered how much the Queen already knew about what had happened there from the Old Man. She doubted he sent the Queen every Guardian report, but she felt confident Morganse would have read about the significant events that took place in the desolate city. It seemed as if the Queen wanted to ask another related question, but she hesitated and the moment passed. Perhaps she wanted to know if the rumours were true about her son, the Crown Prince and former heir to the throne, being in Voechenka.
“And I believe you already know Munroe?” said the Old Man.
“Yes. We’ve met,” said the Queen, her tone crisp and icy. There was clearly a history there but no one elaborated. It was something she would have to ask Munroe about later. “Please, be seated.”
Again Munroe said nothing and didn’t take the opportunity to make a joke or comment on the decor. The Queen frowned briefly at the diminutive mage, noticing her unusual silence, but she said nothing about it.
“I believe you have news on the Seekers here in Yerskania?” said the Queen once they were settled.
“Yes, your Majesty. Munroe and I have managed to contact all the Seekers based in the country. They’ve been told to suspend monthly testing of children for the time being.”
“What do you mean, ‘based in the country’?” asked Morganse.
The Khevassar looked equally puzzled. “Is there something you want to tell us?”
“Seekers don’t roam the country like they used to,” said Munroe, startling everyone by breaking her silence. “They live in their communities and only travel short distances to test children in the surrounding area.”
“How long has this been happening?” asked Morganse.
Munroe shrugged. “Six years. Ever since the Red Tower officially reopened.”
“We should have been told about this,” said the Queen. “You should have told me.”
“I don’t work for you any more,” said Munroe. This time it was Tammy’s turn to stare in surprise. The Old Man shook his head when she glanced in his direction. It was a subject for another time. “It was decided you didn’t need to know.”
“Why do it this way? Why not have them travel around?” asked Morganse.
“Some people have a connection to the Source that’s so weak, they can do little with it. They’d never become a Battlemage or a Healer and most people don’t want to. People are more scared of magic than ever before. They just want to go on with their lives. So we teach them how to control it, and, in return, some of them put on a mask and test children for the Red Tower.”
“This changes things,” said Morganse, shaking her head.
“I don’t see why,” said Munroe. Tammy knew that after recent events she was being deliberately obtuse.
The Queen folded her arms and sat back in her chair, clearly displeased. “You know that people are scared of magic and they’re blaming Seekers for what’s happening to their children. If this ever became public knowledge, communities would tear themselves apart. The Regent of Zecorria has already banned all Seekers from his country. Imagine what will happen if people find out their neighbours are secretly working for the Red Tower. The paranoia could trigger catastrophic damage across the west.”
“The Red Tower is taking steps to protect all the Seekers,” said Munroe. “No one will know.”
“It may already be too late for that,” said Tammy, taking the lead since the Old Man had fallen silent. He seemed a bit listless and she thought he was having some difficulty following the conversation.
“What do you mean?” asked Munroe.
“Remember what happened with the Seeker in Maldorn?” said Tammy. Leonie had unmasked herself in front of a crowd in the hope of being accepted by them. If news of what happened spread elsewhere, or if other Seekers had tried the same tactic, it was only a matter of time. “Expect the worst if Habreel’s people find out what happened.”
There was a loud knocking on the door and the Queen’s secretary came into the room bearing two letters. “Apologies for the interruption, but I have urgent news, Majesty.”
The Queen took the letters and opened the first one. Her eyes flicked over the contents and then she sat back in her chair looking deflated. She passed the letter to the Old Man who read it more slowly.
“The news has broken. A number of riots have broken out in the south.”
“Has it reached the capital? Do the people here know?” asked the Old Man.
“It doesn’t say,” said Morganse. “But I’ll order more patrols by the Watch as a precaution.”
“We’ve done our best to protect the Seekers here,” said Munroe. “As long as they’ve hidden their masks they should be safe.”
Tammy thought she was being naïve. Paranoia and fear did strange things to ordinary people. They would use this as an excuse to persecute those who were different or unpopular. And it wouldn’t be difficult for someone to make a similar gold mask.
“This may force my hand to ban Seekers from Yerskania,” said Morganse, unrolling the second letter. “Queen Talandra and Queen Olivia may not be far behind as well in making a declaration.”
“You can’t,” said Munroe. “They’ve done nothing wrong.”
“I know, but if they show their faces they could be attacked or even murdered, like the Seeker in Morheaton. A ban might actually protect them and force them to stay hidden.”
As the Queen scanned the second letter the colour drained from her face. She put one hand to her forehead for a moment. “Majesty?” said the Old Man. “What’s happened?”
She passed the letter to the Khevassar whose hands began to shake as he read it. “By the Maker,” he muttered.
“What’s happened?” asked Munroe.
“Morheaton is gone,” said the Old Man.
A horrible sinking sensation started in the pit of Tammy’s stomach and she felt as if she was going to fall through the floor. “What do you mean, gone?”
“There was another incident with magic,” said Morganse. “A Seeker came to Morheaton, perhaps wanting revenge for what happened. The townspeople gathered in the public square and tried to drive him out, but he refused.”
“It makes no sense,” said Munroe. “A Seeker wouldn’t go back there.”
“Do you need me to go and investigate?” said Tammy.
“There’s no point. The town is gone.” The Old Man seemed to age another ten years before her eyes. “Survivors say the Seeker lashed out at the crowd, killing people with his magic. People ran but he cut most of them down. After that he set fire to the buildings. A few escaped and some even fought back, injuring the Seeker, and they eventually cornered him in a building. They rushed inside to finish him but never came out. The building exploded and the whole street went with it.”
“Tell them the rest,” whispered Morganse.
“That’s
not the worst?” asked Tammy, shocked there was more.
“Just before the Seeker started killing people, he shouted something at the crowd,” the Old Man’s voice became a harsh rasp, his breathing loud. “He said ‘For Balfruss and the Red Tower’.”
“Fuck,” whispered Munroe.
Tammy felt numb. Everyone in the room was silent, contemplating what had happened. “I know Balfruss. He’d never do anything like that,” she said.
“She’s right,” agreed Munroe. “Someone else has done this and they’re blaming him.”
“Right now that doesn’t matter. We need to make plans,” huffed the Khevassar, trying to stand up, but he flopped back into his chair. He was sweating badly and one of his arms began to shake. “We must . . .” he said but then trailed off as his eyes rolled back in his head and he slid to the floor.
While Tammy rushed to his side Morganse hurried into her outer office, shouting at her assistant to fetch a doctor. The Old Man’s skin was cold and covered with sweat. She tried to feel for a pulse, but when that failed she pressed an ear to his chest.
“Is he all right?” asked Munroe.
“I don’t think he’s breathing.”
CHAPTER 28
It was late in the morning but Akosh was still rather drunk from the previous night. It had numbed the anguish for a time, but now she began to feel it again. She quietly slipped out of bed, doing her best not to wake the others who were still deeply asleep. They had also helped her forget about everything, but only for a short time. This morning the pain of her loss struck her anew, raw and red, like an angry, festering wound in her heart. This wasn’t the first time it had happened. She should have been used to it by now but she wasn’t. It hurt just the same, every time.
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