“How is Mage Lace? Aisling told me she is ill?”
“She has been, but I have no idea what ails her. She seems to recover after she has been awake a few hours.” He politely nodded to a passing noble. “I never had tact for sorting out illnesses.” He looked over his shoulder subconsciously, looking for Nolen. Kilkiny Palace made him uneasy, especially with Nolen on the loose. He took a deep breath and slowly let it out, calming his racing heart.
“Looking for Balien? He traveled to the east coast with General Calsifer. They have half the army to liberate the coast from Shalabane settlers.”
“Was that your suggestion or Calsifer’s?”
She looked up with a blank expression. “Mine.” Robyn told Gabriel the story of Calsifer’s wife who had been taken by Shalabane pirates and never found. They lapsed into silence, listening to the swish of her skirts and the tap of his heels.
Aisling waited for them behind the throne, and she met Gabriel with a warm embrace and a quiet chiding before they took their places. Aisling sat to the right of the throne, Gabriel to the left. He held court with her a few times, always on the left of the throne. Every time sent him back to that day when Nolen forced him to lay beside it like an animal to demonstrate Nolen’s power. He stared at the spot and took two silent steps up to it. With a wave from Robyn, guards swung the doors open and admitted the Arconians. A herald announced Prince Virgil of Arconia.
Gabriel remembered the first time a troupe of Arconians glided into the throne room. For a moment he lapsed back to the face of Axa, but quickly shook himself free and watched the procession. This time, thirteen soldiers marched in. Twelve carried large chests supported with shoulder polls, flanking a tawny-haired man in the center. They all wore black and moved soundlessly. Their boots were of wrapped canvas rather than leather or wood, and each had an empty sheath on their hip.
At an unseen command, the twelve men stopped and simultaneously set their burdens down with practiced accuracy. The man in the center took four more steps and halted, bowing his head and falling to a knee. Silence fell.
“Rise, Prince Virgil,” Robyn said with a tone of authority engrained into her from her time in the palace as a child.
The tawny-haired man rose smoothly and took a wide leg stance, clasping his arms behind him in a soldier’s posture. He was of average height but built like a tree with a broad chest, large legs and arms, and a thick neck. In his stance it looked like he might rip his uniform across the chest if he inhaled too deeply. “Head Mage, Your Grace, it is a great honor to be admitted into your presence.” His accent was slight, alighting softly on the vowels like Mikelle did. “It was with immeasurable sadness my mother Queen Cathlyn returned to inform us of her damage done to you and your people. My father, brother, and I were grievously wounded by her actions, but she said if we could make retribution, you would reconsider the peace treaty and return your troops to our soil. I come to make that retribution if you would have it.”
He opened a wide palm and extended an arm. The soldiers behind him moved as one and opened the chests. From within sparkled uncut gems, a set of silver-and-gold dining ware from another, cut gems, jewelry, pearls of every color, gilded belts and slippers, vases, ceramic jugs of wine, and even bolts of brocade and silk.
“I humbly give you these men as well. They are from my personal guard, and I trust each man with my life. I know they will devote their lives to your safety. Lastly, I give you myself.”
Gabriel could not help but notice the way Robyn tried to hide the grin that tremored her cheeks.
“What will I do with a Prince?” she asked.
“Make me your cupbearer, make me your poison taster, send me to fight your battles, or if you would have my head, send me to the headsman. But if it would please you, take me as your husband.”
Gabriel watched calculatingly. Virgil was the second son of King Victor, so the eldest brother Quinn would take the throne, leaving Virgil without one. Marrying a Queen would make him a King and ally fractured kingdoms.
“You are a gracious man, Prince Virgil, and I gladly accept your gifts and your men. It would be an insult to make you cupbearer and even more so to have you killed for my pride. Your betrothal is an honorable one, but I am betrothed. However, I would be honored to place you and your men in my personal guard.”
“That would make us very glad.”
“I will warn you, the last Prince who crossed me lost his title and his lands. If you or your men do anything to give me pause, my betrothal will personally pull your spine out from your throat.”
Gabriel turned to look at her with a surprised gaze. “I prefer to flay them, actually.”
Virgil’s light eyes flicked back and forth between them. “I—I did not know the Head Mage was the Queen’s betrothal. Then that means you are Mage Gabriel.” Gabriel nodded and Virgil fell to another knee. “I was cut deeply when I learned what our Mages did to you.”
“Rise, Prince Virgil, and speak no more of it,” Gabriel interrupted quickly. “Those times are behind us.” Robyn gave him a sidelong glance that said ‘lies’.
“Prince Virgil, Lady Mage Aisling here will direct you and your soldiers to your appropriate quarters. I would be honored if we could dine later this week.”
Virgil smiled. “It would be my pleasure.” Robyn motioned for them to take their burdens and follow Aisling out a side door. She took Gabriel’s elbow when they were gone.
“I cannot believe he did not know Gabriel and Head Mage is the same person.”
Gabriel laughed. “You forget it takes weeks to sail to Arconia from here, and word does not travel on a ship.” He steered her towards the main doors and out into the courtyard.
“Where are we going?” she asked and looked over her shoulder. “Our rooms are that way.”
“I have a gift for you,” he replied simply and continued to walk her through the grounds. It was a magnificent structure, not as majestic as Castle Jaden, but far more stylized. It was obvious by the gentle curves and absence of rigid lines that Queens ruled here.
“Should I fetch my guard?” she asked, but he just laughed.
They walked through the main gates to the astonishment of the guards. Some took up their halberds and followed. They wound their way through the streets towards the Ellonine River. People stopped to gape, and many came to greet her, but Gabriel did not slow his legged pace. It was not long before guards on horseback from the palace came to walk with them, despite Gabriel’s assurance they were not needed. Robyn reminded him they had a job to fulfill.
He led them to two monoliths set on one side of the Ellonine. Two matching stones stood on the opposite side. Queen Rincarel intended to build a bridge to unite the two halves of her city. One was prosperous, and the other that was flea-bitten. When she died too young, her sister Miranda had vowed to finish it, but in ten years did nothing. It fell to Robyn to finish it, and in normal circumstances, it would take twenty years to complete.
Today, it would take less than an hour.
Gabriel turned to a soldier on horseback. “Would you stand in the harbor by the unloaded granite and make sure no one gets between its path to the river?” he asked. By now, most people in the palace knew Gabriel was much stronger than the Mages they grew up with. The soldier simply nodded without surprise and took several men with him at a canter.
Gabriel unbuckled his Mage cloak, a beautiful white piece that each Council Member had set with a protective pattern. He handed it to Robyn along with his coat. He reflexively rolled up the sleeves and faced the monoliths that stood wide enough to let four carriages pass simultaneously.
Drawing Earth, he extended his hand towards the harbor and felt the stone sitting there. Stone gave off no pulses of energy, but it was easy to find since almost everything else did. With a Water pattern, he lifted the river, watching from a distance as the water slipped over its banks carefully and surrounded the massive blocks of stone sitting in the harbor. Water was a strong Element, and he used it to push the bloc
ks into the river, drawing them to him.
Since his imprisonment in the Castrofax, he only truly felt safe when he was using his Elements. Weekly he trained with the best teachers in Jaden to flex his Elements, and day to day he used them to complete mundane tasks like turning pages or drying his hair. Because of his constant use, he required a masseuse to loosen his muscles, but the tension the Elements left in his body was a sweetness he craved.
He had consulted an architect for the best structure. It needed to be tall enough to let masted ships pass beneath and not sloped too severely, so carts could traverse easily. They selected a bridge with two main suspensions set in the river, the gap between them being the largest.
He stepped between the monoliths and pulled the Water patterns with his arms, reeling them in like a fish. Positioning the stones in a line beneath the water, he stacked them on the floor of the river. They rose out of the water in surprising speed. When it reached well overhead, he made a second pillar and listened as people gathered around him. People on both sides of the bank stopped to watch, but his focus was in interlocking the rectangular pillar. He waited for the perfect moment.
He took a step forward off the cobbled road. Robyn gave a short scream but stopped abruptly as a block of stone rose, propelled by the water, and met his boot. The rock ground against the base of the monoliths and slid into place as several more rose to meet it. None of them interlocked, and if he dropped the patterns the entire bridge would fall into the river. But he had a better way of interlocking them.
He continued to walk slowly, moving the Earth and Water patterns he needed to raise and hold each block. He reached the first pillar. Moving with greater speed, he arched over the river and descended to the second pillar. Without slowing, he wound his way to the last monolith.
Despite the chill air of winter, he could feel the sweat on his face. It might seem effortless to maneuver patterns, but each one pulled on him physically as if he were lifting something heavy. He turned and walked back over the bridge, pulling long stones up to serve as railings, punching in holes the shape of arrowheads every few strides.
Reaching the end, he saw Robyn’s beaming face, clutching his cloak and coat to her chest. Aisling and Cordis had even joined as well as Prince Virgil. ‘Watch closely and do not cross me,’ he thought.
“Are you watching this, Cordis?” he heard Aisling say.
“No, woman, I’m blind.”
“Gabriel, how many patterns are you holding right now?”
Gabriel shrugged his shoulders and faced the bridge. With a sanding-pattern of Earth, he rounded the edges of the railings and prepared for the next stage. This would be the most difficult two patterns. It was comprised of Fire and Earth, and if not done quickly or accurately, he could break the entire structure. He snapped the fire-starter pattern into his hand, and laid the two patterns carefully, looping Earth around his foot and Fire into his palm.
Taking a deep breath, he slammed his foot into the bridge and slapped his hand down, fueling both patterns at once. Suddenly, the bridge creaked and groaned, but he stood unalarmed. As he watched, the seams vanished as the bridge became one solid piece, stretching deep into the river base and banks. Nothing would bring that bridge down.
He breathed heavily as he laid the finishing touches, embossing Robyn’s profile into each monolith along with his crest below it. Finally, he faced the beautiful woman he loved.
She left his clothes with his father and rushed to meet him, throwing her arms around his neck as he lifted her up. “Consider it an early wedding present,” he whispered.
“Oh, Gabriel, it’s perfect!” She put a hidden kiss on his cheek as he set her down and offered his elbow. Together they walked out across the magnificent structure. The Ellonine was no small river, but the bridge seemed to dwarf it. Gabriel knew it would take many decades to balance the affluence of the split city, but it needed to begin sometime.
Once they made it to the center, people stepped tentatively onto the granite bridge. A few of the soldier’s horses balked at it, and some people touched it and ran back to the banks. But as people filed onto it, more rushed across eager not to be left behind in the excitement.
Cordis clapped his son on the shoulder. “Well done, boy! Don’t give me that look, Aisling, he’ll always be my boy.”
Aisling thinned her lips in a sign of annoyance. “Beautiful job, Head Mage. The City is indebted to you.”
Amidst the cheers and praises, Gabriel slowly escorted Robyn back to the palace and lock themselves away in her quarters.
Chapter 4
Mistress of the Kitchens, Marya, personally brought up Robyn and Gabriel’s dinner. She was boisterously happy to see him as always and toted a flask of Jaden gold wine and a peach cobbler with custard. She poured the goblet of gold wine with a gentle smile and touched Gabriel’s shoulder in a meaningful way. Robyn did not understand the exchange. Gabriel simply mouthed ‘thank you’ and she smiled chattering on about their dinner.
There was plenty to discuss regarding their kingdoms, and it kept them talking even once the sun set behind the Gray Mountains. Gabriel told her everything regarding their progress with Void, and she divulged her fear that her army’s skirmishes with Shalaban would lead to all-out war. Robyn’s mind wandered as Gabriel’s tenor cadence lured her into her memories.
While every day was a day for Gabriel to look fetching in all white, he had never looked as noble as on the day of his swearing in. Every inch of his garments had been tailored to fit him perfectly; from the knee-high boots heavily carved and set with gold studs; to the trousers detailed with cord; to the coat with tails that was the finest fabric from Parion and bore all the Elements hidden in the flowing embroidery. The Head Mage symbol was a dark gray flame with a lighter gray in the center. All colors and none, for the Head Mage was impartial to all.
Draped from his shoulders was the most magnificent cape Robyn had ever seen. It trailed behind him on the floor, embroidered with silver, gold, and bronze to look like a meadow with vines, flowers, birds and insects tucked deep in the embroidery. One could stare at it for an hour and still find new things. From a distance, it simply sparkled. To complete the ensemble, two thin white ribbons laced through his hair and around his forehead, symbolizing the narrow road a Head Mage walked. Robyn could not help but smile, knowing how vehemently against ribbons he was.
The ceremony was held in Jaden in their Great Hall. A massive white structure that doubled for a ballroom. Every noble in the land, every high born, and half the castle came out to witness history. Secondhand Lael lead the ceremony from a dais before the seated masses, dressed in a black coat with a red ribbon around his forehead, retelling the story of the tragic sacrifice of Head Mage Casimir Brynmor.
Gabriel knelt and swore valiantly to protect, to heal and aid, to show mercy, to lead and justly punish. He rose as Head Mage of Jaden. The castle, all her lands, and her people were under his control.
The Council had lined up to swear fealty to him, followed by Queen Robyn, the King of Aidenmar, and the High Lord and Lady of Parion. Everyone with a noble titled took his hand and a knee to swear their obedience, for everyone knew they needed the Mages now more than ever. Specters walked the lands, and rumors of risen tyrants had spread quickly. All peoples knew the Mages were the only ones to stand against them.
Aidenmar, the horse breeders, gave Gabriel six brood mares and a magnificent white stallion. Parion, the textile and fashion capital brought him dozens of bolts of their loveliest fabrics and two massive rugs. Anatoly, who shared a border with Jaden, deeded him a hundred square miles of land. Cinibar provided him with fine leather and sent several craftsmen to fashion boots, belts, and coats. Gifts, wine, and fine food flowed long into the night, leaving everyone with a lightness their hearts so needed.
“So that was when I decided to change the Head Mage sigil to a potato, because, you know, I like potatoes and—”
She woke from her reverie. “Excuse me?”
“I thou
ght you stopped listening,” he smirked and sipped his wine. “Has anyone tampered with the wards in here?” he asked and gestured with the goblet.
She shook her head. As soon as he was freed from the Castrofax, Gabriel set wards all around her quarters that would keep people out. No one could sidestep in, no fires could be started except in the hearths, and the wood and stone would remain where it sat in case anyone tried to collapse the building. He even rigged several patterns onto ornaments that if Robyn touched, would throw out blinding light and stall any attackers.
She swirled her goblet. “Is your masseuse treating you well?”
He shrugged a shoulder. “Almost as good as you.”
Cracking her fingers, she pointed to the spot before the roaring hearth. He rose with a satisfied grin, and she rushed to pull the heavy dress off, slipping into leggings and a baggy shirt like she used to wear. It reminded her of their time in the cottage, and as she walked out, she glanced to the pillar to her bed where her bow and arrows were strapped behind.
“Take that off,” she accused, standing over him until he removed his shirt. The fire played golden dances over his skin as she dug her hands into his back, feeling tense muscles relax over time. Dancing made her think of her coronation, an extravagant affair with much celebration.
The whole kingdom had rejoiced with her triumphant return, dispelling all the rumors that she was dead or imprisoned. Thousands had flocked from outside the City to be present for the coronation.
The seamstresses had fashioned a glorious gown of gold and cream and bronze that bared the arms and covered the neck. She almost looked like a bird of prey when she sat in the Eagle Throne as her dress melded into the massive wings. Lords and Ladies who ruled cities in her kingdom came to pay fealty to her, bringing her gifts of the harvest, cattle, jewels, bolts of fabric, as well as a thousand other things. She had forgotten how extravagant it was to be nobility.
Unlocking Void (Book 3) Page 3