Welcome To The Age of Magic

by C M Raymond et al.

  Danil opened his mouth to reply, but two plates were slapped on their table. Steam wafted from sausages and bacon, with a side of cooling sauerkraut and fresh baked bread. “Enjoy.” The cook wiped his hands on a greasy apron and scurried back to the kitchen.

  “I believe our hires are here,” Danil said.

  12

  Julianne swung round to look. Two rearick stood just inside the door. The bearded one lit up in a smile, and Julianne waved to him. “Garrett! You’re part of our escort team?” Garrett and some of the other rearick had showed up when the Arcadian rebellion needed them the most. Together, they’d fought off Adrien and made the city a free place again.

  “Aye. Not much of a team, though. Old Harker couldn’t find anyone but the two of us.”

  “Well, there might only be two, but we can fight. Worth the price of three, at least.” The other rearick was, to Julianne’s surprise, female. She looked young, despite the hardened face that came from living in a place like Craigston. The rearick valued hard work and set their children to profitable enterprises at a young age.

  “We’ll pay for two,” Julianne said firmly.

  “You’ve seen me fight, lass. Ye can’t be saying I’m not worth at least two on me very own?” Garrett gave Julianne a toothy grin and winked.

  “Yes, but I’ve also seen you eat. The contract said I’m to pay for your services, but also your food. Are you trying to send the Temple bankrupt?” Julianne schooled her expression, unwilling to let the professional haggler get the best of her.

  Garrett slumped. “Fair enough. I suppose I may be worth a man and a half, but Bette here is a woman. That makes her only worth a half. Ow!” He flinched and rubbed the shoulder Bette had just punched with a closed fist.

  It wasn’t a playful jab, either, going by the set of her mouth. “Garrett, you know bloody well I can fight just as well as the rest of ye.”

  “I’m just sayin’, women are more suited ta—OW!” A second punch, aimed in the same spot as the first, finally made him close his mouth.

  “Two fees, food and lodging for both—of my choosing, mind you—and you’re to split it evenly between you,” Julianne said. “We’ll be done eating in a few. Our horses are out the front. Bastian, did you bring one?”

  “Yes. Well, I’ve hired one, but I’ve yet to pick him up. A fellow named Heston?”

  Bette gave a loud snort. “He’ll charge ye double for half a nag. Here, I’ll ask Bern if his runner is in. No cheaper, but she’ll last ye the distance.”

  “You can go organize that while Danil and I finish up here,” Julianne said, dipping her bread into the gravy on her plate. Bastian pushed back his chair, then awkwardly maneuvered past Julianne and headed for the door.

  As the rearick turned to follow him, she caught Garrett’s arm. She waited until Bette and Bastian had moved away before speaking. “And if I hear one more word about women being ‘better suited’ for other professions, you’ll find yourself returning to the Heights with a penchant for wearing sundresses, you hear me?”

  Garrett went white as a sheet. “Yes. Yes, Ma’am.” He ran off to join the others.

  Danil held in his laughter until the rearick had gone. “Doesn’t he realize you can’t mind control unless you’re standing right by him?”

  Julianne sobered. “Danil, that’s something that’s been bothering me. When I looked into Donna’s mind, there was clearly some kind of interference there. Not just the shield. It was like she’d been… controlled. Her thoughts didn’t belong to her, not truly, but I don’t think it was one of her companions. Is that even possible?”

  Danil was silent for a moment, thinking. “How could it be? It must have been one of her people, Jules. Does that mean their leader was there? Was he one of the ones we caught?”

  Julianne shook her head. “Danil, I don’t think so.”

  A small handful of rearick entered the room, headed for the bar. They were grimy and flapped their shirts as if to cool down, even though the day outside was bordering on frosty.

  “We should catch up with the others,” Danil said. “What do you think of Bastian? Clearly, Donna has put some kind of rubbish in his head. Are you sure you want him coming with us into what may turn out to be the heartland of the New Dawn?”

  Julianne wrinkled her nose. “When something smells rotten, it probably is. I’d rather him see that now, than let someone beguile him into false ideas that cover the stench in fine perfume.”

  Laughing, Danil stepped outside, holding the door for Julianne. “You do have a way with words. Very well, we’ll take the cub into the lion’s den and show him about.”

  “Keep an eye on him for me? I don’t want him to think I’m spying inside his head.”

  Danil nodded. His need to use magic to see would let him slip in and out of the other man’s head without suspicion, though he’d have to tread lightly. Bastian hadn’t noticed Julianne’s intrusion, but that didn’t mean he was completely unskilled.

  “Sure, Jules.”

  As she unhitched the two horses, Julianne reached for her magic and sent it out to touch the minds around them. She quickly located Bastian and their hired companions. “This way,” she said once her eyes had cleared, gesturing for Danil to follow.

  Within a few minutes, Craigston was behind them. The town was the end point of the major trade route to Arcadia, so the roads here were wider and better maintained. Garrett led, with Danil beside him. Julianne and Bastian followed, while Bette took the rearguard. Julianne let Bastian ride just a little ahead, slipping into a light trance to see if she could get inside his head again.

  He was shielded. Instead of pushing against it, she spoke to him instead. We’re up for a long, hard journey. Are you sure this is what you want?

  I spent my whole childhood on a tiny farm, came the reply. Then, at the Heights. There’s a whole world out there, Master, and all I know of it is what people tell me. I see the mystics who return from pilgrimage and they all see different things. Some like the roads, others hate the dust and rough sleeping. They enjoy the city, with the people and the sights. Others think Arcadia smells, that it’s too crowded and dirty. How do I know what’s true if I don’t see it myself?

  Ah, sent Julianne. But will your impressions be any more truthful than theirs? She watched him struggle with that for a moment.

  No, but they’ll be mine.

  Julianne left him to dwell on their conversation for a little while, dropping back to speak to Bette. The young rearick woman had piqued her interest.

  “How long have you been working with Garrett?” the mystic asked.

  Bette looked down, blushing. “It’s my first job. Harker only asked me ‘cause he was desperate. He’s like most of ‘em lugheads back there, thinks a woman’s place is in the gardens, or behind a bar.”

  “What made him change his mind?” Julianne prodded.

  “He was desperate! When you lot sprang the change of plans on him, he nearly crapped his damn britches. Couldn’t find anyone else, and the only thing worse than sendin’ a woman would be givin’ a customer back their coins.” Then, she frowned. “Why’d you ask me that? I thought you mystics knew everything in a person’s head?”

  Julianne laughed. “Don’t believe everything you hear.”

  “Well, how’s it work then?” Bette asked, curiosity getting the better of her shyness.

  “Well… It’s hard to explain the how, but I can tell you the what. I could read your mind, if I wanted to. Not without going into a trance, though, so my eyes would be white. If you can’t see my pupils, that means I’m using my magic.”

  Bette nodded, considering. “We had a few of yer lot by a few days ago. Their’s were almost never clear.”

  Shock ran through Julianne’s nerves like a lightning bolt, along with a feeling of utter stupidity. Of course, the New Dawn would have stopped by Craigston. They’d likely arrived late to the Temple on purpose, knowing it would unsettle the residents. “Tell me about them,” she said simply.
/>   “Not much to tell. They came in, looked around. Jones said they bought some of his pretty stones, but not which ones. They weren’t friendly, not like you and the rest.” Bette paused, thinking. “We figured they must be from somewhere else, with their fancy robes and all.”

  “Bette, do you mind if I take a peek at what you saw? I just want to confirm something.”

  Bette paled. “Will it hurt?”

  “Not a bit,” Julianne said gently. “I promise.”

  She settled herself on the horse and delved into Bette’s mind. Slipping into the thoughts of a non-mystic was only the slightest bit different. Deliberately avoiding anything but what she was seeking, she plucked out Bette’s memories of the New Dawn.

  Yes, they had been to Craigston. The memories didn’t show her anything new, though, just confirmed what Bette had said. Danil, she sent, the New Dawn were in Craigston. Can you see if Garrett saw them? Find out what you can.

  Sure, Danil replied. He just got back from a run to Arcadia, though. Still, he might know something.

  Thank you. Julianne glanced over to see Bette ramrod straight and eyes tightly shut, face pulled into a grimace. “Bette? I’m all done, you know.”

  “What, already? Scheisse, I dinna feel a thing!” A wide grin spread over her face. “What else can ya do?”

  For the next hour, she grilled Julianne about the talents of mystics. When Julianne showed her some illusions, and made her feel like her feet were being tickled, she almost fell off her horse with glee.

  “Don’t I wish I were born special,” she sighed.

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Julianne snapped. “You’re the first female Harker sent out on an escort run! You’re paving the way for women everywhere, breaking barriers set by those rock-brained men and showing them we can do just as well as they can.”

  Bette chewed her cheek. “I suppose yer right. I am the first woman to work in the guards, and blowed to anyone who thinks I’m worth any less, just ‘cause I don’t have a dick between me legs!”

  Julianne giggled. “Means you’ll think more clearly, I bet.”

  “And I won’t be wasting me nights at the taverns, or be taken in by a pretty lass with a thief for a sister like Donovan did, either.”

  Julianne stretched, regarding her companion with respect. Bette had a damn good point. “You know, if you’ve got a good head on you, there’s a chance you’ll have Harker’s job one day.”

  “I dinna want it!” Bette retorted. “It’s the road I love. Travelling, seeing new places and earning some coin to do it. I don’t mind me a good fight, either.”

  Julianne didn’t remind her this was the first time she had earned any coin for seeing the world. The girl was pushing against tradition, and Julianne loved that.

  It hit close to home, for the Mystic Temple had, like most of Irth, a very male-centric view of the world when Julianne had risen to take Selah’s place.

  “Things are changing,” she whispered, a pool of satisfaction warming inside her breast. When Julianne took the helm back at the Temple, outsiders were often shocked at seeing a woman in control. Then, Hannah had come along and not only proven herself powerful, she’d led an entire revolution.

  Julianne opened her mouth to ask Bette what her long-term plans were. Before she could say anything, she was interrupted by voices from ahead.

  13

  Julianne sent out a mental probe, touching Danil’s mind first.

  Traders, returning from Arcadia, Danil sent.

  Julianne nudged her horse and trotted up to meet them, gesturing Bette to do the same.

  “Barton, you’re back early,” Garrett said, moving his horse to the side of the path.

  “Aye. The new designs went better than expected. Seems the people of Arcadia missed our regular trips and are making up fer lost time.”

  Julianne knew the jewelry trade had suffered during Adrien’s rule, the demand for amphoralds overriding the need for pretty things. “I’m glad things are going well for the rearick,” she said.

  “Oh yes,” his companion said with a grin. “The money flows and with all the stones we’d stockpiled, there’s more than enough to go ‘round. Here,” he said, digging in his pocket. “A trinket for ye, lass.” He threw something in the air towards Julianne, sending a sprinkle of light over the ground as the sun caught the stone’s facets.

  The tiny butterfly pin, set with green stones, nestled in Julianne’s palm. “How much?” she asked, enamored with it.

  “A pretty smile, is all. Them ladies are wanting lizards and fruit this season, not insects, so it won’t fetch a price worth more.”

  Despite an urge to roll her eyes, Julianne grinned. “Thank you,” she said, fastening the pin to her robes. “Bette, is it straight?”

  “What? That you Bette?” The rearick who’d gifted the stone to Julianne craned his head around to see.

  “What of it, Gus?” Bette snapped.

  He laughed, a deep, rollicking chuckle. “Aye, that’s the spirit. Good to see Sylvan finally broke down. We’d best be moving on, though, want to have tomorrow’s load ready to go before nightfall.”

  Gus nodded to his companion, who had a faraway look in his eyes. Barton absentmindedly kicked his horse, and started past the mystic’s party. He paused by Julianne and met her eyes.

  His glare bored into her, making the skin on her neck prickle. She debated slipping into a trance, but instead asked, “Anything the matter, friend?”

  The rearick frowned and flicked his head. “Just feel like I’ve forgotten… that pin, where did you get it?” He’d lost his earlier joviality and now sounded flat and toneless.

  Confused, Julianne looked down at the green butterfly. “This? Gus just—”

  “THIEF!” Barton lunged at Julianne, yanking on his horse’s reins violently. The nag shrieked and reared up, her front feet pawing at Julianne.

  Julianne fell to the ground and rolled to avoid her own mare’s clattering hooves. She pressed up against the rock face as Barton vaulted off his horse. Behind him, Gus screamed “Thief!” over and over, waving his sword in a frenzied pattern.

  Barton slammed a fist into Julianne’s face. Pain flared from cheekbone to temple. Someone screamed. Julianne threw up an arm to fend off the next blow and caught the brunt of it on her forearm. In that moment, she slipped into a trance.

  She shoved against the block on Barton’s mind. Her energy was scattered, not strong enough. Pain shot through her shoulder as another blow landed. Bette screamed, two desperate words. “Please, no!”

  Drawing her fear, her anger, her pain into a tight ball, Julianne found her center. She pushed the focused energy through Barton’s mind, shattering the defenses that kept her out before. She wasn’t alone.

  “GET OUT!” she shrieked, using all her strength to eject the foreign presence that altered his thoughts.

  Barton fell. Julianne was yanked back into her body as he lost consciousness. Reeling, she looked up to see Gus lying in the dirt, in a dark, sticky pool. Bette leaned over him, hands pressed to his shoulder as he moaned.

  Garrett yelled. “Ye silly girl, get off him before he kills ye!” His sword was drawn and streaked with blood.

  “Don’t be stupid, Garrett,” she snapped back. “It’s alright, Gus. Just breathe, it’s not that bad.”

  Gus turned his head, his eyes darting around in panic.

  Eyes clouded over again, Julianne searched. Where are they? Julianne pushed the thought to Danil and Bastian. Both men stood ready for battle, eyes white.

  I can’t find them, Jules. The fear in Danil’s voice shook Julianne to the core.

  “Garrett, Bette, search the area,” she snapped, pulling herself to her feet.

  The two rearick eyed each other, then shook their heads. “I canna leave Gus,” Bette said.

  “I’m not leaving until he’s tied up,” Garrett said.

  Julianne pulled herself up and went to examine the fallen trader. “What happened?”

  Julianne gently
pushed Bette aside and replaced the rearicks hands with her own. The blood was slowing now.

  Garrett’s jaw clenched. “He went crazy, attacked Bette. She dropped her sword, couldn’t defend herself. I had no choice.”

  Bette snarled and snatched her weapon from the ground, her hands still slick with blood. She stormed up to Garrett and shoved him, hard. “You idiot. I didn’t drop me sword, I threw it away so I wouldn’t hurt him!”

  Garrett shook his head, confused. “He was gonna to kill ye!”

  “No he bloody wasn’t, he was gonna get a sore bloody head. What the hell were ye thinking, busting in like that? Ye should have been lookin’ after her!” Bette thrust the sword in Julianne’s direction for emphasis.

  “Bette, don’t be stupid. Gus went crazy! You were unarmed; what the bloody hell did ye want me to do?”

  “Use yer thick head, that’s what, and stop treating me like I’m a piece of bloody glass. Ye know I can hold me own in a bare hand fight. Gus didn’t draw; he just flew at me. It was obviously some kind of mental heebie jeebie, I didn’t want to kill the poor bastard.”

  “Mental… what? Is that what happened?” Garrett swung round, looking to Julianne for confirmation.

  Before she could answer, Bette snapped, “Of course, it bloody was. What, did ye think he just didn’t like me hat?”

  Garrett stared at her for a moment. “Ah, hell. Now I’ve gone and done it. Gus? Ye with us now, ye bastard?”

  “Urmph.” The grunt was all Gus seemed to be able to manage. He’d watched the exchange between Bette and Garrett with rising fear, his heart beating faster as blood leaked out of his wound. He tried to sit, but Julianne pushed him back down.

  Julianne muttered a quiet word and her eyes turned white. Gus relaxed, slumping back on the ground. “There you go. No need to fret, we’ll sort it all out.”

  “I… I dinna mean to…” His eyelids fluttered.

  “Aye, son. We know.” Bette patted his good shoulder.