God of Magic 6

by Logan Jacobs

  “So they’ve just rebuilt a secret city,” Lavinia huffed. “Do I have to point out that if they’ve gone to all this trouble to build a secret city, they probably wouldn’t welcome a band of travelers? Especially a band of travelers being hunted by the Academy?”

  “You said that was one option,” I cut in. “What else do you have?”

  “Morelia,” Imogen replied, but Lena was already shaking her head.

  “No, we shouldn’t go there,” Lena insisted. “They would only protect us from the Academy until they knew why the Academy wanted us. Then they would probably just kill us and take the Shodra.”

  “True,” Imogen said. “We’d have to stay hidden from Morelian authorities as well, but I have acquaintances there who could help.”

  “Any place else?” I asked.

  “Lysantia,” Lavinia offered. “The queen has her own ongoing feud with the Tower. She’s been known to protect people they’ve been looking for.”

  “And the Lysantian army is one of the best,” Dehn added. “They’ve beaten back their share of Academy intrusions before.”

  “I’ve heard they have commercial ties to every port,” Maruk added. “We could move quickly to anywhere in the world from there.”

  “No,” I said. “We can’t go there. One of the mages Maderel trained is there as an advisor to the queen. Another one of his students is running some sort of mage school in Morelia.”

  “Well, that limits our options,” Lavinia replied.

  “Augustine is our best option,” Imogen declared.

  “Imaginary cities are not a best option,” Lavinia retorted.

  “It’s not imaginary,” Imogen snapped. “Look, you came to me, and asked me to accept that some ancient elven goddess has sent you on a mission to recover some mystical, magical items built by manipulators. All while being led by someone who should have been killed by the Academy years ago. I’m asking you to accept that Augustine still exists and that we can find it.”

  “It’s still on some of the old maps,” Emeline said thoughtfully as she twirled a lock of her hair. “If they built it near the original, we would at least know generally where to go.”

  “And even if Augustine wasn’t rebuilt,” Lena added, “The Eastern reaches are probably the only place where the Academy doesn’t hold sway.”

  “I’m beginning to think the only option we have is Augustine,” I said. “If Maderel’s been building his army for years, then he probably has ex-students all over the place. We need a place that’s free of his proteges.”

  “As High Mage, Maderel would be able to place people just about anywhere,” Emeline said. “I mean, think about it. There are mages advising just about every councilor, lord, and government employee, and a lot of those mages got their positions because they were recommended by the Tower.”

  “And even if they don’t have a recommendation from the Tower, they probably still have ties to the Tower,” Aerin added. “They’d still be loyal.”

  “To the Tower, or to Maderel,” Yvaine agreed.

  “Drat,” Maruk sighed. “We’re going to Augustine, aren’t we?”

  “Looks that way,” I laughed. “So, what was Dehn saying about using hot air balloons to cross the Iolian Sea?”

  “No balloons,” the halfling protested. “There are plenty of ships that make the crossing.”

  “Mmmm,” Yvaine mused. “I’m not sure the Tewksburys would be willing to give up their balloons for that long any way.”

  “Fine,” Lavinia grumbled as she absently rested her hand on her stomach. “But don’t complain to me when you’re stuck on a ship forever.”

  “I promise,” I replied.

  Chapter 12

  With the additional material that Dehn had brought the day before, Imogen was able to put together a comprehensive picture of the Tower. She had found several hidden stairwells and quite a few secret rooms. Emeline joked that they could make a fortune selling the information to the students, and I saw Aerin’s eyes light up as she tried to calculate how much money the guild would make off such a scheme.

  Imogen had quickly dismissed what I had come to think of as Maderel’s corporate office. It was too new, and there wasn’t enough space to have a secret room. She agreed that it could hold a well-concealed vault, but, as she pointed out, it was also the office that was most likely to have outside visitors. And while it was on the top floor, in many ways, it had less security.

  Maderel’s office in the heart of the Academy, however, had real potential. It was part of the original building, and one of the sections that had been rebuilt and redesigned every so often as the Academy expanded. Imogen believed that there were two hidden areas, one of which was probably a staircase that led to the basement. Being in the heart of the Tower also meant that spells would go unnoticed. Maderel could have cast a whole sea of security spells, and no one would so much as blink.

  The next step was to confirm that the rooms existed and that the Shodra were there. The one good thing to come out of all our spying was that we had a pretty good idea of what Maderel’s schedule would be like. Despite his occasional sudden visits to places outside the wall, he tended to follow a pretty regular routine.

  Our best opportunity to sneak into his office was in two days. Maderel had his weekly field trip with the seniors, and I had overheard in the halls that this week’s planned trip was to the Academy’s estates to learn about the magical qualities of mushrooms. I’ll admit, I laughed when I pictured Maderal discussing magic mushrooms, but since no one else saw the humor in magical mushrooms, I gave up on that discussion.

  The other major project was to find a way to get Imogen back in the city and then keep her hidden until we were ready to steal the Shodra. The city guard were on high alert since the dark mage attack, and I’d noticed that people entering the city faced more intensive scrutiny.

  “They know we have a ladona in our guild,” Maruk pointed out. “It won’t seem that unusual for us to ride with one.”

  “May I point out that we look nothing alike?” Lavinia snapped.

  “I could help with that,” Lena replied. “If we just change her coloring a little bit, make her look more like you in the face. And we could lighten the horns as well. Add some gloves and a hooded cloak, and they probably won’t look close enough to realize it’s not Lavinia.”

  “And how am I supposed to get back in the city?” Lavinia asked.

  “We can go in separate groups, at different times,” I said. “Make sure the same guards aren’t on duty so they don’t realize that there are two of you.”

  “Unless you have some other way to get back in,” Aerin added. “Maybe over the wall again.”

  “I could climb back up the wall,” Imogen said with a shrug, “But your way does sound easier. I think the more important question is how do you intend to locate the Shodra?”

  “I can check for protection spells in his office,” I replied. “And I can confirm that there’s a hidden room.”

  “But you won’t be able to look inside,” Lavinia pointed out.

  “Maybe,” I mused. “Though, I might be able to see enough about his spells that I can put it back in place when I’m done.”

  “Don’t take any unnecessary risks,” Imogen replied. “We don’t want him to realize that someone is interested in the Shodra. Just confirm the room is there. If it is, we can finalize our plans to break in.”

  “So who goes back first?” Dehn asked. “I’m just asking because my friend invited me for dinner tomorrow night.”

  “This would be the friend who works in the city archive?” I asked in amazement.

  “Dehn has a girlfriend,” Aerin teased in a sing-song voice.

  “She’s just a friend,” Dehn said defensively.

  “Uh-huh,” Lavinia said with a smirk.

  “Dare I ask where you plan to go for dinner?” Maruk inquired.

  “We like The Eight Bells,” Dehn replied.

  “That’s the place that has mud wrestling, isn�
�t it?” Lavinia asked.

  “And bare-knuckle boxing on the weekend,” Imogen added.

  “It’s classy,” Dehn sniffed. “And the buffet is all-you-can-eat.”

  “I’m getting heartburn just thinking about it,” Maruk sighed dramatically.

  “Alright,” I finally said. “Dehn, Imogen, Aerin, and Maruk get to go first. That way, if anyone does look too closely at Imogen, you three should be able to get her back out. Or, if need be, Aerin will convince them that you’re bringing her in for the bounty. The rest of us will follow after the shift change.”

  “All right!” Dehn cheered. “I’ll be back in time for dinner!”

  With our return finally organized, we spent the rest of the day in front of a cozy fire, and feasted on the dishes that kept appearing from the kitchen. Either the cook was afraid we were starving to death, or was desperate to use up supplies that wouldn’t last through the winter. Whatever the reason, we were treated to a constant flow of tasty dishes.

  The cook was so disappointed by our departure that she joined Rezo the next morning to bid us goodbye. She also handed us two large baskets filled with more food. Maruk finally cheered the woman up by promising to return with some of his homemade jams so they could continue their discussion on the best techniques to use for each type of fruit.

  The morning was crisp and bright, and we made good time as we rode. By lunchtime, we had reached a small town that boasted two pubs and a full restaurant. There were also more people on the road, many of whom were regular visitors to Ovrista. We overheard several still discussing Imogen’s dramatic escape and the bounty on her head, so we peeled off the main road onto an old cart track before anyone started looking too closely at either of the ladonae in our group.

  When we were within sight of the city walls, we cut across a fallow field towards an old barn. We’d helped the farmer who owned it recover his stolen donkeys, and in return, he’d told us we could use the barn if we ever needed a place to stay for the night if we didn’t make it back inside the city gates before they were locked. We’d never taken him up on his offer before, but now we turned it into Lena’s beauty salon.

  While Maruk, Dehn, and I waited outside with the horses, Lena and her team went to work. Lena had been quick to assure Imogen that no pills or potions would be involved, just plenty of lost and forgotten make-up that Lena had found while scrounging through the various guest bathrooms at the Constello estate. Imogen had looked relieved when she’d heard that, especially after Aerin had produced poor Maruk’s shirt, which was now a distinct shade of putrid brown.

  We spent twenty minutes stomping our feet against the ground and blowing on our hands before the door to the barn opened again. Imogen emerged first, followed by Lavinia. If I hadn’t been so familiar with Lavinia’s look, I might have thought there were two of her now. Or, at least that she had a sister.

  Lena had lightened Imogen’s skin tone and even found a way to make her horns match Lavinia’s ivory color. A dusting of powder had turned the black locks almost silver, and with the hood pulled up, it would pass as Lavinia’s mane. Imogen’s eyes were still a black well, but hopefully, none of the guards would know Lavinia well enough to notice.

  “How do I look?” Imogen asked.

  “Quite persuasive,” Maruk replied as he leaned in for a closer look. “Certainly more than adequate to fool the guards.”

  “Dehn and Aerin will be able to keep them from looking too closely,” I added as I looked at the elf and the halfling, both of whom nodded in agreement.

  “Dehn always asks for the latest updates on various criminal cases,” Aerin explained as Imogen looked at the pair. “That can eat up a lot of time, but the guards just spend it all talking to Dehn instead of checking the rest of us. If that doesn’t work, I can always find ways to distract them.”

  “I like to know what’s going on,” Dehn added when Imogen gave him a questioning stare.

  “All right, good luck,” I said. “Let us know as soon as you’re inside.”

  “Will do,” Aerin replied cheerfully as the first group remounted. She gave a jaunty wave as the foursome returned to the trail, and Merlin chirruped in response. The rest of us stood and watched until they were out of sight, then quickly filed back into the barn with our horses in tow.

  The barn was occupied by a pair of cows, the two donkeys we’d recovered, a goat, a large collection of chickens, and a large lizard thing I decided I wasn’t going to ask about. Merlin eyed all this and licked his lips, so I gave him a nudge with my boot and my best warning glance. He twitched his nose a few times, but finally climbed back onto my shoulder with a heavy sigh.

  Lena had just finished repacking all the make-up when the barn door opened again. I recognized the farmer who owned the place as he stepped inside. He had a pitchfork in his hand, and he jabbed it in the air as he squinted in our direction.

  “I’ll get you, you dirty little thieves!” the farmer yelled out.

  “William, it’s us,” I called back. “The Shadow Foxes. We just stopped here for a moment so Lena could, uh, well, uh--”

  William squinted at us, and Lena held up the glow stick she’d been using to apply the make-up.

  “Oh, Shadow Foxes,” William said with relief as he lowered his pitchfork. “I thought you were in here trying to rustle my cows. Can you believe that orcs have been spotted this far inland, stealing cows of all things?”

  “It’s a strange world we live in,” Lavinia replied.

  “Out on another bounty?” William asked.

  “Er, yes,” I replied.

  “Well, I’m glad it’s you I found in here,” William sighed. “Maybe you being here will scare off any orcs in the area.”

  “We’d like to stay here for about an hour, if that’s all right,” I asked.

  “Absolutely,” William said enthusiastically. “Do you need anything? Maybe something hot to drink?”

  “That would be great,” I assured him.

  “The wife has some warm mead over the fire,” William replied. “Let me just go get some.”

  William stepped back outside, careful to shut the door behind him. I could hear his footsteps retreating quickly up the path to the house.

  “At least they’re not taking shepherds,” Lavinia pointed out.

  “I will be forever grateful to the cook that explained that to them,” I replied.

  We waited in pleasant silence until William and his wife returned. William carried a large pitcher, and I could see the steam rolling off the top. The smell of cinnamon and nutmeg drifted with it, and I saw the other Shadow Foxes perk up in anticipation. His wife held five mugs, and she greeted each of us as if we were long-lost friends as she passed them out. With our mugs in hand, William filled each one to the very top.

  “Delicious,” I declared after I took a sip. There was apple in there, as well as honey, and it was the perfect drink after a day on the road.

  “We’re just happy you came by,” the wife replied. She was small and round, and her eyes twinkled like Santa’s were supposed to. She’d bounced up and down when we’d returned with the donkeys, and kissed everyone on their cheeks, even Maruk, who had practically done a toe touch just so she could reach him. I tried to come up with a name and then decided I may never have heard it. William had always just called her wife.

  “It’s fabulous, Lulu,” Lena agreed. “It’s just the thing to chase away a chill.”

  Well, at least someone in our group knew her name.

  “Oh, thank you, Lena,” the woman replied heartily.

  “So you said orcs are stealing cows now,” Lavinia asked as she took another sip of the mead.

  “Damndest thing,” William said with a shake of his head. “What the heck are a bunch of pirates doing with cows? And a lot of cows, at that. They could start a dairy farm with what they’ve taken so far.”

  “Maybe they’re going to try breeding them,” Lena suggested. Lavinia sputtered, and nearly spat out the sip of mead she’d just taken.
Coming from any of the other Foxes, I would have assumed the comment was meant to be sarcastic. Coming from Lena, I decided she was actually sincere.

  “Huh,” William said speculatively. “Hadn’t thought of that.”

  “Do orcs know how to raise cattle?” Lulu asked.

  “Never heard of it if they do,” William replied.

  “They could just buy the cattle,” Lulu suggested.

  “That’s not really the orc way,” Yvaine finally managed to say.

  “But there’s that fella who rides with you,” William pointed out. “I don’t think he would just steal a cow.”

  “No,” Emeline agreed. “He would not. But not all orcs are as refined as Maruk.”

  “Now that’s the truth,” William said sadly. “Maybe you could convince Maruk to talk to some of these orcs, make them see reason. Or at least, find out what they want with all our cows.”

  “We’ll ask him about it next time we see him,” I replied.

  We spent the rest of the hour enjoying small talk with William and Lulu, while the assorted farm animals looked on, and our horses stole bites of hay when no one was looking. When the sun had nearly set, we took our leave. We promised to investigate the orcs’ sudden and mysterious interest in cattle and thanked Lulu for her delicious mead. We received another round of kisses from Lulu and a firm pat on the back from William.

  We were nearly back to the main road when I remembered to check the paper. There was just enough light left to pick out a message from Aerin saying that they were back at the guildhall without any problems. Dehn had left for his date with his friend who was, in fact, a girl, and Imogen was immersed in the tub trying to remove all the make-up. I erased the message and tucked the paper back into my pack.

  We arrived at the city wall and joined the line of stragglers trying to get in before the main gate was closed for the night. The guards were bored, and not very interested in checking the people who were coming into the city. The only guard who seemed alert was the one standing on top of the wall. He watched the nearby countryside with one hand on his sword and the other one near the rope for the bell that signaled something dangerous had been spotted approaching the city.