God of Magic 6

by Logan Jacobs

  When I looked at Maderel, however, he appeared underwhelmed. He drummed his fingers on the desk while he watched my single flame dance in the draft. I sighed again and closed my fist. The flame disappeared, and I waited for Maderel to speak.

  “Not bad,” he finally noted. “I would like to see something more… expansive.”

  “Um, how so?” I asked. I pictured a raging forest fire and decided that even Maderel would probably find that to be too over the top.

  “We should work on creating a sphere,” Maderel replied. “It’s a basic skill that all fire mages master in their first quarter here at the Academy.”

  “Oh,” I said as I pictured the handy balls of light that Emeline regularly produced. “That would be nice.”

  We spent the next hour covering how to shape and form fire, and by the end, I had something that was vaguely ovoid in shape, and floated, for a few moments, before it disintegrated. I couldn’t tell if Maderel was impressed with my progress or not, but since he suggested that I continue with the next chapter in Lackland, I decided that he hadn’t written me off as a lost cause in the fire mage department entirely.

  Maderel’s next student was waiting outside in the hall when I finally left. The elf was seated on the floor, his face buried in a book. He looked up when I stepped into the hall and shot me a questioning glance.

  “Is he in a good mood?” the elf asked quietly.

  “I will be if you've completed your studies,” Maderel’s voice answered from inside the office.

  The elf gulped, and I shrugged. I left the student to his fate and trekked back to the lobby, curious to see if Lain was still there. Sadly, he was gone, and a rather stern looking matron sat there instead. I knew the woman from a few other visits. She barely said hello, and even that was only on rare occasions. It looked like I wouldn’t be able to find out about Lain’s misadventures until my next visit.

  The walk back to the guildhall was uneventful. It was still cold and icy, and even the kids had retreated back indoors. Merlin sniffed at the air and then burrowed into my cloak. I thought about stopping for a pastry, but a gust of cold air convinced me to keep going.

  The guildhall wasn’t exactly quiet when I returned. I could hear people moving around, and some muted conversation. The Shadow Foxes were preparing for a long trip, and I knew that meant not only packing supplies and checking weapons, but making sure that the business of running the guildhall would continue.

  Rezo had ridden in from the Constello estates the day before to consult with Yvaine. He had asked no questions about where we were going or why we thought we would be gone so long. He’d simply accepted that the marchioness had important business to attend to, and it would be part of his duties to ensure the continued operation of all Constello property.

  Aerin had been persuaded to work with Rezo as well, despite her reluctance to let someone else manage our finances. She and Rezo had disappeared into Aerin’s office early this morning to go over the books, and they were still there when I left.

  “Anybody home?” I called out as I tossed my coat onto a hook. Merlin jumped down and trotted in the direction of the kitchen.

  “You’re back,” Lavinia noted as she stepped into the hall and gave me a peck on the cheek. “Did you impress him with your fire mage skills today?”

  “I don’t think impress is quite the word he would use,” I replied with a laugh. “But he did tell me to keep working on it, so I guess I’m not a complete loss.”

  “We’re nearly ready,” she sighed. “A few more things to pack, and we’ll be set.”

  “Everybody know where to go?” I asked.

  “We all have our routes out of the city,” she replied with a nod. “And Rezo will have the carriages and supplies waiting for us at the inn. They’ll take us as far as Gilamar. After that, we’ll need to find a ride across the desert.”

  “Just like old times,” I said.

  I ran a finger along the curve of her jaw and slowly traced the bones of her cheek. She leaned her head into my hand and let it rest there. I could feel her heartbeat, soft and slow, as she closed her eyes for a moment. I moved in closer and caught her scent. I raised my other hand and slowly ran my fingers through her hair. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, and I ran my thumb along the edge of her lips.

  “You could stay here,” I added as I admired her profile. “I’m sure Rezo could find plenty of good hiding spots on the Constello lands.”

  “I’m not dying,” she remarked. “I’m pregnant.”

  “I know,” I laughed quietly. “But this is a hard trip for anyone. And I worry about our baby.”

  “I promise to take good care of her… or him,” she replied.

  “It’s a long trip, and it’s only going to get harder,” I pointed out.

  “I’ve thought about that,” she admitted. “But I’m a Shadow Fox. I can’t just abandon my guild.”

  “You wouldn’t be abandoning us,” I assured her.

  “That’s what you say now,” she said as she lifted her head and studied my face. There was a teasing tone to her voice, but her eyes revealed her worry.

  “No one will ever say otherwise,” I asserted. “I won’t let them.”

  “I’ll be okay,” she finally said. “I can do this.”

  “Just consider it,” I replied quietly. “I don’t know what I would do if I lost you or the baby on this trip.”

  “You can’t get rid of us that easily,” she laughed. Her full smile was back, and I couldn’t help leaning in for a kiss. I tasted her familiar fiery, caramel flavor until she pulled back. She held my face in her hands and scrutinized me.

  “I have absolutely no desire to be rid of you,” I declared.

  “Good,” she replied. We came together again for a slower, more lingering kiss.

  “Ahem,” Maruk coughed. Lavinia and I stepped apart and stared politely at the orc.

  “How are the food supplies?” I asked.

  “We’re okay,” Maruk hemmed. “Though I have some concerns for our trip across the desert.”

  “I need to check on Lena,” Lavinia announced. “I’m not sure she understood me when I said she should pack some extra jars of skin balm.”

  Lavinia gave my butt a quick squeeze and turned towards Lena’s lab. I followed Maruk to the kitchen where I was quickly lost in a long, detailed discussion on the various types of available dried foodstuffs that might or might not provide sufficient protein for a long crossing. I made appropriate sounds of agreement at what appeared to be the right places, and Maruk finally settled on what he considered to be the right blend of fruits, nuts, and jerky.

  When Maruk finally released me, I started towards my room. I’d made it as far as the front hall, and even had my foot on the top step, when someone knocked on the door. I thought about ignoring it, but after a second knock and no appearance by any other Shadow Foxes, I moved towards the door and flung it open.

  For a moment, I thought no one was there. I stepped back and was about to close the door when I spotted a dwarf on the threshold. He was short, even for a dwarf, and his head looked like it had been wrapped in steel wool. His bushy beard hung to his belt buckle and blended nicely with the dark gray shirt and pants he wore.

  “Is this the Shadow Foxes?” he asked.

  “It is,” I replied.

  He quickly scurried back to the street, and a cart that had been pulled up next to the curb. Two other dwarves dressed in the same gray outfits lounged against the back of the cart as they watched the few people who walked along the sidewalk. The dwarf who had knocked on the door pointed back towards me, and I could see a rapid discussion take place. A moment later, the dwarves started to haul several heavy crates up the steps to the guildhall.

  “Wait, what is this?” I protested.

  “Delivery,” the first dwarf insisted as he waved the other two dwarves past me.

  “Delivery of what?” I demanded. “We aren’t expecting anything.”

  “Someone is,” the d
warf replied as he handed me a clipboard. “Sign, please.”

  “I’m not signing for this,” I snapped. “I don’t even know what it is.”

  “Somebody here ordered it,” the dwarf replied as his companions dropped their first load on the floor and retreated back down the steps for the next load.

  I glanced down at the sheet I had been asked to sign. The destination was indeed the guildhall for the Shadow Foxes, but the name on the form was Ceren Kayden.

  “There’s no one here by this name,” I complained as the dwarves muscled past me with another set of crates.

  “Not my problem,” the first dwarf replied. “Sign, please.”

  “What the hell is this?” Lavinia asked as she took in the dwarves and the crates. She’d just stepped back into the main hall and glared at the dwarf who was still waiting for my signature.

  “Somebody sent something,” I replied as the last crate hit the floor with a dull thud.

  “Sign, please,” the first dwarf repeated.

  “Who?” Lavinia asked suspiciously.

  “Ceren Kayden,” I read off the form.

  “Sign, please,” the first dwarf sighed.

  “Oh,” Lavinia remarked. I saw her eyes narrow, and she eyed the crates speculatively.

  “Oh what?” I asked as the first dwarf heaved an even more dramatic sigh.

  “I think I know who ordered this,” she replied.

  “Fine,” I barked at the dwarf as I caved in and signed the form. The dwarf snatched the clipboard from my grasp and retreated to the cart. I closed the door and turned to look at the ladona.

  “Who’s Ceren Kayden?” I asked.

  “An old ladona legend,” she replied. “He would steal tax money from the king and give it to the poor.”

  “Like Robin Hood,” I commented as I stared at the crates. “Oh, you think Imogen ordered whatever this is.”

  Imogen appeared on cue then at the top of the stairs. She took in the stack of crates and actually clapped her hands.

  “Excellent, they’re here,” she said.

  “What’s here?” I asked.

  “Just some items to help us on our journey,” Imogen replied as she walked down the steps. “We should gather everybody.”

  “What’s in the crates?” Lavinia demanded.

  “You’ll find out when everyone’s here,” Imogen smirked.

  Lavinia rolled her eyes, but she turned on her heel and marched towards the kitchen. I could hear her knock on doors and call out names as she went. I knocked on one of the crates experimentally, and Lavinia ordered me to find something to open them with. I retreated to the armory where I found a broken sword that hadn’t yet been repaired.

  I returned to the front hall and found the rest of the Shadow Foxes gathered around the crates. Lena looked like a kid on Christmas morning, while Dehn looked like he’d just bitten into a particularly bitter lemon.

  “Oh, thanks.” Imogen took the blade from my hand and slipped it under the lid. There was a groan of protest from the wood, and then the top popped off.

  Imogen pawed through a pile of hay, most of which ended up on the floor. She smiled when her hand found whatever was inside and looked over at Maruk.

  “For the orc,” she said dramatically as she set the blade aside and reached in with both hands. With a great heave, she pulled a shining shield from the crate. “A duranium shield cast by the finest dwarven smiths.”

  “Oh my, oh my,” Maruk said in awe as he carefully took the shield from the ladona. “It’s magnificent.”

  Maruk placed the shield on his arm and struck a pose.

  “How’s it feel?” Imogen asked.

  “It’s so light,” Maruk replied.

  “But it’s much stronger than anything you’ve been carrying,” Imogen replied. “There should be another one in one of these crates somewhere.”

  “Damn,” Dehn blurted out. “Is there stuff for all of us in here?”

  “Indeed there is,” Imogen said with a smile.

  Dehn snatched up the blade and started to work on the next crate.

  “Why?” I asked the ladona as Dehn started to hack impatiently at the wood. Lavinia snatched the blade from him and slipped it under the edge of the lid.

  “It seemed like something we might need for the trip,” Imogen replied with a shrug.

  “How much did this cost?” Aerin asked suspiciously as Dehn dug through the second crate. “And how did you pay for it?”

  “It was paid for a long time ago,” Imogen said. “This is simply a repayment on an old debt.”

  “Some debt,” I said as Dehn pulled a new mace from the crate. Aerin’s eyes lit up, and she grabbed the weapon from his hand. She made a couple of experimental swings, then gave Imogen a nod of approval.

  “I should go test this,” the red-headed elf declared.

  “Right behind you,” Dehn chortled as he pulled a glimmering new axe from the crate. He swung it in a wide arc, nearly slicing a few knee caps as he did.

  “Take it down to the basement!” Lavinia ordered as she jumped out of the way.

  Dehn and Aerin ran from the room, leaving the rest of us to pick through the remaining creates. We discovered a sleek new sword for Yvaine that sliced through the crates as easily as a knife through hot butter. There was a smaller, but no less vicious, blade for Imogen, and a carved elven longbow for Lavinia, complete with magic-enhanced arrows that would pierce the thickest hide or the strongest steel.

  Lena did a happy dance when Imogen handed her a wooden box packed with the dried leaves and seeds of rare and unusual plants, as well as a few other oddities, like the crushed bones of some sort of bird, and the dried liver of an alligator. For Emeline, there was the latest in cartography equipment, and for myself, a simple gold bracelet covered in the fantastical script I now recognized as elvish. There were even tins of sardines for the puca which he carried away one by one to one of his secret hiding spots.

  “It’s lovely,” I remarked as I examined it under the light.

  “It is,” Imogen laughed as she took it from my grasp and slipped it on my wrist. “It’s also a tool to help you learn.”

  “How so?” I asked.

  “There are still places where elves teach their own version of magic,” Imogen replied, “far from the prying eyes of the academy. Bracelets like these help students see and learn about all the elements before they decide which one they want to focus on. I know you’re a manipulator, and that you can already see mana, but I thought this might help you master the elements as well.”

  “This is perfect,” I declared.

  “I’m glad you like it,” she replied. “You’re a hard person to shop for.”

  “Well, food and beer are always good options,” I laughed as I looked at the bracelet again. “Do you know what it says?”

  “It’s an invocation of some sort,” she explained. “It asks the god Evarun to help the bearer better see the world that He created.”

  “I’ll have to test it out tonight,” I said. “In fact, I think I saw something about this in one of my books. I’ll have to go back and find it.”

  “No doubt you’ll soon be a master of all the elements,” Imogen replied with a smile. “Just don’t let the… authorities catch you wearing it.”

  “Oh, I’ve seen one of those,” Lena said as she peered over Imogen’s shoulder at my bracelet. “Let’s see, where did I see that?”

  “Morelia?” I suggested.

  “No, I don’t think so,” she mused. “But I’m pretty sure it was an elf that was wearing it.”

  “I think I could carry three shields,” Maruk declared. “These two new ones and one of my older ones.”

  “Maybe just stick with the new ones,” I said. “We are going to be carrying a lot of extra supplies this time.”

  “Good point,” Maruk replied. “Which reminds me, I need to get my bear fur cloak back from the cleaners. I hope they had enough time to add the silk lining.”

  “I need to test my
arrows,” Lavinia added. “Maybe I can get Dehn to volunteer some of that armor of his. Preferably while he’s still in it.”

  “Thank you, Imogen,” Emeline exclaimed as she hugged the ladona. Maruk managed to catch the new cartography set before it hit the floor and he handed it back to the panthera. “I’m going to get to draw my own maps! And someday, people will use my maps to plot their path.”

  “First, we need you to plot our trail to Augustine and back,” Imogen pointed out.

  “So you’ll be coming back with us?” Yvaine asked as she practiced a few quick lunges with her sword.

  “Who knows?” Imogen said with a shrug. “A thief must always be ready to move, but sometimes you find yourself back in the same place you started from.”

  “Amen to that,” I murmured. “Let’s hope we make it back to our starting point this time as well.”

  Chapter 15

  The day of the city council meeting had arrived. Lena and Aerin were on duty outside the Tower while Imogen, Merlin, and I hid in Emeline’s old study above Damien’s shop. We sat in the least wobbly chairs we could find and sucked on watermelon sours.

  With only five minutes to spare before the start of the meeting, Aerin sent word that Maderel had left Academy grounds and was heading towards the city hall. Ten minutes later we had confirmation from Lavinia that Maderel had entered the building. Five minutes after that, Maruk reported from inside the council room that Maderel was there and looked peeved.

  “Time to move,” I said as I stood up. We descended the stairs, thanked Damien for the use of the room and then stepped out into another cloudy day. We stuck close to the shadows and avoided the busier areas of town until we were at the edge of the Academy’s property. Here, it was brighter, the sidewalks wider, and students and staff moved quickly along the snow-free paths.

  “Stay close,” I whispered. Imogen nodded as I handed her my invisibility cloak. She draped it carefully over her shoulders and pulled the hood up high enough to cover her horns. The effect startled me, even though I knew what would happen. One minute she was there, the next she was gone. No blurring, no strange outline, just gone.