Trading into Darkness

by C. M. Simpson

  “No. I asked her to do work in my office—”

  There was a snort from the hallway behind them as someone tried to not to laugh. Roeglin looked toward it and Marsh slipped her hand free of his arm, pushing the door open and stumbling through it to escape the embarrassment in the hall. As she crashed onto her bed and closed her eyes, she heard Brigitte.

  “Honestly, Ro. I’m going to take away your license to talk. Tamlin, Aisha can sleep in her own bed. Marchant’s been working on her light magic and is exhausted. She won’t wake her.”

  “Well, why didn’t they just say that?”

  Marchant didn’t hear the answer to that one, and she fell asleep without hearing them close the door. When she woke, Brigitte was shaking her, and she’d brought a meal. The woman didn’t waste any words.

  “You’re needed in a meeting.” She watched as Marsh got up and then pointed to the food. “Make sure you eat. Aisha’s with Tamlin, and they’ll join us later.”

  Marsh did as she was told, stretching away the fatigue that lingered in her tired muscles and then reaching for her clothes. She was glad she didn’t have to wear the robes given to most apprentices. The trousers and shirt she pulled on were more comfortable. Their soft, dark cloth was better than any she’d worn as a messenger for Kearick, and her sword belt fit the pants perfectly. Robes would have gotten in the way. Even the boots were an improvement, better than she could have afforded on Kearick’s stingy wages.

  Thinking about her former employer made Marsh remember the artifact she still had stowed in her backpack. While the supply master knew of it, she’d let Marsh take it back and hadn’t told anyone else she still had it. Marsh frowned, nudging her old pack farther under her desk as she sat to eat. She still had to deliver the darn thing whether or not she got paid for it.

  She’d thought of locking the pack in the chest she used for her clothes, but had reasoned that was the first place anyone would look for it. Instead, she’d tucked her old travel pack in the farthest, darkest corner beneath her desk and called on the shadows to conceal it. So far, not even Aisha’s curious eyes had noticed it.

  Thinking of the child made Marsh glance toward Aisha’s bed. It was empty, but it was made, and Marsh breathed a sigh of relief. That was one less thing to deal with when she saw the child next. After finishing what was on her plate and draining the mug of lukewarm chocolate, she headed for the door.

  Brigitte was waiting in the corridor.

  “This meeting,” Marsh said. “What’s it about?”

  “Restoring the trade routes,” Brigitte told her, and Marsh felt a shiver of excitement.

  When they reached the Shadow Master’s office, however, she realized Brigitte hadn’t told her everything. The room was crowded, even though it was one of the largest offices she’d ever been in. As well as her and Brigitte, Roeglin, Gustav, Aisha, Tamlin, a man whose uniform identified him as head of the shadow guard, three hoshkats and an unusually quiet krypthund puppy were present.

  Marsh was two steps through the door when she registered the presence of the children and came to an abrupt halt. She turned to Brigitte, about to demand an explanation, but the woman took her by the arm and guided her into the group. She addressed the Master of Shadows before Marsh could speak.

  “Sorry we are late, Master.”

  He’d looked up as they entered, and now he shook his head.

  “I’m sure you came as soon as you were able.” He turned his attention to Marsh. “It’s good to see you recovering, Trainee Leclerc.”

  As a warning of her position in the hierarchy, his use of her training title was effective—and Marsh wondered why he’d felt the need.

  “Thank you, Master of Shadows,” she said, and let Brigitte guide her to a place beside the children.

  She still wasn’t very happy with them being here, but she knew she’d have to wait to see why they were in attendance.

  “If you’ll all sit,” the Master directed, and waited until they’d done as he bid. “As you know, the trade routes must be restored sooner rather than later. To this end, we have been testing all of our mages so we know how quickly the glows might be repaired.”

  A hollow feeling settled in Marsh’s stomach, but the Master of Shadows wasn’t finished.

  “We cannot afford to ignore the abilities of one of the most skilled at calling the light that I have seen in all my years.”

  Aisha wriggled happily in her seat, and the Master smiled.

  “Apprentice Aisha Danet will be added to the team containing her guardian Marchant Leclerc.” He caught Marsh’s half-gasp of protest and silenced her with a stern gaze as he continued, “And Apprentice Tamlin Danet will be joining her.”

  Again, Marsh drew breath to argue, but the Master of Shadows still hadn’t finished. His gaze moved over the group of mages and guards gathered before him.

  “I understand that many of you will have concerns about including one so young on this journey, but the task is urgent. I believe we are more than capable of keeping one small child and her brother safe. After all, it has proven possible in the past.”

  Marsh wanted to argue that the caverns were much more dangerous now than they had ever been, but the Master of Shadows was well ahead of her.

  “With the danger growing, I am still confident that we can keep them safe, given that they will be with a force of experienced shadow mages and guards, as well as one of the most dangerous beasts known to the caverns.”

  The tone of his voice said his mind was made up, but Marsh decided she had to try.

  “Master of Shadows,” she began, and he turned his face toward her. Marsh noted that it was wiped carefully clear of any expression, but she didn’t let that deter her. “With respect, but it is still not safe for a child to be outside the monastery, and there may be an alternative.”

  He raised his hand, and she stopped.

  “You are right about it not being safe, but without reopening the trade routes utilizing the forces being built by the Ruins Hall founder, not even the monastery will be safe. Letting Aisha use her skills will allow us to restore that safety sooner. As for the alternative, it is a good idea, but I’m afraid it will not suffice for safeguarding the trade routes since the ability to see the heat from the flames is not possessed by all.”

  That was something Marsh had not known. She’d thought everyone could see the heat stored in the objects and creatures around them. The Master of Shadows caught her look, and it was as though he’d read her mind.

  “Not everyone,” he confirmed, “and enough can’t that we need the light.”

  Marsh wanted to keep arguing but decided not to. The Master of Shadows had a point. Besides, he’d clearly made his decision, and she didn’t want him angry with her.

  “Yes, Master,” she said and looked down at her lap.

  As she did, Mordan nudged her with her head, and Marsh felt the big kat’s presence hovering at the edge of her mind. She quietly laid her hand on the kat’s head and opened the link between them. Mordan crept into her mind, her presence brushing against her doubts and fears and reassuring her as it passed.

  Mordanlenoowar was traveling with Marsh and her cubs. Mordan’s kits were traveling with Marsh’s cubs. There was no danger in the cavern that could stand against her pride and the pride from the Protected Cavern when they hunted together.

  Marsh stared at the kat.

  The Protected Cavern?

  And the kat replied by sending her a picture of the monastery with its fortified walls and gated barbican.

  The Protected Cavern.

  The idea that the kat saw the shadow mages as a separate pride and their fortress as a cavern amused Marsh, and she smiled. She wanted to know what the big kat thought of the shadow mages, but Brigitte’s elbow in her ribs jolted Marsh out of her head and she looked up. She found herself staring straight into the Shadow Master’s eyes.

  “Care to share?” he asked.

  Marsh gestured toward the kat.

  “She says t
he children will be safe with her and the kits along.”

  The Master arched one eyebrow and settled back in his chair.

  “Indeed. Well, since the children will be accompanied by such an impressive menagerie, as well as one shadow master, a journeyman, a trainee, and an entourage of guards, I’m sure you have no objections to them joining the team you will be a part of, do you?”

  “No, Master.”

  “Very good. Now, Brigitte, in the absence of your original master, and in the face of her poor judgment in leaving you behind, I’m assigning you a new master.” He indicated Roeglin. “Master Leger will take over your training. In addition, the last journey showed that you have the skills of a journeyman, and I am promoting you to that rank. As of now, you are no longer an apprentice. Welcome, Journeyman Petitfeu.”

  A soft congratulatory murmur rose around them, but it took Brigitte a moment before she could stutter her thanks. The Master of Shadows smiled and nodded, but he was already continuing to the next topic.

  “Master Envermet,” he said, addressing the head of his shadow guards, and the man straightened, turning his attention solely to the Master.

  Following the Shadow Master’s gaze, Marsh recognized the man from the morning’s training. No wonder he’d been hard to beat! She listened as the discussion turned to the distribution of the shadow guards between the team and the monastery.

  It was followed by talk of rotations, supply lines, and timelines, and her mind began to wander. On the other side of Brigitte, Aisha twisted restlessly in her seat, and Scruffknuckle sat up to put his head on the little girl’s lap. The movement drew the Master’s attention, and the discussion paused.

  “Journeyman, Trainee, you are dismissed. Take the apprentices and their menagerie with you. You have an afternoon left to train in.”

  “Thank you, Master,” Brigitte answered for all of them and rose from her seat.

  Marsh was quick to follow, making sure Aisha and Tamlin rose also.

  Truth be told, she was happy to leave the office, although she didn’t know how she was going to be able to concentrate on any kind of training knowing Aisha would be heading out with the repair teams.

  4

  Shadows of the Past

  In the end, Marsh didn’t have to worry about training. As soon as the door to the Master of Shadows office had closed behind them, Brigitte gave her a stern look.

  “Your orders were to rest for the day,” the newly-made journeyman said. “I’ll take the children.”

  Well, Marsh thought, that tells me!

  But she didn’t argue, and was secretly relieved. Without the meeting to distract her, she’d realized just how tired she still was from her activities the day before…and hungry! She wondered if Brigitte would notice if she went down to the dining hall first.

  It turned out that Brigitte had a limited ability to read minds…or maybe she’d just been around mages long enough to know what they needed. Either way, she detoured past the dining hall on the way to delivering Marsh to her room. Aisha was delighted.

  “Cookies!”

  “You’re going to get fat,” Tamlin teased, but Aisha didn’t let him deter her.

  “My cookies!”

  “Two,” Brigitte ordered, and Aisha pouted.

  But she didn’t argue, and Marsh relaxed. It looked like a lot had gone on while she’d been out training with Roeglin and the guard, and the children were in good hands. That made it a lot easier for her to leave the kids in the journeyman’s care and sleep.

  Watching them as they ate only confirmed that the children were fine. The three of them laughed and joked, letting Marsh eat in peace, and she couldn’t help thinking how different Aisha’s reaction was compared to the first time she’d seen Brigitte.

  Back then, the little girl had taken one look at the woman’s shadow-monster-dark skin, screamed, and locked herself in the closest room, asking the stone to protect her. Now Brigitte’s ebony skin and midnight hair no longer bothered the little brat. It was good to see.

  Once they’d eaten, Brigitte, Aisha, and Tamlin walked Marsh back to her room before leaving to go to class. Marsh barely heard the door close after them, drifting into oblivion seconds after her head hit the pillow.

  She woke much later to darkness, but it was a darkness in which she was not alone. Quiet steps reached her ears, furtive rustlings from her desk and the soft clink of the lock on her clothes chest as it was opened…even though the key still hung around her neck.

  Adrenaline surged through her and Marsh woke properly, but she forced herself to lie still; perfectly still, lest the intruder realize she was awake. Keeping her eyes closed, she stretched her mind into the darkness, blending the magic she used to sense nearby life forces with the magic that let her see what lay in the shadows. It was strange to see her room clearly lit, and stranger still to see a face from the past staring intently at her belongings.

  “Mikel?”

  His head snapped around as she sat up and he bounced to his feet, spinning toward her as he pulled a short, sharp blade from his belt.

  “Hey!”

  Marsh pushed her blanket down and rolled off the bed, just as Mikel leapt to plunge his blade into the place she’d lain, but Marsh didn’t stop. Kicking clear of the bedding that had followed her to the floor, she rolled to her feet, calling a shadow shield to her arm even as she drew a sword out of the surrounding dark.

  Mikel turned, his face following her movement, gazing unerringly at her despite the lack of light.

  “Where is it?” he demanded, his voice hard with frustration.

  “What?”

  “Your delivery.”

  “Why?”

  Marsh resisted the urge to glance toward the desk, forcing her eyes to stay fixed on Mikel’s face.

  “Kearick wants it back.”

  “I haven’t delivered it yet.”

  Marsh retreated as Mikel stepped away from the bed.

  “That’s why he wants it back.”

  “So he sent you to take it? Nice to know he trusts me.”

  “That changed when you didn’t make the delivery when you hit town.”

  “I was kinda busy at the time.”

  “The delivery comes first.”

  “Not when I’m not getting paid, it doesn’t.”

  “Nice to know where your loyalties lie.” He glanced around the room. “So, how much are the mages paying you?”

  “I’m a trainee.”

  “Hence why Kearick wants his delivery back.”

  Marsh was about to say Kearick only had to ask when Mikel’s face hardened.

  “Where is it?”

  “I’ll make the delivery when I get back to Ruins Hall.”

  “I can make it now.”

  Which begged the question…

  “How did you get here, anyway?”

  His mouth tightened.

  “Some of us can travel without roads.”

  “And the raiders?”

  “What raiders?”

  His words gave Marsh a sense of unease.

  “You didn’t see any?”

  “Saw some troops camped out at the junction. They didn’t see me.”

  Mikel stepped forward, the dagger held before him. “Where is it?”

  “Not yours to take,” Marsh said, and tilted her chin toward the door. “I’ll deliver it when I get back to the Hall.”

  “That’s not what Kearick wants.”

  “Then Kearick can send me a change of instructions.”

  “Not happening. Last chance!”

  “Get out of my room.”

  Mikel’s attack came with his reply. “Have it your way.”

  Marsh brought her shield up, blocking his lunge even as she struck out with her blade. It bit into Mikel’s unprotected arm and he swore, backing up so he could shift the dagger to his off–hand while he drew his sword.

  “Wasn’t going to kill you…” he said, but Marsh didn’t let him finish.

  “Guess that’s changed
now,” she told him, forcing him back with another strike, which she reversed and turned into a thrust. He ducked the first and stumbled back with a curse, but Marsh’s relentless push forward caught him in the gut, and he cried out in pain.

  “Time I returned the favor,” Marsh told him and ripped the blade free.

  He screamed, dropping to his knees as she pulled her sword back for another strike. She had started to bring it forward when his blades clattered to the floor and he rolled onto his side, groaning as he grabbed at his stomach.

  “My death won’t stop them,” he said. “Ruins Hall will fall, and then they’ll…”

  He stopped speaking and moaned as another wave of pain rolled over him.

  Marsh didn’t know what to say. She kicked his sword away from him and was about to do the same for the dagger when the door to her room burst open and light flared around them.

  “Back it up, Marsh.”

  “Stand down!”

  “Back it up!”

  Marsh raised her shield to block the light, but she recognized Master Envermet and Roeglin’s voices. When her thighs hit her desk, she stopped, listening as the two mages grabbed Mikel and dragged him out of the room. The light did not diminish, and she realized it was coming from a small round rock that had been pitched in through the doorway. She stayed by the desk until Brigitte appeared and dispelled the light.

  “Are you hurt?”

  Was she?

  Marsh looked down at herself and realized she wasn’t.

  “You want to dispel the shield and blade?”

  In truth, she didn’t, but this was Brigitte, and the journeyman’s eyes were dark with concern. Marsh closed her eyes and willed sword and shield return to the shadows. They unwound, freeing her hand and arm, and Marsh opened her eyes, again and looked at the mess. Now, in addition to her scattered bedding, blood pooled on the floor in the middle of the room. Brigitte followed her gaze.

  “You got him good,” she said.

  “Will he…” Marsh couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence.

  Brigitte shrugged.

  “I don’t know. It will depend on what the rock wizards can do between them.”

  “What about Lennie?”