The Wizards' War

by Angela Holder

  He couldn’t let those agonizing memories overwhelm him. He was older now, wiser, more experienced. He knew for a fact he’d done nothing wrong. Whatever false evidence Hanion presented would be quickly discredited, just as the charge against him had been discredited last time. There was no need to be afraid. His wizardry was not at risk. No matter what the blind unreasoning panic welling from his stomach into his chest and strangling his breath would have him believe.

  By sheer force of will he wrenched enough air into his lungs to speak. “What are you accusing me of, Hanion? I haven’t broken the Law. You can show no proof that I have, because there isn’t any.”

  Hanion met his gaze, his eyes smug and sorrowful. “I formally accuse you of conspiring with your apprentice to deceive the people of Tevenar by showing a falsehood in a window and representing it as truth.”

  A tremendous sense of relief rushed into his mind from Tobi’s. If that’s all the old pooper-scooper’s got, our bond is perfectly safe.

  She was right, but fresh horror flooded Elkan. The accusation was true, as far as anyone could be allowed to know. But he wasn’t going to be the one who suffered. The weapon Hanion had aimed at Elkan was going to destroy Josiah instead, and there was nothing Elkan could do to stop it.

  But he might be able to salvage his chance to become Guildmaster. His apprentice would be the first to insist he try. Act like you don’t know what he’s talking about! We can’t let anyone know Josiah told us.

  Tobi grumbled but stayed where she was. Elkan could see she was no longer tense, but he doubted the others knew her well enough to notice. He scowled at Hanion. “That’s ridiculous. I haven’t—” He let his voice falter. “Wait. What’s Josiah done?”

  Hanion shook his head ruefully. Elkan couldn’t tell whether the Guildmaster was convinced by his act or not, but instead of responding, Hanion swept his eyes around the assembled masters. “When a wizard is accused of breaking the Law, he must be publicly tried as soon as possible. I’ve arranged matters so there need be no delay. This council is hereby suspended, pending the outcome of Master Elkan’s trial and that of his apprentice Josiah. Open the doors.”

  Two of his supporters sprang from their seats and swung the doors wide. A crowd of people waited outside. They filed silently into the already crowded room, lining the walls shoulder to shoulder. With a sick lurch Elkan recognized Tevenar’s guildmasters. Their eyes were big and curious, their faces grave. Among the last, Meira shuffled in. She sought Elkan’s eyes, confusion and fear in her gaze, and gave him a worried, encouraging grin. He tried to smile back, but his face felt as stiff as if it were suffering from frostbite.

  “Fetch the boy,” Hanion ordered. The same two masters strode into the Hall.

  Everything was hushed during the few minutes it took. Elkan’s friends and supporters sought to catch his gaze, pleading for reassurance. He closed his eyes to avoid them, clenching his jaw against the nausea that twisted his gut.

  Blast Hanion to a million bloody pieces. Attacking Elkan was one thing, but dragging his apprentice into the middle of their conflict was something else entirely. He’d never dreamed the man could stoop so low. And he imagined himself fit to serve as Guildmaster?

  Josiah rushed into the courtroom, shaking off his escort’s grip. “What’s the matter?” Sar trotted to his side and glared at the gathering, ears laid back. Josiah put his hand on the donkey’s back as he looked around. When he took in the guildmasters’ presence his eyes got wide, and he swallowed. “Why did you summon me?”

  “Josiah Potterkin Wizard, you stand accused of breaking the Mother’s Law, with the collusion of your master. You are now on trial.”

  Josiah’s face went pasty gray. His arms encircled Sar’s neck and clutched as tight as if he were drowning. Sar turned to nuzzle him, but the donkey’s movements were stiff and his ears hung limp. Josiah buried his face in Sar’s neck.

  Elkan’s whole body felt paralyzed. He was caught in a nightmare. Silently he railed at the Mother to do something, anything, to stop this travesty of justice. But he knew she wouldn’t. Josiah had made a bargain with her, and the payment had come due.

  Josiah sucked in a deep breath and straightened. He gave Sar a fierce hug and released him. Sar plodded to the center of the room and joined Tobi. Josiah squared his shoulders, put his chin up, and walked over to stand by Elkan. He fixed Hanion with a challenging stare. “I assume you’ve got some evidence you think supports your accusation?”

  “Of course.” Hanion gestured. His supporters ushered more people into the courtroom. Rovia strode with furious purpose to Hanion’s side. Dari trudged behind her, glancing apologetically at Josiah. Dari’s mother hurried to join him, and a man Elkan recognized as the leader of the Jevtaran herders took his place by Rovia. More farmers and herders from Jevtaran crowded in.

  Elkan mind was numb, his stomach hollow. He was powerless to stop what was about to happen.

  Hanion said, “This is Rovia Herderkin Herder, from Jevtaran. Tell these people what Josiah did, Rovia.”

  She fixed Josiah with a stare laden with withering hated. “He faked a scene to show in a window. He used it to trick the people of Jevtaran into going to Korisan to join the army. Herders and farmers both. I know because I helped him do it.”

  The wizards responded with horror, the guildmasters with disapproval. Rovia continued over their gasps and mutters. “Both guilds had decided to refuse Master Elkan’s summons. Josiah and Dari figured out a way to deceive them. They talked me into participating. Dari and I pretended to have a discussion, but really we were reciting scripted lines like actors in a Players’ Guild production. We said things to each other we knew weren’t true, but which were calculated to make the farmers think the herders had changed their mind.”

  Startled sounds of understanding escaped many lips. Rovia nodded in grim satisfaction. “Josiah lied to his familiar, the way he told us he would. They used the Mother’s power to open a window on Dari and me acting. He showed it to the farmers as if it were real. And it worked. They decided they couldn’t let the herders win the wizards’ favor by answering their call while they didn’t, so they left for Korisan first thing in the morning. I made sure the herders saw them go, so we went too, for the same reason. But it was all fake. The wizard manipulated everyone into doing exactly what he wanted.”

  The wizards were shaking their heads and reaching for their familiars, their shoulders slumping. The guildmasters were exchanging angry glances and turning to glare at both Josiah and Elkan.

  Hanion nodded sadly. “Did Josiah plan this ahead of time with his master?”

  “I don’t think so. But he said he was going to tell him about it when he got to Korisan.”

  “And did he?”

  Rovia looked at Dari and shrugged. “I guess so.”

  Dari took her hand. “He told me he did.”

  Hanion drew a breath and turned to Elkan. “Master Elkan Farmerk—”

  “I lied.” Josiah stepped forward, drawing all eyes. “Elkan never knew anything about it.”

  Hanion blinked, but swiftly recovered. “So you admit you used a window to show something you knew was false as if it were true?”

  “Yes.”

  Elkan desperately wanted to tell everyone how the Mother had granted permission for Josiah to do what he’d done. But Josiah had promised the Mother he would bear the blame if the trick were ever discovered. He was fulfilling his word. Elkan had never been more proud of him.

  Hanion blinked again. “We’ll need to send a delegation to Jevtaran so they can view the events in question in a window and establish the truth beyond all doubt.”

  “No, you don’t. Everything happened exactly the way Rovia described. I told her and Dari what I wanted them to say, and watched while they did to make sure it was convincing. Then I showed it to the farmers. I made sure Sar never saw anything too early or too late that would let him realize I was deceiving him. No one knew it was fake except Rovia and Dari and me. And they promised n
ever to tell.” He glared at Rovia.

  Hanion gathered himself and turned to Elkan. “You allowed your apprentice to get away with this gross violation of the Mother’s Law?”

  “I swear, I didn’t—”

  “I’m not stupid,” Josiah broke in. “If Elkan had found out, he’d have dragged me to trial in a minute. The way he did when Mathir accused me of being part of his bribery. He would never try to protect me from the consequences of breaking the Law, no matter how good my reasons were. So I made blasted sure to keep it a secret.”

  Elkan knew what he had to say. Josiah was doing everything in his power to ensure Elkan wasn’t implicated in the deception. Only if the rest of the masters were absolutely convinced he’d played no part in it would they be willing to trust him as their Guildmaster. He had to do his share to make the ruse convincing, no matter how much he hated it.

  He fixed Josiah with a betrayed glare, letting pain and anger roughen his voice. “How could you?”

  His apprentice hung his head. “It was because of me they decided not to go to Korisan. I couldn’t let you fight the Ramunnans with too few people. It would have been my fault if we’d lost.”

  “That’s no excuse.” Elkan forced his face into hard, uncompromising lines and his voice into cold condemnation. “How can the people of Tevenar trust the Mother if wizards lie to them? You used her power against her will and against her Law.”

  Josiah nodded, eyes on the floor. “I’m sorry, master,” he whispered. “I guess the Mother was right not to name me as an apprentice. I was never really meant to be a wizard.”

  Josiah turned to face Sar. He swallowed hard. “I confess. I broke the Law. I no longer deserve to be trusted to bear the Mother’s power.” He bowed his head. “I know you have to break our bond. I won’t resist.”

  Everyone in the room looked at Sar. With heavy, stumbling steps the donkey approached Josiah. He twisted his head around, nipped his flank, and dipped his muzzle into the blood that welled from the bite.

  Josiah screwed his eyes shut and scrunched his face, his whole body tensing. Elkan clenched his fists, remembering the sensation of acid boiling in his veins and rivers of fire searing his heart and mind.

  With a violent motion, Sar jerked his head and flung a spray of red droplets into Josiah’s face.

  * * *

  Scream and pretend to black out.

  Why wasn’t he in agonizing pain? What?

  Now, quickly! Or I really will have to break our bond.

  Josiah didn’t entirely understand, but as the warm blood trickled down his face he obediently let out the most anguished cry he could manage. Remembering how Mathir had reacted when his bond was broken, he rolled his eyes back in his head, let his muscles go limp, and crumpled to the floor. He lay motionless, fighting to keep his breathing shallow instead of the frantic gulps of air he needed. His head swam. Maybe he actually would pass out.

  People crowded around him. Elkan said, “Let me through!” A moment later the warm tingle of the Mother’s power flooded through Josiah. “He’s fine. Get out of my way so we can carry him to his room.”

  Could his master tell he wasn’t really unconscious? He might not have noticed with such a quick look. Hopefully he’d be smart enough to play along if he did.

  Strong arms scooped him up, aided by the Mother’s power. Josiah relaxed, letting his head and limbs flop loosely.

  Elkan’s voice was so heavy and weary he couldn’t possibly realize the truth. “I’m sorry this was necessary, Sar. Come, I’ll get you settled in the unbonded familiars’ quarters.”

  Josiah swayed and bumped as Elkan carried him out of the room. Sar’s hooves clopped close behind.

  You’re doing well. I don’t think anyone suspects.

  Why, Sar? I mean, I’m very glad, but what good will it do that we’re still bonded if no one can know?

  I only know what the Mother told me to do.

  The more Josiah thought about it, the stranger the whole situation seemed. We can’t do anything together. You can’t even stay in my room without it looking suspicious. I’m going to have to pretend to be unconscious for three days, but even after I wake up, we won’t be able to work in the Hall anymore. What’s the point?

  I’m sure the Mother has her reasons.

  They’ll expect you to bond with someone else eventually. You might be able to put them off until Springtide, but no longer. And I’m going to have to transfer to some other guild.

  He concentrated to keep from tensing as Elkan started up the stairs. At least his face was turned away so his master wouldn’t see if the liquid gathering in his eyes leaked from under his lids. You should have just done it. I was ready. I told the Mother I’d accept the blame if what we did ever came out, and I meant it. It would have made things a lot easier.

  She still wants you as a wizard.

  Josiah took the risk of blinking hard. I hope she knows what she’s doing.

  They reached the second floor, and Elkan turned to go into the big airy room where familiars who weren’t bonded to wizards lived. No one greeted him; Master Janion, who was in charge here, was downstairs with the rest of the masters. Elkan eased Josiah onto one of the couches by the door and his footsteps moved away.

  His voice was rough and muffled. Josiah suspected he’d knelt and put his arms around Sar’s neck. “I know you had no other choice. Smash it, I’m sorry. If I hadn’t challenged Hanion…”

  Sar snuffled and nickered comfortingly. Elkan was quiet for several minutes. Soft sounds from the few other animals in the room occasionally broke the silence.

  Josiah was getting impatient when he finally heard the sounds of Elkan rising and Sar moving over to one of the piles of hay that were always kept fresh. “I’ll come by to visit as often as I can.”

  He scooped Josiah up again, Tobi sent the Mother’s power to bear a portion of his weight, and they continued toward Josiah’s room. The rest of the climb to the fourth floor took Elkan much longer than it usually took Josiah, even with Tobi’s help. By the time they finally reached his room, Josiah was sick of the uncomfortable position and hugely frustrated by the need to remain quiet.

  He was going to have to endure three days of this? Nothing but silence, darkness, and stillness? No interaction with anyone except Sar? Nothing to eat except a little broth spooned into his mouth? Having to use a bedpan instead of the privy or chamberpot?

  No thanks. There was one person he could trust with the secret, and he couldn’t think of any reason to keep it from him.

  He waited until Elkan eased him down onto his bed. As his master straightened, Josiah grabbed his arm. “Hey. Elkan. I’m awake.”

  Elkan jerked back. “Blast it, Josiah! What in the Mother’s name?”

  “Sar didn’t really break our bond. We were just pretending.”

  Elkan gaped at him. Josiah shrugged and waited for him to come to terms with the information.

  Elkan ran a shaking hand through his hair. Tobi nosed Josiah and pushed her head under his hand. He scratched around her ears and she purred.

  “Smash and blast and burn it.” Elkan dragged a chair to the bedside. “Stay put and close your eyes. Somebody might come in.” He sat down and glared at Josiah until he obeyed. “Did you know all along?”

  “Not until the blood hit me and Sar told me to scream.”

  Elkan let out his breath. “I was about to get very upset that you’d let me suffer through that ordeal while you sailed through without a care. But I guess you believed it was real, too.”

  Josiah shivered. “Yeah.”

  Elkan clasped his hand. “Then that was an incredibly brave thing you did.”

  His master’s praise warmed him all over, but he shrugged. “I knew it might happen. I couldn’t let Hanion take you down with me.”

  Elkan sighed. “I suppose we’ve still got to finish the election. I have to go back down there in a few minutes and try to sort out where everyone stands after all the drama.”

  Josiah quit tryin
g to keep his eyes shut. “I’ll be fine. I’ve just got to lay here and pretend to be unconscious.” He shuddered. “For three whole days.”

  Elkan gave a strained laugh. “I think that might be a worse punishment than actually breaking your bond would have been.”

  Josiah grimaced. “We were almost done with one of the Autarch’s tumors when they burst in and dragged me off. He’s going to be upset.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll explain. And I’ll make sure I find the tumor you had to leave and finish clearing it. Where was it?”

  “Right where his left bottom rib meets the spine.” Josiah thought about everything he’d planned to do over the next three days. Most of it wasn’t important, and the few things that were could be done later or picked up by someone else. Except— “Blast it, I’ve got a bunch of ground up pancreas soaking that needs to be processed into insulin. I promised Nikena’s parents I’d have it for them tomorrow. They’ve only got enough left for two more days.”

  “That’s cutting it awfully close, isn’t it?”

  “It spoils so quickly when it’s this hot, if I make it too far ahead it just ends up going to waste. I’m going to have to sneak down there during the night to finish the batch. Nobody else knows how.” He kept meaning to teach someone, but so far everyone had been occupied with other things.

  Elkan frowned. “That would be risky. You can probably get away with slipping down to the unbonded familiar quarters to visit Sar since there aren’t any bedrooms nearby, but that room you’ve been using for a workshop will have people sleeping all around. The noise and light are bound to wake someone.”

  Smash it, he was right. “Maybe you can smuggle me down during the day?”

  “There’s no way.”

  “We’ve got to figure something out. I’m not going to let Nikena die!”

  “Of course not. Can you explain the process to me in enough detail?”