Proven

by H. M. Clarke

  Dagan began to twirl his staff through his hands causing it to rotate faster and faster until its movement was all a blur. Outside of his blue bubble, a vortex appeared sucking in all the magic that the White Mage threw at him, merging all the orange bolts into one large ball. Dagan then twisted his whole body and swung the head of his staff hard towards the white mage. The large orange ball came flying hard at the enemy and smashed itself against the mage’s barrier. The orange bubble flickered before coming back though not as bright as before. The mage incanted again, trying desperately to build up his protective bubble.

  Dagan watched him, trying to find the best way to subdue him, trying not to give into his anger to outright kill him. As he watched, Dagan’s face hardened. The man’s moves and words were very familiar. They were those taught at the Kaldor Elum school of Magic. This man had been officially trained which meant that his name would be registered in the rolls held at the tribunal. This was no unreg. This group might be more dangerous than it seemed if they also have legal mages as members.

  Pain, anger and guilt quickly flooded him, tearing him from his thoughts. Dagan gasped in shock. The Link had flared back to life.

  Ryn was awake.

  Dagan clamped his mind down, squeezing his connection to Ryn to a mere trickle. Having her in his head will not help him now.

  Thank Bellus she’s alive-

  Dagan’s shield rippled as a strong force slammed against his bubble. He turned his attention back to the White Mage.

  The man looked to have a death grip on a staff whose orange runes glowed with a blinding intensity. The White Mage murmured again and Dagan’s lips and free hand moved to form a counter strike.

  A whooshing sound flew past his ear as something large spun through the air towards the Mage. The man was too far gone into his own incantation to react. The object slipped through his magic shield and sliced through the soft cloth of his tunic to embed itself in his chest. The orange bubble abruptly disappeared, and the runes went dark as the man’s staff dropped from his shocked hand. The White Mage looked down in confusion at the hilt of the dagger protruding from the ruin of his chest as he slowly sank down onto his knees.

  Dagan turned to see Ryn staggering towards him, her other dagger ready in her hand. He dropped his own shields and rushed to catch her as she fell into his arms.

  “Wasn’t expecting cold steel was he? Stupid man should have set his barrier for physical assaults as well as magical. He would be drummed out of the Blackwatch for that.”

  “Kathryn, are you all right?” Dagan asked running his eyes over her for damage as he held her upright.

  “I’m fine. Just sore… actually I’m in a lot of pain. My nerves feel like they are on fire. Are you okay?”

  Dagan tried not to grin. “I’m fine. But I can no longer hear the sounds of fighting; we’d best see what is going on. Are you able to walk?”

  “Of course I can, I’ve had twenty years of practice.”

  Even with Ryn’s reassurance, Dagan kept an arm around her. As with the nature of pain spells, the effects should dissipate shortly but until then you never know how they will affect a person.

  The protective bubbles around the wagons had gone and as Dagan and Ryn trudged slowly by the skittish horse team of one of them, they saw the reason.

  A huddled group of magi and warriors sat on the edge of the road surrounded by the Blackwatch guard. Off to the side stood Vannik, Bron and Donal. A quick glance around and he found Ashe talking with Banar by one of the wagons.

  “Ashe, Banar!” Dagan called out to the two men, and they immediately came running when they saw his burden.

  “Ryn are you hurt? Let me help you.” The words spurted out from Ashes mouth to both of them as he came to a stop before them. He then moved Ryn’s free arm around his neck and then scooped her up into his arms and carried her back to one of the wagons with Ryn protesting all the way.

  “You have to excuse Ashe. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but he’s got a bit of a soft spot for Ryn,” Banar’s low voice jerked Dagan’s attention away from Ryn’s retreating form. He turned his golden eyes on the young man next to him. For all his reputed shortcomings, Banar did not miss much.

  “I’d heard it said that you had an interest in her as well,” Dagan murmured in return.

  Banar gave him a nonchalant shrug. “I chase after her and the others because it’s what people expect of me. It doesn’t mean it’s what I am.”

  Dagan looked on Banar with fresh eyes. A noble youngling who knew exactly how to play the Great Game was a rare thing to find in a Blackwatch regiment. “You play the Game on your friends?”

  “The less they think of me, the less of a threat they think I am.” Banar shrugged again. “They were only fellow cadets before and I needed the practice, but now…”

  “Having to depend on one another in a fight can change your perspective on people,” Dagan finished for him.

  “Exactly. Ryn, Ashe and Donal did not hesitate to help me when I asked for it and they fought by my side until we got Lily back. That’s the mark of true friendship.”

  Dagan grunted his agreement, before clearing his throat. “Am I really that obvious?”

  “About Ryn?” Banar turned shrewd eyes on him and then shook his head. “Naah. I’m probably the only one who would notice it. You would need to beat the others around the head with a wooden practice sword while telling them slowly and loudly for them to catch on.”

  Drawing a deep breath, Dagan looked back to the covered wagon where Ashe now had Ryn sitting on its back sideboard and was fussing over her. “Make sure she gets water to drink and something to eat. It will help her throw off the effects of the spell.”

  “Yes, Magister,” Banar replied giving Dagan a cocky grin as he trotted off.

  Tearing his gaze away from Ryn, Dagan now turned his attention to the captured magi and the Blackwatch guarding them. The man who looked to be in charge was now talking with Donal and the others. Corporal Enon if Dagan remembered exactly.

  Corporal Enon turned to him as Dagan approached.

  “Well met Enon. Did we get a good catch?”

  The young man smiled a white toothy grin, an odd contrast against his bloodstained black uniform and grime smeared face.

  “Certainly did Magister, though some did get away. Fein has gone after them. If it wasn’t for Peck coming to warn us, they would have had us unprepared.” As he spoke he waved a hand at Ryn who gave him a weak nod before turning back to argue with Ashe and pushing away the water skin that Banar was offering. A loud squawk rent the air and the two men scattered as something large and black dropped between them before leaping up to perch on Ryn’s leg. Peck.

  “What of the prisoners?”

  “Still secure in the wagon.” Enon pointed to a wagon near the head of the column which, even now, had a Blackwatch pair standing guard.

  “Did they try to escape when the attack started?” Dagan asked, eyeing the thick oak walls and door of the wagon.

  “No. We didn’t hear a single peep from them,” Enon replied. But there was a note to his voice that gave Dagan pause.

  “Did something else happen?”

  The Corporal moved uncomfortably on his feet. “The two cadets that were rescued… they attacked the two constables riding with them in the wagon. As you can see Banar is fine, Lily is in the wagon with them keeping them subdued with a sleep charm.”

  “They attacked Lily and Banar?” Donal’s incredulity was plain in his tone.

  “Yes. They are asleep under a charm spell now and they’ll stay that way until they can be assessed at Brookhaven.” Enon cocked his head toward the wagon Ryn, Ashe and Banar were sitting near. “Which reminds me, I’ll have to select a Mage to take over from Lily so the girl can get some much needed rest. If you’ll excuse me?”

  “Yes, of course. Go ahead.”

  The Corporal gave Dagan a nod and then walked away, shouting out several names to the group of Blackwatch surrounding the prisoners. Fo
ur mages left the group and moved to meet Enon by one of the wagons.

  “I see everyone else made it,” he said once the Corporal was out of earshot.

  Vannik shrugged. “Just a few nicks and scratches.”

  “Speak for yourself. I’m going to need stitches!”

  “Poor little mage… Did you get some blood on your new black uniform?” Bron responded with an even stare.

  The three men stared hard at each other.

  And then all three of them burst out laughing.

  The laughter quickly died away and Donal turned worried eyes on Dagan. “If the cadets attacked, that means that charm must have taken.”

  “But the witch who was heading that group is locked up in the prison wagon over there, magically muzzled and shackled along with her cronies.” Bron nodded in the direction of the lead wagon.

  Vannik shook his head. “There is no way that she could have activated the charm and ordered them to attack. It’s impossible.”

  Dagan cupped his chin in his fingers as he listened, he eyes drifting to the captives on the roadside. A mix of magi and warriors. How many of those magi were registered? How many of them were foot soldiers or were leaders? Why try to attack a Blackwatch caravan? What in the Sorrows here was so important? Who got away? And where are they running to?

  Dagan cleared his throat and drew his eyes back to the trio before him.

  “The bigger question is who then holds the leash? We will need to have Enon select a pliable prisoner for us to talk to.” He turned and looked at the wagon. “I think it’s time I went and talked to our two sleeping cadets.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Giving a nod to the two Blackwatch standing guard at the door to the box wagon, he put his foot on the single step leading up into the wagon and opened the door. Inside, the two cadets were huddled asleep in the corner with Lily sitting on the bench opposite them. Lily turned to the door as it opened and she did not look happy. He wouldn’t have been either if he had been attacked by his own people.

  “Lily.”

  “Magister.”

  Her address was stiff and formal and she sat ram rod straight on the bench as if she were a tool waiting to be used. Dagan knew shock when he saw it. This girl had been thrust through pain and fire over the last few days and had been given no respite to rest and process the experience. He sighed and tried to give her what he hoped was a comforting smile.

  “Lily, why don’t you go out and join Banar. The fresh air and company will do you good.”

  The glassy look in her eyes faded and a hopeful smile tugged at her lips. “Are you sure? Corporal Enon told me to stay in here and watch the girls.”

  “I’m sure. If anyone gives you trouble, tell them to come see me. You need to be with Banar. And Corporal Enon was going to send a mage to relieve you, anyway.”

  “Thank you Magister Drake,” Lily replied as she rose quickly from the bench and came to the door.

  “I need to speak to these two,” he said. “Can you lift your charm before you go?”

  “Yes Magister.” She turned back and with the flick of her hand lifted the enchanted sleep from the two Cadets.

  “Thank you Constable.” Dagan then moved away from the door to make space for Lily to leave. She slipped quickly through the door and he closed it securely behind her. Sitting on the end of the bench by the door, Dagan watched the two cadets as they slowly awoke from their sleep. They stirred, blinking groggily and looked around them in confusion before their eyes settled on Dagan sitting by the door.

  “Magister?” said one of the girls as she gently pushed the other from off of her shoulder.

  “Cadets. How are you both feeling?”

  The red-headed girl who had spoken yawned as the blonde girl rubbed at her eyes with the heel of her hands.

  “Apart from the splitting headache, better than what I was this morning,” one of the girls replied. The other nodded agreement.

  “Have we arrived in Brookhaven?” the blonde girl asked

  Dagan rubbed a finger across his lips as he contemplated his next words. “No.” The two girls looked normal, no hesitancy, and none of the usual belligerent looks that suspects usually give him when they are being questioned and want to hide their true leanings.

  “Can you tell me what happened to you during the attack?” Dagan asked.

  “I don’t think we can tell you anymore than what we said back at the farm. We were taken by surprise at… at The Wicked Woman and we are still only cadets,” the red head started and then glanced at her friend.

  “Please don’t take that to mean that we are not ready to be Paired,” the blonde quickly said. “We know it looks bad with us going to the Wicked Woman and all, but can’t we be given a second chance?”

  Dagan raised an eyebrow in surprise. They were worried that they might be kicked out of the Blackwatch. And they have good reason to be, cadets that cannot obey simple rules of conduct will not make good Constables. “What is the last thing you remember after getting into this wagon with Constables Banar and Lily?”

  The red head frowned slightly at the question, but it was the blonde who answered. “I think I fell asleep. The rocking of wagons always does that to me.” The red head nodded quickly in agreement.

  “So you are both unaware that this caravan was just attacked?”

  “Attacked!” both girls gasped at the same time. “Did we sleep through it all?”

  Dagan ignored the question.

  “Do any of you remember feeling anything strange come over you while you were riding in this wagon?”

  “Strange?” the blonde girl asked. But the red head frowned.

  “After what we’ve been through everything today is strange. Tell us plainly what you want to know.”

  “Very well. You and your friend here attacked Banar and Lily in this wagon just as the attack on the rest of the caravan began. Luckily for you both, Lily was able to cast a sleep charm to stop you from doing them any permanent damage.”

  As he spoke the blonde gasped in shock, her hands covering her mouth. The red head just stared at him. She was the dominant member of this duo and Dagan decided that any answers he was trying to get was not going to come from her.

  “As we said. We don’t remember anything strange, just falling asleep until you woke us up.”

  “What about dreams then? Do you remember having any strange dreams?”

  The frown lines deepened as the blonde furrowed her brow in thought. “I think I heard a man’s voice-”

  “You probably heard one of the riders outside,” the red head scoffed, but then she turned away in thought. “I remember hearing a voice as well. It was deep and echoing, like someone talking in a large, empty cave.”

  “Yes, and he seemed worried about us,” the blonde continued. “I don’t remember more than that.”

  “We heard the same voice….” The tough demeanor of the red head crumbled a little as realization hit her. “We are still affected by what they did to us aren’t we?.”

  “So it seems,” Dagan replied. They heard the same voice in their minds, that means we have another Menfau to deal with out there. He rose slowly to his feet. “A mage will be placing you both back under a sleep charm until we arrive back at Brookhaven Keep. It is for your own protection until we can be sure you are safe.”

  Both girls nodded their understanding but said nothing.

  Dagan quickly opened the door and jumped down to the ground while signaling the waiting Blackwatch mage to go in.

  “Corporal Enon!”

  “Magister?”

  Enon came striding into view followed by two constables.

  The sound of hooves coming toward them drew everyone’s attention. Dagan saw Kathryn try to rise from her seat, hand falling to the hilt of her sword with Ashe trying to push her back down. Over the Link, he could feel the effort that cost her. As battered as she was, Kathryn still had the will to fight.

  “It’s Corporal Fein. He’s back!”

&n
bsp; Enon’s Pair came into sight through the trees quickly followed by a small squad of mounted Blackwatch. Dagan caught a glimpse of a dangling pair of tied legs draped over the pommel of one of the riders.

  “It looks like he’s caught someone,” Dagan heard Donal say.

  Dagan turned to Donal. “We’ll interrogate him and the others properly once we get them back to Brookhaven Keep. The sooner we get answers, the sooner we can find out who is behind this.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  Ryn paced the length of her room, turned on her heel and then walked back to the door. She paused, listening. Nothing. Turned, walked the length of her room, turn, walk back to the door. Listen. Nothing.

  She had done nothing but pace for the last hour, waiting for Dagan or any of her friends to come and get her. The last thing she remembered was being made to ride back to Brookhaven Keep on the buckboard of the second wagon. Quelling the tremors and spasms from that pain spell had exhausted her and the pain she felt still echoed in every twitch. Ryn could feel Dagan over their Link as he rode his black horse beside the wagon. He was deep in thought, something troubled him. And then she saw Donal ride up on the other side of the wagon and that was the last thing she remembered.

  Damn Donal! He cast a sleep charm on her. Sneaky bastard!

  She awoke in her bed to a note on her nightstand written in an elegant and flowing script which must have been Dagan’s telling her to wait in her room until he came for her. What tosh!

  The paper was still in her hand, now neatly folded and clamped between her index and middle finger, the pulp of the paper felt rough on her skin as she bent and straightened her fingers.

  A note. She should be thankful that Dagan didn’t have someone sit with her. At least that meant that all she needed was some rest. And at least she no longer felt the pain or was twitchy.

  The Link. Ryn opened herself to the Link and tried to sense through Dagan what was going on. All she got was some good humored annoyance. She frowned. It seems that he had been expecting her.