by R. K. Thorne
“If it is being used against us,” Samul continued, “it is our responsibility as protectors of this land to defend the people from it. That means understanding it at least well enough to defend ourselves and acting accordingly. Whether we use magic against them may be something we wish to deliberate at length about. We will not decide that here, tonight. But whether or not we understand what magic they can use against us and how to stop them is not up for discussion.”
The silence after his words was tenser than Aven had expected. His father put up a rational argument. It only made sense to understand your enemy. None of them had seen what Aven had, though. They had to take him at his word, and that might make this news harder to believe. How could he prove the danger to them?
Samul looked to Miara. “What more can you tell us of Kavanar’s abilities?”
“You said something about… earthquakes?” Devol said. “In this damned cave, that’s a frightening thing if I ever heard one.”
Miara regarded the Master of Arms as if he were declaring the sky blue. “If it’s frightening, it only proves Aven’s point. Your Great Stone is most prudent, but this is exactly why you should have your own earth mages for defense and watching for attacks.”
“Why do you mention the Stone?” asked Toyl. Of course, Aven’s parents knew of the Stone’s ability to suppress magic, but most did not understand it had any purpose beyond decoration.
Miara stared in surprise for a moment before answering. “Your Great Stone is a magic-suppression tool. It makes working spells more difficult, if not impossible, and thus protects the hold somewhat from magical attacks. The closer you get to it, the stronger the effect. It has a limited range and doesn’t reach far outside Estun itself, however.”
Murmurs flitted through the crowd.
“How does it work? And where did such a thing come from?” Asten asked.
“And was it here since it was built? Who would have—” started Toyl.
“Where did they find such a thing?” said Beneral.
Samul raised a hand to quiet them. “Please, let’s focus on the matter at hand.”
“Well, at least the Great Stone will prevent these Kavanarian mages from cooking up an earthquake and killing us all in one fell swoop,” Dyon grumbled.
“Not exactly, my lord,” Miara said gently. “Enough mages working together could overcome the Stone’s power. They probably haven’t tried before because transporting enough mages here would not be easy or stealthy.”
Dyon scowled. “It just gets better and better, doesn’t it? How many would they need?”
“Well, they don’t know how large this fortress is or how far underground it burrows. They would need perhaps twenty earth mages for a large dwelling if they can be incapacitated after the spell. Forty, if they need to be able to run. But not knowing the size of the fortress would make the number required to level the entire place impossible to estimate, although with time one or two scouts nearby could figure it out. Also, most earth mages have never worked in unison before, so ideally sixty or more would be better. Not a small number of mages to move without anyone noticing, let alone through a mountain range. But I would point out that this task will grow infinitely easier in the chaos of war. There could be other reasons they have not yet tried to attack this place too. Perhaps you have something the Masters or the Kavanarian monarchy wants?”
“These Masters, how much power do they hold?” asked Warden Asten.
“They are the nobles who rule over the enslaved. And the craftsmen of these fine scars that I’ve acquired,” Aven said, indicating his shoulder with a sarcastic grin. To her credit, Asten didn’t gape, but Devol did.
“How do we know we can trust this information?” Dyon said.
Miara scowled but said nothing.
“We have our own Akarian mages,” said the queen. “I sent for Elder Wunik when we sent for all of you. He is due to arrive here shortly. Unfortunately, two of our other mage elders could not be reached. Riders should return tomorrow from checking on them.”
“How many mages?” Samul said brusquely. His father looked older than Aven remembered. It had only been a few days.
“My lord, my tasks as a spy revolved around eavesdropping and theft. These battle tactics are taught to us from books. Best practices for if we need them later. I did not train with the warriors myself, so I can’t report on exact numbers. With a trained air mage’s help, we may be able to get a better count. I can say that Mage Hall houses hundreds of mages. Perhaps five hundred would be forced into battle? All are bound to act however the Masters will them to, without question.”
Another murmur swept through the group, one Aven did not understand.
“And these Masters answer to the king of Kavanar?” his father asked.
She thought for a moment. “They didn’t seem to answer to him very well, honestly. They do, but I am not sure how loyal they are. They may have more power than him in many ways.”
Samul frowned, thinking that over. “Perhaps this is why our courtly spies had nothing to report. The impetus comes from elsewhere.”
Daes. The Dark Master, of course.
Before Aven could decide if he should mention the man or not, Miara continued, “There are warrior mages, more every day. But I was not allowed to be one. Had too much zest for battle, I was told.”
“Too much zest? Isn’t that exactly why you should become one?” Devol grumbled.
“Anything that comes naturally to me I have been told is quite evil, Master Devol. I’ve chosen not to believe that, but your opinion is up to you, of course.” That earned more than a few grins, including Dyon’s. Beneral’s expression was thoughtful.
“Then you were just a spy?”
“Just?” Miara raised an elegant eyebrow, and Devol blustered an apology. “I’m sorry I don’t know more. Most of the time, I was—am—a healer.”
“Also an important wartime skill,” Aven added. Miara looked like she wanted to point out she’d mostly been charged with healing horses, so he jumped in before she could undercut her expertise again. “And that is exactly why our first response must be to free more mages before we ride to war,” Aven said.
Nearly everyone, including Miara, looked at him in surprise.
“Starting with warrior mages,” he said. “We will bring them here, and they will tell us of their training and capabilities. Together, we’ll figure out what the Masters are planning.” Miara’s half smile and the glint of amusement in her eyes were more than enough reward for the idea, even if the rest of them didn’t go for it.
“I believe—as we’ve discussed—we should discuss our plans for response without any foreigners or spies present,” said Dyon. “That is, of course, if your questions are answered, my lord.” Samul nodded.
Miara pressed her lips together in restraint. “Please, believe me. I would rather give them a dagger in the shoulder blades than one word of your plans. But it’s quite reasonable to be cautious. I would be. I will retire.”
“I’ll escort our guest,” his mother offered, voice gentle. Aven’s gut twisted at the idea of the two of them going off without him. What would his mother say—or do, for that matter? He wanted to groan but managed only to frown in concern as the two women left, leaving an empty place behind him at the table.
“Aven, explain your plan,” his father said.
He nodded. “This mage army is not a willing force. If we can free them, they will have no loyalty to those that enslaved them. We can offer them safe haven—and hopefully they can offer us aid. With even a handful, I suspect we can eliminate this threat to our land while also righting the wrongs against them.”
“But what can Kavanar be planning? How will they attack?” Asten asked.
“I think they want us to do the attacking. Drawing our forces into their lands gives them the advantage. We can get more information on all of these questions if we free the right mages. And if they can get out of Kavanar alive.”
Lady Toyl cut in. “How can we b
e so sure of this mage threat? What if it was a trick? Or perhaps it was all a spell, an illusion?”
“I was branded, I was tortured. Do you not see these wounds?” He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself before he said something hasty. “Magic doesn’t create illusions out of nothing, it influences the natural world. Unless they had armies of very intelligent rabbits they wanted to convince me are mage armies, that’s not possible.”
“Perhaps this is all just a ruse to distract from our discovery of your magic,” Toyl countered, unswayed.
“I told you of my magic.”
“Not until after Alikar had already learned of it and told us.”
“Magic is not illegal in Akaria,” Lord Dyon cut in. The fact that the usually critical Dyon was willing to defend Aven said something about the gravity of the situation. Or was it desperation?
“I am not trying to distract you,” Aven insisted. “I don’t know what I can say to convince you of the seriousness of this threat that I haven’t already. I don’t know who told Alikar, but it was always my plan to share it with you as soon as I arrived. Once I’d seen the threat we faced, I knew I had to act.”
“And yet, you were comfortable deceiving us up until now,” said Lady Toyl smoothly.
The air began to twitch and bluster around Aven, and out of long habit, he cleared his thoughts and forced the energy back down. But then, perhaps he shouldn’t? He no longer needed to. Maybe it would be a good reminder to them all that magic was a real and powerful thing. For now he let the unnatural air currents fade. “I was far from comfortable. I’ve never wanted to be anything but a king to my people. You think I wanted this? You think I wanted to be born with something that could cost me all of it, something I have no control over?” That was giving away far more than he intended, and Aven’s voice was more of a growl than he might have liked. Good thing Miara wasn’t here to hear him say these things, but all this was a fresh reminder of the resentment, the frustration of so many years.
A quiet fell over the room, tense as a taut bowstring.
“I didn’t ask for this magic. But for good or ill, I’ve got it. I choose to believe it’s for a good reason. I choose to believe some good can come of it. I’m going to use it to help Akaria. If you’ll let me.”
Wind whistled outside. No one spoke.
Finally Toyl relented. “Of course, my lord,” she said, giving him the slightest bow.
Dyon spoke up. “We must keep unity. Alikar said word came from Kavanar. Who would have information on Aven’s magic but those who kidnapped him? They know he escaped. They know their plan failed. This is a blatant attempt to sow discord among us. We must not let them succeed.”
Suspicion coiled in Aven’s mind at those words. Could this always have been their plan? Not to send him back and out him as a mage—but to sow discord? That had to be it. Kidnapping him, killing him, those may have served their secondary concern over star magic, as Daes had revealed. But they hadn’t been sure he had it. In fact, when Miara had begun her journey toward Estun, Aven had not yet received the star map from Teron. Their plans revolved less around keeping Aven in particular off the throne and more around weakening Akaria as a whole.
And when Akaria was divided, attacking mage forces would have that much of an easier time, as would traditional forces, for that matter.
Dyon continued, “The last thing they’ll expect is our restraint. We can’t play right into their hands. They want us to make a hasty move, a mistake.”
“Fair points,” said Asten. “We can begin mobilizing units on the Takaran side, like mine in Shansaren. Start moving them west, so they’ll be ready. This cannot be ignored,” Asten said. “They must be punished for this.”
“It won’t be ignored.” His father straightened and folded his arms across his chest. “But we will be more cunning than an immediate blind march on the capital, Evrical.” The warden gave a crisp nod of agreement. “Asten, work with Devol and Dyon and any generals we have visiting. Let’s plan out some options. And do not share these plans with Alikar at any time.”
“My lord?”
“Plan as though Gilaren may be friendly to Kavanar.”
Murmurs swept through the group. But Aven nodded. His father was right. Alikar hadn’t quite said as much, but the risk was high.
Samul continued, “I want you and your lieutenants updating our plans of attack on Kavanar. I want strategies for the capital as well as Sapana.” Asten gave another crisp nod.
“And the mage compound?” Aven added.
“Yes. Mark it on the map, if by some awful chance it’s not there already.”
“It’s not.”
Samul shook his head. “We have no one to blame but ourselves. Ojir, it can’t hurt to start working on those siege upgrades. Beneral, let’s talk more about those rumors you’ve heard. I’m interested to see what else we can find out beyond Aven’s endeavor to weaken our enemy forces. Which you’ll be moving forward with, correct, Aven?”
Aven nodded briskly. “Yes, sire.”
“Also, arrange us a… demonstration, let’s call it. Let’s have the doubters among us see for themselves what magic can do. And I personally would like to understand its capabilities for war better. But first, let us recuperate from our journeys and celebrate our prince’s return with a sunset feast in his honor. And Aven—one more word with you, please. You have a visitor.”
Chapter 2
Rumors & Agendas
Miara followed the steward and Aven’s mother down the stretching hallways. Great arching stone rose more than the height of two men above them. A florid, geometric pattern formed by the arches fascinated her as they walked, and she almost forgot to keep track of their turns. Almost.
She felt safer here than she had in a long time. Safer because she was far from the Masters and because she had a powerful ally here for once in her life.
More than an ally, even.
But it was also a strange place full of unknowns. She, too, was Aven’s ally, and to be a good one, she could not have her head in the clouds. Or the fancy arches.
“Fayton, what room do you think?” Aven’s mother Elise spoke to the steward. Fayton wore a midnight-blue tunic, the faintest trace of a bear embroidered on the back in just a slightly lighter color. Elise herself wore a gown of bright morning-glory blue that looked simple on the surface, but the cut and flow of it made Miara suspect it was far from a common garment.
The steward led them around a right corner. “I was planning on the far east one back here, my lady. The one with three windows.” Were windows so rare here that rooms could be identified by the number they possessed?
Elise smiled very slightly and nodded. All of the queen’s movements were calm, restrained, as though it would take much to move her.
They turned right and stopped finally at a far door on their left. Which direction was the mountainside this far in? Had they gone halfway through, or were they facing the other side of the mountain now? She had no idea.
She relinquished her small pack to Fayton at his insistence. She did not have much to settle, but Fayton made a show of helping her settle it anyway. As he went, and she tried not to feel awkward about him touching or moving any of her meager belongings, she wandered around the room. She and Elise had been led into a sitting room with a great stone hearth, bears reared on their haunches carved into the stone of each side. A writing desk appeared stocked with supplies, and a table and chairs awaited meals. The next room revealed a large curtained bed drowning in navy velvet, another large fireplace, and two of the three fabled windows. Beyond the bed, she found another small room and the remaining window. A bathing pool large enough for a person—or two?—took up most of the small room. Some kind of small floor hearth sat under the pool.
“What is this for, Fayton?” she asked, as he seemed hopeful she would ask him questions.
“Oh, for heating the bath from beneath with coals from the fire. Most comfortable.”
“Such luxury,” Miara breathed
. Too much. How could she accept this when her father and Luha were still trapped in the Masters’ clutches? An ache grew in her chest at the thought of them. So many mages remained enslaved. Was she supposed to relax and just not think about all of them? No, she couldn’t accept this.
She stepped back out into the regal bedroom. Elise spoke to a servant out of earshot, near the outer door, ordering some food and tea. “I don’t deserve this, Fayton. I can’t. Don’t you have someone important who needs this room?”
Fayton smiled reassuringly. “All the baths in Estun have these hearths. While a great luxury in general, this hold is well appointed in more than its security. Don’t let it disturb you.”
She wasn’t buying it. “So, is this an average room for Estun then?”
“Well, there are three windows.”
“I don’t want any special treatment. I’m no different than you.”
“I’m quite sure you are different from me in at least two ways.”
“Such as?”
“I am not a mage, and I have no royal heirs in love with me.”
She coughed, trying to cover her surprise. They had barely arrived. How did he know so much? “You are… quite observant.”
“I’ve been told that a few times. I also respect the prince very much.”
“How many windows does Aven’s room have?” she said. “I mean, the prince’s?”
His smile broadened. “One.”
“I don’t need this,” she said, rushing toward him and keeping her voice low. She laid a hand on his arm. “Like I said, you can save this room for someone important.”
“I am quite sure you are very important, my lady.” The ease and confidence in his voice drove her a step back in shock and almost made her believe him.
“I’m no lady.”
“But you will be, won’t you?” he said. She blinked, entirely unsure how to respond to him. His eyes twinkled. “I know our prince very well, I’ve served him since he was a child. But never mind. You would prefer me to use Miara then?” How had he learned her name so quickly? And… everything else? Perhaps as head steward, that was his job. Miara followed Fayton back out to the main room. He appeared to be done settling her or refreshing her room or whatever he’d been doing. “Is there anything you need me to acquire, my lady… Miara?” he said with a crisp bow.
