by Aleks Canard
‘Trix, I’m with Big Red over there. Why bother looking for research on this Gauthier guy? We need to reach Zilvia. We won’t make it there before they do, but you know Xifaw Forest and they don’t. Hang Blor’daeyn’s Feudal Lords and pay no mind to your banishment. If it’s a fine you need to pay, I’ll write a cheque right now.’
‘Big Red is an improvement on “wizzy,”’ Altayr said, moving so his call would be in private.
‘None of my first drafts are much good, sorcerer.’
Altayr opened the airlock then stepped into the cargo bay.
Valentine: ‘Why aren’t we going to Zilvia?’
Trix: ‘Faedra said one of my titles will save my life soon. I think it already has. “Of Zilvia.” That’s why she didn’t kill me in the vault. She’s waiting for me to take the mirror first so she can steal it later.’
‘That’s a gamble of long odds, Trix. Are you sure you want to take that risk?’
‘I’m sure that I want to know what I’m up against before we head to Zilvia. If the research on Gauthier was sealed, then it’s strange Altayr should know it at all, don’t you think?’
‘Sorcerers are a subversive bunch who are secretive even among friends, it seems.’
‘Sorry, I couldn’t hear you over your bias.’
‘Magic is too elitist for my liking. When you only have thousands of people who can cast it competently in a galaxy of billions, it’d be better if it didn’t exist.’
‘There are only thousands of machinas, and we can do things of which not even mages are capable.’
‘But you’re not plotting anything in secret groups with political motives and dreams of grandeur that bode ill for the rest of us. You’re vagabonds, wanderers. You tramp the stars causing little noteworthy trouble. Except for you, of course.’
‘There are five other women like me.’
‘Then how come none has seen them? As far as the galaxy’s concerned, you’re the only white haired machina there is. And if they were still around, why they haven’t contacted you? From what you told me, you were like sisters.’
‘I expect their escape pods took them to the same place, and they’re living in peace. Somewhere no one can reach them.’
‘You think you were left behind because you were late to the evacuation?’
‘I’ll probably never know, but if no one other than machinas can find Mair Ultima, it’s likely that there are plenty of other places unknown to the rest of us.’
‘It wouldn’t surprise me,’ Valentine said. ‘Now how are we going to defeat Gauthier? With a little help, I think Big Red could trump Faedra. They seemed to be evenly matched. If Altayr hadn’t exhausted himself opening a dark portal he may have ended it right there.’
‘But now that she knows she has competition, she may call the rest of the Guild for backup.’
‘Fantastic. More sorcerers,’ the flash of an idea showed itself in Valentine’s eyes. ‘What makes you think there’re only two mirrors? Why not more?’
‘Nadira told us there’s an inscription on one. Each journey requires but two things: a beginning and an end.’
‘And how would she know about the inscription without first having seen it?’
‘It’s not like Vega to reveal everything she knows. Her spies are numerous, dotted among the galaxy like stars, only they’re more conspicuous.’
‘May I offer an amendment to Nadira’s initial statement?’
‘You can try.’
‘A journey needs three things, not two. If you have a beginning and an end, you’ve only got teleportation, for the end cannot be bridged without a middle. Two points by themselves are nothing other than arbitrary destinations.’
‘An interesting theory.’
‘I thought so.’
‘Then what would this third piece of the mirrors entail?’
‘I’m not a clairvoyant.’
‘But you were on an intellectual roll.’
‘Don’t sass me, machina. I know you well enough to understand when you’re taking the piss. Your light fingers make it easy, but those who know what to look for can see even the invisible.’
‘You should write down some of your musings.’
‘Acknowledging that I’m wiser than I first appear?’
‘Never. It’s a matter of probability. With how much you talk, you’re bound to say something of note every hour.’
‘Taking notes is a sure way to retain poor ideas. The ones worth keeping will stay of their own volition, long after the endless rabble of bad company has excused itself from your mind’s confines.’
‘Eloquent of you to say.’
Valentine shrugged. ‘I may have stolen that from someone. I can’t remember.’
‘Perhaps your relation to Cuthbert Theroux grants you greater literary prowess than you realise.’
‘Theroux was a linguistic genius, fearless reporter, intrepid explorer, and you’d be hard pressed to find a better writer. His famous works possessed nature’s innate flow. The way conflict rose like mountains, how conversation moved as smooth as rivers, and how plot could change as suddenly as the wind.’
‘And by your own omission, you are none of that?’
‘Trix, my darling, I am the literary equivalent of a roadside diner.’
‘There’s nothing wrong with waffles served all day.’
Valentine saluted her. ‘You can be cruel, harsh, and aloof, but I’m forever grateful to call you my friend.’
‘And you can be an abusive, belligerent, drunken voluptuary, who lends himself to spouting grandiloquent speeches more than anyone should, but I’m somewhat honoured to call you one of my oldest friends.’
Valentine raised his glass. ‘To being broken, and the beauty such disrepair holds.’
The two friends downed their whiskey as Altayr returned.
‘The Conclave wanted to speak with you. I told them you were busy.’
‘Good. I didn’t want to speak with them. How’d your discussion fare?’
‘They’re not happy.’
‘I could’ve guessed,’ said Valentine. He stretched himself out on the sofa. One benefit to having no legs was that you didn’t have leg muscles to tire. He shuddered to think what life would’ve been like centuries ago, when bionic limbs were in their infancy.
‘They’re sending Liera Niova and Uline Yir to Northfall. They plan on placing an illusion over the entire settlement. Anyone passing by will glaze over it, like nothing was there.’
‘Did they question your presence on Drion?’
‘Of course. The Conclave asks more questions than it ever answers. Scientists and Mages alike know how it is.’
‘And what did you tell them?’
‘They knew I was with you on the Bastion, so I informed them I had eavesdropped on you speaking with an unknown confidant. A confidant who mentioned Faedra de Morland was transporting precious goods to Northfall. And that you were going to rob her.’
‘I’m no thief.’
Trix thought about some of her previous adventures, ones she had after leaving Zilvia. She’d stolen more than once.
‘The Conclave would rejoice if someone robbed Faedra de Morland. If anything, that elevated your standing with them, even if they do believe you to be an uncouth tramp.’
‘Their words not yours, I presume.’
‘You know a mage would never speak so bluntly. It’d be considered a grandiose faux pas. Reading a sorcerer’s subtlety is like learning to read in a different language so deceptively similar to your own you think you needn’t bother with studying.’
Whatever, Trix thought. ‘So I take it you didn’t tell them about entering the vault?’
‘I had to. They’ll know that their security has been breached the moment they enter Northfall. That’s why I told them Faedra fled into an unknown cathedral and you asked me to give chase.’
‘They’ll see through your pretend ignorance.’
‘Where a mage’s subtlety is a language, each individual mage posses
ses their own dialect. Of course I told them that I knew the cathedral to be the Conclave’s vault.’
‘And they were fine with that, were they?’ Valentine said. His scepticism was thick enough to shovel.
‘They forgot about intrusion completely once I told them about Faedra escaping with the Uldarian Mirror, or at least gave the illusion of forgetting.’
‘Great, now the whole Conclave’s going to be involved in this mess. Not even Trix’s sword can cut through that much red-tape.’
‘I assured them that I would hunt Faedra personally.’
‘As one of the younger members of their little party I can’t believe they would let you hunt such a dangerous adversary,’ said Valentine. A smile cracked on his face. It was crooked. His eyes were sly. ‘Big Red, I think I’ve discerned some of your so-called dialect. The way you said personally, it rubbed me the wrong way. And between you and me, I’ve had lots of experience with that. There never was a sager piece of wisdom than to not be a woman’s first.’
‘Out with it, Valentine,’ Trix said. As much as she cared for her friend, it seemed no matter how old, experienced, or accomplished men were, they couldn’t resist dick measuring contests. Women were guilty of it too, though they typically went behind each other’s backs.
‘You and Faedra were involved once. Ah, the way your eyes flit from mine but for an instant tells me I’m right.’
‘It seems there’s no point in pretending any longer. Yes, Faedra and I were involved. But that ended before either of you were born.’
‘Something about necromancy tickle your fancy, sorcerer?’
‘I was researching dark magic to transition from wizard to sorcerer, and finally attain my rank as the Red. I won’t be discussing it any further. Unlike you, poet, I like to keep my nocturnal affairs private.’
‘You speak true, for I like to keep my affairs nocturnal.’ Valentine stood. Made way for the crew’s quarters. ‘I trust your previous affectations towards that swarthy robed sorceress won’t stay your hand should you have the opportunity to kill her. They certainly won’t impede mine.’
Valentine closed the door behind him. He had to relieve himself in the bathroom.
‘You should’ve said something about Faedra,’ Trix said.
‘It has no bearing on the situation.’
‘Sex has a bearing on every situation. It’s the root of all things.’
‘No doubt Valentine would’ve appreciated that pun.’
‘It wasn’t intended.’
‘Are you still set on venturing to the Ddraeyg Mountains?’
‘Only if your work here is done.’
‘It is.’
‘Sif, take us out.’
‘Since you seem to be taking your time with this particular mission, why don’t we stop off at the Estreser Palace and stroll through the gardens with Dai and Iglessia?’
‘Maybe another time.’
Altayr: ‘Ah yes, the Queen of Xardiassant. She’s coming under a lot of pressure recently.’
‘I’m aware, hence why I don’t think it’d be a good idea to impose on her. You know, besides the fact we’re dealing with Nadira Vega, Faedra de Morland, and a creature from children’s ghost stories.’
‘Dheizir Crohl may have been imprisoned, but he succeeded in spreading fear. Do you know that a race war has been hinted at as a real possibility in council meetings?’
‘I don’t follow politics. The only reason I know how Iglessia is doing is because Dai and I talk on occasion. He doesn’t blather. It’s good.’
‘The ECG has expedited no less than four military hardware upgrades since Dheizir attacked Earth. They’re already drafting new interplanetary immigration laws. And on Xardiassant, there’re a number of royal families who want to see all corrach ships stopped in low orbit.’
‘What about other races?’
‘They’ll allow psygotas and humans, but from what the Gyfriox dax Estreser have told us, there have been calls for all non-zireans to be monitored at all times via cuffs, no different to prison shackles.’
Gyfriox dax Estreser was the Lodge of Stars, and Xardiassant’s best drithis. They were who helped Dai of Thyria back to mental stability after having his mind contorted by Vaende Ithli.
‘The best shackles are built of contempt,’ Trix said, putting her feet up on the table then crossing her ankles. ‘Once again, machinas are unconsidered. And that suits me fine. Sif, are we in hyperspace yet?’
‘Well we’re not in Kansas.’
‘Valentine had a thought before.’
‘As much as his stupor makes him seem the fool, his thoughts are not totally without merit. What did he say?’ Altayr said, sitting on the sofa. He’d already mended his poncho.
‘He thinks that these mirrors have a third component. Once that connects them.’
‘Their portals connect them. That’s the point. Erresa Srethla’s initial research, from what little I can remember, hypothesised that if the first mirror’s twin was found, they would be able to communicate, allowing instantaneous travel.’
‘That’s only useful if you can ensure both of them remain safe. I wonder who Nadira will choose to house her mirror’s pair.’
‘She may ask you.’
‘I don’t have a house, and I’m not keeping that mirror on my ship. Did Erresa’s research reveal if a portal could be sustained between the mirrors if you only possessed one?’
‘That was its very crux. All the tracking devices that were sent in were never located. Then again, we know the mirror’s pair is in Zilvia’s Xifaw Forest, and that Arnums cancel technology. Perhaps the forest floor is littered with tracking devices because the mirrors can only communicate with each other, and it was wrongly assumed that they opened random portals.’
‘If that’s the case, and Faedra has the guts to enter the portal, then they’re on Zilvia already and we’ve lost.’
‘Faedra wouldn’t enter an unknown portal. The risk of ending up in a dangerous situation is too great.’
‘Gauthier might make her.’
‘Then there’s nothing we can do. In the stories he’s said to open portals to the Betwixt and use it to travel anywhere he pleases, though he can only cause havoc when he’s summoned.’
‘You said before that all research of him was sealed in the Ddraeyg Mountains, so how come you know about it?’
‘Aren’t we always curious to know what others tell us we can’t? I did have a penchant for mischief as a wizard.’
‘Then you became old and serious,’ Valentine said, stepping out of the crew’s quarters. ‘Mind passing me my cigarillos? They must’ve fallen out of my pocket.’
Altayr looked on the sofa beside him. The box was made from metal. A reusable collector’s edition by the looks of it. A redheaded, djurel-human half-breed adorned the front. He tossed the box to Valentine who caught it without looking.
‘Let me know when we reach Xardiassant,’ he said, returning to the crew’s quarters.
‘Trix, if you’ll forgive me, that encounter was exhausting,’ Altayr lay along the sofa and propped his head on the armrest. ‘I’d like to be even a little refreshed before asking a favour of my peers.’
Trix left Altayr to rest. Headed to her room. She wondered if the mirrors could be used to teleport anywhere the user desired.
I could use them to find Roche, she thought.
She was about to have a lie down herself when she remembered that her weapons and armour needed attention.
Hopefully she wouldn’t need them on Xardiassant.
Last time she’d used her weapons on the Zirean home-world, the palace had received an unintended make-under.
A Gifted Man Brings Gifts Galore
1
Dragons were majesty in animal form.
It was no small wonder that the zireans had revered them as gods during their civilisation’s early days. Among all the gods, two were purported to be the mightiest: Vitliaeth, a golden dragon representing luck, and Difrauleth, a carmine drago
n who was indicative of misfortune.
Legends said Difrauleth razed homes that didn’t praise dragonkind, flooding them with fire and flames so vast it was possible to drown in them. His wings blocked the sun, causing any who looked skyward for hope to see naught but darkness.
And glowing red eyes.
He and Vitliaeth were said to live with the other god-dragons in the Ddraeyg Mountains, far removed from Estreser, on the other side of the planet. What was strange about the mountains actually lay in their surrounds. Ancient villages were found under layers of volcanic rock.
However, zirean geologists hadn’t found any volcanoes in the immediate area. To fanatics and those who still prayed to the old god-dragons, this was all the evidence they needed to cement their faith in Difrauleth’s existence. And by extension, all the other gods as well.
Later, religion on Xardiassant shifted to praising the stars and moon, with many outlying villages holding harvest festivals in their honour. It was around such time that ceirlos were viewed as minor deities, though they were never held in the same esteem as dragons, who still held the most religious followers.
Vluddes achieved a healthy amount of folklore reverence too. It was considered bad luck to kill a vludde, and seeing one without a pink stripe was an ill omen.
As the Fox entered the atmosphere over the Ddraeyg Mountains — which were small by Mair Ultima standards — it was possible to see the lasting remnants of dragon worship.
Marble statues were erected on the foothills. The most impressive set was of Vitliaeth and Difrauleth engaged in a fight above stairs which led to a mountaintop monastery. It was one of Xardiassant’s many wonders, and was thought to have been constructed using magic.
These days, the monastery was no longer home to monks, but scholars instead. The old courtyard served as a hub. From there, many different towers, libraries, and magical laboratories could be accessed.
Ships weren’t permitted to land on the mountains as they were sacred ground. Mountainside caverns — that were supposed to be where the god-dragons lived — were now sealed off with high stained-glass windows.
Sif landed the ship on a grassy knoll bordering Maexgen Bay. It looked like a dragon’s mouth from the sky. The mountains resembled its scales.
