The Mage Chronicles- The Complete Series

by Lisa Cassidy

  Dawn suddenly stiffened at her side. The telepath’s gaze was firmly fixed on Casovar, who was staring at Tarrick with a look that reminded Alyx of a predator sizing up its prey. She shivered slightly.

  “You were here last summer too,” Casovar said smoothly. “What is a Zandian apprentice mage doing back in Rionn?”

  “I’m Apprentice Tarrick Tylender, sir, and I’m part of Lady Egalion’s study group at DarkSkull Hall. Our master granted me an exemption to finish the study year early and travel here with them.”

  “Tylender.” Casovar frowned in thought. “I recognise the name. You’re the younger brother of Hinga and Loren, the two mage bodyguards to the Zandian emperor?”

  “That’s right, sir.” A hint of pride filled Tarrick’s voice.

  “I was going to ask what possessed a Zandian of your background to leave school early and spend a summer in Rionn, but that clears things up.” Casovar smiled thinly. “An embarrassment to the family, I gather, given you’ve managed to align yourself with three arguably lesser mages. I don’t suppose spending the summer in Sandira holds any interest for you.”

  Before Tarrick could respond to the insult, Casovar turned back to Alyx, dismissing him. “In answer to your question, Apprentice Egalion, the situation with Shivasa has become such that I judged you would be of more use to me here than staying an extra couple of weeks at DarkSkull to finish the year.”

  He’d deliberately dropped her title and a small smile hovered at the comers of his mouth, as if he were daring her to challenge him on it. The fact he so obviously wanted her to was the only thing that held her back.

  “My father has told me of how serious the situation has become.” She struggled for calm and won. “And we want to help.”

  “Good, Alyx.” Dawn’s whisper of thought in her mind was so subtle it was barely there, and it was gone just as quietly. She fought the urge to look at her friend.

  “I’m glad we’re in agreement.” Casovar turned brisk. “You’ve had a long journey, so take the day to rest. I expect all of you back here tomorrow morning to begin work.”

  “Yes, sir,” Alyx agreed on their behalf.

  “Apprentice Tylender, I won’t have rogue mages in my city. If you stay, you will

  follow my orders the same way the others are expected to.”

  A slight tightening of his eyes was the only thing that betrayed Tarrick’s sense of

  insult at Casovar’s condescending tone. “I understand, Lord-Mage.”

  “Good. You’re all dismissed. I have things to do.”

  Cayr was heading down the hall towards them as they exited, one hand running through his tousled hair.

  “Where’s Dash?” Alyx asked immediately.

  “I couldn’t catch him.” Cayr fell into step as they turned into a wide walkway that joined two wings, heading into a more isolated section of the palace. “How did the rest of your meeting go?”

  The scent of flowers wafted up on the breeze, normally something that would make Alyx smile. But now her attention was distracted by what had just happened.

  “It wasn’t great. I’m worried about his cavalier attitude towards what we saw yesterday.” She shook her head. “In fact none of what happened back there sits right with me.”

  Cayr frowned. “What do you mean?”

  They slowed, clustering around a railing that looked down over a small garden with a bubbling fountain in its centre. Alyx raised an eyebrow at Dawn, who concentrated a moment then gave a little nod. “We’re alone.”

  “Casovar is different,” Alyx said. “More confident in his power and authority. He had no compunctions treating me like an inferior, despite the fact he doesn’t have a drop of noble blood in him outside his title, and my family goes back generations. He should be tip-toeing around me and he wasn’t.”

  “Worse, he was baiting you,” Dawn added. “He wanted you to lash out at him.”

  Finn lifted an eyebrow. “Why would he do that?”

  “I don’t know. I didn’t dare try and read his thoughts, but his desire to push Alyx was practically vibrating from him.”

  Alyx, disappointed she hadn’t picked up the same thing, nonetheless trusted Dawn’s ability implicitly. Another trickle of concern went through her.

  Cayr leaned back against the railing, his casual posture a direct contrast to the rest of them. “I think you’re overreacting. Casovar is a little high-handed and arrogant, yes, but he’s been working extremely hard these past few months both in strengthening our borders and increasing Alistriem’s security. Don’t forget the Shiven attacked us here in the palace almost a year ago—Casovar is critical in ensuring that never happens again.”

  “I’m aware of that,” she said evenly, not liking the faint hint of condescension in his tone. “And we want to keep Alistriem safe as much as you do. But that doesn’t mean we should be dragging citizens into the street and beating them.”

  “That was one incident, and Casovar already promised to speak to his captains about it. Besides, he was right—the Mage Guard had no obligation to show you what information they possessed. That jeweller may not have been as innocent as he looked.” Cayr pushed away from the railing. “I have to run, I’m sorry—meeting with my father. Drink tonight down in the city?”

  “Cayr, what you’re saying is logical, but we know what we saw.” Beside her, Dawn nodded firmly at Alyx’s words. “It wasn’t right.”

  “You’re seeing issues where there aren’t any.” He huffed out a breath. “My father thinks, and I happen to agree, that the safety of Rionn belongs best in Casovar’s hands, given how strong a mage he is. What isn’t right about that?”

  “Cayr, I—"

  “I’m sorry, I really have to go,” he apologised, leaning down to kiss her cheek. “See you all later down in the city. I want to hear all the stories from DarkSkull!”

  “He hasn’t changed much, has he?” Finn chuckled as Cayr disappeared around a corner. “I’m not sure whether to be glad or worried to have such a cheerful prince and heir. Reassure me that he takes some things seriously, Alyx.”

  “Not seriously enough,” she muttered to herself—it was like a betrayal to say it, but it was how she felt. Pushing her disappointment with Cayr out of her mind, she straightened. “Casovar having full control over the defence of Rionn explains some of what’s going on with my father. The balance of power at court has changed.”

  “Particularly if—Cayr’s assurances aside—the Mage Guard aren’t always doing the right thing, and your father has heard about it,” Finn said.

  Alyx nodded sharply. “Casovar said we’ll be working with the Mage Guard, so let’s use that opportunity to see the truth for ourselves.”

  And if her instinct was right and something was off, Cayr would have to listen to her.

  “I’m starting to think it might be a good thing we came home early,” Dawn said pensively.

  A troubled expression flickered over Finn’s face. “I think you might both be overestimating how much we can do.”

  Tarrick chuckled and clapped him on the back. “I have no shame in admitting you’re the smartest of all of us, Finn, but sometimes you overthink things. Alyx is high nobility, and she’s practically betrothed to the future king. We’re not at DarkSkull anymore—here, she has all the power and influence.”

  Alyx caught Dawn’s glance in her direction, and they shared a moment of silent communion. Tarrick was right—so why did it feel like there was something they were missing?

  Chapter 5

  Alyx stepped into the bustling inn, a wave of overly-warm air sweeping over her. All the fireplaces were lit despite the balmy evening, giving the place a bright glow. Her shoulders relaxed fractionally at the sight of Dashan sitting alone by the bar. She’d come early in the hopes of talking to him before the others arrived, when he would inevitably mask what he was truly feeling beneath his easy grin and humour.

  A few curious glances flicked her way as she headed towards him, and it took her a moment to re
alise it was the light dress she was wearing—too fine to belong to the usual customer in a place like this. She wasn’t in Weeping Stead anymore, where she was merely a faceless mage apprentice. Back home, she was Lady Egalion again.

  Or at least part of her was. The two selves coexisted uneasily inside her. At DarkSkull it was easy to be the mage apprentice and nothing more. Here she couldn’t escape the other part of her, nor could she ignore how easy it was to slip back into that person.

  Dashan looked like he’d been there a while. His sleeves were rolled up, and there were two empty ale glasses sitting next to a third that was only half full in front of him. He glanced up at her approach, then gestured to the barman to bring her a drink. “You’re early.”

  “Your powers of observation are outstanding.” She settled onto a stool beside him. They were the only ones at the bar, though that would soon change as evening deepened into night.

  “How did the rest of your meeting with our delightful lord-mage go?” Dashan spoke in a low voice.

  “He says he wanted us back early to help with the Shiven threat. He insulted Tarrick, then tried to bait me into lashing out at him.” She shrugged. “It wasn’t fun, but we’ll only have to put up with him for a few weeks until we go back to DarkSkull.”

  He regarded her for a long moment. “And?”

  She sighed. “Casovar has been placed in full control of the defence of Rionn. Cayr didn’t say it outright, but I got the distinct impression he has a lot more influence over the king’s decisions than when we left for DarkSkull.”

  His jaw tightened, and he was silent a long moment before he said, “When I left the palace earlier, I went looking for an old contact from the City Guard, invited him out for an ale.”

  Dashan had gone looking for answers. She shifted closer to him, wishing she’d thought to do the same thing, that she hadn’t let Cayr talk her into doubting her instincts. “What did he have to say?”

  Instead of replying, he gave her a little smile, a genuine one that curled up her insides with a happy glow despite her refusal to acknowledge it. “There was a time you would have assumed I’d spent the afternoon on a bender and made some rude comment about my drinking habits.”

  “Now I know you better.” She kept her voice brisk. “Are you going to tell me what your friend said or what?”

  “It wasn’t good.” His eyes darkened, and her warm glow vanished. “According to him, what we saw yesterday wasn’t an isolated incident. There have been increasing patrols through the poor quarter, targeting households where those with Shiven blood live. He told me similar stories of what we saw yesterday—only most times it’s those of Shiven blood being dragged out of their houses. There have been occasions where City Guard on patrol have come across young men beaten half to death and left in the streets. There’s no proof it was Mage Guard of course, the victims are too scared to say.”

  Her heart dropped—this was what she’d feared, what Dawn had feared too. Anger quickly followed on the heels of her dismay. “If Casovar thinks he can target the Shiven community just because of some spies that may or may not exist—"

  “I don’t care who it is!” The words came out raw and intense. “I don’t care if they are half-blood Shiven or Lord Darden’s eldest son. The Mage Guard are invading people’s homes, hurting them. That doesn’t happen here, Alyx. It shouldn’t happen anywhere, not to anyone.”

  “I agree,” she said softly, strongly affected by his declaration. It matched how she felt so closely, and yet that was partly his influence. Two years earlier and she’d have been just like Cayr, brushing off anything that threatened her happy bubble and attending a fancy dinner with her court friends rather than worrying about any of it.

  “What did Cayr have to say about it all?” he asked.

  Irritation surged. “As usual, he’s insisting everything is fine,” she muttered. “Casovar promised to talk to his captains about the behaviour we saw, and that was enough for Cayr.”

  “Give him time. We both know he prefers to see things in black and white terms, good and bad.” He gave her a little smile. “He listens to you, though.”

  Warmth spread through her chest, and she couldn’t help meeting his eyes with a soft smile. “You’ve always made such an effort to see the best in us, even when that must have been damnably difficult at times.”

  He shifted on his chair, his arm brushing against hers. Her heart was suddenly lodged firmly in her throat, and she was glad he spoke next, because she didn’t think she’d be able to summon words if she tried.

  “These past couple of years haven’t been easy ones for you, mage-girl, and to your credit you’ve used that to try and become a better person. I have faith Cayr will too. You both have good hearts underneath the privilege and arrogance.”

  “I... ” She cleared her throat. “Thanks, Dash.”

  He swung away from her then, abruptly changing the subject. “We’re not going back to DarkSkull, are we?”

  “Why would you say that?” she asked in genuine surprise. “Four half-trained mages aren’t going to be any use to Casovar if the Shiven threat escalates.” She paused. “What did Hawkwerst say when you reported to him?”

  His shoulders stiffened. “I haven’t reported in yet.”

  “Dash—”

  “Don’t start, Alyx.”

  Recognising one of his moods, Alyx took a sip of her drink and said nothing further, offering silent companionship. Eventually, he broke the silence.

  “I went to see my father, tell him I was home. Casovar had already spoken to him about the incident yesterday.” Dashan lifted his glass, draining its contents in two swallows. “I was told in no uncertain terms that I should apologise to Captain Dunnat, and until I did, I would be placed on suspension.”

  “Dash, I—”

  “I tried to explain to him what had happened. I was calm, didn’t lose my temper. But my father stood there, listened to what I had to say, then told me that if I didn’t apologise to Dunnat and get myself reinstated I was done.” He chuckled bitterly. “So much for supporting your own son. Father doesn’t even like Casovar, yet he still takes that man’s side over mine.”

  “What are you going to do?” she asked quietly.

  He turned his burning gaze on her. “Do you know the last time a Blue Guard commander took orders from Rionn’s lord-mage? Never, that’s when. And now I’m being told to apologise for stopping a bunch of louts beating a citizen on the streets. I won’t do it.”

  As angry as his voice was, there was only pain in Dashan’s dark eyes. She wanted to help, but didn’t know how. Everything in her yearned to reach out to him, offer what comfort she could, but that was a dangerous path. And it wouldn’t make things any easier for him. So she settled for the only words she could think of. “I’m sorry that your father can’t see what sort of man his son has grown into. He’s a fool, a blind one.”

  Dashan’s hand lifted to cover his face, and he took a deep breath. Then he stood, rummaging in his pockets for coins to leave on the bar. “You don’t need or deserve my self-pity tonight, mage-girl. I’ll see you later.”

  “Hey—” She reached out to stop him, but he cut her off.

  “You were right when you said we both needed time. Give me that. Please.”

  Her arm dropped back to her side and he turned away without another word. But she couldn’t leave it like that.

  “Dash, wait!” she called after him but he ignored her, pushing his way through the crowd to the door. Alyx rose to follow but instead ran into Cayr and her friends at the door.

  “What did you say to Dash this time to run him off?” Cayr joked. “He looked in a foul mood.”

  “I… ” Alyx hesitated, eyes on Dashan as he disappeared into the crowded street. “Nothing.”

  “I wish you could have restrained yourself for once,” Cayr said good-naturedly as he ushered her back inside. “I haven’t seen him since Carhall.”

  “Sorry,” Alyx muttered, still glancing back as she was pull
ed into the bar. “Where’s your Bluecoat detail?”

  “Stationed discreetly at every entrance.” Cayr pulled the cap he was wearing further down over his curls, no doubt hoping he wouldn’t be recognised. Eventually someone would notice all the Bluecoats and wonder why they were there, but that usually took a while. Finn found them a table while Tarrick offered to fetch the first round.

  “You drink these days?” Cayr asked with an amused smile.

  “Sure,” she said.

  “I bet that was Dashan’s influence.” He chuckled. “Don’t tell me I’m going to have to start carrying you home from the party district every night.”

  “No, it wasn’t,” she said shortly, taking a seat beside him at the table. Again, her eyes were drawn towards the door that Dashan had left through.

  The light in his blue eyes dimmed. “Alyx, I was just joking.”

  “I didn’t know you highborn types even knew about the party district.” Finn grinned.

  “What’s that?” Tarrick placed a mug of ale in front of Alyx. She thanked him with a smile.

  “It’s an area in the southwest of the city,” Finn said. “All of the rowdier inns are there, as well as most of the city’s theatres and clubs and several brothels of varying levels of quality. If you took a poll of all the fine citizens of Alistriem who have spent a night sleeping off overindulgence in the city’s inns, you’d probably find that the majority of them had been in the party district.”

  “We’ve never actually been there,” Alyx admitted.

  “Neither have we,” Dawn said pointedly, causing her twin’s superior smile to fade quickly. They all chuckled.

  “Sandira has places like that too,” Tarrick said of his home city. “But more than one. My brothers took me to one once, right before I started at DarkSkull. It was a night to remember.”

  The men shared a conspiratorial glance while Alyx and Dawn made a show of rolling their eyes. In the following silence, Alyx opened her mouth to bring up Casovar, wanting to try and push Cayr to talk about it more, but the inn had filled to bursting and people were crowded all around them—it wasn’t the place to discuss state business. She’d have to wait until she could speak with him more privately.