by Lisa Cassidy
“My mages will help with protection.” Alyx infused her words with how strongly she felt, moving her gaze between all mages present to ensure they received the message. “From now on, we work together.”
Rothai astonished her when he spoke. “I will organise that if you like, Magor-lier? It will likely take the council some time to learn what is happening if we are careful with the information.”
“Thank you.” She hesitated, then firmed her voice. “I will trust you with it.”
“With your permission, Your Highness, I will go to ShadowFall Island to conduct the training and help protect the potentials in case of attack,” Garan said, looking at Cayr.
“Your valuable council will be a loss, Lord Egalion, but I can see the greater good in what you’re suggesting.” Cayr looked troubled, despite his words.
“You have a very capable Taliath at your side, Your Highness, despite her youth,” Garan said.
Alyx wasn’t sure who was more astonished by her father’s endorsement, her or Jenna, but Cayr’s worried expression eased. “Thank you, Lord Egalion.”
“I’d like to go with Ladan.” Dawn said. “I think a telepath could be useful in finding Taliath.”
Most of the room, Alyx included, looked over at her in surprise. Ladan’s expression was as hard to read as always.
“If it’s what you want, of course you can go,” Alyx said to her friend. “My telepathic magic was instrumental in tracking the Hunters through Shivasa, and Taliath present with a similar sort of blankness to our magic. Ladan, I assume you have no objections?”
“None. You are welcome, Dawn.” Ladan inclined his head.
“And what will you do next?” Cayr asked Alyx.
Alyx sat back. “Tarrick? You’ve thought about this since last night, I presume?”
He looked pleased she’d asked him. “I have, yes. If you’re not willing to continue hiding from Shakar until you grow stronger, than I suggest we go on the offensive. We attack the Hunters when and where we can and destroy their medals. If we can nullify the threat they pose sooner rather than later–”
“Then less mages will die in Hunter attacks,” Finn said, following the train of thought instantly.
Tarrick nodded. “Mages we’ll need, along with the Taliath, to fight Shakar.”
“We’ll need to do more than that.” Cario spoke for the first time. “If you’re establishing an alternative mage order, Alyx, then you need to provide protection, stability and structure to the mages under you.”
“I agree. What would you suggest?”
“First, the implementation of a formal command structure and a series of covert communication methods,” Cario said. “Without that we will be scattered and ineffective. Secondly, you need to be visible. A commanding leader that mages want to follow.”
“We could set up safe houses, or bases. Knowledge of those locations can be restricted to only those mages who need to know, like the mine in Tregaya,” Tarrick said, and Cario nodded.
“Before we can do any of that, we need to find all the mages out there that aren’t already sworn to us or hiding in Carhall,” Alyx said. “If possible, I’d like to speak to as many of them as possible in one group.”
“A single event with all the mages gathered?” Rothai looked sceptical. “That would leave us and them dangerously vulnerable.”
“Then we’ll figure out a way to keep them safe. Cario’s right, I need to show them I’m in charge, and we need to give them a plan, a reason to join us. We need to offer them hope.” She thought on that for a moment. “Cario, Finn, you’re in charge of coming up with ideas for protecting a single gathering of mages for a short period of time. No more than a couple of hours should be necessary.”
“I believe I could help with that,” Garan offered. “I have some thoughts already.”
“We would definitely welcome your ideas,” Finn said.
“Good, then can we move on to Rionn’s increasingly dire situation?” Astor asked. “Alyx, I’d like to discuss what mage resources you could provide us.”
“Of course.” Alyx nodded. “But before we move on, there is one more thing that I need to establish.”
“What is it?” Tarrick asked.
“Cario spoke of the need for formal structure. I am the leader of the mages, but beyond me there is no clarity about position or leadership,” she said steadily. “I have promised to be a more responsible leader, and part of that means having capable mages under me who can carry out my commands but also provide me with advice.”
A little smile curled at Finn’s mouth. “Go ahead and name Cario your second. It’s fine.”
She risked a glance at Tarrick, but he shrugged equably. “Very well. Cario will be my second. Now, Astor, how many mages do you want?”
“Alyx, do you have a moment?” Cario walked up after the meeting had finally ended. She was exhausted, but for the first time since Dashan’s death the miasma of depression around her heart had lifted a little. It wasn’t gone, not even close, but deep down what she was doing felt right in a way nothing had for a very long time.
“If you’re going to complain about being my second, I don’t want to hear it,” she said, rising from her chair.
“I live to serve.” He gave her a sweeping bow, overdoing it until she snorted in amusement.
“What do you want, then?”
“I’d like to discuss reaching out to the Mage Council. They have access to resources that we don’t, and they have another mage of the higher order. Galien, despite his faults, could be a significant help when fighting Shakar.”
She made a face. “I don’t want to give them the impression that we’re in any way subordinate to them,” she said.
“One step at a time,” Cario said. “I’m not even sure the council would agree to help us—especially once they learn you’ve claimed leadership of the mage order—or what concessions we’d have to make. But it’s something we need to at least explore.”
“You’re right.” Alyx let out a breath. “Go on then, reach out. You’re my second now, you have the authority to act on my behalf.”
A faint smile crossed his face. “Very well, Magor-lier.”
When she stepped outside the following morning, five showy cavalry mounts were grazing on the lawn beyond the pebbled drive. Casta and Tijer stood at the base of the steps, Nario, Josha, and Roland lingering just behind them.
The famous five. The thought gave her a flicker of amusement.
“Lady Egalion,” Tijer greeted her.
“Tijer.” She raised an eyebrow, running her eyes over the group of young men. “Good to see you all again.”
“Lady Egalion.” Roland grinned, tipping his hat. The others followed suit. “Long time since we stole the king from his palace.”
“Indeed.” A smile curled at her mouth. “To what do I owe this unexpected visit?”
“Tarrick and Finn came to the barracks last night. They wanted to know if we had any spare cloaks we would be willing to give them,” Tijer said. “Like yours.”
“Did you show them the way to the storage room, Nario?” Roland asked.
“I did not,” Nario said seriously. “I didn’t see Josha give them the key for it, either.”
Tijer cleared his throat. “Tarrick mentioned you were planning to leave Alistriem. He said you’re now the proper leader of the mages. We’d like to come with you.”
Surprise flashed through her. “You would?”
“Yes. Lieutenant Caverlock was very serious about your protection, and he was our brother,” Tijer said. “We’re no Taliath, of course, but we’ve protected you before, and we know how it works. We can fight with and against mages, and Shakar doesn’t scare us.”
“Besides,” Josha added. “The head of the mage order needs to look the part—we Bluecoats are well trained in filling the role of flashy ceremonial guard.”
“We’re also the five best looking Bluecoats in Alistriem,” Roland added, managing a straight face.
S
he bit her lip, trying to hold back the sobbing laugh that desperately wanted to escape. “You have permission from your commander?”
“No, Magor-lier,” Casta said sheepishly. “But we’re hoping you might square it with Lord-General Caverlock.”
Great. A conversation with Dashan’s father. Alyx couldn’t stand him. It sounded like she was also going to have to explain how a pile of blue cloaks had gone missing from the barracks’ stores. But she also couldn’t deny the idea of having these Bluecoats with her gave her a sense of comfort she hadn’t had for a long time.
“I’ll talk to him. We’re leaving tomorrow. Be packed up and waiting here at dawn.” She fought a smile. “And make sure your tack is gleaming and there isn’t a button out of place on those uniforms.”
“Consider it done!” Tijer saluted snappily, and all four others followed suit before spinning and striding back over to their mounts. Her gaze lingered on them until they faded from sight.
“Dashan had many more friends than he thought,” she mused, wishing with every fibre of her being in that moment that he was still alive and with her.
The door to the Caverlock mansion was opened by their sober-faced steward, who gravely assured Alyx he would fetch the lord-general straight away. Dashan’s father appeared shortly after, boots rapping sharply on the tiled floor. His eyes flickered over her new cloak, but betrayed nothing of how he was feeling.
“Lady Egalion.” He was polite, his gruff voice a sound familiar to her since childhood. “What brings you here?”
“Lord-General Caverlock,” she spoke just as politely, but didn’t bow her head. “Firstly, I wanted to pass on my condolences on the death of your son. You know that he has been a friend of mine for a long time.”
She thought his hands, resting at his sides, might have flickered slightly at her words, but he showed no other emotion. “Thank you, Lady Egalion. Your father has passed on similar condolences.”
“I would have married him, if he’d lived.” The words came out before she’d realised she was going to say them, but she didn’t regret it. There had been a challenge in her voice—part of her wanted to see some sign that Caverlock mourned his son. Dashan deserved that, at least. “He was a good man, a man any father should be proud to have as a son.”
Caverlock’s face tightened, both in surprise at her words and repressed anger at her implied accusation. She waited in silence, meeting his gaze steadily, while he searched for a response. Eventually a look of resignation swept over his face, as if maintaining anger was suddenly too much effort. “Lady Egalion, I had no idea.”
“That seems to have been a theme with you and Dashan, sir,” she said, unable to help herself, before gentling her tone. “I wish you’d known him like I did. If you’d taken the time to do that...you would have loved him too.”
“Regan has said something similar.” Caverlock cleared his throat. His shoulders were no longer ramrod straight. “He has taken the death of his brother hard. Harder than Dashan would have thought, I think.”
“That is very sad, sir.” Before he could say anything, she kept going. “I’d like your permission to take five of your Bluecoats with me when I leave Alistriem. They’ve been part of my protective detail before and I trust them.”
He blinked, frowning a little. “If what you say is true, Lady Egalion…if you were to be my daughter in law…my Bluecoats are as much yours as they are mine. Pass their names to my steward and I will sign the orders today.”
“Thank you, Lord-General.”
She turned to go, but his voice called her back. His eyes were on the ground, but he looked up slowly as she waited for him to speak. “He died a good death, my son?”
“He died to save my life, and those of my friends.” Somehow, some way, she managed to keep her voice even. “Good night, Lord-General Caverlock.”
Chapter 19
Shakar went to ground after the destruction of Tennan. It was confusing and frustrating. Alyx had made it a priority to learn more about him; where he based himself, how many mages followed him, what exactly his plans were. Yet two months on and they’d had no success on any of those fronts. She was gnawing over the problem as she rode back into Alistriem late one evening.
“Cheer up,” Cario said from where he rode at her side. “Shakar remains as elusive as ever, but we’re making strides in our other goals.”
“That’s true.” If things had gone well there she would shortly be leaving Alistriem again to undertake the next step of her plan. And only a week earlier they’d turned the tables on a large group of Hunters who’d sought to ambush her, killing them all and taking their medallions.
“Magor-lier?” Tijer rode up as they passed through the city gates. “Casta and Nario will escort you home. The rest of us will take the medallions to the usual place.”
“Thanks, Tijer.” She shuddered. “Make sure you store those blasted things well away from me and the other mages.” Even when not touching them, they made her skin crawl. The location they were being stored was a secret even to Alyx—known only to a select few including Tijer, Finn and her father.
“Consider it done,” he said with a smile and a salute before riding off. Roland and Josha peeled off to follow him, leaving her with Casta, Nario, and the mages. Tarrick turned back to look at her, a hopeful look on his face. “Join us for a drink in the party district before going home?”
Her chest tightened fractionally. “Thanks, but I’m feeling pretty tired. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Come on, we’re all tired,” Finn said. “Have a drink with us.”
She paused, trying to find the words to explain—reluctant to tell them that the inns in the party district reminded her too much of Dashan, of his laughing and high spirits. “I don’t feel like drinking tonight. Next time.”
“All right,” he said reluctantly. “See you tomorrow then.”
“Shall I ride back with you?” Cario murmured as Finn and Tarrick began moving away.
“No, you should join them, take the opportunity to relax,” she told him. “If things have gone to plan, we’ll be on our way again tomorrow morning.”
“Then I’ll see you first thing. Oh, and I’ll bring the fritters you like from the morning markets,” he promised with a smile before riding off to join the other mages.
The two Bluecoats were a silent but reassuring presence around her as she rode through the gates of her home. Her decision not to join her friends in the city played on her mind, and she was unsure she’d done the right thing. They were all working hard to put the events of the night in Sandira behind them, but she sometimes wondered if they were trying to make something happen that just wasn’t possible.
It was more difficult with Dawn gone. Alyx hadn’t had word from either her or Ladan since they’d left. She wondered whether they’d found any Taliath yet.
“Do you need anything more this evening, Magor-lier?” Casta asked as she dismounted by the front steps.
Alyx glanced at the young man fondly. She’d endured a certain amount of puzzlement from the mages as to why she needed five Bluecoat bodyguards without any mage power or Taliath ability, but so far had ignored it. Their presence comforted her.
“No thank you, Casta. Why don’t you and Nario take the night off? I’ll just be going up to bed.”
“All right. I’ll check in on the guards at the gates, make sure they know you’re home, before I leave.” He tipped his hat. “Sleep well.”
“You too.”
Warned of her arrival back in the city, two warrior mages waited at the base of the steps to take over her protection detail. Adahn was one of them, and he gave her a jaunty wave. She waved back, waiting until a groom came to take Tingo. The stallion snuffled affectionally in her hair before allowing himself to be led away.
“Magor-lier.” Adahn’s bow was a touch too casual to be seriously meant. When he straightened he gestured to the broad-shouldered, bearded man beside him. Neither of them wore mage robes, she noted with approval.
“Have you met Chestin?”
“You look familiar.” She frowned, trying to recall. It took a few moments to come to her. “Carhall! You were on guard when Cario gave us a tour of the Hub all those years ago.”
“That’s right, Magor-lier.” Much more formal than Adahn, Chestin was trained council mage through and through. She wondered what had brought him over to her side.
“It’s nice to see you again,” she said warmly, then turned to Adahn. “I assume my father has already gone?”
“Yes, he left yesterday.”
“And King Cayr? He’s in residence?”
“Yes, my lady,” Safia answered for Adahn as she walked in the door. He gave her a quick smile of welcome, taking her riding gloves and cloak. “You have a visitor in the study.”
Surprise speared through her. “Who? Nobody knew I was coming back tonight.”
“We only just got here.” Adahn frowned when she looked at him questioningly.
“He didn’t give a name, but he’s a mage,” Safia said. “He arrived yesterday and said he’d wait for you. I told him I didn’t know when you were expected back, but he insisted. I had the servants set up a room for him, but I’ve barely seen him since.”
It was unlikely that Shakar had decided to wait in her study, and any other mage she could handle, even if their intentions weren’t good. Still, she couldn’t imagine which of her mages would have come to see her at her residence and then have the audacity to insist on staying. Curiosity niggled at her.
“Wait here,” she told Adahn and Chestin. “If I scream, you have my permission to come running.”
“We’ll stay close,” Adahn promised.
She crossed the cavernous foyer towards her father’s study. The room went largely unused in her father’s absences, but it was a good place to meet guests.
The mage standing at the fireplace turned at her entrance, and she stopped dead in the doorway. Brynn’s boyishly handsome face was drawn and pale, and there were dark circles under his eyes. It had been well over a year since she’d seen him, and for a long moment she couldn’t quite believe he was standing there in her father’s study.
