by J B Drake
“Marshalla’s half right, Archmage.”
“Thane!” Neremi exclaimed, but Thane ignored her
“We sold them to Netari, but Netari betrayed us. So we came here to…clean up after ourselves. They were all already dead when we got here.”
With a roar, Neremi raised a hand and conjured up an ice lance, flinging it at Thane with all her might. But it never struck home, for the moment the ice lance flew forth, Daniton called forth an arcane wall before Thane, the ice lance shattering upon it and showering Eldred with its fragments.
Shrieking, Neremi bounded to her feet and raced for Thane, her teeth bared as her claws thirsted for his blood. But again, she was denied vengeance, this time by vines that sprouted from the floor, holding her feet fast. But Neremi was beyond all reason, and fighting her bonds, she reached for Thane, shrieking and growling in equal measure until at last, rising, Daniton cast a spell upon her, sending her into blissful sleep, and as she began to waver, Eldred ran forth, catching her just as she fell, the vines retreating the moment she was in Eldred’s arms.
“Do you know what you’re admitting to, Thane?” Anise asked.
Turning from his friends, Thane nodded at Anise before turning to Eldred and Neremi once more.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I truly am.”
Looking up from Neremi’s prone body, Eldred sighed. “I should be angry with you, Thane, you’ve just condemned us all.” Then, he turned to Marshalla. “But how can I be? You listened to your heart, like I did.”
“Speaking of which,” Anise said, as she turned to her brother, “there is a third building—”
“Yes, we saw it,” Daniton nodded.
Anise nodded. “You and I need to go there. Alone.”
Daniton stared at his sister, confused.
“Alone, Daniton. Please.”
His brow furrowed still, Daniton looked over at Thuridan. He was staring at his son’s prone body. It was clear Thuridan was in no fit state to lead.
Sighing, Daniton turned to the others. “Get those three back to the Tower with all haste. They’ll answer for their crimes.”
Then, he turned to the Duke.
“Him too,” Daniton added. “We’ll let Naeve raise his case with with the king.”
“I’m not leaving her!” Tirelin exclaimed.
“Neither are we,” Daniton added before turning to the healer tending to Anise.
“The panther needs care, get her back to the Summoner Pens quickly. Have them attend her.”
The healer balked at his words.
Daniton smiled. “You helped save her life, she won’t harm you.”
Staring from Archmage to panther, the healer nodded at last.
Nodding himself, Daniton turned to face his dear friend.
“Thuridan,” he said.
Thuridan remained unmoving.
“Thuridan,” Daniton said a little louder.
This time, Thuridan turned to him.
Forcing a smile, Daniton nodded. “Time to head back.”
Thuridan shook his head. “I…I can’t just leave him…he’s…”
Again, Daniton nodded. “It alright, Thuridan, we’ll bring him. Upon my honour, we’ll bring him home.”
“I…” Thuridan began before staring at his son one last time. Forcing his eyes from Thalas’s body, he nodded at Daniton, holding him in a gaze that broke Daniton’s heart.
“Thank you,” he breathed, then began ambling to the door.
Turning to the mage beside Tip, Daniton gestured towards Thuridan.
Reading the Archmage’s unspoken words, the Tower mage sprang to his feet and helped Thuridan on. All watched in silence as Thuridan was led from the building.
“Take the fallen with you,” Daniton sighed once Thuridan was gone. Then, rising, he helped Anise to her feet before turning to Marshalla and Tip.
“Can you two walk?”
Tip and Marshalla shared a glance before nodding at the Archmage.
“Good,” Daniton replied. “Head back with the others. We will talk more later.”
Nodding, both watched as Daniton and Anise made their way out, followed soon after by Eldred and Neremi, with Thane right behind them, his eyes upon the pair until the last, eyes softer than either had ever seen from him. Yet more followed until at last, all that were left were the fallen and the mages attending to Thalas and Netari. It was only then that Marshalla rose, Tip following her.
Slipping a hand into Tip’s, Marshalla stared at him square, and it was only then she noticed the queasiness in his eyes. Leaning forward, Marshalla stared past him to the mages.
“You okay?” she whispered.
Tip nodded. “Just the smell. Making me want to throw up.”
Marshalla smiled as she stared at him. “Yeah, smells real bad here. Glad you okay though; the way you was screaming, thought you was hurt bad.”
A deep frown twisted Tip’s lips. “Don’t remember, Marsha.”
Marshalla frowned. “What you mean, you don’t remember?” You don’t remember all them people screaming?”
His frown deepening, Tip swept his gaze over the fallen sellswords.
“They was all screaming?” he asked.
With her own frown deepening, Marshalla shook her head. “You don’t remember nothing?”
Tip shook his head.
“What you remember?”
“Me screaming,” was Tip’s soft answer, “and Ani stuck on the floor.”
“What are you two whispering about?” one of the Tower mages called out. “Archmage Drakesong gave you instructions to head to the Tower!”
“Sorry!” Marshalla exclaimed as she made for the door, her hand in Tip’s. “Going!”
When the Tower mage’s gaze was no longer upon them, however, she stopped, lowering her lips to Tip’s ear.
“It’s okay, Tip, it’s okay. Doesn’t matter you can’t remember. Ani saved us! We safe now!”
Tip grinned. “Really, really?”
Smiling herself, Marshalla nodded. “Yeah! Come on!”
With a giggle, Tip hurried after Marshalla as she hastened her steps.
“Thanks, Ani,” he thought.
But his words were met with silence.
“Ani?” he said, slowing once more.
“You’re most welcome, Tip,” Ani replied at last, but her response brought a frown to Tip’s lips.
“You okay, Ani?
“Yes, just tired.”
Tip’s grin returned. “Rest, then. Marsha says we safe now.”
“Yes, rest. I’ll rest.”
Nodding, Tip resumed his steps, oblivious to the undercurrent of fear and worry in the chronodragon’s words.
Epilogue
Finishing the binding spell upon the door of his store, Mardaley yawned as the street lamps bathed the whole area in a nice, warm glow.
“Seems I got here just in time!” came a voice from behind, pulling him from his thoughts. Startled, Mardaley turned and was greeted by the smiling face of a dear friend.
“Baern! When did you return?”
Magister Meadowview grinned. “Today. When word of Tirelin and Netari’s undoing reached the barons, they changed their tune within moments.”
Mardaley shook his head and smiled. “So much for loyalty.”
“Can you ever truly buy loyalty with coin?” Baern chuckled.
“Or mithril, in this case.”
“Ha! Well said.”
“Why not walk with me? Maline’s learning a new recipe, and wants me to sample it tonight.”
Baern pulled a face. “How far along is she?”
Mardaley’ smiled. “Oh, she’s well past the experimenting. I think she’s mastered it already, but you know Maline, she’s got to try it a dozen more times before she’s convinced herself she can cook it properly.”
Baern grinned. “In that case, why not?”
“Excellent!” Mardaley exclaimed, then set forth, Magister Meadowview falling in step beside him.
“So y
ou heard all the way in the highland court?” Mardaley asked as they walked.
Baern nodded. “I still find it hard to believe Marshalla bested Netari though. That woman more than proved herself in the Queen’s Guard.”
Sighing, Mardaley nodded. “Yes. I heard the queen was beside herself when the news reached her.”
Baern’s brow furrowed at this. “Will that be trouble?”
“Trouble? From the queen?”
Baern nodded.
“Well, those two acted against the Tower, put the entire accord between the kingdom and the Tower in jeopardy, not to mention plotted to destroy three noble houses in the process. No, it’ll be beyond reckless for the queen to act on her grief. And she’s anything but reckless.”
Baern frowned. “But…?”
Mardaley sighed. “But she is patient.”
Baern pursed his lips as he pondered Mardaley’s words.
“Hrm,” he said at last. “That she is.” Then he sighed. “We lose one enemy and gain another,”
Mardaley nodded. “It’s the way of the world, my friend.”
Baern grinned. “That it is, that it is.”
“It’s a shame,” Baern continued. “I rather liked Tirelin. Quite the pragmatist.”
Mardaley nodded. “That he is. A bit too morally flexible though, you must admit. Though that probably was what saved him in the end.”
Baern smiled. “Yes, banishment rather than execution. He must truly have a lot on many people.”
“Yes,” Mardaley nodded. “I just hope for his sake it’s enough.”
Baern sighed. “Yes. With him now far from the heart of nobility, who knows how many people will be looking to settle old scores.”
“Yes. Such a shame.”
“By the bye,” Mardaley said after a brief silence. “Did you return in time for the trial?”
“Of the Adepts?”
Mardaley nodded.
Baern pulled a face.
“That bad, was it?”
Again, Baern nodded. “This was a sordid affair, Mardaley, in every way.”
“Are we exposed?” Mardaley asked, his worry plain.
“You mean about our friend?” Baern asked.
Mardaley nodded.
“No, thank the gods.”
Mardaley grinned. “How did you manage that?”
“Oh, I did nothing, old friend, I wasn’t there, remember?”
“So who saved us, then?”
“Anise did.”
“Oh?”
Baern nodded. “She spun some yarn about the sellswords splintering once they realised Netari’s true intent, some trying to save them, the others trying to kill them.”
“And Naeve believed her?”
“Oh, that’s not the best bit. What she said of the sellsword that instigated the schism is one of her better tales.”
“Is that so?”
Baern nodded. “She claimed he tried to escape with Tip and Netari gave chase. She claims not to have seen what happened next, but apparently, there was a scream, then several other screams, and by the time she reached where she was found, the sellswords were all dead.”
Mardaley laughed.
“I speak the truth, Mardaley.”
“And everyone believed her?”
Baern shrugged. “Marshalla backs her words, and Tip is claiming not to remember much, but what he does remember backs Anise’s tale. I’ve left out Anise’s theatrics of course, she does them so much better than I, and they did lend quite some credence to her words.”
“So how does she explain Marsha being the one to end Netari?”
Baern grinned. “Ah, now, that one was a tale worthy of a bard.”
Mardaley grinned as well. “Go on.”
“Well, according to Anise, once she and Marsha rounded the corner, Netari flew into a rage and came at them, blade drawn. What happened next was, hearing Anise recall it, a battle of the ages, the evil and dastardly Netari Fairshroud locked in a battle to the death with Anise and a feisty Gray, both sides fighting for all they were worth, until the evil Duchess cut them both down, and just as she was about to deal Anise the killing blow, our darling Marsha springs to action, dealing the blow that laid Netari low.”
“By the gods…”
“My thoughts exactly. Although, I did like her saying Marsha dealt ‘the blow that laid Netari low’, nice play on words there.”
Mardaley shook his head. “Where does she get this from?”
Baern shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine. It was all rather quite entertaining.”
“Was it believed, though? Anise could never have hoped to stand against Netari for more than a few moments.”
Baern smiled. “Only you and I know that, my friend. Getting Naeve to agree to bury Anise’s past paid dividends today, nobody knew enough of what Anise can do to question her tale. In fact, I daresay she’s fast becoming something of a legend now.”
“Dear gods,” Mardaley grinned. “You know, I never would’ve guessed a woman like Anise Fairweather would spin such a tale. Always figured her to be one of your more fanatical mages.”
Baern pulled a face, “Well, I wouldn’t quite phrase it like that.”
“But you know what I mean,” Mardaley added hurriedly.
Baern nodded. “Yes. But she does have good reason to be, what with how her…departure was handled.”
“Oh, I know that, Baern, but still, never thought she’d actually say anything to protect someone like our friend.”
A slow smile parted Baern’s lips.
Mardaley cast a sideways glance at his friend. “What did you do…?”
“Me? Oh I didn’t do anything. Although you may be getting a visitor late tomorrow night who needs to talk to the both of us about our dear friend.”
Mardaley grinned as he shook his head. “I should’ve guessed.”
Baern shrugged in response, his smile ever so slightly smug.
“You know,” Mardaley continued, his grin fading, “Naeve’s going to have that place checked, regardless.”
Baern’s smile widened. “She was, until the king insisted the matter was closed.”
Mardaley frowned. “That makes no sense.”
“It does if you consider how humiliating Netari and Tirelin’s actions were. He’s more than eager to see the end of the whole affair.”
Mardaley smiled. “That is true.” Then, his smile faded. “What of the trial, then? And don’t you start quoting that nonsense about it being a matter for the Tower and the Tower only!”
Baern chuckled. “I take it you tried to attend, then?”
Mardaley shrugged. “Can you blame me?”
Shaking his head, Baern sighed. “Very well. Where to begin?”
“How’s Thuridan?”
“Ah, Thuridan. Well, Naeve’s relieved him of his duties until such a time as she feels convinced he’s grieved for the loss of his son.”
“Come again?”
Baern nodded. “As I understand it, he’s been behaving…irrationally… since the incident, telling any who’ll listen how much he despised Thalas, and how much of a disappointment the boy was to him, while everyone can see he’s hurting. And if anyone mentions his pain, he flies into a rage.”
“Oh.”
Sighing, Baern nodded. “I have little love for the man, but I was there when Naeve passed her decree, and I could see the pain it caused him. It was hard not to feel something, Mardaley.”
“Damn,” Mardaley muttered.
“I know,” Baern replied.
“And the Adepts?”
“Well, Neremi seemed content to rant and rave, spewing obscenities at Thane, so her trial was over quickly. She’s banished now, no longer fit to call herself of the Tower. Her parents have also washed their hands of her. Not that I blame them; better to lose an unruly child than to lose an entire life’s work.”
Mardaley shook his head at this. “That is such a cold thing to say.”
Magister Meadowview smiled. “That is lif
e amongst nobility, Mardaley.”
Mardaley shook his head once more before sighing.
“And the Thane boy?”
“Ah yes, that was an interesting one. His parents also disowned him, of course. Though, curious enough, his mother pleaded with Naeve to take her son into the Tower, allow him atone for his past sins and shape him into the man he’s meant to be. Her words, not mine.”
Mardaley frowned. “She was allowed in?”
Grinning, Baern nodded. “Naeve gave her special dispensation.”
“And I’m not…!” Mardaley gritted his teeth as he swallowed his words.
“What did the boy say?” he asked at last.
“Well, nothing! He seemed resigned to his fate. Some thought he was pretending to earn pity, but I think he genuinely no longer cared. Naeve felt the same way too, I think, and given he was the only one to tell the truth, to Naeve at least, Naeve agreed to give him another chance.”
With eyes going wide, Mardaley stopped. “So he gets a pardon?”
“Hardly,” Magister Meadowview laughed. “He is stripped of his rank within the Tower, and must retake the Birthing. Until then, he is to fend for himself. And should he succeed, he is to start his learning from the very beginning.”
“So he’ll be taking the Birthing with Tip?”
Baern nodded.
Mardaley shook his head. “I can just about imagine how Marshalla’ll take that.”
Baern winced. “She was in attendance.”
“Ah.”
“Yes.”
“And the other one?” Mardaley asked as he resumed his pace.
Baern sighed. “Eldred, yes. That one was…how shall I put this?”
“Truthfully is good.”
Stopping Baern fixed Mardaley with a stare, but Mardaley simply shrugged, grinning.
“Fine,” the Magister said before resuming his pace. “First, did you know he and Arenya Drakesong were together?”
“You what?”
Baern nodded. “And worse, Arenya’s carrying his child.”
“You what?”
“Oh yes. Everyone was stunned when that came out. Except Naeve.”
“Naeve knew?”
Baern nodded. “Without a doubt. I’d always wondered why Naeve kept giving her nightly duties or solitary assignments. Now I know.”
Mardaley shook his head. “Why would Naeve help her? Such a thing is against your laws!”
