She carefully took Avelice from the sleeping magician. The baby pulled at Alia’s hair and smiled that goofy grin that was all her own. Alia went into her bedroom and lay down with Avelice against her.
She could tell Ryonus the good news in the morning.
Chapter 12
Byrn reined his horse in shy of the outskirts of Wolfsbane.
“Why are we stopping?” asked Sane. The last leg of their journey was a swift one as the magicians along with their young companion decided to continue on to the Collective without further delay. It became clear that they were not going to find a suitable home for Kaleb in any of towns they passed through. People were just too scared to trust strangers, even young boys since any child could be a magician and after some conversations with both Kaleb and Sane, Byrn decided to take Kaleb with them to Wolfsbane, believing that he could protect the boy if things did not go as planned.
Sane’s coloring improved dramatically since their journey began thanks in part to the rests in inns and hearty meals along the way. His skin was still sagging, but it was a remarkable improvement from the state Byrn found him in. In another few months he would be back to his old self, excluding his missing eye. That would always be a reminder of his time as a prisoner to Prince Janus.
“Kaleb, can you ride ahead a short way? I need to speak privately with Sane.” Byrn’s serious expression was enough to convince Kaleb to do as he asked without question.
“Before we go any further, I have to be completely honest with you about something.” Byrn exhaled heavily. He had thought long about what he wanted to tell the senior magician and just how he wanted to say it. “When I was unconscious after our escape from Everec I dreamt that I was having a discussion with a boy called Warrior and an old man called Wise. In my dream, Wise showed me a vision of the destruction of Colum- possibly as it was happening. It is no secret that that was done by the Collective and you may have heard the stories that it was done by a single magician. You need to know that is true. A very powerful necromancer called Xander Necros did it. He may be the most powerful magician in the world.
“He is also one of the leaders of the Collective and we will need his support if we are to make this alliance happen.”
Sane hung his head and shook it, “I know Xander. He was married to my sister after all.” Byrn looked surprised for a second, but he did his best to cover it. Avelice said once that she had a brother and he knew that she knew Sane, but he never guessed that they were related. That also explained why the massacre at Avelice’s school affected Sane so deeply that he would turn against the kingdom that he had served faithfully for decades. Sane continued once that revelation had a minute to sink in, “My experience with them was limited, but Xander was a loving husband and father to his family. However, he had a darker side. He was driven and zealous in his beliefs and his desire to protect them. Simply put, once his mind was made up there was little that could be done to change it. We must tread carefully around him.
“There is one other thing as long as we are being completely honest. First, you need to know that I never told you this before, because I did not believe it was true.” Sane’s hands twisted the reins tightly. “In Everec, the orcs could have killed me, but chose not to, because their lead magikan had a vision of Kellen, myself, and several other humans standing against an encroaching darkness that threatened to overwhelm the continent. When you were captured and they tried to burn you at the stake it was because that magikan recognized you as being the master of that dark power.”
Before Byrn could respond, Sane held his hand up asking for silence. “There is more,” warned Sane, “A few months before you rescued me I had a vision of that same darkness enveloping the continent. You were not a part of my vision, but the source of that darkness came from Wolfsbane and the imagery was not that different from what the magikan described. It may be that some challenge awaits you there and if you fail to act or act too rashly, then you could lose yourself to that darkness.”
“That is incredibly vague,” Byrn told him, “I thought visions of the future are supposed to be helpful.”
“They rarely are,” Sane admitted wryly, “Setting this possible future off course may be as simple as passing on this warning to you, but I doubt that is the case. We better head to the castle. Your destiny awaits and it appears that Kaleb does too.” The sorcerer urged his horse forward toward the town ahead and the castle looming in the distance. Byrn kicked his horse into a run to catch up to the older rider.
Soon they were on the outskirts of Wolfsbane where farmers were planting crops for the coming spring when they saw a most amazing sight. It was a subtle sensation, but Byrn felt the pull of magic around him as a dark haired young man with an equally dark tan was turning soil as he walked his field using earth magic. He was followed behind by a young woman of about the same age and likeness who was planting seeds and covering them by causing the dirt to shift back into place.
The three travelers pulled up their horses to watch the farmers at work.
“This is what magic was meant for,” said Sane in awe of the straightforwardness of the scene before them, “not for the fighting and death dealing that it has evolved into over the centuries. This is the ideal. Magic being used to make people’s lives better.” Kaleb stared in fascination. It was his first sight of magic in use.
Just then the young people noticed the three riders watching them and ran back to their farmhouse.
“That is amazing,” said Kaleb. Any discomfort he may have felt about seeing or traveling among magicians was a thing of the past thanks to his present company.
“Let’s make sure they understand that we are magicians too,” Byrn suggested. “This could be a valuable opportunity to learn about how things have developed with the Collective since the rebellion began.”
They rode up to the farmhouse slowly to show the farmers that they meant no harm if they were looking out their windows, but it also allowed the travelers a more cautious arrival. Byrn knocked at the farm door with Sane at his side and Kaleb not far behind them. There was no answer, but Byrn could sense them in there.
“You have nothing to fear from us,” Byrn told them through the door, “We only wish to speak with you.”
A sudden flare of magic was all the warning Byrn had and it was all of the warning that he needed to erect a shield before the barn door exploded outward toward the sorcerers. The broken shards of wood spread out across the shield leaving them unharmed.
“Sane, stay with Kaleb.” Byrn entered into the farmhouse without waiting for an answer. He was confident that these young magicians could do him no harm, but Kaleb was another matter.
“As I said, ‘we only wish to speak with you.’” He held his hand at eye level and summoned forth a flame from his fingers in an attempt to convey with actions what worlds failed to do.
“You are magicians?” asked the young man in surprise. “I-I am sorry. We are not supposed to use our magic when travelers are nearby, but we did not think you were close enough to tell and then we saw you staring at us…”
“If we were not magic wielders, then I doubt we would have been able to tell what you were up to from so far away.” The young sorcerer extended his hand in greeting. “I am Byrn Firemas,” he waved for the others to come in, “and this is Sane and Kaleb.”
“Byrn Firemas? I’ve heard that name before.” The young farmer thought for a minute before he remembered what he knew of someone named Byrn. “Are you the same fire master that saved Lord Xander from Baj?” the young man asked warily.
“I am,” Byrn answered both surprised that he was known by the farmer and a bit cautious at his cagey attitude.
“Please leave this place,” the dark haired young man said firmly. “I don’t know if the rumors about you betraying the Collective are true, but I don’t want to be seen speaking with you all the same.”
“I never betrayed the Collective,” Byrn assured him, “Who is spreading these rumors?”
The farm
er shrugged. “It is common knowledge passed on by the magicians that were here before I arrived. Now go… Please.” The teens could not hope to make Byrn or Sane leave if they decided that they wanted to stay, but the sorcerers agreed to leave willingly on the condition that Byrn’s arrival was kept secret so that he could clear his name willingly and the young farmers gladly agreed.
Sane told Byrn as they mounted their horses, “This does not bode well for us.”
Byrn shook his head unable to believe that anyone would think him a traitor. Surely Alia knew where his heart lied if no one else did.
“It certainly does not,” Byrn admitted to himself as much as his companion, “Keep that magic wand handy.”
Sane patted the thin wooden wand that rested within his cloak’s pocket. It was remarkable in its simplicity and small size, but with testing Sane learned that the small wand was as effective as a grimoire, but far easier to conceal.
To Kaleb, he offered, “If you want to turn back, now would be the time to do so. I will send Sane along with you for protection until you can find someplace safe.”
“There hasn’t been much luck with that so far,” the boy admitted.
The sun would be setting soon causing shadows to grow long and stretch towards the group as they drew ever nearer to Castle Wolfsbane. Byrn’s stomach was twisted in knots as they passed through the town and arrived at the castle’s main gates, because if anyone truly believed that he betrayed the Collective, then the success of this mission may be nothing more than wishful thinking on his part.
“Halt!” boomed the voice of a gate guard brandishing a long staff with a sharp blade. “Who seeks entry to Castle Wolfsbane?”
“I am the sorcerer, Byrn Firemas of the Council of Masters.”
The second guard gasped involuntarily at the admission, but with a nod from the first guard both magicians aimed their staffs at Byrn. “You will come with us,” the second guard stated hesitantly. Whatever else these men had heard about Byrn it was clear that they feared him and they did not even know about what he was truly capable of doing.
Sane looked to Byrn with an expression that indicated that he would follow Byrn’s lead whatever that may be. It was not the first time since they started their journey that Byrn realized that Sane was relying on him heavily to lead the way. Whatever torture he experienced at the hands of the prince and his men carried scars far deeper than the ones on his back and chest.
“That is what I intended,” Byrn agreed holding up both hands to show that he was not touching a staff or cleverly concealed grimoire. These men did not know that Byrn had transcended the need to use such devices and relaxed at the sign of the unarmed sorcerer who followed them into the castle as their prisoner.
Chapter 13
The Council of Masters assembled as word traveled fast that Byrn Firemas had returned to the Collective. When Byrn was last a member of the Council there were only six members including himself. Now as he looked at those members assembled before him that would soon be passing judgment over him he counted fourteen magicians. There were familiar faces: Alia, Xander, Ryonus, Skynryd, Levak, and Riona, but the majority were unknown to him. From his own experiences with the magicians that once lived in domains, magician communities set up in areas where magic could not be practiced and kept under the watchful eyes of the Kenzai, he knew that they tended to be inexperienced in the magical arts meaning that the nine new members were rescued prisoners from Baj.
Byrn and Sane stood before the masters. Their hands were bound behind their backs with rope. It was worth noting that neither sorcerer was bound by the control collar that Byrn knew was in the Collective’s possession giving him a ray of hope that he was ultimately still trusted despite what the farmer-boy had told him.
It was Xander who spoke on behalf of the masters. Until this moment none of Byrn’s former friends had been given a chance to speak with him either privately or before those assembled now. Only two hours had passed since the sorcerers gave themselves up, but Byrn had hoped to get a little individual time to speak with Alia before the proceedings. He wanted to tell her of all he saw and did on his trek back to Aurelia. The world was a much larger place than most of the inhabitants of the kingdom believed it to be, but above that he needed her reassurance that she did not believe these false rumors that were born from his disappearance. Instead he found a woman who was careful not to look him in the eye.
“Byrn Firemas and Sorcerer Sane, you have both been accused of colluding with the kingdom against your fellow magicians,” Xander’s voice carried throughout the master’s council hall giving it an imposing quality that it may have otherwise lacked in his timeworn body, “What say you to this accusation?”
“It is true that I came here on behalf of the kingdom,” Byrn told them with confidence. The masters whispered among themselves at what they believed to be a confession of guilt. “Do not misunderstand me. I have done nothing to betray the Collective. My loyalty has ever been with you and your goal of freedom for magicians. To be called a traitor without reason or proof is an insult and one I do not take lightly. I would like to hear just what exactly the claims are that have been placed against me.”
Xander nodded approval as if to say, “Well spoken.” The grandmaster turned his attention to Sane. “And what say you?”
Sane was frank in his answer. “I cannot deny that I faithfully served the kingdom for three decades,” again several of the masters whispered at this. One began to pull magic to his staff in the back, but someone else must have convinced him to wait, because the energy dissipated safely almost as rapidly, “but I have broken ties with them and got this as a result.” He pointed to his eye patch. Then he looked to Xander and caught his eye, “Last year my sister was killed in a Kenzai attack. After that I could no longer serve the kingdom and spent my time since then as a prisoner until Byrn rescued me only recently.”
The grandmaster gave a short nod and placed a hand on Sane’s arm. In a voice low enough that only Sane and Byrn who were standing within a foot of Xander could hear, he said, “Family is the most important thing. I’m glad that you have finally learned that, though the cost was too high.”
Then he spoke loud enough for all to hear. “Byrn, let us start with you.” Xander rubbed his chin as he contemplated the best line of questioning to press Byrn with. He was unsure what Xander was playing at, but for now he had no choice except to go along with it. “Just after your disappearance certain information came to light that I was hoping you could expand upon. Through our interrogations of Baj’s dungeon master shortly before you disappeared with him we learned that you are a prince of the kingdom. How are we supposed to think that your loyalty could possibly lie with us?”
Byrn shrugged and said, “I am standing before you when I do not have to be. I have allowed myself to be taken captive when I could have fought for my freedom.” He caught Alia’s eye this time if only for a second before she looked away. The fact that she refused to meet his eyes worried him more than anything. “This is my home as much as any place could be.”
“Then where have you been for the last year? Why did you choose now to return?” Xander’s tone was measured, but Byrn thought it sounded somehow standoffish.
“When I transported to Everec with Kellen, the dungeon master, I was thrown into a war zone. The city was overrun with orcs and I was taken prisoner.” Byrn considered how much he would reveal at this… interview and decided to be vague about just how much his magic had grown since his abrupt departure. “I managed to escape with the use of some powerful magic, but was so drained that I slept for days while Sane, who had also been taken prisoner, and Kellen carried me through the forest toward a human city.
“I awoke in Silvering, but was soon betrayed by Kellen who sided with the kingdom. Sane was collared and I was forced to flee. Among our company were my mother and an elf. My mother… died in that battle, but the elf had a transportation rune and we escaped to her homeland a half world away across the Great Sea.
> “Kellen took my own runes earlier and I had no way to come back home except through more mundane, and lengthy, means of travel. I only returned to Aurelia recently.”
Alia stood up and addressed the council. “I would like a word with Byrn Firemas in private.”
Xander went to her and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Be patient, daughter, this will not take much longer. We must be sure.” He turned to face Sane and took in the measure of the one-eyed sorcerer. “It has been a long time, Sane. The last time we saw one another was shortly after you became the king’s magician. You were a much younger man then, as was I.
“What did you do for the king that bought you your freedom that these other men and women failed to do?” Xander waved his arm to encompass the council behind him who would pass judgment over the sorcerers. It was a leading question and there was no truthful answer that Sane could give that would not evoke some kind of ire from those sitting before them.
Sane opened his mouth repeatedly trying to speak, but he could not find his voice. Finally he managed an answer, but Byrn quickly found that Sane would have done better to continue to hold his tongue. “The king had heard about my ability to predict the future. It was a talent he greatly wished under his employ and so he recruited me to that end. I swore allegiance to the king and before long he began to make use of my other talents as well. Working alongside the Kenzai, I would investigate rumors of rogue magician activity and was responsible for the relocation of many magicians to domains.”
“You rounded up other magicians and put them in domains!” It was the burly magician with a long, red moustache, Levak, who burst out.
“String him up!” shouted another master. This one was a woman in a blue robe that Byrn was unfamiliar with.
“I thought I was doing the right thing,” Sane pleaded, but sounded as if he was trying to justify his actions as much to himself as to anyone else, “If I could show the king that we could be trusted, then maybe he would loosen the restrictions placed on magicians, but Prince Janus hates us for our power; power that he does not possess.”
Magician Prince Page 10
