The King's Sorcerer

by B. T. Narro

  “That’s only if we find them.” Now I was the one reminding her of the risks. “It could all be wasted, and then Cason would know someone told Nykal about his plans.”

  “I’m not concerned about that. He’s going to find out about my betrayal soon anyway. Finding these sorcerers in the forest is the only issue with going after them.”

  We both stopped to think.

  “Like I said earlier,” she continued, “it seems clear to me that they won’t be at the edge of the forest. They won’t be too deep in the forest, either, to avoid confrontations with creatures. I imagine there’s only a two-mile radius of their possible route.”

  “That’s still a big radius.”

  “Yes, that’s the problem.”

  We fell silent for a long while. I wished I could use a callring to send her a message after I spoke with the king. The number of shakes could signify different decisions. But Koluk was well over the distance of ten miles that Charlie had mentioned as the limit the rings would work. We would have to decide right now.

  “What do you want to do?” I asked. “You know the situation better than I do.”

  “I want to find the bastards in the forest and stop them before they turn Koluk into a bloodbath, but I’m only vouching for that if you think the king would agree. If you return and find out he disagrees with this plan, my people aren’t going to find out in time. We will be in the forest, vulnerable.”

  I tried to put myself in Nykal’s position. He was likely to be angry that I made any plan without his permission, but these circumstances called for one.

  “He is a good king. He will do the right thing.”

  “How sure are you?”

  “I can’t be completely sure. It is only my best guess.” I paused. “What do you want to do?”

  She stood. “I’m taking my men into the forest. If you and Leon cannot convince the king to join us, then we will be on our own. We are likely to die without support, but we are going to fight no matter what. Make sure he and Leon know this.”

  “You got it.”

  We shook hands.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  I was fighting sleep during the ride back. I was glad my horse knew the path, allowing me to rest my eyes a bit as I rode. The sun was up by the time I arrived at the castle. I had never stayed up throughout the night before and was glad to find out that I still felt like myself, just tired. I wondered if uF had something to do with it, or perhaps it was because I had been eating and sleeping so well recently.

  The drawbridge was down. There were at least ten guards in full armor blocking the path. I recognized one of them, not that we had ever spoken, and he recognized me as well. He made room for me as I rode past him. Then I dropped off the horse at the stables between the outer and inner walls and made my way through the courtyard.

  The quiet walk gave me the sense that my peers had not returned yet from the forest with Leon. The guard’s body was no longer there, just a bloodstain on the dirt near the apartments. I asked a worker if she knew where the king was. She told me he was in the keep.

  There were another two guards standing in front of the door to the stone tower. I didn’t recognize either of them. They held swords and shields but no armor like the guards outside.

  They let me pass after I gave my name. I figured the king had alerted them I would be returning.

  The ground floor of the keep was no longer in disarray, all tables and chairs returned to their places. There was a small crack in the floor, however, were my sword had fallen from the second floor and struck it. I had checked my sword earlier. There were no marks on the blade, just a small scuff on the handle. It reminded me that we’d had a bit of luck last night. Our enemies had not anticipated Charlie would use callrings to summon us.

  I imagined we could keep our luck going by taking out the sorcerers coming through the forest today, but a fear was rolling around in my head that the king might think of something Jennava and I had not, and it would be impossible to tell her to stop the attack.

  The king was at the top floor in the throne room with more guards stationed outside. I gave my name and asked to see the king, and they opened the door for me.

  There was a small army of troops in the room. The king seemed to be meeting with two men who were not armed. I assumed they were nobility by the look of their fine clothing. Barrett was there as well, the king’s councilman the first to notice me and point me out to Nykal. The king said something as he left the group and approached me near the door of the throne room.

  I wondered why it was called the throne room when there was no throne. There was just a long table with cushioned chairs, a hearth, and a few narrow windows in the stone wall with the shutters closed. There was a dais on the other side of the room, but it was empty. I wondered if Nykal had ordered the throne to be removed, or possibly had it broken down and its parts sold.

  I smiled, genuinely relieved to see him, and lowered my head in deference.

  “Sire, I’m glad you’re back.”

  “Thank you, Jon. Kataleya told us what happened. I’m very happy to hear all of you were able to save Grufaeragar from injury, or worse. Then you saved Reuben’s life, I was told by Reuben himself, so I know it must not be an exaggeration. Barrett chose well by recruiting you.”

  “Thank you. It means a lot to hear that from you.”

  Nykal smiled warmly. “Now, what news from Koluk? This was Leon’s idea. I’m not familiar with the woman you were to meet. He left a note for me before taking the others into the forest, but I know little.”

  I had a quick glance over his shoulder. Barrett and the two nobles seemed involved in their own business, too far to hear anything we said. I was a little suspicious of just about everyone now, except the king himself.

  I quietly yet quickly described Jennava and the scene at the tavern, then I told the king what she had said to me about Cason Clay in Koluk and the sorcerers coming from Rohaer. I went on to describe the options we went through, and then the conclusion we came to. It didn’t take long for the king to lose his smile.

  “You overstep yourself to finalize a plan without speaking with me first,” he scolded.

  “I’m sorry, sire. I wanted to return and speak with you, but it wouldn’t have been possible to return to Jennava in Koluk in time. It was mostly her idea. I do believe in it and in her, and I’m sure Leon would tell you the same. His trust in her is the reason he ordered us to go to Koluk.”

  Nykal let out an exasperated breath. “These kinds of things are happening all around Newhaven, Jon. This is not the first time we’ve heard of an attack, and this is not the first time we have heard of sorcerers coming from Rohaer. I have dealt with these matters before you arrived here. It is not Leon’s place to make a decision on who we help, and it’s yours even less. You have created a mess out of this. I expected more from you.”

  The anger in his voice felt like a needle in my heart. I hung my head.

  “You have nothing to say for yourself?” Nykal asked.

  “I respect you too much to apologize for something that I don’t believe is wrong.”

  I looked up. His eyebrows lowered. He opened his mouth as if he might scold me, but he took a couple breaths without speaking.

  “I do appreciate that you have done what you believe to be right even when it’s difficult,” he said. “But Jon, this is not your area of expertise. You have been brought here because of your skill with mana and sword. Barrett knew of your father. He assumed you would make an excellent swordsman and possibly an excellent sorcerer.”

  “Did he know my father personally?” I asked.

  “I do believe they had met. Unfortunately, I don’t have the time to speak with you about this any longer. I must come up with a plan. You will be informed when a decision is made.”

  “I hope I’m not overstepping myself to remind you that there isn’t much time. We—”

  “There is time,” he interrupted calmly. “Take care of yourself. Your job is done for
now. You will be called upon later.”

  Called upon…the phrase reminded me of the princess who wanted me to call upon her. “Is your daughter all right? I never got a chance to check on her after the attack. I had to rush out of the castle to meet with Jennava.”

  “Yes, I understand that. She’s barely aware of what happened, and the queen and I intend to keep it that way. So you will, too.”

  “Yes, sire.”

  “You are excused.”

  *****

  I awoke later to someone knocking on my door. “Jon?” a woman’s voice asked.

  “What time is it?” I grumbled, still half-asleep. “Come in.”

  Aliana opened the door and stood in the doorway as if she might back out any moment. “It’s the early afternoon,” she said. “I wanted to check on you. Are you—?”

  She stopped as I sat up and the cover fell away from my bare chest.

  “Oh.” She blushed as she stared.

  “Come in,” I repeated as I got out of bed and went for my shirt in just my shorts. “Close the door.”

  She closed the door and turned her back, her head down. “Sorry if I’m intruding.”

  “It’s fine.” I put on my clothes.

  She met my gaze again when I was done and her cheeks returned to their normal color.

  I knew not to be ashamed of my naked chest after all the positive attention it had earned me during my last relationship. I’d had a strict regimen of exercise for all of my teenage years. It wasn’t so much to sculpt the muscles of my stomach, the swell of my chest, and the girth of my shoulders, though I did have pride in my appearance. It was to enhance my ability with sword, a weapon I still cherished more than mana.

  “Has the king made a decision?” I asked.

  “A decision? I just know he’s speaking with Leon and Barrett about something. I don’t know what.”

  “When did you get back?” I asked.

  “This morning, a while ago. Kataleya told us everything that happened here. Jon, it was wonderful what you did for Grufaeragar and then for Reuben.”

  “I didn’t do much for Grufaeragar. I was barely a distraction. It’s Charlie who deserves most of the credit.”

  “You’re always modest.” She had a wry smile. “Are you hungry? You missed lunch.”

  Did she just show me a sign of interest? The last thing I wanted was to assume incorrectly and find myself dealing with a blizzard of icy expressions again. Besides, I didn’t look at her in the same way as I once had.

  “I had a heavy breakfast,” I answered indifferently. “So you haven’t heard anything about the king’s possible plan?”

  She shook her head, then moved the strands of hair that had fallen in front of her face. “We don’t even know what Leon’s friend told you. What plan are you talking about?”

  I quickly filled in Aliana on the conversation between Jennava and myself.

  “Whoa,” she said when I was done. “I’m not sure I’m ready to fight in a battle.”

  “I know the feeling.” It was a complete lie.

  I was eager to face these sorcerers. I trusted Jennava’s words to be true that this group was part of the same enemy army who had tried to kill Grufaeragar and start a war with the krepps. If we didn’t intercept them, they would unleash hell on Koluk.

  “Jon?” she asked as I lost myself to aggressive thoughts. “What is it? You can be honest with me.”

  I wasn’t sure I could.

  “Please,” she added. “Trust me as I have you.”

  “I want to fight them,” I admitted. “How dare they come here in hopes of overthrowing us? How dare they plan to kill hundreds of innocent people in Koluk? And how could the king even consider letting it happen? I do understand if you’re scared to fight, but I want to. I know that sounds foolish, but—”

  “It’s not foolish at all.” She said with a shake of her head. “I really admire your courage.”

  I took a breath to force myself to calm down. I didn’t know what else to say. I supposed now that I was awake I would be waiting to hear from the king, but patience was not my strongest virtue.

  Aliana played with her hands as her gaze fell. “I take back what I said.”

  “Take back what?”

  “I do feel ready, so long as I can shoot our enemies from a safe distance.” She looked at me from the tops of her eyes and formed a small smile. “I hit my first mark in the forest last night, then another two this morning. That’s what I wanted to tell you when I came in here.”

  “That’s wonderful. I knew you would soon.”

  “Yeah, I finally feel like I know what I’m doing. I owe you thanks for that.”

  “I—”

  “I know you don’t want to accept it, but I still want to tell you. I appreciate you helping me. I really appreciate it, I mean. None of this would’ve been the same for me if you weren’t here.”

  “You’re welcome,” I said.

  I had always been modest, something I learned from my father. But I’d also learned from him that it was better to accept genuine gratitude, not for your own sake, but for the sake of the other person.

  Her dark eyes locked onto mine. She had a piercing gaze, her beauty a distraction as I tried to think of what to do now.

  “I’m going to try to see the king,” I said.

  She seemed a little disappointed by that as she stepped back from me. “What are you going to say?”

  “I have to see where he’s at with his decision. There isn’t much time left.”

  As we walked toward my door, Aliana asked, “Do you think…Eslenda might help if she knew what was happening?”

  There had been so much going on, I had forgotten about the elf in the forest. “I bet you’re right. That’s one more reason we should attempt to intercept them.”

  “We might not find her before finding our enemies.”

  “Yes, but she might find us.”

  Aliana nodded.

  “Does that mean you would be with me even if the king decides not to send others?”

  Aliana stopped as she was grabbing the handle to my door. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

  “It’s not that I want to go against the king,” I said with my hands up. “I just want to do what’s right.”

  She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. “Jon, I think you’re little too brave sometimes.”

  “That’s the nicest way I’ve ever been called an idiot.”

  She laughed. “You know I didn’t mean it like that.”

  “Would you be with me, though?” And would the others? I imagined Michael would, but I highly doubted Reuben or Charlie would put themselves in danger against the king’s wishes.

  Her expression stiffened. “I really can’t say. I wouldn’t want to go against the king, even if it’s to do something I believe to be right. I don’t think many would,” she told me pointedly.

  I nodded. She was probably right.

  We left my room, and that’s where we separated. She went to her room next door while I hurried off to the keep.

  *****

  I heard shouting as I reached the third floor. The door was open to the throne room, but the two guards in my way didn’t let me in this time. Nykal and Barrett were still here, might’ve never left, but Leon seemed to have arrived recently.

  “She is telling you the truth!” Leon was yelling as he pointed his finger aggressively at the king. Nykal and Barrett wore similar expressions of annoyance, though neither told Leon to calm down. “You have been right about everything so far, but you are wrong about this. There is one choice to make. We must go into the forest and help them!”

  “Leon, sit down and listen to me.”

  “I will not.”

  “Sit down!” the king boomed.

  Leon turned a chair around and sat down the opposite way on it.

  “There are too many risks involved, Leon. We have to wait and see what happens in Koluk. If needed, we will take back the city by force and get rid
of all of our enemies at once.”

  I couldn’t believe it. “But you will destroy most of the city in the process,” I interjected from the hall.

  Leon stood and gestured at me. “Jon’s right.”

  “This is not your place, Jon,” the king told me.

  The guards tensed in front of me, but I couldn’t restrain myself. “Jennava and your other allies might die in the forest if we don’t help them.”

  “Listen to the man!” Leon chimed in.

  “Jon, you may enter the room and listen if you do not speak,” the king said, too calmly for my taste. This was a matter of life and death.

  I entered the room and took a chair near Leon, sitting on the edge of the seat.

  “You both have put too much trust in this woman,” Nykal chided us. “Leon, you haven’t seen her for many years. There are problems you haven’t considered. Cason could have realized she’s working against him and he’s fed her incorrect information. Do you see what I’m saying? This could be a trap.”

  “I know her,” Leon said. “She wouldn’t get us involved unless she was certain. She’s not leading us into a trap.”

  “She could be,” the king argued. “This woman must’ve been using dteria all this time to convince Cason she’s with him. Her mind could’ve been changed by the corrupt magic, again signifying this is a trap.”

  “Jon met the woman! A corrupted mage could not hide their true nature. Did you see any signs that she was like the dark mage you followed in the capital?”

  I shook my head with a firm gaze on Nykal.

  “If you just send a small group of skilled fighters on horseback,” Leon continued, “then we can anticipate a trap easily and escape. If we don’t find our enemies, we will return with Jennava and our new allies. All of us can then await your command in Newhaven. There is little risk.”

  “There is always risk sending men into the forest blindly!” the king replied. “Everything you say is based on rumors. We’ll wait until we can confirm how many enemies we’re facing and where they are. That is how we have always dealt with threats, and that is how we will continue to deal with them. We wait until they come out of the forest. If they take Koluk, so be it. The city seems to already be lost to us.”