by Kris A Hiatt
“Sadly, we weren’t speaking of you.”
“I hate you,” Treace declared, finding a smile on his face as well.
“I’ve missed you too, my friend,” Moff told him, now grinning from ear to ear.
Treace simply shook his head and followed his friend in silence. Even though Moff put on a good façade, Treace felt there was more to the story. He intended on finding out the truth, even if it took several bottles of wine.
But, as it turned out, he wouldn’t even need a single bottle.
~~~
“A merchant on the road told me the news of Nimbril’s death,” Moff explained. “I didn’t tell Kint in fear of him leaving for home. I don’t think he knows, but if he does he hasn’t said anything to me about it.”
After listening to Moff recount his tale, it made sense to Treace why Moff would want to stay in Kadenton longer than needed. All he ever wanted was his father’s love. While they may not have been best friends, from what Moff told him, his father had treated him decently. It was a start. One Treace could completely understand. What he wouldn’t give to spend a few weeks with his father. It had been ten years since his death and Treace missed him every day.
“So what do you think?” Moff asked.
“About which part?”
“All of it.”
Treace thought about it for a while. He absently picked up his wine glass and swirled the liquid inside. He didn’t blame Moff for staying. He found the tale of Kint’s magical prowess quite interesting. He found The Calm as fast as Treace could, which was extremely fast in comparison to everyone else. The man could place a barrier over himself and another person. But they didn’t know what allegiance the man held, if any. They didn’t know if he backed Kadenton, the College, or simply himself. “We need to tell Drevic,” he said at last.
“Does that mean you aren’t mad?” Moff asked hesitantly.
“No, my friend, I am not. I’m glad you were able to spend some time with your father. And finding Kint was a good thing.”
“But?”
Treace marveled at his friend’s ability to read him so well. “But I didn’t see any former magisters with Shamir at the meeting. I can’t help but to wonder what he wanted with them.”
“How many magisters stayed with him?” Moff asked, obviously speaking of Brental.
“All but Kelvrin and Edas.”
“Sentin? Really?” Moff asked.
“I know. I didn’t believe it either. He seemed like a good man.”
“He could still come around,” Moff suggested.
“We can hope.”
“So he has nine magisters,” Moff stated, getting back on topic. “More than enough to continue on as usual.”
“Exactly,” Treace agreed. “So that’s probably not why he wants them. So why?”
“I haven’t been able to figure it out either.”
“I wonder if all of them are as powerful as Kint?” Treace asked after a short silence. If Brental found that many powerful magic users, his side would be stronger by far.
“Could be.”
“Well, let’s ask Kint,” Treace proposed.
“Don’t you want to tell Drevic first?”
“No,” Treace replied. “He’s having a hard time dealing with Nimbril’s death. With the funeral being today, I don’t think it’s the right time. We’ll go to him tomorrow.”
“Good idea.”
“I know it is. I came up with it and you didn’t.”
“That’s why it’s only a good idea and not a great one,” Moff countered.
Treace chuckled at himself for losing yet another verbal battle with Moff. And he thought he had that one easily in hand. He was very happy to have his friend back.
“You can sulk about that one on the way to Kint,” Moff told him. “Let’s go.”
“I don’t sulk,” Treace protested.
“You think you don’t, but you do.”
“Whatever. We’re making a quick stop on the way.”
“For?”
“To get Heral,” Treace informed him. “That way you can annoy him instead of me.”
“Sulking,” Moff insisted.
“Shut up.”
~~~
As they walked and chatted on the way to see Kint, Treace thought back to when Moff first told Heral about Kint. Heral was excited to see Moff, that was obvious, but when he heard about Kint’s ability to place a barrier on someone else, Heral became animatedly excited. He thought his friend looked like how Treace must have looked to his mother when she told him he was getting a sugary treat after dinner. Treace smiled at the thought. He was excited to see his mother and couldn’t wait to leave in the morning.
“It’s always good to have you around,” Moff told Heral as they neared Kint’s inn, drawing Treace from his thoughts.
“They do always say if you want to seem intelligent, then you should hang out with those who are smarter than you,” Heral replied.
By the smirk on his face, Treace could tell Heral thought he got the better of Moff on that exchange.
“It’s been working for you since we met,” Moff shot back.
“The answer to your question is no, Heral,” Treace added, deciding to give Heral a hand at insulting Moff.
“Which question is that?” Heral asked, looking puzzled.
“Here we go,” Moff said in tones that showed he clearly thought he knew where the conversation was going.
Even though it sounded like Moff was ready for the insult, Treace decided it was still worth saying it aloud. “In his absence he still hasn’t learned how to be a decent human being.”
“There it is,” Moff lamented. “I knew it was coming.”
“Oh,” Heral said, giving him a wink. “I could have told you that. He’ll figure that out when he figures out how to find The Calm.”
“So never?” Treace asked quickly, knowing full well that was the exact question Heral expected him to ask.
“Maybe by the end of time,” Heral answered.
“You both can kiss my ass,” Moff instructed them. “I’ve a cheek for each of you.”
With speed Treace had never before seen from Heral, his friend grabbed Moff and kissed the side of his face.
“Your turn, Treace!” Heral squealed.
The two of them shared a laugh at Moff’s expense before heading into the inn to see Kint.
Moff led them through the large one-story inn that had rooms lining hallways that led off the main eating area in each direction. Treace had never seen an inn as extravagant before. He bet it cost Moff over a jin for Kint to stay the two days he was in town.
“Knock, knock,” Moff said, knocking on the door.
They could hear rustling inside, and some undecipherable murmurings, but no one immediately came to the door.
“Assholes,” Moff hissed, looking at them as they waited.
Treace smiled, knowing Moff was still sore about the insult.
“You paid for the room, just come on in,” Kint instructed when he opened the door.
“I’m not one to intrude,” Moff replied. “And I apologize for the late visit.”
“Come in, come in,” Kint told them, ushering the trio into the room. “All three of you.”
By the look on Kint’s face, Treace could tell he wasn’t expecting Moffred to bring guests.
“Kint, these are my friends Treace and Heral,” Moff announced.
“Gentlemen,” Kint greeted, bowing slightly.
“Hello, sir,” Treace told the older man.
“Nice to meet you,” Heral offered.
“When I told my friends about your ability, they were very excited to meet you.”
“Can you show me?” Heral asked excitedly.
“You told them?” Kint asked unbelievingly.
“They’re my friends,” Moff replied, as if it explained everything.
By the scowl on his face, Treace didn’t think Kint was happy with that response or the fact that Moff told them. It faded from
the old man’s visage quickly, though.
“A fan of magic are you?” Kint asked Heral after a moment of consideration.
“I’ve not yet mastered Path of Warding, but I’ve reached the rank of seeker,” Heral replied.
Treace didn’t know his friend had been given the rank of seeker. That was great news! That meant he had mastered not only Path of The Calm, but also Path of Heart. He was proud of his friend for that.
“So you’re a current member?” Kint asked.
“I am.”
Treace noticed a frown on Kint’s face before the man turned from them and walked toward the opposite end of the room. He looked at the wall for a few moments before returning.
“I do miss the excited faces of the young learners,” Kint told them. “But, this old man is tired. I’ll need to be going to bed.”
“Please?” Heral begged.
“Fine, fine,” Kint gave in, smiling. “But after that you have to promise to leave an old man to get his rest.”
“Yes!” Heral said eagerly.
“We did have some questions for you,” Moff informed the man.
“I’ll answer all of your questions tomorrow,” Kint assured him.
Treace watched as Kint reached out and grabbed Heral’s hand. The old man closed his eyes and only a few heartbeats later a shimmering barrier formed around Kint’s body. It quickly enveloped Heral as well. Moff had told him about it, but he didn’t really believe it until now. No one could do that. At least that he knew of. It was amazing.
“Whoa! The room is shimmering!” Heral gleefully declared.
Just as quickly as the barrier formed, it faded into nothingness after Kint opened his eyes. He was looking directly at Heral and the old man smiled broadly.
“Thank you,” Heral told Kint reverently.
“You’re welcome,” Kint replied. “Now let me get some rest. You’ve exhausted me. When you’re ready tomorrow, just come get me. I’ll be here.”
Treace doubted the use of magic was that taxing, but since he couldn’t do it, he thought it was plausible. And, it was fairly late, especially for a man of Kint’s age. They probably should have waited for the morning to visit anyway. At least seeing Kint’s extraordinary command of magic made him feel like it wasn’t a wasted trip. “Let’s go guys. We’ve bothered him enough.”
“Thanks, Kint,” Moff said appreciatively as they all began walking toward the door.
“I think even Drevic’s going to be impressed,” Heral stated as they neared the door.
“Another of your friends?” Kint asked.
They exited the room and turned to face the older man.
“Yeah,” Heral confirmed. “And he’s our Archmagister.”
“And he’s here in town?” Kint asked.
Kint’s eyes widened when Heral said Drevic was the Archmagister. To Treace it looked like the man was surprised to hear that bit of news. Did Kint know Drevic? Why would he be surprised to hear that he was the Archmagister?
“He is, and he’s very excited to meet you,” Heral replied.
“I bet he is,” Kint told them, shutting the door.
Treace thought he saw something other than surprise in Kint’s eyes when he shut the door. It could have been fear. It didn’t make any sense though. Why would Kint be afraid to meet Drevic? That is, assuming he didn’t already know him.
~~~
Treace looked about the room and was amazed at how plush the furnishings were. The priory in Haven used to be led by Archbishop Vrindel, but since he was forced to join Shamir, the building was given to them by Liernin. Many of the acolytes decided to make the trip to join their leader in Kadenton, but some did decide to stay. The ones that did didn’t take too kindly to their place of worship being handed over to Drevic and the College. Drevic was cautious not to upset the men and allowed them to stay in their current lodgings and go about their daily business as usual. He had held many meetings with the men to help convince them he was not trying to eradicate their order. In fact, Drevic had been meeting with them for most of the day today so they had to wait until the late afternoon to speak with him.
“Very interesting,” Drevic said after Moff had finished telling his tale. Up until the point that he spoke, the Archmagister had paced the room silently.
Treace wondered which part of the story he was referring to.
“Can you put a barrier on someone else?” Heral asked Drevic.
“I’ve never tried,” Drevic replied. “But I doubt that I can. At least not yet. And now, maybe not ever.”
“What do you mean by yet?” Treace asked. “Or ever?”
“It’s time I tell you all something,” Drevic said, sitting down and placing his head in his left hand. “I probably should have before now, but with Nimbril’s death, I didn’t see a good time.”
“Go on,” Heral bade him.
“Not a word of this to anyone,” Drevic insisted. “Agreed?”
Treace nodded his head and noticed the other two were as well. He guessed Drevic was about to tell them what he had already told Treace about casting magic from afar and better ways of teaching.
“Yeah,” Moff agreed.
Drevic looked them over and got back out of his seat and began pacing the room again.
“We all agree, Drevic,” Treace assured him, trying to comfort his friend. “You can tell us.”
“Give me a minute,” Drevic told them.
Treace looked at his other two friends who looked back at him. He could tell they were just as curious as he was, but neither of them said anything.
“Nimbril was losing his mind,” Drevic said at length.
It was nothing new to Treace, but he didn’t know if the other two knew or not. While they may have suspected it, he doubted they knew for certain.
“Yeah,” Moff responded. “Everyone knew that.”
“Really?” Drevic asked, seemingly bewildered. “How?”
“He used to be jovial and visited with all members, regardless of rank,” Moff explained. “Then slowly he withdrew and we didn’t see him often. Only those closest to him visited, such as yourself.”
“It’s true,” Heral agreed. “There were rumors about his health. Who knows where they started. But when he was out and about, it was clear it wasn’t a physical ailment, so there were many of us that surmised it was mental.”
“You knew and yet you supported him as Archmagister? You’d trust our order with a man whose mental faculties couldn’t be trusted?”
“We didn’t trust him with our order,” Heral argued.
“So you were suspicious then?” Drevic asked.
“He means we didn’t have to trust him, Drevic.” Treace clarified. “Because we trusted you.”
Drevic didn’t say anything. He looked dumbfounded. Treace guessed he understood why. Drevic must have thought he was holding some deep dark secret and it turned out to not even be a secret at all. It must have been hard for the man to keep it from everyone. Drevic wasn’t the sort to keep secrets and tell lies. Treace wondered briefly what would have happened if Brental wasn’t sent to Kadenton. Would he have hatched the plan to unseat Nimbril then? Would he have noticed Nimbril’s deteriorating mental state? Treace thought he would have seen the truth of Nimbril’s disease. While he guessed Brental would still have ended up as the Archmagister, at least Nimbril would be alive and they would still be in Kilindric. It was odd to think of Brental as an Archmagister. He didn’t deserve to be. Two Archmagisters, only one of which Treace thought was truly deserving of the title.
“Well, I didn’t trust you,” Moff conceded. “But those two did, and I trust them.”
“Moff,” Heral scolded.
“It’s true,” Moff said defensively yet playfully.
“No, it’s okay,” Drevic acquiesced. “I understand. But you have to know I wasn’t keeping it a secret to help ensure I was named the next Archmagister. That’s not why.”
“It’s alright,” Treace told him. “You don’t have to explain it
to us. You’re the Archmagister, not us.” He hoped Moff was only joking, but something gave him the impression that he wasn’t.
“No,” Drevic disagreed. “You say that I don’t have to, but I feel that I do.”
“We’re listening,” Moff said impatiently.
Treace shot Moff a disapproving look but his friend wasn’t looking his way. Treace thought he was being rude, but Moff might actually be interested in the story, so he let it go.
“He told me there were better ways of teaching. More effective, actually. But with a cost. The old ways, while being able to impart knowledge more quickly, were also more dangerous. There used to be many more stone-faced students at the College,” Drevic explained.
“What do you mean more effective?” Heral asked.
“That’s just it,” Drevic replied. “I don’t know exactly.”
“You told me that weeks ago,” Treace said. “How do you not know now?”
“Wait, you knew?” Moff asked.
“Some,” Treace admitted. “There wasn’t a good time to tell either of you.”
“Sounds familiar,” Heral moaned.
“We weren’t keeping anything from you intentionally,” Drevic insisted. “Treace was the only person I told. I’m glad to hear it didn’t go any further. It could have been detrimental to the order.”
“How so?” Moff asked, agitation clear in his voice.
“If Liernin knew Nimbril wasn’t fully of his own mind, do you think he would have went to the meeting?” Drevic asked.
“He might have,” Moff replied. “We couldn’t know for sure.”
“Exactly,” Drevic said. “That’s the point. We couldn’t risk it. The meeting had to happen.”
“That turned out so well,” Heral chimed in.
“Damn you!” Drevic cursed.
“I’m sorry,” Heral surrendered. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
Treace had never seen Drevic react so strongly. The man was typically gentle and he knew it was the stress of the situation that made him lash out like he did. He thought this was going nowhere fast. He was ready to step in should the conversation spiral further out of control.
“Well how did you mean it?” Drevic demanded. “Nimbril’s dead. Yeah, great. We lost the College. Wonderful.”
