The Mage War

by Ben S. Dobson

  “These aren’t just any old muscle off the street, Kadka,” Indree said. “Senator Stooke can afford the best. And it won’t be just one, either. You’ll be outnumbered.”

  Kadka just grinned, exposing her teeth. “Good,” she said. Since Belgrier, everything had been politics and intrigue and magic beyond her understanding. Stolen dragons and wars based on lies. Problems with no easy solution. She was spoiling for something she could punch. “Is only way they have fair fight.”

  Chapter Three

  _____

  TANE LOOKED OVER the plaza outside the small café. At this hour of the morning, the Stooketon district was bustling with people headed to work or grabbing a quick breakfast, but as the morning wore on and shifts began, it would empty out. Which gave him a time limit, if he wanted to use the crowd for cover.

  It was easy enough to pick out Senator Stooke’s guards from the rest: the ogren man on the corner, leaning against the post of a mage-lamp and scanning the streets while pretending to read the morning gazette; the dwarf sitting outside the café with a drink in one hand, the other staying near the hip where his weapon was undoubtedly hidden. At least four of them all told, likely one or two more Tane hadn’t identified at a glance.

  She came prepared. Not unexpected, and a wise choice when meeting a criminal wanted across multiple nations. But if it comes to it, I’m still betting on Kadka. She’d hidden herself in a nearby alley with a view of the café, and even looking right where he knew her to be, Tane couldn’t see so much as a strand of protruding white fur.

  He strode for the café, pulling the brim of his cap low to shade his face. Not a fashion accessory he favored, but in this case it had its uses. Brown-haired humans of average height were hardly rare in Thaless, so no one was likely to pick him out based on description alone, but it wasn’t out of the question that he might run into someone who’d seen him before.

  The patio outside the café was full, but Umbla Stooke had managed to get a corner table, out of the way of the bulk of the foot traffic. Easy to get a good spot when you’ve got her kind of money and hired muscle. She was dressed unobtrusively, just a gnomish woman in a smartly tailored suit of plain grey, like so many others going going to Stooketon offices or passing through to the Citadel district. Clearly she hadn’t announced herself as a senator when she’d arrived, because nobody was paying her much mind. Good.

  Tane wove through the crowd and slid into the chair across from her with a nod. A cup of tea sat in front of him, steaming against the brisk air of the spring morning. “I see you’ve already ordered. Thank you for meeting me.” He didn’t remove his cap; it was a brisk enough morning that no one would see it as particularly poor manners.

  Umbla Stooke cooly returned his nod. “I debated whether it was wise after I received your message. I owe you the courtesy, I think, in exchange for saving my life. But know that there are people watching us, in case you try anything untoward.”

  “I noticed,” Tane said, and sampled his tea. Rhienni grey with just a bit of cream, exactly the way he liked it. Does she have that on record somewhere? “Don’t worry, I’ll be on my best behavior.”

  “See that you are. It would take little more than a wave of my hand to have you brought before the Senate for treason.” She kept her voice low, although the din of conversation around them would have swallowed it either way.

  “I’m very aware of that.” Although Kadka might have something to say about it. The senator was smart enough to know that his partner would be somewhere nearby, but she probably believed her men would have the upper hand in that contest. No point dissuading her of that notion. “Just your men, I hope?”

  “As far as I am aware,” said Senator Stooke. “I made every effort to ensure secrecy. I can’t promise that the constabulary or the Mageblades don’t have someone shadowing me without my knowledge, however. Security around the Senate has become rather… extravagant, lately. We do have foreign forces blockading our harbor, after all.” She cocked an eyebrow at Tane. “And dangerous fugitives running around.”

  “I’ll have to trust in your subterfuge, I suppose,” said Tane. “I’d just as soon not be arrested as a traitor. Which, as it happens, I’m not.”

  “I wouldn’t be here if I believed otherwise,” said Senator Stooke, and took a slow sip from her cup. “I assume you want to talk about my son.”

  “I’d rather not, actually, but I’m going to do it anyway. He’s been busy since he left Audland.” Tane summarized the events in Belgrier as quickly as he could without missing any of the important details. “So that’s where we are. All of this is part of his plan, and we aren’t exactly drowning in information on what to do next.”

  Stooke stared into her tea for a long moment, stirring it absently. “I never believed he would go so far. If only I had…” She raised her eyes once more. “But I suppose this is no time for might-have-beens and should-have-dones. You asked me here because you believe I can help, obviously, but it has been a long while since I’ve seen my son. I’m sure you remember the occasion—he tried to kill us both.”

  “I remember,” said Tane. “But I didn’t come to ask if you’d seen him.”

  “So what is it that you think I can offer, then?”

  “Information. Endo went to Rhien before coming back to Audland. I know your family has contacts there, but we weren’t able to catch him in a meeting, and he didn’t leave much trace behind. You can tell me who might have been willing to help him. Anyone loyal enough to ignore his crimes. Or insane enough to support them.”

  “Rhien?” Senator Stooke raised her eyebrows. “Interesting. That can’t be a coincidence.”

  “Things rarely are.” Tane leaned forward over the table. “What’s the story?”

  “We have a relationship with a family there. The Hobbiers. They buy Audish artifacts from us and resell them. Rhien has less restrictive magic laws than the rest of the Continent, but there is still a market for goods from Audland. Boutique, the best magic one can acquire.”

  “And you think they might have been willing to work with Endo? They lean towards magical superiority?”

  Stooke shook her head. “Not quite. But… well, you must understand, our families interact over more than just business—there is a social element as well. The Hobbiers are gnomish, and wealthy. Our peers, as it were. We would often stay with them when visiting the country, and host them here. Endo and their daughter Oola became very close. They corresponded with one another constantly. Promised one another that they would be married one day, when they were still too young to know what that meant. Her parents quietly put a stop to that idea after… after Endo’s accident, but the two of them kept in touch, even so.”

  “So this Oola might have been his contact.” Tane turned the idea over in his head. It’s possible, but what does he gain from connecting with some Rhienni dilettante? I can’t see Endo stopping to indulge in an old romance right now of all times. “What could she offer him? Does she have any political clout, or control over the family resources?”

  “Her family is very wealthy and well-connected, of course, and her father has ceded control of some of their affairs to her over the years. But there is more to it than just that. Oola’s parents were able use their influence to place her in a very prestigious position with the Rhienni diplomatic corps.”

  Tane’s eyes widened. “Wait. You don’t mean…”

  “That Oola Hobbier is part of the Rhienni delegation to moderate the peace talks?” The senator gave him a thin smile. “I mean exactly that. As I said—it can’t be mere coincidence that she is here so soon after Endo was in Rhien.”

  “No, I’m sure it isn’t,” Tane agreed. “That’s a lead we can look into. Any information you can get me on Hobbier holdings in Audland would be useful.”

  She nodded. “I will send what I can. I assume the Silver Dawn has people who can get it to you, given that they relayed your summons to me.”

  “That will work. And you should warn Lady Abena about th
is, too, if this woman is going to be at the peace talks. I don’t love the idea of Endo having an agent within an arm’s length of the leaders of foreign nations.”

  “Of course,” said Senator Stooke. “I will tell her everything you’ve told me. I’m sure she will want to investigate from her end. But the Rhienni are a driving force behind these talks, and serving as mediators. Lady Abena will not be able to openly accuse one of their number without proof. Even with proof, it could undermine the opportunity for peace altogether. Belgrier and Estia will likely see the entire enterprise as compromised.”

  “We’ll try to get Endo before the Lady Protector has to get her hands dirty.” Tane couldn’t keep a hint of bitterness from his voice. He understood Lady Abena’s position intellectually, but that didn’t mean he liked being left out in the cold after Belgrier.

  “I wish you luck.” Umbla Stooke sighed, then, and a shadow passed across her composed features. “Stop my son, Mister Carver. Please. Someone has to.”

  “I’m going to try. At least I have somewhere to start looking now.” He touched the brim of his cap and stood from his chair. “Thank—”

  A hand grabbed his left arm. Tane’s mouth snapped shut and his heart seized in his chest. He turned to look.

  A brown-haired human man in plain clothing had taken Tane’s arm in such a way that he might have been greeting a friend, except for the strength of the grip. “Don’t make a scene, Mister Carver,” the man said. “Cooperate, and this can go easily.”

  Mageblade, constabulary, or Endo’s man? Tane couldn’t tell, and the answer mattered: the first two would only arrest him; the last would very possibly kill him as soon as they were alone. He looked to the senator.

  Stooke didn’t rise, or give any sign that might have tipped the crowd that something was wrong. She just shook her head slightly. “Not one of mine. I did say there might be others watching us.”

  The man turned his palm toward Senator Stooke and flashed a constabulary badge, keeping it hidden from surrounding eyes. “We’ve been tailing you for a while, ma’am. For your own safety.” Not much of a relief—a badge didn’t prove he wasn’t working for Endo, willingly or otherwise.

  “Of course you have,” she said, and looked to Tane. “I’m sure you understand that I can’t do anything to prevent the arrest of a wanted traitor.”

  “Politics, right?” Tane gave her a sardonic smirk. “Sometimes you have to sacrifice a pawn.”

  Senator Stooke looked slightly abashed, at least, for all the good that did him.

  “This way, Mister Carver,” the man said, and guided him out through the crowd, never releasing his arm.

  Tane didn’t struggle for the moment, but he’d have to make a break for it when they hit the street and he had a better escape route. Going along willingly wasn’t an option, not while Endo was still out there. Although there’s pretty good odds he’s got magic, and that’s going to make getting away complicated.

  A human woman was waiting for them on the street, and she fell in on Tane’s right side without a word. Two of them. Great.

  But he’d get his opportunity, either way. He had one advantage they weren’t ready for. Any moment now…

  Someone cursed from the other side of the street. “Hey, watch it!”

  The man holding Tane turned to look just as a grey streak collided with him, hard. He went down with a startled cry, and nearly pulled Tane along. Nearly, except that someone much stronger yanked him free.

  Kadka, naturally. Thank the Astra for her. She stood over the fallen man, grinning her sharp-toothed grin. “Is time to go, Carver.”

  The other plainclothes bluecap started to utter a spell on Tane’s right; he jabbed his elbow back, aiming for her stomach. She deflected it, but wasn’t fast enough to stop Kadka’s fist from slamming into her throat. The chanting cut off in a strangled gurgle.

  “This way.” Kadka grabbed Tane by the wrist and ran, dragging him behind. People on the street were beginning to stop and look now, and some moved aside, making way for the big half-orc sprinting at them.

  Tane looked back. The woman pulled the man to his feet and they started to chase, but they didn’t shout, didn’t demand people clear a path. Still trying not to make a scene. They don’t want news of this disrupting the peace talks. Not enough to prove they weren’t with Endo—he probably wanted the talks to happen, if he had a diplomat placed inside. But either way, it meant they couldn’t pursue as aggressively as they might have otherwise.

  “Slow down around the next corner,” Tane gasped between breaths, struggling to keep up. “They don’t want attention. If we blend into the crowd, we limit their options.”

  Kadka nodded, but didn’t answer; a dwarven man had just stepped into her path. He set his feet and braced to stop her. Probably not with the others, or he’d have used a spell to block them, not his body. Just a bystander trying to stop what had to look like a pair of fleeing criminals. Either way, Kadka didn’t slow, just lowered her shoulder and bowled into him. He went down; she trampled right over.

  They rounded the corner, and she slowed her pace and released Tane’s wrist. They fell into the mass of people making their way to their jobs. A few cast them strange looks, but there was no clear view of the café from here—most hadn’t seen what happened.

  “Nearest way back into the tunnels?” Tane asked. Kadka knew the Silver Dawn’s secret ways better than he did.

  Kadka motioned with her chin at an alley a few dozen yards ahead. “There.”

  They kept a quick pace, kept their heads down, and made for the alley. As they reached it, Tane heard shouting from behind. Apparently their pursuers had decided it was worth making some noise to avoid losing them.

  “Quickly,” he said.

  Kadka led him around a bend, and then to a round panel set into the street. Sewer access, or disc maintenance tunnels. She lifted it, and the smell quickly told him it was the former. But this was no time to be delicate, so Tane swung his legs into the hole and half-climbed, half-slid down the ladder. Kadka followed after, heaved the panel back into place overhead.

  Tane panted in relief, trying to ignore the stench that came with each gasp of air. “So. We know not to do that again. Indree is going to gloat.”

  Kadka chuckled. “She does warn you. Is anything Stooke says useful at least?”

  “There’s a woman with the Rhienni delegation, Oola Hobbier.” Tane followed Kadka down the dank tunnel as he explained. “Her family works with the Stookes to sell magical goods across the Channel, and she and Endo are close. She might be working with him. We’re going to need to learn more about Hobbier holdings in the city. Figure out if she’s staying at the embassy or a family property, follow her if we can. Senator Stooke was supposed to pass along some information, but we can’t rely on that anymore—they’ll be watching her too closely after this. We need someone who can move freely, someone with the connections to get access to the records we need.”

  “Is not easy to find allies now,” said Kadka. “Who can do these things and agrees to help wanted killers?”

  “I know someone.” Tane sighed. “He’s just not going to do it for free.”

  Chapter Four

  _____

  KADKA STRUGGLED TO keep her feet as Syllesk and Nevka butted massive snouts against her. “How do I wrestle you now?” she asked, chuckling as her feet slid backwards over the cavern floor. “Is like ant trying to move horse.”

  It was late afternoon, and she had an hour or so free before she had to meet Carver and the others for the evening. She’d eagerly taken the opportunity to spend time with Iskar and the dragons while she could. She didn’t know if she could make up for all that she’d missed, but she meant to try.

  “But what if we do this?” Syllesk had barely finished speaking before she and Nevka were engulfed in silver light, leaving a young half-orc girl and boy where massive dragons had stood an instant before. The Astral warmth of their presence vanished.

  Kadka grinned. “Ah, this is
more like it.” She darted at the two of them, and they scattered, giggling wildly. She looked over her shoulder at Iskar, lifted an eyebrow. “You get him, I get her?”

  Iskar inclined his head. “As you command, my dear.” His sapphire eyes twinkled with amusement, and then he was off, loping after Nevka.

  With a cackle, Kadka dashed after Syllesk, who shrieked with delight and redoubled her speed. For a while, the cavern was filled with the sounds of play and laughter—sounds Kadka had not heard for far too long.

  Some time later, Kadka held Syllesk under one arm while the little girl squirmed and wriggled, trying to escape. Iskar was herding Nevka toward her, and Kadka moved to cut off the boy’s path. “Is no escape now!” she declared with a wide grin, and moved in for the grab.

  But Nevka didn’t do what she expected. Instead of dodging right, toward the center of the cavern, he went left.

  Out the open mouth of the cavern. The path that led up into the city.

  Kadka saw all the playfulness leave Iskar’s eyes. “Nevka! Come back this instant!” he shouted, halfway between anger and terror.

  “I will get him.” Kadka lowered Syllesk to her feet. “Make sure this one does not follow.” And then she took off down the tunnel at a sprint.

  She caught up with Nevka after the first few bends; he was waiting with his head lowered, and looked up at her through shaggy white locks of hair as she drew near.

  “I’m sorry,” he said, clearly surprised by his own small act of rebellion—Kadka would have expected it more from Syllesk. “I wasn’t going to… I just didn’t think…”

  Kadka smiled gently. “Is fine. But you must come back now. Is not good to scare Iskar too much.” She offered her hand.

  Nevka took it, and meekly followed her back into the cavern.

  They returned just in time to see Syllesk stomping her foot angrily. “But it’s not fair!”

  Iskar glanced over, relief plain on his face as Kadka led Nevka over. “No,” he agreed, and knelt before the children. “It isn’t. I know it is difficult for you to understand. But people in the world outside… they fear dragons very much. If your glamour should slip, for even a moment…”