I dropped my saddlebags and collapsed onto the ground, panting for breath.
Janco sat next to me. “We should wait a few hours before returning for the horses.”
“Guarded, remember?”
“Oh yes. I can’t forget that. It’s what started this whole adventure in the first place.”
“Your miscalculation?”
“Unfortunately. I went to check on Moonlight and Quartz and make sure no one had come around asking questions about them. Two Sandseed horses in the same stable—heck, in the same town—is a rare occurrence. In fact, I thought it was rather stupid of us to stable them together and I wanted to correct our mistake.” Janco lay on his back, staring at the sky. Stars dotted the blackness. No moon. “I hate it when I’m right in a bad way. Even though I circled the stable a few times, two of the town’s guards had found a perfect place to wait.”
“Perfect?”
“A sweet blind spot with a clear view of the stable. The game was up the second they marked me. Good thing I’m fast.”
“How are we going to get the horses? Won’t the guards wait in that same place again?” I asked.
“Heck no. They’ll probably confiscate the horses and stable them right next to their headquarters.”
“That helps us how?”
“It’s a better place for a distraction.”
“Do I want to know what you’re planning?”
“No. It’s better you don’t.” He paused. “Do those Greenblade bees of yours have to sting?”
I crouched in a shadow. Exhaustion clung to me and I wished Carleen’s soft pillows surrounded me instead of my glass bees. Torches blazed near the station house, and activity teemed inside and outside the building despite the late hour. Janco had gone to fetch his distraction.
Dozing lightly, I woke to bawdy ballads.
“…she closed her knees, not one to please…” A drunken voice sang out loud and off-key.
The rumble of a team of horses shook the ground under me. Four horses, pulling a loaded wagon and an equally loaded driver, entered the bright torchlight. Livestock crates had been haphazardly piled inside the wagon, but it was too dark to see what type of animal the crates contained.
The drunk’s horrible singing drew the soldier’s interest and a few of them stepped outside to investigate.
“…oh please go down on your knees and let me ease—”
“Hey, buddy,” one soldier called.
“Whoa!” The drunk stopped the horses.
“The harness isn’t secured,” the soldier said. “You’re going to lose your team.”
“Well, I’ll be a pile of sugar near an anthill!” The drunk muttered and tried to step down from the wagon. He slipped and ended up sprawling on the ground.
Only Janco could make a pratfall look graceful. He swayed to his feet and tried to fix the harness, making it worse.
“Sir, you shouldn’t be driving a team in your condition.” The soldier pulled the straps from Janco’s hands.
“Ah, hell, man. The horses drive themselves. I’m just here for entertainment. Hey, did you hear the song about the one-breasted woman finding love with a one-armed man?” Janco launched into the song as he retrieved the reins and attempted to secure the horses.
A significant look passed between two soldiers. They book-ended Janco and offered to help him, pulling him away from the team. He staggered over to lean on his wagon.
By this time, more soldiers had joined their colleagues. And it was my cue to circle around to the back of the wagon.
“Mighty decent of you fellows,” Janco said. “While you’re hooking them up, I’ll get you some of my home-brewed honey.”
“Are you a beekeeper?”
“Yep. The best of the best. No one has bees like me.” He giggled. “Bee like me. That rhymes.” Janco slapped his thigh.
The soldiers unhooked the team.
“We’ll guard your horses and goods,” a soldier said. “Lieutenant Hunter will escort you inside to sleep it off.”
“Mighty nice of you fellows, but I have a schedule to keep. Let me get you some of my honey. This stuff has quite the kick to it.”
When I reached my position, Janco climbed and fell into the wagon, crashing into one of the crates. It broke open underneath him.
“Whoops. That’s not good.”
I cracked open eight glass bees and instructed four of them to buzz by the horses’ ears and swing around the soldiers a few times without stinging anyone. The other four I sent inside the building to harass the soldiers within. I repeated the order that they do not sting.
As predicted, the horses panicked and the soldiers scattered. I crept toward the stables and sent a few more bees to chase out the ambush Janco said waited for us. Sure enough, three men bolted from various hiding spots.
Janco joined me as I opened Quartz and Moonlight’s stall doors. Unease twisted in my stomach as I mounted Quartz. I hadn’t ridden bareback before. Janco hopped on Moonlight and spurred him toward the back fence. The black horse leaped the barrier without trouble. I urged Quartz to follow. I hadn’t jumped a horse, either. Heck of a time to find out if I could do both together.
I held her mane and pressed my legs against her sides. The fence grew taller as we neared. I closed my eyes and let Quartz take control. She launched and we sailed. The landing almost jarred me loose, but she jigged to the side and I regained my balance.
We caught up to Janco and Moonlight. He was all smiles. “Never a dull moment with you, Opal. Did you see the size of those bees?” He whistled in appreciation. “I swear, one guy wet himself. And I never knew a man could scream at such a high pitch.”
While glad to have the horses back, I worried about our distraction. “You better hope no one was stung. Otherwise, a murder charge will be added to our arrest warrants.”
We returned to our makeshift camp to pick up our bags and headed north. With each stride, I knew the chances of finding Ulrick again diminished. He could be anywhere, and every city had been alerted to watch for us. After I’d paid for new saddles and tack with the last of my coins, I realized it was time to admit defeat.
“I could always steal—”
“No, Janco. We’re in enough trouble. It’s time for me to return home.”
For once, I wasn’t tempted to go through the Avibian Plains. I wanted to prolong our trip back to the Citadel.
After nine days on the road, sleeping on the ground and eating nothing but rabbits and berries, I was ready to return. I missed my friends, my sister, Zitora and working in the glass shop. I wished Kade could stand with me when I faced the Sitian Council.
We had no trouble sneaking into the Citadel even with two horses. Janco’s knowledge of the backstreets and shortcuts through the Citadel aided our ease of travel, but caused me to wonder.
“I thought Ixia stopped sending people to spy on us,” I said.
“Oh…well…I did spend a great deal of time here during the Warper Battle.” Janco’s grin widened.
“Uh-huh. That’s not very neighborly. Does Yelena know?” I asked. As the liaison between Ixia and Sitia, Yelena worked to keep the peace.
“Know what?” He feigned ignorance.
I let the subject drop. With plenty of time to contemplate my return to the Citadel, I had decided to go to the Magician’s Keep first and seek out Zitora before turning myself in to the Council. I wanted to explain if she’d allow me.
Constructed with green-veined white marble, the Citadel’s outer walls encased a complex maze of residences and businesses. It also housed the Sitian government buildings and the Magician’s Keep.
By the time we arrived within sight of the Keep’s main gate, it was well after midnight. I hoped Zitora was still awake.
Janco handed me Moonlight’s reins and hugged me tight. “I kept my promise to escort you home safely.”
“Aren’t you going to come in with me? I need you as a witness.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be at the Council’s interroga
tion to lend my support. I just don’t like staying in the Creepy Keepy. Too many magicians.” He shuddered, then waved goodbye.
I eyed the guarded gate. Would the guards detain me or let me through? I leaned my head against Quartz. The task of proving my good intentions and my word loomed before me like the Emerald Mountains. An impossible summit with unknown and potentially dangerous terrain on the other side.
Summoning my nerve, I mounted Quartz. Moonlight followed us as we approached the Keep’s gate. A small barrier had been drawn across the entrance. Easy to jump if we wanted.
I laughed at the guard’s shocked expression. The magician on duty blinked at me several times.
“Hello, Cole.” I waved to the magician. “If she’s awake, could you tell Master Cowan I’m back, please? Tell her I’ll see to the horses before I report in to her office. Jerrod, can you move the barrier, please?” I used Janco’s advice to act as if I were in charge.
It worked. Jerrod rushed to lift the gate.
“Thank you.” I urged Quartz forward.
Zitora’s office was located on the second floor of the Keep’s administration building, which was straight across from the entrance gate. Built with peach-and-yellow blocks of marble, the smooth walls appeared dull in the torchlight. Right now the Master Magician would be either in her office or in her tower. Four massive towers had been built at each corner of the Keep’s square-shaped campus. A two-story-high marble wall connected them and marked the Keep’s borders. Zitora’s tower occupied the northeast corner of the Keep.
I bypassed the administration building. Catty-corner to the back of the admin on each side were the two guest quarters. Directly behind it was the dining hall, where all the students, staff and magicians had their meals. A few lanterns glowed from the massive kitchen’s windows.
Quartz trod through the formal gardens located in the center of the Keep’s grounds. She liked to rub against the lilac bushes. Usually I steered her away from the grass, otherwise the gardeners would yell at us, but at this time of night they were asleep. A few students hustled between buildings, paying us no attention.
The apprentice wings curved around the garden on each side. From above, they resembled parentheses. My quarters were at the end of the east wing, next to the east guesthouse. The desire to crawl into my own bed tugged at my heart. I suppressed it along with all my other wishes. They lumped together and sat in my stomach like a wad of sour cheese.
We passed the amber-colored statue that marked the spot Yelena had defeated the Fire Warper. Many magicians had died during the Warper Battle. It was the place where I had worked with molten glass, rendering the prisons. Yelena used her Soulfinder abilities to send the Warpers’ souls through me and into the glass. And just like my other glass creations, I remained connected to those evil souls. They haunted my nightmares.
I yanked my unpleasant thoughts to the present. The memorial statue had been carved to resemble flames from a campfire. In the sunlight, the yellowish-orange colors flickered as if real. It sat atop a gold-colored pedestal. Plaques hung on each of the four rectangular sides. The front plaque listed the names of those who had died. A side plaque listed the names of the defenders, including Valek, Ari and Janco, as well as the Sitians who had helped. I smiled, remembering Leif complaining that he was listed second to last.
The one on the back recited the danger of craving magic and warned of how the best intentions could have disastrous results. Yelena Liana Zaltana’s name and title filled the final side and below hers, in smaller letters, was my name. Opal Cowan, glass magician. We were credited with defeating the Daviian Vermin and the Fire Warper they had released.
I had protested when they installed the statue. My part in the battle was minor compared to most, but Yelena had turned and looked at me with those beautiful green eyes.
“Opal,” she said, placing a hand on my arm. “Without you, I would not be here. I would be existing in the underworld, spending an eternity guarding those evil souls. I made sure your name was with mine.”
I hadn’t been able to argue with her logic. My nightmares didn’t occur every night and were worth enduring to have her here with us.
The bathhouse beyond the formal garden was the identical size and shape of the dining hall. My skin itched and I smelled like a horse. I added another wish to my growing list, trying to ignore the stiff feel of dried sweat on my shirt.
The small pasture occupied the back section of the Keep. Situated between the stables and the glass shop, it was used for limited grazing. Quartz headed left without being signaled. She knew where the fresh water, clean straw and sweet hay could be found. And the Stable Master’s famous milk oats.
Glad the Stable Master was asleep, I rubbed both horses down, fed and watered them before treating them to his homemade milk oats. They both trotted to their stalls. Quartz sighed with sleepy pleasure as I secured the door. She fell asleep before I left the stable.
The hulking dark presence of Third Magician’s Keep tower pressed down on me. I should go straight to Zitora’s office in the administration building, but a warm glow from the east side of the pasture beckoned me. The distinct crisp smell of burning white coal filled the air, drawing me near. Light beamed from the windows of the glass shop. I would just poke my head in for a second, see who manned the kiln and make sure all was well with the equipment.
Entering the glass shop, I paused. I soaked in the roar of the kiln, standing still until I felt the rumble deep in my bones. Dropping my saddlebags, I shrugged off my cloak and tossed it to the side. I let the heat press against my skin like a comforting blanket. Home.
Piecov, a first-year student, bent over a table, writing on a piece of paper. He startled when I called his name.
“Opal, you scared me!” He rushed to me with his arms wide. Wrapping me in a hug, he squeezed. “Thank fate you’re back. We missed you, and your sister has turned into a tyrant.”
“A tyrant?” I cocked a dubious eyebrow. My beautiful sister Mara made honey seem bitter in comparison. She was incapable of being mean. Jealous? Who, me?
“She’s worried sick about you and has been grumping at us for months. You should have sent her a message,” Piecov admonished. “We’ve been hearing a ton of crazy rumors about you and Ulrick and about a Stormdancer and a Warper. What’s been going on?”
I slumped on a stool. It would take days for me to explain everything. Piecov was right; I should have sent Mara a message once I returned to Ixia and decided to disobey the Council’s orders.
“It’s a long story. I’ll fill you in later. Where is Mara? Is she still staying in the east guest quarters?”
“No. She’s living with Leif in the staff quarters.”
Good news. Perhaps they decided to make a formal commitment. Our mother would be thrilled over the possibility of grandchildren.
“Do you want me to fetch her?” Piecov asked.
“No. Don’t bother her.” I inspected the equipment as Piecov launched into what the glass artists had been doing since I left over forty-two days ago.
“You should see Pazia’s newest project. She made a bowl and ringed the edge with diamonds.”
“It sounds gorgeous.” I adjusted a valve, thinking about the significant expense of the diamonds. Imported from Ixia, they were of limited quantity. I jerked, remembering diamonds stored magical energy and could be used by magicians to boost their power. Perhaps Pazia attempted to augment her small magic with the bowl.
Then another thought rocked me. Buried and hidden in my cloak and saddlebags were enough diamonds to fill a foot-wide orb. What would happen if I placed a charged diamond in one of my glass messengers? Would another magician be able to recharge the magic inside the glass?
Besides being the only person who could trap magic in glass, the other limit to my messengers was their short lifespan. Once the magic was used, it no longer worked. But what if it could be used over and over again? I would lose my leverage. No longer be indispensable.
“Opal!”
>
Mara’s cry jolted me from my thoughts. She plowed into me, pushing me against the back wall. Her hands clamped on my shoulders and her face creased with a medley of emotions.
“I want to hug you and shake you all at the same time.” She dug her fingernails into my skin.
“Make up your mind before I start to bleed.”
She pulled me toward her, then released me. I stumbled back.
“How did you know I was here?” I asked.
“Leif smelled you. He woke me up and said Quartz was in the lilac bush.”
Yelena’s brother had unusual powers. His magical ability to smell a person’s intentions and their past deeds remained unique among magicians. He was frequently called in during criminal investigations to aid in determining guilt.
“Why didn’t you send me a message? What’s been going on?” Mara demanded.
“Didn’t Leif tell you?”
She waved a hand. “You know Leif’s aversion to politics. Besides, they’re keeping a tight lid on what happened to you in Ixia. All I know is you were kidnapped again! And taken to the northern ice sheet. Oh, Opal, you must have been so frightened.” Her arms enveloped me and she stroked my back as if she soothed a child.
The events on the ice sheet seemed frozen in my heart. Distant, as if I watched through a glass sheet. Only the time spent with Kade in Ixia could warm my insides. I remember being scared, but now I felt numb.
I pulled away from Mara. “It’s a heck of a story. Most people don’t even believe me. Yes…” I rushed to assure her. “I know you will, and you make sure to be at the Council’s interrogation so you can hear it all. I’m too exhausted to repeat it now.”
“Council’s interrogation? It’s that bad?”
“Oh, yeah.” I picked up a pontil iron. “How’s the kiln been running?” I asked, changing the subject.
She clutched her skirt and released the fabric over and over. “A little hot. It’s the warming season. With the temperatures heating up during the day and cooling so fast at night, it’s hard to find the right balance of coal, but we will.”
“How’s the cauldron? Any signs of cracking?” Glass was very acidic and would eventually eat through a ceramic bowl.
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