by Lexy Wolfe
"This will do, I assure you." Almek offered a smile to the nervous girl who approached them. "Two rooms for us, please."
"Yes, my lord," the girl said, scampering off to talk to the headwoman of the establishment.
Another guardsman approached shortly after their guide had departed. "Lord Dusvet Guardian Almek Two-Tones," the man stated formally. "The Edai Tredecima sends their greetings to you and apologies the full council is not able to be present to properly greet you."
The Guardian appraised the man, noting his physique spoke to a much more 'hands on' life than most Forenten led. "Thank you for your graciousness. What is your name, Captain?" Almek asked, his eyes falling to the sigil sewn into his tunic. "And a master mage as well, if I am not mistaken?"
The blue-eyed guardsman's serious expression faltered as he smiled warmly. "Master Nolyn Lirai, captain of the Ithesra Guard, Lord Dusvet." He glanced to Taylin, his eyebrows going up in surprise as he noted the color of her clothing and the pendant she wore denoting her rank within her temple. "Word said you had a student and a master healer with you. I did not realize they were one in the same person." He added with some chagrin, "I did not realize it was possible."
"Master Healer Taylin of the Zeridian Temple." Taylin blushed as Nolyn took her hand, lightly kissing the back. "A pleasure to meet you, Master Nolyn."
"Forgive my guardsmen for their rudeness." Nolyn's lips twisted into a wry smile as he ran his fingers through light brown hair only a few shades darker than his skin. "My people are not known for being terribly... charitable towards those born outside our borders." He glanced at the servant girl who waved the two boys with Almek and Taylin's gear to follow her. "Might I have a moment of your time, Lord Dusvet, while your rooms are prepared for you?"
Almek inclined his head. "Of course." The three walked out onto the grand balcony, away from where people come and go from.
Nolyn did not look at Almek, his eyes focused on a distant point in the depths of the trees. "Edai Magus Ellis Avarian wished me to relay his personal greetings. As well as a warning."
"I see," Almek said as he slipped his hands into his sleeves again, expression unchanged. "I believe I remember Master Ellis from my last visit to Forenta, and his twin brother Bennu. Fine men, the both of them."
Smiling sadly, Nolyn said, "Unfortunately, Bennu has been dead for perhaps fifteen years now. He was a fine master and I miss him incredibly." Taking a deep breath, Nolyn shook his head. "But that is not what I wish to speak to you about, Lord Dusvet."
"Please, do go on," Almek prompted, watching the Forentan man closely.
"I am not sure what it was like back when you first came to Forenta, but Edai Magus Ellis speaks of... better times. When the Edai Tredecima was not so hostile towards the Guardians of Fortress." Nolyn paused for a moment, then turned to look at Almek. "You will want to speak with the Illaini Magus before you depart."
Almek looked at Nolyn in mild surprise at the news and no small amount of relief. "Your goddess has finally chosen a new Illaini Magus? There has not been one for three hundred years."
"Until fifteen years ago, there had not been an Illaini, no." Nolyn glanced over, silent until a group of people passed by to enter the main room. When they were past, the man lowered his voice, his concern apparent. "Se'edai Magus Ysai Oberlain bears as much love for the Illaini Magus as she does for Fortress."
Almek considered Nolyn for a time. "You do not trust the Edai Tredecima?" he stated more than asked.
Nolyn did not say a word, though his expression spoke volumes about his feelings. "Ellis is a good man." His words took on a brisker tempo. "I expect Master Ellis will have sent a message summoning Illaini Magus Ash Andar home, but he has been out in the farther reaches of Forenta with his students. It will take at least five days, barring unforeseen delays." He looked worried. "The Illaini Magus is a good man, Lord Dusvet, but he is a bit... abrupt."
"So I should be expecting hostility from all directions?" Almek studied Nolyn intently.
"The others may be hostile because the Se'edai Magus is hostile towards Fortress." Nolyn smiled wanly. "The Illaini Magus is hostile towards most everyone equally. But he's a good heart in there. Somewhere." Nolyn shrugged. "Just... try not to think ill of him. Especially when you go into the tomb to meet with the Edai Tredecima."
"You do not like the Magus Academy?" Almek asked with some surprise.
"I do not like being in caverns, no matter how pretty they may be," Nolyn replied mildly. He looked over towards the servant girl who approached, looking nervously between the guardsman captain and the Dusvet Guardian and smiled a little. "It seems your rooms are ready. I will return in the morning to escort you and your lovely student to the Academy to meet with the Edai Tredecima."
"Thank you, Captain Nolyn Lirai. May the goddess keep you safe and bring you wisdom." Almek straightened and headed towards the waiting servant girl.
"Forenten do like to talk," Taylin muttered.
"There is a lot that they do not say. And that concerns me."
Chapter 6
THE ornate stone hallways of the Magus Academy echoed with the sounds of rustling robes and many footsteps as masters and students went about their daily routines. Taylin walked with Almek, eyes wide as she took in the grandeur. Colorful mosaics embedded into stone detailed the long history of the Forentan lands. Elegant script flowed around and through the images like ribbons, though the healer was unable to read any of it.
"Dusvet, I have never seen anything like this place!" she whispered in awe, reaching out to touch an emerald-colored crystal leaf on a column. The faux vine it was a part of wound from the floor to the high ceiling like a living thing. "It feels like this place was this way from the beginning, not carved by craftsmen. It feels like it is alive!"
"It is doubtful most of this occurred naturally," Almek replied mildly, inclining his head in greeting to passersby who paused to bow deeply to him in respect. "Magic is very much a part of everyday life here in Forenta. The craftsmen no doubt were mages or mage-trained."
The ceiling of the Majestic Hall was four levels high, as intricately designed as the hallways they had passed through. Ornate railings framed by elegant carvings lined the upper level halls that passed along the outside of the massive chamber. A half circle made of the darkest wood framed the rising sun pattern embedded into the floor, the image of a great tree etched in the heart of the brilliant gold sun.
Of the thirteen seats of the mage council, only seven members were present. The man to the right of the center chair rose, offering a respectful bow to Almek. "Dusvet Almek Two-Tones of the Guardians of Fortress, on behalf of the Se’edai Magus and our fellow Edai Magi who could not be here to properly greet you, I apologize we could not honor you with the complete presence of the Edai Tredecima."
Almek returned the bow. "There are no apologies necessary, Edai Magus Ellis Avarian. I believed my need to be here to be imperative and did not feel taking the time to send word ahead would have been useful because I would have arrived shortly afterwards, changing little of the outcome due to travel times required for those in more remote locales to travel from to be here."
Taylin rolled her eyes slightly and muttered, "Forentan like to talk a lot." She lowered her eyes at the slight elbow nudge from Almek. A sideways glance betrayed his amusement at her comment, the corners of his eyes crinkled.
Ellis sat down again, and put his chin on the back of his hand, studying the two speculatively. "Dusvet, what brings you to our fair lands? Nothing is amiss, I hope?"
"It is my hope, but I felt the need to determine for myself to ease my mind." Almek paused before continuing. "I have heard news of... dark things preying on the people of Forenta that may fall under the responsibility of Fortress Guardians. Perhaps an official request for assistance may have been detained or diverted?"
"You heard about...?" one of the mages said, "But no one was to send word because..." The speaker fell silent as his neighbor hissed at him. The seven mages traded
looks, several frowning. One of the others replied archly, "There has been nothing out of the ordinary that our own people cannot attend to themselves, Dusvet Guardian."
"A few unruly animals, nothing more," a third said airily. "Forenta’s bountiful magic does produce beasts that are much more robust than those you are more used to in Sevmana’s borders. Fortress's presence is unnecessary."
Almek frowned slightly at the easy denials, but before he could request to discuss it more, Ellis stood. "We do thank you for your concern, Dusvet Guardian Almek Two-Tones, but Forenta’s issues can be handled from within." The other Edai Magi rose as well after Ellis tapped a small hammer on the table. "The Edai Tredecima is adjourned." Without a pause, the seven filed out of the room.
Taylin was astounded. "They just blew you off! I cannot believe—!" she whispered harshly, subsiding only when Almek put a hand on her arm. "But, Dusvet!" Her protest drifted off as he guided her back to the archway they entered the chamber through.
"Until things are to a point they are undeniable, there is little we can do to try to convince them of something I have been unable to convince more of Fortress is a problem." Almek sighed as he stopped in the hall, pausing to rub his temples, looking tired.
"But the lack of respect they showed you, Dusvet. I simply cannot believe they showed you so little courtesy." Taylin tucked her hands in her sleeves to keep from randomly hitting someone passing near. "You are a Guardian! You are the Dusvet Guardian! It is... it is sacrilegious!"
Almek quirked a rueful smile. "The skills of a Forentan mage and Guardians do not appear dissimilar, so they do not tend to hold the Guardians in as high of regard as the other nations, especially the most highly trained among them." He started walking, Taylin falling in step with him. "There has always been a certain degree of hostility between Forenta and the other nations."
"It is no excuse," Taylin muttered.
"Dusvet Guardian! Dusvet Guardian!" Two children ran down the hallway after them. Almek and Taylin stopped, turning to regard them. The pair of youths bent over with their hands on their knees as they tried to catch their breaths. "Thank you, Dusvet Guardian." The one who called looked extremely grateful Almek stopped, straightening. "Edai Magus Ellis Avarian wished me to relay his invitation to join him in the upper east library." He added as an afterthought, "Your apprentice is invited, too."
Almek smiled faintly and bowed to both children slightly. "Please relay to Edai Magus Ellis Avarian I and my student Guardian Adept Taylin would be pleased and honored to meet with him in the upper east library."
The boy nodded, took a deep breath, and turned to run back the way they came. The girl who remained, no more than eight or nine years old, bowed. "Dusvet Guardian, I will guide you and your student to Master Ellis." Walking at a much more sedate pace, the child kept glancing at Taylin. "Are you really a Guardian apprentice and master healer, too?" she asked with open curiosity.
Taylin nodded, some of her irritation from earlier abating in the face of such a young child speaking to her. "I am both, yes."
Pale blue eyes went wide. "Wow! Really? I was always taught that people only ever had one talent ever in their whole life which I always thought was silly because it just doesn’t make much sense why no one could have more than one talent," the child said.
When both Taylin and Almek's expressions reflected surprise, the girl blushed brightly. "I am not supposed to say that because some of the masters say I should not question the teachings and like to switch my backside because I am too pert they say but Master Ellis says it is good to question things because accepting gossip for fact is an affront to the goddess." Taylin couldn’t help but giggle behind her hand at the exuberant girl.
Almek raised an eyebrow. "Master Ellis sounds like a very wise man. It is good of him to honor the teachings of Forenta." He paused a moment. "Do tell me, what is your name, child?"
"Oh, I’m Zoe. And Master Ellis is one of the very best masters. His brother was even better!" Whispering conspiratorially, Zoe said, "Master Bennu’s last student became the Illaini Magus!"
Taylin looked puzzled. "What is an Illaini Magus?"
Zoe looked at Taylin as if she’d grown a third arm. After a moment, she relaxed. "Oh, right. You’re Sevmanan," she said, as if that explained Taylin’s ignorance. "The Illaini Magus is the greatest of all the magi. They say he had been chosen by the goddess Herself to learn all there is to know about magic and everything and make sure Her teachings are not forgotten."
Almek ignored Taylin as she bit her tongue at the mild insult about being Sevmanan. "It is good to hear that there is another Illaini Magus. The last one I remember died of old age three hundred years ago. Perisi was quite pleasant, actually."
Zoe’s eyes went even wider. "You met the last Illaini Magus?! You do not look that old!"
Almek laughed good-naturedly. "Trust me, dear child. I am much older than that." He answered the girl’s eager questions about the last Illaini Magus as they walked through the winding corridors until they reached the uppermost levels. Zoe stopped in front of a pair of ornate wooden doors to bow deeply to Almek. "Thank you, Dusvet Almek. It was very pleasant to speak with you."
Bowing in return, Almek replied, "Thank you for being such an attentive listener. May the Goddess bless you." Zoe smiled brightly then opened the door, closing it after they entered.
Ellis was standing at one of the few windows in the small room lined with book-filled shelves. Ornate metal scroll cases filled the low racks that also served as tables. He turned and offered a warm smile to Almek. "Dusvet, it is a pleasure to see you again." He crossed the distance between them to give Almek an affectionate embrace, and then turned to Taylin. "And this is the master turned student I have heard about?" Taking Taylin’s hand, he kissed the back lightly. "It does an old man’s heart good for such a lovely creature as you to grace his presence. Please, have a seat."
"An Edai Magus?" Almek asked offhandedly as he settled in one of the plush chairs. "You have achieved quite a bit since I was last in Forenta. Weren’t you a junior master back then?" He smiled warmly to Taylin and asked, "Would you be a dear and pour us drinks?"
Taylin nodded without question, going to the cabinet Ellis indicated, and bringing out three glasses. She listened attentively to the men speak.
Ellis chuckled softly. "My brother Bennu and I both, yes, Goddess bless his soul. I’ve had my hands full since his death." He sighed wistfully. "If only I could age as well as you, my friend. It seems wrong to feel so ancient and so much an infant in your presence."
"You are hardly an infant," Almek chided mildly, taking the glass Taylin brought to him. "Young Zoe tells me Bennu’s last student became an Illaini Magus. I had been concerned when there were no others for so long after Perisi died."
"The goddess has always been sparing with whom She shared her blessings," Ellis replied, nodding to Taylin as she handed him one of the glasses. He made a face. "There have been fewer and fewer deserving of Her blessings over the years. But, that is a Forentan problem undeserving of your attention," Ellis said briskly, waving his free hand. "I wanted to discuss your purpose in coming to Forenta."
Almek studied the man over the edge of his glass a moment. "You are not going to chide me for worrying over nothing, are you?"
Ellis snorted softly. "Hardly. But Se’edai Magus Ysai has been quite adamant that there is nothing out of the ordinary occurring within our borders. Some of the other Edai believe her without question. Others..." He shrugged. "Well, we do not argue openly with her. Discord within the Edai Tredecima upsets people, discord which upsets the careful balance Forenta has achieved."
"Ah, I see. So you believe there is something more going on?" Almek's grey eyes were intent on the other man.
Holding up a hand, Ellis cautioned, "I suspect. The Illaini Magus has tried to tell the council that there is crisis looming in Forenta. But he has brought only feelings and hunches as evidence, and Ysai is very convincing in downplaying everything he has said." Ellis pr
essed his lips together. "It is a bad precedent, to cast doubt on he who She has chosen to serve Her. But he is young and well." Ellis coughed. "Contrary."
Almek smiled faintly. "That sounds like one of Bennu’s students."
Ellis smiled wistfully, pride in his voice. "He is a fine boy. Wicked smart, he is. And dreadfully powerful. I took the initiative to send word to him that you are here and wished to speak with him about his hunches. If there is anyone I trust to settle this matter, Dusvet, it is you. I hope you do not mind."
"You wish me to reassure him that his hunches are simply in his imagination," Almek observed blandly. "I came here because I believe there is something more than mundane issues."
The older man colored slightly and cleared his throat, changing the subject entirely. He turned to Taylin with a warm smile, his curiosity evident. "So, you are a full master of the healing arts, are you, girl?"
Taylin blinked a few times, unprepared for Ellis to address her suddenly. She stammered as she tried to answer before she could think clearly. "Er, yes, Edai Magus. I am one of the youngest master healers." She paused and added with pride, "I am also the only one who has the skill to repair wounds aged beyond the time of normal healing."
"Can you heal the ravages of old age?" Ellis's question was half wistful, half teasing.
Taylin considered the question with all due seriousness. "I honestly do not know, Master Ellis. I have never tried." Lowering her eyes to look at her hands clasped in her lap, she admitted, "Healing aged injuries is very draining. I do not know how much I would be able to fix even if I could."
Ellis shook his head, laughing good naturedly. "Oh, dear girl, I wasn’t asking you to make me young again. That’s a Guardian's blessing to endure for as long as your master here. There are just things I wish I could have done differently over the years, but that is wind through the branches, as it were." He looked to Almek. "But it is unusual for a master of another art to have Guardian talent, is it not?"
