‘Doctor Morgan, you have news?’ The Magister said, her voice still that annoying mix of condescension and I-don’t-give-a-fuck.
‘I have done all I can,’ Doctor Morgan said. ‘His wounds are very serious.’
A flicker in Seb’s mind. ‘Are? He’s alive?’
‘He is, but only just. In all honesty I’m surprised he made it this far.’
‘Will he live?’ Cian growled.
‘He will,’ Doctor Morgan said, rubbing his bloodied hands on a cloth that had once seen white, ‘I have stopped the bleeding and accelerated the healing process. I am hopeful for a full recovery.’
‘What of the sheol poison? He was bitten, several times. I saw it.’
All eyes turned to Seb. It wasn’t a dumb question, he knew that. Plus he didn’t give a shit right then, anger at the apathy that had led to this moment suppressed any fear he might’ve had in speaking up.
‘Caleb’s Avatari will have overridden the toxin before any serious harm could be done.’ Doctor Morgan said, his tone as if talking to a child, which only riled Seb even further.
‘Are you sure? I saw what it did to Cade. I’ve read about -’
‘It is purged, boy. Do not tell me how to do my job.’
Seb’s cheeks burned. He opened his mouth but was intercepted by Cian. The giant stepped into the doorway.
‘I will see him. I need information regarding this attack on our kin,’ Cian said.
‘Of course, but go easy on him, he is very tired.’
Morgan moved past the two men then and made as if to go down the corridor. He stopped then, just past the Magister, and turned back to them. Tired eyes looked at Seb.
‘I am sorry for my outburst. You should be proud young man. I know what you did; I saw it in his memories. Bravery doesn’t do it justice. Without you Caleb wouldn’t be here at all. Others - he glanced at Cian as he said that - would do well to remember that.’
‘He is my friend,’ Seb croaked, a hot coal in his throat.
Morgan gave a curt nod before leaving the three of them.
‘Cian, get what you can from Caleb. I must go and attend to our guests,’ the Magister said. She didn’t wait for an acknowledgement and left the two of them there. Cian looked back at Seb. The anger still simmered there, Seb could see it bright as day, but it had dimmed from what he’d seen moments earlier.
‘You. Stay here until I’m done.’
Seb didn’t respond. He simply sat, and waited.
Alone in the corridor, Seb replayed the scene from Kollmorgen’s mansion over and over. He tried to use the anger, anger at the Magistry and their apathy. He wanted to blame them for what happened, but could he? He’d ran in there without a thought, so cocksure that he could handle himself. Caleb had seen the truth. He’d been shouting all the way. But Seb, no, he’d gone in blind. Now Caleb lay near death.
Because of him.
Hot tears erupted from nowhere. He stifled a sob, wiping his face with the back of a bloodied sleeve. That wouldn’t do. Caleb wouldn’t stand for self-pity. Not now. Focus. Focus.
He cast his mind back to Kollmorgen’s. What had they missed? How had they walked straight into a trap like that without any kind of warning? He shoved the fear aside at the lack of Brotherhood support. They’d been out countless times before without complaint so it was no use getting frustrated now. But the sheol, they knew him. How? How did they know who he was? What he had? He shook his head, frustration bubbling to the fore along with a persistent gnawing sensation that they’d been played, that they were still being played.
At least Caleb had survived.
Chapter 30
Cian emerged an hour later. His face was pale, his eyes almost vacant. He stopped in front of Seb, blinking when he saw him there as if he’d just appeared out of thin air. For a moment Seb’s heart seemed to stop. Hot tears welled up in his eyes.
‘Caleb?’
‘He is badly injured, but he is strong,’ Cian said.
‘Can I see him?’ Seb said, rising.
Cian nodded absently. Seb made to move past before a muscled arm blocked him.
‘Tomorrow. Five am. Don’t be late.’
It was Seb’s turn to blink then. Tomorrow? Cian wanted to train after this, after what had happened between them? He wasn’t sure but there was something different about Cian at that moment. Whatever had transpired between him and Caleb had altered something in the warrior. Seb didn’t know what it was and he didn’t care. He’d lost the will to fight that had nearly cost him a broken arm in their last exchange. All he wanted was to get inside and see the only friend he had at this place.
‘I’ll be there.’
Seb stepped inside the room. It was dark inside, the only light coming from a dimly burning lantern that stood on a dresser by Caleb’s bed. He felt a pain in his chest when he saw his friend. Caleb had aged over the past few hours. Sure he was old, Seb knew that, but there was always a vitality about him, as if the weathered exterior was just a skin worn over a man not much older than himself. Now though his skin was pale, his lips grey. A wide white gauze covered his chest.
‘Caleb?’
Caleb’s eyes flickered. His head turned to one side. The eyes opened again, seeing Seb this time. A pained smile appeared.
‘Seb? Is that you? Come closer boy, I can barely see over there in the dark.’
Seb edged closer, ashamed of the fear that dragged his feet. He moved into the ambient glow of the lantern, noting then the pleasant warmth that emanated from the burner.
‘It’s nice isn’t it?’ Caleb wheezed, noticing Seb’s shift in attention.
‘What is it?’
‘Just a normal lantern, but the Doctor has put a Permanency on it. It transmits waves that we can’t see, but provide some kind of healing property.’
‘Like some kind of magical life support?’
Caleb smiled, ‘something like that.’
‘How do you feel?’
‘Like someone took a chunk out of me.’
Seb tried to smile, but it wouldn’t come. Wetness filled his eyes again, Caleb becoming a blur in his vision. ‘I’m sorry,’ he whispered.
‘Sorry, what the hell for?’
He waved a shaking hand over the bandage on Caleb’s chest. ‘This,’ he said, ‘I screwed up. And then, after…I was just so scared.’
‘Seb, I will tell you this, and tell you this once. Pay attention as you need to get it in that thick head of yours. Bravery is not the absence of fear. Bravery is being able to act when you are afraid. I would never have expected an acolyte to have to deal with what you did today. Yet you did. You were terrified, I know that, I was too. Yet you acted, my lad. And it’s because of that that I am here now.’
‘But if I hadn’t run in like that.’ He let the question hang in the air.
‘You are young, Seb. You sensed Kollmorgen in distress and you went in after him.’
‘If I’d just stopped and sensed more.’
‘Sheol are harder to spot when they’ve possessed someone. It took me a while, and by then, you were already in. You’re too quick for your own good.’
Seb dropped his head. ‘I don’t know what to say.’
‘There’s nothing to say, maybe perhaps, I’ll try not to give you a heart attack by running off next time, Caleb. Maybe you can say that?’
They looked at each other for a second, before both broke out into laughter. It was short, but served to lift Seb’s spirit. Caleb coughed and groaned, but the smile didn’t leave his face.
‘What did happen, Caleb? It was a trap wasn’t it? A trap for us?’
Caleb shook his head, the smile gone. ‘A trap? I don’t think so. I don’t think they knew we were going to be there. The scary thing being that never in my forty years of doing this have I ever seen something like that. The sheol, so brazen in daylight, attacking us like that.’
‘They knew me. How?’
‘I don’t know, lad, I just don’t know,’ Caleb’s voice began to drift, his
eyes seeing something far away.
‘It’s okay, I’ll come back later. You just get better, okay?’
Caleb nodded, his eyes already closed as fatigue took him.
Chapter 31
The great hall was in pandemonium as Seb stepped inside, moments after leaving Caleb to rest. On one side sat the Brotherhood, led by Silas and Reuben. Most of their number were silent, but nearly all were projecting poison-filled stares at the magi across from them. Seb caught Cade’s eye. The warrior rolled his eyes at the commotion.
Opposite sat the magi. Many of them were adepts that he’d never even seen, only identified by their distinctive sable outfits. Some were acolytes, wearing the same grey smocks that he wore, their eyes locked on the half-daemon warriors opposite them. At the head of the table the Magister, flanked by Cian and two elites, tried to weather the storm that was growing around her.
‘Calm, Cian, I’m sure Silas has a reasonable explanation regarding how the sheol were able to infiltrate our network with such ease.’
The Magister’s tone dripped with sarcasm, as if she knew the leader of the Brotherhood had no choice but to accept the humiliating fact they had failed in their oath. For his part, Silas didn’t flinch, but his sons’ faces flushed red, their yellow eyes ablaze.
‘Magister, with the greatest of respect, I do not believe the Brotherhood is to blame for this unfortunate incident. We have been asking for your support for many months with no reply, even as our warriors bled for your cause on a nightly basis. Only now, when one of your own is affected, does it raise your interest. I am sorry, I truly am, but the fact of the matter is that the magi are too distant from the cause now. You are simply not aware of what is happening right under our noses. These are no longer random attacks from the odd fiend that happens to fall through a crack. They are coming, and they are coordinated. Something is happening out there, between the Shards, and I regret to say that the Magistry should be held accountable for the state we find ourselves in.’
Cian shot out of his seat, sending the chair crashing against the wall. Other magi joined him, their fury venting at the Brotherhood leader. Reuben and Cade rose, their hands reaching for the blades at their sides, but calming hands from their father made them sit. Silas closed his eyes, letting the angry waves wash over him whilst the Magister attempted to calm her followers.
‘Silas. Your words come dangerously close to treason,’ the Magister continued, ‘have you forgotten your Oath?’
‘Oath?’ Reuben spat. ‘We promised to obey the Magi, that noble race of Weave-warriors that fought to the death at the gates of Temperos. My oath is to them. I do not recognise these cowards that stand before me!’
‘Reuben! That is enough!’ Silas said, his voice a rolling thunder that demanded immediate action. Reuben lowered back down, his yellow eyes locked, unblinking, on Cian.
‘Forgive my son, Magister,’ Silas said. ‘I do not wish a quarrel. I merely think it is in our interests that we all be honest. Something terrible is happening. We, in the Brotherhood, are simply not able to handle this on our own. It will take all of our resources – Brotherhood, Mage, and Lorekeepers alike to understand what is happening.
‘And let us not forget that this all began when the apostate was removed from the Magistry. And his appearance.’
All eyes turned on Seb. The room suddenly seemed to grow in size. His head pounded. It took all his willpower to keep his gaze level. No way was he going to be put down by any of these. Not anymore.
‘The boy is simply a symptom of Marek’s indiscretions,’ the Magister said, forcing attention back on her. ‘If we did not have him we would not have any knowledge of what Sarah had discovered.’
‘But where has that got us? He might as well have died for all the good he’s done.’ Reuben said.
‘I tire of your backchat, fiendling,’ Cian growled.
‘I tire of your blustering, mighty Cian, so it appears we’re at an impasse.’
‘This is getting us nowhere,’ the Magister said, her azure eyes fixing both of the men in turn. ‘Silas is right. We must be united if we are going to weather this crisis.’
‘So what do we do? Do we demand a communion with all the families?’ Cian said.
‘Perhaps,’ the Magister said, a withered finger pressed to her lips.
‘I may have a suggestion,’ Silas said.
The Magister dipped her head and waved a hand. ‘You have the room, First Sword.’
‘A communion is one option yes, but does it not highlight out failure in keeping one of our own under control?’ Silas’ yellow eyes scanned the room, seeking challenge. None came back.
‘I take the silence as agreement?’
‘Get to the point, Silas,’ Cian said, ‘I don’t have time for your posturing. Not today.’
Silas nodded. ‘Of course. My suggestion is that we do not involve the other families. Yet. Instead we seek knowledge from one who has much more than we do. From someone who may be able to shed light on what is transpiring.’
The Magister frowned. Silas smiled, the expression reminding Seb of a hunting cat. The First Sword was enjoying this, perhaps too much.
‘We seek the guidance from one of the First. The First.’
Cian’s brow furrowed. ‘What? What is this nonsense? We cannot ask the First anything. They are gone, merely echoes in the Weave.’
‘Not quite so, dear Cian,’ Silas said. ‘Is it not true that the First created the Consensus? That they are forever bound to its integrity?’
‘Yes, but -’
‘Then they are not echoes,’ Silas interrupted, ignoring the glares shot his way from across the table. ‘The Consensus is failing, the wall between realities weakening, allowing the sheol to come through. I propose we simply go to the First, and ask them ourselves what is happening.’
Cian’s face did not show any change in understanding, but Seb saw as the Magister suddenly broke out into a wide smile.
‘Silas, dear fellow, I had no idea you were so knowledgeable of our history.’
Silas raised his hands in mock modesty. ‘I try to keep myself informed.’
Cian shot fury-filled looks between the Magister and Silas. It was clear from both his expression and those of most of the others present that they had no knowledge of what was being suggested. Lore Keeper Brun, who had until this point remained silent, coughed, clearing his throat. The room fell silent.
‘I believe I follow Master Silas’ line of thinking. His suggestion is that we reopen the Crossing Way. We travel to where the First lay entombed. We commune with them, seeking their counsel.’
Silas smiled. ‘They created the Consensus did they not? They will surely know why it would be failing thus?’ he said, before looking directly at the Magister, ‘And it would allow us to remove this problem without having to bring the shame and ire of the other Families upon us.’
‘What? Am I hearing this right?’ Cian said. ‘Magister, is this insanity even possible?’
‘It is possible, yes, although it does not make me happy,’ the Magister said.
‘It would be of great risk. The Way is free from the Consensus. Should the sheol discover us, they would be at full strength,’ Brun said.
‘As would we all,’ Silas replied.
‘And even if we were fortunate enough to find the First, there is no guarantee that we could commune with them, let alone secure their help,’ Cian said, his head shaking in disbelief at what he was hearing.
‘There is not. But what knowledge would the other Families have that we don’t? Surely they would turn to the same direction, but only after they have dragged our names through the mud for their own amusement.’
‘Master Silas makes a convincing argument, even if I am not totally sure of the details,’ the Magister said.
‘Magister, surely you are not considering this madness?’ Cian said.
‘Master Cian. Do you know why Marek has been able to suppress the Consensus so that he can summon the sheol the way he can?’<
br />
‘No, Magister.’
‘Have you managed to uncover the secret that Sarah hid inside the boy?’
Cian slumped. ‘No, Magister.’
‘Do you think the Families will provide a solution that we cannot, without bringing shame upon ourselves?’
Cian knew he was lost. He managed to look the Magister in the eye, who’d now turned her gaze towards him.
‘No, Magister.’
‘Then it is settled. Silas, Cian. The two of you will draw together an expedition into the Crossing Way. You will seek the counsel of the First. Plan to do this as soon as possible. Take the finest we have available.’
Silas nodded. ‘As you wish, Magister. We should also take the boy, too.’
Seb’s heart turned to ice. Had he heard that right? Judging by the looks on everyone else’s faces they were thinking the same thing.
‘The boy? Why? He is but an acolyte.’
‘I am aware of this. But is the current issue with the Consensus not linked with the message that Sarah embedded within him? He may carry information – unknown to himself – that the First would be able to use. The sheol themselves knew of him and the information he carries.’
The Magister sat in silence for a moment. Cian shuffled in his seat, his face a perpetual scowl. Seb found Cade’s face amongst the sea of Brothers. The warrior was shaking his head, his eyes wide.
‘I cannot force the boy to go, although I do think it would add value to the expedition.’ The Magister said. She turned her gaze his way. A shiver rippled up his spine.
‘Seb. Step forward so we can see you.’
He moved to the edge of the table. A hundred faces stared back at him. His stomach turned somersaults as he forced himself to look towards the Magister.
‘You have heard what has been discussed?’
‘I have, Magister.’
‘You understand what has transpired?’
‘We seek the knowledge of the First. The journey is full of risk, but it seems it is the only logical option we have. You wish to know if I will volunteer.’
Message Bearer (The Auran Chronicles Book 1) Page 19
