During this time, the magicians chortled amongst themselves as the names were mentioned, and many of the others gathered also did so, on hearing the translation. Quite conspicuously, the costumed woman was left unmentioned and she continued standing motionless amongst them, as if she had been carved from wood.
‘And…’ Jacobs prompted, raising his finger towards her. ‘Who is that one?’
The question almost set the ambassador knocking at the knees and he looked nervously to his male colleagues behind him. ‘I…I don’t know how to answer, kind Sir. Do you not know who she is?’
‘Of course I don’t. None of us do. You’ve all just arrived so how could we possibly know who she is!’
‘Again, please forgive me. Forgive us all, members of the noble court. I thought it was clear,’ he added, nodding around the room. ‘Our customs are obviously quite different in this manner.’ Sweat was somehow already pouring down his brow and he looked again to his companions,as if pleading for help, but they ignored him altogether. The ambassador finally gathered the strength to explain himself and forged on. ‘She is the reason we were sent from our embattled homeland. Empress Moon charged us with the highest honour and responsibility-to keep her from the Eudans. This is why I concluded that our mission was a success, for we have saved the greatest treasure in existence.’
‘That thing is a woman?’ High Lord Jacobs asked. ‘What makes her so valuable that all those others were expendable just to save her?’
‘Why, she is the most precious thing in the universe. Countless wars have been fought over her since time began,including this latest one that has very nearly proved our ruin. She is the very foundation of all civilisation and other nations have eternally sought to attain her from us, her chosen people. She is our god.’
There was a disconcerted murmuring from around the room at this.
‘Your god? What do you call her?’ Jacobs asked, concerned.
‘We do not call her anything,’ the ambassador answered plainly. ‘What need has a god for names?’
Jacobs spoke briefly with those near him, before speaking up to the ambassador once again. ‘Are you saying that this hideous creature standing before us is the very reason your nation has now fallen?’
Ambassador Canyon looked shaken by this, and had to collect himself before responding, even managing a nervous smile. ‘The Eudans were seeking to take her, yes, and that is what started the war.’
‘All this to protect her?’ Jacobs continued. ‘It seems extreme.’
‘It is not so much that we are merely protecting her. By keeping her from capture, we are protecting everyone else.’
There was now frustration in Jacobs’ voice. ‘Really, you must explain yourself. This is just not making any sense.’
‘Our god is all-powerful, but not in any way that could benefit the Eudans. We tried to explain that to them, but they would not listen. They tried to lock her away and deny her the rituals that keep our society ordered and harmonious, but we would not let them. They would mistreat her and enslave our people in her name. If she dies improperly,it will not be a simple task to find her new mortal vessel and chaos would ensue. While she is free,the world is as it should be and our people can live in hope.’
There were a few moments of silence as everyone in the room digested what they had heard.
‘We will not argue with your beliefs and customs, as they may be, but I have one final and important question for you, Ambassador,’ Jacobs stated and he pointed to the costumed woman appointed as their god. ‘Is this woman a witch?’
Canyon was perplexed. ‘I’m sorry. I don’t understand the question.’ Forwitchwas an abstract term in the Old Tongue, and a bastardisation of standard words. It did not seem to exist in their vocabulary.
‘I’m asking you, does she practise magic?’ The question caused quite a furore amongst the magicians, for not only was such a thing forbidden, it was universally regarded as impossible. Samuel, however, had learned some exceptions to this rule. Anyone, man or woman, could access arcane powers through the black arts, by enacting forbidden rites or inciting the Ancient Lick, but it was physically impossible for a woman to harness true magic as practised by magicians. ‘I must inform you, good Ambassador, that we will know if you are lying and also that the penalty for practising witchcraft in the Empire is death.’
Ambassador Canyon waved his hands before himself to appease the room. ‘Oh, no. Of course not, good Lord. Magic of any kind is also forbidden in our nation. Any child found with an inclination towards it is quickly put to death. We would never resort to such things.’
The magicians in the room were incensed even further and some stood from their seats and vented their rage with shouts and shaking fists.
Grand Master Anthem took over from the failing efforts of High Lord Jacobs. ‘We thank you for your honest answer, Ambassador Canyon. I feel we should inform you that many of us here are actually magicians. Magic is accepted in Turia and we magicians are official appointees of the court. While magic wasoncenot tolerated across Amandia, we now consider it an acceptable practice-when used properly.’
The ambassador looked quite uncomfortable and scanned the various black-robed men in the room, seeming to get the point. ‘Forgive me, please. I did not know and did not mean to show disrespect. As I said, our customs do seem to vary considerably. Our god’s powers are beyond compare, but she is certainly nowitch-as you say.’
‘Why have you brought such an abomination to our shores!’ came an excited shout and all eyes turn to view the speaker. It was Master Celios who now stood from his place, looking flustered. ‘What dreaded and vile curses have you unleashed upon us! What have we done to deserve such a detestable fate?’ And he began spluttering and muttering profanities, throwing his hands in all directions.
‘Calm now, Master Celios,’ High Lord Jacobs called and Sir Ferse stepped up beside the old Master, holding him by the shoulder and speaking into his ear. Eventually, Celios calmed himself and sat down, looking somewhat bewildered.
‘Apologies, to our new friends,’ Anthem stated. ‘Master Celios is in a fragile state at present. Please forgive his outburst.’
‘It is nothing,’ Ambassador Canyon responded. ‘The elderly and infirm must be treated with respect and their embarrassments persevered.’
At this, Anthem scowled, for he was much older than Master Celios. Thankfully, for all involved, he let the remark pass.
‘I think it is decided then,’ Chancellor Donovan then stated. ‘If our respected members of the Order have no objections, you and your party will be guests of the Empire, until such time as you can decide your own fate. We aresatisfiedthat you are not related to the disappearance of our Empress and young Emperor Leopold.’
The ambassador was obviously relieved that the questioning had ended and let out a thankful sigh. ‘Then, if you do not mind, we will retire. I think it will take some time for us to regain our strength. These months have been trying.’
The Koian party readied to leave, but an old and crackling voice cut across the room.
‘Where are the women of the Order?’ It was the Koian god. She had raised a clawed hand in the direction of Grand Master Anthem and was pointing a long,black nail towards him. The room seemed frozen in place. Even the Koians had stopped mid-stride, looking to their costumedgod, aghast. She shambled a few steps towards the Grand Master, making her horns and costume quiver to and fro. ‘Speak up, old man! I’ve asked you a question!’
Anthem finally composed himself and stood to address the unsightly crone. ‘There are no women in the Order. Woman cannot wield magic. It is against the laws of nature.’
‘Ahhh,’ she responded, nodding so that her feathers shook up and down. ‘So it is…so it is, old man. You’ve spoken well, for your kind.’
With that, her attendants quickly surrounded her and bustled her off, with the ambassador leaving last, bowing nervously as he fled the room.
‘Goodness,’ Chancellor Donovan stated. ‘At lea
st we have that matter settled. Now we must face more pressing issues.’ He then set about rearranging some of the papers that sat before him before continuing. ‘Many days have passed and there has been no success in finding the Empress or young Emperor Leopold. In consequence, the plan that was to be presented to her has been delayed. The Empireiswaveringat this stage-another blow to our hearts-but we must, as you have suggested, good magicians, put this latest setback behind us. We must forge ahead,lest our homelands be soiled by the Paatin invaders.’
General Ruardin stood up with a furious clatter of armour. ‘Curse you, Scoundrel! There will be no talk of abandoning the search!’
‘Calm now, General,’ Donovan said, placating the huge man with raised palms. ‘I have not said anything about that. We will continue searching relentlessly until their fate is known. No effort will be spared in this, but we must also rise to meet the Paatin threat.’
‘I know where they are,’ someone called from the assembly and all eyes returned to Master Celios.
‘Have you had a vision, Lord Magician?’ General Ruardin asked, leaning forward on his palms with interest.
‘I have,’ Celios called, standing and staring at the ceiling with glistening eyes, as if caught in the throes of a vision. ‘They aretravellingeast, towards the great fortress of Ghant even as we speak. They are bundled up-hidden, but alive.’
‘Who has taken them?’ Ruardin called out. ‘Where are they! What can you see!’
‘They are bound for the desert,to the home of the Paatin.’
‘Theenemyplansto bargain!’ Councillor Madhaven declared.
But Anthem thought otherwise. ‘The Paatin have no need to bargain. They have us over a barrel already. What do we have that they cannot simply take in due course?’
‘There is a queen at the heart of the desertwhocommands these minions,’ Celios announced. ‘They will live and die for her, for the desert people are fanatics. They worship her and throw themselves to their deaths at her command. She is an abomination and an abhorrence to us, for the Queen of the Desert is a witch.’
‘A witch!’ Ruardin called out in dismay.
‘She has grown strong, far beyond our reach, and has gathered these armies unto herself, intent on destroying us all. She knows we are weakened and has chosen this time to strike at our hearts.’
‘How could this happen?’ Madhaven called out. ‘The Order has failed us again!’
But Celios went on. ‘All is not lost. I see she is intrigued by power of all kinds. She wishes to see what royal merit our young Emperor possesses. They will not be harmed, for the time being. Also, she seeks to use them as bait for her trap.’
‘A trap?’ Ruardin said, hanging on the edge of his seat with intrigue.
‘She seeks to lure our most celebrated magician into her domain and ensnare him-test him. She has heard many things about him. She wants to see the extent of his magic with her own eyes and test him against her minions, and herself.’
‘Who is it, good Master Celios?’ Chancellor Donovan asked. ‘Which magician does she seek?’
Samuel could foresee the answer already, yet he squirmed uncomfortably in his seat as the old seer’s arm was thrust out with a pointed finger at the end. Celios then swung his arm around the room, only pausing once he had it aimed directly towards Samuel.
‘Samuel is the one!’ he bellowed and all in the chamber set their gaze upon Samuel.
‘I knew it!’ Samuel groaned to himself.
‘Word of Lord Samuel’sfeatshas reached even the Desert Queen’s ear and she wishes to behold this Saviour of Cintar,’ old Celios declared, ‘-thisChampionof the Order,’ he added with a hint of contempt. ‘I am sure somewhere in the palace, and sometime soon, a message elucidating this will be discovered.’
‘Then we must send the boy at once!’ Ruardin declared. Samuel winced at being called a boy in front of the entire court, but he supposedthatto the great old general, he must still seem an inexperienced youth.
‘Patience, General,’ High Lord Jacobs called out. ‘We should wait to see if this actually transpires. We have other immediate actions to consider. Our Empress and heir are far from her clutches and still within our domain.’
‘Yes, yes. You are right. We must get a message to Ghant,’ Ruardin said with urgency. ‘Magicians, how can we reach them in time?’
Anthem shook his head. ‘Falcons and pigeons are your best employ. Magic has made no gains in the direction of communication. We have long tried without success.’ Samuel looked at Eric at this comment, but his friend kept his head down and his gaze averted. A Journey spell could have Eric at Ghant within seconds.
‘Lord Lomar left for Ghant only recently on a mission for the Order,’ said High Lord Jacobs. ‘If he arrives first, he can block their escape and retrieve our stolen treasures.’
Anthem quickly formed a plan. ‘Then we will send word to the Order houses along the way. Lomar does not dally in his travels, but he will need to make all haste to ensure he arrives first, for the Empress’ captors will be moving as quickly as they can. We can only hope he does arrive first.’
Ruardin sank into his armour. ‘If not, they will slip through our fingers at Ghant and once past there, they are into the east…and lost.’
‘They can be returned!’ Celios cried out with a yelp, almost sending those near him leaping from their seats.
‘Explain yourself, good Lord,’ the enormous Ruardin commanded.
‘Lord Lomar may not be able to stop them at Ghant,’ Celios explained, seeming more focussed now, ‘but we know she will also seek the presence of Lord Samuel, whom they could not kidnap so easily. Samuel can bargain to have them returned.’
‘And if not?’ Ruardin asked.
‘Then a small party should accompany him, to take back our kin by force, if need be,’ Donovan suggested.
Councillor Madhaven stood and shook his fist. ‘We should kill their queen whether the young Emperor is returned or not. That will grant a blow to them that could end this war.’
The room called out their agreement enthusiastically.
‘Yes, yes,’ Celios agreed. ‘The Desert Queen drives their armies. Without her they will lack unity and give up their crusade.’
‘And if she is,indeed,a witch then it is our duty to put her to death,’ old Balthazar, from the Union of Modern Magicians, called out, shaking with anger within his flapping,white robes. ‘We cannot allow such travesties of nature to exist!’
Jacobs then added to the plan. ‘Lord Lomar knows those landsbetterthan most. The chosen party can meet him at Ghant and, if he has not been successful in saving the Empress and Emperor-to-be, he can guide them into the far east. If he has been successful, then the mission can end there, or they can still continue to take on the witch, if they choose.’
‘It sounds reasonable,’ Ruardin mused, ‘as long as theheiris never at risk. Also, it is about time we took to the offence. We have been so busy shoring up our walls that we have not even considered striking back at their homeland. Is such a plan feasible?’
‘Oh, I am certain of that,’ Celios said resolutely.
‘Then I will handpick a hundred of my best men toset forthat once.’
‘And magicians will be required. They will need to guide the party and assist Lord Samuel. It may even be possible that he will return safely.’
Samuel was not quite happy with the decisions being made about him, but he supposed he would have little choice in the matter anyway.
‘Yes, that would be fine,’ Ruardin added without too much enthusiasm. ‘Then so be it,’ and the golden-armoured man stood. ‘We shall organise this at once. They will leave at dawn. Let us meet again tomorrow to discuss the Empire’s defence. I want all resources put into getting this team away as quickly as possible.’
With that, Chancellor Donovan declared the meeting overand gaveanother whack of his gavel. With the gathering finished, magicians and officials alike left the room, leaving General Ruardin alone with his aides.
> CHAPTER THREE
Overland
Samuel and Goodfellow awoke and ate early while the majority of the palace was still sleeping. It was mostly the domestic staff who were awake and busied at such an hour, preparing for the coming day in their neat uniforms. Armed checkpoints were still in place and the soldiers saw to their duties with solid Turian precision, showing no sign of sleepiness or lack of attention.
After breakfast, the pair readied their travelling packs and went out into the palace grounds to meet Grand Master Anthem as they had agreed. There was a great sense of urgency to their new plan and Samuel was only glad that they had been afforded the luxury of being allowed to sleep before leaving. He was sure that if General Ruardin had been allowed his way, they would have been set upon their horses and sent off to Ghantin the middle of the night,
Anthem was waiting there, with a set of stablehands nearby with horsesat the ready. The old man had visited their room late in the night and given them a brief outline of the situation. It had been decided that Goodfellow should also go along, and the spectacled young magician was happy to oblige. It seemed a note had been found during the night, exactly as Celios had predicted, so it seemed the old seer’s visions were,indeed,proving true. Still, it did not put Samuel any more at ease. He only hoped he lived up to the Desert Queen’s expectations.
‘Is everything set to go?’ Samuel asked.
‘There have been a few changes since we last spoke,’ the old man revealed. Almost as if on cue, Grand Master Tudor and Eric Pot appeared through the nearby hedge gate and began approaching, also carrying their light travel packs. ‘I know you and Eric have not been seeing eye to eye recently, but it’s time to put all that behind you. He is one of the most powerful magicians we have, and we are investing all our resources into this mission. The fate of the Empire depends on it-perhaps even more.’
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