Maker's Curse

by Trudi Canavan

  Tyen had ensured no watchmen sensed the magic he released for the factories by making sure the sorcerers working there took it as quickly as he released it. It was part of his plan to have news of a powerful sorcerer selling magic precede his meeting with the Academy, but the last thing he needed was for them to suspect he was breaking laws in order to do so.

  The grand front entrance of the Academy appeared as they turned a corner. Tall, elaborate gates stood open within a high wall. Three sets of broad stairs led up to rows of columns supporting a solid stone, half-circle porch. Deid fell silent as they walked towards it. Glancing at the old man, Tyen saw that his father’s back was straight and he walked a little stiffly, his chin raised.

  Tyen smiled. As a student, he had always entered the Academy through a side gate. Now he would use the same route the Emperor would when he was inclined to visit the school. Tyen doubted he’d be received as eagerly, however. Looking at the men standing around the Academy entrance and on the stairs, making a pretence of pausing to speak to a colleague or enjoy the view, Tyen didn’t need to read their minds to know they were there to watch for him – and defend the institution if the need arose.

  Tyen slowed so that Rielle and Deid were walking on either side of him as he reached the stairs. He met the gaze of each of the sorcerers waiting nearby, nodding respectfully. A few he recognised as either professors or former students. None returned his nod, but he thought that a few expressions may have softened a little.

  They reached the top of the stairs. One of the great doors was open; the other closed. Both would have been open for important visitors, but that didn’t bother Tyen. He hadn’t expected a warm welcome, let alone a respectful one.

  He stopped outside the door and bowed slightly as he gestured for Rielle, as a woman, to enter first. He then indicated that his father should enter next. Following, he saw several men standing in the Grand Hall, some clustered in twos or threes as if they had paused to converse. As if Tyen didn’t know that members of the Academy did not usually loiter near the public entrance.

  Nobody stepped forward to greet them. Tyen exchanged a glance with his father. They could wait here until someone came to guide them, but he figured the Academy needed reminding that he knew his way around. Ignoring the watching men, he led his companions down the hall and turned into the corridors beyond, starting the convoluted path to the Director’s office. Their footsteps echoed in the narrow spaces, with a ghostly extra echo from those who followed at a discreet distance.

  “Quite a labyrinth,” Rielle murmured at one point, as Tyen ushered her through another doorway. “Are we still in the same building?”

  “It depends if you consider the many wings as separate or part of the whole.” He shrugged. “I’ve always suspected the first Director deliberately selected an office that took some time to get to so that anyone wanting to complain to him would have ample time to change their minds.”

  A staircase took them to the second level, then another long corridor finally delivered them to a closed door bearing a bronze plaque gleaming with the single word: “Director”. Tyen paused to raise an eyebrow at Rielle and his father. The pair nodded to show they were ready. Turning back to the door, Tyen let out a little magic. As it flowed outwards he sensed the mind of the Director, alone in the room beyond. In rooms to the side were several sorcerers, tense and waiting in case the school’s leader called for help.

  Tyen knocked.

  The door creaked open. Director Ophen stared at Tyen for a moment. It really is him, he thought. He’d sensed the magic that had abruptly flowed out from behind the door and guessed that Tyen had released it. Why do that? Was it to get my attention? Impress me? His eyes moved to Deid and Rielle briefly before returning to Tyen. He stepped aside and held the door open.

  “Tyen Ironsmelter. Please come in and introduce your companions.”

  Once again, Tyen ushered Rielle and his father ahead of him before entering. Ophen closed the door and turned to face them.

  “This is Rielle Lazuli,” Tyen began, nodding to her. “Known throughout the worlds as the Maker.”

  Ophen nodded politely, noting that Tyen had used the plural of “worlds” and struggling to keep a sneer from his face. Though he knew references to other worlds existed in older texts, he didn’t believe they existed.

  “And you already know Deid Ironsmelter from your extensive investigation into my disappearance,” Tyen added, gesturing to his father and noting both guilt and suspicion in the Director’s mind as he nodded to Deid. Ophen pushed guilt aside. Many still thought Deid had helped his son disappear.

  “Well, yes,” Ophen said, avoiding Deid’s gaze. “Our questions were necessary at the time.”

  Tyen turned to Rielle. “This is Director Ophen, Head of the Academy.”

  She nodded. Tyen turned back to Ophen as the Director moved behind his desk and sat down.

  Ophen smoothed his jacket, then looked up at Tyen. “I don’t think I need to explain that you are still regarded as a thief here. There are additional allegations that you were involved in the death of Professors Kilraker, Millen and Ragen and the adventurer, Tangor Gowel, as well as several thousand people of the Far South.”

  Tyen inclined his head. “My father has enlightened me about those charges.”

  “What do you have to say in response to them?”

  Tyen held his gaze. “I am guilty of the theft, but not of the murders. Kilraker was ordered by the Sselt King not to take magic from within the structure of Spirecastle. He ignored that order and brought about the collapse of the building.”

  “You can prove this?”

  “Yes. One of the survivors still lives.” Tyen was not sure how good a witness Mig would be since he could not sense magic, but the young man could confirm that Spirecastle had fallen after Tyen had moved out of the world.

  “One of the southerners?” Ophen made a dismissive gesture. “They were of little help to our investigation. Besides, they are hardly going to be able to travel here to speak at your trial.”

  Tyen smiled. “It can be arranged, if you are still determined to hold one after today.”

  Ophen frowned as if he’d tasted something disgusting. “Why on earth wouldn’t I be?”

  “I have something to offer the Academy, indeed this entire world, that may cast such matters in a different light.”

  “Which is?”

  “Magic. More magic than this world has contained for hundreds of years. Enough magic to enable Academy sorcerers to travel out of this world and explore others.”

  Ridiculous, Ophen thought. “Oh, and where would you get this magic from? Other worlds?”

  “No. It would be rather impolite to weaken neighbouring worlds in order to strengthen this one.” Tyen looked at Rielle. “Would you please demonstrate, la’ Lazuli?”

  She smiled, opened her small drawstring bag and brought out a folded piece of paper and a slim black rod. “Might I use a corner of your desk as support?” she asked of the Director.

  Ophen nodded. “Of course.”

  Unfolding the paper, she ran a hand over it and the creases disappeared. Then, looking up at Ophen with a sudden intense gaze, she began to draw. Tyen watched in fascination. He had seen her create magic only a few times before. Within confident strokes she captured the character of the Director’s face. A few more and she had filled in eyes, nose and mouth. He was so impressed it took a moment for him to notice the burst of magic that had exploded from her.

  The sound of doors slamming open made him jump. He instinctively strengthened the shield he’d been holding around himself and his father, and extended it to surround Rielle. It turned the air cold, so the breath of the four sorcerers now surrounding him misted.

  They were casting about, wary and confused.

  “Should I continue?” Rielle asked. She remained bent over the desk, the drawing stick hovering over the portrait.

  The newcomers looked at Ophen, who scowled. “I said come in only if I called.”
>
  “But we sensed…”

  “The magic…”

  “We thought…”

  Ophen flapped his hands. “Out!”

  The four retreated to the adjoining rooms, closing the doors behind them. Ophen used the time to collect his thoughts. He’d sensed the outflow of magic. He’d guessed what Tyen would say next. “See?” he’ll say. “Creativity generates magic! Forgive all my sins and honour me with accolades for proving that old myth is true.” It is a trick.

  “It is no trick,” Rielle told him. “You will see, if you observe closely…” Her drawing stick lowered to the paper.

  “No!” Ophen shook his head. “Apologies, la’ Lazuli,” he added in a gentler voice. “That will not be necessary.” He looked at Tyen, his eyes bright with anger. “Is this your offer? Did you not learn anything while studying here? Do you really think we would be fooled by this?”

  “Actually, this isn’t my offer,” Tyen replied. “Proving that creativity generates magic is a minor thing. More important is to ensure the Academy adapts to the benefits and dangers of the return of magic. Once this world is accessible, otherworld sorcerers are sure to visit. Not all of them will have good intentions. With my help they will not find an ignorant, vulnerable world but a strong one prepared for trade and defence. The Academy could become one of the largest and most powerful schools in all the worlds.”

  Ophen stared at Tyen, incredulous but also hating the spark of fear that had flared at the dangers the young upstart had hinted at.

  Before he could speak, Tyen continued. “But you are right, Director; I did not think you would accept anything I told or offered you. I doubted the Academy had changed since I left. I expected your response. I had to at least offer you the chance to consider your position, and the Academy’s. And this world’s. Give yourself a few days to think. It is a lot to take in.”

  The Director’s face flushed. “You won’t frighten me with these lies.” Ophen rose and pointed to the door. “Leave, before I call on my assistants to throw you out.”

  “I take it you don’t need time to consider?”

  “NO! LEAVE!”

  Tyen looked at Rielle, who shrugged and dropped the drawing stick back into her bag. Deid was frowning, but as Tyen looked at him, the glint of smugness returned to his gaze. Tyen smiled, turned his back on the Director and opened the door. He ushered Rielle out.

  “You’re an old fool, Ophen,” Deid said as he followed, pausing to look back from the corridor. “This world and the Academy have a rude awakening coming, and the only person interested in helping is my son.”

  “Come on, Father,” Tyen said, pressing a hand gently on the old man’s shoulder. He stepped out into the corridor and pulled the door closed. From within he heard a muffled voice speak.

  “You know what to do.”

  The Director’s meaning was clear in his mind. Tyen said nothing as he led his companions back through the maze of corridors to the entry hall. The number of sorcerers there had grown, and their pretence at nonchalance was spoilt by the hurried arrival of more. They moved to block the main entrance. From the side Tyen heard a raspy old voice speak, and he turned to see Professor Delly hobble in from a side room.

  “You shouldn’t have come back, Tyen Ironsmelter.” The sorcery teacher looked around the room. “Arrest him!”

  As the men closed in, Tyen wondered what they intended to do. They had no magic. Perhaps they meant to manhandle him into submission. He held a hand out to Rielle, then another to his father.

  “Take a deep breath, Father,” he instructed. Listening to the old man and Rielle, he waited until they had filled their lungs, then pushed a little way out of the world – just as the first of the men reached him. Hands passed through them. The Academy’s best sorcerers stared and exchanged confused and wondering looks. Tyen paused for a few heartbeats to enjoy Delly gaping like a simpleton.

  Then he skimmed away.

  CHAPTER 7

  It is a shame I never got to see the palace before I left this world, Tyen mused as he entered the building’s Great Hall. I’ve seen so many spectacular buildings out in the worlds that this seems… disappointing.

  And yet, he’d have preferred to be even less impressed by it. Or rather, he’d have been more impressed if the palace had been restrained in its display of wealth, as he knew many of these sumptuous fabrics, elaborate gilded furniture, wall decorations and artwork had been acquired with wealth gained from the conquest and colonisation of other lands.

  As his armed escort guided him down the entry hall, he looked through doorways on either side to corridors running parallel to the hall. More doorways opened upon huge, highly decorated rooms beyond. The palace entrance followed the same plan as the Academy – though more likely the latter building had copied the palace – only at a grander scale. The greatest difference were the two enormous doors at the end of the hall that his escort was leading him towards, exactly where the Academy had a mural depicting the institution’s founding.

  He expected that one of the doormen would open one of the doors to begrudgingly allow an expelled Academy student entrance beyond. Instead, both men moved, hauling the doors open just in time for Tyen to reach them and pass through.

  On the other side was a smaller hall, lined with tasteful sets of chairs for those awaiting an audience. Tyen let out a little magic as he saw that a quarter of these were occupied. The well-dressed men and women watching him were relieved to have a moment’s distraction from their long wait to see the monarch. They examined Tyen closely, wondering who he was to be welcomed with full-door access and a guard of honour. A foreigner, some guessed, since they believed they knew all the important people of Belton on sight. Perhaps some dignitary of the colonies. Whoever he was, the doors to the audience chamber were opening, so he must be very important indeed as he was getting immediate access to the Emperor.

  Tyen hid a smile and let out a gentle drift of magic as he passed. Though some were sorcerers, none of them took any of the magic he was releasing. None sought to read his mind. It simply did not occur to them to try.

  Would they have been so passive if he’d come here with Rielle? He’d left her with Deid, guessing that coming alone would seem less threatening than arriving with someone not of the empire. While the Emperor’s guards might not be as wary of a woman, and they did not know she was a powerful sorcerer, she would be regarded with more caution than Tyen due to her clearly being a foreigner.

  His escort headed towards yet another pair of doors, but these did not open. The man stopped and tapped lightly on the right-hand door. It opened slightly and a thin face peered out. This was the Emperor’s secretary, and as he saw Tyen he pushed the door open fully and stepped aside.

  “You may enter, Tyen Ironsmelter.”

  Tyen nodded to the man and obeyed. The room beyond was small compared to the halls behind him, but large for an office. A long table stood at the far end of the room, behind which sat a fashionably attired and immaculately groomed middle-aged man. The Emperor watched him approach calmly. Looks like moustaches are still in vogue, Tyen mused. Several other men stood at either side of the room. Tyen judged where to stop by their thoughts, then bowed and remained bent, keeping his eyes on the floor.

  A silent pause followed, then Emperor Omniten spoke.

  “Tyen Ironsmelter. Welcome back to Leratia.”

  “Thank you, Imperial Majesty.”

  “You may rise.”

  Tyen straightened and met the man’s gaze directly, noting curiosity as well as wariness before he looked down again.

  “I received your gifts.” A rustle of paper came from the table. “Fascinating. Are you claiming that these places are real?”

  Tyen glanced at the table to confirm the man was referring to the maps he’d sent. “They are, your Majesty.”

  “Do you have proof of this?”

  “The only way I could convince you beyond doubt would be to take you out of this world and visit them.”

  T
he Emperor paused. “Or you could take someone else. Someone I trust to tell me the truth of the matter.”

  Tyen nodded.

  “I may do that… but I would like to know more about you before I risked such a man. Why should I trust someone who admitted to Director Ophen that he stole an item belonging to the Academy?”

  “Because the Academy had no right to own her.”

  A pause. “Her?”

  “The item he refers to is a woman. She was transformed into a book thousands of years ago. I believe owning a person is considered slavery and outlawed here.”

  “It is, indeed. Do you still have her?”

  “Yes.”

  “Does this not make you her owner?”

  “I am her carrier and protector.”

  “I see. You can prove all this?”

  “I can only try. There is always the possibility that you will think it a trick.”

  “Let me be the one to decide that.”

  Tyen loosened his shirt and brought out Vella’s pouch. Opening it, he drew her out. “She absorbs all the memories of the people who touch her,” he warned. “And she has no choice but to answer questions. I recommend that you let me hold her while you communicate with her.”

  “Very well.”

  Opening Vella, Tyen looked down at her pages. Words formed.

  Hello, Tyen.

  Hello, Vella. Let me introduce you to the Imperial Majesty Emperor Omniten of the Leratian Empire.

  “Your Imperial Majesty, Emperor Omniten, meet Vella,” he said aloud.

  He turned her outwards so the Emperor could see her reply. The man leaned forward and squinted, then beckoned Tyen closer. Moving to the other side of the table, Tyen extended his arms. The man’s eyes moved back and forth as he read.

  “Greetings, Vella,” he said. “Tyen tells me you were once a woman. Is this true?”

  Since Tyen could not see Vella’s reply, he read it from the Emperor’s mind.

  Greetings, Emperor Omniten. Yes, it is true.