Trading into Darkness

by C. M. Simpson

  “But I promised,” Marsh protested, and Gustav turned in his saddle to look at her.

  “Your master makes a good point.” He indicated the men ahead of her. “The captains will break the news, and Captain Orelia’s men will spend time with the parents to talk to them and calm them down. It will give you, the founder, and your master time to work out how you’re going to go about getting them back.”

  “I will find them,” Marsh told him, flinching at the stubborn edge to her tone.

  She sounded like Aisha at her most difficult.

  Roeglin snorted and reached over to lay his hand on her knee.

  “We’ll find them,” he corrected. “Together. The two of us and whatever team we’re assigned. Okay?”

  Marsh nodded, not trusting her voice. They would find them, wherever they had been taken, whatever situation they were in. She drew a deep breath, feeling the tiredness of using magic for too long trying to roll her under.

  “Stick around,” Roeglin ordered. “We’ve got to see Monsieur Gravine before you can flake out on me, and tomorrow, you and I will be speaking to the Master of Shadows about your traineeship.”

  Marsh felt her heart sink at his words.

  “Have I done something wrong?”

  “No, but there are matters we need to discuss. Okay?”

  “Okay.”

  They rode forward with the rest of the troops and worked to settle their mules into their stalls before Roeglin offered Marsh his arm.

  “You ready?”

  “When you are,” she replied, taking his arm and leaning on him a lot more than she wanted to.

  Sure, she could have insisted on making her own way up, but that would have meant weaving across the stable yards like a drunk and probably falling up the stairs rather than making it to the top.

  “You’re not that bad,” Roeglin protested.

  “Want to let go of my arm and see?” Marsh challenged, and was relieved when he didn’t take her up on it.

  “I’m not that mean.”

  Marsh thought really hard about how to respond to that, but in the end, she decided not to say anything. She really didn’t want to end up on her ass on the floor.

  “I’ve asked Brigitte to bring cookies and chocolate,” Roeglin told her as he raised his hand to knock on Monsieur Gravine’s office door.

  “Oh, good.” Before Marsh could say anything more, Monsieur Gravine’s voice boomed out from beyond the door.

  “Come.”

  He was standing behind his desk, and he was not alone. Brigitte had already arrived, and a tray of cookies and a decanter of chocolate awaited. Marsh noted there were cups for all of them and enough cookies that even Aisha would have been sated. Well, maybe.

  “Sit,” the cavern founder ordered, lifting the plate of cookies, and holding it out. “Eat.”

  Surely she didn’t look that bad?

  “Eat,” Roeglin agreed, “and don’t think with your mouth full.”

  What? But Marsh didn’t argue, snagging a second cookie before Monsieur Gravine set the plate back on the desk. He surprised her by tossing her another one while she wolfed down the two she had in record time. She was relieved when the dragging fatigue faded enough that she didn’t feel like she was about to fall asleep in her chair. Having finished the third cookie, Marsh was contemplating a fourth when Brigitte handed her a large mug of chocolate.

  Monsieur Gravine watched the whole procedure with a bemused look on his face.

  “Is it always like this when magic is used?” he asked, and it was Roeglin who answered.

  “It depends on the wielder and the magic they use. Some find certain forms of magic more draining than others. Marchant’s strength lies in shadow magic, so she finds some of the nature magic more difficult to wield. Not to be rude, Monsieur, but it would be better for her to give her report quickly.”

  “Or what?” Monsieur Gravine looked mildly alarmed.

  “Or she’ll fall asleep where she sits.”

  Marsh blushed to the tips of her ears and did her best to keep a neutral expression on her face. Roeglin was only stating things as they were, even if she wished he hadn’t been quite so candid.

  He’s working with mages on a daily basis, Roeglin told her. It is best if he knows how to look after them. You are merely providing a very apt training aid.

  Well, if he put it that way… Marsh closed her eyes.

  Don’t you dare!

  “Wouldn’t dream of it,” Marsh replied, but her words were slurred, and she had to force herself to sit upright and her eyes to open. Catching Roeglin’s eye, she looked toward the waiting founder and added, “I’d better begin.”

  It took her the better part of an hour, another dozen cookies, and a carafe of hot chocolate to get through her report. Her voice caught when she described how Ardhur had imprisoned her in the rock and Roeglin stiffened beside her, even though he’d heard it that morning. Monsieur Gravine looked both intrigued and horrified.

  “And you could not get out?” he asked—a little too eagerly for Marsh’s taste.

  “No, Monsieur, although it is something my master has suggested I work on.”

  A look of mild disappointment crept onto Monsieur Gravine’s face.

  “I have a theory,” Marsh told him, “but I don’t know if it will work, and my master can’t say what the chances for success are either.”

  “Let me know how you do,” Monsieur Gravine told them. “It would be good to have a way of containing shadow-mage raiders until we can question them. At the moment, it is more expedient to terminate them.”

  Terminate…before they’d had time to question them. Marsh was both relieved and appalled. On the one hand, the raider didn’t have time to change sides, but on the other, he had no time to feed them false information or escape to do them harm, either. She sighed. There were times when she wished she lived in a better world.

  You and me both, Roeglin said, but we can work toward it.

  “Hey,” he said out loud, laying the palm of his hand on her shoulder and giving her a gentle push that rocked her in her seat. “Hey, it’s okay. It’s going to be okay.”

  “What is it?” Monsieur Gravine sounded alarmed, and Marsh resisted the urge to give a single bitter laugh. After all, it was his fault. Somewhere between facing the reality and comparing it to…to how she’d like things to be, fatigue-driven tears had welled up and were running down her face.

  Of all the stupid…

  She sniffed and dashed them from her face.

  “It’s nothing. It’s stupid. I’m sorry.”

  The founder’s face became grave.

  “Marchant Leclerc, it is never stupid to grieve the unnecessary loss of life no matter what that life has been used for so far, but thank you for understanding. One day, we will be able to give people the chance to choose a better path. Right now, we cannot afford the risk of losing what will be lost if they choose otherwise.”

  Marsh nodded.

  “Exactly.”

  This time, she was relieved to discover that the tears did not renew—but the founder had not finished.

  “Your time as my emissary to the Master of Shadows is over, and I need you to think about the role you will play next. There will always be a place for you with my Protectors, but I feel you and your master might be better used.”

  He turned to Brigitte.

  “And you, Journeyman… Even with your responsibilities, I will be asking if you and the children can stay on a while longer. The girl can hone her stone-shaping skills with the rock wizards and masons, and the boy can further his studies with both you and Master Envermet.” He glanced at Roeglin. “With your master’s permission, of course.”

  Marsh caught the look Roeglin exchanged with Brigitte and the brief dip of her chin as the journeyman agreed.

  Roeglin turned to Monsieur Gravine. “I agree to these arrangements for my journeyman,” he answered, “pending the Master of Shadow’s approval.”

  He made a point of looki
ng at Marsh before turning his gaze back to the founder.

  “I believe you wish contact to be made with Kerrenin’s Ledge?”

  “Yes, although I was going to attempt to reach Ariella’s Grotto first.”

  Roeglin shook his head.

  “If you will forgive me, I think we need to ensure our path to the surface world is kept open.” He drew a breath. “And to ensure the people living at its end remain our allies.”

  He stopped and waited, not taking his eyes from the founder’s face. Marsh mirrored him. Monsieur Gravine considered what Roeglin had said, his eyes taking on a faraway look while he thought. Finally, he looked directly at the shadow mage, sweeping his gaze over Brigitte and Marsh as he did so.

  “Agreed. You will be my emissaries to the Council of Kerrenin’s Ledge. Tell them what is happening in the World Below, and ask them if they will work with us to secure the trade route. The Deeps know they need us as much as we need them.”

  For a moment, Marsh had her doubts about that, but as she thought about it, she realized it was true: the Ledge did need the Hall, since most of its food supplies came that way. Trade from the surface was sporadic at best and had been almost non-existent since she was small. Since, if she thought about it, her parents’ waystation had been cleared of all human life. It gave her pause, and then the realization hit her. Sixteen years ago… The raiders had been working at isolating the Four Settlements for at least sixteen years.

  That spoke of… She wasn’t sure what it spoke of, but it was devious and sinister enough to send a shudder down her spine.

  Indeed, Roeglin said. Pay attention.

  Marsh sat up straighter and listened to what Monsieur Gravine was saying.

  “…of us can afford to be isolated. We need each other if we are to survive the times ahead. For that matter, we need each other if humanity is to survive. We cannot be four tiny communities forever. There are others out there. We can help those who are smaller than we are, and we can ally with those who are further along in rebuilding—but we can do nothing except fall if we try to stand alone.”

  As a speech, it was an insight into what had motivated the man into building an army—and a relief to know he didn’t intend to build an empire, but to join hands with others and stand beside them. She only hoped it remained that way.

  The founder sighed.

  “But you don’t need an old man to dream,” he added. “You need him to put his money where his mouth is, and that means you do, too.”

  He turned to Marsh.

  “You need to go to Kerrenin’s Ledge to see what records exist of the children’s family. I know you have promised to find their parents if you can, but in the meantime, we need to ensure they have a chance to know what family they have left.”

  Marsh refrained from asking what would happen if the children’s’ remaining relatives didn’t want to know them, but Monsieur Gravine didn’t notice her reticence as he continued.

  “You’re more likely to be given access to those records as my emissary than not, and your experiences will lend authenticity to my request. I take it you will require some rest before leaving?”

  Roeglin nodded.

  “At least a day,” he said. “Perhaps two.”

  Monsieur Gravine frowned.

  “Make it three,” he said. “I’d like to have the junction to Leon’s Deep and the raiders’ trail sealed before you go. That way I can do as the Master of Shadows did and send three teams to restore the route to Kerrenin’s Ledge, with you and your trainee acting as forward scouts in the first team, Master Envermet and Tamlin in the clearing team, and Aisha and Brigitte following in a third team with a mix of shadow mages and rock wizards to light the glows and seal any junctions linked to the trail. Once that is done, the children and your journeyman will return here. Is that acceptable?”

  Roeglin met his eyes.

  “I will speak to the Master of Shadows tomorrow and see if he has any adjustments he would like to make, but I believe this may be acceptable as it stands.” He looked at Marsh. “Do you agree, Trainee?”

  Marsh agreed, and she very much disagreed. It was just the same as when they had left the monastery for Ruins Hall. It was logical, and for the best. It also had the potential to put Aisha and Tamlin in danger. She leaned forward and rested her elbows on her knees, putting her head in her hands. She really was too tired for this…

  “Trainee?”

  “Agreed,” she said, and could not keep the exhaustion from her voice.

  Silence followed, then Roeglin stirred.

  “Monsieur Gravine, if we could leave this until tomorrow when I have spoken to the Master of Shadows?”

  “Yes, that would be best. Thank you all for what you have done for us already. I look forward to speaking with you after lunch. I will send someone.”

  Roeglin pushed back his chair and curled his hand through Marsh’s arm.

  “Until tomorrow, Founder.”

  25

  A Change in Status

  Roeglin woke Marsh in time for breakfast and led her to a small room set off the training ground so that they could speak with the Master of Shadows after they had finished eating.

  “Are you ready?” he asked once they’d seated themselves on opposite sides of a small table, and Marsh nodded.

  “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

  “Good.” He held out his hands, taking her fingertips in his and closing his eyes.

  Even as Marsh mirrored him, she felt the link between them open to include a third; it was like they’d entered a room to stand before the Master of Shadows. He was seated at his desk as he usually was and looked up as they entered.

  “Ah, Roeglin. I was wondering when you’d call. I’ve been waiting.”

  “I hope I have not kept you waiting for too long, Master.”

  “No.” The Master of Shadows smiled. “I’ve had Monsieur Gravine send me runners. He said I should expect some kind of contact from you from today onwards. I am glad to see he was accurate.”

  “He keeps a close eye on what is happening in his world.”

  “I’m sure he does. What did you wish to speak to me about?”

  “I believe Marchant has surpassed the skills of any instructor we can provide and should be recognized as a mage in her own right.”

  As an opening statement, it was a showstopper. Marsh felt her jaw hit the floor and struggled to keep silent as she closed it. He what?

  “She can already call weapons and shields from the shadows, cloak herself in shadow, shadow-step, blend with the shadows, and speak to them. In fact,” Roeglin continued, “she is now posing questions for me and teaching me things I had not thought to try. There is very little more I can teach her. I’d like to promote her to shadow master.”

  He stopped, and the Master of Shadows looked from him to Marsh.

  “Show me,” he said and Roeglin did, pulling the memories of what Marsh had done from her mind and laying them out before their master. When he was done, the Master of Shadows was nodding.

  “Agreed. She is beyond what we expect of a master, both in capability and control, but she still needs guidance in the way of the monastery and how we expect our mages to operate. I will make her your junior partner—an apprentice master or junior master, whatever you would like to term it—and I will draw up a new contract to supersede her trainee contract.”

  He turned to Marsh.

  “You can sign it on your return, but it will be dated to start today. Agreed?”

  Lost for words, all Marsh could do was nod.

  “Very good.” The Master of Shadows turned back to Roeglin. “What else do you have to report?”

  Marsh listened as Roeglin repeated the discussion they’d had with Monsieur Gravine the day before. When he was done, the Master of Shadows nodded.

  “I agree. Be his emissaries to Kerrenin’s Ledge, but be mine also. Forge a second alliance between them and the monastery, and seek their feelings on an alliance with the rock wizards. Magic is growin
g stronger, and there are more folks showing the ability to use it. Alliances will lead to acceptance and more help for those just learning their abilities.”

  “Agreed.”

  “Also keep an eye out for any who show promise at calling the shadows, but do not recruit them yet. If they wish to come with you, that is fine, but do not ask them. I would like such requests to come through Monsieur Gravine or their own leadership. We wish to operate as differently from the shadow raiders as possible.”

  Again Roeglin nodded, and the Master of Shadows moved on.

  “Please pass my gratitude to Monsieur Gravine and ask for his assistance in manning a waystation at the monastery junction to Ariella’s Grotto as well as the prospector’s junction. We need to hold the Ariella junction until the glows can be re-lit, and I do not want to block it completely in case someone tries to reach us for help.”

  “Yes, Master of Shadows. Is there anything else?”

  The man rubbed his eyes with one hand and shook his head.

  “No, save Fortune’s Deep follow you and smile on your safe return.”

  “Thank you, Master of Shadows,” Roeglin replied, and walked himself and Marsh out of the wizard’s head and back to their own.

  Until that moment, Marsh hadn’t been aware of leaving her own mind, but now she was.

  “What was that?” she asked as she opened her eyes, and Roeglin smiled.

  “Something you shouldn’t have been able to do without access to mental magic. We’ll explore it later, but you, Mistress Leclerc, are only beginning to scratch the surface of what you can do. I look forward to being around to see you explore it further.”

  Marsh frowned.

  “Fine. Keep your secrets, but if you’re going to be around while I explore my potential, you can at least promise to help me learn how to harness any new magic I might find.”

  Despite the sharpness of her tone, Roeglin grinned.

  “That I can do.”

  He might have said more, but they were interrupted by a polite knock at the door, followed by Gustav looking in.

  “Monsieur Gravine wants your company,” he said, then held up a plate containing two small pies. “I also brought you lunch, given that you missed it. You can eat while you walk.”