Balancer (Advent Mage Cycle) (3 page)

“For safe keeping,” I murmured. The smile she directed back at me, as my reward, would have made angels break into song. She gave me that quirky little wink that always makes me weak, before disappearing back into the house. As simple as the exchange had been, my heart felt lighter because of it, and it would do until we had time for a real moment.

Xiaolang was smiling indulgently, no doubt picking up on both of our emotions. The smile faded as he regarded the letter in his hand. “I’m truly sorry for the timing of this, Garth.”

“If you’d interrupted while I was talking with Delheart, I truly would have been upset.” I shook my head, a little exasperated at the whole turn of events. “As it stands, at least I’m free now. We’ll have time in the future. For now, I think we’d both better pack.”

Chapter One: Dismantling

We reached Alvacon late in the evening, just as most people were sitting down for dinner. Despite the late hour of the day, Vonlorisen left standing orders that as soon as we appeared we were to be shown directly to him.

The Chahiran court ran on a similar schedule to the Hainian court, so they were in the midst of dinner when we arrived. Actually, even the setup of the room looked very similar. One long table at the very front of the room held the nobility, and then a variety of shorter tables connected to it from there, almost like a miniature maze. Everyone at the tables froze as we entered the room, some of them in nervousness, others in rabid curiosity.

Vonlorisen looked up from the head table, saw us, and he gave a nod of greeting. “You made good time, Magus. Wait a moment.” Standing, he turned and ducked enough to whisper something in his son’s ear. Prince Audax nodded in understanding. Satisfied, he straightened and called out, “Pray continue.” With no explanation whatsoever, he rounded the table and walked toward us, gesturing with one hand to follow him.

We all trooped back out, retreating down the hallway we had just traveled and down two more to Vonlorisen’s private study. I was very glad he guided us there—I’d never have found it otherwise.

He had all of us enter, Shield close the door behind us, and sit in the various chairs arrayed around his desk. As there weren’t quite enough seats to go around Chatta selflessly offered to sit on my knee and let someone else claim a chair. Everyone suppressed a smile. some better than others, at her antics. Vonlorisen just studied us through thoughtful eyes.

The king took a seat behind his desk. There were so many rolls of parchment, books, maps and the like that he quickly realized that he couldn’t see everyone from his seat. In quick, agitated motions he grabbed several piles and dumped them carelessly on the floor. I winced watching this. I didn’t know who his aide was, but I felt sorry for them having to re-sort
that
mess. Satisfied, Vonlorisen looked up. “There are two problems that I need resolved. One, as the missive said, I know that some of the nobility are harboring Priests. I want these men found. You will be working with Saroya and the Special Forces to deal with this.”

Wouldn’t we need more manpower than just the Special Forces? This was a large country, after all. I opened my mouth to ask…then paused as another thought struck. Saroya, I was sure, knows the background of every member of the Forces. He was the type of man to do thorough background checks. He’d know if anyone was a follower of the Order. The same guarantee could not be applied to the other military forces. No, it was probably best if we limited ourselves to the men we know we could trust.

Vonlorisen watched me, as if waiting for me to speak, but when I closed my mouth again he continued. “The other problem is that the upper echelons of the Star Order have still failed to make any open protest. We are experiencing small skirmishes with the younger, more hothead Priests and some of the more devout followers. Those we can handle. But I do not like this silence from the more affluent members. They’re up to something. I want to know what.”

Both problems were serious ones. I had no doubt that they would lead to more grim events if given the time to do so. I looked to Xiaolang. “Time is not on our side to unravel this mystery.”

“No,” he agreed with furrowed brows. “We need to do reconnaissance to figure all of this out, but with just us and the Special Forces…it will take too much time to cover the entire country. Your Majesty, respectfully, we need to bring in help.”

“Magical help,” I added. “Your Majesty, how would you feel about the Remnant assisting us?”

His eyebrows rose in mild surprise. “They are willing to do so?”

I had to phrase this carefully. “Your Majesty, in truth, they wish to return to Chahir. The Remnant has outgrown the bounds of Coven Ordan—their population is growing too large. The rising generation wishes to move here to Chahir to live. They are very interested in Chahir’s well-being.”

Vonlorisen sank back in his chair and stared at the ceiling in thought for a long moment. “Magus, you trust these people?”

“Yes,” I answered without hesitation.

“Your Majesty, if I might add…” Chatta waited for his eyes to rest on her before she continued. “The Remnant would be an excellent ally and source of expertise for this situation. They are the ones
we
consult with when dealing with blood magic. They are the ones that have the tools we use to search Chahir. Given half a chance, they will prove their loyalty to Chahir.”

Vonlorisen locked gazes with her for several taut moments before slowly nodding in acceptance. “I believe it wise to speak with their leader about this first. Who leads the Remnant?”

“Wizard Raile Blackover,” I answered. “He is the mayor of their city. If you wish…” I turned to Chatta with an open palm. She knew what I wanted, unpinning the broach and placing it in my hand without a word. I turned back and held it up for Vonlorisen to see. “This mirror is connected to the one Wizard Raile Blackover holds. We can talk to him instantly through this.”

Vonlorisen regarded it with open curiosity. “Can I have one?”

“It takes a magician on both ends for it to work,” I explained apologetically. Not to mention regretfully. If Vonlorisen had some means of using mirror communication, I wouldn’t have to keep making emergency trips like this.

“I suppose I have to wait until Nolan returns home, then.” Blowing out a breath, he sat up straighter. “Magus, I will talk with Wizard Blackover.”

Relieved, I shifted Chatta off of my lap so that I could cross to him. I stood next to the desk and grazed the mirror with a touch of power. “Raile?”

A moment passed before Raile responded. “
Garth?”

“I am in front of King Vonlorisen. He wishes to speak with you.”

A thump sounded in the background, as if Raile had just dropped something. Either that, or fallen out of his chair. If so, I didn’t blame him. “
Ah, er, I would be pleased to speak with him.”

I shifted so that I stood right next to Vonlorisen’s chair, lifting the mirror so that he could speak into it easily. I could not relinquish my hold on it—the connection would break if I did.

Vonlorisen focused on the mirror and spoke distinctly. “Wizard Blackover, I am Vonlorisen. It is a pleasure to speak to Our allies across the sea.”

“
It is our pleasure, Your Majesty. We hope that Garth has conveyed our desire to serve Chahir.”

“He has. We wish to draw upon your aid to prevent disaster from falling upon the citizens.”

“
You shall have it. We are infuriated at the actions of the Star Order. Do we have your permission to come to Chahir and act for the good of the people?”

“You do. You will coordinate all actions through Magus Rhebengarthen and Captain Riicshaden. They will in turn keep me apprised. Wizard Blackover, I trust that you and your people will be discreet. I do not wish to tip my hand.”

“Most of our magicians are Chahiran in appearance. We can come incognito without catching the Star Order’s attention.”

“Excellent. Then do so.”

“
We will. Garth, are you listening in?”

I shifted the broach back toward my mouth. “Yes.”

“
Do you know how you want to approach this?”

“
Not yet. We need to consult with the Head of the Special Forces here before we make any major decisions. Raile, who is your expert on blood magic?”

“
That would be Dassan. There’s a few others that are quite knowledgeable as well, but Dassan is the acknowledged expert. I’ll send them all over. Your Majesty, know that we will not rest until Chahir is safe.”

Vonlorisen seemed almost surprised by the vehemence in Raile’s voice. “Thank you.”

“
With your permission, we will send over a device that will allow you to communicate with us and with Garth.”

Vonlorisen gave me an arch look. I shrugged helplessly. I didn’t know that such a thing existed! Although I should have guessed that if it was possible, the Remnant would find a way to create it.

The Chahiran King sounded almost droll as he responded, “That would be appreciated, Wizard Blackover.”

“
We will send it over with Dassan. Expect them there by tomorrow morning.”

The king’s head jerked in astonishment. “Your people can get here that quickly?”

“Of course,”
Raile answered voice rich with amusement. “
We have Mages too. How many should I send to you?”

“As many as will come.”

“
Understood. I will call again when they leave so that you have some warning.”

Even though Raile couldn’t see it, Vonlorisen nodded. “You have Our thanks, Wizard Blackover.”

“We are very glad to help, Your Majesty. Oh, I understand that your grandson is a Life Mage?”

Vonlorisen blinked at this abrupt switch in topic. “Yes, he is.”

“
We have several Life Mages here. We would be pleased to teach your grandson when he comes into his full powers.”

He clearly didn’t know what to think of this offer. “When that time comes, I will certainly keep your offer in mind.”

“
Very well. I will go and get things moving here, then.”

“We will prepare to receive them,” Vonlorisen promised. At his nod, I withdrew the broach and cut the connection. “I have had rooms prepared for all of you. Rest for tonight. Saroya will meet with all of you tomorrow.”

We all knew a dismissal when we heard one. We gave him bows of acknowledgement before walking out of the room.

“Magus, a moment.”

I paused in mid-stride, turning back to face the king. Vonlorisen’s eyes were crinkled slightly at the corners as if he were fighting a smile.

“Magus,” he took great care with his words as he said them, “after all that you have done for Chahir, and for me personally, I had thought to reward you in some manner. Because of your power and reputation, it had crossed my mind that you might be well suited to become Dom of a Province. A marriage to the daughter of a ruling Dom would not only be a personal reward, but quite the political statement.”

I stared at him in unadulterated terror. Nonononono!

“But I now see that my thinking is perhaps in error.” His eyes glinted in amusement at the–no doubt panicked—look on my face. “Witch Delheart is dear to you, isn’t she?”

Stop thumping, heart. I might be able to wiggle out of this yet. I cleared my throat to make sure it would actually work before trying to speak in a normal tone. “Yes, Your Majesty, quite dear. I just gave her father an Oath of Promise.”

“Ahh.” The glint turned into an outright twinkle. “Then I shall have to think of some other reward instead.”

Phew. Got out of that one. Before he could think of some other outlandish reward, I gave him a bow and beat a hasty retreat.

Chapter Two: Reconnaissance

We’d been put up in a building that actually stood separately from the palace, even though it was in the same compound. It rather reminded me of the Hainian Embassy just because it had the same construction to it. The building stood four stories tall, with a variety of rooms inside. I had a suspicion that once the Remnant magicians arrived they would be housed here. The place had enough room for two hundred or so people.

Chatta put up a ward on the building as soon as we arrived. Her barriers were very different from mine, and wards were entirely different than barriers, so we were fairly confident that it would repel any Priests who tried to enter. Still, if nothing else, she would definitely feel it if someone did breach the wards. It let us all get a sound night’s sleep.

~*~

We all drifted down to the main level for breakfast. The sweet scent of warm food acted as a siren’s song, drawing us into the large main room. It held a long table that someone had set up with a buffet style meal against one wall, another table in the middle of the room with places set. Abundant windows let in the soft morning light enough that no lamps needed to be lit.

Saroya met us for breakfast. He looked rougher than the last time I’d seen him, when we’d rescued Nolan. Dark smudges under his eyes, and deep lines around his eyes and mouth aged him ten years. His uniform was impeccable, as always, but the general air of fatigue around him made me think he was subsisting on two or three hours of sleep a night.

Chatta took one look at him, reached into her pocket, and drew out a small vial. He took it from her in bemusement. “What is this?”

“Rejuvenation potion,” she answered with a searching look. “It’s no substitute for real sleep, but it will keep you from dragging around in a haze of exhaustion.”

Old reflexes made him hesitate, but he looked down at her worried expression and whatever reservations he had faded. With a nod of thanks, he pulled the stopper and downed the vial in one go. His nose scrunched up in distaste and his mouth worked for a moment.

“It must be effective. Like all good medicine, it tastes awful.”

Chuckling, I handed him a glass of water.

He quaffed that down quickly. “Phew, better. Thank you. Now, let’s get down to business.” He took a seat at the head of the table, a plate mounded over with food. He didn’t touch any of it, though. He let out a sigh, shoulders slumping. “At this point, I’m afraid to say that we know very little. One of my men reports that he’s seen Priests sneaking into Darlington Province’s manor house in the dead of night. They were apparently dressed in farm hand’s clothes, but he recognized one of them. We can only assume that those with him are also Priests. That is the one confirmed trouble spot we have. The rest of them are sightings from citizens in practically every other Province. Jarrell and Habbick are the exceptions. I haven’t heard anything from those two.”