Fire Study (30 page)

“Trust has to go both ways.”

“It is not a lack of trust which causes me to keep my silence. It is a lack of

acceptance on your part.”

“And you’re afraid of what you might discover once you accept your role in all

this, aren’t you?” Leif asked me.

A knock at the door saved me from having to reply to Leif’s question. One of the

housekeeping maids handed me a message from the Commander. We were invited

to dine with him in his war room.

“You don’t have an answer for me. Do you have an answer for the Commander?

Are you going to stay and be his adviser?” Leif asked when the maid left.

“Actually Leif, I don’t have any answers. I’ve no idea what I’m doing or going to

do.” I went into my room and shut the door.

The Commander’s war room was located in one of the four towers of the castle.

With long stained-glass windows reflecting the lantern light, the circular chamber

reminded me of the inside of a kaleidoscope.

Our conversation followed mundane topics while we ate spiced chicken and

vegetable soup. Leif wolfed his food with obvious relish, but I took my time,

sampling all the dishes with care. A few guards stood near the Commander. Star

hovered close by, ready to taste the Commander’s food whenever a new course was

served. Moon Man and Tauno remained quiet during dinner.

We discussed the new general in MD-5. Colonel Ute from MD-3 had been

promoted and transferred. The Commander thought it best an officer from outside

the district be in charge. In other words, a loyal person who had not been tainted by

General Brazell’s attempt to become the new leader of Ixia.

When the subject turned to General Kitvivan’s worry over the upcoming blizzard

season, I told the Commander about the Stormdance Clan and how they handled the

storms from the sea.

“Magicians could harness the power of the blizzard,” I said, “saving the people in

MD-1 from the killing winds. Then you could use the power for General Dinno’s

sawmills in MD-8.” Dinno used the wind to fuel his mills, and calm days hurt

production.

“No. The matter of magicians and magic in Ixia will not be discussed,” the

Commander said.

His stern tone had once intimidated me, but not this time. “You want me to be

your adviser, yet you won’t consider using magic for the good of your people. I’m a

magician. How can I be an effective adviser to you?”

“You can advise me on how to counter the magicians in Sitia. I’m not interested

in what magic can do for Ixia.” He made a cutting motion with his hand. End of

discussion.

I wouldn’t let the subject drop. “What happens when one of your generals

becomes ill or injured and I can save their life with my magic?”

“You don’t. If they die, I’ll promote another colonel.”

I considered his answer with mixed feelings. I knew his firm style of governing

was inflexible. The Code of Behavior’s strict list of proper Ixian conduct left no

room for debate. However, I hoped once he saw the benefits of magic to his people,

he might relax his views.

As if reading my mind, the Commander said, “Magic corrupts. I’ve seen it before

with the King’s magicians. They start out wanting to help and performing great

deeds, but soon the power consumes them and they hunger for more despite the

cost. Consider what has occurred to Moon Man’s clan. Frankly, I’m surprised

something like that hasn’t happened sooner.”

“My clan will repopulate,” Moon Man said. “I have no doubt.”

“And I have no doubt if these Vermin of Sitia are conquered, it’s only a matter of

time before another magician wishes to take over the current government. The talent

to control another’s mind and body is intoxicating and addicting. Better to ban

magic and eliminate magicians altogether.”

I wondered if the Commander’s views would change if he knew he might

possess the skill to access magic. My thoughts returned to Opal’s bat and his ability

to see the glow, mulling over the implications.

“Better to kill people the old-fashioned way,” Leif said, his voice indignant.

“You’re saying that taking over a government with poisons, knives and swords is

much better than using magic. Frankly, I see no difference.”

“Magic forces a person to do things they don’t want to. It controls their will.”

The Commander leaned forward; his eyes lit with an intense passion.

Leif quailed under the Commander’s scrutiny, but he continued with his debate.

“And your Code of Behavior doesn’t force people to do things they don’t want?

Everyone in Ixia wants to wear uniforms? They want to obtain permission to marry

or move to another district?”

“Small inconveniences to live in an area where there is no hunger and no

corruption. To know exactly where your place is in society and what is expected

from you. Being rewarded for your abilities and efforts instead of getting privileges

because of who you were born to or what gender you are.”

“But the reward for having magical abilities is death,” Leif said. “I’m sure the

families of those potential magicians don’t feel the loss of their loved one as

inconvenient. Why not send them to Sitia instead?”

“Send them so they could be used against me?” The Commander’s voice

reflected his incredulity. “That would be poor military strategy.”

Leif remained quiet.

“No government is perfect,” the Commander said, relaxing back into his chair.

“The loss of a few personal freedoms has been embraced by most of Ixia, especially

those who suffered under the King’s corruption. However, I know the younger

generation is feeling restless and I will have to address that issue fairly soon.” He

stared at Leif as if contemplating the future. “Yelena, I see your intelligence is a

family trait. I hope you both decide to stay.”

A determined line formed along my brother’s jaw. Leif could be stubborn and

perhaps he viewed changing the Commander’s mind about magicians as a challenge.

A messenger arrived and handed a scroll to the Commander. After reading the

message, he stood. “Please enjoy the rest of your dinner. I have some matters to

attend to.” He left, taking his guards and Star with him.

Before Star followed him, she flashed me a calculating look.

The Commander’s opinions about magic and magicians replayed in my mind as

we returned to the guest suite. Although I agreed with Leif that Ixians with magical

powers should not be killed, I also felt magic corrupted. Even Roze, the most

powerful magician in Sitia, had been affected. To fear my potential as a Soulfinder

was one thing, to support Cahil was another.

When we arrived at our quarters, I pulled Leif into my room.

“What’s the matter?” he asked.

“I want to contact Irys. See what’s going on in the Citadel.”

“What I want to know is what’s going on with you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Since crossing the border, you have changed, treating Moon Man like a traitor

and not trusting anyone. If you decide to stay as the Commander’s adviser, you’ll

be a traitor to Sitia. What happened to Liaison Yelena? The neutral third party?”

“To be a Liaison, I need to have support of both parties. Are you going to help

me contact Irys or lecture me?”

Leif grumbled and pouted but agreed to share his energy. I lay on the bed and

drew power, projecting my awareness south to the Keep. Bypassing the busy

thoughts of the Citadel’s inhabitants, I searched the campus for Irys. I couldn’t find

her within her tower, but I sensed a faint echo as if the scent of her soul remained

behind after she had left the room. Odd.

I moved on to the Keep’s other towers, hoping Irys was visiting with another

Master. Zitora’s thoughts were walled off from intruders. Bain’s tower had that same

odd feeling as Irys’s, and the cold barrier of Roze’s mind slammed into me. I

bounced off and retreated, but an icy wind sucked me back toward her. This time

her barrier was down, and cold fingers clamped around my awareness, pulling me

into her mind.

Searching for someone? Roze asked.

I refused to answer.

You make it so easy, Yelena. Roze laughed. I knew you would contact Irys. You

won’t be able to talk to her, I’m afraid. The Council decided Masters Irys and Bain

were engaged in treasonous activities. They’re currently in the Keep’s cells.

HOW DID YOU MANAGE to frame two Master Magicians, Roze? I said,

suppressing my shock and outrage.

They refused to sign the letter to the Commander, and they have been stalwart

defenders of you and your brother. She said the word brother with heated contempt.

They doubted Cahil’s word. Cahil, who single-handedly increased the strength of

our army with Daviian Warriors.

Those Warriors are not there to help you. They’re there to use you.

I’m not going to take advice from you. Roze tightened her grip on my

consciousness. A simpleton who’s about to lose her mind.

She peeled the layers of my consciousness away with a knife made of ice. Cold

stabbed deep into the core of my thoughts, attempting to expose what I kept hidden.

Thinking of becoming an adviser to the Commander, what a laugh. After I’m

done with you, you won’t be able to advise a baby on how to suck its thumb.

Unable to pull away, I panicked. Leif’s energy poured into me, but I still couldn’t

break free. Flayed by her arctic magic, I remained helpless.

Valek was in Sitia to assassinate the Council. Hmm…most interesting, she said.

Desperate and knowing I couldn’t sever her hold, I reached closer to her,

searching for a part of her I could control. Her soul. I tugged at the ghostlike force,

smelling its rotten stench, and feeling it fray as if her soul was splitting into multiple

personalities.

Roze jolted in horror and expelled me from her grip. As I escaped, her words

reached me.

Try to rescue Irys and Bain. Come to the Citadel. We’re ready for you. Roze

yanked a defensive wall between us, breaking our link.

I returned to my body, feeling exhausted and weak.

Leif loomed over me. “What happened? I lost you.”

“I got caught by Roze…” My thoughts returned to what she had said about Irys

and Bain.

“And?”

“And, I broke free before she could dissect all my thoughts.”

“What did she find out?”

I told him she knew about the Commander’s offer and about Valek being in Sitia.

He creased his thick eyebrows as he considered. “Knowing about Valek could be

a good thing. The Council can take measures to protect themselves in case Valek

comes back.”

“If Roze warns them. Their deaths may be exactly what she wants.”

“No. Roze wants what is best for Sitia. She’s a strong-willed person and many

Councilors are swayed by her arguments, but I don’t believe she would use murder

or magic to get her way.”

I shook my head. After the attack, I knew she would resort to both to get what

she wants. “You were her student. Of course you still hold charitable thoughts for

her.”

“I know her better than you.” Leif’s voice huffed with anger. “I’ve worked for

her and with her for nine years. Her methods can be harsh, but her concern is always

for Sitia. She has always supported Cahil’s desire to become King of Ixia. In her

mind, your Soulfinder abilities are a threat to Sitia. And I’m starting to agree with

her.” Leif stormed from the room.

I wondered what had really upset Leif. In my opinion, Roze was a murderer. She

didn’t kill the body, but she destroyed minds without any remorse. Look at Marrok.

But then again I had done the same thing with Ferde. At least, I admitted to being a

killer. Was I any better? No.

My mind sorted through all the information from Roze. Rescuing Irys and Bain

became a priority. I needed eyes and ears inside the Citadel’s walls, and a way to get

messages inside the Keep. All without being seen or without risking anyone else.

Magic was no longer an option. If I projected my awareness near the Keep, Roze

would catch me again. Mundane methods remained my only recourse.

A plan formed, making my heart buzz with the possibilities. If I hadn’t been so

drained of energy, I would have started preparations that night. Instead, I mapped

out the steps I needed to take to return to Sitia.

I hovered at the entrance to Dilana’s workroom. The Commander’s seamstress

sat in a pool of early-morning sunlight, humming to herself as her deft fingers