The mage from nowhere, p.16
The Mage From Nowhere, page 16
“She drank herself to death by the time I turned ten,” Tienna replied. “And I was relieved because it meant I would no longer have to care for her.”
“You will return to Koluk and stop attempting to interfere,” Nykal demanded. “You have disrupted my marriage already. If you do not obey, I will take your continued presence as a threat.”
“You would put your own daughter in the dungeons?” Tienna asked.
“I do not consider you my daughter. You are the result of bad judgment. Your mother seduced me with ale and flirtatious behavior. She was intent on destroying my marriage, as you seem to be as well.”
“That is a shame, because you are my father. I can see myself in you. You are strong and protective of what matters.” Her face softened as she reached across the table, putting the tips of her fingers on top of his. “I can help you, and you can help me.”
Nykal’s shoulders slumped. He turned his hand over and held hers. “Tienna, you went to my wife with the letter your mother blackmailed me into writing. I’m not sure if the queen is ever going to forgive me. How can you expect me to continue a relationship with you? It will destroy my family. I cannot have that. It is the reason I sent your mother to Koluk with enough coin to last her entire life. If you do not want to go back to Koluk, I could make arrangements for you to travel elsewhere.”
Tienna retracted her hand. “You said yourself that I am the result of bad judgment, which your wife would eventually understand. She would also see that I am a person, a girl, in need of family. You have not given me a chance to show you how much like you I really am. I heard about what you’ve done. You overthrew a corrupt king, then prepared for war with practically no capital left to your name. You have made mistakes, but you have also shown moments of brilliance. I want to be with you as we see the kingdom through this drought. Don’t send me off. I am not at all like my mother.”
The king took back his hand and used it to prop up his chin as he seemed to ponder her words.
In Leon’s opinion, this girl was not like Callie. The king had no male heir. It had become well-known that Nykal and his wife, Esma, had tried for many years, through several failed pregnancies, before Callie had been born. It had almost killed Esma in the process. She wasn’t queen at the time. That changed only in the last few years when Nykal led a rebellion against the previous king.
Whoever was to marry the princess would be set up to become king once Nykal passed, but Tienna made the situation more confusing. Would her husband have a right to the throne if Nykal recognized her as his daughter? It probably depended on how powerful the family was she married into. Nykal had put everything into the rebellion. More than everything. When the dust settled, he had many debts to lords that needed to be repaid, and he had little coin to call his own. Now lords owned a fair amount of land when it used to “belong” to the prior king, but keeping them happy was still crucial to peace within the kingdom.
“Are you married?” Leon asked.
“No.”
“A suitor?” he pressed.
“One older man has continuously harassed me, but I wouldn’t call him a suitor. He is part of the reason I do not want to go back to Koluk. It is dangerous there for a young woman, even now after the reforms following the war. It is dangerous everywhere for me, except with you. My mother was a scary drunkard. I lived in fear from her, but at least I feared little else while she was alive. Everyone stayed away from us until she passed. I have been alone for eight years now, and I have dealt with harassment for half of that time. I am tired of it.”
“You won’t have to worry about that anymore once you marry,” Nykal explained.
“And that is the only solution?” she snapped. “Marriage? How would you feel, at eighteen years old, if the only way to protect yourself was to marry someone? Especially when I have a powerful father who could easily take care of me without anyone knowing our relationship. Yes, I have a stepmother who cannot stand the sight of me, but that could change. I want to learn sorcery, but I’ve had no instructor. I could in your care, and no one would have to know you are my father. I would finally be happy, and it would not negatively affect you at all. We could say I am Leon’s cousin and that he promised my deceased mother he would keep me safe.”
Leon did not want to be responsible for yet another person’s training, but the girl had some good points.
Her words seemed to have the opposite effect on the king as he stiffened. “I have given this enough thought. There is not a life for you here,” he said. “The amount I care has no matter in this decision. Your presence will create a division no matter how hard we try to prevent it. It is not possible. A driver will arrive at your inn tomorrow afternoon. He will take you south to Salbeth. It’s a beautiful city in the forest, and a good place to create a life for yourself. You will be given two hundred silver coins. All of this is in exchange for the letter I wrote to your mother confessing our sin and your promise that you will not return. You will hand off the letter to my driver tomorrow. If you disagree, you will be forced out and receive nothing.”
“Father, please!”
Nykal showed pain, but he stood up. “We are leaving.”
She put her hands over her eyes as she began to cry.
Leon didn’t see much choice besides protecting the king as he left. The girl was still crying when they reached the door and Leon looked back. She had begun to draw the attention of the two younger men.
“Are you all right?” one asked.
Nykal called to Leon from the street, “We are leaving.”
Leon departed from the tavern. “Are you sure about this?”
“I have dealt with her mother well enough to see the same signs of manipulation. Don’t let her innocent act fool you. She will destroy my family and therefore be a detriment to the kingdom. She must go.” Nykal walked briskly down the street. “We should approach the wall of the castle before we take off. I want to ensure you make it in my window.”
Leon followed closely. He couldn’t let the king go off on his own. Leon didn’t feel right about the situation, but he barely knew this girl. It was not up to her to ensure there was food for an entire kingdom of people. That was Nykal’s duty, and he took it more seriously than anything in his life. Nykal would not part with twenty gold easily when it could go toward many good causes. He must really believe Tienna was trouble.
As they neared the wall to the castle, thunder struck. Leon glanced up. Rain poured down. It was warm and reminiscent of mana to his senses. This was the doing of a spell.
The king’s expression reflected equal concern. “This is not natural rain, is it?”
“No.”
Cheering rang out from around the city. People rushed out of their homes with buckets and barrels. Some grabbed each other and danced in the street.
“Unnatural or not, this rain is needed,” the king said. “But what is the source, can you tell?”
“I feel no sorcerer nearby.”
“Who do you know who could cast such a spell besides the Deviant of the elements?” Nykal asked.
“No one. Even she couldn’t produce rain this heavy.”
“What are you saying?”
But Leon didn’t want to say the words until he was certain.
Nykal spoke for him, though. “You believe this is the work of an Ancient.”
“I’m hoping to be wrong.”
“Do you believe Basael has returned as the Formationists have predicted?”
“Hell no, I don’t. This is not a god and especially not the God. This is a being, like you or me, except much more powerful, so we had better find out what the fuck they want before they take it, and us, by surprise.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The rain had been so loud during the night that it might’ve kept Tarak tossing and turning, but the real problem for him came from the hooting of celebration around the city. He had drunk his two ales and practiced his spells well until the night, taking the advice of the princess to stay in his room rather than try to sneak out.
The day before, Leon had given Tarak permission to eat with the other sorcerers. They were offered three meals a day, but Tarak was told he would often find sorcerers missing during lunch and sometimes even supper because of their tasks.
“What is my task?” he had asked Leon.
“You’ll be guarding someone until you prove yourself.”
He hoped Leon was referring to the princess, but it turned out to be the son of Lord Langston with the same name, Reuben Langston. Tarak was to meet with him after breakfast in the dining hall, which he was on his way to now. He couldn’t imagine the son of Lord Langston being much more tolerable than his father.
Tarak entered the dining hall to find it bustling. There had to be a few dozen people, mostly the castle staff. No less than five people were up and about at any given time. Everyone here seemed used to the crowd, but Tarak had never spent a single moment within a group this large and busy. He felt almost invisible.
Someone cleared his throat to Tarak’s right. He found a man with a cart of trays. Each had a bowl of oats, bread to one side and a glass of juice on the other.
Tarak took a tray and made his way down the center walkway. He found Michael seated with Charlie and another young man Tarak presumed to be Reuben, based on his silken shirt. A little ways down sat Aliana with the princess and a dark-haired girl Tarak had not met.
“Hurry up and eat,” said Leon as he walked around Tarak. “No one cares where you sit,” Leon called back as he headed toward an open spot between the groups split by gender.
“If that was true, then sitting with the girls right now would cause alarm to no one.”
Leon ignored him.
Tarak took a spot with the boys, next to Charlie and across from Michael.
“You must be Tarak. I’m Reuben Langston,” said the young man sitting diagonally across from Tarak.
“I figured. What am I defending you from today?”
“It is more of a chore than anything else. You will take the place of a guard as we go to Livea and back. I’m told you are unlikely to behave. I hope this was just Leon exaggerating again.”
“Incorrect. I am bored already thinking about it, but I will try to behave. What is in Livea?”
“Lots. Don’t you care about being thrown out of here? I’m told that is what will happen if you don’t follow orders.”
“If I misbehave long enough everyone will realize that misbehavior is my normal.” Tarak ate as he spoke and gestured with his spoon. “Then only when I behave will you all consider that something is wrong, can you see?” He gave a laugh, but no one laughed with him. “In no mood for games? Michael? You are usually rather gamey.”
“I don’t know what gamey is, but what I usually am is grumpy when I have to eat near Eden.” Michael stared over at the dark-haired girl.
She was slight and beautiful, with a confident gaze at Michael with her deep brown eyes. “I’m sorry,” she mouthed.
Michael scoffed and shook his head, then stirred around his oats that were mostly untouched. Then Michael seemed to notice something as he took on a look of anger. “This must be a jest! You are not thinking of sitting here.”
Arthur sat down on the other side of Charlie. It was the same Arthur who Tarak had met; the one who had given a speech in the tiny and hidden church of the New Order.
“Michael, please listen,” Arthur said. “I just found out that you and Eden were together. I had no idea. I never would’ve kissed her had I known.”
“You’re serious?” Michael sounded incredulous. “You expect me to believe that?”
“How was I supposed to know? I had not seen you two together.” Arthur glanced over and met gazes with Tarak. His face reddened with alarm. He tilted his head and opened his mouth as if to speak, but Michael spoke again.
“So it is a lie, then.”
“No, it is the truth.”
Eden had stood up and walked over. “It is the truth, Michael. He was shocked when I told him about us after the kiss.”
Michael looked as if he was going to yell, his finger lifted, but the anger suddenly left him. His shoulders fell as he glanced at Arthur. “Oh.”
Arthur peered at him and waited, but not without shooting a look at Tarak. There was a fleeting moment in his gaze, a pleading look that was enough to tell Tarak not to say anything, before Arthur returned his gaze to Michael.
“I suppose we’re all right then,” Michael told Arthur.
“That is a relief,” Arthur said as he set his tray down. He reached his hand around Charlie’s back to offer it to Tarak. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Arthur.”
“Tarak,” he said and shook the man’s hand for the second time. It was easier to go along with the ruse for now and try to figure out later why Arthur would want to keep this devotion to the new religion a secret. The first answer that came to mind was the most obvious one. If the people here found out, something would happen to him. The bigger question was what.
“He’s the son of Caarda,” Charlie said, motioning to Tarak.
“Really…the son of Caarda?” Arthur seemed most intrigued.
“Haven’t you heard?” Reuben asked. “I’ve been away, and even I heard about it.”
“From Leon just this morning,” Michael added. “Arthur has been away just as long. Where have you been?”
“Working for my uncle,” Arthur answered with a quick glance at Tarak.
“Who is your uncle?” Tarak asked.
“He’s the reason I had an opportunity to train at the castle.”
“Kind of like this one,” Michael said, pointing at Reuben. “He was the weakest sorcerer of us all in the beginning, but he sure was the proudest.”
“Yet my sorcery has now surpassed yours,” Reuben replied with a smug expression.
Michael forced a laugh. “Right. And how do you expect that enchanting is going to defeat a wind mage? Are you going to enchant my ass so that I fall on it? And why are you still here?” He pointed his oat-dripping spoon at Eden.
“I was hoping we could talk.”
“Go back, witch.”
She huffed and went back to her table.
“I could defeat you in a duel,” Reuben replied. “What are your terms?”
Michael frowned. “Terms?”
“What is considered defeat?”
“Whoever knocks the other down first.”
“I accept. As soon as we finish breakfast.”
“Really?” Michael seemed more surprised than angry. “Damn, maybe you have gotten better. What the hell can you do to me in a duel to knock me over before I blow you away?”
“You will find out.”
Leon walked up behind them. “There will be no dueling. The ground out there is mud thanks to the rain. No one has time to clean up the mess the two of you are sure to make. Especially you, Michael.” He leaned over Tarak’s shoulder. “Looks like you’re done. Come with me. You are to meet your horse. You had better hope he likes you because it’s the only one you’re getting until we can trust you.”
Tarak left the table with Leon.
“Oh, this I want to see,” Michael said as he hurried after them.
“Which horse is he getting?” Reuben asked, trailing along as well.
“Dagaric,” Leon answered.
“No!” Reuben protested. “Tarak will be more of a nuisance than a help on that horse.”
“Why do you think I stuck him with you? You’re the best sorcerer we have to deal with nuisance.”
“Oh,” Reuben replied in surprise.
“It’s not a compliment,” Leon added. “It’s because your task is the easiest.”
“Surely I can’t be blamed if he kills himself on that horse!”
“No, you will not be blamed for that.”
“Or if we are late?” Reuben asked.
“That you will be blamed for.”
“Nox’s blade, this is not fair.”
“No it isn’t,” Leon agreed.
Tarak followed them out onto the muddy courtyard. He didn’t worry about killing himself on a horse. He had done a lot more stupid things than ride a wild horse, and he had always recovered.
“You have all this stone,” Tarak commented. “Why not cover the dirt so it does not become mud?”
“That is on the king’s list,” Leon replied.
“Why was it not done when this castle was built?”
“There used to be grass here until a few years ago,” Leon said. “The grass died after the rebellion because hundreds of bodies lay here for too long, not to mention the inches of blood.”
Charlie spoke up from behind. “With enough water and heat, Leon, you might be able to pave this dirt with clay just on your own.”
“Charlie, what are you doing out here?”
“I want to see Tarak fall off the horse.”
“You—!” Leon spun around. “Do not give away the surprise.”
“I have fallen off plenty of things, horses included,” Tarak said. “It is not much of a spectacle.”
“I’m glad you believe that,” Leon said. “Here he is. He’s the only horse you’ll get, so you had better appreciate him. Meet Dagaric, a magnificent beast and aptly named after my father.”
“Lord and bane.” The horse was gray and magnificent indeed, but…really huge. Tarak had seen a few horses around, and none was close to this size. “What the hell have you all been doing with horses in the last four hundred years to produce this?”
“You might be one of the few people who can get on this horse without a boost,” Leon said. “We’ve been trying to find a use for him.”
“Your father was huge, I take it?”
“No. It is his personality that brought forth the name.”
“How wild is this animal?” Tarak asked.
“He is just stubborn, but he will take direction quite well. This mud is the perfect place for you to try him. I have never seen a man die from falling in the mud.”
Tarak went up to the side of the horse’s gargantuan head. “Hello there, Dagaric.”
The horse met his gaze with one eye, then snorted, his hot breath blowing back Tarak’s hair.
Tarak noticed the princess watching from the doorway of the great hall and felt inclined to do something daring.
“You will return to Koluk and stop attempting to interfere,” Nykal demanded. “You have disrupted my marriage already. If you do not obey, I will take your continued presence as a threat.”
“You would put your own daughter in the dungeons?” Tienna asked.
“I do not consider you my daughter. You are the result of bad judgment. Your mother seduced me with ale and flirtatious behavior. She was intent on destroying my marriage, as you seem to be as well.”
“That is a shame, because you are my father. I can see myself in you. You are strong and protective of what matters.” Her face softened as she reached across the table, putting the tips of her fingers on top of his. “I can help you, and you can help me.”
Nykal’s shoulders slumped. He turned his hand over and held hers. “Tienna, you went to my wife with the letter your mother blackmailed me into writing. I’m not sure if the queen is ever going to forgive me. How can you expect me to continue a relationship with you? It will destroy my family. I cannot have that. It is the reason I sent your mother to Koluk with enough coin to last her entire life. If you do not want to go back to Koluk, I could make arrangements for you to travel elsewhere.”
Tienna retracted her hand. “You said yourself that I am the result of bad judgment, which your wife would eventually understand. She would also see that I am a person, a girl, in need of family. You have not given me a chance to show you how much like you I really am. I heard about what you’ve done. You overthrew a corrupt king, then prepared for war with practically no capital left to your name. You have made mistakes, but you have also shown moments of brilliance. I want to be with you as we see the kingdom through this drought. Don’t send me off. I am not at all like my mother.”
The king took back his hand and used it to prop up his chin as he seemed to ponder her words.
In Leon’s opinion, this girl was not like Callie. The king had no male heir. It had become well-known that Nykal and his wife, Esma, had tried for many years, through several failed pregnancies, before Callie had been born. It had almost killed Esma in the process. She wasn’t queen at the time. That changed only in the last few years when Nykal led a rebellion against the previous king.
Whoever was to marry the princess would be set up to become king once Nykal passed, but Tienna made the situation more confusing. Would her husband have a right to the throne if Nykal recognized her as his daughter? It probably depended on how powerful the family was she married into. Nykal had put everything into the rebellion. More than everything. When the dust settled, he had many debts to lords that needed to be repaid, and he had little coin to call his own. Now lords owned a fair amount of land when it used to “belong” to the prior king, but keeping them happy was still crucial to peace within the kingdom.
“Are you married?” Leon asked.
“No.”
“A suitor?” he pressed.
“One older man has continuously harassed me, but I wouldn’t call him a suitor. He is part of the reason I do not want to go back to Koluk. It is dangerous there for a young woman, even now after the reforms following the war. It is dangerous everywhere for me, except with you. My mother was a scary drunkard. I lived in fear from her, but at least I feared little else while she was alive. Everyone stayed away from us until she passed. I have been alone for eight years now, and I have dealt with harassment for half of that time. I am tired of it.”
“You won’t have to worry about that anymore once you marry,” Nykal explained.
“And that is the only solution?” she snapped. “Marriage? How would you feel, at eighteen years old, if the only way to protect yourself was to marry someone? Especially when I have a powerful father who could easily take care of me without anyone knowing our relationship. Yes, I have a stepmother who cannot stand the sight of me, but that could change. I want to learn sorcery, but I’ve had no instructor. I could in your care, and no one would have to know you are my father. I would finally be happy, and it would not negatively affect you at all. We could say I am Leon’s cousin and that he promised my deceased mother he would keep me safe.”
Leon did not want to be responsible for yet another person’s training, but the girl had some good points.
Her words seemed to have the opposite effect on the king as he stiffened. “I have given this enough thought. There is not a life for you here,” he said. “The amount I care has no matter in this decision. Your presence will create a division no matter how hard we try to prevent it. It is not possible. A driver will arrive at your inn tomorrow afternoon. He will take you south to Salbeth. It’s a beautiful city in the forest, and a good place to create a life for yourself. You will be given two hundred silver coins. All of this is in exchange for the letter I wrote to your mother confessing our sin and your promise that you will not return. You will hand off the letter to my driver tomorrow. If you disagree, you will be forced out and receive nothing.”
“Father, please!”
Nykal showed pain, but he stood up. “We are leaving.”
She put her hands over her eyes as she began to cry.
Leon didn’t see much choice besides protecting the king as he left. The girl was still crying when they reached the door and Leon looked back. She had begun to draw the attention of the two younger men.
“Are you all right?” one asked.
Nykal called to Leon from the street, “We are leaving.”
Leon departed from the tavern. “Are you sure about this?”
“I have dealt with her mother well enough to see the same signs of manipulation. Don’t let her innocent act fool you. She will destroy my family and therefore be a detriment to the kingdom. She must go.” Nykal walked briskly down the street. “We should approach the wall of the castle before we take off. I want to ensure you make it in my window.”
Leon followed closely. He couldn’t let the king go off on his own. Leon didn’t feel right about the situation, but he barely knew this girl. It was not up to her to ensure there was food for an entire kingdom of people. That was Nykal’s duty, and he took it more seriously than anything in his life. Nykal would not part with twenty gold easily when it could go toward many good causes. He must really believe Tienna was trouble.
As they neared the wall to the castle, thunder struck. Leon glanced up. Rain poured down. It was warm and reminiscent of mana to his senses. This was the doing of a spell.
The king’s expression reflected equal concern. “This is not natural rain, is it?”
“No.”
Cheering rang out from around the city. People rushed out of their homes with buckets and barrels. Some grabbed each other and danced in the street.
“Unnatural or not, this rain is needed,” the king said. “But what is the source, can you tell?”
“I feel no sorcerer nearby.”
“Who do you know who could cast such a spell besides the Deviant of the elements?” Nykal asked.
“No one. Even she couldn’t produce rain this heavy.”
“What are you saying?”
But Leon didn’t want to say the words until he was certain.
Nykal spoke for him, though. “You believe this is the work of an Ancient.”
“I’m hoping to be wrong.”
“Do you believe Basael has returned as the Formationists have predicted?”
“Hell no, I don’t. This is not a god and especially not the God. This is a being, like you or me, except much more powerful, so we had better find out what the fuck they want before they take it, and us, by surprise.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The rain had been so loud during the night that it might’ve kept Tarak tossing and turning, but the real problem for him came from the hooting of celebration around the city. He had drunk his two ales and practiced his spells well until the night, taking the advice of the princess to stay in his room rather than try to sneak out.
The day before, Leon had given Tarak permission to eat with the other sorcerers. They were offered three meals a day, but Tarak was told he would often find sorcerers missing during lunch and sometimes even supper because of their tasks.
“What is my task?” he had asked Leon.
“You’ll be guarding someone until you prove yourself.”
He hoped Leon was referring to the princess, but it turned out to be the son of Lord Langston with the same name, Reuben Langston. Tarak was to meet with him after breakfast in the dining hall, which he was on his way to now. He couldn’t imagine the son of Lord Langston being much more tolerable than his father.
Tarak entered the dining hall to find it bustling. There had to be a few dozen people, mostly the castle staff. No less than five people were up and about at any given time. Everyone here seemed used to the crowd, but Tarak had never spent a single moment within a group this large and busy. He felt almost invisible.
Someone cleared his throat to Tarak’s right. He found a man with a cart of trays. Each had a bowl of oats, bread to one side and a glass of juice on the other.
Tarak took a tray and made his way down the center walkway. He found Michael seated with Charlie and another young man Tarak presumed to be Reuben, based on his silken shirt. A little ways down sat Aliana with the princess and a dark-haired girl Tarak had not met.
“Hurry up and eat,” said Leon as he walked around Tarak. “No one cares where you sit,” Leon called back as he headed toward an open spot between the groups split by gender.
“If that was true, then sitting with the girls right now would cause alarm to no one.”
Leon ignored him.
Tarak took a spot with the boys, next to Charlie and across from Michael.
“You must be Tarak. I’m Reuben Langston,” said the young man sitting diagonally across from Tarak.
“I figured. What am I defending you from today?”
“It is more of a chore than anything else. You will take the place of a guard as we go to Livea and back. I’m told you are unlikely to behave. I hope this was just Leon exaggerating again.”
“Incorrect. I am bored already thinking about it, but I will try to behave. What is in Livea?”
“Lots. Don’t you care about being thrown out of here? I’m told that is what will happen if you don’t follow orders.”
“If I misbehave long enough everyone will realize that misbehavior is my normal.” Tarak ate as he spoke and gestured with his spoon. “Then only when I behave will you all consider that something is wrong, can you see?” He gave a laugh, but no one laughed with him. “In no mood for games? Michael? You are usually rather gamey.”
“I don’t know what gamey is, but what I usually am is grumpy when I have to eat near Eden.” Michael stared over at the dark-haired girl.
She was slight and beautiful, with a confident gaze at Michael with her deep brown eyes. “I’m sorry,” she mouthed.
Michael scoffed and shook his head, then stirred around his oats that were mostly untouched. Then Michael seemed to notice something as he took on a look of anger. “This must be a jest! You are not thinking of sitting here.”
Arthur sat down on the other side of Charlie. It was the same Arthur who Tarak had met; the one who had given a speech in the tiny and hidden church of the New Order.
“Michael, please listen,” Arthur said. “I just found out that you and Eden were together. I had no idea. I never would’ve kissed her had I known.”
“You’re serious?” Michael sounded incredulous. “You expect me to believe that?”
“How was I supposed to know? I had not seen you two together.” Arthur glanced over and met gazes with Tarak. His face reddened with alarm. He tilted his head and opened his mouth as if to speak, but Michael spoke again.
“So it is a lie, then.”
“No, it is the truth.”
Eden had stood up and walked over. “It is the truth, Michael. He was shocked when I told him about us after the kiss.”
Michael looked as if he was going to yell, his finger lifted, but the anger suddenly left him. His shoulders fell as he glanced at Arthur. “Oh.”
Arthur peered at him and waited, but not without shooting a look at Tarak. There was a fleeting moment in his gaze, a pleading look that was enough to tell Tarak not to say anything, before Arthur returned his gaze to Michael.
“I suppose we’re all right then,” Michael told Arthur.
“That is a relief,” Arthur said as he set his tray down. He reached his hand around Charlie’s back to offer it to Tarak. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Arthur.”
“Tarak,” he said and shook the man’s hand for the second time. It was easier to go along with the ruse for now and try to figure out later why Arthur would want to keep this devotion to the new religion a secret. The first answer that came to mind was the most obvious one. If the people here found out, something would happen to him. The bigger question was what.
“He’s the son of Caarda,” Charlie said, motioning to Tarak.
“Really…the son of Caarda?” Arthur seemed most intrigued.
“Haven’t you heard?” Reuben asked. “I’ve been away, and even I heard about it.”
“From Leon just this morning,” Michael added. “Arthur has been away just as long. Where have you been?”
“Working for my uncle,” Arthur answered with a quick glance at Tarak.
“Who is your uncle?” Tarak asked.
“He’s the reason I had an opportunity to train at the castle.”
“Kind of like this one,” Michael said, pointing at Reuben. “He was the weakest sorcerer of us all in the beginning, but he sure was the proudest.”
“Yet my sorcery has now surpassed yours,” Reuben replied with a smug expression.
Michael forced a laugh. “Right. And how do you expect that enchanting is going to defeat a wind mage? Are you going to enchant my ass so that I fall on it? And why are you still here?” He pointed his oat-dripping spoon at Eden.
“I was hoping we could talk.”
“Go back, witch.”
She huffed and went back to her table.
“I could defeat you in a duel,” Reuben replied. “What are your terms?”
Michael frowned. “Terms?”
“What is considered defeat?”
“Whoever knocks the other down first.”
“I accept. As soon as we finish breakfast.”
“Really?” Michael seemed more surprised than angry. “Damn, maybe you have gotten better. What the hell can you do to me in a duel to knock me over before I blow you away?”
“You will find out.”
Leon walked up behind them. “There will be no dueling. The ground out there is mud thanks to the rain. No one has time to clean up the mess the two of you are sure to make. Especially you, Michael.” He leaned over Tarak’s shoulder. “Looks like you’re done. Come with me. You are to meet your horse. You had better hope he likes you because it’s the only one you’re getting until we can trust you.”
Tarak left the table with Leon.
“Oh, this I want to see,” Michael said as he hurried after them.
“Which horse is he getting?” Reuben asked, trailing along as well.
“Dagaric,” Leon answered.
“No!” Reuben protested. “Tarak will be more of a nuisance than a help on that horse.”
“Why do you think I stuck him with you? You’re the best sorcerer we have to deal with nuisance.”
“Oh,” Reuben replied in surprise.
“It’s not a compliment,” Leon added. “It’s because your task is the easiest.”
“Surely I can’t be blamed if he kills himself on that horse!”
“No, you will not be blamed for that.”
“Or if we are late?” Reuben asked.
“That you will be blamed for.”
“Nox’s blade, this is not fair.”
“No it isn’t,” Leon agreed.
Tarak followed them out onto the muddy courtyard. He didn’t worry about killing himself on a horse. He had done a lot more stupid things than ride a wild horse, and he had always recovered.
“You have all this stone,” Tarak commented. “Why not cover the dirt so it does not become mud?”
“That is on the king’s list,” Leon replied.
“Why was it not done when this castle was built?”
“There used to be grass here until a few years ago,” Leon said. “The grass died after the rebellion because hundreds of bodies lay here for too long, not to mention the inches of blood.”
Charlie spoke up from behind. “With enough water and heat, Leon, you might be able to pave this dirt with clay just on your own.”
“Charlie, what are you doing out here?”
“I want to see Tarak fall off the horse.”
“You—!” Leon spun around. “Do not give away the surprise.”
“I have fallen off plenty of things, horses included,” Tarak said. “It is not much of a spectacle.”
“I’m glad you believe that,” Leon said. “Here he is. He’s the only horse you’ll get, so you had better appreciate him. Meet Dagaric, a magnificent beast and aptly named after my father.”
“Lord and bane.” The horse was gray and magnificent indeed, but…really huge. Tarak had seen a few horses around, and none was close to this size. “What the hell have you all been doing with horses in the last four hundred years to produce this?”
“You might be one of the few people who can get on this horse without a boost,” Leon said. “We’ve been trying to find a use for him.”
“Your father was huge, I take it?”
“No. It is his personality that brought forth the name.”
“How wild is this animal?” Tarak asked.
“He is just stubborn, but he will take direction quite well. This mud is the perfect place for you to try him. I have never seen a man die from falling in the mud.”
Tarak went up to the side of the horse’s gargantuan head. “Hello there, Dagaric.”
The horse met his gaze with one eye, then snorted, his hot breath blowing back Tarak’s hair.
Tarak noticed the princess watching from the doorway of the great hall and felt inclined to do something daring.
