The mage from nowhere, p.36
The Mage From Nowhere, page 36
Michael gestured at Tarak as if agreeing. “An old man who believes no one is even a quarter as important as him, and he’s the most powerful sorcerer in the world! He is bound to be dangerous, or at the very least make every moment painfully awkward for the rest of our lives. I honestly don’t know which is worse. I say we tell him to find another country to call his home.”
“He is bound to be dangerous,” the king said. “But more so if we cast him aside now. We will let this play out. Arthur, I trust you to keep your allegiance clear. You are first and foremost a sorcerer who has pledged allegiance to his king.”
“I understand that, sire. I may wish to worship Basael, but even I need time to see how this will play out.”
Michael told Arthur, “I’m glad you’re not completely insane. Tarak, for someone who usually has a lot to say, you have been unusually quiet.”
“I agree with the king. These are strange times.”
“You must at least agree with me that he should leave now before he can do any damage?”
“Hah!” Tarak forced a laugh. “I do not think you would say that if you were the poor bastard who kept showing up dead in visions of the future. It appears that whatever happened now has changed my fate. I am still pissed my own grandfather would kill me, but I will take pissed instead of dead any day. He stays, as painfully awkward as he is. At least you are not the one he seems intent to connect with.”
Michael moved his closed mouth around for a moment. “All right, you have convinced me. I will not make a stink about this, but if he chokes me again I expect some repercussions.”
“It is best to keep your distance from him,” the king advised. “I have met men and women who think themselves to be gods among the rest of us. Repercussions do little for them. If he becomes more dangerous, he will be forced to leave, and we’ll deal with that when the time comes. Believe me, we will be more prepared than we are now.”
Michael grunted in disapproval.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Leon motioned with one finger for Tarak to approach. Tarak walked over as the instructor glared at him as if it was his fault Basael was here.
“You cannot possibly blame me for this,” Tarak prefaced as he met with Leon in the courtyard.
“Just because I am annoyed does not mean I am annoyed at you. Not everything is personal to you. I called you over to tell you that you’re going with me to the rift tomorrow, and we are bringing your insufferable grandfather as well as your father. You may be tempted to stay awake, but I’m ordering you to rest at a reasonable time.” Leon shoved Tarak off. “Train with your light spell. I have a matter to attend to outside the castle. You should still be here, training, when I get back.”
“Leon,” the king called from a short distance away.
“I know. I’m leaving now.”
The king gave a nod.
Tarak approached Illia and Zarin. They stopped their conversation in analyse as he arrived.
“It must be a lot of work to translate everything,” Tarak told Zarin.
“It is,” Zarin said, “but I’m sure she would find a way to make things even more difficult if I refused.”
Illia asked him something in analyse, and he responded in the same language as he gestured at Tarak.
“Zarin good. I bad,” Illia told Tarak. “I sorry, Zarin. You good. Thank you.”
He nodded. “You are welcome.”
Illia spoke in analyse again, looking at Tarak most of the time though she seemed to be asking Zarin something.
“This is your first time meeting Basael?” Zarin asked Tarak for her.
“Yes, I have been blessed with seventeen years of not dealing with him.”
Zarin translated, and Illia chuckled. She said something else that he translated.
“You are of godly beings. Why does no one treat you like such?”
Tarak asked Zarin, “Did his narcissism come through in your translation?”
“Possibly not.”
“What about how much of an arsehole he is?”
“I think somewhat.” Zarin then seemed to ask something of Illia.
She nodded and replied, which Zarin translated.
“Yes, he is as much of an ass as he is powerful, possibly greater. He is very powerful, though.” Illia continued to speak as Zarin translated. “Basael. He is legend. Caarda is legend. You will be legend one day.”
Tarak sputtered out air. “I hope not for the same reasons they are. I am supposed to be training, but first, please ask Illy if she is leaving anytime soon. I imagine Basael has the power to open a portal, not that I think we should ask him just yet.”
Illia heard Zarin and lowered her head to look at Tarak through the tops of her eyes. She asked him something that Zarin translated.
“Do you want me to go?”
“No, I am concerned you might go. I want you to stay.”
She smiled and nodded as Zarin translated his message, but it was Zarin who spoke next to Tarak. “You may not be aware that Illia does need to return as soon as she can. They must be worried about her there, and she needs to report the results of the experiment with portals.”
“Have you not sent a message that she is here and safe?”
“We have sent messengers,” Zarin answered. “But the roads are long and especially dangerous right now. We won’t know if my mother has received word for weeks, maybe months. It is best Illia returns when she is able.” Zarin said something to Illia as he gestured at Tarak.
Illia nodded sadly as if agreeing. “I return soon,” she said in common tongue.
“How soon?” Tarak asked.
Illia shrugged and looked at Zarin. “That depends when a portal can be made,” he said. “Some experimentation still needs to be performed. Illia is not entirely sure how it happened the first time. It was not her who made one.”
Tarak asked, “Why have they not made another?”
“The akorell metal,” Zarin said. “It seems to be required, and much of it came through the portal with Illia. There was some in the place where she arrived, which leads us to believe they are connected somehow. We are hoping Basael will know more, but we have not been introduced to him. Perhaps you can speak with him on our behalf?”
Tarak sighed. “I suppose I should. Very well, tomorrow. Tonight I must train, and I know the best way to go about that.”
Zarin translated as Tarak spoke. Tarak took Illia’s hand and kissed it.
“I hope to see you tonight? If we do not have much time left, we must make the most of it.”
She gave him a sultry look and said something.
Zarin shook his head. “I will not say that.”
She complained in their language, then said something else.
Zarin let out a breath, then told Tarak, “She will show you tonight.”
“Oh will she?” Tarak lifted his eyebrows a few times at Illia, and she laughed.
“Now I am putting an end to this conversation,” Zarin said.
“Yes, I must go.” Tarak leaned down and kissed Illy on the cheek.
He caught up to Aliana as she and the other girls were making their way to the apartments. “Hey,” he said, turning the three of them around. “Any word on Wolfie?”
“Don’t call him that,” Aliana said. “It makes him sound cute and innocent.”
“I do not want to call him Wolf. That is the name of an animal.”
Eden suggested, “Murderous fuck is good with me.”
“The king spoke with me earlier today,” Aliana said. “He has many people looking for Wolf, and my father is to be questioned as to his whereabouts. They are also working to identify the bodies of the men who chased us. I am certain Wolf will be found soon. Once he is arrested, we will find out who he takes orders from.” She sighed deeply. “Maybe one day I will finally be able to leave the castle again.”
“I will keep you entertained,” Eden said. “When I am not busy patrolling the city, of course.”
“That is most of the day.” Aliana opened the door to the apartments.
The two of them went inside, but Callie stayed behind. Tarak felt a little uncomfortable being alone with her, considering how she still made him feel despite all of his efforts to change that. He was about to tell her he had best get going, but she spoke up.
“Will you ask something of Basael on my behalf? I want to know how he spoke to me while I was falling asleep. We also want to know how he reanimated the corpse, but at least Charlie has a theory for that one. No one seems to have any idea about the former.”
“I will be stuck with him tomorrow. I will ask him then, but I cannot promise you a straightforward answer. If he is anything like Caarda, he might not know quite so well how mana works. It was a revelation to learn about notes when I came here, as I am sure it has been for my father.”
“I will take whatever information I can get. It has been driving me nearly to the point of madness.”
“I will find out what I can.”
“Thank you.” Her face suddenly became serious as she curtsied. “Farewell for now.”
“Uh, farewell.” Tarak turned to see the king approaching. Oh.
“Tarak,” Nykal said, “It is time you have official papers made up with your name, date of birth, birthplace, description, and a statement about your employment for me. They will grant you investigative powers. If you are on the search for a criminal, anyone you question must provide honest truths. You also have the power to arrest, detain, and even kill if necessary. If necessary,” the king repeated. “This is provisional. If you abuse this power, I will not hesitate to have you removed. It is mostly because of your lineage and your actions thus far that I believe you’re ready for this responsibility earlier than most.”
“Thank you for your trust, but there are a number of issues I see—”
“Yes, I realize much of the information for your papers will be difficult for you to provide. That is why I am giving you time to think about it. The year of your birth can be estimated to reflect your age of seventeen, not four hundred plus, which is likely to make your papers look false. It is not as important as your surname. Think about one that will be suitable. It should represent your family better than any other name.”
“What kind of name can represent my family? The Tainted? Tarak the Tainted? How will anyone take me seriously if I hand them papers with that?”
“A last name is not usually a word but more of a meaningful family name. Perhaps there is someone in your family whose first name means a lot to you or represents the heart of your family.”
Tarak thought back on his history. Much of it he had learned from Michael discussing the recent war and how Tarak’s family got involved.
“Tarak Gourfist, would make the most sense.” He made a fist. “Because we kill anyone who stands in our way.” He shook his head. “I do not think your advice is most fitting for my case. What does the name Lennox represent?”
“I wish I knew. Most of us have a family name whose origin has been lost over the years.” The king tilted his head a bit sideways. “I prefer not to know, actually. It leaves us open to create our own legacy rather than live in the shadow of an old one. You have the same chance now.”
“Tarak the Handsome.”
“I will not write that down. Choose something that more resembles a name.”
“Tarak Handsome…son. Handsomson.”
“And if you have a daughter?”
“Err, um. Tarak Goodlookingson.”
“Take some more time to think about it,” the king said. “Consider the difference between a name and a title.”
The king turned to leave, but Tarak stopped him. “May I have an advance on my next stipend?”
The king wore a glower at most times, but it deepened even more now as he turned back around. “What happened to the stipend you were just paid?”
“I spent it.”
“You spent it, how? On what? Your clothes are provided, as are your meals and your housing, and you have had no time to waste it on ale, gambling, or other nefarious activities. I cannot possibly think of anything else you may have spent it on. What was it?”
“Jewelry, sire. For Illia.”
The king stepped closer. “Has she convinced you to buy expensive jewelry for her? I heard of your worries that your mind may be manipulated by mana.”
“Manipulated, yes, but not by mana in this case. She showed me her gems, if you must know, and I have to repay with a gem of my own. Unfortunately the one that comes up free of charge is not nearly as beautiful as the two that belong to her, so I thought it best to buy her one that might compare, not that they are even close.”
The king put up his hand. “That is enough.”
Tarak shrugged.
“Consider that the last time I involve myself in your personal affairs, except for one warning. She is likely to be leaving soon, and I cannot have you chasing after her. You are needed here, especially considering the news of a foreign Ancient possibly bringing war to our land.”
“So you believe Basael?”
“I said possibly. I’m still not sure, but we must prepare just in case he turns out to be right. I believe you have time left in the day to train. Leon and I agreed you should be working on your illusions. They could prove very useful.”
“Sire, I have learned almost everything I have ever needed to know while in a tavern surrounded by good company. I would like to visit one and take the boys with me to discuss mana and illusions. I am absolutely certain it will be the best environment, if they will go with me. Charlie, alone, will be the most valuable.”
The king stared at Tarak as if waiting for the end of a bad joke.
“This is not a jest,” Tarak mumbled.
“I have the finest ale you will find in Newhaven, and it is available to you free of charge in the dining quarters. You may discuss mana and illusions in there.”
“My grandfather is in there.” Tarak figured that was all he needed to say.
“That is a good point. All right. You may invite the boys out for a night. God knows you all have earned one.”
“I would like to go with them,” Callie casually walked out from the apartments. Has she been eavesdropping the entire time? “I could contribute to the discussions of mana. I know more than Michael and Reuben.”
“Absolutely not,” Nykal said.
“May you provide me with just one reason?” she asked sadly.
“Because,” the king gestured as if it would be easy to answer, but he froze as if having trouble.
“It cannot be dangerous with four of your best sorcerers there,” Callie continued. “There is nothing important for me to do here tonight. And I have earned a night out as well.”
“They are four boys, Callie, and they would surely take you to a place with even more boys.”
“So?” she challenged.
“You know, Callie,” the king replied.
“No I don’t. What does that matter?”
The king opened his mouth to say something. He seemed to think twice about it, however, as he shut his mouth for a long while.
Callie spoke again. “I could protect myself even if I was to be alone. I don’t see anything that could happen to me.”
“I suppose you will be safe.”
“Thank you!” she said as she gave him a hug.
The king told her, “You are not to separate from the group at any point. We may have enemies out there. Even if they have only shown interest in stopping Aliana, they may see you outside the castle as an opportunity. You have your callring with you?”
“Always.”
“And your tracker ring?”
“Yes, of course.”
“All right. Do not stay out too late. I may allow you to do this again depending on how it goes. Keep that in mind when making decisions tonight.” The king swept his gaze over to Tarak. “The same is especially true for you.”
Tarak looked back at the king for a long moment.
Tarak’s lips quirked. “You have made my plans for an orgy very awkward.”
Callie smacked his arm rather hard.
“Behave,” the king told Tarak, then headed off to his keep.
As soon as he left, the princess said, “I would’ve thought that word was created too recently for you to know the meaning.”
“Orgy? Certainly not. There had to be orgies long before I was born. Ale existed.”
“Yes, fine. Go, get the others. There is not much time, and I have to change!”
“Change why?” She had on one of her expensive dresses. Tarak thought she looked exceptionally beautiful, if he took the time to let himself notice, as he tried not to these days.
“Because I don’t want people to take one look at me and think I am a princess. I am going to bring Aliana and Eden. Ask your father and grandfather if they see Aliana dying tonight. We will not bring her in that case.”
“But that involves me speaking with Basael,” Tarak tried to tell Callie, but she was heading to the apartments and didn’t seem like she would stop. “At least tell your father you want to bring Aliana. I will not be responsible for that decision. Callie?”
“Yes!” she called back.
Tarak sucked in a breath as if about to enter a room with a nasty stench. In and out fast as you can, he advised himself, then walked briskly into the great hall.
He made a quick pass through the large entrance room and headed into the dining quarters. Caarda and Basael sat across from each other, completely alone in the vast room. Their jovial attitude, gone. Both leaned forward, almost identically. They made fists on the table, almost identically. They pointed and seemed to blame each other, almost identically. They even turned and noticed Tarak, almost identically.
“Have you come to acquaint yourself with your godly grandfather?” Basael asked.
“Uh, not tonight. I have to rush out of the castle. The ranger whose life you saved with your warning, do you see her dying tonight?”
“There are no deaths tonight,” Caarda answered. “At least not by anyone in our vicinity.”
“He asked me, Caarda,” Basael said. “I am at the end of my sanity in my efforts to explain this to you. Have trust in me.”
