The master of magic, p.14
The Master of Magic, page 14
The business district after dark could be sketchy, especially the area near Allen’s tavern. Otto would have welcomed a robbery attempt. Killing a few hapless thugs would be a good way to vent his frustration. Damaging Annamaria’s pretty face would have been more satisfying, but as an old friend of Wolfric’s, he didn’t dare let anything happen to her. Too many questions down that path.
The Thirsty Sprite had a fair crowd when Otto arrived. Light and laughter spilled out the door when he pushed it open. He didn’t resent others their happiness. In fact, he regarded it as a sign that the new empire was thriving.
Behind the bar Allen was busy filling tankards while his collection of cute barmaids hustled around making deliveries. There was no sign of Ulf or Sin which he assumed meant they were at the new base.
Allen spotted him as he got closer and nodded toward the far end of the bar away from the bulk of the guests. “Lord Shenk. I found a place. A warehouse six blocks from here. The owner died and his heirs were keen to sell. Ulf and Sin are getting their respective endeavors set up as we speak. It was such a good deal I didn’t dare wait for you to approve before I made the purchase. I need to pay off the contract in five days.”
“Get me the details and I’ll arrange the money tomorrow. I trust all has been quiet while I was away?”
“As far as I know. My contacts haven’t mentioned anything and Sin hasn’t brought any issues to my attention. Even the Wizards Guild has been quiet.”
Otto nodded, pleased that Cypher hadn’t made any further attempts to hire muscle. It seemed for the moment they were taking his threats to heart. That was good since he meant every word. Maybe he would humor his mentor and take a meeting with the guild master. There had to be some course of action that would satisfy everyone.
“I can see you’re busy. Get me those purchase details and tell me how to find the warehouse and I’ll get out of your hair.”
Five minutes later Otto was on the move again. The contract was rolled up in his satchel unread. Unless the price was totally unreasonable, he’d simply pay it. It wasn’t like he was lacking in resources. The only reason he planned to use Franken money rather than Crown coin was to avoid drawing attention. They were supposed to be a semi-secret organization after all.
The warehouse was easy enough to find. The huge double doors in the front were emblazoned with a shield crossed with two swords. Apparently, the previous owner made weapons and armor. No surprise given that before the war, those were Garenland’s biggest exports. Now, of course, weapon sales were banned since they had no desire to sell high-quality gear to people who might want to kill them down the road.
To the right of the main doors was a smaller door for easier access. Light shone through the crack at the bottom. Toward the rear of the vast empty space, a group of men were busy setting up tables and putting heavy glass containers on them, all under Ulf’s watchful eyes. On the left, Sin was talking with two people, a man and a woman from their builds.
Sin could conduct her business without him looking over her shoulder. He went to check on Ulf. “Do you have everything you need?”
Ulf jumped, clearly having no idea Otto had entered. “Yes, I’ll be ready to begin working tomorrow. Which reminds me. Other than the drug, do you have anything else you’d like me to make?”
Otto scratched his chin and discovered he’d need to shave when he got home. “I’m not certain. What else can you make?”
“Well, I can make exploding jars like those used against your troops in Straken. Knockout drugs if you want to capture someone. There’s always the hangover cure and some other simple remedies common in the Celestial Empire that I haven’t seen here.”
“Make some of everything except the exploding jars. Should it be necessary, the wizards will handle that kind of thing. The simple things might make a good source of funds for our work. The less attention we draw within the government the better. We’ll have to set up a front company, but that’s a simple matter. A legitimate business would explain the warehouse as well.”
Otto nodded to himself. Things were shaping up nicely. If he could settle things with the Wizards Guild, he’d feel pretty good about the state of the empire.
First thing the next morning, Otto made his way to the palace. He hadn’t spoken to Wolfric in far too long. Not that he was avoiding the new emperor, but other matters had kept him busy. Otto hoped to catch him at breakfast before court soured his mood.
After being waved through by the guards, Otto made his way to the emperor’s bedchamber. Apparently Wolfric was dining in comfort this morning. The two palace guards snapped to attention when he approached and the one on the right rapped twice on the door before announcing, “Otto Shenk, Majesty.”
“Send him in.”
The guard opened the door and Otto stepped through. Thankfully Wolfric was dressed, albeit in a simple tunic and trousers rather than his official robes of state. He sat at a small table laden with all his favorites.
Wolfric waved him into the seat opposite and said, “I don’t know what all you’ve been doing, my friend, but the merchants are happy and even the nobles have kept their complaints to a minimum. Will you join me?”
Otto fixed himself something to eat then said, “You received my report about Villares?”
“Yes, good riddance. I’ve dispatched a new governor and ordered the Southern Legion deployed throughout the country. That should keep things calm. General Varchi wrote and said whatever you did at the mines, they haven’t had a riot in a week.”
Otto smiled. He’d have to remember to thank Ulf. “I spoke with Lord Valtan yesterday.”
Wolfric’s eyes nearly bugged out of his head. “How? Why?”
“I assure you it wasn’t my idea. After I checked in with Stephan and started home Valtan grabbed me and yanked me into a conversation in the ether. Basically he said nothing short of returning control of all the portals to him would be enough to stop Markane from fighting us.”
“Should we recall your brother?” Wolfric asked.
“No, he’ll at least give them something to think about. Besides, Stephan seems to be having a grand time. Having met his wife, I can’t begrudge him a bit of fun. I’m working on a more aggressive response, but I’ll need a day or two to get everything ready.”
“And the Wizards Guild?”
Otto made a face and took a bite of his toast. “That’s another thing I need to straighten out. The guild master wants to meet me face to face. I assume they’re planning an ambush of some sort, but if there’s any chance of making an arrangement, I can’t ignore them.”
Wolfric gave a rueful shake of his head. “And here I’ve been complaining about boredom. I want you to know that the empire in general and me in particular are very grateful for everything you’re doing. Don’t forget, if you ever need anything, just ask. If it’s within my power to grant your wish, I’ll happily do so.”
“I appreciate that, my friend, I truly do. Now let’s eat up. I have an errand to run.”
Chapter 27
Otto appeared in the magical armory and agitated the ether. He smiled as he looked around at all the wonderful magic. He needed to become an Arcane Lord just to have time enough to study everything collected here. Tempting as it was to while away a few hours in the library, Otto forced his gaze away from the hundreds of tomes his master had collected over her long life and walked over to the artifact table.
The only item he’d taken was a single box of mithril rings. Today he was after something more sinister. He couldn’t remember which visit he’d noticed the shiny black box, but he did remember opening it and reading the note inside. Dangerous, to be used in the most extreme circumstances only. Well, circumstances were pretty extreme when you had an immortal wizard determined to see you defeated.
He found the box where he’d left it, at the very edge of the table. Otto ran a finger along the cool, smooth surface. The box felt like it was made from polished black stone rather than wood. And maybe it was for all he knew. What mattered now was what was inside.
A small, white skull stared at him from inside the box. Beside it was a matching bone-white ring. The skull was a death magic item created by Lord Amet Sur, the mightiest Arcane Lord of them all. When dropped into a water supply, the skull would dissolve and spread a magical plague. If you touched the skull with your bare hand and weren’t wearing the ring, death was instantaneous. Of course a wizard could get around that by wrapping the skull in a bubble of ether.
Maybe Valtan was right and the magic was turning him into some kind of emotionless monster. Would he have been able to even consider something like this before breaking through his personal barrier? Perhaps, but he doubted it.
He pulled his hand away from the open box, snarled at himself, slapped it shut, and slipped it into his satchel. Otto was going to win this bloody war and if it cost him his soul then so be it.
The box felt like a lead weight as he walked to a different table, this one on the opposite side of the chamber from the library. Otto had never paid much heed to the wealth sitting there just waiting to be taken, but today it would come in handy. He grabbed a small pouch filled with gold nuggets and added that to his collection. That much gold could set a man up for life. Hopefully it could also bribe someone to risk his life.
Otto let the ether calm and darkness returned to the armory. He took a deep breath and become one with the ether. He doubted Valtan would want to have another chat, but you never knew. Even knowing the Arcane Lord couldn’t harm him in the ether did little to reduce his anxiety as he raced toward Stephan.
Fortunately, Otto reached his brother without incident. He appeared in the center of a burning village. Stephan stood watching his troops running down the survivors and dragging the women to a holding area where half a dozen soldiers watched over them.
Stephan raised an eyebrow when he finally noticed Otto. “I didn’t expect to see you again so soon.”
“Likewise. Unfortunately, I need to take more aggressive measures to convince Valtan to end the conflict.”
“Are you recalling us?”
“Not at all. You can slaughter everyone on the barrier islands if you want. But it has been made clear to me that won’t stop him. I need to strike at the capital.”
Stephan’s laugh was nearly drowned out by someone screaming in the village. “You said we couldn’t go near the capital and now you want me to march my men to their deaths?”
“No, I need one volunteer to deliver a magical weapon.” Otto pulled out the pouch of gold and opened it. “The reward will be considerable.”
Stephan looked at the gold as though considering delivering the weapon himself. “Won’t Valtan sense a magical weapon approaching?”
“No, at least not this one. The magic only activates under specific circumstances. Otherwise it appears as a harmless bauble. A creepy harmless bauble, but still nothing anyone would give a second look. Think any of your men has the guts?”
Stephan shrugged. The sounds of fighting had died down. He loosed a piercing whistle that brought soldiers running from every direction. When all but those guarding the women had arrived, he laid out Otto’s proposal.
“So, who wants to earn a pouch of gold?” Stephan asked at last.
The mercenaries all looked at each other but no one spoke up. Finally, one of the garrison soldiers said, “I’ll do it, my lord.”
“Good man.” Stephan clapped him on the shoulder.
“What do I have to do?” the soldier asked.
Otto took out the black box, opened it, removed the ring, and handed it over. “Put that on. It will protect you from the magic. The task is simple. Infiltrate the capital, find a public well, and drop the skull into it. The magic will activate automatically. As soon as you’ve done that, leave. Rejoin your comrades and collect your reward. I’ll take the ring back when we see each other again.”
“That’s all?” the soldier asked.
Otto nodded. “Just be certain you don’t take off the ring. There are bound to be groups of people fleeing toward the capital, you should have no trouble mingling with them.”
They waited while he stripped off his armor and weapons. When he was finally ready, Otto held out the box and he took the skull.
“Good luck,” Otto said.
With the infiltrator had left and the others resumed looting, Stephan asked, “What does that weapon do exactly?”
“It kills cities.”
Uther had so far spent most of his time in Markane studying in the war room. Not that there was a ton to study. Garenland had fairly thoroughly crushed everything that might resist them. Uther included himself in that. Proud as he was, there was no denying that he had failed miserably to dislodge Straken’s ancient enemies from his home.
Restoring the continent was going to be even harder since they had no foothold. Landing troops by ship might work, but they still needed to find soldiers. Markane certainly wasn’t going to provide them. Maybe if he could reach out to those that resented Garenland, Uther could convince them to join the fight.
He looked down at the map, trying in vain to think of a likely place to begin. His musing was cut short when the door burst open and one of the palace messengers entered. “My lord, His Majesty requests you come to the throne room at once.”
“What’s happened?”
“A ship has returned. Please.”
Uther nodded and fell in behind the messenger. A ship had returned? It could only be one of the two ship they’d dispatched to ferry troops to the barrier island. No way should they be back already. Something must have gone wrong.
When they reached the throne room, Eddred and Valtan were standing beside the throne. They had been joined by a dirty, soot-stained man in a sailor’s uniform.
Eddred waved Uther up beside them. “I thought you’d want to hear this.”
Uther appreciated the gesture. Even though he was only a guest with no rights here, everyone had gone out of their way to include him in their planning.
“Go ahead,” Valtan said.
“My lords, our mission failed. My ship suffered the loss of all sails and our sister vessel was sunk. The enemy had wizards, strong ones. They blasted through our hull with minimal effort. I didn’t expect such powerful opponents to be assigned to a raider ship.”
Valtan scowled. “How many threads did they wield?”
“Seventeen between them, but the threads were thick, denser than any magic I’ve seen, other than yours of course. I just don’t understand how they could be so much stronger than us.”
“It would seem Otto Shenk has learned the secret of mithril,” Valtan muttered, more to himself than the others.
Uther didn’t know what any of it meant beyond the mission had failed. “Let me take some soldiers and hunt them down. We’ll go over land, across the bridge. It will take longer, but we won’t have to deal with enemy ships.”
Everyone looked at him and Uther had a moment of self-consciousness. This wasn’t his country. Maybe he should have kept his mouth shut. But he was committed now. “This is what I’m good at. I led the rangers back home for years. Father thought I was of more worth in the wilds than I was at court. It was something we both agreed on wholeheartedly.”
“I have no objection,” Eddred said, looking to Valtan.
“Very well. The invaders need to be dealt with. But take no risks. You are of considerable value to us.”
Uther didn’t know how much time Valtan had spent out in the field, but every moment you were beyond the city walls was a risk. Playing it safe accomplished little.
If he died, at least he could take a few of the enemy down with him.
When Uther had left to collect his weapon and armor, Eddred said, “I should go and ready a force for him. We’ll be pushing things pretty thin in the capital. How many do you think I should send?”
Valtan didn’t appear to have heard him. The wizard was staring off into space, likely at something Eddred couldn’t even perceive. He was used to it and waited patiently until Valtan’s eyes refocused.
He asked his question again and this time Valtan replied. “The capital is in no danger as long as I’m here. Uther needs enough people to get the job done and given our soldiers’ lack of combat experience, I’d say you need to send at least five hundred.”
Eddred winced. That was nearly every fighter in the city. But he took Valtan’s point. No one would be stupid enough to attack with him here. Valtan could destroy a small army with a wave of his hand.
“Once Uther is on his way,” Valtan continued. “I want you to sail to Lux. Perhaps being a governor doesn’t suit Philippa as well as she hoped. If we can turn her into at least a spy, that would give us a toehold on the mainland. Once you finish with her, try Kasimir as well. He has a big ego. Losing his crown no doubt grates. One of them will surely turn on Garenland.”
“And if neither of them does?” Eddred asked.
Valtan sighed. It was as tired a sound as Eddred had ever heard. “Then we try something else. Good luck.”
Eddred nodded and made his way to the city barracks. Good luck was something he desperately needed.
Chapter 28
After hemming and hawing for days Otto couldn’t put it off any longer. It was time to deal with the Wizards Guild. He had already informed Wolfric and while the emperor wasn’t thrilled that Otto was putting himself in danger like this, he did agree that the matter needed to be settled one way or the other.
As he made his way through the city toward their new base, Otto considered his plans. The truth was, until he fully understood their intentions, Otto couldn’t do much more than take precautions and hope for the best. He felt slightly helpless and hated it.
When he arrived, he found the warehouse much as he remembered, only the side door had been replaced. The new door was solid oak and fit tight so no light could escape at night. That improvement had to have been Hans’s doing. Having the solid soldier back from Rolan was a relief. Otto hadn’t realized just how much he counted on the man.
