The Rise of Isaac, Books 1-3, page 84
"I didn't say happy." She sighed heavily, looking down at the dry earth in front of her. "You have no idea what it's like to be told who to be all the time. Right here, with you, I can be myself because who in Vale cares otherwise?" She looked up at him and he shook his head, looking baffled.
"One minute I think you're the most irritating, stuck-up girl I've ever met and the next you're like-" He gestured to her like it was obvious but she didn't get the hint.
His words cut into her chest. She knew a lot of people saw her that way. It was much easier to act like that than for people to see her flaws.
Rogan saw through it mostly but she even wanted him to see her as someone special. He was going to marry her, she didn't want to let him down.
"What I mean is..." Hector started, clearly searching for the words. "You don't have to pretend you're flawless. No one's perfect."
"I have to be," she said. "For the press....my parents would be so disappointed if I just stopped caring what the worlds thought of me. It's what's expected of mages in Aleva."
"So in return for all your magic and your fame and your beauty you get, what? Pigeonholed into being the image of perfection and packaged off into a loveless marriage?"
She dropped her gaze, a lump forming in her throat.
He shifted awkwardly. "Sorry, I didn't mean that."
She sighed. "Yes you did and you're right. But I can hardly complain, can I? Who's going to feel sorry for the millionaire mage with the most attractive fiancé in Aleva?"
"Millionaire?" He cocked an eyebrow and she laughed.
"I'd trade it all for a normal life," she said, feeling guilty the instant the words left her mouth. She snapped her head up. "I shouldn't've said that."
He frowned. "I'm hardly judging you, am I? I'm not exactly a moral compass."
A snort of laughter escaped her. "No, I guess not. So what's the deal with you? You're, you know, good looking enough. Have you got a girlfriend waiting for you back home? How about that sled dog girl, what's her name...?"
"Immarelle?" Hector broke a laugh. "She doesn't exactly bat for my team."
"Oh right...anyone else?" She was much more curious than she intended to be.
He shook his head. "I'm hardly the most eligible guy in Galice."
"No? Girls not going for the kidnapping type these days?" She fought a grin.
He bit the inside of his cheek. "Yeah well, that's what this all about. I'm just trying to get you to fall in love with me. Is this not working for you then?"
She laughed, burying her face into her knees. "You're the worst kidnapper ever."
"I dunno, I think I'm doing pretty well so far."
She gave him a sarcastic look and he ran a thumb over his mouth to hide a smile.
"So...you've got no one then? Waiting back home?" she asked, thinking about his sisters.
He shook his head.
A tiny part of her wanted to help him. He was risking everything to save the only family he had. Two of the few people in the world who cared about him. She shook the thought away and looked up at the sky. There was just one moon in Brinatin, large and bright silver. The longer she looked at it the more it seemed to glimmer.
She dropped her eyes and found Hector watching her. She blinked away the brightness of the moon, his eyes endlessly dark in contrast.
"What?" she asked.
He nodded to his hands where a coil of rope was curled. A weight dropped inside her and she nodded. He wrapped it around her waist then attached it to his wrist and moved to lie behind her.
She lay down, facing the low fire and let out a breath through her nose.
29
The High Mage
Oliver awoke after the first peaceful night's sleep he'd had in days. He felt Anna move into him and realised they had fallen asleep together watching a film. He gently stroked her hair, not wanting to wake her.
Anna's eyes flickered open and he peeped out at her under heavy eyelids. She leant up and lightly pressed her lips to his then lay her head back down onto his chest.
"Morning," she whispered, clearly not wanting to break the blissful silence in the room. The only noise was the sound of early risers out in the streets making their way to work and the trickle of water from the underground streams.
Anna groaned and pushed herself up into a sitting position.
"Five more minutes," Oliver said, burying his face into the pillow.
"I can't. Once I'm up, I'm up," Anna said, getting to her feet.
"Oh no, you're not a morning person are you?" Oliver dragged the sheet up over his shoulder.
"I'm afraid so." She jumped onto the bed and grabbed his sides through the covers.
"Argh, no," he groaned, trying to ignore her.
She continued until he laughed. "Right that's it." He caught her wrists as she lunged for him once more and pulled her down beside him, pinning her to the bed and pulling her under the sheet. He locked her between his arms and she struggled uselessly against him, giggling loudly.
"No, Oliver!" she said, laughing as he started to tickle her.
A melodic ringing sounded and they fell still, listening. Oliver sat up and squinted in the bright light, looking for the source of the sound. He narrowed it down to his bag and rummaged inside it until he retrieved the Flash Screen. Wallace's name was glowing on it. He clipped on the earpiece with a surge of hope.
As Oliver answered the call, Anna shifted out of the bed and disappeared into the bathroom.
"Oh, hello Oliver I was expecting Ely," Wallace said. His eyes were red and he looked tired and worn.
"Ely's gone back to Aleva," Oliver said then proceeded to explain what had happened when they went to visit Eugene.
"Oh, how terrible! And your father was fully concealed as Eugene? For all those years? It's unheard of," Wallace said thoughtfully.
Oliver nodded with a stab of annoyance at Wallace's unsympathetic response. "How's the work going?"
"Well that's why I was ringing. I've made a little progress and I've started a trial which I'm afraid will take a couple of weeks. But, with a bit of luck, I'll crack this link at last."
"Great," Oliver said, feeling hopeful. "We'll keep in touch. Ely should be back in a couple of days."
"Okay I'll contact you again if I have a breakthrough in the meantime," Wallace said.
"Thanks," he said and Wallace's face disappeared.
The shower was sounding from the bathroom. Oliver got up and raked his fingers through his messy hair. He moved to the window and pulled back the net curtains, revealing a narrow road below.
Someone was jogging down it and he recognised Rogan, sweat glistening on his arms and brow. He opened the window and called out to him. "No running in the street!"
Rogan stopped dead and looked around. Oliver laughed and he looked up, locating the source.
Rogan grinned. "You scared the crap outta me!"
Oliver laughed again. "What are you doing out running? It's so early."
Rogan pressed his hands to his sides and stretched his back. "Just needed to burn off some steam. Why are you up? You hate mornings."
"Anna doesn't," he said.
"Oh I bet she doesn't," Rogan said, grinning broadly.
Oliver's blood ran hot. "Shut up. Nothing happened."
Rogan continued to grin. "Wanna meet for breakfast? I'm heading up."
"Yeah, meet you in fifteen I'm just gonna jump in the shower."
Rogan pulled at the sweaty top he was wearing. "Me too. See you in a bit." He jogged on, rounding the corner towards the front of the hotel.
Oliver turned to find Anna wrapped in a towel with her wet hair hanging around her shoulders. A lump rose in his throat. "I'm gonna go get dressed," she said.
Oliver nodded dumbly. "Sure. Rogan's up. Do you fancy breakfast?"
"Mm, yeah definitely," she said.
She unlocked the door and exited, carrying her clothes in a bundle in her arms. Oliver entered the bathroom, stripped off and slipped into the steamy shower.
***
May hadn't wanted to join them for breakfast in the hotel and Larkin hadn't woken up to Rogan's repeated prods. As they returned upstairs, Anna disappeared into her room to get May.
Rogan bashed on his own door. "Larkin! Get up you lazy git."
The door wrenched open and Larkin stood there in blue shorts and a white t-shirt. "Thanks for waking me up to go get breakfast."
"Seriously? I prodded you like ten times. You weren't having it," Rogan said.
"Yeah, course you did," Larkin said sarcastically, looking annoyed.
Oliver held up a couple of brown bags. "We bought pastries for you and May."
"Oh. Well...thanks," Larkin said slowly, taking one of the bags as Oliver held it out for him.
"I don't really like sweet-" Larkin started but Rogan cut him off.
"I know. That's why we got you a savoury one," he said.
"Well," Larkin said. "Good." He removed the pastry from the bag and took a large bite of it, sending a cascade of crumbs flying to the floor.
Anna opened the door and May followed dressed in a full-length lemon dress that split on one side at the knee.
"Woah," Larkin said through a mouthful of pastry.
Oliver threw him a look.
"What? Your sister's hot," Larkin said, pointing at her with the pastry.
May flushed. Rogan glanced at her then aimed his gaze anywhere else.
May threw a brief look at Rogan and Oliver frowned, sensing something was going on.
"What did you guys get up to last night?" Oliver asked.
"We went for a walk," Rogan said innocently.
"I got an early night," May said at the same time. "Err, after we went for a walk."
Oliver shrugged and held out the other bag for May. "Breakfast."
"Oh, thanks," she said, taking the bag and putting it in her handbag.
They descended to the lobby and exited into the humid air. The valley seemed to be trapping the heat inside it as the sun peeped up over the edge, signalling the start of an extremely warm day. Rogan wafted his hand at his face and a wave of cool air emitted from his palm. Larkin eyed him jealously.
"I spoke to Wallace," Oliver told them.
"What did he say?" May asked eagerly.
"He's made some progress and he's starting a trial that'll take a couple of weeks." He frowned.
May sighed and Oliver lightly touched her shoulder. They walked on, heading over the road to the bridge that led to the court. They crossed over and entered the atrium.
Johnson looked up as they approached, nodding in recognition. "The Council is in session. They'll be finishing in another ten minutes or so."
"Thanks," Rogan said. "Any reply to my message yet?"
Johnson nodded then rummaged in the drawer, retrieved a letter and passed it to Rogan.
Rogan ripped it open and quickly scanned his eyes down it.
"Everything alright?" Oliver asked.
He nodded. "Yeah. Mum's on her way here with Quinn's parents. They'll arrive in a couple of days."
The sound of chattering announced the dismissal of the Council. They filed down the stairs all dressed in various coloured robes that Oliver assumed represented the different worlds. Ingrid waved as she spotted them, hurrying forward in her green regalia.
"Come with me," she said, gesturing for them to follow.
They hurried forward and pushed through the crowd of people who were chatting together.
Ingrid led them to the next floor where her office was located and up another staircase. They emerged in a heptagonal courtroom which had different coloured cushions on each section. Above them in large font were the names of the worlds. Where Vale would have sat was an empty space with a throne-like chair. It was raised on an enclosed platform with a narrow, wooden staircase leading to it. Behind the seat was a heptagonal window that illuminated the room.
At the far end of the courtroom stood two people that Oliver recognised.
One was Hadus and the other was Horatious Thrake, the High Mage. He was dressed in white robes, looking almost regal. Hadus had a yellow cloak hanging off of his shoulders but wore his uniform beneath it. They turned as they spotted them, halting their conversation.
"Sir Thrake," Ingrid called. "These are the people I was telling you about."
Horatious was a tall man, but not quite so tall as Hadus. He was slim with hollow eyes and high cheek bones. His hair was as white as his robes.
"Ah, of course. It's a pleasure to meet you," his voice was rough and touched with a slight accent. "Ingrid has filled me in on the events that led you here. We've just been discussing a plan of action based on the new facts that you've brought to our attention."
"You believe us then?" Larkin asked in surprise.
Horatious nodded. "I do. It has filled in a few of the blanks that we've been struggling with for some time now."
May stepped forward. "I'm the one who's linked to Rimori."
Horatious cast his eyes over May then turned his gaze to Oliver.
"Indeed. Well then, it's settled," Horatious said, walking forwards.
"What is?" Oliver asked in confusion.
"You," Horatious pointed a slender finger at him. "Just became one of our strongest assets."
Oliver stilled, unsure if he'd heard him correctly. "What?"
"You're the son of one of our most wanted criminals. And you just became our leverage."
"Hang on-" Oliver started but was shouted down by several voices.
"You can't do that!" Anna's brow furrowed into sharp lines.
"Did you not just hear what May said?" Larkin snapped.
Rogan moved beside May, taking hold of her arm.
"If you cooperate, Mr Knight, I will protect your sister with every resource I have and get my best alchemists onto breaking the link," Horatious said. "I'd like to talk to you further, in private."
Oliver's breath halted in his throat. He met May's eyes and she shook her head.
"Don't," she breathed.
He shifted his gaze to Rogan who ran a hand over his head and looked at May.
"You can't be serious?" she said, looking between the two of them.
"You should do it," Larkin said and Oliver moved his attention to him. "She's your sister." He shrugged.
Oliver nodded. He knew he had to do it. He walked out of the group towards the High Mage.
"Oliver, stop. Don't agree to anything until you know exactly what he wants," May pleaded.
Oliver glanced back at her and nodded but knew deep in his gut that he would do anything if it meant that May would be safe.
"Hadus, I'd like to talk to the boy alone. As his uncle, I can't trust that you don't have an invested interest in him," Horatious said. "I will brief you when an arrangement has been made."
"Olly. Please. Don't agree to anything dangerous. Please," May begged.
Anna nodded, her face pale.
"I'm just going to hear him out," Oliver said with what he hoped was a comforting smile.
May's brow creased anxiously.
"If you'd all like to return to the entrance hall," Horatious said, dismissing them.
Oliver hovered in the space while the others filed out of the room. He glanced back to see Rogan giving him a serious look and a nod.
"Now Oliver, please follow me," Horatious said, sweeping past him in his billowing, white robe.
Oliver followed him out of a door which led to a steep staircase. They ascended into a round room near the top of the building. The far wall had a curved window running along the centre of it, giving a panoramic view over the city. A long, grand desk sat in front of it.
On the other side of the room was a vast series of shelves that climbed to the roof, filling the remainder of the wall space. It was packed with scrolls that were compacted together, golden lettering marking the wood beneath each section.
"The Scrolls of Cerulea. They document Brinatin's history all the way back to Dorian Ganderfield's time. It is an old tradition; a scroll is added to those shelves annually, documenting the important events of each a year. This year's will be...interesting. Perhaps there will come a time when I will read it as if it were all a bad dream. That is the best case scenario, of course." Horatious moved behind his desk and sunk into an oak chair embroidered with yellow silk. He gestured to the chair opposite and Oliver sat, gazing across the desk at the man.
He felt small in the large chair he was seated in and wondered if that was the idea. Horatious was raised up a little, looking down at him.
"Before we begin, I must ask that you sign a nondisclosure form. Nothing we discuss here today can be repeated, do you understand?"
Oliver nodded, too curious to object.
Horatious rummaged in the desk of his drawer for a moment and produced a piece of paper filled with minuscule writing.
"You will only be permitted to talk to those who have already been briefed. Presently, that includes your uncle Hadus." He pushed the paper towards Oliver with a calligraphy pen.
He took it and skimmed through the document then signed his name at the bottom and passed the sheet back to Horatious.
"So, before any decision is made, it's vital that I gauge an understanding of your father's connection to you."
"Connection?" Oliver asked with a grimace. "I don't know him. He's been absent my entire life."
"But you've met him? He's sought you out since Rimori returned from Vale?" His eyes roamed Oliver's intently though his expression was completely calm.
"I wouldn't say sought out. He's tried to kill my sister and I've been there. We ran into him and Rimori by coincidence in Glacio," Oliver explained.
"And how has he seemed with you?" He waved a hand through the air.
"I guess, kind of protective. He wanted me to go with him back to Rimori," Oliver said with a shrug.
"Interesting. And how do you feel towards him?"
"I hate him," Oliver said bluntly. "He wants to hurt May. I couldn't feel anything for someone that would do that." Something twisted inside him but he pushed the feeling away. A tiny part of him always fought against his hatred and he resented himself for it.
"But he's your father," Horatious stated. "You must feel some attachment to him?"
