Shadow Magic, page 45
‘So you won’t stop working for us if Emerré asks?’
‘Emerré won’t ask, though if you do start killing my friends I’ll find something else to do with my shadow magic. Emerré won’t have to ask me.’
Jacques rubbed at his face. ‘Cadel is a powerful wizard-’
‘If Cadel isn’t with her when her child is born, Emerré will use her shadow magic to find him.’
‘But her child-’
‘Emerré doesn’t have much control over her shadow magic anymore, not without Cadel. If you don’t let him go back home, you’ll kill her. Stop being an ass, Jacques, and stop talking to me. You realise I can’t go and shadow magic your enemies while you’re talking to me, don’t you?’
‘The King will not like this, particularly after the fire. I’ll see what I can do, Cadel will probably have to get injured though. Magically injured, something difficult to heal...’
‘I’m sure Emerré will love that...’ Guy murmured.
‘Not permanent, just difficult.’
Guy didn’t respond. His eyes were closed and Jacques couldn’t tell if he was still here or not.
‘What are you two up to, anyway? You understand the King is...part of his city got burnt down, even if he pretends it wasn’t an important part, Lakasha managed to attack Manus. If you don’t respond...let’s just say the King is already more in favour of Loic Mason and Quince Abelard than you lot.’
‘I hope he hasn’t done anything stupid.’
‘That’s no way to talk about your King.’
‘You might want to hurry up then.’
‘What are you talking about now?’
‘Linette told me. Cadel disappeared.’
Jacques skin prickled in the cold of the silent hallway.
His voice tight, he said, ‘what?’
‘He’s gone. Disappeared. I hope your King didn’t allow some sort of scheme because of one little fire...’
‘A big fire actually, and what do you mean he’s disappeared?’
‘Go contact your sorcerers in Dartham.’ Guy sighed. ‘It musn’t have been that long ago if they haven’t mentioned it yet, unless they don’t think it’s important enough...’
‘When did Linette tell you?’
‘Recently. I told you as soon as I remembered.’
Jacques rubbed at his eyes. The shadow mages had difficulty telling time when they were using their power. Blaise was a lot better at it than the others. He was a lot better at everything. ‘I’ll sort this out.’ He briefly brushed his amulet. At least since Cadel was important to Guy’s friend, he probably had only heard it recently. Possibly while they were talking. ‘Does Emerré know yet?’
‘I’m not sure, probably not if you don’t even know, I can’t go near her, you know.’
‘Fine, fine.’ Good, we still have some control over the situation. ‘And to my previous question?’
‘What was that?’
‘What are you and Blaise doing?’
‘Blaise is sorting something out. Whatever it is, I’m sure it will be quite subtle, it will probably make that fire look like child’s play...which it was...’
‘That’s not something I can tell the King, he wants something specific.’
‘He shouldn’t hire shadow mages then. Can I go now?’
Jacques stood, his knees cracking. ‘Yes, please.’
Guy didn’t respond. Jacques observed him, looking for some sign he was gone. There were so many shadows clinging to him already he couldn’t tell if they changed.
Dark thoughts roaming his mind, Jacques headed off to his next appointment.
He found Prince Alexandre in the garden. No one else was around.
‘Your Highness.’ Jacques bowed.
‘Jacques, what news?’
Jacques flourished the letter. ‘None good, I’m afraid. Cadel Vayles has gone missing from Dartham.’
Alexandre read the letter quickly and handed it back. ‘Do you know the details?’
‘No, Guy only just informed me.’
‘Alright,’ Alexandre said, ‘let Emerré know. We need to stay on her good side. Find out what happened to him, Jacques, and bring him back.’
Jacques bowed his head. He couldn’t stop thinking about Guy’s words, had the King sanctioned Cadel’s disappearance? If so, getting him back...
‘Jacques, my father is not happy with the shadow mages. He is giving Quince Abelard free reign to do as he wishes.’
‘Yes, so I-’
‘He gave him the shadow mage your candle and Pierre found.’
‘What?’ After we spent so long looking! All that work!
‘Things look bad for me, personally, but that is of only minor concern... the Dukes are not happy with this war, Jacques. Poirive never supported it, the old Duke of Belcanon spoke out against it from the beginning, and now, with Allonce and Manus attacked, and Dashiell so personally offended... things do not look good for my father, not if things continue as they are. You know there have been fewer men coming from Belcanon this last week.’
‘It is a week, your highness, that is not enough-’
‘Dashiell would only have reached Beloire about a week ago. It bears monitoring, Jacques. We must consider our next move...’
‘What would you have me do?’ he asked, hiding his incredulity from his voice. He felt like reminding the prince he was only one man.
‘I want this war to end.’
Jacques stared at him.
‘My brother is heading to Dartham to fight for Mance-Jolune, to crush the Lakashans and so on... did you hear his speech? With his absence, my father may listen to me more...’
Or perhaps something might happen to Silvain...would Theuder be crushed at the death of his favourite son, or only enraged? He hesitated. Is Alexandre suggesting something happen to Silvain, or am I only imagining dark thoughts? With Silvain out of the picture, Alexandre would not have to fear being passed over... there are no other sons...
‘Without shadow magic, this war would not be so... perhaps it would end, but even if it didn’t, it would not be so devastating. I think I have made myself clear.’
‘Highness...’ Jacques hesitated, ‘your brother...’
Alexandre’s face was unreadable for a moment, then he said, ‘do you think so little of me, Jacques? I meant what I said. I will speak to my father while Silvain is away. I want you to find a way to remove shadow magic from the picture.’
‘Yes, your Highness, I understand.’ I wonder, Quince already sent spiders down to Arcos...is Alexandre planning the same thing? He thought briefly of Asmara and Dorian. Better we stop the Lakashan shadow mages than Quince and Loic Macon. Asmara and Dorian... I doubt they would hurt the Lakashan shadow mages, even if they weren’t just children. I’ll have to arrange something else...
CHAPTER 60
7 Jevin, 1353
The army was a chaotic mess. Julietta walked through the dusty campsite with a disapproving frown. Men sat and stood everywhere, animals and servants dashed this way and that, the air was full of noise and dust. The day was cool, winter had only recently arrived.
Julietta scanned the air while dodging men and horses. He was with an army from Mercôt, the green serpent on a field of blue... Picking out one particular flag was proving to be challenging. Every lord, from barons to dukes, had their own flag. The air above the army was filled with bright colours and fantastical animals stitched in gold and silver. Julietta frowned at an illusion of a dove flitting around a flag of yellow and white. What a frivolous use for magic in this time of war!
Julietta was glad she’d sent out her paper bird to find Bo. The thought of looking for him by mundane means in this chaotic mess was daunting.
The bird hadn’t found him yet so in the meantime she was looking for the Mercôt army flag. She hoped by the time she’d reached the Mercôt army her bird would have located him.
Julietta’s step faltered as she spotted a familiar flag flapping by a green silk tent. The flag of her family, the duck of Leman on a field of green. Burrell must be here... she thought in surprise, frozen. Should she go see him? It had been a long time, years since she’d seen her brother. What would she say? No, she shook her head, better not to. She continued walking, turning her eyes back to the sky to look for the serpent of Mercôt.
‘Jules!’
Julietta froze.
‘Jules, it is you!’
Julietta turned around as a large man in heavy armour barrelled towards her.
‘Little Julietta!’
Burrell Calance enveloped Julietta in a heavy hug and lifted her off the ground.
‘Burrell, Burrell!’ she snapped, his heavy armour digging into her uncomfortably, ‘put me down!’ Jules, still! She’d always hated that name.
Burrell dropped her gently back on the ground. A wide grin lit his features. ‘I always forget how small you are! It’s been so long!’
Julietta had to tilt her head up to see her brother. Had he gotten taller? Burrell was almost unrecognizable. He glowed with health and vitality, and he’d never been so happy to see her before.
‘Mother told me you were here.’ she said.
‘She told me you were here too. Come, let me show you my camp! Mother told me to send you home, but I have to say, I was relieved when I heard you were here.’
‘Oh?’ Julietta followed her brother. He moved in his armour well, as if he was used to it. It was the armour of the Calance family, enchanted centuries ago when their family had more wealth.
‘It’s good to know we have such powerful sorceresses here to keep the Lakashan’s at bay. I feel much safer knowing you’re keeping our men safe.’
Julietta managed a strained smile. Suddenly she felt like she was going to cry.
‘This is my tent.’ Burrell pointed at the big green thing Julietta had noticed earlier. ‘My men are resting at the moment, but in the evening we train. It’s been hell, Jules, none of the men knew how to fight, and you know the Lakashan soldiers are tough bastards. Some of the other lords don’t make their men train, but hell, we don’t have much chance otherwise! I thought I was good with a sword, but I’ve certainly been put in my place!’
‘You weren’t hurt were you?’
‘Me, in this armour? No, no. It’s galling though to see men in un-enchanted, un-inscribed armour defending me though. I’ve been trying hard to be better.’
‘Y-yes, I’m sure...’ Julietta murmured. She felt as though someone had kidnapped her brother and replaced him with an older, more mature man.
‘We’ve been making Leman proud, Jules, don’t worry.’
‘I believe you.’
‘Probably nothing to what you’re doing though.’ he said earnestly.
Julietta pressed her lips together and nodded, unable to speak.
‘The soldiers are always complaining about the mages, but I always tell them no one works as hard as my little sister.’
‘Y-yeah...’
‘So, what are you doing out here? Do you have time to come in or-’
‘No, I-I’m very busy, Burrell, im-important work to do.’
‘Yeah,’ he sighed, ‘I can imagine! I hope after this is all over you have time to come back and visit Leman. I think you’d be pleased with the place, I’ve been working hard with father for our land. It’s been so long since you visited.’
‘It’s been years.’
‘We’ve all missed you, Jules.’
‘You-you’ve changed a lot.’
Burrell laughed. ‘I hope so! Before you go, do you think you have time to do some magic for my armour? I don’t want to take up much of your time, I’d just love to have some of your magic protecting me.’
Julietta nodded. ‘It’s already enchanted so...’ there’s not much I can do... ‘I’ll add some inscriptions. It would be easier if you weren’t wearing it.’
‘Give me a moment, I was just about to take it off. Enchanted or no, it’s damned heavy.’
Julietta waited outside the tent while her brother changed. After, she went in and began examining his armour carefully. It had been enchanted a very long time ago. Perhaps I can make it lighter...
As she worked she heard men come and go. Her brother sat at his desk and received reports. The low murmur of conversation sounded very serious. She glanced over her shoulder every now and then and saw older men, other lords, or soldiers from Leman’s castle guard, speaking with respect to her brother.
He’s grown into a responsible and respected lord, Julietta thought, I wonder when that happened? For so long she’d remembered him as an annoying older brother who’d blamed her for Leman’s decline. Yet that was seven years ago now... I thought so little of him, and yet here he is, fighting for Leman and working hard for our home, and here I am, fleeing the Royal Mages because I’m just not... not good enough...
When she finished she stood up quickly and hurried out of the tent.
Burrell quickly went after her, ‘Jules, are you done?’
‘Yes, thank you Burrell! I really must be off now, important work to do.’
‘Of course, I understand. Look after yourself, little sister.’
‘You... you too.’ she murmured quietly, hoping her inscriptions would help keep him safe. ‘You too...’
CHAPTER 61
8 Jevin, 1353
Amjerbo awoke at dawn. He crawled out of his tent and stretched. The morning was grey and cold. The other young men in his unit were slowly waking up. Since the magical storm a few weeks ago the rest of his unit had slowly begun warming up to him again. It was perhaps mostly due to Captain Wyatt, who had decided to trust Bo. Darcel Forrest was the exception.
‘More marching...’ a young man groaned. ‘My feet ache! I’d rather be fighting!’
Bo laughed. ‘Would you? Let’s just hope we’re marching in the right direction this time!’
‘My goat can tell direction better than our general!’
‘Your goat?’
‘Back home, he keeps escaping, but he always comes back.’
‘Doesn’t sound like a very smart goat if he keeps coming back!’
‘What? No, we’d never eat him!’
The young man grumbled as Bo began preparing the morning’s meal. He was in charge of it today and had already collected their rations for the day.
Around him the camp slowly busied, as men got on with the business of waking up.
The young man with the goat came and sat by him. ‘What is that?’
‘This? This is your breakfast, young man!’
‘No, not that, I mean that!’ and he pointed at Bo’s head.
Bo peered upwards and saw nothing.
‘On top, here!’
And he reached up and pulled something off Bo’s head and held it out. It was a paper bird. As they watched its little paper wings flapped and it flew back to the top of Bo’s head.
‘What the-hey!’ the young man grabbed at it again. This time he held it’s wings firmly.
‘Oh...I’ve seen those before.’
‘What is it-ah!’ the man suddenly let go of the bird and sucked on his fingers. While he was doing that it flew back to Bo’s head. ‘My hands!’
‘Are you alright? Let me see.’
The man held out his hands. They looked fine.
‘It doesn’t hurt anymore.’ he grouched, ‘but it really stung!’
‘Perhaps you should leave it alone then. I think it likes my head.’
‘But what is it? It must be some kind of magicky thing.’
Bo chuckled.
‘What’s so funny?’
‘I’m just imagining what Julietta would say to that.’
‘Who?’
‘A sorceress I worked with before coming here. She used to make paper birds like this. Perhaps it is hers.’
The man glared up at the bird. ‘Maybe if I cut off its wings...’
‘Better not.’ Bo said, ‘I imagine the bird is sturdier than it looks, if Julietta made it.’
‘Hmm...’
‘Surely you have something you need to be doing?’
‘Yes...’
‘Well, off you go! You don’t want the captain to chew you out for laziness again!’ And Bo shooed the young man off before he could try attacking the bird again.
The rest of the morning proceeded normally. The men were fed, the camp was packed up, and units began moving out. Bo watched as the soldiers started marching ahead. His group would not be going with the first group, which was fine with him, as the first group would have to start work on the next camp.
He turned as he heard a commotion behind. The soldiers were calling out suggestive comments. Must be a lady... he thought, curious as to what a woman would be doing walking through the camp. He frowned and stood, suddenly wondering if it could be...
‘Julietta!’ he cried as the short young woman, a severe frown on her face and her back very straight, came into view.
Her stern expression evaporated when she saw him and she broke into a relieved smile. She hurried to his side, ‘Bo! I’m glad to finally get here.’
‘Ooh, Bo, who’s this girl?’
‘Little young for you, isn’t she?’
Julietta’s expression cooled again and she cast the soldiers watching them with an icy glare.
Bo just laughed, ‘this is my friend, a sorceress! Mind the way you speak to her, she might turn you into a frog!’
The attitude of the soldiers immediately changed, and within seconds all who had been bothering her found they had something else they needed to do.
‘I wouldn’t turn them into frogs.’ Julietta said. ‘That’s quite complicated magic and-’
Bo started laughing. ‘I’m sure it is! Julietta, what are you doing here? Are the Royal Mages joining us today?’ He noticed she was not wearing her uniform.
An unreadable expression crossed Julietta’s face. ‘No...’ she said, her voice uncertain, ‘not exactly.’
‘No? Come and sit down.’
When they were sitting Bo asked again, ‘so, why are you here?’
‘I’ve come to be helpful.’
Bo frowned, confused. ‘So you were sent here?’
‘Not exactly.’
