L. Modesitt - Colors of Chaos

In the silence, Cerryl studied the sullen Zurchak and the silent Giustyl. “If I were Anya, or Sterol, you would be dead beside Muerchal. I am not either, nor like them.”

“So you will chain me in cold iron to soothe your conscience?” asked Zurchak ironically. “Your Mightiness?”

“Darkness, no.” Cerryl laughed. “Did you see what happened? Could you have stood against me?”

“No…no, ser.”

“Light, no…” murmured Giustyl in a voice so low as to be almost inaudible.

“I propose sending you-Zurchak-and a score of lancers to Summerdock. You will watch the traders there, and you will send a report every eight-day. You will tell me what ships have entered the port, what have left, what cargos were loaded, what were unloaded. You will report on anything you think will harm or benefit Fairhaven and the Guild. Several years from now, if you do well, you may be moved somewhere closer to Fairhaven-Ruzor, Worrak, perhaps Tyrhavven.”

Zurchak’s face remained impassive, but the darkness had vanished from his eyes.

“I give second chances,” Cerryl said quietly. “I do not give third chances.”

“Muerchal would be alive now,” added Leyladin from behind the Council, “had he not raised chaos against the High Wizard.”

Cerryl looked at the thin-faced Giustyl. “You will go to Biehl and do much the same.”

Giustyl nodded.

“I do not expect gratitude. I do expect obedience.” Cerryl offered a crooked smile that felt false. “If you attempt to betray the Guild, you will die, and you will never see that death approaching.”

Kinowin cleared his throat, loudly. “I would not interrupt the High Wizard in most matters, but you two should know something before you leave. Despite walls and guards, three rulers and a score of well-protected traders who schemed against the Guild have vanished into chaos over the past five years. The High Wizard does not make idle statements.” The older overmage smiled. “You should also know that I have never troubled myself to deceive. Nor do I now.”

Giustyl swallowed. Zurchak’s lips tightened.

“Are you willing to serve the Guild faithfully and well?” Cerryl asked. “And to build its strength throughout Candar?”

“Yes, ser.”

“Yes, Your Mightiness.”

“You may go.” The High Wizard waited for the two younger mages to leave. The door closed.

“Will they obey you?” Redark twisted to face Cerryl.

“Who knows?” Cerryl laughed softly. “They’ll be far enough away that almost anything they do will help the Guild. If it doesn’t, then we replace them with those who will obey.”

Redark frowned.

“What will protect them is the reputation of the Guild. If they betray the Guild and it becomes known…” Cerryl shrugged. “…one way or another they’ll die. Few people trust White mages who stand alone.”

“Another ruler?”

“If they leave Candar, fine. If they remain, they die.”

“You are more cruel than Sterol, Your Mightiness,” observed Redark.

“Cruel? I think not. I ask members of the Guild to serve faithfully and well. I accept honest mistakes. I punish treachery. Is that cruelty? Or will you and others think it cruel because I will not allow a mage to attempt to betray the Guild a second time? Because I do not play games with intrigue?” Except you have…You just wish you didn’t have to .

“I think…Cerryl,” Kinowin said gently, “the noble Redark has been so accustomed to…indirection…that he finds your methods somewhat too refreshingly direct. Perhaps he and I should talk.” The older overmage stood. “By your leave?”

Cerryl rose as well. “I will see you both later.”

The High Wizard and the healer waited until they were alone.

“Kinowin is going to explain a few things,” Leyladin said, her eyes twinkling. “Like how you won’t tolerate scheming and bribery and a few other time-accepted practices.”

“There are only a few mages left who know much of that.” Thank the light!

“There will be fewer who know such, and more honest mages.”

“The Guild will see to that,” Cerryl said.

“No, the Guild will not,” Leyladin replied, repeating her earlier words. “You will. We will.”

Cerryl knew her words were a promise, a long-delayed affirmation of Myral’s visions and Kinowin’s hopes, and the challenge that would occupy him for as long as he lived. He glanced toward the healer and the deep green eyes that enfolded him.

As long as we both live . With that thought, Leyladin smiled.

Cerryl felt her thought and smile, though his eyes traversed the winter lands beyond the White Tower, and the spring to come. So long as we both live .