James Barclay - Beyond the Mists of Katura

‘How are you?’ Auum asked, kneeling by the Il-Aryn master and noting the tremors running through his body.

‘I’ll live,’ said Drech, but the eyes he turned to Auum betrayed his fear.

‘What did he do this time?’ asked Auum.

‘He’s so fast,’ said Drech, half to himself. ‘Impossibly fast. He made the air hard as stone to push me over. And he was trying to drag the blood from my brain. He’s dangerous, Auum.’

‘I warned you. Whatever he is to his beloved students, his ego cannot handle the merest bruise. If you challenge him, he reacts like a child. He cannot contain his emotions.’

‘I’m sorry,’ said Drech. ‘I thought this would focus him, give him a role he could play and be content with. His talents are so great and he has apparently shared so little. Just look what he can do when he puts his mind to it.’

‘I saw the ship destroyed and I heard about the clay wall. But I saw this too. He acts on pure impulse. None of us can afford that. If you can’t control him, he’ll have to go. I’ll see the Senserii get him to Korina,’ said Auum.

Drech reached out a hand and Ulysan pulled him to his feet.

‘I’ll speak to the Il-Aryn. Tell them Takaar needs rest and help. I’m sure I can make them understand.’

Auum took Drech’s face in his hands and kissed his forehead.

‘I’m sorry it came to this. I’m sorry you couldn’t control him. No one can.’

‘Still, it makes you part of the exclusive club of those Takaar has tried to kill,’ said Stein.

Drech almost smiled. ‘I’d rather not be a member.’

Sipharec cleared his throat. ‘I think you owe the council an explanation.’

‘We cannot afford to lose Takaar,’ said Kerela. ‘His powers could change the course of any battle.’

‘You can’t afford to pay the price of those powers,’ said Auum. ‘You’ve seen the precipice he flirts with. It is like that with every breath he takes. He might destroy a thousand enemies in one moment and murder the finest of us the next. He must go.’

‘And what of us?’ asked Sipharec. ‘What of Julatsa and the war against the Wytch Lords?’

‘Well I don’t know about you, but to my mind the only way to get Takaar out of here and away to Korina is to break this siege. It’s one thing getting in and quite another getting out. Tomorrow we fight.’

‘I said what needed to be said.’

And did what needed doing?

Takaar, sitting on the side of his bed, dropped his head to his chest.

‘I should not have lost my temper.’

And with it whatever authority you thought you had.

‘I still have that! The Il-Aryn will not desert me.’

The Senserii will not let you leave your room. And they are supposed to do your bidding without question.

‘Gilderon will not betray me,’ said Takaar.

But you are not on the walls. You have no influence.

Takaar listened to the world beyond his luxurious bedchamber. The dull thump of spells and the crackling sound of black fire picking at the city walls dominated the hubbub of anxious ordinary people that filtered through his windows. Out there plans were being made.

‘They will come to me when they need my advice. They cannot do without it.’

Remind me. When was the last time Auum asked for your advice? Or Drech?

There was a knock on his door.

‘Come,’ said Takaar.

The door opened and Kerela walked in. ‘Please excuse the intrusion.’

‘Kerela, your presence is a blessing. Tell me, how goes the training of our people?’

‘I must tell you something.’

‘It can wait.’ Takaar held up a hand. ‘Sit with me. Tell me of your successes.’

Kerela nodded and sat on the bed next to Takaar. ‘We lost some, but we knew we would. The mana bowl is a dangerous place, and some could not open their minds to the human magic despite its similarity to ours. But you were right. Even those with limited Il-Aryn ability have found strength in the lore and magical structures of the Julatsan approach. Some have turned from the Il-Aryn and I for one will never leave here. This is my home, as it is to hundreds of those you sent here.’

Takaar smiled. ‘You are my greatest triumph. Don’t let Auum dominate you. Follow your heart’s desires. Fight alongside Xetesk. Ally with anyone to break the Wytch Lords. They must not threaten Herendeneth; we’re vulnerable there.’

‘What about Dawnthief? Surely Auum was right: we must leave the spell hidden.’

‘From Xetesk, yes. But from me or you or the good souls of this college? No. Research makes us stronger and in that spell lies the sum of all magical knowledge for those capable of unpicking its secrets.’

‘Then you must not let them send you away. We’ll need you when this is done.’

Told you. Your authority is long gone.

Takaar picked at his arm, and the cacophony in his head meant he had trouble framing his next words.

‘S-send me away?’

‘Auum wants you to go to Korina to your ships. Drech has sanctioned it.’

Drech.

‘Drech!’

Betrayer.

‘Betrayer!’

‘Takaar?’

Takaar turned to Kerela and managed a smile though his hands were iron and he desired so much to indulge his rage. The cacophony would not die down.

‘Kerela, I am sorry. Those who once loved me are starting to desert me. You remain faithful, don’t you?’

‘Always,’ said Kerela. ‘But they are determined you should go. I will petition Sipharec to give you sanctuary here.’

‘The Senserii will not let me be put on a cart and carried away like some chattel.’

Kerela’s voice was a whisper. ‘I don’t think they will stand against Auum and Drech. Their greatest desire is to see you safe.’

‘I won’t hide here. I must join the fight and, when it is done, join the search.’

‘Patience. Please, Takaar.’

You have none of that.

‘I have none of that.’

Mages at the base of the city wall and behind the gates expended huge energy investing the stone and timbers with more and more strength. Arrows flew in volleys from the ramparts and castings kept the Wesmen back whenever it looked as if an assault might be imminent. But outside, on the trampled ground, the shamen stood in large groups protected by their warriors and out of range of spell and arrow, launching attack after attack on Julatsa’s defences.

Harild had explained that they had sent raiding parties to their deaths in pursuit of the shamen. The black fire ate through magical shields, and the Wesman warriors were quick and brutal. And so the stage was set and the end of the play was no mystery. Julatsa’s walls or gates would be breached. Not today and probably not tomorrow or the next day, but it was only a matter of time.

‘Still no word from Xetesk or the other colleges?’ said Auum.

Harild shook his head. ‘Our latest messengers say they are fully committed in the defence of Understone Pass. No aid is coming.’

They were standing in the main gatehouse. Fire picked at the great timber doors below and dislodged stone from wide areas surrounding the great hinges and braces either side. Shamen had tried to attack the gatehouse itself but Il-Aryn magic had turned the fire away.

‘You should have flown mages out under cover of darkness,’ said Ulysan. ‘Come at them from the rear.’

‘We discussed it but the shamen can sense the use of mana; it’s like they can smell a casting just like they can with your Il-Aryn. Trying it would have been suicide.’