Michael Foster - The Young Magician

‘So why would you want to find such things if they are so dangerous?’ Samuel asked.

‘To destroy them, of course,’ Soddan answered, ‘or at least to keep them out of the wrong hands.’

‘Then you’ve been retrieving all the relics so you can to try to find the correct ones?’

‘That’s right, but so far we have been unsuccessful. What’s more, we believe that in every Age before ours there has been some awareness of this fate, as we have now, and they also tried to find these two relics. So far, none has been successful. Every Age has ended tragically, to say the least. Our Age is nearly at an end, perhaps even within our lifetimes. To save all our lives and our very souls, we must find those two artefacts and stop them from ever being used. The demons leave them somewhere, perhaps at completely opposite ends of the world, easily in view where people can find them. When the time comes and people have become accomplished and learned to travel, they will inadvertently bring them together and thus signal humanity’s own demise. They must be powerful things, immediately recognisable as a pair, so that people would have the notion to put them together.’

‘But you haven’t a clue where or what they are,’ Samuel assumed.

Soddan nodded. ‘That’s right. All our efforts so far have been in vain, and the signs all point to the fact that our time is quickly running short. Somewhere, we are sure, they have already been found and whatever witless dotards have them will surely be coursing them together as we speak, like puppets fulfilling the demons’ plans. If we cannot find these two great icons of power and destroy them, or at least keep them safely apart, we are doomed. If we can achieve our goal, our world will be safe forever more. You can see how the politics and affairs of nations are inconsequential compared to this.

‘Can you not see why we need you, Samuel? Your skills are great, and will become ever greater with time, for you are still young. You even proved Master Celios to be correct, although I’m sure few others would guess it. Help us, Samuel, I am pleading with you.’

Samuel shook his head as he began pacing back and forth across the room. ‘I don’t know what to say,’ he said. ‘It sounds…fantastic.’

Soddan stood. ‘Very well. Come and see for yourself. I can arrange for you to visit our library, or go browse through Dividian’s collection yourself. I’m sure you will be convinced.’

‘Dividian’s collection was destroyed by Ash.’

Soddan scowled. ‘Unfortunate.’

‘I need some time. These last few days have all been too much. Give me some time to think about it.’

‘Time is something we cannot afford, Samuel.’ Then he rubbed at his chin a moment. ‘Very well. Take what time you need, but do not dally long. Leave word for me at the smoking den when you have decided-use my contact name-but I must tell you this, Samuel: I am a patient and forgiving man, despite my appearances. Cang, however, is not a man to anger. He has told me that your assistance is not optional. There are many, many ways to gain your aid should we require it and Cang will not hesitate to use them. He has charged me with gaining your help but, if he hears my efforts have been fruitless, he will not be happy. The fate of the world is at stake, and he will not accept failure-he cannot. Keep that in mind. I’m sure you still have friends, loved ones, even ambitions. Cang will take those away without a moment’s thought.’

Samuel stopped and looked at Soddan darkly. ‘Don’t threaten me, Soddan. Everything even remotely precious to me has already been taken away. Everyone I have known and loved is dead and my only ambition has been to revenge them. That wish was fulfilled the moment I killed Ash. There is nothing you can do to me to bring me down any further.’

Soddan again raised his hands in defence. ‘Please, please, Samuel. Don’t misunderstand me. I am not threatening you. I am merely telling you what will happen should you decide not to join us. You may think you have nothing, but you would be surprised at the things a man finds valuable when they are taken away. I know you still have friends in the Order, but there are other things also. Pray you do not find out. Past ages have had powerful magicians, too, but none has managed to survive. The Circle of Eyes is everywhere, ever vigilant, ever searching. We rebuild after every Age in our bid to undo the foolishness of the Ancients. I know you will come to the right decision, Samuel. You are not a foolish man.’

‘Very well,’ Samuel conceded. ‘I will let you know soon enough.’

Soddan continued to look at Samuel, perhaps weighing up his final statement. ‘As a measure of my trust, I will reveal to you my true name. I am Balten.’ And he even made a slight bow and gave a flourish with his hand.

‘You are Balten!’ Samuel said with surprise.

‘You see? When even young magicians know my name, you can see why I need an alias,’ the man replied light-heartedly. ‘Now, I shall bid you good day. Enjoy your celebrations,’ he added, as he let himself out and closed the door softly behind him, leaving Samuel to dwell on all that had been said.

Eventually, Samuel stepped out into the hall, although still with some uncertainty. Servants, nobles and courtiers passed by, seemingly unbothered by the events of recent days, although some eyed Samuel warily as he began making his way down the long corridors on his still unsteady legs. At one junction, a youthful mage came along and stopped upon recognising him.

‘Samuel!’ he said.

‘Artam?’ Samuel asked.

‘Yes, it’s me.’

‘I’ve not seen you since the old days in the school. Where have you been?’

‘Not far-in Duli since my graduation. I returned as soon as I heard word that the Emperor had been killed and many Masters had been slain. I am an apprentice Keeper of Records in the school.’

‘Congratulations then, Master Ritter. Do you know where Lomar and the others are?’

‘Lord Lomar? He and the other councillors are meeting with the Empress in the meeting chamber. I just came from there.’

‘Can you take me there?’

Artam momentarily glanced at the papers he held under one arm before discarding their importance. ‘Of course. This way.’

He led Samuel through the vast palace, through halls and across yards and along balconies. They crossed a great echoing chamber where a hundred men and women sat at a hundred desks, all furiously scribbling and making calculations and none bothered to look up as they passed. They passed a series of rooms, each resounding with a different music and Samuel could just catch a glimpse of youths in each one, busily practising their instruments. Finally, Artam brought him before a simple, yet finely polished, wooden door. He remembered it as being the same room where he had accepted his dispatch to Hammenton just after the Emperor’s death, although he never would have found it on his own.

‘Farewell, Lord Samuel,’ Artam said, and he left Samuel to knock and enter. The young man had changed much in the short years, but he seemed to have completely dismissed their prior conflict.

Around the long table sat about a dozen men and women. Empress Lillith sat at one head, wearing a regal gown, and General Ruardin, enormous in contrast to her small frame, sat by her side. Two ladies-in-waiting stood behind her. Lomar sat closest to her, with Master Glim beside him. The others present were various court officials and representatives. They were all looking at Samuel as he entered.

‘Empress Lillith,’ Lomar began, ‘you may remember Samuel. Samuel, I’m sure you remember the Empress Lillith. Take a seat. It’s good that you have now arrived.’

Samuel bowed to those present and closed the door behind him before taking a place in a vacant seat near the end of the table. The men opposite him nodded to return the greeting.