chamber, so it seems he is also involved in all this.’
‘That explains why we can’t find anything useful in the Great Library,’ Samuel stated. ‘That weasel Dividian has probably been stealing anything relevant for years. They’ve all been working together.’
‘So I assume,’ Master Glim agreed, ‘but I guess it’s not really stealing if he is doing it for the Archmage. It’s just that we don’t like it.’
‘So are we going ahead?’ Goodfellow queried.
‘Yes,’ Master Glim confirmed. ‘Lord Goodwin has organised an emergency session of the Magicians’ Council, beginning within the very hour. He is demanding that the details of the relic be revealed, on the grounds that it could be a danger to the city if improperly used. Fortunately, most of the other councillors are so curious to hear about it that they have supported his call. Hopefully, this should be enough to draw Master Ash away from the chamber.’
‘We’re going tonight?’ Goodfellow asked, looking at Samuel with disbelief.
‘Yes, at once,’ Master Glim replied. ‘We cannot afford to wait any longer for the Grand Master. Master Pot and Master Lomar will meet us at the palace. From there, we will go directly to the High Tower and take whatever books and notes they have and just hope that, without that information, they cannot continue with their work. If we meet any resistance, we will try to overcome it as best we can.’
‘Can’t we just take the Argum Stone?’ Goodfellow asked.
‘No. It’s far too big,’ Samuel told him. ‘They sealed the thing inside the room. It won’t even fit through the doorway and spells cannot affect it. We’d need ropes and equipment and a score of men just to lift it.’
‘It all sounds dangerous,’ Goodfellow stated nervously.
Master Glim looked at Goodfellow momentarily. ‘Actually, it would be best if you stayed here. When we return, it’s possible we may be followed, so we will leave the books with you and continue on into the markets. At least, that way, if we are caught, the books are not lost and we can lead any pursuers away.’
Goodfellow seemed hesitant. ‘Are you sure?’ he asked.
‘Of course,’ Master Glim confirmed. ‘Someone must stay and it may as well be you. Samuel and I are both needed in the palace.’
Goodfellow breathed a sigh of relief. ‘Very well. I’ll stay. I must say I am rather glad.’
Master Glim smiled knowingly before turning to Samuel. ‘There’s just one more thing. If we are caught, or cannot escape in time, the books must be destroyed.’
‘Destroy the books?’ Samuel said with disbelief. ‘They’re irreplaceable! If they really do contain knowledge of the Ancients, they may be the only remaining copies in existence!’
‘I know, Samuel, but many lives are at stake. If it comes to that, we have no choice.’
‘That knowledge may never be found again.’
‘We will have to live with that.’
Samuel was about to retort once more, but finally gave in. ‘Yes. Yes, you are right. Given time, I suppose we can uncover everything that has been lost through our own efforts, but we cannot recover the lives of those lost to the war.’
Master Glim nodded. ‘Correct. Very well, we must make haste. Eric, stay near the window and we will call for you when we return. Samuel, change back into your robes. They will conceal us within the palace.’
Samuel readied himself and Master Glim picked up his leather satchel before they both proceeded out the door.
‘You don’t think Goodfellow is up to the task?’ Samuel queried his teacher once they were out into the bustling street.
‘No. I think it’s better if he stays here. He’s too nervous and he’s of little use like that. He will only give us away.’
Samuel nodded and they continued on. Master Glim seemed confident, but the man could not help checking over his shoulder as they wound their way towards the Emperor’s palace.
They met Lomar and Eric outside the palace gates and all entered without attracting even a glance from the guards. The halls of the palace were, as usual, inhabited by a variety of plumed nobles and gentry, strolling and conversing-some with long, needle-like rapiers swinging at their hips. Several of the passing gentry sniffed as they passed and Samuel wondered why, until he remembered he had not bathed in some time and probably had the stench of a beggar.
At the base of the High Tower, two black-robed magicians stepped down from the stairs and nearly careened straight into Samuel and his group. Samuel’s heart leapt, but the two men turned immediately away, too engrossed in their conversation to pay them any mind. The men were the councillors, Lords Hathen and Irshank.
‘Oh, yes,’ Hathen was saying, his great bushy moustache wobbling with each word. Samuel could see it bobbing up and down even from behind. ‘I can’t believe such nerve. What did you say to that?’
‘Of course, I scolded the insolent fool,’ the corpulent Irshank stated and the two men disappeared down towards the courtyard.
Samuel collected himself and calmed his quickened heart. The first set of stairs was just before them and the four of them began up together. Somewhere above them lay the Argum Stone, the secrets on how to use it, texts containing the lost wisdom of the Ancients and possibly even Ash himself. Everything he wanted was above in that one small chamber. The Argum Stone and the books would be fascinating, but most of all, Samuel hoped to find Ash. His death would be a sweet reward. If nothing else good could come of these times, Samuel only wished to get his hands around Ash’s neck and squeeze it until the bones began to snap, and then perhaps continue squeezing until his hands cramped from the effort.
The first few levels of the tower were littered with workers, officials and guards. Most were strolling around idly for, at this hour, there was little left to do. The tower grew narrower then, with the stairs beginning to twist upwards, but the High Tower was still wide enough to house many rooms on each level.
The stairs here were not continuous as in the Mage Tower, so they often had to walk a length of hall or cross opposite the tower to reach the next stairway. They passed several storerooms and chambers, but the further they climbed, the less people they met and the less used the rooms appeared to be. There were also no spells set in these stairs to aid in their ascent and so climbing the heights of the tower was tiring work and the occasional halls and balconies were much needed.
‘Take care,’ Master Glim whispered eventually. ‘We are nearly there. If there are any guards, follow my lead. We need to take care of them quickly and quietly.’
They carefully crept up the last length of stairs, but, as they reached the carpeted hall on the next level, there was no one in sight. A single doorway loomed in front of them, looking little different from the numerous others they had passed on their ascent.
They strode closer and Master Glim eyed the door carefully.
‘There’s no guard,’ Eric whispered.
Master Glim put a finger to his lips to silence any talk. He bent over and put his eye to the keyhole, then after a moment, he put his hand to the brass handle-but it remained firm. At that, Master Glim took a step back and started rubbing his chin in deliberation.
Samuel stepped in front of his teacher and took his turn to look through the keyhole. He could just make out an open window across the room, with scarlet curtains billowing in the breeze. There were some shelves on either side, but that was as much as he could discern.
He also tried turning the handle, but it was quite obviously locked.
‘What shall we do?’ Lomar asked softly. ‘We cannot linger out here.’
‘We must open the door,’ Master Glim decided. ‘It’s locked, but not barred.’
‘It’s a good sign,’ Lomar announced. ‘There will be no one inside.’
‘I’m sure there will be traps,’ Samuel responded.
‘I realise that,’ Master Glim said sternly. His nerves had put him in no mood for statements of the obvious. ‘Stand back.’
Lomar, Eric and Samuel each scurried down the hall a little way while Master Glim examined the door. Samuel was looking nervously back down the stairs, when Master Glim cast a spell with a flick of his finger and the door made a soft click. He grasped the handle and carefully turned it. He opened the door the slightest crack, ready for the slightest hint of a spell, and then pushed it open, letting it swing in on its hinges.
