The Young Magician

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.

‘Welcome, Master Samuel,’ the Empress began. She was slender and beautiful. Her proud cheek bore a vivid pink scar-perhaps a souvenir from Ash’s dungeon. ‘I must begin by thanking you. I understand it was you who brought an end to the horrid magician, Master Ash, who had imprisoned us.’

‘Thank you, Empress,’ Samuel returned politely.

‘As a result, I would like to offer you a place on the Magicians’ Council-as a temporary measure in recognition of your skills. I understand this is a great honour for one so young. Never has the Council had such a youthful member in its ranks. The permanent members will need to be elected in the coming months, but there is much to be done and the Empire needs the Council at full strength. I trust you will make good of the opportunity.’

‘Thank you, Your Highness,’ Samuel responded. ‘I will be glad to fill the role, if only for the time being.’

‘Also,’ she continued, ‘I have nominated Lord Lomar to be High Lord. Again, it is only a temporary measure to fill the coming weeks, but if he and the Council agree, perhaps he can take on the role permanently.’

‘That sounds fitting.’

‘As you know, the Emperor was obsessed with the desire to conquer Garteny and complete his expansion of the Empire. I, on the other hand, wish only to maintain the law and keep the people secure. I’m sure you all realise a woman has never ruled the Empire before, and this will only last until my son becomes fit to take my place. I am not entirely convinced I will have the same power that my husband did, and the officials even now have created ways to stop me from making many important decisions. Know this at least, that I will do my best to serve the Empire and its peoples well, and I hope the magicians of the Empire can serve me in turn.

‘We all know that Cintar has been host to Garten spies, but we also have our own spies in Garteny and we have just received word from them. It seems that the Gartens are not content with only my husband’s death. They seem to feel that the Empire is still a threat to them and King Otgart sees this as a time of opportunity. He has marched his armies into our northern lands and has already taken several towns. I have begun a diplomatic process to try and maintain the peace, but I don’t know how far King Otgart is planning to go with this. If he insists on pushing his soldiers further south, we will be forced to send our own troops to dissuade him. For the time being, I have asked our men to keep their distance.’

Samuel sighed. Despite all their best efforts, it seemed the threat of war had still not yet been staunched.

‘What the Empress is saying,’ Lomar explained, ‘is that even though we are not planning to continue with the war, we may have little choice if the Gartens bring the war to us. She is counting on the aid of the Order of Magicians, should the need be required.’

Samuel nodded. ‘I understand.’

‘Very well,’ the Empress said. ‘I shall leave you to discuss the matter further. I have much other pressing business, as you can understand.’