‘Just leave the city. You can come back once you have learned to fend for yourself.’
‘How long will that take?’ Samuel asked. ‘The war in the north could have started by then.’
The magician smiled, almost mischievously. ‘I’m sure it will. The war is a triviality, Samuel. Greater things are at work. You must learn to turn your head and see more than just what is in front of your eyes. I will tell you this, and if there is only one thing I tell you that you believe, then, let this be it: you have a power like no other magician we know, but you are still a boy by most standards. You must survive and develop towards whatever potential awaits you. The Empire and the Order and even the Circle itself are inconsequential compared to what will come in future days and you
Samuel mused over the magician’s words.
‘Listen to me,’ the man continued. ‘The Order is changing, as you have seen. They have precious little to teach you now and are more of a threat to you than anything. You must become your own teacher. You must experience what lies beyond the walls of your tiny little school and beyond the walls of this city. There are secrets you can only discover by looking inward-secrets far greater than anything you can be taught or shown by another. I will send you far away, to the distant reaches of the Empire. I want you to stay hidden and I want you to study your inner magic. When the time is right, I will send word to you, but ignore everything else you may hear-about the Order or the Empire or the war. If you do as I say, when you return to Cintar, you will be a king among magicians and you will realise that everything happening now is just bluster and nonsense.’
‘Where will I go?’
‘I already have something in mind. There is a small town in the territory of Tindal called Gilgarry. I have a man there doing some work for the Circle. He can provide you with funds and arrange anything you need. He goes by the name of Cervantes. Keep your identity secret, even from him, and he will provide you with whatever you need. As long as you remember that, you will remain safe.’
Samuel took a deep breath as he thought the matter over. The smoke was leaving a bitter taste in the back of his throat and he ached to be out of the place.
‘Very well,’ he finally said. ‘I don’t see that I have much of a choice if I want to live. I’ll pack my things and leave at once.’
‘Samuel,’ the magician said, levelling his gaze at the young magician opposite him. ‘If you go back to the School of Magic, you may not have the chance to leave. You should go directly to the South Gate and don’t look back. There are many merchants there to supply your needs. You can get a horse and provisions easily enough and be on your way before you are found.’
Samuel shook his head. ‘How did everything come to this?’ he asked out loud. ‘Everything was going so well and now my life is turned upside-down again.’
The magician took a deep breath on his pipe and exhaled pale blue smoke with a sideways grin. ‘That
‘So it seems I must join you as you said, despite my own wishes. Then tell me-what is your name?’
‘I won’t lie to you, but I cannot tell you my true name yet. Suffice to know, I am known by some as Soddan.’
‘Yes, it is a long story. If you return to Cintar, I will probably know, but if you somehow find yourself needing me, you can ask for me here by that name. My one pleasure in life is to smoke some fine Fiskian tobacco, so I come here on the rare occasions that time permits.’
Samuel waited a few moments, then with a sigh he said, ‘So, I will go.’ He stood from his cushion and nodded toward the cross-legged magician. ‘Thank you for your help, Master Soddan.’
‘Very well. Before I leave, I want to ask you something. There is a man I have vowed to kill. I will follow your advice, but I will not rest until I find him. I have heard him talking with people in the Circle, so perhaps you know him. His name is Master Ash.’
Again, the magician smiled knowingly, as if everything Samuel said had some hidden meaning. ‘Yes, I know of him, but I’m afraid I can’t offer you any more information than that just now. Suffice to say that I’m very sure you will have your chance to kill him if that is what you really desire, but first you must save yourself by getting out of the city. Go now and be quick about it.’
At that, Samuel went over to the doorway, bent down, and ducked back outside. He had no intention of going directly to the South Gate as Soddan had instructed, for he could not possibly disappear without telling his friends and he absolutely needed his notes and journals. He wove his way through the streets, making his way back towards the north end of the city, skittish all the while.
Coming to Cornish Street, Samuel was divided as to whether he should take the most direct route by turning left or the longer route by turning right. After a few moments of nervous indecision, he turned entirely about and decided to make his way as indirectly as possible to avoid anyone who may be waiting in his path. Samuel could not help but notice a fellow standing idly a few strides away and looking directly towards him from beneath the rim of a tight green cap. He could not help feeling even more anxious as the man began coming towards him. He tried to walk calmly, but he could not help quickening his steps. Every so often, he would look back over his shoulder, and the man was there, following some way behind, peering through above the crowd. At last, Samuel sprang forward and began running as fast as he could.
Panting and tired a few streets away, Samuel glanced over his shoulder, but the man was nowhere to be seen. He hurried the rest of the way back to the School of Magic, making a beeline without any further thought of subterfuge. Only when he had passed through the open gates that broke the school walls did he feel any safer.
‘So, you’re really going?’ Goodfellow asked as Samuel hurriedly packed his satchel.
‘I have no choice that I can see,’ Samuel said. ‘If I stay I’m done for. I’m certain.’
‘Things are really falling to pieces,’ Goodfellow responded forlornly. ‘Soon there will be no one left here at all.’
‘Don’t worry, Eric,’ Samuel told his friend. ‘You’ve always been the sensible one. I’m sure everything will work out for you and soon enough, I’m sure we’ll meet again.’
‘Perhaps you’re right,’ Goodfellow admitted. ‘So where will you go?’
‘I can’t tell you,’ Samuel replied. ‘It’s better that you don’t know. I’m sure Jarrod’s men are already after me, and who knows who else, so I will leave at once. I shouldn’t even have returned here, but I couldn’t have left without letting you know and getting my journal.’
‘Do you want me to tell Master Glim?’
‘No,’ Samuel returned abruptly. ‘Don’t tell him anything, except that I have gone away. I’m not even sure I trust him any more.’
‘I just hope you know what you are doing, Samuel.’
‘Me, too,’ he admitted.
They shook each other’s hands and Samuel embraced his friend in a crushing hug. Without looking back, Samuel then left the dormitory. He went to the stables, where a couple of apprentices were tending the horses. Samuel chose the best steed there and then checked her harness and saddle twice over after the boys had announced she was ready.
‘Does she have a name?’ he asked.
‘I don’t know,’ said one. ‘Nobody ever told us if she does.’
‘Then I shall have to come up with a good one.’
Pushing one boot into a stirrup, he hoisted himself up. He wanted to give the boys some advice that would see them through these days. If the Council had its way, they would soon be heading off to war. ‘Study hard,’ was all he could think to tell them and he clicked his tongue and started his mount towards the entrance.
Perhaps it would have been better, Samuel thought to himself, if he had accepted the offer of the Circle of Eyes and joined their ranks, or even Balthazar’s misdirected Union of Modern Magicians. At least they did not try to disguise their nature. They were honest about what they were. Soddan was right in many ways. The Order had no use for him now and so had simply decided to kill him. All the while, he had thought he was part of some grand and honourable cause, but really he had just been a pawn all along. All that did not matter now. He was leaving such things behind him and he would soon forge his own fate.
He shook the reins and urged his animal on and out of the School of Magic, through the bustling streets and
