The Magician’s Apprentice

returned to Takado.

“Emperor Vochira sends his greetings,” he said. “I am Ashaki Nomako.”

“Welcome, Ashaki Nomako,” Takado replied. “Should I send my regards to the emperor through you, or are your intentions to stay and join us?”

The man somehow managed to straighten himself even further. “Emperor Vochira has decided to support your efforts to bring Kyralia back under the influence of the empire, and has ordered me to provide what assistance and guidance is needed, including this army of magicians loyal to Sachaka.”

“That is most generous of him,” Takado said. “With your help we can conquer Kyralia faster and with less risk to our fellow Sachakans. If it is done with the support of the emperor, then all the better. Does the emperor support my leadership of this army?”

“Of course,” Nomako said. “He gives credit where it is due.”

“Then be doubly welcome,” Takado said. He moved forward, closing the gap between them, and held out a hand. Nomako dismounted and grasped it. Then they let go and Takado nodded towards his crowd of supporters. “Have you eaten? We roasted a reber earlier, and there may still be some left.”

“No need,” Nomako replied. “We ate at sundown. Our slaves are waiting for us to send for them . . .”

As Nomako discussed practicalities, Hanara noted the way the man’s gaze changed whenever Takado looked away. Calculating, Hanara thought. He’s not come here because he agrees with Takado. We always knew that Emperor Vochira would not like Takado taking matters into his own hands. Hanara felt a shiver of premonition run down his spine. This one is going to try to take back control for the emperor. And he won’t find it as easy as he thinks.

CHAPTER 33

The number of magicians, apprentices and servants in pursuit of the Sachakan invaders was now many times larger. Over seventy magicians, as many apprentices and servants employed as sources, and all the servants, carts and animals that were required to tend to the army’s needs made quite an impressive sight.

It really feels like an army now, Tessia thought. Since Dakon was one of the army advisers, she rode near to the front. Before her rode Werrin, Sabin, Narvelan and a few city magicians. When she looked behind, a sea of magicians and apprentices filled the road. Only when the road turned did she glimpse the servants and supply carts.

She knew that Sabin and Werrin believed that having the army strung out like this wasn’t as safe as bunched together, but the road was often confined between low rock field walls. There had been some trouble with a few of the younger magicians riding off to raid an orchard and then, ignoring Sabin’s attempts to explain the danger, galloping out into fields to jump fences and race each other.

I’d have thought seeing victims of Takado and his allies would have sobered them up, Tessia mused, but I suspect most of them still think this is a grand adventure.

At mid-morning the new army encountered the first signs of destruction. The Sachakans had left a swathe of destroyed villages and houses across the ley, but left the main road to avoid the Kyralian reinforcements. Scouts had reported that Takado had headed east from the main road, through Noven ley – Lord Gilar’s land – until he encountered the next main thoroughfare. It was the same road Dakon had taken to Imardin but the enemy had travelled in the opposite direction until it encountered a village, and settled there, leaving burned farm houses and storage buildings, and occasional corpses, in its wake.

“Tessia!”

The voice was female, coming from behind. Tessia turned to see Lady Avaria riding towards her. Others also turned to watch, as a wailing came from a bundle the magician held cradled in one arm. Avaria’s servant and source, a practical young woman Tessia had instantly liked, followed close behind.

“Can you have a look at him?” Avaria asked as she drew alongside Tessia. “I asked the healers to, but one refused and the other told me it would be kinder to smother him.”

A small, red face screwed up tight, the mouth from which the wailing poured stretched wide open, appeared as she tilted the bundle in Tessia’s direction. Tessia carefully took the baby and examined it. There was a livid bruise on the scalp.

“He’s had a knock, but nothing’s broken,” she said. “He’s probably got a stinker of a headache. Where’d you find him?”

“I didn’t. One of the others did, then decided that, because I’m a woman, I would be able to take care of him at the same time as riding into battle.” A tone of annoyance had entered Avaria’s voice, but it didn’t override the concern. “Shhh,” she said soothingly as Tessia handed the child back. “Poor thing. Found still strapped to the back of his dead mother. I guess this proves the rumours about Sachakans eating babies aren’t true. Not that I believed it,” she added hastily.

Tessia felt something inside her twist painfully. “Is leaving him to die of starvation any less cruel?”

“No. Shush,” Avaria said, then rolled her eyes as he only bawled louder.

“He’s probably hungry,” Tessia said. “And from the smell I’d say he needed a change a long time ago.”

Avaria sighed. “Yes. He can’t stay with us. I’d have Sennia take him back to Calia if I could spare her, but I can’t.”

“Can any of the other servants take him?” Tessia asked.

A look of distaste crossed Avaria’s face. “Sennia suggested we give him to the unmentioned ones.”

“Unmentioned ” ones? Tessia frowned, then smothered a laugh. “The women following the army? I suppose one might take him... for the right price.” She looked at the boy and considered. “Try the servants first. We may find survivors willing to take care of him, too.” The baby’s wails grew suddenly louder. “But he won’t last if you don’t get him fed.”

Avaria nodded. “Thank you.” She looked at Sennia. “Could you ask...?”

The servant smiled, turned her horse and started riding back down the line. Avaria looked ahead and her expression changed from concern and annoyance to one of horror.

“What...?”

Following Avaria’s gaze, Tessia looked past the magicians and felt her stomach sink. Corpses littered the road. Not one or two, but dozens, perhaps even hundreds. As the army drew close she saw that the victims were men and women of all ages. Children, too. She heard exclamations and curses from all around.

“They must have been on their way south,” Jayan said quietly. “Doing what they’d been told – to evacuate. Only they ended up in the path of the Sachakans.”

Dakon made a low noise. “Look.” He pointed at broken furniture at the side of the road. “They probably took these people’s carts and threw out what they didn’t have a use for.”

Avaria hissed quietly. “They’re having no trouble replenishing the powers they’re using to burn and wreck our villages and towns.”

“No,” Dakon agreed, his gaze dark with worry.

Suddenly a head appeared above the low stone wall on one side of the road. Then a small girl climbed over and ran to the head of the army. Werrin reined in his horse, and everyone began to stop.

“Help! Can anybody help? Father is hurt.” The girl pointed towards the wall.

Werrin spoke to one of the servants travelling with the army’s leaders. The man hurried down the line, his gaze pausing on Tessia, then sliding away. Tessia felt a small pang of hurt. For months she had been the one people turned to for healing. Now that there were guild-trained healers in the army, she had returned to being merely an apprentice.

But he did consider me, she thought. It’s not been forgotten, or remained unnoticed, that I do have some skill.

Werrin nudged his horse into a walk again, and the rest began to follow. Jayan turned to look at her.

“Let’s wait and see what happens.”

Surprised and pleased, she followed as he drew his mount aside so the army could pass. Dakon glanced back once and nodded to indicate his approval. She felt a fond gratitude. He did not need her to ask his permission. He understood, even supported, her healing.

I am so lucky to have him as my master, she thought.

The wait for the healers seemed long, and she realised why when, long after the last magician had passed, the two men peeled away from the column.