Return to Canifis

to explain the situation. He will know that we had no choice.”

“I shall, too,” Gar’rth said. “As best I can. There is much I need to thank him for.”

So Castimir moved to the small desk that stood in the corner of Ebenezer’s room and quickly scrawled a note, explaining Gar’rth’s impossible predicament and how it was only right that they go with him under the auspices of the blood mark. He rolled the parchment up and moved to allow his friends to prepare their own messages. While they did so, he said a silent prayer.

Saradomin keep you, old friend. I will miss you at my side on the dangerous road. But as he embraced Sally tightly at the door, then departed from the room, he couldn’t help but feel that perhaps Ebenezer would be far safer than any of them.

The wizard then made his way to his own quarters, and when he opened the door he was dismayed-and somewhat angered-to find Layte Aubury sitting on the edge of his bed, waiting.

Not here! Not on my bed!

“We need to have a talk, Castimir,” the wizard said as he stood, adjusting his monocle. “Here, in private.”

Another lecture. Another threat. Will there ever be an end to it? But I need to appear busy. I cannot let my true fear give me away.

“Very well, Master Aubury. I am yours for the next few minutes, and as did Gar’rth, I promise not to lie. I have to say, however, that I do believe he saw through your ruse.” Castimir walked to the window and pretended to look out.

“My ruse?” Aubury smiled. “Perhaps. But it may be worth your while not to doubt your betters so much, young man.”

Aubury sighed.

“Nevertheless, I did as I said I would do. I have spoken to the Tower about your actions last night.”

Castimir’s heart leaped.

“And?” he said anxiously. “I acted for the best… you know I did.”

To his surprise, Aubury’s face softened.

“I am sorry, Castimir,” he said. “You are a good wizard. But you are young, you are inexperienced-”

“Yet I have fought in battles other wizards can only imagine,” Castimir protested loudly. “I have helped win wars. I am not inexperienced-”

“You are young and you are foolish,” Aubury gritted. “You are arrogant and naive! You think because you’ve ridden to war you know more than the rest of us about living magic.” He laughed mockingly. “The greatest of our order may no longer walk the world at large, but be under no illusion, Castimir-their powers are vast indeed. Their counsel is sought by Kings, their will works in ways often unperceived, protecting us from dangers that harken to other realms, dangers you cannot comprehend.” Aubury calmed and shook his head. “No, Castimir. There is much indeed you don’t know.”

The older man sighed and again adjusted his monocle.

“As I said, you are a good wizard, Castimir,” he continued. “But you have acted rashly. You want too much too soon. There are those in the Tower who wish to expel you, immediately, but I have calmed their anger and-whether you believe it or not-I spoke on your behalf. They have granted your wish to go on this adventure. And be under no doubt, this quest to Morytania is no small undertaking. Your friends will need you, and if it proves a success then your rashness will be forgotten.

“When you return, you will report back to the Tower and tell all you have learned,” he concluded, and then he took a single step toward the door, where he paused.

“Ah, I have nearly forgotten the most important reason for my visit. Here…” He gave Castimir a small leather satchel that was weighted with runes. “Try to bring some of them back. You know how rare they are.”

Aubury stopped at the door and gave a last look back.

“Good luck,” he said. “Keep your runes, your wand and your staff close to you, always.”

“Thank you, Master Aubury. I will.”

The door closed, and Castimir was left alone.

Perhaps he is not so ferocious as he appears.

And perhaps I have grown too used to my fame.

The footsteps faded outside the door and Castimir moved quickly to his bed. He pulled back the blanket in a single move and gave a cry of relief when he saw the book where he had left it that morning in his haste to attend the parliament. It was Master Segainus’s diary.

Could Aubury know, though? How could he suspect that he had been sitting on Segainus’s diary. If he did, I would be expelled from the Tower in an instant.

He picked it up and flicked through the worn pages to where his leather bookmark waited. Beneath the bed, he knew, were the other volumes of the deceased Master’s works.

Yet as he read he suddenly grew cold.

I read part of it last night, after the excitement with the Wyrd. But I am sure I didn’t leave the marker on this page…

Or did I?

Castimir felt the chill grow in his stomach. He had been too tired to remember where he had left it, but a sneaking doubt gnawed his innards.

Has Aubury seen it? Did he move the bookmark?

If he did, if he knows I stole these books, then my expulsion will no longer be in any doubt.

It was a question he couldn’t answer.

With a silent curse he gathered his belongings and made his way toward the stables to prepare his yak and horse for the journey ahead.

As Theodore left Ebenezer’s bedside, his mind was already building a list of all he had to do in the short time available. He knew his first duty, and that was to see to his candidates.

He found Philip sitting up in his bed, his head wrapped in a bandage with a dried-brown stain upon his forehead. He was tended to by the knight’s own unofficial squire, Hamel.

The youth moved to leave, but Theodore put his arm on the young man’s shoulder. “Wait, Hamel-I need to speak to you, as well.” Then he turned back to the wounded man.

“Sir,” Philip acknowledged.

“How are your injuries, Philip?” the knight asked. “I am glad to find you awake.”

“The Black Boar’s bite wasn’t as severe as it felt.” Philip smiled weakly. “How is Lord Hyett?”

Theodore shook his head.

“No one has said anything, as yet, but from what I saw of the wound, he is unlikely to live.” The knight breathed out. “I didn’t mean for him to die, in truth, but when I saw what he did to you…”

“Justice was done, sir,” Hamel muttered.

“Yes, yes, I think it was. But that is not why I am here.” He looked at Philip, then at Hamel. “I am leaving, and shortly. I will send word to Sir Amik Varze of my intention, for I am to accompany an embassy into Morytania.”

Neither of his two charges spoke, but both paled noticeably.

The fear inspired by that realm is a magic in itself.

“Hamel,” he continued quickly on. “I would ask you to go to Falador for me, to deliver a message to Sir Amik’s own hand. Can you do that?”

“Me, sir? Go to Falador?” The youth’s excitement had him flustered. “Yes sir, of course. I will leave today.”

“Good,” Theodore replied. “Now be about your duties while I write my letter to Sir Amik.”

There was a desk in the room, and he moved to it in silence. Within moments, his quill was scratching the parchment, and it was the only sound. He didn’t have the time to write in code, and in truth, he did not deem it necessary.

Who will come to take my place? he wondered. Will they perhaps send Marius?

The thought made Theodore smile. Theirs was a friendship that had been forged as others had died, for many