fatal blow. Sensing the opportunity, Tristan struck. Her death was quick. Were you two close?”
Aeolus nodded. “Satine was like a daughter to me, and perhaps the most gifted student I ever taught. She was a force of nature, that one. But she abandoned my teachings to become a professional assassin. I tried to dissuade her from that path, but I couldn’t.”
Aeolus knew that his next words would strike directly at Wigg’s heart, but the issue had to be raised. The guilt had been weighing on his soul for far too long, and he wanted to be rid of it. He took a deep breath.
“How many Conclave members did she assassinate before the prince killed her?” he asked.
Wigg’s jaw dropped, and his cheeks turned scarlet with rage. It took several moments for him to calm before speaking again. Even then, anger flashed in his aquamarine eyes.
“You knew?”he asked, his voice trembling angrily. “Why didn’t you warn us?”
“The choice forced upon me by Satine was unfathomable,” Aeolus answered. “What’s done is done, and I can only ask your forgiveness. When I learned of her plans I begged her to reconsider, but she wouldn’t. In the end I had two choices-to not warn you and let fate take its course, or to tell you and ensure that the one I loved most in this world would meet a violent death at my dearest friend’s hands.” Pausing for a moment, Aeolus looked down at the floor.
“Forgive me, but it is widely rumored that your only daughter recently died,” he said. “I am truly sorry for your loss. But tell me-if she had insisted on fulfilling some deadly mission, would you have warned her enemies that she was coming? And if not, can you justifiably condemn me for making the same choice?”
Thinking of Celeste, tears clouded Wigg’s eyes. He then blinked them away.
“I understand,” Wigg said, “but we lost two dear allies to Satine’s skills. One was Geldon, a hunchbacked dwarf with the heart of a lion. He had been invaluable in the Coven’s final defeat. The other was named Lionel the Little. He was a Shadowood gnome, and Faegan’s most trusted herbmaster. Satine poisoned them, using a clever potion she purchased from a group of partial adepts called the Valrenkians. It caused her victims to go mad, leading them to suicide while she escaped. Faegan discovered it in their blood. Did you teach her that technique?”
Aeolus shook his head. “No,” he answered. “I tried warning her against dealing with Valrenkian slime, but she wouldn’t listen.”
Stunned by what she was hearing, Shailiha cast a quick glance at Abbey. The herbmistress was staring straight at Aeolus. She looked for the world like she had just seen a ghost. Remembering what Wigg had said, the normally inquisitive princess did her best to remain silent.
“How did you find me?” Aeolus asked.
“As I’m sure you know, Minion patrols wander the city, maintaining order,” Wigg answered. “I told them to search out a sign with a serpent on one side and a sword on the other. Only yesterday they told me that they had found it.”
“I see,” Aeolus said. “And who are these lovely ladies?” he asked, turning to look at the women.
Wigg gestured toward Shailiha. “I would first like to present Shailiha of the House of Galland, Princess of Eutracia,” he said.
Aeolus bowed deeply at the waist. “Welcome, Your Highness,” he said. “This is indeed an honor.”
She bowed in return. “Thank you,” she said simply.
“And this lady is Teresa of the House of Welborne,” Wigg said. “You already know Abbey of the House of Lindstrom. All three are Conclave members.”
Aeolus bowed again. Tyranny and Abbey respectfully returned the compliment.
“It is good to see you, Abbey,” Aeolus said. “I am glad that you and Wigg have found each other again. The Directorate was wrong to have banned the partial adepts from Tammerland, but those were difficult times.”
Their mouths agape, Shailiha and Tyranny stared at Abbey with disbelief.
Aeolus reached out to fill five teacups. Everyone took one. After sipping the excellent brew, Aeolus looked at the women, then back to Wigg.
“I can tell by Shailiha’s and Teresa’s expressions that they do not know about me,” he said. He looked back at the princess and the privateer. “If you have questions, I will be happy to answer them.”
Shailiha didn’t hesitate. “Who are you?” she asked. “And how do you know so many old secrets?”
Taking another sip of tea, Aeolus smiled. “The answer is simple,” he said. “I was once a member of the Directorate of Wizards.”
The princess nearly dropped her teacup. Tyranny’s face screwed up with disbelief.
But Abbey only smiled. “It is good to see you, too, Aeolus,” the herbmistress said. “You’re right-it has been a long time.”
“More than three centuries,” Aeolus replied. “Wigg was right to grant you the time enchantments. He took a great risk, should the Directorate have found out. But with all of our old friends gone, that no longer matters.”
Shailiha finally found her voice. “You were a Directorate wizard?” she asked. “That’s impossible! I would have known about you!”
“It was long before your time,” he answered. “I decided to leave the Directorate soon after it was formed. I had had enough of war, politics, and magic. I wanted a simpler life. My Directorate brothers graciously agreed to accept my resignation and to continue granting me the time enchantments. You have never heard about me because as part of that agreement, the Directorate resolved that they would never mention me, or our pact. I doubt that even your father, the late King Nicholas, knew about me.”
“I have never seen a place like this,” Shailiha said. “What purpose does it serve?”
“It is called the Serpent and the Sword,” Aeolus answered. “It is a school of martial discipline. I am the owner and head instructor. It is also my home.”
“So that is what Wigg meant when he said that Satine was your student,” Tyranny offered. “Is that also why she bore a snake tattoo on one arm and a sword tattoo on the other? We saw your interesting sign hanging over the outer door.”
“Yes,” Aeolus answered. “The sword tattoo indicates weapons mastery, and the snake indicates mastery of unarmed combat. Satine had conquered each discipline. Such experts are few. Before the Directorate was formed, I was a Royal Guard officer. During that time I studied these disciplines. When I left the Directorate I decided to devote my life to carrying on my master’s teachings. I still command the craft. But as part of my lifestyle, I choose not to do so.”
“There are some things that you need to know,” Wigg said to him. “They will surprise you.” Taking his gaze from Shailiha, Aeolus turned his dark eyes toward the First Wizard.
“Faegan and Jessamay are still alive,” Wigg said. “They have also become Conclave members. They are well, although Faegan is crippled from being tortured by the Coven, soon after he disappeared. His legs are useless and cause him great anguish, but he controls the pain by partitioning his mind. He searches endlessly for a way to unravel the spell Failee used on him. Unfortunately, he has not been successful.”
“I see,” Aeolus answered. “I am glad they are with you. Please give them my regards, and my hope that Faegan finds a cure.”
“There is something else you should know,” Wigg said. “It is vastly important to all we hold dear.”
Saying nothing, Aeolus took another sip of tea.
“Thirty-one years ago, Jin’Sai andJin’Saiou were born. The Chosen Ones have finally entered the world.”
For several moments Aeolus said nothing. Wonderment filled his face. “They have finally come?” he whispered. “Can it be true?”
“Yes,” Wigg answered.
“And the azure glow surrounded their twin births, just as the Tome said it would?”
“Yes,” Wigg confirmed. “As you know, that was how we could be certain.”
“Who are they?” Aeolus asked.
“TheJin’Sai is Prince Tristan. TheJin’Saiou is Princess Shailiha.”
Awestruck, Aeolus looked at Shailiha with even greater respect. “Welcome, Jin’Saiou, ” he said. “We have awaited your arrival for centuries.” Aeolus bowed again. Shailiha bowed in return.
“I have come here for another reason as well,” Wigg said. “I need your help.”
“You have but to ask,” Aeolus said.
“What do you know aboutK’Shari?”
Thinking for a moment, Aeolus poured himself some more tea. After taking a sip he put down his cup then
