Coven adrift forever. Failee, Succiu, Zabarra, and Vona-I can still see their defiant faces as they stood there on theResolve ’s pitching deck, just before I ordered them into that fragile skiff.
Pausing for a moment, Wigg scrubbed his face with his hands. Shailiha touched him on one arm.
“It’s all right,” she said. “You needn’t tell us if you would rather not.”
Wigg shook his head. “I knew this would be wrenching, but it was one of the reasons I brought you three here.” Collecting himself, he sat up a bit straighter.
“As I said, it was a difficult time for me,” he said. “Then I found Abbey and my happiness briefly returned. But when the Directorate foolishly voted to banish all the partial adepts to the countryside, I had another choice to ponder. I could either go with Abbey and start my life over, or stay on as a Directorate wizard and continue to serve the Vigors. I chose the second path. But before watching Abbey go I secretly granted her the time enchantments.”
Looking at the herbmistress, he finally produced a brief smile. “It was a decision that I never regretted,” he added softly. Smiling back at him, Abbey nodded her thanks.
“Anyway, by then Aeolus was not only a respected Directorate member but also a martial master in his own right,” Wigg added. “During that time I needed a newfound serenity that I couldn’t find in politics or in the craft. Aeolus agreed to teach me. For the next decade he trained me in the Redoubt, during whatever spare time we could muster.”
Wigg looked respectfully into Aeolus’ eyes. “I thank you for that,” he said. “It was you and your training that helped me to find my spirit again. When I saw Satine’s tattoos I realized that she was one of us. I was shocked, but I also knew that I needed to come and see you-not only for the Vigors, but for personal reasons as well.”
After taking a deep breath, Wigg continued. “I know how you came to feel about the craft, Aeolus, but times have changed. We must change with them. I don’t suppose that you could be enticed into joining the Conclave, could you? Our meeting table still has an empty chair-the one my daughter once held. Full-fledged Vigors wizards are few and far between these days. We could surely use your help. Like Faegan and Jessamay, it would be good to have you at my side again.” Pausing for a moment, Wigg turned to look at Shailiha, then back to Aeolus.
“I do not presume to speak on the princess’s behalf,” he added, “but in theJin’Sai ’s continued absence I believe she would heartily accept your membership. The Vigors desperately need our services again. Since the Coven’s destructive return and subsequent defeat, our obstacles have been legion. All we hold dear is again in great peril.”
For several moments Aeolus looked at the floor. When he returned his eyes to Wigg’s, the four visitors could see how much he still respected the First Wizard.
“Thank you, Wigg,” Aeolus said. “But my life is here. If I accepted, what would happen to my school? I have over fifty male and female students. Some have devoted their entire adult lives to my teachings, and live in residence here with me. I simply can’t pack up and leave.”
For several moments the room went still. Wigg looked over at Shailiha. Understanding his intent, she smiled back, then returned her gaze to Aeolus.
“You could relocate the school to the palace,” she offered. “The Redoubt already hosts academies for the consuls’ gifted children and for the Redoubt acolytes. The Serpent and the Sword would make a welcome addition!”
Shailiha smiled broadly at her next thought. “From what I’ve seen, perhaps you and your students could even teach the Minions a thing or two about the combative arts!” she added. “That would be a scene worth watching!”
Tyranny smiled. “It would indeed,” she muttered under her breath.
A quizzical look came over Aeolus’ face. “I know about the Consuls’ Nursery,” he said. “But who are the Redoubt acolytes?”
Sighing, Wigg smiled. “Like I said, many things have changed.”
Thinking, Aeolus rubbed his chin. “I will consider your kind offer,” he said. “In the meantime, there is one way I might be able to help.”
“What do you have in mind?” Wigg asked.
“You said that Faegan has found the formula for grantingK’Shari directly to one’s blood signature?” he asked.
Wigg nodded.
“Amazing,” Aeolus said. “I know nothing about Forestallments. But it occurs to me that simply placing the spell into one’s blood might not be enough. K’Shari mastery is immensely complex; some purely physical training might also be needed to properly hone the gift. Should you grant it to someone’s blood, be sure to send him or her to me before sending them into battle. I would be honored to polish their technique.”
Wigg smiled. “Thank you,” he said. “We’ll keep that in mind.” He turned to the three women sitting by his side. “It’s time to go,” he said. “We have imposed on Aeolus’ hospitality long enough.”
Wigg came to his feet; Shailiha, Tyranny, and Abbey did the same. Wigg opened the sliding door and escorted the ladies into the hallway, then back to the school’s street entrance. Aeolus followed them. As Aeolus opened the front door he turned to face Wigg. The look on his face was thoughtful.
“If you can someday forgive me for your friends’ deaths at Satine’s hands, I might just accept that Conclave seat,” he said. “You’re right-times have changed, and we must change with them. Until then, journey safely, and give my regards to Faegan, Jessamay, and theJin’Sai. ”
For several long moments Wigg embraced Aeolus. Holding him by the shoulders, the First Wizard looked him in the eyes.
“You’re already forgiven,” he said, “just as I hope you can forgive me for breaking our accord. And the offer stands.”
Leaving the school, the four visitors walked to the carriage. After watching them board the coach and ride away, Aeolus shut the door, then walked back down the long hallway, entered the same room as before, and sat down on the straw mat. The school was quiet, the hour late.
Picking up his teacup, the martial master thought about his old friends, and what it might be like to serve on the Conclave.
CHAPTER XXXII
“BEFORE WE TELL YOU WHY WE BROUGHT YOU HERE, we must first explain Xanthus’ part in all this,” Hoskiko said to Tristan. Sitting back in her chair, she looked across the table at the Darkling. Tristan saw admiration in her eyes.
“Despite what you were led to believe, he is not evil,” she said, “at least not in his present form. When he returns to the Imperial Order they will probably kill him for failing to deliver you. He will tell them that you were lost to him in the raging Borderlands, but that story may not save him. Even so, he accepted this fate when he agreed to help us. As I said before, you owe him your life.”
Tristan again looked around the glistening chamber. He was quickly learning that the Crysenium was a maze of well-kept secrets, and his presence was the key that might finally unravel its many mysteries.
After looking into the Envoys’ faces, he cast his gaze back to Hoskiko. The prince had no reason to believe that she was lying to him. But Xanthus’ terrible atrocities made it impossible for Tristan to believe that the Darkling could somehow be his ally. He regarded Hoskiko skeptically.
“Please go on,” he said simply.
“Xanthus is a binary being. He was once completely human, and an officer of some rank in the Imperial Order. That is how he and Faxon came to know each other. His makeup was especially altered by the Heretics so that he might successfully bring you to them,” Hoskiko said. “As I told you, it was their intention to take you prisoner, thereby keeping you from your destiny. To help protect his human side and the Paragon’s life during his mission, the Heretics also granted himK’Shari. ”
Despite his august company, Tristan was becoming impatient. “With all due respect, some of this I already know,” he said.
Recognizing Tristan’s eagerness to learn, Hoskiko smiled. “What youdon’t know is that when the rebel Heretics
