Page 11 of A Healer's Wrath
Gareth stepped back and bowed. “You are right, as usual. It would be good to see your beautiful home again, as well. I will try to make the journey more often.”
“Do we get hugs and promises, too?” Gareth looked up as two men and a woman strode through the doorway. One of the men towered above the others, his hawkish nose entering the room long before the rest of him darkened the doorway. The other man was almost as unremarkable as his simple worn cloak. Both men sneered as their eyes found mine. The woman wore a smug smile. Given her rapacious reputation, it was a wonder she wore clothing below that grin.
“Of course, Tasha.” Gareth stepped toward them, his arms outstretched in greeting.
“I wasn’t serious, you old fool. Step away,” Tasha snarled as the trio brushed past him to stand by their seats outside the circle.
Gareth cast a glance in my direction, but I only shrugged and offered a wan smile. Our family of Mages was as dysfunctional as any household to ever live.
Before I could dwell on that thought, more entered and underscored the point.
Amicus Sunshadow, leader of the pirates who stalked the northern coast of both the Kingdom of Spires and Melucia, waddled in. He stood only four and a half feet tall, and could barely wedge his wide ass into his seat. Scars lined his cheeks, and his hooked nose was curled almost as much as his surly lips.
Beside Amicus marched the barrel-chested military expert among the Mages, Elric Suther. Medals pinned to his black uniform coat tinkled with each of his purposeful strides. Twin swords with pearl-tipped handles crossed above his head from their scabbards on his back.
Elric scanned each Mage as if assessing the odds of putting them in their graves rather than chatting amicably.
A thin man with shoulder-length black hair followed behind Elric. The tall man’s face was ageless, though I knew Danai Thorn to be the youngest among us, a Mage of fewer than two hundred summers. His eyes were lowered in deference as he scurried to his seat.
Only a few greetings were shared. Gareth might call this a family, but it was one with deep fractures and embittered rivalry. Few among us enjoyed the others’ company.
Nine stood behind their seats.
A moment passed, then a dozen, then a dozen more, as silence itched like ivy’s poison.
“Where in the void is Kelså? Who does that bitch think she is, holding us up like this?” Tasha groused. Her eyes scanned the room as though searching for hidden assassins.
“Forgive me, sister.” The pleasant tones of the final Mage to enter echoed throughout the hall.
All eyes turned to the doorway.
Kelså Rea glided into the room as gracefully as any queen, her back straight and chin high. She wore a gown of gleaming gold emblazoned with the Phoenix across her chest that complimented her rich skin. She radiated power, yet none could miss the warmth in her eyes or her smile.
As Kelså took her place, the seat opposite mine outside the circle, I nodded and everyone sat. Tasha winced as magic flared and the gilded doors slammed shut.
“Thank you for coming on such short notice.” I met the gaze of each Mage in turn.
“It’s not like we had a choice. You laced your call with so much Compulsion we’d still be curled in a ball if we’d tried to resist,” Tasha said.
“I never was very skilled at simpler magics.” I chuckled. “Forgive me, sister. I am confident you will appreciate my urgency shortly.”
I smoothed my robe, staring into the circle glowing before us, then spoke with the reverent tones of my office. “That a new Mage was born over a decade ago is not news. Each of you felt her birth. However, it appears we need to make room for another chair around our circle. Our new Mage’s powers have manifested.”
The orderly gathering devolved as the Mages began chattering over each other. Before I lost all control, I rapped my gilded staff against the marble floor, snapping their eyes back to mine.
“Thank you.” I paused to allow the last of the conversations to die out. “We have attempted multiple scryings to locate our young sister but have only been able to garner fragments. First, she is west of our present location. That much we could sense through the currents. Second, an image of her caretakers appeared in the water. They were both wearing the blue smock of full physikers. I need not explain how rare it is to have one physiker in a household. Two is beyond remarkable. We Saw her home. It was made of gray stone, which indicates an upper-class home. Snow covered the sill of a window. Pieced together, I wager our Mage is in the capital of Fontaine.”
When no one spoke, I continued. “It is imperative we locate her quickly. I felt her powers rippling the currents yesterday. The poor girl will have some very confusing and uncomfortable experiences over the coming weeks and will need our guidance.”
“I will go. No need to trouble anyone else.” Tasha stood, as if she intended to leave that moment.
I raised a palm. “No offense, Tasha, but I was thinking this might require . . . how should I say it? A gentler hand?”
Gareth barked a laugh, earning a sharp look from Tasha, and amused glances from most of the others.
“That rules me out, too, Tash. Don’t be angry.” Elric fiddled with one of his combat ribbons. “Who did you have in mind, Grand Mage?”
I stood and extended hand. “Kelså, I suggest you Travel to Fontaine and locate the girl. Find her, but do not approach or speak with her. When you return, we can decide how best to make our initial approach. She will be confused, and likely frightened. Ten Mages showing up on her doorstep would be overwhelming. We will need to think carefully to avoid a repeat of Danai’s disaster.”