A Balance Broken (Dragonsoul Saga) (35 page)

She’s seen death before.
Maddi rubbed Tanya’s back in sympathy.
She’s a tough little thing. Who does that remind me of?
Maddi stood and put hands on her hips. “Come with me, Tanya. You cannot stay here.”

The girl clasped onto her mother’s gray arm even more tightly. “But what about Momma?”

Maddi knelt down, her eyes searching Tanya’s. “I will make certain she is taken care of. I promise.” She looked out into the hall. “And everyone else here.” She turned back to the girl, who nibbled on her lower lip. “Do you have anything you need to bring with you?”

Tanya rubbed her pants pocket in search of something precious. Her eyes brightened before she shook her head in the negative.

“Fine, you can stay with me for now. Come on.” Taking Tanya by the hand, Maddi led her down the stairs. The coughs and moans of other residents rang through the closed doors.

When she reached the ground floor, Maddi stormed up to the proprietor. “You run a cesspit, sir! Plague has taken hold in your establishment.” She slammed her fist onto the desk, jostling the mess upon it. Briscoe jerked his head. “I will be back with more healers – and with the city watch.” Maddi jammed a finger at the greasy man, wishing it were one of her knives. “You will treat the dead in this building – and I know there are more – with respect.”

Briscoe squinted at her, folding his hands and clearing his throat. He leaned forward upon his desk, eyes bouncing back and forth between Tanya and Maddi’s finger. “I can make use of the girl here. She can…clean things – uh – help me clean things up.” His lips thinned. “You can leave her with me. She’s a terrible burden.”

Grabbing the edge of the desk, Maddi heaved it over, flipping it onto its side and scattering papers and a half-eaten sandwich across the room. Briscoe toppled back onto his chair, crashing to the ground and sprawling against the back wall.

“You will
not
keep her!” Anger overtook Maddi, and she pulled one of her knives. She charged forward, slamming his shoulder against the floor and bringing the dagger within an inch of his cheekbone. “I want you to understand clearly with whom you are dealing. I will take the girl, and I
will
return to clean out the plague.”

Maddi leaped back, slipping the dagger away. She watched the apple in his throat bounce and noticed a dark patch spreading at his groin. She took Tanya by the hand. “Come now, Tanya. Let’s leave this place. It suddenly reeks in here.”

Evening slipped into the air while they walked back. Halfway to the college Tanya stumbled, her steps slow with exhaustion. Without a word, Maddi scooped her up in her arms and cradled Tanya’s head upon her shoulder. The little girl clung tight, her face nuzzling into Maddi’s neck. Ignoring the child’s weight, Maddi carried her all the way back to her room.

Ami waited within, her nose buried deep within a book. “Is that the girl from class a few weeks ago?”

Maddi nodded, fighting back tears. “Her mother has died of the same disease that threatened her. Their whole tenement is in danger of the same.” She reached out to Ami. “I need your help. We must get her clean – I have to get clean.” Maddi cast her head about, searching for something she could not find. “I suppose I need a towel…I…”

Closing her book, Ami reached out to grab Maddi’s hand. “Of course I will help you. We can hide her here for a long time – if she can stay quiet.”

A few hours later, Maddi lay cuddled up under her blanket, a freshly scrubbed Tanya rolled up beside her. She reached her arm around the little girl, who hugged it tight.

What have I gotten myself into?

Any smart sailor will tell you to avoid the Isle of Wizards when you can. A wise one will tell you to never, ever go there.

— Captain Sully’s Maritime Guide

T
allen Westar shifted his weight to maintain balance as the boat turned to dock along the stone pier. The thrum beneath his feet changed frequency, and water burbled out from under the hull. The rainbow ship nudged the pier resembling a single cut boulder drawn up from the water.

“Looks like a special welcome for you, lad.” Dorias Ravenhawke squinted at a group of people gathered on the dock. “I hope some of it rubs off on me.”

Tomas Harte stepped closer to the gangway. “I will take the initial brunt of the attack.”

Dorias chuckled. “As usual.”

Two stevedores tied the gangway in place, and the paladin led Tallen and the wizard onto the pier. Tallen stared at the group of robed figures moving forward, each as different in face and stature as the next. Three human females stood there, one with the caramel skin of a Handoner and two others who appeared very Gannonite to Tallen’s eye. A dwarf, his beard trimmed short, scowled at the new arrivals and fingered a twisted oak staff. Two elves stood near the rear of the group, one male and short, with ash-colored hair and cobalt blue eyes, the other female with golden hair and violet eyes. In front of all of them stood a third elf, her hands lifted in greeting.

Tallen almost stumbled on the gangplank when he focused on the leader, her face calm and beautiful beyond any woman he had ever seen, framed by long, white hair, radiant in the sunlight. A samite robe matched her glowing tresses. Her smooth facial features complimented a gaze that carried a weight of centuries. When those violet eyes fixed on Tallen, they laid him bare to her, as if every sin, every skill, every thought in his mind were hers to claim.

Tomas bowed once his boots touched the pier. “Lady Varana. It is my honor to be in your presence. I have returned to the Isle to visit the great Cathedral of my order.”

Varana dipped her head. “Welcome, Paladin Tomas. It is always our honor to host those of your order.” Rich, melodious tones carried her words to Tallen’s ear. She turned her gaze upon Tallen once again when he stepped onto the dock. “You must be Tallen Westar, the new find of Magus Joslyn Britt. Joslyn has sent me several interesting students. However, he has never sent one accompanied by such high praise.”

Bowing his head, Tallen shifted his rucksack to the other shoulder. “Thank you, My Lady. I am honored to be here.”

Varana’s eyes narrowed when Dorias’ boots tapped the stone. “And you, Ravenhawke. What brings you to the Isle? You may have chosen exile from the Circle, but that does not mean it is your choice to end it.”

The wizard bowed his head. “I am here only because of a great need, Varana, I assure you.” He looked up, his hawk-like gaze settling on her. “Something dark stirs in the Dreamrealm – something I cannot name. I hope to search the libraries upon the Isle for clues as to what it is or what its purpose may be.” He dipped his head toward Tallen. “The fact that the first Dreamer in decades has been found at the same time cannot be mere chance.”

Tomas nodded his head. “I agree. The Balance shifts as the Balance will.”

Varana folded her hands behind her back. She looked first at the elf woman in her entourage, who shook her head. Varana then sought one of the Gannonite women. The blond mage shrugged, pulling her sky blue robes about her body.

“You understand my reluctance to allow you upon the Isle,” Varana said, turning back to Dorias. “It was you who led twelve of your fellows to rebel against the Circle’s guidance. Each of their stories ended badly – save for yours.” A flash of fire leaped into her eyes. “You betrayed not only me, but the trust every one of
them
placed in you.”

Dorias focused on the stone pier, his voice a controlled monotone. “You know that I did not intend that they choose the paths they did. You were there when I slew Malcolm with my own power.” Merl warbled from his perch on the dock rail. Dorias’ voice dropped even further. “As for my betrayal of you, that happened long before I left the Circle. And we both know it was not a true betrayal by that time.” The wizard cleared his throat. “And Kaela paid enough for both our debts, even if my aid against Malcolm was not enough.”

“The Ravenhawke speaks the truth.” The caramel-skinned woman’s dark eyes shifted between Dorias and Varana. “He has aided us – and several other lands – with honor since he left.” She fixed her gaze on Varana. “He is the only Dreamer left.”

Smoothing the front of her dress, Varana looked at her companion. She stared at the Hadoner while the woman’s face remained set in stone. Varana turned back to Dorias. “I will allow you your search, Ravenhawke. However, you may not stay at the Academy. You will find lodgings in one of the abandoned towers on the Isle. Yours no longer stands.” Raising a finger, Varana tightened her lips. “Take care with those who rest upon the Isle. Have respect for the Circle of Wizards which you so carelessly abandoned.”

Dorias bowed to his waist. “I have nothing but respect for those retired to this island.”

“See that it is so.” Varana narrowed her gaze. “And see that you share any information you find with me. If this dark power is so daunting as to bring the great Ravehawke back to my island begging for help, then perhaps I should be aware of it as well.”

Straightening from his bow, Dorias covered his heart with one hand. “I promise, Varana – on the friendship we once shared.” Merl fluttered to his shoulder, rubbing his beak behind the wizard’s ear.

Varana did not respond, though Tallen noticed a hint of pink rising at the tips of her ears. The sorceress turned to him. “And you, young man, shall begin the most intense training of your life. I sense the power of all Aspects within you.” A strange grin curled on her lips. “Perhaps even enough to rival mine.”

Her gaze shifted back to Dorias, who stroked Merl’s wing. “He does have a distinct connection to Psoul, and Yasmine is correct, you are the only known Dreamer.” Varana paused, her thoughts making no impression on her calm face. “You must take a hand in his training from time to time – so long as you remain upon the Isle.”

Dipping his head again, Dorias spread his hands in submission. “As you wish.”

The elegant elf woman laughed aloud – a crystalline sound that trickled over the docks. It drew Tallen toward her. “I have no doubt this is your wish as well, Ravenhawke. You could never pass up a chance with a promising student.” She wagged a finger at him, still smiling. “But you must wait your turn.” With that said, she spun away, the retinue joining her without hesitation. “Come, Tallen. We will take you to the dormitory. I will teach your first lesson myself. Then many other wizards will spend some time with you.”

Dorias patted his shoulder, and Merl croaked a farewell. “I will visit soon enough.”

The paladin saluted, fist over heart. “As will I.” He tapped a gauntleted finger to the side of his head. “And fear not. This island is small enough I can sense an enemy anywhere upon it.”

Tallen smiled and waved thanks before jogging after the knot of mages.

“N
ow fold the metal with your Earth Aspect. Your goal is to line up the particles of iron perfectly with the coke evenly distributed.”

Varana’s voice hung at the edge of Tallen’s perception. His entire being focused on the strip of steel warping and writhing in his hand. Sunlight bounced off the metal while it smoothed out to a length of several inches, thinning as it stretched. Tallen poured Earth into it, giving him rein to shape the steel to his will. It was the most complex task he had undertaken in the week since his arrival.

“That is correct.” Tallen heard a hint of surprise in Varana’s voice. “Now remember, you must focus on strengthening the heart of the dagger. The edge need not be perfect; it can be sharpened. However, it must be as hard and compact as you can make it. The blacksmith will shape the hilt separately. The handle can be wood, ivory, or wrapped leather just like any other knife.” She placed her hand lightly on his shoulder, where he knelt outside the Academy’s smithy. The warmth of the sun was a distant murmur next to his power. “Now is the time to infuse it with magic. There are many useful ways to do so. Some of the most powerful artifacts in history began as simple devices like this.”

Tallen’s own voice echoed in his head from far away. “What do I do?”

“That is for you to decide. It is different for every mage, depending on their strength and what Aspects they can touch – especially the first time.” Varana leaned in closer to his ear. “You have almost anything at your call. The possibilities are endless.” Her voice became a whisper, but one that rang clearly within his mind. “We have taught you the basics of what each Aspect can do. Choose one of them – I will not allow you to call on multiple Aspects in artifact conjuring just yet – and infuse your choice into the knife just as you finish it. Remember to force it into as compact a form as you can. Condense the metal. That is what gives it strength.”

Reaching the relative shape and length he remembered, Tallen compressed the steel with the Earth Aspect, careful that its weight balanced where the hilt belonged. He withdrew the Aspect, while reaching toward the Water that bubbled next to Earth. Drawing upon it, Tallen pushed the Water into the dagger in the instant he extracted Earth. The knife pulled in the Water, lapping it from him as he drew more.

“That’s enough, Tallen,” Varana called through the roar of his power. “Release the Aspects.”

For half a second more, Tallen let the Water pour into the dagger. Then he let it loose.

A sudden exhaustion rushed over him, worse than his usual afternoon fatigue during the last week of training. He gasped for breath as if he had been running rather than kneeling under a shade tree. The dagger blade glittered. It held a slight curve to it that he had not planned.

“Damn.” Tallen sighed. “That will probably make it harder to throw.”

Varana knelt down beside him to examine the knife. “It is not balanced properly for a throwing knife, if that is what you intended. The weight of the added handle and hilt will throw off its balance.” She held out her hand, and Tallen passed the dagger to her. “What magic did you intend to infuse? I know you used Water.”

Tallen shifted back on his haunches. “I have learned to use Water to aid in healing. I hoped to make the dagger heal the person who used it.”

A bright laughter trickled from Varana’s lips and across the Academy yard. She covered her fine lips with even finer fingers. “Forgive me, Tallen. Your power is great, but your ambition may be greater. Even I have never been able to create such a powerful artifact.” She shrugged. “Besides, such a weapon would also likely heal the person it stabbed.” Varana turned the blade in her hand. “Let us see what you have made.”

Tallen felt her embrace her power, but the mix of Aspects became too complex for him to follow. Varana’s brow drew down and she focused. A slight smile of pride formed on her face. “Come. Walk with me and watch your dagger.”

Rising from her position beside Tallen, Varana strode off toward the small fountain bubbling up in the center of the yard. He rushed to follow her, his eyes fixed on the blade he had created. As they approached the fountain, a faint blue glow emanated from the dagger. It distinctly lit up Varana’s creamy skin, even in the bright afternoon sunlight. Brighter it blossomed, until Varana dipped it into the pool surrounding the fountain. Bright sparks of blue coursed up and down the metal. They danced harmlessly around Varana’s fingers.

“It appears that you have created a blade that finds water.” Fascination tinged her voice. “This is an amazing accomplishment for a first attempt. Few students even make a serviceable stabbing tool on their first try, and this…” She cast her smile upon him. “Do you know that there are nomad chieftains in Hadon who would pay you a thousand goats and one of their daughters for this blade?” Her laughter put the dancing sound of the fountain to shame. “Well done. I look forward to your next experiment.”

Tapping the blade against her open palm, Varana looked toward the sun. “I believe you have an appointment with Magus Trevarie to work on your use of Fire.”