Children of Prophecy (30 page)

“Magi of the Swarm.” Stret said to them, but then paused, uncertain of what to say. His fingers ran over the head of his scepter again, and then somehow the words were there. “For a thousand years, we have struggled to survive upon these blasted plains. Struggled to survive here because we have been exiled and persecuted by those who call themselves the guardians of justice.

“We know they have lied,” he said, more firmly now as he became more certain. “They do not guard justice. They guard
nothing
but their own power! We have seen this. They fear us because we are strong and they are weak. Now it is time to prove their fear! We shall come forth in all our strength and all our power, and they shall cower before us when we show them the
true
meaning of justice.

“We have always known that for any of us to return to Vishni would mean death, quick and merciless,” he reminded them. “Today, we return anyway. But we do not return as single Magi, easy for them to hunt down and destroy. We return as one. One nation, one people.

“They cast us out from our homes… but it is time for the prodigal sons to return. It is time for us to retake our homes from those who exiled us.

“It is time to fight the Final Battle, and place our stars ascendant over those who would control us!”

A murmur had grown all along while Stret spoke, and now it burst into a full-scale roar. Stret extended his hand into the air and clenched his fist. “They say they guard peace,” he said finally, his voice thundering out over the hubbub. “We will give them peace!
Our
peace!”

Brea sat silently in the little alcove in the Citadel’s walls where she’d first met Tal. The force of Battlemagi had long passed beyond even her magic-enhanced vision. With them went any hope she had of affecting what was going to happen.

Every fiber of her being believed she should follow Tal, to try and help him in any way possible. There was no way she could, though. Even if she did follow, one more Life Mage would make no difference.

She sighed and picked her staff up from where she’d lain it down beside her. She might not be able to follow Tal to the battlefield as her heart desired, but there was much for a Life Mage Adept to do in the city.

No matter how important that work might be, her heart still yearned to follow Tal to the battle she knew he must fight. Yearned all the more, for that he’d left her behind because he loved her.

Brea watched in silence as the blades skittered off each other. The wood of the practice weapons clanked and clattered as the training session continued. Dozens of Kingsmen filled the training salle, practicing with wooden swords and pikes. To her left, just barely within sight, a mounted group of the blue-clad soldiers was practicing with lances against wooden targets.

For all their prowess and valor, even these men had been left behind. Nonetheless, they didn’t seem affected by it. It was odd.

“Milady Brea’ahrn,” she heard a voice behind her say. “I haven’t seen you since the last time Tal was here.”

Brea turned and smiled at the salle’s armsmaster. He was right, after all. She hadn’t been here since before she and Tal had both been raised to Adepthood in one night – the night everything had begun to change. “They don’t seem affected,” she said, gesturing at the Kingsmen.

“They are, milady,” the armsmaster told her after a moment. “But they are Kingsmen, accustomed to hard duties. Nonetheless… it rankles with them. They know they are the best they can possibly be, but they have been left behind.”

“There is a lot of that going around,” Brea said quietly.

The old soldier nodded. “So it happens,” he admitted. “It is our duty to obey the orders of our superiors.”

She nodded, returning her gaze to the soldiers sparring below. “Duty,” Brea said sadly. “How much that word costs us sometimes. Yet… what if our superiors have made a mistake?”

“It happens,” the armsmaster replied with a small shrug. “Then one is in a gray area. Tell me, lady Brea’ahrn, what are your duties?”

“To serve. To heal. To guard and protect. To obey those placed above me,” Brea half-recited.

A grin was her reply. “Exactly,” he confirmed. “You feel it is your duty to do the most you can do, yet you know it is your duty to remain here as Tal instructed.”

“But it is… my duty… both of those are,” Brea said, confused.

“Exactly,” the armsmaster replied. “Duty or duty. A hard choice, with no real wrong answer.” The armsmaster stepped up to her side. “Tell me, Brea, what can one Life Mage do?”

“Nothing,” she said bitterly. “Even if I followed, it would do me no good. I would just be sent back.”

“I would not be so sure of that last, but, nonetheless, the rest is true,” the armsmaster admitted. “On your own, as Wolf Adept Brea’ahrn, there is little you can do.” Brea glanced over at him, and found him watching her with hooded eyes. “The question then is: what can you do that you will not be alone?”

The soldier stood. “I cannot advise you any more, milady,” he said quietly. “Between duty and duty only you can choose. However, do not underestimate what you can achieve.” He bowed to her. “Take care, lady Brea’ahrn.”

With that, the armsmaster calmly walked off to assist in the training, leaving Brea’ahrn to study the field. She looked but saw nothing, lost in her own thoughts.

“Whose side are you on here?” Jil’nart, Earl of Korsish, General of the Armies of the Kingdom of Vishni, bellowed.

“Mine,” Shel’nart, Tal’var master of the Tenth Circle and Colonel commanding the King’s Fifth Lancers, replied. “I am not your pawn to play as you will, my lord father. I am my own man, not yours.”

“You dare defy me?” Jil’nart bellowed.

“My loyalty is to the King,” Shel returned hotly, “if that is what you mean.

“You mean to that gutless Mage!” the Earl spat.

“Gutless?” Shel said sharply. “Hardly. Tal’raen is the Black Lord, and the
only
one standing between Vishni and our destruction.”

“I have yet to see any proof beyond more of the lies of the Magi for that,” Jil’nart snapped.

“That is because you are a fool,” Shel replied coldly. “The Swarm is coming, father, and if we do not stand together then we shall assuredly hang separately. Assuming the Swarmbeasts don’t just
eat
us.”

With that, Shel stood.

“Sit back down, young man! I am not done with you yet,” Jil roared.

Shel looked at his father for a moment. “Perhaps not,” he said coldly. “I, however, am done with
you
.” He inclined his head. “Good day.”

Behind him, his father stared after him, shocked into silence.

Wrapped in his concerns, Shel never saw Brea coming until he literally ran into her. They bounced off each other.

Shel looked up immediately. “I’m sorry, milady,” he said quickly, “I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

“Neither was I, I’m afraid, lord Shel’nart.” she admitted.

“Call me Shel, Brea’ahrn,” he told her with a sad smile. “The ‘great and illustrious’ Earl Jil’nart may well be disowning me as we speak.”

“Why?” Brea asked, stopping brushing herself off to look at him.

“I exaggerate, but we argue a lot these days,” Shel laughed, half-mockingly. “He thinks my duty is to follow him wherever he leads. I think my duty lies with the Kingdom and my King.”

“I see,” Brea said softly. “Isn’t there anything you can do?”

“No. He and I have grown too far apart.” Shel asked. “Even if I though him worth the effort, I won’t oppose the King. My loyalty is always to Vishni, above all else.”

“We value your loyalty,” Brea affirmed to him with a nod. “And the courage to speak your mind against your father.”

“Thank you, milady,” Shel replied. “It is… hard to defy my lord and father – but if he is wrong, I see no reason to obey.”

“I must go,” the Princess said softly. “I have much to think on. Take care of yourself, Shel’nart.”

“And yourself, milady.”

Brea sat silently in the garden at Hawke Manse. She knew Tal wouldn’t object to her being here, and she’d needed its peace greatly. She didn’t know what to do.

Tal had ordered her – and the Life Magi and Kingsmen – to remain behind. The main target of the order had been
her
, though – she knew that. He was trying to protect her. She wasn’t sure she wanted to be protected.

When the Battlemagi had faced the Swarm alone, a thousand years ago, they’d barely managed to hold. Since then, the Battlemagi had decreased in numbers while the Swarm had increased. She didn’t know if they alone could carry the day.

Her lover and betrothed faced their enemies alone, yet she knew that he wanted her safe. Despite what she’d wanted, she had become his symbol, his prize. Even now, she was what he fought for.

I would rather die at his side than survive without him
. The thought came unbidden.
I will not be his prize. I fear if he stands alone, all will be lost.

She couldn’t let Tal lose. She knew too well the likely consequences. Which only left her one real choice in the end.

After all
, she thought to herself,
better safe than sorry
. Then she realized how much she’d reversed the meaning of the saying, and her quiet amusement solidified her decision.

Brea paused outside the door to the hall for a moment, breathing carefully. With the Black Lord and the Battlemagi gone, full meetings of the High Council were impossible, which meant the meeting taking place was unofficial. Theoretically at least.

She hesitated now. The force of her decision had carried her across the city to this point. Once she stepped through those doors, she was committed. There could be no turning back until the Swarm was defeated and they had peace once more.

Princess Brea’ahrn, Wolf Adept of the Order of Life Magi and Princess of the Kingdom of Vishni, took a deep breath and knocked on the massive doors.

As the doors slammed shut behind her, Brea felt her throat close up. She paused, halfway between the entrance and the Council table in the suddenly silent room. She swallowed, and somehow found her voice.

“I claim Mage Right to speak before the High Council,” she said, speaking loudly and clearly, “on a matter of great importance.”

Silence reigned for a moment, then the Lady of Life spoke into it. “You are not yet a Mage, young one,” the woman said coldly. “You cannot claim that right.”

Brea looked at the Lady for half a moment, then replied, “Then I will claim the right by being the King’s daughter,” she told the older Mage, “or the right by being the Black Lord’s betrothed. By whatever right I must claim, I will speak before the Council today.”

“Let her speak,” another voice spoke from the crowd. Brea glanced over to see Shel’nart, in the full formal raiment of a Kings-Colonel, standing at the front of the audience. “I think the people deserve to hear what the Black Lord’s Lady has to say.”

“She has no right,” the Lady of Life repeated.

“Then we will give her one,” the Eldest stated simply. “I move that the Princess Adept Brea’ahrn be allowed to speak before this Council.”

A moment passed, then Kelt’ahrn spoke softly. “Seconded.” Brea met her father’s eyes and nodded her thanks.

“The motion has been moved and seconded,” the King continued. “With two portions of the Council in favor, the motion is conditionally passed. Approach the Council, and speak as you would, Adept.”

Brea stepped forward, somehow controlling the rapid pounding of her heart. She had to say what needed to be said.

“My liege, Magi of the Council, I come before you in dark times,” she told them, her voice quiet but steady now. “The Swarm approaches, the Battlemagi have ridden to meet them, and the very existence of everything we hold dear lies on the outcome of the battle to come.

“So here we sit and pray, as useless as if we were dead,” she continued flatly. “And mark my words, if the Black Lord falls,
dead
is what we will be. All the bravery of our Vishnean Knights; all the healing of the Life Magi-
all
the powers that will stand to shield the Kingdom if the Battlemagi fall will be as
nothing
before the Swarm.” Brea paused, and her eyes swept the Council. “And the Black Lord
will
fall.”

Uproar split the chamber. Shouts, screams, defiance and denial, all surged up from the crowd to ricochet around the pillars. It took nearly a minute for them to calm, but Brea simply waited in silence, then continued once the noise had quieted.

“Tal’raen will fail,” she repeated, louder now to be heard over the remaining noise. “Not because he will not do his utmost. Not because the Battlemagi that march with him are fewer than we can send, or will do less than their best. He will fail because the Battlemagi’s best –
his
best – is simply not enough. The Long War has cost Vishni more than the Swarm. The Battlemagi have dwindled over the last millennium, while the Swarm has grown only stronger. The last time the full Swarm came forth, it took
seven hundred Battlemagi
to force a draw.

“Today, less than five hundred Battlemagi ride with Tal’raen,” she said quietly, throwing the number into her audience’s teeth as a challenge, “and the Swarm is vastly greater than it was. They will do their utmost, but they will fall, and Vishni will fall with them.”

Silence reigned now. Then the High Priest of Lilitha Andrela stood, his white robes draped loosely around his elderly form. “You do not come before us merely to monger doom, daughter of my King,” he told her gently. “You speak these words with a reason – for you are not one to give us merely despair, with no hope for the future.”

Brea nodded. “As I said, the Battlemagi will fall – if they fight alone,” she proclaimed. “Tal’raen made the same mistake Shar’tell made. The Battlemagi are not complete. They are but one side of a coin in magic, but one part in three of the Kingdom itself. If we are to win this battle forever, we
must
stand as one. Battlemagi, Life Magi, and the swords of the armies of the Kingdom must be together. The Black Lord cannot –
must not –
stand alone. Only unified, as one nation and one people, can we win this day.”

“The Black Lord has ordered us to remain behind,” Kelt’ahrn said softly.

“Our duty, my father and King, must always be first to our people and our oaths,” Brea told her father, “not to the commands of any man. Men can be mistaken – even if that man is the Black Lord.” She turned to face the chamber. “I will ride to join the Black Lord! Who rides with me?”