Clash (The Arinthian Line Book 4) (36 page)

“You are now an Initiate. Any time you place your lit hand on a rune, you may speak your name and it will grant you entry, at least for some places. That means you have basic library access, but must pass all the tests required for more … privileged access, as is traditional.”

“What does that mean?” Leera asked.

“You shall see. Next please,” and she repeated the procedure with Leera and Bridget, who chose Sparrows as their last names, making them Leigh Sparrows and Brie Sparrows.

Leera gave Bridget a light punch on the shoulder. “We’re sisters!”

Bridget was unimpressed. “I still think we should have chosen less obvious names.”

“What about us?” Malaika asked. “We are not warlocks.”

“You will be registered as guests,” and Secretary Klines processed the stowaways with their real names, since no one knew them anyway, and as Ordinaries, meaning they only had access to the non-arcane library, this room, the portal room, and the supper hall.

“That’s all right,” Malaika said with a bob of her head, “we have a whole city to explore anyway, we don’t need to read any stupid books.”

Klines looked her and Charissa over with a spiteful glance. “Those that care little for books fall prey to shallow ideas.”

Malaika and Charissa exchanged eye rolls.

Klines sighed. “I shall have two more beds brought in and two more screens. If you need to send a message, there are messengers on the first floor. There is a map of the library in a drawer of the desk. Do you have any questions?”

“Only about a bazillion,” Leera muttered.

“Such as?”

“Well, how about, like, uh …”

“As I said, there are messengers on the first floor. Be sure to address me directly, and use
discretion
.”

“How is the Legion presence in the library?” Augum asked. “Will we be recognized?”

“It is heavy, and there are spies. Be wary. And yes, you might be recognized, but surely you have a plan against that?”

“Uh, sure we do,” he lied.

“Oh, Secretary Klines, may we receive today’s Herald?” Bridget asked.

“I’ll have it sent to your room straight away. Now will that be all?” When they only stared at her, she inclined her head. “We shall see each other soon, no doubt. And remember—”

“—discretion, yes,” Leera said. “Got it.”

“And the library motto is—?”

“Omnio incipus equa liberatus corsisi mei,” Bridget replied with raised chin.

“Which means?”

“All begin equal but only the curious thrive,” the trio chorused.

“Excellent.” Klines turned to depart only to stop at the door. “One more thing. Do not get caught roving the library grounds after hours, understand?”

They nodded gravely.

Klines swept them with those beetle eyes one last time. “Good luck,” and left the room.

Augum immediately turned on Malaika and Charissa. “What are you doing! You’re endangering the entire quest!”

“Don’t you worry, we’ll be well out of your way,” Malaika replied in silky tones. She batted her lashes at him. “But I
was
hoping we could be of service in some … capacity.”

Augum groaned. “You’re impossible! Don’t you understand how much danger you’re in! How much danger you put
us
in?”

“We’re not in any danger at all, and neither are you. At least not in any more danger because of us. We’ll blend right in. Nothing but budding necrophytes merely enjoying the city.” She dug in her robe and withdrew a large sack of coins, which she proudly held up. “And we’re going shopping!”

Leera placed a hand over her eyes and dropped her head. “Are. You. Kidding. Me?” She raised her head. “There is all sorts of stupid wrong with that. And you don’t even know any spells, or … or … what your story is, or—”

“We’ll figure it out.” Malaika smiled at Charissa, who nodded excitedly.

Leera stabbed a finger at Malaika. “We’re
not
babysitting you. If you get caught, we’re not going to—”

Bridget placed a hand on her arm, giving her a pointed look. “They’re not going home. We have to work together, maybe we should
give
them something to do.”

“What? Bridge, are you crazy? They’ll screw it up and bring the whole city down on us!”

Malaika crossed her arms. “She’s so
graceful
.”

Leera’s eyes narrowed as three watery rings rippled to life around her arm. “Let me show you the grace of my arcane fist—”

Charissa raised porcelain hands in squeamish defense. “What a brute—”

“Lee, please,” Bridget said, stepping between them. “And you two—you’ve complicated everything. Look, why don’t you stick with us for a little while? We’ll even … go to the opening ceremony with you or something.”

Augum and Leera jerked their heads at Bridget.

“We have to work together,” Bridget said, her eyes imploring them to go along with it.

Augum rubbed his face, suddenly feeling weary. “Fine.” For now, until they found a way to parcel them up and send them on some rickety wagon all the way back to Milham.

A gentle knock came at the door, startling everyone.

“Secretary Klines?” Augum asked tentatively, but there was no response.

“I’ll get it,” Malaika said.

Leera grabbed her arm. “Not you—”

“Let go of me, you feral—”

Leera let go with a jerk, but her hand curled into a tight fist as she glared at Malaika.

“Allow me,” Charissa said, giving Leera a smarmy look. “Trust me, I know how to be cordial.”

Leera hesitated but stepped out of her way as Charissa went to the door, only to stare at it. “Uh, how does this door work again?”

“Oh for the—” Leera drew her hood and marched over, “Shyneo,” placed her hand where the door handle should be and said, “Leigh Sparrows.” The door swung open. Leera immediately turned her head away. Augum also kept his face averted, but glimpsed gray robes.

“The Herald, as requested,” said a man’s silky voice. “Will that be all?”

“Yes, thank you.”

The man cleared his throat lightly.

“Oh, right, uh, excuse me.” Charissa hurried back to them. “He wants a tip.”

“You have a giant sack of coins,” Leera hissed through gritted teeth.

“Country bumpkin,” Malaika muttered, but she made no effort to reach into her moneybag.

“I grew up in Blackhaven, if you ever call me a country—”

“Lee, not now.” Bridget exasperatingly rooted in her snakeskin pouch, handing a copper over.

“Don’t be cheap,” Malaika said. “We don’t want to look like peasants. Father always tips in silver.”

Bridget hesitated but withdrew a silver instead.

Charissa snatched it and skipped back to the door. “Here you go.”

“Most generous, thank you,” said the man, before striding off.

Leera was seething, muttering things like, “Ridiculous,” and “Not going to put up with this …”

Charissa brought Bridget the Herald, which Augum immediately noticed was the
Antioc Herald
as opposed to the
Blackhaven Herald
, which they were used to. He crowded Bridget to give it a read while Malaika went on about all the things she and Charissa were going to see, including the tournament, and how it was a shame the trio were going to be cooped up indoors with a bunch of stuffy old books. Leera glared at her, looking ready to explode. Augum had to place a hand on her right arm, in case it suddenly flared with rings.

There were three pages in this special edition, two of which were solely about the Antioc Classic. Depicted were fifteen tournament combat brackets, each with sixteen combatants fighting to be the winner for that degree.

“Opening ceremonies today, qualifiers tomorrow,” Augum noted.

Leera finally took notice and placed her chin on his shoulder. “Wish I was competing. Then I’d be matched against Temper
Buttwax
.”

Augum spied an etching of Erika Scarson standing beside two other warlocks. She held something close to her chest, a mace of some sort. He leaned closer and suddenly realized what it was. “She’s holding it!”

“Holding what?” Bridget asked, searching the same etching.

“The divining rod! Look—”

Bridget squinted. “I think you’re right …”

“That’s it, I know it is. She’s parading it for all to see, it’s just like her. What’s the description say?”

“ ‘Ms. Erika Scarson, seen here with the other two judges, will be chasing the villainous traitor Anna Atticus Stone when not presiding over the duels. As the honored judge of this year’s tournament, she will also be presenting the trophy to each winner in their degree.’ ”

Augum felt all the blood rush to his head. Erika Scarson was presenting the winners with the trophy, and she held the divining rod. Suddenly he knew exactly what he needed to do.

“Aug? What is it?” Leera asked, brows furrowing with concern.

“I’m going to enter.”

“Huh? Enter what?”

“I’m going to enter the tournament … and I have to win.”

Persuasion

When the cries declaring Augum completely mad for wanting to enter the tournament settled down a little, he tried to explain himself.

“It’s our
only
chance to steal the divining rod—”

“No, uh-uh, no way, no how,” Leera was saying, shaking her head and making disavowing gestures with her arms.

“Look, I know it sounds crazy, but I’ve beaten Robin before. I think I can do it again.” Though truthfully, he knew the odds were stacked against him—Robin was 4th degree already, knew some necromancy, and his crazy aunt was a judge.

Bridget scowled. “Augum, do you realize what it is you would be up against? Every eyeball in the city will be watching you, and that’s even
if
you somehow get in to the tournament, since it’s already fully booked. Then, you have to somehow make it past four opponents—”

“—
and
not be recognized,” Leera threw in.

“So? I’ll wear a disguise or something—”

“Augum, you can’t get in anyway, you don’t have your 4th degree ring yet!” Bridget said.

“Well, there’s that, but …” He rubbed his forehead. “What if we took the test today?”

“Do you know how much it even
costs
to take the test in a city like this?”

“We have gold. Lots of it. We can at least look into it, can’t we?”

There was silence during which they all stared at him with slack looks of disbelief.

“I think he can do it,” Malaika blurted.

“Stay out of this,” Leera snapped, “you have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“I don’t, do I? What if I told you I happen to know someone
in
the tournament battling in the 4th degree!”

“You … you do?” Augum asked.

“Yes! Jens Madis Bjornsson. Big blonde-haired fellow who is a friend of the family.”

“I thought he never wants to see you again after you declared your love—” Charissa began but was silenced by a stern look from Malaika.

“And what, you think you can convince him to drop out or something?” Leera said sarcastically. “After no doubt having put him through hell?”

Malaika crossed her arms to mirror Leera. “I think I can.”

“This is the dumbest idea ever. Augum’s not going to—Bridge? I don’t like the look on your face—”

Bridget had wandered to the window, chewing on her nail. “I just realized something …”

“How crazy the idea is? Good, because we have work to—”

“No, not that. It’s crazy, yes, but if …” Bridget turned to face them. “The divining rod looks for scions, so if Augum steals it, that would mean we could find his father anytime we wanted.”

Augum gaped at her. “Bridget, you’re a genius.”

“It’d also mean Mrs. Stone could train us without anyone getting in our way,” she added.

Which meant Cron, Augum thought uneasily. But he’d worry about that spell later. In fact, it would be a privilege to worry about Cron, for it would mean success in this crazy endeavor.

“Am I the only one who suddenly sees reason?” When no one replied, Leera threw her hands into the air. “Great, just great. Throw your life away on the craziest, stupidest—”

“It’s a chance though,” Augum said. “And I’m going to take it, Lee.
I’m going to take it
.” He took a step toward her. “But I … I won’t be able to do it without you.”

Leera gave him a sorrowful, exasperated look. “Damn right you won’t.” She sighed. “You stupid fool, of course I’m going to help you, but—”

He scooped her up in his arms and twirled around.

“Let go of me, you dumb, stubborn—” but she was holding back a giggle.

Malaika sighed, turning her head away.

“If we’re going to do this, we need to really think it through,” Bridget said, grabbing the Herald and scanning the page. “We have five days until the finals. You have one duel a day,
and
we still have to do all that research.”

“While not getting caught,” Leera added through her teeth, giving Augum a hard punch on the shoulder after he let her go. “Fool.”

“But first, of course, we need to get you to a high degree warlock to take the test.” Bridget lowered the parchment. “Maybe there’s a test room in the library.”

Augum strode to the desk and opened a drawer, finding the map of the library. It was a gargantuan castle. He read out the names of some rooms. “ ‘… Portal Room A, Portal Room B, Steward’s Office, Study Hall, Supper Hall, Training Room …’ Hmm, no testing room.”

“No examination room?”

He scrolled back up the list. “There are four! Examination Rooms A, B, C and D.”

“Perfect.” Bridget glanced to Malaika. “And you’re sure you can talk to your friend and convince him to drop out?”

“And do you even know how to find him?” Leera asked.

“Yes, of course.” Malaika looked longingly at Augum. “We’ll leave right away.”

“Do you remember our fake names if you have to send us a message?” Bridget pressed.

“Remind me.”

“Bridget pointed at herself. “Brie Sparrows,” she pointed at Leera, “Leigh Sparrows,” lastly at Augum, “and Augustus Westwood.”

Malaika gave a nod of her head. “Room 1099. Brie, Leigh, Augustus. Kind of similar to your real names a bit though, don’t you think?”

“Just go already,” Leera said. “We’ll meet here later.”

Malaika gave her a cold look and turned on her heel, Charissa following dutifully.