Merchants and Mages (Highmage's Plight Book 2) (33 page)

George frowned. “You might say he brought me to your world; and he and I are going to have a chat soon about how he can send me back through the Gate.”

  Se’and put out a restraining hand, “But, let’s put that matter aside for now. Lord Lyai, your Court’s in disarray and you cannot just sit here and let matters spin out of control. You and Je’orj must work together.”

 
“And do what?” the young elf lord asked.

 
“Take the Mage Guild in hand for one,” she suggested.

 
“And clear Talik’s good name,” Terhun added.

 
Esperanza took a deep breath, “And, you’re going to need me by your side, Lee.”

 
“You nearly died!”

 
“Well, that wondrous healer saved my life using that sword.”

 
Se’and and Fri’il glanced at the sheathed sword, then their eyes widened. They stared at the unmistakable Cathartan sigil on its hilt. Esperanza glanced at it, “The healer’s companion asked for it as a boon gift for saving my life.”

“That’s Lord Kyrr’s sword!” Se’and said.

 
“May I?” George asked, reaching for it.

 
The Lyai said, “Don’t! That bane sword is too dangerous to draw.”

 
“Let me guess, magery and that sword don’t mix?”

 
“How did you know?”

 
He glanced at Se’and and Fri’il even as Raven grinned and said, “Their ancestor –– Lord Kyrr –– busy boy was.”

 
“I’ve a suggestion,” George said, grinning. “I recommend giving that healer a different sword. You see, I think the Faeryn have a much better use for it.”

Offering a Challenge

Chapter 56

C
onstandine hurried to the Court when the Heralds shouted the announcement that it was being called into session. Signaling to his fellow Guild mages to join him, he saw Master Galt and his journeyman, Dustin, enter. That was an ill sight. No Faeryn had attended Court since the accusations of Talik’s treason.

  N
o sooner had they sat than the Herald announced, “His Grace, the Lyai of Lyai.”

  The elf
lord entered the hall and everyone in the chamber leaned forward as he escorted the haggard looking young elvin lady in chainmail. He seated her beside him in the seat normally reserved for the Chancellor.

 
“Lords and Ladies, members of the Court, it is my honor to present, Lady Esperanza, formerly of the Consecrated’s Tower, who I hereby appoint High Scryer of the Provincial Capital.”

 
That statement was greeted with consternation. “You may not have heard that our former High Scryer was recently found dead. He was also found to, in actuality, have been a goblin mage. How long ago our good scryer was replaced with one of the Demonlord’s minions is unknown. But I need someone I can trust for the post, and the Lady Esperanza brought us the warning that the Lady Mother of the Consecrated’s Tower was an agent of the Demonlord as well. That warning nearly cost her her life. The Lady Mother cast a wraith at her.” There was a collective gasp. “Yes, the foulest of mageries. I stand witness as does Lord Amberlet. Through the lady here, the Scryer’s Network is now clear of taint.

 
“So to the next order of business, in light of recent events, Lord Amberlet has decided to step down… and he has appointed a temporary successor. Someone without taint in Imperial politics, someone Master Terhun has investigated and found to be beyond reproach. So I am pleased to introduce you to Lord Jeo d’Aere, merchant of the Crescent Lands trade.”

  C
onstandine grimaced.

 
The Herald opened the arched doorway and man in an elegant flowing cape marched into the chamber, his walking staff tapping the floor, echoing his pace. He took the seat opposite the Lady Esperanza, on the Lyai’s left.

 
The whispers and voices of outrage filled the Court. “Silence!” the Lyai ordered. “Ask yourself this: Why must I turn to foreigners? Who among you is in league with the Demonlord and his agents?”

 
Constandine had no choice but to rise, “How about your cousin, Talik?! He fled the city rather than answer to the charge of treason!”

 
The Lyai nodded solemnly. “True, he left the city. And it is also true that he defends the Empire at this very moment, holding back invaders threatening the keep of Niota, set to attack this city and the whole of the Empire! Who has gone to aid in the defense of the Empire? Guild mages? No, Faeryn mages, Archmage Constandine… and in light of the suborning of the Scryer’s Network, I tell you all the baseless charges against my cousin, and heir, are herewith set aside!”

 
“You cannot do that!” Constandine shouted.

 
The Chancellor rose, “Your Grace, is this Court to be shown no respect?”

 
Constandine swallowed, took a step back and said, “Pardon, Your Highness, I intended no offense.”

 
George sat back down.

 
“Archmage, the Imperial Charter is clear, my Chancellor and I are in agreement, not in discord. The charges against my heir have been dropped.”

 
Taking a deep breath, he replied, “I challenge your verdict… Your Grace.”

 
The Lyai nodded and stated, “We thought you might.”

 
George rose once more. “I’m a businessman, Milord, Lords and Ladies. I understand that the Lyai has sought to purchase a bane sword. He wishes a bane sword of distinction that will help him ward his life against the assassins who killed his mother and father when he was but a boy and who have apparently been hiding in this city –– perhaps the palace itself.

 
“I am also aware that Faeryn enchanted work has become prized to the complaint of your Mage Guild, Archmage Constandine. Have your chosen bane sword brought forth and we will test it against one the Faeryn offer. Should an independent panel deem the winner to be that of Mage Guild work, the charges will be left to stand and Archmage Talik brought to challenge them. Should the Faeryn bane sword be deemed the superior, your challenge will be struck down. Is this acceptable, Milord?”

 
Glaring at the upstart human, Constandine shouted with a smile, “Of course!” He already knew how to turn this to his advantage.

“Noon tomorrow!” the Lyai announced. “Court is adjourned.”

The politicking and worse began immediately. “Lord Jeo, honored to make your acquaintance!”

 
“Congratulations, Milord Jeo,” the older elf lord said, muttering something under his breath as he shook George’s hand. “Ow,” the fellow muttered as George smiled.

 
“Ow,” another elfblood rasped as he failed to enchant him.

 
“He’s warded,” Se’and heard whispered through the crowd as the Lyai took Esperanza by the arm and accompanied her from

Court.

  An old elf lord watched the scryer in her exquisitely crafted elvin chainmail and frowned, not happy with this turn of events in the least. “What? You look like you’ve seen a ghost, Lord Winterlorne.”

 
Raven saw the elf lord turn to a frail elderly elvin lady.

 
“Grandis, how unpleasant to see you again.”

 
“Hmm, Lady Esperanza reminds me of someone, but I can’t think whom. My memory isn’t what it once was, but don’t fret, old friend. It will come to me… and I’ll be the first to congratulate her kin on taking such a prize.”

 
The old elf turned and walked away.

 
The elvin lady laughed and glanced at Raven in her servant’s livery, then paid her no further mind. She was only human, after all.

 
‘Staff,’
Raven mentally relayed what she had overheard with her all too keen hearing.

 
That was when an elflord shook George’s hand and leaned forward to whisper, “You’re in grave danger, Milord… But I can protect you.”

 
“Excuse us,” Se’and said, steering George away from the fellow as Galt

elbowed his way to their side. “Amazing, you’re still alive.”

  “Hah hah,” George muttered.

 
“Oh, just wait for the reception at dinner.”

 
“I can’t wait.”

“Lady Esperanza,” the scryer said, rising from the table as the waters of his bowl stilled.

 
Master Galt accompanied her while the Lyai met briefly with his new Chancellor and Terhun for a private chat before “retiring” from public view for the afternoon. “Has the Consecrated’s Tower rejoined the network?”

 
“No, Milady, they are working through bowls and flame, but apparently do not have the requisite skills to repair the damage to the

talisman pool.”

  “That’s what I’ve been afraid of. It’s not like the Consecrated are known for our mage gifts. Our expertise is our talent for scrying,” she replied.

 
“It sounds like you need a mage.”

 
“Well, no male can pass within the Tower’s wards. Only one who is Consecrated may enter and the Lady Mage, doubtless, will not

appreciate becoming Consecrated.”

 
‘No males can be Consecrated?’
that ghostly voice abruptly asked, startling Esperanza and Galt both.

 
“Would you like me to pass on the word to neighboring provinces that we need a mageling scryer?” the elfblood asked.

 
“The Tower boasts the only Consecrated virgins –– those who left for other Towers are, uh, no longer suitable.”

 
“They’ve married, you mean,” Galt said.

 
Esperanza nodded, “The Tower requires young servants and the Lady Mother trained us in the arts. I’m the eldest and haven’t the skills or the knowledge to work the repair. I was hoping they would have found something in the Tower library by now, an enchanted substance, something.”

 
‘The talisman requires magery,’
the ghostly voice whispered.

 
“And mages aren’t generally well–known as virgins,” the scryer muttered with a sheepish glance at Master Galt.

 
The Faeryn mage laughed, “Now that’s an understatement if there ever

was one.”

  “Milady?” the scryer asked.

 
“Let me think on it,” Esperanza replied. “Because even repaired, the Tower requires thirteen Consecrated, and they are now but eleven strong.”

 
Galt walked out of the room with her, then paused in the hall. “Esperanza, what you need is someone like Dustin. He can repair anything –– and that lad is most definitely a virgin. He’s teased terribly all the time for it, in fact.”

 
“The journeyman? But we need a female!” Esperanza said.

 
‘Galt is quite correct, being male is not the true impediment. However, I doubt those that guard the Tower would understand that.’

 
Esperanza looked at Galt thoughtfully. “You aren’t suggesting…”

 
“I think that lad would make an excellent Lady Mother,” Galt replied with a clever smile, “with a little tutelage, of course, from you, Milady. After all, I’ve long despaired at getting him to cut his

hair and now its length will come in so handy.”

Dining with the Lyai was an unusual affair. Balfour was being feted for having saved the Lady Esperanza’s life. Interim Chancellor Jeo d’Aere was being introduced to key members of the Court.

  “Pleased to meet you, Milord Chancellor,” Balfour said.

 
“And I you, Lord Healer,” George replied with a wry smile.

 
They were seated on either side of the Lyai, who sat beside the Lady Esperanza, seated next to Balfour. The Lyai whispered in George’s ear, “I’m sorry for all the politicking you are having to suffer through.”

 
“It seems each wants me to consider recommending them for Chancellor.”

 
“And not a single one here do I trust that far,” the young elf lord replied.

 
George frowned, “Then think about who is not here. Perhaps it is those who shy away from the rivalries at Court that deserve such trusted roles.”

 
The Lyai looked at him, “That is something I will give thought.”

 
Se’and glanced across at Cle’or, who briefly met her gaze, then looked away. Raven brought her meal and whispered, “Smell good.”

 
“And Lord Jeo’s?”

 
“His, too,” she answered with a smile.