Mindbender (12 page)

“Yeah, but we might do well to introduce Zuhl to Phane,” Anatoly said.

General Kishor chuckled. “I was thinking along the same lines. I’d much rather they chewed up their forces against each other. Might buy us some time to build up our strength and consolidate our positions.”

Before anyone could suggest a concrete course of action, Alexander steered the conversation away from any firm decisions. He wanted to present a range of possibilities without settling on any one path so that Cassius wouldn’t be able to warn Phane if he was indeed in league with the Reishi Prince.

“For my own admittedly selfish reasons, my heart tells me to go to the fortress island and rescue my wife and sister,” Alexander said. “Can you shed any light on the Reishi Coven or their Sky Knights?”

“We’re well aware of them,” Kishor said, “but we’ve had few dealings with them. They do not interfere with ships unless they stray too close to the Reishi Isle. Our merchant-vessel captains understand the dangers and stay well clear.”

Alexander nodded and yawned. “Forgive me. I’m afraid the past few days of travel have made me weary. I think it would be wise to put off any final decisions until tomorrow.”

“Lord Reishi,” Mage Lenox said. “I have one question of importance, if I may?”

“Of course,” Alexander said.

“Legend says that the Sovereign Stone holds the secret to Wizard’s Dust,” Mage Lenox said. “Is this so?” He sat forward with intense interest.

With his all around sight, Alexander saw Cassius sit forward a bit as well.

“It is,” Alexander said. “Unfortunately, the process is difficult and time-consuming. While knowledge of the secret will probably decide the outcome of this war, I’m afraid it will be of no help in the immediate future. Furthermore, I can’t risk allowing Phane to learn the secret, so I’ve decided to share it with no one for the time being.”

Mage Lenox looked conflicted and deflated at the same time. “I see the wisdom in your decision. Perhaps we could be of assistance. I’m certain that every member of my order would provide any and all support within our power.”

“I have no doubt,” Alexander said. “In time, the secret will be revealed, but for now it’s simply too dangerous.”

Mage Lenox sighed. “I understand. Please know that I do not ask for myself. We have many young apprentices of great potential, but it’s been years since we’ve discovered a cache of Wizard’s Dust. I’m afraid our order is aging and shrinking in number.”

“I sympathize,” Alexander said. “The same is true for the Wizards Guild on Ruatha. All I can offer for now is my word that your order will be revitalized.”

“Lord Reishi,” Queen Sofia said. “It’s quite clear that you have the weight of the world on your shoulders. Many people’s lives depend on your decisions. I ask you to remember that one of those lives is my Evelyn. She’s innocent and full of life. She doesn’t deserve to be used like a piece on a board game.”

“I understand your heartache,” Alexander said. “I’ll do what I can to help you get your daughter back, but she may have to wait until other matters are resolved.”

Sofia blinked and a tear slipped down her cheek but she nodded her acceptance and then stood. “Thank you all for sharing a meal with us. The hour is late. Good night.” She spoke clearly but it was plain to all that she was terrified for her daughter and struggling to maintain her composure.

Chapter 9

As they left the dining hall, Alexander spoke silently to Chloe. At his request, she had not revealed herself since their arrival in the city. “Little One, please follow Chancellor Cassius and see if he makes any report to our enemies.”

“Of course, My Love,” she replied within the confines of his mind. “I don’t like him. Even without dirty colors, there’s something about him that makes me uncomfortable.”

“He values power over all else,” Alexander said. “Don’t let him see you and don’t risk your safety, Little One.”

Once back in his quarters, Alexander sat down in one of the chairs in the central sitting room that served as the hub for his guest chambers. The Rangers and Boaberous were there and it was clear from the remains of their dinner that they had eaten well. He motioned for everyone else to take seats around the low table.

“Any thoughts?” Alexander asked.

“I don’t trust Chancellor Cassius,” Jack said.

“Yeah, I hope I didn’t reveal too much about the shades and the Nether Gate,” Alexander said. “I don’t know if Cassius is in league with Phane or not. The last thing I want is Phane getting his hands on that Gate.”

“You didn’t mention anything specific,” Lucky said, “and we might gain some invaluable information from Mage Jalal about the keystones.”

“I hope so,” Alexander said. “I’d feel a lot better with one of those keystones in our possession. Oh, before I forget, I’d like to give the wizards a gift.” Alexander took the vial of Wizard’s Dust out of his pouch and handed it to Lucky. “Can you separate this into individual vials, each with enough for a mana fast?”

Lucky carefully took the vial and set it on the table. “Of course,” he said. “I imagine such a gift will create quite a bit of goodwill.” He dug around in his bag and came out with a little wooden box that held over a dozen empty glass vials. Within a minute he had measuring spoons, a small scale, and a little glass funnel arrayed on the table before him. He set to work filling eleven glass vials with Wizard’s Dust and then slipped each vial inside a small metal tube with a fitted screw top. One by one, he assembled eleven doses of Wizard’s Dust sufficient for one mana fast each.

Alexander told him to keep the small amount of the potent magical dust that was left over. Lucky packaged it carefully and put it back into his bag along with the rest of his equipment. Alexander took the eleven, metal-encased glass vials and slipped them into his potion pouch along with his vial of night-wisp dust, his vial of fairy dust, and a jar of healing salve.

“Lord Reishi,” Jataan said, “there are many who would kill you for the contents of that pouch. I recommend that you do not reveal what you possess. Nations have gone to war over lesser quantities of Wizard’s Dust.”

Alexander nodded his agreement.

“What do you think our chances are of convincing King Abel to loan you a couple of legions?” Anatoly asked. “I’m sure your father could use some help right about now.”

Alexander nodded. “I was thinking the same thing. When I looked in on them a few days ago, the Reishi Army Regency hadn’t started moving yet, but they might be at the outskirts of New Ruatha by now. We have about the same number of troops north of the Great Forest as they moved through the Gate, but they have that scourgling with them. I just hope the wizards can defend against it or New Ruatha might be in trouble.”

“I suspect King Abel would be much more willing to lend his soldiers if his daughter was safe,” Jack said.

“I agree,” Alexander said. “What’s more, I’d like to destroy the army Phane sent before they can gain a foothold here. Ithilian produces a lot of food and I don’t want a prolonged battle to jeopardize their crops. We may need the supplies to survive the winter.”

There was a knock at the door. Jataan nodded to Boaberous. The giant opened the door to a valet who looked slightly startled at the sheer size of Lieutenant Grudge.

“Lord Abel sent me to invite Lord Reishi for an evening drink,” he said.

Alexander stood and headed for the door. “Get some rest,” he said to his friends. “We may have to move tomorrow.”

Jataan P’Tal followed him without a word. The valet stepped in front of him. “Lord Abel requested only Lord Reishi,” he said.

Jataan nodded. “I’ll wait in the hall,” he said.

The valet didn’t quite know what to do with the battle mage but he led the way when Alexander nodded for him to proceed. They wound through the halls of the keep until they came to a nondescript door. The valet knocked, paused for a moment, and then opened the door to a small reading room with a little balcony. The furniture was comfortable but not overly lavish and it looked well used. The shelves were lined with books of all kinds and the lighting was ample for reading. Two comfortable-looking chairs sat on the balcony with a small table between them. A silver tray held a crystal bottle of spirits and two heavy crystal glasses.

Abel stood in the middle of the room with a grave look on his face. “Please come in,” he said.

Alexander entered and Jataan took a position in the hall with his back to the wall opposite the door and stood casually with his hands clasped lightly behind his back.

“I was hoping we could have a private conversation,” Abel said. “The walls have ears and there are precious few whom I trust.”

“I understand all too well,” Alexander said as Abel led him out onto the balcony.

“Mage Lenox has spelled this room to prevent others from eavesdropping.”

Alexander nodded. “A wise precaution,” he said as he took a seat and allowed Abel to pour him a glass of the fine dark liquor.

The King sat down and sipped from his glass. “This is my favorite blend,” he said before taking a deep breath. “The assembly will not approve of the alliance you propose.” He sighed. “My brother cannot be trusted.”

“I know,” Alexander said.

Abel looked at him quizzically and nodded. “Your insight is excellent. Cassius is three years older than I, yet our father chose to give me the Thinblade and the throne. Cassius has never forgiven either of us for that. He is ambitious and will turn any situation to his advantage, up to and including jeopardizing the whole of Ithilian if it suits his purpose.”

“I fear it may be much worse than you know,” Alexander said. When Abel looked him in the eye, he continued. “He may be in league with Phane. I’ve learned from painful experience that Phane often uses bribery and promises of reward to enlist the aid of those who can help him achieve his ends.”

“It pains me to say so, but I wouldn’t put it past him,” Abel said. “If Phane offered him the Ithilian throne, I have no doubt that Cassius would pay any price.”

“What is the extent of your power as King?” Alexander asked. “And what powers reside with the assembly and the Chancellor?”

“As King, I’m responsible for ensuring that all governing bodies adhere to the Old Law and for defending against foreign enemies,” Abel said. “That’s one of the reasons that the abduction of my daughter is so insidious. By using her as a shield, they force me to choose between my child and my duty.

“The Chancellor is elected by a vote of the assembly from within their ranks. He is responsible for administering the apparatus of government and managing the daily operation of the constables and corps of builders. Laws are enforced by the constables through investigation, apprehension, and detention of criminals. The Chancellor has great latitude as to which laws he chooses to enforce. Through the corps of builders he controls how various construction projects will proceed, who will be hired to perform the work, and from where the materials will be procured. In many ways he has far more power than I do.

“The assembly is comprised of delegates elected by local communities. They each serve a term of six years per election and are responsible for enacting the laws that the Chancellor is responsible for enforcing.”

“What about the Old Law?” Alexander asked. “How do you ensure that the laws enacted by the assembly don’t contradict the Old Law?

“I am responsible for the judiciary,” Abel said. “All crimes are brought before a court presided over by a judge appointed by me. The first duty of a judge is to ensure that the Old Law is enforced. In cases where a law of the assembly is found to contradict the Old Law, the judge has the authority to dismiss the case and refer the law to me for review. If I find the law to be incompatible with the Old Law, I have the power to strike it down.

“Generally our system of governance works well. There are many factions all vying for power which tends to prevent the concentration of too much power in the hands of any one faction.”

“I find many aspects of your system appealing,” Alexander said. “On Ruatha, the petty nobles control the majority of the lands through hereditary title. As you might imagine, they often lose sight of the needs of the people in favor of their own pursuit of power. I can see how a system where those who make the laws are beholden to the people would place a limit on abuses.”

“It does have its advantages, but it’s also difficult to get things done quickly,” Abel said. “The delegates are always looking for a benefit that they can bring back to the people they represent, even to the point of holding the greater good of Ithilian hostage. I’m afraid that’s what will happen with your proposal for an alliance. While I control the army, any formal alliance must be sanctioned by a law passed by the assembly. They will all want something for their vote. Because the matter is so urgent, they will expect to extract a high price for their support. My brother will also be working behind the scenes to ensure that he has enough votes against us to prevent passage until he gets what he wants.”

“And what is that?” Alexander asked.

“Control over the judiciary,” Abel said. “In recent years, I’ve struck down a number of laws that would have allowed the government to take property from the people in the name of the greater good. They were little more than thinly disguised schemes to steal from innocent citizens in order to empower and enrich those in government.”