Deceived by Magic (The Baine Chronicles Book 6) Page 5

  “But Lord Iannis,” Director Chen protested, apparently not at all satisfied at his choice of replacement. “A trip to Garai is not a short affair. I assume we will be staying for the new Mage-Emperor’s testing and coronation as well as the funeral? With the boat ride each way, we may be gone for as long as three months!”

  “Indeed,” Iannis said. “However, it cannot be helped. It is absolutely essential that you accompany us, Director. As for the duration of our absence, until airships become safe enough to cross the big oceans, there is no alternative. We have requisitioned the fastest steamer available.”

  There was a pregnant pause, and I remembered learning in school about several attempts to fly dirigibles across the ocean. Over half the voyages had ended in disaster, and further attempts were outlawed until such a time as dirigibles were made safe for these long distances.

  “It would be madness to try flying,” Chen finally said. “Especially now, during typhoon season.”

  “So we’re leaving three days after the Minister gets here?” I asked, not sure if I should be excited or apprehensive. After all, I’d always wanted to travel outside the Federation, but I’d only just gotten back to Solantha. Was this what my life was going to be like from now on, hopping about from state to state, and now continent to continent, at the beck and call of Minister Graning? Adventure was all well and good, but there was something to be said for ‘home sweet home,’ too.

  “Yes,” Iannis said. “You are coming along as my fiancée and the junior member of the delegation, but there will be plenty of opportunities to advance your apprenticeship as well. The voyage is long, and we should be able to fit in quite a few extra lessons.”

  “I must say I am surprised to learn that Fenris will be my advisor,” Cirin said, glancing toward Fenris, who was standing near my elbow. “But I realize his counsel will be an asset, considering how much time he has spent at your side. It is very impressive that a shifter can become a scholar of magic history, law, and Loranian as Fenris has done. Indeed, his accomplishments have quite changed my perception of shifter nature and limitations.”

  “If only he knew,” Fenris told me dryly, the words for my ears only, and I stifled a laugh. I was glad that he was taking the compliment in stride rather than getting defensive, as he had every reason to be. The real reason Fenris knew all these things was because he used to be a Chief Mage, before he was forced into hiding and Iannis changed him into a shifter with an ancient and highly illegal spell. It was a little worrying that Cirin had made such keen observations about Fenris, and I wondered how many other mages wondered about Fenris’s strange knowledge. But Cirin didn’t seem to suspect the unlikely truth, and hopefully the others wouldn’t think anything of it either.

  The Finance Secretary thanked Iannis once more for the opportunity and assured him he’d do his best to deserve his confidence, then took his leave. After Cirin was gone, Fenris shifted back into human form in a flash of white light. One moment, he was a wolf, the next a stocky man with short dark hair and a beard covering his square jaw. He wore a simple dark tunic, his usual dress, and I wondered if his decision not to wear modern clothes stemmed from the fact that in his former life he was accustomed to mage robes. Since he couldn’t wear them anymore, tunics were the next best thing.

  “While I’m sure the next few days will be very exciting, I will not be around to help entertain your important visitors,” Fenris told Iannis. “I have business in the south that must be seen to without delay.”

  “Of course—that Resistance camp down near the border,” Iannis said smoothly, catching on. Fenris obviously didn’t want to be anywhere near the Minister and his delegation when they arrived, and I privately agreed. “But you will be back soon, correct?”

  “I did agree to advise the Finance Secretary, after all.” The hint of humor in Fenris’s voice told me he was ribbing Iannis, because Iannis hadn’t asked his consent before assigning him the job. “I need to prepare for the trip, though, so I will take my leave now.”

  “So,” I said, once Fenris was gone. “You gonna tell us the real reason the Minister wants us to come to Garai? Because I get the feeling there aren’t any other Chief Mages being asked to come along.”

  Iannis gave me a small smile. “You are quite right.” His expression sobered, and he gestured for Director Chen to have a seat. “The reason we need you there,” he told her once she was seated next to me, “is that we are to undertake a secret mission once we arrive in Garai. The Minister has ordered us to seek out and destroy the Resistance lab in Leniang Port.”

  “A Resistance lab in Leniang Port?” Chen frowned. “This is the first I’ve heard of it. Surely they have not spread to Garai too? I have not heard of Garai forming its own Resistance.”

  “We don’t know how closely they might be affiliated, and I only learned of it recently myself,” Iannis said. “The scientists we captured in Osero told the Minister’s interrogators about the lab, though it took considerable time to drag the information out of them.” Iannis’s lip curled briefly at that. “We are not sure exactly what goes on there, but it is highly likely they are manufacturing the same diseases specifically targeted at mages and shifters. We also know for certain that the illegal firearms smuggled in for the Resistance soldiers here in the Federation came from Leniang Port.”

  “By the Lady!” Chen exclaimed, an expression I’d heard once or twice. Apparently, it was in direct reference to Resinah, though mages rarely used it. “I am certainly willing to help, Lord Iannis, but I must warn you that as a native Garaian, my diplomatic immunity may not be respected. Things could get difficult if I am caught engaging in illegal activity so far from the capital, and I would be subject to Garaian law even though I am a Northian citizen now. ‘Once a Garaian, always a Garaian’ is very much the national view.” Her delicate eyebrows pulled into a frown.

  “I will do my best to ensure that you are not caught in such a compromising position,” Iannis assured her. “But as you are the only one here who speaks the Southern Garaian dialect, you are very much needed. I cannot risk taking a mere translator on such a delicate mission, and I am only fluent in the main northern dialect.”

  She nodded, acknowledging the argument. I dimly recalled from my geography lessons that many languages were spoken in Garai, though, oddly, they all used the same complicated script. What else had I learned about Garai? I’d never thought to hold onto the knowledge, since I hadn’t in my wildest dreams imagined getting the chance to visit.

  Better brush up on those lessons now, I thought to myself. I didn’t want to come across like an ignorant hick when we got there!

  We talked about the trip for a few more minutes, then Chen took her leave as well, saying that she had much to do to prepare. I was about to follow her, but Iannis held up a hand, a silent command for me to remain.

  “So you’ve saved the best for last, eh?” I said, trying for levity. In truth, I was nervous. What other bomb was Iannis about to drop on me?

  “Of course.” Iannis’s stern features softened into a real smile, and he flicked his hand toward the door. The lock clicked behind me, and he pushed his chair back. “Come and sit with me for a moment. I missed you.”

  I did as he asked, curling into his arms as I settled onto his lap. Tucking my head beneath his chin, I pressed my ear to his chest and listened to his heartbeat.

  “Did you really not know about any of this?” I asked as he stroked my hair.

  “No,” he said. “The Minister only learned of the Mage-Emperor’s passing today—we didn’t discuss this at all when I was in Dara. I know it is very sudden, but we cannot pass up this opportunity.”

  “No, of course not,” I murmured, staring out the window behind Iannis’s desk. Darkness had settled over Solantha Bay, and the Firegate Bridge blazed red, a beacon in the night. “We have to destroy the source of those diseases and cut off the Resistance’s weapons supply.” Things might be peaceful here now, but every day that we delayed meant more death and destr
uction somewhere else. I suppressed a shudder at the thought—I couldn’t have those deaths on my conscience.

  “Before we go, I have an assignment that I need you to take care of,” Iannis said. “It involves the magic testing in the schools. I had planned to assign the task to you anyway, but now, unfortunately, time is very short. You’ll have to work fast.”

  I jerked my head up, narrowly missing Iannis’s triangular chin. “We’re still doing that?” I demanded. “I thought you put that program on hold.”

  “We did,” Iannis said. “But I have been getting reports that there have been… incidents… occurring in the public schools that indicate budding magical talents. We have not yet come up with a proper system for dealing with them, and we must make time to do so when we return. But for now, it would be unwise to leave for three months knowing that the problem is growing. Since nobody else cares as much about this as you, I’ve decided to entrust you with the job.”

  “Makes sense. What do you want me to do?”

  “I need you to go around the schools and administer the testing, then make recommendations to the Guild as to how to handle the children that do show magical aptitude.” He hesitated, then added, “I’ll personally make sure that nobody is permanently harmed, if we do have to perform wipes on some.”

  “All right.” My dread evaporated as I realized this was an opportunity to set a new precedent. Instead of recommending them all for magic wipes, perhaps I could convince the Guild to explore other options instead. “I don’t know how to test them, though.”

  “It’s very simple.” Iannis taught me the Word, then demonstrated the spell by placing his hands on my head and speaking it. A strange tingle went through me, and the old anxiety I’d felt when I’d been tested as a child kicked in before I remembered that it didn’t matter. The world knew I had magic, and I wasn’t hiding anymore. I was thriving.

  “Now you try it,” Iannis said softly, taking my hands in his and placing them atop his head.

  I let my finger sink into his soft, dark red hair for a moment, enjoying the way the silky strands slid against my skin. Desire lit my nerves aflame, as it always did whenever we were in close proximity, but I pushed it aside and spoke the Word.

  “By Magorah,” I gasped as I sensed the enormity of Iannis’s power. It was like a flea standing before the might of an elephant—vast, almost incomprehensible. “You’re downright scary.”

  Iannis laughed, pushing my hands away. “You’ve nothing to fear from me,” he said, wrapping his arms around me. “I could never turn my power against you.”

  “I know.”

  He pressed his lips against mine, and I forgot all about the testing and the upcoming trip. Who could possibly think about those problems, when I had the most delicious man in the world under my hands?

  6

  The next day, Rylan and I went to the Records Department and obtained a list of all the junior high schools in Solantha, then made phone calls to each one to find out how many ten-year-olds they had. After calculating the number—around five thousand children, total—I realized there was no way I could get all the testing done on my own before the Minister arrived with his delegation. I needed reinforcements.

  There was some muttering as I went around the Guild recruiting apprentices, and dark looks from the mages who used to be in charge of administering the magic wipes. They were not pleased that I was taking over this duty, especially since I was a mere apprentice myself. But since I was acting in the Chief Mage’s name, there was nothing they could do. Their displeasure and skepticism only made me resolve to do an excellent job, so they would have nothing to criticize in the end.

  “There really aren’t very many, are there?” Rylan asked as we headed back to the Palace on my steam bike. We’d just finished the first round of testing, and we wanted to grab lunch before we interviewed more children. “We’ve visited sixteen schools and only found two magic users so far.”

  “Yeah,” I agreed, though my heart was heavy all the same. The teachers of those two children, and the children themselves, had been stricken when I told them the news, but I’d done my best to assure them that no action would be taken at this time. Even so, one of the teachers had fainted dead away when I’d told her that she needed to inform the parents of her student to escort the child to Solantha Palace after lunch to be interviewed. I’d been forced to use my own magic to revive and then calm her.

  “Do you think some of them are going to try to bolt from the city with their children?” Rylan asked as I parked my bike in the Palace garage. “That’s what I would do, in their stead.”

  “They won’t be able to escape the tracking spell I put on each of them,” I told him as we made our way toward the dining hall. Iannis had taught me the spell last night, and while I regretted having to use it, I knew it was necessary. “If any of them fail to show, I will find them.”

  After lunch, I met with a few of the other apprentices in a small conference room in the Mages Guild. I’d recruited fourteen, and I had chosen them for their skill level as well as their temperament. They were all young looking, with calm dispositions, and I’d sent them off in pairs to help with the testing.

  “We found three today,” Sarai, a female apprentice, told me and handed me a sheet of paper with the names and salient details of the children. She tossed her mane of long, straight black hair over her shoulder as she settled back into her seat. “All Maintowners.”

  “Two from us—one in Maintown, one in Rowanville,” Gorad, the male apprentice from another team, added as he handed me his list as well. “Our partners are keeping watch on the parents and children in the other room.”

  “Have they all arrived?” I asked as I scanned the names.

  “Surprisingly, yes,” Sarai said. “Though that might have had something to do with the fact that I sent guards to collect them.”

  “I didn’t tell you to do that,” I said sharply. “Did the guards use force? I told you not to scare them.”

  “They’re going to be scared no matter what,” Sarai said boldly, pinning me with her dark blue gaze. “They think that you’re about to turn their children’s brains into mush. I simply ensured that we wouldn’t have to go chasing after them, which we really don’t have time to do. None of the children are sporting any signs of injury. You can check yourself if you want.”

  “I will be,” I said, trying not to sound too annoyed. Sarai hadn’t really done anything wrong—I just didn’t like that she’d done this without my approval. “Go and join the others, then send one of the children in. I want to get these interviews done quickly.”

  The two apprentices bowed, then left. Sighing, I leaned back in my chair and perused the names on the lists once more, going over the details. Ten and sixteen were the typical ages that the tests were done, and I was very glad that we were only doing ten-year-olds right now. If they were wiped at this age, it would leave little-to-no effects on their personality. Iannis had explained that in children, only a small area of the brain was used to control magic, and therefore magic wipes were less dangerous to perform on them. This area grew from a small point in infancy and gradually spread until it was entwined with the entire brain. By the time a mage reached the age of seventeen, the procedure was considered too risky to perform without harmful side effects.

  Besides, I wasn’t sure I wanted to handle rebellious teenagers just yet.

  The door opened, and a young human woman, wearing a clean but faded yellow dress, came in with her son. They both shared the same curly blond hair, though the boy’s was a messy mop as opposed to the mother’s tamed locks. He gripped her hand tightly as she led him over to the chairs on the table opposite me.

  “Good afternoon,” I said, rising to greet her with an outstretched hand. I didn’t have to, considering my status, but I wanted to make her feel more at ease. “I’m Sunaya Baine.”

  “Delara Mencham,” the woman said, a slight tremor in her voice. She hesitated before shaking my hand. “This is my son, Br
iar.”

  “Hello, Briar.” I offered him my hand as well, and tried not to be offended when he eyed it like it was a viper. “I really appreciate you coming on such short notice.”

  “Mom said I didn’t have a choice.” He glowered at me, but shook my hand anyway when his mother nudged him sharply.

  “Do you want anything to drink before we get started?” I asked as we sat down. “I hope you had time to eat lunch.”

  “He’s been taken care of,” his mother said sharply. “Let’s just get this over with.”

  “All right.” I turned to her and fired the first question off. “How long have you known that your son has magic?”

  She stiffened. “I don’t know any such thing.”

  “Mrs. Mencham, I’m sure you’re aware that as a shifter, I can smell a lie, correct?” I kept my voice even. “This will go a lot smoother if you’re honest with me from the get-go.”

  “And what will happen to my son once I’m honest?” she demanded. “Are you going to take him away?”

  “I won’t let her,” Briar said, and the air around him shifted. Rylan stiffened as we both caught the scent of magic, and sparks began to rise from the little boy’s skin.

  “Briar, stop,” his mother pleaded, her gaze growing frantic. She grabbed his hand, then cried out as her skin sizzled against his.

  “Mom!” The magic disappeared immediately, and Briar’s eyes widened with guilt and fear. “Mom, are you okay?” He reached for her, and his mother scooted her chair away instinctively. His face crumpled, and my heart ached.

  “Briar,” I said, my voice soft but authoritative. He whipped his head around, his dark blue eyes wide with fear. “You need to calm down before someone gets hurt. That’s when you lose control of the magic, isn’t it?” I asked gently. “When you get upset?”

  “I try not to.” Tears gleamed in his eyes, and he swallowed. “It hasn’t happened in a long time.”