Rise of the Mages (Rise of the Mages 2) (31 page)

Ashley grinned as she hustled through empty corridors.

The only thing better than a weapon was a powerful weapon. And the only thing better than a powerful weapon was a powerful weapon completely under her control.

Besides, Xan amused her. His naïvety was most … endearing.

She breezed through an antechamber, where Brant’s father and the old man with the white beard waited with grim looks, and into the meeting room. Officers and civil advisors filled all seats around a table save the one to the right of her daddy. He faced the door with Uncle Benj, as his chief advisor and army general, to his left.

An old scribe whose name she couldn’t recall hunched over a writing table in the corner. Once she sat, he started reading Captain Reed’s testimony about a guardsman being killed during Xan’s escape from jail in whatever hick town it was.

The scribe didn’t get very far before her daddy waved his hand. “Is any of this relevant? If we excuse the magic use, we’re declaring the catcher to be an enemy of Bermau, making his life and the guardsmen’s lives forfeit. Otherwise, whichever of these mages killed the guardsman will already be under penalty of death.”

No one disagreed.

“The crux of the matter is—do we follow the law or endorse these mages?”

Uncle Benj sighed. “Who knows which choice is correct? And even if we manage to pick the right one, we’re still just as likely to end up in ruin.”

“Did you send the pigeons to Escon?” her daddy said.

“We released them,” Uncle Benj said. “All three died when they passed over the woods. Simply fell to the ground.”

“Yet more proof that Xan tells the truth,” Ashley said.

“They could have been felled by arrows,” Uncle Benj said.

She raised her eyebrows at him.

“Not likely, I admit.”

“It was a long shot they’d make it back with a directive from the queen in time anyway,” her daddy said, “but this means we’re completely on our own.”

“The safest course,” Uncle Benj said, “is to report this Justav as a rogue enemy and turn the young people over to a different catcher.”

“You think that’s the safest course? Some general.” Ashley snorted. “What happens when death mages kill off all our soldiers manning the wall? Will you protect them like you protected the duke?” She paused. “Oh, wait. You did nothing while the duke was being attacked. Xan saved him.”

Uncle Benj rolled his eyes. “I’m not much of a gambling man—”

Ashley snorted again.

“—but I’ll see your hypothetical threat of enemy mages and raise you the very real fact that every duchy in the three kingdoms will turn against us were we to raise a force of magic users.”

Goose bumps rose on Ashley’s arm. To control such a force! Fire. Kinetics. Life itself.

“I agree with General Flynn,” her daddy said.

Uncle Benj stuck out his tongue at her. Real mature there.

“But I also agree with the niskma.”

Ashley smiled. “So where does that leave us?”

Uncle Benj nodded. “We hedge our bets. Use the mages to protect us against magical attack but keep their involvement secret.” He softened his voice. “Dispose of them quietly if need be.”

A sensible solution.

“I did not say that!” Her daddy pounded his fist on the table. “We don’t use people and throw them away.”

Uncle Benj shrugged. “We also don’t risk control of the duchy for the sake of a few village kids.”

“What about my promise to Alaina? This may finally be my chance to put things right.”

Ashley leaned forward. What promise to her mother?

“Auggie, you’ve got to let her go.”

She couldn’t remember ever hearing Uncle Benj call him by name in public, much less in an official meeting.

Her daddy clutched at two rings dangling from a gold chain around his neck. “Even with the control we exert over catchers, there are still abuses, and even when those accused are actually guilty, we’re executing children.”

Uncle Benj threw up his hands. “Children who could grow up to level cities with a thought!”

“It’s okay to murder kids for what they might do?” Ashley said. “Do you punish Miln because he might get a bad grade or Tod because he might forget to do his chores?”

“That’s not the same thing, and you know it.”

Ashley cocked her head and smirked, and he shot her an infuriated glare. She grinned.

“Speaking of children …” Her daddy sighed. “It’s only prudent to use the services of these mages, as it is to keep their participation under wraps. However, we will only consider elimination if we have no other option.”

“Can we keep them—or me—a secret?” Ashley said. “Justav knows, and there were a lot of witnesses today.”

Her daddy waved his hand. “The witnesses were our most trusted soldiers, and if we declare Justav to be an enemy, anything he says can be easily discounted. The real concern at the moment is choosing a leader for our new force.”

“Brant is the obvious choice, my lord,” Uncle Benj said. “He’s a soldier used to commanding and being commanded.”

“In terms of magic, he also isn’t nearly as strong, as practiced, or as astute as Xan.” Ashley smiled sweetly.

Her daddy shook his head. “You hit the main problem; Xan possesses too much strength.”

“How so?” she said.

“The more powerful a mage, the easier it is for him to use his ability. In the days before the Wizard’s War, few commissioned mages could communicate by dreams. Considering he’s untrained and remembered everything afterward, he’s the most powerful mage I’ve heard tell of.”

“Is that why I don’t remember? I’m not powerful enough?”

Her daddy grinned. “Don’t fret. It takes great potential to activate a dream, much less unconsciously.”

“It’s irrelevant anyway,” Uncle Benj said. “Neither you nor Tasia should use your ability.”

“You want me to make the same mistake again?” Her daddy practically snarled at him.

What was going on? Her daddy often roared like a big bear but rarely got mad at anyone, much less Uncle Benj.

The general didn’t flinch. “You know I’ve the right of it, my lord. If this thing goes bad, we’re going to be under intense scrutiny. The less Ashley and Tasia know of their ability, the easier it will be for us to shield them.”

“Alaina—”

“This is Ashley, my lord. Your daughter.”

If only someone would tell her what happened to her mother. All she had were years of frustration asking and being denied.

Her daddy scowled before finally nodding. “So be it. For now.”

“Regardless,” Ashley said, “Xan is the choice for leader. I can control him.”

Uncle Benj shook his head. “Brant is more malleable.”

Ashley flipped her hair. “You doubt my judgment when it comes to controlling men?”

Her daddy hmphhed. “Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

He gritted his teeth. “I’ll take the recommendation under advisement. We’ll reconvene in an hour.”

* * *

Ashley followed her daddy and Uncle Benj into the audience chamber with Brant’s father and the old man trailing.

Lainey bolted from her seat. “My lord, I confess. I k-killed the guardsman without the knowledge of the others. There should be no trial for them.” She sank to her knees. “I swear I didn’t mean it, but I would rather him dead than my brother.”

Silence hung over the chamber.

What must it be like to hold sway over life and death? To have everyone hanging on your merest whim?

Tasia grasped Xan’s hand, and Ashley narrowed her eyes.

“Let it be recorded that the catcher, Justav the Bold—” her daddy scoffed “—is an enemy of the Duchy of Vierna and of the Kingdom of Bermau. His life and the lives of any of his men are forfeit wherever they may be found. Let it be known that this declaration is effective retroactively.”

Lainey stared at him with a blank look.

Captain Reed climbed down to her from the dais and helped her to her feet. “It means, child, there will be no punishment for killing the guardsman.”

“There will always be punishment.” She collapsed into a nearby chair.

Ashley’s daddy lowered his tone to a personable, soft pitch. “Six weeks ago, my enemy stole my daughter. My men searched the countryside. My spies risked their lives. My coffers opened to provide bounties to every mercenary in the kingdom. All these efforts failed. These young people accomplished what my armies could not.” He paused, smiling at Ashley. “Their bravery shall be rewarded. Lainey Diwen, please come before me.”

She stumbled onto the dais.

“My thanks cannot wash away all you’ve endured, but I grant you absolution. In addition to rewards of wealth and status, I will find the family of the guardsman and pay them recompense.”

Just as dully, she exited the dais.

“Dylan d’Adreci,” Ashley’s daddy said, “I’m told you seek neither adventure nor glory, but you do not shirk from duty or your friends when it is necessary. To you, I grant the Asher House concession on dye contracts.”

Dylan looked stunned.

Ashley nodded. With a single statement, the d’Adreci house became the premiere dye concession in Vierna, tying Dylan’s success to the Asher’s success. Her daddy knew how to motivate people.

“Brant Reed, please approach.”

He marched to the dais. As he approached, Uncle Benj handed her daddy a jewel-encrusted sword.

“Kneel.”

His back straight and head high, Brant rested one knee of the stone floor.

“Your actions prove your bravery, and Captain Reed tells me you surpass all the requirements for knighthood.” Her daddy raised the blade, its bright metal reflecting the sunlight streaming through the windows, and touched the flat side of the tip to Brant’s right shoulder. “For the glory of the Holy One.” To the left. “For the honor of the queen.” He tapped Brant’s head. “For the service to your liege. Rise.”

Brant floated to his feet.

“For rescuing my daughter, I grant you title and lands. From this day forward, you shall be Sir Brant Reed, Lord of Marchess Bridge.”

Assuming they didn’t have to kill Brant, the pronouncement would change his life. He could be an officer in any army he chose. Ashley nearly snickered when she realized her daddy hadn’t said a word about Brant leading the mage force. That wasn’t going to make him happy.

Captain Reed and Pruitt clapped Brant on the back.

Xan caught Dylan’s attention and looked pointedly at the main entry door. “They’re going to need to enlarge it.”

Dylan raised his eyebrows.

“Brant’s head isn’t going to fit.”

They shared a chuckle as their friend strutted from the podium.

“Alexander Conley,” the duke said.

Xan let out a long breath and walked slowly to the front.

“The bravery and capability of one among you stood higher than the rest.” Her daddy placed a hand on Xan’s shoulder. “You escaped from a catcher and, with a penalty of death hanging over you, rescued my daughter. You let yourself be captured in order to get closer to her, putting yourself in mortal danger. After you rescued her, you continued in your duty. Risking judgment, you brought to my attention a plot to overthrow my seat, perhaps even this very kingdom.”

The duke’s expression turned solemn. “I repay your heroic deeds with more duty. An enemy prepared to use magic against us will arrive on the morrow, and without you and your friends to defend us, I fear we will be lost.” He paused dramatically. “I call upon you to save us again as my Marshal of the Mages.”

Xan’s eyes widened. “Yes, my lord. I shall do my best for you, sir.”

He stumbled as he exited the dais and almost fell. Ashley shook her head.

Tasia was the first to greet him. She hugged him, and their embrace lingered. When had they become so … friendly?

Xan would become one of the most powerful men in the world. Or he’d be executed. Ashley nodded. Huge reward. Little risk.

She stepped forward. “There’s one more reward to give, Father.”

He cocked his head but ceded the floor.

“I would be dead or worse if not primarily for Xan’s actions. No amount of duty—” she looked at her daddy “—can possibly be reward enough. Nothing can possibly be reward enough. Still, honor demands I try.” She paused, letting the anticipation build. “Alexander Conley, I give you my hand in marriage.”

Xan’s mouth gaped. Marry Ashley?

Him? With someone so perfect, so beautiful? His fiancé?

When would the wedding be? Probably not before the siege. Hopefully, once everything had calmed down. Assuming they won. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have to worry.

What would be expected of him? Surely it wouldn’t be a simple village affair. There’d be traditions and formalities. Worse. The wedding night. With Ashley.

His feet were unsteady as he shuffled toward her. His palms grew sweaty. “Can we speak? In private?”

A grin split her face, and she looked at him as if he were the center of her world. “Of course.” She grabbed his hand and tugged.

He nearly yanked his hand away. Would it be worse for his sweaty palm to revolt her or for him to anger her by pulling away? Before he’d made a decision, she’d already led him into the alcove where they’d spoken earlier.

“Are you okay with this?” he said.

The edges of Ashley’s mouth twitched. “With what?”

It wasn’t a great time for teasing. “Hours ago, you couldn’t stand the sight of me.”

“Has no one ever informed you that changing her mind is a lady’s prerogative?” She touched his face.

So gentle and tender.

He leaned his head into her hand and lost himself in the moment. Closing his eyes, he memorized the sensation. When she pulled back, he braced his hand against the wall to keep from falling. “You remember?”

She let out an exaggerated sigh. “You are not a child. Keep yourself focused.”

He winced. “Do you even like me?”

“I’ll make you a good wife.”

Xan clenched and relaxed his hands several times. “Great. Fantastic. I’m glad. But do you even like me?”

“You do the magic, and I’ll keep your rivals from stabbing you in the back. As long as you remain loyal to me and father, you’ll wield more influence than you ever believed possible.”

He stepped back from her. “What about love?”

“You’re not on the farm anymore. If you want power, you have to grab it.” Ashley seized his hand and placed it on her breast.

Stunned, he let it rest for a moment, and his hand squeezed involuntarily. He yanked it back. “You can’t keep taking things from me. Did you ever think I might want to propose to you, not have our engagement thrust upon me? Did you ever think I might want more than just to grope you?”

“It’s not a big deal, Xan.”

“To you.”

Her hand covered her mouth as she stifled a laugh. “Don’t tell me—your first time?”

Heat rose to his face. “I’m sorry I’m not as experienced as you.”

“If that’s what you’re concerned about, you don’t have to worry.” Her face clouded. “You’ll be the first to broach me.”

“Ashley! I’m not concerned … I don’t want to … You know. That.” He shivered. Women were crazy. Noblewomen ten times so.

Her eyebrows arched. “You don’t?” She shrugged. “Arrangements can be made. A male servant, perhaps?”

Xan ground his teeth. “I didn’t mean ...” He closed his eyes for several seconds. “Why are you making this so hard?”

Ashley snickered. “It’s what I do, Xan. It’s what I do.” Her smile disappeared. “I can make you unbelievably happy.” She focused cold eyes on him. “But make no mistake about what I desire.”

What about what he wanted? Huh? He wanted to kiss her. Marrying her was beyond his wildest dreams. Why, exactly, was he fighting it?

He let out a long breath. “We have a deal.”

Ashley smiled and batted her eyelashes. “Excellent. You’re not so naïve as you pretend.” She pulled down his head to peck him on the cheek. “Now, I’ve been away from the castle too long. I must check on the mischief the courtiers have made in my absence.”

“What about training?”

“Oh, darling, I don’t think my lord father expects me on the front lines. Do you?” Ashley laughed. “Train the others.” She stopped mid-motion in a turn. “You’re going to be perfect, even down to the name. Alexander Asher.”

The curtain parted before her, and she disappeared.

Xan had to change his name? Ashers had ruled Vierna for dozens of generations, and sometimes daughters inherited. It made sense, but men didn’t do that. Did they?

He shook his head. Enough. There were much more important matters to consider than his personal life. Immediate problems with Justav and the death sentence had been resolved, but he wasn’t out of danger by a long shot.

Flynn was confident Asher had enough men to defend Asherton, meaning that, for Truna’s attack to make any sense, Irdrin had to have a significant number of mages. How was Xan supposed to do anything with seven—make that six without Ashley—mostly untrained recruits who had never trained together?

They had to prepare. Fast.