Page 61 of The War and Deceit Series omnibus

“There are some things I need to know before you go,” I say with more power and authority than I feel. The four magicians look at each other, coming to some silent agreement.

“You may ask, but we may not be able to answer them,” Ellis responds with a slight smile.

“Where have you been?” I shoot at Grayson, before looking back at the other magicians. “Why are you here? What happened in the courtyard? What happens next? Is Wilson safe?” As soon as I start asking, all of the questions start spilling out, my voice becoming more desperate with each one.

“I suppose I should start,” Grayson begins wearily, leaning forward and rubbing a hand over his haggard-looking face. “I left a couple of days ago to meet up with Merrin. We had been in contact for a while, and I knew I had to get you out of the agreement with the priests. I’m not strong enough on my own, I needed backup. So I rode as fast as I could and met with Merrin.” He gestures towards the older magician, who nods his head. “He agreed with me, and we went in search of other high magicians who would support us.”

“When Grayson told me of a blessed woman who he had seen in a vision from the Great Mother, I knew we had to help,” Merrin says, continuing the explanation.“The priests have become twisted over the years, and the magicians used to keep an eye on them, keep them in line.” He sighs now, seeming weary. Whether that is from his story or their travel here, I don’t know. “However, the state we are in with the war… most of usare needed on the front lines. I was at the academy, training the new magicians, and I knew Ellis would support us, so we travelled to where he was stationed.”

“Pierre required a bit more encouragement, but eventually the four of us returned. I was hoping to gain more support, perhaps bring back some of the lower level magicians to keep around, but I got this… feeling, like an urgency I’ve never felt before, and I knew I was needed here,” Grayson interjects, taking over again, his eyes locked on mine as he explains. “From there we travelled as fast as we could, but we were not fast enough.” His sorrow is evident as he speaks and shakes his head, grief lining his features. Pulling my gaze away, I look at the other magicians, and see similar expressions on their faces—even Pierre looks regretful at the loss of life.

“When we arrived, they were rounding up the last of the slaves for slaughter,” Ellis murmurs, and I feel a tightness in my chest. Any hope I had that some of my fellow slaves were rescued dies as I see his expression and slow shake of his head. “We weren’t able to save any of them. Bodies were piled up higher than a full-grown man.”

I feel sick at his explanation, being able to imagine it all too well. Closing my eyes, I lean back into my chair, reminding myself I’m safe as I try to push away the images their words create in my mind.

“At first, I thought you were in there…I might have gone a little crazy.” Grayson’s sheepish words have me opening my eyes and looking at the magician questioningly.

“He went into euisa,” Ellis clarifies, and something clicks in my thoughts as the story comes together.

“That’s why you didn’t go into euisa earlier when you saw me with Vae—the elf. You had already thought I was dead, so in comparison, it wasn’t enough to trigger you.” I quickly correct myself, but he doesn’t seem to notice my slip up. “I thought youmight have earlier when Jayne was talking about the guard who took me.” He nods sagely as I speak.

“I already thought I had lost you once today, so it’s going to take a lot to send me back into euisa.”

My heart beats painfully in my chest. I knew Grayson cared for me, but I had always assumed it was more in a guardianship way out of responsibility.

Is he saying he…No, he cares for me in the same way he cares for Jayne. We are family, and that is enough. Now is not the time to be getting caught up in feelings. Clearing my throat, I nod and try to act like what he just said hasn’t thrown my mind into a tizzy.

“What happened?” He winces slightly at my question.

“Let’s just say I don’t think the priests will be very helpful from now on,” Pierre comments sarcastically.

“Grayson reacted the same way any of us would if our family was threatened,” Merrin jumps in, his usual pleasant expression turning into a frown at the other magician’s flippant remark. “Unfortunately, some of the priests got in Grayson’s way.”

“I killed them, and I would have continued to kill a pathway straight to you if my fellow magicians hadn’t helped.” He sounds completely unregretful as he speaks, meeting my eyes. I should be scared, horrified, and repulsed—this mankilledother people. I’m feeling a whole plethora of emotions, but none of them are any of the above. The death of the slaves? Yes, that horrifies me, but not the deaths of the priests. Maybe there’s something wrong with me, but I can’t even find it within me to be upset at their demise. The priests are the ones behind my suffering for the last twelve years, after all, and they’re responsible for the deaths of all those slaves.

“Good.” I hardly recognise myself as I speak.

Something flutters in my chest, but I don’t think it’s from me—the connection I have with Grayson is making itself known.Someone coughs as we continue to stare at each other, and I’m pretty sure Ellis murmurs, “Awkward,” under his breath. Blushing, I pull my gaze from Grayson, who’s smiling ruefully. I shift in my seat before I turn to the others like nothing happened, trying to resist the urge to look back at Grayson.

“What happened next? Everyone had been called to watch the queen’s execution. Was everybody still in the courtyard?” I inquire, pulling their focus back to what happened when I was in the underground room. What I really want to be asking is if he’d seen Mage Wilson or Tor from the mountain tribes. Something tries to spark to life within me, but I push it down. Now is not the time to start examining those feelings.

“No, a few of the nobles were there, but Wilson was helping them escape,” Grayson explains, and I feel a huge weight leave my shoulders. Wilson’s okay. My eyes sting as tears threaten to fall, but I can’t cry now, not while there are so many eyes on me. I’ll save that for when I’m alone and I can process everything that’s happened.

“The tribesmen were fighting with the guards.” Grayson’s comment distracts me from my tears as my eyebrows shoot up. I hadn’t expected them to fight our people while they were here as diplomats. “I think we might have lost their support,” he continues dryly, and Pierre chuckles, but it’s devoid of amusement as he shakes his head.

“I can’t say I blame them.” Merrin sighs, leaning back in his chair as he strokes his beard. “Mass genocide is not usually a sign of a stable country.” The others murmur a wordless agreement and a heavy weight seems to fall over the room.

“After that, Grayson knew where you would be and led us to you,” Ellis finishes after a few moments. I know they have other questions, and queries about my relationship with their colleague, but they don’t know me well enough to ask, and I’m grateful for that. Shuffling forward in my chair, I reach for theforgotten mugs on the small table, enjoying the warmth of the drink through the ceramic. The magicians follow suit, humming in appreciation as they sip the drinks. I realise then that they must have travelled a long way without time to stop for rest or refreshments. This must be the first time they’re able to sit, although they don’t look that tired. I suppose one of the benefits of having magic is being able to restore your energy.

“What happens now?” I ask after they have settled back in their chairs. “Will Grayson get in trouble for killing those priests?”

“We will need to discuss that and talk with the other high magicians, but we need to make it clear that we do not support the mass slaughter of slaves,” Merrin answers in a tired voice—they’re more exhausted than their outward appearance shows. Or perhaps the deaths of the slaves and the queen have affected him more than he’s letting on. “We’ve had a tenuous relationship with the priests for a while, but they’ve been too long without one of us keeping an eye on them.” The atmosphere in the room is heavy, and I’m reminded that he’s much older than the rest of us. Wearily, he continues, his voice grave as he shakes his head.

“This has been building for a while. For years, the priests and the mages would keep an eye on each other, make sure that the other doesn’t get too powerful. That was how the Mother intended it. However, with the war as it is, all of the high mages have been required to help on the front lines or at the academy. It’s only recently, when Grayson returned here and started reporting back, that we realised how out of control the priests had become.”

“What does this mean?” I ask with a frown, not really understanding. The four magicians look at each other, their expressions grave. After a couple of moments of silent discourse, Grayson stands and makes his way over to me, holding out his hand in an offer to assist me to my feet.

“It means things are going to change around here.”

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