Page 27 of Killian
“Kolsten, could your phoenixes offer lessons in defense?” Saura asked.
“I am sure it will take little coaxing to convince my mother to teach her craft to anyone willing,” the phoenix ruler replied. “My Masse can offer stones of protection as well.”
“I meant to speak with him about that. What other things can we put in stones?” Saura asked. “Could we put healing spells in them? It could be very useful.”
“You know my mate, he is ever willing to help,” Kolsten said.
“Good, I will visit soon,” Saura answered. “I should like our experiments to be fruitful before our first dance.”
“I am sure it will be an occasion welcomed by all,” Killian said, pleased by the efforts of The Council and the prosperous future they could offer their people despite the way they were preyed upon by dragons. As for the dragon who’d walked away from Killian sixteen years ago…well, he was never far from his thoughts.
Chapter 10
1469
Castle Leolinnia
Killian bowed his head and swallowed thickly. It was no use fighting his tears, so he didn’t bother. Around him, the other rulers of The Council struggled with their emotions too.
“What can we do to aid the Circle of Mages?” Kaedan asked, his voice breaking on the words.
“I know not,” Egidius replied. “A missive arrived soon after I did at Jurdann’s castle, stating that a new Magus Superus has already been selected by Fate. He is called Egann and is an ignis mage.”
“I suppose we should be grateful for the speed with which Fate worked to replace Jurdann,” Chander stated. “How did Jurdann die?”
Drystan crossed his arms and huffed out a breath. “Dragons cut him down while he visited a recently ravaged town. The trail has led us to the grounds of Court Kestle. We did not know King Kestle in our short years as Emperors. I know not yet if he was involved, but if he was, I will not hesitate to order his execution. Once, we would have hesitated before killing one ofFate’s chosen, but they have preyed upon us for a century. It is not revenge. It is not even justice. But it is the best we can do. We are lucky to have a trail to follow; most of the time we are led to recently abandoned caves.”
“Nothing will bring Jurdann back,” Conley growled, anger blazing in his amber eyes. “But I will be damned if any of the people responsible will get away with murder.”
“We are so grateful to have you on our side,” Saura remarked. “I do not know what we would do without you and your fallen knights.”
“It is obvious,” Egidius snarled. “Without the fallen knights, we would all be dead. Look at Chand. How many attempts have there been on your life? Your entire elder council has been executed because they refused to accept that you are their rightful leader. They left behind ashes. Full pockets of people committed to their cause to destroy you. The dragons have been eager to aid them. We dare not step one foot off on our own land for fear of being killed. Jurdann was doing what he must. He was in a village checking on his people, and the entire place was razed by dragon fire.”
“Our people live in constant fear,” Killian lamented. “We are doing everything we can, but it is not enough. Even the dragons who do not prey upon us refuse to communicate with us. How are we to find allies among them?”
“We are left to mourn the dead while they celebrate victory,” Kaedan snarled. “Yet what choice can I suggest? I will not send our people into a war. I cannot justify sacrificing a single sorcerer, phoenix, or fallen knight to fight hordes of dragons. We are peaceful. Most of us are not warriors. All I am begged to do is find a way to allow our people to live as they desire. As a ruler, I cannot offer safety to anyone. Hatred boils in my blood, and it cannot be helped. I can hardly heal from one tragedy when the next one strikes.”
With a sigh, Chander settled his elbows on the table. “I understand your feelings well. I carry a bitter heart and haven’t slept easy in a hundred years. It does not help to know I am making the right choice by not seeking revenge. All I do is grow angrier with each pyre that burns. To say nothing of the attempts on my own life.”
“We endure,” Kolsten said. “It is all we can do. Like you, I do not want war. It would not help. The dragons are everywhere, and we know not who is friend or foe. There are tribes of people dotted along the land who are neither dragon nor in our Council. What of them? Do they aid us or take up swords against us? What powers do they yield?”
“What time do we have to court them to join us?” Renny asked. Kaedan’s familiar was a powerful force in their government and kept Kaedan informed of everything. The Grand Warlock often teased that without his familiar he would be wandering in the dark, wondering what to do or who he was supposed to meet with next.
“What could we offer them?” Egidius queried. “I wish to offer no slight to anyone, but we cannot protect ourselves.”
“We know the fallen knights and Eldrvalkyria do everything they can,” Killian agreed. “But we have things to offer. Our dances each month provide our people with everything they need to survive.”
“Oh, how it is has changed you,” Saura said, a smile finally crossing her troubled face. “Those specks of gilt in your eyes are only a hint of the power you’ve unlocked by pushing yourself so forcefully to provide food for thousands.”
“It is quite a sight to see the vines cover your form,” T’Eirick added. “I believe I spied leaves sprouting in your hair this last dance.”
Killian nearly chuckled, but it was difficult to find any lightness of heart with the Magus Superus so recently murdered.“So Aloisa says. Her praise was effusive. I had to beg her to stop or risk walking around with red cheeks until the next dance. It took hours for my body to return to normal. It left me with such a surge of energy inside when I thought to be depleted. I certainly emptied every bit of magick in my soul.”
“The druids are lucky to have you as their leader,” Conley responded. “I know you often lament that Aloisa refuses to take up a spot next to you at these meetings, but I hope you have found peace in her decision to stay out of the limelight.”
“She works so hard, I hate that all the glory is given to me,” Killian said. “But my sister is stubborn and will not listen to me begging her to join me here any longer. If I mention it, she walks away. But let us focus on what to do about the mages.”
“Nothing for now,” Kaedan replied. “We wait for Egann to assume his title and offer him what aid we can muster.”
