Page 51 of Path of the Dark
Even Marik and Tena wore smiles on their faces this morning as they watched a column of fire roar into the sky. One of the enchanters had just gathered the Light from a lantern that hung under the portico.
The men and women looking on cheered at the impressive display.
Gael didn’t join them. Once these enchanters got a taste of Stynix, this show would look pathetic. Those of the Light would be able to set a city alight, would be able to turn the very air into fire.
They were coming to the end of the practice session, and so Gael waited, watching as Saskia sent the enchanters on their way.
A few of them shot Gael curious looks. Shade fascinated them. Few enchanters in Veldoras over the past years had been powerful enough to draw a familiar to them.
When Saskia was finally alone, Gael strolled over to her.
The Anthor enchanter turned to him. As ever, her gaze was shuttered. Unlike the enchanters of this House, Saskia hadn’t warmed to him at all. “Where have you been?” she demanded. “Weren’t you supposed to be training those of the Dark?”
Gael ignored her hostile greeting and smiled. “We train at first light when the shadows are still deep. I’ve spent the rest of the morning studying.”
She scowled. “You’re secretive about those parchments from Dûn Maras. I’m beginning to think it’s all a ruse … that you don’t have anything of worth to share with us.”
Tell her, Shade urged.Prove your worth.
Gael stepped close to Saskia, taking hold of her arm and steering her toward the eastern side of the courtyard, where ivy climbed up a damp wall. “You’re wrong,” he told her, still smiling. “I have discovered Valgarth’s secret … I know how he made the enchanters who followed him almost as powerful as him.”
Saskia extricated her arm and turned to face him. She didn’t look impressed. “I’m all ears,” she drawled.
“He used Stynix.”
Saskia stiffened, her gaze hardening. “You know it’s a poison?”
“I’ve discovered how to use it so that no enchanter will come to any harm.”
“How?”
Gael cocked his head. “I think I’ll keep those details to myself … for now.”
Saskia scowled once more. “And those parchments you found contain such information?” Distrust emanated from her now.
“Aye … it’s written in Valgarth’s own hand. Stynix will transform even the least able enchanter into something to be feared. We will give Reoul a legion of enchanters with the ability to crush those of Rithmar.”
A beat of silence passed between them. When Saskia replied, her voice was harsh. “You do realize its use is forbidden?”
Gael grinned. “Reoul can bend the rules for us.”
“The king doesn’t want to invade the north yet. We need to strengthen our hold on Thûn first.”
Put her right, came Shade’s indignant whisper.Put the woman in her place.
“He’s only cautious because he lacks enchanters to rival those of Rithmar,” Gael countered. “Once we give him a demonstration, he’ll be willing to proceed.”
Saskia didn’t answer. Gael sensed she resented him and was angry that Reoul had agreed to all of this. Until he turned up, she’d been his advisor for everything regarding enchantment. “And what of the girl?” she snapped. “Have you forgotten Ninia of Thûn?”
“The king’s son has been sent to dispatch her, has he not?”
Saskia’s full mouth twisted. “Aye … but no word of her death has reached us. Maybe Prince Elias has failed?”
“It doesn’t matter if he has,” Gael countered, irritation rising. One young woman wouldn’t thwart him. “The girl is still largely untrained,” he pointed out. “She’ll be no match for the combined might of the Houses of Mirrar Rock and Veldoras. All the more reason to move quickly.”
Behind the ivy-covered wall, Mysandra, High Enchanter of Veldoras’s House of Light and Darkness, listened to the conversation. Gael and Saskia’s voices were low, yet they were incautious. Neither of them realized that her small walled garden sat behind the main courtyard.
She’d heard every word of their exchange.
