Page 89 of Path of the Dark
30
A Complicated Tale
“GAEL’S NOT HERE.” Mysandra informed Ryana. Her tone wasn’t friendly. Like the locals outdoors, she’d concluded that despite her pale northern looks, Ryana had sided with the enemy. “And neither are the other enchanters … they all reside in The Swallow Keep these days.”
Ryana breathed a curse, raking her hands through her hair. Her fingers snagged on knots, making her wince. “Why?”
“They’re valuable to the king now,” the High Enchanter replied. “Reoul wants them nearby.”
Ryana frowned. “Then why are you here?”
Mysandra pursed her red mouth. She was a striking woman: neatly coiffed and made up, her body draped in pristine white robes. The two of them stood in the paved courtyard at the center of the house. The High Enchanter had ventured out to meet Ryana there. “I refuse to take part in this,” she said after a pause. “Although I’m the only one.”
The accusation in her eyes made Ryana tense. “I’m not dressed this way out of choice,” she replied, her tone sharpening. “I told you … I’m an enchanter of Rithmar.”
“So you say.” Mysandra still didn’t look convinced. “Do you know if Asher received my goshawk message?”
Ryana nodded. “It’s the reason King Nathan is marching on this city.”
The High Enchanter watched her for a moment, before her face sagged. She suddenly looked much older, and tired. “He’s too late,” she murmured. “Gael controls both the enchanters of Veldoras and Mirrar Rock now. He’s harnessed the use of Stynix.”
The despair in the woman’s eyes was contagious, and Ryana felt hopelessness tug at her. Fighting it, she replied. “Rithmar has Ninia. I’ve been training her in the Dark over the past months … the girl possesses incredible power.”
Mysandra heaved in a deep breath. “But is she strong enough to take on fifty enhanced enchanters?”
Ryana went still.Possibly not.
Mysandra muttered a gutter curse, one that was at odds with her genteel appearance. “What a mess.”
Ryana didn’t disagree with her.
At that moment the servant reappeared. “High Enchanter … what time will you be wanting supper this eve?”
“Now will suit,” Mysandra replied. “Thank you, Isla.” She then shifted her attention back to Ryana. “It will only be simple fare, I’m afraid … but there will be wine. Care to join me?”
Ryana shook her head. “I can’t. I have to track down Gael and kill him.”
The High Enchanter inhaled sharply. “You’re mad. He’s locked inside the walls of The Swallow Keep. Even if you cloaked yourself in shadow, you’d never get to him without being detected.”
“I have to try,” Ryana shot back. “Someone has to stop him.”
“Aye … but your reckless plan isn’t the way.”
Ryana scowled. “I can’t sit around and wait for Gael to lead those enchanters into battle.”
“You can’t prevent that now,” Mysandra countered. “With or without Gael the battle is going ahead, and those enchanters will be using Stynix. If you want to bring Gael down, do it when his focus is elsewhere. If I were you, I’d wait until he’s out there in battle. Your best chance is when he is already distracted.”
Running a hand down her tired face, Ryana sighed. This woman talked sense. “Alright … I’m listening.”
Mysandra smiled. “Come on … join me for some supper in my garden, and we can form a revised plan.” She favored Ryana with a shrewd look then. “One that, hopefully, doesn’t get either of us killed.”
The High Enchanter’s courtyard garden was a haven from the rest of the world. Ryana stepped into a lush space that was a riot of color. Water trickled over a small fountain in the form of a diving swallow.
“Shadows,” she whispered, her gaze traveling over the garden. “It’s lovely.” The light was fading, and a brazier had been set up in the center of the space upon a tiled patio. The warm, humid air was heavy with the scents of rose, lavender, and honey-suckle. Standing in such a spot, you could believe the surrounding city didn’t exist—that war wasn’t breathing down their necks.
Mysandra smiled. “Aye … welcome to my sanctuary.”
They took seats at a table upon the patio, while the servant, Isla, carried in a jug of wine and goblets.
