A Crucible of Souls (Book One of the Sorcery Ascendant Sequence) (61 page)

Clunk. A metal mug filled with hot tea thumped down next to him and he jumped. Senira’s tinkling laugh filled his ears.

She waved at the workbench.
“
You were so engrossed, anyone could have come in without you hearing. I’ve made a few trips for supplies, and the tea has over-steeped while you sat here drawing.
”
She jumped up and sat on the workbench next to him.
“
The tea is hot but bitter, and I couldn’t find any honey.
”
She shrugged.

“
Thank you.
”
Caldan lifted the mug with both hands and sipped. He welcomed the warmth on his hands and throat.
“
I lost track of time.
”

Around him lay scattered pages filled with patterns of runes. A few had been folded into quarters, and three he’d scrunched up into balls.

Senira examined the paper with an interested eye.
“
I don’t recognize some of the runes, let alone the purpose of the patterning. Care to explain?
”

Caldan lay the pen down and recapped the ink bottle. His rubbed his fingers to ease the ache. He had finished the destructive sorcery
craftings
first and secreted some in his pockets and some in his sack. One he folded a few times and slipped into his boot in case of emergencies. What remained on the table were
craftings
designed to keep them safe tonight and warn them if anyone approached. There were a few entrances into this section of the building and he wanted to seal them off, leaving them the run of the place without fear of discovery. Once secure, they could rest for the remainder of the night.

“
These ones,
”
— he took a hold of a piece of paper and started a pile, moving others to join it —
“
will block doors. One on either side of the door and the jamb, activate them and they should hold against all but the most determined sorcerer.
”

“
Should?
”

“
Will,
”
Caldan replied firmly, and she nodded.

“
A neat trick. I don’t remember the class on that one…
”

He coughed into his hand.
“
It’s not taught here. I learned it before I came.
”

Senira raised her eyebrows but didn’t comment.

“
These other ones,
”
— he began to separate the other pages into piles —
“
all have a different purpose. One can be activated close to the doors we will block, and they can tell us if anyone nearby has
craftings
or
trinkets
on them.
”
He gestured to another pile.
“
These ones I need to fold later. They’ll help us in the morning, when we get out of here and try to find the masters putting up resistance.
”

“
If any are. I mean, I hope they are but…
”
She shrugged and folded her arms tight around her chest.

Caldan rose on stiff legs and gave her shoulder a squeeze.
“
Don’t worry. I’m sure everything will be all right. A good night’s sleep here, safe, and everything will look better in the morning.
”

With a sad smile, Senira nodded then hopped off the workbench and began arranging the pile of rags near the forge, which had grown while Caldan was preoccupied with scribing.

“
It’s not much,
”
she said.
“
But it’s better than sleeping on the floor.
”
She gestured at the rags spread around her, barely big enough for one person, let alone two.
“
And keep your hands to yourself,
”
she added.

Caldan smiled.
“
Don’t worry. You take them all. I still have a lot to do and don’t think I could sleep now anyway.
”

“
Oh. Thank you.
”
She stood and looked around uncertainly.
“
Do you think… maybe we shouldn’t spend the night here? I mean, if it’s quiet out there, wouldn’t we have a better chance of moving around unseen?
”

“
I think it’s a few hours before dawn now, and maybe we should move soon. That would be best. Whatever’s happened, it’s likely everyone is resting up. There’s probably been some heavy fighting. When it’s time, we can sneak out. We know the layout better than the invaders, so we shouldn’t need luck to avoid anyone. What do you think?
”

“
Sounds good to me. I could use a few hours sleep.
”
She brought a hand to her mouth and stifled a yawn.

Caldan felt himself start to yawn in response and suppressed it with an effort.

“
You get some sleep. It’s been a rough day. I’ll place these
craftings
and make sure the doors are secure.
”

Senira gave him a grateful smile then settled herself onto the pile of rags. She should be warm enough next to the forge.

He gathered the paper
craftings
and busied himself locking the three doors leading into the apprentices’ workshop. He resolved in the future to secure his own doors, no matter how safe he felt.

With barely a thought, he reached for his well and activated the
craftings
, one for each door along with the one which would detect the presence of other
craftings
and
trinkets
close by. Splitting his well into separate strings felt easier than it had before. He surmised it came with practice.

Caldan poured more water into the teapot next to the coals. It would help him stay awake to finish the paper
craftings
then work on his simulacrum. Small chance he could finish it tonight, but the more he assembled now the less he would have to do later. He had a feeling they would need all their talents to get through the next few days. And besides, if his simulacrum worked, it would be nothing like he had ever seen crafted before, something new.

Caldan spent the night fussing over the many pieces of metal provided to him by the clockmaker, muttering to himself or sitting motionless for a few minutes staring at one piece or another. None of the pieces were marked as yet with runes, which were the basic building blocks of
crafting
. He had planned to etch or stamp them in later, but barricaded in the apprentices’ workshop as they were, he couldn’t risk making any noise for fear that someone would hear.

Rummaging around another storeroom, he found a few different types of ink, one of which suited his purpose for the time being. Usually used for marking stone or metal, it was thicker and stickier than normal. The larger metal pieces and rods could wait, but the smaller ones he would start marking tonight. The clockmaker’s idea was that he should create a smaller model first, a prototype so he could see if his theories worked and he didn’t waste materials refining his
craftings
. A good idea, he admitted. He had never experimented much before, and it was likely the simulacrum would need many variations before he came up with one which worked as he wanted.

Sitting back at the workbench, he folded his remaining sheets of paper into small easy animals. He knew he might have to leave them behind, which was fine since they wouldn’t last long. He poured himself some tea and began the laborious process of marking the metal pieces and rods with
crafting
runes.

Chapter Forty-Six

Miranda was worried. Overnight, Anasoma had changed and the world had been turned on its head.

The city’s fishing fleets hadn’t sailed this morning as the big black ships of the invaders blockaded the docks. That they were from Indryalla was the most prominent rumor, but she had heard many in the last few hours, including that the sorcerers were taking over the city.

Around the city itself, the ancient wall meant to protect them had become the bars of a prison. Earlier she had made her way down the streets to see for herself. Crowds had gathered in places, making it hard to push her way through, people yelling and shouting at each other over what was to happen to them all. The commotion had settled down when after a few hours nothing had changed. At the edge of the city, thick blue flames sprang from the tops of the walls, including the towers dotted around the perimeter. As she approached, she heard them sizzling and crackling. Curiously, they gave off no heat. From a bystander she heard someone had seen a man burned alive as he tried to cross the top to warn the empire.

Stationed at all the gates in the wall stood troops of hardened soldiers, who to her eye looked slightly smug at the situation, as if they knew there was nothing that could stop them.

The city was sealed up so tight a rat couldn’t get out. Someone joked a few had died trying.

Whether the invasion boded ill or not, Miranda couldn’t tell. She didn’t agree with many of the emperor’s decrees regarding taxes and enforced slave labor for those who couldn’t pay, but generally the empire ran smoothly, as long as you had enough ducats. You worried about keeping yourself off the street first before you could worry about others. Once you started having to make a living off the streets you were lost.

Having wandered for a few hours gathering information on the state of the city and the feel of the populace, Miranda decided the place wasn’t going to explode with violence and rioting, at least for a while. Generally, there had been no disruption to people’s affairs and daily routine, aside from the fact the Quivers were missing from their usual posts at almost every corner.

With the mood surprisingly calm, despite the uncertainty, she decided she should look to her own concerns. Her investments wouldn’t suffer in the long-term, depending on the invaders’ plans, of course. She assumed the Quivers would toss them out soon. All she had to do was sit tight and wait it out.

It was only on her way to see Caldan she heard there had been fighting at the Sorcerers’ Guild. So far, she hadn’t seen any commotion in the streets, though there were many reported clashes between the Quivers and the Indryallans, with the Quivers always coming off second best. The fact there had been trouble at the Sorcerers’ Guild was worrying. She hoped Caldan had kept out of danger.

She also hoped the Protectors Caldan had been hanging out with hadn’t done something stupid, like try to resist. That’s what the Quivers were paid to do, not some group of sorcerers playing at soldiers or whatever they were doing.

He’s likely to do something brainless like fight back. That’s who he is. Well, he’d better not get himself hurt.

She increased her pace, threading through the crowds milling in the streets. Not many had slept well last night after the ships rowed into the harbor. Word had spread quickly from the docks, from neighbor to neighbor, from inn to inn and through the people in the streets. Now the sun was setting, people looked even calmer, if that were possible. Nothing bad had happened to them during the day, so perhaps they felt safer. Some citizens had armed themselves but not in an attempt to repel the invaders. Reports of looting and violence from the shadier sections of the populace were rife. Without the emperor’s troops to keep the peace, disreputable people felt they could take advantage of the confusion.

Ahead of her smoke rose into a darkening sky, a problem since it was coming from the direction of the Sorcerers’ Guild and showed no signs of lessening. Which led her to believe there was hard fighting going on.

No one could possibly match the might of the empire, the largest nation in the world. What the invaders hoped to achieve was a mystery. All she could do was ride out the storm and come out the other side as she had done many times on the open sea.

As she entered Barrows the mood changed markedly. Streets were mostly empty and shops were closed, doors and windows shuttered and barred.

Ducking down a side alley, she left the main road then turned to travel parallel to it, still heading towards the Sorcerers’ Guild. In this district, people were making themselves scarce, but she should have better luck finding a tavern or shop open down the side streets. She knew of a market close by, and it was a good bet she would find some people mingling around there or in the taverns.

She arrived at the square, which was deserted, in contrast to the markets and shops towards the docks. Light came from the half-open door of a tavern, and she decided to go inside to collect information. She glanced up at the plumes of smoke she suspected came from the Sorcerers’ Guild and she cursed.

Inside the tavern, five patrons gathered in one group near a fireplace, leaving the rest of the room empty. There was no one behind the bar, then she noted one of the men by the fire wore a stained leather apron.

“
Excuse me,
”
she said, putting a wavering note in her voice. All heads turned to look at her.
“
Can anyone tell me what’s going on? I mean, I know about the invaders, but what’s happening at the Sorcerers’ Guild?
”

“
Lass, you better get home,
”
the innkeeper said as he stood.
“
This is no time to be out on the streets. Go on now.
”
He jerked his head in the direction of the door.

“
Please…
”
she begged.
“
My brother is at the Sorcerers’ Guild, an apprentice. I have to know what’s happening there.
”

The innkeeper glanced at his customers. With a shrug, he approached.
“
Listen,
”
he said kindly, with a short smile.
“
Don’t be alarmed, but there’s been fighting there and some other strange happenings, from what folks say. Some say the invaders are going hard on the sorcerers. I’m sure your brother is fine, but I wouldn’t venture up there, if I was you.
”

Miranda feigned shock and did her best to look scared. It came easier than she thought.
“
Fighting? And what strange things? The sorcerers are harmless. Why would the invaders hurt them?
”

“
Beats us, lass.
”
He paused and eyed her, obviously judging how much to tell a distressed girl.

She decided to prod him for more information. Perhaps her damsel in distress act meant he wouldn’t want to share anything too upsetting.

She drew herself up, squared her shoulders and cleared her throat.
“
Well, I need to find out if my brother is all right. Thank you for your help.
”
She spun around and headed for the door.

“
Lass.
”
The innkeeper grabbed her shoulder to stop her from leaving.
“
Listen, I didn’t want to say, but there’s been some fighting along with damage to buildings and such like. People heard explosions coming from the Sorcerers’ Guild… and not small ones, either.
”

“
Ex… explosions?
”
repeated Miranda.

“
Yes, bricks flying, flashes of light, people injured. From the sounds of it, there’s heavy action there, and you don’t want to be anywhere close. From what we’ve heard, the Quivers haven’t been doing well, which is no surprise. There’s been rumors many were moved out of Anasoma in the last few weeks, heading inland and to the north. And we’ve also heard many of them still left came down with a sickness and couldn’t put up much of a fight. Please lass, go home. Wait for this to blow over and I’m sure your brother will turn up none the worse for wear.
”
He gave a wan smile Miranda thought was meant to be more reassuring than it came across.

“
Thank you. But I have to go. I have to know if he’s all right.
”

She nodded her thanks and left the inn.

The invasion was going worse than she had thought. Quivers leaving Anasoma days before the Indryallans invade? And the rest falling ill? It sounded like the invaders had it all planned. And trouble at the Sorcerers’ Guild? She had no idea why that would be. It wasn’t like the sorcerers could have resisted. But Caldan might be in the middle of it. She sighed. With his luck, he probably was, the idiot.

Outside, in the direction of the guilds, orange glows spattered the darkness.

She should have tried to find Caldan earlier. No point blaming herself for poor decisions now. She couldn’t have known there would be such fierce fighting around the Sorcerers’ Guild. But
crafting
was a valuable commodity, and any invading force had to know that.

In the distance, a window smashed followed by a dog barking. Soon it wouldn’t be safe to be out at night.

She took one last look at the fires in the distance then turned south, away from the Sorcerers’ Guild. Caldan would have to wait. She needed to get off the streets or risk running into thieves or worse.

Miranda stopped abruptly as she saw a familiar profile across the square.
Was it…? Yes.
Elpidia stood leaning against a wall watching her. She was a long way from the house where Miranda and Caldan had visited her. Curious, Miranda drew closer. It was hard to tell in this light, but she thought the expression on Elpidia’s face changed from confusion to grim determination then to a polite smile as she approached.

“
Fancy meeting you here,
”
said Miranda.
“
What are the chances?
”

“
Ah, yes, it is a coincidence,
”
replied Elpidia with a nervous laugh.

A poor liar,
thought Miranda.
Why was she following me?

More breaking glass sounded in the distance, and shouts reached their ears. Elpidia glanced around anxiously.

Miranda came to a decision and took a firm hold of Elpidia’s arm. They both needed to get off the street.

“
Come on, we should get out of here and find somewhere safe. I know a guesthouse close. It should serve for tonight.
”

Elpidia resisted the tug on her arm.
“
I… I need to find Caldan. Do you know where he is?
”

“
Why do you need to find him?
”
Miranda shook her head and held up a hand to forestall any reply.
“
Don’t answer that. You can tell me later. Listen, we need to get off the streets. Do you understand? Otherwise we might be robbed, or something far worse.
”

“
I can’t, not yet. I really need to see Caldan.
”

Miranda tightened her grip on Elpidia’s arm.
“
In case you hadn’t noticed, there’s been an invasion, and the Quivers haven’t been able to do much about it. Do you understand?
”

Elpidia looked around nervously then nodded.
“
I guess I knew, but… it isn’t right.
”

Miranda blinked at the woman’s bizarre response. Elpidia’s strange behavior made her uneasy and she gave the physiker another look. Her eyes were wide and fearful. She’d need watching closely.
“
What’s right doesn’t matter at the moment. We need to get safe first of all. Come.
”
She tugged Elpidia’s arm again and they hurried down a street.

A short time later they entered a respectable looking lodging house, where Miranda shelled out a few ducats for a room for the night. The place was clean and tidy, and she was relatively sure they would be safe here. She didn’t want to risk traveling the streets at night to go all the way back to her rooms or Elpidia’s, and besides, that would mean coming all the way back again in the morning. She still meant to find Caldan and make sure they were both safe. And it looked like Elpidia had the same idea.

The proprietor provided them with a jug of tea and a few buns, and they made their way upstairs to their room. Miranda poured them both a hot drink into ceramic bowls, and they sat on their beds, each looking at the other. Elpidia fiddled with the hem of her skirt under Miranda’s gaze.

“
Well, here we are,
”
said Miranda after a long silence.
“
I find the coincidence of meeting you… extraordinary.
”

A pained look crossed Elpidia’s face as she stared into her bowl. Her mouth moved as she obviously wrestled with what to say. She scratched at a rash on her neck.

“
To find you in that square,
”
continued Miranda.
“
Tonight. With you looking for Caldan as well. You had to have been following me.
”