Timo held his breath while the guard searched the room. Twice he came close enough for Timo to reach out a hand and touch him, but each time he found nothing unusual and passed by.
Once he’d finished searching, he returned to the Master Mage’s side.
“Back to work then,” the Mage said. “Back to your seats. I’ll reset the spell. Can’t have the island without water for long, can we?”
The lesser Mages dutifully sat down at their tables, many of them dropping their heads onto their hands. The Master Mage’s rust-red spell snaked amongst them, and in a few moments, they were once again enthralled. Another spell drew their magic out of them, and it streamed along the aisles towards the back of the room. In moments, the streams of mage mist looked the same as it had when Timo had entered the room with Mole.
“Gyda curse that witch and Founders Day,” the Mage said. “Since I was the only council member not there, all these mundane tasks fall to me.”
“I’d do it if I had the power,” his companion said.
“Of course you would, you wouldn’t have a choice.” The two turned to leave. “I have to report this to Inigo. I almost wish they’d killed him along with Faron. At least then I’d have some peace.”
KARA LEANED OVER
the prow of the small boat as it silently parted the waters of Pontus Bay. She clenched her hands into fists and then opened them, trying to relax afters hours of tense waiting. Santos and Reo had insisted they wait until dusk and now the sliver of a moon hung over them in a cloudless sky, the faint light of Santos’ spell of invisibility casting an eerie glow over the water. She looked back and met Reo’s eyes. They’d been right to wait, she knew, but it didn’t help ease her fear and worry.
She sighed and faced forward. Mole was capable, she knew that. He’d always been self-sufficient; even the little boy she’d first met had taken care of himself. Once they’d found a safe place to live, he’d followed Santos around for a while. But after a few years he’d concluded that he would never have magic and so could never be Santos’ Apprentice—that’s when he’d turned his attention to Reo.
Reo hadn’t wanted to train anyone, not to be an Assassin, but Mole had been insistent. Reo said he was good, and Kara hadn’t been surprised. Mole had always liked the dark, always preferred being awake at night, and had been more inclined to watch than join in. What Reo forced Mole to do was talk, become more socially aware. Because an Assassin had to be an expert liar.
Eventually Warrior Guild had an assignment for Mole. One they either couldn’t or didn’t want to officially fulfil. Up until then, although by then a Journeyman, Mole hadn’t taken a life. After he’d successfully completed the task, he was considered a true Assassin, although not Guild.
Kara hadn’t liked it—that the boy she’d watch grow up was a killer—but Mole had wanted to put his training to use. Now it comforted her. She
knew
Mole was capable of doing whatever was needed in order to get himself and Timo to safety.
A moment after silently gliding under the bridge that joined Mason and Merchant Guild Islands, their destination came into view. Had the glow of Mage Guild Island dimmed since her trip here on Founders Day or was it only wishful thinking? The Mages she’d drained of power would want her dead, and she could only hope they hadn’t recovered enough magic to pose a threat. They were all counting on that.
They rounded the shore, heading south for a few minutes before Reo steered the boat under the edge of the island. The smell of dank earth hit Kara, and she shuddered, knowing that the hulking mass of the island was above her. In the past she’d boasted that she could sink this island, strip away all of the spells that kept it aloft. Now, while she was underneath it, she wondered if Timo could as well.
Mage lights were sparse in this remote section and there were only a few dilapidated docks. Flashes of green mage mist swept past her, and Kara looked back to see Santos, his hands in the air, casting spells. Mage mist crawled over the docks that were visible, testing, she knew, to see if they were stable. Finally, in the distance, all the spells converged on a single dock. Kara pointed and Reo lined up the prow of the boat with her hand.
The first dock, although stable, did not have a safe entrance to the hallways or grounds above. It took two more tries before Reo and Santos were satisfied. By the time they had all stepped out of the boat, Kara worried that it was too close to dawn to travel unnoticed, even invisible.
The stairs led them up to a ramshackle hut. Santos waved his hands, and green mage mist—the invisibility spells—settled on them. Kara huddled beside Santos while Reo slipped outside to scout the area. When Reo re-entered the hut, she reached for him, drawing him close to her and the Mage.
“We’re in a poorer section,” Reo said softly. “None of the houses are much better than this one, but I didn’t see anyone around. We have a few hours until dawn.”
“I’ll set the tracker then,” Santos said. “Are you ready Kara?”
“Yes,” she replied while signalling him by tapping his arm twice.
Grass green mage mist flared, and then a ball the size of her fist hovered in the air before her. Concentrating, Kara gently drew it to her. She studied it for a moment before pushing it away. It drifted a few feet ahead of her and then stopped, as though tethered to her. She rose and stepped towards the spell and it floated a foot or so away, keeping the distance to Kara steady.
“There’s only one,” Kara said. “I thought we were tracking both of them?”
“I set two spells,” Santos replied. “They must be together.”
“Thank Gyda,” Kara said. Mole had found Timo. She took a deep breath, relieved. “Let’s go,” she said and reached down to help Santos up.
Reo was already at the door, easing it open. Once outside, the ball of mage mist settled over her shoulder, pointing towards the towers of Mage Guild Island.
“This way,” Kara said, and she stepped forward, following Santos’ finder spell.
EVENTUALLY TIMO THOUGHT
it safe enough to move. The council Mage and the guards had left long ago, and the lesser Mages were once again still figures slumped over the tables. Every once in a while someone shuffled their feet or coughed—otherwise it was unnaturally quiet as the magic was drained from the room’s occupants.
He climbed off the shelf, scrambled down to the floor, and crept over to the door.
He was going to search for the others, of course. While he
hoped
that Mole was getting the rest to safety, Timo wouldn’t leave the island until he was certain.
He peeked out into the hallway—there were no signs of anyone, but the double doors were shut and edged in reddish mage mist. He cast a simple spell to find Mole, and it floated towards the doors.
Timo studied the reddish mage mist. It didn’t feel malevolent, but it might trigger a warning for the council Mage if he removed it. He gently
pushed
the mist over to one side of the door and tugged the other side open. The hallway was dim, lit only by mage mist. He carefully closed the door and turned to watch the rust red spell. When no thread of mage mist detached itself, he relaxed, slightly. In a few moments the mist once again covered both doors. Relieved, Timo turned and followed his finder spell back to the corridor where he and Mole had left Barra and the Seyoyans.
He flicked his hand, and another spell flared briefly. Mole had found them. Or had they all been caught together? He peered down the hallway, hoping to see some sign, something that would tell him his friends were still free.
He paused and studied the quiet hallways. If they’d been found by the two lesser Mages, Mole would have killed at least one of them. And Barra had more power than the lesser Mages—he thought she’d use it to save herself and Mole. But there were no traces of a struggle, either physical or magical.
Besides, if the council Mage caught them after Mole left the workroom, an alarm would have been sounded and more guards would have been sent to investigate. He had to assume Mole and the others were still safe.
Timo waved his hand, and the finder spell headed down the corridor in the direction opposite from the double doors. Maybe Barra and the Seyoyans had moved before Mole came back for them? Was he looking for Mole, who was looking for the others?
HE NO LONGER
had the corridors to himself. Timo wedged himself into a corner while a half-asleep woman trudged by, her head down and a clean white apron draped over her arm. She rubbed an eye as she shuffled past him. A few feet further on, she lifted the latch on one of the wooden doors that lined the hallway and disappeared through it.
He slid down the wall until he was sitting on the flagstones, his knees tucked up under his chin. Should he try to find a place to hide for the day or should he continue searching for Mole and the others?
He ran a hand through his hair and leaned his chin on his knees. It was still early—there should still be another hour or so before the hallways became busy, but he would have to be even more careful—and slow.
Mole’s path was leading him back into the centre of the island, back to where the most powerful Mages lived. Was he doing it on purpose or was Mole confused? Timo shook his head. He couldn’t imagine Mole being confused, of not being sure of his course. He had to assume the Assassin had a plan and knew exactly where he was going.
The finder spell hovered at head height near the wall of an intersecting corridor, and Timo heaved himself to his feet. He’d keep going, but slowly. He couldn’t chance someone bumping into him or hearing his footsteps.
But he might be able to muffle any sounds he made. Concentrating, he created a small spell, mauve mage mist pooling on his open palm. The mage mist gently stretched to envelope his whole body before sinking into and merging with the invisibility spell.
Timo reached out and slapped the wall. There was no sound. He stamped his foot on the floor. Again, nothing. With a grin, he hurried over to the finder spell. As soon as he was within range, the spell bobbed around the corner and headed down the hall. Invisible and soundless, Timo trotted after it, confident that no one would be able to hear him coming.
But he couldn’t hear anyone else either. He turned another corner and found himself face to face with a guard and he had to scramble in order to keep from colliding with the man. The guard, a Mage carrying a sword, stopped and stared around him. He sniffed once and Timo held his breath wondering if forgetting yet another sense would be his downfall. It had been days since he’d been really clean and Mole had confirmed that he smelled a bit. He took a slow step backwards, his eyes on the Mage, who now scanned the hallway. The Mage smiled, and Timo’s heart stopped. He’d been found.
“Master Mage,” came a voice from behind Timo. “I was hoping I’d see you this morning.” Timo flattened himself against the wall as a round woman with a Server Guild patch stopped in front of the Mage.
“Were you?” the Mage replied, and the woman smiled widely.
“I was,” she said. “It’s glad I am to know that you’re here keeping my Guildsmen safe.” She paused and leaned over, letting her hand drop to the Mage’s arm. “Server Guild is very concerned about Mage Guild’s recent troubles.”
“I personally appreciate your concern,” the Mage said. He gently removed her hand from his arm. “But Mage Guild is more than capable of managing our own affairs.”
“Of course you are,” the woman replied. “I would never say otherwise. Here,” she lifted the cloth off the basket she was holding. “Have a sweet bun. They’re fresh from the oven.”
“Thank you,” the Mage said. He flashed a genuine smile and reached out to grab a bun.
Timo was grateful that he couldn’t smell it—just the sight of the brown pastry glistening with sugar and dotted with raisins made his stomach growl. How long had it been since he’d eaten a proper meal? Two days? Three?
The two exchanged a few more pleasantries before the Server headed off down the hall. To find and try to bribe another guard? Did they do this everywhere they Served? Gather information about the secrets other Guilds were trying to keep? Someone would pay for that information, but more importantly, it might allow Server Guild to navigate the treacherous politics that surrounded the more powerful Guilds—Warrior, Guider, Masons, and of course, Mage Guild.
Eating his treat, the Mage guard headed in the direction opposite to the one the Server had taken.
Once again alone in the corridor, Timo looked after the guard and then the Server. He needed to know if Mole and the others had been caught. If he was right about the Server, she would learn that before the guard did. He stepped away from the wall, and the finder spell trailed after him. His stomach rumbled. Maybe he could get close enough to steal a sweet bun from the Server.
HE DIDN’T MANAGE
to steal a bun but he knew where quite a few Mages were stationed. The Server led him to each of them as she handed out treats and carefully probed for information. And she was very good at that—so good that Timo was convinced that it was part of her duties for her Guild. Now both the Server and he knew that Mole and the others had not been found.
There were more people travelling the corridors now. Timo created a new spell to find him a safe place to hide. He bound the finder spell to him before following the second spell down a narrow corridor to a small door that looked less polished than the others he’d passed.