She led us unerringly to the right place, and we opened the door and walked in.

  There were three young women in the room, and no governor, but I knew him to be behind the back wall. Probably some type of secret door. It would work to hide from any other wielder, but not a diviner who could feel his magic.

  The three women were all eerily similar. Long lustrous red hair, two had brown eyes, one green. They looked alike too, almost like sisters. I had the feeling this asshole had a type, and I tried not to think about it. I was sure these ladies, who were all dressed rather skimpily, did more than cook and clean.

  They all looked terrified, and for a brief moment, I almost reached out and killed him.

  One of the woman spoke haltingly, the one with green eyes. I could also tell she was a wielder of air, or would be when I freed her magic, “The governor has fled, he is not here.”

  I smiled, “Who are you?”

  She frowned, but answered anyway, “We’re the maids. I’m Melanie, and this is Cindy and Dina. Please don’t hurt us.”

  Cindy would be fire, and Dina water.

  I said calmly, “You’re safe, he can’t hurt you, and we won’t hurt you. He told you unless you lied for him he’d kill you right, with his magic?”

  She looked scared, and didn’t answer.

  I considered ripping him right through the wall, but I had a feeling Daphne would look dimly on me destroying her new room, at least, her room for the next two months or so.

  I channeled Marie’s earth magic, and sunk it into the stones on the back wall. When I found the switch, I triggered it. The back of the fireplace swung open, and I channeled Lia’s magic to wrap the asshole up and pull him out, none too gently.

  “Governor, how nice to meet you. I hope you get along with your guards, because you’re about to join them.”

  The governor who was a fat older man just gaped, as two of the ground team stepped forward and cuffed his ass. I released his magic then, the suppression bracelets would take care of it now.

  The governor finally found his tongue, “The king will kill you all for this!”

  I shook my head and said in mock solemnity, “Nope, he’s too busy hiding under his bed. Enjoy your stay in the jail.”

  Sharon asked, “Should we really put him with his men?”

  I sighed, “Probably not, he should get his own cell.”

  Still, it was kind of tempting. It would be poetic justice, if the guards used him, since there were no women to abuse anymore.

  The three redheaded maids looked terrified, as the governor was dragged out of the room. I let the others deal with that, and walked over toward the window. I was good at saving them, but too intimidating to calm them after. I channeled fire from Jenna, and sent three balls of fire up into the air.

  It was the all clear, sort of.

  It meant it was safe to bring Daphne to the keep, under heavy protective guard of course. There was a good possibility some of the guards had fled, or were in hiding. We’d taken that into account in our planning, and expected some problems that way for at least the first few weeks.

  Still, it was secure enough that we could keep her safe with a little vigilance. Especially in the keep itself. The ground team had all the guards and the governor secured, and no doubt guarded the keep.

  I pulled the small box out of my pack, this one filled with small ball bearings as well. It was another kind of ward, this one for the keep area. It would also run a double line to the shore, and connect with that ward. That way, someone at the keep could stay apprised of our defenses.

  It would also enable communications between the keep and the captains aboard any Royal fleet ships that were within the ward and held a ward key. It wouldn’t work past that though, once the ship left the ward for open sea there would be no communications. Still, it was a start.

  The magic had been very simple, that part of the ward was based on air magic. Any sound vibrations it felt in the air when active, would be replicated on the other end. It wasn’t a cell phone, but it was instant communications. Command and control for the local island defense.

  This ward also acted more like a ship’s ward. Every person that needed access to magic within the keep would have to be cleared. Just more precautions. I’d already done that though, everyone on our expedition had already been added when I’d prepared it before we left.

  Any locals that were trusted, and the new council of course, would be added, but only after swearing fealty to Daphne.

  I smiled, Melinda hadn’t been all that excited about that idea, the communications part I mean. She didn’t want any damned politicians second guessing her defensive strategies.

  We still had a lot of work ahead of us, but the first battle was truly done now, and Aramore island was now ours…

  Chapter Nine

  Daphne scowled.

  “Sorry princess, give it a week and we’ll pull back a bit, some of the protections anyway.”

  “Who’s in charge here?” she asked pointedly.

  I grinned, “You are of course, except when it comes to your safety. It will be risky enough when you talk to the people here tomorrow.”

  I couldn’t really blame Daphne from chafing at the restrictions, but for all I knew there were more guards in disguise out there. It was impossible to identify them, unless the citizens were emboldened to step forward and out them. That… wouldn’t happen for a while, if ever. Any one of them could sneak in an attack if we dropped our guard.

  Maybe I was paranoid and overprotective. I’d certainly heard similar accusations from the women I dated back home, and they hadn’t been in danger of being assassinated. I just wished I could get away with the same thing with Sharon and Lia, but they’d string me up if I tried. They were warriors though, where Daphne had a couple of months to learn her magic, but she’d never actually been in a fight.

  Sharon interrupted and changed the subject of the conversation, for which I was very grateful.

  “Melody, Cindy and Dina have calmed down, and seem… almost optimistic. That pig put them through a lot, his fetish for redheads is… never mind, you don’t want to know. They said they’d be happy to be the first to step forward tomorrow and prove to the others it’s safe. They also want to stay, they have nowhere else to go, and as long as they’re just asked to do things a maid would do...” she trailed off.

  We weren’t leaving anything to chance. When we made the offer to free the magic of the sorceresses, we wondered if most, if not all of them, might be too frightened to step forward. All they really knew of us right now was that we were invaders. It would take time to adjust that view.

  “Well that’s good news, how did you convince them it was possible?”

  She smirked, “Mostly because there are so many sorceresses around right now. They’ve also heard stories about sorceress haven. Once they realized that’s where we were from things calmed down a lot.”

  I nodded, that made sense I supposed.

  The sun was definitely waning in the sky.

  “We should get a bite to eat, and find a room for us?”

  Lia shrugged, “There’s a room very close to this one, I figured you wouldn’t want to be too far away from the queen.”

  Daphne frowned, but didn’t argue about leaving the keep again. She was definitely annoyed with me, but I thought there was also a part of her that was pleased. Women were a mystery.

  We grabbed dinner down in the kitchens, and then found our room. We were all exhausted from the long day, and Sharon, Lia, and I just cuddled on the bed and fell asleep…

  The next morning, after breakfast, our core group which give me access to all elements, Sharon, Lia, Marie, and Jenna moved out of the keep. With us of course were the three elves including Amara. Amara still stubbornly hadn’t changed her mind, but I didn’t think it a good idea to push things. I’d gotten my say, now it was up to her.

  Daphne was with us as well, since she’d be addressing the crowd.

  I could tell the ground crew had been busy, there was a decent sized dais in the courtyard by the exit. We figured it would be safest to do this within the wards. They’d also been spreading the word to the citizens, most of the day yesterday, and this morning. At a glance, I guessed that there were close to five hundred people just outside the gate who waited to hear what we had to say.

  There were at least fifty with magic. That made me itch, but it was normal as well. There was no way to differentiate those innocents with magic verse any hidden guards. I’d just have to suck it up.

  Five hundred was only about a quarter of the population on Aramore, but that was honestly more than I’d expected to show up. I had no doubt they’d pass on the word of what happens today to the rest.

  I wasn’t exactly a skilled orator, but someone had to introduce the princess, or queen now that we had a beginning to the kingdom, and I’d been voted to do it. The whole group stepped up onto the dais, and I stepped a little bit more forward.

  “Good morning. My name is Tony, and I’m proud to be counted among those that put the governor, and all his guards, into jail. Sorceress haven and the people there have long had a history of rescuing sorceresses when they can, and helping to fight against the corruption and evil of the king and the kingdom of Iziral. As you can see, yesterday that changed, we’ve started a new mission to see the end of the kingdom, and also to put something better in its place.

  “A little over two months ago, on a mission to rescue twenty-six young sorceresses from having their magic permanently suppressed, we picked up one more than we’d counted on during our return to the ship. One that had been held separately.

  “But just like all the others, this sorceress was in danger of losing her birthright, was being held against her will with suppression bracelets. She’d been waiting for the day one of the king’s diviners returned to Pheles, and took what was hers.

  “It didn’t matter, that she was princess Daphne, daughter of the king. She was a sorceress, and that was reason enough to have her stripped. Well, I’m here today to introduce that same princess, who will be the one to bring justice and balance back to each island, one island at a time. I’d ask that you be patient, and listen to what she has planned.”

  I stepped back, focused on my magic as she stepped forward. None of the wielders in the crowd even sneezed as she stepped forward, but I didn’t relax, or let down my guard.

  Daphne was dressed in a long flowing blue dress, that looked incredible on her, but also looked somehow royal. Still, I thought that most of that feeling was in her bearing, and her grace.

  “I am princess Daphne. My friend over there, Tony, might call it a rescue. The truth is, he knocked down a wall, and ripped me out of where I was being held and up into the air. Let’s just say, he can be rather intimidating.”

  There was nervous laughter in the crowd, I imagined they were all picturing it.

  “Plainly speaking, I intend to see an end to the governors, and my father’s rule. I intend to see a return to the rule of law, and abolish the abuses to our sorceresses, both on their bodies and their magic. I intend to build a government that protects its citizens, and doesn’t terrorize and oppress them.

  “This is what’s going to happen. Over the next few weeks we will create a council of five to rule over the island, and enforce its laws. Three will be appointed by me, and two will be appointed by the vote of the people. That council will be sworn to me, and will generally have autonomy as long as they not only enforce the laws, but observe them themselves.

  “Once that is established, we will hold trials for all the guards currently being held. Those guilty of crimes will be punished appropriately, those merely guilty by association, will be stripped of their previous authority and dismissed.

  “We will also be training a new guard, one that will be taught the true laws. Lastly, one more council representative will be needed to accompany us when we leave to free the next island. They will be part of the grand council. That person will be responsible for representing all of you, to me.”

  Daphne turned to me and waved me forward, “There are other things as well, which Tony will now explain.”

  She grinned at my discomfort, and moved off to the side.

  I could see some of the faces out there had a smidgen of hope on them now, no one was jumping up and down in excitement, and really I couldn’t blame them. The best government was one that didn’t bother their people too much.

  “For those that are interested, there are three things we need help with. One, we need people that are interested in becoming part of the new guard. People that have the best interests in their neighbors at heart, ones who will faithfully execute the law, but not abuse their position.

  “The second thing we need is volunteers to help us with the next island, and the one after that, and so on. We will have trainers here shortly, from sorceress haven, to teach these things both for the guards, and those that wish to join our fleet or ground force. Our goal is nothing less than freeing every sorceress, and putting an end to those barbaric practices.

  “The third thing we need is a pool of people to be considered for the new local council. Those that come forward to be guards or fleet, may be asked to serve in that capacity, though you can always turn it down.

  “The catch of course, is to serve as a guard, on the fleet, or even on the council, you need to be willing to swear fealty to Daphne, as your new queen. Make no mistake, all of you are already a part of her kingdom, but those that wish to strike back against the years of oppression from her father’s kingdom, or serve here on Aramore in a position of authority, will need to take that extra step in loyalty.

  “We fight to free the islands from tyranny, but without replacing that with something else, we would leave anarchy and confusion in our wake. Perhaps even further depredations and worse situations could develop as society breaks down. We won’t allow that to happen.

  “So consider it. For those that want to serve, for revenge, or for the promise of a better future, or both, return here tomorrow. We want you to be sure, so consider carefully the cause you will be dedicated to should you join us.”

  I took a deep breath as I looked out among them.

  “One more thing before we’re done here. I am going to reveal to you the biggest lie perpetrated by the king and his diviners. It is not possible to strip a person’s magic. All the sorceresses who have been supposedly stripped, have merely had their power suppressed permanently. I am here right now, and willing to release it for all of you. I can feel about thirty of you in the crowd, and know there are many more in the city.”

  I took another breath and looked around, “There is no price, or catch, to have this done. It is simply justice, and one of the reasons why we’re here. You may take yourself and your freed magic when I finish, and walk away and never fear that you owe me or your queen anything.

  “That doesn’t mean, that you wouldn’t be more than welcome tomorrow, both to join the guards, or the fleet should you wish too. Those that want their magic freed, please step forward. I will not force it on you, though I couldn’t imagine why you wouldn’t want your magic restored.”

  There was quite a bit of muttering in the crowd at that point. Some of it was disbelieving, others were shocked, some of the men looked angry, or even scared.

  Which I found very interesting, maybe it wasn’t just guards that were raping women. I was tempted to just allow things to run its course, but anarchy was never good idea, even if a few probably deserved to have it cut off.

  I cleared my throat, “We do expect the rule of law to be followed, there are no catches for me returning the magic, but revenge against any neighbors who wronged you can’t be tolerated either. If there are those who couldn’t find justice before, let me assure you that you can now. Simply report the crime and its nature to one of our guards, and we’ll get to the bottom of it.”

  Things quieted a bit, but there were still alarmed faces.

  I frowned, “Will anyone come forward?”

  Cindy, Melanie, and Dina stepped forward, which started an avalanche. Every single woman with suppressed magic followed the lead of those three.

  Their magical channels being closed was unnatural. It was much easier to release their magic, than it would have been to plug it up. I just needed to stretch their channels, as if to enhance their magic. Their own magic did the rest at that point, and their channels opened back up. I did five at a time, after the first, and it only took a few seconds each.

  I heard laughter, I also saw a few men moving off rather quickly and shook my head.

  “I’ll be back here tomorrow to witness those that wish to swear fealty to the queen and join us, please spread the word to the other sorceresses who were suppressed. If they show up at that time, I will release their magic. Until then.”

  Our group stepped back off the dais, and went back inside the keep. I was a bit nervous and worried about a few things. What if none of them joined us? We kind of needed some to build up our fleet for the bigger and better defended islands. Not to mention a local council and guard force, ours would be coming with us when we left.

  Not all that many, just a few dozen or so from each island would grow into a huge fleet.

  Another worry was what if the women I’d just given power, wreaked revenge? I really didn’t want to arrest any of them for murder, and quite honestly wouldn’t blame them personally. Yet… the rule of law was important, anarchy wasn’t good for anyone. I really hoped they’d heard me, and would press charges instead.

  Who knows what would happen, we’d have to play it by ear…

  Chapter Ten

  The next few days were impossibly hectic.

  Three of the sorceresses I’d released the magic in were arrested for murder.

  Fortunately, several others had listened, and although it makes me ashamed to be a man, forty-seven men not in the guard were arrested for rape and abuse. Only fifteen of those were sorcerers. I blamed both types personally, and the government who would turn their eye away from that sort of thing.