Asmara shrugged, uncomfortable.

  ‘They’ve been asking us to find shadow mages for them, Asmara. I won’t.’

  ‘Just to point out where they are-’

  ‘If I went that close they’d feel me and I could trigger their powers. I’m not doing that, and you won’t find a shadow mage who will. Besides, some shadow mages are never triggered and live to ripe old ages, like you people. I’m not going to screw that up just for you lot.’

  Julietta was surprised and excited to hear this theory, much maligned in the literature, confirmed by a shadow mage. She didn’t write anything down, but fully planned to once she was out of sight of Blaise.

  ‘As Blaise has confirmed, the Lakashans are training their own shadow mages, and Mance-Jolune must respond.’ Dabney said, trying to get the conversation back on track.

  ‘Are they training them for war?’ Julietta said.

  ‘The Lakashans are preparing for war.’ Dabney said. ‘And they have been spying on us with their shadow mages.’

  ‘They’re thinking about it, and they’re prepared in case they get attacked.’ Blaise said. ‘Whether they’ll make a pre-emptive strike, well, we’re thinking about it, and they know it, and they’re thinking about it, and we know it.’

  As he spoke nausea overtook Julietta, the real possibility of war with Lakasha was suddenly coming home to her.

  ‘You can see why your services would be very much in demand.’ Dabney said to Asmara. ‘And you clearly haven’t been using your powers so-’

  ‘I know you know that’s wrong, Dabney, if she uses she won’t be able to stop. Just once is enough to throw her off. I can’t do anything about your intelligence, but if you take that candle off I’ll be happy to do something about your personality. Free of charge, my gift to you.’

  Dabney paled and grabbed a pendant that had been tucked into his shirt.

  ‘You’ve done pretty well with that by the way, Asmara, though putting it back is always more difficult. I can help, if you like.’

  ‘N-no, I’m fine. I wouldn’t ask it of you, anyway.’

  ‘Better I do it than you, though I suppose me doing that to you would trigger you anyway.’

  ‘It’s fine.’

  ‘Try and work as a simple mercenary if you can, Asmara. I’ll speak to them, I told them you wouldn’t do it, but it doesn’t seem to stop them trying. They have a lot of candles. I hope you don’t shove your candles in Emerré’s face, Dabney. The candles only get to practice when a shadow mage demonstrates for them, and there are ways around what they can do, if you piss us off enough.’

  Dabney was saved from responding by the arrival of lunch. Servants came in carrying trays of food, which they arranged on the table. Little balls of various meat and marinated vegetables were arranged artfully on the plate. They could be skewered and dipped in a variety of chilled sauces. It was refreshing in the heat of the Alloncian afternoon. The maid carried a bowl of soup over to Blaise and raised a spoon to his mouth. Blaise ignored her and continued talking to Asmara.

  ‘Why are you feeding him soup?’ Asmara said.

  ‘He doesn’t move, Miss.’ the maid said in an unfriendly tone. ‘We don’t want him to choke.’

  ‘Blaise, what here is good?’ Asmara asked him firmly.

  ‘Hmm?’

  Julietta’s surprise was shared by the rest of the room as Blaise suddenly jerked forward and picked up a small square of seasoned and steamed chicken, dipped it in some red sauce and popped it in his mouth. ‘Oh yes, I used to like these. They’re pretty good.’

  ‘Let’s eat together, Blaise, since we never see each other anymore.’

  ‘The cook did a decent job, not great. I think he’s getting lazy.’

  The maid stared, open mouthed, as Blaise popped the tasty little treats into his mouth. His movements were jerky and slow, and he only ever moved one limb at a time. Julietta noticed he always watched his hand as it moved, and whatever part of his body he wasn’t looking at was limp and still.

  The maid hurried out of the room. Not long after she returned with the blonde woman.

  ‘Blaise, you’re eating!’ the woman cried.

  ‘Go away, Acadie!’ he yelled and hurled a crystal bowl filled with crumbed cheese in her direction. His movements were stilted and the action of throwing curiously slow. The bowl did not go far, and more fell from his hand than was thrown. ‘Go away!’

  The woman vanished out the door.

  He did not say anything about what had happened, and soon after the meal was finished Asmara decided to leave. He did not seem offended.

  ‘I’ll write to you.’ she said and hurried down the stairs. Juliette and the others followed in time to see her yelling at the maid and the blonde-haired woman.

  ‘He doesn’t like me-’

  ‘It’s a good sign! You’re upset because-’

  ‘-because my little brother is dying and hates me and all our family-’

  ‘Perhaps they shouldn’t have started him on selling his services as a shadow mage.’ Asmara said coolly. ‘He doesn’t want you here because you taint his joy of his power. He doesn’t want to cause you pain, so he comes back. You need to stop being so damn upset when he is here though, and you have to force him to move! He needs to have someone who knows how to help him when he returns to his body-’

  ‘But he never cares!’

  ‘Of course he doesn’t! That’s what happens! You stop caring and when you come back your body doesn’t feel like your own anymore! That’s why he needs someone here! Someone who will force him to use his body! You can’t keep him in the dark, no matter how much it upsets you to see him!’

  ‘Do you think he might live longer with proper care?’ Jacques said.

  ‘He’s going to die soon.’ she said bluntly. ‘It’s too late and it’s always too late, since the first time shadow magic is used.’ something flashed across her face but it was quickly gone. ‘You’re making it worse.’

  Acadie nodded and wiped her tears. ‘I don’t know how to help him, I didn’t want to make it worse...’

  ‘Now you know.’ she said brusquely.

  ‘We are giving him something interesting to do, allowing him to use his shadow magic in ways he hasn’t before, without fear of reprisal.’ Jacques said. ‘He probably wouldn’t have survived so long without the challenge we’re giving him.’

  Asmara shot him a closed look and swept from the room.

  Remembering what Blaise had said, about returning to his body only so he could continue to use his shadow magic, Julietta wondered if Jacques was right. She wondered who on earth would try and get reprisal against a shadow mage, a person who could look inside your soul and find whatever it was you valued most and take it from you, a person that could survive to take revenge for days after their body had been destroyed. She supposed the threat of candles getting involved at the request of a lord or anyone with enough money might be something of a deterrence.

  By the time Julietta and the others had stepped outside Asmara was nowhere in sight.

  ‘I guess she’ll walk back.’ Bo said.

  ‘They never seem to like meeting each other, though they all know each other from when they use their shadow magic.’ Jacques said as they all piled into the carriage.

  ‘I’ve never heard that before.’ Julietta said, intrigued.

  ‘It wasn’t apparent until we actually got two of them in the same room together. Apparently, they can feel each other using their shadow magic nearby, which tends to increase the urge to use their own power, so they try to stay away from each other, at least in the physical world.’

  ‘They said that?’ It was one of the theories put forward for why shadow mages avoided each other’s company, and it was exciting to hear confirmation of it. There was even a legend about the aversion of shadow mages to each other that some scholars thought had its roots in a real event. Two shadow mages met, fell instantly love, and died within the day. The legend however was quite lacking in any mechanism for why it had happened and was only a legend besides and certainly not proof of anything.

  ‘What happened to Brigitte?’ Dorian asked.

  ‘Ah. Despite his age Blaise Autin is the most skilled shadow mage in Mance-Jolune, aside from Emerré Albier. The generals are very fond of him. The others can gather the same information, but they present it in a way that is difficult to understand. Blaise manifested when he was eight, and his family started him working soon after. He’s been working with non-shadow mages for so long he can succinctly distil the vast knowledge he gains into something we can use. We’ve discovered that acquiring intellectual knowledge when they invade another person does not come naturally to shadow mages, they are creatures of emotion and gaining intellectual knowledge takes practice. The main difficulty seems to be remembering to care about that once they have left their body. However Blaise has no difficulty acquiring that kind of knowledge, and his skill at finding a person he hasn’t actually met is far greater than that of the other shadow mages. Not only that, but he finds ways to get information even when candles are about.’ his hand briefly twitched toward his pendant. ‘We don’t think he’s actually getting past the candles’ barriers, we think it might be from servants or people who are briefly unprotected, say if they remove their pendant for a bath.’

  ‘I would think that limit would make using them as spies quite difficult.’ Julietta interrupted.

  ‘We have unimportant people meet the targets we’re interested in, ones with no knowledge that would be harmful if an enemy shadow mage found it. Then we have our shadow mages go into the intermediaries soul to get an impression of the target. It’s not as good as actually meeting the target, but it’s vastly better than nothing. To put it mildly, Blaise Autin is irreplaceable, and quite frankly, we’re surprised he’s survived this long. One of our researchers-’

  ‘Researchers?’

  ‘We have some mages researching shadow magic, though the shadow mages aren’t being what you could call cooperative. One of them suggested Blaise impart his knowledge to a fellow shadow mage. Blaise didn’t think it would work, as the recipient would gain everything else that came with that. He was right. Brigitte agreed. She was quite eager, actually. She did return to her body after meeting Blaise, as they put it, but she lost hold of her body a few days later.’

  ‘Asmara won’t be very useful to you then, she can’t replace Blaise.’ Dorian said, his eyes narrowed. ‘She’s probably less useful than the shadow mages you already have.’

  ‘You heard it from Blaise yourself, the Lakashans are training shadow mages and they’re preparing for war. Now, that might not bother you, Amjerbo, but that terrifies me.’ Bo’s eyes widened at the sudden attention, but Jacques continued without pause, ‘Blaise is going to die, we’ll be lucky if we can get a few more months out of him. The only person who can replace Blaise Autin is Emerré Albier, and her abilities might even put Blaises’ to shame. Despite the fact that she hasn’t used in over three years, she still has more experience than Blaise. Asmara might not be a Blaise or Emerré, but she’s still a shadow mage, and if we’re going to war with Lakasha we need every advantage we can get, and that makes Asmara one of the most valuable people in the Kingdom.’

  CHAPTER 14

  14 Fevror, 1353

  When they arrived back at the palace they found Asmara waiting for them by the fountain in front of the main entrance. She was shifting her feet and had an air of restless energy about her.

  ‘I got here before you! Did you take the scenic route?’ she laughed but it rang false. ‘I thought I should tell you, in case you think I’m just running off,’ and she smiled fixedly at Jacques, ‘I’m going to visit a friend.’

  ‘Where?’ he demanded. ‘And how long will it take? As I’ve said all along, we are going to war and if you will not use your shadow magic for your kingdom, your regular skills as a mercenary are still of use to us.’

  ‘If you want me to return here after-’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘No more than two weeks.’

  ‘Where are you going?’

  Asmara’s eyes shifted. She looked as though she wouldn’t answer. ‘Belcanon.’ She said.

  Jacques smiled. ‘I will arrange a carriage to take you and your friends to Emerré Albier’s home.’

  Surprise flashed across Asmara’s face. Perhaps she had been planning on going alone or had simply not thought of them, Julietta could not tell. ‘If they want to come.’ Asmara said hesitantly, looking at Bo, Dorian and Julietta. ‘Though there would be no money in it, and if you wanted to take a job while I’m gone...’

  ‘If you don’t mind, I would like to come.’ Julietta blurted, unable to help herself. The chance of observing Emerré Albier! No scholar had successfully approached her before, and the notes on her made by some observers were simply hear-say and conjecture.

  Asmara seemed taken aback at Julietta’s eagerness.

  Bo said quietly, ‘I will accompany you, Asmara,’ he glanced at Dorian, who was looking very irritated with his arms crossed across his chest, ‘and I’m sure Dorian will come as well. We’ve already earned money simply for coming to Allonce- by the way, Jacques, you haven’t paid us yet.’

  ‘I will arrange it right now. I understand you have an account, Amjerbo, Asmara? I will have it deposited for you. The rest take coin?’

  Dorian nodded, as did Julietta.

  ‘You have quite a savings account, Amjerbo. What, exactly, are you saving up for? A trip to Lakasha?’

  Bo could not hide his surprise. ‘I do not plan to return, I’m saving for my retirement. I hope to live somewhere peacefully in Mance-Jolune with a wife and some children when I am older.’

  ‘You’ve been saying that as long as I’ve known you!’ Asmara laughed. ‘Have you been looking at my accounts too, Jacques?’ despite her laugh her tone was brittle and her eyes cold.

  ‘I’m sure retiring in Mance-Jolune will not be a problem for you.’ he smiled at Bo, before turning his gaze on Asmara. ‘I’m afraid the guild could not find your documents. Your parents seem to think you save most of your money.’

  ‘You have spoken with my parents? How nice for you-’

  ‘Not me, no, but someone else spoke with them quite recently.’ and as he said that Julietta suddenly thought of Pierre, friendly, unassuming Pierre who had left them in Mimengy. He would have had to travel fast to get to Clare and send a message back to Jacques so quickly, Julietta thought, though if he’d changed horses and sent the message by magical means he could have made it.

  ‘Since you are so interested in my savings, I am saving up for my future! Not that I will have one if I use my shadow magic! Excuse me, I will meet my companions at the gates.’

  Unsettled by the way the conversation had gone, Julietta stayed near Bo and Dorian as they headed to their rooms to pack.

  ‘A wife and children, Bo!’ she asked with false good humour, ‘where are you planning on living?’

  ‘I have a few places in mind, I haven’t decided yet.’

  ‘He hasn’t decided on a wife yet either.’ Dorian added. ‘You better get cracking, Bo, otherwise you’ll be too old to play with kids.’

  ‘I was thinking on marrying someone who came with children.’ he replied. ‘Since I am getting on in years, and that way I can skip the smelly stages!’

  ‘Perhaps you could marry someone whose children are already grown, that way you don’t have to worry about raising them, maybe someone who comes with grand kids.’

  ‘Grandkids? No, I’m too young to marry a grandma, Dorian! I’m not that old yet!’

  Despite the joking they fell silent again quickly. Julietta packed without much care and waited in the hallway outside for the others to finish. When the men emerged from their rooms Bo said, ‘I’ll pack Asmara’s things. Here, watch my bag.’ and disappeared into Asmara’s room.

  Julietta and Dorian waited in silence.

  Julietta opened her mouth to say something and then closed it. She could think of nothing to say. Soon, Bo reappeared and the trio headed out of the palace.

  ‘Perhaps we should go and wait with Asmara?’ Julietta suggested after a while.

  Bo shook his head. ‘I think she would prefer her own company at the moment. Do not look so offended, Dorian, it is nothing to do with you.’

  ‘I didn’t say anything.’ he snapped back.

  ‘She seems upset.’ Julietta said hesitantly.

  Bo nodded.

  ‘Why doesn’t she stay with her family?’ she asked, ‘she told Blaise’s sister that it was important that she be there.’

  ‘I don’t know Blaise, so I can’t speak for him.’ Bo said slowly, ‘and perhaps it is better you ask Asmara that.’

  ‘I don’t want to upset her any further... I was just, it’s not really any of my business.’

  Bo laughed, and Dorian actually joined in after a startled look.

  Julietta, watching the two men laugh, crossed her arms and glared at them in offended dignity, refusing to say anything further.

  A while later, the carriage arrived and they rode it down to the southern gate of Allonce, where Asmara with her dark skin was clearly visible in the crowd.

  ‘That’s really quite convenient.’ Julietta murmured, ‘I had worried we would have trouble finding her.’

  Bo started laughing at her again and Dorian covered a smile with his hand, though it was soon apparent he was laughing at her too.

  ‘Well! I’m glad you find me so humorous! Dorian, you hardly ever laugh!’

  ‘It’s too tense, and everything you say is so ridiculous.’ he managed with a smile though then it faded. ‘Asmara’s got more patience than I have.’

  Bo replied, ‘More so than myself at her age.’

  ‘But you think of yourself as Lakashan, so it’s not as bad. She’s never even been to Chelleska!’

  Julietta flushed, suddenly understanding. Confused, she felt bad, and wondered why she should - Asmara was Chelleskan.