‘Fine. We’ll make the connection. Please stand by the door and don’t move.’

  Asmara and a surprised Dorian obeyed.

  ‘We’ll only be able to hear certain commands once the connection is complete. Say ‘call complete’ once you’re done.’ the sorcerer said.

  The sorcerers moved to the other half of the room and looked out in the direction of Allonce and began chanting and waving their hands in precise gestures. Dorian could feel the magic building in the room. He closed his eyes as the room began to shimmer, and the sorcerers and the whole other half of the room disappeared. The magic built to a fever pitch, he could feel it thrumming through him. For a second it was almost painful. Then the magic faded and calmed. He opened his eyes and was momentarily disorientated. The interior of the tower was the same, the same stone, the same windows, yet now there were different people in the other half of the room, and the view out the glass was of Allonce and not Manus. He glanced to the windows on his half of the room and saw Manus. Seeing the city suddenly change to Allonce when he looked towards the next window pane made him dizzy.

  ‘Blaise?’ Asmara asked.

  ‘Asmara.’ a flat voice answered.

  Hearing Blaise speak reminded Dorian uncomfortably of Asmara, after she’d just used her shadow magic. Blaise didn’t sound like that before, he remembered, his voice was the only normal thing about him. His work must be taking a toll on him. With that unpleasant thought in mind, he peered intently into the darkness on the other side of the room. He saw a shape in what looked like a chair, and a blonde woman standing behind. Blaise and his sister Acadie.

  ‘They made me come all the way up here. There were stairs, Asmara.’ Blaise said.

  ‘Blaise, we carried you.’ a feminine voice said. ‘Why are you complaining?’

  ‘I’m sorry, I needed to talk to you.’ Asmara replied.

  ‘Why else would I be here?’ Blaise said. ‘What’s so important? Next time, come to Allonce, or write me a letter.’

  ‘Blaise, they want me to use... does your sister have a candle?’

  ‘You think I’d allow one of those in my house? Hm, go wait outside, Acadie.’

  ‘Blaise-’

  ‘Go on. No need to give Dabney and his cronies a reason to worry about you. Go.’

  ‘Dorian, you should go too.’ Asmara said.

  ‘No.’ Dorian said. ‘I want to know what Quince wants you to do, Asmara.’

  ‘Quince Abelard? That slimy little researcher? I think I know what this is about. Alright, Dorian can stay.’ Blaise said.

  ‘Blaise!’ Asmara exclaimed.

  ‘He’s a sorcerer, my sister’s defenceless, and besides, if Quince asked what I think he did, I don’t want you alone. This is about the dream spider?’

  ‘Yes. Quince said I could supply it. Blaise, where did the other spider come from?’

  ‘Dream spider?’ Dorian asked.

  ‘There’s a spider in Sontmor that can absorb some of the traits of the creatures it eats.’ Blaise said. ‘Quince Abelard has been researching and breeding them. He thinks he’s made one that can absorb the magic of mages it eats.’

  ‘Eats?’

  ‘Quince tells me it just needs a little blood.’ Asmara said. ‘He’s been practicing on normal mages and creating spiders with powerful magic...’

  ‘What mage would agree to that?’ Dorian said.

  ‘Traitorous ones, mostly.’ Blaise said. ‘Ones in dungeons that don’t get asked first.’

  ‘Blaise, the one I delivered is supposed to be able to get into peoples dreams and learn everything they know, maybe even control them. It’s supposed to have shadow magic.’

  ‘The dream spider. I know.’

  ‘Where did it come from?’

  ‘Brigitte.’ Blaise said. ‘After she died, Quince wanted to feed her body to the spider.’

  ‘And you let him?’

  ‘It’s just a body, Asmara, she was already gone.’

  ‘It ate her whole body?’

  ‘Quince was concerned because the body was just a shell at that point, and he’s never been able to test whether eating a shadow mage works the same as eating a normal mage. Besides, no one was using it.’

  ‘Asmara,’ Dorian said, his voice shaking, ‘are you telling me Quince wants you to feed a dream spider?’

  ‘He said just a little blood...’

  ‘Asmara!’

  ‘I wouldn’t.’ Blaise said. ‘He’s not a trustworthy man, and if the creature can absorb your shadow magic by feeding from you, I’d hate to think what that would mean for you.’

  ‘Maybe it would mean I wouldn’t have any more shadow magic.’

  ‘I’m against it.’ Blaise stated firmly.

  ‘Me too.’ Dorian said. ‘It sounds like a bad idea, Asmara.’

  ‘Dorian, now you know what we delivered to Lakasha, the enemy shadow mages will learn of it too. If they know what’s causing the problems, they’ll be able to find the spider... or at least, they’ll know what they’re looking for.’

  ‘What problems?’ Dorian asked, realizing it the moment he asked. They’d delivered a creature to Lakasha that could look into people’s dreams and potentially control people, a creature the Lakashans didn’t even know existed. ‘That place didn’t seem very important though, surely there couldn’t be much to learn there...’

  ‘Better you don’t know any more. Thanks for speaking to me Blaise, I’d better get going.’

  ‘Don’t do it, Asmara. It’s a bad idea.’

  ‘Thanks for your input. I appreciate it.’

  ‘I’ll write to Emerré.’

  ‘That’s a good idea. Quince might ask her to feed the dream spider too.’

  ‘That’s a pretty awful thought.’ Dorian muttered, disturbed at Asmara’s calm.

  Blaise sighed. ‘I can’t stop you, Asmara. Let me make a suggestion though, go have a look at the mages that have fed the spider, see what condition they’re in.’

  ‘Have a good night, Blaise. You can cut the connection. Call complete!’ she called to the unseen sorcerers.

  The image of Blaise and Allonce began to waver. Dorian thought he heard something, Blaise trying to talk, but he couldn’t catch it. In a matter of moments Blaise was gone and Allonce had changed back into Manus. The night felt strangely quiet now that the buzz of magic had faded.

  ‘Asmara-’ Dorian began.

  ‘I’ve learnt what I needed. I’m going back to bed, you should too, Dorian.’

  ‘Asmara, Blaise thinks it’s a bad idea.’

  ‘Blaise likes using his shadow magic, Dorian. Even if the spider wasn’t needed to help the war effort, do you really think I’d pass up an opportunity to be free of my shadow magic?’ she spoke calmly and quietly, and Dorian knew there was no hope of convincing her. ‘Tomorrow, I’ll go speak to Quince. I’ll feed the spider.’

  CHAPTER 34

  29 Avril, 1353

  Huge, dull, stones formed a massive wall, separating Dartham from Mance-Jolune. The Western Dartham Fortress, a severe and practical castle, was the only point of crossing. Inscribings glittered gold and silver under the sun. They were fresh and strong, and some quite unusual. Julietta felt the mark of some of her colleagues from the Collegium in some of the newer inscribings. They weren’t anything she couldn’t do better, and she felt a small surge of confidence. She held onto that and tried to ignore the queasy feeling in her stomach.

  ‘The Fortress has never been breached.’ Julietta said to Bo to break the silence. ‘But it’s also rarely been attacked, so I’m not sure that says much. It was built after the Walmese Imperial Period, and Lakashan incursions have mostly been stopped in Dartham, before the fortress. Not that we’ve had a full-scale war with them for over one hundred years. In the Lakashan War of Expansion they actually came by boat and bypassed the fortress and attacked Walmon by sea at the same time. They were defeated first in Walmon and only after their forces there were crumbling were we able to push them from Mance-Jolune. They probably shouldn’t have divided their forces like that.’

  ‘Mmm. I wonder if they will come by ship now?’

  ‘We did seem poorly defended...’

  The carriage rolled along the smooth road with barely a bump.

  ‘I suppose the generals have a reason.’ she said.

  When Bo again didn’t respond, Julietta, frustrated, looked back out the window. She didn’t know what to say to him. It was upsetting and disconcerting to see him so despondent.

  ‘I always wanted to see The Imperial City of Iskerashdo. It’s meant to be one of the most amazing cities in the world. I imagine this war will make visiting difficult...’

  The countryside around the fortress was dull and brown. Towards the north she could just make out the mountains that separated Mance-Jolune and Walmon. This was the closest she’d ever been to the Walmese border. To the east shimmered the Partagon Sea. Or maybe she was imagining things. Could she really see the ocean from here? The wall stretched from the mountains to the sea, and the fortress was nearly in the center. That meant the sea had to be nearly 70km away. Surely she couldn’t see it.

  ‘It is spectacular.’ Bo replied. ‘I visited once, when I was very young.’

  ‘Really?’ Julietta perked up.

  ‘It’s a bit chilly, being on top of a mountain. And there’s a lot of steep streets. It’s a big work out, walking around Iskerashdo.’ he managed a chuckle. ‘I doubt I’m fit enough to do it now.’

  ‘I imagine getting goods up to the city is difficult.’

  ‘Yes, winding mountain paths and everything. I wouldn’t want to be an ox, dragging a wagon up Ashdo Mountain!’

  ‘I’m not sure I would want to be an ox anywhere.’

  The carriage rolled to a halt outside the fortress, and Bo’s smile faded. Julietta, with a disappointed sigh, stepped out into the bright morning sunlight. They were greeted at the heavily fortified gate by armed guards. At least they hadn’t travelled day and night this time, and Julietta was feeling clean and presentable.

  ‘State your business.’ the guard in charge demanded.

  ‘I’m Julietta Calance and this is...’ she hesitated, wondering how they would react to a Lakashan name.

  ‘Amjerbo mer Shalla.’ Bo answered, all traces of worry gone from his face. ‘We’re reporting under orders from Jacques Dulère.’

  ‘Dulère? We received word. Very well.’ He turned and signalled to the wall above. Slowly, the heavy, iron-barred and inscribed wooden gate rose.

  ‘Go on ahead. Someone will meet you inside.’

  Julietta, picking up her single bag, entered the tunnel that led through the wall. She looked up and saw arrow slits and suppressed a shiver. They emerged several seconds later out into the inner yard of the fortress. They were greeted by a servant and escorted into the castle, where they were made to wait in a small, sparse bed chamber.

  Hours later, a uniformed man knocked and entered without waiting.

  ‘Julietta Calance and Amjerbo mer Shalla?’ he asked.

  Julietta and Bo murmured in response.

  ‘Sorceress Calance, you are to report to the Royal Mages currently stationed with the main body of the army. A horse is waiting for you. You will leave now and be escorted to the army. You,’ and he nodded at Bo, ‘will be joining the next batch of soldiers coming from Mercôt. They will depart three days from now.’

  ‘So... we’re being separated.’ Julietta said slowly.

  ‘You are to leave now, your escort is waiting.’

  Julietta turned to Bo, heavy hearted.

  Bo smiled warmly at her. ‘Don’t worry, Julietta. We all know what a rare and talented sorceress you are. You’ll be fine.’

  ‘But what about you?’

  ‘Don’t worry about me, this won’t be my first fight and it certainly won’t be my last.’

  Julietta sniffed and nodded.

  ‘Now, go show those city sorcerers what a mage trained in Sontmor can do!’

  ‘Now please, your escort is waiting.’ the uniformed man pressed.

  Julietta shot him a cool glare and turned back to Bo. ‘I hope we see each other again, once this is all finished.’

  ‘You can count on it, now you better go before that man loses it. Come now, no need to glare, we’re just saying goodbye. A few minutes won’t hurt.’ he said as the uniformed man turned his impatient frown on him.

  ‘Goodbye.’ Julietta said, and, picking up her bag, walked out of the room, leaving Bo behind.

  The uniformed man followed, and then Bo was out of sight and she was alone.

  Julietta knew how to ride, she just didn’t do it often. After riding hard for five days, she did not intend to ever do it again.

  ‘Will we be going up?’ Julietta called to her escort, a stern, older man by the name of Fabrice Delaine who had no interest in the young sorceress he was escorting. It had been a quiet few days.

  ‘There is no reason for us to visit the spire. We will continue on to the main force of the army near the Lishar Ravine. We have another day of riding to go.’

  She felt a brief moment of hope hearing that the army had moved east again. Still, she did not relish the thought of more riding. With a sigh Julietta looked up at Dartham Spire. She thought she could maybe make out the town, but perhaps she was imagining it. At least, riding under its shadow was cool, and the giant finger of rock cast a very long shadow. Dartham was a hot, empty place. The only people she had seen were soldiers, mostly moving towards Lakasha. They passed a few army encampments and fortifications. Occasionally, her escort stopped and spoke to the soldiers for news. There were no villages or permanent settlements, only soldiers. She knew along the coasts there were some fishing villages and farmland, but the interior was mostly free of human habitation, except for Dartham Spire. No great power, Mance-Jolune, Walmon, or Lakasha, claimed Dartham and so it was settled by outcasts and criminals. Looking around at the dull, empty plain stretching away from her, Julietta couldn’t think why anyone else would want it.

  Early the next morning Julietta heard a distant rumble, like thunder. Looking up, the sky was clear and bright. It was an odd sound, but not overly concerning and so she thought no more of it. As they proceeded, the sound got louder and louder, and then over the horizon a dark stain appeared along the landscape. Julietta reined her horse in and stopped, as did her escort.

  ‘What is that?’

  Fabrice pulled a small telescope from his pack. He looked through it for a few moments before replying: ‘The army. They must be retreating from Lishar. The Lakashan’s have forced us back again.’

  ‘That’s the Manunian army?’

  ‘Yes, I see the flags. Let’s continue. It seems we’ll meet up with them sooner than expected.’

  A sinking feeling in her chest, Julietta followed Fabrice. The sound of thousands upon thousands of marching men got louder, and soon she could pick out the flags herself. Seeing the sea of men advancing on them, she wondered how they would reach the Royal Mages. Would the soldiers allow them to pass, or would they just march over them?

  Fabrice led her sharply off to the side. By the time they’d ridden far enough out of the path of the retreating army the soldiers were passing them. A group broke from the main mass and approached.

  ‘Who are you and what is your business here?’ a dirty, tired soldier demanded.

  ‘I am Fabrice Delaine, under the orders of Commander Gilles Bouchard of the Western Dartham Fortress, I am escorting Julietta Calance to the Royal Mages. Where are they?’

  ‘Further back, covering the retreat.’

  ‘Where are you going?’ Julietta asked.

  The man frowned at her as if he didn’t quite trust her. ‘Stay here or head further south to join the mages.’

  ‘Where are they going?’ Julietta asked Fabrice as the soldier and his unit disappeared back into the mass without a further word.

  ‘Somewhere they can better defend. Come, you may be of use to the mages if they are fighting.’

  Though it was a retreat, the army looked organized. She hoped that meant the generals had a plan.

  They continued on, though more slowly now as they had to stay out of the way of the soldiers. It was slow going, and every step Julietta became more tense. She was heading towards a battle, her army was retreating, Lakasha was coming, she was only one sorceress and the army was retreating and she was heading towards a battle...

  They rode for hours. Her concentration lapsed, she was tired from being so tense. Every so often a flash of colour would startle her from her daze and she would recognize a flag, and know which lord was where. She wondered if her father or brother were here. Would she recognize the standard of Leman and know...? It was a disturbing thought. She had not spoken to her family since leaving the Collegium, in her memory they were safe in Leman, not here in this dusty, noisy chaos. Soon tiredness overtook her again and her mind wandered. It was Fabrice that alerted her to the presence of the mages.

  ‘Look there, the flag of the Royal Mages.’

  Julietta looked up and saw the red and white flag of the Royal Mages. It was emblazoned with a black griffin and blue lily, the symbols of Mance and Jolune respectively, encircled by golden stars. Personally, Julietta did not like the flag. She was of the opinion there were far too many symbols and colours on it.

  They were not yet at the Lishar Ravine. The ravine was still over 50km away, over a day’s ride. ‘I thought...’

  ‘Let’s go.’

  They dived back into the mass of troops. Most now were cavalry, not foot soldiers. The mages were immediately recognizable from the soldiers; for one thing, they didn’t wear armour. The robed mages all looked tired, but none appeared injured. They did not ride as well as the soldiers around them.

  ‘Who’s in charge here?’ Fabrice asked. ‘I have a mage to deliver.’

  A middle-aged sorcerer rode up to her escort and said, ‘I am Thierry Reynard, I lead this unit.’

  Reynard’s black robe was clean, despite the dust. Julietta could tell he was keeping it pristine with magic. On his left breast was a stitching of a hawk in flight on a field of blue, his family crest. The collar and cuffs of his robe were heavily embroidered with gold, silver and red thread. Around his waist was a blue sash embroidered with cavorting hawks. The embroidery stood out starkly against the glossy black of his robe, and the effect was one of simplicity and elegance. His grey-shot dark brown hair was showing the trials of the day however, and was limp and sweaty against his pale skin. His nose was red and sunburnt, and his brown eyes were narrowed against the bright sun.