Asmara responded with a tired grumble. She didn’t resist though when he pulled on her hand, guiding her to walk around the gardens. He kept a hold of her hand, very much aware that he was holding on to her. She didn’t mention it.

  ‘What do you want to do today?’ Dorian prompted.

  ‘Let’s sit down here.’ she said as they came to a stone bench in the gardens.

  ‘Are you really that tired?’

  She shrugged. She sat down and rubbed at her eyes. Dorian sighed and took a seat next to her.

  ‘I haven’t heard anything from Bo or Julietta.’ he said after a while.

  ‘Hmm?’

  ‘Maybe today you should practice.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘If you can’t use your shadow magic anymore you need to get back into shape and practice with your sword.’

  ‘Oh...’

  ‘Asmara.’ Dorian said firmly. ‘What’s wrong with you?’

  She frowned and rubbed at her eyes again. ‘I’m just tired...can you take me back to my room?’ and she yawned.

  ‘It’s been a week since you woke up, Asmara. The sorcerers say there’s nothing wrong with you. You should be getting better.’

  ‘Hmm? Oh...’ she shrugged and stood. ‘I think I’ll go back now.’

  Dorian had no choice but to follow her. After leaving her in her room Dorian waited outside, a frown on his face as he thought. He strode off in the direction of Jacques office. When he arrived he found it empty. It wasn’t surprising, Jacques was a busy man. Dorian had nothing else to do so he waited.

  Jacques arrived two hours later, a harried look on his face.

  ‘Dorian Cabo. To what do I owe this pleasure?’ he asked as he unlocked his office door.

  ‘Asmara is still unwell.’

  ‘I’ve noticed.’

  ‘You’ve been watching?’

  ‘When I have the time. Since the attack on Allonce everything has been... well, you can imagine.’

  Dorian nodded.

  ‘Come in.’ Jacques said and opened the door. He went inside himself and took the seat behind his desk. He tapped on his desk with his fingers, a thoughtful look on his face. ‘So many problems,’ he murmured. ‘I was hoping she would recover, I was waiting to see if you came to me.’

  ‘You were?’

  ‘You know her well, so I thought if the problem was serious enough you would eventually come. She didn’t go see the other mages who have fed Quince’s spiders, did she?’

  ‘She refused.’

  ‘Seeing them probably wouldn’t have changed her mind.’ he said sourly. ‘I’ll arrange for you to visit them.’

  ‘Me? What will that accomplish? She’s already fed the spider.’

  ‘I want you to tell me if she’s behaving the way the others are.’

  ‘Why?’ Dorian asked, feeling cold. ‘What’s wrong with them?’

  ‘I don’t know how that spider works, and I don’t think Quince understands it all either. He didn’t make them, just bred them from spiders in Sontmor... you’ve spent a lot of time in Sontmor, haven’t you? What do you know about Julius Sontmor?’

  ‘Excuse me?’

  ‘You heard me.’

  ‘But what does that have-’

  ‘Humour me.’

  Dorian sighed, frustrated. ‘I’ve never met him, I only know what everyone says. He’s trying to develop Sontmor. Everyone says he’s always trying to bring more money and people in to the province. Anyone who comes down to Sontmor keeps the land they claim, he offers low taxes to any merchants who’ll come down there...that’s nothing you shouldn’t already know.’

  ‘Hmm... I wonder... He wants to create an interest in Sontmor... I’ll arrange for you to see the other mages. If Asmara is like them we have a problem.’

  ‘How big a problem, exactly?’

  ‘It will become clear as soon as you meet them.’

  Dorian was rudely awoken later that night. He sat up with a start.

  ‘Hold!’ the intruder said quietly, as Dorian began summoning his magic. ‘I’m here on behalf of Dulère.’

  Dorian squinted in the darkness. He could only make out a vague outline of the intruder. ‘Jacques?’

  ‘I’m here to escort you... you know where.’

  ‘Now?’

  ‘Yes. We must go quickly, and quietly.’

  Grumbling, Dorian staggered out of bed. ‘Let me get dressed first.’ he muttered.

  ‘Quickly now.’

  Dorian heard footsteps as the man retreated into the next room, giving him some space. Dorian stumbled to his wardrobe and quickly pulled on some clothes. He wasn’t sure what he was pulling out, but he doubted it mattered.

  ‘Ready?’ the man asked when Dorian emerged into his sitting room.

  ‘Yes, let’s go.’

  The man opened the door to the hallway outside, letting grey light spill in. Dorian saw the hallway was dark, lit only by a few candles at regular spaces along the hall. There was no one outside.

  ‘Come. Stay close to me and stay quiet.’

  Dorian obeyed and followed the man as he set a quick pace. Dorian soon recognized the route they were taking. They were going down past the dungeons, down to where Quince Abelard conducted his research. They passed Quince’s office and came to a locked door at the end of the hallway. The man opened it with a key, revealing a narrow staircase. Dorian could feel the magic in the stones and wood of the door. It was ugly magic, writhing and twisting as they passed. It made his skin prickle, but the spells slumbered on.

  The staircase came to an end and they exited into another long hallway. It looked much like the dungeons above, only damper. Iron bars glinted in the torchlight.

  ‘Why isn’t it guarded?’ Dorian asked in a low whisper.

  ‘We have ten minutes.’ The man responded in kind. ‘Come.’

  He led him over to the second cell from the left. The man took a torch from a wall bracket and shone it into the cell. The light revealed the crumpled form of a man.

  ‘Hey, you.’ the man called and opened the cell door. It was unlocked. ‘Doors open, you can leave if you like.’

  Dorian watched, uneasy. The man walked into the cell and nudged the form on the floor with his boot. It stirred and muttered, ‘go ‘way...’

  ‘Doors open. You can get out.’

  ‘Sleeping...’

  ‘Are the cells always left unlocked?’ Dorian whispered as the man came back out.

  ‘Most of these, yes.’

  ‘Why?’

  The man shrugged. Dorian could just make out the movement in the fitful light cast by the torch. ‘Couldn’t say. Maybe Abelard has a sense of humour. Come, there are more.’

  The man led him to the next cell where a woman sat, dull eyed. The next cell was occupied by another man, curled up in the corner and unresponsive.

  As Jacques’ representative led Dorian back to the stairwell Dorian asked, ‘who are these people?’

  ‘Mages.’

  ‘Surely someone would miss them...?’

  ‘Abelard’s research has the King’s blessing. It doesn’t matter if anyone misses them.’

  The red-haired sorcerer looked paler than usual as he sat across from Jacques in his cluttered office.

  ‘Do you know how to fix her?’

  Jacques rubbed his chin and tapped his foot. ‘No.’ he said finally. ‘Guy, do you have any ideas?’ and he looked towards the shadow mage sitting in the corner. ‘Are sure you don’t want a chair?’

  ‘If I fall it’s better to be near the ground.’ he replied slowly. ‘I can’t tell what’s wrong with Asme without going and having a look, and she doesn’t like that.’

  ‘It’s the spider!’ Dorian said.

  The dark haired young man sat awkwardly in the corner of Jacque’s office. There wasn’t enough room for him to lie down.

  ‘Blaise isn’t sure either.’ Guy said, as if Dorian hadn’t spoken. ‘We’ve discussed it.’

  ‘And?’ Jacques prompted. Guy had been difficult since the attack on Allonce and refused to take any more orders. His sole focus was fixing the people hurt by the Lakashan shadow mages in the attack. As most of the victims had been sorcerers and soldiers Jacques had been able to sell it to his superior that it was an important job as Allonce was currently unprotected. Jacques had only been able to entice Guy to this meeting with the news of Asmara’s condition.

  ‘Kill the spider.’ Guy shrugged.

  ‘Are you sure?’ Dorian pressed.

  ‘Nope.’

  ‘Then-!’

  ‘The spider took something.’ Guy said. ‘Kill it, and maybe it will...come back. That’s all we can think of. We don’t know much about it, and there are too many candles where Quince does his research. Asmara’s a shadow mage, we don’t...when a normal person leaves their body they break up and disappear. We don’t, at least not for a while. Killing the spider might not help a regular mage, but maybe whatever it took from Asmara will still be intact.’

  ‘I doubt Quince even knows how to undo whatever it is the spider did.’ Jacques said quietly. ‘That’s not exactly his area of interest.’

  Dorian rubbed at his eyes, ‘alright. Where is it?’

  Guy turned his head slowly to look at Jacques. The young man reminded Jacques of a puppet. He found him unsettling, though he was getting used to him.

  ‘I have some ideas.’ Jacques said.

  Dorian narrowed his eyes. ‘You’d betray Quince?’

  ‘My concern is and always has been the well-being of Mance-Jolune. At this point, the shadow mages are more important than Quince and his damned experiments.’

  Guy smiled slowly. ‘We like being important.’

  ‘If only.’ Jacques said sourly, ‘half the time I’m not sure why you’re helping.’

  ‘You’re taking advantage of our addiction to shadow magic. It’s not very nice of you.’

  Jacques grunted. He was sweating. It was Prince Alexandre’s idea, but that would not help if the King found out. Asmara and Emerré. It should be some time before anyone realizes we’ve interfered with Quince’s plan for Asmara and her spider. Emerré, on the other hand... If our plan works, and Emerré keeps it to herself, we will avoid offending the Duke, and potentially upsetting all the lords of the realm, and at the same time keep the shadow mages working for us. If Emerré keeps it to herself... Jacques realised with a start they were relying on Emerré surviving whatever Quince had planned for her. The man I dispatched to Belcanon should be there by now.

  He had instructed the man to be discreet and to avoid approaching Emerré Albier if possible. Whatever the reason, Jacques doubted Emerré would respond well to a visit from another one of his men. I know Quince’s minions are not taking the most direct, quickest route - the King is smart enough to know to be discreet. Still, they could have arrived by now too... It did not bear thinking about, if the pregnant niece of the Duke of Belcanon was killed on the King’s orders because she refused to go to war.

  ‘I’m sure this goes without saying, but if you set out to find and kill the dream spider, you must do it in utmost secrecy.’ Jacques said.

  ‘Yes.’ Dorian said. ‘I understand.’

  ‘Take Asme with you.’ Guy added. ‘It might be better if she’s close by.’

  ‘Be aware, there may be another spider with the spider that fed from Asmara.’ Jacques said. ‘Shadow magic doesn’t like to work well with regular magic. I know with the other... Quince sent more than one spider, one with shadow magic and one that fed on regular mages so it could protect the shadow magic spider.’

  ‘The spider that fed on Asmara was tough enough...’ Dorian said cautiously, as he considered that.

  ‘They’re very dangerous and from what I understand even the basic variety found in Sontmor can absorb most forms of magical attacks.’

  ‘I remember... Asmara had to stab it. Even then...’

  ‘Be careful.’

  Dorian nodded.

  ‘You’re going to have to go back to Lakasha.’

  ‘Where?’

  ‘South...hopefully, you’ll catch it before it arrives at its destination.’

  ‘Oh, yeah, it’s good you have a candle.’ Guy suddenly cut in. ‘Very good. Though they have a lot of soldiers down there too. And candles.’

  ‘Where’s it going?’ Dorian asked.

  Jacques answered: ‘Arcos, in the Faro Desert... it’s going to find the Lakashan shadow mages.’

  CHAPTER 55

  30 Mai, 1353

  Julietta withdrew to her tent early that evening. After considering Linette’s words, she’d apologized to Ariane (though she still didn’t think she’d done anything deserving of her behaviour). Ariane had observed her sceptically the entire time. She had accepted the apology and offered none of her own. She’d been trying very hard to do exactly what Ariane told her, and not appear to be undermining her, but nothing had really changed. The others still disliked her, Ariane still wouldn’t let her make proper use of her abilities. Since the attack that had nearly defeated the entire unit Cadel had been moved around much more to try and confuse the Lakashans. That left her with no one to talk to.

  Her eyes travelled over the weave of the tent as she lay back on her bedroll. Her mother had sent her a letter. Somehow it had reached her all the way from Leman. She’d never read any of the other letters sent by her mother, but now, with the war... She considered herself lucky none of the servants promised (threatened) in the letter had arrived with it. She had never desired help from her mother and father, and certainly not her smug elder brother, and she did not want any now. She wondered if she would see her brother, who her mother had confirmed was here. Father was still back home, too old now to fight.

  It was surreal to think of all the mages outside laughing and joking, and what would be happening back in Dartham Town, when Allonce was devastated. Allonce, such a beautiful city, such history. The news had been kept secret for as long as possible, lest it unduly affect morale. Julietta had heard most of the news from Linette, who told her that most of the damage was around the palace and the sections near Blaise’s house. Hundreds were dead, but it could have been much worse. So odd to think it had happened days ago, while she’d been worrying about Thierry Reynard and Ariane...

  I feel useless here, like I’m not helping. I feel as though all the fighting is happening elsewhere and I’m just wasting my time, here in the background.

  The need to prove herself beat painfully against her chest. She’d had every opportunity in life, there was no excuse, and yet... she’d achieved nothing. Tomorrow there would be another pointless fight, and then likely back to the town. It was absurd. She spared a brief thought for the soldiers. I wonder how it feels to them? I know many must be dying, though I don’t see it, not while I travel with the Royal Mages.

  Julietta bristled in frustration as her colleagues joked and congratulated each other.

  ‘That was good work, Celeste!’

  ‘Why thank you!’

  ‘Ariane, you led us wonderfully today!’

  Julietta didn’t know what they were so happy about. They’d won that particular fight, true, but the sorcerers hadn’t done much, simply prevented the Lakashan mages from making any attacks. Same as every other time.

  When they arrived back at the town Julietta tiredly lugged everything up to her room, now on the third floor. She would bathe and then sleep. She had no energy or interest in anything else.

  ‘Julietta.’

  She turned and was surprised and uneasy to see Ariane there. What had she done wrong now?

  ‘I’m pleased to see you are getting used to your position here.’

  Used to my position being useless and doing nothing? Julietta managed a thin smile in response.

  ‘Teamwork is more important than being a powerful sorceress. It’s good you understand that. If you keep this up Thierry will probably let you stay on.’

  ‘Oh, that’s great.’ Julietta replied, her jaw aching from the forced smile. ‘Great.’

  Ariane left, and Julietta closed the door to her room. The door closed, she was alone. Angrily, she kicked her bag, sending it skidding across the floor.

  ‘Stay on?’ she hissed quietly, even in her anger knowing she didn’t want anyone to hear her, ‘I try so hard to please everyone even though they’re stupid and the best I get is maybe you’ll get to stay on?’

  She sat down on her bed hard. Slowly, her anger trickled away, leaving a dull emptiness behind. ‘Is that really all I’m good enough for?’ she murmured, ‘just barely holding onto my place here?’

  She didn’t understand. Ariane knew she was a powerful sorceress, she’d even seen it recently! Yet she wouldn’t make use of her, and no one else seemed to care. Thierry Reynard certainly had no interest. I’ve listened to everything Ariane says, I haven’t upset her recently yet still... Nobody liked her, that was clear. Ariane barely tolerated her. It was as if she didn’t matter, none of her skill or abilities mattered. She frowned, that unhappy thought uppermost in her mind as she prepared for a bath. She felt as though she was missing something, something important, to being successful outside the Collegium. Only, she didn’t know what it was, and everything she did seemed to end in failure.

  These thoughts wouldn’t go away, even after her bath. Not wanting to spend the evening ruminating on her failures, Julietta headed up to the manor to look for Linette.

  She was allowed in with little trouble, as before. Given that sorcerers and officers from both sides were welcomed at the manor, that wasn’t a surprise. When she reached the main door she asked the servant if Linette was around.

  ‘Miss Linette? Yes, she is here, shall I have someone escort you?’

  Julietta hesitated and then nodded.

  A young serving girl was summoned and led her into the main hallway. The girl, apparently, had no idea where Linette was either as she stopped at every door and looked in, and told Julietta who was there. Julietta didn’t care, though she couldn’t help being a trifle annoyed at how many Lakashans were present. They attacked Allonce! Surely this is an insult! How must the soldiers feel about this?!

  ‘Oh, look, there’s Master Vayles.’ the girl said, lingering at the doorway.