“Don’t tell Tessia,” Mikken said.
Though Jayan appreciated that Mikken had Tessia’s well-being in mind, he wasn’t going to keep anything from her just because the young man fancied her. Besides, Tessia had seen plenty of gruesome things as a healer’s assistant. As the set-up of camp finished and Tessia approached Jayan to ask what he had learned, he considered telling her everything. And immediately decided against it. She would wonder if such things had been done to the villagers of Mandryn, or her parents. She was also more trusting than he. It probably wouldn’t even occur to her to question whether she’d been told the full truth.
So he glossed over the details, only saying that Aken had been killed first, and that their bodies had been left in a state meant to shock and scare anyone who found them. Then the magicians called everyone to their meeting, rescuing Jayan from any further questions.
The decision to include apprentices in the meeting had surprised Jayan, and now he felt a twinge of excitement. The magicians sat in a wide circle and their apprentices settled beside them. The sound of the forest around them faded as Werrin raised a shield to prevent their words from being heard outside the group. Jayan glanced beyond, to where scouts and servants kept watch, holding the lanterns they were to signal with if anything suspicious was seen or heard.
Jayan glanced at Dakon, who smiled knowingly.
“Don’t say anything unless invited,” he murmured.
Nodding, Jayan suppressed a fleeting annoyance. Normally he had a chance to talk to Dakon before the magicians met. Dakon always asked if Jayan had anything to suggest or comment on. But there had been no time today.
Lord Werrin began by going over the events of the day, glossing over the gory details much as Jayan had for Tessia. Once again, Lord Hakkin admitted his part in encouraging Lord Sudin to risk venturing out on his own, and then all tried in vain to guess what the magician’s plan had been.
When the possible reasons and consequences had been fully covered, Werrin sighed and straightened.
“Sudin’s death changes much. A magician has been killed. This frees us to consider strategies that may result in Sachakan deaths. But we must consult the king first.”
“Surely he will not prevent us from killing them now,” Prinan said.
“I doubt it, but he will still expect some restraint,” Werrin replied. “Every Sachakan we kill has a family who may feel obliged to seek revenge or compensation, whether that death was justified or not. The more Sachakans we kill, the more Sachakan families will have the obligation to strike back in common. If they unite . . . this could become a war.”
“But we can’t sit back and let these invaders kill and loot for fear of war,” Lord Ardalen protested.
“If the choice is to be conquered again by these people, or face a war, I’d choose the war any time,” Lord Bolvin said firmly.
“But would we win?” Narvelan asked.
The magicians exchanged frowns. Jayan’s heart sank. They’re not sure. He shivered. Us against the might of the Sachakan empire. Does Kyralia have any hope of surviving the next few years?
“Would the Elynes help us?” Prinan asked.
Hakkin grimaced. “They would not want to make themselves a target.”
“But they could be brought to see that if Sachaka conquered Kyralia, Elyne would be next,” Magician Genfel said. “And that if Sachaka was occupied in fighting us both it is more likely to lose.”
“Best we avoid having to ask them at all,” Bolvin said. “We must halt this invasion now. Drive out the Sachakans. Make it clear we will not be easily conquered again. We may try to avoid killing too many in the process, but it is more important to demonstrate that we will not tolerate these incursions. And murders.”
The others nodded, and Jayan felt the same determination that was written on all their faces.
“Nevertheless,” Genfel said, “if we wait too long to ask for help, it may not arrive in time. Someone needs to seek the promise of assistance, at the least.” He paused. “I have friends in other lands who might be able to persuade magicians in their home-land to join us if we are not successful in driving the invaders out ourselves.”
“Discovering that other lands are willing to join us might make Takado reconsider his plans,” Narvelan said, his expression thoughtful. “And dissuade other Sachakans from joining him.”
Werrin looked at Genfel. “You will need the king’s endorsement.”
Genfel shrugged. “Of course.”
“If I may speak?” Hakkin looked at Werrin, who looked amused as he nodded. Hakkin turned to regard the other magicians. “Chasing the Sachakans with such a small party is ridiculous. We need more magicians and we need them now. With enough support, we could fan out across the north and sweep them out like the scum and dirt they are.”
“With respect, Lord Hakkin,” Dakon said – speaking for the first time, Jayan noted, “but the area you speak of is extensive and mountainous. It would take more magicians than we have in Kyralia to spread across it as you suggest, and even if we did they would be stretched so thin it would be no effort for the Sachakans to break through.”
Hakkin looked at Dakon thoughtfully, and then, to Jayan’s surprise, nodded. “You’re right, of course. I am not familiar enough with this part of Kyralia and am only just coming to understand the challenges of moving in this type of terrain.”
“We should, as you have suggested before, Lord Hakkin, regain control of the pass,” Narvelan said.
Hakkin admitting his ignorance? Narvelan supporting Hakkin? Jayan resisted a wry smile. If only it hadn’t taken the gruesome death of a magician and his apprentice to get these men to co-operate.
“I agree,” Werrin said. “I suspect a large part of the Sachakans’ plan is that news of their continuing existence here – and now the killing of one of us – should inspire their countrymen into joining them. We must make that as difficult as possible. But controlling the pass will have to become a separate task from ours.”
“Then I volunteer to gather the forces necessary,” Lord Ardalen said, “and to take them there and hold as best we can.”
Eyebrows rose, then all nodded. Werrin smiled. “We must, as always, seek the king’s approval, but I will also suggest that he would not err in granting the responsibility to one as capable as yourself.”
Ardalen flushed. “Thank you.” He grimaced. “I think.”
“I’ll send a scout south. We should have a reply in four or five days. I will suggest he replies with mental communication, using code words to indicate approval or disapproval, as Lord Olleran suggested a few days ago.”
“If we block the pass,” Prinan said quietly, “then I suspect any Sachakans determined to enter Kyralia will attempt to use the new pass in my father’s ley. He should be warned and...and action taken to prevent access that way.”
“Yes,” Werrin said. “You are probably right.” He paused, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow. “I will also suggest this to the king.” He glanced around the group. “It would not hurt to have one who saw today’s crime with his own eyes speak of it to those who do not yet grasp the situation we are in, and the future we face if we lose.”
“In the meantime, we are too few and too weak,” Bolvin said. “Is there any way we can strengthen ourselves more effectively?”
“We cannot speed or increase the rate at which we gain magic,” Narvelan said, spreading his hands. “Even if we were allowed to seek power from commoners, most in these parts have fled or been killed.”
“The king cannot grant us access to the strength of commoners, no matter how willing, until we are officially at war,” Werrin said. “But...I know he has been considering how he might make exceptions.”
“There is power and there is knowledge and skill,” Dakon said. “We can, in the meantime, hone our skills. And improve our abilities, if we are willing to share what we know and practise working together.”
“But that will use up magic we may need to deal with the enemy,” Werrin pointed out.
“We do not have to use full-strength strikes,” Dakon said. “Only beams of light. It would be considerably safer, too. Other magical applications... I’m sure we can come up with ways to teach or demonstrate to each other without overly tapping into our resources.”
Werrin looked at the other magicians. “What do you all think?”
Shoulders lifted and heads nodded. “I doubt I have anything new to add,” Prinan said wryly. “I’m no keeper of any great magical secrets.”
“I may have something to offer,” Ardalen said, smiling crookedly. “A little trick my master taught me that may prove useful, which I’m more than willing to share if it helps to protect Kyralia.”
“I think that must be the aim against which we must all weigh any ownership of magical knowledge,” Werrin said. “Secrets may be lost for ever if we lose. And you can be sure no Sachakan master will be paying any Kyralian magician for his unique talents – if we survive being conquered.”
“I doubt there will be any Kyralian magicians left, should the Sachakans be in charge,” Narvelan muttered darkly.
A long silence followed, then Werrin looked around the circle again, this time meeting the eyes of the apprentices.