A Clash of Magics by Guy Antibes (read this if txt) 📕

was about to announce himself when Siranda focused on Trevor in the darkness and sucked in her breath.

“Des Boxster?” she said.

“Also known as Trevor Arcwin,” Trevor said.

“I liked your original name the best!” Win said with a grin before he hugged his old friend. “What brings you to Jiksara?”

“I’m passing through. Brother Yvan is taking me to Ginster.”

“Collet? You are going to the seer headquarters?” Win asked.

“How did you know about that?”

“I almost live in the palace. A few things rub off when my father-in-law has us to all the state dinners. That is why we are here tonight. Three or four nights a week. I still miss some of my mother’s recipes,” Win said.

“And the Presidon royal kitchen should compare favorably to the premier’s,” Trevor said.

“My mother works elsewhere, now,” Win said with a sigh. “Tonight, we are having a quiet dinner. Why don’t you join us? I can send word to the seer.”

Trevor grinned. “I’d be happy to do that. I’ve already eaten, but it will save some time if I tell my part of the story to the premier.”

Trevor bowed to the officer on the way through the gate and followed Win through the palace. It was still familiar enough. Following Win, Trevor noticed his friend had picked up on how nobles carried themselves. He grinned at the thought of his friend being the son-in-law of a head of state.

Azar Zutterak rose to his feet to greet his daughter when they walked into a private dining room. There were six other people for dinner, and Trevor felt like he had intruded.

“I brought an entertainer with me,” Win said, reverting to his jovial self.

“Des Boxster,” Azar said. “I thought you were still in Jarkan with the seer’s daughter and the Ginsterian cleric.”

“I thought he could tell us his story while we ate. Trevor has had his dinner, but I noticed him at the gate.”

“I arrived earlier today,” Trevor said. “I don’t want to intrude.”

Azar looked at his wife and the visitors. “My agricultural staff. We were going to go over crop reports. I’m sure we would rather listen to you.” The premier looked at his fellow diners. They looked eager enough to talk about something else. “Surely I can talk you into some Zinkel’s ale and a few treats while you talk?”

Trevor sat down and while the others ate, he talked and talked. The abbreviated story didn’t change much, but he did gloss over some of the details in Jarkan and didn’t mention anything about his teleporting to Collet. Azar’s staff unexpectedly asked some very pertinent and probing questions about the Jarkanese civil war and were interested in the Okoran king’s experience with the Maskumite magician.

Azar was impressed with knowing that Trevor had reverted to his old name and had picked up the title of duke, even if it was in an enemy kingdom.

“I’ll be able to meet a Jarkanese focus tomorrow?” Azar said.

Trevor nodded. “I should be getting back.”

“Win and Siranda can take you.”

In a few minutes, Trevor helped Siranda into the carriage before Win and he climbed in.

“Those weren’t agricultural ministers,” Trevor said.

“He couldn’t exactly introduce them as internal spies. There are still remnants of the insurrectionists,” Win said. “I think you gave the premier a new burden.”

Trevor shook his head. “I don’t think so. He already knew King Worto was trying to influence Hester Blisek, the old premier.”

“Invisible magicians whispering in my ear sends chills up and down my spine,” Siranda said. “I’m sure Father is concerned.”

“Maybe his agricultural staff can come up with some ideas,” Trevor looked at Win. “So you ditched your music career?”

“I didn’t, at all. That is why we don’t live in the palace. Even though you killed his cousin, I’m still writing pieces for Jeruld Kantak, and I am connected with enough performers in Jiksara to keep me busy. I thought my life couldn’t be better, but that was before you showed up tonight.”

The two old friends lapsed into reminiscing until Siranda began to snore, but they were about to pull up at the Dryden church. Trevor left them and walked into the church. He noticed a light coming from the bottom of Seer Caspur’s office door, and he knocked.

“Come in,” Seer Caspur said.

Trevor told him about his evening.

“You don’t waste any time. I hadn’t expected you to attend a state dinner with the premier on your first night,” the seer said with a smile.

“You won’t have to listen to my story tomorrow. I’m sure Brother Yvan and Lissa can recite it in their sleep by now.”

“Not Reena?” Caspur asked.

“Probably her too,” Trevor said. He told the seer about the intelligence ministers. “I hope I didn’t let out any state secrets.”

Seer Caspur laughed. “Not at all. Those are men I recommended for the job. Azar doesn’t know all the right people, yet.”

“I’m glad you are advising him and not advising Hamel Rorsik”

“Maybe so, but you are scheduled to talk to Hamel before you leave Jiksara. We can discuss that after our audience with the premier.

Chapter Six

~

T he next audience with the premier was more formal. They spoke to Zutterak in his courtroom. There weren’t that many people in attendance, including three of the same intelligence ministers. The premier was more concerned about where Trevor was going rather than where he had been.

“I have consulted with my ministers and Hamel Rorsik this morning. They have agreed to work on a charm to counter any invisibility spell. The major problem as they see it, is testing it.”

Trevor didn’t have any idea how to do that, either, other than visit King Worto. He mentioned that as a possibility to Azar.

“Then you have my concurrence,” the premier said. “The seer has arranged a meeting with Rorsik after