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

hostile as Rorsik and his band of golds, but they aren’t my bosom buddies.”

“Consider you two invited,” Trevor said. He caught up to Volst.

“Were you wondering if I can introduce you to the new Chief Trustee?” Volst asked.

“I am. Custik said it would be better if he did not accompany us,” Trevor said. “Professional jealousy?”

Volst sighed. “Not as bad as with the golds in Jiksara, but Custik has a way about him that brings out the worst in people. Glynna and you are the exceptions.”

“Even you?” Trevor said.

“I’m a minor exception too. Let’s see my father, first.”

Brother Yvan wasn’t quite in agreement about having Reena stay in Jilgrath, Trevor told him that he would bring the pair back to Collet if they could charge up the sword and his cuirass.

“It will be done,” Brother Yvan said. “You can get Custik’s magic into your sword and then use either of the ladies’ magic to get you to Collet and use the charged magic to get back. I’m not sure there is anyone in Collet who can provide enough power.”

“Then we know how to retrieve our ladies.”

Brother Yvan smiled. “I like the sound of that.”

~

Reena and Brother Yvan joined Lissa and Glynna in talking about how to create invisibility or mimic it well enough to test out any charms that were developed. Trevor couldn’t help them with any of it, so he took a carriage to the main square.

Trevor walked into the mayor’s office. He’d never been in the offices when he spent time in Jilgrath before. Raszak Gwent always had come to him or to the police station. Volst sat among others behind desks in the mayor’s office area. He jumped up as Trevor entered the room.

“Father, I brought Des Boxster along. I will caution you, that he now goes by Trevor Arcwin. I don’t know how he will react if you call him Des, though,” Volst said as he ushered Trevor into his father’s office.

The elder Volst rose from his desk and came around to shake Trevor’s hand. “I always liked your real name better, Prince Arcwin.”

“Actually, I am now a real duke. Unfortunately, my domain is far away in Brachia.”

“Brachia? In the heart of the enemy?”

“Pretty much. I have met King Worto, but he is currently quelling some disturbance on the eastern Fulerian border. Surprisingly, he rules loosely in Brachia.”

“Sit down and tell me a quick summary of what you’ve been up to. I am glad you finally killed Jeruld Kantak’s odious cousin.”

“I did. I’m sure Volst told you the details,” Trevor said.

“Twenty times, at least,” Volst said.

Trevor gave Volst the elder a condensed version of his travels, leaving out the magical and emotional elements he included earlier in the day.

“How can I help you?”

“You can let me go with him,” Volst said.

Trevor looked at Volst. A grown man was asking his father for permission, but Trevor only had an inkling of what the relationship was really like.

“The wanderlust is still lusting away?” the mayor said.

“It is. I’m only teaching two classes at the academy. You have enough assistants now.”

The mayor sighed. “Promise me you won’t get killed.”

“I can’t have any fun if I do that. You know me.”

Volst’s father assumed a defeated expression. “Bring him back to me, preferably alive.”

“Do you want to stay here or come to Collet?” Trevor asked Volst.

“Collet. I only need to get Custik accepted by the academy. He’s a gold, and frankly, it isn’t just his personality, but his exalted rank that has been a barrier.”

“Very well. Brother Yvan and you can trade insults or something on the way,” Trevor said.

“You won’t regret it.”

The mayor sighed. “From the look on his face, it looks like he already does.”

Trevor didn’t feel regret about Volst joining him, but he didn’t know how Lissa would react. If Trevor really was the messenger, he’d need another good sword at his side. A magician with a sword was even better, and Volst was trusted and battle-tested.

Leaving the father and son to work out their commitments to each other, Trevor walked across the square and entered the building where the chief trustee worked. He didn’t have Volst with him or an appointment, but he hoped he’d be able to snag a few minutes of the trustee’s time.

He sat next to the secretary’s desk. The man came and went and finally motioned to Trevor.

“Chief Trustee Gillisek will see you now.”

Trevor had never met the chief trustee before. He walked in to see a woman sitting behind the desk. She was tall and more than fit. Without the obviously feminine shape, she was as tall and looked as strong as a man. He wondered if Custik’s problem was also a roving eye.

“The famous Prince Trevor Arcwin. Sit down.”

Trevor was surprised she didn’t use the Boxster name.

“I should have said the famous and infamous Desolation Boxster?” Gillisek asked.

“I go by Trevor Arcwin.”

“I prefer that. You have a few minutes of my time. Make them productive,” the Chief Trustee said.

Trevor changed his story a little, adding more magic and emphasizing his run-ins with Maskumite magicians in Brachia and Okora.

“I’ve never trusted the Maskumites,” Gillisek said. “I have written them offering to do exchanges, but I was rebuffed each time. They all cluster in what they call their enclave in Khartoo. My previous position at the academy included arranging for foreign students of high potential. Sometimes the academy needs different challenges to make teaching more palatable.” She tapped a finger on the writing pad in front of her. “So what is it you want of me?”

Trevor had expected Volst to have this conversation, but he decided to plunge ahead. “The leaders of the world need charms, so they won’t be exposed to invisible magicians.”

Gillisek almost