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

“This says you are Trevor Arcwin,” an officer said after one of the guards called the man over after consulting a book of names. “You were the prince of Presidon?”

“I was,” Trevor said.

“What is your business in Collet?”

Trevor didn’t like the man’s hostile attitude. “I am here at the invitation of Lister Vale. This is Brother Yvan, a traveling seer.”

Brother Yvan handed over his papers.

The officer looked at Brother Yvan. “You can go in, but I can’t allow an enemy of Presidon entrance into our city,” the officer said but turned back to Trevor. “You shouldn’t have made it across the border. Get back on your horse and leave Ginster.”

“Even if I’m here by invitation?”

“I am the authority over this gate, and you are not allowed through. You’ll find it the same at the other gates.”

“I’m no longer connected to Presidon and am currently the duke of Listenwell in Brachia.”

Trevor’s declaration didn’t mollify the officer. “Then go back to Brachia.”

“I will consult with my friends,” Trevor said. He took his friends aside and out of the officer’s hearing. “If you could take our horses into the city, Volst and I will have to find another way in.”

“You will beat me to seer headquarters?”

“We will,” Trevor said. “There is no reason to try to reason with the officer.”

“I agree,” Brother Yvan said. He grabbed the reins of the horses and made it through the gate.

“You get to do some unique traveling,” Trevor told Volst. They walked back to a line of stalls selling snacks to travelers entering the city.

Trevor stood staring at Volst. “Do you have enough power to get me inside?”

Volst shrugged. “How would I know until we try?”

Trevor held out his hand, and Volst grabbed Trevor’s pinky finger. In an eyeblink, they were in the ancient chamber in the basement of the seer headquarters.

Volst swayed on his feet. “That was exhilarating. Is this how it felt each time you traveled?”

Trevor groaned. “I thought I’d gotten used to it, but your magic is barely enough. I’m not feeling so good.” He took a deep breath to clear his head. “Let’s go find Brother Yvan.”

The pair attracted stares when they ended up in the headquarters lobby.

“Are you looking for someone?” a robed cleric asked, approaching the pair of them sitting on a bench.

“Lister Vale,” Trevor said. “But we are waiting for a member of our party to arrive.”

“And who might that be?”

“Brother Yvan Grindeworm.”

“You know Yvan?”

“He taught me much of what I know.”

The cleric’s eyebrows rose. “Then you must be the prince of Presidon. I’m surprised they let you through the city gates.”

“I have my methods,” Trevor said.

The cleric nodded. “There are some rumors about you. Wait for Yvan, then.”

Trevor went through three more encounters with nosy clerics until Brother Yvan approached them. He didn’t come through the main entrance.

“Been waiting long?” Brother Yvan said.

“You know the time we arrived. I’ve been asked four times what I’m doing here,” Trevor said.

“And I’m sure you entertained four different clerics. Shall we scare up the head seer?” Brother Yvan said.

“We should do that,” Trevor said.

Volst still looked shocked after he had teleported into the seer headquarters. “Where do we go?”

“Follow me,” Brother Yvan said.

They ended up in Lister Vale’s office.

“You have made your decision?” Lister asked Trevor after Volst was introduced.

“Do I have a choice?”

“Yes, you do. Dryden always provides choices, although you may not recognize a circumstance as a choice. You returned to Collet. That was a choice. You could have stayed in Brachia to live out your life as a duke, but here you are talking to me.”

“Since I’ve already started, I suppose the answer is yes, but I’m not sure what I am to do,” Trevor said.

“The messenger of Dryden. It is a calling just as it is for a seer. You have already been called. That is why a seer can find you, although you aren’t the brightest beacon among us. And now that you have formally accepted the calling by returning, I will be more specific. You are Dryden’s general, which is a heavy mantle since we don’t have an army. You will have to raise one to vanquish Dryden’s enemies.”

“King Worto?” Volst asked.

“That is a good question and one that Trevor will have to answer,” Lister Vale said.

Brother Yvan told the head seer about their adventure in Okora.

“King Worto has been seeding these invisible magicians throughout the world?” Volst asked.

“No,” Trevor said. “Maskum has. Remember, King Worto wasn’t aware Gareeze Plissaki was whispering in his ear. Maskum is the source. Once I verify that, what can I do?”

“Whatever you want. You are on your own. You are equivalent to a seer, but you don’t operate as an arm of the seers. As Dryden’s messenger, your actions are between Dryden and you.”

“But what if I make a mistake?” Trevor asked.

“Don’t you believe in Dryden?”

Trevor nodded. “I do, but I don’t have a personal relationship. No one does.”

The head seer leaned forward. “But can’t you see his hand in your affairs once you left Tarviston?”

“I can.”

Lister Vale shrugged. “Then that is what you will expect. Act confidently, and Dryden will guide you without you knowing it.”

“He has been guiding me and others for some time,” Trevor said.

Lister laughed softly. “Then you know what I mean, and so does Dryden.”

~

Collet was much bigger than Trevor had thought since he had never been out of the seer’s headquarters. The seers made Des Boxster identity papers for him, which made negotiating Collet’s streets easier. With Brother Yvan as their guide, Trevor and Volst were given a thorough tour of the city.

“No Zinkel’s ale in Ginster,” Brother Yvan said as they walked into a