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

how his magicians have perfected an invisibility spell that allows them to eavesdrop on heads of state like you.”

Trevor shifted his gaze to the intruder, who made eye contact. She put her hand to her mouth and then bathed Trevor in white lightning. Trevor walked up to the amazed woman and punched her in the face. It was the only way he was sure her spell would be broken.

The prime rose to her feet and stared at the officer. “How could you let this woman get this close to me!” she said as the magician must have appeared on the floor.

“Don’t blame him, blame Gareeze Plissaki, King Worto’s Chief Magician. I have done the same in Okora on the way here. There are magicians in Jilgrath engaged in creating charms that might defeat Maskumite invisibility spells. I’ll do the same with King Worto. I’m sure he won’t be pleased that Plissaki is secretly advising him through whisperings in his ear while staying invisible.”

“And you helped kill the queen of Jarkan doing this?” the prime asked.

“I didn’t kill the queen. King Worto encouraged a very willing lord to rebel. His first act was to assassinate the queen. I helped King Turgul legally take the throne of Jarkan.”

“And you have proof of this?” the prime asked.

Trevor sighed. Reena was days away in Jilgrath. “I can produce the former focus, Reena Corulu.”

The prime nodded. “Right, they use the term focus for their seers. Bring her.”

“She isn’t in Collet,” Trevor said.

“Do you want to be set free?”

Trevor ground his teeth, and then he nodded. “I will need one of my companions to help me,” Trevor said.

~

Trevor and Reena appeared in a prime residence hallway. Trevor had to return Volst to Jilgrath to keep a transfer available in the magic imbued in his weapon and armor.

Reena immediately stepped to the window to look at the courtyard below. “I wish you were around the many times I had to go from Derwizul to Argara and back,” she said to Trevor. “I’ll be ready to go in a moment.” Reena shook her head slowly. “It’s a little disorienting.”

“It is your first time,” Trevor said. “This way.” He didn’t tell Reena that his head hurt so severely he could barely see. Using Volst as the source of magical power wasn’t very pleasant.

They proceeded to the same meeting room while a guard fetched the prime.

“It is hard to believe you went to Jilgrath and back,” the prime said as she entered the room.

“This is Reena Corulu, the former focus of Jarkan.”

“What happened in Jarkan?” the prime said.

After Reena finished her short description, the prime asked a few questions about Jarkan, and then she turned to Trevor. “She really is the focus. I thought you were trying to fool me.”

Trevor shook his head. “I haven’t misrepresented anything. Presidon doesn’t need another dead prince, and Dryden would rather put me to better use.”

She looked at Trevor’s appointment still on the table. “I must believe you, but you must do something for me first.”

Trevor sighed. He didn’t want to go on some unrelated task.

“I want you to turn King Worto’s army away from Ginster’s border. It is expensive to support a watching army,” the prime said.

Since Trevor had no idea where he was to go next, he thought for a moment and agreed. “You will give me something to allow me to move freely in Ginster?”

“Our Presidonian ambassador won’t like it, but Ginster takes precedence. I don’t need the Presidonian land if the truth be known. Your father provoked most leaders of the countries surrounding Presidon, but your mother is doing plenty of provoking on her own. Come with me.”

Reena and Trevor followed the prime through the residence and ended up in the prime’s office. Trevor looked at the decorations in the room. Ginsterian sensibilities were evident in the simple yet elegant lines. A scribe was already sitting at a small desk, working in the prime’s office.

“I want three documents that allow Trevor Arcwin, Reena Corulu, and Linwood Volst to move freely in Ginster. All three are under the protection of the prime.” The prime consulted a book on her desk. “If you excuse me, I have other appointments today,” she said as she rose. “My scribe will get the proper spellings on the documents.”

Trevor sat with Reena. “Do you want to go back to Jilgrath or stay in Collet?”

The woman laughed. “You need to ask? I’m here. Lissa can bring my things. I suggest you get Volst back. The prime’s permission slip won’t stop the point of a sword.”

Trevor had already figured that out. They waited a bit more until the scribe asked for the names’ spellings, and then guards escorted them out of the residence. Brother Yvan sat on a bench on the square opposite the prime’s home. After dodging a few horses and carriages, he jumped up, made it to their side, and hugged Reena.

“Nothing for me?” Trevor asked with a smile.

“Not this time,” Brother Yvan said, taking Reena’s hand. He looked at the former focus. “You are going to stay?”

Reena gave Brother Yvan an unexpectedly shy smile even after they had traveled hundreds of miles together. “I was hoping I could. I will need to purchase a few things.”

“A lot of things is fine with me,” Brother Yvan said. “I’m sure the head seer is anxious to meet you.”

“I’ll need you to check my sword for magic,” Trevor said. “If you could do that before you visit Lister Vale, I’ll be able to retrieve Volst.”

“Of course. We wouldn’t want Volst to have to visit his father and other friends, would we?”

“Maybe tomorrow?” Trevor said. “We didn’t settle on a time.”

“I, for one, didn’t expect you to be released so quickly. What happened?” Brother Yvan said.

They climbed into a