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

“We are doing,” Lissa said, clutching Trevor’s upper arm. “You need a power person.”

“Reena,” Trevor said, teasing Lissa.

Lissa frowned. “You don’t think I’m going to let you not use me.”

“I need the power. Reena might be on the receiving end. We have to use whatever combination will work best.”

“And you are always using the old magic.”

Trevor nodded. “I’m afraid it is my only talent.”

Custik chuckled. “Just go on thinking that.”

They stepped into Glynna’s house.

“I don’t see why you can’t take Lissa with you. We can give you a sackful of charms, and Glynna has figured out a way to get them produced by students at the academy.”

Trevor and Lissa said their goodbyes to Gorian and Glynna, who would be talking to the bishop of Jilgrath about sending messages to Trevor through the head seer. They teleported to the seer headquarters lobby from the inn and found the head seer in a conference with his staff on another matter.

“I heard you had returned,” Brother Yvan said, walking up with Reena. “I didn’t know you brought Lissa with you.”

“We were going to talk to the head seer, but he is otherwise occupied.”

Brother Yvan nodded. “We have only added to his duties. Why don’t we get a drink?”

“I can help get you settled into the women’s quarters,” Reena said to Lissa, taking one of Lissa’s bags.

“What did you find out?” Brother Yvan asked once they were served their mugs of ale.

“Lissa can duplicate what Reena can do. Custik’s ability to help isn’t as good as Mino’s. I don’t know what the connection is other than magic and maybe Dryden worship? I don’t know what one’s feelings about Dryden have to do with anything, but I don’t know what else to say.”

Volst walked into the refectory. “I heard you were back,” he said as he joined Trevor and Brother Yvan.

Trevor repeated what he had told Brother Yvan.

“I might have thought it was a female thing, but Mino destroys that theory, doesn’t he?” Volst said.

“Trevor seems to think it is a Dryden thing, but that doesn’t explain why I’m not a suitable ring user,” Brother Yvan said.

“I suppose we don’t need to know. There are only two rings, and we know what works. Knowing how the things operate could be a distraction,” Trevor said. “I think teleporting works a lot better. I’m sorry to say that after all of this exciting experimentation. Dryden has provided an alternative to transferring, but…” Trevor shook his head.

“That is pragmatic enough,” Brother Yvan said. “Using your sword, even for a moment or two, puts you quickly at a disadvantage.”

Volst smiled. “It is bothering you, isn’t it?” Volst said, goading Brother Yvan.

“Something to think about later,” Brother Yvan said. “At least you now have the backups that you talked about before you left.”

Reena and Lissa walked into the refectory and joined them. “Have you solved any of the world’s problems?” Reena asked, sitting beside Brother Yvan.

“Perhaps a small one,” Volst said.

“The rings?” Lissa asked.

Trevor nodded and then told them a short version of what Volst, Brother Yvan, and he had decided.

“You use your help as you need them, eh?” Reena asked.

“That is my conclusion. You don’t have to be stuck to me until this is over,” Trevor said.

“Too bad that Yvan can’t be the one that I need to be near.”

“Yes, that is a shame, but there is Lissa or the head seer,” Volst said.

Brother Yvan frowned. “We won’t have to worry that Lister Vale will allow you to use the new-magic ring and that you won’t want to keep either ring for yourself.”

“I can hold onto this ring as a backup and leave the other with Lister or Reena,” Trevor said, fingering his ring.

“Where to next?” Volst asked.

“You need another meeting with King Worto,” Brother Yvan said. “Will he end up neutral, an enemy, or a friend? Let’s assume the center of all this foolishness is in Maskum. Maskum and Brachia could crush an allied Dryden army.”

“I agree. I’ll find him and see if Worto is still angry at Plissaki,” Trevor said.

Volst laughed, “He probably is still on his way to Brachia after you showed him the error of his ways at the border.”

The head seer entered the refectory followed by a woman dressed in a courtier’s gown.

“Yvan and Trevor,” the head seer began, “come with me. I have a message from the prime.” He looked sideways at the lady.

“Duty calls,” Brother Yvan said as he got to his feet.

Lister Vale led them down the corridor to a small meeting room. This one, furnished like a nice sitting room, had only four cushioned chairs.

“This is Anna Kartor, the prime’s personal secretary.” Lister then introduced Brother Yvan and Trevor with a short explanation of their backgrounds.

The woman leaned forward. “Less formal channels have assured the prime that Presidon-initiated attack on you was not an act of war, but it appears that the Presidonian ambassador arranged the assassination attempt. The ambassador refused to talk, but we have examined the assassins and have traced them to less-savory elements in Collet.”

“I didn’t think they would be Presidonians, not possessing that much magic,” Trevor said. “Thank you for telling us.”

“The prime has sent a more formal notice to Queen Hyra protesting the action and considers the ambassador guilty of arranging an attempted murder. The prime has given me this.” She pulled a letter out of a pocket in her dress and handed it to Trevor. “It is an apology.”

Trevor was surprised by the reaction.

“She is devoted to Dryden, although she endeavors to keep her feelings to herself for political reasons and was given unverified information that the pontiff didn’t discourage the Presidonian ambassador. You understand what kind of position that puts Ginster in.”

“I