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

known throughout Maskum for their height. I know someone who can supply you with an identity token from here.”

They checked into an inn. The roof was pitched without the holes, but the inn was four stories high.

“Stay in your rooms until I return,” Potur said.

“I’ll be in Trevor’s room after I settle,” Lissa said.

Potur lifted an eyebrow. “Suit yourself,” he said with a smile.

Lissa watched him leave the inn with narrowed eyes. “I know what he’s thinking, but I think you need to bring the head seer current.”

Trevor imitated Potur’s lifted eyebrow and smiled. “Suit yourself,” he said.

Lissa shoved him playfully, and in a few moments, she sat down at a small table in Trevor’s room.

“Let’s see if anyone will talk to us,” Trevor said. “If they won’t, we’ll visit Ginster.”

Lissa frowned. “You shouldn’t depend on your teleportation.”

“If I can use the rings, I can teleport,” Trevor said.

He took both her hands in his and closed his eyes. The head seer replied to Trevor’s greeting.

“I’m not in a convenient place to talk, but if you make it quick,” Lister Vale said.

Trevor told him about their trip to the border and the Maskumites’ attempt to slaughter a village to draw General Henkari into a trap.

“You, of all people, need to be careful,” Lister Vale said. “I must go, but I will talk to Yvan about your information. You are truly doing Dryden’s work.”

Trevor broke the connection. He didn’t entirely believe the remark about Dryden’s work, but arriving at the village at the beginning of all the violence was an astonishing coincidence, even though everything had been set into motion by Henkari’s arrival at the border.

“How much farther to Khartoo?” Lissa asked.

“Potur knows. From what I remember on the map, less than half a week if we stay on the road. Then we will spend what time we can collecting information as only you can do,” Trevor said.

“Me? Am I that important?” she said coyly.

“You are to me,” Trevor said. “In any number of ways.”

“Name a few,” she said.

“You allow me to communicate. You allow me to teleport. I rely on you to protect me magically. And then there is your presence by my side,” Trevor said.

“What about my presence?” Lissa leaned forward, cupping her chin in her palms.

“It soothes me,” Trevor said.

“Soothe. That is a novel way to be important. Does kissing soothe you too?” Lissa asked.

“It is part of the soothing,” Trevor said. He reached out and took her hands. “I could use a little soothing right now before Potur returns.” He stood and pulled her to him. They looked into each other’s eyes and kissed.

The door opened, and Potur barged in. The scout stopped immediately. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but there is a development.”

Lissa rolled her eyes. “There always is.”

Potur tried to withhold a grin. “A smuggling caravan is leaving town in less than an hour. They will travel to the next village and spend the night there. It has guards from this town. I can’t think of a better cover.” He plunked down two plates with letters stamped into the metal. “I hope you don’t mind your names. I didn’t have the time to return to consult you.”

Trevor looked down to see one with Des Boxster, and Lissa now had the last name of Lott.

“You are my sister for the next week,” Potur said. “Des, here, is your suitor.” Potur grinned. “Doesn’t it fit well?”

“You are using your real name?” Trevor asked.

“I’ve never had my cover revealed in Maskum. Why not?” Potur said. “Besides, I’m known as a smuggler, myself.”

“I suppose I do not need to open my bags,” Lissa said.

“I’ll help you with them, Sister,” Potur said.

Soon, they were meeting the others in the caravan. Maskumite smugglers moved in the open, it seemed. There were eight wagons and twenty-two people, twenty-five with them.

“You expect trouble?” Trevor asked the caravan leader.

“No. I find if I’m prepared for trouble, it rarely finds me, but if I’m not, I will almost certainly be caught out.”

“I can see that,” Trevor said.

“You carry a Jarkanese ceremonial sword,” the leader said.

Trevor grinned. “You noticed. I found it in a barrel somewhere. It’s had some modifications.”

The leader shrugged. “I wouldn’t know other than recognizing the general shape. Potur said you know how to use it.”

“He’s seen me in action. It doesn’t keep me from getting injured,” Trevor showed him the bound cuts on his arms from his fight at the lake village.

The leader grinned. “But what happened to your opponents? Potur said you defeated all you faced.”

“That is the purpose of a sword fight. Kill or be killed,” Trevor said. “I don’t fight someone who doesn’t take a swing at me.”

“So Dryden-like,” the leader said. “Still, as long as you defend my caravan, you can travel with us.”

Trevor nodded. “I’ll do my part if we are attacked.”

The leader nodded and went about his business. Trevor stayed back with Lissa and Potur while everyone made final preparations, and soon the caravan moved south along the good road. Trevor looked back at the town, disappearing among the trees.

“Who attacks a caravan with so many people?” Trevor asked Potur as they ambled along.

“Brigands have bands up to fifty, but they don’t operate on this road. If they did, the Maskumite army would hunt them down. This is a free road. If we don’t cause trouble, there shouldn’t be any more trouble. That is why I jumped at the chance to join them. There is more peril if we travel alone.”

“And that happens?” Lissa asked.

“Banditry, bribery, and betrayal are endemic to Maskumite life, but there are consequences if evildoers go too far. They lose their heads,” Potur said.

“He told us the truth,” Lissa said quietly, leaning