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

said. “I was in Khartoo, but I fell into the sea, and a ship bound for Berry Port picked me up. I have to get back to the Jarkanese-Maskumite border.”

“Then why are you in Wistfall?”

“The reason I am here is to find a magician powerful enough to allow me to do a special spell. I don’t know many, but it could simplify things if I could. I don’t have enough power on my own,” Trevor said.

The cleric frowned. “The Sirlandian bishop discourages magic. If you’ve truly been to Collet, you know what I mean.”

“I do. I met the archbishop of Collet. They let you stay here?” Trevor asked.

“The Wistfall bishop is worried about Sirland, and that is more important than a clerical squabble.”

“Can the bishop get me an audience with the queen?” Trevor asked. He told the seer about his ability to detect invisible magicians.

“I’ve only been in Wistfall for six months,” the seer said, “but I could see that happening if what you say is true.”

Trevor sighed. “You still don’t believe me?”

“I don’t disbelieve you, but it is hard to accept a young man, regardless of your size, being Dryden’s Messenger. Aren’t you supposed to lead armies and perform heroic deeds?” the seer said.

“Ridding you of a Maskumite magician who is currently wrecking Sirland isn’t a heroic deed?”

The seer shook his head. “You think you can do such a thing?”

“I can try. I’m not infallible. I failed in Khartoo, but that kind of failure won’t stop me after I’ve succeeded in Jarkan, Okora, Ginster, and Brachia,” Trevor said.

“If you can get me accepted as the seer, I will find you your magician, even if I have to travel to Viksar to get one as powerful as you need.”

“Maybe you might be enough. Put your hand on my wrist.” Trevor held out his hand and thought of the other communication ring in Collet.

Lister Vale responded.

“This is Trevor. I fell into the sea and ended up in Sirland,” he said through the ring. “I am without a powerful magician, but the seer you have positioned in Wistfall has enough power for my old magic ring.”

“You do get around,” Lister Vale said. “Did you learn anything at Khartoo?”

“I learned a few things, but not enough to justify risking death by drowning. Gareeze Plissaki is at the Maskumite magician enclave. I wounded him with my sword, but I had to retreat immediately after. I don’t think he is the leader of his cabal.”

“Cabal? What are they?”

“I’ll tell you another time. How powerful is your seer in Wistfall? Can he help me teleport?”

“You won’t know unless you try. Using the ring is a lesser talent.”

Trevor thought for a moment. “Could you send some kind of pulse or something to the seer in Wistfall so he knows we are in communication?”

“I can do that,” the head seer said. “He is on his own in Sirland, so if he chooses to follow you, he can. If he chooses to stay in Wistfall, that is his decision.”

“Tell everyone I’m fine. I don’t know if you can get a message to Lissa through the seer in Khartoo, but I’d appreciate it that someone tells her too.”

“I will see what I can do. Our Maskumite seer is a little unpredictable.”

The connection was broken. A moment later, the seer’s eyebrows rose.

“I don’t doubt you now. I am Brother Coosin Escarik. My name comes from northern Fuleria. I’d like you to tell me more.”

The rest of the afternoon was spent trading questions and answers. When Trevor brought the wasted time up, Coosin laughed. “The queen only allows visitors in the mornings.”

“Then first thing tomorrow?”

“An hour after sunrise,” Brother Coosin said. “I’ll meet you at your inn. We can talk on the way to the castle. I can get us in, but you may have to get us out.”

Chapter Eighteen

~

B rother Coosin took Trevor to a tradesmen’s entrance on the opposite side of the castle from the main gate. “We will use the indirect route,” the seer said. As did Trevor, the seer wore court clothes, but the cleric instructed Trevor to leave his sword behind. Trevor buckled his long knife to his lower leg anyway.

A guard approached.

“My good man, we lost our way and ended up here. This gentleman is from Presidon and wishes to see the queen,” Coosin said. “I’m afraid we are going to be late if you don’t let us in.”

The guard frowned and looked sideways at Coosin. That was a big sign of distrust, Trevor thought. “Visitors are supposed to enter at the main gate.”

“Ah, but a vigilant guard like you won’t let in the riffraff. As you can see, we aren’t riffraff.”

“This is the entrance for tradesmen,” the guard said. Trevor could see they hadn’t drawn the most intelligent example of humankind as the gatekeeper.

“We can be tradesmen,” Brother Coosin said. “What would be a good trade for me?”

“Conniver,” the guard said.

Coosin pushed out his lower lip in a pout. “I’ve never been accused of conniving before. I am, however, a personal advisor. Would you like some personal advice?” the seer asked.

The guard shrugged.

“Be a good servant to Dryden. That is the first priority for every pious man, and I’m sure you are a pious man,” Coosin said.

The guard cleared his throat and stood up a little straighter. He looked back inside the gate to make sure he wouldn’t be overheard. “It isn’t an easy thing to do in the castle. The queen has gone off Dryden, but most of us are still believers.”

“I believe,” Coosin said, “and my friend here believes. You must be a good man. Let us in, and your secret is safe. In fact, it is safer than if you left that information with the