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

and to allow the supplies to catch up to the fighting forces. Trevor and Lissa teleported to Bassington after General Brightwork asked them to make a brief report to King Worto.

They appeared close to the king’s castle, where Rory Pierce, who had become the real Desolation Boxster, grew up.

“I am here to see King Worto on behalf of General Brightwork.”

The guards laughed. “The general is deep into Jarkan territory. You can’t have a message from him.”

“What are your names? I’ll be sure to let King Worto know that two of his palace guards kept a confidential letter from the King’s general from being delivered,” Lissa asked.

The guards looked at each other and then at Trevor. “And who are you?”

“Duke Trevor of Listenwell,” Trevor said. “What do I need to be given an audience with the king?”

“We will have to go through our leaders,” one of the guards said. “It will take a while.”

“Not good enough,” Trevor said. He took Lissa’s hand, and they disappeared in front of the guards.

Lissa grinned. “I missed seeing their faces when one second you were there and another you weren’t.”

Trevor nodded, not as amused as Lissa. “I want to get this over. I’m still not very comfortable consulting with the man who sent out assassins to kill Boxster.” He led Lissa through the castle, but soon they were turned around, not having an escort.

“Teleporting was a wonderful idea,” Lissa said.

Trevor smiled. “It was, wasn’t it? I’m sure someone will point us in the right direction.”

They walked through the corridors, heading toward the front of the castle, but the passages weren’t straight, and Trevor knew they were turned around again.

“Why don’t we follow that person?” Trevor said, pointing to a man crossing their corridor.

“That man?” Lissa asked.

Trevor sighed. The person ahead was sneaking as if he was up to something. “Put your charm where it won’t work, and I’ll point when I see the magician, and you shake your head if you can’t see him.”

They turned the corner, and Trevor pointed. Lissa gave him a questioning look before she shook her head. Trevor pulled his sword and ran toward the magician. “Stop!” Trevor said.

The magician turned around, shock on his face as he raised his hands. Trevor closed and punched him, knocking him to the ground, and continued to pummel his face until the man fainted. That was the only way to be safe from a magician.

Guards were converging on them. “You aren’t to be causing so much commotion,” one of the guards said.

“Can you see him?” Trevor said to the guard, and then he pointed to the man on the ground.

“All I see is you and the lady,” the guard said. His compatriots nodded their heads.

An officer walked up. “What is the commotion? Why is this man on the ground?”

“What man, sir?” one of the guards asked.

“You have a charm?” Trevor asked the officer.

“I do.”

“And your guards don’t. That is why they can’t see this Maskumite magician,” Trevor said.

“He isn’t a Maskumite magician. I’ve seen him in and out all the time. Even King Worto has met him.”

“Then search him,” Trevor said.

“And who are you to be ordering me to do anything?”

“Duke Trevor Arcwin of Listenwell and the Dryden messenger. I am leading the forces of which General Brightwork is a part.”

“Why aren’t you in Jarkan?”

“Maskum,” Trevor said, correcting the officer. “I’m sure you heard I can teleport. I just came from there bearing a message from the general to King Worto.”

Trevor waved the letter in front of the officer’s eyes. “Do you recognize his handwriting?”

“I know someone who does,” the officer said. He looked at his men and handed his charm to one of the men. “Bind him well. He is a magician working for the other side. Take him to a cell where we will question him later.”

The officer looked at the spot where the magician lay. “He is using an invisibility spell. King Worto will want to know that. I’ll take you to him.”

Trevor nodded. He felt like he should have been a hundred miles away from King Worto, but he couldn’t shirk his duty to his adopted country. They reached the throne room. Trevor still wouldn’t be able to trace their path through the labyrinthine corridors of the castle. Boxster would have known exactly where to go, having grown up in the place.

They stepped into the king’s study. Worto was speaking to two men seated in front of him.

“Arcwin. I didn’t think I’d be seeing you again until Maskum was destroyed.”

“Not Maskum, the magician enclave in Khartoo. It seems we found another magician practicing invisibility,” Trevor said, “Your Majesty,” he added belatedly.

“We captured him, King Worto,” the officer said with a salute. “He can be interrogated.”

Worto looked up at the officer. “You know who to summon. Don’t kill him. We want to know where he learned the spell and who he is working for in Brachia or wherever else. You can go.” With a look, Worto also dismissed the two men seated in front of Worto’s desk. The king put out a hand. “Sit. What am I supposed to know?” Worto said.

Trevor pulled out the letter to the king. “General Brightwork wrote this and asked me to deliver it. We were at a pause in our push south, so I thought I might give you an update since Lissa and I are traveling with the general’s army.”

Worto grunted and ripped open the envelope, pulling out the letter inside. After reading, he laid the message on his desk. “It appears the general would like confirmation that he is to follow your command.”

“I didn’t ask for his command. The different forces are split so they can use their own chain of command,” Trevor said. “We all decided on the