Bram cleared his throat. “I believe Astaroth is something else entirely,” he muttered. “He has masqueraded as a demon for ages and fooled them, but I suspect that Astaroth is something far older and stranger than Prusias or any of his ilk.”
“How do you know this?” asked Ms. Richter quietly.
“He was my prison for many years,” explained Bram, studying his hands. “I have glimpsed what lies beneath that grinning mask, and it is no demon. Astaroth is no corrupted steward or wild spirit from the first days—he is not from this world or any other within our little universe. Prusias and the others are deadly enemies, but their motives and desires are clear. We can understand Prusias’s greed and lust for power—we know what he covets, and this makes him far less terrifying than one so alien as Astaroth. My liberation has weakened this outsider, but he is still lurking about—unaccounted for and still possessing the Book. Prusias may menace the world’s kingdoms, but Astaroth is a threat to the world itself.…”
As the man lapsed into silence, the logs cracked and a plume of sparks momentarily brightened the darkening room. Indeed it was dark, Max reflected—too murky for midday and far too dismal to discuss such disturbing matters. Reaching past David, he put another log upon the fire and rose to light several more candles. Watching the flames catch upon the wicks, Max reflected upon Bram’s assertion that Astaroth was no demon but something else. It was a disturbing revelation, but it also echoed and reinforced Max’s own hazy misgivings. Other than Bram, Max had spent more time with Astaroth than anyone at Rowan, and there were occasions when he had stared into those merry, black eyes and sensed naught but the void behind them. Prusias could be a bloodthirsty tyrant, but his sensibilities and tastes were far more human. Max was reluctant to admit it, but there had been moments when he’d actually enjoyed the demon’s humor and energetic company. He had never enjoyed Astaroth’s. No matter how courtly or chivalrous Astaroth’s manners may have been, his grinning white face had always seemed an impenetrable mask.
“You claim that Astaroth is the greater threat and I believe you,” said Ms. Richter solemnly. “But you also say that he may lurk for a thousand years and take no action. That is too abstract a problem for our present dilemma. Rowan is threatened now, Archmage. Due to your actions, we have six short weeks to make amends with Prusias or gird for war.”
At this hint of reproach, Bram’s expression hardened into a stone mask. Seconds ticked by slowly. When he finally spoke, the man’s voice was quiet but unyielding.
“I have put you in a hard place,” he acknowledged. “Perhaps I should have consulted you before casting that abomination into the sea. In my outrage, I may have cost Rowan a few days to prepare her defenses. For that I apologize. But let me be clear, Director … Gràvenmuir was doomed the moment I saw her. And despite this farce of an overture, Prusias has no intention of sparing Rowan. That was plain when he set the Morrígan blade and my person as conditions for peace. These are the only weapons he fears. If Rowan is foolish enough to weaken herself and surrender these things for a demon’s promise, Prusias will merely laugh and launch his ships.” The Archmage rested his elbows upon his knees and gazed gravely at the Director. “Prusias is coming for Rowan, Gabrielle Richter. The only questions are how soon and whether or not he succeeds.”
Ms. Richter’s cup clattered in its saucer as she set it down.
“I’m well aware of this,” she retorted stiffly. “But we do appreciate you clarifying the key points. I suppose it’s my responsibility as a leader to swallow my pride and glean whatever other insights our exalted Archmage has to offer. He has started a war and has now been kind enough to admit as much. Perhaps he might also suggest a way to win.”
A ghost of a smile flickered in Bram’s pale eyes. He inclined his head. “Well said, Director. But I think it best if I concentrate my energies on Astaroth and leave the defense of Rowan to you and your counselors. I would not wish others to think that the ‘exalted Archmage’ has superseded your authority. And if it’s strategy you desire, my grandson can serve you better than I.”
At Ms. Richter’s invitation, David unfolded from his perch and began to pace back and forth like he often did while deep in thought.
“Prusias has millions; we have thousands,” he mused. “Even if he engages the bulk of his forces against the other kingdoms, he could still dispatch an army to Rowan much larger than anything we can muster. We must do everything we can to delay that outcome for as long as possible—stall negotiations with Naberius, sabotage shipyards in Blys, disrupt his trade, and incite his enemies to attack him.”
“Very sensible,” remarked Ms. Richter smartly. “Many of these initiatives are already in place. In fact, I believe Max has news to report from Zenuvia?”
“I do,” said Max, shoving aside thoughts of Astaroth and the Atropos. “Traveling along its coasts, I heard a very consistent message among the smugglers. It could be false intelligence, of course, but I don’t think so. The rumor is that Lilith opposes Prusias but will not join with Aamon or Rashaverak until battle has begun. Her reasoning is clear enough—given the distance between Zenuvia and Blys, it’s unlikely that Prusias would attack her with a force of any real size until he’s defeated the alliance between the other kingdoms. Should that happen, the queen could claim she never opposed him and sue for better terms. If Aamon and Rashaverak are winning, however, Lilith can join the fray and tip the balance at a critical moment. In either case, she limits her risk and may even be able to seize her allies’ kingdoms should the war cripple them.”
Ms. Richter nodded her approval. “What of our agreements with the Khoreshi smugglers? Are they still in place?”
“For the moment,” Max reported. “But they’re opportunists. Since Gràvenmuir, they’ve charged us triple market prices plus hazard freight and compensation for any lost ships. If Rowan goes to war, we should expect those costs to multiply tenfold.”
“Are those prices worth it?” she inquired, arching an eyebrow.
Max considered this. “I think so. As David says, if and when Prusias attacks, we’re likely to face a force much larger than our own. In addition, our own Agents and Mystics will be spread very thin; the majority of our army will consist of refugees who have little to no training. We need that iron ore from the Zenuvian mines. For some reason it’s far more effective on the demons and other spirits. I’ve brought a raw sample to share with dvergar. Perhaps they can replicate its properties. If we can equip the refugees with such weapons, they become much more valuable.”
Ms. Richter made a note within a slim notebook. “And what of the nonhumans? Are any of the goblins and vyes open to discussions?”
“Unclear at this stage.” Max shrugged. “The greedier goblin clans might be, but the language barrier is difficult and I didn’t trust my contact. In any case, the bribes they demanded at every stage were enormous, and I’d already spent most of my funds on the smugglers. As for the vyes, from what I could gather, they’re not content in the new order—they feel they’ve been cheated and supplanted by the demons. But they’re too wary to discuss anything openly. They’re afraid that everyone is a demon in disguise, probing for potential traitors. We’ll have to keep trying.”
Ms. Richter flicked her eyes to David, who had been listening intently. “What do you make of Max’s report?”
“It’s good information,” he commented, “and we should certainly acquire as much of the iron as we can. But I can’t help but focus on Prusias. Something’s wrong … something’s off.”
Bram raised his head at this and gazed at his grandson.
“Grandfather,” said David, “you have summoned Prusias before. Have you ever summoned the other monarchs?”
“Aamon,” replied Bram, touching his fingertips together and searching his memory. “Aamon knows many old secrets, but I’ve not called the others. What troubles you?”
“Prusias’s confidence,” replied David. “He knows you are here. He knows Max has reforged the Morrígan’s blade, a
nd he knows the other monarchs are likely to unite against him. But despite this, he gloats like he’s already won.”
“Prusias always bullies,” grunted Max, recalling his own unpleasant history with the demon.
“Yes,” said David. “But this seems different. I think Prusias has a trick up his sleeve.”
“The cane?” inquired Miss Boon. The magic that created Gràvenmuir had come from Prusias’s cane, and David had long suspected that it contained a page from the Book of Thoth.
“I don’t think so,” replied David, rubbing the stump where his right hand had once been. “He’s had that for some time. His latest tone sounds like there’s been a new development, something that will ensure victory.…”
“The Workshop,” breathed Max. “Prusias has been protecting and sponsoring them even after Astaroth banished modern technologies. I rode pod tubes up to the Arena.”
“That’s precisely my worry,” David confessed. “We no longer have modern technologies, but the Workshop does. And Prusias has the Workshop.…”
Max’s hopes dwindled. What use were iron-tipped arrows against guns or tanks? The others seemed to share his apprehensions.
At length, Bram spoke. “It is a long time since I had dealings with the Workshop,” he reflected. “But when last I did, they broke their neutrality and helped me safeguard the Book of Thoth. Their first love was always their machines, but perhaps we can convince them to aid us again.”
“The Workshop did nothing to resist Astaroth,” observed Miss Boon bitterly. “As long as Prusias is the one ensuring that their technologies do not fade, I can’t imagine that they’ll join us. Why would they risk their machines or their lives on such a risky prospect?”
“That’s probably true,” said David. “But we should at least reestablish contact through all possible channels. If nothing else, we might gain insight into what they’re doing. At this stage, information and intelligence is everything. Rowan has to win the war of spies before it can win a war of weapons.…”
As David continued to discuss spy networks, sabotage, and civil defense, Max found that Elias Bram was staring at him. The appraisal was trancelike and unblinking, reminding Max of when another had gazed at him years earlier on a train bound for Chicago. Of course, trains and Chicago no longer existed; Astaroth had used the Book of Thoth to refashion the world and strip away much that mankind had built or invented. Among the humans who survived Astaroth’s rise to power, few could even recall their former way of life—their memories of such things had faded. But some who’d been gifted with magic could recall the past with varying degrees of clarity. Max remembered everything, including that fateful day when a stranger’s dead white eye had locked on to him.
“Stop looking at me,” he growled, stalking back over to the window. The rain had ceased and the walkways shone slick and wet, their puddles reflecting the gray skies. The others ceased their conversation and turned to see what was the disturbance.
“I must have a word with Max,” Bram announced, rising abruptly from his chair. “I’ll leave you three to your discussions while the boy accompanies me to the Sanctuary. It’s time Emer came home and Mina has her lessons.”
“We’ll go with you,” offered Miss Boon, her unease and suspicion evident.
“I don’t intend to spirit away your Hound, Hazel Boon,” Bram chuckled. “I just need a private word with him, assuming the lad can forgive my manners.”
Max nodded, his irritation giving way to curiosity.
“Whatever you have to say to Max you can say in front of us,” said Ms. Richter.
“I’m afraid I can’t,” replied the Archmage curtly. “Good day to you both. David will see you out.” Taking up a heavy mantle from a stand by the door, Bram swept it over his shoulders and held the door open for Max.
The famous pair took a shortcut across Bacon Library, ignoring the curious stares from a score of students hunched over their books and manuscripts. Exiting the Manse through a pair of French doors, they braced themselves as the November gales whipped past them. Max envied the Archmage’s heavy cloak.
It was ten minutes of brisk, silent walking until they’d traversed the orchards and wound around the stables and Smithy to reach the stone wall that separated Old College (as the original campus was now known) from Rowan’s Sanctuary. A stout oaken door was set into the wall, some twelve feet tall and six feet wide and traced with fine golden runes. It was propped open to reveal an arching canopy of interlacing trunks and twisting branches, a shadowy green tunnel through the dense sea of trees beyond.
Once inside the tunnel, the Archmage removed his mantle and stamped the mud and water from his boots. The air within the hedge was always distinctive—the earthy smell of foliage and an eddying of warm and cool currents akin to where a river meets the sea. Peering far ahead, Max glimpsed bright sunlight at the tunnel’s end. There was not always much difference between the weather in the Old College and the Sanctuary, but today it was pronounced. Max was happy to leave the oppressive damp behind.
“So what is it that you need to tell me?” asked Max.
“When we’re through,” said Bram, gesturing ahead.
The path was no longer paved and their footsteps made little noise. As they walked, Max became increasingly aware of how intensely alive the surrounding forest really was. The overhanging branches and surrounding trees was a symphony of chirrups and squawks and the patter of little feet scurrying through the underbrush. As they walked, he listened to these sounds and thought of Ms. Richter and the many difficult choices before her.
“How is Mina doing?” he wondered, just as they emerged into the clearing. “I didn’t know you were giving her lessons yourself. Is she really so special?”
“She is,” Bram replied, shielding his eyes from the sunlight. “I had foreseen three children of the Old Magic, but I hardly suspected that you would coexist. And yet here you are.”
“And it’s a wonder we’re here and not with the witches,” Max remarked sharply. He recalled all too well the bargain Elias Bram had once struck to acquire the Book of Thoth. In return for the artifact, the Archmage had promised the witches three children of the Old Magic. Centuries later, when the witches had learned of Max and David, they had tried to collect a portion of their rightful prize. Rowan denied their claim and ultimately triggered the very curse that helped enable Astaroth’s victory. In the aftermath, Rowan and the witches had reached an unsteady truce, but great hostility and mistrust remained.
“That was a hard bargain,” Bram reflected solemnly. “But I’d strike it again.”
“Even now?” asked Max. “Even knowing that your own grandson is one of the three?”
“Yes,” he replied firmly. “Better that my family, my blood, should bear these burdens.”
“And why is that?” snapped Max.
The Archmage stopped and turned to stare Max squarely in the eye. His voice was deadly quiet. “Because we can.”
“David’s already sacrificed plenty.”
“He has more to give,” remarked Bram stoically. “And so do I. And so do you, Max McDaniels. That is why I wished to speak with you about the Atropos.”
Placing a hand on Max’s shoulder, Bram guided him through the large settlement that had sprouted up just inside the Sanctuary. Even since Max had last seen it, the township had grown considerably. Hundreds of buildings now rose in shingled clusters around cobblestone lanes crowded with wagons and carts and a host of people and creatures. At last count, some four thousand residents now lived in the township proper, a sizable number but still a manageable sum and significantly less than the towns and villages that were forming throughout the wider realm. While the settlements outside the Sanctuary and the Old College were predominately human, Rowan Township boasted a more diverse population that included snobbish fauns, willowy dryads, mischievous lutins, and solemn dvergar with braided beards. Though a distinct minority, these creatures and others could be spied amid the crush of humans, carts, and livestock that
milled about the streets and storefronts.
As in Bacon Library, the sight of Max McDaniels and Elias Bram walking together elicited a great many stares. As they strolled across the cobblestones and central plaza, they encountered hesitant smiles, some doffed caps, and even a toothless crone who fell to her knees and begged for a blessing from the Archmage. But there were wary looks, too, and mutterings in their wake as the pair passed by. Few had ever seen Elias Bram and never with Max McDaniels. To find the pair together and in close counsel could only bode ill.
Bram’s counsel did not begin until they’d left the township behind, their fingertips nearly brushing the tall grasses and wildflowers that carpeted a broad plain fringed by forested mountains and dotted by pillars of dark rock. When they were approaching the Warming Lodge, the Archmage stopped.
“The Matching must be over,” he observed, nodding toward the building and its shimmering lagoon. “Let’s hope each creature found a steward and each child a charge. YaYa was hopeful.”
Max reflected wistfully back to the day when a wonderfully rare and mischievous lymrill had chosen him to be his keeper. It seemed ages ago. Nick was gone now, having surrendered his life, claws, and quills to strengthen the Morrígan’s blade. Max had yet to fill the void in his heart. YaYa herself had suggested that he take another charge, but Max had refused any matching. There was only one Nick and Max had lost him. He would not lose another.
“Has Mina been matched?” he inquired.
“No charge has chosen her,” replied Bram. “But when the match is right, one will. So many things are moving that it is hard to keep track of little Mina as closely as we should. I had thought to ask you to look after her, but this business with the Atropos has ruined those plans. I must find the girl a new guardian.”