“Are you really sure about that? I couldn’t have been more than a month along when you healed me,” she said.
“Is it so hard to believe? I never question your visions,” I told her.
She snorted, “That’s because they’re always right, and you don’t have that gift… how can you be sure?”
“I’m sure,” I answered. “You’re just feeling nervous because you haven’t had any visions to confirm what I said.”
“That’s not true!” she answered self-righteously, “I’m just nervous. If I decorate the nursery for a boy and we have a girl you’re going to be in trouble.” She poked me in the ribs as she said it.
I chuckled a bit, “That is a risk I’m willing to take.”
***
The next day was quiet and I spent the majority of my morning working on the armor. Over the past month I had gained a lot of confidence in manipulating metal and working with my hands had always given me a sense of peace. These days it also gave me a feeling of connection to my father. I felt a bit like a cheat though, if he could have seen me now what would he have thought? Using spells I could work metal in ways that he could never have imagined. Much of the skill he gained in a lifetime of crafting involved finding ways to get around the limitations and difficulties of working iron. I was able to completely circumvent many of those limitations with nothing more than my will and some carefully chosen words.
He would have teased me about it, I thought to myself. Deep down I knew it was true… he’d have poked fun and then told me to use whatever tool came to hand. The vision of the final product was what was most important and if that was poorly conceived it wouldn’t matter how many advantages I had… the final result would still be junk.
If anything my background in a traditional smithy had taught me to understand iron in a way that no amount of magic could have ever done. That understanding was even more valuable now that I had the ability and the resources to exploit that knowledge effectively.
I can make a suit like this, tailored to an individual, in roughly two weeks, I calculated. Another two days to finish the enchantments and I’m looking at about sixteen days to equip each of my ‘knights’. Even with my advantages it would still take a considerable amount of time to prepare for what I had in mind. And I haven’t added in the time required for their weapons, I added mentally.
Dorian’s advice had been invaluable concerning the weapons though. Based on his own experience wearing the armor I had already enchanted for him before the recent war he seemed to feel that a great sword would be a better weapon. Dorian had told me two days before, “The sword you enchanted cut through everything I put it against, and the armor was enough to stop any normal sword, but I found my shield to be an impediment. If I’d had a longer blade and two good hands free to use it I could have felled the enemy like wheat before the scythe.”
He had also suggested I leave the weapons to a normal smith to produce. I could purchase them far more easily and enchant them afterward, saving myself a lot of time. The main reason I was doing the actual crafting of the armor was because it was simply impossible to get this sort of armor made anywhere outside of the capital itself and even there it was a year’s wait to get a set made.
That didn’t suit my needs at all. I wanted enough to arm twenty men within a year. I had seen the effect a few men could make in the last war. Dorian in particular had made all the difference. I had been unconscious for nearly an hour while I was healing Penny, and he had held the breech in the wall almost singlehandedly. Not that I would have said that aloud, many men had died next to him that day. Yet he had been the one that they couldn’t put down.
With a lion’s heart and armor that no arrow or sword could pierce he had refused to surrender to exhaustion. The sword he had carried cut through men and armor with equal ease. After the dust had settled I couldn’t help but wonder what might have been possible if we had had more men similarly equipped.
Of course the man inside the armor had been a primary factor, I wasn’t blind to that fact, and there were few to equal Dorian in combat. Still it had been much on my mind since that day, particularly given the continuing threat from the shiggreth. I knew they were out there, but I didn’t know when or where they would strike again and I was only one man. Someone encased in enchanted armor would be virtually immune to their touch, and given the right weapons he would be able to give them cause for fear.
That was really the heart of it. Since I had become the Count Cameron I had assumed responsibility for a large number of people, and I couldn’t be everywhere. As far as I knew I was the only living wizard left, and the shiggreth could multiply almost without limit. I needed help… powerful help. If no other wizards were available then I would have to create the next best thing.
Dorian had shown me, in his actions against the shiggreth and again during the war with Gododdin, what a well-trained man with superior weaponry could do. Naturally I would have to be selective, and those chosen would have to be carefully trained, but I had a friend I could trust for that task.
Still, Dorian had had one particular weakness, as his fight against the shiggreth had shown… the limitation of mortal strength. If he had possessed the sort of resources that an Anath’Meridum was able to draw upon he would not have been overwhelmed by the press of numbers. My time with Penny as my pact-bearer had shown me just how terrible a warrior could become if they had strength that went far beyond the norm.
I had no intention of renewing my bond with anyone though, much less twenty some ones. I would find another solution. I just wasn’t sure how… yet. Shaking my head I focused my attention once more. It wouldn’t do to be distracted in the middle of my work.
Chapter 7
The next several days flew by and I could no longer put off my trip to Albamarl. I didn’t want to give King Edward too much time to brew over my message, and he’d surely received it by now. It was time to pay him a visit.
I had told Penny of my plans several days before and I let her know that today was the day after we finished our breakfast. She was still rather nervous about it, but she had conceded the necessity. “I wish you’d let me come with you,” she said again.
“Absolutely not, you’re not an Anath’Meridum anymore and more importantly you’re with child, we have too much to lose now,” I reminded her.
“No need to be mean about it,” she complained. “Consider my point of view, if we lost you now what would that mean for me and your child?”
I winced, it always came back to that, and in truth she was right. Still we had discussed it already; I didn’t see a better alternative for securing the future for our family… and our people. “I’m sorry love. You know I’d choose a safer path if I thought there was one,” I replied.
“So you admit there might be a better way,” she said. She was quick to catch on.
“I’d be lying if I pretended to have all the answers. What is true is that I don’t know of a better way,” I said honestly.
She ran her hand across my chest, feeling the fabric of my tunic. “I’d feel better if you at least wore mail. Any fool with a dagger could put a hole in your back.”
“That would make my task more difficult. I’m actually trying to be sneaky, besides I don’t need armor to keep me safe,” as I spoke I made my shield flash with light for just a moment. My skill with mundane uses of magic had gotten much greater.
“That didn’t do you much good when the shiggreth grabbed you,” she noted. It was not only a reminder of my vulnerability but also a reminder of the fact that she had been the one to save my bacon that night.
I grimaced. “There shouldn’t be any shiggreth to worry about during this little adventure and if there are… I’ve prepared a new strategy.”
She was cynical, “such as?”
“I can’t show you here. It might damage the room,” I said evading the question as best I could.
The look on her face was wistful and a bit sad at the same time. “One of these days yo
u’re going to find out you’re not as smart as you thought and I’m going to have to pay the price.”
I laughed, “Did you have another vision?”
Penny frowned, “No, and that’s why I’m not objecting too much. I feel certain that something as important as your impending doom would trigger my foresight. Since my ‘intuition’ has remained silent thus far I’m willing to let you take more risk than is probably wise.”
I decided not to argue that point, her ‘intuition’ and I had already butted heads once before in the past. The result had been her near death. Still I doubted I would back down if I were forced into a corner like that again. I can be notoriously stubborn when I choose to be. Rather than remind her of my penchant for mule-headedness I agreed with her, “I’m glad of that. If things go well I should be back late tonight, or tomorrow at the latest. I may stay and have dinner at the house with Marc. I haven’t had many opportunities to explore the library lately.”
I finished my good-byes and an hour later I was standing in the hallway of my house in Albamarl. Teleportation was one of the nicer things about being a wizard, although I had very few places I could use it to reach. It required a pre-made circle at both the point of origination and the destination, and the two had to match.
Currently the only places I had available were my home in Cameron Castle, Castle Lancaster, and my house in Albamarl. I intended to expand on that number a bit during my stay in the capital though. Once I had reminded the king of my traveling abilities he might decide to try and cut down on my options by having my house watched.
I glanced down the hallway and let my senses expand until I had located Marc. True to his word he was sitting at one of the reading tables in the library. My first impulse was to walk in and say hello but after a moment’s thought I decided to test out my plan for infiltrating the palace. I had several spells in mind but I hadn’t actually tried them out in a practical situation. I spoke a few words and ran my hand over my boots, which should silence any sound my footsteps might make, while leaving me free to speak as need be.
I walked silently until I stood near the door to the library. Marc had thoughtfully closed it after he entered, which made entering the room unseen and unheard more difficult. Perfect. Watching him mentally I made sure he wasn’t facing the door, and then I quietly whispered a few words. They were similar to the ones I had used to silence my boots, and their effect on the door was the same. Putting my hand on the handle I opened the door and stepped inside.
So far I remained unnoticed, Marc was still reading intently but I knew he might look in my direction at any moment and I was far from invisible. I needed to cast another spell but realized that standing in the same room there was a strong chance he would hear me, even if I spoke very softly. I needed a distraction. Glancing toward the opposite end of the room I chanced a whispered word and focused my will. The sound of a book falling to the floor and claws skittering across wooden boards came from that end of the room immediately; drawing Marc’s startled attention in that direction. I spoke quietly again and settled what I thought would be the perfect disguise across myself. This last spell was something new entirely, a way of creating a false appearance. I had chosen the likeness of his sister Ariadne in advance.
I had discovered the art of illusion in one of my father’s books only a few weeks before and I had been experimenting with them in odd moments ever since. This was my first time attempting to fool another person with a complete disguise however, so I had no idea how well it might work. Walking forward I stood by the table and waited for Marc to turn back around. At the moment he was still tensely watching the corner, wondering at the noise I had created. When at last he turned back around his expression was priceless.
“What?!” he exclaimed, scrambling backward. Or at least he tried to scramble backward, still being seated in the chair he wound up half standing before falling on his ass. It took all my self-control to stifle a laugh, instead I feigned concern.
“Marcus are you alright? I didn’t mean to startle you!” I said quickly. If my spell was working properly he should be seeing his sister leaning over him wearing a lovely blue dress that I had once seen her in. Call me a pervert if you will but I always remembered her wearing that dress when I thought of his sister.
“Ariadne?” he said tentatively, a suspicious stare on his features. “Is that you? How did you get here?” He rose from the floor and dusted himself off; although the floor was spotless.
I hadn’t considered the conversation beyond surprising him. Now that it was clear my disguise was working I thought I might keep it up a bit longer. My mind raced as I considered my words. “Mordecai sent me. I went to Cameron looking for you and he said you had come to study here. How have you been? Rose told me you have been acting odd lately.” That should keep his suspicions at bay, I thought to myself with a self-indulgent chuckle. I refrained from hugging him, my illusion lacked any substance and my distinctly masculine frame would be a dead giveaway.
Marc looked around, “Is Mort with you?” he asked suddenly.
“No he said he would return to take me home in an hour or so,” I temporized.
“Clever girl,” he said with a sly grin. “We haven’t had any time to ourselves in ages have we?”
The look he gave me was faintly unsettling. I really had no idea what his conversations with his siblings were like when they were alone but something about his tone was odd. “No, we haven’t,” I agreed. “I’ve been worried about you.”
He took a step closer and I instinctively stepped back to avoid contact. “Do you still love your brother?” he asked in a wistful tone, “Even after my disgrace?”
I was becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the turn of the conversation but I didn’t want to spoil my joke just yet. “Of course Marcus, you’ve always been my favorite.”
His eyes had a dangerous glint in them, “Your favorite?” he asked. “Don’t you mean your only? Or have you found someone else?” His voice had developed a distinctly husky sound.
Things had gotten out of hand. “What?!” I shouted in surprise, but before I could say more he leapt forward and kissed me. Shock and outrage were my sudden companions as I tried to throw him off. He clung to me instead and we wound up wrestling on the floor while I attempted to disentangle myself from the sister-loving monster my friend had become.
“Ariadne, I don’t remember you being so hairy but I like it!” he growled. I had finally gotten control of our struggle and I was working to get him into an arm lock. He was laughing now and puckering his lips at me as I twisted his arm. At last I realized I had been had. In disgust I let go of him and with a shove stepped back.
Marc was laughing so hard now he could hardly stand and he collapsed onto the floor again. “Mort you should have seen your face!” he guffawed at me.
His humor was infectious and I found myself chuckling a bit in spite of my indignation. “You’re a sick bastard, I hope you realize that! How did you figure it out?” I asked.
Marc’s laughter slowed and finally he was able to answer more soberly, “Do you really think my sister’s voice sounds like that? That was the worst falsetto I’ve ever heard!”
Of course, I should have known. I did have a better solution for the voice problem but I couldn’t use it without having direct contact with the person I was imitating first. That was academic though, I had thought my generic ‘female’ voice would be enough. Clearly I was wrong. I frowned.
“And that dress, what was that about? She’s only worn that dress to formal balls. Why would she wear that here?” he snickered, but then his eyes went wide. “Oh damn! You have a thing for my sister! Why else would you remember her at her loveliest? Oh that’s low Mort! Wait till I tell Penny!”
“I do not! You sick sister-lover! Wait till I tell your sister you tried to kiss her!” I shot back.
“I knew it was you all along! Who else could get into this place?” he retorted.
I grinned, “She doesn’t know that.”
/>
“Fine,” he said standing up again. “Truce?” he asked, but he was still chuckling as he held out his hand.
I gave his hand a mock-suspicious glare, “I’m not sure that thing is safe to touch,” I said, but then I broke into a grin. I hugged him instead and then we sat down to talk. “How have you been doing?” I asked.
“Good,” he replied, “When there isn’t anyone sneaking up on me and pretending to be my sister.”
“I just wanted to test out the new spell,” I told him.
He snorted, “It’s impressive I’ll admit, though the voice needs a lot of work. I’ve never seen you do anything like that before though.”
“I started experimenting with illusions a few weeks ago. So far they seem fairly simple, as long as it is something I can imagine easily,” I said.
“And my sister is someone you imagine regularly I take it?” he said with a wry smile.
“No damnitt! Anyone I’ve known for a long time is fairly easy. I picked your sister because she seemed the most reasonable person to visit you, besides myself of course. If I try to do a stranger I’d almost have to be looking at them when I cast the spell in order to create a decent resemblance.”
Marc sat up straight for a moment. “Mordecai!” he exclaimed, “Have you shown anyone else your illusions yet?”
“No why?”
“Think about it, the possibilities are endless. You could imitate anyone, the king, the head of the bank… or someone you wanted to frame for a crime!” he announced. As he spoke I could see the gears in his head turning. Marc was extremely intelligent, almost as smart as myself in our academic studies as children and infinitely more devious. If anyone could think of useful ways to use deception, it would be him.
“I’m just planning to sneak into the palace, I don’t need to commit crimes or blame innocents at this point in my career,” I told him.
“Just don’t tell anyone you can do this. So long as you are the only one that knows you have a tool with few limits. Once people know what you can do it will be the opposite… any crime could be laid at your feet,” he explained.