The Tower was hidden in plain sight to prevent the servants and citizens of Solarin from being on edge all the time. There was a main entry accessible to the public, though even that was difficult to find. Vi knew where it was, of course. But she was closer to a back door. Sneaking in would have a far greater impact.
She stopped along one of the many hallways of the palace. She’d taken the long way to get here, savoring every step. No one stopped her. It was miraculous how far she could go when she walked with confidence.
Vi stood in front of a seemingly plain stone wall. On one of the stones was a symbol of two halves of a circle, broken apart and off-set from each other. It was a simplified version of the Broken Moon, the symbol of the Tower of Sorcerers.
Glancing around the hallway to make sure no errant servant would see her, Vi tapped the stone and watched her finger disappear within it. It was an illusion, carefully crafted and maintained by one of the Waterrunners in the Tower. She side-stepped through the wall with confidence, into a nearly pitch-black tunnel.
At the far end was a single flame bulb by an unassuming, unlocked door. The door led to a winding pathway that spiraled up higher and higher. Circular common areas were on her right, taking up the center of the tower. Doors to individuals’ rooms were on her left. Flame bulbs lit the interior passage every several steps.
She passed by a group of people on her way up. They stopped talking, then quickly exchanged whispers and glances at the sight of her. But just like the servants she’d passed on the way here, no one made an attempt to speak with or stop her.
At the top of the tower was the office of the Minister of Sorcery. In her time, this room had been occupied by Fritznangle Chareem. This was where he would’ve greeted her and welcomed her as a new member of the Tower when she finally came home.
For a brief moment, Vi rested her fingertips on the door and closed her eyes, imagining that moment as she had so many years ago. Try as she might, she couldn’t find the fantasy. Even opening her eyes and staring at the door, Vi had a hard time summoning what had been one of her more favorite daydreams.
The child who had dreamed them was long gone.
Vi gave a knock on the door and an unfamiliar voice responded, “Enter.”
Letting herself in, Vi stepped into the generously sized office. The Minister of Sorcery sat at a desk, running a hand through his sand-colored hair. Books were crammed into shelves. A workstation bubbled with something sweet-smelling Vi couldn’t place. She did a visual sweep of the room before her eyes met the bright blue ones of the Minister. His attention was focused solely on her.
“I don’t know you.” Egmun didn’t mince words.
“Unfortunate for you, but easily remedied.” Vi sat herself in one of the plush leather chairs that faced the desk. She tapped her fingers on the armrest, acting as though she was already somewhat impatient. “I’m here for a job.”
“A job?”
“Yes.”
His eyes narrowed. “You’re not of the Tower.”
“Not yet. Though I’m looking forward to being a part of it.” Vi smiled sweetly at the face of the man whom she planned to play like a fiddle.
“Usually one would schedule a meeting with me, and I would meet them in the reception hall at the base of the Tower.”
Vi couldn’t tell if he was cross or impressed for the unorthodox way she’d gone about this. Egmun likely didn’t know himself. “Yes, I thought this would be faster. Cut right to the chase.”
“Howdid you get up the Tower without an escort? Someone must be stationed at the public entrance at all times to prevent wanderers like you.” He tapped his fingers against each other; magic rose around him like a tide.
“I didn’t use the public entrance.”
“How did you get to a private one, then?”
“I have my ways.” Vi tilted her head. “Wouldn’t you like those ways to be under your employ?” He was curious. She’d tempted him with a nibble of knowledge. From here, she’d slowly feed him more in just the right amounts until he was eating from her hands.
“Do you enjoy avoiding questions?”
“Insofar as it suits me.” Vi smirked.
“What’s your name? Will you at least give me a direct answer for that?”
“Vivian.”
“Vivian,” he repeated. “And is there a family name to go along with that?”
She shook her head. “Just Vivian.”
“I assume you have some kind of magic, otherwise you wouldn’t be here looking for a job in the Tower of Sorcerers. Judging from your looks—you’re a Firebearer?”
