Is she though?
“And since we are discussing her fate, we need to decide what happens next. She is currently in the custody of my kingsguard, facing charges of unlawful use of magic and conspiracy against the crown, assault on a member of the knighthood… and so on.”
The two sunken-faced Archmages to the King’s left—Gammen and Oriss—sneered eerie, twin smiles that didn’t quite meet their eyes. Slaide always found the higher mages unsettling, and they reminded him why. They were beyond unnatural.
Well, now. If the Magistry was interested in her, so was he. But he didn’t know enough. Not yet. Time to play games of his own.
“So let me get this straight. You broke down the door of some girl and her grandmother based on, what, a hunch? In some small, seedy town no one who matters has ever heard of? And you really think you’ve accomplished something?” He pushed, hoping Magnus would take the bait.
Magnus did, sputtering in his fury. “One of these days I’m going to cut your tongue out. She’s a grown woman who was accompanied by an elderly woman, in a cottage full of magical paraphernalia, on the outskirts of a town with a history steeped in magic. Where, I might add, there are rumors of their citizens growing emboldened and reverting to their old ways. So yes, Slaide, we had ahunch.”
“Fine,” Slaide grumbled. “I’ll take her into my custody and interrogate her. See what I can learn about her powers, if she has any.”
“You’ll do no such thing. She’s being turned over to the Magistry once she’s fit to travel,” Magnus commanded.
“On the contrary. I’ll be taking her. When and only when I am finished with her can those freaks do what they wish.”
“Master Elias, if I may,” one of the Archmages interjected. “The Council will need to conduct a full investigation and interrogation of the subjects in question. Often, the most inconspicuous person has the most to hide. You might be surprised.”
Slaide cocked an eyebrow.He’s giving these mages too much power.Slaide had never been a fan of the kingdom’s Magistry. They were mysterious, conniving, and since the Dampening, the only group of people allowed to use magic.
As far as Slaide was concerned, the creepy, beady-eyed men and women were monsters parading in human flesh. The Citadel of Stormhold—the Magistry’s capital and home to every mage who didn’t live in the castle—was an impenetrable fortress outsized only by Ravenhold. And that was to say nothing of the wards they erected to keep everyone out.
Everything about the Magistry and the mages who conducted business within the Citadel’s walls was kept enshrouded in secrecy, from the way they educated their initiates to the contents of their sacred libraries.
He eyed the man.Too much power. “And what, pray tell, will you do if sheisfound to have access to magic? If indeed it was she who emitted the energy burst? Will you hang her? Burn her at the stake? Dissect her like your otherprojects?” He shot a glare at Magnus;. something unspoken passed between them.No. If anyone is going to interrogate her, it is going to be me.
“And why do you care, Slaide? Perhaps I need to keep a tighter leash on you after all.” Magnus raised a brow, his apple-round cheeks reddening.
“I don’t,” he growled. “However, if you’re accusing her of witchcraft, sorcery, demonology, necromancy, oranyforbidden magic—which last I checked is all magictheyaren’t using,”he said, nodding to the gray-skinned mage, “it falls undermyjurisdiction and investigative responsibilities. Does it not?”
Archmage Gammen’s grim face, for once, betrayed his emotion as panic flared in his eyes.
What are you hiding, mage? Why is this girl so important?
“Master Elias, I must insist! We don’t know what she could be capable of. It would be safer for everyone in the kingdom if we have her taken to Stormhold, where she can be properly contained and observed,” whined Gammen.
No, he would not lose this battle. If for no other reason than to keep her out of the Magistry’s grasp as long as possible. “I’ll make you a deal, Gammen,” he said. “I will do the preliminary interview and interrogation. Should I fail or should she prove to be too much for me to handle, I will transfer her to the Magistry. Let’s be real here: your order isn’t exactly known for being personable. Someone who’s just had their entire world upended won’t give you what you’re after if you lock her in a cell and poke her with a stick until she talks.”
“You underestimate howpersuasivewe can be, I think,” Gammen hissed. “However, I will agree to your terms with one condition. You will get her to reveal herself in three days. After, we will send someone to retrieve her.”
Gods, he is insistent.But Slaide was struck with an idea. Whether ingenious or idiotic it was yet unclear. He looked at Magnus.“I’ve got a better idea. You said you’re going to throw a handful of criminals into the tournament right? To make things—how did you put it—interesting? Enter her as a competitor. If she’s truly so dangerous, you’ll have yourself a new Champion in no time. If not, she dies and is no longer your problem.”
Magnus sat there expressionless. “And what exactly is in this for you, Slaide? Because in the years I’ve known you, not a single plan of yours was not self-serving. What do you get if she wins?”
Slaide smiled. “My freedom.”
Magnus tipped his head back and laughed heartily. “And what part of you is not already free to do as you wish? To fuck and kill who and what you please when the need strikes? I see no shackles, no chains. Freedom, ha.”
But Slaide did not laugh. Instead, he leaned in closer. “You knowexactlywhat I’m referring to, old man. And I want freedom from it.Permanently”
Magnus sat back, appearing deep in thought as his joke was turned on him. He glanced at his Cyrus, his Hand, but the man offered no words of advice.
“Fine,” Magnus spoke at last.
Archmage Gammen was close to losing his composure. Oriss shifted uncomfortably but said nothing. Gammen turned to his king, as though to plead his case. “Your Majesty?—”
“Or,” Slaide interrupted, “Perhaps, Magnus, we should consider executing her. Tomorrow.”
