C H A P T E R E I G H T E E N Abelard’s crew of exceptional students met in the dean’s office, familiar to Han from his previous visit. Chairs ringed a polished wood table in a plush meeting room with a view of the river. Refreshments were set out under the window.
Han made it a point to arrive early. Master Gryphon came early also, so he could get into the room and settled before everyone else arrived. Han was surprised to see Gryphon, since he and Abelard didn’t seem to get on. Maybe his family had clout too.
Timis Hadron, the proficient who’d greeted Han the day he arrived, circled the table, arranging writing materials and books in front of each seat.
Mordra arrived soon after. Han was relieved when she took a seat next to Master Gryphon instead of him. He didn’t care to be lectured in manners again in front of a crowd.
The Bayars walked in with Abelard. The dean must have briefed them on their new classmate. Micah pretended to ignore Han as he found a seat on the opposite side of the table, by the door. Fiona’s eyes brushed over Han like icy fingers, making his skin pebble up.
He wondered what Abelard had said to them. Don’t worry, he’s my hired bravo?
Fiona and Mordra exchanged daggery glances, then ignored each other.
“Good evening,” Abelard said, taking the empty seat at the head of the table. “I’ve invited Hanson Alister to join our gatherings. Although Alister is a newling, I think you will find that he brings a special range of skills to share with us.”
Resting a proprietary hand on Han’s shoulder, Abelard pointed out each of the members in turn. “Timis Hadron is a proficient, though he’ll soon take his master’s examinations. You know Master Gryphon. You met Proficient deVilliers at dinner, and, of course, you already know Micah and Fiona Bayar.”
Abelard walked to her seat at the head of the table. “Alister, each week, one of our members presents on a topic in advanced charmcasting, and leads the others through a practical demonstration, if possible. Of course, some types of magic are impossible to trial safely. Others we cannot master because we no longer have the tools that were used when the techniques were developed.”
Han nodded.
“Some of these techniques are, in fact, forbidden by the Nǽming. For that reason, it is imperative that nothing of what we do here is discussed outside our small circle. Do you understand?”
Han nodded again, knowing that his life would hang by a thread once Abelard found out that he was working for the clans.
“We will expect you to contribute to our series eventually,” Abelard said. “Alister has special expertise in the area of travel to Aediion,” she said to the others. “He has agreed to share it with the rest of us.”
I don’t really remember agreeing to that, Han thought, but he kept shut.
“Now, let’s continue our discussion from last week,” Abelard said. She nodded to Timis Hadron. “Proficient Hadron, if you would, please.”
Hadron spread out some notes on the table. “As most of you know, I’ve been researching evidence for the existence of the Armory of the Gifted Kings,” he said.
“Excuse me,” Han said, wondering whether he should raise his hand. “Armory of the Gifted Kings?”
Fiona straightened, twisting a lock of her hair between her thumb and forefinger. Micah glared up at the ceiling.
“The Gifted Kings of the Fells accumulated a vast collection of magical pieces and weapons,” Hadron said. “It disappeared around the time of the Breaking. The weapons may have been destroyed by the Spirit clans to keep them out of wizard hands. Some say the Demon King hid them away, meaning to retrieve them later. A third theory is that they were confiscated by one of the wizard houses that laid siege to the Demon King’s stronghold on Gray Lady.”
Did Han imagine it, or did Hadron glance at Micah and Fiona when he said that?
“We’ve been searching for the armory since the Nǽming and the restoration of the Gray Wolf line,” Abelard said.
Hmmm, Han thought. If anyone held the keys to the magical storeroom, it’d be the Bayars. They’d owned at least one forbidden amulet—the one Han now wore.
Hadron went on to review the sketchy evidence he had collected. “So I think we can say with confidence that the armory existed at one time,” he concluded. “The question is, does it still exist, and if so, where is it? Here we need to dig deeper.”
As Hadron continued, Han looked up from his note-taking to see Fiona, head down, hand flying across the page. Micah, too, seemed transfixed, his black eyes focused on Hadron, his face pale and intent.
Were they worried that Hadron might uncover its location? Did they plan to report back to Papa? Or was it possible that they didn’t know where it was, either? Maybe they were as eager as anyone to find it.
Maybe Han could beat them to it. He scribbled faster, splattering ink across the page.
“Most of the focus to date has been on libraries and temple records in Fellsmarch,” Hadron said. “But evidence suggests that many records that predated the Breaking were carried here to Oden’s Ford for safekeeping. So there could be materials archived in the Bayar Library that would help us locate the armory.”
“That would be like finding a flea on a dog,” Gryphon said. “Have you seen what’s up there?”
“What would you suggest we do, then?” Abelard asked Hadron, ignoring Gryphon.
“Mordra and I will be here over the summer,” Hadron said. “We could begin a methodical search of the stacks in Bayar Library.”
Mordra wrinkled her nose at that suggestion, but Hadron didn’t see. “Any of you who are staying on are welcome to help,” he said. No one volunteered. He cleared his throat. “Think about it, and let me know.”
“Thank you, Hadron,” Abelard said. “Given the constant litany of complaints about the lack of powerful weapons at our disposal, it is my expectation that those of you who stay on for the summer will join Proficients Hadron and deVilliers in their research.” She swept her gaze over her crew. When no one objected, she continued. “Now deVilliers will report on the topic of magical possession.” The dean nodded at Mordra.
Mordra tapped her finger on the stack of pages in front of her. “Possession is a magical technique that first achieved prominence during the War of the Conquest, when the mainland was invaded by wizards from the Northern Islands. It also proved useful during the Reign of the Gifted Kings, both for keeping the peace, and in counterespionage activities.”
Mordra looked around the table, as if to make sure she was the focus of everyone’s undivided attention. Han’s eyes fixed on the tattoos on her arms. They wriggled and swam against her skin. He looked away.
“Eventually, the Spirit clans developed talismans to defend against possession, which limited its effectiveness. Still, it was commonly used up until the time of the Breaking, when the tactic was forbidden by the Nǽming. The Demon King was said to have used it to eliminate pairs of rivals. He would possess one, then induce him to murder the other. Thereafter, the first would be executed for the crime.”
Hmmm, Han thought. Great-grandfather Alger was rum clever. I wonder how Great-grandmother Hanalea got the best of him.
“You see before you three common variations on the spellwork used to activate the possession charm,” Mordra went on. “These represent degrees of possession. In some cases, the possessor merely precipitates actions the possessee would not undertake on his own. In others, possession is complete, and the possessing wizard has total control of the—ah—subject. Once possession has taken place, it is easier to subsequently accomplish. The possessor must be in close proximity to the subject. It is most successfully used on an unwitting target, who can therefore raise little defense.
“We are reasonably confident of the authenticity of the spell lines we’ve unearthed from the archives.” Mordra went on to demonstrate the spoken charms and gestures used in casting the spell. “You should know that no one has used these incantations successfully since the Breaking. Modern amulets don’t seem to support this kind of magic.” Her shoulders slumped, and when Han scanned those around the table, they wore matching glum expressions.
“No offense meant,” Gryphon said, “but does it make sense to spend so much time on spellwork we are unlikely to be able to use?”
“Why don’t we try it?” Han said. “What have we got to lose?”
Heads turned, all around the table.
“Master Gryphon is right,” Han said. “It’s like passing out warm sugar cakes and telling us not to take a bite.”
“What do you suggest, Alister?” Abelard said dryly.
“Let’s pair off,” Han said. “See if anybody can make it work.” He paused, then added, “I’ll go with Micah.” Lacing his fingers across his chest, he cradled the serpent amulet and slid a smile across the table to Bayar.
For a long moment no one said anything. Abelard looked from Han to Micah, as if trying to divine Han’s intentions.
“All right,” the dean said, shrugging. “Why not?”
“I choose Hadron,” Mordra said. Han wasn’t sure if she was aiming to stay away from Fiona or cozy up to an almost-master.
“No!” Micah said, pressing both hands flat against the tabletop. “I will not team up with Alister. He can work with someone else.”
Abelard’s lips tightened. “Newling Bayar, we discussed this, and…”
“Maybe you have your reasons for inviting a street thug to our gatherings,” Micah said, his face bone white and furious, “but you should remember that this gutter-whelped thief attacked my father and nearly killed him.”
Eyes widened all around the table. Some shifted away from Han.
“What’s the matter, Micah?” Han said, tilting his head back and looking down his nose at the High Wizard’s son. “Are you afraid?” He fingered the Demon King’s amulet.
Micah stood. “I merely believe that if one associates with filth, eventually the stench rubs off.” He inclined his head to Abelard. “Dean Abelard, if you will excuse me.” Turning on his heel, he walked out. Fiona stared after her brother, then looked back at Han, eyes narrowed in appraisal. She looked almost…impressed.
The others also sat frozen, sliding wary looks at Han. He guessed that no one else would be eager to pair up with him, either.
Abelard looked up at the clock on the wall. “Our time is up,” she said as if she were glad of it. “Too bad. Next week, Master Gryphon will lead a discussion of glamours and their use in warfare.”
Chairs scraped back as Abelard’s crew beat a hasty retreat.