Message Bearer (The Auran Chronicles Book 1) (22 page)

The great hall was in pandemonium as Seb
stepped inside, moments after leaving Caleb to rest. On one side sat the
Brotherhood, led by Silas and Reuben. Most of their number were silent, but
nearly all were projecting poison-filled stares at the magi across from them. Seb
caught Cade’s eye. The warrior rolled his eyes at the commotion.

Opposite sat the magi.
Many of them were adepts that he’d never even seen, only identified by their
distinctive sable outfits. Some were acolytes, wearing the same grey smocks
that he wore, their eyes locked on the half-daemon warriors opposite them. At
the head of the table the Magister, flanked by Cian and two elites, tried to
weather the storm that was growing around her.

‘Calm, Cian, I’m sure
Silas has a reasonable explanation regarding how the sheol were able to
infiltrate our network with such ease.’

The Magister’s tone
dripped with sarcasm, as if she knew the leader of the Brotherhood had no
choice but to accept the humiliating fact they had failed in their oath. For
his part, Silas didn’t flinch, but his sons’ faces flushed red, their yellow
eyes ablaze.

‘Magister, with the
greatest of respect, I do not believe the Brotherhood is to blame for this
unfortunate incident. We have been asking for your support for many months with
no reply, even as our warriors bled for your cause on a nightly basis. Only
now, when one of your own is affected, does it raise your interest. I am sorry,
I truly am, but the fact of the matter is that the magi are too distant from
the cause now. You are simply not aware of what is happening right under our
noses. These are no longer random attacks from the odd fiend that happens to
fall through a crack. They are coming, and they are coordinated. Something is
happening out there, between the Shards, and I regret to say that the Magistry
should be held accountable for the state we find ourselves in.’

Cian shot out of his
seat, sending the chair crashing against the wall. Other magi joined him, their
fury venting at the Brotherhood leader. Reuben and Cade rose, their hands
reaching for the blades at their sides, but calming hands from their father
made them sit. Silas closed his eyes, letting the angry waves wash over him
whilst the Magister attempted to calm her followers.

‘Silas. Your words come
dangerously close to treason,’ the Magister continued, ‘have you forgotten your
Oath?’

‘Oath?’ Reuben spat. ‘We
promised to obey the Magi, that noble race of Weave-warriors that fought to the
death at the gates of Temperos. My oath is to them. I do not recognise these
cowards that stand before me!’

‘Reuben! That is enough!’
Silas said, his voice a rolling thunder that demanded immediate action. Reuben
lowered back down, his yellow eyes locked, unblinking, on Cian.

‘Forgive my son,
Magister,’ Silas said. ‘I do not wish a quarrel. I merely think it is in our
interests that we all be honest. Something terrible
is
happening. We, in
the Brotherhood, are simply not able to handle this on our own. It will take
all of our resources – Brotherhood, Mage, and Lorekeepers alike to understand
what is happening.

‘And let us not forget
that this all began when the apostate was removed from the Magistry. And
his
appearance.’

All eyes turned on Seb.
The room suddenly seemed to grow in size. His head pounded. It took all his
willpower to keep his gaze level. No way was he going to be put down by any of
these. Not anymore.

‘The boy is simply a
symptom of Marek’s indiscretions,’ the Magister said, forcing attention back on
her. ‘If we did not have him we would not have any knowledge of what Sarah had
discovered.’

‘But where has that got
us? He might as well have died for all the good he’s done.’ Reuben said.

‘I tire of your backchat,
fiendling,’ Cian growled.

‘I tire of your
blustering, mighty Cian, so it appears we’re at an impasse.’

‘This is getting us
nowhere,’ the Magister said, her azure eyes fixing both of the men in turn. ‘Silas
is right. We must be united if we are going to weather this crisis.’

‘So what do we do? Do we
demand a communion with all the families?’ Cian said.

‘Perhaps,’ the Magister
said, a withered finger pressed to her lips.

‘I may have a suggestion,’
Silas said.

The Magister dipped her
head and waved a hand. ‘You have the room, First Sword.’

‘A communion is one
option yes, but does it not highlight out failure in keeping one of our own
under control?’ Silas’ yellow eyes scanned the room, seeking challenge. None
came back.

‘I take the silence as
agreement?’

‘Get to the point, Silas,’
Cian said, ‘I don’t have time for your posturing. Not today.’

Silas nodded. ‘Of course.
My suggestion is that we do not involve the other families. Yet. Instead we
seek knowledge from one who has much more than we do. From someone who may be
able to shed light on what is transpiring.’

The Magister frowned.
Silas smiled, the expression reminding Seb of a hunting cat. The First Sword
was enjoying this, perhaps too much.

‘We seek the guidance
from one of the First.
The
First.’

Cian’s brow furrowed. ‘What?
What is this nonsense? We cannot ask the First anything. They are gone, merely
echoes in the Weave.’

‘Not quite so, dear Cian,’
Silas said. ‘Is it not true that the First created the Consensus? That they are
forever bound to its integrity?’

‘Yes, but -’

‘Then they are not
echoes,’ Silas interrupted, ignoring the glares shot his way from across the
table. ‘The Consensus is failing, the wall between realities weakening,
allowing the sheol to come through. I propose we simply go to the First, and
ask them ourselves what is happening.’

Cian’s face did not show
any change in understanding, but Seb saw as the Magister suddenly broke out
into a wide smile.

‘Silas, dear fellow, I
had no idea you were so knowledgeable of our history.’

Silas raised his hands in
mock modesty. ‘I try to keep myself informed.’

Cian shot fury-filled
looks between the Magister and Silas. It was clear from both his expression and
those of most of the others present that they had no knowledge of what was
being suggested. Lore Keeper Brun, who had until this point remained silent,
coughed, clearing his throat. The room fell silent.

‘I believe I follow
Master Silas’ line of thinking. His suggestion is that we reopen the Crossing
Way. We travel to where the First lay entombed. We commune with them, seeking
their counsel.’

Silas smiled. ‘They created
the Consensus did they not? They will surely know why it would be failing thus?’
he said, before looking directly at the Magister, ‘And it would allow us to
remove this
problem
without having to bring the shame and ire of the
other Families upon us.’

‘What? Am I hearing this
right?’ Cian said. ‘Magister, is this insanity even possible?’

‘It is possible, yes, although
it does not make me happy,’ the Magister said.

‘It would be of great
risk. The Way is free from the Consensus. Should the sheol discover us, they
would be at full strength,’ Brun said.

‘As would we all,’ Silas
replied.

‘And even if we were
fortunate enough to find the First, there is no guarantee that we could commune
with them, let alone secure their help,’ Cian said, his head shaking in disbelief
at what he was hearing.

‘There is not. But what
knowledge would the other Families have that we don’t? Surely they would turn
to the same direction, but only after they have dragged our names through the
mud for their own amusement.’

‘Master Silas makes a
convincing argument, even if I am not totally sure of the details,’ the
Magister said.

‘Magister, surely you are
not considering this madness?’ Cian said.

‘Master Cian. Do
you
know
why Marek has been able to suppress the Consensus so that he can summon the
sheol the way he can?’

‘No, Magister.’

‘Have you managed to
uncover the secret that Sarah hid inside the boy?’

Cian slumped. ‘No,
Magister.’

‘Do you think the
Families will provide a solution that we cannot, without bringing shame upon
ourselves?’

Cian knew he was lost. He
managed to look the Magister in the eye, who’d now turned her gaze towards him.

‘No, Magister.’

‘Then it is settled.
Silas, Cian. The two of you will draw together an expedition into the Crossing
Way. You will seek the counsel of the First. Plan to do this as soon as
possible. Take the finest we have available.’

Silas nodded. ‘As you
wish, Magister. We should also take the boy, too.’

Seb’s heart turned to
ice. Had he heard that right? Judging by the looks on everyone else’s faces they
were thinking the same thing.

‘The boy? Why? He is but
an acolyte.’

‘I am aware of this. But
is the current issue with the Consensus not linked with the message that Sarah
embedded within him? He may carry information – unknown to himself – that the First
would be able to use. The sheol themselves knew of him and the information he
carries.’

The Magister sat in
silence for a moment. Cian shuffled in his seat, his face a perpetual scowl.
Seb found Cade’s face amongst the sea of Brothers. The warrior was shaking his
head, his eyes wide.

‘I cannot force the boy
to go, although I do think it would add value to the expedition.’ The Magister
said. She turned her gaze his way. A shiver rippled up his spine.

‘Seb. Step forward so we
can see you.’

He moved to the edge of
the table. A hundred faces stared back at him. His stomach turned somersaults as
he forced himself to look towards the Magister.

‘You have heard what has
been discussed?’

‘I have, Magister.’

‘You understand what has
transpired?’

‘We seek the knowledge of
the First. The journey is full of risk, but it seems it is the only logical
option we have. You wish to know if I will volunteer.’

The Magister gave him a
weary smile. ‘You listen well. What do you say, boy? The journey is dangerous,
I will not lie. You will have both the Magistry’s and the Brotherhood’s finest
with you, but as an acolyte you will be more vulnerable than they.’

He’d made the decision
before he’d even been summoned to the table. If they hadn’t asked he would’ve
volunteered anyway. Caleb had nearly died. All he cared about now was revenge.
Revenge against the sheol. Revenge against those who brought them here.

‘I volunteer, Magister. I
wish to go on the expedition.’

The Magister nodded. ‘Then
it is agreed. Let the expedition set out as soon as reasonable preparations are
made.’

Seb remained in place as
the Brotherhood stood as one and filed out of the room. Silas gave him a warm –
too warm – smile as he walked past. Reuben slowed to a stop as he came level
with him.

‘No doubt I will be on
this foolhardy escapade too, boy. Let it be known now that if you falter, I
will not slow for you. My brothers are worth ten of you magi, and I do not care
if they know this.’

Seb stared forwards
without reply as Reuben smirked and slinked out of the door. Cade followed
behind.

‘What did he say?’

‘Nothing I didn’t expect.’

‘I’ll see these off, then
we’ll talk.’

‘Understood.’

Seb trudged outside, relishing the feel of
the cool air on his face after the heated atmosphere in the great hall. A series
of black cars with tinted windows roared out of the grounds as he leant against
the wall.

‘Don’t hurry back,’ he
whispered as he watched the Brotherhood cavalcade depart.

‘That’s not a very nice
way to talk about my father.’

Seb grinned and turned.
Cade sat on the wall opposite him.

‘Present company
accepted.’

‘Of course,’ Cade said. Seb
joined him.

‘I’m guessing that didn’t
go so well?’

‘Well? Actually it went
better than I thought. When Father suggested the plan we thought it was as
mental as the magi did. Even Reuben, who was normally the number one champion
of crazy thought it was too much of a risk.’

‘I have to admit, the
logical answer would seem to be speak to the Families. At least at first.’

‘Ah, but that’s assuming
logical thinking. The magi are a strange breed. The rival families live for
points scoring off each other. If this was made public then I suspect this
place would be closed down, and the responsibilities of the Magistry would go
to one of the other Families.’

Seb looked at Cade, puzzled.
‘I thought the Magistry was viewed as a relic anyway. Don’t the Families teach
their own now?’

‘Most, yes. But it’s the
prestige about it. The Magistry is nothing like it was. It could be great
again, and there’d be no shortage of takers to, how would you put it,
assist
the Magister in taking over the running whilst they deal with this crisis.’

Seb nodded. ‘Makes sense
then.’

‘What does?’

‘Why the Magister took so
little time to decide. She didn’t have a choice.’

‘There’s always a choice.
Her pride meant she had only one, though.’

‘You don’t think it was
the right one?’

‘No, I don’t. I think its
madness.’

Seb laughed. ‘Be careful,
that’s your father you’re dissing.’

Cade smiled. ‘It’s
nothing new.’

A comfortable silence
fell between them. Seb watched as the acolytes trudged back outside to resume
their physical training. They began a slow, almost leisurely jog around the
grounds. Strange really, when he’d first joined they seemed so focussed, so
dedicated. Now though he saw them for what they were. Lazy didn’t do it
justice.

‘So what will happen now?’
Seb said eventually, when he’d tired of watching the acolytes complete laps in
twice the time it took him.

Cade shrugged. ‘Like the
Magister said. We will go into the Crossing Way, seek out the First.’

‘You make it sound so
simple.’

‘I’ve never been. I’m as
in the dark as you are on this one.’

‘Well, not quite. You’ve
got about fifty years’ experience on me. Plus you can see in the dark.’

They both laughed then,
Seb felt the mood lift from him, just slightly.

‘So what else have they
been teaching you?’ Cade said, changing the subject.

‘It depends on who’s
doing the teaching. Caleb was – has – been great, although he’s not the best
company. He told me the basics, you know the phosphorus, how possession works
and so on. He taught me Sentio -’ Seb paused, noting Cade’s blank expression, ‘The
telepathic type stuff – sensing, etcetera.’ Cade nodded. ‘He’s got shed loads
of books too that the other acolytes don’t seem interested in that I read when
he’s dozed off for the night. I’ve also been learning Avatari with Cian.’

‘Ah, that explains it.’
Cade said with a smirk.

‘Explains what?’

‘How you’ve been holding
your own in our last few sessions. I thought something was different.’

‘Really?’ He struggled to
hide the grin that forced itself onto his face. ‘Why, what’s changed?’

‘You hit harder for a
start. Before, I could’ve taken you on with one hand behind my back. Now though
I have to actually make an effort.’

‘Sarcastic bastard.’

‘I don’t want you to get
cocky.’ Cade stood away from the wall and strode to where his Audi remained,
the only Brotherhood vehicle left at the mansion. He opened the door at the
driver’s side. ‘I’ll be in touch.’ He gave Seb a quick nod. Seb returned the
gesture. Cade sped off without a further word.

‘Look forward to it,’ he
said towards the vanishing car. The talk with Cade had eased his woes somewhat,
but now Caleb came to mind and the heaviness returned. He turned and walked
back to the side door.