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“What is that?” Lorkin asked.
“A symbol we found in the ruined city of Armje. It was a symbol that represented the royal family of that city like an incal symbolises a Kyralian House. Armje is thought to have been abandoned over two thousand years ago.”
“What was the symbol written on?”
“It was carved above house lintels, and we saw it once on what I suspect was a blood ring.” Da
The former High Lord, Akkarin, had asked Da
Has Balkan sent anyone there to investigate? I can’t imagine the Warrior would be able to resist trying to find out how the Cavern works. Especially as it has so much potential as a defensive weapon.
“So they knew how to make blood rings two thousand years ago?”
Da
“So if the people who knew how to make blood rings, and whatever high magic was, died without passing that knowledge on…”
“… whether because they didn’t trust anyone enough to teach them, or they never found anyone gifted enough to teach.”
Lorkin looked thoughtful – and definitely not bored, Da
“Three centuries of Sachakan rule,” Da
“A time when Kyralians were slaves,” Lorkin said, his expression grim.
“And slave owners,” Da
Lorkin stared at him in disbelief. “Surely they wouldn’t have taught their enemy black magic!”
“Why not? After Kyralia had been conquered it became part of the Empire. The Sachakans didn’t kill every noble, only those who would not swear allegiance to the Empire. There would have been intermarriage, and mixed blood heirs. Three hundred years is a long time. Kyralians would have been citizens of Sachaka.”
“But they still fought to regain their land, and to get rid of slavery.”
“Yes.” Da
Lorkin looked at the pile of books, documents and notes. “That’s not what we’re taught in the University.”
Da
The younger magician eyed the fourth pile of books with cautious curiosity. “Are they the books my father found under the Guild?”
“Some of them are copies of what he unearthed. With any dangerous information about black magic removed.”
“How are you going to write a history of that time without including information about black magic?”
Da
“But… Mother says that you have to learn black magic from the mind of a black magician. Surely you can’t learn it from books?”
“We don’t think it can be, but we’re not taking the risk.”
Lorkin nodded, his expression thoughtful. “So… the Sachakan War is next? That’s a big stack of books.”
“Yes.” Da
“You must have that time well covered.”
“Not completely.” Da
“Why don’t you have records from Kyralia?”
Da
“So… the age of the maps is wrong, or something levelled the city later. Did anything dramatic happen after the Sachakan War?”
Da
“The Guild Record.” His eyes widened in understanding. “The Mad Apprentice did it!” Lorkin reached out and took the book, flicking to the final entries. “It is over,” he read. “When Alyk told me the news I dared not believe it, but an hour ago I climbed the stairs of the Lookout and saw the truth with my own eyes. It is true. Tagin is dead. Only he could have created such destruction in his final moments. His power was released and destroyed the city.”
Da
“Perhaps you’re underestimating him, as the Guild of the time clearly did.”
The young magician’s eyebrows rose expectantly. Da
“Perhaps I am.” Da