The Tower of Sorcery

They were all still put out with him. He had left with no warning, and only Allia and Keritanima had known he left. And they didn't tell anyone. He had to calm them all down by the time he returned with Dar, getting cool, displeased looks from Dola

He recanted the events of the night, his dispatching of Jula, and the branding and warning he gave to the Keeper, then he went on to his life-shattering encounter with the Goddess. "I have no idea what I've gotten myself into," he said after finally explaining what it was the Goddess wanted him to do. "Every instinct I have is screaming at me to run into the forest and disappear, but I can't. Not knowing what I know now."

Sevren looked very thoughtful, and Dola

Tarrin nodded. "I think that's one reason why I went so easy on the Keeper. I should have killed her. But whoever has been trying to kill me has an agent in the Tower, and I don't relish letting that continue. I may reject the Tower, but I am a Sorcerer. I have friends there, like you, Sevren, and I can't just let this enemy run loose. She may have someone I care for killed, just to spite me."

"It won't be easy to expose her," he said. "The only one with the kinds of resources we'd need to expose her would be Ahiriya, but she can't be trusted."

"Why not?" Darvon asked.

"Because the traitor is a woman," Miranda said calmly. "Any woman in the Tower is a suspect, no matter what position she holds. But I can narrow it down for you, Sevren."

"I'm listening."

"You're looking for someone in a position of authority," she told him. "It doesn't have to be an office, only an experienced Sorceress with ties in the Tower and respect, but someone in an official office would have a better chance at remaining undiscovered. She'll be careful and meticulous, and may have ma

"That does not excuse them for turning Tarrin Were," Allia said savagely. "They still must be punished. Among my people, an eye for an eye is our motto. Tarrin should have bitten her."

"No," he said with a shudder. "I will never put someone else through what I've gone through, sister. There are some punishments that are too severe."

"But this does open things," Dola

"Count me in," Azakar said. "Tarrin is my Sorcerer. I can't protect him if I'm not near him. I don't much like the idea of having to go back to Yar Arak, but I have my duty."

"I don't think I want to go back to the Tower after what I just heard," Dar said with a shudder. "If Dola

Tarrin looked at Allia. "Brother, my place is always by your side," she smiled. "So long as we can continue together, I do not care where we go."

"Kerri?"

She gave him a fuming look. "This is not what I wanted to do to get away from my father, Tarrin," she snapped at him. "Going to Yar Arak means a ship, and that's my father's domain. It'll be suicide. But if Allia is going for this insanity, I guess I don't have much of a leg to stand on."

"My place is at her Highness' side," Miranda said calmly. "I hope you have room for me."

"I can help you in that regard," Tomas spoke up. "The Star of Jerod is in port right now, being loaded for a trip to the Stormhavens. They had a poor harvest, and Queen Derie

"I really appreciate that, Tomas," Tarrin told him sincerely.

"Brother, you are driving me crazy," Allia said finally.

"What?"

"Take those things off!" she demanded.

Tarrin looked down at his arms, at the heavy manacles on his wrists. And when he saw them, his eyes turned hard. "No," he said grimly. "They aren't coming off."

She gave him a hot look, a look that promised that she was far from done, but said nothing further on the matter.

"So, we go to Yar Arak," Faalken said. "I've always wanted to go there."

"It's not what you imagine," Azakar said with a sharp closing of his eyes.

"It will make finding a pearl in a barrel of beads an easy task in comparison," Dola

"And we won't be the only ones looking," Miranda reminded in a calm tone. "We may have to take it from someone else who finds it first."

"Yes," Dola

Tarrin looked down, his curious numbness begi

What he was.

"I can't thank you enough," he said. "I don't really know how to do this. I'm no crusader or hero. I'm nothing like that. I'm just a villager."

"Tarrin, everyone comes from somewhere," Faalken said with a smile. "Trust me. If your Goddess didn't think you could do it, she wouldn't have asked you."

"You will not be alone, young one," Dola

"If you're going on my ship, you have to get ready," Tomas said. "It leaves at dawn. Captain Kern won't wait around."

"Yes, we should prepare. Do we have monies for an extended trip?"

"The Knights will open the coffers for you, Dola

"Darvon, that is treason!" Faalken gasped.

"It'll be worse if that ass uses it," Darvon growled. "Erick doesn't make a very good king. He'd be a horrible god. The Knights are sworn to uphold the land, not her ruler. If Sulasia is better served by getting rid of Erick, then it's the duty of the Order to carry through with it." He looked at Tarrin. "And this city will always be open to you, Tarrin. You're a Knight, and we are all One Under Karas. We'll always be here for you if you need us. Just call."