The Assassin's Edge

The Flood Mistress stalked past Kalion who was still getting his breath. Apart from high colour on her round face, she showed no sign of undue hurry. “Usara, a welcome surprise.” She took one of the upright chairs beside the table, glancing at the letter, the urn and the ring. Her face turned thoughtful.

Kalion dropped heavily down beside her. “Usara.” He paused to catch his breath again. “I should tell you, in all friendliness, that I have grave concerns about your fitness for office. I ca

Usara frowned, perplexed. “I beg your pardon?”

Kalion looked at Planir. “This is about the Stone Mastery?”

“You’d nominate me?” Usara was startled.

Planir smiled enigmatically. “Usara asked you here. It seems he has something to say to us all.” He shot Usara a look of challenge.

Usara lifted his chin. “I was not aware that I would even be considered as Stone Master but with all due respect—and considerable gratitude—I would have refused such an honour.”

“What?” exclaimed Kalion. He would have continued but for the combined effects of exertion and indignation.

Troa

“I have come to tell you that I will be staying in Suthyfer, as will Shiv and Allin.” Usara cleared his throat.

“Then we wish you well.” Troa

“And we will welcome any mage wanting to join us in studying elemental magic as well as Artifice.” Usara spoke a little faster than usual. “We wish to found a hall for the exploration of magic in all its forms. We’ll start by using our various skills to help build new settlements in Suthyfer and Kellarin. I will be spreading the word among the halls here before I leave.”

Kalion gaped. “I forbid it!”

“Forgive me, Hearth Master, but you have no right to do so.” Usara looked at Planir. “Nor, as far as I can tell, do we need your permission as such but we’d value your blessing.”

“It’s an Archmage’s duty to curb any excesses among wizardry,” said Kalion furiously. “If setting up some rival hall to Hadrumal isn’t excessive, I’d like to know what is!”

“Hush.” Troa

“Not at all, Flood Mistress. What we seek is rather to complement the learning here.” The mage waved a hand at the unseen halls and courts beyond the window. “There is such a burden of knowledge here that it can stifle new thinking. Any apprentice with a curious idea is more inclined to hunt through the libraries for some clue that someone tried it before, than to actually pursue the notion. If they find nothing to guide them in the accumulated lore of Hadrumal, all too often they abandon the idea altogether.”

“You think yourself wiser than all the mages whose lives spent in study have given you and your heedless friends the very skills to master your inborn magic?” Kalion was incensed.

“We wish to use those skills to add to the sum of wizardry,” retorted Usara. “Which ca

“That’s a grave accusation,” said Troa

“Of course not,” Usara responded tightly.

“Can you show us a good idea coming to naught?” asked Planir mildly, fingers steepled beneath his chin as he relaxed in his chair.

Usara took a breath before continuing. “Consider Casuel, Archmage. When Temar and the Sieur D’Olbriot were assaulted last year, he blocked their attackers’ escape by making the vines of a carved stone gate grow to tangle their hands and feet. It was most impressive magic and I would dearly love to know how he worked it but he has no clear idea. Worse, he refuses to try it again without sanction from the records of some dead wizard to assure him that it’s safe.”

“You intend letting every wild idea run riot on these islands?” Troa

“We will be taking every precaution against folly, Flood Mistress,” Usara said stiffly. “We’ll use all the safeguards so long proven here. We’re not turning our backs on Hadrumal, just taking a step away.”

Planir spoke just fast enough to stop Kalion’s intemperate response. “You make an interesting point about Casuel. He’s never really realised his potential, has he?” The Archmage looked from Kalion to Troa

“Casuel was twisted by his own inadequacies before he ever reached these shores,” snapped Kalion.

“Maybe so,” Planir allowed. “But who’s to say he might not have put those behind him if he didn’t feel surrounded by predecessors he doubted he could equal? What about Ely, Kalion? She holds back out of fear of failure.” He fixed the Hearth Master with a stern eye. “She’s an affinity as strong as any I’ve seen but busies herself rumour mongering and poisoning people’s lives with her gossip. To be fair, much as I dislike the girl, I simply don’t believe she’s cut out for debating the flaws and merits of theories. She might do far better with a freer rein to apply her abilities as suits her best.” His words were cutting. “Tell me, Troa

“One is one too many,” said Troa

“You ca

“How will they stop it?” Planir queried mildly. “None of the precepts Trydek laid down for this place preclude mages establishing some other centre of study. None of those precepts entitle the Council to act against other mages. That’s the Archmage’s duty.”

“With the Council to guide him,” snapped Kalion.

“To make sure he isn’t tempted to a course of magical tyra

“All mages are subject to Hadrumal’s authority.” Kalion glared at Usara.

“Which authority is based on consent, as you are so very fond of reminding me.” Planir sat straighter, looking severe. “If it is seen to be abused for no good reason, that consent will vanish like snow beneath hot sun. Where will wizardry be then?” He thrust a challenging finger at Kalion. “You’re so keen to see magic accepted in the wider world. Won’t seeing wizards helping folk with their everyday business ease the fears and superstitions than bedevil us? Powerful mages from a hidden isle visiting only to closet themselves with lords already holding power of life and death over them don’t exactly reassure the commonalty. I can see other advantages. Wizards at the centre of what promises to be a substantial trading network will very well placed to hear of discord or harmony among the powers of the mainland.”

Kalion struggled for a reply so Planir continued remorselessly.

“Not everyone’s cut out for the learning of Hadrumal but that doesn’t tarnish or devalue it. Study will always have its place, Kalion; I don’t think we need feel threatened by ’Sar’s new venture. In fact, it’ll prove a study in itself to keep the papermakers and bookbinders in work. Has Sa