The Rise of a Dark Mage Read online

  He had a number of ritual staves as well, which I left. I wasn’t sure what they did, which meant they might betray my presence. I had the books now, and could always make my own if I needed, later. I moved from the study into his bedroom, and toward the large back window that faced in the opposite direction from the courtyard up front.

  A cry of alarm reached me.

  “Find her!” the master mages angry voice cried out, his words brought to me through the enchantment.

  I frowned, I’d probably have to listen to them talk about me for a week or so, until the enchantments ran out. I dismissed my air elemental.

  I brought up two more glyphs. One was hidden magic, the second a transformation glyph. I concentrated hard on the shape of a crow. Zual had a lot of those flying around, so it was the best choice, even if I’d prefer a fiercer bird. The change took me, and I launched myself out of the window, staying low to keep the building between myself and the other mages until I gained some distance.

  I smiled grimly at my successful escape, or at least, I smiled on the inside…

  Zual was a peninsula on the south-east corner of the continent. It was surrounded by water to the east and south as a result, and mountains to the west. The mountain range to the west ended at the ocean as well. The only direction really available was north.

  North of Zual was another mountain range that made up a natural border between Zual and her oldest enemy Lethia. There were two passes through those mountains, one by the ocean, and another in the middle of the mountains. Both of those passes went to Lethia which dominated the north-east part of the continent.

  Once off the south-east peninsula and in Lethia, it was a week’s travel by horse to the kingdom of Sandoval. The border between Lethia and Sandoval was a fairly large river. Two weeks travel through Sandoval there was another kingdom, Mendell, reachable through another mountain range.

  Mendell held the western part of the continent.

  A part of me was tempted to head to Mendell, and to put as much distance between Zual and myself as possible, but I dismissed the temptation as weakness. Not many except the most powerful mage apprentices learned how to shift forms, it was dangerous. An unprepared mind would go insane, or if done incorrectly would fully become the animal they transformed into, and would lose their human mind.

  I doubted I was being chased, the new master might be able to catch me, but he’d be too busy getting the new demesne in line. He’d be pissed about the books, but it was his own fault for being tricked so easily.

  The point was, I’d decided to start with Lethia, and I could move on from there if I needed to. That was where Zual’s defeat had come from, the pass was blocked with strange and incredibly powerful creatures and spells that made it impossible for the dark mages to cross. That was true power, and that’s what I wanted.

  My only problem right now, as I flew over the mountains between the passes, and miles away from either, was my black robes would no doubt cause alarm. I also knew nothing of Lethia or how the people and government was set up. I just had rumors and scraps to go on, that I’d read in books that were centuries old, and I highly doubted those were accurate, even back then.

  No doubt they were all fools, but I had to step carefully in the beginning. All I knew for certain, was that the most likely place for the secrets to that magic, would be found in the Lethian capital, somewhere in the castle.

  I was far enough over the mountains, and brought up another two glyphs, hidden magic and transformation. I transformed from the crow into a large eagle which was more common here. It would be a horrible joke if I escaped the dangerous master mage merely to be eaten by a larger bird. I couldn’t help it, as my eyes saw Lethia for the first time, a loud caw of victory exited my beak.

  I’d seen a small village not too far away with my enhanced eyesight from a thousand feet up, and turned to meet it. I swooped down in to a nearby forest and landed on a tree. I would have to wait for nightfall and steal some clothes to fit in. In hindsight, I should have stolen some commoner servant clothes, all I had with me were black robes.

  It wasn’t that I couldn’t afford new clothes, I had gold and silver with me, but I imagined the shopkeeper at the tailor shop would scream if they saw me. Only in Zual would a mage wear black robes, I didn’t imagine that had changed in the last three centuries.

  I snorted at my stupidity, which sounded strange from a bird’s beak. I landed and cancelled the transformation spell. I could admit I was a bit tired from my escape and long flight, but that didn’t excuse the foolish thinking. I brought up the hidden magic glyph and an illusion glyph, and casted them.

  I looked down at myself, I appeared to be in a simple dress much like I’d seen some of the villagers wearing. I casted a number of glyphs to clean off the blood and stink of battle, and also to clean my mouth, teeth, and clothes, and then walked into town and straight for the clothing store.

  I’d read stories where the people in Lethia were foolish people, who went around smiling all the time. Do-gooders. People weren’t forced into their place as they should be, so only the best and most powerful rose to the top. It was strange here, wealth and their birth apparently decided their place. Of course, I was also told that generated the illusion that people were free, when they really weren’t. It was just another way to control a population.

  But none of these people smiled, and I was spared some suspicious glances that would fit right in at a demesne in Zual. They looked unhappy, and carried around a tinge of fear. Which meant what I read in those so called history books, were either complete lies, or Lethia had changed a great amount over the centuries…

  Chapter 3

  “Can I help you miss?” the woman behind the counter looked distrusting.

  I pulled up some glyphs in my mind to put her in her place, but then I remembered at the last moment I was trying to go unnoticed. This would be more difficult than I’d believed at first.

  “I need clothing of course,” I said a bit sharply.

  The woman grunted, “What’s a young lady like you doing travelling alone?”

  I couldn’t prevaricate very well without knowing about this place, so I brought up some glyphs and casted them one at a time, while also using hidden magic. She froze as the first spell held her, and her eyes widened in fear, but then her face went slack as I entered her mind and calmed her.

  This was simply the best way to get information.

  The woman was a good tailor, but she was also an illiterate peasant. I did learn some things however. There were bandits and other unsavory characters that would waylay travelers in the woods. Also, the dress I had an illusion of didn’t fit a traveler at all. It was appropriate for wear in a village, but for travelling even the women wore breeches and a shirt, and had some kind of visible weapon for protection.

  And they never travelled alone, preferring the safety of men along with them.

  What an absurd concept. What was even more surprising was that the men didn’t demand physical favors for such a task, just silver or gold. Rape was apparently against the law here, although it still happened often enough anyway.

  So, a woman travelling alone here, in a dress, stuck out almost as badly as if I’d have walked in town with my black robes in view. No wonder everyone outside had looked at me askance. I also learned valuable information on how people acted in Lethia. Although it was true I’d stood out and caused people to be a little suspicious, it was also true that they weren’t happy.

  They were heavily taxed, and were forced to work very hard to put food on the table. Economics was almost as efficient as slavery in that way.

  I also searched her mind for the secrets of power, I doubted she knew them, but she probably knew of them and could perhaps point me in the right direction. She didn’t though, know anything I mean. She knew they were there of course, but not who built them or where the knowledge existed, if it still did.

  There was more though. Mages weren’t trusted at all, and were watched carefully. Appa
rently a hundred and fifty years ago a mage had tried to take over the kingdom, had in fact succeeded for a short time. But he was killed by the Lethian knights, who restored the royal family to the throne.

  Worse, since Zual had been neutralized almost three hundred years ago, one hundred fifty at the time, the king decided mages were too dangerous, and weren’t needed. The knights started the first mage inquisition, and in the next few years after that, over half of the mage population in Lethia was decimated. Most of the rest fled to Sandoval and Mendell, but some were kept under watch, and threat of death, to serve.

  There was a lot more, but I easily recognized the propaganda for what it was, just another form of population control. The common populace believed all mages were evil and untrustworthy, to be feared. It was indoctrinated in them. Granted, in my case they may be right.

  That would make it harder for me here, I’d have to disguise myself. I was already used to hiding my magic most of the time, so it wouldn’t be a huge burden.

  The most ironic part was that it was the mage that blocked the passes that allowed for the king to win such a war against mages. The knights all had enchanted swords that automatically charged themselves. Over three hundred of them.

  What kind of foolishness was that?

  I was curious on how to accomplish such a thing, but all I knew about magic told me it was impossible. However, even if I learned such a thing I’d never use it. To hand out power such as that to lesser people was foolish. One didn’t have to look any farther than what happened here to the Lethian mages to see my thoughts were correct.

  The tailor also had heard stories that before the time when the evil mages were accepted, that there were magical devices freely available to everyone who could afford them. Communication devices, cleaning, transportation, personal hygiene, lights, and many other simple spells to make life easier. All of that was supposedly rounded up and destroyed after the inquisition when magic became feared.

  I wasn’t sure if I believed such a fanciful tale, but if the mage in the past could build lasting magical enchantments in the swords, and in the passes, it was probably possible.

  Just very unlikely.

  Still, if I wanted to find out, wouldn’t those things still exist in the other two kingdoms? Honestly, I wasn’t that intrigued about it, just slightly curious.

  I also had the impression that in the past the knights were a protector force against Lethian enemies, but after not fighting their main enemy, namely Zual, they’d turned into an internal force to police the population. Which lead to suppression.

  I slowly pulled out of her mind while erasing the last ten minutes, and made a few changes that would ensure a more respectful attitude. I didn’t want to be tempted to punish her again.

  She smiled, “Can I help you?”

  I returned her smile, that was more like it.

  “I need both dresses for a woman of influence, and some of the more common type. I also need some clothes appropriate to travel.”

  She measured me with her eyes, and then said, “I have clothes for the latter two in your size. I’m afraid clothes for a lady would have to be made to order.”

  Thanks to my meddling, she wasn’t at all suspicious about me buying clothes to fit any occasion.

  I nodded and pulled out a gold coin and put it on the counter. I knew from my time in her mind that one gold would buy all I’d asked for and much more.

  “I’ll be staying at the local inn. Could you send for me when those clothes are ready?”

  She smiled rather dottily, “I’d be delighted to deliver them personally miss.”

  Huh, maybe I pushed her too hard. I reached out with power and a mind control glyph, and removed most of the spell, and left just enough so she’d be cordial, as if I was a well-known friend.

  “That sounds just fine.”

  I spent a little more time with her and picked out many dresses and travelling outfits. I slipped into the back long enough to change into a light blue dress, and put my black robes in my pack as I let the illusion of the fake dress fall.

  I took a look in the mirror and narrowed my eyes. The dress made me look… innocent and fresh faced. It really brought out my green eyes and flowing black hair. While that might make me a target for a rake, it would also attract men to defend me, which was ridiculous, but expected here. I also couldn’t help but like what I saw in the mirror, I truly was attractive and the dress brought it out much better than simple black robes, I needed to make sure it didn’t go to my head.

  I’d have to play a part if I wanted that knowledge. The knights sounded dangerous, and the people would turn me in to them in a quick moment if they suspected I was truly a mage. It was a challenge.

  I looked at the mirror again, and took in my grinning visage, apparently it was a challenge that appealed to me. It was much better than being under the thrall of a new master, or even better than if I’d become a master of a demesne myself.

  After I’d found that power, well I wasn’t sure where I’d go or what I’d do yet.

  I smiled foolishly and thanked the tailor. It felt wrong, but it was what I’d need to do to blend in with the people of this strange country. I wasn’t sure if I’d pulled it off though, it felt fake, I’d have to practice in a mirror when I found some privacy.

  I left the tailor shop and walked over to the inn. I got a few looks again, one or two men I passed even smiled in welcome at me. That was new as well, in Zual it had usually been a leer, if they were dumb enough not to look scared that is.

  I went into the inn and toward the bar. It was early afternoon, and there were only a few people present.

  The innkeeper asked, “Can I help you?”

  I prevaricated, “Yes. I need a room for a week or two. I’m afraid my carriage was ambushed on the road, and the guards valiantly gave me time to get away on foot. I lost my wardrobe and need it replaced. I also hope some of my loyal men made it out alive and will catch up with me here before I move on toward the capitol.”

  The innkeeper looked at me comfortingly, and I suppressed a smile. Hopefully that hogwash would cover my strange entrance as well as me staying in town for a while.

  He said, “It’s ten copper a night, and five for drink and food. Or, you can give me a silver for a week.”

  I pulled out a silver piece and gave it to him, and he gave me a key.

  I asked, “When is dinner?”

  He shook his head, “Sorry, I didn’t introduce myself. I’m Darian. My daughter Maisy will let you know when dinner arrives. Welcome to Rockbend, you’ll be safe here until your men arrive.”

  He looked doubtful that would happen and added, “If the worst should happen, the local knights should be able to put together an escort.”

  I nodded politely getting into my role, “Thank you, I’m Cassandra, a merchant of a minor house travelling from Mendell to your fine capitol to see about opening a chapter there. I’d like to lie down for a while now, it’s been a hard few days.”

  He said, “Of course. The second room on the left, at the top of the stairs.”

  I smiled wanly and headed for the stairs. Maybe this wouldn’t be so hard after all. Although, I wasn’t sure how much I wanted to test my disguise with the knights. I was sure I could kill them, I was very strong magically, but killing them would be a mistake if I could avoid it. A confrontation would ruin everything, at least, for now it would.

  I went into the room and locked the door. I stared at my pack, now filled with a full wardrobe as well as my room full of stuff. Specifically, I was tempted to pull out the master level magic books, but I was too tired. They were the true reason I’d spend a couple of weeks here at least, I needed to learn the advanced dark magic. At the very least so I could protect my own mind against an unwilling bond.

  It was obvious after all. Those bandits weren’t from here at all, or at least, probably not all of them. Some demesnes in Zual must have a way around the passes. Probably not many, but at least some. Either they changed shape
and flew over like I had, or they knew the ritual to open a portal and come here directly. I hadn’t slept for two days however, so new knowledge would have to wait.

  I took a moment to set alert wards along with the glyph for hidden magic. It would be unwise to set traps, because I didn’t want to reveal what I was unless absolutely necessary. I laid on the bed and closed my eyes, a deep untroubled sleep followed quickly.

  Chapter 4

  The next two months went swiftly.

  The rumor I’d started about my plight spread quickly and worked better than I’d ever expected. I learned how to act and fit in during that time, and was even tempted to relax my vigilance at times. There weren’t any constant plots to kill me to deal with, or even anyone trying to force me into a bed. I even enjoyed the occasional flirting with the unattached men in the town.

  A part of me thought this life was better, despite it being a control mechanism and a lie at the heart of it, most of the people in the town seemed unaware of that though, and were truly happy. Ignorance was bliss I supposed. Things were far from perfect however, their lives were hard, just as hard in many ways as it was in Zual.

  But under all that I remained vigilant. All it would take to ruin everything was an unguarded moment where someone saw me use magic. I didn’t have a doubt word would spread if I was caught out, and then I’d be dodging danger constantly. I’d learned that there really were magical communication devices, carried by the knights. Most of them might have been destroyed, but they’d kept some to organize the inquisition and saved them afterwards.

  As for their swords, the charging spell, however it worked, and the banishment spell were extremely strong. A match for me perhaps, unless I summoned a demon to enhance my power, which would be a dead giveaway in and of itself.

  Even normal humans could sense the aura of a demon.