Advent (Advent Mage Cycle) Read online

  Advent

  Book Three of the Advent Mage Cycle

  By Honor Raconteur

  Acknowledgements

  Many thanks to my editor, Katie, for sticking with me through all of the re-writes and sounding board sessions. She drove me crazy, but it was mutual – I drove her crazy too! Thanks go to Gwen, who did such an amazing turnaround in proofing this copy.

  Thanks as well to the usual suspects – my mother, Jane; Pam, Ken and my brother, Jarrett. You know I’d be lost without all of your advice and support.

  Last (but never least) a big shout out to all of my fans that attempted to blackmail/bribe/beg me into an early release. It might not have been in your hands as fast as you wanted it, but this proves the rewrites and the head-banging was all worth it!

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One: Heritage 3

  Chapter Two: Emergencies 22

  Chapter Three: Answers 46

  Chapter Four: Preparation 64

  Chapter Five: Discovery 77

  Chapter Six: Haikrysen 98

  Chapter Seven: Sinhelenan 114

  Chapter Eight: The Unexpected 130

  Chapter Nine: Premonition Answered 143

  Chapter Ten: Sneaking 165

  Chapter Eleven: Unexpected Surprises 182

  Chapter Twelve: Dangerous Magic 205

  Chapter Thirteen: Queens and Pawns 227

  Chapter Fourteen: To Be a Mage 245

  Chapter Fifteen: Demands 256

  Chapter Sixteen: Exiled 262

  Chapter Seventeen: Recovering 279

  Epilogue 305

  Chapter One: Heritage

  Drip, drip, drip.

  I eyed the icicle hanging from the roof with mixed emotions. The snow was melting, which meant spring was hovering on the horizon, tensed to pounce the moment that winter let its guard down. When that happened, it meant that the team would be going back into Chahir to search for magicians again.

  It would also mean that I was out of Guin’s immediate reach.

  Right now, I wasn’t sure which one I preferred.

  In the four months that I had been home I had gotten very little rest. Because of the thick snows covering the roads I was one of the few magicians that could travel around the country. The fact that I was faster than more conventional methods was just an added bonus. And if the situation demanded skills other than mine? Well, then I got to take whatever Witch or Wizard that needed to go somewhere by way of the earth path. Most days, I wasn’t sure if I was coming or going. I hadn’t had time to shop for a house, much less use any of my vacation time!

  Night definitely has a point. Being accessible to Guin is not conducive to a peaceful lifestyle.

  This was one of those rare moments when I was home—not in my own apartment at the Palace, but at my parent’s house—without an emergency hanging over my head.

  “Garth!” my mother’s voice called from the front door. “There’s a message for you!”

  I eyed the back door, only feet away from me, and judged whether or not I could make it outside before she could catch me. On this wooden floor, I couldn’t jump into the earth path like I wanted to. However, once outside I could disappear in the earth and no one could find me there.…

  “It’s not from Guin,” she added, voice rich with amusement.

  What, the woman reads minds now? But if it wasn’t from Guin, who was it from? My stomach had no real desire to leave the warm, fragrant air of the kitchen. The rest of me ignored my greedy stomach. Curiosity compelled me out of my chair and away from my breakfast, into the front room. “Whose seal is on it?”

  “There’s no seal,” she denied as she handed it over.

  Actually, there was. She just didn’t recognize it as such. There was a complicated braid of silver string, black leather, and rich mahogany hair wrapped around the parchment. I recognized it instantly.

  “This is Roha of Del’s braid.” Now why would she be contacting me in the dead of winter? She often sent letters inquiring about how Trev’nor was doing, but not during the months where it was nearly impossible to get letters through. And I had just sent her a long letter about Trev’nor three months ago…

  “The Tonkawacon woman that raised Trev’nor?” Mom stared at the letter in my hands with renewed interest. “This must be very important for her to send a letter in winter.”

  Very important or very dire. I didn’t say that aloud. I knew better than to try and unravel that braid—it was more likely that I’d tangle my own fingers attempting it—so I used my belt knife to just cut it off. The parchment was a bit wet at one corner, but as I unrolled it I was relieved to find nothing smudged or illegible.

  Garth,

  I received your last letter. Thank you for telling this old woman what her adopted son has gotten into. I can tell he is adjusting fine.

  A year ago when I gave him to you, I had not expected to find anyone to properly train the boy. There is much that I still have, things that belonged to his parents that I’ve kept over the years. While you are in Hain come see me. I wish to tell you what little I know of the boy’s parentage and history. Your last letter indicated that bloodlines of Mages are very important. I have some evidence of what Trev’nor’s heritage is.

  I wish I could be more specific, but they are in Chahirese, and that is not a language I can read. But I trust that you can, eh? Travel toward the Boren Mountains, just northwest of Jward, and you’ll find our camp.

  Bring Trev’nor with you. I want to see the rascal.

  Roha of Del

  I felt like my breath had been knocked out of me. Trev’nor was Chahiran? Or at least, all the evidence pointed in that direction… I lowered the letter so that I could look at my mother’s face. “I need to go to Roha of Del as quickly as possible.”

  She went taut, alarmed. “Is something wrong?”

  “Important,” I corrected. “She never told me that she has Trev’nor’s parent’s effects. She knows a little about his heritage. We’ve always wondered what nationality Trev’nor is—it never occurred to me that Roha knew it and just hadn’t mentioned it.”

  “Did she tell you in the letter?”

  “She made reference to it. Apparently, something his parents had was written in Chahirese.”

  Her green eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “I always suspected he was, considering his looks.”

  I shook my head, frustrated because I knew that she wasn’t catching the full nuance of that statement. “Mom, the only Chahiran Mages that were Earth Mages are of the Rheben bloodline.” The Index we found in Chahir four months ago had confirmed that fact.

  Her mouth soundlessly dropped. “Good heavens,” she breathed. “Then Trev’nor…”

  “Is related to us somehow, if Roha is right, and that language is Chahirese.”

  “Go saddle Night,” she ordered abruptly. “I’ll pack a bag for you. I think you need to leave right now.”

  “I agree completely.” I rolled the letter back up and stuck it in my pocket as I quickly made my way to the back door. My thick winter coat hung on a peg just inside the door, which I snagged and slipped into as I made my way into the snow-covered back yard. Night was not in his stall next to my father’s workshop, but rubbing his forehead against the porch railing. Trying to scratch an itch, I guessed. From the hoof prints on the ground, he’d obviously been spending his time roaming around the small yard looking for things to nibble on. “Night, we need to go.”

  “Not another assignment from Guin!” he wailed in protest. “We just got home yesterday.”

  “Not that,” I disagreed. “I just got a letter from Roha of Del.”

  He gave me an odd look. “In the dead of winter?”

  “It was a very imp
ortant letter. She knows something of Trev’nor’s parents.”

  Night abandoned his scratching altogether, standing alert. “That’s pretty important information. Did she tell you?”

  “No, not really. But she did say that she thinks he’s Chahiran.”

  “But the only Earth Mages are…” he trailed off, ears pricked.

  “I know. I think we need to get up there quickly. I want answers and I want them now. Let me throw a saddle on you, and then we’ll go get Trev.”

  Night held perfectly still while I quickly strapped his saddle on. Mom strode into the yard, pale gray dress flapping around her ankles. She threw my very worn saddlebags on and tied them into place for me.

  “How long do you expect to be gone?” Mom asked as I heaved myself onto Night’s back.

  “Probably a few weeks. Trev’nor will want to properly visit with everyone while we’re there.” And this way, I can finally get a proper break.

  “All right. Take care. You too, Night.”

  Night rubbed against her cheek in an affectionate gesture that almost knocked my mother right on her rear in the snow. “Bye, Jaylan.”

  Catching her balance on the edge of the stall, she laughed and waved us away, hair glowing golden in the sun.

  Night took us directly to the Palace grounds and the small wing that housed Allan and Liah Gaines, Trev’nor’s adopted parents. Giving him to that couple had been one of the best decisions ever made. They both adored Trev’nor, and were very tolerant of all the Tonkawacon quirks he had. The first morning Liah woke up with two braids in her hair, she hadn’t even blinked. Allan told me that she just started laughing, claiming that she had half-expected to gain braids at some point. Allan was grateful his hair was too short to braid anything into. I noticed that he kept his hair that short, not tempting fate.

  Night twisted his head to look at me as I slid off his back. “In the essence of time, why don’t I go tell Haben where we’re going while you get Trev’nor? You know that Liah will pump you for information first.”

  “So will Haben,” I responded ruefully. “It’s a good idea, Night. Go for it. I’ll meet you here?”

  “Sure.” With a flick of his tail, he turned and headed back toward the main building.

  I’d barely knocked when Liah opened the door. She was in the brown uniform of the Jaunten, so I assumed that she was either heading for or just coming back from doing something official.

  “Garth, this is a nice surprise.”

  “Hello, Liah. May I come in?”

  “Of course, of course.” She stepped back to give me room to enter. “Your timing is quite good, actually. Trev’nor has been pestering me about you. He’s been feeling neglected.”

  “I hope he realizes that’s Guin’s fault?”

  Laughing brown eyes belied her serious nod. “Yes, they’ve had many serious discussions about it.”

  Yes, I bet they’ve had. A shame I’ve missed them; that was sure to be priceless. I rubbed at my lips to erase a growing smile. “Is that so. Hm.”

  “So are you here to kidnap him for a while?”

  “It’s a bit more serious than that,” I warned her. “I just received a letter from Roha of Del, you see, and—”

  Trev’nor’s bedroom door jerked open and a small, delighted face popped into view.

  “Garth!”

  “Hey, scamp.” I bent slightly, catching him as he threw himself into my arms with a patented Trev’nor Tackle. I barely had him seated in my arms before he was demanding, “How long are you home?”

  “Not long,” I admitted, trying not to smile as instant disappointment flooded his face, tugging his mouth downward and drawing his eyebrows into a deep furrow. “But this time, you’re coming with me.”

  His disappointment instantly morphed into a brilliant smile. “Really? Where are we going?”

  “We need to see Roha of Del.”

  Trev’nor frowned, concern starting to dint his joy. “Is something wrong?”

  Considering that no one sane travels during winter (but me) that was a valid question.

  “No, but she has some very serious information for us. Trev, she has some of your parents’—your birth parents—things. She wants to pass those things onto you. Among those things, she tells me, is proof of your heritage.”

  Trev’nor couldn’t really use his magic yet, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t learning about it. Part of his school curriculum dealt with magical history. He understood enough about it to know that a Mage’s history, especially, was very important. He nodded to me seriously. “We need to see her. I want to know.”

  “Me too, kiddo. I’ll fill you in on the way, but for now, go pack. Warm clothes, you know the drill.” After living with the Tonkawacon tribe, Trev’nor knew better how to pack for traveling than most adults did.

  “Okay.” He jumped out of my arms, in a full run before his feet could even touch the ground.

  Liah waited until he was in his room before murmuring, “There was something you didn’t tell him.”

  “Yes. Liah, Roha of Del said that she couldn’t tell me much, because everything she had kept was written in Chahirese.”

  Her eyes flared wide. “Then he is Chahiran?”

  “Yes, but that’s more significant than you may realize. The Chahiran Earth Mages were always Rhebens, Liah.”

  She put a hand to her mouth, a half-exclamation bursting from her. “Then it’s likely that he is a Rheben, too?”

  “Somehow, yes.” I shrugged, palms spread in helpless frustration. “This is guesswork on my part, but the pieces fit too neatly to not have some truth to them. I need to talk to Roha of Del and see those affects before I can be sure. If I’m right, then we need to keep an eye on the rest of my family as we’re sure to have more Earth Mages pop up. If not…then another, wholly new bloodline has started with Trev’nor.” That last thought was rather disturbing.

  She nodded in understanding. “This is definitely something we want to be sure on. How long will you be gone?”

  “A few weeks, I think. He’ll want time to visit with everyone up there.”

  “Does Val Haben know about this?”

  “Night is telling him now.” And Haben got the lovely job of telling Guin. I was thankful that I would be well out of reach before my workaholic King realized that his favorite slave would be gone for a while. He would not be pleased.

  A part of my mind started doing a jig of happiness at that thought. I throttled back an urge to rub my hands together and chuckle evilly.

  “Okay, I’m packed!” Trev’nor came flying out of his room in a flurry of blue, a thick winter jacket only half- on, bag slung over his shoulder.

  Liah dropped down to one knee, catching him before he could make it out the front door. “Trev’nor, you be sure to mind Garth while you’re gone, all right?”

  He rolled his eyes. “Yes, Mom.”

  Amused, she kissed him on the forehead. “Have fun, Trev. I’ll see you in a few weeks.”

  His eyes lit up at the word weeks. “We’re going to be gone that long?”

  “Maybe,” I cautioned. “I’m not sure yet.”

  “I don’t mind,” he assured me with an eager smile.

  It was my turn to roll my eyes. “Yeah, I didn’t think you would. We’ll see when we get up there, okay?”

  “Can we leave now?”

  “As soon as Night comes back, we can leave.”

  Trev’nor spent the wait pestering me with questions and bouncing around the room impatiently. I just sat back and watched the kid wear himself out, knowing that he would probably sleep most of the way up to Roha of Del’s camp.

  Fortunately for Trev’nor, Night showed up only a few minutes later. After a final goodbye to Liah, I grabbed nreesce and boy-Mage and took us into the earth path.

  As predicted, Trev’nor lasted about ten minutes before curling up around my feet, snoring like a dragoo in a sunny spot. I figured he’d do that—for an Earth Mage, being down here was incredibly relaxing
. The power of the earth was rich and warm to my sense, like being wrapped up in a thick blanket. I was tempted to take a nap myself.

  If I ever did, Night would never let me hear the end of it.

  “So how did Haben take the news?” I hadn’t had a chance to ask earlier, with all of Trev’nor’s questions.

  “He seemed quite…vexed.” There was an outrageous twinkle in Night’s eyes.

  “Vexed?” I repeated, sinking sensation pulling at my chest.

  “Yes, apparently not having you within arm’s reach unnerves him. But he could hardly order us to stay home, all things considered.”

  If Haben was “vexed” by my leaving then he undoubtedly had more errands in mind for me to run. I was suddenly glad that Roha summoned me today. Who knows what else Haben had on his To-Do- List.

  “I ran into Chatta in the halls and gave her a quick outline of everything too,” Night added casually.

  I smacked my forehead with the palm of my hand. I had completely overlooked updating my best friend about what was going on. I was sure to catch trouble for that later.

  “I hope she realizes that she would have been welcome to come?”

  “Yes, I assured her she was. But apparently she’s just been handed an assignment in town, and will be tied up with that for a few days, at least. She wanted me to tell you, though, that she wants a full report when you get home.”

  I’d be in serious trouble if I didn’t.

  The conversation stalled there as I had to focus on our surroundings more. I felt the change as we came close to the Boren Mountains, so Roha’s camp had to be somewhere nearby. Only the Boren Mountains have this thick mixture of hard granite and crystalline fissures. The feel of these mountains have a different weight to them, and so leave a more profound impression in the soil. Fortunately, a DauZmor of her caliber has a significant level of magic. It wasn’t difficult to pinpoint her, once I was close enough. I brought us up on what felt like the outskirts of the camp.