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Chapter Six

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Frantically rustling through a rather large pile of scrolls strewn across the long wooden feast table, the mage desperately searched for something to aid him. ‘Arcane contact, astral travel, force telekinesis, elemental focus. Give me anything.’ he muttered to himself.

 

A messenger had handed him the news less than an hour ago that Sire Asher Elias had been murdered in his estate a few nights prior. The mage had spies that filtered throughout the lands and finally this was news that affected him directly. Personally. The estate had apparently pinned the murder on a mage that had arrived at the estate that night, Winter Pendragon.

 

What was she doing at Tanglethorn Estate? How? Why? Where is she now? Is she alive? What did they do to her? Too many thoughts were clouding his mind and he needed to focus. The mighty pine doors groaned open under the strain of the heavy wood and a tall, muscular warrior walked into the hall. His heavily tanned chest was covered in cross wrapped furs, and a trail of long majestic dark hair fell right down to the bottom of his back. Two large golden snakes entwined together in a circlet sat on top of his head, adding a touch of regalness to the otherwise wild looking man.

 

The mage stopped what he was doing and looked up, bowing to the man who had just entered. ‘King Taak’ he murmured ‘What brings you-’

 

The clansman interrupted ‘Relistrair, I just heard the news. They say your sister killed Caladin’s Defender of the West? How is that possible?’

 

Relistrair rubbed his left eyebrow with his thumb wearily. ‘I have...no idea. To be honest, I do not know what to think? The message mentioned she was being handed over to Elias but the White Guild doesn’t give away their mages like that. Parsius and Caladin had to be behind this.’ 

 

King Orin Taak took a seat at the feast table, his great frame easing firmly into the chair ‘You think they instructed your sister to kill Asher Elias?’.

 

‘No, no, not at all.’ replied Relistrair with a hint of urgency in his voice ‘The Defender of the West was very close to the king. Also without stating the obvious, Winter is no assassin. If Caladin wanted Elias dead there were better ways than sending an apprentice mage.’

 

The king shrugged ‘Although she would have been of some importance to Elias after your dealings with him. She may have been the perfect person to send to assassinate him?’

 

Relistrair shook his head, resting his hands heavily on the table. None of this made sense. He needed to find some way of finding his sister and these questions were not helping. The mage needed to quickly deal with the present company so he could return his full attention back to the task at hand.

 

Pausing, he looked to the king ‘My apologies King Taak, I am-’

 

Taak cut him off once again, this time with a calmer tone ‘Worried about your sister. I understand. She is your only kin, you once said? Kinship is everything’. As kind as his words were intended, the king did not look entirely convinced by what he said.

 

‘I fear I put her in this danger.’ replied Relistrair ‘In fact, I know I did. I often thought about taking her with me when I left the south but I believed she would be safer where she was.’. He laughed bitterly ‘Foolish I know. I left her in the hands of my enemy thinking she would be safe. I should have seen this coming. I should have.’

 

Taak picked up a random scroll from the large messy pile strewn across the table. ‘And this?’ he queried.

 

The mage recommenced searching the scrolls ‘I need to make contact with her. Some form of arcane astral communication. The spell is in here somewhere. It has to be.’

 

The king chuckled to himself ‘Ah Relistrair, your magic is that of which no one has ever seen. You are the most powerful mage the six kingdoms have known....but it is good to know my people still possess some magic that you do not.’

 

Relistrair’s eyes flickered curiously to the king.

 

King Taak rose from his chair with a knowing look. ‘Dream magic.’ he remarked. Turning to the door, he beckoned the mage to follow ‘Come my friend. There is much to do before nightfall.’