Quicksilver Rising

‘My time.’

‘Would a few more minutes make that much difference?’

‘And maybe my patience.’ There was distinct menace in Caldason’s tone for all its apparent mellowness. Like finding a piece of glass in a milky pudding.

They were at the front door now. ‘At least let me show you,’ Kutch stammered. ‘Let me demonstrate what I can do. And we could break fast. I’m sure you could use food and drink.’

Caldason regarded the youth. ‘You’re persistent, I’ll give you that.’ He exhaled wearily. ‘All right. I’ll take bread with you, if you have it to spare.’

‘Plenty. And there’s fowl, cheese, some fish, I think, and –’

The Qalochian held up a hand to staunch Kutch’s flow. ‘But I won’t be staying long. I’ve other enchanters to find.’

‘Well, there you are; I can give you some names. Not that you’ll want them once you’ve seen what I can –’

‘All right!’ Caldason snapped, adding more gently, ‘All right.’

‘Magic now?’ Kutch inquired meekly.

‘Let’s eat first.’

Caldason’s reference to bread was literal; it was all he took, along with some water. He sat cross-legged on the floor, spine ramrod-straight, swords laid beside him. Deftly, he dissected the hunk of bread with a sharp knife, carrying small pieces to his mouth on the side of the blade.

Apparently grief hadn’t lessened Kutch’s appetite, and his repast was less frugal. He lounged opposite Caldason, back against the wall, legs stretched out, a wooden bowl in his lap.

Some of the shutters had been opened and dust motes floated in the shafts of light. Caldason surveyed a room stacked with books, floor-to-ceiling shelf-loads, many in ancient bindings, some near crumbling. A plain, sturdy bench, several chairs and a moth-ravaged hanging on the only unshelved portion of wall comprised the furnishings.

Kutch put down his spoon and, swallowing, said, ‘I’ve heard many stories about you.’

‘So have I.’

Silence descended.

At length, Kutch said, ‘Well?’

‘Well what?’

‘Are they true?’

Caldason took a drink from his cup. ‘How do you come to be here?’

‘You’re changing the subject,’ Kutch protested.

‘No, I’m interested.’

The youth looked cheated, but complied. ‘There’s not much to tell. My father got himself killed when I was a toddler. My mother struggled to keep me and my older brother. Eventually he went into the army. I was sold to Master Domex. I haven’t seen my mother or brother since.’

‘Why did Domex choose you?’

‘He always said he saw my potential from the first.’ He shrugged his lean shoulders. ‘Sorcerers have their ways. But he was a good master.’

‘How did he meet his end?’

‘An informer, I reckon. We don’t see too many paladins around here, or militia either, then suddenly the village was crawling with them. They knew exactly where to come.’

‘But they did you no harm?’

Kutch reddened and bowed his head. ‘I … I hid.’

After a pause, Caldason said, ‘The paladins aren’t to be gone against lightly.’ His voice was unexpectedly gentle. ‘There’s no shame in it, Kutch, and you shouldn’t feel guilt either.’

‘I wish I could believe that. All I know is that I wasn’t here for him.’ Caldason thought he saw the boy’s eyes misting.

‘And what do you think you could have done? Fought them? You would have died too. Used your magic? They have better.’

‘I feel a coward.’

‘Retreat’s a sign of intelligence, not cowardice. It means you live to fight another day. Why wasn’t your master licensed?’

Kutch sniffed and ran a hand across his head, smoothing back his shock of blond hair. ‘He didn’t believe in it. The Mage was a nonconformist when it came to the system, and most other things. The bastards would never have accepted him anyway. He was too much of a free thinker.’

‘That’s seditious talk.’

‘To you? I don’t think so.’

Another rare, dilute smile came to Caldason’s lips. ‘What are you going to do now?’

‘I don’t know. I’ve always been with the Mage. Different places, but never apart. I can’t stay here though. The paladins left, but what if they come back to finish the job?’

‘It’s probably wise for you to go. Any idea where?’

‘Somewhere different. Somewhere really … free.’

Caldason gave a hollow laugh.

‘You’re mocking me.’

‘No. It’s we who are mocked.’

‘You’re saying nowhere’s free?’

‘I’ve seen most of Bhealfa, and something of Gath Tampoor and Rintarah, and a few of their protectorates, and I haven’t found it. Not true freedom. Just the pretence. The silk glove hides an iron fist everywhere I’ve been.’

Kutch was impressed. His cheer resurfaced. ‘You’ve visited all those places? The empires themselves? Both of them?’

‘I’ve been travelling a long time.’

‘Aren’t you worried about being recognised?’