Geoffrey had woken with the early morning light, not that he had slept much, no-knock had come to his door, he knew that he would have been called, if there was any word on his wife. As it was he was dressed and out of the room, when he heard the chambermaids moving about the castle, As he made his way downstairs he saw a page and asked where he would be able to get something to break his fast and to ask if the kings magi had returned in the night.
After getting directions to a common room where he would be able to get food, and confirmation that the Kings Magi still hadn’t returned. He made his way to the common room.
Walking into the room he saw that Chamberlain Maddoc was sitting breaking his fast. When he saw Geoffrey he beckoned him over.
“No, word yet my lord, I’m afraid, please sit and break you fast with me.”
“Thank you Lord Maddoc,” he replied sitting down as a page arrived with a bowl of stew and some fresh wholesome bread. The smell of the bread made his stomach grumble about the fact he hadn’t been able to eat much last night.
Bidding his thanks to the page, he tucked into the stew, pushing his worry for his wife to the back of his mind even if it was only for a moment. He was almost finished when the worry restored itself to the forefront of his thoughts the food in his mouth suddenly losing all of its flavours. He pushed the bowl away in disgust.
Seeing Geoffrey pushing his bowl away and the look of worry return to his features, Lord Maddoc placed a reassuring hand on Geoffrey’s “Hold firm to the thought that it is not over, Magi Hailstrum will do his best to free your wife, I’m sure of it” he said with honest conviction.
Looking over Lord Geoffrey’s shoulder he continued with a smile “Speak of the man and he shall appear.”
Turning around Geoffrey saw Magi Hailstrum striding across the room towards them.
Standing Geoffrey spoke, “Magi Hailstrum, what news?”
“Its bad news I’m afraid, Your wife was sentenced to death not two hours ago. I’m afraid the Grandmaster would hear nothing from me on the subject. I felt that I had swayed a couple of the more senior Masters to our cause.”
“She’s dead?” Replied Geoffrey his knees giving way and he sank back on to the bench he had just vacated.
“Not yet, she will be executed at noon, I’m afraid,” replied Magi Hailstrum, “unfortunately, there was no one capable of stating for a fact that she did not attack a senior member of the magisterium trying to kill him.”
—
Mal’s mind woke to the soft glow held deep within her mind. Slowly the realisation of who she was, where she was and what was happening to her started to form in her mind as if the fog melted out of the crevices. Opening her mental hands caused the light to spill out and caused the fog to fully disperse from her memory. Now with her magic flowing again she studied the web of magic that bound her, the reflection on the web from the pulse of her magic reverberating back to her showed the ugly mess that was her mind.
Stretching out towards the lines of power she could see that they wove around her not allowing any escape. The golden light pulsed in her mental hands, allowing herself to fall into that soft golden light, she sped down through the thinnest thread of power she had ever seen it was so small that she doubted that she would have been able to see it among the multitude of threads and ropes that she normally had. Now only this one thread existed, some perversion of the Magisterium that severed her from her friends fouled the anger she felt.
Arriving at the source of the thread she followed, she found a golden mind floating in front of her, it was small but as she approached the pulses grew to be incandescent. Putting a mental hand between the light and her mental eyes, her hand brushed the mind, and she was flooded with feelings of love.
The feeling of emotion flooded over here it was warm and soft and full of love.
Shocked Mal nearly lost control at the thought. “Are you my baby?”
The pulse of love and energy that came back to her was all the reply she needed.
The pulse flinched as one of the line of power tried to settle on it. Mal was suddenly assaulted with the image of the dragons' breath burning the dark elves that had chased her months before came to her mind.
“I will try,” she thought back.
Gathering herself she felt the power starting to grow. As it built up she mentally threw the raw power out from her. Her magic spilled out like a river it washed around her carrying her and her baby along with it. The powerful flow pushed against the web containing her. It glowed as her raw magic overwhelmed it and burnt the web.
Suddenly one then another of the webs broke until they all gave in and burnt to a crisp. Once free of the restrictive web the golden threads that connected her to the Blackguard snapped back into being. The rush of pure power was staggering, Mall opened herself up to the Black Guard the energy she stored almost threatening to explode out of her.
All of the fog was now gone and with its disappearance, the sounds from the room flooded her awareness.
“Kill her! She has broken the enchantment,” came a voice tinted with fear and loathing.
Opening her eyes that once again shone with the golden power that infused her, Mal surveyed the room, the semicircle in front of her held thirteen magi all weaving spells of destruction. Lashing out with her magics’ four of the Magi in front of her fell to the ground the remaining ones staggered back from the impact as she shattered all of their spells at the same time.
The central Magi threw her a look of complete disgust, before starting to weave a pattern. Mal recognised him as the Magi that had entered the room and attacked her with that horrible spell that had kept her locked in a foggy mind unable to think, unable to be.
As he threw the spell, this time instead of shattering it she instinctively reached out and plucked it out of the air mid-flight. Examining it she felt the hatred of the spell the evilness of it.
Muttering half out loud “Never again” she poured power into the spell but this time instead of burning it to a cinder she poured more and more magic into it warping it changing it beyond what it was meant for changing it into something new, changing the fundamental nature of the spell forevermore.
As the web in her hand absorbed the power she poured into it, it disappeared. Finally able to focus on the room once more. Mal looked once again at the face of the man who had attacked her not once but now twice.
“Lend me your power, brothers, the bitch must be destroyed,” he barked the spittle flying from his lips as he spoke.
One by one each Magi before her reached out and place a hand on the one beside until the all of them where connected.
Again he wove his spell this time faster, and much, much stronger than before. With thirteen Magi pouring vast amounts of power into the spell it grew fast.
When the spell was released instead of flying across the room and striking Mal, it grew and bubbled above the group getting bigger and bigger until the bubbling web of power filled half the room. When it exploded the locked doors and all of the windows of the room were blown out. The force of the detonation hit the barrier around the Magisterium and it shattered. The noise passed and silence descended.
As the dust settled first one then other magi rushed into the hall to lend aid, the only person standing was Mal, the thirteen magi of the council lay unconscious on the floor where they had fallen.
Siva, the healer arrived with a group of healers, pushing her way through the dumb struck magi in front of her. She was finally able to see what was going on, seeing Mal standing in the middle of vast destruction, the senior Magi of the council lying strewn across the floor. She realised that her only concern was for the girl in front of her, with the glowing eyes,
‘How much power is she holding,’ thought Siva suddenly feeling very fearful of her. Outwardly she spoke with a reassuring voice, “Mal, are you ok?”
“Yes, I am fine, they are just unconscious” she finished gesturing to the thirteen men lying on the floor in front of her the glow in her eyes slowly diminished until her normal eyes once again looked upon her.
“How did you do this?”
“I broke the binding they placed on me. It was an act of evil and as such I have destroyed the spell and have banished it for eternity. If you check you will see that you are no longer bound either,” replied Mal the contempt she felt for what they had done to her made her feel sick.
“No, No, you cannot have done this, girl we are not capable of wielding unrestrained power.” Stammered Lady Siva, the other women with her looked fearful too.
“That is a lie they told you to keep you down. I entered the mind of the Grandmaster Trigan, his mind is one of hatred of all-female magi, caused by the influence of the previous Grandmasters, the history you think you know is a lie. What you don’t know is that upon taking the mantle of Grand Master he received the secret histories of the Magisterium and he learnt of the lie at the heart of the organisation,” Holding up her hand to forestall Siva, she continued, “Many years ago the Grandmaster of the time did indeed defeat a female magi, but the damage she did was minimal, The Grandmaster was a man that hated women for some reason and he conceived of a plan to use the female to commit atrocities in her name. He bound her to his service with a similar spell of binding until such time the kingdom pleaded with the magisterium of old to deal with her. That is when he struck his bargain with the king of the time a simple fool that was in awe of the grandmaster. He killed the girl when he had no more need of her and insisted that all females be bound from that day forth. For no other reason than she was better than him.”
“I am glad you are alive Mal, I came to inform the council that Master Kilsilla is awake and says that you did not attack him but rather the Magi that had asked to speak with him tried to kill him. His only memory of you was you stopping the attacker and then leaning over him.”
“I am glad he is ok,” responded Mal before collapsing on the floor.
As guards moved in to apprehend Mal, Siva spoke up “Stop, Leave her to us healers, there is no one here for you to deal with.”
Seeing the look on the face of the guardsman suddenly annoyed her, and as she started to draw in as much power as she could hold to defend herself from these men, she was surprised by just how much power she was drawing, she had pulled in many times the limit of her normal power yet she did not feel she was at her limit, Feeling like she held more than Grandmaster Trigan could hold, she knew the bitter truth, They had truly been lying to them all, for years.
“I outrank you, in power you are but a child, do not cross me,” the last was said with the full authority of someone that was pronouncing a death sentence to someone if they argued with her.
The room had gone quiet as everyone watched the confrontation between Siva and the guardsman. Suddenly all of the female Magi were filling themselves with power, some were able to only hold slightly more power than before but most were like torches in the night, not one match Siva for raw power.
Gesturing to Mal, Siva Spoke, “Sarie, please, take Mal here to her room and see to her, make sure her room is not locked, she is no prisoner but a friend,” Then turning to look at the council some of which were coming around and seeing a group of women unbound for the first time, Siva turned to the guardsmen, “Take the council into custody, Lock them up in the one of the novice dorms and post a guard in front of every door, do not allow them to communicate they will answer for their crimes.”
When the guardsman didn’t move quick enough, Siva hit him with a powerful spell that knocked him half out of the room, Turning to the other guardsmen that were entering the room, “Carry out my orders or face the same,” all pretence of meekness had fallen away, her eyes flashed with anger at what had been done to her and the others women of the Magisterium. To the rest of the female healers she spoke, “Follow them and make sure my orders are fulfilled.”
—
It was nearly noon and Geoffrey was once again in the throne room, his heart hung heavy and his mouth felt like it was full of dust. He had been sitting looking out the window for the last ten minutes lost in his thoughts. It wasn’t until he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder that he came back to the room.
Looking up at the face of the young queen, he stood, “Your Majesty, sorry did you say something?”
“No, Lord Sawn, I just felt your pain and thought I would come and sit with you for a time,” replied the queen gesturing to the seat that he had just vacated and for him to sit down again.
Once he was seated the Queen sat beside him, “I have been saying prayers to the gods that your wife would be spared.”
Nodding his thanks Geoffrey was about to speak when a brilliant flash of light lit up the room, sitting at the window Geoffrey and the Queen saw exactly where it came from and the effect on the barrier around the Magisterium.
As the barrier stopped shimmering it seemed to lurch before imploding. The noise of the implosion was quite deafening.
Before Geoffrey or the queen could react, they heard the voice of Magi Hailstrum exclaiming “By all the gods, I have never felt so much power being released in one go.”
As everyone turned to look at him, Geoffrey noticed that his complexion had paled significantly.
“Magi Hailstrum, what is going on?” Asked the King.
“I’m not certain but whatever just happened the barrier around the Magisterium is gone.”
Turning to the captain of his guard, the King spoke “Take a detachment of men to the Magisterium and see what is going on. Tell them by order of the king they are no longer free of our laws and for the leader of the Magisterium to present himself before me. If he refuses the kill him.” Ordered the king.
Slapping his fist over his heart, the Captain nodded “You will, will be done my King.” When he raised his head a half smile betrayed his eagerness as he turned and marched out of the room. His voice could be heard bellowing orders as the doors closed behind him.
Standing Geoffrey spoke up “Your Majesty, If I may accompany your men?”
“Yes, by all means, Lord Sawn, go see if your wife has survived,” replied the king.
Geoffrey bowed before hurting after the Captain of the Guard. As they exited the castle and entered the courtyard, Geoffrey was pleased to see that Twelve men at arms stood ready to move out and the courtyard was a bustle with people getting horses saddled.
“Captain, there has been an explosion at the Magisterium I assumed that you would be going to investigate and took the liberty to have the men get ready,” Seeing Geoffrey beside the Captain of the Guard, he continued, “Jack dismount and give his Lordship here your horse. Then have half the regiment move into the magisterium and take control.”
Seeing the Man starting to dismount, Geoffrey quickly went over and mounted his horse, “My thanks” he offered to the guard who nodded to him.
As they left the castle proper the streets started to clear, everyone had heard the explosion and knew something strange was up. Seeing his men running down the road towards the castle Geoffrey gestured in the direction of the Magisterium and for them to follow before kicking his heels into the flanks of his horse and racing after the Captain of the Guard.
— Mal woke again in the same bed she remembered from before, only this time as her eyes started to focus she noticed that the door was open and Geoffrey sitting on the edge of her bed staring out the small window.
Feeling his wife starting to move brought him back to the room, “You’re awake? How are you? Did they hurt you or the baby?” he asked.
“Geoffrey my love, I am fine and our child is fine too,” she said rubbing her belly and smiling up at him. “I broke the enchantment that they had on me and released all of the female Magi that were similarly bound, It was horrible but our baby helped me through it.”
“The baby?” asked Geoffrey slightly confused.
“As you know I am attached to the members of the blackguard, it seems I have a similar connection to our baby when I was cut off from everything by their spell of binding, I found our baby there with me through it all, our baby helped me clear my mind.”
Geoffrey sat stunned for a moment before a faint smile played across his lips.
“Where is Siva?,” asked Mal.
“I’m not certain who that is. Did she help you?” Replied Geoffrey,
“She’s one of the healers, Please, help me get to her,” responded Mal trying to get up from the bed.
As she walked out and into the corridor with Geoffrey holding her arm she felt the strength returning to her. Seeing one of the healers that had accompanied the Lady Siva to the hall where Mal had freed herself walking towards her she raised a hand in greeting.
“Ah, Lady Swan you’re awake, good, good Lady Siva will be glad, I was just on my way to check on you.”
“Could you take me to her please.”
“Certainly, she is currently with Master Kilsilla, follow me,” she replied and as Mal and Geoffrey approached she led them down the corridor to a larger if similarly ornate room to the one that Mal had woken in.
As Mal entered she saw an elderly Magi lying in the bed, memories of fighting to save his life sprung to mind. Lady Siva stood facing him and her hands were weaving a complex pattern over him and with her eyes closed she didn’t see them enter the room, they stood in silence and watched as she slowly moved her hands down over his body. When she finally stopped and open her eyes the smile on her face broke out.
“Master Kilsilla, I don’t know how she did it but she healed you completely, the scarring from the Dinji Fever has completely disappeared from your lungs.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear that, I was wondering how I was breathing easier. Siva, I can’t believe how much power you can wield. It seems my pupil has surpassed me,” he said patting her on the hand, “and you must be the young woman that came to my aid?” he continued looking up to Mal.
“Master Kilsilla, may I introduce the Lady Sawn from Caplo, or by another title you might have heard The Ogre Slayer,” replied Siva,
On hearing her other title Master Kilsilla barked out a laugh. “Tell me Lady Sawn as a healer I must know how did you heal me, the poison that the assassin used is known to me and is one hundred percent fatal.”
“Master Kilsilla, my magic is unlike your’s you both have what is called elemental magic while I wield magic that is raw and from the source. As to how I healed you I’m not completely sure, you see I am just learning how to control my magic and I am trying to find the limits. When I delved into your body I saw the poison as a darkness that was sweeping through your body. I’m afraid that how I healed you was more instinct than anything else, it took nearly all of my energy to save you.”
“You have my eternal thanks, I would love to speak more about the type of magic that you wield if you have time,” replied Master Kilsilla with a yawn escaping his lips.
“You still need rest, I’m sure Mal, I mean the Lady Swan will be around for a while.”
“Please just Mal is fine Siva,”
“Get some rest uncle, I must go and speak with the Captain of the Guard,” said Siva taking Mal by the arm and leading her out of the room.
As Siva closed the door to the room to give Master Kilsilla some peace, as they started walking down the corridor Mal spoke, “He’s your uncle?”
“Yes, he’s a good man, as the Head of School of Healers, he has worked with mainly female magi, so he doesn’t have the same issues as some of the more conservative members of the Magisterium, I’m afraid that he took the news better than most of the rest will.”
“What do you mean?”
“In the Magisterium rank has always been given to the most powerful Magi since you broke the spell of binding and freed us the ranks will all change technically I am now the Head of the School of Healers as I am more powerful than my uncle, but I can wield more than what the Grandmaster ever could so technically at this moment I am the Grandmaster of the Magisterium, and not just me several others are extremely powerful, If I am honest more powerful than most of the existing council members.”
“Well, Grandmaster,” said Mal will a smile and a slight bob of her head.
“The title needs to be bestowed upon me officially, but first I believe that the Captain of the Kings personal Guard is waiting for to speak to someone in charge and I’ve put him off long enough.”
Siva led them further into the warren that was the Magisterium, eventually arriving at a set of doors, which when they entered held a meeting room where the Captain of the Guard had been waiting.
As they entered he looked up to see Geoffrey enter with two beautiful women.
“Lord Swan, What news of your wife? is she safe?”
“She is Captain Keggon, I have the pleasure to I introduce my wife the Lady Swan, and the current acting Grandmaster of the Magisterium, Grandmaster Siva.”
To say that Captain Keggon was shocked was an understatement, he knew the conservative nature of the Magi here and while he didn’t agree with their thoughts, he never expected there to be a female grandmaster. Luckily his years of being in the royal court let him hide his shock. Instead, he spoke with a completely calm voice, “Grandmaster, I bring news of the royal decree from his Royal Highness, The king has sent me here to inform the Magisterium that they are no longer free from the laws of the kingdom and that he requests an audience with the Grandmaster to discuss the future status of the Magisterium.”
Mal felt a premonition that Siva was about to say something that would escalate the situation, Placing a hand on her shoulder to stop her, she whispered, “Kings are not people to fool with, I would advise that you speak with the king, in person, sometimes the messenger will not give the message the true feelings intended. Take the time it takes to get to the king to formulate what you truly want to say to the king and not what you would rashly say. You are now the leader of the Magisterium and its future is in your hands.”
Taking a deep breath Grandmaster Siva turned to Captain Keggon, “Very well tell the king that we will present ourselves before him in two hours.”
Saluting the Grandmaster, Captain Keggon bowed and left the room.