Page 25 of Poisoned Kingdom
I instantly snapped my mental barriers shut, making Bogdan wince as he rubbed his temple.
‘I can’t. She’s blocked me, my lord. That’s why I brought her here. It looks like the Brotherhood failed to declare a mage of the High Order in their ranks.’
Three angry gasps followed my guide’s answer.
‘Don’t you people everlisten? I’m not a mage. I’ve never been trained!’ I shouted.
‘Training doesn’t make you a mage; it only hones your skills,’ Otokar said distractedly.
The female mage chimed in, ‘She must be tested. What if we’ve missed another conduit?’
‘Tested? I wouldn’t trust a Brotherhood mongrel with our mages,’ the third one said. ‘Bogdan, take her to the prison, and then we’ll decide.’
Otokar waved him off. ‘Oh, grow a pair. What can she do? Pickpocket your trinkets? I’ll assign her as a battle mage if she passes the test.’
I looked at them, completely lost. How could they be missing the point? It all felt so surreal. ‘You really don’t care, do you?’
I stepped back as Otokar approached me, wondering how big a mistake I’d made coming here.Has the Brotherhood paid them to look the other way?That would be disastrous. I shook my head, taking another step back when he reached for me. ‘Keep your hands off me,’ I snapped, avoiding his grasp. ‘I’m not going with you!’
I heard the door behind me open, but I focused on the mage weaving a thick web of spells in front of me. I could see the strands of aether glistening between his fingers, and my hand wandered to the pouch next to my belt, ready to throw somesleeper’s ashin his face.
‘There’s no need for such unseemly behaviour, Otokar. Go back to your seat,’ a gentle, mature voice commanded, and the three mages sagged as if someone had cut their strings.
I turned around. A tall man around my age, with striking auburn hair and eyes as green as a spring meadow, stood behind me, observing my reaction with unbridled curiosity. Noticing that he had my attention, he gestured to the door.
‘Come, my lady. It’s time we had a proper discussion.’
‘Master Riordan, you can’t! She’s dangerous . . .’ the chairman exclaimed, but my saviour only smirked.
‘Oh, I know she is. A Brotherhood member candidly coming to the mages’ court?’ He sounded so pleased with himself that I studied him closely. ‘However, she’s clearly not stupid. I can’t say that for the other people in this room,’ he said, pursing his lips. ‘Otokar, I outrank all three of you combined. If you try to stop me, I’ll ensure the three of you can never again stuff yourpockets by selecting only the most . . .enticingpetitions to grant.’
No one moved an inch, confirming my suspicions that bribery played a role in their selective hearing.
Riordan smirked. ‘I thought so,’ he said, leading us out. The door slammed shut behind us and I exhaled, a wave of relief washing over me.
‘Riordan?’ I asked, following the man. ‘As in the royal mage, Riordan? I thought you’d be older . . . and greyer,’ I blurted out before I could stop myself.
His mouth fell open at my remark. Then I saw his lips twitch in suppressed amusement as a guard snickered behind me.
‘You’re thinking of Riordan Arendell, my grandfather,’ he said.
‘I’m sorry, it was a little confusing,’ I replied, trying to keep up. My silk dress kept wrapping itself around my knees, slowing me down.
‘Yes, my mother wanted to honour her father, thinking he would be long dead before the name could confuse anyone. As you can see, she was gravely mistaken,’ he jested, opening a set of heavy doors. ‘After you, my lady. I’m dying to hear what you can tell me about the situation in Wiosna.’
For the first time since I’d come here, I felt a glimmer of hope.
‘I’ll tell you everything you want to know as long as you promise to help,’ I said, entering the surprisingly small room.
Riordan gestured to a chair. ‘Let’s start with your name. I can’t promise you anything, but it would help if I knew what we’re dealing with. If it’s easier for you, I can read it directly from your mind,’ he offered, and for a split second, I felt my heart stutter to a halt, hoping he wouldn’t do that.
‘My name is Roksana Regnav, and no, thank you, I’d appreciate it if you stayed away from my mind. I didn’t come here to lie, and telling you all I know about the illegal trade is in my best interests. You don’t need to know my motivations.’
He passed me a goblet of wine, and I took it, grateful to have something to hold in my trembling hands.
‘Eloquently put, but I feel I must warn you that I’m a high-order truthseeker. Even if inactive, my magic will tell me if you lie, and then I’ll be forced to use my spells to find the truth. If you still wish to continue, then I’m all ears.’
I nodded, then took a sip of wine and detailed everything I knew about the mine, the accidents, and the ore. I told him about the wagons leaving Wiosna for the south and the increased patrols that accompanied each departure.
