The Mage War by Ben S. Dobson

Author:Ben S. Dobson [Dobson, Ben S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-06-20T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

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TINGA PEERED OUT at the Porthaven street through the narrow crack allowed by the chain on the Magebreakers’ office door.

A party of eight black-clad and cowled figures strode by outside, led by a nine-foot tall ogren. “Stay in your homes, by the Emperor’s command!” the huge figure intoned in a deep, sonorous voice.

Down the street in either direction, more Knights of the Emperor were herding people inside, keeping the streets clear. It hadn’t been more than a few minutes since Endo’s voice had spoken from the sky, and already there were dozens of them. No violence yet, but no one had actually tried to fight back yet, either, at least not that Tinga had seen. This close to the waterfront, the siphon was in full effect—more than enough to cow any resistance.

“They’re not actually doing anything,” Tinga said, glancing over her shoulder at Cestra. “Just telling people to stay inside. I thought they’d start rounding up non-magicals or something.”

“Why would they bother?” said Cestra. “Most of us don’t have one of these.” She touched the talisman attached to her shoulder, its diamond aglow with inner light. “And the bluecaps are on their side, so they don’t think any authorities are coming to help us. As far as they know, all they have to do is wait it out and let the spell do its work.”

“They’re in for a surprise, then.” Tinga reached into her pocket and drew out the sending locket Indree had given her. “I need to tell Indree. Keep an eye on the street. Let me know if anyone gets too close.” She crossed the room to Tane’s desk, and took a seat behind it.

The office had been thoroughly searched at some point, and nothing had been put back in its place. Every desk drawer had been left open, files and magical diagrams were strewn everywhere, and the folding screen in the back had fallen across the mattress it was intended to hide. But it had been several months now since the attack in Belgrier, and apparently no one cared to watch over the place any longer, or do much to secure it. There hadn’t been anyone on guard, and Tinga’s key had still worked.

More importantly, Tane’s wards were still in place. Currently deactivated, but intact. The cupboard on the right side of his desk contained the gems and glyphs. If any of Endo’s knights tried to get inside, all Tinga had to do was flip a switch to keep them out. And Indree had given her stern orders to do just that at the first sign of trouble. She and Cestra had been sent—along with several Silver Dawn agents stationed in other locations—to keep an eye on the streets and report back, not to engage directly with the Knights of the Emperor.

Tinga squeezed the locket, and a moment later, felt a brief sense of pressure in her ears as the sending channel opened.

“What is it, Tinga?” Indree sounded preoccupied. It wasn’t hard to guess why.

“We’ve got Knights of the Emperor in the street around the office.

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