The Shadow Sorceress by Victor Gischler

Author:Victor Gischler [Gischler, Victor]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wandering Robot Books
Published: 2020-04-21T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

“Knarr and I rode into town together,” Lill had told us. “He takes many of his meals at a place called The Golden Toad. He’s there now. If I hurry, I might still catch him. Catch up quickly. And we shall see if he will perform the task.”

And she’d gone, like a cold wind sweeping through and onward.

Lill and Mireen had struck their agreement as I’d stood with my mouth hanging open like a dimwit. Mireen had quickly fetched a dark cloak to throw over her gown. She pulled the hood forward to hide her face from casual viewing as we made the short walk from the castle, snow filling the cracks of the cobblestone streets.

“Don’t you think you’re being a bit rash?” I whispered to her.

“There’s a certain momentum to things,” she replied. “The opportunity is now.”

We entered the Golden Toad, an upscale eatery in the aristocratic part of town. At this late hour, the crowd had thinned, and it was easy to spot Lill and the wizard at a table near the back.

Knarr was dark skinned, head bald and glistening, face clean shaved. Deep lines across his forehead and at his eyes suggested age. His robes were heavy, woolen, and dyed a garish red tending to pink. A half-eaten chicken sat on the plate in front of him.

He saw Mireen and made to rise from his chair. “Milady.”

“No formalities please, Knarr,” Mireen said. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it? I haven’t seen you at court.”

Mireen and I took our seats at the table.

“Court Magician is something of a courtesy title. You father sends for me when he has need.” Knarr turned to me. “I don’t believe we’ve met, my lord.”

A polite nod. “Templeton Kane at your service.”

“It’s through Templeton I learned that Lill had come to see you,” Mireen explained.

“Ask the wizard your questions,” Lill said. “He can answer better than I.”

Mireen leaned in and lowered her voice. “Lill has already told you what I want to know, yes?”

Knarr spread his hands awkwardly. “Forgive me, milady. In a place like Klaar, I am learned. When considering the whole world, I am not counted among the great wizards. I’ve studied, yes, including seven years at the university in Tul Agnon. The magic we’re talking about was part of that study, but it wasn’t my specialty. There may be … nuances.”

“Your best is all anyone can ask,” Mireen assured him. “You won’t be held responsible.”

“Your father might not see it the same way.”

“You’re hoping daddy will sponsor an expedition, yes?” Mireen asked. “A ship and men and supplies to explore someplace in the Scattered Isles.”

“A place Maurizan visited many years ago. Much history there and mysterious artifacts,” Knarr said. “I hadn’t realized you’d been made aware of this. Did Maurizan tell you? Is she back in Klaar?”

Mireen shook her head. “I heard daddy talking to mum about it. He seemed on the fence. I could probably talk him around … one way or another.”

Knarr sat back in his chair, smiling.

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