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  Spells of the Curtain: Fire Mage

  Copyright © 2018 Tim Niederriter

  http://mentalcellarpublications.com

  https://dwellerofthedeep.wordpress.com/

  All Rights Reserved.

  No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written consent of the author. Unauthorized duplication in any media is a violation of international copyright laws and will be prosecuted.

  Published by Mental Cellar Publications

  This is a work of fiction People, places, events, and situations are the product of the author’s imagination. Any similarity to actual people, places, and events is purely coincidental.

  Also by Tim Niederriter

  Spells of the Curtain Series

  Court Mage

  Battle Mage

  Winter Mage

  Garden Mage

  Traveling Mage

  Fire Mage

  Tenlyres Series

  Ilsa and Blue

  The Gray Lector

  The Lyre War

  The Root Conspiracy Series

  Memory Lost

  Mind Chase

  Image Storm

  Cell Cycle

  Other Books

  Rem’s Dream

  Find out more at http://mentalcellarpublications.com

  This series is for the friends who made it possible.

  And also for Zig Zag Claybourne, a fellow author who encouraged me to dust off this tale.

  And now, for the readers whose enthusiasm for this story encourages me to keep writing every day.

  Thank you all.

  Smoke climbed over the rooftops of Diar and drifted out to sea. Edmath stood on the bony back of the mighty levoth returning him and his party from the north after their journey. He stared the torches and figures filling the streets most of them fully humanoid, but for the occasional royal in a hybrid tosh and the animals different citizens brought with them.

  "They're rioting," said Brosk from beside Edmath.

  Brosk wore his hybrid whale tosh for the increased perception it granted him both in air and underwater. He grimaced.

  "I can't tell what they want, but if royals are among them it could be very bad."

  Edmath sighed.

  "I only hope we can get Durine to the palace. I fear the streets will be packed all the way from the waterfront."

  Chelka approached them from near the levoth's head where the controller, Onserun, stood.

  "There aren't enough people in Diar to fill every street. We'll find a way around, or through." She smiled. "I have a feeling our Rooster Tribe friends will be useful in that once we get to shore."

  Brosk stared at the distant streets. His small eyes narrowed in his tosh-smoothed features.

  "A good idea. I will tell Kana to have everyone ready for the moment we reach the port."

  Edmath clapped his friend on the forearm.

  "It'd be well to tell them to be on guard when we arrive. They don't know the situation yet."

  "Indeed." Brosk left them and descended into the levoth's dry stomach where the other passengers remained, except Edmath, Chelka, and one other.

  Ninafi Daderon stood beside the controller on the levoth's head and stared at the city she had never seen before. Her yellow hair streamed in the north wind. She held a hand to the red jeweled locket laying over her heart.

  "It is amazing to consider this as her first sight of the city," said Edmath softly.

  Chelka nodded. She wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

  "She's been living in the north, a child of elk and swan and winter. But winter never comes to Diar."

  "I know what you mean," said Edmath. "This city doesn't stop for a moment. I wonder. What trouble is causing these riots now?"

  "Only one way to find out," said Chelka.

  The levoth swam toward shore, nearing the pier.

  "Why am I worried our other new passenger is only going to endanger things further?" said Edmath.

  Chelka laid her head against his shoulder, making him turn to look at her.

  "It's what you just said. The empire never stops moving and changing. Not even for an immortal monster."

  A shadowy form slithered up from the dry stomach and turned toward them.

  "I would appreciate a less disgusted tone, Lady Benisar," said the raspy voice of Durine. "And please don't call me a monster." He crawled toward them on centipede legs from the insect-body hidden beneath his long robe.

  "A monster you may not be," said Edmath, "But people in the empire may not see it that way. Your kind of magic has been outlawed for a thousand years."

  "The high emperor will understand," said Durine. "I only want an end to the internecine conflict of younger days."

  "Encouraging as always," said Chelka, not masking her bitter tone.

  "And as usual you wear your heart on your sleeve, Lady Benisar." Durine hissed out a sigh.

  "We will get you to the high palace. Your audience with the high emperor is our mission now," Edmath said.

  "Thank you, Edmath." Durine turned his face, all-too-human and untouched by the ravages of time toward the shore. "This violence is not because of me, but I fear my appearance may exacerbate it."

  "Likely, true," said Chelka. "But in this, Edmath speaks for all of us. We will protect you."

  "For now. I trust you will," said Durine.

  The levoth's frog-like feet descended, anchoring them beside the Benisar royal dock in at the port. Despite a letter ahead, there was no one there to greet them but the guard at the dock house. He gave them a wary nod as they approached. Chelka went to speak to him as the rest disembarked.

  The largest crowds moved toward the palace at the center of Diar, but rioters appeared everywhere in one form or another. Before the slope of the hill rose too far, Edmath led the way southeast along the peninsula, heading for the serpent hostel kept in-part by his adoptive mother. Chelka, Brosk, Ninafi, and Durine went with him escorted by Kana and her fellow mercenaries, planning to avoid the worst of the crowds by circling the palace.

  "We could find a way to fly in," said Brosk.

  "Much as I hate to admit it," said Chelka, "that may be the best way."

  Durine rasped assent.

  Brosk turned to Kana.

  "Can you find us a sky carriage?"

  "It's getting dark," she said, "but I'll try." She motioned for her people to follow her. "Good luck."

  "You too," said Brosk, leaning to bring his lips close to her ear.

  Edmath didn't know if Brosk was aware of his and Chelka's awareness of the Whale Prince's relationship with Kana. Brosk had yet to tell them, so it seemed better to keep thing quiet for the moment. Edmath and the other four mages approached the Serpent Tribe hostel.

  The building was dark but for clusters of candles lighting the porch. Sitting in the chairs in the dim glow were two women, both Edmath recognized despite the shadows. Tusami Gesa, a Serpent Tribe Saale sat beside Sampheli's blood-daughter, Edmath's fellow Saale, Zuria. The two stood up as Edmath and his party drew near the porch.

  "Who's there?" Zuria asked.

  "It's Edmath. I'm with friends."

  "Edmath," said Tusami, glancing at Zuria.

  "Up the steps, brother. And quickly," said Zuria. "We don't want to draw attention from the mob."

  "Agreed," said Edmath as he climbed the stairs. "I have a feeling this unrest is going to make life difficult for the moment."

  Tusami frowned.

  "Do you know what's going on?" she asked.

  "Good Saale, we only arrived at dusk," said Edmath as the others followed him onto the porch.

  Brosk folded his arms.

&nb
sp; "Please, fill us in."

  "Of course, brother. Tusami, can you watch the porch?"

  "For a time," she said. "but I'll call out if there's trouble."

  "Thank you," said Zuria. She led the others to the door, then inside.

  Once within the hostel's dining room, Zuria lit a lamp but kept it covered to hide the light from the windows. In the gloom, they gathered around the ornate wooden table.

  "Is Sampheli alright?" asked Edmath.

  "She's fine. Worried, but fine. She's asleep upstairs."

  "Worried, of course."

  "It's more than the riots. It's what's behind them," said Zuria. "Edmath, High Emperor Loi has not been seen in a week."

  Edmath's eyes widened. Chelka put a hand on his shoulder. Brosk paced. Ninafi gasped. Only Durine made no move or sound.

  "So, he's gone?" asked Durine.

  "No. But who are you, sir?"

  "I am called Durine of the Grafter Tribe. I have come to swear my allegiance to the High Emperor, and to the High Emperor alone."

  "I'll have to explain later," said Edmath.

  "You know all too well," said Zuria, staring at Durine. "I take it your journey in the north was interesting."

  "Far too interesting," said Chelka. "Zuria Mierzon, allow me to introduce Ninafi Daderon, a Winter Saale we met on our travels."

  Ninafi tipped a hand to herself.

  "It is good to meet you, Zuria."

  "I wish it was under better conditions," said Zuria. "For now, the populace is uneasy, to put it mildly. The High Emperor is within the pyramid at the center of the High Palace, but he won't come out to address them, even now. There is speculation he is ill or dying."

  "But Loi is not much older than Sampheli. If he is sick, he could still recover," said Edmath.

  "There are some who may not want him to recover at all," said Brosk darkly.

  "True," said Chelka.

  Zuria nodded.

  "As far as I know the Oyster King, Leus Ogusotha has come to the city for that very reason. But he has yet to move."

  A knock came at the door to the dining room. Ninafi opened it cautiously. Kana's face became visible in the lantern glow.

  "We found a small bird carriage. The pilot says he can take a few of us if we hurry."

  "We'll need you to take your carriage over the palace walls, but don't worry," Edmath told the Eagle Tribe lady whose sky carriage he stood beside, "this is of utmost importance to the empire and we will see to it you are not troubled by the breach of space."

  "When you put it that way," the young woman said, "I can ensure you reach the palace grounds, Lord Benisar." She glanced at Brosk and the others who stood nearby. "My only issue is the carriage won't carry all twelve of you."

  "Understandable," said Brosk. "I think Kana's team and I can find our own way in."

  "I should stay and protect the hostel," said Zuria.

  Edmath nodded, then counted quickly.

  "Can you take four of us, Lady Jion?"

  "Without the Whale Prince, certainly, but we will be slow to rise," she said.

  "We'll have to risk it. Better three Saales than two if we get in trouble," said Chelka.

  Ninafi frowned.

  "I don't have a stethian. Perhaps you two would be better escorting Durine without me."

  "No," said Chelka. "Besides Brosk, you are physically strongest in your tosh. And you're much lighter than him."

  "Very well," said Ninafi.

  "Board," said Lady Jion. "We fly quickly. My eagles can handle the dark for now, but once the moon sets that will change."

  The Saales and Durine followed her command.

  The eagle carriage ascended over rooftops cast in silver light from the moon and stars. Below, the torches of the mob looked small. Edmath felt for them, though the night was warm, this chaos would not be good for either rioters or guards, all fellow citizens of Zel.

  Who was right? Difficult to say. Even the High Emperor owed his power, and therefore his explanations for his absence, to the people.

  Edmath held his stethian across his lap, Chelka on one side, Ninafi on the other. Durine curled in the center of the carriage floor, still concealing his lower half in his robe. The carriage controller waved the eagles on toward the palace's gleaming domes.

  Ninafi gasped as more or of the palace appeared from the hillside. Her eyes shone with awe.

  "It's so beautiful!"

  "It has that effect," said Edmath with a smile at Ninafi.

  Durine shifted to look east toward the palace.

  "The pyramid is the oldest part of the palace. That's where the High Emperor will be."

  "Can't get you that close," said the controller. "The enchieli will shred my basket, no questions asked."

  "Hmmm," said Edmath. "The palace guards are probably on great alert, indeed. Likely the ground won't be much easier to traverse."

  "If we meet with the clerks that manage appointments at the Office of Keys we might have more luck," said Chelka. "Though they likely won't receive us until daylight."

  "Certainly," said Edmath.

  "I take it you know these clerks?" asked Durine.

  Edmath's face heated up.

  "I've never met them."

  "I met two of the three in-passing," said Chelka. "I can talk to either them if they're on duty tomorrow."

  "And what about the other one?" asked Ninafi.

  Chelka's face flushed, darkening in the moonlight, still looking sickened by the flight patterns of the eagles.

  "I know her as well."

  "And?" said Durine.

  "And we aren't friends, to put it mildly," said Chelka. "She's a matron of the Coral Tribe."

  "Sea Clan," said Ninafi. "Why don't you get along?"

  "She looked after me for a year while I lived in Kidar. I was twelve when I last saw her."

  "Surely this clerk won't blame you for being...however you were back then," said Edmath.

  "I can dream too, Ed."

  "Well, two-thirds-chance it isn't her," said Ninafi as they neared the palace.

  "Quite," said Durine. He stiffened. "Beware, someone is approaching."

  "I don't see anyone," said the eagle controller. She called to the birds in their language. "Keep your eyes sharp, friends."

  Edmath frowned toward the palace. A shadow was moving on the grounds, large and undulating evidently even from this altitude, but impossible to identify. He pointed.

  "There, a wing!"

  "What is it?" asked Ninafi.

  "It’s too large to be human," he said. "a hybrid perhaps?"

  "A levoth or other sky steed?" said Chelka, holding her stomach. "I think I may be sick."

  The shape on the palace grounds spread broad white wings, glimmering in the starlight, and launched into the night air. It flew straight toward the carriage. Edmath stood up, holding his stethian before him.

  By the light of the silver-white moon, he discerned the head of a giant swan on a long neck. All around that neck wrapped smaller tentacles, those of a squid, all tracing back to beneath the huge wings carrying the swanlear through the air.

  "It's a hybrid of my tribe," said Chelka softly, then coughed into her fist with grimace of airsickness.

  Edmath nodded.

  "We'll hold it off until you can control it. Ninafi!"

  "Yes." Ninafi was on her feet, striking with a small triangle of bone.

  Edmath drew in the magic from Ninafi's tear, letting it flow through him to briefly embolden his senses. A glint of steel on the swanlear's back told him it had a rider, one carrying a sword. He made the sign of the thorn, mostly, but held just short of completing it, letting the bird-squid close with the carriage.

  The swan's mouth opened in a loud bird call. Tentacles unwrapped form the creatures' neck and shot toward the sky carriage, reaching for the lines that kept it tethered to its eagles.

  Edmath finished the sign. Thorny vines shot fro
m his stethian, catching the swanlear's grasping tentacles on one side, but in too-narrow a burst to entangle them all. One of the four lines snapped, and the greater eagle attached to it soared into the darkness.

  "Damn it," said the controller in the eagle language. She called to the loose bird as the basket listed to one side, "Return!"

  Chelka shuddered against Edmath's side. He grabbed her with one arm, then pushed his stethian into her hands. She took the weapon. Edmath reached for Ninafi just as she lost her footing with a cry. Durine held on to either side of the basket, remaining stable.

  "We're over the walls," he said.

  "Take us down as fast as you can, good controller," said Edmath.

  "A little slower than that," said the eagle lady through gritted teeth. "If we lose another bird we won't enjoy the landing."

  Tentacles lashed from the swanlear's neck and belly as it peeled past them, tilting away.

  "Take the broken line," said Edmath to the controller.

  She stared at him.

  "In your tosh, you can substitute for one of the birds."

  She shifted at once, seizing the trailing line and taking off just as another line broke, caught in the swanlear's beak.

  The controller fought to keep them aloft as the basket lurched. Chelka tightened her grip on Edmath. Ninafi held both him and the basket.

  His teeth chattered. Only Durine remained calm as they dropped a yard, then leveled out.

  "Alright, friends," said Edmath in the eagle language. "Down we go."

  The controller glanced at him in surprise at his speaking her tribe's royal tongue. He gritted his teeth.

  "Easy as you can," he told the eagles.

  "Easy as we fly," echoed the controller.

  The basket dropped lower, guided by three lines as the other two eagles circled overhead, occasionally darting to slash at the swanlear with beaks and claws.

  Light from magic bloomed over the swanlear's back as it circled for another swipe at the carriage. The rider must be a Saale. Edmath yelled a warning to the eagles.