Page 6 of Aubade Rising

“What the hell were you thinking taking a position on the Concord?” Dervla’s voice is icy cold from outside the Concord chamber where she lies in wait. I ignore her, stumbling ahead.

I have to get out of the palace, to find somewhere quiet. Everything is gone and I just showed my magic to my biggest enemy. My breath is ragged, it echoes along the corridors. I run, blindly searching for somewhere private to breakdown.

“Sage! Stop!” Dervla wrenches my arm, pulling me round to face her. I avoid her dark eyes and stare out of the window, focusing on counting the islets of the archipelago in the distance, nails biting into my palms.

“Are you alright? What did King Cado want?” Her voice is soft, gentle even, despite the vice-like grip on my arm and I let it envelop me.

Words tumble over each other in my mouth but none make it out.

“Come, let’s get you into the daylight.” Instinctively knowing what I need, she leads me through the palace via quiet back corridors, away from prying eyes.

The day is fading, shrouded by low clouds, the sunset struggling to scatter its last light.

We huddle against the winter chill, at the edge of the formal gardens while I turn my face and hands to the remaining sunlight.

My hands move of their own accord. The meagre warmth on my face counteracts the adrenaline running through my body and settles my restored magic.

It’s fretting, looking for another release, a way to burn off the fear and uncertainty.

I wrestle control; I can’t risk a light show here of all places, even a small one.

Dervla reads the struggle on my face and waits patiently until the sun slips below the horizon. My magic calms, irritated but resigned.

“Better?” She breaks the silence, eyes furrowed and concerned.

“Yes. No. Maybe. A little.” Swirling emotions lurk at the edges of my mind, threatening to overrule me. I wipe the thin film of sweat from my forehead. Her first question lingers, the smallest crack in our relationship.

“I had no choice. I have no home, no way of making a living. The Almanac…” I stumble on his title as shadows grow around us, my mind threatening to take me back to the dungeons. “He made it clear how little an Aubade matters in his city.”

She reaches for my shaking hand, holding it tightly.

“It’s not his city. And we’re working to change that, remember?

I wouldn’t have let anything happen to you.

” Dervla’s consolation rings hollow, the crack widening to a chasm.

To be a Mordros and an Aubade mean very different things.

it’s not only our different magics causing the schism.

She has influence in this city but she’s not invincible.

The image of her collapsed in the water when we arrived in Pentargon is still fresh.

As a member of the Concord, I’ll be untouchable.

“I know what I’m doing.”

“I really hope you do.” Her eyes stare into the distance, attention caught by something I can’t see. “Your research is critical and we don’t have much time.”

Her comment makes me bristle. For the first time, I wonder whether my friendship with Dervla is a little one-sided.

“I’ll arrange for a new laboratory to be set-up. Somewhere private where you can work uninterrupted.Be careful who you trust in the palace. People are rarely what they seem, especially King Cado or Captain Devath.”

Noted – not that I was planning on making friends here anyway I scoff privately to myself.

Dervla pulls on my arm, commanding my attention. “I’m serious, Sage. I grew up with them both and yet I still feel like I hardly know them anymore.” I pull away. I’ve had enough of being told what to do today.

“And Cado? What did he want?” she asks.

“To see my magic. The novelty of it, I suppose.” I start to tell her I disappointed him with whatever he was hoping to see, but a loud bird call sounds out a warning and Dervla tenses.

My heart soars as she extends her arm and Kaens lands heavily on the leather gauntlet encircling it, russet feathers ruffled and amber eyes gleaming. She made it out of Athnavar safely.

Dervla nods at the majestic bird, communicating back and forth in their silent exchange of gestures before she turns back to me, whispering curtly, “We’re not alone out here.

I have to go now; I have urgent business.

Promise you’ll do everything you can to solve your research.

I’ll be away for several days, but we’ll speak more when I’m back. ”

They disappear into the blackness, heading for the city and I savour relief that Kaens made it through the attacks unharmed.