The smaller moon, hovering halfway to its zenith, could not be ignored. On Keth, Caidolis was just another face of the sun and moon spirit. If it could be construed as any omen, it would be one of danger. Therelin could not decide, as he walked through the streets of Saanazar, rounding the sprawling estates near the Grey Temple, whether it symbolized the danger he had been in upon receiving the letter—or the danger he was in now by going to speak with Master Nolicrin.
Of course, Therelin didn’t have a lot of faith in the sign. He had been perfectly safe during most of Caidolis’ rises, and faced danger many times when there was no sign of the small dot.
The sun beat down on him, and the larger moon, halfway through its 10th phase this year, was hidden from view. He paused, as he approached the Hall of Three Winds and hid in the shade of a two-storey home while he collected himself. His coin pouch, which usually only held a few coins, now weighed heavily against his hip. His right hand held his walking staff and his left hand held a pouch with a day’s ration of food. Just in case.
To Master Ethraw, Therelin had written a short note and paid a messenger. He had told the merchant he was sick today and could not come to the stall. He had apologized for his sudden absence—for he knew that requesting a day off would likely get him a chance to see Master Nolicrin nearly a month later.
He climbed the sloping trail to the top and entered the Hall of Three Winds. Nolicrin was speaking with two of his other apprentices, but paused to look at Therelin. Maia wasn’t there. Therelin nodded to Nolicrin, and the scholar continued his lesson. A few moments later, he requested they read from a passage and then stepped over to speak with the Ketho traveller.
“Can we speak in private?” Therelin asked instead. Therelin didn’t know to whom else he could turn.
Nolicrin blinked and nodded. He led Therelin into his personal office and closed the door behind him. During the last couple months, Therelin had been inside twice, but had seen within several times. The room was triangular and lined with bookshelves. Nolicrin had a desk halfway between the vertex entry point and the exterior wall, which, in turn, opened out onto the eventful balcony where he had first overheard Nolicrin’s secret interests. The Master crossed a lavish floor rug to stand before it.
Therelin stood behind the student’s chair that rested across from the desk, and took a deep breath. He needed to know how to continue his time in Saanazar. “Well, this is a very delicate issue,” Therelin began. “Some weeks ago, I happened to overhear a conversation about a renegade, a spy, and a conclave.”
Nolicrin let out his breath slowly, a long, tense sigh that Therelin could neither place definitively as irked or surprised.
Therelin hurried. “Out of my own curiosity, I did some research to learn what they were talking about—I still know so little about life as a magician in Gethra. I am just trying to understand.”
Nolicrin had changed demeanor. His sigh had faded into a state of concentration. His eyes watched Therelin, but Therelin couldn’t be certain if his focus was on his words or something else entirely.
Trembling, Therelin went on. “Recently, I received a letter that suggested my life may be in danger if I continue to inquire into this issue. I don’t wish to put myself into mortal danger, but I would like to know into what danger I have already stumbled. I would appreciate any advice or insight you can offer.”
Now the focus of Nolicrin’s attention became clear. The master mage held out his hand toward Therelin—in a second, Therelin knew he might be dead. He stumbled forward, dropping his driftwood staff at Nolicrin’s feet in order to side-step the magician’s arm. With one hand on Nolicrin’s hovering wrist and his other on Nolicrin’s opposite bicep, Therelin attempted to restrain the man long enough to ask, “What are you doing?!”
But Master Nolicrin’s head only lowered forward, his chin asserting itself against the collar of his robe. Several things happened in an instant: Therelin’s staff vanished, followed immediately by the chair. Without a sound, a book that balanced across the edge of Nolicrin’s desk teetered off its place and started to fall. Therelin and the book disappeared as suddenly as the rest.
Nooooo. Bring him back!!!