Colors of Chaos

CLXVI

CERRYL STOOD LOOKING out the White Tower window at the clouds that threatened rain and massaged his forehead, hoping the rain would hold off, hoping Anya wouldn’t return too quickly. He fingered the amulet. Hard to believe you wear it, but keeping it will be even harder.

He turned and studied the room. It needed cleaning and the removal of Sterol’s effects-among other things.

“High Wizard, the Lady Leyladin,” Gostar announced through the door.

Cerryl opened the door immediately and swept her inside. “You shouldn’t be here. How did you get here?”

“I came here to the Halls right after you left this morning. I stayed down with Kinowin. I couldn’t help you, but I wasn’t going to leave you, either.” The green eyes that sparkled so often were somber. “The word is out that you and Anya and Fydel have destroyed Sterol and that you were the compromise choice to be High Wizard.”

“Scarcely a ringing mandate, but it’s better that way.” And the only way you could possibly succeed as High Wizard…if you can. Cerryl laughed ruefully. “I understand why you’re here, and I love you.” He paused. “I do worry, and I didn’t want you in danger.”

“I’m safer here than at the house. You have guards.” Her eyes danced mischievously. “Besides, right now, who would attack the High Wizard?” The green eyes turned somber again. “You’re safer from Anya if I’m near.”

Cerryl couldn’t argue that. “I am, but are you?”

“For now. It will reinforce her belief that you need a woman to support you, you weak-willed White noodle.” The healer grinned.

“Noodle? I’ll show you-”

“You need to meet with Kinowin.”

“You change the subject too much.” He waited.

“Send a messenger for both Kinowin and Redark,” she insisted.

Cerryl looked around, then finally located the handbell on the side table. He rang it.

“Ser?” A young messenger peered inside the door, his eyes wide, almost fearful.

“If you would, please inform the overmages Kinowin and Redark that I would greatly appreciate their presence here at their earliest convenience.”

“Yes, ser.” The door closed swiftly.

“You’re so fearsome,” Leyladin said ironically. “If they but knew…”

“They do. Everything was going as it had. I returned, and suddenly there is a new High Wizard-or a very young mage claiming to be High Wizard. All those who once knew him-except the Council and Anya and a suspect Black healer and a few ancient Whites-are gone.”

“You are more cynical.”

“More realistic, I fear.” Cerryl glanced toward the door.

“That could be. What will you do first…after this meeting?”

“Get the Guild to acknowledge me. Then start working on changing trade in Candar.”

“You sound like Father.”

“He’s right about trade.”

“He is…” Leyladin smiled.

Thrap! “The overmage Kinowin, ser.”

“Have him enter.”

Kinowin stepped through the door. Despite his gauntness, his shoulders were straight, and his gray eyes were intent, with the hint of a smile buried there. “Cerryl-or should I say ‘honored High Wizard’?-greetings, my best wishes, and my condolences.” He bowed slightly to the healer. “Especially condolences to Lady Leyladin.”

“‘Cerryl’ is more than sufficient, old friend.” The new High Wizard gestured to the round table. “Please sit. We’re awaiting Overmage Redark.”

Kinowin settled into one of the seats, and Leyladin sat beside him.

“You intend to have Leyladin here?”

“Absolutely. I’m a weak-willed compromise for High Wizard who needs a healer nearby.”

Kinowin laughed. “Anyone who knows the healer knows the lie of that.” After a moment he added, “Some will claim that you will be too soft on Recluce, if you listen to a Black.”

“That is possible, but I would have them judge by my actions.”

Kinowin frowned. “You are not going to allow Anya her head in invading Recluce?”

“Let us see what the season brings.” Hating the immediate temporizing, Cerryl offered a smile as he seated himself with his back to the window, facing the door.

“You have something in mind?”

Much in mind…but whether it will play out as you wish, that is something else. “Some thoughts.”

“He has grown more cautious in what he utters.” Kinowin nodded toward Leyladin.

With another knock, Gostar announced, “The Overmage Redark.”

“Have him come in.” Cerryl stood and gestured to the single empty chair. “Please join us, honored overmage.”

“Honored Cerryl.” Redark inclined his head, and the ginger beard bobbed. “This has been a surprise, truly a surprise, but not necessarily an unwelcome one, though change is always unwelcome to some.” He cleared his throat as he sat down at the table. The pale green eyes flicked to Leyladin but centered back on Cerryl.

“We need a full Guild meeting,” Kinowin said, “within the eight-day.”

“Many could not be contacted and return,” protested Redark.

“They should not leave their posts, not at the moment,” Cerryl said as he reseated himself. “In Spidlar but Lyasa and Syandar remain, and their presence is necessary. With the trade problems, both Gorsuch and Sedelos must remain watchful.”

“Besides,” Kinowin added dryly, “how will their presence change matters? Half of those elsewhere would favor Cerryl, and the others know him not.”

“Mages belong in Fairhaven,” Redark replied, “except when they are needed elsewhere.”

“That is often these days,” Kinowin observed.

Leyladin smiled faintly but did not speak.

“It may become more necessary in the days to come,” added Cerryl.

Redark raised his ginger eyebrows.

“Recluce must be respected in Candar before it will be respected in Recluce.” Cerryl made a vague gesture. “How to accomplish that we will discuss in greater detail later.” He smiled. “For now, we need to discuss whether you and Kinowin feel that immediate changes are necessary within the Halls.”

“The younger mages…the apprentices…they protest the sewer training,” offered Redark.

“Who handles that now? Or is it still-” Cerryl glanced at Kinowin.

“Alas…I am still working with Kochar and Kydasl on the sewers.”

Cerryl knew Kochar from when he had been an apprentice but had never heard of Kydasl.

“Kydasl was an assistant in Renklaar, but Gorsuch thought he might better serve the Guild in Fairhaven, and Sterol suggested he could one day take over the sewer cleaning and training.”

Redark nodded. “He is inclined to be most fastidious.”

Cerryl concealed a wince. “I think we all disliked sewer training, but it is necessary.” He smiled at Redark. “If you have some thoughts on exactly how we might improve that training, I would find them most welcome.”

“I will think on it,” promised Redark. “There is also the question of whether the tariff structure for gate medallions might best be improved so as to raise the revenues…”

The last thing Fairhaven needed to do was discourage farmers and traders from entering the city. Cerryl nodded. “Perhaps you could prevail upon Esaak to show what revenues might be raised with changes at both higher and lower levels and how that might affect the number of wagons entering the city.”

“Esaak…he is inclined to lower the tariffs.” Redark frowned.

“I see.” Cerryl paused, then added, “Ask him to show all the possible numbers and golds received so that we might review them. And the numbers for past years as well.”

Redark nodded. “I will.”

Kinowin covered his mouth for a moment.

“We also need to consider refurbishing the Guild Hall…”

That’s the last thing golds should be spent on…“Perhaps dealing with that would seem too presumptuous for a new High Wizard.” Cerryl knew the meeting was going to last far, far longer than he wished-or needed.

He could sense the smile hidden behind the bland expression of interest shown by Leyladin, but he nodded at the ginger-bearded overmage to continue.