Sitting upon his throne, thinking to himself, was Talon Astero. He was pondering Evelyn, as he hadn’t been able to figure out her goal. Was she truly happy about what had happened to her father? She was a princess and skilled at politics—a requirement, or else lords and ladies would run you over. His father had drilled that into his brain, despite his insistence on hating politics.

  Only time would tell if Evelyn was true to her word. Talon hadn’t taught her anything yet. That would come tomorrow, and he hoped she would prove to be an ally. He could use more friends, for there were too few people he trusted.

  He snapped out of his thoughts when he sensed the power, and a portal appeared in the throne room. Out came two Ashtari. He recognized the woman with silver hair and red eyes; that was Aurora Sinclair. Talon made sure to recall that one, for she was powerful, and he wanted to see how she progressed. The other was also strong, with dark-black hair and a serious expression as he looked up at him. He recognized him as Dorvan Minishota.

  “Your grace,” Aurora said with a graceful bow. Dorvan’s wasn’t as graceful, but it was a bow.

  “Did Qidan send you?” Talon asked.

  “Yes,” Dorvan replied.

  “Excellent,” Talon got up from his throne and walked down to meet the two Ashtari on even ground. “How are the prisoners?”

  “Angry, but they haven’t attempted to escape. The most they’ve done was some verbal abuse,” Aurora said.

  No surprise there. Talon hadn’t visited the prisoners for he feared he would lose control of himself and kill one of them. Now that some time had passed, he wanted to see them. “Give me details; I need to know.”

  “The mages talk about how they’ll be rescued, a lot, and threaten us with imprisonment or death. Not much else to add,” Dorvan said.

  Talon hadn’t expected the mages' pride to fall, not yet. Without torture, something he wasn’t willing to do, there was no reason for the mages to lose their ego. A downside but one he had come to accept after taking them. If Aurora hadn’t stopped him, he would have killed a few of the mages. It was a good thing she was brave enough to stand up to him.

  “I would like you two to accompany me as I visit them,” Talon said. Without waiting for a response, he created a portal but did not step through. “I think it’s time I speak to them myself.”

  “As you wish,” Dorvan said.

  “Then let’s go,” Talon said, and stepped through the portal.

  He felt a slight breeze and the immense power flowing all around the School of Power. It was intoxicating how many power-users there were in one spot. Talon thought he had been impressed on earlier visits, but this was something else. Everywhere he looked, he could sense the power. His Ashtari were growing rapidly, and he couldn’t help smiling.

  Dorvan was the first to step through the portal after Talon, with Aurora right behind him. Talon allowed the portal to disappear and headed toward the prisoners. He remembered where the prisons were built, with anti-power artifacts to prevent a power-user from escaping. Mortham Tower had similar prisons, though he would like to know if they were similar to his.

  Not too far away was Qidan. Like a little buzz in Talon’s head, he felt the mage getting closer as he had sensed his arrival. Oath-Keeper was why he could keep track of Qidan’s every move and bind him to Talon’s side. Years had passed since that encounter, and the mage served him faithfully. He was pretty sure the mage was fully on his side, and Oath-Keeper was no longer needed, yet he wouldn’t remove the bond from him, at least not until the war with the invaders was over.

  The students were well-trained, for not even one of them broke away from their training despite sensing or seeing his presence. Talon was impressed with their discipline. A group of power-users ready to defend all of Aidris. If the mages assisted in the upcoming war, then there was no way the Durmaddon army would stand a chance. At least, that’s what he hoped.

  “I didn’t expect you to come, or I would have waited before sending these two over,” Qidan said as he arrived.

  “It’s good to see you too. I waited for their arrival on purpose,” Talon said.

  “Ah,” Qidan said. “Is there something you need?”

  “No,” Talon put his hands behind his back. “I am here to see the prisoners.”

  The look on Qidan’s face was almost enough to make him laugh. There was no missing the fear, and despite the mage’s loyalty, he still had ties to Mortham Tower that he wanted to maintain. “I’m not here to kill them; I am only here to ask questions,” Talon said.

  Qidan’s shoulders visibly relaxed. “I’ll take you there.”

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  Talon had half a mind to tell him no before deciding against it. He waved his arm for the former mage to lead the way. They walked past a few groups of students, who for the most part remained on task. Some glanced at him eagerly, but it was only for a few seconds. There was an explosion in the distance and a small fire with a group of students taking it out by using the earth. So much was going on, and he found himself impressed at the structure. No longer a bunch of people flailing around aimlessly. There was real direction in their training.

  He tore his eyes away from the students as they entered the prison grounds, which was a bit different than before. There was now a fence with a roof and no way to leave the fence as it was closed off with iron bars. The prison had been expanded and could fit far more people than what he last saw.

  “We’ve had to expand the prison due to some students wanting to leave, despite being warned of our policy before joining and the mage prisoners,” Qidan explained and stopped in front of the fence. “The mages are in here. If you enter, you won’t be able to use the power.”

  A quick glance showed Talon how difficult it would be to break through the fence. The only way would be outside help, which would require taking out the dozen Ashtari guards all around the prison. “You may return to your duties.”

  “Y-”

  “Go, I don’t need you for this,” Talon said.

  Quickly regaining his composure, Qidan bowed and left. Talon could see the irritation from the former mage. “Aurora, if any of the mages try to attack me, kill one of them,” he said.

  “As you command,” Aurora said.

  Talon didn’t miss the disapproving look from Dorvan. All that mattered was that he followed orders. He didn’t anticipate the mages being dumb enough to attack him, but he would take no risks. While none of them could use the power inside the prison, that didn’t stop someone from the outside from using it.

  Talon opened the gate and walked inside. He saw the prisoners look over at him. The moment he stepped past the gate, he felt the power leave him, as if an invisible force sucked it from within him. He felt naked without the power, especially with how much he was relying on it to keep him from losing his nerve.

  Aurora has me covered; there is no reason to fear. Talon told himself and kept walking as if nothing was slowing him down. His doubts threatened to cloud his judgment. He ignored them. He was a king, and he had to show these mages he didn’t fear them.

  “I was wondering when you would visit.”

  The voice of Asagara, leader of the mages who had captured him at Elysian Fields, sent shivers down Talon’s spine, and he wanted to curse himself for his cowardice. Thankfully, he was able to maintain his composure. The other mages stood next to him, with their typical arrogant looks. Looking at the mages who had tortured him made him want to grab the power and strike them down. Thankfully, that wasn’t an option.

  “It’s been a while,” Talon said, his voice unusually cold. “I figured it was time we talked.”

  “I’ve asked Qidan to bring you to me many times, and now you come?” Asagara said.

  “Did you forget you are my prisoner?” Talon said, not missing the way Asagara tried to take command of the situation. Typical mage. “I was busy with other tasks, and you were at the bottom of my list.”

  That got a reaction. Lines of fury flashed across Asagara’s face, which quickly disappeared as the mage regained composure. “I have terms if you want my help.”

  Talon laughed, loudly and exaggeratedly. These mages were so full of themselves! Asking him for terms as if he was in charge? “All right, I’ll bite. What kind of help do you think you can offer?”

  “I can stop you from getting so many of these power-users of yours killed. Perhaps a light punishment instead of death or removal of the power,” Asagara said. The mage was serious; there wasn’t a hint of sarcasm in his tone. He was so confident that Mortham Tower was going to beat Talon.

  “I’ll never get used to your arrogance,” Talon said.

  “I’m sure the mages have threatened you, why else would you come now and not sooner?” Asagara countered.

  “The mages haven’t approached me yet,” Talon said. That alone was worth the trip here. Not even one of the mages could hide their surprise, and for the first time since he arrived, they looked worried. Had they expected Mortham Tower to rescue them by now? Perhaps they were now realizing their situation.

  “You lie!” Zelena said, her blond hair flowing in the wind as she began to move forward. She didn’t get to move very far as two of the mages held her back. “Let go of me!”

  “Control yourself!” Asagara said. “Don’t be foolish. If you attack the king, the Ashtari will strike you down.”

  “Perhaps you can use your brain,” Talon taunted.

  Asagara didn’t rise to the bait this time. “We are your prisoners, at least for now.”

  “Your mages haven’t so much as sent me a letter. In truth, I came here to see how you were being treated, and I see your conditions are far better than what I received in your care.”

  “You deserved what you got, and I would do it again,” Asagara said.

  Oh, if only he could use the power… Talon forced himself to take a deep breath. It was a good thing this prison prevented him from using the power, or he would have done something he would have regretted.

  “Treat us well? Your Ashtari stare at us like we’re animals!” Zelena seethed.

  “Doesn’t it feel good?” Talon said and almost laughed at the confused expression on her face. “What? You don’t like to be seen as a lesser person? You don’t like it when people have power over you and flaunt it? Don’t you realize that’s what you do to the common folk? You flaunt around, taunting people with your power. Now you know how we feel when you show up.”

  “Why you—”

  “I’ve got my answers,” Talon said and turned his back on the mages. There was nothing he would get from them.

  “What answers did we provide?” Asagara shouted after him.

  Ignoring the questions, Talon left the prison. Once he got out, he gathered the power, feeling it flood his veins. All his worries were whisked away, and he felt nothing but confidence. Nothing could hurt him when he had the power. He motioned for Dorvan and Aurora to follow. The answer he was seeking was answered. The mages' confidence was a ruse, or at least they weren’t as cocky as they were letting on. A few words had made them lose their composure, something that never happened when they were in control of the situation.

  That meant there was no secret plan the mages were doing. Perhaps Mortham Tower was debating their next course of action, which would explain why no letters or messengers had visited him. Despite his concerns, Talon felt more confident that the mages were not sure what to do. Relieved by the news, he created a portal back to the kingdom. There was work to be done.