I scanned over the documents from the following years and confirmed that the numbers remained consistent after the initial increase.So it was true that he brought back the mages... but where have they gone?
Ashbourne was home to many treasures and resources, but we lacked in magic. The only consistent forms of magic came through traders, who sold enchanted potions, talismans, and charms, but only one percent of the population could actually wield any power themselves. In fact, it was such a rarity to see mages in Ashbourne that most wielders remained hidden to avoid unwanted attention. The kingdom had been like this for as long as I could remember.
So what happened to the mages the king brought over from Sybettal?
I stared at the papers with a frustrated scowl.They couldn’t have simply disappeared!With so many odds stacked against us in the impending war, I had been actively trying to research a method in which we could gain the upper hand. If we had a massive backlog of mages hiding underground, then we could utilize their miraculous powers to give our army a hefty advantage.But where were they?
Now that Killian had relinquished his right to the throne, only Conan and I were left to stake our claims. Father had been testing our skills, wits, and power for years in an attempt to choose the strongest heir, and this war opened up an excellent opportunity to showcase our strategic thinking. Conan had always been stronger and more ruthless than me, but he wasn’t an effective strategist. This could be my chance to climb above him in rank and seal my place as future king for good.
I rolled up the census documents and tucked them under my arm. I had hoped to learn more about the mages’ disappearance before bringing my plan to Father, but I was trying to research something that happened when I was only a toddler. If I truly wanted to prove my worth, I needed to act on my plans now, and that meant I couldn’t spend any more time digging through the archives. Father was the one who had orchestrated the immigration, so he should have a more solid idea of where the mages disappeared. Perhaps if I share my plans to utilize their abilities, he’ll put me in charge of the operation.
A sly grin curled my lips as I stepped through the ornate halls.I wonder what Conan will say after he hears my plans.A prideful laugh rolled through me as I imagined the angered look in his eyes when Father promoted me to a general. It was rare for the youngest son to inherit the kingdom, but ever since our mother, Queen Priscilla, died, Father had offered Killian and me the chance to prove our worth. Ever since that day, I clawed at every opportunity to prove my usefulness and refused to stop until I was glaring down at Conan from my throne.
As I passed through the grand halls of the castle, the servants stepped aside to the outer walls and bowed low as I passed. The castle wasn’t very long, but it was made up of at least six levels.
The levels mainly contained the standard entertaining spaces, such as parlors and ballrooms, while the higher floors mostly housed sleeping chambers and private spaces. The fifth level was mostly trafficked by the king, since it contained his chambers, the library, and the throne room. There were also whispers of a sixth level, which was only accessible by the king. It was rumored to be filled with his private collection of war spoils and the sleeping chambers for previous kings’ mistresses. There was definitely evidence of a sixth floor from the architecture of the castle, but it was likely just a half-rotted attic by now.
The castle was also veined with dozens of hidden stairways and passages for the servants to utilize. I had explored most of them throughout my youth and even found a few forgotten ones. My personal favorite was a hidden hallway behind the library tapestry that led straight into Father’s chambers. I owed that passage for a great deal of my spying over my lifetime.
The obscene amount of stairs in the castle made certain that no servant would ever lack in daily exercise. Starting from the second-floor, I sprinted up the spiral steps, impatiently taking two at a time. By the time I reached the fifth level—where Father’s office was located—I had broken into a light sweat. Years of practice navigating the tricky layout had built up my endurance to an untouchable durability. I wiped the light layer of sweat from my brow and paused to regain control of my tired breaths.
Once I had recovered from my sprint, I strode confidently through the halls with a freshly inflated ego and rolled around the corner to face the doors of Father’s office. With a straightened spine and serious expression, I raised my knuckles to knock on the heavy door, but paused when I caught a familiar voice echoing from inside.
Oh? Is Father having a private meeting?
My devious side flickered to life and I cast a thorough glance down the halls to ensure no one was watching. After confirming I was alone, I pressed my ear to the crack in the door to catch a glimpse into the conversation.
“You’ve impressed me, son.” Father’s voice carried clearly to my ears. “With the prospect of war ahead of us, I have decided to choose my successor in case I am in need of a second-in-command.”
Wait a moment... Son? Was he talking to—
“Of course, Father. That would be the wisest choice,” Conan said flatly. I felt my blood boil as I recognized my brother’s submissive tone.Why is he having a private meeting with Father about his successor!? He certainly hasn’t done anything recently to gain extra favor, has he?
I pressed my ear tighter to the door, my palms hot and sweaty with my flooding anger. “Indeed...” Father agreed ominously. “You and your brother have both shown great potential as rulers, but I’ll admit I have been pleased with your loyalty and actions slightly more so. As of now, I make you no promises, but I intend to seek out answers today.”
I moved back an inch from the door with a confused scowl.Answers? From where?What in the realms had persuaded him to side with Conan!? Sure, he had slain the king of Drancos, but what had he done to aid us in the upcoming war? I gritted my teeth and fought the instinct to burst through the doors and demand a proper explanation.Where is Father seeking these supposed answers from, anyway?
“Forgive me, Father, but I’m not sure what you’re implying.” Conan voiced my internal question with his own perplexed inflection.
“I’m sure you don’t,” Father scoffed, a hint of humor twined into his words. “Since I’m growing confident in your success, I’ll let you in on a well-guarded secret.” I pressed my ear tighter to the door. A large part of me was furious that Conan was permitted to hear any sort of classified information, but a bigger part of me was simply glad I could absorb the secrets without either of them knowing. “I have a private stash of magic. A crystal ball, if you will,” Father said in a low voice, and I had to strain my ears to catch his words. “This reservoir of magic allows me glimpses into my future, and today I shall ask it who my predecessor will be.”
A stunned silence filled the office, and I found my mouth dropping open as I processed this tantalizing secret.If Father can see the future, is that why he’s so calm about the invading forces? He may already know fragments of the outcome.Another burn of anger tore through me as I pondered what Conan would do with this new information. Did they believe this power could aid them in battle?
“And you think this crystal ball will be able to guide our kingdom to victory?” Conan asked, once again voicing my internal question. I hated how similarly we thought, but right now I was glad he was asking the questions I was burning to have answered.
“That’s correct,” Father confirmed smoothly. “Never once has a prediction failed to pass, and I intend to gather enough knowledge to know how to proceed with full confidence in our victory.”
My head spun violently as it handled this new rush of truth.This explained so much...Such as how Father always seemed to know the outcome of our challenges before they even happened, and why he never seemed to fear the unknown.It wasn’t unknown to him...
Were these predictions the reason Father invoked such trust in Conan? What had that blasted ornament shown him, anyway!? There was no chance that Conan could be proven more valuable than me...
“However, the system isn’t perfect...” Father continued. “Occasionally, the future is unclear and is only shown in fragmental glimpses, so I make no guarantee that I will receive a clear answer about your future today. I am merely sharing this information with you as an act of faith. I trust you won’t speak of this magic to anyone.”
“Of course, Father.” Conan’s voice echoed against the obsidian floor, likely from a lowered bow. “I shall take precious care of this secret, and swear never to speak of it outside of your presence.”
“I know,” Father replied devilishly. “I wouldn’t have told you if I hadn’t already seen you keep that promise... The future is a fascinating thing.”
Frustration poured through me as I dug my nails into the wooden door.So that was it!? Some crystal ball got to determine my worth?For years I’ve worked silently as Father’s prized and polished weapon, but after all my efforts, he is willing to just toss me aside like a rusted tool!? No... that wasn’t how things were meant to go... I didn’t spend half my life climbing above my brothers just to get knocked down by a mere trinket. I stormed away from the office, allowing my mind to weave together a new plan of action.