Glandera

A heated exchange of words came through the wall, snapping Glandera out of her concentration. Ferron is back from the Arkanum College. Her gaze darted to the wall clock, which showed a quarter past three. The earth mage stretched out her legs and slid off the bed, using the vibrations to work out who else was in his study. She recognised the giant Sverker immediately by his weight. The voices grew louder, and she recognised Concetto before he even moved.

What on earth is going on? Just like last week, the lower-ranking mages had been asked to leave the meeting, and she was eager to find out more about the reasons why. I’ve barely made any progress all day, she thought in frustration as she cast a final glance at the crystal she’d left on the bedspread. One thing is certain: the healing fissures that crisscross the quartz like fluffy clouds look unnatural. They seem more like images and letters.

Glandera rubbed her eyes and stretched thoroughly. Her curiosity was almost unbearable, but the effect of the two rock crystal steps beside her bed gave her clarity. She had to practise patience – and that wasn’t exactly her strong point. The voices were growing more heated. Why is Ferron so upset?, she wondered, biting her fingernail.

“Glandera, would you please come to my study?”

She sat there stiff as a board. She still wasn’t used to suddenly hearing her Master’s voice in her head. Her heart was racing. A blink of an eye later, she’d pulled herself together and hurried over.

Despite his olive complexion, Glandera could see straight away that Ferron’s face was flushed. As she drew nearer, his shoulders slumped and the corners of his mouth turned up. She bowed her head humbly to greet the fire mages. Sverker’s reddish-blond plait dangled as he greeted her, and his sapphire-blue eyes shone as warmly as ever. The Sicilian, Concetto, was shorter, yet radiated a determination she had never encountered before. With his arms crossed over his chest, he nodded to her. She felt a flutter in her stomach. They are friends, after all. What on earth has happened?

Intuitively, she opted for the formal form of address. “Master Ferron, you wished to speak to me?” She sensed, as if by magic, his heartbeat quicken.

“Yes. An important appointment has come up for me tomorrow morning. I am heartbroken, but I will not be able to attend your first arena fight.”

“But …” Glandera faltered. I must choose my words more carefully and mustn’t contradict Ferron in public. “It meant so much to you, didn’t it?”

“That is correct,” confirmed Ferron. His jaw muscles tensed.

Glandera fought back the tears. “So will I fight a week later?”

“No. Sverker has agreed to take my place.”

The blond giant took a step forward. “I’ll look after you as if you were my own daughter.”

The Earth Mage smiled wryly. “Only if I fail to arrive on time.”

“I see.” She hung her head.

“Then I’ll expect you in the studio at the eighth hour,” Sverker concluded.

Glandera stared at the tiles, which had been polished smooth over the centuries by the Archmage’s footsteps. “Master? I have one more question.”

“Of course.”

“You said you’ve been looking forward to this moment of your whole life.” Her fingers clenched the fabric of her dress and she raised her head. She looked at him with a steady gaze. “What is so important that you cannot keep this appointment?”

Ferron’s face went pale. He took a deep breath and was about to speak – but Concetto raised his hand to silence him. “The next mission requires a little more coordination than usual. Magister Ferron’s calculations cover a wide area, and as his supervisor, I realised that certain details need to be taken into account. It was my idea to arrange for the mathematicians to assist him tomorrow morning, so I’ve decided to give that higher priority than the training.”

“You mean the mission in Peru?” Glandera pressed. “Is there perhaps anything I can do to help?”

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but your knowledge is nowhere near sufficient to grasp the full scope of this.” Concetto smiled and turned his palms upwards. “As soon as we’ve received the figures, your Master will follow up.”

I knew from the start that Ferron is a very busy man. But tomorrow, of all days, is when I would have needed him. The Acolyte stared at the floor once more. The arguments are sound. If Concetto makes this decision, Ferron will have no choice but to comply. Her hands relaxed and she smoothed out her dress. “I understand, Magister Extraordinarius. Thank you for the explanation.”

Concetto turned to the blond Viking. “Sverker has offered to help out as a mentor at any time.”

“You can always contact me if Ferron isn’t available.”

“Thank you, Magister Sverker,” Glandera replied humbly. She liked him, but she would much rather spend time with her beloved.

“This afternoon, Glandera and Dorianna intend to reveal to her family that she is a mage,” Ferron explained to the fire mages, turning to his Acolyte. “I’m giving you the rest of the day off so you can prepare. I wish you every success. See you tomorrow, Glandera.”

“Thank you, Master Ferron.” He’s sending me away. Will we even see each other again today? She swallowed her question and bid farewell to the Archmages with a nod before leaving the room.

“Jesus and Mary!” Glandera’s eyes widened as she looked at herself in the mirror. “Is that really me?”

“You look impressive in that robes,” Melody confirmed, tugging at the mage’s belt, which bore the insignia of her rank, element and the symbol of the Mage Academy. The cream-coloured fabric was a linen-cotton blend that draped softly. Glandera had chosen it herself. It was important to her that she felt comfortable in it. The water mage Marilla had applied subtle make-up to make her look more grown-up and had pinned her hair up.

The acolyte swallowed. “Thank you so much for everything. I don’t know how I can ever make it up to you.”

“You don’t have to.” Melody stroked her shoulders. “You’re part of this community and we help one another.”

Marilla tucked a curl into place before stepping back. “You’re showing your true nature, earth mage. Magic lies dormant in your family too. Remember that later, if you start to feel nervous.”

“I’m already feeling nervous.”

“Shall I calm you down?” suggested Melody. The colour of her irises changed and she held out her hands to her.

“I’d love that.” Glandera took them. It wasn’t the first time she’d made use of Melody’s talent. Her friend magically cleansed her blood of the fear hormones. Relieved, Glandera took a deep breath and her gaze drifted to the clock. “Thank you, Melody. And you too, Marilla. I should be off now. Dorianna is waiting for me at the archway.”

“It’ll be all right,” Dorianna reassured her as soon as they reached Webergasse. “Remember. It’ll be easier for me as soon as I touch Gladis.”

Glandera nodded and peered into the neighbouring house as they passed. The silhouettes of the residents vanished behind the windowpane, but they’d already recognised her. It had only been fourteen days since she’d been to see Arno’s Master, Kohlhaas. It was nothing short of a miracle that her new status hadn’t been exposed since then. Now she could no longer keep it a secret. As they reached the front door, she tried her best to ignore her racing pulse. “Arno’s running up the stairs to fetch Grandmother.”

“Then now’s the right time to go in,” explained the water mage, knocking on the door.

The acolyte narrowed her eyes.

“Glandera, is that you?” called her mother. “Why don’t you come in?”

Now there was no escape. She opened the door. As they entered the house, Hilde hurried over to the living room table with the teapot. Her gaze fell on the mages, lingered on their insignia, and her smile froze. Glandera could feel her mother’s heartbeat quickening. She began to tremble and loosened the fist that was clenched around the handle. Instinctively, Glandera held out her hand and the teapot stopped mid-fall. With controlled precision, she let it hover above the table. Her mother’s chin dropped further and the throb of her pulse quickened.

“Greetings, Mrs Berger.” Magistra Dorianna nodded and turned her right hand upwards. A blue-violet mist rose from her palm and swirled around Hilde. Glandera hurried over to her. Gently but firmly, she took her arm and led her to her seat.

Her mother scrutinised her robes—the symbol of earth magic, her rank and the Mage Academy—before her gaze lingered on her face. “Y… your eye colour. Why are they golden?”

Glandera blinked. “I’ll explain that to you later. Sit down first and calm yourself. Arno will be here with Grandmother any moment now.”

“How do you know your brother’s upstairs?”

“I can sense his footsteps.” Glandera sat down beside her and stroked Hilde’s cold fingers. Frowning, she turned to Dorianna and opened her mind. “Nothing must happen to Grandmother, under any circumstances.”

The Magistra smiled. “I promised you that.”

Dorianna’s palm glowed blue-violet and another mist drifted up the stairs. Gladis then appeared on the top step. Her left hand rested on Arno’s forearm and she held onto the banister with her right, but her steps were more steady. Glandera bit her lower lip as Gladis noticed the water mage.

“Mum?” Hilde’s mouth hung open.

“You used to throw stones at my water balls.” The water mage laughed. “Do you remember how often we used to come home soaking wet?”

Glandera covered her mouth with her hand. “You remember?”

“Yes, and Mum used to tell me off.” Gladis now pulled her arm back to rest it on the table. With her other hand, she reached for the onion tart and took a bite.

“I gave it a little psionic nudge by bringing back shared memories,” Dorianna’s voice rang out in Glandera’s head, before she turned back to Gladis. “But when Alice was taken away by the horsemen, you stopped doing that. ”

“You’re capable of magic?” Hilde stared at her mother. “Then why have you been warning us about magicians all these years?”

“I didn’t want the same thing to happen to you as happened to my sister,” Gladis explained calmly. “I suppressed it and didn’t want anything more to do with it.”

Frowning, Hilde stared at her hands. “Glandera. How long have you known you’re an earth mage?” she asked quietly.

“I’ve always felt a tingling in my fingertips when I touched individual stones, but I thought that was normal. In the mine, I unwittingly encountered the Archmage of Earth. He recognised my talent and taught me to trust my magical instincts. And then came the day when the violent storm broke and he had Zulkis arrested. Afterwards, I helped him find the quartz vein in the mountain. Looking back, that was the day I realised who I am.”

“You also knew before anyone else who was knocking at the front door,” said Hilde thoughtfully. “Why did you keep that a secret for so long?”

Glandera struggled to find the words as Arno spoke up, shaking his head. “Glandera spent weeks wondering how she could break the news to you as gently as possible.”

“You knew?” asked Hilde, surprised.

“Yes. I met her Master. A very decent man.”

Slowly, Hilde let her shoulders drop and looked back and forth between her children. “Please promise me that from now on, you won’t keep any secrets from me.”

“That’s difficult, Mother.” Glandera swallowed and continued hesitantly. “You know I have a friend called Ferron. Well, how shall I put it? He’s the aforementioned Magister of the Earth, and he’s 378 years old.”

Hilde’s eyelids drooped. Her body went limp and the chair toppled over with a clatter as she landed on the floor. Glandera’s wooden chair rattled as she hurried over to her mother. The Acolyte switched to magical vision.

Dorianna held out her hand. “Arno. Hold your grandmother tight.” Blue waves of magic flowed towards the old woman. Arno slid closer to her and put an arm round her shoulders, whilst her head sank onto his chest. “Couldn’t you have warned me?” hissed Dorianna, crouching down beside Hilde. She gently stroked her arm. “Please bring her a glass of water.”

The acolyte shrugged and ran into the kitchen. “I had no idea she’d fall straight off her chair.” As she spoke, she glanced over at Gladis, who was sleeping peacefully. Glandera returned, knelt beside her mother—who was slowly opening her eyes—and held the glass of water to her lips. “I… I’m sorry.” After Hilde had taken a sip, the Acolyte sank beside her, exhausted.

“My little Glandera. What am I to do with you?”

“I’m not a child any more,” she corrected her mother, helping her to sit up. “I love Ferron. There’s no man more attentive or loyal than him. He looks after me and, at the same time, helps me to tap into my power. I’m happy with him. I’m following my destiny.’ Glandera looked at Gladis. ‘Now that you know I’m an earth mage, I no longer need to hide who I am in Chattenberg.’

‘I’d like to meet the man who has such a big influence on you as soon as possible.’

Glandera felt a warmth in her chest. “I’d love to. He’d like to introduce himself to you too.”

Hilde stared into her half-full glass. “Is there anything else you’d like to tell me?”

“I experience so much when I’m out and about with him, and I’d love to tell you all about it.” Glandera noticed Dorianna’s stern gaze. “But there’s time for that.”

Concetto

“The preparations are in full swing,” explained Concetto to Aset, no sooner had Arminio closed the door to their prison cell. He paced restlessly back and forth across the room. “Glandera has selected powerful quartz steps so that Ferron can work with focus during the mission. At the same time, they give him energy. Magistra Nereida has examined his state of health and prescribed rest. The Arkanum Council has decided that, with the help of the air mages, he must recalculate all the records of the pressure conditions. The aim is to find the best possible location from which to begin the plate shift. Furthermore, we are planning a large-scale evacuation of the most densely populated areas.” Concetto sat down beside Aset and ran his fingers through his chestnut-brown hair. “It’s so frustrating that I can’t support him with my fire magic.”

“You’re coordinating his mission. That is the greatest honour you could be bestowed. He’s placing his life in your hands because he trusts you.” Aset touched his shoulder. “But that still isn’t enough.”

Concetto stretched his hands forward. “I’m not finished yet. Sverker has offered to support him with rune magic. But he is not an earth mage shaman who can deliberately harness those powers. And Glandera is incapable of it. Sverker has verified that. That is why I have secretly instructed the healers to remove Ferron from the mission site if necessary, even against his will.”

“Ferron is a powerful mage. If you take him on, your psionic power will be exposed.” Aset shook his head. “No mage would trust you anymore, and you’d be thrown out of the Council of the Elements. But that wouldn’t make any difference. He’ll die anyway.”

“Merda!” Concetto’s fist slammed down on the table. “There must be a way to save him.”

“If there is, you haven’t found it yet.”

“Why me, of all people?”

“You know how to bear a burden. That is why you chose this responsibility.”

Their eyes met. 380 years. That was how long his mother had already been in this prison. That was how long Concetto had been absolutely convinced that she was guilty, until he learnt of the existence of the stone tablets on his birthday. These confirmed the story his mother had always told him. Feeling guilty, he bowed his head. “Can you give me a clue?”

“Perhaps the solution is closer than you think.”

“That prophecy could have come from Hora,” joked Concetto.

Aset did not smile.

“I’m sorry. I’ve been racking my brains for days.” Concetto scratched the back of his neck.

“I’ll send Arminio in to see you now. I have one request: would you tell him what really happened back then?”

His mother raised her eyebrows. “The nice version or the unvarnished one?”

“He’s an investigator. He’d notice if you didn’t give him the facts.”

“So be it.” Aset stood up and came over to him. She gently touched his upper arms. “I’m proud of you.”

Concetto swallowed. He couldn’t consciously remember the last time she’d said that to him. Despite everything they’d been through together, he was sure she loved him. He gently pulled her to his chest and hugged her.

Arminio

Arminio sensed the rise in temperature at the door before it opened. He stepped into his grandmother’s prison. “Nonna, I greet you.”

“Arminio, sit down. There’s little time to tell you everything your father has asked me to.”

Concetto nodded. Arminio’s eyebrows shot up as his father closed the door and sat down in Aset’s reading chair. Are we staying in the room together? “History lessons seem to be really important to you.”

The look his father gave him was withering. Half-heartedly, he reached for the book lying on the nearest table.

“I demand more respect!” hissed Aset, and the corner of his father’s mouth twitched upwards. “A conspiracy of unimaginable proportions was necessary to silence me and erase me from the history books. So that you might visit me, I had to swear an oath to your father not to reveal anything to you. But those days are over now.”

Arminio came over to her, grabbed a chair and sat down backwards on it. He rested his arms on the backrest. “You’re making me curious. Please tell me.”

“Sit down properly first.”

Without a word of protest, Arminio stood up and turned the chair round before sitting down again.

“How old do you reckon Hora is?”

“Phew, you ask some questions. Very old. She saved the papyri when the Library of Alexandria burned down, and then founded the Academy of Mages. So she must be at least 1,800 years old.” Arminio’s eyes widened. “That makes her the oldest living mage.”

“We’d already been friends for a few centuries before that.”

Arminio stared at her. “That would mean, as a time mage, she can manipulate her age – she knows the secret of immortality.”

“Neither.”

He stood up and paced restlessly around the room as he thought. His father clasped his hands together and looked at him intently. A cold shiver ran down his spine. No, that can’t be what Nonna means. Very slowly, Arminio shook his head. “Or she isn’t a mage.” He turned slightly. His grandmother nodded, so he continued with his conclusions. “She is, like you, a goddess. The goddess of time. Merda.” Aset’s irises were dark as night. His stomach churned as he grasped the implications of his words. “As a member of the Council of the Elements and head of the Academy of Mages, she holds all the world’s events in her hands.”

“She turns back time until she is satisfied with the outcome of the story.” Aset nodded. “You are merely her puppets.”