Through the Eyes of a Fae
Chapter 21

Ludis shuffled the papers on her desk as she looked around the room at the dusty old men who had gathered. They were clearly still upset that they had to answer to a woman, and a tribes woman no less. When Malik had named her the Head Mage, they had initially welcomed it. It meant that she would go into battle while they stayed here in the capital, safe in their respective towers. The fact was that she survived and was one of the keynotes in bringing down the enemy mages bit at them. They had hoped she would perish in the war, and she had not. Now they had to answer Ludis, and it left a bitter taste in their mouths. She sighed and then set down her paperwork.

“My apologies, gentleman. You have something to discuss with me. You have my full attention.” Ludis knew where this was going, and she was ready. The first mage, Bartus - was the most pious of the group. He was a high-ranking noble, and before Ludis, was originally the next in line to take the spot of Head Mage.

" Master Ludis, the topic we wish to discuss is the mage testing centers you have started throughout the capital. It has long been a tradition for the nobles to send their children to the castle at the time of testing to see if magic runs through them. We do not see the need to send so many of us into the city slums, no Nobility would bring their children ... there.” He was being obtuse on purpose, and Ludis smiled wanly.

" These centers are not for the Nobility, Master Bartus. They are for the common folk. Magic, gone unseen and untrained, can cause destruction. Many who are poor and possess magic eventually turn to the Men of the Grey. This is a measure that has long been needed. We need to locate these individuals and guide them to the path of the light. They need to be taught and offered the same opportunities, to serve the kingdom or to become a mage of their choosing. Our own mages have dwindled in number, and it is my job to make sure that we are harnessing all available talent, regardless of rank.” The men began to mutter to each other.

" Who will pay for these - these thieves and cut throats? Who will house them? Surely, you don’t expect the barracks in the Tower to assume responsibility for them.” Another mage, Roger, spat.

“The king and I have come to an arrangement, and they will be housed here. Those who wish will also train as pages - alongside their magic studies. They may choose after three years of both which path they want to follow, as long as they have proven their magic is under control.” The men were outraged.

" Would you give such positions, meant for noble children to earn, and make their mark on the world, to commoners?” Lewis stood, appalled.

" The position of the page has long been for those of high rank to learn and grow as the kingdom’s protectors!”

" Common born have just as much cause, if not more - to fight for their country and home. Overall, it is them who suffer most. My decision is final, gentleman, and the testing centers are already underway. This project is fully supported by the king, I suggest you either get on board, or consider another profession.” It was unlike Ludis to be so crass, but she really was at her limit. She herself was commonly born, and they continued to argue and insult her to her face! Enough. She had earned her place as the Head Mage, and things were going to change. She stood, collecting her papers, and bid the men farewell, leaving them open-mouthed and angry in her wake. Ludis knew they would be at the king’s study by noon and wanted to get her reports out of the way as quickly as possible to avoid the blather. Coming to a halt in front of the king’s doors, she smiled at the two knights on duty, before taking a moment to adjust her master’s robe, black lined with purple, the color of her magic over her clothes. She kept to comfort, with gray boots, black breeches, and a Lilac shirt. Her robe was light and had no sleeves. It was still summer, and the days were warm. Deciding she was as put together as she could be, she knocked and waited.

“Enter” the knight to her left opened the door for her, and she stepped inside. Malik stood over his desk, looking down at reports that Cade had brought to him. He nodded, absorbed in what he was looking at. Without looking at Ludis, he motioned her to a seat, and turned to Cade-pointing at something on the parchment.

" And you are sure of this information, Cade? How accurate is this informant?”

“He has been with us since the beginning, Your Majesty. His count is 32, and he says they scoured the ruins for days.” Ludis started, the ruins? Where had they found Kora? She had become such a constant in her life that Ludis barely thought of Kora’s origins as a statue. Well, that was not entirely true. From an academic standpoint, it was all she thought about. Kora’s knowledge of the earth’s magic and the history she had witnessed made for interesting accounts, and Kora often spent long evenings with Ludis, detailing certain battles or magic. She looked at Cade, and his face was grim.

" They are looking for her.” It was not a question, and Ludis’s knees felt weak. She knew that Kora feared this. Truthfully, they all had. Malik looked at Ludis, then back to Cade.

“The barrier, it remains intact?” Malik referred to a magical barrier, one of Ludis’s first major magical workings for the kingdom. It was designed to trigger if tainted magic touched it, it would trap the source and set bells off, alerting them to the danger.

“The barrier remains intact; it has passed every inspection since I have been back to the capital.” Ludis spoke now, confident she had not missed anything.

" We had eyes on the three that broke off to head south but lost them after Kerr. They know about the magic she did, and they are searching. We have scouts out at every road post, and I am requesting a few mages to start questing as well for any draining spells that may have been cast. We must replace them before snow falls. If we can eradicate them, then we are safe until spring.” Cade spoke with confidence, and Ludis thought quickly. She would need to send three or four mages, younger and talented, but not ones with big names, so they would go unnoticed.

" Take Fletcher, Bailey, Sara, and Meredith. They will do well and can be trusted to be discreet.” Ludis said, speaking quickly as she turned the change of plans over. Cade nodded and waited for Malik’s dismissal.

" Find them, Cade, we can’t be trapped in the capital all winter with three Men of the Grey loose in the city.” Cade bowed low, and with a smile to Ludis, left them alone. Ludis sighed and flopped back into her chair.

" I really thought we would have until next spring to worry about this. They must really want her back. She will be so upset when she replaces out.” Ludis mumbled, feeling bad for Kora. She had genuinely opened up and seemed happy here. She hated to see the shadow return to her friend’s face and heart.

" I do not want to tell her, not until we know whether they have reached the city or not. There isn’t a need to cause panic until we have additional information.” Malik shifted, coming to sit at the edge of his desk in front of Ludis. She looked at him and shook her head.

" We have all grown fond of her, Malik. But you are not protecting her by hiding it from her. She deserves to know. It is her life; they took it from her. It is her they want. Kora’s power they want to abuse. It’s Kora’s duty to keep herself safe and guard her power from ever being used against others ever again.” Malik nodded, knowing Ludis was right.

" She just … seemed to be finally settling in. I may not be able to feel her magic, but her emotions run strong. I could feel her sadness, and the grief seeing the villages caused her. She has become a dear friend to all of us.” Ludis agreed and stood to rest her hand on Malik’s arm. This was a side few saw, the tender side of Malik. He worried about his friends and his sister and only wanted them to be happy. Ludis stepped to the side and set her reports down on top of Cade’s.

" I will talk to her this evening. The mages of the Light Tower will be at your door soon, they still don’t agree with our testing centers.” Malik groaned and rubbed his face. He desperately needed a shave, and the bags under his eyes were dark. Ludis felt for him.

" How many mages have we found? I must have numbers to make this prudent.” Malik stalked behind his desk and picked up Ludis’s report.

" We have found 17 children who possess strong abilities. And 4 adolescents. Also strong in their ability. I must admit, I was even surprised by how many we’ve located in just 2 months.” Ludis was pleased that the initiative was going so well. The children and teens were already in the new barracks Malik had built for the purpose. The teens received a stipend for caring for the younger children and were happy to have 3 meals a day and a clean place to sleep. They were all learning their letters and sums, basics for anything, really. Things were progressing well.

" I already talked to the steward, their winter clothes are being prepared, and I have arranged for additional maidservants to be available for the youngest children, while the ones 10 and older could begin page training once winter sets in.” Malik nodded his agreement, going over the report. He noticed with a smile that the report also contained letters of complaint from the mages of the Light Tower. Their complaints were numerous, and he sighed. No one man could please everyone. But he agreed with Ludis. Mages who were not professionally trained often turned to the Men of the Grey. It was their recruiting ground. The plan was to expand next spring and start to send images to every village twice a year to assess. He knew that Ludis had something in the works for free schooling for all the commoner’s children, but this plan had to have much more support from the council first. He looked up at Ludis, who was studying the reports she had left in her hand.

" Want to have lunch with me, so we can hide from the mages? It would be fun to play a little hooky.” Malik was hopeful, even though his target was the squarest woman in the kingdom. She never shirked her duty. She grinned at him and shook her head.

" I have meetings with the mages from the city soon, and if you are going to play hooky, it should be for a stiff drink and a long nap. Seriously, my king, you look worn. Drag that steward in here to complain with the other old men, they will enjoy each other’s company. Go sleep.” Malik stepped forward to brush Ludis’s bangs from her eyes. She looked up, and her expression became guarded.

“Please, stay and have lunch with me.” His voice was pleading. He could not help himself.

He had not slept in days, truthfully, and Ludis eyes softened. She looked down to hide her face. It was not like Malik to beg.

" I cannot, I really must attend these meetings, there could be more children. But … I will have dinner with you.” Malik was hopeful. However hard it was to not touch Ludis the way he craved to; her natural healer’s heart gave him peace. He could always feel someone’s emotions, and Ludis was as calm as a summer sea. Endless and still. She brought peace to his heart when no other could.

" I get to pick the meal this time.” Malik smiled and Ludis grinned back, winking as she walked away.

“Then it’s a date.” Turning at the last minute to bow low, she was as graceful as ever, closing the door behind her.