“That sounds like you know something I don’t…or at least think you do.”
“How much of the Arcanists’ Code have you read, Gavin?” Valera asked.
Gavin frowned as he pulled back a chair from the table and sat. “I’ve read it cover to cover, all thirty-four Articles. Why?”
Valera looked to Kantar and nodded once. Kantar lifted his hands above the table, producing a book, and passed it to Gavin. It was the Constitution of Tel.
“I thought we were discussing the Arcanists’ Code,” Gavin said, frowning as he read the spine.
“Read Article 3, Gavin,” Kantar said.
Gavin placed the book on the table and flipped pages until he arrived at the requested topic. Article 3 was very short.
“‘It is the intent of Bellos, Kirloth, and the Apprentices that the Society of the Arcane shall stand apart from the Kingdom of Tel. To this end, it is hereby recognized and decreed that any Arcanists-whether mage or wizard-answer only to the strictures placed upon them within the Arcanists’ Code. No civil office in Tel shall hold any authority over them.’”
Before Gavin could speak, Valera lifted her arms and passed her book to Kantar, who in turn passed it to Gavin. Gavin turned the book to look at its spine, and his eyes widened just a bit as he read “Arcanists’ Code II.” Marcus’s copy of the code was labeled “Arcanists’ Code I,” and Gavin had always assumed it was the first official copy before the print runs or something.
“Where did this come from, and why haven’t I seen it before?” Gavin asked.
“There is only ever one copy of that volume, Gavin,” Valera said, “and it is always kept here in the Restricted Section. Read Article 35.”
Gavin opened the book and found Article 35.
“‘It is hereby decreed that the Conclave of the Great Houses has the authority to act on their own, irrespective of the Council of Magisters. To invoke this authority, there must be a unanimous vote of the Conclave, with all five Houses represented, and should such a vote occur, the authority of the Conclave is absolute for a period of 60 days. Furthermore, no such vote can take place more than once every ten consecutive months.’”
“By the gods…” Gavin said, as he placed the book on the table and pushed it away. “That is terrifying…outright, absolutely terrifying.”
The four magisters sat in silence as Gavin stared at the book on the table in front him.
“But why hasn’t the Conclave…oh. Marcus wasn’t acting as Kirloth.” Gavin looked up to meet Valera’s eyes. “This is the first time in so many thousand years that the Conclave has been whole.”
Valera nodded. “Yes. Marcus thought his time was passed and that he was a relic of a bygone age. He refused to step forward and announce himself for who he was, because he saw how the populace had turned him into some kind of amalgamation of a savior and boogeyman. You yourself have witnessed people’s reaction to your medallion, Gavin.”
Gavin lowered his eyes to the second volume of the Code where it lay open on the table, and he stared at it in silence for several moments.
“I do not like this option you have given me,” Gavin said at last. “It is far too easy to abuse. Who all knows about this being an option?”
The four magisters looked at one another for a heartbeat, and Valera said, “The Council knows. Maybe some members of the Conclave, but I’d have to ask Bella if they’ve ever been in here. Bella probably knows.”
Gavin reached out and closed the volume before pushing his chair back from the table and standing. Four pairs of eyes faced him.
“What will you do, Gavin?” Kantar asked.
“I don’t see as how I have much of a choice,” Gavin said. “If I do anything without Article 35, it would probably give Tauron leverage to try having me named a traitor. The Conclave wouldn’t sit still for that, and we’d find ourselves on the brink of a civil war. I suppose I should be grateful for you bringing this to my attention, but I’m not sure I’m comfortable enough with what I must do to thank you.”
Gavin picked up the second volume of the Code from where it lay on the table and left.
“Did you find what you needed?” Bella asked as Gavin approached the circulation desk.
Gavin sighed, handing her the key she gave him as he said, “We’ll see, Bella.”
Bella’s eyes flitted to the book held in the crook of Gavin’s arm for just a moment before they returned to meet Gavin’s gaze. “Be careful, Gavin. Even the legal path will not be easy.”
Gavin nodded his thanks and left the library. He had friends waiting for him.
Chapter 48
Gavin entered his suite and found Declan, Wynn, Braden, and Mariana waiting with Kiri and Lillian.
“Lillian, I want you to contact your grandfather and ask him to host another Conclave.”
“When do you want the Conclave, Gavin?” Lillian asked.
“It’s getting into the evening now; I see no reason this can’t wait for morning, but I would like arrangements for it made tonight.”
Lillian nodded.
“I would ask that you not discuss with your grandfather the nature of this Conclave. If he presses you, tell him, ‘Kirloth wishes to convene a Conclave.’ I would do it myself, but I don’t know where I’d host it. There are no teleportation runes here in the suite.”
“That’s because this isn’t the Kirloth Estate,” Declan said.
Everyone-even Kiri-turned to look at Declan. When Declan didn’t seem inclined to continue of his own accord, Gavin spoke.
“Where is the Kirloth Estate, Declan?”
“I can only guess at the reasons Kirloth had for having Mivar leave this out of his Histories, but other historians recorded it. During the early days of the Founding, this area was not completely pacified. There were roving bands of Godswar deserters and bandits, among other unsavory creatures. The Tower of the Council itself was the keep of the bandit lord who controlled this area. In order to have a secure base from which to work, Kirloth and his Apprentices created the Citadel. It wasn’t until Kirloth faked his death that it became the residence of the Archmagister.”
“Wait,” Mariana said, holding out her hand in a ‘stop’ gesture. “Are you saying Gavin inherited ownership of the Citadel?”
“No. I’m saying he might have. Still, even if he did, there would be political ramifications to him using it. There is no record here in Tel Mivar of the Citadel ever being the personal residence of Kirloth, so I hope you can imagine the reaction produced by Gavin taking the Citadel for his own.”
Gavin shook his head, saying, “I already have one magister who hates me; I’d rather not add the other eight. We’ll proceed as we have discussed. Lillian, would you ask your grandfather if he would be so kind as to host a Conclave for me?”
Lillian nodded. “I’ll go right now.”
“Declan, would you arrange for her to reach her family’s estate safely? I have no concerns for her well-being once she’s inside that wall, but it’s a long way to walk from here to there.”
Declan smiled and nodded once. “I’ll go myself.”
“Thank you.”
Gavin stood before the open gates of the Mivar Estate, and like the times before, he marveled at the protections constructed into the wall surrounding the estate. Not for the first time, Gavin wished he’d had more time with Marcus; he had no idea how his mentor had even devised such protections, let alone kept them strong across six thousand years.
Torval and Lillian stood waiting on the portico. Lillian smiled to see her friends coming, whereas Torval faced the group with a sober expression.