Colors of Chaos

CLXVII

CERRYL FELT EXPOSED as he sat in the front row of the Council Chamber. He could feel Anya’s and Fydel’s eyes on his neck…and countless others’ as well. Never imagined you’d feel this alone amid so many mages…

Kinowin, erect and broad-shouldered still, despite the gauntness of age, marched up the side steps and then to the center of the polished gold-shot marble dais of the Council Chamber. Behind him by several steps followed Redark, his eyes shifting nervously from the marble floor to Kinowin and down again.

The two waited for the whispers to die away.

“The first order of this meeting is to affirm Cerryl as High Wizard.” Kinowin nodded toward Redark.

The second overmage smiled quickly and faintly, as though he would rather have been anywhere else.

“Is there any member of the Guild who wishes to propose another member as High Wizard?” questioned Kinowin.

A few murmurs followed the inquiry, and Cerryl wondered who speculated about what but did not turn his head.

“Does any member of the Guild propose another for High Wizard?”

In the silence that followed, Kinowin surveyed the chamber, looking methodically from the gold oak desks and red-cushioned gold oak seats at the front to the white granite columns at the sides for any who might be standing under the swagged crimson hangings. Finally, he announced, “Seeing as no other candidate has been proposed, as overmages and representatives of the Council we declare that the new High Wizard is the most honorable Cerryl.” The aging blonde mage motioned for Cerryl to take the dais.

Cerryl forced himself to rise deliberately, calmly, and mount the dais. Once before the assembled mages, he bowed, noting in passing that with each meeting the numbers were fewer, the ages younger. Which is why you stand here and why you need to do something.

He straightened, forcing himself to pause, to let the silence draw out before he spoke, to survey the mages as though he could look into each heart. Finally, he spoke. “It is right and customary for a High Wizard to thank the Guild for its support, and I do so with gratitude.”

He waited for another moment, his eyes studying the chamber once more. “We, all of us, face a time of change in Candar. We did not seek that change, but we must address it. The overmages and I will be seeking your assistance, and your wisdom, in continuing to undertake the steps necessary to strengthen the Guild and to ensure that all of Candar respects you. This was the goal of both Jeslek and Sterol, and it will be my goal.”

Cerryl bowed slightly again. “I will not deceive you. The Guild faces dangers greater than any known in recent years, and we must work together in overcoming them. I am most confident that we possess the will and the power to do so. And we will.” He waited, knowing there would be questions, hoping he could defuse them.

“Honored High Wizard,” began a figure in the back, one Cerryl did not know, “can you tell us exactly how effective all the golds poured into the trade blockade have been?”

“For the most recent details we would have to ask Sedelos and Gorsuch, since they observe the largest ports in eastern Candar,” answered Cerryl, trying to ignore the veiled sarcasm of the speaker. “From what I have seen, the blockade has been most effective in keeping goods from Recluce out of Lydiar and Spidlar and, more recently, from Hydlen. The Council and I will be looking into ways to Recluce the cost of such efforts.”

“High Wizard,” asked Fydel, his voice blunt, “nearly a score of mages have been assassinated by agents of various rulers. What do you plan to do to redress such wrongs?”

“We have totally destroyed dissident traders and their Council in Spidlar. We have replaced the larger local traders there with traders from Fairhaven loyal to the Guild. We have begun to obtain tariff golds for the first time in years. In turn, we will address the wrongs of other lands.” Cerryl smiled.

“Honored Cerryl,” asked Huroan, the second in command of the Patrol, “folk have said that you started a Patrol in Spidlar. Is that so?”

“That is so. The Patrol has worked well for Fairhaven, and it seemed that it would work well for Spidlaria. Fairhaven has much to offer Candar, and for those offerings it should be repaid.”

A smile flitted across the Patrol mage’s face before he sat down.

The thin and angular Broka rose, almost languidly. “Your words bespeak both the need for action and a certain…caution, High Wizard. Which can we expect?”

Cerryl managed to keep from choking or even showing his surprise at the double-edged bluntness of the question. “How about caution when it is merited and action when it is necessary?” He offered a self-deprecating grin. “I’m sure that you and the overmages will make your feelings known about which course you feel is appropriate when.” Before another question could come up, he bowed again. “I thank you all for your interest, and your support, and I would ask that any of you who have recommendations or advice let the overmages know, and we will address them as we can.” He stepped back and nodded to Kinowin.

“The High Wizard having been selected, and there being no other business before the Guild, the assembly is ended.”

Cerryl shook Redark’s hand, then Kinowin’s. “Thank you both.”

Kinowin’s eyes twinkled. “The year ahead will be most interesting.”

Cerryl feared he was right, all too right.