Defiant Peaks (The Hadrumal Crisis) by Juliet E. McKenna Page A

that. But I can fashion a sanctuary for Kerrit, from the oldest and fondest memories which he still cherishes. Those will be the last to fade.’
    Master Resnada heaved a sigh and sank down to sit on the windowsill, an unheeded tear glistening on his cheek.
    Tinoan smiled at the dying man. ‘He will feel neither pain nor distress, surrounded by those dearest to him until the time comes for him to leave this life and discover whatever truth lies beyond the mysteries of death.’
    ‘Should we—?’ Jilseth realised that she had no idea who might wish to be at Kerrit’s deathbed. She didn’t even know if he had been mainland or Hadrumal born. Were there kinsfolk somewhere who deserved to be told of his death? Were there Relshazri with a claim on him?
    Someone would have to settle his affairs. Who would know what bequests he had promised in coin or property? What of the quantities of books and scrolls stored throughout this house, the fruits of ten years and more of diligent, scholarly work? Of incalculable value for Hadrumal’s libraries or limitless irrelevance? Someone would need to find out, now that Kerrit would never be able tell them.
    She swallowed to clear her throat of unexpected burning grief at this amiable wizard’s undeserved fate. ‘I will carry this sad news to Mellitha, and then bespeak the Archmage. There may be mages in Hadrumal who will wish to make their farewells.’
    Resnada nodded, all his attention on Kerrit. Brother Tinoan didn’t even seem to hear her, eyes closed as he silently mouthed his enchantments.
    Jilseth went quietly downstairs to the kitchen. Resnada had closed the window but that didn’t concern her. Mellitha’s house was as familiar as her own rooms in Hadrumal’s Terrene Hall. She blended the magics of air and fire with the shifting nature of water, underpinned by her own ties to the earth. Kerrit’s kitchen faded away and—
    Jilseth cast the translocation spell to the four winds and let the elements reclaim the wizardry. Someone else’s magic was at work in this house. Jilseth looked around with the wizard sight that was Hadrumal’s first lesson for every newly-apprenticed mageborn. No, there was nothing here to cause her concern.
    Walking through to the front room, she looked up at the ceiling. Overhead, in that upper chamber, some skulking mage was hiding. Some paltry, thieving hedge wizard; one of those who fled Hadrumal for the mainland, too ill-disciplined to sustain the study to make the most of their innate talents. Word must be spreading that Kerrit was finally succumbing to his injuries and this charlatan had sneaked in to scavenge.
    Jilseth threw a dense web of elemental water around the entire building. In the next instant, she felt a surge of elemental fire attack her spell. The assault was stronger than she expected. Catching this villain unawares would require some thought.
    He was doubtless waiting for her to come up the stairs. She studied the ceiling, using her wizard senses to assess the laths beneath the plaster, and the rafters supporting the floorboards above. Foiling such expectation would demand precise timing and an immediate switch between such antagonistic magics. Not so long ago she would never have dared to try it. Now she didn’t hesitate.
    A surge of air took her halfway to the ceiling. As a second step thrust her upwards, Jilseth released the elemental air and summoned her earth affinity to pass through the upper floor as the last remnant of rising air faded away. Her feet landed solidly on the dusty boards.
    ‘Despin!’ Wizard sight showed her the shabbily dressed mage in a corner, vainly trying to hide himself within a swirling spiral of air.
    ‘I—’ He let his invisibility spell uncoil and fade away. ‘I came to pay my respects to Master Kerrit.’
    ‘He lies.’ Brother Tinoan said mildly from the doorway.
    ‘I don’t need Artifice to tell me that.’ Jilseth looked at Despin with incredulous contempt.
    Kerrit’s table was