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  A SHAPER’S FAREWELL

  Karen MacRae

  This a work of fiction. All names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  Copyright © Karen Lesley MacRae 2019

  All rights reserved

  Published by Little Silver Publishing Limited 2019

  PB ISBN 978-1-912828-06-7

  Ebook ISBN 978-1-912828-07-4

  ALSO BY THE AUTHOR

  Writing as Karen MacRae

  A Shaper’s Promise

  A Shaper’s Birthright

  Writing as K L MacRae

  Kat

  AUTHOR’S BLOG

  klmacrae.weebly.com

  AUTHOR’S FACEBOOK PAGE

  @strugglingauthor

  List of characters

  from earlier books who appear or are mentioned

  in ‘A Shaper’s Farewell’

  Ade Whitehall

  Professor of Languages. Friend of Emily Desmarais.

  Aibreann Braxton

  Only daughter of Lady and General Braxton. Sister to Finn. Killed in book one.

  Anna Northcott

  ‘The King’s Shaper’. White Aura Shaper and Healer Shaper who grew up in Straton. Also known as Anna Desmarais. Sworn oath: Forever White. In a relationship with Euan.

  Beitris

  King’s Guard, born in Dornie.

  Bojek

  Agent of Nystrieth captured in book one. Gifted Compeller.

  Brodie Newell

  First Officer of the Lealta. Brother to Caro.

  Captain Laracy

  King’s Guard in charge of recruits.

  Caro Newell

  Captain of the Elizabeth. Sister to Brodie.

  Chancellor Felix Desmarais

  Chancellor of the Quorum of Gifted, based in Ionantis. Gifted in Reading.

  Davy Braxton

  Youngest son of Lady and General Braxton. Brother to Finn.

  Elona

  Agent of Nystrieth from Ruustra. Gifted Reader and warrior. Has an invisible aura. Also known as Margrit.

  Emily Desmarais

  Wife of Chancellor Desmarais. Gifted in Empathy.

  Euan O’Cuinn

  Great grandson of Kendrick, Stone Elder of Shae. Gift of Stone Craft. In a relationship with Anna.

  Evaline Desmarais

  Ancient White Aura Shaper and Healer Shaper. Author of ‘The Art of Shaping’. Lived as a hermit on Shae. Gave aura to save Anna’s life.

  Finn Braxton

  Leading agent of King Rybis. Gift of Attraction. Eldest son of Lady and General Braxton. Also known as Kai Geraint.

  General Braxton

  King’s Councillor and officer-in-charge of Alsham Castle. Gift of Sound.

  Hew

  King’s Guard, born in Dornie. Badly injured in book two; left on the island of Shae to recuperate.

  Jimmy

  King’s Guard, born in Ionantis.

  Kai Geraint

  Finn Braxton’s alias.

  King Rybis

  Ruler of The Kingdom. Gift of Loyalty.

  Lachlan

  King’s Guard, born in Dornie. Killed by Elona in book two.

  Lady Braxton

  King’s Councillor in overall charge of King Rybis’ agents and spy masters/mistresses. Gifted Reader. Also known as Vixen.

  Lady Isabella Kuri

  King’s Councillor and King Rybis’ representative on the Inner Quorum, the group that governs the Quorum of Gifted.

  Lord Witheridge

  King’s Councillor and Gifted Scientist. Inventor of glass that allows user to see auras.

  Luciado

  Elona’s ‘pet’ in book one. Healed by Anna. Gifted Singer.

  Malik Brewcherrion

  Agent of Mastra, a key ally of The Kingdom. Long-time friend of Finn. In a relationship with Seleste. Also known as Cherry.

  Monty

  First Officer of The Elizabeth. Gifted in Reading Water.

  Mistress Manson

  Housekeeper of Alsham Castle. Agent of Nystrieth captured in book one.

  Mystrim

  Agent of Nystrieth, known as a weather mage.

  Nijel

  Healer. Born in The Kingdom. Worked for Elona. Died on Shae.

  Nystrieth

  Emperor and self-proclaimed God. Black Aura Shaper.

  Professor Frances Kirklund

  Head librarian for the Quorum of Gifted, gifted in Languages and Memory.

  Pyteor

  Agent of Nystrieth, gifted Concealer.

  Saskia Bethon

  Seleste Peyton’s alias.

  Seleste Peyton

  The King’s assassin, gifted in Dance, Reading and Death. Twin of Spider. In a relationship with Malik.

  Sesi

  Empty shell used by Nystrieth to communicate with agents. Gifted Channeller.

  Sifry

  Nystrieth’s father, suffered brain damage in shipwreck. Gifted in Mathematics and Law. Known as the Hero of Munagra.

  Spider Peyton

  Agent of King Rybis, gifted in Instinct. True name Saskia, but only uses Spider. Twin of Seleste. Also known as Willem Bethon.

  Syrano ‘Sy’ Ffion

  Native of Seask, a city in Sevia. Wife and son killed when Nystrieth ordered the city be razed to the ground. Gifted in Health. Agent of King Rybis. Also known as Tomas.

  Vice Chancellor Douglas

  Second in charge of the Quorum of Gifted.

  Vixen

  Lady Braxton’s codename.

  CHAPTER 1

  Ionantis

  I t didn’t take long for Pyteor’s footsteps to falter. The bag flung over his shoulder that had seemed full of air now threatened to bend him double and he’d only made it halfway to the harbour. He sank into an empty seat outside the nearest tavern and put his head in his hands, his dreams of glory forgotten. Who was he fooling? The Captain would slit his throat, take his gold then throw him and the precious stolen pages to the sharks. Nystrieth would never even know.

  The Concealer realised a serving girl was talking to him and hissed an order for ale. He enjoyed a moment of satisfaction as she scurried away in fright. All around him, blue-gowned students gossiped and debated as they munched on salty snacks and downed alcohol like water. Much of the talk was about mundane, University stuff, but newcomers bore tidings of an incredible sword fight up at the Hub and the capture of the King’s Shaper. The murderer the King’s Guard had been searching for was an afterthought, if she were mentioned at all. Talk turned to arguments between those in favour of King Rybis’ amendment to the Shaping laws and the few who believed all Shapers should be wiped from the face of the earth. Pyteor allowed himself a small smile: as if his master would ever give them the chance.

  Thoughts of Nystrieth were replaced once again with thoughts of the Captain. He realised he didn’t even know the man’s name. He wondered if Elona did. Knowing her, she probably didn’t think it necessary. He sighed and took a long draft of the foaming liquid the timid girl had placed before him. Much as he’d prefer never to see the Reader’s face again, he was going to have to rescue her. The Captain would only take him to Rubra if she was warming his bed the whole way.

  A tiny, treasonous voice wormed its way into his consciousness. Only he and Elona knew where the gold was and Elona wasn’t getting to it any time soon without his help. What if he did nothing? What if Nystrieth was led to believe Pyteor had died on Ionantis? What if the Elements’ school had a new, wealthy applicant? Killing Ebdry to protect his cover wasn’t an issue, but what if Nystrieth had other eyes here he wasn’t aware of? What if He discovered the lie? The Concealer shivered with fear. No, it was much too risky.


  The students sitting on the other side of the table shared eyebrow-raised glances as the pale, blonde man who’d been muttering under his breath suddenly laughed hysterically. “I bet she doesn’t even say thank you!” they heard him exclaim before tossing some coppers on the table and shouldering his bag. He strode off towards the harbour, his half-full mug of ale abandoned.

  The Concealer didn’t notice how few King’s Guards were on duty at the gates into the Rim and the harbour. His mind was fully occupied trying to work out how best to break it to the Captain that, by the sounds of things, he needed to find a new First Mate and seven new hands.

  The absentee King’s Guards were standing resolutely in the Physical Arts’ training hall, refusing to leave until they were dismissed by the King’s Shaper. They’d not seen the small nod Anna had given the two sailors who’d accompanied them or these two sneak away quietly while all eyes had been on the frozen scene in the middle of the room. At its centre stood a tiny, black-robed figure, a King’s medallion still aglow on her chest. Arrayed around her were two women and six men. They stood at ease despite the dozens of twitchy Quorum Guards surrounding them, their weapons poised. The tension amongst the colourfully uniformed guards was so high, carnage would have erupted had a pin dropped from the High Quorum seating.

  In the corner near the entrance, the Master of Ceremonies and a tall, thin man in a violet Elements’ gown were having a muted disagreement. A few heated words escaped into the room. “… ceremonial only… can’t honestly expect… Chancellor demands… your sworn duty… been paid…”

  Spider laughed quietly. “It appears the executioner has a conscience.”

  “Don’t laugh too soon, brother,” whispered Seleste. “He’ll do the job. His aura shook with horror when he heard he’d have to repay his salary for the past ten years if he didn’t.”

  Spider felt his gift give an uncertain jolt. It wasn’t quite sure whether or not they were going to get out of this mess. Spider took that as a positive: there was still hope. “We could always offer to give him the money,” he joked.

  A door opened quietly up in the Inner Quorum gallery. All heads swivelled in expectation of seeing the Chancellor return but, instead, they saw the orange-gowned Ade Whitehall make his way down the centre aisle. He leaned over the Chancellor’s empty front-row seat to whisper in Lady Kuri’s ear. He didn’t wait for a reply before disappearing back the way he’d come.

  Lady Kuri seemed to gather her thoughts then waved the Master of Ceremonies over. There was a brief exchange then the lavishly uniformed man turned to the hall and banged his staff on the floor three times. He needn’t have bothered; every eye was on him already.

  “I am reminded of unresolved proceedings this night,” he called. “The Inner Quorum witnessed nine applications to the High Quorum, but only eight have been voted upon. In the absence of the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor Douglas, it is your responsibility to lead a vote on the admission of Saskia Bethon.”

  The Vice Chancellor started in surprise. Lady Kuri leaned over. “The Sword Fighter, Vice Chancellor. We have not voted.”

  “But she works for the King!”

  “As do I, Douglas.”

  The Vice Chancellor blushed slightly. “What I meant, as you well know, is that she applied merely to access these proceedings. She did not apply in good faith.”

  Lady Kuri sent a whisper of air directly into the man’s ear so not even a Hearing-gifted eavesdropper would make out the words carried within it. “How is your wife, Douglas?” she asked.

  The Vice Chancellor swallowed a curse as the simple question roared in his mind. His stomach sank to his toes. It was the first time the King’s Councillor had used his wife’s crimes against him. He pretended to consider her veiled threat before clearing his throat to address his colleagues. He would at least try to delay things until the Chancellor arrived to relieve him of this nonsense. “Given the… unusual circumstances, the Inner Quorum will first decide whether or not Miss Bethon’s application will be considered. Before this, however, Master Canavan, do you know of any legal precedent that might shed light on this situation?”

  An indigo-gowned, grey-bearded man stood and bowed at the other end of the hall. “I will consult, Vice Chancellor.” The whispers from a huddle of indigo soon grew into a heated discussion. Master Canavan slammed his hands on the balustrade to call the discussion to an end. “It appears there is no directly comparable ruling in the records,” he announced. “We are aware of three cases of expulsion for fraud, but these occurred post-admission.”

  “Pray expand, Master Canavan,” the Vice Chancellor announced loudly.

  Lady Kuri heard a small groan behind her and hid a smile. The Quorum’s Chief Lawyer’s droning should keep them occupied for at least a quarter hour. She made her way up to the third row where a shaken Professor Kirklund had, understandably, not yet recovered from having five men try to abduct her. Their dead bodies were still lying where they’d fallen, the nearest less than ten feet from the librarian.

  “How are you doing, Frances?” Lady Kuri asked, her voice warm with genuine concern.

  The librarian gave a wan smile. “I’ll live.”

  “Such a shame the Chancellor means to execute the man and woman who so bravely and capably defended you,” the King’s Councillor murmured. “Such a shame the King is going to lose two excellent soldiers when war against the man who would have tortured and killed you is likely mere hours away.”

  Professor Kirklund looked from her friend to the unmoving group in the centre of the hall and back again. “What do you need?” she asked quietly.

  The second part of her rapidly formed plan now in action, Lady Kuri left the hall to give instructions to her aide to orchestrate the third. It was all she could do. Ade Whitehall had said Emily Desmarais needed her to delay things for as long as possible although what the Chancellor’s wife had to do with anything was beyond her. She’d take any help she could get though.

  She’d only just retaken her seat when the Chancellor returned. The lawyer was still droning.

  “What the light is going on?” Felix Desmarais whispered angrily to his Vice Chancellor.

  “A point of order was raised, Chancellor,” Douglas replied nervously, unsure how his superior might receive the news. “We’d not voted on the ninth applicant… I had no choice but to accede that business was unfinished… Our procedures must be adhered to…” The man’s voice tailed off at the look of fury on the Chancellor’s face. “I got Canavan to warble on so you’d have the opportunity to intervene. I was sure you’d know what to do.”

  The Chancellor sighed inwardly at the man’s blatant brown-nosing. He had no doubt this foolishness was down to Isabella Kuri, but whether or not the Sword Fighter was in the High Quorum was an irrelevance: members might receive many concessions, but they were not above the law. He wondered what the woman could possibly hope to gain by pointlessly delaying proceedings.

  While Master Canavan and Lady Kuri’s legal team argued whether or not the Inner Quorum should consider Saskia Bethon’s admission to the High Quorum, the Chancellor took the opportunity to order the dead bodies removed from the hall and warn his Master of Ceremonies to have all ready for the executions. “The Inner Quorum’s legal judgement on these spies will be carried out as soon as this nonsense is concluded. And get that Ruustran woman properly bound. I’ll not have it said we let a murderer get away in our rush to deal with other matters.”

  The upshot of the legal debate seemed to be there was no reason why they shouldn’t vote. Yes, the application appeared to have been made solely to access proceedings, but the paperwork was in order and, according to the Diviner, the applicant was eminently qualified. The Master of Ceremonies called for the vote. “As is customary, a two-thirds’ majority is required to admit a candidate to the High Quorum. Please raise your hands if you approve Miss Bethon’s application.”

  The Chancellor was torn. He believed in law and process. He believed Quorum members all over the
world would be safer without a tie to The Kingdom. Neither of these things were disturbed by admitting the Sword Fighter to the High Quorum. In fact, if circumstances were different, he would have no hesitation in admitting her: she was undoubtedly an excellent candidate. But she worked for King Rybis. Worse, she came into this hall without any real desire to join their ranks. She hadn’t even studied at a Quorum University, for light’s sake. He considered the conflict in the only way he knew how: with cold, hard logic.

  Amazed applause and whoops broke out as Chancellor Desmarais slowly raised his hand, quickly followed by the remaining seven hands. The vote was unanimous: the Sword Fighting Reader, Saskia Bethon, would be admitted to the High Quorum with immediate effect. And so Seleste found herself in the unique position of being presented with a white High Quorum gown while under order of execution for being the confederate of an Aura Shaper.

  “If we still have heads tomorrow, remind me to ask you about that name,” Spider whispered to his sister.

  Seleste smiled. “I chose it to annoy my brother.”

  Saskia Peyton, more commonly known as Spider, chuckled fondly then stuck out his tongue at the newest member of the High Quorum.

  “Do you think we should tell them it’s an alias?” asked Malik quietly. “I can only guess Lady Kuri is trying to delay things. It might keep the lawyers at it for a while longer.”

  Seleste shook her head. “No point, it’s legal. It’s registered with the King’s administrators in Alscombe. One of the perks of working for Rybis. If I’m ever caught, the very ordinary details of Saskia Bethon are unimpeachable and the King is protected. Talking of names, why did no one mention the Chancellor’s name is Desmarais?”

  “I’ve been wondering why that sounds so familiar,” murmured Spider.

  “Evaline Desmarais… My ancestor… You don’t think, do you?” wondered Anna, almost to herself. “Could the Chancellor and I be related?”