Page 33 of A Door in the Dark
“We know so little about it,” she’d said, quiet and hungry-sounding.
Timmons was an enhancer who was majoring in magical law. Ren had talked through that decision a hundred times with her. It was a clever investment for any girl whose rare talent would cast her as the natural pawn of the city’s elite. Never hurt to understand magical jurisdiction when you were asked to perform nebulous tasks on their behalf.
Avy’s pursuits were no surprise. He was training to be a reaver. Modern armies wanted warriors with specialized magic. There were paladins—Ren tried not to think of Devlin—who focused on protective magic. In a proper battle they would form up the front ranks. Reavers were trained to break through those ranks. Avy would be focused on learning aggressive, offensive spells that relied on physical prowess in close quarters. And Ren knew a boy like Avy would receive plenty of interest. He’d already mentioned turning down an offer from Brightsword—the city’s official guard. She thought that was smart. Contracts with the private houses would be far more lucrative. Each one maintained its own personal army. After all, they were more afraid of one another than any of the armies in the surrounding regions. There hadn’t been a true rival to Kathor in decades.
“What about you, Theo?”
He’d kept quiet. Ren knew scions like him were sent to Balmerick to better their parents’ businesses. What vital role could they play in the future expansion of an already industrious oligarchy? Some children were trained to rule. Others encouraged to innovate. A few were simply smudged from the family records, embarrassments to their lineage.
“My primary focus is in tactical defense and city planning.”
It sounded boring on the surface, but Ren knew his father’s magic was focused on city planning as well. He’d helped the Proctors map out the Heights. Not to mention he’d designed the majority of Kathor’s canal system. It was the tactical defense part that snagged her attention. Theo was a far cry from the typical frontline warrior, but maybe he had his sights on commanding armies? Field generals required mastery of magic and perspective and quick thinking. Ren glanced up at Vega winging overhead. She had a few other guesses about what a boy like Theo Brood might be groomed to do in their city.
“And you, Ren?”
The question came from Theo. His eyes always narrowed slightly when he was genuinely curious about something. She met his gaze and tried to pretend as if the scion of one of the wealthiest houses in Kathor wasn’t showing direct interest in her. How many times had she prepared her responses to interviews that had never come? Now, lost in the woods, she had her chance.
“I’m advanced magical theory.”
“Which branch?”
“Research and development.”
Timmons hooked an arm through hers. “She’s a spellmaker.”
“I’m open to several possibilities, but yes, I have an eye for creating new magic.” Ren hesitated before adding, “The Shiverians were interested in my research on energy distribution spells. Just one of many breakthroughs I plan on making.”
Theo raised one of those knife-sharp eyebrows, but he was impossible to read otherwise. Did that impress him? Did he find it vain or foolish? She knew the big houses had large appetites for new magic, but she also knew spellmakers were like authors. Frowned upon as hobbyists until they created something that merited actual attention.
“Ren also has a knack for magical tracing,” Timmons went on. “It’s not a full synesthetic gift, but she can sense most magic as it takes shape. My girl is talented.…”
That earned another look from Theo. Ren was hoping he’d ask something, show a little curiosity, but any chance of a response was cut off by Avy. He thrust a single fist into the air. A hiss for silence. The group went quiet, fearing the worst, but the only sound was a faint rumble.
“No way,” Avy muttered. “We can’t be that unlucky.”
As the group pressed on, the noise grew louder and louder. Gaps in the trees confirmed the obvious. A river swept across their intended path. Wide enough that Ren couldn’t make out the features on the other side. Avy picked his way forward, leading them to an elevated bank.
“This is the Morningthaw River. I knew it was out here, but I didn’t think… we’re on the wrong side. You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“Do you think there’s a bridge?” Timmons asked. “Maybe to the southwest?”
“Built by who?” he replied. “This territory has never been occupied by anyone.”
“There might be a ford?” Ren asked hopefully.
Avy scratched his beard. “We’d have to hike pretty far up the mountain to find something crossable. And that will have us backtracking in the direction of far more difficult passes. Besides, the river will flow faster where it narrows.” He glanced downstream. “And it looks like it gets wider to the south. Bet it’s freezing up here too.”
“We have magic,” Theo pointed out. “There are spells for all of those problems.”
Avy snorted. “Have you ever done magic while crossing a river?”
Theo chewed on his lip but said nothing. Avy was right. Magic required concentration. It was possible they could summon a few boons to help them, but just as possible that those spells would slip through their grasp the first time their heads were dunked underwater. The river wasn’t running particularly fast, but even the slightest tug of a current could do serious damage. Ren’s mind was racing on to other possibilities, having long dismissed a spell-aided swim.
“What about a raft?” Timmons asked.
“Sure,” Avy replied. “Do you know how to build one?”
“Don’t you?”
