Balancer (Advent Mage Cycle) Read Online Free

closed my mouth again he continued. “The other problem is that the upper echelons of the Star Order have still failed to make any open protest. We are experiencing small skirmishes with the younger, more hothead Priests and some of the more devout followers. Those we can handle. But I do not like this silence from the more affluent members. They’re up to something. I want to know what.”
    Both problems were serious ones. I had no doubt that they would lead to more grim events if given the time to do so. I looked to Xiaolang. “Time is not on our side to unravel this mystery.”
    “No,” he agreed with furrowed brows. “We need to do reconnaissance to figure all of this out, but with just us and the Special Forces…it will take too much time to cover the entire country. Your Majesty, respectfully, we need to bring in help.”
    “Magical help,” I added. “Your Majesty, how would you feel about the Remnant assisting us?”
    His eyebrows rose in mild surprise. “They are willing to do so?”
    I had to phrase this carefully. “Your Majesty, in truth, they wish to return to Chahir. The Remnant has outgrown the bounds of Coven Ordan—their population is growing too large. The rising generation wishes to move here to Chahir to live. They are very interested in Chahir’s well-being.”
    Vonlorisen sank back in his chair and stared at the ceiling in thought for a long moment. “Magus, you trust these people?”
    “Yes,” I answered without hesitation.
    “Your Majesty, if I might add…” Chatta waited for his eyes to rest on her before she continued. “The Remnant would be an excellent ally and source of expertise for this situation. They are the ones we consult with when dealing with blood magic. They are the ones that have the tools we use to search Chahir. Given half a chance, they will prove their loyalty to Chahir.”
    Vonlorisen locked gazes with her for several taut moments before slowly nodding in acceptance. “I believe it wise to speak with their leader about this first. Who leads the Remnant?”
    “Wizard Raile Blackover,” I answered. “He is the mayor of their city. If you wish…” I turned to Chatta with an open palm. She knew what I wanted, unpinning the broach and placing it in my hand without a word. I turned back and held it up for Vonlorisen to see. “This mirror is connected to the one Wizard Raile Blackover holds. We can talk to him instantly through this.”
    Vonlorisen regarded it with open curiosity. “Can I have one?”
    “It takes a magician on both ends for it to work,” I explained apologetically. Not to mention regretfully. If Vonlorisen had some means of using mirror communication, I wouldn’t have to keep making emergency trips like this.
    “I suppose I have to wait until Nolan returns home, then.” Blowing out a breath, he sat up straighter. “Magus, I will talk with Wizard Blackover.”
    Relieved, I shifted Chatta off of my lap so that I could cross to him. I stood next to the desk and grazed the mirror with a touch of power. “Raile?”
    A moment passed before Raile responded. “ Garth?”
    “I am in front of King Vonlorisen. He wishes to speak with you.”
    A thump sounded in the background, as if Raile had just dropped something. Either that, or fallen out of his chair. If so, I didn’t blame him. “ Ah, er, I would be pleased to speak with him.”
    I shifted so that I stood right next to Vonlorisen’s chair, lifting the mirror so that he could speak into it easily. I could not relinquish my hold on it—the connection would break if I did.
    Vonlorisen focused on the mirror and spoke distinctly. “Wizard Blackover, I am Vonlorisen. It is a pleasure to speak to Our allies across the sea.”
    “ It is our pleasure, Your Majesty. We hope that Garth has conveyed our desire to serve Chahir.”
    “He has. We wish to draw upon your aid to prevent disaster from falling upon the citizens.”
    “ You shall have it. We are infuriated at the actions of the Star