“You ‘eard me right,” Gem continued. “My two friends are no soldiers. Nay, they’re mages, assigned by the Mage Parleement itself to watch over our convoy. Unfortunately, one of them ‘as taken issue with some of the rather crude comments we’ve heard. In fact, I’m both nervous and disappointed to say that this mage is considering turning the lot of you into toads or sheep.”

Which absolutely wasn’t possible. Seers who studied the Sinitu order of magic could indeed perform transmutations of the physical form. In other words, shapeshifting. But neither Seers nor High Seers of that order could transmute multiple people into toads or sheeps. Above the Seer level were the Mystics. And while Sinitu Mystics could perform mass transmutations for a very short time, and a Sinitu High Mystic could cast such a spell that would last about an hour, neither could make the effects permanent. Not that it was relevant considering neither Xerxes, Gandash, or Bel were Sinitu mages.

Of course, these Unsighted farmers didn’t know much at all about how magic worked, and from the looks on the faces of various crowd members, ranging from slightly nervous to outright fearful, it seemed Gem’s monologue was having the intended effect. They were really starting to look sufficiently cowed.

“Thankfully,” Gem said, “I intervened on your behalf. And instead of casting spells, my friend decided that a simple demonstration of magical skill would convince you of the amazing nature of the mages in our kingdom. Thus, I’d like to introduce you to my friend Xerxes son of Ataneedusu, a Seer of the Asgagu order, born and raised in the capital, and a mage of immense power and insight.”

Xerxes was just preparing to stand up when someone in the crowd spoke up.

“Asgagu?” said a skinny man with a deep tan that could only come from long days working outside in the fields. “Ain’t that the kind of combat magic?”

Gem nodded. “Exactly, my farmer friend. You see, Xerxes could probably slaughter every one of you in this room while ‘ardly breaking a sweat, and definitely without a prick of conscience. In fact, back in the capital, I was personally present when ‘e removed the ‘eads of seventeen brigands. But only after dismembering them first!”

Quite a few gasps could be heard in the large room, and Xerxes nearly laughed at the stricken looks on the faces of most of the surrounding customers. Those near him edged away as best they could. Of course, Gem’s story was completely poppycock. Xerxes had never killed a single person in his life, let alone tortured seventeen criminals to death.

Xerxes’ eyes flickered to Gandash, and he could see that his friend was now smiling broadly.

Good, Xerxes thought. Now, as long as I can keep him that way, we can end this evening the happy way.

“Fear not!” Gem shouted with a theatrical flourish of his arm. The man could well have been a showman instead of a grizzled soldier. “For I’ve convinced Seer Xerxes to restrain ‘imself. Instead, ‘e’ll show you a simple training exercise that would shock experienced, professional acrobats in the capital. After all, not even the most skilled Unsighted acrobats could ‘ope to match a Seer. Xerxes, my friend, would you like to take the stage?”

My turn, Xerxes thought. Glancing around very quickly to note the locations of all the soldiers, who he was still working very hard to impress, he clambered onto the table, raised his arms in a rough approximation of Gem’s theatrical gesture and said, “Ladies and—” then he cut himself off, looked around, and sighed. “My apologies, ladies, I don’t see many gentlemen present….”

The serving girls all laughed, as did the handful of women present in the common room. And the soldiers, to Xerxes’ pleasure. The reaction among the rest of the men present was mixed, and included everything from chuckles to groans. Many of the men still seemed shaken from Gem’s dramatic monologue about the terrifying nature of mages.

Smiling, Xerxes said, “I’m just kidding, friends. Truth be told, in all my travels through our fair kingdom of Isin, I’ve never seen such a group of honorable folk as yourself. Believe me, back in the capital, we mages know that our nation survives only because of the hard work of loyal and talented Unsighted such as yourselves.”

An approving buzz rose briefly in the room, and many of the ashen expressions seemed to be changing slightly.

“Clear the way, friends!” Xerxes said, then bent his legs and jumped with the agility of a feline hunter onto the next table. The wood thumped dully under his boots, and the patrons leaned out of his way as made a second jump, landing square on the stage.

Twirling to face the crowd, he raised his voice and said, “Honorable patrons of this establishment, you may be aware that mages are inherently stronger and faster than an ordinary person. But that doesn’t mean we can’t improve ourselves. And thus, every morning and evening on the road, I strive to better myself, from reactions and reflexes, to combat skill and magical abilities.”

Also scrambling onto the table, Gem said, “Friends, observe the superhuman strength and speed of a Seer!”

Before anyone knew what was happening, a brace of knives appeared in Gem’s hand, each of them about a hand long including handle and blade. They were real knives, but with dull edges as they were designed for throwing. That said, they were sharp enough at the point to pierce into wood, let alone skin.

During the short moment in which Gem spoke, Xerxes, having gauged the distance between the two of them, took half a step back.

“Watch!” Gem said, pulling out one of the knives, placing the blade between his fingers and holding it up in front of his face.

“Bring it on, old man!” Xerxes said.

Gem threw the knife seemingly with all his might, and it whizzed through the air toward Xerxes.