“As you might have noticed,” continued Aban Saddi, “things in the city are not well. But before we get into that, do you have anything relevant to report?”

“A lot,” Captain Ishki replied.

Xerxes expected the assembled mages to utter exclamations of shock when they heard about the illegal machinery, the subsequent escape of the mastermind, the Abhorrent, and the deaths of Bel and the dozens of soldiers.

The reaction was much more subdued.

Dumamu and Ataneedusu closed their eyes.

High Seer Ninsunu cocked an eyebrow and Shemesh frowned.

Mystic Aban Saddi’s eyes turned somewhat colder.

It was only Alwin, the youngest mage besides Xerxes and Gandash, who reacted with barely masked horror, his face turning pale before he sat down heavily in the chair behind him, muttering to himself.

It was King Nabuhisnu’isin who broke the silence. “I’m sorry to hear of the loss of Seer Bel. It’s a true tragedy.”

“It’s indeed a tragedy,” said Semesh. “And Seer Fale is going to be furious, as will all of the mages from Od. But unfortunately, it only goes to reinforce my previous point.”

“It does not reinforce your point,” Ninsunu said. “There is no clear-cut evidence proving the Abhorrent are hunting mages specifically. The vast majority of the victims have been Unsighted.”

Semesh’s cheek twitched. “What do you want, a written missive explaining their motives? Seer Athalaric is dead, Ninsunu. And now Seer Bel is gone. What more will it take before—”

“Enough arguing,” interrupted Aban Saddi. “I don’t disagree with you, Shem. I think it’s entirely within the realm of possibility that the Abhorrent are searching for mages. However, fleeing the capital isn’t the answer. The fact remains that, as Nina has repeatedly stated, the Unsighted citizens of this city are in danger. We can never forget that the people of this planet are the responsibility of the Mage Parliament. They’re our responsibility. We’re charged with keeping them safe.”

Semesh shook his head slightly but didn’t say anything in response.

I knew it, Xerxes thought. The Abhorrent are here.

His eyes flashed back and forth between the various mages present as he tried to determine what political elements might be at play. Ninsunu and Shemesh were butting heads as usual, and Mystic Aban Saddi hadn’t picked a side yet. Xerxes’ father owed his career to Gandash’s father, and almost always followed his lead. So… which side was Dumamu on?

Xerxes looked at him, but the man’s expression was unreadable.

The silence in the council room continued for a short time, until High Seer Ninsunu said, “Aban Saddi, sir, you obviously agree with me that—”

“I never said anything of the sort!” Aban Saddi snapped. “We’re facing a crisis right now, but I’m not convinced we mages are in imminent danger. It’s not the time for political maneuvering, so please hold back from your usual posturing.” He looked at Shemesh. “I’m sorry, Shem, but I just don’t see the evidence. I know you’re convinced, but I’m not making a decision based on intuition.”

“I fear you’re going to regret it, Aban,” he said softly.

“I hope not. For now, our primary responsibility is to the common people. We need to find the Abhorrent and eliminate them. And now we have an advantage.” He looked pointedly at the newcomers. “Veterans.”

“Mystic,” Dumamu protested, glancing at Gandash. “Surely you don’t mean—”

Aban Saddi raised his hand, and Gandash’s father stopped talking.

“I do mean that,” Aban Saddi said. “Like it or not, your son now has more experience in dealing with the Abhorrent than anyone else on this planet. As for you, Seer Ataneedusu, we all know your son has devoted more time to training than you. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, you should be proud to be the father of such a competent warrior.”

Xerxes felt a bit awkward to hear such words spoken aloud, but they were true. His father had never been able to live up to his potential as a mage, and everyone knew it.

Aban Saddi didn’t let either father say anything further. “Seer Xerxes, Seer Gandash, are you physically rested and mentally prepared enough to immediately accept a new mission?”

“Yes, sir,” Gandash said almost immediately.

Xerxes hesitated. On the way back to the capital, he’d dreamed of reuniting with his family. He’d envisioned having a nice meal with them, hugging his little sister and mother, and then resting in his own bed. Now he was being asked to immediately go out into danger again?

However, there was no way he would let Gandash one-up him. How was he ever going to earn the respect of the higher-level mages if he didn’t accept every mission possible?

As all eyes in the room shifted to focus on him, he tried to stand a bit straighter and said, “Of course, Mystic. I’m ready.”

Sounding almost pleading, his father, Ataneedusu said, “Sir, they’re teenagers. They don’t—”

Aban Saddi’s tone was hard as he interrupted, “I’ve already made my decision. Captain Ishki, you’re dismissed along with your officers. You did well considering the circumstances, and have earned a short respite. Tomorrow, I want you to coordinate with Colonel Nur-Ayya regarding this Master Ligish. We need to track him down after the Abhorrent business is taken care of.”

The captain saluted, as did Tamharu and Aniskipel, and they left as a group.

“Now,” Aban Saddi continued, “I’m forming a new task force. Nina, you’ll take Seer Xerxes and Seer Satahsusar to Harborview to track down the cultists you mentioned. Take ten soldiers with you. You pick them. If it’s as you say and the cultists are involved in calling the Abhorrent here, then we can’t afford to simply let them be.”

“An operation like that would normally take weeks,” Ninsunu pointed out.

“And obviously we don’t have weeks. So take extreme measures. Use violence if necessary.”

“I’ll need Marshal Authority….”

Aban Saddi looked at the King. “Your Majesty?”

“You have the authority, Nina,” King Nabuhisnu’isin said. “I trust you. We need this crisis solved as soon as possible. I’ll have the paperwork drawn up later.”

Ninsunu swept away from the table. “In that case, I’ll go retrieve Satahsusar. She’s not going to be happy being forced back onto the streets so soon, but I guess we all need to make sacrifices. Seer Xerxes, you come with me.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He looked at his father, exchanged a curt nod with him, then leaned toward Gandash and quietly said, “Good luck, Gandy.”

“Good luck, Xerk. See you when I see you.”

Xerxes followed Ninsunu out into the corridor, where she set a rapid clip away from the council chamber, forcing him to trot after her.