Free Taming Fire by Aaron Pogue Page B

servant had left my sitting room. I sank into one of the plush couches and waited for the old wizard to notice me. He did not.
    Instead, their voices rose higher and higher until finally I could make out what they were saying. The argument still did not make much sense, except that I could tell Claighan was defending himself. The other said, "I don't care how far you've come, you must leave!"
    "It is not that simple! This is more important than one man's pride, Edwin."
    Edwin's voice was cold when he answered. "Do you have any idea how dangerous your words are? You risk your life just—"
    "This is more important than my life. This is the world, and I cannot afford to tremble before the governor of three small bits of land."
    Edwin shook his head. "If I had ever suspected you might be this big a fool, Claighan, I wouldn't have taught you so much as a seeming!"
    "You taught me more than magic, Edwin," Claighan said, pleading without backing down. "You taught me to see truth, and to do what must be done—"
    "I taught you to survive. I don't care how great the peril, you can help no one if you are dead, least of all this boy."
    Some of the fire went out of Claighan's voice. Most of the hope was already gone. "This boy is more important than anyone else on this island. This project is, anyway. If I just give him up to die over some stupid soldier's grudge—"
    "He will not die! I have said that already! We can arrange for his safety, but it is a serious accusation, and the king harbors more affection for that guard than he has ever held for you."
    Claighan snorted, and Edwin fixed him with an irritated glare. "A new student can be found, if it comes to it," Edwin said. "A new Master is harder to come by. You must be wise, and above all else, you must be patient. "
    "There is no time for patience!"
    "There is no time for foolishness! Stop. Calm down. Think about the situation, Claighan. Nothing good could possibly come from this encounter. Not now. An hour ago, perhaps—"
    "You don't understand. Too much rests on this. The timing will only get worse if Seriphenes figures out what I intend."
    "You have explained it all to me. I'm even helping you, remember? I understand the situation with the boy, but you don't seem to understand that the world goes on outside your little schemes." Claighan started to protest, but Edwin spoke over him, "I know how important this is to you, but thanks to the troubles in the Ardain we cannot proceed as you had planned. Not now."
    "It is not my fault."
    "You said that already."
    "Lareth should not have gone over to the duke. I don't know what happened."
    "No matter how we train them, they are still only people. He was tempted by the power, that is all. It is not your fault."
    "I know!"
    "And the king will see that, but you must give him time. For now—"
    Claighan's shoulders fell. "For now we must wait."
    "Exactly. I am glad you understand."
    "I understand. I do not like it, but I understand." He sighed and fell against the wall, all his strength gone. "What will we do?"
    "Take him to the Academy and keep him hidden. I will let you know when things are ready."
    Claighan shook his head. "The Academy is too dangerous. I will find us rooms in one of the nobles' houses. Perhaps Souward—"
    Edwin cut him off with a raised hand. "That is too close. Get him out of town, Claighan." He held the other wizard's gaze until Claighan nodded meekly. Then he smiled, satisfied.
    But Claighan frowned. "What of other business? What of our demonstration?"
    Edwin shrugged. "I arranged it as you asked, before, and I have not had time to contact them. You will have to deal with things."
    He nodded, tired. "I will. Perhaps it will still serve its purpose." For a minute he stared at the floor, lost in thought, then finally shrugged. "You are right, there is nothing I can do. We will wait, and...hide." Again he paused. "You will tell me as soon as things are calmer here?"
    Edwin nodded. "These things will blow over. You