Free The Black Robe (The Sword and the Spell) by Clare Smith

in his position, but he felt more rested than he had been for days.
    “Magician. They are coming for you. I cannot prevent what they will do to you now but if there are other ways I can help, I will.”
    Jonderill stood up straighter feeling the fear within him rise again and the pain seep out from behind the barriers he had built. “Thank you Tozaman, you have already helped more than you know.”
    Four of Tallison’s personal guards came to a halt in front of him, their leader, a huge man with a plaited beard, glared at Jonderill’s freed arms and hooded head but made no move to touch him. Jonderill could sense his fear. “You, Brotherlord, why have you aided this man? Tallison gave orders that he was to be bound and exposed to the people.”
    Tozaman bowed briefly. “His magnificence also commanded that the magician should still be alive when he was returned to his presence, I have just carried out our lord’s commands as I saw fit.”
    The leader of the bodyguards gave a disdainful snort and then an evil smile. “In that case you can remove his hood and lead him back to Tallison. I’m sure he will want to reward you for your diligence.”
    Tozaman stepped forward and hesitated before he touched the robe. It hadn’t harmed him the last time he had touched it, but then he had asked permission; that wouldn’t be possible in front of the four guards. He reached out and tentively pulled the hood back from Jonderill’s head feeling nothing more than the rough fibres catching on his sword-calloused hand. The glaring sunlight and the heat hit Jonderill like a blow making him gasp and the little bit of strength he had gained from his rest drained away. Tozaman released the chain from the post and tried his best to walk slowly back to Tallison’s pavilion, but the surrounding guards set a brisk pace. The best he could do was to keep the chain slack so that Jonderill didn’t choke each time he stumbled and fell.
    After being out in the blazing sun the pavilion was dark and cool. It took Jonderill a few moments to adjust his eyes to the dimness and then he wished he hadn’t bothered. The cage was still there waiting for him, the door open and the metal bars ready to press down on him and hold him immobile. The miasma of filth and rot hung in the air and the scratch-scratch of claws, hidden from view, whispered in the silence. Horror and fear assailed him, and if he’d had anything in his stomach, he would have vomited. As it was he stood frozen, whilst his earlier determination never to return to the cage reasserted itself.
    “Ah, Callistares, you have returned and did you enjoy your day of freedom?” Tallison gave a cackling laugh and looked Jonderill up and down, a deep frown creasing his face at what he saw. “I had expected you to be a little more grateful to be returning to the safety and comfort of your cage.” He turned a questioning eye on Tozaman who still held Jonderill’s chain.
    “The Brotherlord protected him,” explained the leader of the guards stepping forward and bowing deeply. A look of triumph crossed his face as the antagonism between Tallison’s bodyguards and the brotherlords surfaced.
    Tozaman too bowed deeply and handed Tallison the chain. “I did as you commanded, Your Magnificence, and ensured that the magician was still alive when he was returned to you.”
    Tallison looked from one to another and then shrugged. “It makes little difference, it will just take him a little longer to die, that’s all. Now Callistares, your home awaits you.”
    He stepped aside and indicated to the empty cage, a smile of malice on his face. Jonderill remained where he was trying to look braver than he felt and wishing that his legs would stop shaking. Tallison hissed in annoyance and yanked hard on the chain making Jonderill stumble forward slightly.
    “Into the cage, Callistares, or my guards will make you get in.”
    Jonderill stood as straight as he could looking directly in front of him whilst he