“We broke in here,” Vex reminded him.

“Oh,” said Saracen, “yeah,” and allowed himself to be shackled.

Tanith looked at the pair of them. “Happy?” she asked. “Now we’re all in chains. We could have all run, but no. You had to be the good guys.”

“It’s what we are,” said Vex.

“You’re idiots.”

“That’s what we are, too,” said Saracen, a little sadly.

27

he cell door opened and a Cleaver beckoned. Vex stood up stiffly. They’d taken his pouch of leaves away from him, and his leg was hurting like hell. He was led, limping, to the Great Chamber. The others were already here, standing before three empty podiums. Saracen and Frightening looked none the worse for wear, but Gracious and Donegan were sporting spectacular bruises and Aurora was holding her side, in obvious pain.

The podiums slid open and thrones rose up. Flashy. Seated in those thrones were Elders Palaver Graves and Illori Reticent, a pretty woman who wore a permanently bored expression on her face. Occupying the middle throne was Grand Mage Cothernus Ode. He was handsome but lined, the years having long since taken their toll on his skin. His white hair was cut tight to his scalp and he wore his Elder’s robes like an afterthought. He was as fierce as he was intelligent, and he was not a man to be underestimated.

Ode was reading from a piece of paper as the thrones settled into place with a click. He took another few moments before finally raising his eyes.

“Grand Mage Ravel is insisting you be released,” he said, sounding amused. “I’ve explained to him, repeatedly, that you entered this Sanctuary illegally, assaulting a member of my staff as you did so, with the intention of stealing a valuable and dangerous weapon. We would be quite within our rights to throw you in the nearest gaol and forget about you.”

Vex stood there with the others, said nothing.

“The fact, however, that you were breaking our laws in order to stop Tanith Low and her cohorts does show you in a slightly more favourable light. Only slightly, mind you. But enough to possibly get you a reduced sentence... if we were feeling lenient.” Ode paused, long enough to glance at Graves with disapproval. “But on viewing the footage that was recorded during this incident, and after speaking to various witnesses, this Council is ready to admit that your actions saved some lives – not least of which Elder Graves’s. You could have used the chaos to make your escape, but you didn’t. You stayed and helped and... we appreciate that.”

“You’re welcome,” said Saracen. Vex saw Aurora kick his ankle to shut him up.

“And so,” said Ode, “you are to be released without charge. If, however, you are seen in England any time over the next three years without written permission from this Council, you will be rearrested. Do I make myself clear?”