Wild Child

Chapter Thirty

"The plan is simple, though the execution of it may take some work. What one needs to know about golems is that they are finicky creations. Stagger them and we'll have ourselves an opening," said Lacet as he manipulated the image he had conjured. The illusion of the great mechanical creature slumped to its knees with a great bellowing roar. "Speed, rather than strength, will be our ally."

He did is so flawlessly, Idana had to wonder why her master had always thought himself a mage of middling prospects. A glamour was a simple thing and even that had taken her much longer than she would have liked to master. Magic had always been intuitive to her. But perhaps it was the nature of the spell. It had never felt right.

"You couldn't possibly do it alone, Toymaker. Even someone with your pedigree would find such a prospect challenging. If not downright impossible."

Lacet nodded, conceding the point to the court sorcerer. "That is true. I have never shown a strong aptitude to the practical aspects of magic. Theoretically speaking though, I would need only one other to assist. Perhaps two. Does anyone here have a map of the palace?"

Crown Prince Dendron rose unsteadily to his feet. He was still much too pale for Idana's liking. Some colour had returned to his cheeks, but any good physician could see that he still needed rest. "If I understand this correctly, you'd want to lure it into the courtyard. It's big and empty. Perfect for what you'd have in mind. And far from any civilians considering most will have sought shelter somewhere much more defensible if they aren't already here in the hall. I can show you where it is."

"You're still recovering, Denny," said one of his sisters. She had sharp blue eyes and hair as fair as her brother's. Idana still had not learned their names. "Better leave it to the others. Wouldn't you agree, mother?"

"She is quite right, Your Highness. I would be remiss in my duties as a subject of the Crown, and as an apothecary, to place you in harm's way."

The Crown Prince looked as if he was ready to argue. Instead, he crossed his arms and sat back down. Idana had to give him credit for not pressing the point and smart enough to realise that it would be futile to continue. It showed a strength of character she had not thought possible when she first took on the role of his tutor.

Then again, her master had a way with words. And there were plenty of options among the remaining court mages that had not accompanied the King. They were all of varying strength. Most did not have a vast pool to take advantage of if they hoped to succeed. And none had the experience of working together with Lacet. The obvious choice, in Idana's view, was her.

Besides, a barrier was easy enough to maintain. They only needed to feed it a constant source of magic. And with their numbers, it would be a simple task.

Just like when they were at home, Idana shot her hand up. "I know where the courtyard is. And I have the ability to help you take the golem down."

"What about your responsibilities here, Idana? A golem is not a creature you trifle with."

"Well, who else did you have in mind?" asked Idana, gesturing to the sea of civilians clumped together in small groups around the great hall. She could handle herself. Had been doing so for almost two months. "I can do this, master. You know I can. Their Royal Highnesses are now under the care of the palace guard. I'm sure they'll be well looked after."

He weighed her words, then, perhaps just to annoy her, he again addressed the court mages. "Are there any other volunteers?" The room was silent, though two others raised their hands. "Fine. The three of you will be with me," he finally acquiesced. "We don't have much time. The longer we delay, the more we put good people at risk. What say you, Lord Wainsyn?" The last question, Lacet directed to the sorcerer that had spoken up earlier.