The mages of the Council came filing out of the Star Chamber in ones and twos, their aides splitting off to join them. Bahamus was towards the middle of the crowd, and gave me a cool look as he passed.
Anne glanced after him. Did something happen?
I didn’t do a very good job of backing his proposal, I admitted. Maybe I should have kept my reservations to myself.
Movement in the futures caught my attention, and I turned to see Spire walking towards us. ‘Verus,’ he greeted me. ‘If you’re not too busy, perhaps you’d like to have a word.’
‘Alone?’
Spire inclined his head to Anne. ‘Mage Walker is welcome to join us should you so wish.’
‘In that case, I’d be happy to.’
We started walking together, Anne falling in a little behind us. I caught the glances from other aides as we left the anteroom; everyone would know about this meeting soon. ‘You aren’t worried about being seen with me?’ I asked.
‘Should I be?’
‘No, but that doesn’t seem to stop plenty of others.’
We walked down the corridor and into one of the conservatories. The War Rooms might have been designed as a fortress, but people have been living here for a very long time and they’ve added quite a few amenities over the years. The conservatories are my favourites. There are two of them, and they look like very nice ceremonial gardens that somehow happen to have been transplanted deep underground. There are flowers, shrubs, small trees and even a fish pond fed by a bubbling fountain. I’m not sure how they keep the plants growing, but it’s certainly a pleasant place to walk. As a side benefit, the open paths and the noise of the fountain make it very hard for anyone to eavesdrop.
‘What would be your estimate of the chances of this plan’s success?’ Spire asked.
‘Maybe ten or twenty per cent.’
‘So low?’
‘If anything, that’s being generous,’ I said. Privately I’d have put it in single figures. ‘To be successful, an operation like this needs to be kept secret. Too many people know.’
‘Then what do you think the most likely outcome will be?’
I shrugged. ‘Based on Richard Drakh’s previous behaviour, I’d expect him to let the Keepers spring their trap and be nowhere near when it closes. The Keepers rough up or kill a bunch of adepts and have nothing to show for it. Relations between the Council and the adept community break down further, and Drakh gets away and makes the Council look foolish.’
‘That does seem plausible,’ Spire said. ‘But why do you base that on his past behaviour?’
‘Drakh has always been … well, the best word would be pragmatic,’ I said. ‘Maximum return for minimum risk. He’s fine with retreating if it serves his purposes.’
Spire nodded. ‘But in that case, why attack the Vault?’
I was silent for a moment. ‘Presumably because he felt that what was in there was worth the risk of fighting.’
We stopped by the fountain. Water foamed and bubbled from the ornamental feature at the far side; below the surface, koi hung lazily, keeping position with an occasional twitch of their fins. They were each more than a foot long, their scales a mixture of gold and white and red. ‘Do you know why Morden was raised to the Senior Council?’ Spire asked.
‘I assume his acquisitions from White Rose had something to do with it.’
‘Vihaela’s dowry, yes. Do you know how many previous Dark mages have attempted something similar?’
I shook my head.
‘You can look it up in the histories if you’re curious. But he wasn’t the first, or the twentieth.’
I looked at Spire. He was tall enough that the two of us were on a level. ‘So why do you think he succeeded where all the others failed?’
‘Morden no doubt believes it is due to his special acumen,’ Spire said. ‘Personally, I think the answer is simpler. The Council is experiencing one of its periodic transitions. Morden was in the right place at the right time.’
I shrugged. ‘I suppose that’s possible.’
‘You think Drakh might overthrow the Council, don’t you?’
I glanced at Spire sharply; he tilted his head. ‘You’ve clearly considered the possibility,’ Spire said. ‘That if you hold out long enough, Drakh might take care of your enemies for you.’
‘I would of course never consider siding with Richard Drakh against the Council.’
‘It won’t happen, you know. The Council will simply adapt.’
‘Don’t people always think that every long-lived institution is immortal right up until the point where it falls apart?’
Spire smiled fleetingly. ‘Perhaps. Here’s another question for you. If you were on the Senior Council, what would you do with that position?’
I looked at Spire, considering. What the hell. I might as well tell the truth. ‘First, I’d put an end to Levistus’s constant attempts to get me killed,’ I said. ‘Once I was done with that, I’d use my position to try to speak for the people who don’t have any kind of a voice. Right now, the only ones who have any real representation on the Light Council are Light mages. The remaining 99.9 per cent of British magical society are left out in the cold. Independents, adepts, sensitives, magical creatures and yes, even Dark mages. They’re all real, and they’re all out there, but if you listen to the discussions in that chamber, then half the time it’s as though they don’t even exist, and the other half they’re treated as potential enemies.’
‘And you think all of those groups have similar interests?’
‘No,’ I said. ‘I’m not completely naïve. I’m aware that any political system will disproportionately favour those with influence and power. But there has to be some sort of balance. Right now, the Council only represents those with influence and power. That’s not sustainable. Perhaps it’s as you say, and Morden took advantage of that situation to get his seat. But in that case, it raises an obvious question, doesn’t it? If Morden was the counterbalancing element, and now he’s in prison, who’s going to take his place?’
‘A very good question,’ Spire said, and nodded to me. ‘Thank you for the discussion, Verus. We’ll talk again. Mage Walker.’ He turned and left.
Anne and I watched him go. Well, I said once he was gone. That was interesting.
Do you think that went well or badly?
I’m not really sure, I admitted. But one thing’s for certain: I don’t think we can count on him to bail us out when we’re in trouble. I glanced at Anne. I’m going to visit Arachne. Want to come?
I’d … rather not. Sorry.
Okay. See you tomorrow.
‘… and that’s when we split up,’ I finished.
‘I see,’ Arachne said. She was hunched over me, her two front legs almost brushing mine. It’s how she prefers to talk. Her eight eyes watched me opaquely, but I could hear the thoughtful tone in her voice. Around us, the clothes and threads of Arachne’s lair shone in the light.
‘So?’ I said. ‘What do you think?’
‘Based on your meeting with Anne’s other self,’ Arachne said, ‘then I would agree. Your dreamstone theory does seem like the best explanation. And, as Luna said, it fits with Richard’s previous actions.’
‘Then how do you think we should stop it?’
‘I’m afraid I don’t have any advice better than hers,’ Arachne said. ‘Talk to Anne.’
‘But you’re you,’ I said. ‘Haven’t you got anything that could help? Some sort of item, or a spell?’