Shadow Mage (Blacklight Chronicles) by John Forrester

clasped hands with Talis, and pulled him through.  

10. THE DARK ARCHIVES
     

    Instead of finding the archives dark and cold, as one would expect at this late hour, they discovered the chamber illuminated by a pale-blue magical light, and filled with the low murmurs of voices deep in conversation. Talis held his breath for fear of being discovered. Mara pulled him over to where Nikulo and the sorcerer stood against a wall lined with paintings of dour-faced wizards from years past.
    “They can’t hear us,” Mara said. “You can breathe now.”
    Palarian nodded in agreement, and pointed towards a gathering of wizards from the Order. Talis recognized Master Jai, Master Grimelore, Mistress Cavares, and several other older members he had seen from the assembly earlier that day.
    “We must tread carefully, a cautious approach in dealing with the boy will yield us the best results.” Master Grimelore clapped his hands together, startling Talis.
    “I disagree,” Master Jai said. “I’ve seen the boy in action and it’s a terrible sight to see. If we don’t act decisively, I fear disaster will once again strike our city… Perhaps they will lash out again?” He lowered his voice at the word “they.” Talis thought maybe he was referring to the gods. Were they talking about attacking him directly at the temple?
    Mistress Cavares cackled softly. “You’re a fool. You think you’re a match against the power of the black crystal? You feel confident of your new found dark power… Yet what you fail to realize is that the boy possesses mastery over a greater art, which you lack. And he’s on the road to discovering another, thanks to my little lesson out in the swamplands. Quite unfortunate that House Lei decided to pursue an unannounced hunting expedition in the same area. Poor Ralakh Lei. Couldn’t have happened to a more suitable pompous ass.”
    “Be wary of your choice of words, Mistress Cavares.” Master Grimelore frowned. “These walls have ears.” The other wizards nodded, and narrowed their eyes at her. “You understand that with Master Viridian and many of the wizards gone, House Lei will most likely impose its will on the city.”
    Talis wanted to protest, but kept himself calm. House Lei ruling Naru? Why would the king and House Storm ever allow it?
    “Yes, indeed. With the king ill over the news of Master Viridian’s death, the shock is taking its toll on the king’s already weak heart. And there are rumors that House Lei is preventing the healers from doing their proper work on the king.”
    “What!” Mara said, and curled her fingers in anger. Talis looped his arms around her waist to keep her back.
    Palarian put a finger to his lips. “Be calm, child,” he whispered. “The magic subdues sound greatly, but I imagine these sensitive wizards can feel waves of emotions around them.”
    Talis knew it to be true. He’d seen Master Jai sense anger, intentions of violence, and lies. Out of the corner of his eye, Talis swore he glimpsed Mistress Cavares glance over in their direction. But then she turned back to the other wizards and continued talking about what to do now that the Order was weakened.  
    After a few minutes, the wizards of the Order finished talking and left the room, the pale-blue magical light following them out until the chamber went dark. Talis could hear Mara breathe softly next to him, but other than the ghost images of the wizards talking moments before, he couldn’t see a thing.
    “Do you think they all left?” Mara said, and placed a hand on his back.
    “We’ll need to see without creating light,” Palarian whispered. It sounded like the sorcerer rubbed his fingers together, and the next moment the room was visible in a kind of ghostly grey and silver light.
    “Much better… Where did you learn all those spells?” Talis glanced at the old man.
    “Oh, I’ve have years to pick up bits and pieces here and there from very talented wizards and mystics of all