A Mages Invitation

"It doesn't look like Nostrum's tower." Alexis remarked as they stood before Nikolai's Mage tower.

"I don't think any Mage, let alone Nikolai is interested in building a tower of bone except for that madman." Elya replied wryly. It had been one of the most horrifying periods of the war when they assaulted the Mad Mages tower. They fought through hordes of beasts and mutated creatures while the Empires Mages bombarded the structure with an array of devastating spells. She shuddered a little at the thought, remembering the pulsating flesh-like corridors and Nostrum's crazed laughter.

"So, how do we get in?" Alexis glanced at the forbidding doors and ominous stone arch that loomed over them.

"I'm not sure, but I don't think we should knock." Mages were notoriously suspicious of outsiders, guarding their towers with arcane traps that could stun or even instantly vaporise intruders, and an intruder was anyone who approached. "Maybe we can call for him?"

"We don't even know if he's inside but calling randomly may not be the best way to maintain our image." Alexis scratched her cheek, observing the door for any marks that would give them hints.

"Khanbikeh?" A young voice made them turn around.

"Ataman Jarek? Why are you here?" Elya twitched at his approach.

"I serve the Khan within the tower." The boy declared, chest puffed out in pride, adjusting a rucksack over his shoulder.

"Serve?"

"I am the Khan's apprentice."

She exchanged a glance with Alexis. Magical ability was very rare and Jarek might be the first of the Dragon Lords in the Empire who showed the talent.

"Are you waiting for the Khan?"

"We were invited by Nikolai."

"Oh." Jarek nodded and pushed the door open, smirking at Alexis' flinch. "It's very safe. The Khan only keeps traps on the staircase and windoes, so he can use the ground floor as an office."

The tower looked even larger on the inside, filled with all sorts of furniture, books and magical equipment. Jarek dropped the rucksack he was carrying and gestured for them to sit on a couch. Satisfied they were comfortable, he started to sort items from his bag, creating several small piles based on some incomprehensible system.

The actions of the young boy were exactly what Elya would expect of a Mages tower, mystical and surrounded by books full of arcana, pulses of magical light shining from all the equipment. She caught sight of several magical weapons resting on a bench and went over to check them. There was a sword that lay to the side and she drew it, marvelling at the weapon, beautiful and deadly. She swung it a few times and was astounded with how easily it cut through the air. It was almost as powerful as the blade she'd taken from the Suzdal's treasure vault and it was just casually left out here.

"Jarek! Did you finish?" A voice echoed throughout the tower and Elya jumped, almost dropping the sword. Nikolai hopped down the steps with a book, frowning at whatever was written within. "I need those shards of Kalma bone to finish the enchantment and we don't have much time left." He looked up and froze, hands falling to the side.

"Good morning Nikolai." Elya smiled weakly, and the Count blinked.

"Umm… Morning. Just… give me a moment." He strode to Jarek's side and gave a few instructions and explanations before coming back. "How was your sleep?" He looked collected after talking with his apprentice.

"Very pleasant. Thank you for letting me sleep in."

"It's not a problem. You were bound to be tired. Do you have any plans for today?"

"No, I came to take you up on your invitation."

"Invitation?" He tilted his head for a moment, realisation dawning. "Oh, for the experiments. I did tell the maids you could come. Do you like the sword?"

Elya tried to follow his sudden shift in topic, looking down at the magical blade she still held and blushed, but before she had a chance to return it, Nikolai dug out a scabbard and tossed it towards her.

"That blade's called Razors Edge. Not sure why actually, Jarek was adamant to use that name." The boy grinned and gave her a thumbs up. "It's not fully enchanted yet but I haven't been able to get all the materials. Right now, it's sharp and uh…" He trailed off in thought.

"Almost indestructible, Khan." Jarek supplied.

"Call me Master." Nikolai said absent mindedly, and the boy rolled his eyes. "So, you can keep it and I'll do the rest of the enchantment later."

Just like that Elya owned an extra magic sword that most soldiers would sell their souls for. Nikolai moved quickly and with a wave of his sleeve the rest of the weapons Elya had been studying floated to a chest and were locked inside.

Now that the bench was clean she could see a map of the town and its surroundings had been spread underneath. On further inspection she discovered the map was actually inlaid into the table. It was labelled with various annotations and plans for future expansion. It was so detailed and lifelike Elya couldn't help but lean in until her nose was almost touching, forgetting the sword. There was a sense that the whole map would come to life and give off the scent of the plains or the sound of wind playing among tall grasses. She turned to see Alexis doing the same while Nikolai and Jarek grinned proudly.

"This is nothing." Nikolai struggled with something under the desk and with practised movements Jarek brought a large mirror before them muttering a small spell that made it flash occasionally.

"It's ready Khan."

"Call me Master I said. Now you'll be in for a surprise." Nikolai had finally managed to wrestle an odd contraption that looked like an arm with a disc made of glass on the end. He moved the arm until the glass was over the tower on the map and waved dramatically, sleeves billowing and hands lighting up with power.

Elya gasped as the mirror shimmered and she found herself looking down at the tower. It was so lifelike, and she was tempted to touch the image but restrained herself.

"What is this?" She whispered.

"This Elya, is the first line of defence for Konstanz." He moved to her and hesitantly put his hand on her shoulder to guide her to a window. A tremor passed through her at the contact, she could feel the heat from his hand even through her coat. She almost rushed away but the sight outside the window took her breath away. A glowing rune hovered in the air above them, pulsing with a soft light.

"This, is the Eye of the Great Dragon."