Unlike Kai’s expectations, the two Mages didn’t obfuscate or puff out their chests. Instead, they met his gaze with a strange mix of pride and shame in their words.
"We are apprentice Mages, Lord Arzan," Klan admitted, his eyes running towards the floor and back at Kai. "We are not under the tutelage of a master yet and mostly have been taught everything in the general magical theory classes."
Jacks grunted in agreement, his burly frame seeming to shrink under Kai’s scrutiny. "We wouldn’t call ourselves weak," he offered a touch defensively. "Since our strength within the tower lies at the lower middle range among the apprentices."
"Though, it should change since we are hoping to get a master soon and would get strong enough to become adepts in a few years," Klan added to Jacks’ explanation.
A low-mid range apprentice. The words hung in the air, heavy with implication. If what he knew of the structure of Mage rankings stood there, it would mean both of them were at the second rank of a Mage journey.
It wasn’t anything special since most Mages could be apprentices with time, effort and resources, but they were oddly weak even for an apprentice.
They said they weren’t the worst out of the lot, so Kai wondered whether the training they had been given was simply shoddy or it had something to do with them not having a master yet.
"Apprentices, you say," he said, his voice betraying none of his disappointment. "Then perhaps you could elaborate on the structure of the Archine Tower. How many Mages reside within its walls? How are they further divided?"
Klan stepped forward, his shoulders squaring slightly. "Hundreds, Lord Arzan," he began, a flicker of pride returning to his voice. "Hundreds of Mages, most falling within the ranks of apprentice and novice."
Kai leaned forward, his eyes narrowed. "And what of the more experienced Mages?"
Jacks took over the explanation. "Do you mean adepts?" he rumbled and continued once Kai nodded. "There are a scant three dozen adepts within the tower. Mage Actra was one of them. They are the backbone of the Archine Tower’s research and training. Most of them are going in and out of the tower, since after reaching the adept stage, their training becomes more specialized. A lot of them teach our classes, but I know a dozen who are mostly busy with the kingdom’s work or different expeditions. Some are also sent to nobles as temporary retainers as part of an agreement of the tower and the kingdom."
Kai knew Jacks was hinting at Actra from the last line, but he ignored it. Three dozen adepts were around the number he had expected and although he would have liked it if there were fewer of them, there was nothing he could do.
"And beyond that?" Kai pressed. "Does the tower store any savants and Mages beyond that rank? Who exactly runs it?"
Klan and Jacks exchanged a glance, a silent communication passing between them. Then, they both nodded and explained.
"On the very pinnacle," Klan said, "stands the council. There are eight members and each of them is an exceptional Mage in their own right, renowned across the land. They are the ones who guide the tower’s direction and are the strongest Mages in the kingdom."
Kai’s eyes flashed, a spark igniting within him. "How many of them are savants?" he pressed his voice firm. "I’m pretty sure the council will have a few of them."
Klan puffed out his chest, a hint of pride colouring his cheeks. "Three, Lord Arzan!" he declared. "Three esteemed savants, each wielding the power of a fourth circle Mage!"
Savants won’t be easy to deal with.
Kai sighed inwardly. Having three savants meant that the tower had considerable strength and he wouldn’t be able to deal with them at his current stage.
Though, he needed more information before forming a plan.
"And what of the Tower Master?" Kai continued, his gaze unwavering. "The one who leads this council?"
Kai shook his head, pushing the revelation aside for now. He couldn’t care less whether the tower wanted to register him as a Mage or a criminal. He had enough questions swirling in his mind.
"Enough inquiries for now," he declared, his voice firm.
"Are we going to leave for the tower then?"
"Not yet," he said and the Mage’s face fell. Before they could say anything, he added. "Rest assured, my trip to the tower will happen soon. I simply have a few things to take care of in my territory and then, we can leave for the tower. Give me a few days."
Klan and Jacks looked at each other, a hint of relief washing over their features.
"We would wait till then."
***
Kai sat at the head of the table. Around him, Killian and Francis sat among a few other people. One of them was Phillips, the gruff hunter who sat rigidly in his chair, his usual gruff demeanour replaced by a haunted silence.
Two others were Feroy and Nelson who had taken time out to participate in the meeting.
"The situation is dire," Kai began, his voice heavy with the weight of the news. "The hunters and Francis probably already told you about it. I, myself, have confirmed it too. A beast wave is indeed coming, and it will reach the estate in three months."
Three months. The word hung in the air like a death knell. Killian was the first to break the silence.
"Three months," he repeated, his voice hoarse. "That’s... that’s not enough time."
Phillips grunted in agreement. "Tracks don’t lie," he rumbled. "These things take time to mobilize. Three months is a fair estimate. We’re seeing the early signs and as time goes on, there will be more attacks on the villages and the city before the wave truly arrives."
Francis offered a tentative nod. "From the records we’ve studied," he chimed in. "Most beast waves take three to four months to fully gather and attack. Three months is a safe bet."
Kai placed a document on the table, his eyes roaming around the room and coming back to the document. "Safe or not, that’s the time we have. And here’s what we know," he continued, pushing the document towards them. "Based on what I gathered with a spell of mine, these are the species confirmed to be participating in the wave."
A hush fell over the room as everyone leaned forward, their faces paling as they scanned the document. Kai watched their reactions, feeling their heart sinking with each passing second. Listed here, in stark black and white, were the names of creatures that sent shivers down even the most seasoned warrior’s spine.
"Goblins, trolls, arsonic bears," Killian muttered, his voice trembling at the last part. "The first two have a sizeable population around and arsonic bears are extremely tough to handle and could conjure up flames around their paws."
"There are also stalker hawks," Francis added, his voice devoid of its usual cheer. "Those monstrous birds are few in numbers, but we are hardly equipped to deal with them."
Kai had already gone through the list and most of the species listed ranged from Grade 1 to Grade 3. There were also those who were leaders of a monster tribe like the goblin lord he had fought before.
With everything, he knew they were going to have a hard time with each of them.
Feroy shook his head, slammed his fist on the table but quickly regained his posture. "Even with every Enforcer and guard we have at our disposal," he said. "We can’t hold back a wave of creatures like these! There’s no way we can survive!"
Kai steepled his fingers, his gaze meeting each of their eyes in turn. "That’s why I called this meeting," he said, his voice steady despite the rising panic in the room. "If there’s no chance of survival, we make one. There’s no other choice."