The Autumn Republic

“As have I. But no, I think not. As I understand it, mages are limited by the power of the black powder they use. They could warp a small blast to allow them to kill more people, but not enough to cause this much destruction to the whole building.”

“Some kind of refined black powder could do it. Something that packs more of a punch than the traditional kind.”

“It would,” Adamat said slowly. “And I think it’s the best lead we have. Tell Ricard I’ll be looking into a few places.”

“Good luck,” Fell said. “And don’t get yourself killed.”

Adopest University had seen better days.

Adamat’s cane tapped on the cobbles as he made his way through the myriad of stone buildings that made up the university. This was the same walk he’d taken just six months ago on the day of Field Marshal Tamas’s coup and Manhouch’s execution. Now the brown and orange of fall filled the trees, and the world seemed a little older. But that wasn’t the only difference.

The center of the university looked like a battleground. The western façade of Banashir’s Hall was missing and the old clock tower that had once dominated the skyline was no more than a squat ruin, looking bare in the fall weather. It had been knocked over by sorcery in a battle between two Privileged and had landed on the once-mighty glass atrium-the pride of the university. Entire buildings were roped off, sitting idle while the university sought to raise money for their rebuilding.

The scene acutely reminded him of both the destruction at the union headquarters and the aftermath of the earthquake that had occurred four months ago. Adamat knew that Tamas had meant well with his coup, and this destruction was not all a result of his actions, but Adopest had taken a horrible beating since that fateful day.

Adamat took to the stairs in the rear entrance of the administration building and paused when he realized he was alone.

He retraced his steps to find SouSmith staring at the destruction in the quad outside of Banashir’s Hall. The earth had been cut up as if with an enormous plow, great mounds and furrows that would take a hundred men several weeks to even out. Adamat wondered why the university hadn’t yet restored the fields, but he realized they likely lacked the funding.

“What’s wrong?” Adamat asked.

SouSmith held the silver krana coin he’d taken from the union headquarters. He flicked it in the air and caught it. “Thinking.”

“About?”

The old boxer didn’t respond as he flipped the coin several more times, catching it each time without looking. “That Privileged I punched.”

“When you were a kid?”

He nodded and let out a sigh.

“Lucky he didn’t do something like this”-Adamat gestured to the destruction-“to your insides.”

“Yup.”

“Just proves that they can be hurt. That they’re fallible. No one’s perfect, even the people with the power to do this kind of thing.”

“More scary,” SouSmith grunted. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and trudged along in the same direction Adamat had been going.

Adamat had heard that the administration building had taken significant damage during the Privileged battle. Inside, it was clear where they’d focused their reconstruction efforts. Sections of the north wall and the roof were all new. The art that had once lined the main hall-of vice-chancellors in the history of the university-had been taken down or destroyed.

He passed the office of Vice-Chancellor Prime Lektor and paused just long enough to note there was dust on the handle. He rapped on the next door.

“Come,” a muffled voice responded.

Adamat entered the tidy office of the assistant to the vice-chancellor. Uskan sat behind his desk, book open flat before him, glasses perched on the end of his nose. He looked up from his reading and gave Adamat a tight smile. “Good afternoon.”

“Hello, my friend,” Adamat said. “Thank you for seeing me at such short notice.”

“Of course.” Uskan sat up and brushed the hair from his brow. “Anything for a government official.”

“It’s not like that,” Adamat said, feeling his heart skip a beat. Uskan hadn’t offered him a place to sit. His manner was forced, and his eyes were not trusting. Adamat knew his friend was politically conservative, but…

“It’s not? So they’re not calling you Tamas’s hound?”

“Not within earshot, anyway,” Adamat said. “I thought you knew I was working for Tamas.”

“Tamas’s reign has brought nothing but ruin to the university,” Uskan said. “The last time you were here, you told me you were involved, but not that you were running errands for our new dictator.”

“He’s not a dictator,” Adamat said.

“Oh?”

Adamat dropped into the chair in front of Uskan’s desk. He didn’t have the energy for this. “Tamas is reported dead, anyway.” He eyed Uskan, gauging his reaction to see if word had reached him yet of Tamas’s return. “It’s all in the past.”

“And because of him we’ll have no future.”

“I don’t want to talk politics with you. I just hoped you’d answer a few questions.”

“As I said, anything for a government stooge.”

“Uskan!”

“Adamat, I will help you, but I will not be happy about it!”