Chapter 6 Part 16

Armegon and Ultrecht watched the last of their friends disappear. Then they sat and watched the waters swirl until the first sun disappeared. When the Well was gone for another day, they wordlessly made their way back to the edge of the cavern, up the stairs and back out onto the island.

Armegon built a small fire and they cooked some of the smoked meat that Keeneye had trapped earlier. "This meat won't last long," Ultrecht said. "We will need to find another ranger or a woodsman to keep us fed until we can set up operations here."

Armegon agreed. "That shouldn't be too hard." He leaned back. "Just think, a whole new world to explore. In a way, I am glad this happened. I was beginning to get bored with our home. The challenge was gone."

"Why didn't you tell Keeneye the truth?"

Armegon sat up and threw a few twigs on the fire. "He would have stayed."

"We could have used him."

"I would rather he handle our affairs back home. That is the only bad part about building empires: letting them go."

"Do you think they will try to come back?"

Armegon shook his head. "I slipped a note into Keeneye's pack last night. It tells him that I am staying behind voluntarily and it also contains a set of instructions for him to follow on how to run my operations. He has a decent head for business."

Ultrecht blanched. "I wish I had thought of that."

"Don't worry," Armegon consoled. "I also stated in my letter that I suspected that you too were planning to stay behind. Keeneye will appropriate your assets somehow."

Ultrecht chuckled. "Yes, I imagine he will."

They slept well that night. Perhaps the decision to stay or maybe the completion of their mission allowed them to sleep better than they had in months.

The next morning they awoke and began the long journey to Allentown. Ultrecht wanted to visit the University and Archives there. He was bound and determined to understand the magic of the warlocks.

As for Armegon, he liked Allentown as well. He spent several weeks performing minor magic for hire and did some courier jobs for Seada's news service. Within a few weeks he had put enough money together to purchase a small cabin next to a stream near the base of the Orkon Mountains.

It had been over a month since they had left the Well when Ultrecht dropped by for a visit. When Ultrecht arrived at the cabin, Armegon was glad to see him. Ultrecht stated that he had discovered a whole new way to work magic and was in the process of combining the two systems. Armegon claimed that he had been performing odd jobs and studying the politics of the world. "Lord Serpent Blackheart is the guy who was after us all that time. He is apparently trying to make some powerplay to gain control of the whole planet I think."

Ultrecht grinned. "Wouldn't you just love to see the look on his face when he finds out we are still around?"

"That is a piece of information I would like him not to know," Armegon said.

"Perhaps you are right," Ultrecht agreed. "I have managed to learn enough of the local magic systems to disguise my own power so that it is not as easily traceable as it used to be. It is really quite amazing how easily it was for them to track us when we used magic."

"I am actually surprised that they never quite got the drop on us," Armegon said thoughtfully.

"Tyson?" Ultrecht's question was obvious.

"I think so," Armegon said. "I think Tyson was sitting on a fence. He really wanted us to get home, but he also was kissing up to the local power in case we did not make it."

"You can ask him when we catch up with him," Ultrecht growled. The treachery was still a thorn in his side.

"It is quite possible that Tyson may realize that we are still here, and he may come looking for us."

Armegon leaned back in his rocker and sipped a glass of wine. "We shall see."

Ultrecht was about to say something when a knock came at the door. Ultrecht was closest, so he got up to answer it. He unlatched the door and opened it to reveal a woodsman carrying a bundle in his arms. The bundle mewed softly and a tiny head peeked out from the blankets. It was obviously a baby, but Ultrecht was not certain of the baby's race as its eyes were definitely feline.

"Excuse me, good sir," the woodsman said. "I was given this child by a halfelf named Armageddon some time ago and instructed to care for it until this time. Then I was told to deliver it to him in this area. Do you by any chance know of such a person?"

Ultrecht was dumbstruck. Just what kind of game was Armegon playing now? "What is your name, sir?"

The woodsman bowed slightly. "My name is Faragen. Faragen Greenbow at your service."

Ultrecht stepped aside and invited the woodsman in. "Well Faragen, this is the place, and yonder sits the person you seek." And I am looking forward to this explanation greatly, he thought to himself. This is going to be some story.

End of Book 1