Chapter 8 Part 2

Morteous Blackheart reported to his nephew, the newly christened Duke of Aspberg. "Ah, Miguel. The Doyr scouts have located the ranch where Armegon and Ultrecht raised the boy. The keeper claims that Armegon went on a trip and has not returned. The keeper does not know anything else about them. He simply looks after the place."

Miguel leaned back in his chair. He gazed absently at the large tapestry on the wall that was a map of the known lands. "Do you think we should destroy the ranch?"

"Oh, no," Morteous answered enthusiastically. "It is far too close to Allentown. Such a display of your authority would not go unnoticed. Besides they may yet return. If the place has been ravaged, they will flee again and we will lose them. Instead, let us post sentries. If they do show up there, we will know about it and we may be able to catch them off guard."

"Fine, fine," Miguel agreed. "Where is Tyson?"

"He wanted a few days off," Morteous answered. "After all the service to us I decided to grant his request. He is interested in becoming involved in the monkhood again. He went to Ice Branch to find out more about the Brotherhood of the Dancing Flames."

"The Dancing Flames are a supporter of House Cadaver, our Freon allies, aren't they?"

"They are," Morteous confirmed.

"Tyson wants to join a monastery whose philosophy is to go out in a blaze of glory?" Miguel asked disbelievingly. "That does not sound like Tyson."

"It is my suspicion, that he does not intend to join the Dancing Flames, but only to study them. I see Tyson as the type who will choose his alliance carefully and then take with him full knowledge of all his rivals."

"Yes, that sounds more like Tyson."

"In any event, he will travel to Ice Branch, then to Tycho, then he will travel by sailing vessel to Freon and finally Keron before returning here," Morteous said. "By the time he gets back, he will know all there is to know about the various Brotherhoods and we will gain great power from that knowledge."

"What of the attack against our enemies?" Miguel asked. "We need him for that."

"Rest assured that has been taken care of," Morteous answered. "Before he left, I gave him an arm band that will allow me to summon him back through a teleportation portal. In case that fails, I have charmed his amulet of office. I can conjure him back here in a matter of seconds with or without his approval should the need arise."

"Is he aware of the amulet's charm?"

"No," Morteous replied. "I thought it best that he not be able to elude us should he reconsider what side he works for."

"Uncle," Miguel Blackheart laughed with glee, "you are truly devious."

"How true," Morteous admitted. "Now all we need is to devine the enemy's whereabouts."

"I can not tell you where they are now," Miguel admitted, "but I know where they will be eventually."

"Oh?"

"If you recall my father urged us to consult the prophesies. I did that and there is a passage which speaks of death in the hand of war heralding the major confrontation in the lifeless land. No doubt that means Gly-ou-vogue."

"So," Morteous pondered. "It would appear that we have come full circle. "We seem destined to have another battle in the wasteland. Only this time the outcome will be different."