Armegon smoothed his clothing and shuffled about in the powdery ash. Many long moments passed. He did not expect an immediate response from Blackheart, the warlock would have to gather his henchmen and summon his brother, but it was taking far too long.
Armegon was beginning to wonder if Ultrecht's spell had been detected when after half an hour of waiting, a small pop in the air to his left caught Armegon's attention.
Morteous Blackheart stood on the plains of Gly-ou-vogue. Twenty meters away stood the sorcerer, Armegon. Morteous slung aside a riding cape he had been wearing and cracked his knuckles. He had been itching to get at Armegon for some time.
At Morteous' side stood Tyson. Summoning the mage from the ship enroute to Freon had been Morteous' first act after sensing the elemental magic. The human mage looked about nervously. Something was terribly wrong. Where were Ultrecht and Avery?
Tyson did not have time to voice his concern when an awesome presence settled over them all. A figure coalesced into the bodily form of a three meter tall human giant. It was Ragnera. The horrible shadowy form of Reaper was in his hand and the god radiated fear to all who beheld him. Even Armegon was taken aback at the sight. Should they attack the sorcerer then and there, Tyson felt sure that they might have won the battle outright, but the presence of the god was overpowering.
"Behold, a false god!" a voice boomed from their rear. Everyone turned to face the source of that noise. Avery stood with feet firmly planted and hand on the hilt of Liberator. His amber eyes blazed and his cloak billowed out gently behind him from a slight breeze.
Ragnera immediately accepted the challenge. "Fear, foolish mortal for thou has earned the honor of my immediate anger. Prepare to feel the Edge of Night," the god roared in response and using the horrible name of the weapon he wielded.
Avery responded by drawing Liberator into the full light. "Even the darkest night breaks before the Dawn of Law," he informed the god and held Liberator high. Immediately the ranger was enveloped by a soft warm nimbus of golden light. The power of the Sword of Justice awoke and made its wielder the equal to his opponent. Avery swelled to an equal height and defiantly faced Ragnera.
The god roared in anger and charged, leaping across the distance to the defiant ranger in a matter of seconds. His dark blade rose high in the air and came down in a crashing blow aimed to split Avery's skull, but at the last moment Liberator snapped out and intercepted the attack turning it aside. Then in a flash, both combatants vanished from the field.
In the sudden silence following the brief performance of the two escalating powers, Armegon took a moment to wonder how Avery would fare in the battle. He did not reflect too long, however as Morteous and Tyson were turning back to face him. Tyson glanced about nervously and Armegon was not the least bit surprised when the mage vanished.
"Well?" Armegon asked the warlock.
Morteous held his hands out face up. "Hold, Armegon," he pleaded. "I have no wish to fight with you like this. It is my step brother and nephew who hunger for political power, and with them gone, I am not bound to do their will."
Armegon hesitated. Morteous was not the kind of person you trusted too far, but he well remembered how well the warlock had fought the last time they had met, and the siege spell took hours of preparation unless it was locked in the canister he had used the last time they had battled.
"Where’s Tyson," Armegon demanded. "For his treachery, his life is forfeit!"
"I know not where he is and should you find him you may deal with him as you see fit. If he can not defend himself, he is not deserving of survival."
"What are you after?" Armegon asked. In spite of the warlock's claim, he was there for a reason, and even if they did not fight, Armegon was not about to accept that Quickdraw meant him no harm.
"I seek only knowledge," Morteous claimed taking a slight step closer. "I seek to learn the method of your magic and to teach you the method of mine as well should you wish it."
Armegon remained silent. He noted Morteous' step and knew that the warlock had ulterior motives than an exchange of lore. "What makes you think that you can assimilate my magic."
Morteous moved another step closer. He needed to get as close as possible before springing his trap. "As you know by now. We had a long time to study the Tome of Creation. From its pages I derived a spell allowing me to work all forms of magic, even that of Ultrecht eventually. Using this information, I hope to establish an academy where all the forms of magic can be studied and interfaced." He took another step.
"So you want a truce?" Armegon asked.
"I do not wish to fight you," Morteous claimed. "In the first place, I am not convinced I can win, and in the second place, should I emerge victorious, your unique form of magic would be lost forever." Several more steps closer, and Morteous would be ready.
Armegon had not missed Morteous' advancement. Even though the argument was sound, Armegon did not for a moment entertain the thought that Morteous wanted to let him live. Ultrecht had said that the derivations on the paper found in the Tome was necromantic in nature. That meant that Morteous would be able to extract what he wanted from the dead. Experience had shown that Blackheart was very fond of undead.
Armegon was wary. Within moments, the warlock would tip his hand and make his move. Armegon was ready with a defensive barrier for when the attack came. He let Morteous close the distance.
Morteous took another step and Armegon watched as the warlock's eyes went out of focus; he was casting his spell.
Armegon stepped back and summoned his magic, but stopped short. The warlock's magic was not coming at him. Instead, long black threads were whirling about Morteous and wrapping him in a cocoon of darkness. Armegon watched transfixed as the living darkness writhed with passion against the warlock's body and then transformed the being within.
When the shadows retreated, Morteous had been replaced by a bipedal gray mass with long black tentacles reaching out towards Armegon.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Chapter 8 Part 6
The trio of dragons met their passengers at the appointed time. Brandor, noted that Armegon was much quieter than usual, but did not press the issue. For two more days, they flew, and late in the afternoon of the second day since their departure from Allentown, the dragons delivered their charges to the slopes above Gly-ou-vogue. Farewells were extended, and the dragons departed for parts unknown.
Armegon and Ultrecht led Avery into the Valley of Time and they spent the next week in the hidden vale planning their strategies and digging into the secrets of the Tome of Creation. They made a trip to the Well of Time where Ultrecht collected several vials of water during the Well's manifestation. He insisted that should things go wrong, some of the spells in the Tome might provide aid. The water from the Well would substitute for several of the material components.
The evening after visiting the Well, they relaxed on the shore of the island and spoke at length at the plans they had for the approaching confrontation.
"I am unconvinced that we should make a united front," Ultrecht was saying to his comrades. "Even with my command over the elements, I would be hard pressed to defend myself if Armagon loses control of his temper. You, Avery would fare worse, I fear."
"I’m not terribly worried in that department," Avery stated. "I’m not without defenses. This enchanted sword seems capable of turning aside a direct assault from even the most powerful of mages."
"You forget," Armegon reminded with a grin, "I’m a god." There was a chuckle after which Armegon continued. "Still even though your sword may protect you from a direct attack, it may not be able to protect you from an indirect attack. Ten tons of solid rock suddenly materializing above your head doesn’t use magic to crush you, it uses gravity. As powerful as the sword may be, I’ve never seen and enchanted item that could oppose even the least law of physics."
"Are you two suggesting that I should stay out of the fight?" Avery said with evident hurt in his voice.
"Not at all," Ultrecht assured him. "I think, that we may be better off splitting up. There’s a forest near our chosen battle ground. If you take up a position there, you would be at an advantage against whomever chose to attack you."
"What if they all choose to attack me?" Avery asked. "What if they choose to concentrate on us one at a time? Seeing as we have so conveniently divided our forces, that’s what I’d do in their place."
"Ah," Ultrecht exclaimed, "but you’re a modest ranger. You have no need for glory and prestige. Blackheart does, or at least the god he has become does. As you bear the sword the demons call Godslayer, you will most likely be Ragnera's target. I am sure that Morteous wants a piece of either me or Armegon. If we can arrange it, I will try to let Armegon tackle Quickdraw. I have a score to settle with Tyson.
Avery frowned. "Be careful," he warned the mage. "I’ve noted that though best served cold, revenge is also a dish that sours the stomach."
"Don't worry about me," Ultrecht said. "I know Tyson fairly well." he took a stick and drew a rough outline of the geography of the wasteland, mountains and forest. "When they arrive," he explained, "all you need to do, Avery, is challenge Ragnera to a fight. By his honor he would have to accept. I mean what kind of god is he if he cowers from a mere mortal, even one who wields the Godslayer."
"That sounds reasonable," Armegon observed.
"Then while Avery leads Ragnera into the forest and occupies him there, you, Armegon launch a minor attack on Quickdraw. Don't try to take him out in one shot, just get his interest, then head out into the wasteland. Tyson will immediately get suspicious when he can't find me and then he’ll either go to help Quickdraw or Blackpuss."
"Tyson was always a boot licker," Avery noted. "He’ll more than likely throw in with the one most likely to win, Ragnera."
That is when I will be waiting for him," Ultrecht said. "As soon as he enters the forest I will visit the poor monk and there will be a reckoning."
"It sounds as if you have everything figured out," Armegon said, "assuming that they do as you expect."
"If they don't, then I have a spell here in this book," Ultrecht patted the Tome of Creation, "that should settle things once and for all, albeit a little more messily and we would not fare well in the end, but there would be an end to it."
Later that night, Ultrecht read from the Tome by the light of the campfire. He was attempting to fathom the meanings of a particularly unusual ritual when he became aware of a light buzzing inside his head.
Ultrecht.
Ultrecht looked up and around. Had he imagined it?
Ultrecht.
Ultrecht closed the Tome and closed his eyes. Someone was trying to make contact with him mentally. It was a rare and tiring form of communication, but as the receiver, Ultrecht would not be exerting the main effort. He wondered who it could be.
"I hear you," he whispered so as not to wake his companions.
Ultrecht, it is I, Tyson.
Rage flared inside Ultrecht and as he answered there was no doubt that Tyson sensed the emotion. "What do you want?"
I must talk with you. I must warn you. Blackheart is after you.
"Tell me something we don't know."
Had it not been for me, the boy and the druid would have been killed.
"Had it not been for you, neither Sam nor Nikki would have ever been in danger."
There was a pause before Tyson's voice returned. I had hoped to make amends. I wanted to help you beat Blackheart, but I can see that you are going to be difficult. Fools, I name you. All three of you.
"Come then, you and your master," Ultrecht challenged. "I look forward to our meeting.
The contact was broken. Ultrecht felt fairly certain that Tyson had located them. After all that was his obvious intention, and Ultrecht felt that he was ready to face his former friend.
He patted the Tome of Creation. His fingers felt the raw power contained within its pages. He had decoded a spell that he had not told Armegon and Avery about. It was a last resort spell, because he was not certain of its effect, but it was evident that it invoked the evolutionary transformation and combined it with some other power source. The formulas manipulated energies that Ultrecht hand never considered as even remotely possible. He was not even satisfied that the entire planet could contain that much energy, but the Tome insisted that the incantation was usable. If so, Blackpuss was in for one heck of a surprise.
Morning came, but Ultrecht kept the night's events to himself when he was asked how his watch went. They broke camp and made their way out of the valley. Ultrecht wanted to get into the forest below the mountains. He stated that he wanted to scout out the area before Blackheart located them. He wanted to be in familiar territory.
"I have no idea how long it’ll take them to locate us, if we don't give ourselves away," Armegon mentioned as they descended the mountain side.
"We could always use a little of my magic and let the warlock zero in on me," Avery offered.
"That’s a possibility," Armegon agreed, "but let's wait until we’re ready. Until then we must assume that they know where we are right now and be ready now."
"So what is the plan?" Ultrecht asked.
"I think the one we discussed is the best one," Armegon answered. "I’ll wait in the wasteland. When they show up, Avery can call Ragnera out and I’ll take on Quickdraw. You can handle Tyson. I think you want to do that anyhow," Armegon added with a knowing look. Ultrecht had been dreaming of revenge for some time.
"When, then?" Ultrecht asked.
"Not yet," Avery said. "I want a chance to scout out the area. If I’m going to have to fight a god I want to know where I am."
"Be careful," Ultrecht said suddenly. "As I remember, old Blackpuss was showing some druidic powers the last time we fought."
"Oh?" the ranger took notice.
"Say," Armegon recalled the episode, "he's right. I do remember Marlena complained that another druid was opposing her, and he seemed uninhibited by her plant barriers."
Avery frowned deeply. "Is there anything else I should know?" he asked. That news did not make him comfortable.
"Good luck?" Armegon asked.
The ranger shook his head slowly and turned aside and disappeared into the trees as they approached the base of the cliff. "I'll meet you at the edge of the wasteland," his voice came back.
"That was cruel," Ultrecht noted.
"He needed it," Armegon smiled. "Fighting gets him down."
"I hope that sword of his will protect him," Ultrecht added. "God or not, Ragnera will be a tough opponent."
Armegon agreed. "He may need help."
Ultrecht gazed out at the flat wasteland of Gly-ou-vogue. "He will have to at least stand his ground until we can deal with Quickdraw and possibly even Tyson as well."
"I expect Tyson might show, but he won't make a frontal assault. If anything, he will try to slink in like the slime he is," Armegon added with an air of disgust.
"Slime is flattering for him," Ultrecht agreed.
Armegon absently walked out into the wasteland. The ash underfoot erupted into small puffs at each step. "Well this place hasn't changed much," he said.
Ultrecht followed. "I noticed as we came out of that mountain that there is a crater further out."
Armegon grinned. "Did you have any idea how much power that siege spell would unleash?"
"Not really," Ultrecht admitted. "The fissionable material was not pure and we lacked the technological capability to refine it any further in that time period."
"It was a good trap though," Armegon recalled. "I don't suppose they would fall for it again."
"I doubt it," Ultrecht replied. "Besides, we don't have any more plutonium."
"We do need some kind of trap though," Armegon decided. "I don't like the idea of slugging it out with all three of them, assuming Ragnera does not pursue Avery."
"I have an idea about that," Ultrecht said. "We will draw them here and if you stand out here and get their attention, I can attack from the edge of the trees."
"How do you plan to draw them here?"
"With elemental magic. Quickdraw will sense it and come a-running," Ultrecht answered.
"What are you going to do?"
"I am going to run a dimension door from out here to the tree line. It is not a very powerful spell, but it will get the warlock's attention. It uses the time dependent part of Shrow-Dinger's equation of space/time magic. I can open a tunnel from here to the trees inside which time will move more rapidly. From the outside, it would appear as if I jaunted from here to the trees in the blink of an eye. For me, it would seem as if I casually strolled to the trees while everything outside the tunnel was frozen in time."
"The warlock will zero in on the point of spell casting. By the time he gets here I will be in the trees and can attack from seclusion."
"Well," Armegon agreed, "that sounds feasible. But, what do you expect me to do when they arrive, call them nasty names?"
Ultrecht shook his head. "Avery will challenge Ragnera as planned, leaving Quickdraw and Tyson to deal with you. If you’re prepared for their initial volley, you can counter with some serious whipping magic."
"While you watch from a hide-behind?"
"No," Ultrecht laughed. "If Tyson sticks with Quickdraw, then when you have their attention, I will lay into them without warning and with the full strength of the elements. I don't think they can hold up under that attack."
"Are you going to kill them?" Armegon asked.
Ultrecht nodded. "I am afraid we have no choice. I hurt at the though of having to kill Tyson after all the times we have had together, but his crimes demand no less."
Armegon understood. "We’ll have to kill them then, because there won’t be any quarter given from their side. It’s all or nothing. If we leave a single one of them alive, they’ll come after us again and again until all of them or all of us are dead."
"That’s the way I see it," Ultrecht said.
"There’s one more thing," Armegon added. "What if Tyson does sneak in as you suggested?"
"Then I’ll personally pull his heart from his chest," Ultrecht assured him.
Armegon stopped. As they talked they had moved far out into the wasteland. The trees were far away and detail was difficult to discern. He breathed deeply of the mid day air.
"It’s a good day to die," he said dramatically.
"That sounds familiar," Ultrecht noted. "Who wrote it?"
"A human from another time and place," Armegon said absently. "I guess this is the time for us though."
Ultrecht looked around. "I suppose you are right. Maybe we are just procrastinating, but this has to happen. We didn't ask for it."
Armegon glanced briefly at the twin suns. "By sunset, we may be dead, you know. I’ve never really appreciated how beautiful sunsets can be. Now, I may never see another one again."
Ultrecht cuffed the half elf. "Stop talking nonsense. Don't fool around. Waste Quickdraw and go help Avery. Don't worry bout Tyson. He will be my first target."
There was a motion in the trees and they saw Avery emerge. He waved his readiness and then vanished into the bushes. "Well, it is time," Ultrecht said.
Armegon drew his cloak about him. He began to enter an incantation, Ultrecht recognized the protective charm and offered encouragement. "Good luck Armagon."
Armegon nodded in mid cast and completed his word oblivious of Ultrecht. When the charm was complete, Armegon could feel the writhing force of the protective field about him. Ultrecht was gone.
Armegon and Ultrecht led Avery into the Valley of Time and they spent the next week in the hidden vale planning their strategies and digging into the secrets of the Tome of Creation. They made a trip to the Well of Time where Ultrecht collected several vials of water during the Well's manifestation. He insisted that should things go wrong, some of the spells in the Tome might provide aid. The water from the Well would substitute for several of the material components.
The evening after visiting the Well, they relaxed on the shore of the island and spoke at length at the plans they had for the approaching confrontation.
"I am unconvinced that we should make a united front," Ultrecht was saying to his comrades. "Even with my command over the elements, I would be hard pressed to defend myself if Armagon loses control of his temper. You, Avery would fare worse, I fear."
"I’m not terribly worried in that department," Avery stated. "I’m not without defenses. This enchanted sword seems capable of turning aside a direct assault from even the most powerful of mages."
"You forget," Armegon reminded with a grin, "I’m a god." There was a chuckle after which Armegon continued. "Still even though your sword may protect you from a direct attack, it may not be able to protect you from an indirect attack. Ten tons of solid rock suddenly materializing above your head doesn’t use magic to crush you, it uses gravity. As powerful as the sword may be, I’ve never seen and enchanted item that could oppose even the least law of physics."
"Are you two suggesting that I should stay out of the fight?" Avery said with evident hurt in his voice.
"Not at all," Ultrecht assured him. "I think, that we may be better off splitting up. There’s a forest near our chosen battle ground. If you take up a position there, you would be at an advantage against whomever chose to attack you."
"What if they all choose to attack me?" Avery asked. "What if they choose to concentrate on us one at a time? Seeing as we have so conveniently divided our forces, that’s what I’d do in their place."
"Ah," Ultrecht exclaimed, "but you’re a modest ranger. You have no need for glory and prestige. Blackheart does, or at least the god he has become does. As you bear the sword the demons call Godslayer, you will most likely be Ragnera's target. I am sure that Morteous wants a piece of either me or Armegon. If we can arrange it, I will try to let Armegon tackle Quickdraw. I have a score to settle with Tyson.
Avery frowned. "Be careful," he warned the mage. "I’ve noted that though best served cold, revenge is also a dish that sours the stomach."
"Don't worry about me," Ultrecht said. "I know Tyson fairly well." he took a stick and drew a rough outline of the geography of the wasteland, mountains and forest. "When they arrive," he explained, "all you need to do, Avery, is challenge Ragnera to a fight. By his honor he would have to accept. I mean what kind of god is he if he cowers from a mere mortal, even one who wields the Godslayer."
"That sounds reasonable," Armegon observed.
"Then while Avery leads Ragnera into the forest and occupies him there, you, Armegon launch a minor attack on Quickdraw. Don't try to take him out in one shot, just get his interest, then head out into the wasteland. Tyson will immediately get suspicious when he can't find me and then he’ll either go to help Quickdraw or Blackpuss."
"Tyson was always a boot licker," Avery noted. "He’ll more than likely throw in with the one most likely to win, Ragnera."
That is when I will be waiting for him," Ultrecht said. "As soon as he enters the forest I will visit the poor monk and there will be a reckoning."
"It sounds as if you have everything figured out," Armegon said, "assuming that they do as you expect."
"If they don't, then I have a spell here in this book," Ultrecht patted the Tome of Creation, "that should settle things once and for all, albeit a little more messily and we would not fare well in the end, but there would be an end to it."
Later that night, Ultrecht read from the Tome by the light of the campfire. He was attempting to fathom the meanings of a particularly unusual ritual when he became aware of a light buzzing inside his head.
Ultrecht.
Ultrecht looked up and around. Had he imagined it?
Ultrecht.
Ultrecht closed the Tome and closed his eyes. Someone was trying to make contact with him mentally. It was a rare and tiring form of communication, but as the receiver, Ultrecht would not be exerting the main effort. He wondered who it could be.
"I hear you," he whispered so as not to wake his companions.
Ultrecht, it is I, Tyson.
Rage flared inside Ultrecht and as he answered there was no doubt that Tyson sensed the emotion. "What do you want?"
I must talk with you. I must warn you. Blackheart is after you.
"Tell me something we don't know."
Had it not been for me, the boy and the druid would have been killed.
"Had it not been for you, neither Sam nor Nikki would have ever been in danger."
There was a pause before Tyson's voice returned. I had hoped to make amends. I wanted to help you beat Blackheart, but I can see that you are going to be difficult. Fools, I name you. All three of you.
"Come then, you and your master," Ultrecht challenged. "I look forward to our meeting.
The contact was broken. Ultrecht felt fairly certain that Tyson had located them. After all that was his obvious intention, and Ultrecht felt that he was ready to face his former friend.
He patted the Tome of Creation. His fingers felt the raw power contained within its pages. He had decoded a spell that he had not told Armegon and Avery about. It was a last resort spell, because he was not certain of its effect, but it was evident that it invoked the evolutionary transformation and combined it with some other power source. The formulas manipulated energies that Ultrecht hand never considered as even remotely possible. He was not even satisfied that the entire planet could contain that much energy, but the Tome insisted that the incantation was usable. If so, Blackpuss was in for one heck of a surprise.
Morning came, but Ultrecht kept the night's events to himself when he was asked how his watch went. They broke camp and made their way out of the valley. Ultrecht wanted to get into the forest below the mountains. He stated that he wanted to scout out the area before Blackheart located them. He wanted to be in familiar territory.
"I have no idea how long it’ll take them to locate us, if we don't give ourselves away," Armegon mentioned as they descended the mountain side.
"We could always use a little of my magic and let the warlock zero in on me," Avery offered.
"That’s a possibility," Armegon agreed, "but let's wait until we’re ready. Until then we must assume that they know where we are right now and be ready now."
"So what is the plan?" Ultrecht asked.
"I think the one we discussed is the best one," Armegon answered. "I’ll wait in the wasteland. When they show up, Avery can call Ragnera out and I’ll take on Quickdraw. You can handle Tyson. I think you want to do that anyhow," Armegon added with a knowing look. Ultrecht had been dreaming of revenge for some time.
"When, then?" Ultrecht asked.
"Not yet," Avery said. "I want a chance to scout out the area. If I’m going to have to fight a god I want to know where I am."
"Be careful," Ultrecht said suddenly. "As I remember, old Blackpuss was showing some druidic powers the last time we fought."
"Oh?" the ranger took notice.
"Say," Armegon recalled the episode, "he's right. I do remember Marlena complained that another druid was opposing her, and he seemed uninhibited by her plant barriers."
Avery frowned deeply. "Is there anything else I should know?" he asked. That news did not make him comfortable.
"Good luck?" Armegon asked.
The ranger shook his head slowly and turned aside and disappeared into the trees as they approached the base of the cliff. "I'll meet you at the edge of the wasteland," his voice came back.
"That was cruel," Ultrecht noted.
"He needed it," Armegon smiled. "Fighting gets him down."
"I hope that sword of his will protect him," Ultrecht added. "God or not, Ragnera will be a tough opponent."
Armegon agreed. "He may need help."
Ultrecht gazed out at the flat wasteland of Gly-ou-vogue. "He will have to at least stand his ground until we can deal with Quickdraw and possibly even Tyson as well."
"I expect Tyson might show, but he won't make a frontal assault. If anything, he will try to slink in like the slime he is," Armegon added with an air of disgust.
"Slime is flattering for him," Ultrecht agreed.
Armegon absently walked out into the wasteland. The ash underfoot erupted into small puffs at each step. "Well this place hasn't changed much," he said.
Ultrecht followed. "I noticed as we came out of that mountain that there is a crater further out."
Armegon grinned. "Did you have any idea how much power that siege spell would unleash?"
"Not really," Ultrecht admitted. "The fissionable material was not pure and we lacked the technological capability to refine it any further in that time period."
"It was a good trap though," Armegon recalled. "I don't suppose they would fall for it again."
"I doubt it," Ultrecht replied. "Besides, we don't have any more plutonium."
"We do need some kind of trap though," Armegon decided. "I don't like the idea of slugging it out with all three of them, assuming Ragnera does not pursue Avery."
"I have an idea about that," Ultrecht said. "We will draw them here and if you stand out here and get their attention, I can attack from the edge of the trees."
"How do you plan to draw them here?"
"With elemental magic. Quickdraw will sense it and come a-running," Ultrecht answered.
"What are you going to do?"
"I am going to run a dimension door from out here to the tree line. It is not a very powerful spell, but it will get the warlock's attention. It uses the time dependent part of Shrow-Dinger's equation of space/time magic. I can open a tunnel from here to the trees inside which time will move more rapidly. From the outside, it would appear as if I jaunted from here to the trees in the blink of an eye. For me, it would seem as if I casually strolled to the trees while everything outside the tunnel was frozen in time."
"The warlock will zero in on the point of spell casting. By the time he gets here I will be in the trees and can attack from seclusion."
"Well," Armegon agreed, "that sounds feasible. But, what do you expect me to do when they arrive, call them nasty names?"
Ultrecht shook his head. "Avery will challenge Ragnera as planned, leaving Quickdraw and Tyson to deal with you. If you’re prepared for their initial volley, you can counter with some serious whipping magic."
"While you watch from a hide-behind?"
"No," Ultrecht laughed. "If Tyson sticks with Quickdraw, then when you have their attention, I will lay into them without warning and with the full strength of the elements. I don't think they can hold up under that attack."
"Are you going to kill them?" Armegon asked.
Ultrecht nodded. "I am afraid we have no choice. I hurt at the though of having to kill Tyson after all the times we have had together, but his crimes demand no less."
Armegon understood. "We’ll have to kill them then, because there won’t be any quarter given from their side. It’s all or nothing. If we leave a single one of them alive, they’ll come after us again and again until all of them or all of us are dead."
"That’s the way I see it," Ultrecht said.
"There’s one more thing," Armegon added. "What if Tyson does sneak in as you suggested?"
"Then I’ll personally pull his heart from his chest," Ultrecht assured him.
Armegon stopped. As they talked they had moved far out into the wasteland. The trees were far away and detail was difficult to discern. He breathed deeply of the mid day air.
"It’s a good day to die," he said dramatically.
"That sounds familiar," Ultrecht noted. "Who wrote it?"
"A human from another time and place," Armegon said absently. "I guess this is the time for us though."
Ultrecht looked around. "I suppose you are right. Maybe we are just procrastinating, but this has to happen. We didn't ask for it."
Armegon glanced briefly at the twin suns. "By sunset, we may be dead, you know. I’ve never really appreciated how beautiful sunsets can be. Now, I may never see another one again."
Ultrecht cuffed the half elf. "Stop talking nonsense. Don't fool around. Waste Quickdraw and go help Avery. Don't worry bout Tyson. He will be my first target."
There was a motion in the trees and they saw Avery emerge. He waved his readiness and then vanished into the bushes. "Well, it is time," Ultrecht said.
Armegon drew his cloak about him. He began to enter an incantation, Ultrecht recognized the protective charm and offered encouragement. "Good luck Armagon."
Armegon nodded in mid cast and completed his word oblivious of Ultrecht. When the charm was complete, Armegon could feel the writhing force of the protective field about him. Ultrecht was gone.
Chapter 8 Part 5
"I don't like just the thought of just sitting around," Sam complained. He stabbed at a piece of vegetable as he and the others sat at a table eating late one night. They had arrived in Tycho the day before, and Regalus had agreed to put them up and he also found jobs for them until they decided what they would do.
Ruk had been a shock to many of the people, but true to Tycarian hospitality, no one bothered him nor treated him badly. In fact, Sam found that even he could roam about freely without getting more than just a second look.
Ruk and Sam seemed to have hit it off quite well. Calista had made it know to her lover very quickly that she was fond of the big minotaan and that she wanted them to be friends. Sam, had returned to being the young man she had fallen in love with, and his memory of the time he was under Tyson's spell was vague and hazy.
Nikki and Ruk had chaperoned the two youngsters to the city and had arranged for the lodging. Nikki was spending her mornings in the forest around Tycho while Calista was working as a bar maid. Ruk was providing manual labor as was Sam. The purpose of the whole thing was to keep them busy until they heard from Avery and the others.
"We have little choice," Nikki reminded the young man. "There is little we can do to help, and they think that this is the safest place for us to be."
"In all probability," Regalus commented from the head of the table, "you’re right. Blackheart’s a powerful house, but they’re not so foolish as to try to operate openly in Tycho."
"Would they operate covertly in Tycho?" Ruk asked.
"House Blackheart operates covertly everywhere, even in Tycho," Regalus answered. "It can’t be stopped. Greed is the one factor of mortal man that can’t be ousted by loyalty. I dare say that Blackheart has several agents here, but you can bet he had to pay plenty for them."
"Then if they are on the lookout for us, it’s a safe bet that they know, or will soon know that we’re here," Ruk observed. "That isn’t a comfortable thought."
"Then we should not stay," Sam said excitedly.
"I don't think that was the conclusion we were after," Ruk replied.
"But, it is a logical one," Nikki interrupted with unexpected support for Sam's enthusiasm.
"Are you really suggesting that we leave the city?" Ruk asked.
"I think it may very well be the best choice," Regalus agreed. "Your friends sent you here for your protection, but they don’t know everything. In fact for them to not know where you are may actually be safer should they get captured or..."
"No one could capture them and force them to betray us," Ruk assured the dwarf. The minotaan and dwarf were a complete antithesis of each other. The midnight colored giant towered above the compact, red haired dwarf.
"But, are they proof against trickery?" Regalus asked. No one answered that question. The reason for their recent journey was solely caused by Tyson's deception.
"Do you have a suggestion?" Ruk asked.
Regalus stroked his beard. "You need to take a vacation. Try going somewhere where you can be safe from Blackheart's influence. Try going west."
"We just came from there," Ruk said.
"We could go to the Janus valley," Calista offered.
"That’s in the Savanah mountain range isn't it?" Regalus asked.
"It is," Ruk answered. "Calista’s right. We have comrades there and the area is notoriously utopic. I don’t think Blackheart has a following there. But it’s a very long way."
"The last time we went west," Calista explained, "we took an ice boat."
"I remember," Regalus recalled. "But the northern seas have thawed for the sun season. The northern route’s closed for now unless you want to take a sailing vessel."
"Could we travel over land?" Nikki asked.
"That would take a long time," Regalus answered. "No, there’s a better way. If you move back through the Orkon mountains, you may be able to charter a small craft to ferry you to the west side of the glass desert."
"I didn't think ships crossed the glass desert," Nikki stated.
"Normally they don't, and if you do find one to take you, you would best be advised to watch your backs on that trip." Regalus gazed up at the giant minotaan then continued.
"For some reason I don't foresee anyone trying to do you harm."
A young elfin maiden approached and placed a flask of cold water before each of them. She smiled warmly at Sam who returned her smile and allowed his eyes to gaze upon her slim figure a moment too long for Calista's comfort. The young woman rewarded her mate's misplaced attentions with a swift and none too gentle kick under the table.
Sam glared at the girl. In the time he had been unconscious, she had grown greatly, both physically and mentally. She was no longer the star struck girl he had inadvertently betrothed, but was a bright and capable young woman. She had become a seasoned traveler, and a self reliant huntress. Sam's glare softened as he lost himself in her eyes.
Since the first night after they had left the cabin, the two of them had shared such tenderness and affection each night that they were hard pressed to stay awake during the days. Ruk had ignored the issue altogether, and Nikki only considered it as sweet. Sam, himself felt a little embarrassed by Calista's enthusiasm.
Regalus finished his drink. "We can leave tomorrow if you want," he announced.
"We?" Nikki asked.
The dwarf smiled through the confines of his beard. "I haven't been out west for about a hundred years. I think I’ll join you this time."
The next morning came with a strange chill on the breeze. Sam and Ruk stood outside Regalus' inn with the wagon the dwarf had decided to take. The wagon had enough water and food to last them weeks in the barren rocks of the Orkon mountains.
Calista emerged from the inn wearing the subdued and mottled colored outfit that Avery had given her. She carried her bow and a quiver of arrows. At her hip was a long hunting knife and on her feet were deerskin boots. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail and a green hood and cloak were attached about her neck. She made her way over to the two mules that were hitched to the wagon and spoke gently to the beasts.
When Nikki and Regalus emerged, the first of the two suns was up and the second was beginning to show above the horizon.
"This is the philosopher's hour," Ruk said absently to the youth at his side. "My people believe the interval between the rising of the two suns is the time to plan for the coming day, and the time between the setting of the two suns is the time to reflect on the day's events."
Regalus joined them. He carried a heavy sledge hammer and a wore a thick breastplate. The dwarf tossed a knapsack aboard the wagon and climbed into the driver's seat.
Sam hefted his own weighted staff and twirled it absently. He had not forgotten it nor had he lost the skill he had developed with it. He had become so proficient with it in fact that he doubted that he would ever pick up a sword. He tossed his staff to the dwarf and climbed into the back of the wagon. Nikki joined him momentarily fussing with a heavy sack loaded with herbs and spices.
Ruk joined Calista ahead of the wagon and together, the minotaan and huntress led the team into the streets beneath the outstretched limbs of the great trees that made up the upper level of the city.
Ruk had been a shock to many of the people, but true to Tycarian hospitality, no one bothered him nor treated him badly. In fact, Sam found that even he could roam about freely without getting more than just a second look.
Ruk and Sam seemed to have hit it off quite well. Calista had made it know to her lover very quickly that she was fond of the big minotaan and that she wanted them to be friends. Sam, had returned to being the young man she had fallen in love with, and his memory of the time he was under Tyson's spell was vague and hazy.
Nikki and Ruk had chaperoned the two youngsters to the city and had arranged for the lodging. Nikki was spending her mornings in the forest around Tycho while Calista was working as a bar maid. Ruk was providing manual labor as was Sam. The purpose of the whole thing was to keep them busy until they heard from Avery and the others.
"We have little choice," Nikki reminded the young man. "There is little we can do to help, and they think that this is the safest place for us to be."
"In all probability," Regalus commented from the head of the table, "you’re right. Blackheart’s a powerful house, but they’re not so foolish as to try to operate openly in Tycho."
"Would they operate covertly in Tycho?" Ruk asked.
"House Blackheart operates covertly everywhere, even in Tycho," Regalus answered. "It can’t be stopped. Greed is the one factor of mortal man that can’t be ousted by loyalty. I dare say that Blackheart has several agents here, but you can bet he had to pay plenty for them."
"Then if they are on the lookout for us, it’s a safe bet that they know, or will soon know that we’re here," Ruk observed. "That isn’t a comfortable thought."
"Then we should not stay," Sam said excitedly.
"I don't think that was the conclusion we were after," Ruk replied.
"But, it is a logical one," Nikki interrupted with unexpected support for Sam's enthusiasm.
"Are you really suggesting that we leave the city?" Ruk asked.
"I think it may very well be the best choice," Regalus agreed. "Your friends sent you here for your protection, but they don’t know everything. In fact for them to not know where you are may actually be safer should they get captured or..."
"No one could capture them and force them to betray us," Ruk assured the dwarf. The minotaan and dwarf were a complete antithesis of each other. The midnight colored giant towered above the compact, red haired dwarf.
"But, are they proof against trickery?" Regalus asked. No one answered that question. The reason for their recent journey was solely caused by Tyson's deception.
"Do you have a suggestion?" Ruk asked.
Regalus stroked his beard. "You need to take a vacation. Try going somewhere where you can be safe from Blackheart's influence. Try going west."
"We just came from there," Ruk said.
"We could go to the Janus valley," Calista offered.
"That’s in the Savanah mountain range isn't it?" Regalus asked.
"It is," Ruk answered. "Calista’s right. We have comrades there and the area is notoriously utopic. I don’t think Blackheart has a following there. But it’s a very long way."
"The last time we went west," Calista explained, "we took an ice boat."
"I remember," Regalus recalled. "But the northern seas have thawed for the sun season. The northern route’s closed for now unless you want to take a sailing vessel."
"Could we travel over land?" Nikki asked.
"That would take a long time," Regalus answered. "No, there’s a better way. If you move back through the Orkon mountains, you may be able to charter a small craft to ferry you to the west side of the glass desert."
"I didn't think ships crossed the glass desert," Nikki stated.
"Normally they don't, and if you do find one to take you, you would best be advised to watch your backs on that trip." Regalus gazed up at the giant minotaan then continued.
"For some reason I don't foresee anyone trying to do you harm."
A young elfin maiden approached and placed a flask of cold water before each of them. She smiled warmly at Sam who returned her smile and allowed his eyes to gaze upon her slim figure a moment too long for Calista's comfort. The young woman rewarded her mate's misplaced attentions with a swift and none too gentle kick under the table.
Sam glared at the girl. In the time he had been unconscious, she had grown greatly, both physically and mentally. She was no longer the star struck girl he had inadvertently betrothed, but was a bright and capable young woman. She had become a seasoned traveler, and a self reliant huntress. Sam's glare softened as he lost himself in her eyes.
Since the first night after they had left the cabin, the two of them had shared such tenderness and affection each night that they were hard pressed to stay awake during the days. Ruk had ignored the issue altogether, and Nikki only considered it as sweet. Sam, himself felt a little embarrassed by Calista's enthusiasm.
Regalus finished his drink. "We can leave tomorrow if you want," he announced.
"We?" Nikki asked.
The dwarf smiled through the confines of his beard. "I haven't been out west for about a hundred years. I think I’ll join you this time."
The next morning came with a strange chill on the breeze. Sam and Ruk stood outside Regalus' inn with the wagon the dwarf had decided to take. The wagon had enough water and food to last them weeks in the barren rocks of the Orkon mountains.
Calista emerged from the inn wearing the subdued and mottled colored outfit that Avery had given her. She carried her bow and a quiver of arrows. At her hip was a long hunting knife and on her feet were deerskin boots. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail and a green hood and cloak were attached about her neck. She made her way over to the two mules that were hitched to the wagon and spoke gently to the beasts.
When Nikki and Regalus emerged, the first of the two suns was up and the second was beginning to show above the horizon.
"This is the philosopher's hour," Ruk said absently to the youth at his side. "My people believe the interval between the rising of the two suns is the time to plan for the coming day, and the time between the setting of the two suns is the time to reflect on the day's events."
Regalus joined them. He carried a heavy sledge hammer and a wore a thick breastplate. The dwarf tossed a knapsack aboard the wagon and climbed into the driver's seat.
Sam hefted his own weighted staff and twirled it absently. He had not forgotten it nor had he lost the skill he had developed with it. He had become so proficient with it in fact that he doubted that he would ever pick up a sword. He tossed his staff to the dwarf and climbed into the back of the wagon. Nikki joined him momentarily fussing with a heavy sack loaded with herbs and spices.
Ruk joined Calista ahead of the wagon and together, the minotaan and huntress led the team into the streets beneath the outstretched limbs of the great trees that made up the upper level of the city.
Chapter 8 Part 4
It was several days later when they reached Allentown that Ultrecht finally announced that he had inventoried the entire contents of the Tome of Creation. He was not able to comprehend the entire text, but he could decipher most of it and he did manage to catalog what each subject was about. The deeper research could wait for when they had more time.
The dragons dropped them off outside the city and promised to return for them the next morning. Armegon and Ultrecht were glad to be back in Allentown. Armegon went directly, with Avery in tow, to the "Odds and Ends" novelty shop. His friend, Seeda was there and Armegon politely inquired about the political news.
"The big news recently has been the promotion of Aspberg from an earldom to a duchy. It was probably overdue, but no one wants to see Blackheart get stronger."
"How’s it make them stronger?" Avery asked.
"A duke's voice carries more weight in the Senate than that of an earl," Seeda replied.
"Anything else?" Armegon asked.
"Not really," Seeda leaned close and whispered, "Blackheart’s been unusually quiet since the warlock stepped down in favor of Miguel. That was big news. This is the first time in my knowledge that a priest has voluntarily left the church to assume a throne."
"I wonder what they’re up to now?" Armegon wondered aloud.
Seeda shrugged. "House Blackheart’s a devious lot and they have their claws in many pies. The gods only know what they’re doing now."
"I guess we’ll see in time," Avery commented.
"Do you have any news?" Seeda asked Armegon.
Armegon thought for a moment. "Do you know who the free peoples are?"
"You mean the old tales about dragons and unicorns and such?" Seeda scoffed. "I’ve heard of such things, but I don’t put much in store by it. I’ve never seen a dragon nor a unicorn. I believe that they exist, but I don’t think that they’re anything more than wild creatures."
"Well I heard about them not being wild and dumb animals, but that they were fairly intelligent and that they were growing in number."
"Sounds like some nice gossip," Seeda approved. "I'll write it up. Anything else?"
"Have you ever heard of The Forester?" Armegon asked causing Avery to look up from a small piece of pottery he was appraising.
"Now that is more than just legend," Seeda replied. "The Forester is a documented phenomenon."
Armegon grinned at Avery who fidgeted somewhat and blushed slightly. Seeda missed the reaction and Armegon had a little fun. "I just came in from Tycho and word there is that the Doyr, those spider worshiping people in the Great Deep, kidnapped a woman and boy who turned out to be the Forester's own wife and son. What I heard was that the Forester literally tore the Doyr stronghold apart, stone from stone and slew the demon who was their queen."
Seeda drooled. "That’s the kind of news I like. Oh, please repeat it for me slowly. I want to write all of that down. A story like that will sell many postings"
Armegon repeated the tale and Avery, embarrassed by the exaggeration of it all stepped outside and waited in the street. Armegon joined him several long moments later. "Guess what."
Avery glanced skyward. "What?"
"You not only destroyed the Doyr city, but you warned Blackpuss to keep his dirty hands out of the Great Deep."
Avery covered his eyes in agony. "You know that I can't enforce something like that. Why do you keep getting me into things like this?"
Armegon looked hurt. "Hey, I am just looking out for your image. You are a legend, remember?"
"And you are a god?"
Armegon's eyes lit up. "I forgot," he announced. "Be right back." Armegon hurried back inside the shop. "Hey Seeda," Avery heard through the door. "Another thing is that the god who defeated the Blackheart clan at Gly-ou-vogue is opposing Ragnera directly now." Avery moved away from the shop. He did not want to hear anymore.
When Armegon exited once more Avery confronted him. "Just how much money do you make by feeding him all that nonsense?"
"Oh, I don't make anything from the stories except free access to other stories, but I did make an occasional commission by carrying mail from township to township. Seeda subcontracts post deliveries as well as a rudimentary newspaper and that pawn shop he runs. He's a real entrepreneur. I like him."
"That’s not a bad idea," Avery observed. "It never occurred to me to wonder how messages were transported."
"It never occurs to you how to make any money anytime," Armegon reminded him.
"That’s why you’re always poor."
"Wealth isn’t always measured by the weight of the purse," Avery objected.
"I know where you can get arguments to the contrary," Armegon teased.
They continued their dialogue as they made their way to the Guild of the Arts where Ultrecht had gone. They only paused for a few moments at a general store where Avery resupplied himself with food supplements, then they went to the guild.
They found Ultrecht wearing a black robe with a red sash waiting for them in the main lounge. He escorted them through the halls to the visitor's wing where he had charged a pair of rooms to his account.
"Your room," he said to Armegon and Avery, "is through that door. I am afraid you will have to wear the robes of apprentices, since you are not fully ordained members."
Armegon grumbled something about waiting hand and foot but bit the comment off sharply. "I will meet you in the cafeteria," Ultrecht announced. "Do not be late," he said in a whisper. "It is considered a grave offense for an apprentice to arrive after his master."
Avery followed Armegon into the small room and together they changed into the simple gray robes and tied the white sashes about their waists. "I think that Ultrecht’s going to try to have a bit of fun at our expense," Avery warned with a smile.
"Oh, I know so," Armegon agreed.
"Well, should we go and prepare the way for our master?" Avery laughed.
"After you," Armegon replied and opened the door. He followed Avery into the hallway and suddenly snapped his fingers and stopped. Avery glanced back, but Armegon urged him onward. "Go ahead," he waved. "I forgot something. I'll be with you in half a minute." Avery nodded and continued towards the cafeteria.
Armegon returned to the room and went over to Avery's pack. He dug through the contents of a side pocket until he found what he was after. Taking a tiny bag from the pocket, he quickly left the room to catch up to Avery.
Armegon found his comrade standing by a table. A maiden wearing the white tunic and short skirt of a guild initiate, was setting out a trio of plates and bowls. She also set out two cups and a single fancy goblet.
Armegon sat at the table and prepared to sip the drink in his cup when Avery nudged him. Avery had not seated himself. "I’ve noticed that the other apprentices do not sit until their masters do."
"You mean to tell me that you want me to wait for Ultrecht to arrive before we sit?"
"It’d be the prudent thing to do if we want to keep our cover," Avery replied.
Armegon returned to his feet and stood next to Ultrecht's chair. When the maiden returned with a large bowl of soup, she dipped several hearty spoons full into Ultrecht's bowl and then placed her bowl and its remaining contents in the center of the table. She left and Avery took the initiative to ladle several spoons of broth into his own bowl.
While the ranger was not watching, Armegon emptied the contents of the small pouch into the Ultrecht's bowl and then ladled his own supper.
Ultrecht arrived directly and took a seat. He urged Armegon and Avery to do so as well and then began to eat.
Suddenly Ultrecht reached out and grabbed his drink. He drained the goblet greedily and then grabbed Avery's cup and drained it as well. Avery stared in astonishment as the mage then reached for Armegon's cup but found it empty as Armegon had already drained it. Ultrecht jumped to his feet and walked briskly to the serving counter where he snatched a pitcher of water and immediately filled his goblet. Again he drained the liquid.
"What did you do to him?" Avery accused Armegon.
"Who says I did anything?" Armegon asked innocently. But Avery just stared. A hint of a smile toyed at the corner of his mouth.
"Okay," Armegon admitted. "I poured the ground pepper you bought this morning into his soup. I don’t like this 'apprentice' game of his. It’s the second time he has done this to me."
"Then become a master," Avery suggested.
"I think I may just do that," Armegon agreed. "I'll be back." With that he departed the cafeteria leaving Avery to await Ultrecht's return.
Ultrecht returned to the table. His black eyes flashed dangerously. "Before you say anything," Avery explained quickly, "I had nothing to do with it. I didn’t even know about it until you grabbed my drink."
"Where is that egotistical, conceited, hippie?" Ultrecht asked through clenched teeth.
"Don't know. He left and said he would be right back." Avery watched as Ultrecht sat and fumed. "Hey, are you okay?"
Ultrecht shrugged. "I don't know what that was, but it was very, very hot."
"Pepper, I guess," Avery told him. "I think the servant bit was a little too much to ask of him."
Ultrecht nodded. "We'll have to make a journeyman out of him. The test is easy, and it excuses him from servitude."
"That'll make him happy I guess," Avery said.
"It had better. As his master I would have to pay the promotion fee and that is quite steep."
Avery was puzzled. "Aren't you classified as a wizard?"
"Yes."
"What would Armegon be?"
"A sorcerer."
"And me?"
Ultrecht studied Avery critically. "Well your magic is learned and not inherently talented, no offense."
"None taken."
"That would make you a manipulator of the environment, so you would be a wizard like me. On the other hand your healing power is internal like that of a sorcerer, but it is not the same thing as normal magic. It is more like empathic healing. I guess we could call you a wizard. As long as you do not let others experience your healing ability, you would be okay. It is considered uncouth to study the ways of another type of magic. Act like a wizard and you will be fine."
Armegon returned. He seated himself and dipped his spoon in the soup. it was halfway to his lips when his hand froze. With questioning eyes he gazed at Ultrecht then at Avery.
"I should have," Ultrecht said, "but I didn't."
Avery nodded indicating that the soup was safe, and Armegon resumed his meal without a word. Obviously he had learned that only Ultrecht could elevate his status. Avery mused that Ultrecht could very well milk Armegon for quite a bit of retribution before granting him the elevated status.
The dragons dropped them off outside the city and promised to return for them the next morning. Armegon and Ultrecht were glad to be back in Allentown. Armegon went directly, with Avery in tow, to the "Odds and Ends" novelty shop. His friend, Seeda was there and Armegon politely inquired about the political news.
"The big news recently has been the promotion of Aspberg from an earldom to a duchy. It was probably overdue, but no one wants to see Blackheart get stronger."
"How’s it make them stronger?" Avery asked.
"A duke's voice carries more weight in the Senate than that of an earl," Seeda replied.
"Anything else?" Armegon asked.
"Not really," Seeda leaned close and whispered, "Blackheart’s been unusually quiet since the warlock stepped down in favor of Miguel. That was big news. This is the first time in my knowledge that a priest has voluntarily left the church to assume a throne."
"I wonder what they’re up to now?" Armegon wondered aloud.
Seeda shrugged. "House Blackheart’s a devious lot and they have their claws in many pies. The gods only know what they’re doing now."
"I guess we’ll see in time," Avery commented.
"Do you have any news?" Seeda asked Armegon.
Armegon thought for a moment. "Do you know who the free peoples are?"
"You mean the old tales about dragons and unicorns and such?" Seeda scoffed. "I’ve heard of such things, but I don’t put much in store by it. I’ve never seen a dragon nor a unicorn. I believe that they exist, but I don’t think that they’re anything more than wild creatures."
"Well I heard about them not being wild and dumb animals, but that they were fairly intelligent and that they were growing in number."
"Sounds like some nice gossip," Seeda approved. "I'll write it up. Anything else?"
"Have you ever heard of The Forester?" Armegon asked causing Avery to look up from a small piece of pottery he was appraising.
"Now that is more than just legend," Seeda replied. "The Forester is a documented phenomenon."
Armegon grinned at Avery who fidgeted somewhat and blushed slightly. Seeda missed the reaction and Armegon had a little fun. "I just came in from Tycho and word there is that the Doyr, those spider worshiping people in the Great Deep, kidnapped a woman and boy who turned out to be the Forester's own wife and son. What I heard was that the Forester literally tore the Doyr stronghold apart, stone from stone and slew the demon who was their queen."
Seeda drooled. "That’s the kind of news I like. Oh, please repeat it for me slowly. I want to write all of that down. A story like that will sell many postings"
Armegon repeated the tale and Avery, embarrassed by the exaggeration of it all stepped outside and waited in the street. Armegon joined him several long moments later. "Guess what."
Avery glanced skyward. "What?"
"You not only destroyed the Doyr city, but you warned Blackpuss to keep his dirty hands out of the Great Deep."
Avery covered his eyes in agony. "You know that I can't enforce something like that. Why do you keep getting me into things like this?"
Armegon looked hurt. "Hey, I am just looking out for your image. You are a legend, remember?"
"And you are a god?"
Armegon's eyes lit up. "I forgot," he announced. "Be right back." Armegon hurried back inside the shop. "Hey Seeda," Avery heard through the door. "Another thing is that the god who defeated the Blackheart clan at Gly-ou-vogue is opposing Ragnera directly now." Avery moved away from the shop. He did not want to hear anymore.
When Armegon exited once more Avery confronted him. "Just how much money do you make by feeding him all that nonsense?"
"Oh, I don't make anything from the stories except free access to other stories, but I did make an occasional commission by carrying mail from township to township. Seeda subcontracts post deliveries as well as a rudimentary newspaper and that pawn shop he runs. He's a real entrepreneur. I like him."
"That’s not a bad idea," Avery observed. "It never occurred to me to wonder how messages were transported."
"It never occurs to you how to make any money anytime," Armegon reminded him.
"That’s why you’re always poor."
"Wealth isn’t always measured by the weight of the purse," Avery objected.
"I know where you can get arguments to the contrary," Armegon teased.
They continued their dialogue as they made their way to the Guild of the Arts where Ultrecht had gone. They only paused for a few moments at a general store where Avery resupplied himself with food supplements, then they went to the guild.
They found Ultrecht wearing a black robe with a red sash waiting for them in the main lounge. He escorted them through the halls to the visitor's wing where he had charged a pair of rooms to his account.
"Your room," he said to Armegon and Avery, "is through that door. I am afraid you will have to wear the robes of apprentices, since you are not fully ordained members."
Armegon grumbled something about waiting hand and foot but bit the comment off sharply. "I will meet you in the cafeteria," Ultrecht announced. "Do not be late," he said in a whisper. "It is considered a grave offense for an apprentice to arrive after his master."
Avery followed Armegon into the small room and together they changed into the simple gray robes and tied the white sashes about their waists. "I think that Ultrecht’s going to try to have a bit of fun at our expense," Avery warned with a smile.
"Oh, I know so," Armegon agreed.
"Well, should we go and prepare the way for our master?" Avery laughed.
"After you," Armegon replied and opened the door. He followed Avery into the hallway and suddenly snapped his fingers and stopped. Avery glanced back, but Armegon urged him onward. "Go ahead," he waved. "I forgot something. I'll be with you in half a minute." Avery nodded and continued towards the cafeteria.
Armegon returned to the room and went over to Avery's pack. He dug through the contents of a side pocket until he found what he was after. Taking a tiny bag from the pocket, he quickly left the room to catch up to Avery.
Armegon found his comrade standing by a table. A maiden wearing the white tunic and short skirt of a guild initiate, was setting out a trio of plates and bowls. She also set out two cups and a single fancy goblet.
Armegon sat at the table and prepared to sip the drink in his cup when Avery nudged him. Avery had not seated himself. "I’ve noticed that the other apprentices do not sit until their masters do."
"You mean to tell me that you want me to wait for Ultrecht to arrive before we sit?"
"It’d be the prudent thing to do if we want to keep our cover," Avery replied.
Armegon returned to his feet and stood next to Ultrecht's chair. When the maiden returned with a large bowl of soup, she dipped several hearty spoons full into Ultrecht's bowl and then placed her bowl and its remaining contents in the center of the table. She left and Avery took the initiative to ladle several spoons of broth into his own bowl.
While the ranger was not watching, Armegon emptied the contents of the small pouch into the Ultrecht's bowl and then ladled his own supper.
Ultrecht arrived directly and took a seat. He urged Armegon and Avery to do so as well and then began to eat.
Suddenly Ultrecht reached out and grabbed his drink. He drained the goblet greedily and then grabbed Avery's cup and drained it as well. Avery stared in astonishment as the mage then reached for Armegon's cup but found it empty as Armegon had already drained it. Ultrecht jumped to his feet and walked briskly to the serving counter where he snatched a pitcher of water and immediately filled his goblet. Again he drained the liquid.
"What did you do to him?" Avery accused Armegon.
"Who says I did anything?" Armegon asked innocently. But Avery just stared. A hint of a smile toyed at the corner of his mouth.
"Okay," Armegon admitted. "I poured the ground pepper you bought this morning into his soup. I don’t like this 'apprentice' game of his. It’s the second time he has done this to me."
"Then become a master," Avery suggested.
"I think I may just do that," Armegon agreed. "I'll be back." With that he departed the cafeteria leaving Avery to await Ultrecht's return.
Ultrecht returned to the table. His black eyes flashed dangerously. "Before you say anything," Avery explained quickly, "I had nothing to do with it. I didn’t even know about it until you grabbed my drink."
"Where is that egotistical, conceited, hippie?" Ultrecht asked through clenched teeth.
"Don't know. He left and said he would be right back." Avery watched as Ultrecht sat and fumed. "Hey, are you okay?"
Ultrecht shrugged. "I don't know what that was, but it was very, very hot."
"Pepper, I guess," Avery told him. "I think the servant bit was a little too much to ask of him."
Ultrecht nodded. "We'll have to make a journeyman out of him. The test is easy, and it excuses him from servitude."
"That'll make him happy I guess," Avery said.
"It had better. As his master I would have to pay the promotion fee and that is quite steep."
Avery was puzzled. "Aren't you classified as a wizard?"
"Yes."
"What would Armegon be?"
"A sorcerer."
"And me?"
Ultrecht studied Avery critically. "Well your magic is learned and not inherently talented, no offense."
"None taken."
"That would make you a manipulator of the environment, so you would be a wizard like me. On the other hand your healing power is internal like that of a sorcerer, but it is not the same thing as normal magic. It is more like empathic healing. I guess we could call you a wizard. As long as you do not let others experience your healing ability, you would be okay. It is considered uncouth to study the ways of another type of magic. Act like a wizard and you will be fine."
Armegon returned. He seated himself and dipped his spoon in the soup. it was halfway to his lips when his hand froze. With questioning eyes he gazed at Ultrecht then at Avery.
"I should have," Ultrecht said, "but I didn't."
Avery nodded indicating that the soup was safe, and Armegon resumed his meal without a word. Obviously he had learned that only Ultrecht could elevate his status. Avery mused that Ultrecht could very well milk Armegon for quite a bit of retribution before granting him the elevated status.
Chapter 8 Part 3
Tyson sat at a table near the western window in a tavern just outside of Ice Branch. Though not quite the size of Aspberg, the city was a military post and the massive population of off duty soldiers inhabited every nook and cranny of the streets.
Tyson was not about to deceive himself. He was scared. The Tome of Creation had disappeared from the vault in the Citadel of Aspberg. Evidence pointed to Avery as the culprit who had taken the thing.
Now that did not worry Tyson very much. The Tome in the hands of Avery was fairly harmless since Avery did not have ambitions toward power and he had the woman and Sam back. Oh, the ranger might read the Tome for its historical value, and he might even work out a way to make dandelions bloom in the dead of winter or teach animals to talk, but Avery was far from a power hungry magic user.
Armegon and Ultrecht were another story entirely. If either one of them got their hands on the Tome, and knowing Avery, the first thing he did was give it to them, then Tyson might be in real trouble.
Tyson had genuine respect for Ultrecht and Armegon. As mages their power, though different was awesome. Tyson could still see Armegon standing on the plains of Gly-ou-vogue casting that siege spell. The Tome in the hands of that much power had Tyson reconsidering his alliance.
He would help Blackheart as best he could, he had decided, but in the face of certain annihilation, he wanted to be able to vanish from sight and the best way to do that was join a monastery. He already knew that the Dancing Flames were a bunch of losers. Their ultimate goal was to die and take as many others as they could with them. Tyson's ultimate goal was to stay alive.
The second monastery he had considered, was known as the Hive. The monks believed in the teachings of the bees. They worked all day to gather gold and wealth and nurtured it for distribution to the poor. Like bees spreading pollen as they gathered nectar, the monks spread goodwill as they gathered money. The idea intrigued Tyson for should he get in on that action, he could line his purse as well as change his identity.
There was a third monastery he had heard of. It was located in Keron and he planned to visit it to get a first hand look at their work. They were simply known as the Scholars. It seemed that they specialized in the classification and care of knowledge. In fact Tyson learned that all librarians were brothers of the Scholars.
There were a few other minor brotherhoods, they all held some passing interest to him, but for the most part he had no intention in joining a lesser monastery. The only one that he regretted that he did not have time to check in on was the Order of the Compass Rose. They were located to the far west near the city of Pandara. All he knew of them was that they developed the skills of navigation and orienteering to a fine art. But Pandara was just too far away, on the other side of the world.
In Ice Branch, he had researched the Dancing Flames well enough that should he ever have to oppose them he would at least have an inside view of their ways. Soon he would leave for Tycho to research the Hive and then on to Freon. There he would pay respects to House Cadaver for Miguel and then move on to Keron to learn what the Scholars stood for.
Tyson toyed with the arm band Morteous had issued him. If worst came to worst, he could ditch the item and let the Blackhearts stand on their own. If he did, he had to make damn sure that they lost or else they would soon come after him. They would not be forgiving as Armegon and Ultrecht had been.
Tyson paid his tab and left the establishment. Ice Branch was much like the cities from his home world. The lack of a military presence in most of the cities had been strange at first, but he had gotten used to it. In Ice Branch, the old memories of cheating soldiers out of their pay came back to him, bringing a smile to his lips. His younger days, though less certain, had been more rewarding, because the smallest of victories meant much more back then. Youth was like that.
Tyson walked deeply in thought as he made his way back to the inn where he was boarded. He considered the possible futures. There could be a fight. If the Blackhearts win and he supports them, he would come out in good standing. If the Blackhearts lose and he supports them, Armegon, Ultrecht and probably Avery as well would hunt him down. If the Blackhearts win and he turned against them, they would do the same thing.
On the other hand, if the Blackhearts lose and when he turns against them, he would still not be forgiven. What he did to Sam and Nikki would be hard to forgive. The only saving grace would be that he had insisted on their safety. He might bargain with the others for his life on that basis. The last possibility would be a continuance of the status quo.
Five possibilities. Five outcomes. Two bad, one good and one unknown and one unchanged. Tyson was not too thrilled with the odds. He had to improve them. But how?
He controlled one factor. His loyalty to Blackheart. If he could procure an arrangement with Armegon, Avery, or Ultrecht for his life before the fight, he could improve his position. The problem would be to locate them, contact them, and keep the whole thing a secret.
There was a way. He was headed to Tycho anyway, so it would not be too difficult for him to drop by the cabin. He had a rough idea where it was. If no one was there, he could locate a personal item and attempt to use a spell to make contact with its owner. Morteous would sense it, but he could explain it away as an attempt to divine the owner's location if he had to. He could make the bargain and then decide his course of action.
Tyson was not about to deceive himself. He was scared. The Tome of Creation had disappeared from the vault in the Citadel of Aspberg. Evidence pointed to Avery as the culprit who had taken the thing.
Now that did not worry Tyson very much. The Tome in the hands of Avery was fairly harmless since Avery did not have ambitions toward power and he had the woman and Sam back. Oh, the ranger might read the Tome for its historical value, and he might even work out a way to make dandelions bloom in the dead of winter or teach animals to talk, but Avery was far from a power hungry magic user.
Armegon and Ultrecht were another story entirely. If either one of them got their hands on the Tome, and knowing Avery, the first thing he did was give it to them, then Tyson might be in real trouble.
Tyson had genuine respect for Ultrecht and Armegon. As mages their power, though different was awesome. Tyson could still see Armegon standing on the plains of Gly-ou-vogue casting that siege spell. The Tome in the hands of that much power had Tyson reconsidering his alliance.
He would help Blackheart as best he could, he had decided, but in the face of certain annihilation, he wanted to be able to vanish from sight and the best way to do that was join a monastery. He already knew that the Dancing Flames were a bunch of losers. Their ultimate goal was to die and take as many others as they could with them. Tyson's ultimate goal was to stay alive.
The second monastery he had considered, was known as the Hive. The monks believed in the teachings of the bees. They worked all day to gather gold and wealth and nurtured it for distribution to the poor. Like bees spreading pollen as they gathered nectar, the monks spread goodwill as they gathered money. The idea intrigued Tyson for should he get in on that action, he could line his purse as well as change his identity.
There was a third monastery he had heard of. It was located in Keron and he planned to visit it to get a first hand look at their work. They were simply known as the Scholars. It seemed that they specialized in the classification and care of knowledge. In fact Tyson learned that all librarians were brothers of the Scholars.
There were a few other minor brotherhoods, they all held some passing interest to him, but for the most part he had no intention in joining a lesser monastery. The only one that he regretted that he did not have time to check in on was the Order of the Compass Rose. They were located to the far west near the city of Pandara. All he knew of them was that they developed the skills of navigation and orienteering to a fine art. But Pandara was just too far away, on the other side of the world.
In Ice Branch, he had researched the Dancing Flames well enough that should he ever have to oppose them he would at least have an inside view of their ways. Soon he would leave for Tycho to research the Hive and then on to Freon. There he would pay respects to House Cadaver for Miguel and then move on to Keron to learn what the Scholars stood for.
Tyson toyed with the arm band Morteous had issued him. If worst came to worst, he could ditch the item and let the Blackhearts stand on their own. If he did, he had to make damn sure that they lost or else they would soon come after him. They would not be forgiving as Armegon and Ultrecht had been.
Tyson paid his tab and left the establishment. Ice Branch was much like the cities from his home world. The lack of a military presence in most of the cities had been strange at first, but he had gotten used to it. In Ice Branch, the old memories of cheating soldiers out of their pay came back to him, bringing a smile to his lips. His younger days, though less certain, had been more rewarding, because the smallest of victories meant much more back then. Youth was like that.
Tyson walked deeply in thought as he made his way back to the inn where he was boarded. He considered the possible futures. There could be a fight. If the Blackhearts win and he supports them, he would come out in good standing. If the Blackhearts lose and he supports them, Armegon, Ultrecht and probably Avery as well would hunt him down. If the Blackhearts win and he turned against them, they would do the same thing.
On the other hand, if the Blackhearts lose and when he turns against them, he would still not be forgiven. What he did to Sam and Nikki would be hard to forgive. The only saving grace would be that he had insisted on their safety. He might bargain with the others for his life on that basis. The last possibility would be a continuance of the status quo.
Five possibilities. Five outcomes. Two bad, one good and one unknown and one unchanged. Tyson was not too thrilled with the odds. He had to improve them. But how?
He controlled one factor. His loyalty to Blackheart. If he could procure an arrangement with Armegon, Avery, or Ultrecht for his life before the fight, he could improve his position. The problem would be to locate them, contact them, and keep the whole thing a secret.
There was a way. He was headed to Tycho anyway, so it would not be too difficult for him to drop by the cabin. He had a rough idea where it was. If no one was there, he could locate a personal item and attempt to use a spell to make contact with its owner. Morteous would sense it, but he could explain it away as an attempt to divine the owner's location if he had to. He could make the bargain and then decide his course of action.
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."
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."
Chapter 8 Part 1
RETURN TO GLY-UO-VOGUE
"We want to thank you once more for heeding our call so readily," Armegon told the dragon upon whose back he rode. They had summoned Brandor by name and the silver sheened dragon had arrived with a pair of deep bronze colored dragons in accompaniment two hours later. They each had taken one passenger with Ultrecht and Avery riding the bronzes as Brandor had taken Armegon.
"It was our pleasure," Brandor replied. "The word has gotten out. The free peoples of the world are spreading the news. The unicorns are a united nation again and the Kilobel has returned. I think that you will find that you have many allies and friends to help you should you ask."
"I’m sure that not all of the free peoples will go out of their way to aid us," Armegon guessed.
"To aid you, no," Brandor assured him. "But you can probably bet that the more wicked of the ancient races will avoid interfering with you. You act against them in the short run, but should you succeed, they will prosper in the end."
"So your evil brethren, the chromatic family of dragons, will ignore us?" Armegon asked. The idea that evil dragons whose queen was a Duchess of Hell would leave them to their own devices did not seem right.
"If you do not go out of your way to confront them, you may well find yourself unmolested," Brandor replied.
Armegon sighed. Good news in any form was always welcome. They had marched for two days from the cabin before Armegon had suggested summoning flying transport. Oh, Ultrecht had wanted to teleport to the farm, but the warlock's teleportation barrier would detect that and pinpoint their location.
Armegon was not worried about the warlock, but they had decided not to push the inevitable confrontation until they were ready. Since they were obviously going to be out numbered and on the defensive, they decided that it would be tactically unsound to allow their enemies to choose the time and place of the battle.
On a good note, precursory readings of the Tome of Creation had revealed some very enlightening information. They had learned from the Tome, which it turned out was a history book as well as a spell book, that the planet was a terraformed world. The gods had long ago come to Asille from another place and settled there. That explained how the relatively young F type star, which was the original primary of the planet, had an evolved variety of species inhabiting one of its worlds.
Apparently when the gods revolted against the Creator, they lost their ability for interstellar travel. Then the Godking and the gods were imprisoned somehow by the last of the Overlords just as the Creator washed His hands of the situation. The Overlords had used the blue sun to trap the Godking and the gods on Asille. The gods were sentenced to remain until the blue sun burned out.
They flew the rest of the day and when the suns began to set, they landed in a clearing near the mountains. Brandor and the other two dragons, Echlon and Gwarion, departed with the promise to return at sunrise.
Armegon and Avery tended the fire and cooked while Ultrecht deciphered parts of the Tome. "There is much here that is very confused," the mage reported as they ate. "In many places, the pages are nothing more than a collection of random words. There is no way Blackpuss or his brother could make any use of it."
"Well what parts can you decipher?" Avery asked.
"Well there is a section on forced evolution. There was a few scraps of paper with recently written notes in that section. I think they were doing research with it. I suspect that that’s the primary spell they used to make Blackpuss a god. In fact, I think that may have been the whole reason for our arrival to begin with. The spell outlines the requirements to evolve a creature to the next level of existence. It requires the sacrifice of equals or better. Some of the notes outline a plan to summon unknown quasideities from a parallel dimension and siphon their power in the process. Sound familiar?"
"You can't fault them for their lack of ambition," Avery observed.
"I can blame them for quite a few things," Armegon assured him with an unamused smile.
"There is something else, here," Ultrecht held up another scrap of paper with annotations scribbled on it. "Someone has been manipulating the formulas of this evolving spell. It looks like someone is planning to experiment with vampiric evolutionary advancement."
"Nonsense," Avery laughed. "Who’d want to waste time on evolving the undead. Vampires are nuisance enough as they are. Making them more powerful will just make them more trouble to control."
"I’m not sure," Ultrecht mumbled mostly to himself, "but the equations seem to be reflexive, almost as if someone were preparing to cast it upon himself."
"Now that’s ridiculous," Armegon agreed with Avery. "I’m sure that even old Blackpuss isn’t stupid enough to allow an undead access to the Tome."
"I agree," Ultrecht said, "but I’m just telling you what this paper reads as."
"Say," Avery sat up with inspiration. "Didn't that god wannabe tell you that something we got in that prison world would help us out here?"
Armegon nodded. "Yes he did. Ultrecht do you have that bag of junk with you?"
Ultrecht pulled the magic sack from his pack and passed it to the other mage. Armegon reached inside and began pulling trinkets out.
"If you find the answer to life, the universe and everything in there," Avery said as he settled down under a blanket, "let me know in the morning." With that he lay back and dozed off. When he was awaken much later by Armegon, the stars in the sky indicated that only a few hours of darkness were left. Avery took his turn on watch and noted that Ultrecht had fallen asleep with the Tome cradled possessively in his arms.
Armegon turned in immediately and Avery set about the task of building up the fire. Although it was not cold, the flame provided a comforting light. Likewise Avery was certain that the fire was not needed for protection either. The scent of the three dragons was still in the air and no animal of the wild would be out on the prowl under those conditions.
Avery mixed a small vial of concentrated stock into a pot of water to make soup enough for the three of them. Then, when the breakfast was ready, he helped himself to a generous portion. When the suns broke over the horizon, the ranger woke Ultrecht and let Armegon sleep a little longer.
"So what did you learn?"
Ultrecht sighed. "You have to read it to believe it," he replied. "Do you remember that thin piece of mica that we got back in that spider place?"
"The Tower of Ice?"
"Yeah, well when that sheet of mica is placed over the pages of the Tome, the writing changes drastically. Some letters disappear and others appear where there were none before. We think that it is some kind of polarization and interference pattern of light. The moons and fire were not really strong enough to read very well, but the suns should provide enough light to read by."
"I guess you'll find out soon enough," Avery commented. "The dragons will be back shortly, but we still have enough time for you to do a little reading."
"I'll have a bit of that stew first," Ultrecht decided as he nosed the aroma coming from the pot.
Later, while Armegon was breaking his own fast, Ultrecht used the thin sheet of transparent mica to read the Tome. The result was both astounding and enlightening.
"It seems that there is a lot of information here about that evolutionary spell," Ultrecht said. "But some of the text is mostly about the difference of true evolution and false evolution."
"What’s the difference," Armegon asked.
"True evolution," Ultrecht explained, "comes from the merging of life forms. False evolution comes from the absorption and death of other life forms."
"So if what Tyson told us is true," Armegon started.
"Right," Ultrecht agreed. "Tyson said that Blackpuss planned to gain his godhood by stealing the powers of others when they died. That means he is not really a god."
"None of them are," Avery reminded him. "The whole lot of them have used false evolution. They didn’t know that part of the Tome."
"So how does one engage in true evolution?" Armegon asked.
"There is a spell here in the hidden part of the Tome. It outlines the mergence. It also states that the spell has an upper limit. It can not evolve past the level of an Overlord."
"That makes sense," Armegon said finishing his meal. "Since the Overlords are the direct minions of the Creator, it’s logical to assume that they’re as high on the evolutionary scale as anyone could get."
"That really must be some kind of spell," Avery marveled.
"Actually it’s very simple," Ultrecht refuted. "The spell is neither complex nor does it utilize verbal or sematic components that we could not synthesize or substitute. The only thing that makes it so inaccessible is the fact that the Tome itself is a material component."
"The book is part of the spell?" Armegon asked incredulously.
"It would seem so. Apparently the Tome itself supplies part of the spell's power. It’s almost as if the Tome itself casts part of the spell." Ultrecht had a distant look about him. "Amazing," he said.
"Are there any other spells in the Tome?"
Ultrecht looked at Armegon. "Oh, yes, there are literally dozens of spells. I read the narrative of a spell this morning called 'genesis'. It has a six day duration and a casting time of several hundred millennia. For some spells, I’m still clueless about what they do."
"For example?"
"There is a spell called 'apocalypse' in here, and another one called 'quantum force' and a third called 'genetic recombination'."
"Now those are some intriguing spell names," Armegon agreed. "If they mean anything remotely like what we think they mean, these spells should never be seen by mortal or immortal eyes."
"Before this is over, we may have to use one of those spells," Ultrecht said.
"Before this is over, we may have to take measures to see to it that those spells are never used," Avery added. The mages glared at him and he defiantly glared back. "Like it or not, we have to be prepared to destroy either that book or that sheet of mica to prevent the wrong hands from gaining access to those spells."
Armegon hung his head and reluctantly agreed. "You’re right, of course. But there’s no reason to suspect that the book can even be destroyed at all."
"As much as it pains me to agree," Ultrecht too conceded, "in all honesty I must. If the book can not be destroyed, then the viewing page must. But if it is really part of the Tome, it may be just as difficult to destroy as the Tome may be."
"If the Tome of Creation can not be destroyed," Avery suggested, "then we must place it somewhere where it can’t be retrieved.
"Where?" Ultrecht asked.
"I don’t know," Avery admitted, "but we’d better think of some place."
"We can think of a hiding place for the Tome later," Armegon interrupted. "In case you’ve forgotten, we have a trip to continue and our rides have arrived."
Brandor, the great silver dragon soared out of the clouds near the mountain crests flanked by the two bronze hued dragons from the day before. The light of the two suns glinted off their scales in a dazzling display of color as the dragons wheeled and descended on outstretched wings.
The great beasts touched the ground with the gracefulness of centuries of experience. Armegon, Ultrecht and Avery approached and mounted the ancient creatures. When they were once again airborne, they winged southward again and continued their journey.
Armegon and Brandor flew in the lead position. Looking over his shoulder. Armegon noted that Avery and the bronze colored dragon he rode were discussing a subject and laughing in the process. The other bronze dragon, the one Ultrecht rode, flew nearby and was also taking an active part in the subject. Ultrecht had strapped himself upon the dragon's back securely and was busy poking through a knapsack. "We seem to get along quite well together," Brandor commented over his massive shoulder. A bright jewel-like eye blinked back at the mage.
"Your people are wise and compassionate," Armegon told the silver head as it swung back into the wind. "Like you, we’d rather avoid what is to come, but it’s being thrust upon us."
"Fear not," the silver dragon replied. "you will not stand alone at the end. Even now our leaders meet in a secret place to discuss how best we can render aid. The king of dragons meets with the last Kilobel, the phoenix, the lord of the sea giants, the leader of the winged horses and Ganatar, whom you freed."
"Giants?"
"From the far islands," Brandor explained. "They tend to be reclusive. They were among the eldest of the free peoples."
"Back home," Armegon said, "the giants were all real pains in the rear end."
Brandor laughed. "They are pains, but not out of malice. In general, they are quite stupid. The only reason they are at the conference is so that they can be told what to do. They are quite strong."
Armegon struck hard at the dragon's shoulder. The great creature would consider the gesture as a firm pat on the back. "It’ll be a great comfort to know that we have allies somewhere," Armegon replied. "Just tell your people to keep their distance if magic starts flying. We are preparing some very heavy duty spells and we really don’t know what’s going to happen when we cast them."
"I will see to it that our people are warned," Brandor assured.
The day passed quickly and soon they landed in the southern parts of the Orkon range. "We aren't very far from my ranch," Armegon noted. "We could divert there for a couple of hours tomorrow morning if you would like to."
"Why?" Ultrecht asked.
"No reason," Armegon answered. "I just thought it might be a good idea to check up on the place."
"We’re better off not knowing," Avery suggested. "If we go and find problems, you’ll want to spend time correcting them. We can't afford to waste time. Even if you don’t stay to correct the problems, they’ll worry you when we need you to be concentrating on something else."
"Okay, okay," Armegon surrendered. "We move on without delay." He kicked at the blanket on his feet and untangled it from a nearby root. Then he pulled it up over his shoulder and head leaving Ultrecht and Avery in a state of amusement.
Avery grinned and tossed Ultrecht a blanket as well. "I'll take first watch," he offered. "You get some sleep." The mage nodded and copied Armegon's example. Avery built the fire up and sat back to listen to the sounds of the darkness.
"We want to thank you once more for heeding our call so readily," Armegon told the dragon upon whose back he rode. They had summoned Brandor by name and the silver sheened dragon had arrived with a pair of deep bronze colored dragons in accompaniment two hours later. They each had taken one passenger with Ultrecht and Avery riding the bronzes as Brandor had taken Armegon.
"It was our pleasure," Brandor replied. "The word has gotten out. The free peoples of the world are spreading the news. The unicorns are a united nation again and the Kilobel has returned. I think that you will find that you have many allies and friends to help you should you ask."
"I’m sure that not all of the free peoples will go out of their way to aid us," Armegon guessed.
"To aid you, no," Brandor assured him. "But you can probably bet that the more wicked of the ancient races will avoid interfering with you. You act against them in the short run, but should you succeed, they will prosper in the end."
"So your evil brethren, the chromatic family of dragons, will ignore us?" Armegon asked. The idea that evil dragons whose queen was a Duchess of Hell would leave them to their own devices did not seem right.
"If you do not go out of your way to confront them, you may well find yourself unmolested," Brandor replied.
Armegon sighed. Good news in any form was always welcome. They had marched for two days from the cabin before Armegon had suggested summoning flying transport. Oh, Ultrecht had wanted to teleport to the farm, but the warlock's teleportation barrier would detect that and pinpoint their location.
Armegon was not worried about the warlock, but they had decided not to push the inevitable confrontation until they were ready. Since they were obviously going to be out numbered and on the defensive, they decided that it would be tactically unsound to allow their enemies to choose the time and place of the battle.
On a good note, precursory readings of the Tome of Creation had revealed some very enlightening information. They had learned from the Tome, which it turned out was a history book as well as a spell book, that the planet was a terraformed world. The gods had long ago come to Asille from another place and settled there. That explained how the relatively young F type star, which was the original primary of the planet, had an evolved variety of species inhabiting one of its worlds.
Apparently when the gods revolted against the Creator, they lost their ability for interstellar travel. Then the Godking and the gods were imprisoned somehow by the last of the Overlords just as the Creator washed His hands of the situation. The Overlords had used the blue sun to trap the Godking and the gods on Asille. The gods were sentenced to remain until the blue sun burned out.
They flew the rest of the day and when the suns began to set, they landed in a clearing near the mountains. Brandor and the other two dragons, Echlon and Gwarion, departed with the promise to return at sunrise.
Armegon and Avery tended the fire and cooked while Ultrecht deciphered parts of the Tome. "There is much here that is very confused," the mage reported as they ate. "In many places, the pages are nothing more than a collection of random words. There is no way Blackpuss or his brother could make any use of it."
"Well what parts can you decipher?" Avery asked.
"Well there is a section on forced evolution. There was a few scraps of paper with recently written notes in that section. I think they were doing research with it. I suspect that that’s the primary spell they used to make Blackpuss a god. In fact, I think that may have been the whole reason for our arrival to begin with. The spell outlines the requirements to evolve a creature to the next level of existence. It requires the sacrifice of equals or better. Some of the notes outline a plan to summon unknown quasideities from a parallel dimension and siphon their power in the process. Sound familiar?"
"You can't fault them for their lack of ambition," Avery observed.
"I can blame them for quite a few things," Armegon assured him with an unamused smile.
"There is something else, here," Ultrecht held up another scrap of paper with annotations scribbled on it. "Someone has been manipulating the formulas of this evolving spell. It looks like someone is planning to experiment with vampiric evolutionary advancement."
"Nonsense," Avery laughed. "Who’d want to waste time on evolving the undead. Vampires are nuisance enough as they are. Making them more powerful will just make them more trouble to control."
"I’m not sure," Ultrecht mumbled mostly to himself, "but the equations seem to be reflexive, almost as if someone were preparing to cast it upon himself."
"Now that’s ridiculous," Armegon agreed with Avery. "I’m sure that even old Blackpuss isn’t stupid enough to allow an undead access to the Tome."
"I agree," Ultrecht said, "but I’m just telling you what this paper reads as."
"Say," Avery sat up with inspiration. "Didn't that god wannabe tell you that something we got in that prison world would help us out here?"
Armegon nodded. "Yes he did. Ultrecht do you have that bag of junk with you?"
Ultrecht pulled the magic sack from his pack and passed it to the other mage. Armegon reached inside and began pulling trinkets out.
"If you find the answer to life, the universe and everything in there," Avery said as he settled down under a blanket, "let me know in the morning." With that he lay back and dozed off. When he was awaken much later by Armegon, the stars in the sky indicated that only a few hours of darkness were left. Avery took his turn on watch and noted that Ultrecht had fallen asleep with the Tome cradled possessively in his arms.
Armegon turned in immediately and Avery set about the task of building up the fire. Although it was not cold, the flame provided a comforting light. Likewise Avery was certain that the fire was not needed for protection either. The scent of the three dragons was still in the air and no animal of the wild would be out on the prowl under those conditions.
Avery mixed a small vial of concentrated stock into a pot of water to make soup enough for the three of them. Then, when the breakfast was ready, he helped himself to a generous portion. When the suns broke over the horizon, the ranger woke Ultrecht and let Armegon sleep a little longer.
"So what did you learn?"
Ultrecht sighed. "You have to read it to believe it," he replied. "Do you remember that thin piece of mica that we got back in that spider place?"
"The Tower of Ice?"
"Yeah, well when that sheet of mica is placed over the pages of the Tome, the writing changes drastically. Some letters disappear and others appear where there were none before. We think that it is some kind of polarization and interference pattern of light. The moons and fire were not really strong enough to read very well, but the suns should provide enough light to read by."
"I guess you'll find out soon enough," Avery commented. "The dragons will be back shortly, but we still have enough time for you to do a little reading."
"I'll have a bit of that stew first," Ultrecht decided as he nosed the aroma coming from the pot.
Later, while Armegon was breaking his own fast, Ultrecht used the thin sheet of transparent mica to read the Tome. The result was both astounding and enlightening.
"It seems that there is a lot of information here about that evolutionary spell," Ultrecht said. "But some of the text is mostly about the difference of true evolution and false evolution."
"What’s the difference," Armegon asked.
"True evolution," Ultrecht explained, "comes from the merging of life forms. False evolution comes from the absorption and death of other life forms."
"So if what Tyson told us is true," Armegon started.
"Right," Ultrecht agreed. "Tyson said that Blackpuss planned to gain his godhood by stealing the powers of others when they died. That means he is not really a god."
"None of them are," Avery reminded him. "The whole lot of them have used false evolution. They didn’t know that part of the Tome."
"So how does one engage in true evolution?" Armegon asked.
"There is a spell here in the hidden part of the Tome. It outlines the mergence. It also states that the spell has an upper limit. It can not evolve past the level of an Overlord."
"That makes sense," Armegon said finishing his meal. "Since the Overlords are the direct minions of the Creator, it’s logical to assume that they’re as high on the evolutionary scale as anyone could get."
"That really must be some kind of spell," Avery marveled.
"Actually it’s very simple," Ultrecht refuted. "The spell is neither complex nor does it utilize verbal or sematic components that we could not synthesize or substitute. The only thing that makes it so inaccessible is the fact that the Tome itself is a material component."
"The book is part of the spell?" Armegon asked incredulously.
"It would seem so. Apparently the Tome itself supplies part of the spell's power. It’s almost as if the Tome itself casts part of the spell." Ultrecht had a distant look about him. "Amazing," he said.
"Are there any other spells in the Tome?"
Ultrecht looked at Armegon. "Oh, yes, there are literally dozens of spells. I read the narrative of a spell this morning called 'genesis'. It has a six day duration and a casting time of several hundred millennia. For some spells, I’m still clueless about what they do."
"For example?"
"There is a spell called 'apocalypse' in here, and another one called 'quantum force' and a third called 'genetic recombination'."
"Now those are some intriguing spell names," Armegon agreed. "If they mean anything remotely like what we think they mean, these spells should never be seen by mortal or immortal eyes."
"Before this is over, we may have to use one of those spells," Ultrecht said.
"Before this is over, we may have to take measures to see to it that those spells are never used," Avery added. The mages glared at him and he defiantly glared back. "Like it or not, we have to be prepared to destroy either that book or that sheet of mica to prevent the wrong hands from gaining access to those spells."
Armegon hung his head and reluctantly agreed. "You’re right, of course. But there’s no reason to suspect that the book can even be destroyed at all."
"As much as it pains me to agree," Ultrecht too conceded, "in all honesty I must. If the book can not be destroyed, then the viewing page must. But if it is really part of the Tome, it may be just as difficult to destroy as the Tome may be."
"If the Tome of Creation can not be destroyed," Avery suggested, "then we must place it somewhere where it can’t be retrieved.
"Where?" Ultrecht asked.
"I don’t know," Avery admitted, "but we’d better think of some place."
"We can think of a hiding place for the Tome later," Armegon interrupted. "In case you’ve forgotten, we have a trip to continue and our rides have arrived."
Brandor, the great silver dragon soared out of the clouds near the mountain crests flanked by the two bronze hued dragons from the day before. The light of the two suns glinted off their scales in a dazzling display of color as the dragons wheeled and descended on outstretched wings.
The great beasts touched the ground with the gracefulness of centuries of experience. Armegon, Ultrecht and Avery approached and mounted the ancient creatures. When they were once again airborne, they winged southward again and continued their journey.
Armegon and Brandor flew in the lead position. Looking over his shoulder. Armegon noted that Avery and the bronze colored dragon he rode were discussing a subject and laughing in the process. The other bronze dragon, the one Ultrecht rode, flew nearby and was also taking an active part in the subject. Ultrecht had strapped himself upon the dragon's back securely and was busy poking through a knapsack. "We seem to get along quite well together," Brandor commented over his massive shoulder. A bright jewel-like eye blinked back at the mage.
"Your people are wise and compassionate," Armegon told the silver head as it swung back into the wind. "Like you, we’d rather avoid what is to come, but it’s being thrust upon us."
"Fear not," the silver dragon replied. "you will not stand alone at the end. Even now our leaders meet in a secret place to discuss how best we can render aid. The king of dragons meets with the last Kilobel, the phoenix, the lord of the sea giants, the leader of the winged horses and Ganatar, whom you freed."
"Giants?"
"From the far islands," Brandor explained. "They tend to be reclusive. They were among the eldest of the free peoples."
"Back home," Armegon said, "the giants were all real pains in the rear end."
Brandor laughed. "They are pains, but not out of malice. In general, they are quite stupid. The only reason they are at the conference is so that they can be told what to do. They are quite strong."
Armegon struck hard at the dragon's shoulder. The great creature would consider the gesture as a firm pat on the back. "It’ll be a great comfort to know that we have allies somewhere," Armegon replied. "Just tell your people to keep their distance if magic starts flying. We are preparing some very heavy duty spells and we really don’t know what’s going to happen when we cast them."
"I will see to it that our people are warned," Brandor assured.
The day passed quickly and soon they landed in the southern parts of the Orkon range. "We aren't very far from my ranch," Armegon noted. "We could divert there for a couple of hours tomorrow morning if you would like to."
"Why?" Ultrecht asked.
"No reason," Armegon answered. "I just thought it might be a good idea to check up on the place."
"We’re better off not knowing," Avery suggested. "If we go and find problems, you’ll want to spend time correcting them. We can't afford to waste time. Even if you don’t stay to correct the problems, they’ll worry you when we need you to be concentrating on something else."
"Okay, okay," Armegon surrendered. "We move on without delay." He kicked at the blanket on his feet and untangled it from a nearby root. Then he pulled it up over his shoulder and head leaving Ultrecht and Avery in a state of amusement.
Avery grinned and tossed Ultrecht a blanket as well. "I'll take first watch," he offered. "You get some sleep." The mage nodded and copied Armegon's example. Avery built the fire up and sat back to listen to the sounds of the darkness.
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