Conner.
They spent an hour sharing a meal. Conversation revolved around the histories and traditions of Ithilian and Ruatha. Both islands were similar in size and resources. Ithilian had vast farm and range land. They grew grains and vegetables, cultivated orchards and vineyards that covered miles of hillsides, and raised beef, bison, and sheep. In the high central mountains, they mined iron, copper, and silver. In the west, they quarried fine marble. The people were prosperous and industrious. They had a united government that recognized the sovereignty of the Old Law and respected the individual.
Conner spoke of the political infighting that was a staple at court but dismissed the power of the political class to do any real damage to the well-being of the people because of the protections of the monarchy. Alexander wanted to hear more about their system of government, but the meal ended and he had other things to do that were more pressing.
He retired to his tent and found Anatoly sleeping soundly. Lucky said that a healer of considerable power had visited and cast a number of spells over the big man-at-arms. He was optimistic about Anatoly’s recovery and believed he would be able to ride by morning. After a brief discussion about the events of the evening, Alexander laid out his bedroll next to the bed.
Jataan frowned and stepped forward. “Surely, you’re not going to sleep on the floor when there’s a bed for you to use.”
“Anatoly needs it more than I do,” Alexander said as he pulled up a carpet to reveal the dirt below. He positioned a meditation pillow and carefully drew a magic circle around it.
“You are Lord Reishi,” Jataan said.
“So? Anatoly needs it more,” Alexander replied. “I’ll be fine on the floor. I’m going to meditate for a while before bed. See to it that someone checks on Lieutenant Wyatt.”
Chloe buzzed into existence and flitted up to eye level. “Are you going to leave again, My Love?”
“Yes, Little One,” Alexander said. “The magic circle will protect me from wandering spirits.”
“I know, but I still don’t like it when you leave. I feel lonely when you’re gone.”
“I have to do this, Chloe,” Alexander said. “I need information and Ruatha needs to know that I have the Stone. If they believe Phane has it, they may do something unwise.”
“I understand,” she said as she landed on his knee. “I just don’t like it.” She sat down cross-legged and looked up at him.
Alexander smiled at her and closed his eyes. With his all around sight, he could see Jataan P’Tal watch him for a long moment before sending Grudge to check on the Rangers.
Alexander cleared his mind. He had a lot of thoughts insisting on his attention, but he put them aside one by one and found that place of empty-mindedness that led to the firmament. When he found his awareness floating on the ocean of potential, he listened to the song of creation for a moment. What he heard made him anxious. There was greater discord and fear in the collective consciousness of the world than he had ever heard before. He suspected the increased angst was the result of the armies that had just invaded Ruatha and Fellenden.
He coalesced his awareness high above the Reishi Gate on Ruatha. What he saw intensified his anxiety. There was an army of at least ten legions of Reishi Army Regency. They had come through the Gate the night before and were busy establishing a defensive encampment and organizing for an attack.
Alexander moved his focus to Blackstone Keep. The world rushed by with impossible speed and abruptly he was in Kelvin’s workshop. The Mage was nowhere to be seen. He floated over to his message board. There were two numbered messages.
“Isabel and Abigail have been taken by the Reishi Coven. I have assurances that they are both alive and well. I have sent an item of great power that I believe is Isabel’s best hope for surviving the poison.”
Alexander read the message twice.
They spent an hour sharing a meal. Conversation revolved around the histories and traditions of Ithilian and Ruatha. Both islands were similar in size and resources. Ithilian had vast farm and range land. They grew grains and vegetables, cultivated orchards and vineyards that covered miles of hillsides, and raised beef, bison, and sheep. In the high central mountains, they mined iron, copper, and silver. In the west, they quarried fine marble. The people were prosperous and industrious. They had a united government that recognized the sovereignty of the Old Law and respected the individual.
Conner spoke of the political infighting that was a staple at court but dismissed the power of the political class to do any real damage to the well-being of the people because of the protections of the monarchy. Alexander wanted to hear more about their system of government, but the meal ended and he had other things to do that were more pressing.
He retired to his tent and found Anatoly sleeping soundly. Lucky said that a healer of considerable power had visited and cast a number of spells over the big man-at-arms. He was optimistic about Anatoly’s recovery and believed he would be able to ride by morning. After a brief discussion about the events of the evening, Alexander laid out his bedroll next to the bed.
Jataan frowned and stepped forward. “Surely, you’re not going to sleep on the floor when there’s a bed for you to use.”
“Anatoly needs it more than I do,” Alexander said as he pulled up a carpet to reveal the dirt below. He positioned a meditation pillow and carefully drew a magic circle around it.
“You are Lord Reishi,” Jataan said.
“So? Anatoly needs it more,” Alexander replied. “I’ll be fine on the floor. I’m going to meditate for a while before bed. See to it that someone checks on Lieutenant Wyatt.”
Chloe buzzed into existence and flitted up to eye level. “Are you going to leave again, My Love?”
“Yes, Little One,” Alexander said. “The magic circle will protect me from wandering spirits.”
“I know, but I still don’t like it when you leave. I feel lonely when you’re gone.”
“I have to do this, Chloe,” Alexander said. “I need information and Ruatha needs to know that I have the Stone. If they believe Phane has it, they may do something unwise.”
“I understand,” she said as she landed on his knee. “I just don’t like it.” She sat down cross-legged and looked up at him.
Alexander smiled at her and closed his eyes. With his all around sight, he could see Jataan P’Tal watch him for a long moment before sending Grudge to check on the Rangers.
Alexander cleared his mind. He had a lot of thoughts insisting on his attention, but he put them aside one by one and found that place of empty-mindedness that led to the firmament. When he found his awareness floating on the ocean of potential, he listened to the song of creation for a moment. What he heard made him anxious. There was greater discord and fear in the collective consciousness of the world than he had ever heard before. He suspected the increased angst was the result of the armies that had just invaded Ruatha and Fellenden.
He coalesced his awareness high above the Reishi Gate on Ruatha. What he saw intensified his anxiety. There was an army of at least ten legions of Reishi Army Regency. They had come through the Gate the night before and were busy establishing a defensive encampment and organizing for an attack.
Alexander moved his focus to Blackstone Keep. The world rushed by with impossible speed and abruptly he was in Kelvin’s workshop. The Mage was nowhere to be seen. He floated over to his message board. There were two numbered messages.
“Isabel and Abigail have been taken by the Reishi Coven. I have assurances that they are both alive and well. I have sent an item of great power that I believe is Isabel’s best hope for surviving the poison.”
Alexander read the message twice.
Similar Books
