by Clark Bolton
Autbek let Berdtom do the negotiations which turned out to be quite short after Berdtom produced a pouch of gold which he placed on the bar. The innkeeper acknowledged the Ausic seal Berdtom showed him and nodded his head when asked if the captain of the Bone-Cutter had left this as they had asked of him. Taking soot from the fire was a bit more of an issue as the innkeeper pointed out many fires in the massive main hall.
Berdtom inquired if there was a more secure or private fireplace that they could use to get messages to the innkeeper and so were shown a semi-private room off the kitchen reserved for the staff. Here Autbek filled several pouches with soot as curious servants watched.
“I’m ready, Tom!” He announced and so they gathered up the others, who were now itching to have a drink and to listen in on the many conversations going on in the hall. “Come on, we can’t leave the girls and Luzac alone for too long.”
“We got this from the servants.” Castor announced as he handed a piece of parchment to Autbek. “Figured we would want something written in the main language of the place.”
Autbek nodded his head, impressed again by Castor’s quick thinking. “I might have been sorry to leave without something like this! Now let’s go, quickly and quietly.”
There was grumbling and talk of the value of learning things from those here, but with some warnings from Murac about the looks of the patrons they reached a consensus that it was best to leave now. Gra-Niiht had stood near the entrance the whole time with many a patron giving him a wide berth, and as they approached he turned without being asked and proceeded to lead them back to his boat.
“How do you suppose he got the note from the innkeeper?” Haspeth asked quietly.
“No idea.” Castor replied. “Why don’t you ask him?”
“Because he don’t talk!” Haspeth replied, irritated now.
Autbek raised his hand in announce. “Enough, let’s just watch our step.”
When they reached the boat they were relieved to see all was well, and in fact the girls were chatting with the strange looking dwarves. Lita in particular was comfortably sitting on the side of the boat examining closely the clothes of a rather friendly one.
Gra-Niiht handed over some gold looking coins as payment and then they boarded. As they floated away spirits were high now that this place was behind them and Astrum was a short time ahead, or so they hoped.
Chapter 31
Their descent from the stars was as before, harrowing, quick, and in the dark of the moon. They could see lights from the city of Astrum now as Gra-Niiht brought the longboat into a hover above the fields next to the mage tower. No one rushed out to greet them though they could see lights now near the main gate to the courtyard.
Murac and Negorch bore Luzac on his litter with the injured dwarf sitting up a bit now as they walked in the colored lights Castor sent out before them. At the gate they found the work camp had more than doubled and there several dwarves including Xajac greeted them warmly.
Autbek followed behind the rest after signaling Gra-Niiht with a wave and then watching him ascend into the darkness without a word. Though their contract together was vague he had a solid feeling that the lone sailor would treat them fairly when he asked for his payment.
Xajac announced the reason for hiring and enlarging the camp as they moved into the main hall. “Your master, Autbek, he has been eager to get his chamber done and to see the two tunnels completed.” This was the secret chamber under the cellar that Neustus had asked be built, which would also include space for a hidden library where all their current scrolls, tomes, and books could be stored.
One of Berdtom’s tunnel projects was completed; this was the one that led to the guard shack at the intersection of Kings-road and Earls-way. The second was more difficult so was not yet complete as it required burrowing under the very walls of the city to a point just beyond where one of the Earl’s many supply warehouses lay. There a secret fortified cellar was under construction which was to be its endpoint.
Autbek was amazed to hear the camp outside the gate now housed over forty workers and that many more came in from the city to work daily on the construction projects. He listened for a few moments then excused himself so that he could visit his master in the tower.
He found Neustus there among several tables stacked with scrolls and parchments. With relief he found that his master was still in human form, and it was obvious from the contents on the tables that Neustus had made many copies of the stasis spell in order to maintain it.
“I have returned, master, and I have the two rings.” Autbek removed the pouch from around his neck and carefully withdrew the leather cloth that encased the Ausic rings. They were still fused with the finger bones of the two dead Dieknotkow as he had been hesitant to remove them for fear of damage.
“Welcome Autbek, the viken saw your return, pleased at your success.”
“It was difficult, master, but we learned so much and now have contacts in places I never dreamed existed. Had we been warned before we boarded that ship I think we would have thought twice before going at all, but now I can’t think but to travel like this in the future.”
Neustus listened, as he had always done over the years they had been together then he asked for the rings. Tears came to his nearly blind eyes as he felt the finger bones of his brethren. “This was Dieriscas … he wanted relevance more than I … and Neblesiti … I am thankful for her company.”
Autbek watched in silence as Neustus stroked the bones and then finally laid them on the table. He then told Autbek to arrange a ceremony tomorrow at noon, at which point Castor and Haspeth would be asked to don the rings. To separate them from the bones he suggested having the dwarves do it and that he need not be concerned with damaging the rings as this was very difficult to accomplish.
They talked for a while, and when Neustus mentioned it had come time for him to shift the ring on Autbek’s hand to the next finger, Autbek nodded and furrowed his brow as he always did when deep in thought. He knew some of the ramifications of becoming a recognized mage within the Ausic system but could not yet reconcile it with his place in the Earl’s court.
Walking down to the dining hall he paused at the new entrance to the cellar to watch several dwarves and men at work there. Even though it was well after midnight it appeared work continued. Going next to the library he found Berdtom with Un Papp and Eifled, discussing the progress on the Tesslodken Sta.
“Not surprised to find you here, Tom.” He said as he plopped down on a bench, now too exhausted to do much else.
“Hmm, was taking a few minutes to check on things before heading into the city.”
“Bit late for that.”
“Things can’t wait longer, O’t. The Earl may have need of me and things are likely to have changed since our departure, and let us not forget about Fesmbol.” He gave Autbek a stern look as a reminder.
At this point Eifled spoke up. “Be aware my friends that the Earl’s son has sought you out on more than one occasion, and in fact he and I had a long chat at the Antarak henge. I was there exploring some interesting connections I’ve made between your Sta there and what remains of the viken.” Eifled motioned toward the gnome scribes who were sitting at tables with heaps of parchments about them, some of which looked to be from the collection of pages making up the Tesslodken Sta.
“A Connection you think?” Berdtom asked with interest. “That is unexpected and difficult for me to see how that could be!”
“Perhaps I’ve overstated this, Tom.” Eifled replied with his usual gentle smile in an attempt to calm his friend. “Have a look at this and then know that the viken have some remnant of knowledge about its possible use.”
Autbek walked over to stand beside Berdtom to have a look at the newly scribed parchment that Eifled had handed him. The work was exquisite and included small illustrations of birds and insects along the margins of the well-formed text. It was clear to both of them that these gnomes were master scribes indeed for they had tra
nscribed this from a dull and weathered page of the Sta.
“Is this the same song you showed us before?” Autbek asked of Un Papp who was standing quietly in the background.
“A complete translation.” Un Papp assured him with a bow.
“And if you look closely at the illustrations you will see something that is familiar to some, including the viken.” Eifled said as he brought his finger to a corner of the page.
Neither Berdtom nor Autbek seemed to recognize the tiny drawing at first for it appeared to only be a series of rounded rectangular blocks of slightly different sizes. The two shrugged at each other after a while as both admitted that as of yet it meant nothing to them.
“It took me some time and I have a practiced eye for such things.” Eifled remarked as he watched the two continue to study the page. “Now if I was to mention to you the practice of worship under a summer’s moon, or during the spring equinox, might it not remind you of something?”
“A shepherd’s-temple?” Autbek asked hesitantly as he thought about the one not far outside of Runeholden were on occasion people from the town held brief worship ceremonies and celebrations. It was composed of great stone monoliths arranged in several concentric circles.
“Now that’s a term for a henge that I have not come across before.” Eifled remarked as he nodded his head.
“Nor again, Eifled!” Berdtom warned as he waved his hand at the sage to indicate that another small fact about Runeholden was to be intentionally forgotten.
“As you wish, Tom.” Eifled replied with a nod. “Whatever term you like for it, O’t, it is I think a place where once the Tesslodken sang such praises as are written there and in some small respect the viken still do so I’m told. In fact even your reluctant ally seemed to have some understanding of henges…or at least that Bek fellow did.”
Autbek felt a brief unsettling burst of energy enter his chest as he was reminded of Fesmbol again. “He hasn’t seen this has he?” He asked of Eifled.
“No, but he was most curious as to why he found me amidst the ruins of the Antarak, one of Astrum’s few remaining henges.”
Autbek nodded his head in understanding. “Are you going to tell the Earl now about our pact with Fesmbol?” He asked as he turned to Berdtom knowing that his friend was unlikely to.
“No, as far as I’m concerned you are still the Vis Mage-Councilor and when the time is right we’ll have that reaffirmed. Unless Fesmbol is foolish enough to reveal what he has in that box we gave him, let business remain as usual.
Autbek found himself very much wanting to say something but then decided he would sleep better if he just put it all out of his mind.
The next morning Autbek found himself summoned to his master’s presence where he expected to begin preparations for Haspeth and Castor to take the Ausic oath and so join him in starting a new generation of Ausic mages. He found Neustus waiting for him and he was as usual sitting next to a window with a pile of scrolls on a table next to him.
“As I have said before, Autbek, you are sufficiently studied and experienced for me to justify advancing your ring onto your thumb.” Neustus informed him as he stared toward Autbek with eyes unfocused. “It brings with it a sense of guilt on my part.”
Autbek furrowed his brow as he thought about why that might be. “If you think I should wait then I understand master or is it for some other reason?”
Neustus paused for a few moments before replying, “There is and it is why I hesitate so, but understand that it is not your advancement that I’m thinking of but rather who will be their master.”
“You mean Haspeth and Castor?” Autbek said with some confusion. “Must it not be you?”
“No, indeed it need not be so. My adjustment to this world will take some time; I’m convinced of that, and so wonder if it is not you they should swear their oath to.” Neustus then motioned for Autbek to give him the rings that the dwarves had only just separated from the finger-bones of the two Dieknotkow.
Neustus’s trepidation arose from the mage’s concern for whoever swore an oath of apprenticeship to him for he feared that his mind and his resolve to remain among people would wane. As he had explained to Autbek before, the Ausic oath had a tendency over time to bring into alignment the thoughts and goals of apprentices with those of their master. The oath was designed by Ustclostefey himself to be this way, or so it was believed, and Neustus had always been taught by his masters and peers that its effects were necessary for harmony.
“If I sink into madness, Autbek, my apprentices are at risk. You should know that such things have been recorded in the past, though a very distant one to yours.”
Autbek furrowed his brow again and thought for a moment before asking, “How strong is the pull of this oath should something like that happen?” He envisioned Neustus as the Dieknotkow again and himself along with Haspeth and Castor lamenting on how they too could become the same.
“Very strong for some though it is very subtle and those who are wise would see its effect and so seek release.”
“How?” Autbek asked in astonishment. “Can the oath be broken?”
“No, not directly but it can be transferred to another master should the apprentice be willing and the ailing master not object too strongly.”
“I see.” Autbek muttered as he came to realize the risk he was in and how soon two of his friends would be also.
Neustus smiled sadly as he continued. “You need not worry for yourself, Autbek, for you I will advance this day if you deem yourself ready. Once of the fifth rank all ties to one’s master become entirely voluntary as you know, and need not continue at all. However, I do hope they will for both our sake.”
Autbek nodded his head and then asked, “Are you suggesting they swear the Ausic oath to me instead?” The thought was disappointing to him in a way as he felt he would be depriving Haspeth and Castor, and the girls when their time came, of learning from the last great living mage.
Neustus nodded his head slowly as he sat quietly. With eyes still unfocused he went back to peering out the window in a way that reminded Autbek of how Neustus did so when in Dieknotkow form. The man-bird never asked for much yet was responsible for the greatest friendships and events of Autbek’s life.
“I do not feel worthy.” Autbek finally stated.
“Nor do I apprentice.” Neustus softly replied. “But take heart in the fact that Ustclostefey anticipated this in part and so only if I’m able to promote you to the status of mage shall the rings allow them to swear oath to you. If I cannot remove your ring during this ceremony and move it on to your thumb then I have misjudged your readiness, but if I’m able to then all that governs us Ausic will have condoned your rank.”
Autbek found the weight of this decision oppressive and could think of only one possible solution. “They should decide themselves.” He stated with a wavering voice.
“Yes…” Neustus said with a nod, “…the rings would have it no other way.”
Autbek then furrowed his brow once again as he thought through their plan. “What if you don’t promote me?” It seemed a strange question he realized and one that might upset Neustus but the more he thought about it the more he wondered if Neustus had been thinking about this solution.
“Then I would be violating my own oath, Autbek. If you think deeply about that part of the oath that you swore and that I did also you will recall that it is a serious breach.” Neustus then turned his head slightly so as to see his apprentice through his peripheral vision. “An apprentice is allowed to appeal to another master; the rings themselves drive one to do so. An apprentice is indeed even allowed to leave his current master under this circumstance.”
“There are no other masters!” Autbek reminded him.
Neustus frowned before replying, “That is why the gilt, Autbek, for I may very well be the first to ever be in the position to unfairly take advantage of his apprentices and undoubtedly be successful at it. It would give me great leeway in controlling the direction of
the next generation of apprentices.”
A chill ran up Autbek’s spine as he suddenly saw Neustus in a different light. If madness was a possibility, and he knew that the very presence of Neustus’s spirit-sight made it so, then he and everyone else could now potentially be the victim of a powerful and insane mage.
A long silence took place between them until finally Autbek thought to ask, “Should we not ask Eifled his thoughts on this question?”
Neustus was quick to answer, “I did and he told me he would be among the first to seek the end to the line of Ausic mages forever should he think me mad.”
The news brought a smile to Autbek’s face. “He does think of the future.”
“Yes and so must we.” Neustus announced. “That is why I’m not going to hesitate to promote you, and so when you are ready I will do so.”
Autbek nodded his head and then realized how small he suddenly felt as he thought about the endless chain of mages that had done the same as Neustus was about to do. “I suppose I must.” He muttered.
Autbek called his five apprentices onto the second floor of the tower and then laughed at himself for thinking of them as such. It was the very reason he had called them here so that they could make their own decisions about whether to serve him or Neustus, and this forced contrast between him and the vastly more experienced mage concerned him greatly.
“Eifled will attend you shortly.” Autbek informed the five with little fanfare. “When he does please pay close attention as the decision he will help you make will affect the fate of a great many people.” He could see concern on their faces now and so yearned to reassure them but could not think of a way that would not unduly influence them in their decision.
“What is O’t?” Haspeth asked with a puzzled look. “Has something happened?”
The others began to ask the same questions but he offered no answers and so holding up his hand to quiet them he said, “Just listen to him and when you’re done and have come to a conclusion all of you should come up and see Neustus and me.”