by Bill Albert
Gallif took Snow’s reins and led her to the stall nearest Kavelle. Snow grunted and tried to resist but Gallif coaxed her on.
Gallif helped Kavelle to the office and lay her down on some blankets and bags stacked in the corner. It was warmer here than in the stable and she hoped it would be more comfortable than a straw bed.
“Kavelle,” Gallif roused her. “Are there any healing potions inside?”
“I think so,” Kavelle nodded.
Gallif entered the temple office area and noticed how all of the curtains were opening for her now. She wondered if she had finally, somehow, proven herself or if it was the absence of Zaslow’s wicked pendant that allowed her through.
Gallif went to the bookcase and started carefully sorting through the items. As she checked them she glanced at some of the other shelves and stopped as she saw the totem that she and Tome had found in the sewers. It still sat untouched where he had placed it before they’d left. Yes, she could see it was supposed to be Starpoint Mountain. It was miniaturized and simplified but she could see the tell-tale markings. She grabbed the totem and continued her search.
Behind several scrolls were more bottles. She popped the cork off of one and took a quick sniff of its odor. She could tell instantly it was not a potion, but she could see there was something special in this liquid. She smiled, and then took a quick sip.
She returned to Kavelle’s bed and helped her take several drinks of the brandy and then propped her up. She was still very tired but Kavelle could speak better and her mind was sharpened by the alcohol.
“What happened after the fight?” Gallif asked.
“We got separated and a band of the monsters came after me. I found a place that I thought would protect me, but something went wrong, a tunnel collapse maybe, and the room got flooded. I had to get moving as fast as I could, but that took me straight into some of the beasts,” Kavelle told the story simply. She took another stiff drink before continuing. “I found a tunnel and hid in one of the other fields.”
“Did they find you?” Gallif asked hoping to keep the conversation going so she wouldn’t have to tell her of the part she had played in the flooding.
“No,” Kavelle shook her head slowly. “After a while I started searching. I couldn’t get back to where we started but I did find another cave with horses. I saddled one and charged out. I couldn’t find you guys so I headed back here,” she said with some relief. “What happened to you?”
“I got separated, as well,” Gallif said as she took a stiff gulp of the brandy. “I ended up on the ice fields in the middle of a storm.”
“Did you find them?”
“No,” she said as she remembered the sounds of Snow trotting around just outside her field of vision. “They found me. I was unconscious most of the trip back.” Gallif carefully told her the other things that had happened with the exception of the druid encounter.
“I’m glad you’re all right,” Kavelle nodded.
“You, too,” Gallif smiled.
“So, what are you going to do next?” Kavelle asked after she took another drink.
“I’m going to meet with Mekon and then head back. I think I know where Zaslow is hiding.”
“Head back?” Kavelle asked. “To the ice fields to find Zaslow?”
“No.” Gallif held the totem in front of Kavelle. “This is Starpoint Mountain.”
Kavelle looked at the figure for a long time and then nodded.
“I’m meeting Jakobus tomorrow morning at Kienova’s temple,” Gallif added. “Then I’m heading back. If you want to go, meet me there but there is someplace I need to go first.”
Kavelle briefly nodded, and then fell sound asleep in the pile of blankets.
Gallif decided to leave Snow in the warm stable and walk to her next destination. Night was falling and it was getting colder and darker every minute, but the quiet walk would do her good. She thought carefully about everything that had happened and her upcoming journey. She felt some relief of the fact that she would be in sight of Starpoint Mountain again. It had been such a domineering part of her life for so long she almost felt guilty about leaving it. It was almost as if she would be reunited with an old friend once it appeared on the horizon. There was another reunion she was looking forward to when she got back to the school but that would have to wait.
It was after sundown when she got to Bitran’s estate. It was drastically different from when she had seen it last; there were many people present but no guards. The gates were open and there were torches placed along the path to the house. There were carriages along the lane and as she walked she realized they were mourners here to show their respects. She saw several arrive in long black cloaks and more proper attire, but she felt no need to avoid the main entrance.
As she entered the house the thirty mourners fell silent and turned to look at her. With her tangled red hair, dirt covered body and weapon on her side she was quite a contrast to the well-dressed crowd. The only one she recognized in the room was Ellis who unashamedly approached her and took her hands warmly. Ellis was near tears and took a long time to find her voice.
“Thank you,” Ellis said.
“We couldn’t bring him back,” Gallif said wildly confused.
“No, but we can give him peace,” Ellis said and hugged her. The other people in the room relaxed and though they returned to their quiet conversations they kept a discreet distance from the two young women.
“I’m sorry,” Gallif said honestly.
“Don’t be,” Ellis said and cupped her hands. “You saved us.” As Gallif thought of just how important that was, Ellis looked back at the other people in the room. “Mom can take care of these people,” she finally said to Gallif. “There is some freshly baked bread and cheese in the kitchen. Come with me.” With that Ellis led Gallif off and they sat for two hours eating, drinking, and sharing stories about their fathers.
It was just after dawn when Gallif quietly left the Bitran estate. After they had finished chatting she had taken a hot bath and slept peacefully. She stood outside the door to Ellis’s room and considered saying a few words to her but decided against it. She was eager to get back to Starpoint Mountain and wanted to keep her thoughts clear. At least as clear as she could with all the other thoughts she was juggling.
She walked back and was glad to find Snow rested and ready to go. There were no other horses in the stable and she didn’t see any sign of Kavelle, so she mounted her best friend and quickly rode to the temple. A human was waiting outside, and he quickly ushered her into a small alcove inside the large temple. Mekon, Kavelle and Jakobus were there expecting her. They all had somber faces and Kavelle and Jakobus looked down as Mekon spoke.
“We have some grave news,” Mekon said. “Please sit down, Gallif.” Gallif nodded and took a seat in a well-stuffed red chair. “As I told Kavelle and Jakobus, the attacks on giants have increased since we left. Very well armed orc and aquilus parties have killed at least three giant officials and a giant prince.”
“My word,” Gallif gasped and put a hand to her mouth. An assassination of a member of the royal family was too much to believe.
“There have also been massive raids on several small villages between Starpoint Mountain and the Rainbow Mountains. Even some near Atrexia. Herds of aquilus are destroying everything in their path.”
“Is there any sign of Zaslow?” Gallif asked. Her thoughts were in such a turmoil she spoke without thinking.
“No,” he said flatly and brought all of Gallif’s thoughts to a complete stop. “There has been no sign of Zaslow’s work in any way. In fact, several leads have made us believe other giants may have been involved.” He saw the look of shock on all of their faces and continued before anyone could ask anything. “There were several aquilus that were taken alive after a raid on a small school. An aquilus was,” he paused until he found the right word, and then continued with “questioned. It was discovered that he had had several transactions with giants right before the atta
ck. The belief is that there is a move to take the crown. I have orders to return to the Rainbow Mountains immediately.”
“He’s not hiding in the Rainbow Mountains,” Gallif blurted out and stood to face him. “I know he’s in Starpoint Mountain.”
“Gallif,” the giant spoke quickly as he gently put a hand on her shoulder. “I know you think Zaslow is involved and after meeting with him I would have agreed with you, but this is too much. Even with his power of persuasion he could never have gotten giants to rebel against the Giant Lords.”
“I’ve been thinking about everything that is going on,” Gallif interrupted him. “He’s got someone helping him. Someone, maybe a giant, who can harness enough mental power to increase his influences.”
“That’s not possible,” Mekon said as he shook his hand. “Not even the most powerful giant casters could harness that much power. It would take more than a dozen together to focus enough to work on this scale.”
“He has! I just don’t know how,” she pleaded with him to believe.
He used the palm of his hand to guide her back to the chair she had been on and knelt down so his face was close to hers.
“You saved my life, Gallif, and I have great trust and confidence in you, but I think you are misguided by his actions in the field. I can only imagine the fear and disgust you felt when he allowed one of the animals to touch you. That plus some effects of being lost in the blizzard.”
“I’m not imagining it,” she spoke with her voice shaking. “I know he’s there.”
“I’ll be leaving for the Rainbow Mountains this afternoon,” Mekon continued. “You are very valuable, and I would like you to accompany me as part of my personal staff,” he said.
Gallif felt her heart jump a beat and reminded herself to breathe after a few seconds. An offer like this was an honor rarely bestowed on a human. It was an achievement to be a part of the elite force as Kavelle was, but a personal request like this was beyond even that. She couldn’t think and only sat in the chair brushing her hair.
“I’ll give you a few moments to consider and discuss this with your friends,” Mekon said as he stood. “I will leave this afternoon,” he finished and walked away.
She sat quietly and didn’t say anything or even look at Kavelle or Jakobus. Jakobus finally came to her and put a friendly arm around her.
“You have been given a great honor, Gallif,” he whispered to her. “I can see that there is greatness in you. Even for someone not a dwarf,” he added and winked at her. “I know you will do the right thing.”
She smiled and hugged him warmly. Then she turned to Kavelle and said, “I can’t imagine what this will be like.”
“I’ve fought with you,” Kavelle said. “If you need anything from me, I will gladly give you my services.”
Gallif put her face in her hands to think. She allowed the memories of her meeting with Rayjen in the cabin to resurface in her mind. She knew she was right about the location of Zaslow and his involvement with these terrible events, but Rayjen would be proud of her when she returned to the school someday to tell him of this.
Then, like a sudden thunderclap in the sky, some of Mekon’s words came back to her.
“He said something about a school,” she asked without opening her eyes. “A school near Atrexia that was raided.”
“Yes,” Kavelle confirmed her thoughts. “He told us more about that before you arrived. It was southwest of Atrexia, just a few buildings, so small no one even knew it was there until they saw the fire.”
“Fire,” Gallif whispered as a chill colder than the icy wind of the blizzard gripped her.
“Mekon said some of the elite guard that searched the ashes found the remains of humans, dwarves, kobolds and even aquilus. There had been a terrible battle.”
“Survivors?” Gallif asked as she opened her eyes.
“Some,” Jakobus patted her back. “Just barely.”
“I know this school,” Gallif said as she looked at them. Kavelle and Jakobus both saw the terror on her face and waited for her to continue. “I’m from this school,” she said as she stood with her hand firmly planted on the handle of her flame sword. “I have to go.”
INTERLUDE TWO:
PURE LIGHT
THIRTY:
PURE LIGHT
Zaslow sat quietly looking into the light of the source stone. He tried to bury his thoughts into the swirling colors. The shades and intensity changed constantly and bubbled as if water filled the crystal. He would study a bubble as if it was a piece of a puzzle but before he could discover any meaning the bubble would drop back into the flow.
Upon returning from Primor he had been relieved to find that Malm had secured the area around the stone. It was surprising just how close it had been. Zaslow had warned them all about entering the highest known level, but had, reluctantly, allowed access to the caverns on this side. As long as Malm and Nixa avoided the eastern tunnels he had been allowed to work freely.
While Zaslow was away they had begun examining it and experimenting with castings. They had used the natural alcoves around the cavern to try and create various potions or powders. They hoped that just being so close to the stone would increase their casting abilities and had found some success. Knowing that it would upset Zaslow, they had not touched the stone itself and he had been pleased when he returned.
“It makes up for the fact that we lost the connection with Bitran,” Zaslow had told them. “He had been such a good follower for a long time but was starting to lose faith.”
“What of the spices?” Nixa had asked.
“We have enough to keep the little beasts happy for a while,” Zaslow looked down at him. “Now that we have the stone, I won’t be needing them for much longer and we can dispose of them.” He looked at the stone without saying a word for a long time. “I spoke with Obrun before,” he informed them, “however, he’s been killed.”
“Was it the girl?” Nixa had asked.
“Yes,” Zaslow scowled. “That damned, hated girl.”
“We could send other assassins after her,” Nixa tried to calm him. “There are others. Spire is again with us. As you commanded, he assassinated a member of a Giant Lord family. A young girl would be easy for him.”
“Not necessary,” Zaslow said. They held their breaths until he smiled and patted Malm on the shoulder. “She’s been eliminated,” he said cheerily. “Chased out of the fields, through jump castings, and into the frozen air. No one else in her party even knew where she had gone. A few minutes in the blizzard and she would have been unable to move. She survived my attempts only to die naturally. Kind of appropriate for someone who believes in a god of nature,” he laughed.
“It’s a pity that Obrun was lost,” Nixa said softly.
“Yes,” Zaslow agreed. “It wasn’t a total loss, however. He gave me some valuable information. A casting he had been given in an attempt to bribe him to spare a victim. Something very special.” He had paused and waited for them to ask more even though he knew they wouldn’t dare.
With her gone he had been able to concentrate freely on the next step for a long time. He had carefully considered the casts, and combinations of casts, it would take to fully control the stone. His private assistant, the one no one else in his castle, the mountain, had ever seen, provided several ideas. He had never heard or thought of them before, but he was confident these would gain him control of the power. The power it held, he knew, was beyond anything anyone had imagined. Enough to make him a god.
He heard Malm approaching from his alcove of powders and other casting ingredients. Malm waited a respectful distance to be called.
“You have done well, Malm,” Zaslow said still staring at the light. “You’ve kept the orcs and elves on this level well restrained and orderly.”
“Thank you,” Malm said in genuine surprise. “The orcs are easy, simple minded, and it doesn’t take much to keep them trained,” he said.
“But the elves are different,” Zaslow said be
fore Malm could. “I know. Your reward is near.”
Quietly Nixa entered the cavern and, like Malm, stood a distance away and waited for Zaslow to greet him. When he did, Nixa came forward slowly.
“We have to go,” he said calmly. “It’s nearly time for the children to make their tributes, and for you to show them your power. There will also be a sacrifice today.”
“Of course,” Zaslow said and stood to face them. “We must keep the routine of the mountain going for a while yet. Though we will be rid of them soon we still need it to keep the animals in line.” He smiled and clapped his hands together. “We also know how much Spire enjoys a sacrifice. Get ready.”
Nixa and Malm returned to their areas to get their robes, potions, and totems ready. Zaslow would pick up his own on the way. With a few extra minutes he looked back at the lights of the stone.
There were times that he felt it could hear him. He could swear the colors pulsed as if they were alive and could sense his thoughts and feelings. Now that he was comfortable and in control it flowed brighter and steadier.
He felt tempted to try the casting that Obrun had given him. It would not be necessary to cast it now but the effect on the worshipers at the ceremony would be spectacular. He had known Obrun was good but had never realized he was that good. He laughed to himself wondering if the girl, the frozen girl, had ever questioned how even an invisible assassin had made three different strikes at the same time.
BOOK THREE:
STARPOINT
MOUNTAIN
THIRTY-ONE:
DARK HEARTS
The only stop Gallif voluntarily made was when they were on the Black Road as they passed the restaurant where she had met Maura. Gallif had gone in alone and asked for information on the girl but was only told that Maura had passed through heading to the mountain. She bought plenty of food and quickly gave some extra bags to Kavelle and Jakobus before heading out.
The miles and hours quickly blurred and the only other times she stopped were when Kavelle, Jakobus, Snow, or just plain exhaustion forced her to. She slept and ate little and several times they caught her trying to sneak away from them in the night. She rarely spoke except in short, terse conversations. She was a woman obsessed.