Delver Magic Book III: Balance of Fate
Page 45
#
Immediately after Ryson left with the dogs for a romp in the snow, Holli turned to the wizard with an expectant look.
“You know something, don’t you?” she asked.
Enin looked to the floor with a grim expression.
“Ryson is destined for more challenges,” he said with a hollow ring.
“That’s not what I’m talking about,” Holli quickly responded. “I already know Ryson has yet another moment that he must face that is probably important to us all. I gathered that from your discussion with Linda when she asked you to warn Tabris. This doesn’t have to do with Ryson. Something else is happening that’s weighing on you, something that is happening right now, something that is very bad. You have the power to stop whatever it is, but you believe such an act would be a mistake. Am I correct?”
“You are. I have always acknowledged your perception, and it appears to be serving you well yet again.”
“We’re all going to find out what this is, that’s why you told Ryson. We’re going to eventually hear about this and you knew he would wonder why you didn’t do anything to prevent it. Whatever it is, it must be rather large in scope.”
“It is,” Enin acknowledged. “With Tabris’ help, Sazar is about to take Connel."
Holli considered this news carefully. “This does not bode well for anyone in this region. A city that large in the hands of a serp and a sorceress has treacherous consequences. All of the elf camps in Dark Spruce will view this as a major shift. Normally, goblins would keep to the cover of the trees and thus were more of a threat to my kind than the humans, but not any more. Connel is a gateway to the plains of the east and the human farms. There are forts to the east, but the goblins will simply avoid them. This will be clearly viewed as a start to a goblin-human war. Will you do nothing to prevent it?”
“I believe there is little I can do.”
“No,” Holli stated clearly and without hesitation. “There is little you are willing to do. There is a difference.”
“Didn’t you hear what I told Ryson?” Enin shot back. “Anything I do is an open invitation for Baannat to act in an opposing fashion. If I interfere here, where will he interfere?”
“Let us leave Baannat for a moment and talk about you. Whether you wish to admit it or not, Ryson was right. You have acted in the past. You have even possibly interfered, but perhaps you just don’t realize it. Every time a spell caster comes here seeking guidance from you and you give it, you have inserted yourself in what may come to pass in the future.”
“But I don’t actually guide these people,” Enin insisted. “I give them something to think about and send them on their way. The choices they make are up to them, and thus I don’t interfere. I also don’t make good magic casters stronger or evil ones weaker. I treat everyone equal.”
“You made me stronger; considerably stronger in fact. My power as a magic caster has grown significantly since I have joined you.”
“That is true, and for that we can actually thank Tabris.”
Holli cast a doubtful eye at the wizard. “And why is that?”
“Tabris was neutral, then she turned to evil. That opened the way for me to make you stronger and yet maintain the balance. And that is exactly what I’m talking about. Tabris’ actions allowed me the opportunity to make you stronger as a force of good just as my actions might allow Baannat an opportunity to act in a terrible way.”
“You were determined to increase my power before you learned of Tabris’ choice,” Holli noted. “You made that a stipulation of my being your guard and that occurred before Tabris joined with Sazar.”
“Yes, I did, but there was a reason for that as well. At that time, I was still slightly stronger then Baannat and could afford to work with you. If I tipped the balance slightly, it would not have been enough to affect the total balance because it was already in my favor. However when Tabris turned, it opened the door very wide. Even though I have been able to enhance your powers far beyond what I originally planned, Baannat was still unable to gain strength because evil was strengthened through Tabris’ choice. In fact, Baannat actually lost strength compared to me. That in itself should illustrate why I must be careful in what I do.”
“This is all very confusing to me,” Holli admitted. “You’re trying to tell me you can’t act in some ways because it will allow Baannat to counteract what you do. If you overreach, you will make Baannat stronger.”
“That is precisely what I mean.”
Holli remained doubtful and made such sentiments clear. “I will have to think on this.”