by L. S. Gibson
Knowing to whom he referred, Amired said, "Because I've not asked them."
"Hellas, why not?"
Amired didn't bother to answer. He wasn't sure he knew what to say. Was he just letting his pride get in the way of common sense? The muscles in his right arm were quivering with strain. Lords, what am I doing?
He was about to call for Aldous to send a sailor down to the cabin when a short ways ahead he spied the coast edging west, only a little, but enough to make the channel between the land and the maelstrom that bit wider. Amired saw the map of the coast in his mind's eye and knew just where they were. The large bay of Hootsmais was just around the headland and the Horologue would be safe from there on. By the time they cleared the bay, the maelstrom would be left behind and then it was plain sailing north.
As relief flooded him, Amired said to Warkist, "There's your answer."
"Captain?" Warkist didn't understand.
"That's Hootsmais Point," Amired explained. "We're safe once past there."
"Thank the Lords!"
"Indeed." Amired was filled with pride that he hadn't needed to rely on the magi after all.
Chapter 5
There was a knock on the door, to which Ninian called, "Come on in."
A smiling Amired entered. "I trust you weren't too disturbed by our close run in with the maelstrom?"
"Ah, so that's what it was. The Maidoloss maelstrom. I gather you didn't take the long route around the islands," Ninian said.
"You made it quite clear you needed to reach the north in the shortest possible time. Though I admit the maelstrom appeared much closer to the coast than the last time I saw it, and it made the passage more dangerous than I expected."
"It's not just closer; its size has increased," Jhond said absently, his concentration still on the metallic library in his hands.
"How can you know that?" Amired asked, immediately flushing as Jhond glanced at him with an eyebrow raised. "Ah, of course. I wish you could've warned me before I made my decision," he said, almost under his breath.
"You didn't ask," Ninian commented, and Amired looked embarrassed again.
"I thought to let you alone to do..." Amired frowned. "Do whatever it is you're doing."
Jhond laughed. "To be honest, I didn't know it was larger until we were passing it by and I sensed the growing energy."
Amired looked alarmed. "Are you saying the maelstrom is being influenced by something, someone?"
"No, no. I wasn't sensing any outside source...just that nature is never static. The vortex was surging, growing in power. It may fade and again be how you knew it or it may remain as it is now."
"I could wish it chose another time to surge," Amired muttered.
"How much longer do you think you'll be able to keep sailing north?" Ninian asked.
"Hard to be certain until I have more information about what's happening with the northern wastes," Amired said. "Your comment about nature not being static is what's been on my mind about the ice sheets. I want to put in at Ordisk. I'll be able to gather more accurate information there." Amired glanced from one man to the other. "Unless you want to use your power to look? Save us the time?"
"Bypass Ordisk and sail on to Waildon. We'll leave the ship and travel on from there," Jhond said.
Amired looked confused. "Waildon? But I can get you farther north than that by sea. Not only that, but Waildon is on this side of the northern highland range. You don't want to travel over there if you don't have to."
"Yes. I've traversed that range before, and it's not something I wish to repeat. What aren't you telling me, Jhond?" Ninian queried.
Tapping the metallic sheet under his hand, Jhond said, "This is even more useful than I imagined. It gives a thorough description of Leon, the capital city of Garileon, and in particular, a very detailed one of the castle of the ruling family of the state. It gives the name of the ruling family as Thail."
Ninian's eyes widened. "Why didn't I know that? The only information I gleaned from the Hartees records was that the Thail family was well regarded in their home state of Garileon. I can't understand why something as important as that they were the ruling family was omitted."
Jhond shrugged. "I can only assume that in all the confusion around the time of the Withdrawal, certain information was missed, or maybe lost over time." Ninian still appeared upset, and to distract him, Jhond added, "It also talks of the annual visit taken by a representative of the family to pay respects to the king in his palace at Waildon."
"But there's not been a king at Waildon for over two centuries," Amired said.
"True, but that's not the point. Using this detailed information, I can use the Strands of Time from the palace in Waildon to view the castle in Garileon, and once I have more detailed knowledge of the castle, we can travel there using the pendant."
"Couldn't you use the Strands from here now you have points of reference?" Amired queried.
"Probably, but I prefer the added certainty of being in the vicinity of the palace in Waildon when I do so."
"How long before we reach Waildon?" Ninian queried. He seemed to have regained his equilibrium.
"If this weather holds, tomorrow evening," Amired said.
"It will hold." Jhond's statement left no room for doubt. After a moment he added, "You're concerned, Amired." It was not a question.
"What do you want me to do while you are...travelling?"
"We don't know how long our mission might take," Ninian commented.
"So we wait here in case you need us?" Amired asked.
"Is that necessary?" Ninian asked Jhond. "Amired could take his ship back, perhaps pick up a cargo."
It was Amired who answered, "I have been well paid, so a cargo is not necessary. I was thinking it might help if I continued on north, in case that would be useful?"
Jhond smiled. "And what would your crew think of that plan?"
"I care not what the crew thinks. I'm the captain, and they know it." A simple statement of fact, not a boast.
Jhond smiled again. "I think that would be an excellent idea. It may not be necessary, but I'm always glad to have you in attendance, my friend. And if it helps keep your crew sweet, I'm sure we can offer you a bonus."
"You're very generous," Amired said, with a slight bow. "I'd better make sure we have extra warm clothing ready, though," Amired added thoughtfully.
"How far north can you sail?" Ninian asked.
Amired shrugged. "I won't know for sure until I get there. The ice travels farther south some years than others. I'll be able to pick up hints as I go, calling into ports as I think fit."
"When you've sailed as far north as you can, just pass a finger quickly over the gemstone of my ring and think of me. I'll know where you are. Don't press it firmly, though, as that's an indication of danger."
Ninian glanced down at the special ring now residing on his finger. "And if I'm in trouble and need help, I rub it twice?" He looked up at Jhond with a grin on his face.
Jhond smiled back, but said, "I'll assume the more often you rub it, the more you need me."
* * * *
It felt good to walk on solid ground again. Jhond enjoyed being at sea, but the land was his domain. He stood and took a deep breath, taking in the smells of the docks and surrounding buildings, a mixture of rough stone, baked brick and dark wood, brightened by large paned windows. It was very different from his home in the countryside of Timendra, but he'd learned to appreciate the differences that foreign lands brought.
Ninian laughed gently beside him, and Jhond turned to look at him. "You're amused?"
"Oh, yes. Your expression was a mixture of distaste and pleasure, quite the combination," Ninian said.
Jhond couldn't help but smile. "I can imagine, but now we have no more time to waste."
"What do you need? I admit to being a little surprised when you said to Amired that you wanted to be in Waildon before attempting to use the pendant. You've never before needed a specific starting point, only a fir
m knowledge of the destination."
"True, but that's the point. I don't have a firm knowledge of the destination. Garileon was little more than a name to me, and I knew next to nothing about it until you mentioned it."
"Yes, and it's now apparent I don't know as much as I thought I did," Ninian said.
Jhond decided to ignore the reference and said, "Everything I know I've learned from the metallic library. It would definitely help to have a detailed path to follow. I wish to commence my trip from the starting point in Waildon of the long ago journey home to Garileon."
"Now I understand; that makes perfect sense. And where is this starting point?"
"The gates of the king's palace."
"But there is no king, no palace any longer," Ninian said.
"I know, but what was once the palace is now the halls of justice. If I can find the place where the gates once stood--"
"It wouldn't be wise to use the pendant in the open, Jhond," Ninian interrupted.
"And I won't. Let's go check out the area and then we can make firm plans."
It didn't take long to reach the sprawling halls of justice, and Jhond marveled at the sight the palace must have been when a king ruled these people. Even now, the building was impressive. At each end of a large, central, semi-circular building of light-colored stone, was a tall, thin tower in a darker stone, topped with bright metal cupolas. The central building consisted of two stories and at the front the curve of the semi-circle was lined with two sets of three tall, thin windows either side of a wide entrance with double doors edged with the same metal as the cupolas.
The last king had been overthrown as being a cruel tyrant, and with his recent experience with the Illurian emperor, Jhond only had sympathy for the people's action. It also made him appreciate how lucky his own people were in the ruling family of Timendra.
The palace gates themselves were no longer there, but the stone posts still stood proud, now supporting an intricately carved wooden sign indicating that justice was available for all who walked between the posts and through the doors beyond. There were people milling about everywhere, some standing in groups just talking, while others walked past entering or leaving through the stone pillars.
"Too many people," Jhond said quietly to Ninian, who nodded as he glanced around.
"Yes, and there's nowhere near enough to hide," Ninian replied.
Jhond sighed. "Let's slip behind that building"--he indicated an inn nearby--"where hopefully we can find a quiet spot. I'll make us invisible, then we'll come back here and I can take us to Garileon."
"I'll make us invisible," Ninian corrected. "You don't need to do everything. There's no knowing what else you might need your power for. Being the Eynan doesn't mean your power is inexhaustible."
"Yes, Master Ninian," Jhond said with grin. Ninian shrugged. "I think you miss those times when I was ignorant and you seemed so wise."
"Seemed wise, eh?" Ninian raised an eyebrow.
Jhond grasped his arm. "I don't know what I'd do without you. Eynan or not, I always value your advice."
"I always thought you were smart." Ninian grinned. "Then come and let's begin. I'd better add some warmer clothing to my spell as well, since it's going to be a lot colder where we materialize."
They casually walked to the inn, the front of which was quite busy with people going in and out, and even a few men leaning against the wall drinking as they chatted. Jhond and Ninian passed the stables at the side and sauntered around to the back. There were crates and barrels stacked by the back door and lots of noise could be heard from inside the kitchen, but they were relieved to find the rough area at the rear was empty.
Quickly drawing a few sigils and murmuring the words of magic, it took but an instant for Ninian to spell them both. A couple of minutes later, safely invisible and wrapped in thick woolen cloaks, Jhond removed the pendant from around his neck and placed it face down on top of the ring on his finger.
They moved swiftly from the rear of the inn back to the pillars in front of the halls of justice. Choosing a position off to one side and away from the flow of people, Jhond prepared to take them to Garileon. With a last glance at Ninian, who placed his hand on Jhond's arm, Jhond saw an image in his mind's eye of the castle at Garileon and then twisted the pendant one quarter turn against the ring. Jhond felt the familiar heat emanating from the ring as their journey through space began.
Jhond knew Ninian ensured that his invisibility spell would still be in force when they arrived in the precincts of the castle in Garileon. However, it was soon very clear there was no one else around. The once beautiful building, which had been home to the Thail family as the rulers of Garileon, was now in ruins and long abandoned.
"Not quite what I expected," Ninian commented, as he removed the invisibility spell.
"No, but ruins or not, this is the correct place," Jhond said, glancing around, letting his senses free to confirm there was no one else about. All he could sense were small animals and insects.
Glancing around, Ninian said, "No, I mean this is not quite right in terms of what I saw in my vision. There does seem to be some similarity in style to the place I saw, the architecture, even the dilapidation, but this is certainly not where I saw the young mage." Ninian frowned. "This does seem to confirm what happened to the Thail family though."
"You're thinking they are no more, but just because the building is in ruins doesn't necessarily mean the family has died out."
"Possibly, but this isn't encouraging." He shrugged. "Let's put that to one side for the time being and see if we can't find the female mage."
"Very well, time for a little investigation." Jhond strode off farther inside what had once been an ornate castle. It had been stripped of anything remotely valuable; all that was left were moss-covered stones, dust and cobwebs, insects and a variety of small animals, which had made the ruins their home.
Jhond automatically made for what was left of one of the towers. Their climb was well lit due to the chunks of wall missing, which allowed the sharp light of the cold day inside. It was still necessary, though, to be careful, as some of the rubble had fallen inside, blocking portions of the steps. With a wave of his hand, Jhond blasted away the larger blocks, Ninian coughing behind him the first time because Jhond didn't warn him what he was about to do. Jhond flashed him an apologetic glance, but couldn't hide the smile, and Ninian cuffed him on the back, eliciting a laugh.
It wasn't long before they reached the top of the tower, open to the elements now as most of the roof was missing.
"It'll suffice," Jhond said, drawing his cloak tighter about him.
"It'd be better to create a heat spell for ourselves," Ninian said.
"Yes, but better create them on the stairs," Jhond said, moving a few steps down.
Standing beside him, Ninian began to cast the spell, Jhond copying him immediately.
"Ah, that's better," Jhond said, taking off the heavy cloak once his personal heat wave took effect and leaving it to one side. He picked up his satchel because he'd need its contents to make preparations for the spell.
Climbing back to the top of the tower, they quickly brushed away the dirt from the center of the floor. The floor could have been cleaned more easily and much faster with a spell, but any such magistry might interfere with the protection circle they were going to create. They had done this together quite a few times now and worked in perfect harmony to draw the outer circle in rock salt and the inner circle with black basalt, painting the sigils of power in between the two circles. Then they sat together in the precise center, facing each other, but not quite touching.
Jhond saw Ninian close his eyes as he searched out the seat of his talent. Quickly closing his eyes, Jhond did the same. He wondered if he would ever get used to the feeling of power surging through his body. He remembered the thrill he had experienced when he'd felt the first trickle of power back in the Temple of the Magi when Ninian had taught him he was a mage. There was no comparison to the power he had
now. Would that thrill ever leave him? Would he ever become so used to wielding his tremendous power that he gave it no thought at all? That idea chilled him. Power such as he could wield should never be used thoughtlessly.
Dismissing his errant thoughts as he sensed Ninian reaching for him, Jhond merged his power with Ninian's. In this way, they could share the search and both see any resulting visions. Once they were ready, they recited the words of the spell in unison and let it loose to search.
It wasn't long before Ninian murmured, "There."
Jhond followed Ninian as his essence swiftly moved down into yet another ruined stone building, deep inside, then outward, until he saw the young woman who had drawn them so far north. There was no doubt that she was a mage. Even in her resting state, she exuded power, more power than Jhond had expected. It was easy for him to attach a tracking spell to her.
"Done," Jhond told Ninian, and they both withdrew.
Jhond opened his eyes to find Ninian staring at him. "So much power," he commented. "More than I felt from her before and this time she was sleeping. How can that be?"
Jhond knew Ninian wasn't really asking him. Ninian knew more about power and its uses than Jhond did, even though he was the Eynan.
"I have a direct link to her now," Jhond said. "So let's go and get some answers."
"Where?" Ninian asked.
"A little farther north. At the edge of the mountains bordering the icy wastes."
"Did you get enough of a feel for the place to use the pendant to take us there?"
"Yes, and I wouldn't particularly wish to travel through those mountains by the more mundane method anyhow," Jhond said.
Ninian nodded his agreement and, with a quickly murmured spell, removed all trace of their power circle and returned the tower room to its previous filthy state. When they were both ready, Jhond removed his pendant and affixed it to his ring. As soon as Ninian grasped his arm, Jhond closed his eyes and brought to mind the vision of the young woman, but found it seemed hazy, as if he couldn't see her clearly. He shook his head and tried again, but with the same result.