They continued in relative quiet for the next few hours. Alrion had no idea how long had actually elapsed, because the dark and the bare surroundings didn't offer any idea of how far they had travelled.
"How do you keep us on track?" Alrion said.
"You learn to develop a good internal compass. There are minor clues spread around, and also our footsteps are a good marker," Certan said. Alrion paused and looked back. There was definitely evidence of their passing.
"How long do they stick around?" Lara said.
"It depends on the winds. Hours probably, not more usually. There's not as much shifting around here unless there's a storm so it can be longer if the weather permits. Are you worried about us being followed?" Certan said.
"Not really, I was just curious. I like to know what kind of trail we are leaving."
"That's quite wise. It would be easy for someone to follow us right now. We would probably see evidence of their light if that were the case, but you never know," Certan said. Alrion started to imagine people tracking them through the desert then dismissed the thought. He quickened his pace to catch up to Certan. Just as he drew close, Certan abruptly stopped.
"Alrion, magnify the light again please," he said. Alrion complied, giving Certan a good view of the distance.
"Do you see that?" Certan said, pointing.
"No, what is it?" Alrion said.
"Is that a storm?" Lara said.
"Yes. Quite a big one if you can see it from this distance in the dark," Certan said.
"What do we do?" Alrion said.
"We look for shelter, we can't take any chances. I don't like the way it is moving, it seems unnatural.” Certan started to look around at the area. As before, there was nothing around just the flat expanse of sand.
"I can build something," Alrion said.
"It's our only chance. I just hope you can make it strong, this is going to be a nasty storm," Certan said.
"No pressure then. I've just been training all day and walking all night," Alrion said with a sigh.
"Dig deep please. I've heard of these storms and they're awful," Lara said. Alrion tried to shake off his exhaustion and concentrate.
"It's approaching quite fast. You've probably got five minutes," Certan said.
"That will do," Alrion said, trying to sound confident. He had made a slightly curved wall, but that wasn't going to be enough. He needed to completely cover them.
"Here goes," he said to himself, and started gathering his Spark. It seemed to be in good supply, which was reassuring. It was the mental exertion and fatigue that he had to combat. He first detected a body of water nearby, then began to draw together his wall. Rather than just go with the curve, he visualised it extending further in the shape of a dome. Several times he had to stop, and reform a section because it wasn't right. But he seemed to be getting the structural integrity right.
"I don't mean to alarm you, but it's almost upon us. If we don't have a complete shield we're going to be buried alive in sand," Certan said. Alrion increased his efforts, but also increased his mistakes.
"I think you just need to finish this," Lara said. Alrion didn't look up but he heard the fear in her voice. His dome was only three-quarters completed, and they were all hunched over to stay within it.
"Get down now! Alrion do what you can to finish," Certan said. Lara lay down quickly, and Certan joined her. Alrion slowly sank down as he held his concentration. He could hear the whistling and howling of the wind, and the sand flying everywhere. It was almost upon them. He extended his dome, just as the first wave of sand hit it. He could feel the impact of the wind and sand on his creation.
"It's not going to hold, do something!" Lara said. Certan half stood up and braced the weak section with his hands. Alrion infused the sand with his Spark, trying to reinforce it. He felt the structure of the dome altering and re-forming. It was hardening in a way that he had never achieved in his practise. "Over there, is that another storm?" Lara shouted above the howling.
Sand was entering from the not-quite closed rear of the dome. Certan lay down, blocking the gap with his body and Alrion rushed to complete the dome. As he was extending it he was trying to strengthen it. He collapsed to his knees, and released the spell. The three of them sat very quietly, listening to the storm rage around them.
"I think you did it," Certain said with caution. Lara crept around the whole structure, listening carefully, and feeling it with her hands.
"I think it will hold, for now," she said, looking at Alrion with concern.
26
Key Finding
Keys jangled and the lock creaked and groaned. The heavy metal door slowly opened, making even more noise than anything else. Vincent looked up with interest to see who was coming in.
"Glinda, lovely to see you," he said.
"I'm here to ask more questions," she said, closing the door behind herself and making sure it locked.
"Don't trust us?" Celes said.
"Not at all. As you may be aware, you are being held here for Wraith," she said.
"Oh, he's not nearby? Where might he be?" Celes said.
"Not here. Only the councillor would know his location and plans," Glinda said. The tone of her voice was the same, but Vincent noticed something odd. She seemed to be giving them more information than was actually necessary.
"So, it may take a while for him to get here?" Vincent said.
"Not sure, probably. That's why it's worth me asking you some additional questions," Glinda said.
"I'm not sure what you would want to know," Celes said.
"We want to know where your son is. Where is Alrion?" Glinda said. Her tone was very formal and stiff.
"I don't actually know," Celes said.
"And you? What's your answer?" Glinda said to Vincent.
"Sorry, I also don't know." Vincent showed his open palms.
"Unfortunately, they are not going to accept those answers," Glinda said.
"That's a shame now isn't it. Will that look bad for you?" Vincent said. He didn't have any malice in his voice. He was more interested in getting a real response from the female guard.
"Yes, it will. They will escalate to more extreme methods of questioning," she said.
"All we know is that he was here recently, but have no idea where he is now," Vincent said, offering her something.
"He was here? Tell me more," Glinda said.
"He didn't enter the city, you had it all locked up. But he managed to get word through to us regardless," Celes said.
"I see," Glinda said, staring off into space.
"Perhaps you could satisfy a curiosity of mine. You seem to have that far-away look when you are communicating with your...colleagues. Is that something that you must concentrate to do, or do you always overhear each other?" Vincent said. His comments snapped Glinda out of her apparent daze.
"You have been somewhat accommodating so I'll answer. It is a conscious communication. You must purposefully broadcast, and the others must be listening out. But there are some who can dominate with their message regardless of the listeners," Glinda said.
"I see, like Wraith," Vincent said.
"Exactly." Glinda nodded.
"They only know what you tell them? They can't spy on you?" Vincent said.
"No."
"Good. So, if you were to help us, nobody would have to know," Vincent said. Celes looked at him and realised that Vincent had been working towards this.
"Why would I help you?" Glinda said.
"Because you have a child. You don't seem like a bad person. I don't know how you ended up in this situation, but it's not something you can easily escape. Can't we help each other?" Vincent said.
"I don't see how you could help me. I would risk everything for nothing," Glinda said.
"I'm sure there is something we can do for you right now. But what our son is doing, is cleansing the Blight from the world. You won't have to live with this forever," Vincent said.
That got Glin
da's attention. "He can cure us?" That's not possible," Glinda said.
"It happened to Avaria, there's your proof that it's possible," Vincent said.
"But that was twenty years ago. And it was a spell cast by the greatest of all wizards," Glinda said.
"Yes, my father and Alrion's grandfather. If you help us, you are helping that future." Vincent could see that he had the guard's attention. He could see the struggle in her features, as much as she tried to hide them. His assessment had been correct, she wasn't willingly a part of this. But she looked afraid. He needed something to offer her right now. "I know that sounds like a long shot. But what if we took care of the councillor. He seems to run things around here. If he were gone, would you be able to disappear? Or at least fade into the background?" Vincent said.
"You don't know what you are suggesting," Glinda said.
"Yes, we do. We are offering to remove the man who is controlling this city, and freeing you up to make your own decisions," Celes said. Glinda seemed to be weakening.
"You just need to give us the opportunity and we will do the rest. We won't divulge your involvement at all, so you won't be under suspicion. Can you help us?" Vincent said. Glinda appeared conflicted. Her fear was obvious. But a look of resolve crossed her face. She had decided.
"I will help you in this. But if anything goes wrong, I will side with him. I must," Glinda said.
"Perfectly fair. Celes, do you have a plan in mind?" Vincent said.
"Yes, let me explain it to you both," she said, a smile breaking out on her face.
Glinda locked the door behind her and strode down the corridor. Her involvement was minimal, but she couldn't afford to make any mistakes. The trickiest part was just ahead of her.
She didn't run into anyone else in the hallways, which was a relief. She didn't know the others that well, and there was little chance that they would notice anything different. But she was glad to not have the encounters, they were a possibility for throwing her off her guard. As expected she found the councillor in his library.
"Any news?" he said, looking up from a pile of papers.
"They won't talk," she said.
"And have you tried persuading them?" he said with annoyance.
"No, I really don't have the skill for it and I thought that you would have better luck. I thought that in the meantime I could search their accommodation," she said.
"They wouldn't talk but you know where they live?" the councillor said with suspicion. He had put his papers away and was focusing entirely on her. Glinda cursed herself inwardly. She had embellished too much on the detail with real facts she had been told.
"They made a mistake, a slight one, then retracted it. But I believe I know where they have been staying and wish to investigate it as soon as possible," Glinda said.
"I see, that's wise. There may be evidence of their plans there. Go look into it, and I'll let you know if I learn anything or confirm where they have been staying," the councillor said. He rose from his chair slowly.
"If only you were more resourceful, I wouldn't have to do these things myself," he said.
"My apologies, hopefully I can make up for it," Glinda said.
"Yes, let's hope so. Go on, get out my sight before I make you join me. I haven't forgotten your reluctance for proper interrogation, and may just change my mind and attempt to instruct you further," he said. Glinda bowed quickly and left immediately.
"Almost there," she thought to herself. She went directly to the side entrance of the house and left the door ajar as she left. Finally, she made her way around the perimeter to the front.
"You are relieved, I'm taking over until shift change," she told the guards.
"Really?" But there's not long left until changeover. Why?" the first guard said.
"I have to wait around anyway, figured I could cut you a break. Hurry up before I reconsider," Glinda said.
"That won't be a problem. Thanks!" the second guard said, and almost dragged his companion away. Glinda watched them leave and waited. She had to stop herself from tapping her foot. The nervous energy was almost too much.
"They better know what they are doing," she said to herself.
Vincent heard the steady footsteps outside the door, and stepped to the side, ready to strike. As the door opened, he rushed over and threw an elbow at the man entering. He saw the attack coming, but couldn't react in time and crumpled to the ground.
"Ugly, but effective," Vincent said.
"Let's get him somewhere else," Celes said. Vincent picked up the councillor and Celes helped carry him out into the hallway. One of them held the man up under each arm, and Vincent freed a hand to close the door behind them.
"She better be right about the patrols and servants, because we look mighty suspicious right now," Celes said.
"She's trustworthy. Let's just be quick," Vincent said. They slowly navigated around several corners, ending up back in a small private library. "This looks like the place," he said. They shuffled inside and dropped the councillor down into his large reading chair. "I'll watch him while you review the material there," Vincent said pointing to the pile of papers.
Celes quickly leafed through, scanning each page. "Not much of interest, it's pretty mundane. Maybe they don't put anything dangerous down on paper?" she said.
"Anything at all out of the ordinary?" Vincent said.
"They have a note about trade routes through the desert," Celes said.
"Isn't that unusual? We should ask him about that," Vincent said.
"Good idea. Give me a moment and I'll prepare the elixir." Celes retrieved a few vials from her cloak and mixed them carefully.
"Down the hatch," she said, as Vincent helped her open the councillor's mouth. He coughed suddenly and woke up, looking around the room.
"What's happening?" he said. His voice was a little slurred, and his speech slower than usual.
"You're drugged, and you're going to tell us exactly what we want to know," Celes said.
"The prisoners? How can this be?"
"You underestimated us. Don't even think about calling for help, the concoction you drank has dulled your senses," Vincent said.
"You think you're clever, but you won't get away with this," the councillor said with considerable effort.
"If you're so sure, just tell us what we want to know," Celes said. The councillor looked conflicted and confused. His confidence was still there, but he was a little unsure of himself.
"What could you possibly want to know anyway?" he said with satisfaction. Like he was both showing off and resisting at the same time.
"We want to know what Wraith is planning. He's organised you all - for what purpose?" Vincent said.
"Oh, I can't possibly tell you that. But I can share something. Something that you will find interesting," the councillor said. He had an odd grin on his face.
"Did you know that Wraith is in the desert? He's heading for an old temple to destroy it before a certain someone gets the chance to visit," he said, attempting a slow chuckle that sounded horrible.
"Wraith is in the desert? How long as he been there?" Vincent said.
"Oh, I don't know. But he's got an army with him. I sure hope your son isn't there, he'll be in for some trouble," the councillor said again. He couldn't contain his awkward laughter.
"Time to end this," Celes said. Vincent belted the councillor in the jaw and the man slumped down in his chair, unconscious.
"What do we do with him?" Celes said.
"I was going to ask you what the plan is. I think we can discredit him enough to neuter his authority." Vincent saw Celes's face light up with the possibilities.
Celes scouted ahead while Vincent half carried half dragged the councillor along. They had stripped him of all his clothes and soaked him in the expensive liquor they found in his library.
"I can't handle the stench from here, not sure how you're managing," Celes said.
"Just moving forward," Vincent said.
Celes laug
hed and went further ahead once more. She stepped out and made eye contact with Glinda. Glinda nodded, left the gate unattended and stepped out onto the street. "Coast is clear, let's finish this." Celes returned to help Vincent and they rushed out of the grounds as quickly as possible and eased the councillor down onto a wooden bench across from his house. "I hope this does the trick," Celes said.
"You can stick around and monitor the situation. I must go after Alrion," Vincent said.
"But that's suicide! You don't know the desert!" Celes said. Her eyes pleaded with him.
"No, it's fine. I can manage, I have the directions. Take care, I'll find our son." Vincent gave Celes a quick kiss and ran off into the street.
Celes watched him go, all the elation of their escape and victory dispersing all at once.
27
The Desert Temple
As the storm settled in Alrion began to relax a little.
"We should take turns remaining on watch, so we can warn Alrion if there's danger of the shelter breaking," Certan said.
"That sounds wise, I'm not sure if I could sleep otherwise. I don't trust this, no offence Alrion," Lara said.
"None taken, I'm a little amazed it actually worked. How about you both sleep first, I can't sleep immediately anyway, I need to monitor this a bit more and try to relax," Alrion said.
"No problem. Make sure you wake me before you get too sleepy. Then I'll wake Lara for her shift," Certan said. Then he and Lara slowly prepared to sleep, laying out some blankets to lie on. They took additional care to not bump into any of the walls protecting them.
Alrion couldn't sleep yet, but needed something else to focus on. He decided to review his spell book, and that strange notebook he had been receiving messages in.
"I wonder if it's Falric sending them," Alrion thought to himself. He still wasn't sure of Falric's fate, although he secretly wished the wizard had survived. Alrion still carried the guilt of not being able to help his mentor.
"Next time, I won't fail," he told himself. He saw the notebook first, and reached for it. Leafing through the pages, he found a new entry.
Vault of Silence (The Hidden Wizard Book 2) Page 19