by Bob Blink
“One aspect we haven’t addressed is the library in Ygooro. There is good reason to want to investigate what is there, but anyone doing so would have to have knowledge of the system. That could greatly increase the number of people involved.”
“I think for now we will limit those with access and awareness to Nerila and Rifod,” said Vaen. “They already know about everything, and having them there will keep them away from any potentially dangerous encounters. I don’t want them on any more of your adventures. They can start cataloging the find, and next spring when we know our plans, we can reconsider if others will be allowed access. It will slow progress down, but I think that will be essential if we are to maintain secrecy.”
“There’s another place I’d like Buris to help” said Jolan. “We have had good luck out there, but it might be wise to reinforce the tunnel walls with the power. He could look and see what might be advisable. We might want to check the map book and see if one of the portals closer to the library is available.”
“Any objections to bringing Buris into the group?” Vaen asked even though it was her decision.
No one objected, and she nodded. “Okay, Buris is in. We are lucky the portal here is in a little used part of the building, but I want to set up a ward that we can all use to obtain access, but which will keep others out. Placing guards would just draw attention to the place. Ward, I’m putting you in charge of the portal. You figure out the best way to keep it secure.”
“When are you planning on telling the Queen?” Jolan asked.
“Right now,” she replied. “I think you should do the same with Buris. I know he’s aware you have returned and will be wondering why you haven’t visited.”
* * * *
As Jolan hurried through the buildings toward Buris’ lab, he passed a number of people he knew. Some simply waved, and others looked surprised to see him back. He didn’t take the time to stop and talk. There was too much to do, and he was getting a bit uncomfortable that neither of the other portals had been opened as yet. If there were problems in Seret, he would have expected a telegram, so Ronoran and Morin probably simply had not arrived in Carta yet. He was mostly worried about Asari and Luzoke, who’d had to sneak behind the enemy lines to reach their goal. Could something have gone wrong?
“Wondered when you would show up,” remarked Buris when Jolan strolled into the lab. “What do you think of this?”
Buris handed him a very nice looking lever action rifle. It was well made, with a slim barrel and good balance.
“They’ve gotten better. Did they learn our secrets for the steel?”
Buris shook his head. “This is one of ours. We took their design and started making copies, but with improvements. We also are making them with the same ammunition, so we can use any of their ammo we capture. Seems like we should have the same firing rate. Ours are more accurate, lighter, and we still have the accurized versions of our own design for the snipers.” Buris looked over at Jolan. “Did you find what you were looking for?”
“Not exactly, but some clues. We did find a few things I need to tell you about.”
“That’s incredible,” said Buris after Jolan finished a half-hour summary of their adventures. “You have one of these working here on the campus?”
“Just the one over in the Council building,” Jolan explained. “Chancellor Vaen thought the one out back was a bit too public.”
Jolan was about to suggest that they go over for a demonstration, when Ward came hurrying into the lab.
“Asari’s here,” he said. “They are taking him to the infirmary.”
“What happened?” asked Jolan, immediately concerned.
“He was shot,” said Ward. “It was well over a week ago, and it’s not too bad. He and Luzoke apparently killed all those involved so there is no concern that the enemy knows what is going on. He can tell you when you see him. His leg is sore because he has been abusing it since he was wounded, and it might be a bit infected. They are taking him to the infirmary so the medical mages can have a look at it.”
Concern for his friend warred against the relief that he was here safely. “Let’s go,” he said to Buris, who was already standing and ready to follow.
Asari gave him a sheepish grin when he walked into the room. The mage examining him had finished up a few minutes earlier and, after dosing the area liberally with a stinking concoction and ordering him to stay off of it until otherwise directed, had left.
“I told you to be careful,” Jolan said, but his smile overshadowed his censure.
“You should see Luzoke’s beams,” said Asari, shifting the discussion from his wound. “He can do things you wouldn’t believe. Hi Buris,” he said as he realized that his former employer was standing off to the side behind Ward.
“Where is he?” asked Jolan. His concern for Asari had made him forget about the other member of his band.
“Dibon took him to talk with the Chancellor,” Asari explained. “We kind of popped into the portal area unannounced. When we activated the unit up by the lake we saw the new location, and assumed it was most likely here in Cobalo, so we gave it a try. Dragons, but he looked surprised when we came walking out of the portal.”
At Jolan’s prompting, Asari provided a compact summary of their brief scouting of the area around the lake.
“You don’t think the tunnel you found is an entrance to Tilano?” asked Jolan.
Asasi shook his head. “It was too dark and small. Besides, wouldn’t they have had the portals? And I can’t see it being a tunnel used in the construction of a hidden city either. The tunnel heads to the lake. We had to be getting close to the water down there. There wouldn’t be room for the city.”
“Any ideas?”
“Luzoke thinks it is some kind of a drain to let water out of the lake. It could be used for that, but how would it be controlled and why?”
“Another mystery. What about the rest of the lake?”
“We still have to search. As soon as they let me out of here, Luzoke and I can have a look.”
Jolan shook his head. “I’ll talk to Luzoke, and we’ll see how we want to do this. Until that wound is healed, you aren’t to go climbing up there.”
“Use your ring,” Asari said, impatient to be moving again.
“Ronoran has it,” Jolan explained, and then told him about Morin and the problem his wife was having.
“Do you think she will be okay?” asked Asari with concern. If anything, he’d been closer to the family than Jolan.
“I hope so, but until they get to Seret and open the portal or send a message we won’t know. Until then, you need to take it easy as well.”
Asari looked uncertain, but he’d had a rough week on the leg, and agreed to stay put.
“I’m going to go and find Luzoke, and we’ll see what makes sense. You tell Buris exactly what you found while I’m gone.”
Luzoke verified the details of Asari’s story and explained how they had slipped out of Angon, and then had been seen on the trail by the Ale’ald troops. It was pretty clear that Vaen was unhappy about how easily they had been able to bypass the border guards, although at the same time glad they had be able to. Wylan was tasked with looking into the problem. He was also concerned about Jolan’s plans to scout the lake.
“It would be better if you had a bit of support while you are up there. I have some special troops that I could send, but already that would compromise the portals. I trust these men, but I’m not sure it is wise to send them if it means revealing what we can do.”
There weren’t enough people to do everything, and it was going to take far too long if they restricted their manpower. It didn’t have to be decided immediately, but Jolan was beginning to think he would want some of Wylan’s people to help.
The next afternoon Jolan was in the portal room on one of his frequent visits when the structure emitted a small chime. Ronoran had told him it had done that when they’d opened the oasis portal. He walked over and into the opening. Ther
e were now four possible destinations shown. Two were the portals far to the south, one was the portal up by the lake which he’d now logged into memory, so the last one, actually the third one showing, must be Seret. No time like the present he said, and selected that destination.
As Jolan emerged from the portal he couldn’t help but enjoy the looks on the faces of Tomas and Morin, who stood a few feet away. After a quick nod to Ronoran, who wasn’t particularly surprised to see Jolan come strolling out of the entrance, he walked over to Tomas and took his hand.
“It’s been a long time my friend,” he said.
Tomas took his hand in return, but before he could speak Morin interrupted.
“You’ve been here all the time? If you were coming to Seret anyway, why did you ask us to come?”
“I was in Cobalo until just a moment ago,” explained Jolan. “What you have here is the greatest secret you’ve ever known.”
Jolan realized that Ingari was there as well, and walked over and gave her a hug. “How are you?” he asked, not knowing whether the ring had been of any help.
“Your miracle has cured me,” she said with a warm smile. “It appears you have several miracles to share.”
With everyone gathered together he spoke to them all. “This is indeed a bit of a miracle, but it is not one to be shared. Not for now. This discovery of the old technology could well change the course of the war. I need to impress on each of you the importance of what you have seen and the absolute necessity of not telling anyone. I would like to ask each of you to come with me right now. I’d like you to meet with some people in Cobalo so you can understand what we are doing.”
“Cobalo?” asked Tomas. “You are serious that this will take us to Cobalo?”
“And much further than that Tomas. We can go to Cobalo and meet, and then come back for a bit of a celebration afterwards. Is that acceptable?”
A bit nervous, the others agreed. Jolan explained about the symbols that would appear, and what the symbols for the Cobalo station would look like. He led them inside the entrance and watched as each disappeared, then made his own selection.
Tomas, who had been in the Council building once before several years ago, recognized where he was. Morin and his wife were somewhat confused, realizing only that they had somehow transitioned from outside to inside by going into the stone pedestal.
“Dragons, that’s amazing,” said Tomas. “We really are in Cobalo.”
“Let’s go up and see the Chancellor,” suggested Jolan. “We can explain what we have found and how you might fit in.”
Jolan turned to Ronoran. “Could you go over to the infirmary. Asari is there. He was wounded. A bit of time with the ring should make him good as new. Bring him back here with you.”
As Ronoran hurried off, Jolan led the way out of the room to go upstairs. Morin wanted to have a look outside. He and Ingari had both been inside the Inner Court before, and once he looked outside and saw the large lake in the center area he was stunned.
“I thought it was a trick,” he admitted. “This cannot be real. How in the name of Dragons is it done?”
“I’ve no idea how it works,” said Jolan. “Even back home on Earth we have nothing to compare with this. It seems to be a composition of magic and some technology I’ve never seen.”
Jolan led them back inside and upstairs to the meeting room that had been set aside for the group discussions they were starting to have frequently. He left the others in the room and went to go get Dibon and Chancellor Vaen.
They spent a couple of hours going over the discovery. The extent of the system was explained by showing them Asari’s book of maps and the many sites for the portals. There was a great deal of discussion of who should be allowed to know about the system in Seret, agreeing that Queen Iril would have to know, and possibly one or two of her most trusted advisors. Morin would be the person responsible for guarding and watching over those coming and going through the portal in Seret, which for now would only be the one on Tomas’ property. Tomas had spare quarters where they could live not too far away. This would solve the relocation for his family, although none of the family were to be told exactly what Morin’s function was. He would simply be in the employ of Lord Tomas, a convenient opening that had developed as a result of his helping out Ronoran. This was especially true of his two nephews, just in case they decided to join the military. It would not do for them to go into the field knowing about the system and what it could do.
Tomas would serve as the official interface with the government there, and would probably make frequent trips back and forth. This fit naturally, as he had been taking up ever more of his father’s duties, and had been heavily involved in the telegraph communications efforts during the past months. No one on the other side would necessarily realize his function had grown.
By the time the meeting had concluded, all immediate issues had been resolved. Tomas would go back and inform the Queen later the same day. A bit later, Jolan, Asari, Ronoran, and Morin and his wife would return for a big party at Tomas’ estate.
Chapter 99
After the party in Seret, Jolan planned to return to Cobalo for the night. He had a number of issues to resolve the next day, and knew that if he stayed with Tomas he would get a late start the next morning. Asari stayed on in Tomas’ guest quarters. He hadn’t had the time with Morin that Jolan had, and they had a lot to catch up on.
“Dragons lad, but you’ve changed,” was the first comment Morin had made on seeing him.
It was true. Asari had developed into a full grown adult in the year and a half since he’d watched Morin and his family drive away in the wagons while he and Jolan turned their horses toward Carta. After making sure that Asari was fully recovered from the bullet wound, topics turned to stories of what had happened to each group since the parting. They were still talking when Jolan decided he needed to leave. After he made arrangements with Tomas, he headed out the back way toward the portal.
He was crossing the patio when Ronoran hurried out the door and headed his way.
“I’m headed back also. I haven’t slept in my own bed for a long time. I’d like to see home.”
When they stepped into the portal room in Cobalo, Ronoran reached out and handed Jolan something. Holding out his hand, Jolan realized it was the ring he’d given Ronoran to try and cure Morin’s wife.
“It really works well. It gives you a good feeling to help people.”
Jolan realized Ronoran was disappointed in having to give up the ring. It had given him a sense of importance, and now it was going to be taken away again. It was a tricky situation. Luzoke had offered the other ring back earlier when Jolan had seen him, and he’d told him to keep it, at least for now. The reasons he’d wanted Luzoke to have it remained valid, as he would be continuing to wander around in areas that could potentially bring him into contact with the enemy. That wasn’t the case with this ring. The task for which it had been lent was completed. Also, this ring had been a personal gift from Morin, whom he’d be seeing frequently. He wasn’t sure how his friend would react if he gave the ring to another. Reluctantly he nodded and slipped the ring back on his finger. He could see the disappointment on Ronoran’s face, but wasn’t certain what to do about it.
The next morning he had a long meeting with Chancellor Vaen and Wylan. Everyone was comfortable with the arrangements in Seret, especially since Tomas was going to make some changes so that the house was used as a travel center and the area around the portal would be isolated so that the few servants that remained would not have access to that area. The usual help would be relocating with Tomas to his own house, a short distance away on the same property. His father was away in the country anyway, so these changes would minimize the chances of someone stumbling onto the portal’s secrets. Over the next several weeks, selective construction would enclose the patio area, and a new entertainment area would be created. After this was done, Morin’s family would move into the house, which would make it easier for Morin t
o perform his duties as gatekeeper and host to travelers.
Vaen also agreed that if Jolan could get Altz to help with the search for Tilano and turn over the “keys” when needed, she would drop the College’s actions against him. He would never be welcomed back, but they would no longer have an active search and detain policy toward him. That gave Jolan something to offer the man, in addition to a chance to use the “key” he must have taken because he wanted to find the city.
A final matter for the morning was how to continue the search around the lake. Now that Asari had been healed by the ring, Jolan wanted to go back to the original plan and have Asari and Luzoke continue their search around the lake. Luzoke was strong enough to handle any wizard except perhaps Cheurt, and it was very unlikely he would suddenly appear at the lake. Keeping to the small team would limit the numbers aware of the portals until they had worked through their strategy for their ultimate use.
Meeting completed, Jolan went in search of Luzoke and found him and Ronoran together.
“I’d like to go along with them,” Ronoran said when Jolan appeared.
“I thought you were anxious to get home,” Jolan said.
“I was, but I can see what it’s going to be like around here with all of you gone. Rifod and Nerila have gone back to the new library, and the rest of you will be off exploring. I don’t want to sit around here doing the same things I have for years.”
Jolan couldn’t see any reason why not, in fact the more eyes available the better. “Glad you feel that way,” he said. “Grab your stuff and let’s go. You might want to plan on a couple of weeks to make it all the way around the lake. You won’t be able to pop back and forth between there and here every night.”
After everyone was ready they made the transfer to Seret, and found a sleepy Asari and Morin having breakfast. Tomas had already left for the morning, and Morin’s wife was going to hire a carriage to take her back to Slipi to make arrangements to move the family. Morin was certain his two nephews would not be moving in, so it would just be Yashy and her youngest brother. A bit later, the five of them made the transfer up to the lake.