by M. Gregg Roe
“Let’s make the next hand the last,” Stanley suggested after updating the scorecard. “It’s getting late.”
Lars ended the game with a hand so weak it kept him in last place. Clever boy.
[ 23 ]
Strategic Planning
Teleportation was odd. In a blink, you were somewhere else. The temperature might be higher or lower. There might be a different smell to the air. If you went far enough, you could find the weather completely different. And that was what had just happened. In the Witch’s City, rain had been pelting down. Here it was a brilliantly sunny morning, hot and dry. The change had been startling.
Gabriel squatted down and picked up one of the oddly shaped blocks. As Audrey had told him, it was far too light to be solid. He scrutinized the patterns she had described, marveling at their subtlety. Hundreds of blocks had already been assembled, forming a section of wall some ten yards long and over three high. A slim hexagonal tower stood at one end, another section of wall extending from it at an angle.
“I wanted there to be towers,” she said, “but this one is just decorative. The center is so small it might as well be solid.”
“Perhaps the occupants will be tiny,” he suggested, maintaining a straight face.
“They’ll still need some way to get inside the towers,” she said, cracking a smile.
“What are those for?” he asked, pointing to blocks he had spotted some distance away. They were triangular but also thinner.
“Those are new,” she told him. “They’re for either the floor or the ceiling. Rosalind predicted they would show up. I need to go tell her.”
Gabriel frowned at the spot where Audrey had just been standing. She had complained about many things when she had first been empowered, but being able to teleport wasn’t one of them. It gave her a freedom that he couldn’t help but envy.
He walked over to the triangular blocks and examined one of the five present. It had patterns on all three edges. He picked it up briefly, finding that it was also abnormally light. Despite that, it felt sturdy.
“Hello, Gabriel,” Rosalind said, then came alongside him. (He wasn’t startled because he had heard footsteps approaching.) She squatted down by one of the triangular blocks and ran her fingers over the pattern that was closest to her. “These are definitely for the floor,” she said, smiling devilishly.
“Or the ceiling,” Audrey added as she joined them.
“I doubt it,” Rosalind said, now examining a different side. “There will be either columns or interior walls to support the ceiling.”
That made sense. Walls could be added later, but columns were structural. But would they be triangular or hexagonal?
“Here,” Rosalind called out, now over by the larger wall section. “This is where it goes. Can you bring it over, Gabriel?”
“Of course.” He promptly picked up the block and headed over, with Audrey following. He maneuvered it to the spot at the base of the wall that Rosalind indicated, then blinked in surprise as it snapped into place with a strange noise. Feeling slightly dizzy, he pushed down on the top of the block. It didn’t budge even though there was space underneath.
“Yes!” Rosalind exclaimed, thrusting her right fist into the air. “Triangles are the perfect thing to fill in a hexagon.” She strode toward the other triangular blocks, smiling to herself.
“She’s right,” Audrey told him. “But I had to draw it out to convince myself.”
He stood up slowly as he tried to analyze how he felt. It was a bit like being drunk, with a feeling of warmth and a desire for more of the same. Audrey claimed that it barely affected her now, but he was definitely feeling the effect.
Audrey patted him on the rear. “You’re smiling,” she said, displaying one of her own. “Place a few more of those and you’ll be addicted.”
That was what concerned him. “I believe one was enough,” he told her seriously.
“Strength!” said Rosalind, now standing by the other four blocks. She picked up one with no apparent effort. “I think all four of these will fit.”
Gabriel carried the other three over while the two of them worked on placing the blocks. Three connected directly to the base of the wall, and the other two filled the gaps. After placing the last one, Rosalind stepped on top of the floor section, turned to face them, and bowed.
“Good job,” Audrey said to her. “Does your estimate still hold?”
Rosalind nodded. “It will be at least another seven months, unless the rate of block appearance changes or we’re wrong about the design.” She hopped down and walked up to them.
Now that he had seen it for himself, he understood Audrey’s insistence on completing the odd structure. There was an air of mystery about it that no former adventurer could hope to resist. Rosalind’s presence was also reassuring. Surely her deity would warn her if there were real danger.
“I’m going to place more blocks while I’m all strong,” Rosalind announced, then headed toward where several of the trapezoidal blocks were scattered.
“There is ample time to prepare,” he remarked to Audrey.
“Too much time, if you ask me.” She gestured with one hand on her hip. “Maybe that’s their nefarious plan. By the time it’s finished, we’ll all have gotten complacent.”
It was a legitimate concern. “Have you approached my father yet?” he asked, certain that she hadn’t.
“Will you come with me?” she begged, clasping her hands together. “I’ve never really gotten along with your father, and I don’t trust his demon girlfriend.”
“I will accompany you,” he told her. “When?”
Audrey scrunched up her face. “Tomorrow evening? I’m going over to Conrad’s tonight.”
“Kora and I are going dancing tonight. Perhaps you might join us?” Now that he had finally learned the basics, he found it enjoyable.
“Conrad’s not really the dancing type,” she explained. “Besides, we’re having another couple over for a night of debauchery.”
He knew it was no jest. Audrey was very much the free spirit when it came to sexual matters. And now he couldn’t stop trying to visualize it.
“You’re blushing,” she teased. They were abruptly back in his apartment. “I’ll come by and get you tomorrow. The normal way.” And then she was gone.
After sitting down, Gabriel considered how to spend the rest of his rainy morning. Perhaps a sketch of the castle-in-progress? It would make for an interesting exercise.
Walking alongside Audrey, Gabriel prayed that they not find his father engaged in some type of intimate activity with Zyrahi. After some consideration, he had worn his father’s sword, but not his uniform. Wearing such a large sword was uncommon in the Witch’s City, but not unheard of. Audrey’s only obvious weapon was the dagger on the right side of her belt.
“I’ll do the talking,” she said to him as they neared the sad-looking house. “I just need you to confirm my story.”
That was certainly his preference. The humidity of yesterday’s rain still lingered, forcing him to wipe his brow from time to time. Or perhaps it was partly anxiety.
Standing outside the front door, he rested his left hand on the sword’s leather-wrapped hilt. The enchanted weapon vibrated with power. It sensed nearby prey and wanted nothing more than to be unleashed. He found that comforting.
There was a noticeable delay before the door was answered by Zyrahi, clad in a stylish, dark blue dress. “Gabriel,” she said, her face breaking into apparent delight. “And is this…?”
Gabriel opened his mouth to correct her apprehension, but Audrey beat him to it.
“I’m Audrey. Kora is shorter and has much longer hair.” Audrey’s smile vanished. “I’m an old friend of Aliva’s. I know what she is and what you are.”
Zyrahi’s mouth worked briefly. “I see.” She stepped back and gestured for them to enter. “Mardan is cleaning up the kitchen after our meal. He will join us shortly.”
The man had certainly been listenin
g. Gabriel followed Audrey inside. Zyrahi sat on the sofa, and the two of them on the chairs. To his eyes the woman looked nervous, maybe because of the sword now lying next to his chair..
“Gabriel. Audrey,” Mardan said as he entered the room. “What brings you here?” he asked as he sat down to Zyrahi’s right, causing the sofa to both sag and make a groaning noise.
Audrey’s explanation didn’t take nearly as long as he expected, but it also omitted many items. Playing his part, Gabriel maintained a serious expression and nodded solemnly whenever Zyrahi or his father looked his way. She finished with a demonstration, conjuring a ball of sickly green fire that he knew was a potent weapon that Andoran had devised. With a flourish, Audrey caused it to shrink and vanish.
Zyrahi cleared her throat. “I can confirm that there was no magical emanation.”
Mardan nodded. “This is unexpected but a welcome opportunity. When might we view this unusual structure?”
Audrey’s smile was sly as she sprang to her feet. “How about now? Everyone needs to stand first.”
Gabriel had barely reached his feet when the transition came. The sky was clear, and it was both cooler and less humid. Audrey followed Mardan as he strode over to examine a block lying on the ground. After a brief hesitation, Zyrahi headed to the finished portion. Gabriel opted to follow her, both curious and wary.
Standing in front of the largest wall section, Zyrahi placed both her palms against the sandstone wall and closed her eyes. Wondering what she was up to, he moved up on her left, but kept his distance.
“This is dangerous,” she said, turning her head to look his way.
He took a step closer. “You know this structure’s purpose?”
She pulled her hands away and turned to face him. “Not precisely. The signature of the magic is odd, but it resembles that used to travel between planes of existence.”
“You suspect an extra-planar invasion?” he asked.
“Yes, but not of my kind. I sense nothing demonic.” She nodded at the wall. “This is also not our way.”
Gabriel could easily read her tension and concern. Nothing in her expression or body language betrayed that she was anything but human. “What would you advise?” he asked. “Not completing it?”
She ran her right hand through her hair—another very human gesture. “That may not be an option. I suspect that if someone had not begun to build this structure, then some other means would have been employed. A great deal of effort and magic is being expended.”
“Perhaps we should just destroy it,” he suggested, knowing that persuading Audrey of that would be difficult.
“That will not be easy,” she said, casting a glance at the wall as her forehead creased. “Once united, the blocks are both strong and resistant to external magical influence.”
“Then we had best prepare for when it is complete. That is why Audrey revealed her secret to you and my father.”
Zyrahi lowered her head slightly. “I must confess that Audrey concerns me. Such power in one so young. We are all at her mercy.”
Gabriel felt he had to defend his friend. “I knew Audrey before she was given her powers. She is a good person.”
“I meant no offense,” Zyrahi said in apology. “You know her far better than I or your father. But were you not concerned at first?”
“We all were,” he admitted. Audrey had struggled for some time to come to terms with her new powers and responsibilities.
“I have no choice but to trust her, and I will render what assistance I can. But it will be in this form.”
He listened quietly as she explained her limitations. Zyrahi would be of no use in combat, but she still possessed useful magical abilities. It was likely that Mardan would put her in charge of some of his forces, perhaps the ogres.
“Do you still possess the ability to return to the demon realm?” He felt he had to ask.
She stared searchingly at him before answering. “It would not be easy, but I suspect that I could. But I have no wish to return. I am content to live out the remainder of my life here. And before you ask, I do not know the duration of my remaining lifespan. Time flows differently here than in the demon realm.”
Gabriel was considering what else he might ask when she abruptly strode off toward the others. He followed quickly and listened as she expressed her concerns about the so-called castle. His father took Zyrahi’s comments seriously, but not Audrey. “I am not stopping now,” she exclaimed. “Not after all this work. Whatever happens, happens.”
“And will you apologize after all of Andoran’s Realm has been overrun?” Gabriel asked her dryly.
“Yes, I will,” Audrey declared haughtily. “That will be a great comfort after we’ve all been enslaved.”
To Gabriel’s surprise, both his father and Zyrahi burst out laughing. Standing comfortably side by side, they truly seemed a couple. A demon step-mother was looking like a distinct possibility.
After that, the discussion turned serious. Audrey described the Collector and the constructs it would be controlling. They would represent not only a powerful force, but one that required neither food nor rest. But they would also require precise orders. Having no minds of their own, constructs interpreted instructions literally.
Mardan asked if the Collector would take instructions from someone other than Audrey, and she said, “I’ll ask it,” and disappeared.
“You have known about Audrey’s powers for years?” Gabriel’s father asked him, his expression serious.
Gabriel squared his shoulders. “I have. She wished it kept secret.”
Mardan hesitated. “You were correct in honoring her request. If you trust Audrey, then I trust her.”
The unexpected praise made Gabriel proud.
“Yes,” Audrey said, startling them when she reappeared. “I can designate others for the Collector to obey, but it has to be done in person.”
“That can wait,” Mardan stated, turning to face her. “I accept your offer, Guardian. I will command whatever forces you see fit to grant me.”
“Then it’s settled,” she said, clearly relieved. “I’ll provide regular updates. We won’t start planning in earnest until the castle is close to complete. Gather around, and I’ll take us back.”
A few minutes later, Gabriel was again walking alongside Audrey through the streets of the Witch’s City. Whatever role he played would be an opportunity to improve his own command skills. With luck, he might even impress his father. It was something to look forward to.
Four days later, Gabriel received a lunch invitation from his father. They met at a small café that bordered the circular plaza that surrounded the Witch’s Castle. Even though the establishment offered outdoor seating, they elected to sit inside for more privacy, requesting a corner table.
After the server had taken their order, Gabriel said, “What is on your mind, Father?”
“Many things,” Mardan replied. “Zyrahi would like to meet Kora. Perhaps we could meet for dinner?”
He wondered if Kora would be as surprised as he was. “I will check with her and send a list of available dates.”
Mardan smiled slightly. “Go ahead and choose one. We rarely have plans.”
The server delivered their cups of mead and then departed.
After taking a sip of his, Gabriel said, “Do you wish to discuss Audrey’s castle?”
“I do.” Mardan took a sip from his own cup and nodded approvingly. “I would like to invite Draymund and Saxloc to take part. They are both capable of using flying magic, and we will need aerial forces.”
It was something that had occurred to Gabriel as well. Even though they only saw each other infrequently, he still regarded Saxloc as his closest friend. The two of them had trained together for years and then gone on many adventures together.
“Audrey can also fly,” Gabriel put in. “What will be my role?”
“Which role would you prefer?” Mardan shot back with a calculating look.
“I would like to co
mmand the ogres.” It would be an interesting challenge.
“Very well. You will need to spend time in Tritown training them.”
He would eventually ask Audrey to teleport him there, but if he spent too much time away, Kora might become suspicious.
Mardan picked up his cup. “You are thinking that Kora may need to be told.”
“I am,” Gabriel admitted, surprised at his father’s insight. “I will ask Audrey for permission to inform her.” He was well aware of how Audrey kept track of who knew which of her secrets.
“I am still having difficulty picturing that young woman with the power of an Eye of Andoran,” Mardan confessed, crinkling his eyes. “But I am grateful that it was not Siljan who was gifted such powers.”
Gabriel rarely heard his father make a joke. “Siljan still thinks we should change the name to Audrey’s Realm.”
Mardan chuckled briefly, then took another drink of his mead. “To be fair, I also find it difficult to picture Siljan as a priestess.”
The server delivered their meals. Gabriel had ordered the baked trout, and his father pork chops. Both dishes came with generous servings of steamed rice. For the next few minutes, they concentrated solely on eating.
After wiping his mouth and placing the cloth napkin on the table, Mardan said, “Gabriel, do you intend to marry Kora?”
“I do,” he said, failing to hide his surprise. “She understands me, and I love her.”
Mardan exhaled slowly. “Your mother understood me in many respects, but she underestimated my hardheadedness. I regret it took a divorce to bring me to my senses, to make me realize how poor a husband and father I had been.” He sighed softly. “I have many regrets.”
Gabriel had never heard his father be so honest and forthright about his marriage. Mardan really had changed since the divorce. And perhaps Zyrahi had also had some influence. She seemed remarkably level-headed.
“Follow your heart,” Mardan said as if it were a command. “Marry whomever you wish and live your lives to the fullest. Strive to have no regrets.” He pushed back his chair and stood, then placed a single silver coin on the table. “I will keep you apprised of our plans.”