Empress's Endgame (Book 5 and final of the Death Incanate Saga)

by Jr H. Lee Morgan

  It took more than a half hour to settle on it. All in favor of his plan.

  With a thought the spell lifted and the door and windows opened back up. Then it was Queen Jeanne who put her hand on her husband’s arm and asked “What magic did Rex Nattan use to speak through you? I’ve never heard of such happening before. At least not being able to sense more than your Familiar’s emotions and even I find that difficult. My own partner dragon is not willing to explain…”

  “Because it is extremely dangerous.” Zikon said as he watched Megdline and Frill head outside with Ananna on her hip. “Young Queen, to do what Rex Nattan did risked your husband’s very mind. Summoners and Familiars share a link at the soul. It is why our Familiar’s can live even if they are technically dead so long as we live. But to slip into their mind holds the risk of creating an abomination. One must have complete control of their power and have a mental strength to resist joining two minds into one. I’ve don’t it with Theresa only three times in my entire life and each time I almost succumbed to losing myself in her. It takes a will stronger than steel to safely split a mind without damaging it. I’m just surprised Cage realized it before I did.”

  Cage shrugged, only Brooke sat in his lap at the moment. “Good guess. Grandpa, to see through your Familiar’s eyes, do you also have to have a deep understanding of the neural pathways…”

  “Do not try, Cage.” Daku said from the fireplace where his mates curled up against him. “To meld with my mind would be suicide. My magic would not allow it and your mind would become lost forever. It is the same for me. I cannot slip into your mind either. We can feel emotions and share thoughts, no more.”

  “Got it. So who wants to see a new spell I created, never seen before?” the abrupt switch in the conversation had people reeling.

  “Uh, I’d rather go back to my honeymoon.” The Emrocan princess tugged her knight upstairs, needing to get away.

  “As would I.” Princess Amy voiced and both she and her husband went back up to her room.

  “Well I’d say my curiosity has been piqued.” Queen Katelyn said. “I’m new to magic, but I’d say something never seen before is too good to pass.”

  “Well said.” Her love admitted.

  “Is it dangerous?” Zikon ventured as the rest of them stood.

  “Oh, hell yeah.” Cage grinned and strolled towards his study. “Come on, I’ve disengaged many spells in here so you can all come in and see where I do some of my best work.”

  Everyone was too curious to resist and followed him to the door that opened to his touch. He touched it again to keep it open. Everyone stepped inside to find a spacious room where one side had glass cabinets where inside was stored raw elements gathered magically and contained in glass beakers. One cabinet held the liquids, some glowing and others had ominous colors. Four tables were neatly organized in the very center. One Cage made to resemble a chemist’s laboratory with a metal framework that held beakers, tubes, hotplates, centrifuges to separate materials and everything else the scientist aspect of Cage’s mind desired to uncover and create. But test tubes cooked under magical fires and moved about.

  The second table had objects moving about and growing right out of the table’s surface, creating strange objects none of them could immediately comprehend. Only stepping back and taking it in as a whole could one see they were like an oversized puppet’s parts, but inlayed with metallic spikes and blades. Springing from the wood grew wooden panels, reshaped and condensed into weapons. When one looked to the table’s nearest wall there stood fifteen already created forms resembling men or griffins. Some were made of stone, wood, metal, mud and one was a bubbling black mass that gave off a slightly unpleasant smell and threatened death, but the forms held inanimately still. It was disconcerting to say the least.

  Table three were clearly weapons being crafted. Each one small, compact, but deadly. They watched as one was finished and flew through the air and towards a green robe. The throwing star disappeared into a pocket. They then watched Cage sheathe his sword in the robe.

  Table four had thirty open books, each rapidly filling with information while a branch over said table grew leaves inside at such speed while modifying into paper sheets that the books never ran out of paper. The leaves were plucked and inserted into wooden hardcover’s. Some books had detailed colored illustrations through a touch of Alchemy by altering the blank paper’s quality.

  Heads turned to a puff of smoke to the lab’s table as certain chemicals mixed. A cabinet door opened and the new product was set inside. To either side of the wall full of cabinets was a door. One had a translucent quality while the other was sealed, explained to be the weapon’s room.

  Most everyone was dumbfounded at what they witnessed in the lively room except for Zikon who asked “Cage, have you discovered a way to make wards do all this?”

  “Wrong!” The warlock laughed and taped his temple. “Grandpa, I’m doing all this consciously. It is the only way I can properly function. I now know why warlocks got into so much trouble and had to be sent away. As humans we can’t sit still when we are bored for long. We have to constantly be engaged in some way, but as a warlock my mind can complete so many tasks simultaneously and with all my excess power, I’ve got to express it productively. As you can see I’m writing thirty books, making another golem, some trademark weapons I mastered back on Earth and a few personal secrets through chemicals. I’ve been doing this nearly the entire time of each day. The only time I’m not doing so much is when I’m asleep. Certain parts of my mind act independently, but is under complete control… Oh, Rena, I have another storybook for you. It is in the top right drawer titled ‘The Odyssey by Homer.’ It was one of my favorite fiction books from Earth.” She went right to it and pulled the handle to retrieve her new pleasure. “Oh, and Grandpa, since my ascension I’ve found all I have to do is think on something in my past and can recall it in perfect detail. Sights, smells, sounds and sensations are stored. I had a good memory before, but now I’m eidetic like you. I can even relive my memories, feel and sense everything at that time. But yes, I’m doing everything intentionally in here.”

  “Astounding!” The eldest sorcerer whispered while leaning over the assortment of books rapidly filling with information.

  Brooke smirked. “But when he’s making love, once his concentration slipped and he had to recreate one of his experiments. He cannot think straight when he’s aroused and getting fondled.”

  “Is all you think about sex?” One of the knights asked.

  “Mostly.” She admitted directly with a haughty smirk. “There is no shame in enjoying our bodies or that of our mates.”

  “Jackass, why have you made golems?” Megdline said as she entered last with Meeka now holding her niece.

  “’Cause they’re cool. In The Deep, I found golems have good uses and are only as good as they are made. I’ve actually stashed a few in discrete areas to defend as a last line. The griffins are programmed with all of Daku’s moves and the human ones would fight like me. Making it that good requires serious concentration and power. The only thing they cannot do is use magic offensively. These in here are still under construction and modification. Oh, and stay away from the blob. It’s pure poison that will eat through magical barriers and if it contacts your skin it’ll melt straight through, as fast as it strikes. Just keep clear. I haven’t set it to attack yet, but better safe than sorry.”

  A wide berth was given as did it get fearful looks.

  “I’ll be back in a sec.” Cage moved to the translucent door and opened it. He disappeared inside and came out with a closed fist and a smile. “Before I make the big reveal, I want to ask a simple question. Why is it some objects hold mana indefinitely while others degrade?”

  “Structure!” Zikon called out from his days as a teacher, reciting the standard passage word for word. His interest still growing to wherever this led. “Mana requires a physical object to lock it in and seal it. Inanimate objects can hold mana, but without
proper containment, it will lose potency due to degradation and if an enchantment is added, it will drain that stored power constantly and lose its potency at a far greater rate. Air’s lack of density will make pure mana dissipate far faster than a solid object, but should the item have a uniform structure that houses and binds mana properly, the degradation can come to a complete stop. Atoms and molecules must have a uniform arrangement at the micro level in order to properly store and evenly distribute energy over prolonged periods, outside a living host. The most efficient objects that is able to store mana near indefinitely are precious gems that have a proper crystalline structure”

  “Until now.” Cage lifted his hand and opened his fingers to reveal an oval object with a polished green sheen. People came closer, crowding to get a nearer look. “I’ve successfully genetically altered the densest wood.”

  “Lignum Vitae?” Zikon asked.

  “You got it, but it’s different now.” He held up the wooden trinket no longer than an inch long and three quarters wide. “Since the alliance has been consuming all available raw gems, Twilight has had to resort to selling Quartz. Leon and Colby have had a difficult time procuring gems since rates have skyrocketed due to the sudden demand of all the new witches who are in great need because of dragon pairings… and dragons rarely hold gems in our size because they are so big and have no use for something they can fill up within a few days. Grandpa, store some energy in this and try to over-saturate it.”

  The room silenced as the piece was flicked over and effortlessly captured. Zikon’s slightly glowing body began to dim down into a rich gold tan as he poured so much in. As soon as sweat began to form on his brow he stopped and gave Cage’s an awed expression. “Tell me how you did this!”

  “What is it?” Frill yowled.

  Zikon looked down at the large feline while some of his glow began returning slowly. “This piece has taken all I gave it, but even a crystal of equal size would have half filled by what I put inside… yet this has maybe filled to a hundredth of its potential. Cage, explain how this came about. If we can replicate we will not need to waste years storing crystals just to grow a gem…”

  “Ease up, Grandpa. Like I said earlier… I tinkered with a hardwood seed at the genetic level. Wasn’t easy, but my memory knew the basics of gene therapy, but I had to study a bit of botany because I thought back to when Granny told me about her topaz atop her staff. She needed a topaz seed, graphite and chemicals to grow her pyramid. It got me thinking. What if I could grow a suitable replacement from plant life. The answer would could give us yet another advantage. But my results were beyond my wildest expectations. According to my theory’s calculations, I could grow hearts and to be effective would require double the weight of similar pieces of crystal, but as soon as I harvested one heart I was blown out of the water by what I had created. They are not as dense as a true gem, but their storage capacity is equal to Corundum, or in simpler terms like ruby or sapphires.” Eyebrows got lost in many hairlines from those that understood. “The alterations I originally made effected how to harvest and germinate the wood. But as many of you sensed, the piece has changed fundamentally at the micro level. The plant cell walls match exactly to a standard crystalline structure of uniformity and therefore can be rapidly produced because it is a plant and we mages can grow plants without too much effort. Just take my house for example. It clearly is unnatural. And here is the kicker, gem-plants can’t reproduce on their own.”

  “What do you mean?” Megdline inquired as she now held the sample and examined it.

  “I mean that the modified seeds can’t germinate without a mage’s power. And whomever grows it from a seed and harvests the core where the heart, as I call the piece, can only access its power. Like a personal gem, neither can someone who didn’t make it give it power, nor can they take it. I stole a small portion from Grandpa’s mana to grow that while you slept last night.”

  “I’ll overlook that just this once since this is an amazing discovery. All attempts before have failed or were not worth the effort. But if the plant cannot naturally germinate, can it produce seeds to…” He took back his sample and successfully absorbed a great deal he had infused earlier. He glowed softly again.

  “Yes, but the modifications I infused in its genes will only allow three seeds to grow, once the tree has been matured. And until all three seeds turn as black as my magic, do not harvest the heart. Doing so too early will make it too soft to function. Each heart will be no larger than that and the green color seems to be a byproduct of my tampering. The three seeds will be impossible to miss as they are as large as my head and shaped quite like a coconut. The three will make it easier to keep track of.” Cage grinned. “The best part, Grandpa, is it took just three hours to make from what I took from you. Rather than what took you, Granny, two solid years of storing power in standard crystals, it will take a few hours to harvest two small hearts with more storage capacity than your topaz.”

  Zikon then attached his harvested heart to the white oak staff, just below the egg shaped amethyst. “And here I thought this was dangerous.”

  “But it is.” Cage turned serious. “If your crazy ass mother got hold of just one seed, within a month’s time she could outfit every soldier and object with hearts. If one can make three and those three triple every three hours, think what could happen, Grandpa. I’m going to give you, Skylar, Tate and each Rex three seeds. They will be strictly regulated and all sales will come to me at a ten percent, nonnegotiable price. All grown hearts must be constantly accounted for and seeds protected under constant heavy guard by no less than first class sorcerers or dragon soldiers. These are a weapon in the wrong hands. You can figure out a payment system, but I will not have my creation kept in anyone’s hands unfit to properly use them. And just as a warning, I’ve created a counteragent that once released in the air will magically seek out every seed and heart and chemically petrify them. Rendering their properties void and transforming them to petrified wood.”

  “Then on behalf of the First Council, I accept your terms and will have papers drawn up as you being the founder and ten percent of all proceeds from each seed used will be delivered to your account…”

  “Except for Leon. He gets one free. You and everyone in this house too are exempt.”

  “Very well. Am I to assume the heart, to be harvested, is in the core of the tree trunk once matured and the seeds turn black?” Zikon needed to know.

  “Yep! You’ll find it is easy to locate.” He snapped his fingers and three large cotton sacks holding three huge seeds floated out from the weapon’s room and leveled in front of the sorcerer and kings. “And now that we’ve got so many minds inside my office, you all can do something for me.”

  “Wait, before you change topics again.” Moril said while one bracelet shimmered. “Cage, all the Rex’s would like to study these seeds, especially Rex Gralla. They wish for it as soon as possible for study and integration.”

  He snapped his fingers again. “I’ve Jumped their shares to their designated secret locations.” And then went back to the room waiting to hear what he wanted.

  “So what can the almighty warlock not do?” Cillian scoffed. “Boy, you’ve turned the lands upside down and made things no one has ever succeeded in doing. What in all of Raliea can’t you accomplish and need us for?”

  “Well, when I assassinate Vika I need to get close enough to do it.”

  “Assassinate!” King Skylar yelled. “What are you talking about?”

  “How?” Zikon wondered and looked like he wanted her dead although she gave birth to him. Well, after all the centuries he fought and undermined her, no love was lost between them.

  “This wouldn’t be my first assassination.” Cage crossed his arms. “This decision wasn’t taken lightly, but to kill the snake, you need to sever its main head. Kill her and Shakka will follow and leave the Division Mountains fighting for a new Rex. I’ve got a plan, but I can’t reveal it, not even to my own family yet. We all agree
she is the mastermind behind all this insanity and without her, a power struggle will create an opening. My plan will not be easy because she has four millennia on me and isn’t stupid to have survived this long. I’m going to kill her, but not till the time is right and I’ve set up everything to my liking. And I’m not going to reveal it all because although you are each trustworthy, I cannot risk her catching wind of what I’m brewing.” Cage’s black eyes scanned each individual. “Very soon her armies are going to set out and chaos will ensue. But while we are in the calm of the storm, I need fresh royal blood for my plan, mainly Tate’s and Skylar’s.”

  Eyes narrowed from the two kings. The Vlaran one asked “Why do you need my blood? I won’t offer it without full disclosure.”

  “Nor will I.” The king of Emroc seconded.

  “Fine, but I must have everyone else leave my study for now. The fewer who know, the better.” Cage said after a difficult internal debate.

  The kings gave a simple look to those around and they all began to file outside. Brooke was the last and as she stepped out the door closed, sealed airtight and a red orb pulsed at eye level. The sensation of magic grew, isolating the rest inside. Only four remained in the study, two kings, a warlock and his griffin.

  “Does he truly mean to personally assassinate Empress Vika?” One knight asked another.

  Brooke said “He would not say so otherwise.” Heads turned upon her. “The Utala will not fight their armies as you will. We will not fight on the battlefield. We have our own hunting methods, just as you do. If he says he’ll kill Vika, he most assuredly will. She needs to die. Her mother should have killed her as she is the stupidest sister alive. Her people are lazy. Using slaves so their lives can be made in luxury. Such stupidity must be killed and ripped from this life. Had she been Utala, her terror would have been stopped long ago.”