"Couldn't it be a maker's mark?" suggested Albreda. "All the other runes we can identify."
"Of course," said Kiren-Jool, "I should have realized. No mage in his right mind would make an item of such power and not identify themselves."
"I don't recognize the mark," said Hearn.
"None of us do, apparently," said Albreda, "but that shouldn't prevent us from activating it. What have you tried so far?"
Aldus Hearn waved her over to the table, indicating a loose piece of parchment on which he had made annotations.
"These are the combinations we've attempted so far," he said, "but none of them have had any effect."
She looked down at the list, a flicker of annoyance passing across her face.
"I would have thought you'd be further along by now. Need I remind you that Revi Bloom is missing and may need our help."
"It's not as easy as you might think," said Aldus Hearn. "Each attempt drains some of our power, and then we have to wait for the mirror to reset."
"Reset?" questioned Albreda. "What in Saxnor's name are you talking about?"
"When you invoke runes," said Gretchen, "there is a period of time when they remain activated. This allows multiple runes to be used in combinations."
"I understand that," said Albreda. "The circles of stone in the Whitewood work in a similar matter, but they don't take that long to cool down, or reset as you call it."
They all looked at her in surprise.
"You could have mentioned that before," said Aldus Hearn.
"Why would it even cross my mind?" said Albreda. "I had no idea you were contemplating such a thing."
"I suppose that's true," said Kiren-Jool, "but we are working in the dark here. None of us has ever used something like this mirror before."
"And yet," said Albreda, "both our Enchanters are versed in such magic."
Kiren-Jool looked at his feet as Gretchen blushed.
"Sorry," the Weldwyn mage said, "but this is new to all of us."
"Then let us continue with all haste," said Albreda. "Have you written down the rest of the sequences?"
"We have," said Aldus Hearn, producing another paper. "They're right here." He handed the page to Albreda, who scanned the sheet briefly, then stood before the mirror.
"Very well," she said, "let us proceed."
She invoked her magic, reading the magic letters from the page as she did. As the last syllable fell from her lips, she looked at the mirror, but there was no effect.
"I think we can safely cross that one off the list," she said. "Let us try again."
"Surely you should wait?" advised Aldus Hearn.
"Why?" she asked. "I'm not tired, and the words of power obviously had no effect. No, I shall continue right on to the next sequence." She gazed back down at her notes, then closed her eyes a moment.
"I have them," she said, passing the parchment to Kiren-Jool.
She began uttering the words once more, this time using the new sequence. Almost immediately, she felt a sense of power surging through her and then one of the runes on the mirror's border began to glow.
"That's it," said Gretchen, "it's working!"
Albreda continued, letting the words of power pour forth from her mouth. Soon, six of the runes were glowing, and then a ripple effect took hold on the mirror as the image shifted. Now, instead of her reflection, the druid was looking through the mirror into a room of some sort. The other mages all drew closer.
"Where is it?" asked Kiren-Jool.
"I have no idea," said Aldus Hearn.
"Somewhere in the mountains," said Albreda.
"How can you possibly know that?" asked Hearn.
"There's a window to the right through which I can see a peak. Wherever this is, I suspect it's quite high up."
"Do we just step through?" asked Hearn.
"No," said Gretchen, "we have only activated the viewing function, but another command would be necessary to step through."
"Like the Saurian gates," suggested Hearn.
"Yes," Albreda agreed.
"So we've failed," said Kiren-Jool.
"On the contrary," said Gretchen, "we have solved the first part of the puzzle."
"Agreed," said Albreda, "and the rest will be easier to determine, as a rune that is already lit cannot be reused. That leaves us with a significantly smaller number of combinations."
"Do you know how to use the Saurian gates?" asked Aldus Hearn.
"I do," said Albreda, "though I've never personally activated them, why?"
"The magic must be similar as they both transport people over long distances. Could the combinations be the same?"
"An excellent thought," said Albreda, "but the gates require you to identify the other end's location, and for that, we'd need to know where this room is that we are viewing."
"Maybe not," said Gretchen Harwell. "These gates you describe exist at many destinations, don't they?"
"They do," said Albreda, "what of it?"
"Mirrors always work in pairs," the Enchantress continued. "Therefore, there is only one destination."
"I hadn't considered that," said Albreda, "but it's an excellent point." She waved her hand, dismissing her magic, and the runes light faded away.
"Why did you do that?" asked Aldus Hearn.
"We must find Revi's notes regarding the Saurian temples," she said, "and hope they are detailed enough to give us the answers we require. I shouldn't like to use up all my power trying random combinations."
"I thought you said you remembered how to use the temple flames?" said Kiren-Jool.
"I only witnessed the one that took us to Queenston," said Albreda, "and I'm certain it wouldn't work here. Now, let us find his notes on the Saurian temples and see if we can unravel the rest of this mystery."
Ten
Galburn's Ridge
Fall 964 MC
* * *
King Halfan shifted uncomfortably, then winced, an action noted by Lord Hollis, the Earl of Beaconsgate.
"Are you in pain, Your Majesty?" he asked.
"No more so than usual," the king replied. He looked around the room, taking in the assembled nobles. It had required a lot of effort to gather all his earls, an effort, he hoped, that would prove beneficial.
"Everyone is here, Your Majesty," noted Lord Rutherford. "You may begin at your leisure."
Halfan looked at the man in irritation. "I might have some ailments," the king said, "but I'm fully aware of my surroundings."
Lord Rutherford diverted his gaze, but the king knew his thoughts. Like all the other earls, he was waiting for King Halfan to die. They had already started flexing their political muscles in anticipation of the coming conflict. The Norland court had never been as fractious as it was now, and Halfan hoped he could at least secure peace with Merceria before his passing.
"Send in Lord Wilfrid," commanded the king.
Guards opened the door, admitting the elderly lord. He moved to stand in the centre of the room, facing the king. The earls, all seven of them, sat to one side of the room on high-backed, padded wooden chairs, eager to see what this business was about.
"Lord Wilfrid has returned from a diplomatic mission to Merceria," declared King Halfan
The announcement had an immediate effect. Halfan watched as Lord Hollis leaned forward in his chair, replacing his bored countenance with that of keen interest. The other earls, not to be outdone, locked their eyes on the elderly diplomat.
Lord Wilfrid bowed deeply. "It is with the greatest joy that I announce my mission was a success, Your Majesty."
"What mission is this?" called out Lord Rutherford.
The king turned his eyes on the Earl of Hammersfield. Rutherford was generally a cautious man, but the look of irritation on his face betrayed his casual concern.
"I sent him to open negotiations with the Queen of Merceria," said Halfan.
"Surely you jest, my king," said Rutherford. "We cannot trust the Mercerians to negotiate in good faith!"
> "We have been at war for centuries," countered the king, "and it has drained our resources. We can no longer afford to spend all our energies preparing for an invasion."
Lord Calder, the Earl of Greendale, stood, looking at the king. Halfan nodded, granting his permission to address the court.
"My lords," said Calder, "the king speaks the truth. For hundreds of years, we have had to maintain troops on the border. It is time we made peace."
"Easy for you to say," said the Earl of Beaconsgate, "you're not on their border. I know these Mercerians, they raid our lands on a regular basis. We must show them strength. Negotiating peace will be seen as an act of weakness."
"I would agree," added Lord Rutherford. "Hollis and I are dedicated to protecting our southern border. We cannot let them think we are unprepared."
"Nor shall we," said the king, returning his gaze to his recently returned diplomat. "Tell me, Lord Wilfrid, what was the Mercerian Queen's response?"
Lord Wilfrid straightened. "She has agreed to come to Galburn's Ridge in person."
The room exploded with raised voices. King Halfan let them talk amongst themselves, then called all in the room to silence.
"Lord Hollis," began the king, "you have voiced your disapproval, have you anything to add?"
"Only that we must be cautious, Your Majesty," the Earl of Beaconsgate replied.
"Very well," said the king. "Lord Rutherford, your opinion?"
"It is well known that I dislike the Mercerians," the Earl of Hammersfield replied, "and yet I commend you on luring the Mercerian Monarch to our lands."
"It is not a trap," said the king, "but an earnest attempt to negotiate a lasting peace."
"I am all in favour of negotiating," said Lord Rutherford, "providing we are not giving away anything of value."
"You fear them demanding land?" said the king.
"I do," Rutherford replied.
"Then you may rest assured," Halfan continued, "I have no intention of giving up anything."
Lord Rutherford bowed respectfully.
The king turned to Lord Thurlowe. "You have been quiet of late, my lord, I would have you speak."
"I am cautiously optimistic," said the Earl of Ravensguard, "and hope that this new Mercerian Ruler proves amenable to your proposal. She is young, is she not?"
"She is," replied Lord Wilfrid.
"How young?" asked Calder.
"She is but seventeen years of age," replied Lord Wilfrid.
"This is ridiculous!" noted Lord Marley, the elderly Earl of Walthorne. "Surely they are not ruled by a child? Who controls her? Who is the power behind the throne?"
Lord Wilfrid smiled. "I can assure you that Queen Anna is very much in control. She has surrounded herself with trusted advisors. I saw no signs of undue influence over her."
"And when she marries," asked Lord Waverly, "who will then rule their land?"
"She is already married," said Lord Wilfrid, "to a prince of Weldwyn, the land we call Westland."
"Are you saying that Westland controls the throne of Merceria?" asked Lord Hollis.
"No," Lord Wilfrid answered. "The queen still rules. After the recent civil war, she took steps to change their laws of succession. Her husband remains a prince and has no kingly powers."
"This is preposterous," said Hollis. "She has clearly lost her mind."
"It is not our place to rule Merceria," King Halfan reminded him.
"I beg to differ," said Hollis. "Our kingdom was founded by a Royal Heir to the Warrior's Crown. Have you so soon forgotten?"
King Halfan rose to his feet, "I have forgotten nothing, Lord Hollis, but the fact remains that in the last four hundred years, it has proven impossible to recover the throne. It is time we set aside that dream to build a better kingdom for ourselves."
"I must object," asserted Lord Hollis. "We have honed our armies taming this land, surely it is time we struck back at the Mercerians?"
King Halfan winced as he shifted his feet. "Are you suggesting that we throw away this opportunity for peace?"
"Think of it," said Hollis, "we would finally have a Ruler of Merceria in our grasp. We could force them to accept our claim to the throne!"
"I will not betray a guest," declared Halfan, "and neither will you!"
Lord Hollis lowered his head. "As you wish, my king, I only offer suggestions."
King Halfan sat, resting his hands on the arms of the throne. "Lord Waverly, have you anything to add?"
"No, Your Majesty," replied the Earl of Marston.
"Creighton?"
The Earl of Riverhurst looked at Lord Wilfrid. "These Mercerians," he said, "what is your opinion of them?"
"I think they are to be trusted," the old man replied. "They were gracious hosts during our visit and extended us every courtesy."
"That's not what I heard," piped up Lord Thurlowe.
"What does that mean?" asked Hollis.
"It means," continued Thurlowe, "that someone tried to kill Lord Wilfrid. If it hadn't been for his bodyguard, he wouldn't have survived."
"Is this true?" asked the king.
"Alas, yes," said Lord Wilfrid, "though they were unable to capture the culprit."
"That's convenient," said Hollis.
"While that is true," said Lord Wilfrid, "it did reveal another interesting fact. They have mages that can heal the injured."
"Surely you jest," said Rutherford. "There haven't been healers in generations."
"It's true," declared Wilfrid, "I witnessed it with my own eyes. A Westland mage healed my bodyguard, and I'm led to believe the Mercerians have them as well."
"It changes nothing," noted Creighton. "The queen would be welcome whether she has mages or not."
"True," said Hollis, "but if they have mages in their employ, we must take steps to secure ourselves."
"Meaning?" asked Rutherford.
"We know so little about Life Magic," said Hollis. "Who knows what they are capable of?"
"Don't be absurd," said Creighton, "they heal the wounded, nothing more."
"Are you sure?" asked Hollis. "Our Fire Mages can do more than just start a fire."
"You forget," said Creighton, "Fire Magic only deals with fire AND heat. Outside of that, there is little they can do."
"Enough of this discussion," said the king. "You can argue the finer points of magic on your own time. Right now, we must decide how best to welcome them."
"Allow me to escort them," offered Lord Hollis.
"You?" questioned King Halfan. "I'm surprised to hear you volunteer for such a task with the animosity you hold for our southern neighbour."
"They will be traversing my land," said Hollis. "I shouldn't like anything happening to them on route."
"Very well," said the king, "but Lord Wilfrid will accompany you. He was, in the end, the man that invited them."
The Earl of Beaconsgate bowed his head, "Of course, Your Majesty. I shall meet with him this evening to make preparations."
"Good," said King Halfan, "then I think our business here is finished. I will announce a grand feast to welcome the Queen of Merceria upon her arrival. I need confirmation when she has crossed the border, Lord Hollis."
"Of course, my king."
"Very well, then I officially dissolve this meeting. Be off with you, I have things to consider."
The earls all rose, bowing to their monarch as they left the room. Halfan watched them go, then beckoned Lord Wilfrid closer.
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
The king rose to his feet, but a spasm of pain ebbed through him, causing him to stagger. He caught the edge of the throne to steady himself and took a moment to breathe through it.
"Your Majesty?" said Lord Wilfrid.
"I will be fine momentarily," said the king. "Now tell me, what did you really think of this young Queen of Merceria?"
"I believe she is earnest in her wish for peace."
"And her courtiers? Are they as fractious as ours?"
"While there is some o
pposition to her, her grip on power is strong, Your Majesty, and I believe she is well-liked by the general populace."
"Good," said King Halfan, "then perhaps peace can finally be achieved."
"You must be wary of Lord Hollis," warned Wilfrid.
"I am well aware of his intentions," said the king, "but I'm not dead yet."
"He would be king," advised Wilfrid.
"It has come to my attention," said Halfan as he sat back down, trying desperately to get comfortable. "I will not last much longer," he admitted, "of that, I have no doubt, but I will see our border secured before this realm falls into internal conflict."
"You think a civil war inevitable?" asked Lord Wilfrid.
"I do," said the king. "There is too much desire for power, and I am without an heir."
"Then why bother with this peace?"
"To prevent the Mercerians from taking advantage of our weakness. I fear they would make short work of us if we're busy fighting amongst ourselves."
"Couldn't they do that anyway?"
"They could," said the king, "but during their visit, I intend to make a show of force. We have to convince them that we have a strong military, fully capable of retaliation if needed. We must negotiate from a position of strength."
* * *
The Earl of Beaconsgate moved down the corridor, deep in thought. He had just reached the corner when the familiar voice of Lord Rutherford caught his attention.
"Hollis," the man said, "might I have a word?"
"Of course, what is it?"
Lord Rutherford looked up and down the hallway before speaking, "Perhaps this is not the best place to discuss such things. Might I suggest my quarters?"
"An excellent idea," said Hollis, "providing, of course, that you have some of that Oaksvale White left?"
"I do indeed," said Rutherford. "I just received a new shipment this morning, in fact."
"Then lead on, my friend, and we shall converse at length."
Rutherford led him through the Royal Castle, an immense structure built into the side of the hills, bristling with towers, each earl claiming one for their own. The castle formed the end of the ridge that gave Norland's capital city of Galburn's Ridge its name.
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