Into The Ruins

by Blink, Bob

Carif would only admit to herself that she was more than a little concerned regarding what she had set in motion. Initially believing the destruction of the towers would be an overwhelming blow that would keep the westerners occupied, she now worried they might be more resilient than she’d expected. The handful who had come to visit the Queen had proven more effective than she’d have thought possible, even after the disasters surrounding the escape and attempted recovery of their three prisoners. In less than a week she’d lost half of her Specialists, as well as a large number of her loyal guardsmen and more than two dozen Senior Casters.

  Against the chance that the attacks weren’t yet finished, she had delayed the elections citing the period of mourning and the need to prepare against outsider attack. The forces of Sedfair were gearing up for a war, and all of her capable Casters were being formed into teams that could react quickly to reports of the enemy wizards. Carif had formed a special group who could carry the word to anywhere in the country quickly. Large numbers of lesser qualified Casters were gathered at key locations, and they would bear the brunt of any attacks. They were expendable after all. Finally, she had her own plans if any confrontation went especially badly.

  As if the current situation weren’t distracting enough, the Chulls had been particularly aggressive the past week, costing the loss of two Army Casters and a number of border guardsmen. The Baldari had struck another village, which had been wiped out because Carif refused to release the Casters from Nals that might have made the difference. The Village Caster who had come hoping for support had been killed after returning to the village to try and help her people.

  Carif had only been marginally paying attention to the builders as they completed the walk through. “Yes, I want it built exactly as it was originally. The design of the castle should be restored to its former design. You have the plans. I want work to begin immediately.”

  The builder explained that some delays would be required as further demolition would be required before they could start if that was her intention. Carif approved additional funds to accelerate the task. She had no intentions of manning the castle beyond the royal guard which would keep an eye on the treasures that were stored in other parts of the facility. Any attempt for her or her people to move in could be interpreted wrongly.

  A glass later she was back in the Guild Headquarters, when two very disheveled women were escorted into her presence.

  “We found one,” Shurl said without waiting to be addressed as would have been more proper. “It’s small, but it will work as we require.”

  Finally, some good news, Carif thought. She listened as the two tired looking women explained what had happened.

  “The amulet failed?” Carif asked. “So soon?”

  “I believe that part of the Wastelands stresses them more than along the borders where they were tested.

  “How did you get back without it?”

  Shurl grinned, and handed Carif the bracelet taken from the young wizard. “They have a new design. Unfortunately it cannot be used by us. I don’t know if we can copy what they have done or undo the protection.”

  Carif turned the superbly crafted item around in her hands. If only their own were made as well.

  “We had to force one of their young wizards to bring us here with that. Fortunately, they have somehow learned our language. He understood us and could take directions.”

  Carif looked up sharply at the last remark. She had been thinking just a little more than a glass ago how useful it would be to have a westerner who knew the language.

  “I want to see him,” she said. “He might be very important in our plans.”

  Shurl looked at her companion uncertainly.

  “We were forced to kill him,” she said worriedly.

  Carif looked sharply at the two women. “Stupid fools!” she hissed angrily, forgetting momentarily everything these two had just accomplished for her.

  Chapter 71

  The attendance was limited to those who had something to say about the course they would pursue. Even though only a small number of people were present, the power represented by the group was beyond anything Rigo had ever experienced before. The rulers of four kingdoms were there, in the case of Branid and Sedfair, both the King and Queen were represented. For Kellmore and Lopal, only the leaders had come to Sulen to attend. The wizards were heavily represented, with Nycoh and Jeen, and also Rigo at the meeting. Jeen was kept busy translating for the leaders of Sedfair. Unlike the wizards, they still were unable to understand the language. Negotiations had been on going since Queen Rosul had arrived, but now it was time to make a decision. The point had been made that time was running out in Sedfair, and unless something was done soon, Rosul would be in no position to affect the outcome of events in Sedfair any longer. The leaders of the Three Kingdoms had seen the danger posed by the head of Sedfair’s Guild, and feared that even more attacks might result if she were left in control of the powerful force she commanded.

  “We have seen that she is still active,” Nycoh said. “One of our people disappeared the other day. The means by which it happened suggests that some number of their Casters still roam the Ruins, and more than likely have intentions of further disruptions in our lands. She must be made to stop.”

  “It will require a great number of your wizards,” objected Os’car. “Wizards that are necessary to hold back the Hoplani advance. Already Lopal has lost three villages completely, and hundreds of additional individuals along the borders have been killed. Without the support of the Outpost, many more will die.”

  “The losses could be far greater if the rule of this sorcerer is not ended,” Kellmore’s King Briz countered. “Unless something is done, the Three Kingdoms will forever be under the threat of attack. As gifted, or at least as capable with magic as they are, the damage they can do is unimaginable.”

  Rigo knew that Nycoh was committed to going after the Saltique. It would be best if the various leaders supported the idea, but even a negative vote here would not deter her. Wizards are not directed by Kings, but any action between the Three Kingdoms and far off Sedfair would have serious repercussions that would affect relations forever. It was fortunate that Queen Rosul supported an attack in her Kingdom. The vote if taken now would be three to one, with Lopal standing alone. Rigo knew that King Rhory wished to make it unanimous, and for that reason they continued to discuss the matter. It would make for better relations in the long run if Lopal supported the attacks, knowing that it would be the people of Lopal who suffered as a result.

  The Lamane was still not convinced. He wished to see an end to the current problem before entering into a war. Unfortunately, everyone knew that if the Guild had found the means of moving freely in the Ruins, any attempt to rebuild the barrier was more than likely doomed to failure. The towers were not designed to withstand the attacks of a force using magic intent on bringing them down. They could spend months, only to see them blasted into rubble once again.

  What does Queen Mos’pera think?” Os’car asked suddenly.

  The question caught the Queen by surprise. Rigo had noted the slight pinching of her eyes during the meeting, and had wondered at her silence through the day’s discussion. It seemed that the Lamane had noted it as well.

  She looked at the faces of those assembled, now all focused on her own. Unwillingly, she said, “Sadly, you must go. The Guild must be hobbled, their ability to cause disruption ended, before . . .” Then she stopped speaking, startled that she’d almost revealed something unintended.

  “Before what?” Os’car asked, as he’d noticed the slip as well.

  Queen Mos’pera shook her head. “Another matter, not to be discussed at this time,” she said flatly.

  Rigo knew they would learn no more. Lady Mos’pera had explained to him a long time ago, and Daim had concurred, that the Seers knew that some visions must not be spoken of, lest the very act of revealing what they saw could cause problems beyond what their vision revealed. This must be something of
the sort. It was enough that she had made it clear her belief was that they had to move forward. Queen Mos’pera’s slip suggested however, that some other problem lurked in their future.

  The leaders looked from Queen Mos’pera to one another. The leaders of the Three Kingdom’s realized that something important had been revealed, even if the specifics were being withheld. Queen Rosul was unfamiliar with the abilities of a seer, and therefore did not understand what had transpired even after Jeen translated, beyond receiving support for her request for aid against the Guild.

  “It’s time to vote,” King Rhory said. Like the others, he’d decided there was nothing to gain by further discussions. There was nothing more to be said that could change opinions.

  There would be five votes. The leader of each Kingdom would vote, as well as Nycoh, the leader of the wizards. Each held a white and a black marble made of colored wood. A cup was passed, and each dropped the chosen marble that reflected their view into an opaque bottle, white to proceed, black to abstain. When the marbles were recovered and displayed, all were white.

  “How will you proceed?” King Rhory asked Nycoh. It would be a force mainly of wizards who ventured into Sedfair, although she had already asked for two hundred of their best archers and swordsmen.

  “We will take the castle first,” she explained. “Queen Rosul needs to return and make it known that she lives and that the enemy is not the Three Kingdoms, but the Guild, or at least its leaders.”

  “The castle will probably be in possession of the Guild,” King Briz objected.

  “Queen Rosul believes that not to be the case,” Jeen said. “There will be some number of Guild Casters present, but it would be politically unwise for her to publicly occupy it.”

  “It is unfortunate we have no intelligence,” objected Os’car. “Is there no way to learn the status by going into the city and observing what is happening?”

  “This Saltique, Carif, will have taken pains to make everything appear as she wishes,” Rigo pointed out. “We would need someone who can move freely inside the castle.”

  “What about Daria?” Nycoh asked. “She has demonstrated such an ability many times in the past. This sounds like something the Black Ghost might be able to help with.”

  “Kaler would insist on going along,” Rigo pointed out.

  “He’s almost as good as her, despite his size” Jeen said. “She’s been training him.”

  “For this to work we would need to bring Lyes,” Rigo pointed out. “Otherwise they would detect the Bypass portal going to the castle and know someone had arrived there. Lyes is the only one we have who can mask a Bypass endpoints. Carif doesn’t know we have anyone with that ability. She will assume a masked Bypass was one of her people.”

  Jeen was translating for Queen Rosul, when Nycoh shook her head. “Ash’urn would be better” she said.

  Rigo looked at Nycoh in shock. “Ash’urn?” he asked.

  Nycoh grinned. “He’s going to be annoyed I stole his thunder, but he has been very close to young Fen and Lyes. Lyes not only helped him understand what he was doing wrong with his attempts to create a Bypass, but was able to teach him how to mask the end points.”

  “How can that be?” Rigo objected. “He hasn’t been able to teach any of the rest of us?”

  “That’s because the rest of us use our inherent magic, which is still new to Lyes. Ash’urn creates magic the same way Lyes always has, and he was able to teach Ash’urn how to modify the trigger phrase for the creation of a Bypass so the ends are hidden. Now he can create one that is masked as well. He wanted to show you himself. He is immensely pleased that he can do something that you can’t.”

  Rigo was stunned. He shouldn’t have been. Ash’urn was constantly showing himself to have abilities no one suspected. “Even given this new ability, why would Ash’urn be a better choice?”

  “Because he has a long history with Daria and Kaler and they work smoothly together, and because he can use his invisibility spell to hide himself once they arrive at the castle. Daria and Kaler can perform their reconnaissance and he can quietly stay hidden until it is time to leave. I don’t believe Lyes has that ability and we can’t afford the time for him to try and learn it.”

  “What about Fen and Lyes if Ash’urn takes off on this mission?” Rigo asked.

  “They are involved with Daim on something,” Nycoh explained. “Ash’urn is free to go.”

  Reluctantly Rigo nodded. “Perhaps I could go along,” he said, but Nycoh was shaking her head.

  “You need to be organizing our forces. If Ash’urn doesn’t return within the agreed time, your people must be prepared to go, possibly into a battle zone.”

  “How will your forces be deployed?” King Rhory asked.

  “We’ve chosen six teams, each with twenty wizards and fifteen guardsmen. Each team will be headed by one of our people who has the ability to counter most types of magic. There are only eight of us who can neutralize a beam of Brightfire, or most other forms of magic. According to Queen Rosul, that ability is unknown there, so it will give us somewhat of an edge. We have the layout of the castle, so we know where we want to make our entry.”

  “With so many teams, how will you make the Bypasses without being detected?” King Briz asked.

  “If Ash’urn’s group doesn’t come back, then stealth won’t be a factor. They’ll know we are coming and be prepared. It will be a brutal battle, I’m certain. If they make it back, then we will adjust our entry based on their intelligence. Even then, I think I want Carif to realize we have arrived. I would also prefer to keep our ability to make masked Doorways a secret as long as possible. It could be useful since they don’t believe we have that ability. She can sense the approximate number of people coming through if she is watching. She won’t know that those arriving aren’t all wizards. The number of people we are bringing will have to give her reason to be cautious. Our people have demonstrated they are stronger than hers.”

  “After you have taken the castle, then what?” Os’car asked.

  “Once Queen Rosul is back, she can make her presence known and denounce Carif. Then we will see to taking down the Guild.”

  When they gathered later that evening again, it was to hear the results of the scouting trip. Daria, Kaler, and Ash’urn were the focus of everyone’s attention, as they explained what they had learned.

  “The castle is being watched mostly by guardsmen,” Daria explained. She and Kaler had spent almost two glass working their way through the castle. “I believe they are the Queen’s guards, as none wore the special symbol that she told us signified the men of Carif’s special force. There was a group of workmen in the Queen’s quarters where the last battle took place. They appear to be working to clear away the damage and repair the rooms. Scattered throughout the castle was a token force of their Casters. Most had staffs without the usual crystal on top. There were half a dozen Casters with the more familiar staffs.”

  Jeen translated this for Rosul and Kall, and for Mitty, who was present for this meeting.

  “Those sound like training staffs,” Kall said. Jeen translated for those who didn’t speak the language. “Carif must have assigned students to oversee the monitoring of the castle. They won’t be a formidable force.”

  “Hopefully they can be disarmed without killing them,” Queen Rosul said. “They are most likely unaware of what Carif has been doing.”

  As Daria explained the deployment of the minimal forces in the castle, Rigo made minor modifications to his own deployment plan. Given what Daria had learned, taking the castle wouldn’t be too difficult.

  * * * * *

  King Kall wanted to go with the forces that would make the assault. He argued that his presence would help validate the claim that they were there at the request of the Queen. She couldn’t be allowed to go, as the danger would be far too great. Even though the wizards could speak the language, who would necessarily believe them? Carif would have spread the word that the westerners intende
d to invade all of Sedfair, and would be reacting appropriately. They almost certainly believed that the Three Kingdoms were responsible for either killing or kidnapping their Queen. Kall hoped he could refute that. He would be believed whereas their words would be ignored. In the end, he was permitted to go, but Rigo insisted Kall travel with him.

  They traveled as a group to the staging area at one of the oases they knew of in the cluster near Oasis Six. They hadn’t used it before, so none of the Casters in Sedfair should know of it either. Once assembled, they made the six Bypass portals into the assigned areas of the castle simultaneously, and without hesitating, charged through into the castle. It was early morning in Sedfair, which meant that all of the workers in the castle would be away, or for those few who resided in the castle, still asleep. Rigo’s group exited the Bypass in the Queen’s quarters where the last battle had taken place. Jeen’s group was just outside in the main hallway, and the other groups were in other key areas where Daria had indicated should be quickly controlled.

  “I didn’t remember the damage as being this great,” Kall said as they walked through the rubble of what had been the private rooms of Rosul and himself.

  “Daria indicated they were tearing down some areas for rebuilding,” Rigo reminded him. Rigo felt a shudder as a blast shook the building deep below the floor where they now stood. One of the groups was encountering some resistance. A shout down the hall brought his attention back to their own problems.

  A dozen armed guardsmen, were charging towards them. It was incredibly brave as the soldiers had to suspect they were wizards, and if so, any attempt to engage them was destined to fail. At the head of the group of soldiers were three women with staffs, these with the familiar glowing crystals. The one on the left discharged a bright beam of Brightfire, directed at the center of Rigo’s group. Everyone in Rigo’s team was dressed the same. They all carried swords and looked like soldiers. Some were, but the others were wizards. It added a bit of confusion, and Rigo hoped the other side would believe they were all skilled in magic. The beam was a strong one, but nothing he couldn’t handle, and he relished the look of confusion on the face of the Caster when her supposedly irresistible beam of magic simply faded away harmlessly. Rigo’s delight didn’t last long, as the second of the Casters released one of the beams of green colored energy. Rigo’s attempts to block it failed, and the beam sliced through a half dozen men, some soldiers, and couple of wizards. He was about to trigger his own force when the Caster stepped back behind a nearby wall. At almost the same time Burke wrapped the final Caster in a whirl of spinning fire, ending any chance of more of the beams. A bolt from a crossbow crossed the room and buried itself in the chest of the first Caster before she could trigger another one of the deadly beams of her own. Daria and Kaler were making sure Rigo was safe once again. He looked for the Caster who had produced the unstoppable green beam. Rigo needed to find out what kind of magic those green beams represented, and find a means of countering them. Unfortunately, the Caster appeared to have fled.