The Sword of Elseerian: The White Mage Saga #2 (The Chronicles of Lumineia)

by Ben Hale

"If it was you, where would you have put it?" Hawk asked.

  "The sixth," Janson said. "The rooms down there hold the most lethal items, so even the guards do not have permission to enter most of the rooms. It would be the safest place to keep an object from prying eyes."

  "Then the question remains, what do we do?" Leah's hands were intertwined as she considered her own question.

  "Could someone steal it?" Ritsu asked.

  "The fourth floor was successfully breached only once," Janson replied. "And most believe that was by a member of the guard. To my knowledge no one has ever succeeded in taking something from the bottom two levels."

  Hawk's lips twitched, but he didn't mention that he knew who had perpetrated the first incursion. Instead, he summed up the situation. "So the Sword is probably hidden somewhere on the lowest floor, and is likely to remain there for another four weeks."

  "When it will be used to open the portal," Zeph finished.

  Hawk nodded at him, his expression sober. Then he turned to Ritsu. "Could you accomplish the mission?"

  She fingered the hilt of her sword, but her features were doubtful. "I . . . don't think so," she said. "At least not without killing anyone. Stealth and infiltration aren't my areas of expertise."

  Hawk released a sigh and accepted her answer with a nod. What she said was true. She was not trained for that type of work. She had proven herself in battle, but breaking into such a place required an entirely different skill set . . .

  "What about the Swordsman?" Hawk asked.

  "The assassin?" Leah's voice was laced with disapproval. "Why would he do it?"

  "Because he hates the Harbingers," Zeph growled, "perhaps even more than we do."

  "He's a killer, not a thief, but he does have the right abilities," Janson mused. "And as he is not part of this Guild, he is—"

  "No one is expendable," Hawk said. "The only reason we would send him on this mission is because we believe he could succeed."

  Janson took the rebuke in stride. "If anyone could, it would be him. But I want to make it clear, his chances are slim—at best."

  "Ritsu?" Hawk asked. "What do you think?"

  "I agree with Janson," she said with a sigh. "He's the only one that would have a chance."

  "Then we are decided?"

  Four heads nodded in agreement, and Ritsu added, "We are probably inclined to do this now, but I suggest we wait until the quad break at Tryton's next week. Many parents, students, and soldiers have time off during the week. It won't lighten security much, but the slightest change could make the difference."

  Janson gave an approving nod, and Hawk agreed, "I will get in touch with him. Now we should move on to the other matter."

  "There's something else?" Leah asked.

  "Two, actually," Hawk said.

  "The Oracle?" Janson guessed shrewdly.

  Hawk nodded. "She and her friends managed to procure an item I asked her to retrieve. As you are aware, the resulting damage was . . . extensive."

  "That's an understatement," Janson said. "The Recollection looked like an energy bomb had struck it, and the path through the treeways was shocking. They are still working on the damage. The Oracle should have contacted us."

  "There was no way she could have known about the entity," Ritsu argued. "Not even the Magtherian knew it was one."

  Hawk was grateful for her comment. She worked in the Spirus research arm, and had studied most of the artifacts in the Recollection, as well as a few from the Vaults. She would have known if the statue was an entity.

  "And it was huge," Leah added. "I didn't think it was possible to create an entity that large. Did she really change its purpose?"

  "She did," Hawk said.

  Hawk didn't show it, but he was quite proud of the oracle's feat. He'd known the woman that had created it, and to overcome her will was beyond impressive.

  "For those who don't know already, she took refuge here after the incident," Janson said. "And we got them back to the school the next morning. It appears that their involvement has not been discovered."

  "Yet," Ritsu said. "I understand the Mage Technology Bureau is still searching for evidence."

  Hawk flashed a wry smile. "I believe we can count on Tess's friend to keep her safe in that regard. That girl has proven her resourcefulness on several occasions."

  "Hopefully," Janson said, but his voice remained doubtful.

  "Why haven't they moved the entity?" Leah asked.

  Ritsu issued a bark of laughter. "Because they can't. Whatever purpose the oracle placed on it, no one has been able to break it—or even hear it."

  "That's not surprising," Zeph said. "You can only hear an entity's purpose if you have the same field of magic. Only another oracle would be able to hear a purpose placed by Tess."

  "What's the point in bringing this up, Hawk?" Janson asked, and turned to face him.

  Hawk released a troubled sigh. "The attack on Brokins last week makes it clear that the Harbingers are accelerating their plans—and it's working. Mages are turning to anger, and many parents are putting pressure on the High Council to act. They don't feel safe anymore. We are running out of time, and we have to consider the possibility that we won't recover the Sword before they intend to use it."

  He released a troubled sigh. "The High Council voted to take magic public, and now they are making the people believe that action will be one of conflict. We cannot allow that to happen. Unfortunately, there is little we can do beyond what we are already doing.

  "However, I believe we need to increase our tutoring of Tess when the next quad begins. This week she will have finals, and next is the quad break. After that we should begin. She has demonstrated an ability to absorb magic and knowledge as easily as you and I draw breath. She needs to be prepared to lead our world when the time comes."

  "You think we should put more pressure on her?" Leah said, her voice was concerned. "Don't you think she has enough burdens to carry? When she came in after the Recollection incident she was worn down—and not just from the battle."

  "If she is capable of more," Zeph rumbled. "Then we should push her."

  "Just don't say I didn't warn you," Leah said. "If the girl breaks she will be useless, and all will be lost."

  The others agreed with both of them, and the decision was made. "Now to the last topic," he said. "The Dark."

  Janson turned to Zeph, who had been working on techniques to fight Ducalik's power. "Any luck?"

  "None," the big African said.

  "I have another idea," Hawk said slowly.

  Ritsu leaned in. "What are you thinking, Hawk?"

  Hawk began, "We know the Dark absorbs most known types of energy, making it impossible to strike at Ducalik directly. However, the Dark also subverts people to its will, so we will be unable to go after Ducalik personally. We were fortunate Tess's friend knocked him back through the portal before the Dark could spread. I doubt we will be so lucky next time."

  His eyebrows pulled together in thought. "I believe that if we fail to stop the portal's opening, we will face an enemy we cannot reach, let alone fight. At that point, it is likely the Dark will gradually spread until it has consumed the globe."

  "So what do you suggest?" Janson asked. "If we can't fight the Dark, or fight in the Dark, what's left?"

  "We get someone who's comfortable with absolute darkness."

  The silence stretched for a long moment until Ritsu blinked in realization. "You mean the dark elves."

  "I do."

  "But they haven't been seen in decades," Leah said. "And who knows if they would even help us."

  "They might be the only ones not affected by Ducalik's magic," Janson countered. "So I would say it's a tactical risk."

  "But who would go?" Zeph said.

  "Me," Hawk replied.

  "We can't risk losing you," Ritsu protested. "And that deep in the ground you wouldn't be a phoenix. You would just be a man."

  "Do you think I am without power in this form?" Hawk asked
. There was a timbre to his voice that caused Ritsu to flush.

  "That's not what I mean, Hawk. I just know you are uncomfortable underground."

  "That may be true," he said. "But I am unwilling to risk any of you—or anyone else in the Guild." He flashed a wry smile. "The dark elf queen knows my true identity, and they have not forgotten how we fought together in The Second Draeken War. I believe I can get them to listen."

  The other four Guild leaders looked at each other, and then relented. Hawk gave a grateful nod. "I will seek them out and return in two weeks. Zeph, continue your research, and pull every available light mage from within our ranks. Leah, keep working with the remaining three that have been Darkened. I know their minds are gone, but if you can heal them, we may have a shred of hope."

  He turned to Janson, but the man had already raised his hand to forestall his order. "I know, keep spying on the Harbingers from within the battlemages’ ranks."

  "And I will continue seeking allies among the other cities," Ritsu said. "I've already scheduled a trip to gather artifacts in Europe."

  "Remember," Hawk said, "if we gain enough support we can force the Harbingers into the public eye. At that point the general populace will most likely support us. The Harbingers only operate from the shadows because their goals would not be accepted by the people—but that will change if enough mages become angry."

  "After the Brokins attack many already are," Janson said, his tone dark, and the others nodded in agreement.

  Hawk didn't remind them that they were running out of time again. Each of those present knew it already. Drawing their attention to him one last time, he said, "There is one more thing I wish for you all to do, when the time permits. I wish for you to find a moment where you can personally train Tess. Even if you have already done so, I would like each of you to visit with her in the coming weeks."

  "I will go first," Janson said. "I have an assignment at the school anyway."

  "Be discreet," Hawk warned. "The Harbingers know who I am, but may not know about the four of you. Don't let them isolate you. We've lost too many already."

  Ritsu looked away as the other three nodded, but Hawk felt a twinge of guilt. Her brother had been killed by the Harbingers less than a month ago.

  "Then we are adjourned," Hawk said.

  All five stood, and said in unison, "The light will prevail."

  Hawk's gut tightened. Their vow had been placed by Siarra herself when she had helped found the Guild. Hawk had thought she'd shared everything she knew about what was coming. Had she known about the Dark? Or was it just a coincidence? Either way he knew that the time had come for the Guild to fulfill its purpose.

  And for him to fulfill his own.

  Chapter 32: Unfamiliar

  Tess wrapped her jacket tighter around her shoulders, warding off the rain. Then she drew some of the surrounding heat to warm herself. It didn't seem to matter, and she shivered. The pattering of rain on her back seemed impervious to her magic, but she knew it was just her mood.

  Annoyed, she accelerated. In her wake the two flyers that Hawk had assigned to guard her struggled to keep up. She knew she was being callous, but she couldn't muster enough concern to slow down. Numbed by the events of the past week, she flew toward Richmond on memory.

  The week following the attack on Brokins had been somber and quiet, and the mood was reinforced as many of the homeless students transferred to Tryton's. A pall had fallen over the city of Auroraq as they had arrived, and individual accounts of the attack began to emerge.

  The students came with an aura of uncertainty and fear, but were welcomed by the Tryton's directors. Since Tryton's was almost at maximum capacity, the school had asked for volunteers who would be willing to allow a third person into their dorm. The number of volunteers had far outweighed the number of students requiring space. Tess and Iris had been among those to offer their room, but had not been selected.

  The quad finals at the end of the week had made it worse, but the directors had insisted so the students took their tests anyway.

  With ten exams (Hawk had asked that she test in Fire, Gravity, and Water in addition to her six power classes and History of Magic) Tess had struggled to stay focused. Her task was made difficult by the whispers and looks that lined her path. The news orbs had been quick to spread what Tess and the Tempest players had done, and the ensuing attention had been significant. It was nothing compared to what she received from the Brokins' students.

  Everywhere she went they would mob her, expressing their gratitude. She did her best to accept the attention without letting it go to her head—an easy feat in that she felt guilty about what had happened.

  She couldn't shake the nagging feeling that she should have prevented it. The doubt had sunk into her soul, making it difficult to concentrate or even think. She couldn't explain why she felt it, so the guilt went unvoiced to her friends. Of anyone, she would have most liked to talk to Hawk, but he hadn't responded to her queries in days.

  The lights of Richmond grew as she descended toward them, but all she cared about was seeing her parents. Despite her yearning to see them she stayed high, allowing the rain and dark clouds to obscure their approach. Only when her glasses indicated they were directly above her target did she drop. In a rush she dived several hundred feet, and only pulled out when the rain soaked roof of an apartment building came into view.

  Jerking out of her dive, she alighted easily, and was followed by her guards. Well trained, they darted away and circled the roof, ensuring no one was present. Tess restrained her impatience. They were just following Hawk's orders, and she couldn't blame them for that.

  Once they were finished they turned to the rear of the building and jumped down to a metal staircase that connected all the rear doors of the four-story building. Her heart in her throat, she knocked on the door.

  It was opened immediately, and her mother engulfed her in an embrace. Tess hugged her back just as fiercely.

  One of the guards coughed, and murmured, "We should get inside, Oracle."

  "He's right," Kate said.

  Tess frowned in annoyance, but allowed herself to be pulled into the interior of a somewhat drab apartment. Beige wallpaper covered the hallway, and the carpet looked to be a remnant from the seventies. It made her sad to recall the home she'd grown up in, the one the Harbingers had destroyed. Her mom seemed to notice the scrutiny.

  "At least it's clean," she said.

  Her gaze flicked over Tess's shoulder as the guards closed the door and remained next to it. Her eyes sparkled and her lips thinned, but she didn't comment. Jack appeared at the other end of the hallway and closed the distance in two steps.

  Tess hugged him and wished she never had to let go. All the uncertainty, all the cold dread dimmed in his fatherly embrace. Tess felt the urge to cry but reined it in.

  "It's good to have you home," he said as he pulled away.

  "It's a nice place," Tess said.

  "Don't sugar coat it," he said. "It's awful—but it's close to our work so it's easier to protect ourselves from any Harbingers that might be watching us."

  "Have they attacked you?” Tess asked. Worry seeped into her voice.

  Her mom intercepted the question. "How about some hot chocolate? I'm sure it was cold on your . . . flight down here."

  Tess agreed, but held her mom's gaze. She wasn't about to be dissuaded so easily. Her dad guided her into the living room as her mom prepared three mugs. When she returned Tess couldn't resist taking an immediate sip. It was hot and delicious, and warmed her to the core. Just being in her parents presence made her feel whole. Fleetingly, she wondered why that didn't occur with Alice, but maybe that was just a time thing.

  After a second sip, she asked, "Do you want to go first, or shall I?"

  "You first," her dad said with an easy smile. "But keep in mind that Breaker has kept us apprised of the situation."

  "So you know about the attack on Brokins?" Tess was surprised. For some reason she'd expecte
d them to be in the dark. Because of finals they had hardly spoken since before the attack.

  Her mom gave a tight-lipped smile. "We know from both sides. After all, it was our government that sought to destroy the underwater terrorist base."

  "Yeah," Tess said, and looked away. "I still can't believe it was the United States."

  "Don't blame the U.S.," her dad said. "The Harbingers were behind it."

  That was news to Tess, and she threw a sharp look at him. "How could you know that?"

  He released a troubled sigh. "They manipulated the satellite imagery coming into the CIA. We saw a pattern of vessels traveling to and from a location out in the middle of the ocean. After we did a subsurface scan and saw the base—"

  "You were behind it?" Tess demanded.

  Kate jerked her head. "No, Tess. The CIA as a whole. Your father and I found out about the attack only a day before it happened. We might have been able to stop it—but we didn't even know it was a mage city. For all we knew it could have been a forward terrorist base. There are still plenty of non-mage threats we have to deal with."

  Tess's anger didn't subside in spite of their logic, and she took a sip of hot chocolate as she seethed. Her dad took advantage of the silence.

  "Perhaps it would be best if I go first?"

  Tess grunted her ascent, and her father began.

  "It's been three months since our house was destroyed and Hawk has moved us twice since then. With his help I managed to transfer to the Mage Investigation Office, and Kate got onto the—"

  "Do you mind if I tell my side?” Kate asked.

  Jack acquiesced with a nod, his eyes reflecting surprise. Then he continued. "Most of my new job has been monitoring suspected interference from mages in our government's activities, and training my team to do the same. With Breaker's help I managed to identify several techno mages working undercover within our organization. We took great caution in transferring them to other locations."

  "Didn't they resist?" Tess asked.

  His lips twitched. "To say the least, but if they had argued too much it would have given them away. We made it look like a promotion to another field, but it was more of a lateral move to a position where they would have less influence."