by R N Skye
Ari and Gerard chuckled at the crusty retired agent’s unsuccessful circumvention of topic as they entered the compact kitchen and dining area. Ari grabbed a couple of mugs from their hooks and filled one with hot roasters and handed it to his brother, “Here have a seat.” He then filled his own and took a seat near the starboard porthole. Looking out he saw nothing but miles of open water. “Where are we?”
Shew half tossed half slid a plate of bacon onto the table and Nuekirk brought a plate of biscuits and the pot of roasters placing them next to the bacon. Shew dropped four plates with utensils next to Ari, “Here pass those around while you try to remember how to say thanks for sharing your breakfast.” He said ignoring his former protégé’s question. “Take a seat kid,” he said to Nuekirk as the young man carried a large pan of scrambled eggs to the table. “I’ll get the gravy.”
Placing the pot of white sausage gravy with a ladle, on the table Shew pulled up a chair at the end of the table and without preamble began piling food on his plate. “We’re about forty milos west of Jehhet harbor,” Shew said as he ladled gravy over the pile of halved biscuits buried in eggs and bacon. Yesterday afternoon we found out that there were five schooners set to sail towards Lu Y Onton full of a few hundred of their wrist band soldiers so we got up early and used the portal to fill em up with sea water. Not enough to sink em mind you but full enough to make em unusable. We had so much success we decided to go until it got light. We probably beached thirty or so craft before it got too light and crews began waking up; so we decide to get breakfast.”
“Good job,” Ari smiled. “I have fond memories of when you showed me how to be creative in my sabotage.” Changing the subject Ari asked, “How did it go at the Magetech manufacturing building?”
“Like clockwork,” Shew answered as he nibbled on another piece of bacon. “The wristbands that Shane doctored up for us worked perfectly. After we got the lay out of the guards there we took a stroll through the barracks and the guard house at the palace and we found out some amazing things and may have even discovered a possible ally.”
Ari smiled as Shew explained how during their skulking around the barracks at the palace they had overheard a large captain talking to himself and that if he could get the wristbands removed he would choke the life from the king with his bare hands. “They’re marching as a troop to the outskirts of Jehhet to get loaded up with wristbands sometime today and then marching west to gather up more conscripts and people for whatever it is they are up to, first thing tomorrow morning,” Shew wrapped up.
“I have a plan,” Ari said at last, “but first I need you get Gerard up to speed. He is going to take our spots at the war meetings from now on. I need you to introduce him to Roger, Lieutenant Arvada, and Jacques. Brief him on the politics, who we have helped and with what and why. While you do that I’m going to see if I can get as many blue dots as I can from Shane before him and Ava head out to start doing stuff you don’t want to know about. If I’m not back before the meeting starts use a portal to get him there, make introductions then leave and meet me back here.” Ari turned to his brother. “Gerard, you will have to probably take a taxi home.”
Gerard stoically took in the fast pace that Ari was planning and moving. “Just one thing,” Gerard asked his older brother. “Please ask Shane to talk to Louisa regarding my glyphs.”
“I completely forgot about that,” Ari said with a smile, “I’ll have to have you fill me in when we get time later today. I recall how Shane ‘conveniently’ forgot to tell me what would happen when I got my personal glyphs. I swear these glyph masters are worse than kids with their jokes”
“Look who’s talking,” retorted Gerard with bark.
~~~~~
Per his habit before going anywhere, Shane had gathered his backpack and was stuffing it with various notebooks, and various magical bits and pieces that he had made or was in the process of making - both as experiments and for defense against Allyant lumen - when Ava walked into his office.
“You weren’t planning on leaving without me were you?” She asked as she plopped into a large, out of place, overstuffed chair, that had somehow found its way into his office; dropping her own pack to the floor next to her.
“Just throwing a few things together, you never know what might come in handy,” he said as he fastened it closed by pulling and tying the draw strings tight. “You look ready.”
“I am, what time are we leaving,” She asked.
“As soon as my parents get here,” Shane sat at his desk and took out a small pouch from his pocket. After a few moments little blue dots began appearing on the desktop. When several dozen had appeared he opened his eyes and took a deep breath. Then began sweeping them up with his hand into a pile. Opening the pouch he gathered up the small blue glyphs.”
Ava had watched with rapt attention then deciding to give it a try herself she concentrated on her instructor until she had the idea of the lumen structure that Shane had made available. With slight apprehension she braced herself mentally then focused the lumen and began the enchantment. She felt an enormous pressure begin to squeeze at her from all sides as if she was suddenly deep under water. Never before had it taken any effort to use glyph magic or create glyphs. Just how high a level of magic was Shane asking her to perform? As the pressure increased she released an enormous amount of lumen; she watched it leave her and form into a small blue circle on the desktop. When the dot was formed the pressure was suddenly gone. Smiling at Shane she exclaimed with no small amount of satisfaction, “I did it!” She then promptly slumped back comfortably in the big chair and fell asleep.
Shane leaned forward to make sure she was alright. Seeing a smile sleepily display across her face and hearing a happy snore he relaxed and began making more of the dots. He was just finishing putting another dozen into his pouch when he heard a knock. Looking up he saw Ari enter the room.
“Hi Shane,” he greeted as he curiously took in Ava napping in the chair. “What happened? You two kids stay up too late last night?”
“She just made one of these,” Shane gestured to the blue dots that he was sweeping into the pouch. “The first couple will wipe you out. One of the reasons I said not to attempt it unless you had a day off to rest.”
“Is she going to be okay?”
“Yeah, let her rest; I’ll give her some energy and a shot of Lumen when my folks get here and we get ready to head to the Valley of the Arc. What brings you here so bright and early? I thought you and Shew were going to Jehhet to check things out.”
“We were, still are, but they found out some crucial details and I need a bunch of your dots. How many do you have? “
Shane held out the pouch that he had been storing the neutralizing glyphs in and handed it to Ari. “I’m not sure how many are in there; probably close to fifteen hundred. By tomorrow I’ll have quadruple that many and the day after quadruple the quadruple. Seeing how you and Shew are going to the Jehhet royal magetech building I guess that means that you won’t be attempting making any feedback glyphs any time soon. Here are these I’ll get you more as soon as I can. “Shane handed him the pouch.
Ari took the proffered pouch and tucked it into his jacket pocket, “Thanks. Before I forget, Gerard asked me to have you talk to Louisa about his glyphs and what he needs to do next.”
“Ava already did,” responded Shane. Looks like Sicam runs in your family. Tell Gerard that Ava has made and engraved his instructor, but to get with Leslie and she or Louisa will show him how to get started.
A short flash of light announced the arrival of Shane’s parents. “Good morning Ari,” they echoed each other in their greeting.” Turning to Shane his mother gave him a warm hug, “Good morning son, are you about ready?”
“Almost,” Shame replied, “I’m just giving Ari some of these feedback glyphs. He and Shew are going to see if they can deploy a few and start defusing some of Allion’s hold on the people.”
“Good luck Ari,” Laura said with concern. Allyant m
agic can be most deadly,” she cautioned. “Don’t underestimate the king. He may know more than he’s letting on.”
“Make sure you use all of the shielding that you have been studying,” added Soaris.
Ari laughed at Shane’s protective patients. “I’ll be careful,” he assured them. “I better head out.”
After Ari left, Laura looked at the sleeping Ava. “Is she going to be okay? She looks spent. What enchantments has she been practicing?”
She cast the feedback glyph. It was near the top of her capacity. I’ve been letting her nap while I was waiting for you two. With a thought Shane pushed some of his own lumen into the sleeping Ava, and then also pushed some energy into her physiology.
Shane’s parents watched with appreciative glances, “Nicely done,” offered his mother. “Whatever glyphs the Arc endowed you with it would seem it didn’t stint at healing.”
“Let’s get going, I need to get with Ari and help in Jehhet as soon as we get back,” replied Shane, as he picked up and slung his pack. Leaning over he nudged Ava on the shoulder. “Time to wake up, Sunshine,” he prodded gently.”
Ava stretched and yawned as she opened her eyes. “Laura, Soaris - good morning; I sort of dozed off. I hope I haven’t kept you waiting.” She added as she stood.
“You’re fine dear,” Laura beamed. “We just arrived.” She added as she gave Ava her usual hug. “How do you feel? Shane just told us that you did some true lumen magic.”
“I’m fine, strangely I feel refreshed and I’m not tired anymore.” Ava answered back reflectively.
Soaris leaned closer looking at her in concentration. Then with a smile said, “It looks like congratulations are in order. That latest enchantment has moved you beyond glyph mastery; you are officially a glyph master and a beginning lumen mage.”
Shane just smile as Ava pondered her future father-in-laws words. Recalling the pressure and the massive expenditure of lumen that she had experienced she recalled Shane’s and her instructor’s exhortation that she would know when she was a glyph master and ready to move on to being a true lumen mage. “So,” she laughed turning to Shane, “that’s what you meant when you said that I would know when I was ready to move on to the lumen mage level. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Where’s the fun in that, dear.” Shane answered. “Besides it is better that you experience it unanticipated for reasons of your growth and experience.” Changing the subject he asked, “Do you feel strong enough to travel?”
At her nod Shane reached out and pulled her close into an embrace. “Congratulations, I’m proud of you. I knew you were up to it - Ready for some more?” With a wave of his hand a projection appeared in front of Ava. Ava looked and saw the image of a large pale granite platform with a large golden glyph covered pyramid in the center. Etched into the platform encircling the pyramid were numerous large glyphs nearly a cubit across. Shane, indicating the large glyphs said to Ava, “Pick a glyph and memorize it – Let me know when you have the image in your mind.” He then drew a glowing teleportation glyph suspended in the air in front of her.
“Ok got it,” she said opening her eyes taking in the glyph that Shane had drawn.
“When you’re ready imagine yourself standing on the glyph you chose and activate the glyph in front of you.
Ava closed her eyes once again in concentration and without a word winked out of sight.
Shane laughed out loud, “I hope the world is ready for her,” he said to himself. Turning to his parents he said, “I guess we better not keep her waiting.”
~~~~~
Ari was soon back on the sloop with the pouch of the special glyphs that Shane had provided. Looking around, Shew, Gerard and the kid were not on aboard. Ari went to the wheelhouse and began setting up the large crystal screens and began surveillance on the large company that was beginning to form up to begin their march to the magetech manufacturing center and the manufacturing center itself. He then joined a device similar to those he had used long ago to record the scenes that appeared on the consoles; this one far improved with the many things he had learned now that he was a glyph mage. He then went below and unlocked a magically secured and invisible chest in his quarters and changed into dark clothes. He then donned a harness that contains several pouches and clips of which he began to attach several magical devices – not the least of which was a plain looking sword handle that he fastened to a holster on the right side of his belt. After he had equipped himself he filled a small duffle with several more items, re-secured and made invisible the chest, then returned to the wheelhouse.
Several minutes later he heard footsteps coming up the stairs. The familiar voice of Shew hollered from below decks calling out his name.
“Up here,” Ari called back.
Shew soon joined the former assassin in the wheelhouse. Looking Ari up and down, noting the dark utility trousers, shirt, and jacket, his bracers, collection of knives, and various other items that looked sinister but had no names that the old agent could put to them. Taking in the serious expression and the scenes that showed up on the screens, Shew knew that even though everyone now called him Ari, it was Stafford who he was looking at now. Without a doubt today would be the last day on Eliom for more than a few people.
Shew shook his head. The man looked so calm and focused. He wondered if he even thought of his enemies as people or did he just view them as obstacles that needed to be removed. Shew began to feel an excitement that he hadn’t felt in a while; Stafford was back on the hunt like the old days.
He had known that there was something different about the man he had first met as Ari. Shew had given him the name of Stafford from the beginning and he had donned the identity like a cloak; no questions, no comments. Within months this man had conquered and if possible improved the art of intelligence gathering - his naturally logical mind had mastered the ability to analyze and plan almost instantly with any information he discovered. While no slouch, Shew knew that Stafford would eventually be his successor, so rather than resist it he encouraged it and groomed him even further. Shew’s only concern at the time was that he often wondered if there was trust to be had from a man that could out think out maneuver and eliminate his enemies so efficiently and unemotionally - after fifteen years and several times saving his life, Shew knew that he could trust Stafford and if Stafford ever had to kill him it would be because he would deserve it.
Ari’s code for a lack of a better term was unique. Stafford or Ari whatever his label was now, the man was an enigma. One thing that Shew was certain of: as long as you weren’t his target you were safe and as long as you were his friend – woe be unto those that should try to harm you. As Shew considered this he realized that this is why Ari was going against the mad king of Infin with the odds so stacked against him. Ari must have considered the country of Infin his friend, his home, or in some unfathomable way his family.
Shew broke the silence. “Your brother is with Roger and he will get him introduced to the rest of the war staff. He knows most of them already though. I filled him in on the important stuff; Roger will do the in-between-the-lines briefing. I don’t think the kid is up to the sort of thing that we are going to do today so I told him to stay with your brother in case he needs a runner.”
“I was going to suggest that,” was Ari’s only reply.
“I see you are ready to get to work,” Shew commented on Ari’s attire.
“Just a few tools,” Ari responded not taking his eyes from the screen. “There’s a duffle bag near the door; that stuff is for you. Gear up.”
Taking the duffle Shew left Ari and went to his quarters to change. Ari began focusing on the manufacturing facility. As he watched he noticed that a crew soldiers were predictably moving crates to be stacked with unlabeled boxes and various artifacts in a storage room near a loading ramp used for freight and supply wagons. The area was secured by two large doors that were locked as soon as the crates were in place. Ari’s first thought was to open a portal and take the b
ands and modify them on the sloop, but just as quickly the thought occurred to him that the tracking system on them may allow Allion to know their location whether worn or not. Not willing to risk getting caught by leading Allion to the sloop or where else he might relocate Ari decided that they would port to the storage bay and start placing the blue glyphs on the bands there.
Switching views he searched out the company of soldiers that were now marching toward the manufacturing facility most were on foot but the cadre of officers was mounted. Following up the rear rumbled several large wagons loaded with supplies with two empty wagons that Ari assumed were to be used to transport the cargo of wristbands at the magetech facility.
~~~~~
Pechor was enormously pleased. He had found the proverbial chink in the mysterious Stafford’s armor. His plan to infiltrate and plant an Allyant seed on someone who would be considered beyond suspicion in a location where people talked freely with gossip that would be heard and likely lead to sources of truth had paid off.
It had only taken a moment for the possessed Jamison to gain the friendship of a pert young waitress named Genae. Genae was immediately enthralled by the tales of the handsome adventurer that he had pretended to be. Under the guise of a night on the town in the low light of the entrance of a pub that they had just exited, Jamison offered her the exotic looking red sphere as a token of his affection. When she took the artifact into her hand he closed her hand around it and with titanic strength held it in place until its influence had entered into her. Within moments she was now as Jamison; a piece of Pechor’s mind and power. Then like a discarded cloak Pechor removed his influence along with his energy, lumen and soul magic and pulled it into his newest slave. The former fisherman collapsed in a heap never to move again. Genae stepped casually over the corps and had made her way home.