Gathered in the chamber were half a dozen young teenagers, several years younger than Hemlock. They all wore uniform gray robes, which differed greatly from the festooned robes worn by the other wizards.
They had been talking amongst themselves, but stopped instantly once they saw Falignus approaching.
Hemlock saw a few furtively glance her way, but they did not dare to look for more than an instant, with a powerful Wizard in the room with them. Their eyes were soon all reverently downcast.
In a few moments, another Wizard entered the room; an old, overweight, bookish type, with what Hemlock thought was a cruel cast to his features. He ventured a withering look at Hemlock before bowing obsequiously to Falignus.
In an overloud voice he exclaimed, "We are joined today by our Lord, Falignus, head of the Seventh Circle and leader of the Guild."
A student looked up at Falignus, awestruck.
"Avert your gaze!" shouted the fawning old Wizard, brandishing a wooden wand threateningly.
"That’s not necessary, Grubbins," chided Falignus, but the older Wizard did not seem deterred and cast several condescending looks at the young wizards.
Grubbins informed the students, Hemlock and Falignus that he would lead them upwards through each level of the Tower, explaining that each floor had a laboratory, living quarters and a common area, as well as a library and a workshop.
The students were shown the first floor only briefly. Hemlock imagined that the First Circle was in disarray after the costly battle at Tor Varnos, and the brevity of the tour of that floor confirmed her suspicions.
Grubbins made it a point, however, to stress to the student wizards that service in the First Circle was "…amongst the most honorable in the Tower, suited to the more adventurous mind and hardy constitution."
They returned to the hall on the first floor, and then climbed the central stair to the second floor. Hemlock still felt that the foyer was oppressive. Seeing the Tower under these circumstances felt odd to her after her initial experiences there.
They entered the library on the second floor, and this time the young wizards were given a more lengthy description of the Second Circle.
Grubbins showed the students some of the core tomes of Second Circle study, which was focused on using magic to automate tasks and perform construction.
One student asked what Hemlock judged to be a particularly insightful question, and Grubbins turned red with anger, for he clearly was overmatched by the young student and was greatly embarrassed.
As Grubbins started to reprimand the student, Falignus quickly intervened and began a brief lecture on the topic, commanding the undivided attention of everyone in the room.
Soon, he had asked everyone present to engage in a small experiment.
Hemlock watched Falignus as he interacted with the young wizards, giving them pointers on technique as he made his way along the tables where they worked. He was often caustic and sometimes harsh with the students, but there was always an underlying compassion which tempered the vitriol. Some students colored when he challenged them, but none protested or complained, for each seemed to feel that he ultimately had their best interest at heart.
A student of slight stature approached Falignus and his retinue then. The student was carrying a tall stack of books which obscured his vision, and he did not see the group in front of him, nor the important personage it contained. As the student neared, Grubbins, standing with Falignus, verbally lashed out at the young initiate Wizard. "Halt and make way, you insolent buffoon!" he cried.
"Wait," interrupted Falignus, restraining Grubbins and gesturing for everyone to make way for the overburdened student instead.
The student, pale with fear, made his way past at the insistent behest of Falignus, and Hemlock was amazed that he didn’t drop his books in the process.
At this display, Grubbins turned to Falignus . "Sire, you are the head of the Seventh Circle! It is beneath your station to yield to this Initiate."
Falignus shook his head. "There is the matter of station, but in this situation, one simply had to respect the load with which this young man was burdened."
"As you wish," Grubbins replied uncomfortably.
Hemlock smiled to herself.
This is why people respect him.
…
The tour culminated at the sixth floor, for Grubbins explained that the Seventh Circle was forbidden to any but those who were members of it.
Falignus bid Grubbins and the initiate wizards farewell and asked Hemlock to join him on the Seventh Floor.
"I have a memory of those stairs," she said, pointing upwards, "which I have no desire to renew."
"Don’t worry, that is a ward which I will disable before we pass."
They approached the stairs, and Falignus dispelled the spell as he had promised to do. Hemlock was able to climb undeterred to the upper atrium.
Again Hemlock was reminded of her prior experiences here, when Gwineval, Safreon and she had first fought the wizards openly.
The atrium had apparently been repaired, for its beautiful glasswork was restored. The great machine which she had destroyed, however, still appeared to be under repair.
Falignus nodded toward that machine. "It will take some time to fix. Your mission was all too successful."
Hemlock shook her head, amazed at how radically her perspective had changed in the space of just one fortnight.
Falignus strode toward an Eastern door, which they then exited through onto an outer balcony, which had a similar view to Hemlock’s room, but was more beautiful because it was higher and unobstructed.
The view was breathtaking to Hemlock. They were facing east toward the Elite districts. Many people in white robes could be seen moving about. In the Warrens she knew that there would be less activity now; the elderly, most women and children would be indoors during the more dangerous evening.
But the Elites apparently did not live with this daily fear of violence and crime.
"What do you see Hemlock?" asked Falignus.
"I see a bunch of lucky people down there." she replied pointing.
Falignus turned to her with a piqued expression. "Yes, perhaps they are, but I see more than that. I find that this perspective reveals another reality. Most of the people walking around on the street, they don't see views like this – let alone understand them. They see the world from their own perspective and nothing more."
Hemlock sounded skeptical in her reply, "I think sometimes they are aware of more than you think."
Falignus replied with an air of forced benevolence. "Oh, they do have a sort of collective insight, but more often than not, that insight is colored by whatever fragments of information they hear about larger matters–and usually opinions are formed in a very limited context."
Hemlock grunted noncommittally and shrugged.
"When I stand out here on the top of the Tower, I really understand that we wizards are making decisions for the mass of these people. It is a great responsibility and sometimes it is an unpopular duty. The Tower, in a way, is more than symbolic. It reminds you, in a very visceral way, that your perspective has to be different. That you have to rise above the petty concerns of the individual and consider the good of the collective."
Hemlock looked sharply at him. "Is that what you think you are engaged in, then? Looking after the good of the collective?"
"Absolutely," he replied.
"And in doing so, you’re not concerned that you are depriving the people of their basic freedoms?"
"Freedoms? The Elites lead strictly regimented lives – all magic is regulated. Let’s walk around the atrium and look at the Warrens by comparison. They have free will – and look what they’ve done with it. They live in an environment that is rife with deception and crime. They have to be restrained like animals."
"Am I an animal?" Hemlock asked angrily.
"Of course not, but you are unique, Hemlock."
"Safreon always told me that freedom is the most impo
rtant thing – it is the thing that makes humans human. If you make people less than free – isn’t that what makes them animals?"
"No! Your old master was misguided. Being human is being happy and leading a full life. You can achieve that within a framework of rules. That’s what society and government are for!" Falignus replied hotly.
"I don’t think so," Hemlock replied mildly.
"I’m sorry that I lost my temper."
"I think you would know more if you spent more time in the street than up here. I think that this perspective could be a hindrance to you rather than a boon."
He smiled at her remark. "Hemlock, this is why I need you," he replied, turning toward her.
"Join me and rule the Guild at my side. Together we could accomplish so much. We could even implement some policies that your old master Safreon would approve of. You can influence me and balance me. I think he would approve," urged Falignus.
"I’m not so sure about that," she replied.
"Think about it, that’s all that I ask," he said, looking into her eyes passionately.
She held his gaze for a time, and then moved away and returned to the eastern parapet, gazing over the lake and the beautiful Elite district again.
"Come, let us return. I have given you enough to ponder for one day, I’m sure," Falignus said after a few moments.
Chapter Twenty Four
Falignus sat at the council table and looked over the current members that comprised the leaders of the Wizard Guild. Since the recent battle where the wizards had confronted Gwineval and captured Hemlock, Falignus had been coming to grips with the fact that the leadership of the Guild was now crippled. During that battle Malvert, former leader of the First Circle, and Arcos, former leader of the Fourth Circle, had been lost. Falignus was coming to realize more and more just how much he had relied on the council and independent ability of these two fallen leaders.
Of the remaining council members, Jalis was, in the estimation of Falignus, an ambitious fool and Colberth was conservative to a fault. Gwineval's former ally, the Wizard Miara, was now reduced to little more than brooding as she came to grips with the fact that the Crimson Order was now pre-eminent; she was of little use as an advisor or as a leader.
Falignus thought that the lone bright spot on the council was Kraven, the tall, winged Wizard who so far had shown a promisingly sharp mind. But Falignus knew that he was still inexperienced.
Falignus even had begun reluctantly admitting to himself that Gwineval, despite his divergent ideals, had been a valuable voice on the council that was now missed.
Given the lack of leadership and experience surrounding him, Falignus had begun to meet frequently with Samberlin, the ambitious leader of the City Senate. Falignus worried, however, that he was becoming too reliant on Samberlin for sound advice. Samberlin had a reputation as a ruthlessly self-interested politician– a reputation which Falignus believed was completely deserved. Falignus didn't like much about this ever expanding political relationship, but he did admit to himself that the old Senator was particularly insightful.
Falignus returned his attention to the events at hand. Siros, the new council member representing the First Circle of magic, was addressing the council. Large and imposing like Malvert, he was proving to be far less nuanced than the older, more experienced warrior had been. Falignus had been trying to mold Siros and attempting to get him to think more deeply about tactics and strategy, but so far Siros had only demonstrated a mastery of the frontal assault.
Though Falignus was always looking amongst the rank and file for promising candidates for promotion, no leaders had yet emerged from the First Circle who could rival Siros’ raw charisma. Falignus had chosen Siros because he knew that the soldiers would follow the man; he knew that he needed a strong leader in combat before any other secondary qualities could be considered. So he had stuck with Siros, despite his deficiencies.
"We hit the Tanna Varrans hard–somewhat near their town of Tor Halos, where they had retreated into a pass between two hills. I sent flanking forces to take the hilltops, but they were intercepted. A Tanna Varran reserve force ambushed us from the peaks, and sent their flying lancers down from above. Even though we outnumbered them, we were hard put for a long while. Finally, they broke off.”
"Soon after, we heard an explosion, which we realized marked the destruction of the nearby Oberon harvesting Obelisk. The Tanna Varrans had sent another force to overwhelm our rear guard while we were busy in the pass. They destroyed our unit and soon after, the Obelisk. They detonated the Obelisk somehow," said Siros, his brow furrowed and dark and his eyes darting from side to side as he spoke.
Falignus rose from his chair as he spoke, as if the force of his words buoyed him. "Haven't I told you to beware of misdirection? And why would you engage them in that pass knowing that they have flying forces that could use the heights to advantage?"
"They were in retreat–I thought that we would rout them," replied the reticent warrior wizard.
Falignus slumped into his chair. "Was there any sign of Gwineval?"
"No, none that we could tell," replied Siros, eyes downcast.
Falignus felt a wave of despair pass over him, but he was able to quickly quell it.
He then felt a strong pang of desire to initiate a ritual spell of prescience in order to try to see what Gwineval’s next intentions would be.
But he remembered the last time that he had tried that; he remembered all too well how his hand had briefly faded into the nether realm. He was now, under the pressure of a conflict with an uncertain outcome, almost willing to take that risk again in order to obtain the knowledge that he so desperately sought.
But one thought restrained him, would Hemlock ever accept me as a lover if I walked that path?
He felt sure that she would not. And beyond that worry, he felt that she would never join in a partnership with him should he show signs of a dark transformation.
No, I must rely on my own wits and counsel.
"Siros, regroup your forces and prepare for the next harvest. Try to do better this time," instructed Falignus.
"The time may soon come when Gwineval chooses to directly intervene," he continued. "Remember, you must retreat when that happens. Make sure that you drill the units with the new counter spells that we’ve prepared since your last campaign."
Siros replied formally, "I will do this." The large Wizard rose and stood at attention.
Falignus responded to this gesture with a mixture of amusement and annoyance, shaking his head. "This meeting of the council is adjourned. Siros, you will do well to note that in your newly elevated position of head of the First Circle that you need not stand at attention any longer."
Siros, looking uncomfortable, grunted his acknowledgement, and quickly turned and left the room.
A young wizard was waiting for Falignus outside the council chamber.
"Samberlin is waiting for you, sir," the slim youth announced.
Falignus nodded and strode toward the central stair. He then descended to the lower level to meet the Senator.
…
Falignus stood as Samberlin entered the Audience Chamber. He beckoned the older man to join him at the front of the hall. Falignus sat on a raised dias upon which seven ornate chairs were arrayed. A small but delicately carved wooden chair had been placed before the dias for Samberlin.
Falignus sat and then gestured for Samberlin to sit.
Falignus reflected that although the chamber in which they sat was smaller than the Senate hall with which Samberlin was accustomed to, the sculpted wizards who stood in silent observation lent this chamber a certain oppressive gravitas that the open and airy Senate chamber lacked.
"What word from the Senate floor?" Falignus asked.
"It is quiet. Magic deliveries are running smoothly. There is still some talk of the battle of Tor Varnos, but it is being perceived by the people as a victory for the wizards. Most of the Knights have observed our warnings and are not talking abou
t the battle. There are rumors, of course, but these are not being heeded by the general populace or most of the Senators," replied Samberlin in a dry tone which bordered on disinterest.
Falignus found the man mildly irritating, but he had proven to be a useful and unexpected ally. Managing the Elites and their Senate had always been an annoyance for Falignus–and working directly with Samberlin had greatly reduced that annoyance. Still, Falignus didn't trust Samberlin and he feared, at times, that Samberlin might be manipulating him subtly. Samberlin was the only person in the City that Falignus felt might actually be smarter than he was, and that made him seem all the more dangerous.
"It was a victory," Falignus responded.
Samberlin looked at him skeptically. "As you say. That story will be believable as long as Oberon production is sustained."
"I asked you here today because I want to inform you about a ... guest… that we have in the Tower," said Falignus, changing the subject.
"A guest or a prisoner?" asked Samberlin.
"So you know something of this personage?"
"Word has spread of the events in the Witch Crags in certain circles. I know some things about it and about ... her."
"Fair enough. I would like you to interview and observe her. I need to know whether I can trust her or not. I do have some leverage over her, but I need to get beyond needing that. I need her to stand beside me as a true ally."
"Are her goals in alignment with yours?"
"Our immediate goals are, yes. She wishes to kill the rogue Wizard, Gwineval, and so do I. Beyond that, she has been influenced by a local vigilante for many years. He tried to instill principles of personal liberty in her. It is these principles which I must overcome in order to have her serve as an ally in my...our effort to realize our vision for the City."
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