“Who was that child I killed that looked like you?”
Cune’s eyes went wide, and he stepped back and sat down. “You remember that? I thought, for sure, you had forgotten it.”
Lebuin shook his head. “I did, but recent events gave me an opportunity to reexamine my memories in detail. That was one that I have no explanation for.”
Cune smiled knowingly. “Well, then you’ll be pleased to know you killed no one. That was the day I was recruited by this fine lady.” Cune pointed at Sula. “That boy was Tige, my nephew, and I admit, a brat. Right after you were taken away, Sula appeared and healed him whole. My brother did not take kindly to the tale we had to tell him. My brother could read me well enough to know there was more danger and requested my nephew be sent to Laeusia. They packed up and moved that week.”
A tension released in his neck and he felt suddenly limp. I didn’t kill that boy. Oh, thank you. He looked at Sula. “Thank you for being there.”
Sula nodded. “It was a small act of rebellion. Vestul had warned of serious injuries to the students. I didn’t see the need for them to suffer. I made sure I was there at the time and moved only after you had been removed from the area. Because of that, Magus Cune and I became friends, and I decided he was someone that could help. Later, I learned that this was all arranged by Vestul. He knew, given the hints, I would go there and help.”
Sula nodded at Cune. “After that, we told Magus Cune everything we knew, and he helped oversee your apparent lack of development.”
Lebuin laughed. “He was a meddler, that is for sure. I thank you both for releasing me of that burden. It did bother me more than I even knew.”
Cune stood. “I still would have done what I did. But you are right. The burden would have been more.” Cune looked at Sula. “Are you coming?”
Sula nodded and stood as Illa walked into the room with a determined look on her face.
Illa looked at them and knelt before Lebuin. “My Lord, I ask permission to seek aid of Sula.”
Sula stopped and stared at him. That was very formal. I wonder what is going on. “Illa, you know you are free to do as you think wise. There is no need for this type of display.”
Illa bowed her head then stood up, turning to Sula. “Holy One, forgive me. I am inexperienced in such matters. I do not wish to offend. I desire to beg your advice and possibly aid on behalf of my Lord.”
Sula’s expression showed even more interest. Lebuin noticed Illa had managed to focus everyone in the room effectively. I wonder if this was her intent. He smiled at his priestess. She is very cunning.
Sula motioned for Illa to proceed. Illa nodded. “Holy One, I understand you and your mother share a unique interconnection which allows you access to your mother’s powers, but not her mind. Can you instruct Lord Lebuin on how to achieve this type of connection?”
Sula’s mouth dropped open and she stared at Illa. Everyone else in the room remained silent. Sula stood straighter. “How did you come to know this?”
Illa bowed. “I am sorry, Holy One, to expose this. Those here are trusted with all of our secrets, and the tower is secured against scrying. I recently figured out your connection. I only guessed at its nature and your reaction confirmed my deductions. I know you are not a God, yet you have performed miracles requiring far more magic than even a demi-god Magus could muster. Some stories I learned from Elades, Ticca, and Boadua told me of things you have done. However, I was more hoping than guessing when I said your connection did not allow you access to Lady Dalpha’s mind. Do you deny such a connection?”
Ditani chuckled and shook his head, leaning back into his chair. Sula sat down. Cune stepped over to another chair at the table with Ditani and sat down. Illa knelt before Sula.
Sula looked at Illa. “No, I do not deny it. You are correct. I am Magus-trained. My mother is one of the first Gods of this world, and therefore, has one of the five magic collectors. The magic collectors represent the greatest of our race’s feats. They were designed and built to collect enough magic to allow bridging into the non-magical universe of your ancestors’ origins. My mother discovered how to connect herself to this artifact and taught me. I send magic to it, as does my mother, as she receives much from her followers. However, I can draw power from it, as easily as send magic to it. This was what it was built for.”
Cune snapped his fingers. “The Light of Dalpha!”
Sula nodded. “Yes, the Light of Dalpha. My mother has given Sayscia a special key to it for healing.”
Illa looked down, frowning. “So it is only with this artifact, that this feat can be achieved.”
Sula nodded again. “Why do you look so troubled?”
Illa sighed. “Power, Holy One. My Lord needs power. We cannot face another Magus who has access to the Nhia-Samri power without at least an equal, if not superior, source of power. Duke is the only source of power I know, and he refuses to follow any God due to the secrets he feels he must keep from all, even the Gods.”
Sula frowned. “I am aware of Duke’s feelings on that topic. I am sorry, Illa. I know of no other way.”
Cune looked at Lebuin. “Lord Lebuin, might you ask your grandfather for a piece of your legacy early? It is not uncommon for children to be granted some portion of their family’s legacy before parents or grandparents die.”
Lebuin looked up, as did Illa. “What do you mean?”
Cune smiled. “In Councilor Nillo’s office sits another one of those magic collectors, gathering dust for as long as the Guild has existed. I didn’t make the connection as the Light of Dalpha moves as if alive. I assume this is because no one is feeding magic to Argos’s collector.”
The golden egg artifact I often wondered about! “Why doesn’t Argos use it himself?”
Sula laughed, causing everyone to look at her. “The only God in this universe that does not need more power is Argos. This entire universe that our races built is based on those artifacts. Argos is the control and heart of the universe. It is by his personal will that all the power is safely collected, and he then distributes it in regulated amounts so that the races may live, be they of magic, or not.”
Lebuin couldn’t help being overwhelmed by her words. That is what Argos meant when he said he was not tired. Should he fail, another must take up the task of being the guardian of magic, and I am the only remaining possibility until either Argos or I create another demi-god. That is why he was given control of all the Magi. They are not just his servants. They are symbiotically part of his duties.
Illa grabbed Sula’s hand and kissed it, causing Sula to blush crimson. “Great Holy One, that is the answer! If Argos grants Lebuin the magic collector, we can ask the mages of the Guild to donate power to it as the priestesses of Dalpha do daily into the Light of Dalpha! This would violate none of the rules of the Gods or Argos’s Guild.” Illa stood and rushed to fall on her knees before Lebuin. “My Lord! In weeks, you would have enough to allow escaping from another such attack. By the time the Assembly meets, you might even have enough to defeat a mage such as Finnba. Given time, you surely would have the means!”
Lebuin looked at Illa, then bent and pulled her up into a hug. “You are amazing.” When he let go of her, she sat on the carpet before him. He looked back at Sula. “If Argos refuses this, who has the other magic collectors?”
Sula’s brows tightened as she thought. “There were only five made and the means to make more no longer exists, at least, not without Argos’s help. My mother might be willing to let you tie into her collector temporarily. Two of the collectors were destroyed with Elraci. The fifth collector was lost and presumed destroyed during the great migration to this universe.”
Twice, I must ask the favor of Argos. I have already been granted a miraculous and troubling request for access to Elracian knowledge. But I must do this.
Leaning back, he pushed in and out, entering in between. Once there, he wasn’t surprised to see Kliasa was still close by. Acknowledging Kliasa, he called out to Argos. He chat
ted with Kliasa until Argos answered.
‘Lebuin, I trust this is important.’
‘Grandfather, I hope it is a simple request. May I have use of the magic collector in Llino?’
Argos projected surprise before it was cut off. Well, now, even Argos can be surprised by events.
‘Open your mind to me. I wish to understand your request.’
He dropped all his shielding and Argos swept through his mind.
‘Tell Illa I am proud. This is unexpected, and a perfect solution to current circumstances. I agree. I will instruct Nillo to inform all guild mages on how to feed it safely, if they so choose. The magic collector is yours. You will find the details about it in our library. The initial connection will be unpleasant. Remember to breathe.’
Argos passed to his mind a set of incantations and magical keys. All of it would allow him to use the artifact without having to be near it. The initial connection required direct contact. Well, looks like we are going back to Llino next, before anything else.
‘Thank you, Grandfather. I shall pass on your praise.’
‘I must attend other matters. Be well, my grandson.’ Argos’s presence vanished.
Allowing himself to slip back into the physical realms, he opened his eyes and smiled. Touching Illa on her shoulder, he told her, “Illa, Argos is proud of your actions this day. You may have saved us with this insight.” Looking at everyone else in the room, he threw his arms up in the air. “Argos has given me the magic collector, and the guild mages will be instructed on how to volunteer their magic to it.”
Ditani stood, looking at Illa, and started clapping his hands, followed by Magus Cune. Sula and Lebuin also stood and joined in clapping. Illa turned red and stood. She bowed to them all, and in a joyful tone said, “Thank you, all. Please excuse me. I need to deal with something.” She glided from the room, barely touching the floor.
Once Illa was gone, Cune bowed to Sula and motioned to the door. Sula nodded, turning to Lebuin. “Lord Lebuin, I must attend to the Assembly. Good luck. Much of our hope lies with you and your friends.”
Magus Cune followed Sula out of the room.
Ditani turned to Lebuin. “I think we might have a chance.”
He smiled and shook his head. My friend, if only you were right. The best we can do is limit the damage and pray it is enough. “There are forty or fifty of those power sources out there, and we know of only one. If every mage in the Guild gave all their power, I still could not match all of that.”
Ditani frowned. “Then it is hopeless.”
Lebuin shook his head. “No, but we have much to do if we are to stop Shar-Lumen’s plan. Don’t forget, we have done this many times before without success. This isn’t a solution, but it gives us a better chance of finding a solution in time.”
Ditani nodded and sat back down, returning to his reading.
Well, I’m done inspecting the third floor’s rooms. Time to inspect the second floor’s rooms. “I’m going to continue inspecting the workshops for clues. I’ll be on the second floor, if you need me.” Ditani nodded and gave him a cheerful wave as he stepped out and headed for the stairs.
Lebuin opened the first door he came to on the second floor and looked in. It was another workshop. You certainly had a number of work places. But then, this whole tower was yours to do with as you wanted. Might as well spread things out. Probably safer that way.
Entering the workshop, he paused to look at a small statue situated in an alcove just inside the door where one could not help, but look on it every time he entered the room. The statue rested on top of a rosewood box, ornately decorated with vines and flowers. The six-inch-tall statue was beautiful. It stood on a circular base. It was a maiden wearing a flowing summer dress, her hair blowing in the wind. Her right hand was held out as if calling him to come over, and her left arm was bent and held a cloth-covered shopping basket with flowers sticking out.
Something about the statue was familiar to him. He picked it up and looked at it closer. The blood rushed from his head as he recognized the subject. His hand started trembling as his heart raced. He could feel magic in the statue. My Lord! This is Kliasa! It’s an absolutely perfect statue of Kliasa. Carefully, using both hands, he examined the details of the statue. It wasn’t just a good representation. It was perfect, as if he held Kliasa, herself, frozen in his hand.
He set the statue down beside the wooden box. Shifting to magical sight, he could see that there was a warm or happy emotional radiation from the statue, from no recognizable magical incantation. In fact, the statue had no power channels or incantations at all. It was made of a substance which was uniformly infused with magic.
Opening the box, he found it was lined with purple silk. Lifting a silk pad up, he saw that there was a mirror almost as big as the box. He picked it up and examined it, but could find no flaw. Under the mirror was a series of little compartments with silk padded doors. Opening each, he found a set of crystal lenses of various sizes, and the parts of a stand. Moving the box to a nearby bench, he pulled all the parts out and figured out how to assemble the lenses and mirror. In the end, there was a device made of silver and gold which held the mirror at one end, and with a set of six lenses which could be moved to adjust their relationship to the mirror. All of the lenses were magical, as was the mirror.
This has to be used for something with a reflection. Looking back at the statue, it came to him. This was a device to allow the creation of that statuette. But why would he go to all this trouble to do this? Of course, he loved Kliasa as much as everyone else who knew her. He disassembled the artifact, putting it back in its box. Putting the box back into the alcove, he placed the statue back on top.
The rest of the room held benches, but one in particular drew his attention. It had a small thread spinning wheel and a mechanical, manual-powered thread twister. There were four wooden bobbins, each loaded with a fine thread made of gold. The bobbins were attached to the thread twister, and there was one other bobbin with only a small bit of a medium golden thread. In the waste bucket and on the bench were a few leftover cut bits of the golden string. It looked like something had been tied with the golden string and the excess trimmed off.
Ticca said Vestul’s journal was tied with glowing, golden threads. This is where he made the thread and tied his journal up. The incantation will be someplace close, but hidden. I have to know how to remove the incantation if we are to open his journal when we get it.
Nothing jumped out to tell him the answer. I know the answer is here. Looks like I’m going to be here a while.
- - -
Standing and stretching, Elades felt a hell of a lot better. Boadua poked at his shoulder and nodded, satisfied.
“Thanks for the temple draught.”
Boadua smiled. “I’m just glad you changed your mind and accepted it. Why’d you change your mind?”
Elades chuckled. “Well, I can still learn. Ticca didn’t hesitate, and it registered in my slower mind that this is no time for the senior staff to be convalescing. We have serious business.”
Boadua was giving him a ‘what are you talking about?’ look.
“Ticca… She stood up this morning with barely a grimace, and every visible scratch was gone. You did give her a draught last night while I was asleep, right?”
Boadua shook her head. “Sorry. She didn’t wake up after you two went to sleep. I was going to offer her a draught this morning, but she was already gone. You say all her wounds were gone?”
It was his turn to feel a little off. But if she didn’t take a draught, how did she heal so fast? “Maybe Illa gave her…” Boadua shook her head, cutting him off. “Huh. Damn, that girl is full of surprises.”
The muscle pain when he stretched his arm was only slight. He’d have no trouble riding when the army pulled out. He chuckled. “Well, the lesson was still a good one.”
Boadua laughed, too, and made a shooing motion towards the tent door. “Yes, well, you justify it any way you want. Now, g
et out of here. I have to get all this on the wagon before noon.”
Stepping out, he saw the preparations were almost complete. Well, clean clothes and a shower before we roll out would be good. Duke was sitting at a table in the middle of the yard, so he walked over to check in.
Duke looked up as he approached. “Elades! Damn glad you stopped being stubborn. Just in case, I had some clothes laid out for you by the shower. You have about a mark and a half before I want to start moving.”
“That’s great. I need to pack, too.”
Duke shook his head. “Nope, you are still on light duty. Nigan volunteered to pack your gear and ready your horse.”
Nigan? Well, damn, that boy does surprise. He really is a good lad.
Ticca and Illa stepped out of the big-ring tent, arm in arm, presenting him with a picture of the most beautiful Daggers he had ever seen. Although Ticca was a couple of inches taller, at 5’8”, she looked as if she had always been, and should never be anywhere other than, next to Illa. Illa, with her flowing walk that showed off her athletic frame, matched Ticca, step for graceful step. Ticca’s hair was accented by the fact that it had been freshly washed and combed. Illa’s silky blonde hair blew in the warm breeze, and her eyes sparkled at whatever the two of them were discussing. Both ladies were bristling with weapons. Their new clothes were alluring, and yet, functional.
Stunned by their beauty, he stopped and stared, as did a number of other Daggers, both men and women.
Duke noticed the sudden stop in work and looked around for the cause. He found the cause and sat down to stare with everyone else.
Illa released Ticca’s arm and bounced up to Duke, giving him a bear hug around the neck. “Duke, thank you so much! I have been worried and pressured these last weeks, and you solved it!”
Illa pulled the confused wolf’s head down to her level and kissed him on the nose. Releasing him, she stood back, smiling like the sun in the sky.
Ticca stepped up, patting the side of Duke’s head.
Thread Strands (Golden Threads Trilogy) Page 26