by Blink, Bob
“Where are we?” Jeen asked. The passageway ahead of them was wide enough to walk two abreast and disappeared as it slanted downward and curved to the right, into the hill if Rigo recalled the outside layout correctly. Behind them the passageway ended in what appeared to be smooth rock where the doorway had been. Outside they all knew waited hundreds of the dangerous beasts.
“This is where we’ve been headed,” he said, and started down the passageway. The way was lighted by the soft light emanating from the ceiling so he didn’t need to make light as he had in the caves.
Chapter 57
Rigo and Jeen led the way. There was nothing behind them and whatever lay ahead was best faced with their combined magical talents ready to bring to bear on any potential threat. Little was revealed by the passageway that they could see from where they stood. It was wide, the floor and walls incredibly smooth. It was as if the stone had been cut in a single passing of a very large and very sharp knife. While the slope wasn’t steep, the floor sloped steadily downward as far as they could see, when the gentle turn hid the rest of the way forward.
“What is this place?” Jeen asked nervously as if Rigo might know. He’d told them all many times he felt drawn here, but had no idea why.
“I don’t know,” he replied softly, “but it has a strong feel of magic.” Rigo didn’t know why he was so certain that magic was actively at work here. Perhaps it was the lights. What else could produce such illumination?
“It’s cool,” Jeen noted. “Not like outside.”
Indeed it was. A very comfortable temperature. Rigo was certain that it never became cold inside here either.
“Do you think the lights are always on, or were they triggered somehow by you opening of the entrance?” Daria asked from behind them.
“Probably triggered by our entrance,” Rigo guessed. “What purpose would it serve to be on when no one was here?”
“Well, are we going to have a look or not?” Kaler asked impatiently. “We certainly have come a long way to find it, and I don’t fancy going back out to tangle with those beasts.”
The fighter was right. Thus far they had been essentially rooted in place, watching the way ahead but not making any move to advance and see what was waiting around the curve.
Rigo took the first step, and then the rest followed dutifully behind him. Walking was easy. Within a short distance they saw the curve became sharper, and in another hundred paces took a sharp turn to the left. They approached with caution, but nothing jumped out at them or seemed threatening in any way.
“It is well preserved,” Ash’urn noted as they walked.
He was correct in his observation. There wasn’t even a hint of dust and their footprints made no marks on the rock of the floor as they passed. Nothing marked their passage as they progressed down the hall.
Rigo chanced a glance around the corner when they came to it. His gasp of surprise caused the others to grasp their weapons more tightly. There was no need. What he saw was not something to be fearful of.
“What?” asked Kaler before Rigo could speak.
“There’s a large chamber ahead off to one side. It appears to be part of a library of some sort.”
That earned Ash’urn’s immediate interest. “A library?” he asked, pushing forward somewhat.
Rigo started walking again and the others followed. As soon as they made the turn they could all see what he had glanced with his quick look. The wall on the right side of the pathway they were following had been removed from the ceiling down to their waists, revealing a very large chamber. The floor of the chamber couldn’t be seen from their current perspective, but it appeared to be a long way down yet. The walls they could see were covered with some sort of shelving which in turn was stuffed full of scrolls and texts. They had to number in the thousands.
Once they reached the opening, they could see the entire room. It was indeed a very large room. Except in those areas that had been cut away to reveal the passageway that wound several times around the room as it made its way to the lowest level, the walls were packed solid with the same kind of books as they had seen on the first wall. On the floor below were several tall ladders that allowed access to the books as well as a couple of chairs and in the center of the room some sort of raised dais on which were a pair of sturdy looking chests.
“Hurry,” Ash’urn urged, his eyes a twinkle with the presence of so many books.
“Not too fast,” Kaler replied, wanting to continue their approach with proper caution. It didn’t matter. They encountered no threats as they descended, and soon enough stepped into the vast room. Ash’urn immediately sampled the shelves by withdrawing a book.
“It’s in a language I’ve never encountered before,” he said disgustedly. The thought that a wealth of knowledge might surround them but that it might be denied them because they were unfamiliar with the writing appalled him.
They stood for a moment taking in the view of the room. It could be a study in one of the larger castles, yet it was here in the middle of this forsaken land with apparently nothing else but the one room. Who would create such a place, and why? The effort of simply bringing the materials here must have been immense.
“What’s in the chests?” Jeen asked as they stepped slowly forward.
“Beware of traps,” Daria warned. “Places like this usually aren’t as inviting as they appear. Let me have a look first. I’ve encountered a trap or two in my time.”
Carefully she examined the chests, but after several minutes had to admit she could find nothing to be concerned about. “If there is something, it must involve magic,” she said.
“Let me,” Rigo said, and as the others took a step back he reached out and lifted the lid. The first was filled to the brim with gold coins. Rigo picked one up and examined it briefly before passing it back to Kaler. “I have never seen the like,” he said.
While the others were passing the coin amongst themselves, Rigo opened the second chest. It was filled with sparkling jewels. He was no expert, but somehow he was certain they were real.
“A fortune,” Ash’urn observed. “Just sitting here waiting. Is this what drew you here? It is wealth for a king, but I would not have come if I’d known that was all that was here. We can’t even spend it. I would rather there was a nice inn with a fresh cooked meal and hot showers.”
Rigo couldn’t help but feel the wealth was a distraction. Something that would divert attention of anyone who somehow breached the entrance and made his way to this place. Someone who, unlike himself, wasn’t meant to come here. Although how anyone would get past the hidden entrance without the staff he couldn’t imagine. There had to be something else. He felt a tugging at his mind and walked away from the jewels to the far side of the room near one of the comfortable looking chairs.
“Be careful, Rigo,” Daria warned. “There is something not right about all of this.”
Rigo waved a hand in acknowledgement. He was headed toward a sparkle he had noted on one of the shelves. He reached out and picked up a small ring that was sitting next to one of the books.
“What did you find?” Ash’urn asked coming up behind him.
“A ring,” Rigo said, holding it out in his right hand. It wasn’t particularly ornate, with a silvery colored band and a clear stone.
“It looks like simple quartz,” Ash’urn observed. “Nothing valuable as near as I can tell. I don’t know what metal the band is composed of, but it certainly isn’t silver.”
Rigo brought the ring closer to his eyes to examine it. He couldn’t shake the feeling that it looked familiar. Without conscious thought he suddenly slipped it onto his ring finger, compelled by a force he didn’t understand. It fit perfectly.
“Rigo,” Daria warned. “I don’t think that is a good idea.”
Rigo smiled. “It’s only a ring. And it appears to fit. He held out his hand to show them.”
“Nonetheless, I’d feel better if you took it off,” Daria said.
“Okay,” R
igo agreed. “You’re probably right.” He reached for the ring with his right hand, but halfway toward the silver band he stopped. For a moment his eyes showed confusion, and then suddenly he simply dropped to the floor unconscious.
“Rigo!” Kaler shouted and rushed to his friend’s side. “He’s still breathing,” Kaler said after a quick check of his friend.
“Get that ring off him,” Daria instructed and she and Jeen rushed over as well.
“It won’t come off,” Kaler said as he tugged on the band. “It’s like it has become part of him. I’d have to cut off his finger to remove it.”
“Jeen, can’t you do something?”
“My healing magic only works on me,” she reminded them frustrated. “I have no idea what to do.” She was running her hands across Rigo’s face in hopes that something might trigger and hoping she’d activate a skill she’d never used before. Nothing happened.
“Put him in the chair,” Ash’urn instructed. “Let me have a look.”
It took all four to lift him and get him settled into the closest of the two chairs.
“He looks well enough,” said Ash’urn once he’d had a chance to examine him. “He’s breathing normally and his temperature is good. It’s just as if he is asleep and doesn’t want to wake up.”
“What do we do if he doesn’t come out of it?” Kaler asked practically. “We are in the middle of this horrible place and there are still those beasts outside. There is no way we can carry Rigo and try to escape. Even without the threat from those creatures, we could not carry him all the way back.”
“Give him time,” Daria suggested. “Perhaps he’ll come out of it in a while. Meanwhile, we need to see to that ring.”
She was reaching for Rigo’s hand when he gave a small groan, and his eyes fluttered open. For a moment nothing appeared to register in the widely dilated orbs, but slowly they came into focus.
Daria watched as the eyes scanned the group. She couldn’t explain why, but those eyes did not reflect her friend Rigo. It was as if she was looking at someone else. The recognition and warmth she was so used to seeing were simply not present in the careful gaze that passed over them and then looked around the room. She sensed a total lack of recognition, and worse, a total lack of caring, as the cunning eyes observed them. After a moment during which the survey of their surroundings was completed, the eyes returned to look at them once again. Now the eyes were guarded and pensive, but they were, if anything, farther from being Rigo than even before.
“Rigo?” Kaler asked uncertainly.
“You can call me Master Daim,” said Rigo’s voice, but the inflection and tone was certainly not that of his friend.
Chapter 58
Twenty-six Hundred Years Earlier
Master Daim heard the footsteps on the marble and glanced briefly to see who was coming. He wasn’t surprised to see that it was Naeem, Leader of the Council of Wizards. Daim didn’t answer to the council. He didn’t really answer to anyone. He was above all of that. He was without question the most powerful wizard alive today, and went his own way, only sometimes allowing himself to be bothered with affairs of state. Naeem was probably the only person who felt comfortable bothering him here in his private study in the Citadel. That was fair. Daim liked Naeem, who had long ago been an apprentice of his. The man had done well and risen high. He was every bit the leader that Daim had never wanted to be. Daim took the few minutes it required Naeem to approach to finish the task he’d been working on.
“May enlightenment guide you,” Naeem said formally as he approached.
“And you,” Daim replied with a barest hint of a smile. Naeem had always been formal and despite their long association always approached with the respectful demeanor of someone who hadn’t gotten drunk with him more than once on the sweet yellow wine that Wastril was famous for.
“Master Daim,” Naeem began before Daim cut him off with an annoyed wave of his hand.
“Come now, Naeem. There is no need for such formality. Even if you and I hadn’t known one another for more than thirty years, you are the head of the most important and powerful group of wizards in the world. We are equals, or if anything your position is certainly above my own. I am a loner. I have no official title or position. I am merely an elderly wizard who has his own ideas and pursues his own interests.”
“You are the most respected wizard alive,” Naeem objected. “Those on the Council eagerly await your guidance on the important matters at hand.”
“We both know better than that. Most believe I am over reacting to the appearance of the Rift and that my meddling in such matters should be prevented.”
“No one would be so bold as to suggest …”
“Come,” Daim interrupted the younger man. “It is well known I believe the lot of them to be fools. They in turn believe I am becoming senile. That isn’t why you are here. You must have come for some other reason. I’m pleased to see you, of course, but from the look on your face something is troubling you.”
Naeem hesitated. Now that he was here it seemed wrong to bother one such as Daim with such a mundane problem. There must be someone else who could resolve the matter.
“Well?” Daim asked, his piercing gray eyes now focused on Naeem.
“Several of the towers are down once again,” Naeem blurted out suddenly. “That’s the third time in as many months that one or more of the towers have shown problems. Normally there would be years between outages.”
“How many failed?” Daim asked, more interested than Naeem would have expected.
“Three. All located in series. That has never happened before as far as I know.”
“Tower repair is straightforward,” Daim replied. “Why do I suspect you have sent someone to investigate and they have failed?”
“The usual methods have had no effect,” Naeem agreed. “We need someone who understands the towers and their operation. The Hoplani have discovered the breech already and several thousand have broken through.”
“That kind of number should be handled easily enough assuming you have sent teams to deal with them before they can travel far. But it could complicate the repairs.”
“You will have a look then?” Naeem asked almost unable to believe it had been this easy.
“I will need a team to go with me.”
“Anyone you wish is available to support you, of course.”
“Hobar, without a doubt,” Daim said thinking. “He is better at repair than any other I know of. Juda as well. She sees things that others miss. And six or eight who are powerful with Brightfire. If you are correct and the Hoplani are running free, we might need to be prepared to repel a large herd once they detect our presence. I don’t want to be distracted fighting them while I’m trying to investigate this oddity.”
“When could you be free to go?” Naeem asked eagerly. He hadn’t expected Daim to agree so easily.
“Have those to accompany me meet in the quad in a glass,” Daim instructed.
Naeem looked uncertain.
“What’s the problem?” Daim asked, seeing the concern on the other’s face.
“I don’t know if I can find Juda so quickly. I hadn’t considered that you might wish her to participate. How about in two glass?”
Daim nodded. “In two glass then. Which of the towers are affected?”
“Numbers forty-one through forty-three,” Naeem explained.
Daim ran through his memories of the locations. He was intimately familiar with all sixty-four of the towers that ran along the eastern border of Wastril. The continent-country of Wastril had been protected for more than a thousand years by the string of towers which were for the most part self sufficient. While most wizards could activate, or even facilitate minor repairs, few had taken the time to really understand them. Foolishness, given how important they were to the well being of the country. The towers that Naeem had just described were north of the central valley. He decided he would start in the middle, and knew where he would approach the tower.
“I’ll be there at the agreed time,” Daim said finally. “Make certain the others are present as well, and that they are informed they are to do as I instruct. The dangers in the Ruins are greater than ever before, and not even wizards are immune. By the way, those who have been to the failed towers, did they encounter any of the glowing flowers that have appeared since the Rift was opened?”
Naeem was surprised by the question. “Yes, as a matter of fact. I was told there are large fields of the flowers growing all over the area.”
Daim let his eyes wander across the group of wizards who had assembled and were waiting when he stepped into the quad. Hobar and Juda he knew well, and they greeted him with smiles. He smiled back, comfortable with the abilities they brought to the venture at hand. Naeem couldn’t have known, but he’d been planning to make another trip into the Ruins to see what he might learn. Having a problem such as this was even better than a random trip, and being able to bring along Juda with her insight and attention to detail was an added advantage. Hobar would make repairs of the towers relatively straightforward. The other seven he didn’t know, and while some appeared young, he knew they would all be experienced and strong with Brightfire.
“The Hoplani have discovered the opening, so we should be prepared to deal with any in the area. That will be your job,” Daim said, pointing to the seven wizards he didn’t know by name. “Beware of anything out of the ordinary, especially any of the glowing flowers that have been seen of late.”
“Why the flowers?” asked one of the seven. “You have reason to expect us to encounter them and that they pose some danger?”
“I believe they are far more dangerous than anyone suspects, and yes, I have already been informed there are many of the cursed plants growing in the area.”
There was little point in waiting. Daim focused on where he wished to go and as the image cleared in his mind he moved the far end of the Bypass around until he found the ledge of rock that stood well above the surrounding desert and which he could tell was free of the glowing plants. Satisfied, he anchored the location in his mind and opened the Bypass, creating a doorway between the quad here near the Citadel and the failed tower that was more than two months travel away by horse.
