“On the other issue,” Marak continued, “I want every mage warned, particularly those who live along the coast. Mages in the coastal areas are to have armed escorts wherever they go. They are never to be left alone. If they are threatened in any way, kill the aggressors if you must, but ensure the safety of those mages. I also want scouts along the coast. Devise some type of plan that covers the areas around the estates first. Then try to find a way to expand it to uninhabited areas.”
Emperor Marak went silent for several minutes. Lyra tried to hear what the other person was saying, but she could not.
“I understand the problems,” Marak continued. “Just try your best. It is vital to keep Vand from learning about the air tunnels. As for my return, I am not sure yet. Much is happening here, and I cannot afford to leave until certain things are accomplished. I will talk to you again tomorrow. If anything urgent develops, contact me immediately.”
The Torak dropped the air tunnel and stood leaning on the railing and staring down at the plaza. Lyra walked forward and leaned against the railing, She wrapped her arm around his arm and stood quietly.
“You need to contact StarCity today,” Marak said softly. “Vand is trying to capture mages that might divulge how the air tunnels work. If he succeeds, we will lose the only advantage that we have over him.”
“You did not even look at me,” frowned Lyra. “How did you know who it was?”
Marak turned and smiled at Lyra. “You were standing behind me since I discussed Captain Mynor’s charting of the Island of Darkness,” he grinned.
“How did you know?” asked the Star of Sakova.
“A warrior’s instinct lets him know when he is being watched,” shrugged Marak. “As to your identity, I recognized your fragrance.”
“I should have known,” smiled Lyra. “What will charting the island accomplish? And what was that about building ships?”
“Charting the island is essential,” explained the Torak. “We now know exactly where it resides, and where the fleets are being assembled. From that we may be able to guess how he will attack, although a guess is all that it will be. As for the ships, Captain Mynor has suggested a fleet of small maneuverable vessels to attack the Motangan fleet when it does attack. I think the idea has great merit. I have ordered the building of some ships, but the most likely places to use them may well be in the Sakova or Fakara. We will discuss it with Rejji later on today.”
“And the problem with mages?” prompted Lyra.
“Vand kidnapped one of my mages from Raven’s Point,” answered the Torak. “He has tried to get Rhoda to divulge the workings of the air tunnel. He has failed so far. If he continues to fail, he will attempt to kidnap another mage. We must try to stop him from doing so. We cannot afford to lose the air tunnel until we develop something better.”
“Where do you get all of this information?” asked Lyra. “How can you possibly know what Vand is doing on the Island of Darkness?”
“Fisher is an incredible man,” answered Emperor Marak. “I have wondered the same thing, but I know that Fisher will not divulge his sources. All that I know is that Fisher has a spy on the Island of Darkness. His information so far has been extremely accurate.”
“From the stories that MistyTrail told me about her journey there,” replied Lyra, “that spy must be extremely brave. The Island of Darkness is a very dangerous place to be.”
“And the danger of that place is coming home to us,” frowned the Torak. “Let’s go to the library. The rest of the group should be getting up soon enough. I am anxious to find this Pit of Death.”
When they reached the library, Axor and Temiker were already there. They started searching the volumes of tomes for any references to the Pit of Death. Over the next hour, others came to the library and aided in the search. The library remained silent for hours as everyone devoured texts in the search. Finally, Bakhai called for everyone’s attention.
“The Pit of Death was a mythical place in Angragar,” Bakhai announced. “It was a place of healing of last resort. Those citizens who were near death went there with hopes, however small, of regaining the life that was slipping from them. It is said that those who did not die often went mad and wished that they had died.”
“Does it say where it was supposedly located?” asked Rejji.
“No,” frowned Bakhai. “It only mentions that there was a place called the Asylum that some feared might actually be the Pit of Death. Others scoffed at the idea.”
“I read something about the Asylum,” Temiker said excitedly as he put down his book and ran his finger along the shelf looking for a different tome. “It was a healing place for the terminally ill.”
Everyone waited anxiously while Temiker picked a book and began flipping pages.
“Here it is,” Temiker said. “The Asylum was a small shop in the northern section of the city. It sold elixirs and potions and also boasted of subterranean chambers that held special healing powers. Citizens had called for the closing of the shop as many customers had reportedly gone insane after going there.”
“Mobi,” ordered the Astor, “have your men scour the northern section of the city. Find this shop called The Asylum.”
Mobi nodded and ran out of the library. Everyone else continued reading in case the shop could not be found. A while later, Mobi returned.
“We have found the shop,” he reported. “I posted sentries around it, but warned them not to enter without permission.”
“You are wise, Mobi” complimented the Star. “We should approach this Pit of Death cautiously.”
Everyone filed out of the temple and followed the Qubari warrior to the northern section of the city. The Qubari shaman Yltar was already there and waiting.
“Yltar,” smiled Rejji. “What are you doing here?”
“I escorted the first group of citizens to resettle Angragar,” answered Yltar. “When I heard that something exciting had been found, I decided to see what is happening. I cannot describe the feeling of walking through the gates of Angragar. It is like a dream coming true. For thousands of years the Qubari have waited for this day. Chief Dumo is bringing another group in a few hours. What is all the excitement about?”
“We have been command by Kaltara to seal the Pit of Death,” answered Rejji. “We believe the subterranean chambers below this shop is that place.”
“The Pit of Death is mythical,” frowned Yltar. “It is the supposed home of Dobuk, the Fallen One.”
“Who is this Dobuk?” asked Rejji.
“In the beginning,” the shaman explained, “Kaltara allowed those that were holy and faithful to rule portions of his domain. Dobuk was one of those, but he chose to defy Kaltara and seized rule of all domains for himself. Kaltara learned of this deceit and punished Dobuk. He was transformed into a hideous demon that none could gaze upon and remain sane. He was banished for all time and named the Fallen One. He has vowed revenge upon Kaltara.”
“Could Vand be this Dobuk?” asked Bakhai. “Is that how he has managed to live for thousands of years?”
“More likely,” Temiker shook his head, “is that Vand is being driven by Dobuk. The records that we read indicated that Vand fell ill and sought treatment. Afterwards, he was a changed man. Perhaps he met Dobuk under this shop.”
“We must tread carefully here,” warned Axor. “If to gaze upon this demon can cause insanity, one of us must be chosen to go first. The one cannot be one of the Three. They will be needed to defeat Vand.”
“I will go first,” offered Mobi. “Kaltara will protect me.”
“Kaltara is already protecting us in a way,” Axor shook his head. “We have been warned about the potential danger before we descended into the Pit of Death. Still, I think the person that goes first should have the capability of magic to detect any traps that may be waiting for us. I will go first.”
“That is acceptable,” Marak said after looking to Lyra and Rejji for any signs of disagreement. “The Three will accompany Axor below. The rest
of you should wait up here.”
Lyra lit a torch and handed it to Axor. The Chula shaman stepped into the shop, and the Three followed him. He found a flight of stairs leading down, and slowly led the way. Beneath the shop was a cellar. Racks of potions and elixirs filled the cellar, and Axor searched for a while before finding another set of stairs heading down. The next level down was roughly hewn from rock. It was more like a cave than a cellar. There were several rows of stone benches around a pool of bubbling mud.
“Bathing in mud used to be a cure for certain ailments,” commented Lyra. “Do you think this is the Pit of Death?”
“I think we need some sure sign that we have found it,” remarked the Torak.
Axor nodded and started probing the nooks and crannies of the cave. He disappeared around the corner of an aberration in the rock wall and called to the others.
“There is a door here,” Axor declared. “It has the symbol of a skull above it. It reminds me of the doors behind the library wall just a bit too much for comfort. Should I open it?”
“Wait,” Marak shouted. The Torak turned to Rejji and Lyra and spoke softly, “There is a danger in going further, but also a danger in not exploring. What do you two think?”
“Is there a possibility of letting Dobuk into Angragar by opening the door?” asked Rejji.
“I think there is,” answered Lyra, “but one has to wonder where the door leads to.”
“If it does lead to Dobuk,” mused Marak, “why does he not use it to let Vand return and conquer Angragar?”
“Perhaps he does not want Vand to return to Angragar,” shrugged Lyra. “How much misery could Vand cause by capturing an empty city? Especially one that is isolated from everyone and hidden in the jungle?”
“You mean that Vand is a plaything for the demon?” asked Rejji.
“Perhaps,” nodded Lyra. “Dobuk must derive pleasure by inducing suffering. He has driven Vand into a frenzy to attack us and destroy us. What does Dobuk gain from the capture of Angragar?”
“Right now he would gain little,” nodded Marak, “but in a little while, it will once again become the capital of Fakara. Maybe that is why Kaltara has ordered it sealed. Perhaps by sealing this portal, we will force Dobuk to remain where he is.”
“And where is he?” asked Rejji. “We have no idea.”
“I do have an idea of his location,” countered Emperor Marak. “I believe that he resides in the temple on the Island of Darkness.”
“What leads you to believe that?” asked Lyra.
“My spy reported that something lived in the temple that Vand was required to visit once a day,” explained the Torak. “It is something that Vand fears. It makes sense to me that it could be Dobuk.”
“That would make sense,” nodded Lyra. “What else would Vand fear except Dobuk and Kaltara, and I doubt that that Vand visits Kaltara daily.”
“This could also be an opportunity,” Marak continued. “If this door leads to the temple on the Island of Darkness, our troops could attack through it and strike the head of our enemy. We might be able to end the invasion before it begins.”
“No,” Lyra replied emphatically. “The door would lead to the presence of Dobuk. Our armies would be instantly turned into ghouls for the Fallen One. Besides, if we merely kill Vand, Dobuk will choose another to lead the attack. I cannot agree to such a plan.”
“Lyra is right,” nodded Rejji. “While it is tempting to sneak through and attack Vand, the potential cost is much too great. We have no idea what awaits us on the other side of that door.”
“That is something that I can find out,” offered Axor.
“Not you, Axor,” Marak shook his head. “You cannot be allowed to go any further.”
“If you think that you are going through that door, Marak,” threatened Lyra, “you had better think again. I will not allow it.”
Marak smiled at Lyra and shook his head. “That is not what I was thinking, but I did not expect such assertiveness from you.”
Lyra blushed when she realized that her hand was on the hilt of her rapier. She removed her hand and shook her head with embarrassment.
“What exactly did you mean?” asked the Star of Sakova.
“Let’s assume that whoever walks through that door will have their mind taken over by Dobuk, as you suggested would happen to the army,” explained Emperor Marak. “If that is true, we cannot afford to send anyone who has intimate knowledge of our plans. We certainly cannot send anyone who knows how to use an air tunnel.”
“I agree,” Axor nodded. “I was not thinking of the potential problems. Still, we must know what lies beyond the door.”
“Not necessarily,” countered the Torak. “What we need to know is if our assumptions are valid as to whether the door is similar to the ones in the temple. If it is similar, it will lead to a small closet requiring the closing and opening of the door to go anywhere. If it is as I have described, we do not need to know where it will lead. We merely need to seal it.”
“Yet it could lead to yet another section of this cavern,” stated Rejji. “So we need to open this door before we seal it. And we need someone who has little knowledge of our plans to do it. Is that where we stand?”
“That is the situation,” nodded the Torak. “That someone is likely to face death, either by the hand of Dobuk, or by my hand. I will not allow an agent of Dobuk to come back through that door, even if it one of our own.”
“The only source of volunteers is the Qubari,” frowned Rejji. “Everyone who came with us already knows too much. I will speak to Yltar.”
Rejji turned and ascended the stairs out of the cavern. He climbed to the ground level and exited the shop. The Astor explained the problem to Yltar, and the head shaman selected a warrior after a moment of thought. He spoke in whispers to the Qubari warrior for several minutes before escorting him to Rejji.
“This is Panka,” Yltar said to Rejji. “He is willing to offer his life for the Astor.”
“Are you sure, Panka?” Rejji asked as his throat constricted with the thought of what he was asking this man to do. “There is a great chance that you will die this day.”
“I am sure,” Panka declared. “To die in the service of the Astor is an honor for the Qubari. My Uncle Yltar will care for my mother if I am stricken. I can ask for no more.”
Tears started to well up in Rejji’s eyes, and he turned away from Panka. He started walking into the shop as he heard Yltar speak.
“Follow the Astor, Panka,” Yltar said loudly. “He will show you what to do. Know that your name will honored forever in the memories of the Qubari.”
The Qubari warriors shouted Panka’s name as he followed the Astor into the shop. Rejji led the way down to the mud pool and introduced Panka to the others.
Marak bowed to the Qubari warrior and then placed his hands on the man’s shoulders.
“Your bravery is commendable, Panka,” smiled the Torak. “I hope that you have many more chances to demonstrate it, but this day is a test of it. There is a door around the corner. One who does not have the knowledge that we possess must open it. We want you to open it and describe what you see.”
“That is all?” asked Panka.
“That is all,” nodded the Torak as he wondered if he should explain more or let the Qubari remain brave in his innocence, “but it involves great danger.”
“I do not want to know anything further,” Panka declared. “It is better if I just obey your instructions. Where is this door?”
“Around this corner,” pointed Axor.
Panka walked around the corner and opened the door. The Torak drew his sword and motioned the others to get behind him.
“It is a small room,” Panka called from around the corner. “There is nothing in the room. What do I do next?”
“Close the door and return to us,” Rejji said as he sighed. When Panka emerged from around the corner, Rejji smiled at him. “You have shown your bravery, Panka. I want you to be one of my personal guards.
”
“Do you mean like the two that the Torak has?” Panka asked with excitement. “I am to be one of the Astor’s shadows?”
“Yes, Panka,” smiled Rejji. “I could not ask for anyone as loyal and brave as you are. Return to the surface for now.”
Panka bowed low to Rejji and excitedly climbed the stairs. Rejji exhaled loudly.
“I hope that I never have to ask someone to do something like that again,” the Astor declared. “It did not feel right to me.”
“Yet you are offering your life to Kaltara in the same vein,” smiled Marak. “Panka will serve you well. Find another with such qualities and train them well.”
“Well,” interjected Lyra, “we have the information that we need. Now we must seal this pit forever.”
“And how will you do that?” asked Axor. “Tremendous force will be needed for such a feat. We are two levels below the ground. I cannot imagine how many mages will be required for this, or how much time it will take them.”
“It is time to return to the surface,” announced the Star of Sakova. “Rejji, have everyone move out of the northern section of the city.”
Axor looked at the Star of Sakova as if she were crazy. Rejji merely nodded, and Marak actually smiled. They climbed the stairs and emerged on the street. Rejji started snapping off orders to the Qubari warriors and the others who had gathered to see what would happen.
“Can I stay and watch?” Marak asked Lyra as everyone began to leave the area.
“Can you create a shield around three of us?” asked Lyra as she looked at Rejji.
“I can,” nodded Marak.
“Good,” nodded Lyra as she started walking away from the shop. “I think you and Rejji should be here. Call him over while I prepare.”
Marak waved Rejji over and explained that they were staying. He erected a shield to surround the three of them where Lyra had chosen to stand, which was almost a block away from the shop.
Lyra closed her eyes and said nothing for a long time. Rejji and Marak did not speak, but the Torak saw Lyra’s skin begin to ripple. He watched with concern. The Star’s arms rose, the fingers of her hands intertwined to make one fist. The skin of her arms no longer rippled. Instead her flesh resembled more of a series of waves crashing upon the beach. Marak could not imagine the magnitude of the power that was building within the young mage.
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