by Bob Blink
The final new spell was the Travel Box, which was clearly related to the Mage’s Box. It also became clear that while he could create the artifact, no one else seemed to be able to do so. As in the case of his Mage’s Box, this was a unique skill, and he was glad Oscar had transferred a bit of knowledge about the object, or he’d have had a devil of a time figuring it out. The box he could create was actually a pair of boxes, one that was without a lid and the other which could easily be shrunk down to a small cube about one inch on a side. The maximum size was closer to fifteen inches. The full-size box could be left at any location he chose, and the collapsible version carried with him. What was put into either box was available at either end, although the box somehow prevented access from both ends simultaneously. Thus, if he left the box with Asari, and Asari later put something inside, Jolan could open the box wherever he was and remove the item. It worked in reverse as well, which meant he could place a note inside requesting an item, which Asari could later place inside and he could retrieve it from a distance. It would be quite handy for traveling. Leave the one box behind, and most of the supplies could be added as needed by a friend back home. As near as he had been able to determine, the collapsed box could be tossed around without any impact on the contents, but the feature of the Mage’s Box which kept things in time suspension did not seem to work with this box.
“Are you sure you can’t make any more of those amplifier devices?” Ronoron asked after delivering his message that they should start making the modifications to the portal room, and that Jolan’s portal mapping teams should head out.
“I only have the one core, which Oscar found somewhere over a hundred years ago. Without risking damaging that, I can’t make another. Perhaps later something will turn up that explains how the device is made, but until then it is a unique device.”
Jolan had been experimenting with the amplifier device over the past few days as well. While it mostly mattered what abilities it gave to him, he had been curious how it worked with others of different level and ability. The results were interesting, if not very enlightening. Oscar’s note had said the original device didn’t affect level, but this version, probably because he’d added the external “enabler”, did seem to support higher levels, but it varied with person and spells. In his own case he seemed to advance to a level six or seven, depending on the spell and what the staff did for him. It was going to take some time to fully map out the combined relationship there. Another level five mage he’d tried seemed pretty much limited to level six capabilities, although the maximum power draw of everyone was significantly increased. So was the range at which they could make their spells work. He didn’t have a level seven to test, but Vaen was curious about it, and the one spell she tried showed her at level eight performance.
The device seemed to have far less effect for those at the lower power levels, although for some reason it worked really well with Ronoron, and hence his interest. For his entire life he had been restricted to being a low level three except for his unique talents, but with the device in hand, he had jumped all the way to level seven, pretty much across the board. He could suddenly execute spells he’d never had a chance with, and do so at levels that exceeded virtually everyone. Like the ring, Jolan could tell he’d hated to part with the device after testing.
Jolan hated to disappoint his friend, but it seemed to be happening a lot lately. He’d built the device to support his time on Earth and to hopefully help him match up against Cheurt, something that he hoped wouldn’t be too long in coming. He couldn’t simply pass it on to Ronoron because it made him stronger. That wasn’t the only disappointment for his friend. Ronoron was hoping to be on the team going into Kimlelm, since that was his home, but he was assigned to the much safer task of mapping out areas of Seret with Asari. Only a single mage was required to activate the portals for the mapping, and Luzoke’s power made him the obvious choice for going into occupied territory. If an altercation developed, Ronoron simply wasn’t equipped to handle the battle. Jolan knew his friend felt he was being slighted, but there was nothing he could see to do about it at the moment. He kept hoping something would turn up to give him his chance to really shine, but it hadn’t happened yet.
Chapter 127
When Jolan walked into Vaen’s office, he saw that Major Wylan was already there. He half expected more of the group would be arriving soon, but once he was inside the room, Vaen nodded to her assistant, who left, closing the door behind her. Vaen smiled at Jolan as he took his seat.
“The Queen appears to have matured a bit of late,” she said.
Wylan looked pleased as well. Whatever had finally been decided, he appeared to be satisfied with the outcome. That probably meant Jolan would be as well, because the two men were of very like mind on these matters at least.
“As you have probably noticed, this matter has taken several days, far longer than would seem necessary, but the various factions needed to be heard. The Queen listened to all. We also had to make her aware of many of the recent developments, so she is knowledgeable about most of our secrets. Not being a mage, she cannot know some of the critical information, but there are few secrets now. I know that makes you a bit uncomfortable, but there is no avoiding it. She is our ruler, after all.”
“And how did she react to what she has learned?” Jolan asked. He was still uncertain about Queen Sayusta. She had changed her mind a bit too often for his tastes, and he had felt the brunt of her actions before.
“As a start, she indicates that the Council of Mages has been taking too much authority upon itself in some matters of late. The realm of magic and its guidelines fall to the mages, but the matter of the war does not. She made it quite clear that the planning of the war effort does not fall within the area of responsibility of the Council. Planning and conducting the war is the responsibility of herself and Major Wylan. She expects from this point forward that this distinction be observed.”
“What does she see as the function of the mages in this matter?”
“The Council of Mages and all the resources commanded by it are to serve in a supporting capacity to the throne, and to Major Wylan, as his needs demand.”
“What exactly does that mean? She doesn’t want to use the teams we have developed or the ideas based on experience gained on Earth?”
“Quite the contrary,” Wylan said. “She sees some of this as very positive, and wants us to press forward with our plans. The mages are to be advisors and, as they have in the past, are to provide mages who have the capabilities the crown or the military require. The Council of Mages does not set policy.”
Vaen flashed one of her wry smiles. Jolan had the feeling that despite the fact she headed the Council of Mages, she’d had no little influence on the Queen and some of the rulings that had come down the last couple of days. She certainly didn’t seem particularly bothered by what some might see as a reduction in her power or influence on the matters at hand.
“The Queen has stated that the Council is free to determine their standards and beliefs but, at the same time, they serve the throne and are expected to provide mages capable of pursuing the war as the throne decides is prudent,” Vaen said. “Basically, the Queen was intrigued by some of your arguments which were relayed to her, and has ruled that magical power may be used to a far greater extent than some on the Council would like. Ships, facilities, implements of war, are all fair targets for magic. If soldiers are killed in taking these items out, that is simply a side effect of the situation, as it would be if more conventional means of destruction were applied. She stopped short of advocating direct use of magic against troops, but it is quite clear that even that would be considered if the situation turned dire enough. Our new Queen has a practical streak. She has also stated that while the Council of Mages may disapprove of the use of magic in such a manner, any mage who individually decides such usage is necessary or prudent for his own protection, or that of the kingdom, shall not be punished for doing so. The use of magic is to be
a much more individual decision than it has been in the past.”
“The Queen has given us the chance to make a stand,” Wylan said happily. “We aren’t staying out of this war or merely trying to defend. We are going into it to win.”
“What changed her mind?” Jolan asked. “Last year she was very much against risking Angon being attacked.”
“Much of that was Lonid’s influence. She now understands that allowing Ale’ald to take Seret would leave Angon alone, and it would only be a matter of time before Ale’ald would grow even stronger as it assimilated the captured territories. Soon enough, it would turn to taking Angon. With the surprises we hold secret and the power technology that we can surprise Ale’ald with, the chances of winning will never be better than now. She is not willing to surrender.”
Jolan hadn’t thought about Lonid in some time. When he’d returned last year and found Vaen recovered, he’d been told the discredited council member had disappeared. As far as he knew, he still hadn’t been heard from. “So how do we start?”
“One of the first things is to proceed with your mapping of the portals. We need to know where key portals are located and know in advance they can be accessed. I’m putting Buris in charge of rating our mages. I want to know what abilities we have, and which of the mages are clear in their own minds about the task ahead. I’m not sure if some on the Council might drag their feet if involved. I would like Luzoke to be involved in setting up teams of these mages. He is as powerful in the skills that matter as any we have.”
“We have already started mapping the portals,” Jolan responded.
“I thought you weren’t going to take any action that might alert Ale’ald until we had this matter approved,” Vaen said, surprised at Jolan’s disclosure.
“We didn’t go into Kimlelm, but Seret is still friendly territory. I’ve had Asari and Ronoran working part time at trying out the technique there to see if there are any refinements needed before we try it inside occupied areas. As we expected, the portals are haphazardly marked, even on the maps that supposedly locate them. People mostly didn’t care about them, not knowing their function. Also, the current layout of the cities and towns are usually quite different than shown on the maps of old, so it is impossible to use the older maps other than to know there are a certain number of the portals in a given area. From the listings, and what we understand of the old language now, we can usually open a portal in the right general area. The team goes through, determines the location and which of the portals in the area they are most likely at, then closes it and goes searching for others. Once they find it, they open it, get the identifier, and mark that along with the location. Three or four in an area are enough, at least for now. Once they have that many, they return home, and target another area. It’s slow work, but seems to work reasonably well.”
“Aren’t we concerned someone might happen to see them activating a portal and learn the spells?” Vaen asked.
“That’s one place your team exploring the Mage’s language has come through. I asked them a while back if they could modify a spell so that a mage could completely mask a spell being executed. We now have the ability to hide the execution of any of our spells from even the strongest of wizards.”
It wasn’t often that Jolan was able to learn something from Vaen’s people that she somehow hadn’t already become aware of. He enjoyed the surprise on her face. He also knew she would be looking in on them before the day was out, and would certainly praise their efforts and encourage further investigations. She had a gentle touch that made those under her want to perform.
“I want to organize some spies,” Wylan said, changing the subject. “As soon as we have some portals available inside Kimlelm, we need to start gathering intelligence. It might already be too late.”
“Whom do you have available for that?” Vaen asked.
“We have men that have been trained. But I also want to tap some of the Kimlelm refugees. If we simply send in some of our people, we will be far less effective than we can be by sending in people who have friends and contacts still in Kimlelm. There is no reason for someone in Kimlelm to talk to one of our people, who could be an Ale’ald agent in disguise. They might be far more open to someone they know from before the war.”
“That means showing the portals to people who are not well known. It opens up the chance of the secret getting out already.”
“I realize that, but some of these people have lost everything; family, business, homes, fortunes. They have good reason to hate the Ale’ald invaders. I’m certain I can find a number who would be willing to die without giving up the secret. We have to take some risk if we are to learn what we need to know.”
“How would you work the mission?” Jolan asked.
“I’d send a team through one of the portals. A mage wouldn’t need to go. There would be agreed upon times for a return at the various portals in the area. At the appropriate time, we could remotely activate the portal for group transfer. They could simply pop through. They would never have to know how to use the portals. Once they are recovered, we close the portal behind them.”
* * * *
Luzoke and Kavel materialized into the portal room where Jolan and Wylan waited. Luzoke walked casually over to Jolan with a nod indicating they had been successful. Kavel was dressed as usual for one of the nighttime missions. He had the butt of the Mini-14 sticking out over and above his right shoulder, held in place by some kind of scabbard he had made himself. On his right hip was the Kimber Tactical Elite that Jolan felt he should have, given his function and leadership position. The TE wasn’t as pretty as the pistols the leaders of the sniper teams had, but it was every bit as functional. Sitting atop his head was a pair of the night vision goggles. Being a mage Luzoke didn’t need the night googles, but the non-mages were amazed by their capability. In addition to the equipment, Kavel carried an unconscious man over his left shoulder. Unceremoniously, he let the man drop to the floor.
For the past week, Luzoke and Kavel had made multiple drops behind the lines into Kimlelm as they mapped out useful portals located in many of the major cities and along the river that bordered Seret. They now had over a hundred portals located and named, which would be used to run missions once hostilities started.
They had run missions both during the day and after dark. Daytime missions were usually into areas where it was less likely to encounter the enemy, and all of the nighttime ones had been in the high risk areas. Only once had they encountered the enemy, and Luzoke had been forced to blast the men with an energy wrap that reduced them to so much ash. They had been fortunate where it had occurred, and no one would have a means of tracing the mission men back to one of the portals, even if the ash were recognized for what it was.
They were now ready to begin sending their teams on a number of intelligence missions, but had stumbled across information that Ale’ald had been commandeering a large number of ships and gathering them in the port city of Wint. They had made a brief check of the port and found that an unusually large number of vessels were indeed located there. It had taken a bit of careful questioning of Kimlelm dock hands, but they were able to identify a wizard that should be knowledgeable and decided it was worth the risk of arranging a talk with him.
“Good evening,” Kavel had said when the unprepared wizard had stepped from the tavern into the dark street of the Kimlelm port. Kavel had the spring driven dart launcher in place a few inches from the man’s neck as he spoke, and triggered the device driving the dart into the man’s neck. Moments later the soup of Karonabark, anesthetic, and truth serum was flowing into the man’s blood stream. Gene had been playing chemist, and had some of the local medical mages making up various combinations for him based on the materials he was able to research via the large database of files he’d brought from Earth now that all the computer systems were up and running. All of the behind the line teams would be equipped with both injectable and aerosol versions of the concoction. Added to the abundant alcohol al
ready in the wizard’s blood stream, the man was out in minutes, and they were able to carry him away for questioning.
“He’s going to need some encouragement,” Kavel said in his husky voice. “Bastard’s been at the ale, and the drugs hit him pretty hard.”
“The team will be here in a minute,” Wylan said. He’d sent word by radio when he saw Kavel and Luzoke coming through the portal with the man. The military medical team would be coming through the tunnels that opened up into the lower levels of the Council Building for the man. They had a couple of hours to stimulate the man and wring whatever information out of him they could. This time, the wizard would be lucky. They wanted him back in Wint before daylight where he could recover from his “drunk”. It would be best if no one knew he’d been missing to reveal what he knew. Of course, if he didn’t know anything, there would be no need to be so gentle and bother returning him.
Chapter 128
The past few months had gone quite satisfactorily and Cheurt was looking and feeling well. Despite a number of surprises, surprises that could have gone very badly for him, Ale’ald’s forces had managed to conquer Kimlelm, a feat that hadn’t been accomplished in hundreds of years. That accomplishment alone had elevated his status and given him the authority and power to further the war pretty much as he wished. During the winter months he had been busy, but not challenged. There had been new products to get out of the various factories and shipped to the war front far away. A few surprises should be in store for his opponents once hostilities resumed.
