That afternoon Michael was sitting on the porch looking over the village, a place that might be gone with a single cast of that group of three hundred fire mages. He was trying to think of a way forward, but his mind was numb from the power that he’d seen displayed on the other side of the mountains.
Diana came out to sit next to him. He said, “You’ve been busy in the office since before lunch. Is everything OK with our businesses.”
Diana handed him two letters written by different hands. Their paper differed in color and quality, and one was written in the deep black ink of the South Sedan Islands and the other in the blue ink common in the Walker Islands. Michael looked at Diana quizzically and asked, “When did they arrive?”
Diana leaned forward in her chair and kissed him. “My sweet, your mind is still numb from the horror. I wrote them, and I’m suggesting these two letters as a way forward. Please read them both before you comment.”
Michael considered Diana smarter than he was in almost every practical behavior, and he knew her social skills and understanding of people was much better than his. He read the first letter that appeared to be from the Walker Islands.
Michael Son-of-William,
It is with deep regret and sorrow that I write to inform you of the death of both your father and grandfather. Both men were murdered in out trade offices in the Walker Islands. Local authorities apprehended and executed two agents from the Kingdom of the Green Jungle who had been hired for the cowardly deed.
It now falls on you to take up the leadership of the family enterprises and guide our extensive trade network. Please immediately relocate to the Walker Islands to take on the governance of our interest in the south.
There are other sound reasons to leave Glastamear at this time. You know that your father had an extensive trade intelligence network. The attached letter is a summary report from his agent in the South Sedan Islands who gathered intelligence in the three kingdoms of the east. It will explain why it is imperative that you leave Glastamear even if it means abandoning all of your financial interests in that kingdom.
I know that you and your ancestors have always considered the Kingdom of Glastamear your true home, but now its future looks bleak. It is much safer here in the south. May Father God guide you my friend.
Best Regards and condolences,
You agent, Roger Son-of-Justin
Michael’s first thought was that Diana had provided an excuse for them to flee, but he also knew that was very unlike her. She had asked that he remain silent until he had read both letters.
To William Son-of-William,
Greetings and benediction to my wise friend and employer. The following is the summary of reports from all three of the kingdoms of the east.
The eastern kingdoms are prepared for a massive invasion of the Kingdom of Glastamear as soon as the snow makes the High Road passable this spring.
They have assembled five thousand footmen in chainmail with crossbow and swords.
They have assembled one thousand Lancers of the Kingdom of the Yellow Plains.
They have assembled one thousand Horse Archers of the Kingdom of the Black Forest.
They have assembled one hundred mammoths of the Kingdom of Green Jungles with eight hundred archers to ride in the fortresses on their backs.
Most formidable of all, they have assembled three hundred Fire Knights in full steel-plate armor who have learned to cast as a single mage. Their power is limitless! Surely their casts combined with this great army are greater than the debilitated Kingdom of Glastamear can possibly resist. Their army is the most powerful force that men have ever assembled on Home under the star Blue Haven.
I suggest that you liquidate all holdings north of the Walker Islands. No good can come from the coming war, but it is certain that the Kingdom of Glastamear is doomed.
Blessings of Father God Upon you my friend,
You Faithful Servant, Robert of the city of South Sedan
Michael looked at Diana and smiled. You have found a way to warn Governor Talton and the other governors while also covering up the fact that my wealthy merchant father doesn’t really exist.
Diana smiled and kissed him tenderly. “You would have thought of it also once your mind recovered from the shock of what you saw on the other side of the mountains.”
“But how do we stop them?”
Diana smiled, “The pieces are there: the Castle Gateway, the Great Tunnel of Sacred Passage, the Valley of Avalanches, the five hundred golden plates in Brimir’s Town, and the new spell you created. You’ll figure it out my love.”
THE END
Books by Charles Williamson on Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/author/c.d.williamson
Mysteries:
The Dead Priest of Sedona: Book One of the Mike Damson Mysteries
The Dead Chef of Santa Fe: Book Two of the Mike Damson Mysteries
The Murders at El Tovar: Book Three of the Mike Damson Mysteries
The Victim at Vultee Arch: Book Four of the Mike Damson Mysteries
The Arson at Happy Jack: Book Five of the Mike Damson Mysteries
The Dead Man at Doyle Saddle: Book Six of the Mike Damson Mysteries
Oil Town: Book One of the Howard McAlester Mysteries
Time Travel:
Temporal Foam: A Novel of Accidental Time Travel
The Argonauts of Phoenix: The Second Adventure in the Temporal Foam
Science Fiction:
Black Dot: Jack Dunn, Cyber-Detective Volume One
Green Glow: Jack Dunn, Cyber-Detective Volume Two
Blue Haze: Jack Dunn, Cyber-Detective Volume Three
Fantasy:
The Pogrom of Mages: The Healers of Glastamear, Volume One
The Mages’ Winter of Death: The Healers of Glastamear, Volume Two
Coming in the spring of 2016:
The WAR OF THE FIRE MAGES:The Healers of Glastamear, Volume Three
The Peaceful Pillage of Pompeii: The Third Adventure in the Temporal Foam
The Mauling at Kinnickinick Pueblo: Book Seven of the Mike Damson Mysteries
The Mages' Winter of Death: The Healers of Glastamear: Volume Two Page 24
