by R N Skye
Change of plans. Shew, you and Junior, need to take your portal and sneak into any possible location where the artifact manufactures could possibly have a mechanical lumen activator and destroy them all. That ring was set up so that only Shew’s Ring could power it. I don’t know if Allyant mages can even use our lumen or glyphs; I suspect that they can but he needs the glyphs to be activated. That is if he knows enough to make a power glyph; I’m not going to rule out that he may be able to power it with his own brand of magic if the glyphs can be activated.
“What about the bodies?” Shew asked,
“Dump em into the river. First take off the wristbands, I don’t want them falling into the hands of an innocent.” He added hastily. If things go crazy fall back to the sloop and comm us every fifteen minutes. We’re going after D’roe and as many of the troops here we can disable wristbands on. See if you can get ahold of Roger and see if the border activity has increased. Ari turned to Shane. “What do you think?”
“How many dots do you have left? Shane asked calculating figures as fast as he could.
“Only a handful,” Ari replied handing the nearly empty pouch to Shane.
Shane ignored the pouch for a moment and summoned his instructor. “Instructor, how can I contact Kuo’irus?”
“The instructor is able to communicate with the Star Seed Kuo’irus through the Arc. Would you like me to arrange for such a communication?” the device replied.
“Yes,” said Shane, “as quickly as possible please,” he replied and leaned over and took the pouch that Ari had been waiting for him to take.
Instantly a clear crystal the size of a warball was levitating in front of Shane and Ari. “How fare thee Shane,” spoke the voice that Shane knew to belong to the gryphon, to both of the minds of Shane and Ari. Hail to thee as well Sicam. I see that thou art before a small Army is this to be our first battle then?”
Shane shook his head. “Not today Kuo’irus, I am here to try and free them from the captivity of the soul mage.”
“It is well that thou seek to save the lives of thy enemies - Especially those that are of no contest to battle. It is most valiant to spare thy foe and seek to reform them.
“The reason I reached out to you,” Shane continued, “is to see if you had had a chance to duplicate some of the blue glyphs that we discussed.”
“Of that you can be sure. Kolaria and I both played with the task this day after out meet. We made exactly ten groups of one hundred groups of one hundred. Will that serve for the present?”
Shane was aghast at the number that the gryphons had produced in less than a day.
The Creature continued. “You were most accurate when you stated that they were powerful glyphs and would stretch the abilities of the creator. Both Kolaria and I required rest after our task; fear not, we are refreshed and are now returned to our normal lumen strength plus we have an increase. Once again you have gifted us. After tomorrow we will have thy remaining nine times what I present thee with today that thy task may be complete. I have studied thy glyphs. They have many properties that you did not mention. They are most potent. Are thou then of the brotherhood of Eno Like thy grandfather?” The Gryphon paused, “I stand by my boast, I have chosen well. Here art thy glyphs Lumen Mage. The lumen contained therein is now yours to wield. I will let thee to thy task. Fare thee well.” The crystal popped from view and a large cloth bag tied with a string appeared at Shane’s feet.
~~~~~
Shew and Junior each grabbed a guard and hurled the bodies over the side of the bridge. Shew then opened a portal to the sloop and beckoned the tall fisherman to follow. Junior had to stoop a bit to make it through the doors and hallways but he was able to stand in the wheelhouse without his head grazing the ceiling.
Shew turned on the viewer and began searching for the likely locations of the artifact activators that Infin had been using to restore artifacts. As he worked he began explaining to the impressed fisherman. “According to my knowledge there should be three in existence. There were four but the king had Tanners destroyed.” After a few more prods of glyphs on the viewer he had three locations selected. The manufacturing locations of Thoreau and Monnet looked barren. As he searched through the empty buildings with his viewer he saw that they were burned out and desolate. “Looks like the king consolidated everything.”
“Where and what are these thing we are looking for,” asked Junior.
Shew explained what he was looking for and what needed to be done. “All I need for you to do is stick close and watch my back. Once we find these I’m sure they are going to be guarded with swords, magic, or both. We need to be as sneaky as we can.” Selecting the destination for the warehouse that he and Ari had been at earlier he used the viewer to locate where the activator would most likely be. “This is where we need to go - you ready, big guy?”
Junior nodded gravely, “as ready as I’ll ever be.”
Suddenly a bright light flashed and a large part of the bow of sloop, including the front of the wheel house, was blown away and vanished; followed by crushing sonic boom that echoed like a peel of thunder. Both Shew and Junior had been hurled down the stairs into the hold, followed by a rush of water. The men quickly stood; badly shaken. As they got their bearings they saw a bright red machine with three wings hurtling across the evening sky, change directions and begin flying toward them. Another flash and this time the stern of the boat was torn loose. The sloop was all but destroyed and was sinking fast. Shew grabbed the tall fisherman, “how long can you hold your breath?” he asked Junior who looked near panic.
“A while,” he stammered. “I’ve been on the water all my life.”
“Good, follow me. If we get hit one more time by that thing we’re history.” Shew immediately headed towards the flooding store room – shoving Junior inside he followed and pulled the door shut after them. The flow of water lessoned but the water at the floor was rising past their knees and climbing fast. Shew immediately began clearing the way to the port side of the hold. Due to the concussion of the blasts much of the equipment and other goods in the store room had shifted and were blocking the portal door. By the time the men had cleared away enough debris to access the portal glyphs the water was up to Shew’s chest. Taking a deep breath he dove under the water line and activated the door. With a rush of water the door opened and the two men were flushed out of the hold through the portal to the basement in Lu Y Onton. Coming to a stop across the room they stood and watched as water rushed into the room and threatened to soon fill every open space. Just as Shew began to tread his way to the wall glyphs that would close the portal there came another bright flash through the opening; the boom that followed was abruptly silenced as the portal vanished.
Taking out his hand held portal Shew tried to locate the sight of were the sloop had been. The area was filled with the visage of five ships surrounding a wide area of floating debris. There was no sign of the deadly flying artifact. Closing the viewer Shew opened a portal in the floor of the basement into the harbor and soon had the basement clear of the seawater. Activating his Comm ne called Ari.
Ari answered in a hushed tone as Shew gave him an update and described the demise of the sloop. “Ari, you better tell the warball player that his magic boat just got blown out of the water.” Shew explained the ordeal that they had just experienced ending with. “We’re going after the last activator, but if that giant flying dart comes your way you might want to have an escape route planned.”
“I’ll tell him about the boat and thanks for the heads up on the flying artifact. It may be what he saw at the warball stadium recently. Things are calm here right now but everyone seems to be on alert and so far no sign of the D’roe. Shane’s trying to locate him with glyphs. Go and take out that activator but be careful. The whole Infin army seems to be up to something. When you get that done let me know and I’ll update you. If you can’t reach me set up operations in the lab out of my office. Good luck” Ari abruptly ended the conversation.
&
nbsp; Shew relayed what he had been told to Junior as he plotted the location of the warehouse into his handheld device. “Let’s go.”
The Warehouse was dark and there seemed to be no workers. A hum and the click of some sort of machinery could be heard from the far end of the building. Shew and Junior quietly made their way to a brightly lit area and the source of the noise. To their amazement it was attended by an old man who calmly watched them walk up. The activation artifact was imbuing wristbands. The old man would remove one that had just completed and place one in its place while he took the activated band and held it to a large red sphere for a moment and then placed it into a box and retrieved the next.
“You are wasting your time,” said the old man in an unemotional tone. “The device cannot be broken. The king did something to it. It is as hard as diamond now. Believe me, I’ve tried.” He processed another band. “We tried to rebel and were able to destroy the others but before we got to the last one we were stopped. The king has taken all of those that worked here and turned them into soldiers and has sent them away to attack Luion. I am the only one left and have been commanded to continue making these chains that enslave us; I believe these are for the Luion prisoners he plans on taking after the next campaign. I would stop but he has my family held captive. So as you can see I have no choice but to do as I’m told.”
“We are here to either destroy this thing or take it out of here,” replied Shew. “Sorry about your family. Where are they being held maybe we can bust them out?”
Suddenly the voice of the man changed. “Ah, Mr. Shew, the man that my slave in the north hates so badly,” laughed the old man uncharacteristically. “You were so foolish to have such boy working for you. I learned all he had and now his mind and memories are mine. He is on his way here now. It will take a day or two due to him being on foot but as soon as he does I will activate his ring and then know the location of the Arc and with it I will capture the Star Seeds. Your little underground effort to thwart me is far too late.”
“So what you’re saying is that if this activator here is disabled then you won’t get what you need from the kids ring,” Shew smiled mischievously.
As Shew talked Junior slowly began to flank the old man.
“Go ahead and try.” Cackled the Allyant controlled old man. “I have hardened it magically. You can beat on it with the biggest hammer in this building and it cannot be scratched.”
Suddenly the old man turned with blurring speed and hurled the large red sphere at Junior, who been about to grab the old man. With amazing reflexes, Junior caught the sphere and held it for a moment. While he felt no weakness his ring began to get scalding hot. Quickly the fisherman hurled the sphere to the floor at the old man’s feet. The glass exploded and a red mist swirled around the shattered fragments. The old man fell back - a large shard of crystal protruded from his chest. The mist soon dissipated and was replaced by a large black mist that flowed like a phantom towards Shew but couldn’t seem to touch him; held at bay as if repelled. Failing to engulf the old spy it changed course and engulfed Junior with the same result. The black mist seemed to weaken and with a desperate rush it engulfed the dying man. The old man laughed maniacally. You are too late. I have a trap set for your mage and the assassin. You cannot destroy this activator and you have just been lumen poisoned. This World is mine. I will be called Great One. Suddenly the old man gasped his last breath and crumpled to the floor.
Shew shook his head. “That’s the problem with villains. They don’t plan things as far as they should.” Shew activated his portal with the exit about three cubits above the floor. Then with a smile he sent the entrance to be located right down the middle of the activator. Somewhat anticlimactically the artifact sliced in half; one side remaining on the table the other landing with a thud on the floor – all sounds and lights of its former operation now dull and silent.
Opening the portal to the Ari’s office he added, “come on we need to see what the rookie is up to. I don’t know how he ever got along since I retired.” As they walked through the portal Shew put his arm on the back of the tall fisherman. “Nice catch and throw with that red thing. Did I ever tell you about the time Stafford and I took out an entire protection racket and used it to get intelligence on the Luion’s top spy in Jehhet?” Shew said as if nothing had happened.
Junior laughed nervously, “That old guy said something about we were lumen poisoned? My sister in-law had that remember?”
“Are you wearing the ring Shane gave you?” Junior nodded. “Are you wearing the ring I gave you?” The younger man nodded again. “Well then you’re not poisoned. That’s one of the main things those rings are for; their magical protection. That kid Shane looks out for his teammates.
“Teammates?” questioned Junior.
I know,” Shew laughed, “but that’s how he sees this whole thing. He isn’t looking at it like a war he is looking at it like a contest or a ball game. Believe you me, that kid is competitive. You rest assured he won’t leave you hanging. He invents new and better stuff all the time. And the minute he figures out a better way he makes sure his team has the use of it. I don’t envy that bastard king or mage or whatever he is that up against us. If it was me and Stafford we could probably still take him – magic and all – granted it would be a long engagement and the casualties would be very high. But with the kid, and all the magic he controls, in the mix this guy doesn’t stand a chance. The only reason it has lasted this long is because there are a lot of innocents out there and Shane wants to save as many as possible.”
“He seems pretty normal to me,” commented Junior.
“He’d take that as a compliment,” responded Shew, “Especially from you; he really likes you for some reason,” Shew grinned.
“Why, what did I do?” Junior asked curiously.
“My guess is the way you trounced him in that brawl you guys had at the Ox.” Shew responded expertly. “Think about it. Here you are this great giant of a man. No one in their right mind would willingly go toe to toe with you, yet he did. You could have trounced him into the next life and you know it.” Shew paused letting what he was saying sink in. Continuing he said, “But you didn’t did you.” The big man shook his head. “Well my guess is that Shane saw that. Shane saw the brawl for what it was; a good old fashioned fun fight. He wasn’t out for blood and neither were you. In the end you both sat down and had a pint and came away with a greater appreciation for the other. The fact of the matter is that Shane was holding back as well. I don’t know if he even recognizes that he has this ability and that he does what he does on purpose unconsciously. What I do know is that if he would have used even the little bit of magic that he knew at the time against you, you could have been a candidate for a trip to the next life as well. In my opinion, Shane held back because you held back.
You watch, you will see; he has an uncanny ability to see what is. I’ll give you an example: You never met him but we had a stowaway on the sloop a while back. Shane saw right away that the kid was a sneak, a thief, and dishonest as the day is long. He clued Ari in on the situation. Shane wanted to get rid of him as soon as he saw him, but Ari, being what he is, saw a tool. Because of Shane’s insight we used that tool today to keep the king busy and bait a trap.
I guess what I’m saying is that Shane is a good kid, a smart kid and a tough kid. More important Shane has great instincts and is fiercely loyal. I plan on telling him how you stepped up and how well you handled the last couple of hours; that will mean a lot to him. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate your help today as well. But I’m not telling him to make you look good I’m telling him because he needs to be reminded why he’s doing what he’s doing. He needs reminders that there are good people on this world; that he’s not alone in this fight against a magical tyrant.”
Dropping the conversation Shew touched his ear and said, “Ari.” Turning to Junior he said, “Touch your ear and say ‘join Shew.’” Getting a prompt to leave a message Shew quickly rattled off that they
had removed the last of the activator and to watch out for a trap, that they would wait at Ari’s office until they heard from him.
~~~~~
Kaysee’s shame was more than she could bear. She ran from the room as fast a she could. Leo was dumbstruck; what could she have done? Then it dawned on him; her questions, the container, the nightmares. Good heavens, she’s somehow done Allyant magic. Leo ran from the room after her.
Leo bounded down the staircase to the lobby of the office building just in time to see Kaysee hurry through the door. Taking the stairs three at a time he managed to get to the door just before it pulled itself shut, twisting sideways he slid through the gap and rushed out behind her. Panting to catch his breath he found her sitting on the curb with her head in her hands still crying but yelling at someone he couldn’t see.
“You lied to me, you tricked me. For all I know you are a lousy Allyant. I can’t believe I was so naïve.” She continued sobbing now in anger.
“Kay,” Leo spoke softly sitting beside her. “We can take care of this.” The rings you have won’t let him take control. As soon as Shane gets back we can purge this monster from inside of your bad dreams and everything will be fine.”
