“Isabel is dying,” she said.
Her colors flared with deception. Alexander listened without reacting.
“We tried the magic given to us by Mage Gamaliel and it failed. Perhaps you could find a way to save her if she were returned to you.”
“Don’t lie to me, witch,” Alexander said with an undercurrent of menace in his voice. He spoke calmly but his awareness heightened and sharpened the way it always did when he was in a fight. The stakes of this battle were far more important to him than his own life.
Magda was clearly shocked at his immediate rejection of her lie. She looked at him with a renewed wariness. “There is more to you than we suspected.”
“Isabel has not been given the magic that could save her life,” Alexander said while his eyes glittered with golden rage. “If she dies in your care, I will shatter your home into gravel and scatter it into the ocean. Give her the magic. Save her life, not because I command it, but because you know it’s the right thing to do. Holding her hostage is the kind of tactic I would expect of Phane. Are you no better than he?”
Magda turned to Jataan with a familiar little smile. “I can see why you have chosen to serve him rather than Phane.” She looked down for a moment in thought as if she was fighting a battle within her own psyche. She nodded and looked up.
“Allow me to explain,” she said. “The Reishi Coven and the Sky Knights are ruled by a triumvirate. I am one of three. We act only when there is agreement by two or more triumvirs. I was in favor of exploring an alliance as Isabel suggested. Cassandra and Gabriella, the other triumvirs, were in favor of forcing your hand by using your loved ones as leverage. It’s clear to me now that this course is a mistake. There may be another way, but you will like it even less.”
“I’m listening,” Alexander said.
“The wife of the Reishi Sovereign must be a witch,” Magda said. “Isabel is an impressive woman but she cannot be Lady Reishi. Tradition demands it, but more importantly, there are practical considerations. The Lord Reishi must have a mate who has the power to stand with him in battle. Furthermore, there is the issue of longevity. You have survived the mana fast—you will live nearly two hundred years, more if you survive the mage’s fast. Isabel will die in less than a hundred years.”
Alexander was struck by the inescapable logic of the second part of her reasoning. He dismissed the idea that Isabel couldn’t stand with him in battle because he knew from experience that she could and would. While he was considering the implications of Isabel growing old while he remained relatively young, Magda made her offer.
“Forsake your vows to Isabel and choose a witch from within the Reishi Coven as your wife,” Magda said quietly. “It’s the only way to create the alliance you seek.”
Alexander was slow to react because he couldn’t quite make sense of what he’d just heard. The idea of giving up Isabel was so foreign to him, so incomprehensible, that he was stunned with momentary confusion as he tried to reconcile Magda’s words with his feelings. When the truth of her statement finally penetrated into his mind, he started to reach for his sword. Before his hand touched the hilt, Chloe buzzed into existence not three feet from Magda’s face. The witch’s eyes went wide and her mouth fell open. Chloe flitted up to within a foot of her and shook her finger in the face of the triumvir of the Reishi Coven.
“Their vows cannot be unmade,” Chloe said with scolding anger. “They were given freely out of love and nothing else. There was no thought of alliance or power, only love. They cannot be unmade and you would be wise to heed my warning. Their vows were witnessed by the Fairy Queen herself and she will be most unhappy if you interfere.”
Alexander stayed his hand and calmed Chloe without speaking to her. She gave Magda one last very stern look before flying into an orbit around Alexander’s head.
Alexander smiled at the uncertainty in Magda’s aura and on her face. Fairies were creatures of legend. They represented an omen of luck and good fortune for those blessed by their friendship. The significance of Chloe’s presence wasn’t lost on Magda.
“Isabel spoke of the fairies, but I didn’t believe her,” Magda said quietly. “Such a story is so fantastic and unlikely that I dismissed it as subterfuge. Still, the problem remains. Cassandra and Gabriella will insist that you must marry a witch in order to be recognized by the Reishi Coven as Lord Reishi.”
“Then make Isabel a witch,” Alexander said. He knew what her next objection would be and was prepared for it.
“We don’t have the necessary Wizard’s Dust,” Magda said. “And even if we did, the process is difficult and dangerous, possibly even deadly.”
Alexander smiled. The hook was set. He reached into his pouch, withdrew three vials of Wizard’s Dust and walked up to Magda, holding them out for her.
“One for Isabel, one for Abigail if she wants it, and one for the triumvirate to use as you see fit,” he said. “Think of it as a token of my goodwill in the hopes that we can become allies against Phane in spite of our initial disagreements.”
Magda was stunned. She blinked at the three vials he held and cautiously took them, then very carefully opened one to confirm the contents. Her face went slightly pale. “How is this possible?”
Alexander held her eyes with his and very deliberately tapped the Sovereign Stone resting against his chest.
“You will give Isabel the magic to save her from the poison and then you will guide her through the mana fast,” Alexander said. “She is strong, smart, and determined. She will survive and then your conditions will be met.”
Magda smiled in wonder. “My sisters are going to take some convincing, but I’m confident that Isabel will be permitted to endure the trials. However, I cannot guarantee the outcome.”
“I know,” Alexander said. “I’ve been through it myself. Give her the guidance she needs and she’ll do fine.”
“You understand that this will take some time,” Magda said. “Then there’s the issue of Abigail and her training.”
“What do you mean?” Jack asked before Alexander could speak.
Magda regarded the bard curiously for a moment, then said to Alexander, “You claim the highest seat of royalty in all the Seven Isles, yet you surround yourself with people who would speak out of turn.”
“On the contrary,” Alexander said. “Master Jack Colton, the Bard of Ruatha, is one of my most trusted advisors and he’s also Abigail’s friend. He shares my concern for her well-being and he knows that I welcome his input on any matter. What exactly is Abigail being trained to do?”
“It seems that she found her way into a wyvern hatchery and bonded with a newborn wyvern,” Magda said. “She is being trained as a Sky Knight.”
Alexander chuckled. “That sounds like Abigail. Train her well.” Alexander allowed his smile to fade and became deadly serious. “I’m entrusting you with the two people that I love most in this world. Teach them what they must learn and send them safely back to me.”
“I make no promise save this: I will do what is within my power to protect your wife and sister. I can offer no more.”
Alexander held her gaze for a moment before he slowly approached so he could speak for her ears alone. “With Isabel at my side, I have every reason in the world to fight for life and liberty. Without her . . .” his voice trailed off for a moment. “Well, let’s just say I have less to live for.”
She smiled gently, almost fondly. “I understand.”
Alexander fished around in his pouch and produced the medallion of Glen Morillian. “This belongs to her. She’ll know it came from me. Tell them both that I love them.”
Magda took the medallion and slipped it into her riding armor. “I will deliver your message.”
Alexander stood silently and watched the wyvern grow smaller as it gained altitude and distance. Jack stood next to him, resting his hands on the battlement of the castle wall.
“Do you trust her?” Jack asked quietly.
After a moment of thought, Alexander n
odded. “For her part I do, but there are other forces at work in the fortress island. Isabel and Abigail are still in danger, but hopefully, they have an ally in Magda.”
As they walked back to the cluster of soldiers standing with Mage Jalal and Mage Lenox, Abel chuckled. “That ought to stir up gossip in the city for a while.”
“I imagine,” Alexander said. “In fact, that might work to our advantage. Let’s keep the reason for her visit a mystery for the time being. People’s speculation about the matter will only serve to enhance the value of my offer of alliance.”
Abel laughed. “I like it. When faced with uncertainty, the delegates will always err on the side of caution.”
“Hopefully, they’ll see an alliance with me as the cautious move,” Alexander said just before they reached the cluster of soldiers.
“Quite an impressive visitor,” Mage Jalal said. “May I enquire as to her purpose here?”
Alexander smiled graciously. “I’m afraid it’s a personal matter. Is there somewhere we could speak in private?”
Abel turned to the leader of the squad of soldiers. “Sergeant, escort Lord Reishi and Mage Jalal to a private conference room.”
The room they arrived at was simple but functional. It contained a sturdy table surrounded by heavy oak chairs. There were no windows and only a single door. Light was provided by a number of brass oil lamps lining the walls. It looked like a place where military officers met to plan their duty rosters.
Jack, Lucky, and Anatoly tagged along. Jataan was silently present as well, never asking permission nor accepting orders that put his charge out of reach. He stood silently near the single door with his hands clasped easily behind his back.
“Thank you for meeting with me, Mage Jalal,” Alexander said, once everyone had found a seat. “I’m told you may be able to help me locate the keystones used to activate the Nether Gate.”
Mage Jalal was a very old man. His hair was white and shoulder length. His beard was white as well and reached to the middle of his chest. He moved with stiffness and deliberate care, but his eyes were clear and his voice was strong.
“Straight to the point,” he said. “I like that. So many who aspire to power speak endlessly about issues of no importance in order to avoid facing the hard choices. Yes—in fact, I have already done so. When Mage Lenox brought the issue to my attention last night, I went to work on the problem immediately.
“The Nether Gate itself is located in the northwest mountains of the Reishi Isle. One of the keystones is there. The second keystone is located on Tyr, more specifically on the central island of Tyr. The third stone is beyond my vision. I will continue to look for it, but I believe it is being shielded against magical detection.”
“A shade must have found one of the keystones already,” Alexander said. “That makes the keystone on Tyr a priority. We can hope that the third is permanently out of reach, but for all we know Phane already has it. Thank you, Mage Jalal. This information is invaluable. If you learn the whereabouts of the third keystone, send word of it to me immediately.”
“Of course,” Mage Jalal said. “Can we be of any further assistance?”
“You can,” Alexander said. “Master Alabrand here is an alchemist. I suspect he would like to use a laboratory before we depart tomorrow.”
Lucky smiled broadly. “You read my mind.”
“I will see to the arrangements myself,” Mage Jalal said.
Alexander took three vials of Wizard’s Dust from his pouch and set them on the table before the Guild Mage. “One last thing,” he said. “Select your three most promising apprentices and guide them through the mana fast.”
Mage Jalal blinked in surprise. He reverently took one of the vials and opened it carefully. A smile slowly grew across his wrinkled face. “This is a gift of immeasurable value. It will revitalize our order and renew faith that the path of an apprentice will eventually lead to the trials. Thank you, Lord Reishi.”
“You are most welcome, Mage Jalal,” Alexander said. “In time, I hope to have more to offer, but for now this is all that I can spare.”
After meeting with the Mage, Alexander returned to his suite of rooms for lunch. Abel joined him there. A small army of serving staff brought a well-prepared meal with plenty of food for all of Alexander’s friends.
“I’ve spoken with General Kishor,” Abel whispered to Alexander as they stood out on the balcony while the servants set the table. “He understands his orders.”
“Good. What about Conner?” Alexander asked.
“I’ve written him a letter,” Abel said as he handed over a piece of parchment sealed in wax with the glyph of the House of Ithilian. “He’s young. Subterfuge is not his strong suit. I fear that he might inadvertently give us away.”
Alexander nodded as he slipped the letter into his pouch.
Boaberous returned after lunch with over two dozen men and women from all walks of life. Alexander wasn’t sure what to make of it as the throng filed into his sitting room. There were soldiers, craftsmen, traders, merchants, a delegate, and even a constable.
Jataan stood up and all of the newly arrived guests immediately fell silent and attentive. He surveyed them for a moment before he turned to Alexander.
“Lord Reishi, I have instructed Lieutenant Grudge to round up all of the members of the Reishi Protectorate that he could locate on short notice and bring them before you so that they might see the Sovereign Stone and offer you their loyalty and service.”
Alexander stood and withdrew the Sovereign Stone from his tunic. There was a wave of murmuring among the crowd and then, as one, they all went to a knee.
Alexander frowned at the display of submission. “Rise,” he commanded. “I am Alexander Reishi and I have bonded with the Sovereign Stone. Phane Reishi is my mortal enemy. He is a necromancer and a murderer. He has nothing but contempt for the Old Law and seeks total power over the lives of all. Spread the word through any means you have at your disposal that Phane is the enemy of the Reishi Sovereign.
“On another front, Lord Zuhl has invaded Fellenden with a massive army. Use what resources you have to learn his intentions and military strengths and weaknesses. The people of Fellenden are suffering under his invasion. When the time is right, I intend to make war on him as well.”
Jataan spent some time speaking with each one of his operatives. He received their reports and gave them more detailed instructions. Most importantly, he impressed on each one the importance of the coming struggle. This moment in history was what the Reishi Protectorate had been waiting for. Their long exile was at an end. The Reishi line was reborn and the ancient and sacred purpose of the Reishi Protectorate was once again in need of their service.
Alexander made a point of circulating among the members of the Protectorate as well. He wanted to meet some of these people who had just weeks ago been the enemy. Most were driven by a sense of loyalty to their purpose. Their colors revealed little in the way of personal ambition or corruption. They were people who lived for duty to a cause greater than themselves, a cause that they could believe in. Alexander remembered Jack’s assertion that people wanted to believe in something larger than themselves. The Reishi Protectorate was living proof of that.
Even with all of the challenges he faced, Alexander couldn’t help but feel better about the odds of success. Knowing that Isabel and Abigail were alive and relatively safe was a huge relief that freed up his mind to focus on other matters.
***
They rode out the next morning at dawn, accompanied by Prince Conner and his royal guard of a hundred soldiers. The bells on the towers all around the city tolled to honor the soldiers who would soon face battle. Not a soul in Ithilian was unaware that their army had been committed to the war against Phane. Alexander smiled to himself at the theatre of it all.
Once they were well outside of the city and out of view of anyone who might be watching, Alexander called a halt.
“Conner, your father and I have agreed on a strategy th
at is quite different from the one we announced to the world,” Alexander said. “He wrote a letter for you and asked that I give it to you once we were well away from the city.” Alexander produced the folded piece of parchment stamped with the seal of Ithilian and handed it to Conner.
The Prince of Ithilian read the letter and a fierce smile spread across his face. “I like this plan much better,” he said. “But I don’t understand why I was excluded until now.”
“Your uncle Cassius is in league with Phane,” Alexander said gravely. “He may have helped the enemy abduct your sister.”
Conner’s face went crimson red and fury flashed in his eyes. “I’ll kill him for this,” he said with coiled rage. “He has never supported my father, but this is treason. Why isn’t he in chains as we speak?”
“Because I asked your father to let him continue with his treachery,” Alexander said. “He’s far more useful to us as a conduit of disinformation. If he were arrested, it would alert the enemy that their plans have been compromised. If our ruse works, it will accomplish two things. First, the forces in Grafton Province will drop their guard because Abel has indicated a willingness to meet their demands. Second, the enemy on Ruatha will adjust their strategy to defend against an army coming through the Gate behind them. Hopefully, that will buy my father some time to protect the people of New Ruatha and Northport.”
Anatoly chuckled. “I’m glad to see you were paying attention during your strategy lessons.”
“I must caution you, Lord Reishi,” Jataan said, “Prince Phane has ways of spying at a great distance. It would be wise to not speak of this again.”
Alexander knew as well as anyone how valuable information was. He had used his unique magical talents to gather information time and again. He nodded to Jataan. “Point taken,” he said, then turned to the Rangers. “Lieutenant Wyatt, return to the legions at the Gate with Prince Conner’s honor guard and offer General Brand any and all information you can about Ruatha. Draw him a map of the area around the Gate and assist him in any way he requires to make his legions ready for battle with the Reishi Army Regency.”
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