He’s just being lazy, Cathy said.
When Master Pryce finally entered the meeting room, Master Larose looked clearly annoyed but remained silent. The bitterness between them seemed to grow in large quantities by the day. Keeper Anderson said this was normal but how long was it going to be before something snapped?
“Let this meeting be recorded on the 17th of Sun’s Peak in 412 of the 2nd Era,” Master Pryce said as he sat down. Keeper Anderson started writing in his scroll. “Keeper Anderson, could you please tell us where we last left off.”
Is it really that date? Cathy asked.
The Keeper moved the scroll he was writing on aside. “The Nesqa – Balendar conflict: stalemate on the vote for peace negotiations. The Evenawk Uprising: stalemate on the vote for extermination of the Evenawks.”
I mean wow, she said shocked. I thought it would still be 325 of the 2nd Era.
“The Nesqa – Balendar conflict has changed,” Master Pryce said. “I have already sent my Mages to bring Larose’s back.”
Time is a crazy thing, she said.
“You’ve what?” Master Larose barked.
You are being distracting.
Sorry, she said.
“You acted out of order on this,” Master Pryce said calmly as I refocused.
“The issue was suspended until today,” Master Larose responded.
“I didn’t send the Mages until this morning,” Master Pryce stated. “And the issue we voted on was whether we should help in the conflict or not. Recalling your Mages wasn’t the issue, I have acted reasonably in this.”
“Sure,” Master Larose sarcastically, “until the dead bodies of my Mages show up on my doorstep.”
“What are you implying?” Master Pryce said offended.
“That not everyone is blind to your methods,” Master Larose said. “Mark my words, if anything happens to those Mages, I will not hesitate to call The Ousting Clause and remove you from power.”
“The only one that will be removed, will be you,” Master Pryce said darkly.
Finally, some real action, Cathy said excited.
“Settle,” Master Baker said. “What is done is done.”
“Your Mages will be back, Larose, but we still need to figure out what we are doing about this conflict,” Master Gerth said.
“Our best course is still an investigation,” Master Pryce explained. “We need the reason for the sudden conflict so we can solve it THEN sit down for a peace treaty signing.”
“You’re right, Master Pryce,” Master Gerth said. “We’ll follow your plan.”
“So for the record,” Master Pryce smirked, “all for?”
Master Pryce, Gerth and Baker raised their hands.
“Then it’s settled, moving on,” Master Pryce said as the Keeper wrote on the scroll.
“You may have won this, but I will keep my word if any harm falls on my Mages,” Master Larose said coolly.
“You have nothing to worry about,” Master Pryce smirked.
“My position still stands on the Evenawk Uprising,” Master Larose said calming down and getting back to business. “We simply can’t exterminate an entire species.”
“We can’t just sit back and let them kill our Mages,” Master Gerth said.
“I agree,” Master Larose said. “Their little rebellion has gone too far. We will increase the amount of Mages we have out there and give them orders to be more aggressive. It is time we end this BEFORE the need to exterminate the species arises.”
“But aggression isn’t the best response,” Master Baker countered. “If all you ever do is put down aggression with aggression you will never solve anything permanently. We have to show the Evenawks that there is a different way to show displeasure.”
“But once you open the floodgate they will complain about everything,” Master Gerth said.
“They won’t listen to reason or peace talks anyhow,” Master Pryce said. “All they know is violence and that’s how they should be dealt with.”
“They have never been given the chance to prove themselves otherwise,” Master Baker said. “Allow me a chance to send some of my Mages to talk with them. If I can’t bring an end to this then we can entertain aggression talks.”
Master Pryce sighed. “The time for that has passed, all in favour of sending more Mages?”
Master Gerth, Larose and Pryce all raised their hands. Master Baker just shook his head.
“This is only going to make things worse,” he warned.
“We have tolerated this for too long,” Master Larose said. “I don’t need to remind you of how it all started.”
“No, you don’t,” he said weakly as The Keeper shook his wrist before writing on the scroll.
“Are there any new topics that we need to discuss?” Master Larose said.
“Yes, actually,” Master Pryce said. “We have received complaints from the Balendian farmers close to the Szwen forest that there have been attacks on their cattle.”
Master Larose sighed. “When will the Balendar folk learn to not aggravate the Nao?”
“Surely they don’t expect us to openly attack the Nao?” Master Gerth added.
“If you are done, I could finish my report,” Master Pryce said coolly.
“Sorry,” Master Gerth muttered.
“The tracks left behind are unlike anything we have encountered before,” Master Pryce continued. “They look similar to wolf tracks but three times the size. All reports confirm that the tracks lead from and back to the forest.”
“Interesting,” Master Larose said scratching his chin. “If such a creature was being used by the Nao we would have learnt about it sooner. Something more sinister is happening in the forest that we need to investigate.”
“This is one of the rare times that I agree with you, Larose,” Master Pryce said making it sound like more like a taunt then an actual agreement. “We can expect something or someone is corrupting the local wildlife.”
“Then we shouldn’t waste any time,” Master Gerth said. “I’ll send my Mages to make sure it isn’t a Demon corruption that’s affecting the forest.”
Cathy scoffed. Not any Demon I know.
Shush.
“If it is, it will be a first,” Master Pryce said.
“Then I will send some Mages as well,” Master Baker said.
“We should all send Mages,” Master Larose agreed. “It could be anything and it would be best not to face it unprepared.”
“Agreed,” Master Pryce said. “I don’t think we need to do a formal vote. Have your Mages meet mine by the Sun’s highest point.”
“Agreed,” the other Masters said.
“Meeting adjourned,” Master Pryce said as he stood up and headed out of the room.
The other Masters stood up and left the room one after the other while The Keeper continued to write.
“Did you have anything you needed me to do today?” I asked The Keeper.
He finished writing and rolled up the scrolls. “Maybe. First, I’ll need to check a couple of things. Continue to familiarize yourself in the archives, I’ll find you when I need you.”
“Very well,” I nodded before I stood up.
I headed out of the meeting room and back up to my quarters. This would be a good time to clean up the ritual and return the items. I gathered up the items that needed to be washed and brought them to the small bathroom. In the tub, I washed the rags and mortar and pestle quickly and brought them back to my room after checking to make sure The Keeper hadn’t returned. I grabbed the goat’s fur and returned everything to their proper place in the Tower.
Happy that the evidence of the night’s events was out of my room, I grabbed my tome and headed for the spells archive for further studying. A lot of the pages had been filled by the rituals but I made sure to save plenty of space so I could add some ancient spells and maybe some alchemy recipes.
You have a very interesting Tower, Cathy said as I sat down at the desk and opened my tome. And a very inter
esting job. This could have all been mine if I was able to possess you.
Well technically, you DO possess me and all this knowledge IS yours because whatever I learn, you learn.
I suppose, she said. It would be better if I controlled you though.
But then I would be bored and distracting you.
Still a fair trade off in my opinion, Cathy said.
Realizing that I had just been standing in a spot and not doing anything, I quickly grabbed a tome from a bookcase and brought it over to the desk. I sat down in the chair and starting flipping through the spells.
I’m going to have to learn to talk to you and still do other stuff. If I always stop what I’m doing and stare at the wall people are going to start suspecting things.
You’re too paranoid, Cathy said. People are too concerned about themselves to notice.
It’s just nerve wracking.
If it’s too much for you then let me take over, Cathy pitched.
I’d rather not.
Then man up and do it, Cathy said.
She was right. I...
Of course, I’m right, Cathy said. The sooner you learn that, the better.
I sighed. Maybe I can find a spell to help shield my thoughts from you.
But they are so much fun, Cathy giggled.
You know, for a Demon, you are very much like a girl.
I’m still the aspect of the wife from your dreams, she started. But at the same time, I am also a part of you. So technically we are both a guy and a girl at the same time.
Great.
Hey, hey, she said suddenly shocked. Don’t get all depressed on me here. I take it back, stop making me feel like this.
Ah, so I do have some power over you.
She sighed. I suppose you do.
That means you’ll have to be nice to me.
Considering the circumstances, I HAVE been very nice to you, Cathy said offended.
Your right, you could have been EXTREMLY unpleasant but you haven’t and I thank you.
Your welcome, Cathy said, even if it didn’t sound sincere. Oh, and you missed an interesting spell two pages ago. You need to focus better.
I sighed and flipped back two pages. The spell was indeed interesting. It was a spell that allowed the Mage to cast a giant bubble around them so they could stay underwater and still breathe. I quickly wrote it down in my tome.
Good choice. Let me know if you see others.
We continued to search through the tomes gathering as many spells that seemed handy to know. Considering that I may never be in 90% of the situations that calls on these types of spells, the tome was turning into something that would be just useless for me. But it is still my job to make sure the ancient wisdom isn’t forgotten. Maybe a Teacher would like my book as a training aid.
As I put away a tome of Elemental spells, The Keeper charged through the door making me jump. He seemed nervous and stressed out but smiled when he saw me.
“Ah, Andy, I finally found you,” he said as he walked over to the desk. “I need you to do something.”
“Ok,” I said. I finished putting away the tome and walked over to the desk.
“This is going to be dangerous,” he continued. “I would do it myself but I’m not as spry as I once was.”
I chuckled. “You handle those stairs well.”
“Bah,” he said with a dismissive wave. “No, I didn’t and you are a fool if you think so.”
“Ok,” I smiled. “What is it?”
“I need you to gather four items for me,” he said sounding nervous.
“From where in the Tower?” I asked getting concerned.
He shook his head. “No, I need you to leave the Tower to get them.”
I felt my eyes grow wide in shock. “I have to go outside the Tower? What am I getting?”
“Four rare items needed for...,” The Keeper trailed off. “Look, you saw the tension at the beginning of the meeting. We both know that Master Larose’s Mages are as good as dead. Master Pryce will disguise it as wildlife or a Nesqian ambush but Larose will see right through that. He’ll call for the Ousting Clause on Master Pryce.”
“But Master Pryce won’t stand for that,” I said. “He’ll start a war.”
“Exactly, which is why I need you to gather some items,” The Keeper said. “If Master Pryce tries to start something at the Ousting, the Masters could call upon the Right to Silence.”
“They are going to Silence a Master?” I asked shocked. “Can that even be done? Isn’t it hard to perform the Silencing ritual of someone so powerful?”
“Ok, slow down and yes, it takes a great deal of Magic and four Masters just to do it,” The Keeper explained nervously. “For three Masters to Silence another Master they need the help of the four items.”
“Ok,” I nodded, “I’ll do it. What are the items?”
The Keeper looked relieved as he pulled out a scrap of paper. “Thank you. They are: a vial of water from the Sacred Well in Szwen forest, a tail feather of an Evenawk from the original royal bloodline, a Demon’s Bane flower from the islands in Nesqa and a Staff crafted from the Forge of Kings in Balendar.”
I looked at The Keeper stunned. “I take it these are the hardest things on the whole continent to find?”
“Not the hardest,” The Keeper shrugged. “Not the easiest but definitely not the hardest.”
“Ok,” I said rubbing my forehead. “Tell me about these items. How am I supposed to find them?”
“Just go to each region and ask,” The Keeper said in a matter of fact tone. “You bear the mark of a Keeper and are a member of the Order of Magic. You’ll be welcome everywhere. Just ask the leaders for their help and they should do it. The walking is going to be the hard part.”
Why don’t I believe that?
That was MY line, Cathy said.
“Ok,” I said. “What about the items?”
“What about them?” The Keeper asked worried.
“Anything I should know about them?” I asked.
The Keeper thought it over. “Well, the Staff should be the easiest one. Ask the King, they should make one for you.”
“What is the Forge of Kings?” I asked.
“A rare, magical anomaly,” The Keeper answered. “They say the very ground itself burns hotter than any fire that can be created. It is also said to make the finest weapons and armour in the whole land. This is why it is controlled and only used by the Kings of Balendar.”
“And they’ll just make me a staff?” I asked unsure.
“They should,” The Keeper said frankly. “They’ve made staffs for Masters in the past.”
“What about the flower then?” I asked.
“Demon’s Bane is very rare and considered to be the deadliest poison in Kalenden,” The Keeper explained. “It is used by Nesqian Priests to protect against the wildlife of Nesqa. They say it could kill a Demon too.”
Cathy laughed.
“The tail feather is pretty self explanatory,” The Keeper continued. “The royal bloodline still exists. Here’s hoping it hasn’t been too diluted over the centuries. This is an ancient ritual and hasn’t been used in a long time.”
“What if it doesn’t work?” I asked.
“I’ll have a backup plan, don’t worry,” he said waving dismissively.
“And the vial from the Sacred Well?” I asked.
“That will be tricky,” he nodded. “The Sacred Well is the best guarded secret of the Nao people. We know it has extremely powerful magic but we are never allowed to study it.”
“And I’m supposed to get a vial of water from it?” I asked sceptically.
“The Nao will take care of that,” he said confidently. “They have done it for me in the past. You are going to have to earn their trust before you get it though. They are always suspicious.”
I let out a long breath. “When do you want me to head out?”
“Immediately,” he said relieved. “I’ve packed you a bag of basic supplies. Take whatever els
e you want and get going. But be careful. You heard the meeting; it is chaotic out there right now. The Order is going to be fixing the problems and you should be able to slip through the cracks and go about your business unnoticed. Just remember what you learned in your classes and you’ll be fine.”
Uh oh...
Well, that’s reassuring, Cathy said sarcastically.
Chapter 9
The Keeper’s pack of ‘basic supplies’ was just that: a sleeping roll and some provisions. I grabbed a couple of robes and my tome of spells and rituals to fill out the empty spaces. When I was ready, I headed down the staircases to the ground floor. I was a little out of breath by the time I made it to the front door.
And to think, I have to trek across the countryside. I can’t even handle the stairs.
I thought running away from every fight you’ve ever been in would have left you in better shape, Cathy pointed out.
You make me sound like a coward.
She chuckled. Aren’t you?
I sighed and opened the front door. The Keeper was standing just outside looking over the landscape. I walked up to him trying not to breathe too heavily.
“The Archanion Field,” The Keeper said dreamily as I stopped beside him. “How I wish I could walk through it one more time.”
I looked out over the lush green grass and the rolling hills of the Archanion Field. It was a beautiful sight to see and I was amazed that such a place could exist just outside the Tower without me noticing.
The Keeper shook his head and turned to look at me. “Now, this is your first time out here, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” I answered.
“So you’ll need this,” he said as he pulled a rolled scroll from the inside of his robe and handed it to me. “This is my map of Kalenden. It will show you the best routes to get to each region as well as some small towns that you should be able to get supplies from, which reminds me.” He pulled out a small coin purse and tossed it my way. “It’s not a lot but it should get you by until you can sell the equipment of the first bandit stupid enough to try and attack you.”
I grimaced and looked up at him.
“Don’t give me that look,” he said. “If bandits wanted to keep their equipment they wouldn’t attack us. It’s not like anyone is going to miss them anyway.”
The Tower Of The Watchful Eye: The Legend Of Kairu Book 1 Page 7
