King Ironfist nodded at Amir. “Perhaps you should explain the situation to our young apprentice.”
“Of course, Your Majesty,” said the high priestess. She turned to Amir. “Before I begin, I think introductions are in order.” She pointed at the brown-haired elven male in the gray robe. “This is Lord Derander. Like me, he is a lord of the Council of Light.”
“Like you?” Amir asked. “I thought you were the high priestess.”
Miandriathoraxen smiled. “You thought correctly, Amir. May I call you Amir?”
Amir nodded.
The high priestess smiled again. The silver specks in her dark eyes sparkled. “Please call me Mia in return. That is both my friend name and my familiar name. I am well aware that my formal name of Miandriathoraxen does not roll easily off the tongue of non-elves.”
Amir said nothing but was grateful he wouldn’t have to attempt to pronounce the elf’s formal name. He’d been embarrassed enough by his earlier fall.
“As you pointed out,” said Mia, “I am the High Priestess of the Lady of the Tree. As such, I also hold a position as a lord of the Council of Light. Lord Derander and I were sent by High Lord Springheart to consult with the Oracle about a possible solution to the current troubles with our lands.”
The ground vibrated again, making it obvious what troubles the high priestess was alluding to. A loose stone fell from the ceiling barely missing an armed guard standing next to the king’s empty throne. Amir noticed the guard slide to the side a couple of steps.
King Ironfist leaned forward. “What exactly did the Oracle tell you, High Priestess?”
Mia nodded at Amir. “The Oracle told us to find the seeker called Amirithoda and declare him elf friend. She said—”
“Elf friend?” said Amir as the elf’s words hit him. “I am no—”
“No, you aren’t,” said Shaman Blackroot, glaring at Amir. “You are an ill-mannered apprentice for interrupting the high priestess. Now, I suggest you remain quiet until she has finished speaking. Or have you forgotten that you are in the presence of your betters?”
Amir glanced at King Ironfist. He didn’t look offended, but Amir vowed to remain quiet nonetheless.
After a space of five heartbeats, Shaman Blackroot turned away from Amir and nodded at the high priestess. “Please continue.”
Mia gave Amir a smile, which did a lot to wash away the shaman’s words. “As I was saying, the Oracle advised us to declare you an elf friend. Lord Derander and I do so now by order of High Lord Springheart. It will be made official by the entire council once we return to Silverton, but for all intents and purposes, in the eyes of the Silvertine elves, you are now Elf Friend Amirithoda.”
Amir said nothing.
“Well?” said Shaman Blackroot. “Don’t you have anything to say?”
“Uh,” said Amir. “You told me to be quiet.”
King Ironfist laughed a big bellow of a laugh and slapped Shaman Blackroot on the back. “He’s got you there, old friend.” He turned and looked at the elves. “Amir may not be curious enough to ask after being told to be quiet, but I am under no such constraint. The title of elf friend is not one you elves give without a price. What is it you expect from Amir for such an honor?”
The earth groaned. Several small pieces of stone fell from the ceiling.
The high priestess’s companion, Lord Derander, glanced at the roof before looking back at the king. “If I may be so blunt, Your Majesty, time is of the essence. The Oracle confirmed what our seers told us. The yellow gem that has held the forces at bay below the Thandarhar Mountains has been destroyed. The entire continent of Slyvrastra is now threatened, perhaps even our entire world. Unless a replacement Heart-stone is located, it may mean the destruction of us all.”
The mountain rumbled again.
High Priestess Mia pointed her staff at the black-robed, white-haired elf to her left. “Master Freestrod is the head of Silverton’s mages guild. His seers have discovered signs of a possible replacement gem on a continent far to Slyvrastra’s east. Although the Oracle was unclear on specifics, she did confirm that a solution to our current situation lies in the east. She said Elf Friend Amir’s abilities as a seeker will be needed to calm the Thandarhar Mountains and save our civilizations from annihilation. Lord Derander, Master Freestrod, Commander Astradis, and I have come to request the honor of having Amir accompany us on our quest.”
Amir glanced at the high priestess’s companions. None of them, especially the monk he assumed was Commander Astradis, seemed especially honored at having a giant accompany them. Well, he thought. I’m not all that honored at being asked. He decided to put the subject to rest once and for all.
“I have my own mission,” Amir said, looking to the high priestess. “I am sworn to avenge a death.” He glanced at Shaman Blackroot, then ignored his master’s glare and looked back at the elf. “Besides, I am no longer a seeker of gems. The only things I seek now are the magic and weapons skills I need to take revenge on the black-armored human who killed…who…”
The high priestess’s eyes locked with his, seeming to draw him in. They offered him peace.
He fought the offer. No, he thought. Peace is not what I want. Only revenge will satisfy me.
High Priestess Mia nodded. “I understand, Elf Friend. I truly do. The Oracle told us you might be hesitant.” She turned to the monk. “Commander Astradis, would you be so kind?”
The monk removed the rolled cloth from around his chest and back. He unrolled the material on the chamber floor, revealing a scene. The material was very thin, and the tapestry was quite large. The scene on the cloth was that of a battle on a hill overlooking a river. A gnome stood on the hill raising a glowing staff high over her head. An army of undead on the opposite side of the river appeared to be locked in battle with a small group of defenders on a bridge.
Something dark on the bridge caught Amir’s eye. He rose and made his way over to the tapestry, being careful not to step on any of the elves. Squatting down, he peered closer at a dark figure on the bridge standing side by side with an elf and a gnome. The dark figure was dressed in black armor with a glowing red visor. Beams of red energy were shooting out from some kind of metal staff carried in the black-armored figure’s hands.
High Priestess Mia stepped next to Amir, the top of her head barely clearing the top of his knee-high boot. “The Oracle told us you might be interested in this tapestry. I had Master Freestrod teleport back to Silverton and fetch it for us.”
Amir tapped the black-armored figure with the tip of his right index finger. “Who is this?”
Mia shrugged. “To be honest, we do not know. The same figure appears in many of the tapestries of the elf friends. The Oracle told us her ancestor memory recalls that the figure is a human. She says to tell you that she predicts if you accompany us, you will meet this same figure.”
Tightening his hands into a ball, Amir stood and looked at King Ironfist. “With your permission, Your Majesty, I would like to go with these elves on their quest. I will return as soon as I have avenged Glory’s death.”
The king nodded. “I understand, but we won’t be here when you return. The Oracle sent a message for us with the elves. She advises me to take every Ecarian to New Drepdenor. The Oracle predicts that the salvation of our people lies in the abandoned mountain of the ancient dwarves.”
Amir had heard of New Drepdenor. It lay far to the north, across the lands of the elves, almost to the icy reaches of the Northern Mages. It had been settled by a sect of dwarves that had come across the eastern oceans. They’d flourished for a short time and then disappeared completely, leaving their immense wealth behind, or so the stories went. A fierce three-headed gold dragon was rumored to guard the mountain until the dwarves returned.
“Then I will meet you in New Drepdenor after I help the elves and kill the black one,” Amir said. In all honesty, he cared little what happened to him after avenging Glory’s death but said what he assumed his king would want to he
ar.
King Ironfist stared at Amir. “Revenge is a hot fire that can burn the inside of a giant to a crisp, Seeker. Take care it doesn’t consume you completely.”
Without answering his king, Amir turned to the high priestess. “How are we to travel to this second continent of yours? I am a giant and you are elves. Giants can only be teleported short distances, and I am too large for any ship you may have.”
The elf smiled. “We have no ships, Amir. As for teleporting, the Oracle says we could not do so anyway. An energy shield surrounds Slyvrastra. The shield prevents any such means of travel to the second continent.”
“Then how?” Shaman Blackroot asked the high priestess.
“From your lands, we will travel east across the desert and into the dominions of the humans. We will acquire a boat from the humans along with a crew and make our way across the eastern ocean to the lands we seek.”
King Ironfist laughed. When everyone looked at him, he said, “Sorry. I was just imagining a giant such as Amir trying to fit in a boat built for humans. It would sink before he got both feet on board.”
Mia smiled. “Yes, I suspect you are correct, Your Majesty. Fortunately for us, the Oracle provided Master Freestrod with a polymorph spell that should solve the problem.”
With an image of himself being turned into a newt or some such creature, Amir shook his head. “No thanks. I like who I am. Besides, I will need my weapons when I face my enemy.”
The high priestess’s smile grew wider as her eyes sparkled. “Fear not, Elf Friend. The Oracle promised that the polymorph spell would not change who you are, but only the size of you and your equipment. You will retain the same form but be only a head taller than an elf.”
“No,” Amir replied. “My enemy is too strong. I must be in my current form when I meet him.”
Lord Derander stepped next to the high priestess. “The Oracle said to tell you that you will only meet the one you seek if you accompany us on our quest, and if you are in the form of the polymorph spell. She predicts you will never meet him otherwise. She also said to tell you that the spell is constructed in such a manner that you will be able to revert back to your normal giant form whenever you desire.”
The older Master Freestrod cleared his throat. “You will need to use that ability wisely. The polymorph spell will only work on you one time. Once you revert back to your normal size, you will not be able to shrink back again.”
Amir looked at King Ironfist and Shaman Blackroot.
“It is your decision,” said the king.
Turning back to the elves, Amir said, “When do we leave?”
“As soon as you are ready, Elf Friend,” said High Priestess Mia.
Shaman Blackroot grabbed hold of a thong around his neck and pulled a leather pouch from beneath his tunic. Lifting the thong over his head, he held the thong and pouch out in Amir’s direction. “This is for you, Apprentice.”
Suspicious, Amir reached out and accepted the pouch. “What is it?”
With nary a smile, the old shaman said, “Apprentices and their questions. Will they never learn? Open it and find out for yourself.”
Opening the pouch with his right hand, Amir poured part of its contents out in his left hand. The pouch contained dull-yellow slivers of a gem. Mixed in with the slivers was a yellow flower. A drop of red was visible on one of the flower’s petals.
Amir’s hands began to shake. “Is this—” he started, but all he could do was stare at the yellow flower.
The old shaman didn’t answer right away as if giving his apprentice time to recover. After a dozen heartbeats he said, “The gem slivers are all that remains of the Heart-stone. Although the slivers no longer contain Power, I sense they contain…something. What I do not know. The yellow flower is the one you gave me after the human’s attack on the Sanctuary Vault. You asked me to create a spell to preserve it. I have done so. A sliver of the Heart-stone remains stuck in the flower. I left it there. The embedded sliver seems to make the petals thrive. I also believe the flower somehow helps what’s left of the Heart-stone retain an awareness of its surroundings. I give both the remains of the Heart-stone and the flower to you now. I believe both will come in handy in your quest to save our lands.”
The mountain rumbled as if highlighting the shaman’s words. A flurry of loose stones fell from the ceiling. They were too small to harm a giant, but the elf mage Master Freestrod was forced to cast a shield of shimmering energy over the elves to prevent them from harm.
The king stood. “I think it is time we all go. Our ancestral home is no longer safe. I will take the Ecarians to New Drepdenor as the Oracle suggests. I can only hope we find safety there.”
I’m not sure any place is safe any longer, Amir thought.
The mountain rumbled in agreement.
Chapter 9 – Bad News
___________________
The naval intern was left far behind as Richard rushed through the halls of the palace, the emotional pain coming from his bondmate spurring him on. Shifting into the void, he passed through two walls and a ceiling in an attempt to get to the palace library as fast as possible. The intern and the bat messenger had no hope of keeping up. Only Red Wing, who was a shifter herself, was able to keep pace.
“Slow down, Rick,” said Nickelo in their shared space. “Margery is in contact with Danny. Your high priestess isn’t even online yet. You have plenty of time.”
Although Richard had a lot of respect for the Defiant’s ex-battle computer Margery, he was well aware neither she nor Danny knew everything. “I don’t care. Jeena’s in danger. I’ve got to get to her. She needs help.”
“I calculate wasting Power shifting into the void is not the kind of help your elf needs. She is in the magic dimension. You are not. I will admit something is up, but based upon current information, I do not believe the high priestess is currently in any physical danger.”
Although the emotional distress coming through the gem in his ring had lessened some, Richard didn’t shift out of the void. He continued levitating himself through walls and floors until he popped through the ceiling of the palace library. Red Wing shifted out of the void a split-second after him.
Seven occupants were seated on comfortable looking couches arranged around a small table with a palm-sized, copper-colored disk in the middle. None of the occupants seemed overly surprised by the sudden appearance of Richard and Red Wing.
“See,” hissed the supreme leader. “I told you they were close.”
“So you did,” said War-King Bistoria. He grinned. “Sometimes I think I’d like to be able to shift in and out of the void. Maybe I could get out of some of the duller meetings I’m forced to attend.”
The supreme leader bared her teeth in what Richard took as a smile. “Having the ability to shift into the void does not help you. I am a shifter, but no matter what I do to get out of meetings, they always hunt me down.” She shrugged her wings. “Such is our fate as leaders.”
Glancing around the room, Richard took inventory of the occupants. Besides the war-king and the Crosioians’ supreme leader, there were Liz, Admiral Death-Comes-In-The-Night, Sergeant Ron, Admiral Donovan, and Red Wing’s uncle, Charge-In-The-Face-Of-Great-Odds.
“Where’s Jeena?” Richard asked, caring little for protocol at the moment.
“Relax,” said Liz. “The high priestess requested a hologram meeting with us. Telsa’s computer, Raj, sent word she’d be with us in a moment.”
Richard glanced from Liz to the war-king to the supreme leader and back to Liz. “I need to get to her. She’s in trouble.”
Sergeant Ron cleared his throat. “Well, unless you know how to dimensional shift, good buddy, you’re going to have to wait like the rest of us. Jeehana is on Portalis, and we’re all here. I’m just hoping she’s got some good news for a change. I think we could all use some about now.”
The new stress lines Richard noticed around Liz’s eyes told him more than anything how much they all needed some good news. The
only problem was that the emotion of concern and downright fear he’d sensed from his bondmate didn’t bode well for the hope of good news.
“Do not drum up troubles that might not be there,” advised Nickelo in their shared space. “I calculate we will find out what is going on soon enough. The hologram projector is starting to activate.”
Sure enough, Richard saw a beam of light shoot out from the top of the disk on the table between the couches. A meter-high form of his bondmate appeared above the disk. The hologram’s silver eyes looked red and puffy, but even so, Richard was struck by her beauty. He known he’d missed her, but seeing her again, even as a hologram, made him realize just how much he’d missed her.
Movement behind the high priestess brought into focus the images of Telsa, Chief Librarian Elisinsar, and the scribe Therso. Jeena’s image scanned the room’s occupants, seemingly jumping past Richard as if purposely avoiding eye contact. Her eyes finally settled on War-King Bistoria and the Crosioians’ supreme leader.
“I have news,” Jeena said.
“We assumed as much,” hissed the supreme leader. “There are not many others in the two galaxies we would have stopped what we were doing and gathered together to hear.” The bat twitched her ears at the others in the room. “I am sure we all have many things that need to be done.”
With a nod of her head, Jeena turned and finally looked at Richard.
Richard sensed another wave of sadness wash over him through the ring on his finger.
“Hmmm,” said Nickelo in their shared space. “I calculate this does not bode well for you, Rick. The gem in your ring amplifies the link between the two of you, but the emotion coming through the ring is still more than I would expect considering the fact she is in another dimension.”
Ignoring his battle computer, Richard concentrated on Jeena. “What is it? I know it’s bad. I can sense it, so just spit it out. There’s no use delaying the inevitable.”
Wizard Gigantic (Intergalactic Wizard Scout Chronicles Book 9) Page 9
