Blood of the Earth (41 page)

All three men stared speechlessly at the treasure until Lucky began to chuckle.

“That may be the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” he said.

“There’s enough there for dozens of wizards,” Kelvin said. “More than enough for every apprentice we have who’s ready for the trials.”

“Probably enough for all of Ithilian’s apprentices as well,” Lucky said.

“It’s also enough for the mage’s fast,” Alexander said.

Kelvin nodded slowly. Alexander saw the flare of anxiety within his colors. The mage’s fast hadn’t been attempted in centuries, and for good reason.

“I don’t want to rush you, Kelvin, but the Keep’s magic is failing,” Alexander said.

“You’re right, of course,” Kelvin said. “I will begin making preparations for the fast immediately, although it will be some time before I’m ready.”

“I understand completely,” Alexander said. “I’ll consult the sovereigns tonight and ask them for their guidance in the matter. With their help, I believe you have a very good chance of surviving. How would you recommend we use the rest?”

“I could use a small portion for enchantments,” Kelvin said, “and I suspect that Lucky could use some for his potions, but the rest should be used for the mana fast. Ultimately, adding to the ranks of our wizards and witches will prove most valuable.”

“Set aside enough for the mage’s fast and as much as you each need for your work,” Alexander said. “Portion out the rest into vials sufficient for a single mana fast each. We’ll divide them up between your guild, the wizards on Ithilian, and the Reishi Coven.”

“Lord Reishi,” Jataan said. “There are also a number of promising candidates in the Reishi Protectorate on Tyr. We have always maintained a training academy for wizards and are ever on the lookout for caches of Wizard’s Dust.”

“All right,” Alexander said. “I’ll take a few vials with me and give them to the Reishi Protectorate once I’m satisfied they intend to stand against Phane.”

“I assure you that they will bow to your authority,” Jataan said. “Once they see the Sovereign Stone, their loyalty will be absolute. I’ll also write a letter in case they need more convincing.”

“I hope you’re right,” Alexander said. “There are a few other matters we need to discuss.”

One by one, Alexander selected items from the shelves and the desk, placing each on the table in front of him. He selected the book that had been spelled to draw the mind of any reader into the netherworld, the onyx sphere that would scatter a wizard’s mind into the firmament, the sacrificial knife, and the flagon of endless water.

“I need a secure container for these three items,” Alexander said, motioning to the book, the onyx orb, and the knife. He spent a few moments explaining the workings of each.

“We might wrap a ribbon around that book and send it to Phane as a gift,” Lucky said.

“I would if I thought he was stupid enough to actually read it,” Alexander said. “The only way that might work is if he really has to work to get it from us. He’d have to believe it’s something other that what it actually is, and I have an idea about that, but it’ll take some doing.”

Alexander selected another book from the shelf.

“This book is truly terrifying, and it just might be enticing enough to draw Phane out. It details the process for transferring your soul into a specially prepared object while you still live, effectively killing your body, yet making you immortal at the same time. As I understand it, a wizard that undergoes this process can’t be killed except by destroying the item imbued with his soul. Malachi was very close to attempting the spell when he was killed. Had he succeeded, he’d probably still be ruling the Seven Isles.”

“That is such a disturbing concept it makes my skin crawl,” Kelvin said. “But I think you might be right. If knowledge of this book made its way to Phane through just the right channels, he might take action to secure it for himself. Once he had it, he would trust no one with it. It might be just the ruse we need to ensure that he reads from this book instead.” Kelvin tapped the cover of the cursed book to punctuate his remarks.

“My thoughts exactly,” Alexander said. “For the time being, I don’t want to take these items out of the Wizard’s Den, but the rest of these books might be extremely valuable. A number of them are filled with research into the netherworld, several contain summoning spells, a few detail very dangerous destructive spells that call on the darkness, and most importantly, a handful include banishing spells. The sovereigns suggested that you might be able to adapt the magic of the banishing spells into enchantments so we could arm our forces against Phane’s summoned minions.”

Kelvin’s eyes lit up. “I believe the sovereigns might be right. It will take some time and study, but I’m certain I can adapt the spells, provided they work in the first place. Speaking of books, we’ve been studying the four volumes you retrieved from Benesh Reishi’s tomb.

“Wizard Hax has discovered that the crystal chamber was not created just for the purpose of magnifying a wizard’s connection to the firmament. Apparently, it was a necessary element in the creation of Mindbender. In essence, the crystal chamber is the central part of a very powerful spell capable of stripping a wizard of his connection to the firmament and transferring it to an item. Benesh Reishi used this spell to transfer his link to Mindbender and came to believe that it could also be used to strip a typical wizard of his magic, though with very similar consequences.

“As for the magnifying effects of the chamber, I can confirm that they are indeed powerful but not sufficient to increase my magic to the level of an arch mage. I’ve made three attempts to create a device capable of trapping a shade and failed on all three attempts, although in each case I’ve learned a great deal. I’m confident that I will succeed once I’ve survived the mage’s fast.”

“Good,” Alexander said. “One last thing.” He retrieved the branch from the vitalwood tree and placed it reverently on the table. “This limb came from the vitalwood tree. The sovereigns tell me that it has the potential to be made into a very potent magical staff.”

Kelvin lifted it carefully and examined it as a smile grew on his face. “I believe they’re right,” he said.

“Use your best judgment,” Alexander said. “The vitalwood is a thing of beauty and power; it’s only fitting that a staff made from its branches be worthy of it.”

“I already have an idea in mind,” Kelvin said. “It will take some study and testing, but I think you will be pleased with the result.”

“All right,” Alexander said, “let’s find a chamber where we can empty this place out. And I’d like a strong lockbox for these more dangerous items.”

They relocated to a room reserved for summoning and went to work with the help of several of Kelvin’s aides. It took more than an hour to empty the entire Wizard’s Den of everything save the strongbox with the items too dangerous to remove. After they were finished, they scoured the room clean.

Chapter 32

Kelvin and his wizards immediately went to work studying the books that Malachi Reishi had stored away from the world, while Alexander headed back to his chambers with Jataan following dutifully yet slowly behind. When they arrived, they found Mistress Lita standing at the door as if she had been waiting for them.

“I thought I might find you here,” she said. “How many times have I told you to stay off your feet?”

Jataan sighed, “Several times too many, Mistress Lita.”

“You aren’t going to heal if you push yourself too much,” she said. “You need bed rest.”

“I need something useful to do,” he said.

“Healing is useful!”

Alexander got the impression that they’d had this argument before.

“We were just going to have dinner,” Alexander said. “Why don’t you join us, Mistress Lita? That way you can keep an eye on your patient.”

“Thank you, Lord Reishi,” Lita said. “Someone has to keep him from tearing his wounds open again. The Maker knows he’ll never heal if he keeps this up.”

Alexander opened the door to a room full of people. Isabel was talking with Bella, Erik, and her mother, filling them in on the details of their recent journey. Jack sat by the fire sipping a cup of tea, adding details here and there. Wren sat quietly in an overstuffed chair, listening intently and looking like she was trying to not be noticed, lest someone send her on an errand.

Alexander found a chair as his mother poured him a cup of tea, adding cream and honey, just the way he liked it. He smiled his thanks as he took the steaming cup.

Lita ushered Jataan to a comfortable chair and tried to help him sit, but he managed on his own with a grimace which was met by a reproving scowl from Lita. He ignored her.

“Isabel was just telling us how you sent Phane a rather unpleasant gift,” Bella said.

“I hope he likes it,” Alexander said with a mischievous grin. “I’ve just come from a meeting with Kelvin. He’s pretty excited about the contents of the Wizard’s Den. His wizards went right to work studying the spellbooks we found, and Lucky is busy measuring out the Wizard’s Dust as we speak. He should be here in a few minutes.”

“Isabel tells us that you’re planning to leave again tomorrow,” Emma said.

“Yes. We’re headed to Tyr to ask Bragador for the keystone. Once we destroy it, we’ll be in a good position to start working on an attack strategy.”

“Are you sure this potion you’re collecting ingredients for will help my daughter?” Emma asked, worry etched in every line of her face.

Alexander took a deep breath and sighed. “As sure as I can be,” he said. “The sovereigns have more knowledge of magic than anyone alive. Besides, the only alternative is simply beyond me at the moment. Even if Kelvin can fashion a weapon capable of banishing a demon, the wraith queen is too well defended to reach.”

“It’ll work, Mom,” Isabel said.

“It has to,” Wren whispered.

“Any news from Buckwold?” Alexander asked.

“I received a letter from your father yesterday,” Bella said. “Apparently, the Lancers are content to hold Warrenton while they build their strength. For now, anyway. Although, the way your father tells it, Mistress Constance is making that very difficult. She has three wings of Sky Knights flying constant patrols and making attack runs against any ship that even tries to sail up the east coast.

“Phane has resorted to using only a handful of his biggest transport ships protected by wizards to move his troops into port. Lancers are still getting through, but far less than before.

“Your father is busy building a berm wall and a ditch across the entire southern border of Buckwold. His soldiers are working night and day, even though the Lancers don’t seem to be in a hurry to begin their attack.”

“Hopefully, they’ll stay put through winter,” Alexander said. “At least that would buy us some time.”

“Any word from Kevin or Duane?” Isabel asked.

“The last letter I got from Kevin reminded me of your father in his early years as Forest Warden,” Emma said. “He sounds exasperated by the nobles and totally immersed in his job. He and General Talia are working closely together to ensure that the south and west coasts are well patrolled and defended. His shipyards are working ceaselessly to build those attack boats he designed, while the rest of Southport is busy sending timber and food to help the people of Kai’Gorn. Talia kept one squad of Sky Knights under his command to run messages so they can coordinate the defense of the south more quickly.

“As for Duane, he sounds bored. Rake and his legion are dug in deep and don’t appear to be going anywhere soon. He did mention that they seem to be looking for something in the mountains. He’s managed to get a few spies into Rake’s camp and they report a systematic effort to find something that’s supposed to be buried there from the time of the Reishi War, though no one can say what it is.”

“That’s unsettling,” Jack said.

“If he’s looking for something in the northern wilds, it’s a good bet Phane told him to,” Alexander said. “Maybe I’d better take a closer look.”

“Couldn’t hurt,” Isabel said. “The last thing we need right now is for Rake to come riding down out of those mountains with some ancient weapon.”

“It’s always something,” Alexander said. “But at the moment, he’s the least of our worries. Jataan, how are your teams coming along?”

“I have three assembled and ready for assignments,” Jataan said. “Each team is comprised of uniquely skilled individuals, each complementing the skills of the other members.”

“Good work,” Alexander said. “I want to send one team to my father, one to Abigail, and one to Duane. Instruct the one you send to Duane to infiltrate Rake’s camp, determine what he’s looking for, and then kill Rake and his inner circle.”

“That’s such nasty business, Alexander,” Bella said.

“I agree, but it has to be done. Whatever Rake is looking for could be a serious threat, and he’s already forfeited his life under the Old Law.” Alexander turned back to Jataan. “Is one of your teams capable of such a mission?”

“Yes,” Jataan said. “Do you have instructions for the other two teams?”

“No, I just want to give my dad and Abigail more options,” Alexander said. “Have them all ready to leave in the morning.”

“Yes, Lord Reishi,” Jataan said and started to get up, using his cane for support.