Into The Ruins (28 page)

Suline nodded.

“Good.  You may wait outside for a moment.”

Once Suline had left the room, Carif turned to her advisors. 

“Do you believe her story?” Shym asked.

“We will send Kirin back with her. She is one we know we can trust.  She will see if this place in the Wastelands is real.  That alone would be a strong proof.  I want that broken staff examined, and I want one of the rooms below prepared.  Use one with the special facilities.”

The Guild had a number of rooms below the building which were designed to hold those with the gift.  The same runes that Suline had had quickly painted into the inn were carefully and expertly incorporated into the walls of the cells below.  Some of the rooms were holding pens, but several were designed for more intense sessions, including the ability to torture or magically withdraw information from a detainee.

“Do you believe the matter of Casting without runes?” Ensay asked.

“We have had indications that such might be possible.  We have to assume these people might have such abilities.  Have you ever known anyone who could destroy a staff of power, with or without the use of magical runes?”

The others solemnly shook their heads.  That was indeed a concern.  The staffs had been thought to be indestructible until now.  Kirin would have to verify that part of the story.  Perhaps Ferkle should be brought back and questioned carefully as well. 

Slipi

Western Sedfair

Suline had taken Senior Caster Kirin and over half of Slipi’s guardsmen out into the Ruins as Carif had directed.  They had spent the better part of the day searching the small patch of green in the middle of the hostile Wastelands, and all were happy when they were able to return to the village.

“I would have never believed I would venture into that place at all, let alone so far,” Kirin said to Suline when they returned to Slipi.  Kirin was a small brunette with short hair and a dumpy figure, but she was clearly skilled with her gift.  Suline could sense her carefully checking the area during their searches.

“You will report our findings back to the Saltique?” Suline asked.

“Yes, of course.  There was nothing there.  No signs of a large group or even that they camped there very long.  That leaves open the matter of where they came from.  It is unfortunate that the language barrier exists.  Otherwise we could extract what we want to know.”

Suline shuddered.  She’d heard rumors of techniques that could be used, although no one officially acknowledged them.

“You will bring the prisoners to Nals in the morning,” Kirin directed.  “There will be a place waiting for them at the Guild.”

“I understand,” Suline agreed.  She wondered if that would be the end of it for her, or whether this situation would open opportunities for her.  She knew only time would tell.

As she watched Kirin step through the
Doorway
that would take her back to Nals, Suline considered the minor task she’d been given.  Apparently one of the young men who had first reported the strangers was scheduled to begin training at the Guild’s University at the end of summer.  Kirin had learned of this and had made the decision that he should accompany Suline and the prisoners back to Nals.  It would save the youngster the difficulties of the trip, and the Saltique might be interested in hearing what he had seen directly from him.  Suline debated whether to send a messenger, or make the call informing the boy and his family herself. 

Fen didn’t know whether to be excited or disappointed.  He and his family were waiting outside the stockade until it was time to leave for Nals.  Fen was disappointed that he wasn’t going to have more time in Slipi as he’d been led to believe, but he would be traveling via a
Doorway
.  That was something special, and the idea of instantaneously leaving his home and arriving in Nals was exhilarating.  Caster Suline who had stopped by the previous afternoon had told him he might be called upon to tell the Saltique what he had seen.  The Saltique!  He couldn’t believe he might soon be in the presence of the land’s most powerful Caster.  He had to present himself well, for such an opportunity might change the very nature of his time at the University.

He wouldn’t have admitted it, but he was pleased his father would be going along with him.  They needed a contingent of guards to watch over the prisoners, and his father would be in charge of them.  Fen would have to remain out of the way, but he would once again have an opportunity to observe the strangers who intrigued him so much.  Despite those who doubted what had taken place, Fen knew that magic had been employed in a manner that he had been led to believe impossible.  The strangers had been able to call on powerful magic without a staff or any of the usual aides.  Fen clearly wished he could talk with them, and learn how they had managed it.  Sadly, that would not happen.  His father had told him to keep his distance, and Fen knew firsthand that the strangers didn’t speak the local language.

“What will happen to them?” Fen asked as he watched the four captive prisoners being led from the stockade under guard. 

“I don’t know,” his father replied honestly.

Three Casters were present, both Ferkle and Tanss who he knew well, and the Caster Suline who had visited his home the previous day.  All carried staffs, so Ferkle had managed to acquire a replacement for the one Fen had seen destroyed.  The Casters and their magic should not be necessary, as the strangers were still banded, but no one was taking any chances.  Fen’s father had indicated the Mayor and the Army would be happy to have the strangers gone.  It was unclear what they could do, but the village had enough to worry about with the frequent appearance of the Chulls.

Once everyone was in place behind the stockade, Caster Suline raised her staff, and as Fen watched with anticipation and admiration, a large glowing arch appeared off to one side of the courtyard.  Suline was the first through, followed by the guardsmen leading the prisoners.  Tanss and Ferkle followed after, and once everyone else had passed through, Fen’s father pointed the way.  Somewhat hesitantly, Fen approached the arch, but knowing this was something he hoped to be able to create himself one day, he stepped resolutely into the opening, his father following just behind him.  Even having prepared himself, Fen couldn’t help the elation he felt as he exited the other side, seeing the Guild buildings he only had seen in paintings before this.  He was actually here in Nals!  Much earlier than expected and he wondered what they would be having him do until the classes began, but he was here.

“We’ve moved east a considerable amount,” Ash’urn noted as they stepped out of the
Bypass
portal.  He’d gotten into the habit of noting the sun as they entered and exited these magical gateways. 

“This is a much bigger city,” Rigo replied, indicating the vast expanse of structures that filled the valley below the hill on which they’d appeared.  “I have a feeling we are being taken to meet someone important.”

“I hope we find someone who we can talk to,” Orna added.  “I’m tired of pointing when I need to take a piss.”

“This way,” their guard mumbled at them.  Rigo followed the verbal instructions without conscious thought, moving automatically in the requested directions.  When he realized the others hadn’t turned, he hollered, “This way guys.”

“You understood that guy, didn’t you?” Ash’urn asked when he caught up with Rigo again.

“I guess so,” Rigo admitted, thinking back on why he’d turned.

“How is that possible?” Ash’urn asked.  “Is there something left over from Daim that is helping you interpret their language?”

“Not Daim,” Rigo said with certainty.  “There’s nothing that says he ever had any awareness of this place or these people.”

“Then how?”

“I don’t know,” Rigo admitted.  “But you want to know something else?  I’m starting to recognize some of the symbols we see everywhere?”

“What?  Do you know what they mean?”

“Nothing so grand.  But I know I’ve seen some of them.  We were right.  They are linked to the magic.  I’m certain of that.  They can’t do magic without them.”

“How can that be?” Ash’urn asked.  “Why would magic be so different?”

Rigo shrugged.  He didn’t know either.  He wished he knew how he knew what he did.

Ash’urn started to say something when one of their guards shouted out, “Silence!”

“He doesn’t like us talking,” Rigo translated quickly.

Ash’urn nodded.  Even he had figured out that much.

Without further discussion, they followed their escort into one of the larger buildings, then down a long ramp to the lower levels.  Lower usually meant bad, and they weren’t surprised when they were ushered into another room, which was obviously designed as a cell.  The walls and ceilings were decorated with the same symbols Rigo recalled from the inn where he’d discovered his magic blocked.  The symbols, and the magic behind them, was unnecessary.  They were already blocked by the bands they still wore.  Once again they would have nowhere to go, and like the stockade, they didn’t even have a view to the outside.

“I don’t like the looks of this,” Lorl added, the first words he’d uttered since leaving the cells on the far side of the
Bypass
used to bring them here.

Brothers Nyll and Yori sat upon their horses, their bodies sore from several days of riding.  Neither had ridden a horse more than short distances in many years, and they had found the trip difficult.  At least they hadn’t been tasked with riding all the way to Ny’em up the great river. That would have taken a number of weeks.

Brother Nyll looked at the small village at the base of the hill below them. They had finally reached their destination.  This was the first time he had been away from the monastery since he’d joined many years ago.  He was older now, his hair receded to the point he had only the barest fringe around the edge.  His ponytail was only the barest hint of its former glory, a thin cluster of gray hair.  He was still overweight, and while he had advanced within the order, like Brother Yori his progress had been restricted.  Brother Nyll had concerns about the order and its view of the world, but had been reluctant to separate himself from the monastery, hoping he might exert a small influence from within over time. 

Wizard Atel was easy to locate.  He was known by everyone in the village. 

“You wish to go to the Outpost?” he’d asked when Brother Nyll awkwardly approached him.

“I don’t know about this Outpost.  I wish to seek out a wizard named Rigo, or my brother Kaler who is a close friend of his.”

“I do not know where Rigo might be,” Atel explained.  “He is frequently found at the Outpost, but he also travels a great deal. Everyone knows of the compound his friends Kaler and Daria have formed in Kellmore.  Perhaps it is best to go there.”

“Could you do so?” Brother Nyll asked.  “This is something he would know how to approach.  We will wait for your return.”

“Wait?” asked Atel.  “Surely you will come along.  That would be the most expedient approach.  I wouldn’t have to explain anything to your brother.”

“Go with you?” asked Brother Yori.  “You mean through one of your magical travel gates?”  He had known they needed to have one of the wizards involved if they were to make this happen in a timely manner.  The ride to central Kellmore would have taken weeks and neither he nor Brother Nyll were in shape to tackle such a journey.  He had never considered stepping into something that magic had created.

Brother Nyll didn’t seem nearly so put off.  “If that’s the best way,” he asked.  “What do we do?”

Atel smiled.  “Come with me.  I usually make the
Bypass
over here where we are out of the way.”

With no obvious motions or strain, the young wizard opened a glowing arch off to one side.

“Through there?” Brother Yori asked nervously, but with a secret thrill of anticipation.  “How do you know where to go?”

“I’ve been to Kaler’s sanctuary before,” Atel said.  “I took a young orphan girl there a couple of years ago.”

“What about our mounts?” Brother Nyll asked.

“Bring them along.  You might want them on the far side.”

“The Archimandrite didn’t forbid us from going,” Brother Yori reasoned aloud.  “Perhaps it would be the most expedient way to deal with this.”

Moments later the three men stepped out onto a grassy meadow.  A short distance away was a very large structure.  To their left was a large corral with a number of horses.  Brother Nyll could hear the sounds of laughter that represented the combined happiness of at least a hundred children.  He could also see that they had been noticed, and a tall, extremely fit man was headed their way.  Brother Nyll realized it was Kaler.

Kaler walked toward the three men who had suddenly appeared on his property.  He had caught them arriving, and knew they had come via
Bypass
, which meant one of them was a wizard.  He was a little uncertain about what the visit might portend.  Just the other day Jeen had visited, the happiness at seeing her after a long time quickly overshadowed by the terrible news she had brought.  Rigo was lost, perhaps dead.  No one really knew for certain.  He had ventured back into the Ruins once again, and now he and his entire party had not been heard from for far too long.  They had missed their return date.  Worse, according to Jeen, the nature of his travels in the Ruins prohibited anyone from searching for him.  Kaler didn’t entirely understand it, but he knew that Jeen would have moved mountains to locate Rigo if it were possible.  Now, more surprise visitors.  Kaler feared it might be more disturbing news.  Perhaps they had found Rigo’s body, or worse.  The only thing that gave him hope was he didn’t recognize these people.  Surely Jeen would have come herself if such dire tidings were to be delivered.  There was only one way to find out.

He had covered almost half the distance to the newcomers when he realized who one of the visitors had to be.  It was the hairstyle that gave him the needed clue. 
His brother Nyll
!  None of the three were wearing the familiar robes that members of the order always wore, but there was no doubt it was his brother.  As far as Kaler knew, Nyll hadn’t left the monastery since he’d gone there many years ago.  Something important must have happened to cause him to leave his sanctuary.  It had to be something very unusual for him to entrust his travels to a magical
Bypass
, given that the order refused to accept the reality of magic and the benefits it brought.

Nyll appeared considerably older.  Ten years Kaler’s senior, they no longer looked much like brothers.  They’d both had blond hair, but the little hair that Nyll retained was more gray than blond.  He was still more than a little overweight, having been cursed with the bloodline from his mother’s side of the family rather than his father’s.  That and a life of contemplation rather than activity.  Kaler, on the other hand, retained the same sleek profile he’d been blessed with from birth.  He still worked out daily, both alone with a heavy two handed sword, and against one of the employees who was a fair swordsman.  Kaler’s hair had thinned only marginally, and not receded at all.  It was still blond, and worn shorter these days.

“Kaler,” Nyll said as he approached. 

Kaler embraced his brother while his eyes scanned the remaining two in an attempt to place them.  Neither was familiar.  It was a simple matter to decide which was a fellow to his brother and which had to be the wizard.  With the ritual ponytail, the second priest was quickly identified.  Also, like his brother, he also led a horse, while the third man had come without a mount.  Kaler tried to place the priest, but if he’d seen him during the days at Ald-del, the memories had faded enough that he failed.

“I am more than a little surprised to see you,” Kaler admitted after they separated.  “You never indicated in your letters that you might visit.”

“I had no intention of doing so,” Nyll admitted.  “Something has come up and the Archimandrite at the monastery ordered us to seek you out.”

“I cannot imagine what I would know that would be of value to the monastery,” Kaler replied.  “Come, let us go inside.  You can greet Daria, and we can talk in the shade.  Who are your companions, by the way?”

Nyll flushed.  “I forget myself.  It is not often we are among others.  This is Brother Yori.  And this is Atel.  He resides in a village a few day’s ride from the monastery.”

Brother Yori.  The name tickled a memory, but Kaler still couldn’t place the face.

Atel smiled and asked.  “Do you have any idea when you would wish to return?  I came through with you to assure I had brought you to the proper location, but I must return now.  I can come for you in a couple of glass if that would be acceptable?”

Nyll looked confused.  “I don’t know how long we will be.”  He looked from Atel toward Kaler.

“There is another with the gift visiting at the moment,” Kaler informed Atel.  “She can see to getting Nyll and Yori back to the monastery when the time comes.  Thank you for bringing them.”

Atel nodded, and then turned and opened a
Bypass
back to his village.  After he had disappeared, Kaler pointed toward the large house a hundred paces away.

“Come,” he said, and led the way.

Daria had seen Kaler talking to the men in the field, and when they headed toward the house, she knew that something important was happening.  Daria checked her appearance in the mirror, something she wouldn’t have even thought about in years past, but the
KalaBhoot
was a distant memory, and she had settled into a different kind of life.  Her hair was long now, rich with curls and flowing to the small of her back.  Otherwise she looked much as she had when she and Kaler had met.  She still carried the scars from her days as an assassin.  More than one of the wizards had offered to use magic to remove all trace of the scars, but Daria had rejected the idea.  She had personal experience with what healing magic could do when Burke had removed all traces of the damage inflicted upon her body by the poison Lord Cordale’s men had infected her with.  That had cured her and restored her ability to function normally, but cosmetic magic indeed!  She had come by the marks as the result of honorable deeds, and there was no way she would see them removed.  She and Kaler had never had children, something that even the wizards couldn’t cure had prevented her from conceiving.  Not that it mattered.  The extended family they had here more than made up for that.

“Daria, we have visitors,” Kaler yelled as they approached the door.  “It’s my brother and his fellow priest from the monastery.”

Daria had met even fewer of the priests during the stay there than Kaler had.  Being a woman, she had been restricted from entering the main portion of the sanctuary, and therefore had only interacted with a few of the Brothers there.

Once Kaler and the visitors had been introduced and they all sat at the large table, Kaler looked at his brother expectantly.  “Whatever brought you here in this manner must be urgent.  Please explain.”

Nyll looked from Kaler to brother Yori and then back again.  “When you visited Ald-del, you traveled with a young wizard.  His name was Rigo, I believe.”

Kaler nodded and waited, but his heart beat suddenly faster. 

“Have you seen him lately?” Nyll asked.  “Do you know where he is or what he might be doing?”

“It is strange that you should ask,” Kaler said softly.  “Just the other day a close friend visited to tell us that Rigo has disappeared.  He was exploring deep in the Ruins, trying to find an answer to the Hoplani threat.  He failed to return, and for reasons relating to the magic that affects the Ruins, they cannot search for him.  Why do you ask?”

Nyll glanced at Brother Yori who nodded that he should continue.

“The monastery has many old artifacts as well as an extensive library that scholars travel long distances to examine.  One of these artifacts was discovered to be active a few days ago.  Brother Yori who oversees the vault where these items are stored discovered it.  Most likely it has been active for years, but no one was aware of the fact.  It is difficult to explain, but the artifact produces images.  Images of a kind nobody has seen before.  The images appear to be real, and we believe they truly represent activity that is taking place somewhere.”

“What does that have to do with Rigo?” Daria asked impatiently.

“One of the individuals in the images looks very much like the wizard who visited the monastery when you were there.  I provided him with maps and information, and I am certain this is the same person.”

“Is anyone with him?” Daria asked.

“There are three others we can see.  A small dark-skinned woman, another male of about the same age, and an older man with a bushy white beard.  None of these people are familiar to us.”

“Ash’urn!” Daria whispered and looked at Kaler.  Jeen had told him that Rigo had been traveling with the elder scholar as well as two other wizards.  They hadn’t known either of the wizards, but the description of Ash’urn sounded right.

“Where does this device say they are?” Kaler asked.

“We cannot tell,” Brother Yori said.  “The views are inside a large structure.  They appear to be locked in a cell.  Nothing outside shows, but the one time we saw other people, they were dressed in an unfamiliar style of clothing.  That might be consistent with your understanding they are traveling in an unknown area.”

“Locked in a cell?” Kaler asked.  “That does not make sense.  What could keep Rigo contained?  He would simply use his magic and knock it down.”

“I have no answers.  They have no weapons, nor supplies.  I am certain by what I have observed that they are being detained.”

“Why didn’t you bring this artifact with you?” Daria demanded.

“The Archimandrite forbade moving the device at all,” Brother Yori explained.  “He is concerned that disturbing it might cause the images to be lost.”  Brother Yori didn’t explain that the Archimandrite was somewhat afraid of the magical artifact now that it was activated.

“Jeen must be informed,” Kaler said, standing suddenly and pacing.  “This is too coincidental.  Rigo goes missing and now some strange device shows him imprisoned.”

“You and he have always had a penchant for being thrown into cells,” Daria noted.  She knew that Kaler and Rigo had first met while being imprisoned in the dungeon of a former Duke.  A man that Daria had personally sent to the grave.

“Are you willing to go with us to Sulen?” Kaler asked.  “Our friend Jeen is there.  She is a powerful wizard and one of those closest to Rigo’s disappearance.”