The Artifacts Of Elios (Book 1) (36 page)

Brenner looked at the various magetechs before him, unlike what they had hoped for, less than half of them actually had lumen potential.  The purple stripes bands they were wearing told the tale.  Brenner took the bands and threw them to the side and instructed the guards to take them to the mage works and find jobs for them there.

Taking the rest of the mage slaves he
directed them to the front of the palace where a mass of soldiers that were standing at attention.  “Our first task is to rid the City of Jehhet of our enemy the Luion.  We will march house to house.  Gather everyone regardless of who they say they are I will question them if they are loyal Infin then they will be returned to their homes. 

A man that had been standing
nearby suddenly ran from the courtyard and before the guards could grab him he was past the gates running for the park where he disappeared

“Captain, take your squad and two mages and bring me that man. “To another he said, “Major take a company and surround the park I don’t want anyone escaping,” As the soldiers moved out Brenner decided that they needed some magical weapons.  He would ask Pechor to see what artifacts were available.

Roger was enjoying his new office; at the same time wondering how long it would be before he was required to go back in the field.  There was a knock at the door and an attractive young female lieutenant entered without waiting for him to say come in. 
I guess that answers that
, he thought to himself.

“Priority message from the office of the Premiere, Monsieur Oiseau,” she said placing a sealed envelope on his desk.

Roger carefully opened the message and read it thoroughly.  Standing he put on his hat and grabbed his coat from the tree with his umbrella.  “No need for you to carry a reply.  I will answer personally,” he said as he walked past the messenger.  “Close the door when you leave, will you please?”

Louisa Desmond answered the door.  The afternoon was raining heavily; she wondered
who would be calling on such a dreary day
.

Standing, umbrella in hand, was a medium height man in a long dark coat.  “I’m terribly sorry to drop in unannounced Mademoiselle, but it is of an urgent matter. 
My name is Roger Oiseau, I have an important message, may please come in out of the rain?”

Louisa invited the man
in and after taking his coat and umbrella she asked him to please be seated. “Can I get you something hot to drink Monsieur?  I’m afraid that Gerard is not home, but I can take a detailed message if you like.”

“It is for Ari Desmond that I am looking to speak with, Mademoiselle.  It is most important.”

“I am afraid that Ari is also not in at the moment.”

Roger knew that Ari had come here with Shane days earlier and he was certain that one of his agents would have known if they had left by conventional means, so that either meant that she was
that he was here or Ari and Shane had left via the magic portal device.

“Perhaps you could deliver a message to him.  Just tell him that Roger needs his help.  It would mean a lot to me.
”  Roger handed her a card with his name and office location and then stood to leave.

“Monsieur, your coat is still wet and you must have a cup of tea.  You don’t want to catch a cold.  Please come into the kitchen where it is less drafty, perhaps he will show up by the
time you have had your tea and you can then deliver your message.”

Roger acquiesced and followed his hostess into the kitchen where she soon had him relaxing with a cup of tea.

Shane spent a good portion of the afternoon digesting the story of his
father and his mission as the Guardian of the Arc.  He realized that he would never have the experience of growing up as a child with a father and nothing would get that back.  Soaris patiently sat across the table from him not pleading for forgiveness not making excuses.  He had told the story the same way as his mother had.  The only addition was that he had always watched out for him and his mother if often only at a distance and even though he couldn’t be there he still loved him and was extremely proud at the kind of man he had become.  Shane decided to put himself in his father’s shoes and shocked himself as he realized that he would do the same; that if it were the other way around, if Ava’s life were in danger by his presence or known association, he would separate himself from them in an instant. 
It must be my Elios heritage that makes me so understanding
he laughed to himself.

Shane stood as if making a final decision.  “Father, would you please come with me?”

Soaris followed Shane from the kitchen and into the bedroom.  Shane closed the door behind them.  “I felt it would be best if we had this conversation alone.  First of all I’ll tell you up front that it’s probably going to take a little time to get used to having a dad.”  Shane laughed, “The fact of the matter is that whether I’m used to it or not you are my father and nothing is going to change that.  Regardless of any of that I’m glad you’re alive.  I have million things to tell you and I’m sure you have a million questions.  If we survive the current strife in the world maybe we can grow old catching up.”  Shane’s Dad laughed at his son’s practical observation of the situation. 

“Secondly, and this is why I wanted to talk to you privately
.  I understand.  You haven’t made excuses, you haven’t tried to justify your leaving; you have stated things as they are.  The truth is, dad, we are pretty much the same in this regard; if Ava’s life were in jeopardy I would do the exact same thing.  In fact I have already nearly killed myself rather than let her come to harm.  I can’t empathize how difficult it must have been for you leaving not just the woman you love, but a son as well. I’m sure that it was amazingly difficult.  I think I understand though and I would and will do the same thing in order to preserve the ones I love.  I won’t say this in front of mother or Ava unless the time comes but I want you to know that for better or worse we are the same in that regard.

Shane let out a sigh and smiled his arms open wide.  “I don’t know if I get this from mom’s side of the family or yours, but I’m a hugger.”

Soaris let out a huge roaring laugh, “you get it from both of us,” and he reach out and the two men embraced patting each other on the back.

Shane and his father re-entered the kitchen laughing and smiling
; Laura and Ava not quite knowing what to think.  The levity was interrupted by a knocking on the front door.  As Laura was setting the table she asked if Ava would please get the door; in the same breath she ordered Soaris and Shane to go get washed up for dinner.

When Shane came back into the kitchen he was pleasantly surprised to see Ari sitting comfortably at the table chatting away with Soaris. As Shane sat down Ari reached onto the floor and handed a familiar pack to Shane.  “Here you left this at the station; I figured you wouldn’t want to lose it.”

Shane picked it up and rummaged through it and pulled out the portal device.  “I probably ought to adjust this as I’m sure Ava’s mother is a little tired of her pantry opening up into a monorail station.  Mom, do you have a closet or exterior door that you don’t use very much?”

Laura thought for a moment and said just use the pantry here, she pointed to a small door in the corner of the kitchen, you can figure out a more permanent location later.  Maybe I’ll have a carpenter make a doorway in the hall and you can make something permanent there so that Ava and her parents can visit whenever they want.”

Shane adjusted the settings and just in front of the door an entry way into a familiar kitchen in Lu Y Onton appeared.  Shane had just turned to sit down when he heard the voice of Ava’s mother.

“
Monsieur Oiseau, would you care for one more cup?”

“Roger,” chorused both Shane and Ari.”
  Both men hurried to the portal and peeked through to see Louisa serving a hot cup of tea to the calm friendly looking Tavern owner and spy.

When Roger saw both Ari and Shane crowding their way out of the pantry he started laughing.  “You two are the most interesting pair of companions that I have ever known.
”

After a few introductions were made Roger stepped through the portal to Yllyan and was introduced to Shane’s parents and Ava.  Upon meeting Ava he mentioned that he was glad to hear that she was well and when they had more time he would have to tell her a few stories about Shane.  Roger noted the set table and quickly asked Ari and Shane if they could meet with him tomorrow for lunch to discuss the war and to see if he could get their assistance with a few things.  He then returned to Ava’s parents and thanked Louisa for the tea and retrieved his coat and umbrella and disappeared into the rain.

After dinner Ari and Ava returned to Ava’s parents’ house and Shane asked if there was a more permanent location that they could use for the portal so that she could have the use of her pantry back.  As it turned out both Laura and Louisa had unused storage closets near their front entries so Shane spent the evening making permanent portals that could be actuated by glyphs causing a chime at either end so that there would be a modicum of decorum when announcing a visit.

The sun had gone down by the time Shane had finished his project with the portals and he had just gone to his room and was reviewing his notes when his father knocked on the open door.

“Come in,” Shane said as he mentally sent his instructor to hang on the wall as the portrait of Ava”

“Nice picture,” commented his father.  “Do you have a minute to talk?”

“Sure, what’s on your mind?”

“I know your friend has asked you to meet with him tomorrow but before you commit yourself to the Luionese Parliament I need to fill you in on a bigger picture.
”

“I’m listening.”

“What do you know about the term Dernier Chanson?”

As Ari and Shane sat over the breakfast table at Shane’s parents’ home in Yllyan Ari suggested that he let him do the talking.

“
Sound good to me, just keep in mind our primary allegiance is to the greatest good to all of Eliom not just Luion.  That means Infin too.  I won’t let Luion destroy Infin any more than I will allow Infin to destroy Luion. This needs to remain a protective measure. 

My last training session was regarding the Laws of Wisdom and the end result of what my training needs to accomplish.  I have begun the study of my role as the Dernier Chanson and I have
a long way to go in order to advance my skills in glyph mastery as well as begin to learn lumen magic.  I also want to impress upon you
your
role in this.  When you accepted to be bound to your instructor and became Sicam you also bound yourself to the Arc and defending the Laws of Wisdom.”  Shane left unsaid that that also included defending him as the Dernier Chanson.

“Then I suggest that you let me do the talking.  We need to be diplomatic and not lose our temper.  Government leaders are often under the delusion that they are more powerful than they are.  It is likely that he will demand or try to manipulating us into being his weapon.  We need to let him know that we will assist them but only on our terms.”

“If he gets pushy I reserve the right to reciprocate.”

Ari sighed, “Ok, here’s the plan.”

“Ari, Shane, I am pleased to introduce you to the Premier of Luion, His Excellency Pierre J’gond,” said Roger as a tall thin self-assured man in his late fifties entered the room.

“Thank you Roger, won’t you all be seated and please in this meeting call me Pierre.  Shane, Ari, it’s an honor, Roger has told me
many things about you.”

Ari raised an eyebrow and glared at Roger.  Roger squirmed a bit but pretended not to notice.

“As you are aware the King of Infin has declared war upon the Republic of Luion.  To our knowledge there have been no offenses and due to them being captured or murdered our diplomatic channels are currently nonexistent.  The only information that I have to go on is a message from one of our last operatives that escaped across the border last night and what Monsieur Oiseau has gathered, with your aid of course.  Roger has informed me that you both are currently the only two known glyph mages in all of Eliom.  Is this correct?”

Ari looked at Shane who kept his face expressionless for a moment then
spoke. “We are not precisely the only mages on Eliom.  I am not willing to disclose how many of us that there are but I will tell you that it is in the interests of the Guardians of Elios and all that are of Elios descent whether of direct or mixed genealogy that Luion survive the war with Infin and that the monarch of Infin be over thrown if he persists on waging war against the Elios Laws of Wisdom.”

“Your reluctance to be forthcoming is troubling are you loyal to Infin then?”

Ari interjected, “we are not allied with Infin; but Glyph Mages are bound by oath to follow certain constructs of the Ancient Elios.  We cannot blindly be conscripted to the military at this time either Luion or Infin.

“
You sound as if you have something to say in the matter.  The Republic of Luion is prepared to demand if necessary that you join us in our defense.  I would rather
request
the sharing of your abilities in exchange for the asylum that I am prepared to grant,” the Premier said trying to appear magnanimous.

Roger cringed at the Premier’s arrogance, Shane’s brow furled slightly as if he was getting ready to
say something.

Ari responded
diplomatically before Shane could lose his temper, “Your Excellency, I am a native of Luion and I have a large degree of patriotism to this country but the oaths that I took when assuming the mantle as a Glyph Mage supersedes that patriotism.  What it does allow is that I can choose those I prefer to assist and at the present Luion is within that scope but if Luion should decide to go against my oaths then I will have to withdraw any support for the Republic.

Shane, on the other hand, while born in Infin is from neither Infin nor Luion.  As of the recent declaration of war and the demonstrated hostilities against mages, Shane has moved back to the lands of his Father on the continent of Coholo to live with his family; who by the way are the rulers of that continent by lineage and heredity directly from the Elios.”

“
Impossible,” sputtered the Premier, “Coholo is an uninhabited continent.  No expedition has ever breached the western deserts and mountain ranges that surround that forsaken land.  So don’t try to tell me that you are the son of a fictitious King of a fictitious land.”

“
Pierre
,” Shane emphasized the lack of respect in the familiar address.  “My father is the current Guardian of Coholo and Eliom and the Arc and Laws of Wisdom. He could just as easily dominate the world as well as the land of his current domicile but he is bound only to protect the Laws of Wisdom and assure that the knowledge of Old Luion and the Elios is not withheld and has elected to do so by governing only the cities of Coholo. 

I on the other hand as his son have a higher calling which includes the entirety of Eliom.  We came here in the effort to assist you and you have immediately turned this into an attempt to control a force that you are not
anywhere close to being equipped to control.  Ari and I have friends and family in Luion; that is a point in your favor.  It is also my understanding that Luion has always sought to share the benefits of glyph magic with its citizens; also a point in your favor.  If it is your intention to control mages as Infin has done then you are no better in my eyes than Allion and I am inclined to rethink my plans to assist you in any way. 

Finally and I want you and I to understand each other perfectly on this.  Before
you go and burn a bridge that cannot be rebuilt I suggest that you hope that our family and friends that are citizens of Luion live charmed lives.  If something should happen to them that can be traced to you or the republic then I will give you a demonstration of glyph mastery that you will never forget.

Now,” Shane raised his voice for emphasis, “We have both flexed our muscles and I can assure you that
my
team has the players.  You can let us help you as we see best or you can move head on your own.  I will be fighting against Infin regardless.  The difference will be whether or not you want to fight a single front war or a two front war.  I and the Guardians of Elios feel it would be in the best interest of Eliom to ally with you but the choice is up to you.”

The premier looked at Roger
who shrugged.  The premier then seemed to deflate and looked at Shane.  Your bluntness is a hard thing but alas I left you no other choice.  You have my apologies.  The Republic could use your aid in any way that you can give it.”

Shane smiled what he hoped was warm
and not condescending.  “Your Excellency I must apologize to you as well for my abruptness.  I am not a skilled statesman but a scholar with a warball player’s heart.  Unless you have something specifically for me I will leave the rest of the discussion up to Ari.”

Ari and Roger both seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

Ari was the first to speak.  “The way I see it your Excellency, There are three things that we can help you with better than you can do yourself.  First we need to start gathering intelligence.  I can work with Roger and his associates on setting that up.  Second we need to secure the borders against both physical and magical assault.  That is more Shane’s purview.  Third we need to use the intelligence that we gather to begin extracting any expatriates and refugees that we can from cities that are under attack, or soon to be, as soon as possible.  This could mean hundreds of thousands of people.  The Guardians are prepared to take any that would prefer Coholo over Luion but Luion should prepare for a large influx of refugees.  Do not be concerned with the logistics of transport we have a magical solution for that; the Republic however should prepare for any additional shelter and sustenance”

“I
t sounds as if you have thought this out and planned it already,” observed the Premier.

“Planning is everything, your Excellency; it saves time, money, an
d most important it saves lives,” responded Ari.  “Why don’t we plan on meeting here again with your staff and anyone else you need to have on hand the same time day after tomorrow?  In the meantime Roger and I will start implementing an intelligence strategy and Shane can go to work on the best way to make the devices we need for extraction and border security.”

Everyone stood as the premier stood.  “It was a rocky and
tense beginning but I am happy that we are in agreement and are allies.  I will send in my secretary, Jacques and he will assist you in any way you require.  I must go and report to the parliament and give them a progress report.  Thank you and I hope that this conflict comes to a speedy conclusion.”

After the premier left the room Roger and Ari burst out laughing.  “I thought he was going to kill him,” Roger said with a guffaw.

“I thought the premier was going to choke when Shane called him Pierre like he was a smelly sock.  Sheesh Shane, you poured it on a little thick didn’t you?” Ari chuckled.

“Hey I just did what you told me to do; and it worked didn’t it?”

“That it did,” smiled Ari, “That it did.  Ok back to business.  Roger lets go get to work on the information gathering, I need to introduce you to a man I know who is excellent at this type of thing. He’s retired and as crotchety as they come, but unless I miss my guess he’s about up to his ears with married life and retirement has probably got his nerves worn down to the nub so he will welcome an excuse to get out of the house for a little while.”

As Ari and Roger were preparing to leave Shane handed Ari a metal plate.  Here it’s a new portal device.  Activate the screen and select instructions.  There is a password to use it.  The password is your full first name.  You can change it and I suggest you do.  Also stop by the house either tonight or tomorrow I have an idea on a communication device that will help us keep in touch.  If it works I’ll start producing them in mass so that we can distribute them to at least all of the officers in the Luion Army.  Which reminds me, Roger who do I talk to about getting in touch with those that we pulled off that island.  I know at least half of them and could use some help from
some people I trust.”

“Talk to Jacques when he shows up he can get them for you.
”

That afternoon with Ava’s help and his mother’s direction Shane set up an office and a Lab
on one of the large buildings next to Edward Monfer’s on Collet Avenue.  He and Ave worked through the afternoon and the late evening with Shane showing her the workings of the portal maker by making one from her home in Lu Y Onton to an office that she took next to his.  The next morning Shane met with Jacques by traveling with is portal device to Jacques office, where he met Professor Wetz, Alicia, John, Lance and the woman from the U of J group that Alicia introduced as magetech Desirae Lionay.

Shane ushered them through the portal to his office on Collet Avenue and had them meet in a large unfurnished conference room. 
Leaving them for a moment he poked his head into the lab where he found Ava working on what she called a first aid kit.  Shane waited until he saw that she was at a stopping point and asked her to follow him so that he could make a few introductions.

When Ava saw the familiar faces it took several minutes before Shane could take control of the impromptu meeting and lay out his plans.

“Hi everyone, I’d like to thank you for joining us in the war effort to stop the advance of Infin into Luion.  First things first, this building is sealed, I know many of you would love to go exploring but while the City of Yllyan is safe the next city over is not safe unless you are a Glyph Mage.  Also since many of the things that we will be doing here are going to be kept secret until we can give them to those that they are intended for, you will be the only ones that can come here. 

If you go down stairs to the lobby you will see that if you go out the front door it opens into a back room of a closed d
own magetech repair shop on parliament road in Lu Y Onton.  That is where you will go to work every day.  Hang your cloaks, overshoes and Umbrellas in the back room then touch the access glyphs and you will come through the entrance to this facility.