Dark Quest
Book 2 of Targa Trilogy
By Richard S. Tuttle
Smashwords Edition
Copyright © 1997 by Richard S. Tuttle
All rights reserved.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious.
Any resemblance to persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
Map of Edonia
Our story so far . . .
Alexander Tork, a fifteen-year-old lumberman, is thrust into a position of leading his village to safety before an advancing attack of Yaki, a fierce race of large fox-like creatures. His strength, courage, and leadership skills, soon draw him into the Red Swords of Targa, an elite military group, where his loyalty and skills mark him for rapid advancement. Along his path, he befriends Jenneva, a young orphaned girl destined to become one the world’s most powerful magicians, and Oscar Dalek, a poor border town boy destined to become the nation’s richest man. The three young Targan’s paths intertwine to save the Kingdom from an evil sorcerer and his huge host of goblins and Yaki.
In the end, Jenneva manages to use the Origin Scroll to banish Sarac, the evil sorcerer, into another Universe, while Alex, with the help of Oscar’s vast fortune, marshals the forces of the Red Swords to vanquish the goblin army.
At the beginning of The Dark Quest, Mordac, Sarac’s assistant, has spent two years trying to find the knowledge to bring his banished Master back home.
Chapter 1
Disciple
The word went out quietly, furtively, across the continent. The God of Magic would return! The God of Magic had sent his Word and his Disciple to give power to the Black Devils, the power that would enable them to bring their god to life. Pilgrimages had begun from the farthest reaches of Lanoir to the cold desolation of the Disputed Area. Thousands of Black Devils were leaving their towns and villages and heading for a session with the Disciple. When the moon was full the meeting would commence and the Disciple would deliver his instructions. Soon the world would be set right and the God of Magic would reign forever.
Dalgar was excited. Finally, things would be as they should have been. Had the Black Devils not been lax, the god would not have abandoned them. Now they were being given a second chance and he was not going to disappoint the god again. Dalgar was prepared to give his life for the return of the God of Magic and he knew the other Black Devils would as well. Soon now, the entire world would be under the power of the God of Magic. The great Disciple, Mordac, had said so.
Dalgar saw streams of men and women approaching the knoll where Mordac would speak. He pushed his way to the very front of the assembling crowd and settled his long, lanky frame on a small section of grass. He removed a purple ribbon from his sack and tied his long, black hair behind his head. The short young woman next to him was flexing her legs as if she had been in the same position for some time. She had beautiful long, flowing, auburn hair that complemented her pale skin. Dalgar offered her an apple from his sack. “I guess you’ve been here quite a while.”
The girl looked over at him. “Yes, three days now. I wanted to get a good spot but you seemed to have done as well by arriving today.” She took the apple and bit into it, surveying her neighbor. His bronze skin was not likely to mark him as Cordonian or even Targan. “You must be Sordoan. Was the trip difficult for you?”
“Yes, I’m Sordoan, and no, the trip was quite pleasant. I’m Dalgar from Dubar. It’s a small town on the outskirts of the Great Sordoan Desert. What about you?”
“I’m Aurora from Paso in Cordonia. The trip was difficult because we were warned to avoid the major roads and had to use forest trails. Still it was fun and quite an adventure. I passed right through the area where they said our god chose to leave this world. I hope the Disciple can really bring him back.”
“I don’t think the Disciple will bring him back. I think we must all bring him back. It’s supposed to be the reason for this meeting. We are to be given a second chance to please Sarac. If he is pleased he will return and guide us, if not we shall all perish. I wanted to be up front so that I can meet Mordac. I wish to be one of Mordac’s chosen. It is said that whomever does the most to bring about Sarac’s return will get to join his Inner Circle.”
“Very aggressive, Dalgar, but I thought that Sarac’s Inner Circle left with him.”
“That is true, Aurora, but I have heard that there will be room for new members to join. I will be one of them. You should consider this as well. To be one of Sarac’s Inner Circle is to be blessed beyond compare.”
“If that is so, there will be many that wish to join. What makes you think that you will be chosen, Dalgar?”
“Because, Aurora, I will do anything to accomplish my goal. Many around us are weak and only part-time believers. They wish to believe and be honored as long as they don’t have to do anything that might cause them grief. I have no such inhibitions. I am prepared to do what I must to join with Sarac.”
“As shall I, Dalgar. You will have competition in reaching the Inner Circle.”
“Perhaps, if your devotion is as strong as you pretend, but it does not have to be a competition. We can help each other gain in Mordac’s eyes. We may make a good team. Soon we shall see, for here comes Mordac now.”
Mordac strode up the hillside, his long, black robe fluttering in the breeze. His curly brown hair was no longer hidden by his black cap and he carried a large book. He stood at the top of the knoll and raised his free arm. The crowd quieted and everyone awaited Mordac’s words.
Mordac began. “Followers of Sarac, hear me now. I am Mordac, the Disciple of the great God of Magic. Sarac has spoken to me and he is angry. The Black Devils have failed him. They have failed in their faith and they have failed in their deeds. Two years ago he called upon the faithful and found them lacking. He decided to leave this world and give you time to reflect upon your faithlessness. That time for reflection has ended. Sarac must now choose whether to return and rule this world or destroy it and take his faithful few to another world.”
Mordac paused to survey the crowd. There was over a thousand Black Devils here, more than enough to accomplish his goal. If he could sway this crowd to his will, Mordac could bring Sarac back. “The time of waiting is over and the time of testing shall begin. For those of you who pass the test, eternal life and power are waiting. For those that fail the test, a slow lingering death will be your only reward. The pain of that death will last for hundreds of years and your cries for an end to it will be met with more pain. You will have one chance to redeem yourself. Are you ready for this time of testing?”
The crowd leapt to their feet and shouted acceptance of the challenge. Mordac allowed them to continue shouting and finally raised his free hand. When the crowd became quiet, Mordac continued. “You speak loudly, but this challenge will require more than words, it will require great deeds. Sarac has disclosed to me his requirements for returning to this world.”
Mordac raised the large book he was carrying into the air and held it up for all to see. “Sarac has told me that the answer to his return is in a book. He did not tell me which book contains the answer. How are we to find this answer? How are we to guarantee that Sarac is pleased enough to return to us?”
One man stood and shouted, “We must read. Everyone must read.”
Another stood and questioned, “How will we know when we have read the right book?”
Murmurs ran through the crowd as followers debated the solution to Mordac’s challenge. Dalgar pondered Mordac’s words and sought the solution that would bring attention to himself.
Dalgar grabbed Aurora’s hand and stood, bringing her to her feet. “We must own all of the books. We shall collect every book ever written and bring them here.”
Those around Dalgar laughed and shouted. They called him crazy and told him to sit down, but Mordac motioned for the boy to come to him. Dalgar led Aurora to Mordac. Mordac stared at the young man and his companion and then surveyed the crowd. He turned to Dalgar and loudly asked, “An admirable suggestion, but the owners of the books will not want to lose them. How do you plan to get all of these books?”
Dalgar turned to Mordac and said, “We will take them, and all who get in the way of Sarac’s return must die. We shall not allow fools to have books for their own pleasure, when we need them for Sarac’s return.”
“And are you two prepared to kill priests and kings to get these books?”
Aurora answered without hesitation. “Yes, Disciple, we are prepared. Sarac will return and we will have not let him down.”
Mordac laid his book on the ground and stood between the two Black Devils. He put a hand on each of their shoulders and addressed his audience. “This is the spirit that Sarac is looking for.”
An old woman in the audience stood and protested. “We cannot just go around killing priests. We will be hunted down and killed. The armies of all the nations will seek to eliminate us.”
Mordac turned and retrieved his book. “Well, young devotees, what is your answer to this woman’s questions?”
Dalgar looked at Aurora and smiled. Together they turned to face the old woman and each of them unleashed a fireball. The old woman disappeared in a burst of flame, her smoldering flesh all that remained of the objection. The people around the old woman scurried away from the devastation. Dalgar addressed the crowd. “We must not let anything stand in our way this time. This is our only chance to regain Sarac. Can any of you really refuse to do that which is necessary?”
Mordac smiled. These two will make a worthy addition to his staff. There were no further complaints from the crowd. “There is more to what Sarac has said. No Black Devil may owe allegiance to any country. We must cause strife between nations, pit country against country. In this manner we will allow each country to lessen its army strength by fighting with its neighbors.”
The young magicians’ demonstration had been perfect. Had Mordac flamed the old woman, there might have been grumbling. Now Mordac knew he had the crowd’s participation. “Well, we need to get started. Let us head to the castle below. Each Black Devil will be assigned a duty to perform. You must each issue an oath of allegiance before leaving. Any who try to leave without uttering the oath will be killed. Not one of you can be allowed to jeopardize the return of Sarac.” Mordac signaled for the two young magicians to follow him. “Come along. I have special plans for the two of you.”
* * * *
Egam, the magician, stood in Oscar’s office admiring the paintings adorning the walls. He appreciated the artist’s skill in capturing landscapes and Cordonian life. Obviously, Oscar appreciated it, as well. “Well, Duke Dalek, you have a keen eye for art it seems.”
“Thank you, Egam, but please drop the formalities. Oscar is fine. We have no audience and I’d like to consider you a close friend. What brings you to the city of Dalek?”
“You are a friend, Oscar, and it is another friend who brings me here. I wish to journey to a certain island and visit a fine young woman whom you are acquainted with.”
“You want passage to Atar’s Cove, then. There is a ship leaving for Kantor tomorrow. In fact, I will be aboard myself. I have a strong desire to add to my art collection. It has been a long time since I’ve seen Jenneva. It must be two years since she received the last of the building materials for her home. I would love to spend some time with her. Why don’t you join me for a shopping trip to Kantor and we can both be let off at Atar’s Cove on the return voyage?”
“My trip will be one way, Oscar, but I would like a chance to see Kantor again. What is the name of the artist who has captured your fancy?”
“John Secor,” responded Oscar. “He’s a displaced Targan living in Kantor. His father moved there many years ago as an Ambassador or something and John chose to stay. He is the most talented artist I have seen, but I admit that his art is not the only thing about John that has captured my fancy. He has a most beautiful daughter that I wish to steal. I think Callie has done more for John’s sales than his abundant skill.”
Egam looked again at Oscar’s collection of paintings and laughed. “I had heard that money cannot buy love, but I think I know a young man who enjoys standing tradition on its ear.”
“Actually, I think my money well spent on John’s art and my relationship with Callie would last without a purchase. Did you know that John’s pictures hang in the finest galleries in Cordonia? Even the Presidential Palace is loaded with them.”
“That I can believe, Oscar. These paintings are exquisite. Perhaps I will bring Jenneva one to brighten her home. Are your intentions serious in regards to this woman?”
“Egam, I know that a secret is safe with you. I plan to ask for her hand this trip. I would love for Jenneva to meet her and I would also like to invite her to the wedding.”
“Well, it’s settled then. I must join you for your trip to Kantor and then to Atar’s Cove.”
“Yes,” said Oscar. “I will have to change captains though. Raymond is the only one who knows of Atar’s Cove, so he will have to take the ship tomorrow.”
The springtime voyage was pleasant. The seas were smooth and the Targan Current was particularly strong. The Dalek Shipping Company had its own dock in Kantor and Captain Raymond Hill had the ship dockside in short order. A tall, beautiful woman was waiting on the dock. “Oscar, you’re a day early. Father will be so pleased. I saw your dockhands running through the plaza and knew you were here.”
Oscar and Egam disembarked and Oscar introduced Callie Secor to Egam. They proceeded to the plaza where John had a small studio. The plaza’s aroma of beef, spices and leather gave way to smell of paint and thinners as they entered the studio. John was a sturdy man and resembled a sailor more than an artist. His thick, hairy arms were just hanging a picture on the wall as they entered. John was surprised to see Oscar and nearly dropped the painting he was hanging. “Oscar, you old sea dog, you should keep to your schedules or you’ll cost me an embarrassment,” he laughed. “That painting is our President Suarez and I’m due to present it tonight. Ah, I’m glad to see you early, though. Callie, see if you can grab a courier in the plaza, I want to send a message to the Palace. Come on in, Oscar, and introduce your friend. I have tea on in the back.”
The three men went into the back of the studio and Oscar introduced Egam as an old friend and associate. John hurriedly scribbled a note and handed it to Callie who had caught the attention of a courier. “I hope you won’t mind having dinner with the President this evening. As I said, I have to deliver this portrait and he has invited Callie and myself to dine with him. I’ve asked him to include Duke Dalek and his associate and I’m sure he’ll agree. Your visits have become more frequent and yet the other member of my family feels that you are absent too often. Why don’t you take a stroll with Callie and I’ll get to know Egam better.”
Oscar went into the studio gallery where Callie was just dismissing the courier. “So, I’m gone too often, am I?” he smirked.
“Certainly, you are!” Callie embraced Oscar and dragged him into the plaza. “Come on, let’s go for a walk. I imagine that father is getting you invited to the Palace this evening. I’m sure the President will want to meet the man who is buying all of my father’s art. You’re making his works a rarity in Kantor.”
“Your father creates things of beauty. His painting is not bad, either,” Oscar chuckled.
“Oh, you sailors are all alike,” she retorted. “You probably have a woman in every port.”
Oscar stopped walking and held Callie. “Callie, don’t even joke like that. I love only you. As a matter of fact, I have something very important to discuss with you. It’s, well, I really want to tell you, I mean . . . I want to know if . . . ”
Callie laughed. “This is Oscar Dalek, the man who could sell sand to the Sordoans?” Her face went into a mock expression of seriousness. “Yes, Duke Dalek, the terms of this contract look fairly reasonable. I think I could find it possible to consider doing business with your firm.” Oscar was turning red and sporting a hurt look upon his face and Callie relented. “Of course I’ll marry you, Oscar, and if you give me a kiss I won’t even make you finish asking.”
Oscar laughed and hugged Callie so hard he lifted her off her feet. “There’s still your father, Callie.”
Callie giggled. “Father is perhaps the most impatient of all. I believe he may have already spoken to the President about performing the service.”
They hurried back to the studio to spread the good news. John opened a bottle of wine to toast the young couple and a courier arrived with the President’s response -- four were expected for dinner.
The Presidential Palace was a large, white stone mansion on a spreading estate. An ornate carriage had been dispatched to pick up the dinner guests. Callie looked stunning in a lovely, yellow gown with her long, brown hair sporting a matching yellow ribbon. Oscar spent the entire ride to the Palace staring at her.
President Suarez and his wife were in a receiving parlor when the party arrived. John made the introductions and presented his painting. The President had the painting hung over the fireplace. Oscar marveled at the incredible likeness of the painting to the actual President. The black, wavy hair was parted in exactly the same spot. The long black mustache ended precisely where it should. The green eyes were so lifelike that he felt like the portrait was actually looking at him. Oscar knew that the painting was done from memory. The President may have sat for a sketch, but he certainly did not have the time to sit for the entire painting. John seemed to have the ability to recall vivid images that he had seen previously.
The dinner was very informal and Oscar was impressed with the President’s ability to keep the conversation moving. Oscar’s magic ring let him know that the President was prone to exaggeration. The stories he told were true enough, but the numbers quoted or reactions to events were stretched in proportion to reality. John happily announced the engagement of Oscar and Callie and the President offered a toast.
“You shall have the congratulations of the entire nation,” said President Suarez. “Does this mean that Kantor is to become the home of Duke Dalek of Targa?”
“I do intend to have a fine home built here in Kantor,” answered Oscar. “I will, of course, still maintain my homes in Dalek and Bordon. I imagine Callie and I will spend time in each depending on the needs of my business. I hope that John will live in our Kantor home and use it as his own.”
“I offer whatever help the Republic of Cordonia can give in finding a site for your home, Oscar. The Secor family is fondly thought of here and I am happy to add your name to the list of their members. When will the wedding be?”
“The wedding will have to wait at least two weeks. I would never be forgiven if we married without my mother here as a witness. Callie and I will leave tomorrow by ship for Dalek. Hopefully, we shall return with Duke Whitley and my mother on the return voyage. John told me that you would be gracious enough to perform the service. Would your schedule permit a small wedding in two weeks time?”
“If not,” President Suarez laughed, “I’ll change my schedule. I can’t promise a small celebration, though. John Secor is a bit of a celebrity here in Kantor and the marriage of his daughter will bring many requests for admittance.”
The rest of the dinner was spent in pleasant small talk and soon it was time to leave. They returned to John’s studio and Callie went off to pack a travel bag. Egam roamed the studio looking for a suitable painting for Jenneva. He finally settled on a picture of Kantor’s harbor from the edge of the marketplace. The picture sported one of Dalek’s ships approaching the dock. When Egam went to pay John for the picture, John waved him away.
“No, Egam,” John stated, “Oscar has already made me a very wealthy man. Please take it with my compliments. I cannot afford to give my paintings to Oscar for he is my largest customer. I can, however, give one to his friend and my friend too.”
The next morning, John escorted his daughter to the ship and waved goodbye. The weather was pleasant and everyone spent the days on deck. Egam spent a lot of time with Callie and got to know her well.
* * * *
Far to the east in the town of Paso, three black clad figures hid in the bushes not far from the wall of the Temple of Dori, goddess of soil. The night was moonless and the townspeople were sleeping. One of the black clad figures detached from the shadows and leapt at the wall. He hoisted himself to the top with a cat-like grace and peered into the courtyard below. He signaled for the others to follow and soundlessly jumped into the courtyard. The only light visible was from a candle near a second story window.
The first figure extracted a long, thin piece of metal from his clothing and went to work on the rear door of the temple. The board holding the door shut hit the floor with a loud thud and the figures froze. Hurried footsteps could be heard approaching the door from the inside and the black figures melded with the shadows. An elderly priest flung the door open. He looked around the courtyard in confusion. He stepped through the doorway for a better look and one of the shadows stepped forward and seized him from behind, slicing his throat with a small, sharpened dagger. The shadow propped the body against the wall and crept into the temple. Down the corridor was an open doorway with candlelight flickering patterns on the floor of the hallway. The shadows crept down the hall and peered into the room. The room was deserted and the black figures stealthily approached the staircase.
Aurora knew that the temple’s acolytes lived in a building alongside the temple. There should have been no one in the temple except a priest to guard the library. The other priest must have had some unfinished work to be in the temple at night. She followed Dalgar and the other Black Devil up the stairs. The three figures stood in an alcove outside the doorway to the library, barely breathing.
Aurora stripped off her garments, knocked on the door and stepped back five paces. The priest opened the door and peered into the hall. The candlelight flickered off Aurora’s pale, naked skin and the priest was speechless and confused. He took a couple of steps forward and shook his head as if trying to clear his vision. Dalgar wasted no time. He stepped out of the alcove and looped a thin metal wire around the priest’s neck. He viciously tightened the wire and the priest frantically tried to claw at the restriction around his throat. In just moments the priest’s struggles ceased and Dalgar lowered the body to the floor. Aurora hastily dressed and dragged the body into the library.
The library was small and the three Black Devils would have no problem emptying it long before morning. They carried the books downstairs and out the rear gate of the temple’s courtyard. Through the bushes they had a cart waiting in a clearing. It took many trips to completely strip the library and Dalgar made a mental note to have more Black Devils available for the larger libraries.
Dalgar dragged the first priest’s body into the room he had been working in. He searched the room for more books. Aurora’s knowledge of the layout of this temple was very helpful in assuring the success of the raid. He pondered how they could get information on other temples while he closed the back door to the building.
He secured the gate to the courtyard and scampered over the wall. When he arrived at the cart, Aurora and the other Black Devil were covering the books with the hay that was originally in the wagon. He jumped up on the wagon and started the horses moving.
Chapter 2
Doors
The ship arrived off Atar’s Cove and was holding steady instead of anchoring in the cove. Oscar could hear shouting and raced up on deck to the helm. “What is it, Captain Hill?”
“I’m not sure, Oscar. There are jagged rocks throughout the cove as if the sea bottom was jutting upward.”
Oscar ran to the bow and gazed at the cove that he had seen several times before. There was no way a ship could enter the cove without ripping its hull on those jagged rocks. He became concerned for Jenneva. If some upheaval had occurred to destroy the cove, she might have been harmed, as well. He knew Egam could communicate with his former student and went below to wake him.
Egam staggered onto the deck still half asleep. He silently looked at the cove and smiled. “Full ahead, Captain. Just ignore the rocks.”
Captain Hill did not issue any orders. Instead, he waited for Oscar’s instructions.
“Come, come,” called Egam. “They’re just illusions. Jenneva’s fine and is preparing breakfast for us.”
Oscar nodded to the captain and Raymond shouted orders to proceed. The crew was tense as they approached the first of the rocks and passed through it. Callie appeared on deck and stood fascinated as the ship progressed through the columns of stone. The ship anchored and a rowboat was lowered for the shore party. Captain Hill joined Oscar, Callie and Egam for the trip to Jenneva’s home.
They landed on the pristine beach and wandered to the jungle path. Oscar started heading for the small clearing where the hut was that he dropped Jenneva off at, but halted when a wide pathway appeared off to his left. The pathway was lined with brilliantly colored flowers and seashells and Egam led the way down it.
The path wound quite a way through the jungle before it came to the base of a small mountain. At the base of the mountain was a large door positioned between two massive stone pillars. A thin, young girl opened the door and allowed the party to enter. Oscar stared at the girl’s short, blond hair and wondered if Jenneva had gotten married. The girl did not speak, but led the party to a sitting room and left. Jenneva entered the room and Egam smiled when he saw that she was dressed in a long, purple kaftan with red flowers, just like the one that her mother, Kirsta, had worn. The little girl returned with a tray of refreshments and Jenneva introduced her.
“Welcome to my home. This is Shanor. She lives with me now.” Jenneva went over and gave Egam a long embrace. “Captain Hill, Oscar, I’m so glad you decided to stop for a visit. Oscar, you seem to have the look of a lovesick puppy, introduce me to this beautiful woman.”
Oscar laughed and introduced Callie. He explained about their forthcoming marriage and invited Jenneva to the wedding. Jenneva turned to the young girl as Shanor left the room.
“She has mind speech capability,” speculated Egam.
“Yes,” replied Jenneva. “She was washed up on shore after the boat she was sailing on broke up in a storm. Her parents did not survive. She refused to speak when I found her, so I started probing her mind. After a few days she mentally answered my questions. She soon realized that I was not a threat to her and was able to speak again. She is a wonderful girl and has been a big help to me here. You are the first visitors that she has seen, so expect her to be quite shy.”
“Oscar,” she continued, “I am so happy for you and Callie. I wish you many years of happiness. I am proud to be considered your friend and look forward to attending your wedding in Kantor.”
“Oscar,” interrupted Egam, “Jenneva and I will both try to attend the ceremony, but if we are unable, do not take it as a slight. We both are very happy for you and Callie and will make every attempt to be in Kantor.”
Oscar realized that Jenneva was not privy to Egam’s intentions and decided that he would not probe any further into their plans. “No slight will be taken, Egam. I know that the two of you are very fond friends and if you are able to attend, we will be happy to see you.”
Shanor returned with two parcels gaily wrapped and gave them to Jenneva. Jenneva presented one to Oscar and another to Callie. “These are tokens of my love to you and your bride, Oscar. You have been a dear friend to me and I trust that your friendship will be shared by Callie.”
Oscar and Callie opened the packages and removed two magnificent matching gold necklaces and put them on.
“They are special necklaces,” Jenneva continued. “They will give you the ability to share your thoughts with each other.
Oscar smiled as he realized what Jenneva meant.
“Oscar!” shouted Callie, “what if they can hear?”
Jenneva laughed. “It’s okay, Callie. They only work for Oscar and yourself. I couldn’t possibly allow Oscar’s thoughts out in the open for the world to hear. The world’s not ready for what goes on inside his head.”
“I’m sorry, Jenneva,” Callie began. “I am not used to this magic stuff. Oscar explained that you and Egam have some very special talents, but I guess I was not prepared for all of this.”
“There is nothing to be sorry for, Callie,” Egam consoled. “Different people have different talents. Your father is a great artist and has abilities to do things with a canvas that none of us here could even approach. Jenneva and I have abilities in a different area. Each of us strives to make the best of the abilities that we have and we each learn to admire the abilities that others have.”
Jenneva gave the group a tour of her home. It was a massive structure and finely decorated, but not opulent. Jenneva’s tastes obviously leaned toward functionality. Her study had an enormous desk and fireplace and the walls were covered with bookshelves. The view from her window included the cove and Oscar’s ship could be seen at anchor. Her library was massive and the bookshelves not only lined the walls, but were freestanding as well. There were several tables sprinkled about and a pair of couches by the windows.
She had many bedrooms and Oscar lost count of them. The kitchen was also quite large and roomy. At the rear of the house was a large garden that reminded Egam of his own hideaway. The garden had spring-fed fountains and benches placed sporadically along the paths. Lining the paths were rows of several varieties of seashells, pearly white and pink in the morning sunlight. Oscar picked up one of the large shells and held it to his ear to listen for the ocean. There were countless varieties of plant life in the garden and Egam caught sight of Tofu roaming through the plants. Egam smiled at the sight of the tiger. Jenneva had adopted the home of her mother, but she was not living in fear or sorrow. She had built a paradise that was comfortable to study in.
Oscar and Captain Hill returned to the ship to unload Egam’s goods. Callie was frightened of the large tiger at first, but Jenneva had shown Callie that he was as gentle as a kitten. Callie was sitting on a bench in the garden and scratching Tofu’s head. Jenneva drew Egam aside. “Egam, you seemed to indicate that we might miss Oscar’s wedding. Is something wrong?”
“No,” replied Egam. “I have made a startling discovery and I wish your help investigating its potential. Oscar and Callie will be continuing on to Dalek and we can discuss it after they leave.”
After Egam’s goods had been brought to the house, farewells were said and Oscar, Callie and Captain Hill departed. Shanor showed Egam to a bedroom and he deposited his luggage. “Shanor, are you happy here?”
“Oh, yes, Master Egam,” she answered. “Jenneva has been wonderful to me and there is so much beauty here. I miss my parents, but I know that they are gone and that I must live without them. I am very happy that Jenneva has taken me in and treated me as her own.”
“I’m glad too, Shanor. You will make good company for Jenneva. She is a very special person and we are both fortunate to know her. If anyone can develop your abilities, Jenneva is the one to do it. Come, I have two more packages outside and you can help me bring them to Jenneva’s Study.”
The ten-year-old girl helped Egam carry the two packages. Jenneva entered the study and Egam gave her the Secor painting. She was thrilled with the gift and Egam helped her hang it over the fireplace. Egam then unwrapped the other package. It was a door and frame very much like the ones that Jenneva had seen in Egam’s cave.
“Jenneva, you remember my experiments with transportation. I think I may have made a breakthrough. If I am correct, we will be able to walk through this door to my cave.”
“Egam, that’s fantastic! If you are right, we will be able to travel great distances instantaneously. How does it work?”
“The doors are a matched pair. I found some transportation spells in Habas' library and didn’t quite understand them. I tried to apply the spells to the doors in my cave, but they didn’t appear to have any effect. Of course, I didn’t have a specific destination in mind. Then I tried casting the spell on the doors in pairs and then placing the doors at opposite ends of the cave. I was able to walk through one door and exit at the other side of my cave. If I am correct, we should be able to walk through this door directly into my laboratory.”
“What if you are wrong, Egam?”
“I don’t know, but I plan to try it,” Egam answered.
“Couldn’t you have picked a closer location to try it?” Jenneva asked.
“Yes, I suppose so. I sent another door to Lord Habas so that I can go from my laboratory directly to the Palace, but I wanted you to have a door, also. If I am wrong and the experiment does not work, I want you and Habas to know of it. I originally planned to perform the experiment by going to the Palace, but no one would know if I actually attempted it or not. I also think that you have a better chance at picking up on my studies than Lord Habas does.”
Jenneva knew that a magician had to take chances to learn new methods of using their gifts and Egam was appropriately preparing for his failure. It would be a tremendous breakthrough if it worked; still, she would miss Egam greatly if it failed. “Fine, Egam, we will try your door, but not before we have spent a few days together, first. If I am to lose you too, I plan to be prepared for it. Come, let’s go to the laboratory and I’ll show you what I’ve been working on.”
They left the study and Shanor tagged along. Jenneva first went out the front door of the house and mumbled some words. The mountain disappeared and only her home remained. It was a magnificent structure standing eight stories tall. The outside surface was a fine, white stone -- smooth to the touch. There were windows on each floor and a small tower extending from the roof. “I started to continue my work on illusions when I first came here. The Eyes of Lothar got me started, but I wanted a spell that could create an illusion to people who weren’t present when the spell was cast. You had something similar in the Boulders for your laboratory, but Lothar actually took it much further. This illusion is physical as well. You could actually climb my mountain and not realize that it was an illusion.” She waved her hand and the mountain reappeared, even the entrance was gone. Another wave brought the entry door back.
“Impressive,” Egam declared. “You will have to share this with me before I leave.”
“That and more, Egam.” Jenneva led the way into the laboratory. “I’ve been spending a lot of time on the theories of Universes. I wonder where Sarac is and if he has the capability to return here. His library is quite extensive, but the information regarding Universes is inadequate. From the reading that I have done, the Origin Scroll seems to be a fairly benign spell. According to the theory, parallel universes exist in a sort of onionskin arrangement. It is as if the geological features of planets transcend all layers of the onion. In other words, each layer or skin of the onion would appear geologically the same to a person who had switched layers. Life in the different layers could be dissimilar, though. The Origin Scroll, when used to destroy a universe, peels a layer off of the onion. I believe the life forces drop through to the next layer with no feeling of movement.”
“You mean that the layers are like another dimension, such as time?” Egam questioned.
“Yes. Time may even be the distinction. I don’t know, but it does indicate that the destruction of a Universe does not necessarily mean the end of life in that Universe,” she explained.
Egam pondered this revelation for several moments before speaking. “That might explain the sudden discovery of other races. The elves, for example, appear to be a much older race than man; yet in some old manuscripts where you might expect mention of them, there is no reference. If our whole civilization was suddenly dropped into their world, they would appear to be a mystery just uncovered.”
“Yes, and the same would be true if they were suddenly dropped into our Universe,” she continued. “The geological land would be familiar to both races, but at some point in time, their histories would be different.”
Egam began to see where this was heading. “So, Sarac may be entirely alone in his Universe or he may be in the company of some race we have no knowledge of.”
Jenneva nodded. “The information that I have cannot answer the question, but it leads me to believe that the Universe created by the spell does not have to be a new Universe. I mean . . . it would be new to the realm of Universes, but it could be created with a history already intact. And, if the history is already intact, then there is reason to believe that life forms can already exist there.”
“Jenneva, if what you say is true, why can’t we utilize some transportation spell to traverse across Universes?”
Jenneva was obviously excited. “Exactly, Egam. That’s why I’m so excited about your doors! If we can construct a portal across a great distance, it would seem logical that some variation should be able to allow us to cross layers of the Universe.”
“Yes, but when we do, we had better be ready for Sarac,” Egam stated.
“Well, we have an awful lot of work to do between now and then; besides, we would have to figure out how to get one of your Doors there, first.”
“Yes, Jenneva, we do. On a different topic . . . why does Shanor call me Master Egam?”
“Shanor was a very frightened little girl when I found her. She reminded me of myself when I stumbled into your cave. I told her stories about how you took care of me and became my Master, teaching me all that you knew. She is thrilled to actually meet my Master. She believes that I saved her life and that you saved mine. I’m afraid I have encouraged her in this area because it gives her hope and I feel that hope is what she needs most right now. She can see that I survived my ordeal to become a young lady and she knows that she will persevere, as well.”
“She’s a lovely young girl, Jenneva. We need to learn where her abilities reside and develop them. I suppose she’s off playing?”
Jenneva looked around and realized that Shanor was nowhere in sight. “No, I can’t imagine that she would be far off. She seemed to follow you wherever you went. I’m afraid I played you up rather well, Egam.”
Egam followed Jenneva down the hall looking for Shanor. They checked the garden and the parlor and still no Shanor. After searching the entire house they returned to Jenneva’s study. “I’m worried, Egam. She has never gone off before.”
“You don’t suppose she heard us talking and is distraught that I am taking you away from her, do you?” asked Egam.
“No,” Jenneva replied. “She knows that I would never abandon her. Besides, she thinks the world of Master Egam and was so excited that you were actually here.”
Jenneva slumped in her chair and began to fidget. Suddenly, there was a pounding sound echoing through the room. Jenneva looked toward the hallway and saw that the door to the room was open and no one was there. Egam leaped out of his chair and ran to the Door he had brought and opened it. Shanor was standing there crying. She ran through the door and threw her arms around Egam. Jenneva came over and comforted Shanor. “What happened, Shanor?”
It took a few moments for Shanor to gain control. Finally, she said, “I didn’t want you to lose Master Egam, so I wanted to try the Door for him in case it didn’t work. I went through and closed the door behind me. I was in a very strange place. It was a large cave and there were no exits. I figured that this must be Master Egam’s home and that the Door worked, so I figured I would come back and tell you. When I tried to open the Door it wouldn’t open, so I tried the other Doors. Two of them, I just walked through and came out the other side. The last one took me to a strange room filled with books and flasks. It was sort of like Jenneva’s laboratory only much smaller. Then a man came in and he was angry. He started yelling at me and I got scared, so I ran back through the Door and slammed it shut. He started pounding on the Door and I was afraid he would break through. Then I came back to this Door and tried it again, but it still wouldn’t open, so I started beating on it.”
Jenneva gave her old Master a quizzical look and Egam explained. “The Door is a two-way device, but it has a safety feature. If you don’t want to allow access to your side for some reason, you can just close it. If your side of the Door is closed, no one can come through, they can only knock. Shanor must have gone through to Lord Habas. He had no way of knowing who she was and figured someone had discovered my cave by accident. I should go through and assure him everything is okay.”
Jenneva held Shanor while Egam stepped through the Door and disappeared. Within moments he reappeared with Lord Habas. “Shanor, this is Lord Habas. He is an old friend of Jenneva’s and mine and he means you no harm. Shanor, you must learn that loved ones can be counted on at all times. I really appreciate what you were doing for me and I know it took a lot of courage, but it is better for everyone if we are honest and forthcoming with one another. I told Jenneva of my plan to use the Door because I trust her and wanted her to know exactly what I was doing. You have to have the same kind of love and trust in us.”
“I’m sorry, Master Egam. I was afraid something would happen to you and you wouldn’t come back.”
“I know, Shanor, and I appreciate your love and devotion to me and Jenneva, but I would rather take that risk myself than to live with the thought that my actions caused the loss of you. You see, if you didn’t come back it would have been my fault for bringing the Door here. Jenneva understands that there are risks associated with experimentation. She wasn’t happy with the thought of me not coming back either, but she understands that I must perform this experiment and, therefore, she was willing to accept the consequences. Your thoughts were well intended, but your methods need improvement. You must promise me that you will not do any more experimenting without approval.”
“I promise, Master Egam. I’m sorry, Jenneva.”
Jenneva held the girl tightly. “It’s all right, Shanor, but you must listen to Master Egam. He is wise beyond his years and always knows what is best.”
Egam brought Lord Habas up to date on events and the three mages discussed the ramifications of the portal discovery. Lord Habas asked how the Doors work and why they work.
“I don’t know,” replied Egam. “It is like much in this field. We know how to do something, but we have little understanding of why it works. I’ve run across several mentions of Doors to faraway places and have been experimenting with them since before Jenneva first came to me. This is the first time that I even felt I was close to accomplishing anything.”
“It seems to me,” offered Jenneva, “that the Doors are largely symbolic. The ability to teleport has now been proven to work. If we can isolate what causes the spell to work on the Doors, we will be able to teleport anywhere. It is apparent that you, Egam, as a spell caster created a portal between two places. This portal is useable by anyone, as Shanor demonstrated. She did not even have to know where the portal would take her. She knew that the first Door would take her to your cave, but there was no way for her to know where the second Door would take her. Yet she appeared right where you wanted the portal to go. I would like to study the spell you used to create the portals. Perhaps we can find more writings by the same author and deduce what makes the spell work.”
“We might also want to investigate the possibility of using a key to unlock closed Doors,” added Lord Habas. “I feel rather exposed, having a Door into my laboratory open when I’m not there. If someone were to gain entrance to Egam’s cave right now, he could be inside the Palace walls without anyone knowing. If I closed the Door behind me to prevent that, I would not be able to return myself.”
Shanor fell asleep on the couch while the three magicians discussed the possibilities until the wee hours of the morning.
The next day they decided to check out Habas’ library for references to teleportation. Shanor was given instructions not to use the Doors and was told that they may be gone for several days. The three masters then walked through the Door and disappeared.
The magicians spent several days going through Lord Habas’ library, but could not find any further references to teleportation. “I think we need to take a break,” Egam sighed.
“I think we need to get access to some of the religious libraries,” said Jenneva.
“That’s not likely,” countered Lord Habas. “They guard their libraries well and they don’t cater to magicians coming to read their volumes.”
“Perhaps,” ventured Jenneva, “but it wouldn’t hurt to ask. I think I need to get out for a while. Can you tell me how to find the Red Sword barracks?”
Lord Habas smiled. He wondered when she would get around to asking. “Allow me to guide you, Jenneva. It could be embarrassing should someone ask how you entered the Palace.”
Jenneva saw Alex instructing some soldiers in the proper technique for climbing a rope. Concentrate, Alex. Never doubt your abilities. Or your friends. Alex slipped and fell off the rope. Amidst the laughter, Alex picked himself up and sauntered over to Jenneva. He embraced her and Jenneva kissed him lightly on his cheek. “Oscar is getting married,” she whispered. Alex looked over his shoulder and told Mitar to take over the training.
“Where have you come from?” asked Alex. “And what do you mean Oscar is getting married? To whom?”
“You have an awful lot of questions, Lieutenant. Can you get off for a few days? We can go together to the wedding if you’re available.”
“Sure,” agreed Alex. “I wouldn’t miss this show for anything. Let me go arrange the time off. Don’t move, I’ll be right back.”
Chapter 3
Wedding
Shouts and screams rang through the night. The raid on the Temple of Aara, Goddess of Air, in Celtid had gone bad from the start. A dozen Black Devils were massed by the rear door of the temple when an acolyte ventured into the courtyard. His shouts caught everyone by surprise. The Black Devils should have broken off the raid at that point, but confusion reigned and the Black Devils attacked. Priests and acolytes poured out of their rooms and into the courtyard. The Black Devils slashed into them with daggers. Mordac had warned them not to use obvious magic during the raids, but threatened Black Devils unleashed fireballs to protect themselves and the temple caught fire.
The Black Devils succeeded in killing thirty devotees, but the fire prevented them from retrieving the books. Two of the Black Devils had been slain and they carried off the bodies when they left the temple grounds.
Dalgar was breathing heavily. He wondered if the other teams were running into these kinds of problems. He told Aurora to change into colorful clothes and investigate what was happening at the temple. Then he ordered his cohorts to bury the bodies.
Aurora returned an hour later. “They have most of the books and statues loaded on carts at the front of the temple. It looks like they may be planning on moving them to some place safe.”
“All right,” Dalgar stated, “it looks like we get a second chance at this. We need to find out which way the wagons are going and intercept them. There will be no prohibition of magic once they’re clear of the town, but I don’t ever want to see this fiasco repeated. Anyone who has the urge to toss a fireball while raiding another temple had better be prepared to eat it! Aurora, get back into the street and let us know which way the wagons go. The rest of you be prepared to move out quickly!”
Aurora reported that the three wagons were headed west. The Black Devils mounted their horses, determined to ambush the caravan.
* * * *
Alex was disoriented. Moments earlier he had been in the stuffy confines of Lord Habas’ laboratory and now he was in a beautiful study. The pungent aroma of jungle fruit permeated the air. Calls of exotic birds mingled with the murmur of waves lapping at the beach. Alex looked out the window and recognized the distinctive shape of Atar’s Cove. He turned to view the room and saw the amused grin on Jenneva’s face. “You never cease to amaze me, Jenneva. If it wasn’t for the smells and sounds, I’d believe you were presenting another illusion.”
“Actually,” Jenneva lectured, “smells and sounds can be incorporated into an illusion as well as taste and touch. All senses can be deceived, but there is a certain pleasantness in knowing that this is real. The Doors are the genius of Egam. The room you entered between Doors was Egam’s laboratory, deep beneath the Boulders. The Doors must remain a secret for now until Egam can find a way to lock them. We are also working on a way to teleport without the use of the physical Doors, but that may take some time.”
Alex looked around the room and spotted Shanor peering at him from the hall. Jenneva followed his gaze and called to the small girl. “Shanor, come in. I have a very special friend for you to meet. This is Baron Alexander Tork, a Lieutenant in the Red Swords. Alex, this sweet, young girl is Shanor. She lives with me.”
Shanor cautiously entered the room and gazed up at Alex. “This is Alex? The Alex that you are always . . . ”
“Yes,” interrupted Jenneva, “this is the Alex that I mentioned to you once.”
Alex laughed. “Jenneva, do you think you could make me one of those rings that Sarac gave to Oscar?”
Jenneva chuckled and Shanor ran over and hugged Alex. “Can I ride on your shoulders? Jenneva said that you were so strong that you carried her for miles after the war and didn’t even look tired.”
Alex picked Shanor up and placed her on his shoulders. “Certainly, Shanor, a friend of Jenneva’s gets whatever she wants from Lieutenant Tork. How about we take a run down to the beach and you can tell me all about your stay with Jenneva?” Jenneva gave a sigh of defeat and sat on her desk.
Moments later Egam and Lord Habas came through the magic Door talking as casually as if they had just came in from the next room. “Some type of signal is needed in the meantime,” Egam was saying.
“All right,” Lord Habas conceded. “How about three knocks followed by two knocks and then three knocks again?”
“That should be as good as any. Jenneva, when will the Pegasus arrive?”
“If it’s on schedule, it should be here at dawn tomorrow,” she replied. “I assume that you were discussing a secret knock for the portals. We should make sure that Alex and Shanor know of it, also. Let’s go downstairs and talk while I prepare some dinner.”
Dinner was a simple affair of fried fish with fresh fruit. The old friends sat around a table in the kitchen. Shanor insisted on sitting next to Alex and was constantly grinning as if she possessed some delicate secret that no one else was aware of. Everyone noticed Alex’s gaze following Jenneva every time she moved, his eyes wide and full like a small boy staring at some pieces of gold uncovered by the surf.
After dinner, Egam rose and suggested a walk in the garden to savor the night air. Everyone agreed and started to leave. Egam put his hand on Lord Habas’ shoulder to indicate that he should remain seated. “Shanor, I need your help here. Stay for a while.”
Shanor seemed disappointed as Alex and Jenneva left the room, but she knew that Master Egam must have something important for her. “What is it, Master Egam?”
Lord Habas chuckled and rose to clear the table. Egam sat and indicated that Shanor should sit upon his knee. “I guess you must have had quite a talk with Alex this afternoon?”
“Oh, yes,” she bubbled. “I told Alex all about Jenneva and what she was working on.”
“And her stories of Alex, no doubt?”
“Certainly, he seemed especially interested in them. Was that wrong?”
“No,” laughed Egam, “it was not wrong. I believe that Alex has been in love with Jenneva from the very moment they met. Unfortunately, he is inexperienced with women and had no idea that Jenneva felt the same way about him. I think you have solved a great mystery for him and that is why we must allow them some time alone. Why don’t you help us clean up the kitchen?”
Alex followed Jenneva into the garden. He kept turning around expecting the others to arrive and finally Jenneva laughed. “They’re not coming, Alex, Egam has seen to that.”
“What do you . . . ?” stammered Alex. “Why wouldn’t they be coming?”
Jenneva put her arms around Alex’s neck. “Because Egam is a wise and experienced man and knows that you have finally pierced my veil of protection.”
Alex smiled and tenderly kissed Jenneva. After a while they sat on a bench and Alex asked, “Why did you feel that you needed to be protected from me?”
“I haven’t been protecting myself from you, Alex. I guess I was trying to protect myself from the desolation that comes from losing a loved one. I’ve lost my parents twice and Uncle Hasra, as well. I wasn’t sure that I had the strength to lose you, also, Alex. It’s foolish, really. I would feel the same loss whether you know of my love for you, or not.”