《Black Cloak, White Art》


 The Stones of Arcory - Chapter 1 - A Land Of Dust And Decay

    Missive to Council


    Season of the Hot Sun, Second Quarter, Second Wheel Day


    Magister Lightreave Grey, I have finished convening my chronicle receiving from Evan Sandstar and shall be leaving Tower Karlrock on the morrow. So far my journey east from Council purview has passed as requested, efficiently and quietly. I would point out a flock of striga has stubbornly followed me through the moors all almost to the source of The Kentash. Of course, if they knew my old blood would barely feed a hatchling, they might not have wasted the effort. Is there any request as to what to do with them should they pursue me beyond the hills?


    Fellow Sandstar¡¯s accounts appear to be in order, matching the purview¡¯s Arbiter¡¯s chronicling, and he also provided some compelling thoughts on expanding the use of apothecaries under his tutelage. I agree they are underused, not to mention undervalued where it comes to the value of their sphere of work. I must also issue a complaint about the new steed I have been provided for the journey east. Once out on the road it has transformed into a recalcitrant beast on which even my spells of charming have little effect. Perhaps you can send a missive ahead in request for a more suitable replacement, perhaps a horse of Midland breeding if at all possible.


    The wind was ill, dusty; carrying with it the faint scent of rot, coupled with a whiff of smoke. I had ridden across the bleak and dry terrain on my disagreeable mount for close to three days and had seen little life or activity, to now find myself at King¡¯s Ford on The River Trakse. Its dark waters flowed beneath my steed¡¯s hooves at a weak ebb. Much of the ford was unexpectedly and exposed for even the hot season¡¯s second quarter. I prodded my reluctant mount across, then encouraged it up the nearest rise to get a good look at the march¡¯s full expanse. It snorted unhappily, but made it up the rise as directed by my heels. What I saw when I reached the top was not at all pleasing. The hillocks surrounding should have been covered in a sea of hot sun burnished and golden grasses. Instead they were a withered and patchy brown and grey, a further sign of both drought and pestilence.


    I only encountered one man on the road to the margrave¡¯s keep, a tall willowy and figure leading his ragged line of well burdened, but equally skin and bone donkeys, laden with what I suspected was the sum total of what his life had earned him. And he was leaving what life he must have had in the march as I was arriving. I stopped my weary steed and regarded this miserable man hobbling along the west running road cut into the rolling moors.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡°What can you say of the land you are leaving,¡± I said to him.


    He looked up at me, squinting through the dusty haze. His likely brown and straggly beard was well coated in a coating of grey dust as was his threadbare clothing.


    ¡°That you would be a fool to enter it,¡± he told me in his gravelly and knowing tone as he squinted up. ¡°And old fool at that.¡±


    I chuckled, rubbed some of the airborne dirt from my whitening beard and bade him well. He clearly cared not I wore the black cloak and robes of a wizard, and asked for nothing as he passed. As for my foolishness at entering this land, he may well have been quite accurate in his assessment.


    A cry came from the sky behind me as the man passed. I looked up to see the round bodied striga wheeling around in the sky. With another collection of squawks they turned on their leathery wings back whence they came. I probably should have known well enough to change my route as well.


    Despite the donkey driver¡¯s wise words, I continued into the miasma.


    Even though the hillock¡¯s rise was not particularly notable, it still offered me an expansive view of the re-corrupted march from atop my reluctant horse, a gelding rather more ornery than most I¡¯ve encountered in my experience. Still, any view is always better from atop a mount, if you didn¡¯t have a tower handy, and they have rarely been less portable than a steed of the four or even two legged variety. I ceased my urging for a moment, thought of the portable towers I had made use of, with pleasant longing I must admit, as the beast slowly trotted its way down the rise. It had been some time since I¡¯d set eyes on a functional and fully enchanted portable tower, longer since I had made use of one. Few constructs such as those from the Riven War still survived the last battles, and even fewer were seen these days, at least north of the Vaeranshi borderlands. But then, too much convenience has been held by Council as a failing that encouraged working against the Tenet¡¯s of Balance. Costly indulgences, in this era of relative peace, are therefore, frowned upon. Even I knew better than to bother them about such things.


    I made a note to visit the one still on exhibit at the Library of Procol at Evenside. It would bring back memories, I was sure. Whether they would tip to good or bad, however, I could not be certain. I could not remember who had enchanted that particular construct, or even in what use in battle it had seen. There had been so many battles.

 The Stones of Arcory - Chapter 2 - Terrible Magicks

    I continued traveling into the wasteland, more due to the foreboding I felt rather than despite it.


    Such troubles had been reported, over a number of missive¡¯s I had personally archived for Council as part of my current responsibilities. It was among such buried pleas I learned the Bardelaisch March¡¯s stones were apparently losing their efficacy. For decades they had been as effective as any of Arcory¡¯s stones in dampening the great and terrible magicks which still tainted such old battlefields as I was riding across. I soon traveled to a point where I could see the reports had been, in all actuality, quite understated. To be fair, Council missive¡¯s are by nature dry in content. One has to read between the lines more often than not to glean the living truths beneath their language.


    And, as I was the one who originally placed these particular stones, my curiosity, and concern, had been aroused. Upon finally with leave to travel across the decaying expanse, the lands were notably and significantly transformed, carrying not only dry dust in it¡¯s hot season breezes, but the lingering bitter choke of old battle magicks: hex, counter-hex, counter-counter hex and more.


    The rather unhealthy moor and brush I traveled through soon gave way to a kind of desolation which was far more wide-spread than even I could have anticipated. The land offered a deep and disturbing reminder of what the land had been like in the years after the Riven War ended. Such magicks now prevailing had been contained by the three Arcory Stones laid within it¡¯s borders, at least up until the last two years, but as I could see and feel¡­ no more.


    I decided, after but an hour of riding, to delay my more direct journey east to the Donlands, and instead, rode from the Margrave¡¯s crumbling and abandoned border keep to the edge of the now parched swampland in search of the barrow where I had placed the protective stone three years after the Riven War had finally come to its bloody close. Even though it had been near six decades since that act, I expected to sense far more of Arcory than what I found on my approach.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    The hump of barrow, and its surrounding ring of tall moon stones was no more, there was barely a rise of earth noticeable above the peat. I looked to the surrounding rises. Yes, my memory of where I had placed the stone was true. This was the location, but the standing stones, even the surrounding grove of alders, were gone. The drying swamplands, fields now spongy and dry, once leagues from this spot, now stretched as far as the eye could see in all directions.


    My steed offered and loud appreciative whinny as I dismounted. I felt my boots sink into the soft ground, but not far. The peat bogs were no less parched as the hills were dry. Each of my steps away from the gelding lifted up its own particular unpleasant odor of moldy decay.


    I crept slowly across the spongy ground, my staff poking easily through the crumbly soil, reaching soon the spot I was certain marked the outer circle of stonework which had once stood in defense of the barrow. I crossed my palms in the third pattern and whispered the spell of Raising. A weakened stone would not have the power to directly affect such focused casting. Even at my age, it would take at least four of them to effectively dampen channeling living magic.


    The casting completed, I stood still and watched the earth, the thistle and weeds now growing from it, the small pool of dank rippling water a few yards to my left. Something large indeed was bubbling to the surface, something which coiled and slithered over itself. I backed away, prepared for battle. What my spell had raised was no stone at all, instead it had summoned a huge mire wyrm that burst forth from the bog, erupting foul mud as it¡¯s huge form sprang forth!


    Stepping back quickly, I pulled my staff out from the peat and directed its jeweled apex at the ascending and stinking great serpent, while the black mud it had blown like a geyser fell around me like a thick and putrid rain.

 The Stones of Arcory - Chapter 3 - Lightning at the Mire

    I swore an oath to the Worst of the Fates. The Infernal creature extended to its full height, now towered high above me, scales oozing black slime. I feverishly channeled all the power I could into my bonewood staff as turned its muddy gaze and its wide hollow maw in my direction. My curiosity fled; leaving only my continuing desire for self preservation. I held the staff tightly, formed and focused the power now coursing through it, felt the enchantments pull my thoughts in return.


    There was time for only one simple spell. I threw all the power into it I could ¨C then blasted the foul creature with a sizzling and searing bolt of white lightning. The twisted pattern burned into my eyes as it ripped through the creature¡¯s coiling body, shredding its bodily muck and casting it back, splashing back down to the mire it had risen from. Not a little of its foulness splashed over me.


    Standing there, shuddering with the release of such power, I breathed in the foul swamp air, felt my fingers aching as I loosened by grip on my staff. I used what power remained within it to wipe the stink off my cloak and robes, then turned my attention to the dying stone I had sought, spread out a hand.


    I still could not feel the stone. And I should have, regardless of how far it had sunk, if it was not completely exhausted. Sadly, I didn¡¯t have time to spend on further investigations. Nests of mire wyrms sleep in multitudes. I could already feel the peat beneath my feet vibrating anew. Others were stirring below. I made a hasty retreat to my horse, not willing to battle such creatures pointlessly.


    Attempting to uncover what had happened to the stone would require greater earth magicks, fourth degree, a kind I had rarely employed, even when I was younger. Earth has never been my element.


    As I rode away, I considered the nature of what I¡¯d encountered. No creature such as that could have made a burrow in such a location, not while an Arcory stone¡¯s nullifying essence occupied that ground. To my dismay, I would find similar beasts where the other two stones had been buried in the march¡¯s soil.


    One stone exhausted, I could imagine, but three? That was beyond poor fortune. I stood watching, from a distance, the activity of a nest of mud spiders as they sought what had slain their cr¨¨che guardian. I had found the missives I had archived to be oddly marked, even suspicious, certainly worth rousing myself, worth ensuring I would be able to investigate freely. But given the state of the Bardelaisch, what had seemed peculiar on parchment, now offered intrigue.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    My steed grew nervous again, snorting and pawing the ground, straining on the rein¡¯s I¡¯d tied off to a bone white and long dead elm.


    ¡°No escape for you, I¡¯m afraid,¡± I told him. The horse turned defiant eyes at me, but relaxed, likely understanding I wished to stay no more then he did.


    The graying sky above was began to crackle with thunder, soon to offer natural lightning and gales. Perhaps even hail. Not rain I knew, given the loss of the local stones and the long cycles of hot days still to come before The Season of Storm would fall upon this land before long, and I best not remain to enjoy an early taste it. I returned to my steed, mounted up, looked forwards to a warm meal and bed at the Margrave¡¯s keep, if not again, the dour eye and frustration the Margravine Galeata and her remaining servants and men-at-arms would otherwise offer me. Unfortunately, I had nothing helpful to provide them in return; I had not the power to restore what Arcory¡¯s penitence had provided the march. Until the next conjunction, any such Overworld power was far beyond reach. Council had not even begun to debate whether such powers should ever again be sought.


    I began to consider the stones may have been stolen, given the level of renewed desolation across the march. Such foul creatures take time to grow, spread. Such thefts would have had to have taken place some time ago. Near six decades of their nullifying presence would not fade easily. But there would have been whispers, wouldn¡¯t there?


    Cresting the hill above the barrow, I took one glance back. The spiders were retreating back into their nest. Not even they had interest in facing the weather to come.


    My steed made another half hearted attempt to unseat me. I had to chuckle, and wonder if it wouldn¡¯t be better to walk it back to the keep, since I wasn¡¯t going to be chased there. Lightning after all, had always been my element.


    On the other hand, solving mysteries on horseback had never been my way. I decided sending a missive back to Council about what I sensed. But little would likely come of it, even I shared my suspicions? It was not as though they¡¯d done anything to shore up or replace stones in the past that had faded. The ideas I¡¯d championed once had taken deep root. Such power was not approved of in this day and age. There were more wizards across the kingdoms than ever before. But none would be allowed the power Arcory had wielded. Such individual power was deemed to dangerous. I smiled at the irony.


    ¡°Come now, old man, you wormed your way into this,¡± I reminded myself. ¡°And you still must do the work assigned, even if it won¡¯t be what you most dread.¡±

 The Stones of Arcory - Chapter 4 - The Lady of the Wasteland

    Missive to Council


    Season of the Hot Sun Second Quarter Second Day of Charm


    Despite our greatest efforts in expanding the numbers of mages throughout the kingdoms, It is growing clearer to me as I travel from tower to tower: the demand if not need for our skills continue to grow as the Ninth Conjunction of the Three Realms approaches. While the early stages, certainly, are still likely over a decade away, I am finding more and more of our fellows have found themselves what could well be described as a state of siege.


    The situation is also grave for those lords of the marches, the hard fought for front lines of the Riven War, where the many old but powerful permanencies are only controlled through either complicated warding magicks or Arcory¡¯s stones, all have demonstrated at least some degree arcane erosion. As this threat grows, so grows the cost of this to our fellow collegiates who must work hard to maintain the balance we have long committed ourselves to. The state of the stones of March Bardelaisch appear to require most urgent attention.


    I wrote those last words in the strongest terms appropriate and wondered, with the dismissal of similar previous missives, whether Council would act before the entire March was abandoned. Few seemed interested in the cost of maintaining marches these days. Some would even be thankful Arcory¡¯s final legacy had faded.


    My host rolled her eyes when I told her of the missive I had sent. I was sympathetic, Given how her husband¡¯s previous missives had been treated.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°So, spell-caster, are you leaving us already?¡± Margravine Galeata stood aglow beneath the streaming light of one of the keep¡¯s many tall thin windows while I sat at a finely carved table, partaking of her generosity. While the sunlight did indeed glitter against her fine and out of place I might add, Donlander samite gown, her pose, with strong arms crossed under her generous breasts was one of frustration and not a little dread. She¡¯d seen the land she¡¯d adopted as her own slowly wither and die. And I could offer her little hope. All the stones remaining were anchored in their own marches, and no such other warding was available of such a scale. Council had not allotted such powers in at least two decades. And wouldn¡¯t, not for a remote scratch of earth whose taint would also not last.


    I nodded, rested my wooden spoon in the bowl of mutton broth, acknowledged her fears as politely as I could. I did not think it wise yet to speak of the stones possibly having been stolen. Discretion would serve best, I decided.


    ¡°I am sorry,¡± I told her. ¡°What power this march¡¯s stones once had appears to have faded, possibly entirely. I would say the only consolation you may have is the magicks they were keeping at bay will probably only outlive the stones for a few years. A decade or two at the most, given what I recall of their original channeling.¡±


    She shot a hard glance at me, knotted her brow in an expression which I had come to know quite well in the three days I had spent in her keep. She brushed strands of white back into her still mostly dark brown hair back from her face as I slaked my thirst with a long draught from the half filled silvered water stein I had been offered.


    ¡°You see the land around you,¡± she told me levelly, in a tone not often heard from a Donland aristocrat, and not for the first time from her lips I was sure. ¡°It cannot grow crops, it cannot feed our livestock, unless we receive help, it will have to be abandoned. Even I will have to leave. With not, but to return to my family, who will be less than pleased to cater to one who chose to act against their wishes. A few more years like this, there will be nothing left. Nothing!¡±

 The Stones of Arcory - Chapter 5 - The Margravine’s Request

    I tried to offer a comforting response, but in the unseasonably chilling morning, I found my lips numbed by the cold water I had drunk. A warming smile was beyond me. I empathized for the clearly strong woman who had come from those much more forgiving and verdant lowlands to the east. Headstrong though she might be, her parched and dying land was clearly on the verge of breaking her resolve. That her husband had not returned from his journey ease could not have helped.


    ¡°I do not blame you alone, Magister Amberglass,¡± Galeata added. ¡°The three previous wizards, who deigned to pass through, were clear in their assertions this land was beyond help, the stones were without strength. My husband he¡­ he held out hope. Perhaps one in the east could revive them, he claimed. And that he still had allies who could find a way to assist us. The wizards told him it was a fool¡¯s errand. As did I. But he went.¡±


    She glanced to the eastern window where the morning sun shone through.


    ¡°And had I been here, I may have well offered the same advice,¡± I told her, attempting to lighten her despair. ¡°But as you shared with me, he did have allies in the eastern kingdoms and old favors he believed could be exchanged. One must always hold out hope.¡±


    It was a phrase Arcory had often repeated, even when all had seemed lost.


    The Margravine offered back a noise of disgust. A purely marchlander reaction to be sure. A Donlander born, but not any more.


    ¡°If we have more seasons like this,¡± she began resolutely, then fell to uncertainty, open worry. ¡°Then I will have to hold out that very faint hope my family in the Garrick Donlands will accept me back, for whatever place or duties they demand.¡±Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    ¡°Again, you have my sympathy,¡± I replied sincerely


    She turned from me. I thought for a moment it was to avoid an open display of distress. I was wrong. She strode across the hall to a cabinet and from it withdrew a rolled parchment.


    ¡°I need you to find my husband,¡± she told me, and crossing back to me held the parchment out. ¡°And return him to me. Please.¡±


    I glanced at scroll, then back up into her demanding eyes. I did not want to disappoint her, but...


    ¡°I am on a mission for Council,¡± I felt compelled to say. I would have preferred to have been proven mistaken but, ¡°I cannot spare the time to search for your husband. I have started late as it is. Perhaps your family¡­?¡±


    The Margravine continued to hold out the roll to me. I could see there was a mark on it. One that was quite familiar.


    ¡°That is your sign,¡± she told me, ¡°Is it not?¡±


    I took the parchment from her hand, unrolled it. It bore my sign, not to mention my handwriting. And the words written on it could not have been plainer.


    One of the problems of living so long, of having traveled so far, and of having taken so many risks; there are always those who you owe your life to, old debts which need to be paid, titles which in war are inspiring, but in peacetime can be rather embarrassing. I knew what was coming.


    ¡°You promised my grandmother, she or any of her family could ask of you one deed,¡± the Margravine stated. ¡°I know you are traveling east. As was my husband. I know you are to see, speak with others of your kind. As was my husband. And I know you will have to return this way. You may not have the power to restore this land. But my husband is just a man. Is it to much to ask you find him and ensure he comes back to his home, to me? Is that too great a deed to ask of you of all wizards, Greyslan Amberglass, slayer of dragons, binder of demons, splitter of worlds. Tell me, is it?¡±

 The Stones of Arcory - Chapter 6 - The Bleak Road from Keep Bardelaisch

    My travels towards the east continued next morning, the Margravine¡¯s challenge weighting down on me, I thought of the bitter and lonely noblewoman who would be, perhaps, the last Lady of a dying land, now deprived of her husband and most other support she was accustomed to. And I wondered at the fates that helped guide me to a place where I would be called upon to answer a debt nearly fifty years in age.


    I had to chuckle as I shivered in the cold wind. Drake would certainly not approve. Perhaps that alone would be good reason to take on an unsanctioned mission.


    ¡°I am granting you this excursion, only because fellow Trona has been called this cycle to stand for Council by the Vaer Emperor at Ethcille.¡± High Councilor Averius Drake had offered me disdainfully. The man with the face of a youth was an enchanter a good score years younger than myself, and thought his position made him my better, at least according to Council. ¡°And, despite that incident at Atham, it has been decided the gathering of chronicles cannot be delayed any further. It has been agreed, you are the most acquainted with the task available.¡±


    Eleven years, and I was still tarnished by my actions in that insignificant series of border skirmishes between the Kingdoms Elke and Borea tor Spass. Even if I had been an instigator, which I was assuredly was not, the punishment couldn¡¯t have been more humiliating. Council¡¯s new generation did not appreciate its wizards getting themselves involved in what they deemed ¡®conflicts aristocratic¡¯. I could not to this day reveal the truth about why I allowed the King of Elke to be killed, not without potentially causing further war, not only between kingdoms of the Thirteen, but also with the vast Empire of the South.


    My silence was what had ultimately convinced Council to end my twenty three year service at the task I had now taken up one last time. Yes, a pair of Vaer sorcerers and their ambitious princeling had been working from the shadows, but in the end I had been persuaded it would be best if I shouldered the blame, in the service of diplomacy. I¡¯ll admit the whole affair made me feel my age. So, I had accepted my retirement with what grace I could.


    It had been subtly complicated, but not impossible, to alter very, very, slightly the tone of several missives between Council and the Vaeranshi Consulate. I had not let those years in archiving go without educating myself on the subtle art of surreptitious diplomacy for no cause. It was the only way now to gain allowance from such fellows as Drake. And I thought it offered some pleasing irony to see him again, predictably, act with excessive haste where it came to the Vaer.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°I still know well many of the towers and their fellows who Council positioned in them,¡± I reminded him. ¡°Several of which were once my own apprentices. Who else, then, would be the best to take the esteemed Trona¡¯s place, for this one gathering? Just this once?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t remind me again of your brood,¡± he¡¯d replied flatly ¡°Your past apprentices remain among the most obstinate and aggravatingly independent of the entire collegiate.¡±


    ¡°And yet they are some of the most respected and in demand by their supplicants,¡± I added, ignoring the insult. The short and wiry sorcerer from the shores of the Ocean of Dawn made one of his huffing noises he relied on to demonstrate his lack of appreciation of the fact.


    ¡°Don¡¯t make me regret my decision, venerable one,¡± Drake had warned testily. ¡°And please remember, you are only charged with this singular mission. Please do not trouble yourself, again, with side excursions, or allow yourself to be obliged in any local affairs, or linger excessively without sanction. Are we clear, venerable one?¡±


    He acted as though he knew the man I am, was. His tone was intended to remind me time had turned; I was no longer to be indulged. Drake had been rather a resentful apprentice for the brief time he was fostered to me. He still remembered how I differed from his other masters, and not in any way he appreciated. He had never enjoyed his assumptions being challenged. He seemed to believe he was obligated to be as reluctant to accede to my requests when he could find no good reason not to.


    Council was now full of men like him. Tenet guided collegiates, who believed they had invented the rules I had helped instill.


    I pulled back on the reins, and turned my steed to glance back at the lone tall tower of the keep, its single bright banner cutting through the gloomy clouds which seemed to have followed me across the wasteland, hiding suns both warm and chill. It would be a lie to say I wouldn¡¯t be happy to put many leagues between me and this now forbidding land. But, even if there was nothing I could do to restore the land¡¯s stones, I could at least catch up with the Margrave and restore him to his wife. What more could Drake do to punish me, for such a small diversion, after all? And who better than the Margrave would have knowledge that might prove my suspicions correct?


    Delaying for a few moments, I cast a minor remedy which would make the journey easier, at least from the aches I would be provided by my chaotic mount. Numbed back to comfort by the spell, I then turned my steed back to the east, and did not spare another glance past my shoulder.

 The Stones of Arcory - Chapter 7 - Stormguard, at the feet of the Nine Pillars of Fire

    Missive to Council


    Season of the Hot Sun Second Quarter Third Day of Duty


    On reaching Barris Krek, I have been accepted on personal invite to the Citadel at Stormguard where I will have the good fortune and timeliness to be able to meet with Omar the Black, and therefore can avoid making the arduous journey to the marshes to the north and Tower Blackrock. He has kindly send advance missives regarding his own chronicle detailing current difficulties facing our calling, as well as the steady increase these days of the needy whose future depends on the assistance of our fellow collegiates.


    Even despite the relative isolation of his tower, He spares no re-iteration in that he has found no shortage of supplicants who come from not only those local to the Donlands Kingdoms, but from as far as even Dragonshead and further reaches on the Ocean of Dusk. I understand it has been some time since I was a collector of chronicles, but the trend I am seeing does appear at least a little alarming.


    According to writings the Margravine had shown me, my former apprentice Omar the Black would have been on the man¡¯s itinerary of supplication. Hopefully I would gain hints about his plans of travel from one of my most accomplished, if not influential former students. From what was hearing from at Council, Omar was expected to join their number well before the coming conjunction. The March Lord apparently had planned also to speak with the Grand Duke of Stormguard himself as well. The more details I could glean, the easier I expected it would be to find the man, and so, more quickly discharge my debt. I was ahead of schedule as well. Even on a poor steed, I was moving east faster than Trona would have. Maybe I wasn¡¯t quite as old as had been generally decided.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    At Stormguard, however, my journey slowed considerably. For an audience with the old Duke, this meant a very long wait, before a brief word, even to those few allowed beyond its most impressive thick granite walls and its triple iron gates.


    Despite such restrictions, The Duke Nevis¡¯ court was a crowded one, far more crowded than I remembered. There were all manner of men and women come to ask favor, wearing styles that spoke of the entire alliance. Certainly, his lands had become amongst the richest in the seven greater kingdoms during the latest years of peace. The rich, dark, soil which spread out from the feet of the Nine Pillars of Fire, provided crops like no other across the Thirteen. And the mines at the base of those volcanoes had in recent years come to produce gold and jewels unlike those found in any land under the two suns. And as I had arrived at first harvest, it was on brilliant, if gaudy display. The difference between the dying march and this Donland Kingdom was like the difference between Season¡¯s Cold and Hot.


    There was little to do but take my place and wait for as long as was necessary. At least, by the time I put the pillars behind me I would be well rested.

 The Stones of Arcory - Chapter 8 - The Courtiere from County Glavine

    Just three generations, and many seemed had forgotten the nine mountains which perpetually spewed smoke, and occasionally, hot rivers of lava, had not even existed prior to The Riven War. That shattered remains of Underworld dragons and Overworld demons buried beneath the land bothered few these days, it seemed. The wealth that final year of raging and earth shattering battle had ultimately bestowed, was of far more importance under the rule of the Duke¡¯s cousin, the second King Crespin of Ruand.


    As for myself, I felt somewhat out of place in the brown robes and black cloak amongst the many brightly colored Lords, Ladies and courtiers who filled the receiving halls of the Duke¡¯s palace. The vast hall was practically a sea of multicolored jaquets and gowns. My status, or perhaps apparent age, however, was acknowledged, and I was granted a comfortable chair with soft cushions to rest in as I waited.


    This left me startled, then, when, while I waited a second hour for my turn to speak to the Duke over his words with the Margrave, I my meditation was interrupted by a gentle tug on my sleeve, and the quiet whispers of a young honey-tressed and bright eyed courtier to my ears.


    ¡°Magister, are you awake?¡± the girl asked, in an accent I could not immediately place.


    ¡°Yes, girl,¡± I said, turning to look into a young face of perhaps fifteen years. ¡°Can you not see my eyes are open?¡±Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Her face flushed in embarrassment.


    ¡°My apologies,¡± she offered with lowered eyes and a nervous lilt in her voice. ¡°I have been sent to bring you to the chambers of the most respected collegiate fellow, Omar of Tower Blackrock.¡±


    I will admit to a willingness to tease the young whenever the opportunity presents. The lithe young courtiere presented an opportunity I couldn¡¯t resist. She seemed an odd choice of a servant for Omar, out of place amongst the duskier Donlanders.


    ¡°I am eighteenth in line to receive audience with the grand duke,¡± I told her allowing some irritation to enter my tone. And it had taken me nearly half the day to even reach that low number. ¡°If I go with you I will have to give up my place. I might not be able to see him again before next Horn¡¯s Day.¡±


    Ah, the crestfallen look on her face was priceless. She clearly had no understanding, I was playing with her. But, still, I had to admire her persistence. And, I noticed something else in her bearing, a certain glow. Something that spoke of¡­ potential. That was even odder, as she clearly didn¡¯t reflect the aura of an apprentice. My curiosity was piqued, although I did not display it. I wanted to see how she would respond.


    The girl stood up straight, looked me in the eyes, tightened her jaw.


    ¡°I have been told not to return without the great, legendary and venerable Greyslan Amberglass in my stead,¡± she replied after a moment, in a much more confident tone. ¡°Your attendance, I have been assured, will more than make up for any delay in speaking with Grand Duke Nevis. I promise, my master Omar knows why you are here, and he is willing to answer the questions you have, whereas he assures the Duke is likely not.¡±

 The Stones of Arcory - Chapter 9 - An Insistent Courtiere

    ¡°With respect, magister,¡± she finished, returned her gaze to her feet, which I could see were wrapped noticeably in dark Vaeranshi leather. Omar was dressing his servants well.


    I allowed her a few more moments of uncertainty before ending the game. Then I reached out and waved a hand to catch her lowered gaze. She looked up, offered uncertain glance of her pine green eyes. Those were definitely eyes that spoke of a strong Cathali lineage. Rare these days outside Borea tor Spass. Most folk of the Thirteen in this age bore the strong blood of descendents of The Flight from The Fires of Dawn.


    ¡°Well then,¡± I changed my tone to an accepting one. ¡°With a promise like that, how can I refuse?¡±


    I held out a hand.


    ¡°Could you help me to my feet,¡± I asked her. ¡°The cushions in this chair are far too soft and this old body is loathe to give them up. By my forearm, please, my fingers are still sore due to my truculent steed¡¯s lack of obedience.¡±


    The grip of her small but warm hands were stronger than I¡¯d expected. I looked her over again from a standing vantage point. The Donland fashion she wore displayed her age as youthful, blossoming into womanhood, perhaps older than I¡¯d originally suspected.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I told the girl, then nodded to my bonewood staff which was where I¡¯d left it, leaning against the stone wall behind the chair. ¡°Could you get that old thing?¡±Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    ¡°You¡­¡± she started, surprised, shocked, as I¡¯d expected. ¡°You would allow me to carry your staff?¡±


    I smiled.


    ¡°I cannot do that,¡± she insisted, meeting my gaze, her eyes now wide. ¡°The staff of a wizard, especially one such as you¡­ Such a thing is not allowed¡­ Is it not?¡±


    I leaned closer to her, so my words could not be overheard by the now curious onlookers that surrounded us.


    ¡°I can assure you that overgrown stick ¨C and it is little more than that I assure you ¨C is not going to walk along with us, regardless of what you may have been told. I would almost say it would rather you carry it than I.¡±


    After all our years together, it was an honest remark. The girl offered an audible intake of breath. I straightened to my full height, looked down at her.


    ¡°By the way,¡± I added. ¡°You know my name, but I do not know yours.¡±


    The courtiere lowered her eyes again.


    ¡°Caithness, Caithness of Denningtor, of the County Glavine.¡± She told me. Glavine, I remembered, was a land of evergreen forests on the east coast of the White Sea. She had been indeed carried far from her home. Her accent, color, demeanor fell into place.


    ¡°Well, Caithness of County Glavine, pick up my staff and show me the way,¡± I ordered. ¡°And remember, it requires a firm grip. It always has.¡±


    Oh, by the suns, I had hated the thing from the very moment Arcory had made the bond and bargain between me and its inhabitant. True, the anger I felt every time I held it in my hands had diminished over the decades, but I could still feel it often enough. One would have thought all these decades would breed acceptance, certainly that was what Arcory had promised. But then, I wasn¡¯t the prisoner in the arrangement, now was I?

 The Stones of Arcory - Chapter 10 - The Chambers of Omar The Black

    Missive to Council


    Season of the Hot Sun Second Quarter Fourth Horn¡¯s Day


    According to Omar¡¯s described encounters with several itinerant spell-casters that demands from march lords are on the steady increase, and our collegiate have already begun to pick and choose between supplicants, have been refusing to provide further arcane to maintain the oldest wards, and even the strongest of Arcory Stones will have shown signs of noticeable decline. He believes without access to more restricted and powerful wartime codecs are the only hope is to concentrate our protections.


    I must add this is only hinted in his chronicles, and I am beginning to wonder if the worst our fellows are encountering have been downplayed to at least a small degree. As we all know, none of us have been granted such high positions amongst the collegiate care to admit to facing challenges we cannot bear.


    Caithness beamed as she led me from the bustle of the Grand Duke¡¯s great domed Hall of Exception. At least, for the first few steps, before my staff began making things difficult for her. The first time it attempted to pull away from her the girl, she turned to me an alarmed look on her freckled face. To her credit she held fast.


    ¡°Worry not,¡± I told her. ¡°It¡¯s just playing with you. You have to show it whose master and whose staff.¡±


    She didn¡¯t appear to believe me, but was did not let go, and was clearly straining to keep her grip.


    ¡°Are you certain, magister?¡± she asked, her voice raising a tone.


    ¡°Absolutely,¡± I replied, smiling. ¡°There¡¯s nothing it respects more than concentrated willpower.¡±


    The courtiere nodded, tightened her grip on the bonewood and returned to her task. I knew the staff was still resisting her, but the girl held fast. If anything it confirmed my earlier suspicions about her.


    She then led me far from the noise of the supplicants though twisting corridors to a more quiet part of the citadel ¨C a richly adorned chamber which spoke, not surprisingly of gaudy Vaeranshi tastes.


    It was there I found my former apprentice, the black bearded and well dressed (for a wizard, anyways) and now rather rounded man of magick waiting for me. Obviously, his service to Nevis and the Grand Duke¡¯s circle had been good to Omar. I recalled the thin as a willow branch cooper¡¯s son who had been entrusted to my tutelage with a smile.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    That, I reminded myself, was a different era, had been but a decade after the fall of Arcoya, and the true end of the Riven War. There were now silver strands in his mop of black hair. We all grow older.


    ¡°Ah, master, it is good to see you,¡± he told me as he stood up, then his expression changed, darkened, as he saw the girl was in possession of my staff. Omar held up a finger. ¡°One moment.¡±


    He gestured to the girl and she stepped over to him. They spoke a few words in Catha1i, his reproachful, hers almost protesting then turning contrite as she glanced twice back to me. She then stepped back from him, then carefully leaned my staff against the near wall then retreated from the chamber through a side door, not glancing back. Once she was gone, Omar turned to me, thick lips grinning. He stepped out from behind his carved ebony table to offer his big, wide arms. We embraced for a moment before he released me, then invited me to his balcony for food and drink.


    ¡°Tell me, master, what could have possessed Council in having you travel again?¡± he asked me later as we lounged by a cherry tinted window while chewing on sugared Vaeranshi dates. ¡°I thought they permanently ensconced you in the great library, given your advanced years, and of course, wisdom.¡±


    I smiled at his joke.


    ¡°Council has never been ones to let their rogues completely settle and ossify,¡± I told him. ¡°They prefer to surprise us elders with the odd furlough, lest we have the idle hours to begin to question Council¡¯s own accumulated wisdom.¡±


    Did he suspect my underhanded act to be so enquested? He should remember what I was capable of. But then, we had gone our different ways after the end of the Second War of the Alliance and the subsequent erection of the Fourth Council.


    ¡°Although, they should have warned me what routes I would be taking,¡± I added. ¡°I passed through the Bardelaisch Marches on my way here and found them regressing terribly. I heard from Margravine Galeata, that her husband intended to speak to you about aiding in the restoration of the march¡¯s failing Arcory Stones.¡±


    Omar rubbed his neatly trimmed beard. His dark eyed gaze remained stead.


    ¡°Somewhat out of my purview, I thought, to be honest,¡± he replied in a measured tone. ¡°More lessons that not even the most powerful of us is eternal, eh? Those of the Bardelaisch would not be the first ones to succumb to the weight of the dark powers they were placed to keep at bay, as you know. It is still sad, in a way. I remember you telling me his power would endure, even splintered; that it would outlast even the densest of battle hexes. Outlast us all, I believe were your very words. A pity you turned out to be wrong.¡±


    A pity it had been, at least four other stones had declined to worthlessness in the last decade. But I knew well the dark marches those had been set in. As did Omar. It had had been agreed by all they were the most irredeemably corrupted. The magicks that beset Bardelaisch were a shadow by comparison. Could his years of entowered obligation, his great load of wizardly work in the Donlands, caused him to forget such details?

 The Stones of Arcory - Chapter 11 - Questions About What Is Currently Thought Of My Master’s Stones

    ¡°Omar, I have to tell you, this attitude towards the marches and the stones,¡± I told him. ¡°It has become far too common.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± he asked as he sipped from his own crystal goblet.


    ¡°Even I am aware of the decline the number of our fellow collegiates who will assist in the delicate and demanding requirements of the lands which suffered the worst during the Riven war.¡± I told him. ¡°I am beginning to think this is a sign the collegiate, not to mention Council has stepped off its intended path, at least a little. Maintaining the marches is now looked upon as a burden, a divergence of power. I believe this is a mistake. There are some obligations which should not diminish with time.¡±


    He returned a glance of agreement.


    ¡°Perhaps. But times change, master, as do our obligations. We are far closer to the next conjunction than the last.¡± My complaints appeared to make him a touch uncomfortable. I chastised myself silently for the outburst. Anger would not help my cause, nor the Margravine¡¯s.


    ¡°And what of Trona Gan Roderic?¡± he added. ¡°Isn¡¯t this her work now? Shouldn¡¯t you have brought this up with her?¡±Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    ¡°Trona is on a different campaign altogether,¡± I told him with a sigh. ¡°The nature of which I am sworn to secrecy.¡±


    ¡°Ah. Well, trust me, the stones and their small blighted territories are a distraction at best. Despite how they were once entreated,¡± he offered. ¡°What is of concern to me and my entowered fellows is how and why the demand for our talents redouble yearly, despite our growing numbers, and not just in the Donlands. What Council needs to understand is how much more insistent supplicants have become, and how little the Kings and their vassals have been encouraging this. In fact is, they are at the forefront. I will of course provide you my chronicle, as in it I discuss the problem at great length. It hinders our work of preparation.¡±


    I nodded. He wasn¡¯t the first to broach the argument.


    ¡°But tell me, has there been any change in within Council,¡± he asked. ¡°I have heard of a loosening The Nine Tenets? And willingness to discuss closer ties between the collegiate and the aristocracy.¡±


    I glanced again at the furnishings around us which spoke loudly of the Vaer and their ways. It was late in the day, and the light of the setting suns shifted the glow of the balcony furniture, making their intricate and luxurious design seem constructed of amber. Then I turned back to Omar.


    ¡°I cannot say,¡± I replied. And that was true. I could not. He wouldn¡¯t have liked what I would have told him. ¡°But from what I see around me, you are not looking to the west for your inspirations.¡±


    ¡°There is something to be said for how it is done in the south,¡± he replied in a low tone.


    ¡°Yes, there has always been. But I remind you, Omar, much of it is still not what you or I can publicly address or should approve of.¡±

 The Stone of Arcory - Chapter 12 - Nothing Given Unwillingly

    But was Omar not showing public approval by maintaining chambers at Stormguard? And was not Council showing at least tacit approval by allowing him to? This was something I would need to bring up on my return. It seemed Drake and his fellows were saying one thing, and allowing another. That, unfortunately, was nothing new.


    On the night before he was to return to his tower, Omar invited me again to his rather sumptuous chambers in the Citadel, this time for a most generous dinner. His young courtiere was in attendance. She smiled nervously around the two of us, but was quite stern with the servants. Late that evening, I broach the subject of the girl.


    ¡°She had potential,¡± Omar admitted after a long draught from trice refilled goblet, leaned back in his ornate chair of dark wood from the distant jungles of Xola. ¡°But was rejected in her three applications. Standards ever creep higher. I remember being allowed five. And you¡­?¡±


    I laughed. There had been no colleges in my day. Arcory had sought me out. Drawn he said, like a moth to the flame, my inclinations, my risk of corruption be damned.


    I looked back at the girl adeptly managing the dinner we were being provided with.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡°Is it not a touch cruel to allow her to be so close to what she may never have, never be?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Would it not be cruel to keep her from what she has an affinity for,¡± he replied. ¡°She is quite disciplined. But her inclination leaned towards the dark, and you know what her fate otherwise would otherwise have been.¡±


    I nodded. It would have been grim indeed. Still-


    ¡°You aren¡¯t thinking of¡­¡± I started. Apprenticing the refused? Such an act¡­ would earn him more trouble than I ever had.


    ¡°No, no, no,¡± he replied, laughing at the thought. I glanced over at the girl. Her face was like stone. ¡°My station is difficult enough without encouraging the wrath of Council and its Arbiters. She has had use, and will have use. Those with potential always have. You know that. Even if she will never become such as we.¡±


    I glanced over at Caithness, who had now turned away. I did not like what I was hearing either.


    ¡°You have taken from her,¡± I narrowed my gaze. It was not something that was typically approved of. I had helped see to that.


    ¡°Nothing unwillingly,¡± he told me. ¡°She was made aware of the alternative. And it was performed under full approval of the Dayruan of College Marrick.¡±


    He laughed his loud laugh again.


    ¡°Did you think I would have dared acted otherwise?¡± Omar shook his head. ¡°It is for the best, master. I remember your lectures of those who had been so easily corrupted during the Riven war. What she has given up is something she will never truly miss, and in hands such as ours, will always serve the greater good. It has never been pleasant to deal with those magic has found corruptible, has it?¡±

 The Stone of Arcory - Chapter 13 -What A Wizard Refuses and Why

    I considered those thoughts as we drank the strong Donland spirits deep into the night. They didn¡¯t taste quite as sweet as I remembered them, but as Omar was wont to note, times did indeed change.


    Eventually, the conversation turned back to the Margrave.


    ¡°Pavlick, The Margrave of Bardelaisch, came to me, on a bad night, a very bad night, laden with his tale of woe.¡± Omar confessed. ¡°Stories of dying livestock, especially the cattle, failing crops, especially the barley, attacks of fell beasts on his foresters, especially the mud spiders. But the Cliff Ogres of the Kantatek were on the warpath. They had awoken an old rock wyrm, and their act had caused a cascading of events which had occupied me all season, Hot no less. He was one of a dozen I had to refuse. He claimed me he would wait for my return, but¡­ was long gone by then.¡±


    I nodded. The man¡¯s notes and the words from his wife spoke of his desperation to secure an experienced and capable Wizard to restore the stones and forestall the doom that was befalling Bardelaisch. And I could appreciate Omar¡¯s difficulties; it was not rare, even between the wars, for a simple rock fall to turn into a landslide. Truly, peace begets growth, and not only of humankind. The Thirteen¡¯s borders were filled with all sorts which did not respond kindly to our spread into their territories.


    After Omar retired, my thoughts returned to Arcory and his final gifts.


    Regardless of my early insistence, none in Council believed any more the powers of Arcory would outlast the sum of the dark arcana that had been unleashed on the marches those decades ago. It was becoming more the common thought that I had, with my acts, only temporarily restored the lands. The argument went that Arcory must have been well weakened, had had lost much of his power, or he would have never committed himself to such an act of suicidal dispersal.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    By the suns, if he was still so strong, went the argument he could have easily stood against the first Council. But then, in the last days, what acts his madness would lead him too, was something none could ever predict, not even I. His greatest power had come from the Celestial. And the end of the conjunction had cost him all of that arcana.


    Still, the marches turned out to be useful for king and Council alike, in their own way. It did not seem fair to allow them to be cast aside to wither and die.


    ¡°You refused his supplication,¡± I had finally gleaned from my former apprentice. ¡°And had no expectation of him remaining.¡±


    Omar nodded. He had drunk enough for complete honesty.


    ¡°I tell you, more come every year, with needs petty and great,¡± he admitted. ¡°Even in spite of the ever breeding swamp trolls that fill the marshes surrounding my tower. You know, the local fisher folk have fashioned iron bottomed barges which aren¡¯t threatened by the beasts in the waters, to help guide the supplicants and line their pockets.¡±


    I nodded, returning in his wry grin.


    ¡°But like any of us, there is only so much we can do, that we are allowed to do, by Council,¡± he charged. ¡°There have been times of quiet where I would have been happy to assist, would have been able. But even I would not be so foolish as to ignore the Tenets of Balance. Yes, we can increase the numbers of spell-casters tenfold, a hundred fold even, by the next conjunction. But Council dare not allow another Arcory, even if such a man would prove our savior. A fine experiment, I must say. We have, what, ten, maybe fifteen years to find out if what Council has built will actually work when faced with what ¨C only he in the end ¨C could truly stand against. And what can be said about that?¡±

 The Stone of Arcory - Chapter 14 - Balance versus Empowerment

    There had been sour tone to his voice at that intoxicated admission. One I well understood. Such thoughts had more than once haunted me as well since the heady days of the Council and the Collegiate¡¯s creation. While I remained a servant to the letter of our tenets as best I could be, there had been many times over the decades traveling across the kingdoms where I witnessed the price of standing back, allowing the various kinds of plague, pestilence, even war occur where, had I been given the authority to act at will, the results may have been less grave, and many who suffered and died would have been saved.


    ¡°There is a reason why The Vaeranshi recovered from the War so much earlier than our kingdoms managed to,¡± Omar insisted, amongst the hour or so, he had openly praised Vaer tenets. ¡°And why they thrive while the Thirteen still struggles.¡±


    Ah, the great philosophical divide between the alliance of the Thirteen Greater and Lesser Kingdoms and the Imperial Vaeranshi ways. Balance versus empowerment was often the way of describing the difference. But the truth and consequences are always more complicated. Certainly, the bonding of wizard and aristocrat had it merit and produced impressive wealth for the Empire of the South. But, of course, as a consequence, there were no shortage of horrors the Empire¡¯s less constrained use of magic had unleashed, which provided Council meat for their arguments against such relaxation of our Tenets. Besides, the Empire had but one ruler, and a strong one at that, not an often league of shifting alliances which stoked conflict where there could have been permanent and beneficial cooperation.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    I did admit there was a part of me that felt, and for some time, Council had held us back in many crucial ways, and there are more than just Omar and myself who felt they should loosened the powers they compel us to withhold, such lands could be restored to their former purity. Say anything about the Vaer, they had not required artifacts such as Arcory¡¯s stones to restore their tainted lands.


    It is said, often amongst Councilors, ultimately, the Empire will devour itself one day. That may well be its fate. But, I also had argued, could there not be a middle ground?


    Omar seemed to have made his choice, a more Vaer way, in act, if not in true bonding.


    ¡°I have many responsibilities amongst my first order supplicants,¡± Omar told me before bidding me good night. ¡°And, established as they are, to take on such a time consuming, not to mention draining task. It¡¯s not I have no interest in helping those in need. What you taught me, I still hold dear. But life is more complicated for we who live beyond the walls of Council and Collegiate. I would be forced to slight those who depend on me most, to an unacceptable degree. And I cannot do that. I can never do that. You do understand.¡±


    Yet, I kept my response from my lips, you live in a land of riches. Few would be encouraged to slight those who rule in such a wealthy kingdom. And could I apportion blame for such an attitude? Was I a better man than Omar? Or a better wizard, to tell him he was wrong?

 The Stone of Arcory - Chapter 15 - A Warning From Omar

    Missive to Council


    Season of the Hot Sun Second Quarter Fourth Day of Sighs


    Before I made formal departure from Stormguard Omar sought me out, to warn me of what risks I may be encountering as I travel south and east. While there are always dangers on the roads between the centers of power, I was surprised by the vehemence of his requests, I be careful, that I not to stray from my mission, and perhaps even consider requesting another take my place. Has he also sent such missives to Council?


    When I questioned him, he informed me of three attempts to take his tower in the past year, once even during the cold season. Apparently more than one of his refused supplicants were able to locate warriors and mercenaries willing to take coin to secure magic at cost. He is also concerned at the reports which suggest a turning to surviving Infernal and Celestial entities where our hold is weakest.


    ¡°Come now, master, we are nearly half through the Season of the Hot Sun. Do you truly want to travel, even along the Road of Kings, during the season of storm?¡± Omar asked me, eyeing the clouded sky in the direction I was to ride, his cloak flapping in the warm wind that spoke of the coming violence.


    I glanced over at my heavy set former apprentice, committed this image of him to memory. This would last time I would see my former apprentice before departing the shadow of the Pillars of Fire.


    Not to leave me with such a meager sendoff, Omar had other warnings as well. Such as, ¡°you will gain little from any talks with Duke Nevis or his peers, unless it¡¯s only gold you seek.¡± True, I had engaged, finally, in a long and altogether fruitless discussion with the Great Duke of Stormguard. Time had not been kind to the old soldier I remembered helping break the siege of Cathlest during the Second War of the Alliance. But he¡¯d fought his infirmity tenaciously. Even confined to his chambers by the Grey Wasting, he was still a stubborn wielder of greater power of wealth and trade than a sword had ever provided. I had to admire the man¡¯s bottomless well of gall. While acknowledging he had offered little to the margrave, he attempted repeatedly to gain my own commission for several of his realms arcane needs, offering much in return.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Despite warnings of his avarice, I still wanted to check to see how close he would come to suggesting I abandon Council Tenet in his favor. And he did come close; closer than I would have ever expected. But then he did now hold many merchanter treaties with the Vaeranshi, and was clearly influenced by their ways. Perhaps that emboldened him, even as his color and his life were doomed to fade away within a few years at the most, a season or two at the least. All the riches he had access too wouldn¡¯t extend his time. Nothing could add years to the life of a mere aristocrat, nothing ethical at least. And I hoped there were none here who would risk expulsion or worse by offering to break tenet.


    But, back to the discussion of traveling during the Season of Storm with fellow Omar.


    ¡°Come now, Omar,¡± I told him smiling. ¡°You should remember, Storm has always been my favorite of the seasons. Cold and Hot are timid and predictable by comparison. I enjoy experiencing the suns yearly battle for supremacy.¡±


    He laughed.


    ¡°You are one of the very few,¡± he suggested. I wouldn¡¯t argue that.


    Then he added in a more serious tone: ¡°I suspect, master, there is more to your traveling than the gathering of chronicles. I remember the motives of your actions were ever complex. And I must warn you. I am not at all certain how useful your energies are spent in following the path of a desperate man.¡±


    His conspiratorial tone fit the location he had called me to. Far beyond the finery of the Duke¡¯s palace, he met me in the darkness and smoke of a common dinner hall. Around us, men of the mines and fields ate and drank noisily, drowning out whatever others could have heard of our words.


    ¡°What would you have me do?¡± I replied in a quiet tone. ¡°The Margravine presented me with the very the words I had written. It is an obligation, a debt I am bound to repay. One no different than my obligations to Council or tenet.¡±


    Omar¡¯s twisted his lips at that, sipped from his tankard.

 The Stone of Arcory - Chapter 16 - A Different Kind of Threat

    ¡°You are too sentimental. A promise made to her grandmother, amidst the fury of battle? Council will not be pleased you are straying from your assigned path,¡± he insisted. ¡°And you may have no ends of trouble with what you encounter should many others become aware of your search for the man.¡±


    ¡°What exactly do you speak of?¡± I wanted to know.


    He lifted his stein of mead again for a long draught, then lowered it to the rough hewn table between us with a thunk, wiped his wet lips and beard free of lingering foam.


    ¡°Council set your path,¡± Omar reminded me. ¡°And the other entowered wizards have been asked to help ensure your safety, as have the lords on your expected route. This includes ensuring the King¡¯s roads are more often ridden by men-at-arms to the detriment of less travelled roads. Other eyes will see this and will speak of it. And they will lie in wait.¡±


    ¡°And why would I think of doing that?¡± I asked him. I hadn¡¯t given him any great cause to think I would.


    ¡°Because I know what you have done in the past,¡± he told me. ¡°And you may still well regard yourself able to freely ignore missives should that be your choice. Especially should it argue with your other¡­ obligations.¡±


    He called for another tankard of mead.


    ¡°It has grown more dangerous off the highways in the last few years, master¡± he continued. ¡°And given what I suspect is the nature of the Margrave¡¯s allies in the east, a straying wizard, especially of your stature, could exactly be what they lay in wait for ¨Cwho they will be able to capture and turn to their own ends. Or, other¡¯s ends. None have succeeded yet, but there have been attempts.¡±


    I considered his warning to be rather dramatic, all things considered. As well: ¡°I¡¯ve not seen these mentioned in any chronicles.¡±


    He leaned closer.


    ¡°You, most of all, know how Council reacts to such threats,¡± he said in a low tone. ¡°Especially if they suspect more than mere men are involved.¡±You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    I could not argue with his assessment of Council, but had little to fear from any talisman bearing bandits or any moon witches but one. And I had defeated enough lingering creatures from the worlds above and beneath to let fear guide my path.


    ¡°You will also remember I fought in the Riven War,¡± I asserted. ¡°Not to mention held three peaces during the two Wars of the Alliance. I am hardly a newly enstaffed apprentice to be tricked by highwaymen.¡±


    Omar sat up straight and glared at me. My dismissal had clearly caused offence.


    ¡°With respect, master,¡± he replied firmly. ¡°The Riven War ended six decades ago. The Second War of the Alliance, more than two. You have not been on the roads for more than a decade. Not only have the Kingdoms grown in strength, so have those along the borders in their audacity. Will you argue that truth?¡±


    I remained silent.


    ¡°I see what you are now,¡± he continued. ¡°And so should you. I will not argue the choice. It is because of you and your fellows the Collegiate exists, and our numbers have grown fifty-fold. But you are old. And so is that letter of obligation. Let it go. Do what you are assigned, and be honored by it. All of us are glad to be able to share time with you. Appreciate that. It is what you deserve. And that daughter of a certain Donlands Count knew the life she was getting into, not to mention the husband she was marrying. Her family¡¯s fate is your problem.¡±


    I rose, grasped my staff, let it accept a little of my weight. He was not wrong in his words. Not utterly. I motioned he join me out on the quiet street.


    ¡°We ask the new generations to undertake geas, Omar. Why? Because it ensures they can trusted with their word, deed and obligation,¡± I told him, ¡°Until they have proven they no longer require such compulsion. You and those younger than yourself may chafe at them, I understand. However, I recommend you and your fellow stop concealing such details and dangers. Dealing with such is what Council was created for.¡±


    In the shadow of the wall, he gazed at me with narrowed eyes.


    ¡°I am old, I acknowledge that,¡± I continued. ¡°And yes, I am not bound by a piece of parchment I scrawled my seal on before you were born. But where geas has no power, we must turn to honor. I repay my debts. Let no one ever say I do not.¡±


    ¡°It is your choice, then,¡± he replied. ¡°I will, out of respect, not send any missives about this to Council. And I suggest you give them no reason to recall you. If what I suspect is waiting for you out east, however, then I beg you to be careful.¡±


    ¡°That I will,¡± I replied. ¡°Thank you, Omar.¡±


    ¡°I will always help you where I can, Good journey,¡± were his final words of parting.


    I watched him stride back up the cobblestone street, his tall blackwood staff clacking against stone. He did not look back.

 The Stone of Arcory - Chapter 17 - Sorceress of the West and East

    Missive to Council


    Season of the Hot Sun Third Quarter First Day of Duty


    I am currently detained at Keep of the Three Rivers while The Kingdom of Cherbanz is enduring an unseasonably great storm, which as you know, is well out of season. An omen perhaps? Fortunately this deluge has allowed me to discuss in depth arcane matters with the local entowered wizard Ethely Tallspire. She also agrees there is a troubling change in the tenor of supplicants. In her Cold Season journal, she speaks of a supplicant who came to him with a relatively simple request to take the rust from his vale¡¯s crops of grain. And while the supplicant seemed genuine, when she traveled to the valley, she found herself in a battle against a demon who had taken the area through guile and illusion, and who had set a trap for him.


    I asked further and she provided a recount of his battle with detail, as we had though nearly all such creatures Arcory summoned through The Skyrift had been long since destroyed or imprisoned. I had thought the demons trapped on our world would remain in hiding until the next conjunction. She suggests, not only those who we will not deal with, those unable to secure the assistance of The Collegiate, continue to increase in desperation, and there are entities with power who would exploit those needs. I will make further inquiries as I travel, but as Omar has suggested to me, I will approach such with appropriate caution.


    The road east was thick with tradesmen and the journeyman laborers of harvest. I remained haunted by more than worries of threats by demanding supplicants. More so of what Omar had impressed on me; the threat from forces of the lower and higher worlds, that many supplicants had gone to and would go to, their unanswered pleas to their own entowered wizards.


    True to her titled name, Ethely was as tall as Omar had been round, taller even then myself, which was something. We waited in a proffered ¨C and I must say ¨C less than ornate chamber in The Keep of the Three Rivers we¡¯d be given, her in her silvery gowns, me in my borrowed robes. I had not reached the fortress before the heaviest of rains had begun to scour the great meeting point of the Kingdom of Armanen¡¯s three greatest and now also greatly swollen rivers, and she had chosen to spend a few hours with me.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°It was a being of fire and smoke,¡± she told me in her ethereal voice as we sipped sweet blue willow tea. Ethely was not a native of this heartland; her people were dwellers of the cliffs where the brow of Dragon¡¯s Head met the Ocean of Dusk far to the west; a people whose quiet company I had always enjoyed. Ironically, she had received her fellowship from the Thennian Collegiate, a distant five hundred leagues to the East, on the Ocean of Dawn.


    ¡°I was requested by Council missive to keep this under my cloak, so to speak, but you, given your experience, deserve to know what remains of your masters forces may be aligning well before the Ninth Recoupling is upon us.¡±


    Recoupling was Dragonhead speak for a conjunction, when the Underworld returned from it¡¯s journey under the western sea to move beneath the earth of our lands, while the sun¡¯s would again eclipse each other. During the last conjunction, Arcory ensorcelled Overworld demons from the Skyrift to defend the lands against the Underworld¡¯s equally powerful dragons and their allies. A number failed to escape when the worlds diverged. Since then they had hidden themselves. It has been calculated to enter into the longest and deep conjunction in near fifteen years to come; the actual dates were beyond even the deductions of Council¡¯s time keepers. And, of course, there would be several ear conjunctions to breach the peace of the reams to herald it.


    Two conjunctions in a century that would make. It was unprecedented. And also unknown, would our now many wizards be enough to accomplish what Arcory had with all his power? Without his power, we would be facing powers from both sides.


    But, whether I would live to see it, I do not know. My master had endured, even grew in power, over the three hundred years between the seventh and the eighth conjunctions, but such sacrifices he accepted I had never had stomach for. And besides, Council only sanctioned such acts only rarely these days. But there were now near a thousand of us now and growing, when at the time of the Eighth there were barely fifty. I still believed in the changes we had wrought, which included the collegiate training of this sorceress I spoke with, were worth it, even if Omar and others still questioned the actual results.

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 18 – A Demon of the Hot Sun

    ¡°Are you certain it was a creature of the suns?¡± I asked her. ¡°There are several varieties of phantoms and specters of our own world that can appear to be Celestial.¡±


    The look she gave me, I would prefer not to describe it, it is best left to my untrustworthy memory to recall. I suppose my query could have borne an element of condescension.


    ¡°Once we were locked in a duel, it revealed its true appearance,¡± she told me. ¡°Stripped of the flesh and shadows it used to conceal itself, its essence was without doubt a demon¡¯s.¡±


    ¡°It certainly misjudged you,¡± I told her. ¡°Those things were always a match, even for our greatest. Even without connection to their world I would not want to face one again.¡±


    She glanced away for a moment, smiled at the compliment.


    ¡°And the people of the river towns should be grateful I stopped it when I did,¡± she frowned at that admission. ¡°For it had gathered not only an army of goblins but also a host of mountain men as its vassals.¡±


    ¡°Goblins allying with mountain men and a bright demon is most unusual,¡± I mused. ¡°It takes special talent work an alliance like that. It must have offered much. Goblin¡¯s typically abhor the light. Not to mention that blood enmity they hold with the mountain lords.¡±


    ¡°It is said you once brokered such strange alliances before,¡± she returned to a semblance of a grin. Oh, the stories the younger generations tell of us and the war. Some of them are even told without exaggeration.


    ¡°Only when they faced annihilation by a dragon of great earth,¡± I told her. ¡°And even then, I was forced to enter into marriage with both king¡¯s daughters. Without each other¡¯s knowledge of course. That would have invalidated the treaty.¡±The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    ¡°That was not mentioned in your chronicles.¡± A brightness filled her face.


    ¡°That was for good reason,¡± I told her. ¡°Chronicles intended for the general fellowship and the greater protection of our lands, they need not detail the personal affairs of a wizard.¡±


    Which required diplomacy on my part to work free of. Much diplomacy.


    ¡°I see,¡± she replied, the curious grin still on her face.


    ¡°Now more about this demon,¡± I asked her. ¡°Would you say it was of Cold Sun or Hot?¡±


    ¡°I believe only a demon of the Hot Sun can do this,¡± she told me, and pulled back the sleeve of her shimmering robe to reveal a forearm wrapped in healers skein. She slowly unwrapped the cloth to reveal a wound of a type I hadn¡¯t seen in an age.


    The scar of fire on her lower arm of a like¡¯s only a Celestial could have inflicted its terrible power was long and deep. Strips of skin along the outside of her forearm were melted to near transparency, and were cracked, and still fiery gold, glowing slightly in the candle light, filling the wound like it was hot liquid metal. When I passed my hand over the wound, I could feel its otherworldly heat. Only a demon of the Hot Sun could cause wounds such as that. When I looked back up at her face was an image of restrained agony, I quickly helped her rewrap the soothing cloth.


    ¡°Collegiate healers have not been able to drain and seal the wound?¡± I wondered. ¡°What of woundcasting?¡±


    ¡°Thrice our Arbiter has sent a healer,¡± she told me. ¡°And he sent word he will be sending a pair from Alaster next season. What you saw is not nearly as terrible as it was; the first healers warned me I would likely loose my arm. Thankfully, it would seem I have suffered the worse.¡±


    For now, I thought. But if demons were ally themselves with those on the borders of our carefully balanced alliances of Kings and the like so long before the next conjunction, even more terrible forces could also awaken early. Perhaps even the dragons.


    I nodded, finished my tea, and ordered another, hoping the sweet liquid would be fortifying, energizing. It would need to be. Once the storm ended, I would have many leagues to travel before I reached my next destination. But I was not going to waste the time I had at Three Rivers Keep. It would be well spent pouring over the chronicles I had already collected. I had read them, of course, but between Omar¡¯s warnings and Ethely¡¯s experiences, I would need to read them all the deeper.

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 19 – Exiles and Executed of the Vale of Elasch

    Missive to Greyslan Amberglass


    Season of The Hot Sun Third Quarter Fourth Wheel Day


    While we understand you have agreed to join in assisting your fellow collegiate regarding the dispersing of the Elaschi Vale, you are reminded this is not pursuant to the purpose of the task you have been asked to perform, and we remind you, engaging yourself in such actions risks the delay in returning the biennial chronicling. As such, venerable Amberglass, we suggest you remove yourself from any further warding of refugees and return to the path set out for you.


    We also have taken into consideration your reports of Overworld demon activity and will be assigning the most appropriate to seek out the demon responsible for Ethely Tallspire¡¯s wounds. Rest assured, you are not required to participate in that mission and are requested to stop making requests in that area. Please continue on your path as originally directed. Council has appropriately dealt with the consequences of your old master¡¯s acts since the Riven War, and we will continue as required by balance.


    It was a day later I arrived at Tower of the Yellow Reeds, which stood in the heart of the Tophar Delta. There was much activity as fellow Massiter Goldenstar was preparing for the emptying of the Vale Elasch.


    It took me some time to locate a seneschal to tell Goldenstar of my presence, and waited in the active chaos that surrounded me. It was near an hour before the soldier returned to escort me to my fellow. Goldenstar was in his sanctum, numerous scrolls opened before him. He was preparing for something significant. The protection spells inscribed on the scrolls were powerful ones.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    He turned and we clasped my arms, but a smile did not touch his lips.


    ¡°You arrival was fortuitous, magister,¡± he told me. ¡°One day later and we would have all been gone.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the cause of this?¡± I asked, letting concern fill my voice.


    ¡°The Exodus of Elaschi Vale has been ordered,¡± he told me. ¡°It begins in five days. Word came yesterday.¡±


    I had heard the rumors of the dissolution of the ancient enclave of man within the domain of the mountain giants was imminent, but had not realized the call would come so soon. Goldenstar was to be witness. As it turned out, of his own instance.


    ¡°The Collegiate was consulted,¡± the still youthful looking, yet certainly middle-aged Goldenstar told me testily. ¡°In fact, King Gregor repeatedly resisted our counsel. I think he would be happier retrieving his protecting army without having to accommodate any resettlement of the people of the Vale. They have ever been a thorn in his side.¡±


    ¡°I heard the rebellion had left much bitterness between the lowlands and vales,¡± I recalled. ¡°But to abandon them to the giants¡­¡±


    Goldenstar nodded, then shouted encouragement to aid in the preparations of his small retinue. The blonde northerner Wizard turned back to me as the warm wind rustled through our robes.


    Around us his retainers hustled to and fro preparing the horses and wagons.


    ¡°The King¡¯s messengers arrived with a new schedule for the exodus,¡± he told me. ¡°It has left me little time to get to the Vale before it is begun. I understand you are doing Trona¡¯s work and have a schedule to keep. But if you could spare a cycle of days to accompany me, and lend your own wisdom and power, I would be most grateful. After what word I have received; of neither side abiding to treaty. I will need all the help I can get.¡±


    My good friend Kestrel Bloodwood had been lost defending the Vale men¡¯s grandparents. I could not turn away. Even if I was not even on schedule at it was. And, as it turned out, I was glad I did, as I still remain in doubt if Goldenstar and the mountain caravan would have survived the journey if I hadn¡¯t. On the other hand, I could not have expected a failing of mine would nearly kill us all.

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 20 – Truth and Fire

    To my good fortune, Goldenstar owned far better steeds than the one I had been given by Council. It only took us three days to ride the Vale Road up the Shatterstone Pass. I was little prepared, however, for what I would witness when we reached what remained of the enclave, even after we joined the King¡¯s own adjudicators and heard what their mission was to be.


    The scent of smoke hung heavy in the air of the Vale of Elasch. I will admit to have trepidation traveling with the King¡¯s adjudicators who were traveling under the protection of treaty (this was of course prior to the journey of the first refugee train from the Vale). But given their mission, l was not surprised the giants did not interfere with their own particular tasks.


    Having left the former outpost for the last time, I suspect, I fell to ruminating over the King¡¯s taste for heavy handed royal justice. For a thousand years the Vale men had lived in the enclave of humanity amongst the range of the mountain giants. And while the treaties of alliance had stood well many in the North, they had fallen victim to how the new lands of man had changed family since the last conjunction.


    A rebellion against such treaty had been foreseen. But the cost seemed agreeable to the king¡¯s of old. Not the new. Wealth had moved west. Defense of such places was seen as foolish adherence to tradition at best, embarrassingly wasteful at worst.


    I did not shirk my own duty. I offered my assistance to determine the veracity of the recalcitrant, and removed, and ultimately executed for treason against the crown, the last Master of the Vale. And I deserved the burning hatred I saw in Elector Barnasman¡¯s eyes as much as any other. He¡¯d only wished to preserve the land he had sworn to protect.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    In my long life, I have known many men, arcane or otherwise, I admired for their honesty, honor, and intractable belief in their defense of their land. To see such a man broken and made an example of is the kind of thing which haunts me. There are times when it can be difficult to tell the villains from the heroes. This was one of them.


    ¡°Do you admit you have acted against the rule of the King of all the Bellestrae?¡± the inquisitor had demanded of the Elector, now the King¡¯s high prisoner. ¡°Do you admit you have led savage assaults against treaty bearers of King Gregor and King Ulth?¡±


    Representatives of the King of the mountain giants had been invited to witness this, the first of many judgments before the final exodus began. And the warrior giants, as tall as trees, and whose bellows carried clear across the valley, did nothing to hide their enjoyment of the proceedings.


    ¡°I have acted against this unjust treaty!¡± Barnasman shouted with as much vehemence as any man who had ever endured the degree of veracity spell I cast on him. ¡°A monstrous treaty intended only to bring ruin on the Vale and all her honorable history. A treaty which belittles the bravery and memory of my forefathers and all who fought for this precious land. And I will stand to my last breath to guard my lands and its peoples against this act which will destroy their heritage.¡±


    And stand he did, as the adjudicator, armed with the truth I had unhappily confirmed, had him and his unrepentant followers put to the axe for the high treason they had admitted. In the way of all men, some were stoic in the end, some pleaded for mercy and their lives, and some screamed in their rage against the King. But on the faces of the ones who ringed the ceremony and towered over the human gathering, I could only see satisfaction. They had finally regained what their forefathers had lost nearly a thousand years before. For the giants, it was a time of celebration.


    So yes, all around us, under their great torches, The Vale of the Elaschi burned.

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 21 – An Apportioning of Blame

    It was not, I will readily admit, one of my better moments. Oh, if you read my past accounts you will understand I had been a party to many a similar sad exodus as this in the past, both during the Riven war, and in the two wars of alliance after. In the realms of king and country, there is much allowance for compromise with enemies in that weak allies are often pawns of convenience and expedience. And this is not something even the greatest of magicks will ever cure. And if past experience is any guide, nor should they.


    I sent a query to Council from the fortress a Vanak where I stayed to help sustain fellow Goldenstar¡¯s life while Healers worked on his wounds. I must add this was during one of the most spectacular lightning storms I had ever experienced. The year¡¯s Season of Storm seemed to be showing more than its usual eagerness to be upon us. Or perhaps to provide me a reminder.


    Thankfully the castle at Vanak had thick stone walls, although I swear the aroma of those strikes followed me for near a cycle after the storm was done.


    Not to be remiss, I received more than one missive over my further delay in traveling from Drake himself chastising me for the actions that had put my chronicle gathering now well behind schedule. Oh, there was concern over fellow Goldenstar, but I did not overly offer such excuses. There was little point. And I had other things on my mind; resumption in the growing flaws in my patterning had again returned at the most inopportune and critical moments.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    It had been quite some time since I had reason to question my efficacy as a Wizard. Certainly I knew my best days were behind me, and I did not tend to question the choice of allowing myself to age as all men do. I was nearing a century, after all, and that is far more than most ever get to live. Even with what I had allowed to empower me during the last conjunction, I had become an old man. And, more or less, I have accepted that fate.


    And while Goldenstar had chosen to rely on my help, I couldn¡¯t help but ponder again and again back on what had happened at our battle with the giants at the heights of Shatter Stone Pass. I do believe I failed him in the worst way I could have. And I told him as much when he recovered his consciousness and his wits.


    ¡°Do not blame yourself,¡± he offered with generosity of spirit. ¡°There were nine giants. There were but two of us. That neither of us, nor the entire caravan perished, is a testament to your courage and your enduring powers. None could have done better.¡±


    He gripped my hand in his. It had taken four healers three days and nights to re-knit his many broken bones. His other hand was still unusable.


    He did not seem to remember well what had happened during the battle. And perhaps that was good for him, more so for myself. For I believe if he could have told them what had truly happened, Council would have immediately revoked my mission, and likely sending me to hermitage without debate.


    And, they may have been right to, a part of me argued. From that terrible night and the days which followed, even well past my leave taking of the restored Goldenstar, I was of two minds. One insisting I needed to complete my mission before such an act occurred again. The other, that I should return immediately to Council and full retirement, never to cast a spell again.


    For his terrible injuries were not caused by the giants. His shattered bones were caused by my wild spell-casting, and that alone.

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 23 – The Victims of Wild Magic

    ¡°What are you waiting for?!¡± Goldenstar shouted, pulling his own long sword from its scabbard. He was one of a new breed of wizard who was as comfortable with blade as he was with spell, having no troubles exchanging staff for blade. I personally found the new college where he was trained suspect, but I had to admit he held his own well, as we fought the towering giants. His magicks coupled with the skill of his soldiers admirably matched the great beings, their empowered blades and armor sustaining them against the battering from their batter, and seemed at the time to actually discourage our foes. For myself, I offered additional second pattern protections while they engaged in battle. Even with my enchantments, their shields rang loudly out across the pass as the great stone axes fell upon them.


    As I noted, my part was to stay back at the fore of the train, offer enchantments as well as blasts of light and lightning to distract the giants as the men ahead of us blocked thundering blows, avoided swings which smashed boulder and stone from the mountain walls and seemed powerful enough to crush a man with one blow. It did seem the most prudent, if not so heroic of stations, but Goldenstar had insisted once he noticed my condition, and my increasing agony forced me to agree.


    True, I was almost taken out of the battle myself when a swing of an axe blow propelled a swordsman a good fifty yards in my direction. To my astonishment he survived, although not without crashing heavily into the lead wagon. I considered myself lucky I didn¡¯t share in his and his sword mate¡¯s misfortune.


    ¡°But you felt alive, didn¡¯t you?¡± a battered Goldenstar offered after the opening battle was done; the giants dispatched, then dragged off the road.


    I had to admit my heart had been beating quickly. But at my age, I wondered if that was a good thing. I still do.


    And then we saw the full extent of the trap. There were not only the three lead giants, but nine more, cleverly concealed amongst the mountain rock, they had outmaneuvered us, surrounding us, leaving the caravan only guarded by the men-at-arms who, in the face of such an opponent could either bravely fight and die, or abandon their charge and hope they could avoid the great axe blows as they fled.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    The men women and children in the wagons, however, had nowhere to go, nowhere to run.


    It was then I knew we were lost If I did not call upon spells I had not prepared, the like I hadn¡¯t used since the mire wyrm. But my memories of war were invoked and the desperation I had felt in those dark days invoked powers of the third pattern. All the giants needed to be slain in moments, as they were already pulverizing the rear wagons with mighty swings if their great stone axes.


    These spells were the kind I once regularly wielded against the greatest of Infernal dragons, powerful bolts of arcane energy which once had saved armies, but as with the sure grip I had had on my staff since I was an apprentice, the control of those powers were suddenly beyond me. The power flowed through me the same, but my fingers and knuckles erupted in agony, I lost my grip on my staff and the energy, spewing forth the spell of shattering wildly in all directions ¨C at the giants, at the great cliff alls above us and across the chasm, and even at the wagons and unlucky Valesmen at the fore of the caravan. And at fellow Goldenstar.


    It took all the power I had, knocking me down to my knees, and left shattered ruin all around. My fellow only survived because I had a small store of restorative magick in the amethyst crystal I carried, the one Gwynhafer had gifted me with on the Plains of the Voros before we faced the Red Rain. Yes, I made the choice to preserve him over the Valesmen I had also inadvertently shattered. The amethyst, like myself I will know admit, is a shadow of what it had once been.


    With its remaining essence, I made that choice between him and them, bringing my fellow back from certain death. Whoever reads this after I have passed, think of me and my actions as you may, and understand you are not likely to make any judgments I have already made on myself. True, without my act, they would have all likely been slain by the giants. I will not argue that point. But I will also argue those men, women and children who were slain by my wild magic, did not deserve to be victims of their protector.

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 22 – Giants at the Pass

    Missive to Council


    Season of the Hot Sun Fourth Quarter Fourth Fallow Day


    I might remind Council, while my mission does take precedence over all else, including events of limited and local importance, both the emptying of the Vale and the protection of it¡¯s former peoples is an event of generational importance and it behooves a voice hand and eyes of Council to watch this occasion and provide an account for posterity.


    And as Council has seen fit not to provide the protection requested by the former, if self styled sovereign of the Vale of Elasch, I have taken it upon myself to show the respect and allowance for a man of honor and belief, of which I am granted by our very oldest tenets. As such you will be provided the accounts and I have served my honor by enabling the safe escort of the men, women and children for which the laws of balance obligates us to protect under the royal treaty between the king of the Bellestrae and the king of the mountain giants. Once I am finished with this duty, I will happily return to my given mission.


    Massiter Goldenstar was grinning widely while the rocks continued to rain down from above the slowly moving train of the sad and miserable people who once called themselves the Men of the Vale. His magic seemed as inexhaustible as his boundless enthusiasm. As for myself, I was beginning to regret my choice of agreeing to help him protect the mountain caravan out of giant territory. The knuckles of both my hands again ached with effort of gripping my staff while maintaining the spells that protected us from the rain of stones.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    ¡°They certainly are persistent,¡± he offered loudly over the sound of the falling stones. Thankfully for him and me, the protections we¡¯d placed on the wagons were still, mostly, deflecting the smaller boulders. Still, the racket was hard to endure as the local giantry, who clearly didn¡¯t have much regard for their king¡¯s treaty, and showered us with as much available large and loose mountain rocks as they could find.


    ¡°Do you think they are likely to cease any time soon,¡± I called from the fore of the train. I was keeping an eye on the cliff side road before us. It looked perilous, made even more so by the skittering stone fall ahead.


    ¡°I dare say they will continue raining it down on us as long as they have such boulders at hand,¡± he shouted back.


    And it would be another two days of slow traveling before we reached the highlands of Gent, out of giantic territory and escape from the constant onslaught. I began to wonder if even together the two of us could maintain the magic necessary to keep the refugees safe for such an extended period.


    As such, I was relieved when we reached Lowing Pass and the rain ceased. But turning around the great stone pillar gates still known as The Welcoming Hand, I knew my relief was premature, as three mountain giants stood waiting on the declining road, their great forms blocking the whole of our route to safety.


    ¡°Only three,¡± Goldenstar offered, smiling again as he joined me at the halting fore. Only three, but mountain giants are amongst the largest and most belligerent of their kind. Each of the behemoths stood three times the height of a man, and were equally broad. He called the head of the guard, who joined us with four of his fellows, swords bright in the light of the sun which was falling behind us.


    The gathering of warriors and wizards didn¡¯t seem to have much of an effect on the giants. They stood still, great stone axes in their massive hands in wait. But for what?

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 24 – On the Silverborne Sea

    Missive to Council


    Season of Storm First Quarter First Horn¡¯s Day


    As per the missive and direction I have received given the floods across the lower Heterlaks, I have altered my path north and the Silverborne Sea to the new towers at the Isles of Albanic before heading further east. Despite your concerns regarding by trip to and return from The Vale, I am as eager to continue my mission as I am to visit Drey Galamar and Tess Alabstrite, as the wizards who built the new towers on Albanic, as you well understand were two of my former apprentices, and now work at providing their talents to the surrounding islands. However, when in sight of the towers, I found a surprise scattered on the coral covered shores of their small Island.


    There were the wrecks of several galleys still visible on the rocks that protect the approach. Upon communing with brother and sister, I received their agreement this was distressing, but was told pirate raids have increased throughout the sea this past year, and there are ever those who believe they can raid a magician¡¯s tower for its arcane riches, for both true and rumored.


    There was something especially invigorating about the cool breeze that blew from the Silverborne Sea, a scent of salt which is even more powerful than those found on the shores of either the Ocean of Morning or the Sea of Dusk at either far extents of the Thirteen. And even though I was still troubled by my staggering failure at the pass, I had decided, in the way slow deliberation and time allows, I would not let it stop me from continuing. I would simply keep to my chronicling mission and refuse all entreaties, no matter the need, and not risk again usage of the spells of the third pattern or higher until my return to Council. I did not relish the thought of committing such acts of harm again. And I would leave it to my fellows to determine my ultimate fate once I returned.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    It had been quite some time since I had crossed the sea that split east and west, longer still since I had visited the Isles of Albanic. And when I had, they had still been but outposts of the great northern seafaring kingdom of the Grevvi. Much of that was lost to the sea dragons, and the ruins of their ports were now only sparsely populated by fisher folk as the younger southern kingdoms grow in ascendance. As I gazed toward the small sailing ship¡¯s destination I nostalgically recalled the days when there was only a single Albanic isle, a kingdom unto itself, with its great port city of Alban, not the shattered remnants which remained after the end of the Riven War, and Alban itself lost beneath the waves.


    There is a weakness I will acknowledge is a desire to remember things as they were. So I was torn between wanting to enjoy the company of the brother and sister I had guided to collegiate fellowship, and recollection of the glory that was the towers of Alban.


    Still, the inland sea air was pleasant and bracing in the early and surprisingly still calm days of the Season of Storm, and I had was able to endure the rocking of the long skiff with few complaints from my bones as we made our passage swiftly over the grey waves, beneath a the thin streaming clouds which appeared to point out our way.


    I was also without a mount for the first time since leaving Council, as the horse I¡¯d been given took one look at the small craft and steadfastly refused to board the small vessel. With all its kicking and biting, I decided it was wiser to leave it on the western shore, for any man who dared think himself its master.


    I reminded myself to have words with the Master Stabler back at Council. While strong and swift and not lacking in endurance, the horse has been perhaps the most capricious and unwilling animal I have ever been charged with. In the time I have ridden it; it had thrown me twice and bitten me once. And yet it seemed unfair to deny it the ability to trot on the white beaches of Grand Albanic. True, I would be the first to admit my history with steeds is spotty. Things have never really been right between horses and myself since my old mare Lady Windrunner passed two decades ago. I had only ridden one like her since, and I couldn¡¯t bring myself to ask Goldenstar such an allowance of another of his, not after what I had wrought.

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 25 – Shores of Brightness and Death

    ¡°You arrived just in time, old spell-caster,¡± the sea-weathered and squint-eyed ship¡¯s mate told me as he joined me at the railing near the ships prow. We were approaching the rocky spires of Little Albanic after a three day journey to the heart of the Silverborne Sea. He was clearly made for this sea and the ships which traveled it. Despite his stocky bulk, he moved aboard the ship with the grace of a dancer. ¡°Come the Day of Duty and the captain would have refused any passage, regardless of the status of passenger or how red the sky seemed at dusk.¡±


    ¡°Season of Storm,¡± I offered nodding in agreement. Yes, it was late enough in the year for the bright and warm days and the blue sky to turn to the violence that came as the suns drew closer together. ¡°Yet I have heard it has been calmer on the waters than is usual this time of year.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± he replied, although there was something in his tone that hinted at more. ¡°But a warning; It¡¯s dangerous enough during the calm times. Perhaps your fellows on the island have used their power to calm the winds and the waves. You are welcome by them, are you not? Few are.¡±


    ¡°That we shall see when we arrive,¡± I replied. ¡°When last I visited they were pleased to see me.¡±


    He then offered a gap toothed grin.


    ¡°I must say, though,¡± he added. ¡°If you didn¡¯t carry the seal of the Wizard¡¯s Council, I doubt the captain would have carried you.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s that dangerous,¡± I asked him. ¡°Does he not trust the wizard¡¯s of the Albanic to accept visitors?¡±Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    He clearly had an answer to my question, but held his tongue. Out of respect or fear, I do not know. Although, in my eyes, he didn¡¯t seem the type to fear much. To young to have encountered anything of significant terror, a sea dragon for example.


    ¡°You¡¯ll see,¡± the mate advised me. ¡°The sister and brother wizards have earned a reputation of harshness to those seeking their aid. But even with that, they¡¯ve earned themselves demand. And enemies. And they have come to treat each and all with such generosity as either deserves. The captain has managed to stay on their better side, mostly. You will see on the morrow, what happens to those who presume too much about the Albanic wizard¡¯s willingness to gift their power.¡±


    Then he grinned again at me.


    ¡°Do your fellow wizards not talk of the reception the sister and brother offer their visitors.¡±


    I had not read anything special in any missives regarding Dray and Tess.


    ¡°They do not seem harsher than any others,¡± I told him. ¡°According to what I have read.¡±


    He shook his head and chuckled.


    ¡°My grandfather used to warn me, as a boy,¡± he told me. ¡°Be careful to trust in wizards.¡±


    ¡°And did he explain why?¡± I asked him.


    ¡°Because wizards often wield more power than even they know what to do with,¡± he replied. ¡°And they can be careless of the frailty of us mere men.¡±


    I gritted my teeth against the penetrating wind as much as his appraisal of my kind. It was not out of place.


    As we crossed the outer reefs of Little Albanic the next morning, I learned indeed exactly what he¡¯d meant. There were wrecks of ships, on the reefs, and on the shorelines. Many. Albanic indeed had become a popular place; for death, and hungry scavengers circling overhead.


    But that was just the first warning. Just a short time after we passed the isles¡¯ outer shoals, there came a fire which rained down all around us from out of the clear blue sky.

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 26 – The Fire From The Sky

    Missive to the Venerable Greyslan Amberglass


    Storm Season First Quarter First Day of Charm


    Fellow Trona Gan Roderic has return early from her duties in the south, and is eager to complete the task you were sent in her stead. As such, you are released from your requirement to collect the chronicles and are requested to return to Council before the Current season turns to High Storm. If you require you may use the gryphon which will be carrying Trona to the isles to transport you back faster and more comfortably than would horseback. Use of which would free you from any duties land bound travel would oblige you to involve yourself in.


    We are again grateful for your work on your journey and look forwards to having you back to resume your regular duties at Council.


    Great balls of fire crashed around the skiff as it tacked port and starboard. They hit the surf, exploding into much larger balls of steam that erupted from their impact.


    ¡°By the look on your face spell caster this wasn¡¯t the greeting you were expecting?!¡± the mate called over the noise as he hung on, occasionally shouting orders at his fellows, who scrambled over the ship while it turned and twisted through the waters to avoid the fiery sky fall.¡±


    ¡°No, but it makes sense to me now!¡± I shouted back at him. When thinking back over what I¡¯d read in Trona¡¯s guide, it was suddenly obvious how the Albanic towers were defended, and how to reach them safely. But like anything else amongst the entowered wizards chronicles, this was only obvious in person, as even in missive they are cryptic, even with us fellows. I gripped the rail harder as the ship tacked again to avoid a ball of fire exploding in steam mere yards from where I clung. The hot salt water spray I was washed with, I have to say, was actually refreshing. Still, I do believe a younger Greyslan would have translated the encoding in Trona¡¯s guide with a keener eye.


    And I was to receive an indication those in Council were beginning to feel the same about my current reliability. Although they did not offer it in the missive waiting for me at the towers, I suspected they had received word about what had happened at the pass. It was only a matter of time before his Goldenstar¡¯s full memory would have returned. Or perhaps they received reports from the Valesmen who survived my wild magic. In the end, it mattered not.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    ¡°Not good news, master?¡± Tess asked me after I read the missive. Even eight years after graduation, she seemed too young for her status, still seemed a girl with a freckled face in a green tunic, playing at the power she possessed, certainly not bearing the look of an established entowered wizard. Gazing at her I though again of Omar¡¯s courtiere. What power might that girl have possessed, if it hadn¡¯t been taken from her?


    Perhaps it was the look on my face, or perhaps it was how I curled the mystical script into smoke between my fingers. Tess showed concern and worry on her face. I could read between the lines. Council feared I would continue involving myself, did they? Afraid I would embarrass them further, that I would again inadvertently cause needless death and suffering? Were they wrong in thinking that, after what happened at Shatterstone.


    I did not hold in my sigh.


    ¡°I have been freed of my duty in chronicle gathering,¡± I told her. ¡°Apparently Trona has returned from the Southern Empire earlier than expected and is eager to get back to her work.¡±


    Or, of course, Trona may have merely speedily cleared up the seeming confusion in diplomatic letters I had subtly created. Perhaps they weren¡¯t a subtle as I had hoped. Either which, it was due to a failure an even eighty year old Greyslan Amberglass would not have been guilty of. It seemed I truly was becoming the old fool others at Council whispered about behind my back. So much for proving my worth. And I was sure they no longer merely whispered now.


    ¡°Oh,¡± she noted, face turning pensive, disappointed, becoming that waif of a girl I saw her as again. ¡°Then you will be returning to Council? But you only just arrived.¡±


    And what would they do when I returned. Probably face the debate regarding my hermitage. Was I ready for that? I didn¡¯t want to be. And the wording of the missive did appear to offer me some time. I was now free of obligations, and was requested to make my return before high storm season. That wouldn¡¯t be for some cycles yet, I could interpret. There was little worse they could punish me with if I returned a few cycles late. I would, with luck have time to catch up with the Margrave, give him his wife¡¯s message, and encourage him to return home, at the very least.


    I had been freed to do just that.


    I laughed.


    ¡°Master?¡± Tess asked again, concern on her face now.


    ¡°You are right,¡± I told her, smiling back into her blue-green eyes. ¡°I have only just arrived.¡±

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 27 – The Paradox of A Wizard’s Obligations

    She raised an eyebrow.


    ¡°No, there¡¯s nothing to concern you,¡± I assured her with a smile. ¡°All the missive suggested was I am now free to stay and get to know what wizards you and your brother have become.¡±


    Although, I decided, it was probably best I made my leave before Trona arrived. I would have a few days. Knowing her, she would come on gryphonback. Gryphons were indeed far faster than horses, but still slower than dragonship, and these islands were near half a thousand leagues from Council. It would be near a cycle before Trona reached Little Albanic. That was if she did not find herself diverted.


    So, I allowed myself a few days to renew my relations with two of my most honored former apprentices. And learn more about what had become of their bright new towers on this sliver of ancient and magical Albanic.


    The Riven War produced many paradoxes amongst even our most studies colleges of magick. Although it had been fought and finally won and at great cost, there were great riches, new knowledge and powers which came out of the many battles and innovations that were required to defeat both Celestial and Infernal. It also brought about much change in the way magic was wielded and how magical power was to be contained and controlled; whether by our own Council and its Tenets or the Lords of the Southern Empire, both in new powers and the new breed who would wield it.


    As a consequences of our choices, magic has become both more widely spread and common people more accepting and less fearful of it, but our sanctioned wizards still are limited by what powers they are allowed to wield and how, by either restrictive knowledge or enchanted geas. Of course, this creates friction, as power attracts all sorts of beings, many mere man, some not so common. Hence the standard of wizards setting their towers in both places poorly accessible and centers of arcane energy. Best for our kind if they be the same place.Stolen story; please report.


    Traveling spell-casters are most uncommon in this age, and sanction for such status is frowned on by council. Like wizards of old, the rootless are not so easily controlled, not so easily counseled against overusing their powers, acting against balance, as they will, so it is said. Such behavior, by its nature, is hard on the sanctioned, entowered wizard, all the better for Council rule. Balance is a hard but necessary master.


    To ensure wizards remained entowered, restrictions and geas were judged an acceptable compromise, and to which Council and the kingdoms agreed to be bound. I have my doubts, but no better solution has come to my mind, even decades since we chose this path.


    I too, apprenticed long before the Collegiate was created, have bound as well, although to a lesser degree. I had now been freed of my obligations, not of course to travel the land wrecking the balance with whatever power I had left, but for the time being free of duty to council, even if just for a few cycles. Someone at Council had made an error in the language of the missive. Likely Drake, or one of his allies eager to push me into irrelevance, or begin proceedings to ease me into hermitage. Too eager. Yet of course, not wanting to seem such.


    Arcory often stated knowledge is not wisdom; wisdom can never be rushed.


    ¡°Master?¡± Tess asked again. She had an odd look to her curious smile. She must have wondered why I wore such a foolish grin on my face.


    ¡°It¡¯s simply a beautiful day,¡± I told her. Yes, I could stay and reminisce with her and Drey. Then I could spend the next few cycles seeking the margrave. I might even be able to glean what I could about what he knew about the loss of his march¡¯s Arcory Stones.


    I turned to look down from the tower, towards the white beaches and darker shoals which were home to the numerous wrecked skeletons of vessels whose captains had wrongly believed they would be welcomed here.

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 28 – The Wrecks of Quests

    The shipwrecks scattered about below reminded me of this as our skiff approached the docks of the Albanic. I was again reminded by the two wizards who made there place in the newly built towers. They are capable wizards, old man. Don¡¯t give them cause to grow concerned. They are geased, and would not have their position threatened.


    ¡°I see you two have had your troubles as well,¡± I noted glancing back to Tess.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she admitted with no reluctance. ¡°There has become an abundance of those who come for supplication and for more.¡±


    Her brother Drey joined us with a tray of nectar from the island¡¯s honey fruit. I was touched; it was as though time had stepped back more than a decade. He could have called on one of their many servants, there was clearly no shortage. He too, still seemed to young for his station, and like his sister, wore a tunic, his grey, in opposition to the standard robes and black cloak I and other older fellows were wont to wear. Well, it has fallen a little out of fashion.


    ¡°We need to ensure those who come and receive our help are deserving and in need,¡± he added.


    ¡°There are a great deal of shipwrecks on you beaches,¡± I noted looking over the distant bones of the vessels.


    ¡°Yes, there are those who would test our powers and our protections,¡± Tess offered. ¡°With no kingdom to claim the sea¡­¡±


    Such had been a complaint, from Omar to Albanic, which I noted aloud.


    ¡°But surely they can¡¯t have all been pirates or raiders,¡± I suggested. The Silverborne Sea wasn¡¯t that lawless, at least not here in its more southern reaches.¡±


    ¡°No, that is true,¡± they agreed together. Then Drey continued, ¡°we have ensured warnings are well placed in the ports around the sea and only those in greatest need and the most deserving of folk can safely arrive at our tower doors.¡±Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    I took a sip of the nectar, although just that. It was far sweeter a drink than I was accustomed to.


    ¡°But there are those that are desperate,¡± I offered. ¡°Several of the wizards I have visited had mentioned a particularly desperate one. The Margrave of March Bardelaisch.¡±


    They nodded in unison.


    ¡°Certainly,¡± Drey told me.


    ¡°But the ship he came on was not wrecked, at least not on our shore,¡± Tess added. ¡°We let him go in peace.¡±


    ¡°Then you did not help him?¡± I asked.


    Tess raised her eyebrows. Drey tightened his lips. Neither of them, I recalled, had ever accepted criticism easily.


    ¡°There are enough problems to be dealt with on The Silverborne,¡± Tess replied quickly. ¡°And master, as you well know, Arcory stones are spoken of as terribly complex magick and take much work and study to find a path through their anti-magic wards.¡±


    ¡°We explained that to him,¡± Drey told me, his expression a touch guarded. ¡°And with our responsibilities here, a journey so far to the west was out of the question. We did wish him well on his search. You understand that we are dedicated to our domain.¡±


    ¡°Oh certainly I do,¡± I told them. ¡°Refreshing though, it must have been, after dealing with so many less polite,¡± I again nodded at the wrecks.


    ¡°Oh yes,¡± they both agreed, their moods lightening.


    ¡°Well, now that I do have my days free to me, I want to hear about them, and the work you have been doing to restore these islands with your own magicks. I¡¯ve read something, but I truly want to learn how my favorite pupils have developed.¡±


    The pair beamed back at me, clearly happy to cease talking about the desperate Margrave. Was there more to their meeting with them than they were willing to tell me. I decided I would remain to test that theory out.


    For the next three days we spoke of their work and lives, and of the Margrave. I of course, made certain talk of him was buried so deeply in our conversations they would not think it important to tell Trona or other councilors through missive after I left. I didn¡¯t want to alarm my betters.


    But what I gleaned from them added little to what I knew of the man and his search. He was still heading east, and so three days later I said my farewells, and commanded the skiff¡¯s captain to take me to the far side of the sea instead of returning west.

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 29 – Footsteps Into The Dark

    Missive to Council


    Storm Season First Quarter Second Horn¡¯s Day


    I have decided to take a few days on the Silverborne coast prior to my return before high storm season, And will be spending time with the Blue Guardians at Ascension.


    I also have a small personal obligation I need to fulfill, but should be able to finish it before Council has any reason to be concerned. The High Guardian and his fellows have offered to assist me in this task, as there has been much activity lately amongst the witches and of possible demon activity in their forested region. But of course, I will not act in anyway unwise or in any way which will risk my health.


    The winds were blowing through the trees and the dark roiling clouds above promised another heavy downpour as my new steed tread nervously along the forest road which wound its way towards the Black Mountains to the east. A local woodcutter, Valrek by name, who I had passed earlier in the afternoon had been reluctant to advise me of the location of those I sought, but he was able to identify the Margrave had journeyed here, once I showed him a drawing of the man¡¯s sigil.


    ¡°A wise man would not follow in those footsteps,¡± he advised, axe slung over his broad shoulders, scar that stretched from the bridge of his nose down his left check twisting through whiskers on his cheeks. ¡°That lord and his men did not return from the foothills. Few do.¡±


    I thanked him for his concern, and then continued up the path. This was an imposing region of heavy forest, enchanted many claimed. Cursed others claimed. From what I recalled of the region, it was a little of both. That the Margrave had come up here was a mark of his increased desperation. Moon witches, especially those who dwelt around here were not to be treated lightly; I still bore scars to remind me of that. I had been young, inexperienced, but still¡­This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    And this was where the man¡¯s path led, so I followed. I still had a cycle or two before the missives from council would grow anxious enough for me to consider turning back.


    The path gradually turned wild. At the woodcutters, it was wide enough for a cart. The next morning, above in the hills, it was barely a foot path. By high sun, I knew I¡¯d reached their territory. The bones of a forest creature dangled from a tall birch tree marked the border between man¡¯s realm and theirs. I dismounted and tied the gelding I¡¯d been loaned by the Blue Guardians and continued as far as I was willing on foot. I wanted to ensure this steed¡¯s safety. Loaned by the guardians, the steed¡¯s mild temperament was a vast improvement over what I¡¯d been used to since leaving Council.


    The air around me grew oppressive, as though both the trees and clouds were pressing it down on my. As soon as I set out on foot, rain began with the spattering of large drops. I had anticipated such weather, and the rain rolled harmlessly off me. First pattern spells, I had never had trouble with.


    As dusk was approaching, I reached a dark glade, a circle of spun bramble, a clear focus of ancient, earthly power, the kind that ruled before the Dawn Crossing so many millennia past. There I started my work at earning the local coven¡¯s attention. They would come ¨C eagerly and angrily, I was sure ¨C once they became aware of what I was creating and what I might be.


    I did not, however, anticipate them taking so long. It was long past dusk when the four of them did finally arrive. They almost caught me nodding off after hours of waiting for them in the darkened forest. As for the warning I received, well, it was familiar too.


    Bright light blasted the darkness, a crash of thunder brought me back to full awareness as the witches spells met the circles of protection I¡¯d drawn into the hard earth of the grove.

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 30 – Not the Way of Men

    I rose to my feet, shook off the drowsiness and started out into the darkness. The witches were out there, but nowhere to be seen. Around me there was the sound of scuttling in the forest. Not as many as they were pretending. My ears were still good enough to tell that.


    ¡°Come out wizard!¡± I heard one of the women call, before their collective cackles filled the air around me. ¡°Come out and face us. Or are you so cowardly as to hide behind your pathetic etchings in our earth?¡±


    Not so pathetic, even if they were simple mechanisms protective power, and were more than enough to handle their gifts. Something I was sure I could not lose control over Magical circles were by their nature, organized and passive power, second pattern at the most substantial. If I lost control of these simple defensive creations, then I deserved hermitage.


    As they reached the borders of my circles I smiled. I could see the women weren¡¯t willing to be so bold as to try and break them, at least not yet. There was clear anger on their painted faces, to be sure as they crouched at the edge of the outermost circle. Wizards and witches have never co-existed easily. And not a few members of Council have openly suggested removing them for good.


    There aren¡¯t, however, nearly enough power to vanquish them, although talk of such has fueled numerous debates in Council. Their powers were far older than ours, and bond to the lands they had retreated to. As with our many other adversaries, as long as they keep to their territories, Council wasn¡¯t compelled to act against them. There was always much to deal with in the territories Council does hold dominion over.


    The four, thin and long of limb, their bodies covered in rough fabric, leaves and enchanted mosses began to separate, began to spread out, surround me. They were likely too young to know me even by reputation, or perhaps too chaotic to admit the strength of my power. Certainly they would have called out my name if they were brave or powerful enough. Still, they were brave enough to come out from their forest cover. They were exposed to my power far more than I would be of theirs.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    I might have even joined them when I was young, had I not been born a man, and not been found by a master as powerful as Arcory. I respected their independence a great deal. However, Aethros carved another path for me, regardless of how often I disregarded it.


    ¡°You are quite brave, wizard, to come into our territory,¡± their leader, a tall young woman, with white skin under her paint, and long beaded dark hair, told me. ¡°Is there now a madness afflicting those of Council they send their most aged ones to despoil our sacred places?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll find out if you try to cross my power,¡± I advised her. The others moved and reached out their hands to probe the strength of my castings. They cursed and pulled their hands back when they reached too far. Their leader and I shared glares.


    ¡°What are you seeking here spell-caster?¡± she wanted to know, ignoring her fellows¡¯ angry chatter, held out an empty hand. She was not looking at peaceful negotiation, despite the gesture. I knew there would be something deadly in it before long.


    ¡°I am tracking a man,¡± I told her. ¡°He and his retinue came this way a few cycles past. Certainly you must remember them.¡±


    ¡°No men come this way,¡± she spat. ¡°Not willingly.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps not,¡± I told her. ¡°But I was sent by his wife to find him. Surely you cannot begrudge another woman¡¯s wishes?¡±


    ¡°We care not for women who have given themselves over to the rule of man,¡± the leader told me. Her fellows were inching closer to my circles, propping with their gestures for a weak point. It was likely they would find one before long, although given how long they waited to confront to me, dawn may come before they succeed.


    ¡°All you need to do is tell me where I may find the Margrave of Bardelaisch and I will be gone,¡± I told her.


    ¡°You know you¡¯ll only find death here,¡± she added with a knowing smile. ¡°As he did.¡±

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 31 - One A Price To Be Paid, Or Not

    I pressed the end of my staff into the furrow of the innermost circle, added my power to the overall glow. The tall witches¡¯ retinue cried out and stepped back. Their leader, however, stood her ground.


    ¡°Did the Margrave of Bardelaisch meet his death here, or elsewhere?¡± I demanded, the sparks from the borders of my circles made the trio back up further. I needed to confirm her statement at the very least. Not that I was surprised he might be dead. Coming here was beyond any risk worth taking by a mere aristocrat.


    ¡°No men of power or substance walk these woods,¡± the tall woman replied, waved her hand either in dismissal or casting. ¡°Nor will you, after this night. Do you think you can survive with such puny protections against the power of our moons? Even now our power is increasing and yours I failing.¡±


    ¡°We shall see,¡± I smiled, continued my vigilance, glanced at the other three who had moved to surround me. ¡°I am not here for battle. I am here to find trace of the Margrave of Bardelaisch who I am told passed this way in search of assistance for his land. At least to send back to his wife. She at least deserves to know his true fate.¡±


    The woman laughed. It was a deep loud throaty laugh. Its candor told me much.


    ¡°A fool,¡± she told me. ¡°And doomed. He and his retinue passed through to the mountains in search of a Demon of the Hot Sun, or so I heard, to seek its favor. Only a fool would seek favor from a Celestial.¡±


    Desperate men often become fools, I agreed silently.


    ¡°So he passed through this forest safely?¡± I asked her.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ¡°Why expend the effort to slay a fool on a journey to his demise,¡± she told me with a smirk. ¡°The demon will have dealt with him by now. I doubt its price for aid is anything a man would find acceptable.¡±


    ¡°Then you have no other concerns about me,¡± I told her. ¡°I will follow his path and leave your forest.¡±


    She shook her head.


    ¡°You have defiled this grove by your very presence wizard, only your blood boiled can erase the taint your shadow has touched,¡± she told me. ¡°You can expect to pay a blood price.¡±


    It turned out, however, the price was not much more than a night without sleep, as I was not intending on battle the four to the death, and they were clearly unwilling to draw on the costly measures it would take to break my circles, even though they could with time and effort. The young have little patience.


    ¡°Be warned, wizard,¡± the leader told me as she followed her others with the rising of the suns. ¡°We will return in greater numbers.¡±


    As such is was an only wearied wizard who rode down from the forest passed the surprised woodcutter. The man shrugged and turned back to his work, regardless. But if a Demon of the Hot Sun was dwelling in the Black Mountains, I could not face it alone. I would need help. And rest.


    It seemed, however, I would get little of either.


    Halfway back down the hills to the Blue Guardians¡¯ monastery I found the forest road before me blocked. Not by men or beast ¨C by the very forest itself. As I turned away, the path behind me had also turned to trees and undergrowth. It was, of course, unnatural by any means. And more than a bother, as magic was clearly behind the change and there was a fast approaching storm approaching from the east now racing me to my destination.


    The witches, I wondered, out to exact unanticipated retribution? But the forest wall was no illusion, no practice of the petty power they would have wielded. As I watched, an arch opened in the wall. Tree limbs creaked and shuddered, while vines slithered away to open up a dark entrance in the greenery. Someone with power had created a forest door. There were few who had such power. And I suspected there was only one who would have the motivation to want to draw me though it.

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 32 – Through The Forest Door

    With little choice, and some curiosity, I urged my steed into the dark tunnel, hoping we would come out to see a familiar face, if not necessarily a friendly one. I was not disappointed. The long tunnel did indeed lead to a brighter place, a wild garden surrounded by ancient towering oaks and maples and a figure dressed in sparkling robes standing beside a pool in the heart of the grove. I stopped my steed, dismounted, then walked the path to the round pool. I will admit not being able to suppress a smile, though it was a wary one. It had been a long time since I had seen the beautiful woman before me, even if I could not yet see her face. And those times, decades ago, had been mostly pleasant, although I did remember they had ended in rancor and blood.


    She did not glance at me, but continued gazing down at the darkness of the pool. I stopped a few paces from her. What woman was I about to face again? The one who claimed to love me, or the one who nearly killed me? I kept a solid grip on my staff. The scent of jasmine drifted along the warm breeze. I decided to break the silence.


    ¡°Gwynhafer,¡± I began. ¡°It has been a long time.¡±


    One of the Cathali Greenwald¡¯s greatest enchantresses ever turned to face me. Nothing about her had changed in the decades since last our paths had crossed. I wasn¡¯t surprised. She was ageless. Even Arcory had remarked on her permanency, and he had known her for centuries before I was even born. She was also beautiful, with blonde tresses falling around her rosy sun kissed cheeks. And she did not seem pleased to see me.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    ¡°What are you doing in my forests, Greyslan Amberglass?¡± she offered with her sweet bell like tones. I found myself speechless again from their power, as I had been as a youth.


    ¡°Speak wizard,¡± she told me, green eyed gaze glaring at me from beneath her wreath crown. ¡°Why are you disturbing my realm?¡±


    My staff had begun to fight my grip, I held it fast. Gwynhafer did not want me dead, I told myself. Or I would be.


    ¡°I am on a fool¡¯s last quest,¡± I told her. ¡°How else could I come across such beauty?¡±


    ¡°And do you think such cheap flattery will earn you free passage?¡± she told me as her gaze narrowed. ¡°What makes you think, now I have caught you again, I will ever let you go.¡±


    ¡°Flattery always worked in the past,¡± I reminded her. ¡°And what makes you think I wish to be let go?¡±


    The enchantress turned her head at that. Her lips moved from sultry frown to smile.


    ¡°Consider yourself my hostage then,¡± she told me, and the forest rose up and reached down to take me. ¡°We shall see what your precious Council will pay to have you returned to their storied halls of wisdom and restraint. You still have some value, do you not?¡±


    I was gripped tightly by grasses that covered my boots, branches and vines that wrapped around my arms.


    ¡°Actually, Gwyn,¡± I told her as the grasses and vines gripped my limbs. ¡°It¡¯s probably best you don¡¯t tell them you have me, as my absence from my given path has likely already drawn their attention. But not so tightly please, my bones are old now and not a little brittle. I assure you, I am not here to threaten your realm. I am on a mission to retrieve a man for his wife. Nothing more.¡±


    She had one thing to say further before the green enveloped me.


    ¡°We shall see about that, my wizard.¡±

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 33 – A Reunion Without Daggers

    Missive to the Blue Guardians


    Storm Season Second Quarter Second Day of Charm


    Greetings, our allies in the east. We have been led to understand that the venerable Greyslan Amberglass has taken shelter with your order. We wish to ask of our fellow¡¯s condition and health and would request that you endeavor to ensure that he remains in good stead. We further as permission to send transport to return our good fellow to the comfort of one of his fellow¡¯s towers.


    ¡°Twenty three years,¡± she whispered into my ear as her fingers gently stroked my beard. ¡°And no word from you. Not one.¡±


    I turned to look into her eyes as we lay beneath one of the great willows that helped make up her forest palace. The breeze carried the perfumes of her garden over us. The green carried me to this verdant place beneath a dome of leaves and arcana. I doubt even all Council acting in unison could find me here. Not even the Great Demon Vedas had been able to penetrate her sanctuary; one reason I survived Riven War.


    ¡°You made it quite clear that our paths were irrevocably separate,¡± I reminded her.


    ¡°And did you think that I meant what I said?¡± she replied, her soft warm fingers traced my collarbone, cold as a knife blade, hot as a lick of flame.


    ¡°The dagger you thrust into my chest seemed to show clear intent,¡± I told her. Her fingers wandered down to the scar that served as a reminder. Her body pressed against mine, her skin radiating the heat like that of the Hot Sun.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    ¡°I was quite angry at you,¡± she admitted in a sweet tone. ¡°Your council¡¯s wars did not appeal to me, or my kind. But I am happy you survived the dagger. I wasn¡¯t upset the poison would kill you, even though it should have. There was still much of Arcory in you then. I admit I did always underestimate his strength.¡±


    ¡°And now?¡± I asked, seeing little more than the cascade of her golden hair before my eyes.


    ¡°You have allowed yourself the mortal path,¡± she sighed, her breath falling on my chest. ¡°But you are still Greyslan, if older.¡±


    She laughed then, turning her blue eyes back to mine as she moved over me..


    ¡°And still causing trouble.¡± She pressed a long sharp nail against my cheek.


    ¡°Were your sisters that unhappy about what I did?¡± I wondered. ¡°It seemed a small thing.¡±


    She sat up, turned to face me, the shadows of the great trees leaves dappling her pale skin. Her expression was a serious one.


    ¡°You know dear you''ve made my sisters quite upset, but that is not difficult these days, especially with the youngest.¡± Gwyn told me in a light tone. ¡°They petitioned me to burn you down to the bone and then let the crows pick off what meats remain.¡±


    It felt good to feel her touch again after such a long time. I smiled and looked back at her. She offered a grin.


    ¡°You must remind me to thank them for their kind words the next time I cross paths with them,¡± I replied. ¡°Unless you intend to honor their request. Then I suppose that could wait.¡±


    She laughed again. It had been a long time since I witnessed the sound of so much of it, Sweet and thrilling. But after she left he turned serious again.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t recommend you cross their paths again. I allow them much leeway in their actions, as they have earned that right. Even where it might come to one as precious as Arcory¡¯s last apprentice. I do have my authority to concern myself with. You think your council is a viper¡¯s nest? The mother¡¯s of those you encountered have centuries bear more venom than those high towered lightning-tossers will ever know.


    She looked away.


    ¡°Position is a perpetual battle in and of itself amongst the eldest our kind. That is yet another thing that never changes.¡±

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 34 – Again, Arcory’s Stones

    ¡°I can think of a few other positions for you,¡± I offered. She laughed again, turned back and slapped my chest with the flat of her hand.


    ¡°Things must be dark if you come all the way here from your precious archives.¡± Her voice turned a little petulance maybe even jealous. ¡°I thought there was little that was more important than debating the fine use of power to the breadth of a hair. Isn¡¯t that what you men do all day and night these days?¡±


    There was no point in adding that women were now allowed in those hallowed halls. I had considered her point of view, but even now power such as hers would not be permitted in Council, not after the violence of her kinds departure from the alliance. She had not been happy when I finally the choice of giving my destiny over to my fellows, the scar was a reminder of that rage. But she was right in a way. The world around us was ever finding new ways to twist and darken.


    ¡°You are talking about the plans for the coming war?¡± I asked her.


    ¡°Is that not what occupies you all?¡±


    ¡°Yes, with the conjunction approaching there is much debate. And also action, although not ones that suggest propriety, even amongst my fellows.¡± I began tentatively, then decided to be fully open with her. ¡°Arcory stones have been stolen, I am certain of it. Of the March whose margrave I am searching for, perhaps others. By whom I do not know yet but I am concerned, considering where there power was sourced. Not many have the capability, nor the motivation.¡±


    She took in a breath, almost a hiss as her expression changed in consideration of my words. Whatever her dark thoughts they didn¡¯t spoil her appearance. She was beautiful as I had always remembered her. Like wizards, the forest witches had their own kinds of sacrifices that allowed them to live an age. Whatever price she paid to maintain hers, I couldn''t help be grateful. I may have become an old man, but I was still a man. That appreciation is one of the things I still hold dear, a vanity perhaps; that would be valid, I agree.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    She frowned. Even that expression held an enchantment.


    ¡°So you are not simply trying to return a man to his woman,¡± she stated.


    I shook my head.


    ¡°You aren¡¯t suggesting that one of mine pilfered one of those accursed rocks.¡± Gwyn sounded affronted. It was the reaction I expected. Foul magicks were no more friend of the forest than they were for any other. But I did remember that she considered Arcory¡¯s act of magic dampening an equal if not greater evil.


    ¡°The stones carry quite a measure of his power, as well you know, what it became during and after the war,¡± I reminded her. ¡°And whoever stole them left no evidence of their passage. That takes talent. Given what we will be facing again, it''s understandable that a wizard or a witch might dare an attempt to crack their secrets and gain what power was apportioned in them, however foul. That is a danger, regardless of their motivation.¡±


    She replied with a smirk, which spread into a knowing and sultry smile. Turned back down onto the moss, her warm body pressing against mine.


    ¡°And still, one as weak willed as you was always better lover than he,¡± she whispered in my ear, offering a knowing caress. I offered one in return. ¡°Is that why you can¡¯t help by try to find them?¡±


    ¡°I turned that power to its best use,¡± I replied. ¡°I am obligated to return them. The Margrave must have an inkling what became of them.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps your master¡¯s former servants are looking to put him back together again.¡± Gwyn suggested the terrible thought in her sweetest tones. ¡°I have heard they have grown bolder in recent years.¡±


    I thought of Ethely and her wound, and of the Demon of the Hot Sun in the Black Mountains that the witches told me the Margrave had been seeking favor of.

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 35 – The Final Fate Of The Margrave Of Bardelaisch

    ¡°Did he ever tell you of a such a plan,¡± I asked her. She sighed once more, ran her fingers lightly down my chest.


    ¡°He kept himself apart, his true self,¡± she told me. ¡°He was always elsewhere in his plans, even when he was present in body. So many plans he had, so many. We are all only left to guess at his final nature. My preference is for one I can know. In all ways.¡±


    I had completely dismissed that possibility. Surely they were too few left to make that possible. I have thoughts just about all of them had been hunted down. And yet there had been demonic, Underworlder activity recently.


    I considered all I had heard and seen, then rejected the thought. It was too far from conjunction for that to make sense.


    ¡°I think that would be unlikely. There are more than a hundred stones these are merely three. It would take a monumental effort to restore him, far more power than any demon or collection would have without access to their own realm. I am thinking it is something, someone else.¡±


    She withdrew. Stood and walked towards where we had left our robes. She turned back with a long silvery slip in hand.


    ¡°Is that all you came for,¡± she pouted. ¡°Is that all you care about. After all these years. Just to talk about him and his stones?¡±


    ¡°It was you that brought me here,¡± I reminded her, standing up myself, walked towards her. ¡°If I had suspected I would have earned this reception, I would have sought you sooner. And for different reasons,¡±If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    I reached out, took her in my arms again, kissed her rich lips.


    She pulled away.


    ¡°But you are not all here, regardless,¡± she accused.


    ¡°No, but this is a mission of obligation. Of honor.¡±


    ¡°Oh, very well,¡± she told me. ¡°You and your honor. I suppose I will not have any true satisfaction until you sate it. Firstly, your Margrave, he became so desperate that he did indeed turn from your Council wizards and seek succor from my sisters. However, it was not they who slew him. Nor was it the demon he was intending to bargain with. He and his fold did not reach the mountains. Forest bandits found them. Near the village of Black River Forks, on the Tell. .He and his retainers were stripped of their valuables and left for the wolves. True, a harsh death, but the forests are not to be treated lightly are they? And he had been warned.¡±


    She continued to dress. I pondered my failure, what I would tell the Margravine. At least it would provide her closure, if not any sort of happiness.


    I reached for my robes. Gwynhafer was already dressed, placing back her wreath crown in its place.


    ¡°Secondly.¡± she noted. ¡°There was further reason I brought you to me.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Yes, I can play this game too. You were followed to the forest where you exercised your powers,¡± She told me, adding another knowing glance. ¡°Apparently one of your kind desired to put an end to your activities in their own way. And made my sisters all the angrier.¡±


    I narrowed my eyes at her.


    ¡°You are without doubt?¡± Few knew my self imposed mission. ¡°What manner of follower?¡±


    Her expression turned grim.


    ¡°Only a kind of entity that wizards can conjure, I suspect send by the one who stole those stones you are so fond of,¡± she told me, then pointed as I was about to follow her. ¡°You will need her, I should think.¡±


    She was pointing at my staff, which leaned against a low slung branch. It was not a her, I automatically replied in my mind, in reaction to the sole geas I bore. It had not been a ¡®her¡¯, not since Gwynhafer¡¯s bargain with Arcory. Still, I did not argue with Gwyn. I merely retrieved the twisted length of bone white wood that was my focus of power and followed the enchantress where she led me.

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 36 – The Burning Grove

    Missive to the Blue Guardians


    Storm Season Second Quarter Third Day of Charm


    We now understand that fellow Amberglass is no longer staying in your monastery. We request that you inform us where he was heading and of his intentions. While we understand that you are under no obligation to provide such information, we also understand that cooperation would ensure that relations between the council and your order continue to be harmonious.


    Councilor Averius Drake


    The Enchantress Gwynhafer lead me through her groves and through another forest doorway. Beyond it we reached a familiar place, but one that now carried the choking stench of smoke and ash. It was the glade where I had challenged the four witches. But it was not the enchanted place we had stood against each other. My staff hummed in my hand while I looked around the blackened scenery.


    ¡°You know what could have done this?¡± she asked, ashes floating on the breeze smudging her white cheeks.


    ¡°One of two entities,¡± I told her. ¡°Neither of which is easily faced. Where are your sisters? We could certainly use their help in capturing what caused this.¡±


    ¡°This is not their battle, Greyslan,¡± she told me evenly. ¡°You brought this upon my forest, you must be the one who deals with it.¡±


    ¡°The separation can be cast aside,¡± I replied, perhaps more testily than I had intended, spread out a hand at the devastation. ¡°Surely something like this would call for at least a temporary alliance.¡±You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    ¡°When wizards are battling wizards?!¡± She shook her head. ¡°I think not. I am only here to ensure you put an end to what you started, however inadvertently.¡±


    But either entity would call on power that I was now deeply reluctant to tap. A Celestial or an elemental of fire would require binding or dissolution of the third pattern. My knuckles were already beginning to ache in response.


    ¡°You always had a talent for making enemies of all kinds. But you must have made one of your kind very upset at you.¡± Gwyn gazed out into the smoke, then back at me. ¡°Is there something about your current relationship with your Council you wish to tell me?¡±


    ¡°As far as I know that several of them would prefer I was ensconced in hermitage,¡± I told her. ¡°And they might have reason. But to send such a power¡­ that speaks of fear.¡±


    ¡°And who fears you?¡± she wondered tilting her head to regard me. ¡°As you are now?¡±


    ¡°You know?¡± I turned a sharp glance at her.


    ¡°I spoke with my sister,¡± she replied. ¡°She freely spoke to me of the events at Shatterstone Pass. And the other times.¡±


    I turned away. Then I saw it, something moving in the smoke, something approaching. A light flickered between the columns of smoking trunks.


    ¡°Then you are aware,¡± I told her angrily. ¡°That I may not be able to extinguish what is now approaching us.¡±


    She smiled that knowing smile again.


    ¡°Then you will have to overcome what is troubling your magic,¡± she told me. ¡°Or you will be consumed by what your enemy sent after you.¡±


    Yes, the enchantress Gwynhafer has many sides to her. Vindictiveness, yes. Unpredictability, yes. A player of games most dangerous, assuredly. And even if I still loved her, all those sides made her an unreliable ally at the best of times.


    ¡°There is a river nearby. ¡° I remembered. ¡°You had best follow me there, unless you want to face that creature of conflagration on your own.¡±


    Would I leaver her to face alone, a creature of the most searing blazes. No, of course I wouldn¡¯t, and I was sure this was part of her test. I grabbed her wrist with my free hand, and pulled her along with me. She came along, smiling all the way.

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 37 – Better Times

    I could hear the thing of primal fire crackling as it tracked us as we ran through the trees towards the flowing waters that were my only hope of casting it down. Glances back revealed its fury ¨C the trunks of the forested great trees burst into flames and smoke as it followed our path at alarming speed. I was almost out of breath when I reached the river¡¯s edge, the border of slick moss covered boulders cut by swiftly flowing water.


    A look over at Gwyn showed that she was also breathing heavily, but perversely enjoying every moment of this. She held little decorum for one as ancient as she was.


    ¡°Reminds you,¡± she forced out between breaths, ¡°Of better times, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    More dangerous times, I decided.


    I rubbed my knuckles and reached for my staff, which I had laid down on the rocks. A touch and I jerked my hand back. She- no, it was now playing with me as well? I grasped it with both hands tightly, resisted the pain that shot up my arms.


    ¡°Not now,¡± I warned. ¡°Or do you want me to throw you into that thing¡¯s fiery maw!¡±


    Not the wisest thing to say to the enchanted staff you are bound to the death with, but the harsh words had the required effect; the pain subsided.


    The smoke had reached us, and the heat. Branches exploded behind the rows of evergreens. It was close. I turned to Gwyn.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ¡°You¡¯d better hold onto something steadfast,¡± I told her. I was about to invoke an expulsion spell of the fourth degree. ¡°I cannot say what will happen when I cast this.¡±


    She nodded and gripped my free arm, held tight.


    I stepped into the water, felt its chill rise up my calves, then turned back to the burning forest, could finally see clearly what we faced as it burst through the brush; an entity of elemental fire. A great one, formed as a column of yellow, orange and red flame as wide as the trees that encircled it. And I knew it had come for me, its heat a certain cone of conflagration was aimed directly at me.


    I took my staff in both hands, forced it down into the swirling knee high waters, and finished the spell I had begun. And the river exploded around me with such power the only thing I could be sure of was Gwyn¡¯s tight grip on my arm. Torrents shot around us bursting into steam as they came upon the elemental. And then I lost my grip on my staff and could feel nothing.


    The next thing I knew, I was on my knees in the now muddy trickle of water, my arms and hands crackling with agony, a torrential rain falling down on me, on us. Gwynhafer was still a hold of me, her hand wiping my vision free. She was soaked. As was I. But she was smiling yet again.


    ¡°You did it, my wizard,¡± she stated proudly. ¡°Just like I knew you would.¡±


    I gasped while my hands painfully throbbed, looked back into her shining eyes.


    ¡°I could have shown a little more finesse,¡± I finally forced out.


    She laughed.


    ¡°And ruin all the excitement?¡±


    She helped me to my feet. The waters were returning to the river, but the forest around us was utterly devastated. I could not help but be disappointed, however. If I still held the control I once had, I could have bound the being, could have found out who had sent it. Could have sent it back to him.


    I looked into the water at my feet. My twisted staff bobbed on the surface. It ¨C she ¨C too had decided not to abandon me. For now.

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 38 – Stoking The Fires

    We warmed ourselves by a more natural bonfire Gwyn created amongst the great circle of her inner sanctum. The salve she rubbed over my aching fingers helped ease the pain, if not removed it entirely. Whatever the cause, it was sourced of something that confounded even her impressive healing powers. She did, however, seem amused at my state. Just like her, of course.


    ¡°I warned you this would happen to you if you allowed yourself to become old,¡± she told me. ¡°The path you chose will not end in a manner at all pleasant.¡±


    ¡°You know what I believe about what is done to mitigate that,¡± I told her.


    Her expression grew angry again.


    ¡°You know I do not judge,¡± I told her more softly. ¡°I merely state what I feel. You know I never enjoyed the act of taking even when I did allow myself to partake.¡±


    Her expression softened. She nodded. My thoughts went back to Omar and his courtiere. I had truly thought better of him.


    ¡°I do like that you feel the way you do,¡± she admitted. ¡°It is a weakness, but it is one thing that I have always liked in you. It is something I will miss.¡±


    ¡°But with the elemental expelled, I am left where I started.¡± I shook my head. ¡°Whoever the wizard is, either he or she has far more command than I currently able to wield. There is nothing I can do to better mine ¨C even if I was to break Tenet. And certainly not with my fellows likely already searching for me.¡±


    ¡°But you cannot let this act go unpunished,¡± she told me. ¡°You have to act however you can. And something like that, it has to be one who knows you. One of your fellow collegiates. Even I would have noticed the perverse stench of a Vaeranshi.¡±Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    ¡°Yes, we can at least be thankful that stones will not allow southern magicks to uproot them.¡±


    That much was true. It had been attempted once. And the end had been unspeakable for the sorcerer-thief who had attempted such a brazen larceny, spectacular even.


    ¡°Regardless, the theft could only have been in an attempt to gain Arcory¡¯s power,¡± she insisted. ¡°You will have to destroy whoever has attempted this, if you seek to maintain any reputation amongst your kind.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± I insisted. ¡°There is still likely much more about this than it seems. Their motive could be one of many. And we are past such behavior.¡±


    ¡°Not all of you are. Your adversary sent elemental fire to destroy you,¡± she replied raising her voice in reproach. ¡°I think the time for words has passed between you any your adversary. Once you were set free of your mission and walked alone the chance was taken. You must look at putting an end to this in what ever way is necessary before whoever holds your master¡¯s precious stones grows bolder, or perhaps more desperate. Three rocks are likely just the beginning, do you not think? I would suspect that if whoever is behind this manages to unravel their magicks they will continue and all of your precious marches will be lost, at the very least.¡±


    I wanted to glare at her, but she was speaking the bare truth, and I knew it.


    ¡°You always seemed so proud of how you found a way to use the stones to protect those accursed lands,¡± she continued in a softer tone. ¡°What is more disturbing is what they may do with something of your former master¡¯s power should the find a way of gaining it though the stones. And they could have allies. And not just of our world.¡±


    I let out a breath, having to agree. Her wisdom, selfish and pragmatic and cruel as it had ever been again showed the path of need. But where was I going find the power to deal with such a powerful thief? I stared down at my numbed and curled fingers. After what I had just experienced I did not know if I dare call upon such power again.

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 39 – Gwynhafer’s Enchanted Garden

    Missive to Arbiter El Endande


    Storm Season Third Quarter First Horn¡¯s Day


    One of our most venerable members, Greyslan Amberglass has gone outside his purview in your region. We request you muster your talents and when the time is available, call upon your underlings to commit to a search for him. It is possible he may merely be settling somewhere pleasant to wait out the end of storm season and the worst stretches of Cold season.


    We would appreciate that you discharge your duties with a gentle but firm hand. While he still remains powerful in the way elder wizards can be, he has grown somewhat chaotic in recent years. You understand you have the allowance to use whatever persuasion is necessary to encourage his safe and speedy return to council.


    Missive to Council From Arbiter El Endande


    Storm Season Third Quarter Second Wheel Day


    While there is some trace of your errant member having entered my purview, through the port of Kattan, his presence appears to have vanished somewhere near the Grey Forests. And while that is the entrance into the protected realm of the daughters of the black oak, I cannot believe even one in a chaotic state would dare enter into such a darkly enchanted region alone.


    It is more likely he skirted the region and headed south to the more enchanted marshes of Abdekalar. They are the perfect sort of area to refresh oneself during the less pleasant seasons. They however are governed by Arbiter El Kishinik. With your permission, I will send a missive to her to begin a search for the Venerable Amberglass.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    We lay in her warm garden. For how long I could not tell. As an enchantress of great power time did not pass in the same manner in Gwyn¡¯s domain as it did in less enchanted locales on Aethros. And while a part of me was concerned what was happening outside its green walls, much of me longed to remain.


    A small and curious marmot approached us. She took in her hand, stroked its fur while it chattered under her care. I watched her, thinking about all the contradictions inherent to such a powerful being as herself.


    Gwyn turned to me and lowered the creature, a smile on her lips. She moved to me, her soft breasts pressing into my chest, the light touch of her fingers began a caress that started at my temple and slowly made their way down my ear.


    ¡°I have an answer to your quandary,¡± she told me in a playful tone. ¡°And I think you may even like it.¡±


    I looked into her bright green eyes, felt her warm breath on my face. There was mischief in those eyes.


    ¡°What do you suggest?¡± I asked her.


    ¡°If you cannot overpower your opponent, then you need to bring him down to a level where you are more equal,¡± she started, then stopped as I stiffed in response. ¡°I am sorry, to question your command of the arcane, but the solution is to ensure that you can defeat him. And also what I propose will also prove he is the one who pilfered the missing stones.¡±


    I thought for a moment.


    ¡°You mean gather others, so much that they will stunt both of our powers.¡±


    She nodded. The look on her face was now wholly mischievous.


    ¡°How many would it take to make a wizard utterly powerless,¡± she asked. ¡°No more powerful than any other man. It can¡¯t be a great number, not of collected within a short distance of each other.¡±


    I thought about it, remembered. No, not many. More than the thief would have garnered. But not many more.


    ¡°Four,¡± I told her. ¡°Five, at the most.¡±


    ¡°Then you have your answer,¡± she told me, stroked my cheek, my beard, sounding pleased with herself. ¡°You take the stones to your adversary. Whoever holds the ones from the March will be rendered powerless. Then he can be dealt with, by sword or staff, in whatever manner you see fit.¡±


    ¡°You suggest, I, as he did, steal them from another March,¡± the idea did not sit well with me. ¡°I cannot do that. They are promised, until they are no longer needed. I will not bring myself down to the level of a common robber.¡±

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 40 – A Dishonorable Proposal

    ¡°Then you ask for them, gently, graciously, but firmly,¡± Gwen told me. ¡°You¡¯ve always had a talent for contriving exchanges of favor, and ensuring the final result it is to your advantage. That was how you built your precious Council, wasn¡¯t it, and how you convinced them to create their proud alliance with all your beloved kingdoms of men?¡±


    ¡°The other lords of the marches, though?¡± I wondered. ¡°They are all strong minded men, as difficult as the lands they rule. And I will not have the strength of my fellowship behind me this time. I dare not call upon them for this, not in this day and age.¡±


    She, however, was not dissuaded. I wondered, did she want to be rid of me so soon? Or was this another game of hers, to charm me again, and then let me go to enact a plan of her devising. Did it matter? It was not the worst plan that could have been devised.


    ¡°I think they will be willing to help you, should they be prodded a little. None of them want to lose their lands to the curses again, do they?. It is the hardest of lands men cling to the strongest. And you can remind them as I reminded you. Any of them might be next. Any.¡±


    ¡°Even so,¡± I still wasn¡¯t enamored with the thought. And the Margraves wouldn¡¯t be either. ¡°They are the most resentful our kind. And it is not as if I will be able to rely on my magic to bend them, given the stones, their lands and who they are, and my current state.¡±


    Her smiled widened, despite my recalcitrance. Then she poked me in the chest.


    ¡°You do still have allies who are not beholden to Council, do you not? Ones which could nudge a March Lord whose livelihood relies on say, ironwool sheep?¡±


    I knew very well what she was proposing. It was appalling, though clever. Oh, I was getting old to not have seen the direction of her thoughts.


    ¡°You propose trickery, then?¡± I wanted to know. And was I above such acts? My personal chronicles would, unfortunately, say no. Not in the least.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    ¡°Well, I suppose you are still somewhat bound to those scaly and winged creatures you always professed an unnatural devotion to.¡± She poked my ribs with her elbow. ¡±You were always such a doting foster mother, from egg to hatchling, to mountains and sky.¡±


    I raised an eyebrow at her smirk. I sighed, allowed a smile to touch my lips..


    ¡°You''re proposing I call for my rock wyvern,¡± I replied. Yet another close bond I had let go over the years. Would the beasts once raised still come? Would Red Belly still remember me? I had my doubts. It had been decades.


    ¡°If you are going to work this on your own, you will have to call on your old bonds, old favors¡± she told me. ¡°It has worked for you so far.¡±


    That it had. I kissed her.


    ¡°Oh I don''t need to mention anything else, do I?¡± she told me once we had sated each other. ¡°I''m sure that is already working their way into your mind. Who do you have in mind as you''re supplicant who will need to be protected from such ravenous beasts? I¡¯m sure you already have a supplicant in your mind already.¡±


    I did. She had sent my mind to work, and the state of the Buerland Marches were a topic I had always kept abreast of.


    ¡°Margrave Watterkrek,¡± I stated. ¡°His wealth is dependent on the wool from his flocks of rock hill grazing sheep. Ironwool, yes. All the lords of the Buerland Marches are dependent on them.¡±


    ¡°He passed away some years ago,¡± she told me. ¡°His son is a new count. You remember that boy. Poorest archer to ever become Margrave.¡±


    I rose onto my elbow, turned to her.


    ¡°You are oddly well versed in such matters,¡± I replied.


    ¡°The count¡¯s son has spread his flock¡¯s pastures into one of my sister¡¯s domains.¡± She explained. ¡°He has engaged a Council arbiter to allow this incursion. It would be helpful to me for this behavior to be discouraged.¡±


    ¡°Without your active hand in matters,¡± I added.


    ¡°No favor comes without a price,¡± she reminded me with a cocked eyebrow. No, no favor ever did.


    I reached back into my memory of the siege of the black cliffs. Watterkrek did have two sons. But I didn¡¯t remember which was the elder or which was the worse archer. Still, Gwyn¡¯s suggestion would provide an expedient nudge to quickly encourage the younger margrave into trading favor for favor. Ironwool sheep had been Red Belly¡¯s favorite prey.


    ¡°Was it the fat one or the angry one who inherited?¡± I asked.


    ¡°The angry one,¡± Gwyn reminded me. ¡°It should be an interesting challenge for you. I do believe he still bears a grudge against your kind, you in particular. But what¡¯s a grudge that you can¡¯t charm your way out of? Eh, my wizard?¡±


    The passion we fell into then answered that question entirely. Or so I thought at the time.

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 41 – Master Of Wyverns

    Missive to Council from Arbiter El Endande


    Storm Season Fourth Quarter First Day of Charm


    After several cycles of days, I have heard of a re-appearance of Greyslan Amberglass. Apparently he has found his way to the Buerland Marches. How he made his way there from the Silverborne Sea, I am uncertain, but he seems to have arrived upon the unanswered complaint from the current count of rock wyvern¡¯s attacking his flocks. While this is an unusual act, it seems to hold within the Tenets of Balance.


    I do have a ledger of obligations to tend to, but as per your last missive, I shall endeavor to locate your wayward Wizard and ensure he will be sent his way back to council. I of course would appreciate any compensation that would be sent to my prevue for the effort as of course, there is always much to do to maintain balance in the regions of my purview.


    Watterkrek had grown since last time I¡¯d been through the Buerland Marches. A collection of straw thatched buildings huddled around the Margrave¡¯s keep, but there were many more than even a decade ago. The young Margrave¡¯s keep was more imposing than his father¡¯s had been. Taller, Wider, with two new towers. Watterkrek was doing well.


    At the keep¡¯s gate, I announced myself and was told to wait for the Warden to take me to see the Margrave.


    I was led in by Roderick, a particularly taciturn march warden, grey of beard and clanking of piecework armor to the Margrave of Watterkrek¡¯s great, if rough-hewn hall with minimal ceremony. Notably, the newer Watterkrek Keep was more solidly built than his father¡¯s had been, mountain-granite walled, rather than the found stone the original had been. Clearly Gwynhafer¡¯s knowledge of the March stood in good stead. The trade in ironwool had been good to the young Margrave. Still, despite his wealth, the lord I was lead to wore the similar rough clothing of any March Lord.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Youth, of course, is as always a matter of perspective, Margrave Edrick was a middle aged man now, his own short beard and red hair streaked with grey, certainly not the child of the army commander who had been granted this land after the First War of the Alliance. His eyes, however, remained the same. Slate grey, narrow and resentful. The Second War of the Alliance had not sat well with his kind. Betrayals and compelled sacrifice rarely do.


    ¡°It''s been a long time venerable Amberglass,¡± Edrick offered, rubbing the now weathered and lined face bore a notable trace of his father¡¯s hard features. The scowl I remembered he had as a boy had rearranged his Waterford features into something long lasting and unpleasant to look at. He had been eating well, though. The Margrave of Watterkrek was no taller than his father had been, but he was not such a slim man.


    ¡°I was just on a journey through the Buerlands, Lord Margrave, and heard tales of your recent troubles¡± I told him. Simplicity and concern was always the best approach when crafting such deceptions. ¡°But in reverence to your father¡¯s great deeds and heroism, and also my familiarity with such difficult beasts, I thought it was best that I took a personal interest and offered my help you in your time of need. I take it the cost so far has been dear.¡±


    He nodded unhappily, his scowl deepening.


    ¡°Blighted winged serpents with poison on their tails.¡± He spat, leaning back in the same granite seat of office his father had once occupied, if uncomfortably. ¡°Rock wyverns, not seen for a generation. I had thought them gone for good. Your kind should have wiped them out with the rest of the foul dragonkind from the Underworld.¡±


    I decided not to remind him that wyvern¡¯s had no relation to the Great Dragons. They were as natural to our world as either of us.

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 42 – Hall Of The March Lord

    Margrave Edrick of Watterkrek  rubbed his chin, called for a drink to wash away the foul taste in his mouth. The discussion ground to a halt while I waited. His warriors stood by in their black kilts and leathers staring at me silently, at least until the replacement keg arrived and all partook. I sat down on the cold stone steps and waited while they each took their turn. One has to respect such rituals. The slivers of sunlight from the hall¡¯s high slit windows shifted a good space by the time they finished.


    ¡°Then, the moment the Season of Storm ends,¡± he continued after a draught, liberal wiping of his beard. ¡°They strike unexpectedly and in the high pastures, and on the eve of the wool harvest! My shepherds barely escaped with their skins.¡±


    I nodded gravely. Any cost, of course, would be considered dear to a man who needed to maintain such an sizeable keep. He was exaggerating. Red Belly and her brood had devoured only a small fraction of his stock. The true cost would be negligible, even if the potential threat was great.


    ¡°My father once spoke of your affinity with such creatures,¡± he added, gesturing rudely down to me from his high stone seat. ¡°He said that during the Riven War, your wyverns flew in such numbers they blotted out the suns, that they made day seemed like night.¡±


    I nodded, having prepared my responses to such anticipated suspicions. That was a slight exaggeration as well. And almost all of them had been lost.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    ¡°That was a long time ago,¡± I replied. ¡°And a war against dragons from which few of those creatures survived, as your father would have also told you. What your flocks are facing are likely their wild counterparts, few in number and easily frightened off. And while I may not have raised them, I understand such creatures enough to be able to dissuade them from your lands. And, I note, as a return in favor for your father¡¯s bravery in battle, I will be happy to make this a personal favor, with no reduction in your balance of council service otherwise.¡±


    He gathered himself for a moment, clearly somewhat taken aback by my offer, looked to his seneschal, then looked back to me.


    ¡°My house will be grateful for your favor,¡± he offered, suspicion still coloring his tone, but there was appreciation as well. ¡°It has only been recently we have had good seasons and an excess of our most valuable wool. How much time and how many resources will you need to put this to a stop?¡±


    ¡°I assure you, the cost will not be dear. Oh, once I have already scryed the location of the nest. I should be able to send them from your lands in due haste, back to their hunting ranges in the mountains¡± I told him. ¡°The effort should perhaps take a cycle of days, at the most. And your further losses should be no more than a herd or two. Whatever you have lost in the last cycle should be the worst.¡±


    ¡°You promise?¡± he leaned down towards me, gaze challenging.


    I met his gaze. He had indeed grown to be at least half man his father had been. He did not flinch.


    ¡°I promise,¡± I told him. ¡°There is just one small favor in return I ask in return. Something of your interest as well, I suspect.¡±


    His face turned stony again, the scowl returning.


    ¡°And what price would that be, wizard?¡± he asked, suspicion fully returned.


    ¡°That we must discuss in private,¡± I told him. ¡°You will understand once I speak of it.¡±

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 43 – The Mother of Wyverns

    The mother of the flight had rubbed her great heavy head against my chest. Around her, a dozen of her children and grand children hopped or slithered around us, in curiosity I expected. They were not familiar with my scent, having been born in the decades after I freed her and her mate from my service. Red Belly, however, did not forget. She had been more than willing to fly for me once more. I will readily admit her devotion brought a tear to my eyes. The purr of a wyvern is as comforting and sweet as their screams are terrifying.


    It is said, all of the creatures of the Draconic, even of not of Underworld origin, have memories as long as their lives. Even the most ancient I remember knelt at Arcory¡¯s feet without hesitation. And this is true of the great winged rock wyverns, those that remain from their once uncountable numbers.


    Red Belly also did not hesitate in ensuring her brood knew who I was to her, and therefore to them.


    Each in their turn came to me, to bond in their own reptilian manner. They accepted I was one of them. After that, they happily twittered and screeched their delight on my approach, nuzzled me with their great teethy snouts. I admit the love they expressed lifted my spirits, reminding me of the days I could almost consider them my pets just as one would with puppies or kittens.


    Understandably, they were reluctant, after their taste of fattened ironwool sheep to leave once a gain, but understood after a time this was only a temporary gift I had offered them. I even surprised myself, as they were willing to take flight south, off to their home amongst the desolate mountain regions between March and Southern Empire. As they left, each shrieked their thanks for the bounty they been provided. Observant training lasts for generations, Arcory had taught me. His words still rang true.


    One doesn¡¯t, however, have to be a master of expression to understand Margrave Watterkrek was less than pleased with the price I asked for my assistance in ridding his lands of their unwelcome scourge.


    As I had warned Gwyn, a Margrave¡¯s Arcory Stones were more valuable than their more obvious sources of their wealth.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°Those stones are what keep this land from sinking into a foul morass or drying into a parched wasteland like that of the south,¡± he told me in a hard tone. ¡°They were given until our last blood, for my father¡¯s sacrifices during the Riven War. A promise you made personally, as I was told.¡±


    I nodded, remembering kneeling to offer those words to the man as a young boy who held back the tears at the news of the loss of his elder brothers.


    ¡°You have received word of what has become of the Bardelaisch Marches by now, have you not,¡± I inquired.


    He nodded, suspicion returning to his gaze.


    ¡°The word is the stones there had grown weak,¡± he replied. ¡°What does that have to do with ours? The Arbiter¡¯s examined ours but five seasons ago, and she assured me our three stones were still strong as ever.¡±


    ¡°The word you received was in error, Margrave,¡± I told him, deepening my tone. ¡°The Bardelaisch stones did not weaken. They were removed. Stolen. For what purpose, I know not as yet. But it is my obligation to restore them. As the same would be if it had been yours.¡±


    His gaze searched mine for some trace of duplicity.


    ¡°This is the truth?¡± he wanted to know, clearly shocked. He recovered quickly enough, though. ¡°But how do I know this is not some secret way of consolidating power. Reducing the autonomous marches of their hard won wealth by enriching the great and lesser Kingdoms with the power of our stones.¡±


    I sighed. Such rumors were always spread amongst the often suspicious March Lords.


    ¡°Lord Edrick, I am the one who was originally responsible for the gifting of those stones to all the Marches, as I''m sure your father told you many times. I am the last actor upon this stage who would deprive the Marches of what sustains them. I''m trying to ensure that, whoever took them, will be exposed, and the stones returned to the March from which they were taken. I am honor bound to do this. By blood oath, if not geas. And in yours and your neighbor¡¯s stones lie the key to locating those which were removed from Bardelaisch.¡±


    The diplomacy had begun, but it would be hard earned, as Edrick would be only one of three march lords I would have to convince. And I knew it would cost me more than simply the removal of the rock wyvern threat to his march. So be it.


    ¡°Besides,¡± I added, ¡°it is already well past harvest and you are due to recall your flocks before the Cold Sun is ascendant. I only need one stone from your March, Lord Edrick. The remaining two will be enough to sustain your lands through the Season of the Cold Sun. I promise, it will be returned before the return of the Hot Sun.¡±

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 44 – Three Margraves, Three Stones

    Missive from Council To Arbiter El Endande


    Storm Season Fourth Quarter Second Day of Sighs


    I have arrived at Watterkrek and have learned the venerable Amberglass was instrumental in removing a scourge of rock wyvern which had been recently preying on the Margrave¡¯s flocks of ironwool sheep. I wish confirmation that his actions were not sanctioned by council as this will affect the assaying of arcane works in the region of my responsibility. This will complicate my official ledger of the season if this is truly the case.


    ¡°The stones we have are barely enough to sustain my marshlands,¡± the now withered and ancient Margrave Reidsweither complained as he rubbed what little white hair that remained scattered over his spotted scalp. I was surprised he still commanded his waterlogged march. He had not been a young man when I had last met him, now he was stooped and encloaked in an old man¡¯s grey. Even his cloak, coat and breeches seemed to have lost all their color. Despite the relative warmth of the hall, he remain swaddled. ¡°I cannot spare a single one. The buerweed would choke all and everything without such protection.¡±


    The third Margrave Edrick had invited, the imposing blond bearded Keith of Bearing Baelok was also similarly unwilling to part with a single stone. We sat at the wood table that had been brought into the main hall, I beside Watterkrek, the two other lords opposite. Torches flickered in the draft.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    ¡°You have given me little reason to stay and hear more,¡± he stated, glancing briefly to me before returning his narrow gaze Watterkrek. That was his third threat he would abandon the meeting. ¡°Without the stones, our farmlands would be barren moors.¡±


    The Keith certainly didn¡¯t dress like a farmer, or even a typical March Lord. His soldierly regalia made me think of Omar and his gold trimmed black.


    The young, at least when compared to Reidsweither, Watterkrek turned to me eyebrows raised in acknowledging my appreciation of what he told me previously; that any of the stones of his fellow march lords would have to be pried out of their grasping and unwilling hands. I prodded him to continue with what we discussed to help convince them of the urgency and necessity.


    ¡°We cannot risk the same fate that befell the Bardelaisch March to strike our lands,¡± he told them.¡± And this is a small risk to us to ensure that whoever was behind the theft is caught and the incident emboldens whoever was responsible to come for what we have. The Venerable Amberglass already has risked his hide to expel the rock wyvern who had accosted Watterkrek. He is a man of his word.¡±


    ¡°We can protect our stones,¡± the Keith insisted, turning his leather gloved right hand into a fist. Muscular and tall, clothed in black leathers and shiny ringmail, his large two handed sword lay before him on the table scabbarded, yet ready, I might add. He continued to present the image of a soldier who took matters into his own hands. His ancient fellow agreed, even if the man¡¯s tone was weaker. ¡°Against any thievery, my men will sacrifice their lives if need be.¡±


    ¡°Can you protect them, though?¡± I wondered aloud. ¡°Against magicks?¡±

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 45 – A Complicating Arrival

    ¡°From wizardry or from the conjuration of arcane entities that would be required for such a theft?¡± I noted in a grave tone, leaned over the table and glared at the two men. ¡°What has happened in the west has never happened before. And assuredly, my lords the theft was backed by a more than typically skilled wizard. Neither the council nor its entowered wizards, nor its arbiters can watch over every stone in every march between the Oceans of Morning and Dusk. And our enemy knows that. You yourselves know how little your marches have been allotted by the tenets of balance. And, I assure you, I will only require one stone from each of your territories, and that, only until the culprit is caught. They will be returned long before the eve of the Season of the Hot Sun, that I give my complete assurance.¡±


    ¡°And how can we be assured of that?¡± the Reidsweither wanted to know in his whispery tone, ¡°Anything could happen beyond the safety of our marches.¡±


    ¡°Because you will send your most trusted men to guard them,¡± I added in compromise. ¡°I would not think of taking your stones under my guardianship alone. My part in this will be to assure they in turn do not fall under any arcane influence for the duration of our quest. Your men will ensure that no common thief will survive any such attempt.¡±


    This was the best course, regardless. Given what kinds of mystical distortion they were capable of, it was best they remained in the hands of men who had the most limited sensitivity to their powerful dark influences of the stones. And I was certain my current difficulties bending my own power to my will added gravitas to my tone.


    And that suggestion helped convince the lords. Such men hold the highest trust in those they know. There was more negotiation required to finalize the agreement, of course. Our route through the four alliance kingdoms was bandied about, as well as other favors to the Marches were needed to tip the balance ultimately in my favor. I of course, would be required to offer the use my own abilities for their personal and lands benefit, but the cost was not as dear as I lead the Margraves to believe. Spells of nurture and repair are time consuming and arduous, but rest primarily of the first and second arcane degrees and would also be difficult for future arbiters to take account of when judging the balance of powers used on their territories. There are some advantages to having help set the rules the council¡¯s regional arbiters follow. At worst, the judgment of council would fall on me. But that was a price I was willing to pay if it meant the restoration of the Bardelaisch¡¯s stones and its verdant hills.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    What I didn¡¯t take into account was the speed in which our negotiations were uncovered by the regional council arbiter. Clearly that meant Council¡¯s efforts in locating me had been far more extensive than I would have expected. That level of concern was comforting to a certain extent, I had to admit. It always feels good to be missed. Unfortunately, it also meant that it was possible not all my obligations could be completed before an arbiter arrived. And that would complicate things.


    An hour into my third meeting with the Margraves, the Keith (for it had been decided they should be held at his marshland keep) received word that the Arbiter of the High Southlands was at the castle gates and demanding to be admitted into the hall where we were ensconced in our negotiations. I knew if she were to become privy to our agreements she could very well ruin them, not to mention pass on word to the wizard, whether inadvertently or not, who had sent the elemental fire after me. I acted as quickly as I could.


    The other two were quickly ushered out of the Keith¡¯s great oak timbered hall only moments before his seneschal burst through the doors. I had barely enough time to provide him an enchantment to harden the lord¡¯s countenance in face of an arbiter¡¯s enchanted perceptions. I hoped it would be enough.


    ¡°The Arbiter has entered the keep,¡± the long haired and youthful seneschal told us.


    The Keith nodded, motioned for him to continue.


    ¡°We are providing delay, but she will be at these doors in moments,¡± The man informed us breathlessly, then returned to his duty..


    ¡°You know what you need to do,¡± I told the Margrave. The Keith poured two goblets of amber brew and we waited at his long table.

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 46 – The Arbiter Arrives

    Missive from Arbiter El Endande To Council


    Storm Season Fourth Quarter Second Day of Duty


    Continue your efforts to locate Greyslan Amberglass. But understand, as he is a creature of our establishment, the determining of his activities is our responsibility. You are to ensure his condition, and determine if he is able to return to council. Only if you find that is not the case are you cleared to investigate the circumstances of his activity in your prevue.


    As for your concerns over your obligations and adaptation to the normal ebb and flow of the writs of balance and the changed from year to year, you can be assured we take all into account when we issue the writs and terms. As long as they are followed, you have no worries about your obligations and the work you do to maintain and enforce the rules of wizardry. We thank you for your concern, understanding it is a reflection of your sense of duty.


    The young margrave eyed me with some apprehension, took a long draught from his own goblet.


    ¡°You believe this will fool an arbiter?¡± he asked, masking the apprehension he must have felt.


    I nodded. I knew the class well. I had trained enough of them in the early years. But, I too had my worries.


    ¡°The strength of your will and agreements will be tested here,¡± I warned him. ¡°Ensure she focuses on me and my own acts. I am here to ensure you and your land¡¯s endurance. Understand that. Do not drink too much, that will interfere with the enchantment I have provided you.¡±Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    He nodded slowly. Then turned to the doors as the sounds of the arbiters approach echoed from beyond them.


    The tall Arbiter of the High Southlands strode in through the opened doors as though she was the lord of the keep, holding a hand up to silence the Margrave¡¯s guards. She was perfectly within her rights, for each of the Councils thirty-nine arbiters wielded some political power. It was one of the compromises the Thirteen had made with Council in order to assure the peace between the common and arcane following the Riven War.


    The exercise of arcane power was restricted and meted out by a right of action, and the appropriate expression of all spell casting was guarded and restrained by the arbiters set out to all the lands. No land would be provisioned more than what would appropriately be allotted to their neighbors. Both Council and the thirteen great lords wanted to ensure wielders of magic would not turn their powers on the kingdoms once the threat from the Overworld and Underworld had passed. We all agreed on the compromise of balance and containment, and not the least, to distinguish the Greater and Lesser Kingdoms we stood to protect from the Empire to the South that knew little restraint and whose peoples often paid the price for such lack.


    Council chosen arbiters were the most committed of the collegiate. However, they were still men and women, and could be influenced in a limited manner. I had not personally trained nor did I know this arbiter well, but the Keith did.


    Akela El Endande cut an imposing figure. As tall as I was, she wore her Arbiter¡¯s Tabard with the posture of a disciplined soldier, her copper colored hair tied back in a long braid behind her strong, even sever face. She was not a young woman, and bore the severity of her lifelong devotion to her high position in the collegiate. While her skin was nearly white in its paleness, as opposed to the Buerlander¡¯s ruddy complexions, there was strength in her expression, and here penetrating and unflinching pale blue eyes. She had not left a strong impression at the council gatherings where we had met briefly. She had been an ambitious graduate of her college, as well as young for her position. She had grown to be a powerful wizard. I took in a breath, waited for her to speak. Overcoming her was not going to be as trivial as I had hoped.

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 47 – The Hand of Another

    ¡°Margrave Keith, I greet you in the name of the Council of Althelwick,¡± She stated in a hard voice as he bowed, then turned to me, where a less charitable look on her hardened visage. ¡°The Venerable Greyslan Amberglass, your fellows of the collegiate have been most worried about you over these many cycles of days since you sent or received missives. I am glad to have found you under such a solid roof and in capable company.¡±


    I took a deep breath. She wrinkled her strong brow, watching my reaction. El Endande seemed not sure what to expect from me. Her grip on her Ebony staff remained tight.


    ¡°You are well, are you not?¡± She wanted to know. Her expression was not sympathetic, however. Something seemed out of place, but I could not put my finger on what that was.


    ¡°All is well, Arbiter,¡± I offered mildly with a slight smile. ¡°I was merely enjoined by the Lord Keith to a roof over my head during this Season of the Cold Sun. You know how soothing the lands¡¯ warm marshes can be to one as ancient as myself.¡±


    She took that in, expression unchanging, clearly evaluating me with every heartbeat. What had she been told? What were her orders?


    ¡°Of course,¡± she replied, appearing to relax a little. No, she most definitely did not believe my being here was as simple as that, but like all fellows of the council, wizard or not, she had obligations, restriction and orders and a principles of behavior and respect. I could take advantage of aspects of this, could guide in the direction I needed. ¡°But, magister, you are required by council to report on your actions when traveling. And you have not over the past five cycles, and were expected to return to Council, as you were requests. You have duties, fellow Amberglass, as do I.¡±


    Her attention was focused entirely on me. I could hear the Keith shift in his armor, but it would be disrespectful to look away from El Endande. I bowed.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°I understand most Arbiter El Endande,¡± I tried in my most ingratiating tone. ¡°I will be ready to depart according to necessity as soon as Council requires. But of course, this puts council orders in conflict with the Margrave¡¯s offers of refuge, whose offer of shelter I have accepted.¡±


    I nodded to the man beside me.


    ¡°You will have to negotiate with him over the terms of my release from his generosity.¡±


    I added weight to this, a glance to the Keith, then back to the Arbiter. I will admit that I often chafe under the layers of ritual that have developed as Council has strengthened and aged. But occasionally, they do have their uses. I kept my smile to myself. El Endande, it seemed, had little love for ritual either.


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe you do, Councilor,¡± she told me, not altering her hard tone. ¡°I have already been obliged to alter my calendar of arbitration to deal with your truancy from Council. I remind you, you have been errant for cycles with no explanation. And you are now found, hundreds of leagues from your last known location arranging transactions with badland lords. You do not have the sanction for such behavior.¡±


    She pulled up her evenwood staff. It¡¯s crystal glowed red to accompany her temper.


    ¡°Arbiter,¡± I tried to calm her, held out my open palms. ¡°I can explain. There is no need for¡­¡±


    But she continued her actions, ignoring my action. The angled her staff towards me. This did seem unwarranted. I tried to think of how I may have slighted her in the past.


    ¡°You will lay down your staff,¡± she ordered. ¡°And accept the binding so I may have you transported without trouble to me or others on your return to council.¡±


    I could not believe what I was seeing, hearing. I was not going to allow a provincial accountant of the arcane to take me into custody in such a humiliating manner. I grasped my staff, felt it curl into my grip and in one swift move dealt a bolt of subdual at El Endande. She immediately fell to the stone floor, her staff clattering as it dropped down beside her.


    ¡°Wizard!¡± The Keith called out in shock, pulling his greatsword from its scabbard. ¡°What have you done?!¡±


    I turned to him, glared.


    ¡°You heard what she was about to do?!¡±


    ¡°She was about to sit with us for a few words over some amber brew,¡± he told me, both strong hands gripping his great blade. ¡°And you struck her down!¡±

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 48 – The Final Blood Bonding

    Missive to Council from Greyslan Amberglass


    Storm Season Fourth Quarter Third Day of Horns


    I apologize about my tardiness of engaging in regular missives to your honorable offices. I however managed to lose such available materials during the particular heavy storm which as you probably know washed away a good part of the port of Wensley. And given the warnings even words Season of Storm weather, I sought to make my way to the more amenable and drier regions to the south. I will of course be happy to make a full accounting of myself on my return.


    Please do not engage any in risky Cold Season high travel. It is likely best no dragonship or gryphons be endangered in such travel to bring me back quickly. I am under the assurance the arbiter El Endande and men of the Southland Marches will come to some equitable arrangement to ensure I am able to return safely, if slowly back to council.


    Perhaps it was the shock, the confusion, or a reflex imbued in me from times far more dangerous than this. I cast the subdual again, this time on the Keith and he fell, like the arbiter to the floor. His sword clattered loudly in accompaniment. I stood there a moment, glanced from one prone figure to the other. What had I done? I looked at my bonewood staff, so comfortable now in my hands. I was beginning to get an inkling of what had just happened.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    There was a pounding on the halls great doors. I hadn¡¯t remembered them shutting, but shut they were.


    ¡°Lord Keith,¡± a voice called, muffled by the thick wood. ¡±We heard a cry. Is all well?¡±


    That broke me from my mystification. I quickly made my way over to the Keith, knelt and placed my hand over his mouth, added another spell, another crime to my acts. There was another pounding on the doors.


    I finished the spell, then turned my head to the doors.


    ¡°We are in meeting, all is well,¡± I called out in the Keith¡¯s booming voice. ¡°You will not disturb us. Wait and stand guard.¡±


    There were sounds of movement from behind the doors, silence for a moment, then:


    ¡°Yes lord,¡± came the reply. It was followed by blessed quiet.


    My attention returned to my staff, my hands. What I had just done, could not have been of my own doing. What I had heard¡­ A glamour! Gwynhafer! I concentrated on my hands. Stared at them, curled them into fists, uncurled. There was something about them. Something not right. A delay, a difference. And my staff, so comfortable in my grip. More comfortable than I had ever remembered experiencing.


    Yes, I had been glamoured. And not in order for a blade this time, to be slipped between my ribs. Something much, much worse.


    I whispered a cancelling. Nothing. I strengthened it. My hands shook, then glowed, then burned. Then they were mine again. I took my staff in both hands, felt the discomfort again. Yes, now this was right. The aching.


    Then I began to bend it. The wood creaked, resisted my efforts. I endured the pain that the act bought. It was going to bend to my will. It was going to bend to my will!


    ¡°Now you listen to me,¡± I demanded as I strained. ¡°You will reveal all your sister did to me, or by the suns and moons I will shatter you now to kindling!¡±

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 49 – Settling The Pact

    The staff began to resist me with more effort, straightening, fighting my grip, but as its bonded wizard, I had the greater strength and I wielded the greater power. I gripped harder, brought my hands towards each other. The old twisted wood began to bend. I felt her anger radiate through my palms, my fingers. It changed to rage, to denial, to fear and finally to terror as the wood began to crack audibly.


    I stopped.


    That was what it took for it, yes, her, to respond. Another moment more and she would have been shattered, and she knew it. My time as a wizard would have been ended as well, but my fury held. It was the one thing that we did share. Neither of us had wanted this. But we both had to live with it. The geas remained, even if it had corroded over time.


    ¡°This was all her plan,¡± I told my staff. ¡°And you helped her. Helped her enthrall me to use my wyverns against the margraves for her own purposes. And Created the illusion the arbiter was going to enchain me?! Has she been behind this all along? All of it? Tell me, or you will most certainly share in my ruin. That will be my last act.¡±


    Resistance. A stone wall of infinite thickness. Unmovable.


    ¡°For what I have done here, for what we have done, the council will invoke a far greater punishment than hermitage on me,¡± I told it angrily. ¡°And you will be sent to the alchemists. Oh, you remember how it was, our bonding, our life-bonding. There are powers that can compel me to alter the terms our bond, those which your sister does has no access. You know that. You will be theirs for whatever length of time they desire. That will be your fate, perhaps not as terrible as mine, but you can be assured it will be an eternity of agony compared to the decades you were compelled to spend with me.¡±Stolen novel; please report.


    Uncertainty. The rippling of water. Apprehension.


    ¡°This can be repaired. It is possible. You can avoid that fate. You have a single choice now. You will help me undo what she has done, or I will end it here!¡±


    Contrition. Cleaving of wood. The understanding of consequences.


    ¡°Good. Now you will help me restructure what remains of this glamour and assist me on the task of using it against the Arbiter and the Keith,¡± Two hands, two minds, I had a chance. It would not endure, of course, desperate measures rarely do. But I was merely replacing a brief memory, returning what both wanted, intended. I could make it last, at least until my mission was accomplished. I had little choice in the matter. It was that, or-


    Resentment. A chill wind. Deep grievance.


    I glanced back down at the twisted length of bleached wood in my hand. I had little doubt she had been manipulated to do this by Gwynhafer. Offered her freedom, I surmised. That must have taken some convincing. Not even her sister, not even the greatest of the forest witches had the power to undo our bond. Only I could do that. Only I was allowed the power and not even Gwynhafer¡¯s most commanding of glamours could force me to make use of it. Something else could, however. Had she suspected it would be enough. Perhaps.


    ¡°I will make a pact with you,¡± I told my staff. ¡°You help me in this. You assist me with all your power to recover the Bardelaisch stones, and you will be freed. In ten years. To this day. That I promise, if death does not take me first. Will you allow me to finish this? Will you?!¡±


    Blood. The pressing of hot skin. Needles through flesh.


    I chuckled. Yes, of course, blood would be required to set the pact. I strode over to the Keith¡¯s wide oaken table and picked up his knife, slit the palm of my hand. I took the staff in my bloodied hand, and repeated the offer. It sucked up the blood, healed the cut. It was done. The bonding was remade, the old geas now gone. I would not be fighting the next war of the conjunction after all. And neither would she. Gwyn¡¯s sister, Elowyn, I could now acknowledge, given to me in an offering to Arcory for her forests and authority, would finally be freed. And I? I would be finally finished, in all ways.

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 50 – Negotiation’s Cost

    The pact struck, my staff turned to aiding me in uncovering the pattern of the glamour her sister had placed, and helped me with it¡¯s transformation and transference onto The Keith and Arbiter El Endnande. Once accomplished, the original intent of our meeting and memory of negotiations were restored. For now, neither recalled what I had done to them.


    As the Keith had told me, El Endande was a lover of the Margrave¡¯s special amber brew. After partaking in not a little of it myself, I became more confident my plan would be a success, even if I could not forget what the cost of that success could be. Still, I offered an optimistic front. I had better.


    ¡°This is not appropriate. I am ordinarily guided by Council,¡± she told us, pursed her pale lips. ¡°The manner in which their venerable Wizard should be returned to them was clear in their missive. They desired my personal attention to this task.¡±


    ¡°Well, we are under, at this time, the deepest hold of the Cold Sun in a generation,¡± I reminded her. ¡°To call upon additional resources, would undoubtedly force claims by those under your purview. You have good work to do, Arbiter. We both know Councils most expedient methods of travel are at their weakest under the Cold Sun. I wouldn¡¯t want that potential cost to fall upon any on my account. It would ease your burdens as well. We all know the responsibilities of the Arbitry are great and always demanding. And the Keith has agreed, as have two of his fellow lords.¡±Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    ¡°I have no desire to flaunt Council,¡± the Keith added. ¡°It is the least we could offer, some small assistance to the venerable wizard on his return journey home, as there is much he has done to aid out lands which remains unpaid.¡±


    ¡°This your suggestion then? That you lords take my place as escort?¡± She took another sip. She was growing more amenable as the discussion went on. Thank the brew, I offered silently glancing down at my almost empty goblet.


    ¡°Well, I would not want to presume on the Arbiter, but we can offer some protective resources to the magister,¡± the Margrave glanced over to me, then back to the Arbiter ¡°During the Season of the Cold Sun, there is less need for such soldiery as ours, and I am certain that, to provide assurance one of us could accompany the men to ensure you wizard¡¯s safety at least to the one of the citadels of a Greater Kingdom, where Council resources are more prevalent. And my fellow margraves, I am sure, will be happy to assist. There would be benefits to all, in this arrangement, I would think.¡±


    I squinted at the Keith. The more he drank, the more silver-tongued he became. His father had quite the opposite talent.


    Then, I nearly blew out a mouthful as he grabbed me by the shoulder and shook vigorously.


    ¡°Surely a good company of men to guard this venerable fellow would be acceptable to you and Council,¡± he told The Arbiter.


    I narrowed my eyes at his tone. It seemed altogether too mirthful. El Endande glance my way, offered a touch of a relieved smile. The man clearly knew her. That was exactly the reaction I needed to see.

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 51 – The Power Of Amber Brew

    Though at first mildly reluctant, the Arbiter had been turned around. We had provided her exactly what she desired; a quick and painless end to the problem Council had presented her with. She could return to her work, assured I would be returned to mine.


    The next day, she met with the both of us in the Keith¡¯s hall. He sat in his chair, watching us parlay the final details, his sheathed sword by his side, as it always was. I had begun to wonder about his wife¡¯s view of it.


    ¡°Allow me to send a missive to council,¡± El Endande told me. ¡°We will discuss the details with the other lords at their convenience.¡±


    She turned to the Keith.


    ¡°How long do you think it would take for your fellow margraves to join us here?¡±


    ¡°Oh, ¡°The Keith smiled, then clapped his hands. ¡°I am sure within the day, should missive be sent shortly. You know we all are eager to help, given our appreciation for all Council affords to us.¡±


    A page came running. The Keith then started with his missive that the girl wrote on her parchment.


    ¡°The morrow then,¡± the Arbiter offered. Then left us to our own devices.


    I turned to the Keith after she left, watched his face, his movements for any possible weakening of the new glamour my staff and I had rewoven. They seemed as strong as they had been when recast.


    ¡°I remember your father had a silver tongue back in the dark days,¡± I told him. ¡°But to see it put to the test, against an arbiter no less and head filled with drink. Your father would be proud. You honor him. As has your brewing.¡±This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ¡°I will thank that as much as anything else,¡± he told me, then turned serious. ¡°Strangely, it is when I feel closest to him. But still, I must ask why you chose to hide your plans from your fellow wizards. It does make me still wonder at your motives, magister.¡±


    ¡°And my loyalties?¡± I knew the direction he was going. Even the young remember Arcory. To many songs have been written to keep count.


    ¡°My father told me much of your master,¡± he acknowledged. ¡°And the many suspicions of the nature of the stones which protect our lands.¡±


    ¡°Even I do not know all the properties of those stones, Lord Keith,¡± I admitted. ¡°And I more than any other attempted hard to unlock their secrets. If this has to do with Arcory¡¯s dark madness, I will uncover it. If it is another¡¯s madness, I will uncover that as well.¡±


    ¡°He was your master, more than that my father would whisper,¡± he continued. ¡°So, I know better than the others. And even I know something of how Wizards are with their apprentices. There was a time when my father said that he would have had you staked, even after Arcory¡¯s sacrifice, even after your acts of contrition.¡±


    I twisted my lips. Power is a double edged sword. The people remember the two ways it cuts.


    ¡°There are still times, Margrave, I have that effect on people,¡± I agreed. ¡°But understand why I am acting on this with such gravity. The stones were placed where they were for more than just your and your fellow¡¯s benefit. And I will not have those reasons belittled for convenience or for others gain. If one of mine or ours has taken it upon him or herself to break that agreement, then whoever it may be believes they have sanction, or are beyond judgment. It is my duty to ensure they are not. To him yes, and to you and every single man woman and child who lives on all these marches. Never forget that.¡±


    He gave me a look of appraisal. I decided it would be wise for me to see him as ever bit as perceptive as his father had been.


    ¡°Oh, I will not, Venerable Amberglass,¡± he told me evenly. ¡°Of that you can be assured.¡±

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 52 – A Journey Into The Snow

    Missive to Greyslan Amberglass from Council


    Storm Season Fourth Quarter Third Wheel Day


    We appreciate the men of The Buerland Marches are willing to offer themselves for your care on your journey back to council. And we are willing to balance the cost of their guardianship against the cost of a more expedient return to our care. Should, however, you need greater protection; we shall assuredly take responsibility of your journey at whatever point is prudent.


    Understand, however, your actions have caused us to wonder at allowing you any further missions beyond council. This, you understand is not a question of your willingness to help where you can, but your unwillingness to ultimately meet your obligations to the council, the obligations and edicts you yourself helped write. Do not see this as any form of punishment for your lack of communications. We seek to ensure our venerable members are cared for and not unduly risked


    Within a few cycles the snows begin to fall on the forests, farms and King¡¯s roads we road upon. By this time the company of men who had been charged with my escort started the long journey north from their marches towards our first destination, the coast of the Silverborne sea, to follow the route I had negotiated with them. It wouldn¡¯t be a swift journey, allowing for the Margraves¡¯ merchant trade in ironwool, ale and the other odd riches of their lands to be plied. We returned through the path I had taken on my journey east, visiting several of the of the wizards whom I had retrieved yearly chronicles from.


    Each of those fellow collegiates I had some small reason to suspect may have been involved in the theft of the Bardelaisch stones. However, one by one, each were proven not to be in possession of even a sliver of even one the three stones.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    I was becoming more convinced Gwynhafer was involved in some way of the theft. Or, if she did not bear responsibility, she had intimate knowledge of the act. It made perfect sense, given the grudge she continued to hold against Arcory and Council, and the extent of her own power. Yes, I considered as we road in our caravan under the white floating down upon us all, she would have known having them stolen would draw me out. But she wasn¡¯t finished, of that I was sure. I began to believe she desired for me to find them. Her endgame had not yet played out, and I wondered if I was still perceptive enough to see it coming. Recent experience suggested I was not.


    And so, I needed to be thorough. This meant a Cold Season journey to the Isles of Albanic, an even more treacherous sail than my last. Brother and sister both, however, were proven to be free of any trace of the sympathetic anti-magic the stones we carried with us would have uncovered. I was pleased they were not involved. However, the further we moved along the more suspicious my soldierly companions became in my own motives. It did not do my reputation any good to be proven repeatedly wrong.


    ¡°Are we to travel all the way to Council?,¡± Reidsweither¡¯s eldest grandson, a young and slim sparsely bearded soldier with an increasingly sour disposition, wondered. It had become apparent soon after our leaving he had not in any way volunteered to escort me in his grandfather¡¯s stead. ¡°This is a fool''s journey.¡±


    I think he also did not enjoy the bracing cold and salty winds which blew over the now ice covered Silverborne. He also stubbornly resisted adding an extra layer to the padding beneath his ringmail as his fellows had. It disturbed me to see the boy shiver and sniffle so. I had begun to surreptitiously cast warming spells on him, even though that would certainly keep him from wearing more suitable clothing as we tramped through thicker and thicker drifts of white.


    ¡°None of this is been a fool''s journey.¡± I told him and. ¡°At the very least we have confirmed none of those with even an ounce of station has been beyond is been behind the theft, that their honor is intact.¡±


    ¡°If I never have to travel through these cold northern wastes again,¡± he complained through coughs and the occasional sneeze which rattled his dark red mail, ¡°I will be ever grateful. I care little for northern wizard¡¯s honor.¡±

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 53 – Enduring the Cold Sun

    The young Reidsweither must have sensed my sympathy. He did agree to train with me, and must have known it was for my benefit more than his. When we each had free time, I engaged him to duel with our staves. It had been ages since I had fought with the strength of my staff alone, and I would need to relearn my skills should our eventual adversary choose battle over all other options. Despite the boy¡¯s seeming willowy frame, Reidsweither was more than a capable sparring partner, even a respectful one.


    The weather soon reached its worst, blanketing the South Downlands in a howling white, and we found ourselves sequestered for a cycle in the Citadel at Dorian. The blizzards wailed beyond it¡¯s stout stone walls unceasing day and night, while we remained protected within, warmed by roaring fires and heady northern spirits.


    I found myself sharing the fire of a furnace with the Keith, who was the only one of the three lords who had accompanied the caravan himself, to, had become restless, having run out of sellers of river reed to attempt to become part of his marches trading network. Despite the warmth of the fire he would not shed his newly purchased furlined cloak. He certainly had more sense than young Reidsweither.


    He turned to me, and asked a question that had likely been in his head for some time.


    ¡°What happens if none of the wizard¡¯s you suspect have the stones,¡± he wanted to know.


    I let a breath out. Looked back from the flickering heat into his flinty gaze.


    ¡°Then I will have to return to Council, and you and your men to your marches,¡± I told him. ¡°And I will have to find another way to locate them.¡±


    That was not the journey¡¯s end I was hoping for. It would make so much of this a waste. Still, even though I was relearning my fighting skills, had improved much, I still found the effort of battling the young lord exhausting. Perhaps more time would be better.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°And should I find further clues, I will come back to you,¡± I added. ¡°I am doing what can be done. None of this is certain, you know. We are all only me, we do what men can do.¡±


    He made a noise of irritation, then replied:


    ¡°I would hope that the next time you choose the Season of the Hot Sun.¡±


    We laughed. I certainly hoped I would.


    But I knew there might not be another such journey. Council may very well not allow me further allowance. I could remain in some hope, beside the heat of one of the citadels great fire ovens. Their anger at my wayward journeying would have subsided at least a little by the time I returned. And we were not quite at the end of our journey. As well, and not very least, the glamour I¡¯d recast on him was still in effect. He did not yet seem to remember what I had done at his keep. And that meant that I would avoid the fury of El Endande as well, for at least some time yet.


    The Margrave shook his head a short while after our laughter subsided. His gaze turned serious.


    ¡°This has been sacrifice enough,¡± he told me. ¡°And the other two, I am sure will agree. You understand the edicts we have bent, in secret no less, for your suspicions. This is as far as we will go. We have our own lands to care for.¡±


    ¡°There are still several more of the entowered for us to visit,¡± I reminded him. ¡°My suspicions are grounded in all I know about my profession, my fellowship and those stones. I do know more about them than any other in the Kingdoms. You need not worry, our search will be done on this journey.¡±


    He turned back to the furnace, held out his hands to the great warmth that billowed forth.


    ¡°At least those of Dorian understand a man needs such heat to endure the Cold Sun,¡± he said.


    At least they do, I agreed silently. But my thoughts were, as always, elsewhere. Ahead, there were seven more towers to visit, only seven more wizards left to be faced. Each of whom were no more, no less likely to have stolen the stones than the nine we had already visited as far as I could tell. Meaning of course, my understanding of who those fellows had become, I needed to be very wrong in my overall assessment of at least one of the remaining six.

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 54 – To The Shelter Of Stormguard

    Missive to Margravine of The Keith from Keith Dan


    Season of the Cold Sun Second Quarter Second Day of Duty


    I trust that you are still managing in my stead. We continue to travel with this Wizard through the snowy wastes from city to city, now near the legendary mountains of fire. It is at times I wish you were traveling with us, as the smoking mountains with their rivers of fire are a sight I would not have believed and cannot describe with the words I know. Perhaps our tapestry weavers can take what I see and fill the empty wall on the north with such visions.


    As for the Wizard we are guarding, I am thinking even he has begun to doubt our mission. We have met with several others he has suspected, yet those suspicions have gone for naught. As such, I do begin to believe other than the visions of the strange north and of course the meetings with the buyers and merchants of ironwool are the only positive measures of this journey. I miss the warmth of the March. I miss your warmth. I hope my next missive will be to tell you I am on my return journey.


    We left the Citadel, to my company¡¯s poor spirits, shortly after the blizzard subsided, made out way through the thick snow which covered the low mountains which divided the kingdoms, traveled hard along The Kings road from village to town to city, to tower.


    ¡°Why do we not wait for better weather?¡± Reidsweither complained as his horse¡¯s hoof blew snow up and over him. ¡°We should have waited for clear skies at least.¡±This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    I was about to answer him when the Keith beat me to the mark.


    ¡°Because this is the north!¡± he bellowed. ¡°The weather doesn¡¯t get better boy. It only gets worse. The sooner we are done with this, the sooner we can return home.¡±


    The younger man glared back pointedly.


    ¡°Then why doesn¡¯t the wizard to something to change it,¡± he challenged. ¡°Or are we to freeze to death before he finds those stones he¡¯s looking for?¡±


    ¡°Because he¡¯s not allowed,¡± the Keith laughed from the other side of the road. ¡°His great Council¡¯s tenet is that he must suffer just as we do!¡±


    I shrugged and Reidsweither pulled the scarf over his mouth and nose and turned away. I didn¡¯t laugh. What the Keith had stated was close to the truth. I will admit I had cast a minor spell to keep the cold wind at bay. But any and all could see the discomfort I felt, though, of course, little of it from the chill radiating from the Cold Sun overhead.


    The misery my fellows endured was short lived, however, as soon we were at the foothills of the Nine Pillars of Fire where the weather was more temperate. It was even raining as we reached Stormguard. While my companions were warming themselves and their mounts, I made my way to Omar¡¯s apartments. He, however, had left before the season had began.


    ¡°Back to Tower Blackrock,¡± the seneschal told me. ¡°As soon as the Season of Storm abated.¡±


    That seemed odd. He should have been able to predict the harshness of the coming season, and seemed quite at home amongst the comforts of the bustling fortress. I knew his tower well. It north, and beyond the warming influence of the pillars. The marsh it lay in thirty leagues north and would be well frozen solid by now.


    ¡°Did he offer explanation for his departure?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Nay,¡± the short soldier replied. ¡°But the Grand Duke has journeyed to the south in hopes of a cure for the wasting, and Magister Blackrock rarely remains when Nevis is absent.¡±


    Fair enough, I decided, and delayed my return to the Margraves and their retinue. They would not be pleased to a journey into a frozen marsh. A for myself, I was alternately looking forwards to seeing Omar again, and dreading the confrontation it might become.

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 55 – The Way To Tower Blackrock

    Three days later we were making our way under willows heavy laden with a coating of ice, and across the snow covered causeways through the marsh to Omar¡¯s tower. None of the river men in the marsh port would take us the more direct route, as there was no river to traverse, only the frozen swamp.


    ¡°You are fools to go,¡± one of them, a grizzled riverman with ice in his beard told us. ¡°Not even the wizard of the tower dares traverse it.¡±


    His words rang true. We lost two horses to some surprisingly thin ice on a frozen bog.


    And, almost in the shadow of the tower the south men were at their most mutinous, openly voicing their desires to turn back. But there, amongst the cold caress of the frozen willows, I could feel it, feel him, feel the nothingness, feel the void that Arcory had left to us all. Even as it filled me with a despair I hadn¡¯t felt since the fall of Kindereon in the darkest days of the first war of the alliance, I was filled with a sharp clarity.


    Omar Blackrock, my most successful apprentice, even perhaps the most well regarded of the fourteen I had guided, had been the thief. I wished the realization had not made the great sense it did.


    I had to be sure, even as I cursed myself for not seeing what I should have suspected in Omar¡¯s words, in his warnings.


    I urged my horse across the ice, the branches snapping as I brushed through them towards the Keith, who had dismounted as his scouts checked the land between us and the tower for the safest route. The margrave  glanced back towards me as I made my way though a stand of brittle reeds.


    ¡°Give me your stone,¡± I asked him, watched him glance over at me, breath white in consideration. He narrowed his eyes at me, breathed out his own white cloud.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    ¡°What is it?¡± He wanted to know unmoving. Perhaps the cold had dulled his senses. This was the first time since we¡¯d left his own marshes I¡¯d asked to see his stone. Then his eyes brightened and nodded to the north. ¡°Is this the place? Is the wizard of that tower the thief?


    ¡°I don''t know as yet, something in the air perhaps,¡± I offered, held out my hand ¡°I will return it to you in a moment.¡±


    He returned to his tall golden brown steed and opened up his saddlebag, pulled out his stone. It was large as Arcory stones went, three times the size of his fist. I could see, even from the distance, the runes that Arcory had carved in it were faintly glowing. The Keith, however, didn¡¯t appear to notice. He brought it to me and set it in my hands without further comment.


    I took the cold stone, heavy in my hand, heavy in my heart. Felt its smoothness, its numbing essence.


    ¡°How much, of you is in this one, my old master,¡± I whispered to the dark grey stone. ¡°And what were your intentions for this creation, truly?. What were you planning?¡±


    As with all the other, this one held silent to its secrets. I thought of my master in his last days of the year following the end of the Riven War, the end of the conjunction.


    He had become chaotic, unpredictable, perhaps even mad, as the war wound down and what he had brought to our world, what he had created, had to be fought as much as that which had invaded from the Underworld and Overworld. At times he seemed drunk with power, at others, frantic with dread, the need to preserve his power, his legacy. There were many who thought of him, even I, at the time had turned from the path and would attempt to pattern himself just like our enemies ¨C we all thought. But there were times¡­ times when he was his old self. He would plead for me to trust him¡­ and just as quickly he would bellow for me to leave him alone.


    He fooled us all, myself more than most. I looked again to the stone.


    ¡°Are you fooling us again? Are you fooling me?¡±


    That was the reason we parted the way we did, the reason why I betrayed him in the end. I would no longer be manipulated, nor follow the terrible path I was sure he had committed himself to. My trust had by then cost many too, too much.

 The Stones of Arcory – Chapter 56 – Disappointing the Courtiere

    Missive to Greyslan Amberglass From Council


    Season of the Cold Sun Second Quarter Third Day of Charm


    We understand you have now reached Stormguard. Since you are now close enough to our purview we can provide suitable accompaniment back to Council, we request you give your retinue their leave to return to their southern homes. We will have our arbiter in Stormguard manage the transition, and would have you contact her to ease the transition of retinue.


    We have also had odd reports of your visitations with several Wizards on your way back to Council, and are concerned with the somewhat circuitous route you have taken. We will be requesting a full explanation and chronicle of your full activity since leaving council so we can assay your ability to undertake any future missions outside our prevue in future. Understand this is in the best interest of your venerable self along with the council you helped create.


    The approach to the tower was quieter than I¡¯d expected. The guard at the gates, once spotting who it was riding at the head was more than willing to let us through into, and out of, the bitterly cold we had been traveling to. He even went so much as wishing us well that we had completed out journey with little overall trouble. Of course he did this after I announced exactly who I was. Beyond the gates coated in icicles, the snow covered outer walls were his employer¡¯s refuge, Tower Blackrock. I could feel it more now, something like a cold wind through my bones, colder than even the chill winds of a northern Season of the Cold Sun; a barrier of some sort, a presence of nothingness. I knew then, beyond any doubt, he was the thief.


    A perfect play by Gwynhafer in her long sought revenge against me, I decided. Having Arcory¡¯s stones stolen, my obligation to the Margravine of Bardelaisch¡¯s family to pull me into lands she held sway over, and ultimately my very own former apprentice set against me. How well could this end? Not well at all.


    I felt a great twinge of disappointment, not to mention trepidation. It is never good to know one¡¯s former pupils have fallen, whatever their reason or their justification might be, it still pains me gravely when one of mine breaks the rules so firmly set, breaks the laws beyond what as a mentor you have the capacity to redeem. I would be remiss to admit Omar had not been the first, although I did hope then he would be the last.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    I am aware that to those who would know of this that it would appear to be hypocritical of me to have such a response, considering I have a reputation for breaking edicts and tenets when it suits my goals. I had on this long journey alone broken several. That is a failing I have always wrestled with. I am, still, in hope my acts will balance in the end, their intention has always been for good. Can any of us ask for more? Omar¡¯s theft of the stones, however, I could not see how his attentions could have possibly been to benefit anyone but himself.


    As I ascended the towers steps with my companions, I heard a voice, and saw a familiar face approach from around the round tower down towards us, a smiling face filled with happy anticipation. It was the courtiere from County Glavine who I had met at Stormguard in the Season of the Hot Sun past. But, in deference to the cold weather, had traded her jaquet for a fur cloak and thick woolen winter clothes beneath.


    ¡°Master Greyslan,¡± She said with enthusiastic tone, cheeks rosy in the cold wind. ¡°Welcome, what a journey you have had. May I-?¡±


    ¡°I have come to see your master Omar,¡± I asked her. ¡°Where is he?¡±


    ¡°He wishes to meet you in the tower¡¯s Great Hall,¡± she told me, now seeming confused at my expression perhaps, or the soldiers I had with me. ¡°These men, Lords, may I ask-?¡±


    ¡°You may go,¡± I told her. I did not want her to witness what was to come. ¡°Thank you, you may go!¡±


    She looked about reply, then nodded silently and unhappily and watched as my companions and I passed by her. I glanced back towards her, guilt in my heart, to see her youthful face quickly fill with impotent worry that was well founded.


    Omar met me, as his courtiere had told me, in the dark marble clad Great Hall of Blackrock Tower. He was dressed in fine black Vaeranshi leathers trimmed with silver fur, alone of course, perhaps not immediately suspecting what he felt as I did from the Arcory stones. He would have never felt such in his life. But I could feel saturation numbness cover me from head to toe. Their creation had occurred a decade before his birth, the dispersal soon after. If he dismissed the sensation then this would be over quickly.


    ¡°I wasn''t expecting to see you again this year,¡± my former apprentice told me, smiling, then frowning, ¡°I thought you might spend the season in the warmer locales of the eastern south or return to Council. What could have possible encouraged you to make the journey through this season¡¯s bitter cold?¡±


    I think the light began to shine in his eyes as he realized what I knew. But there was little they could do about what had happened. I could hear the men behind me in the Hall¡¯s antechamber draw their weapons, despite my orders to the contrary. I turned motioned them harshly to cease, but saw that they had been joined by Omar¡¯s men-at-arms, their own weapons drawn. It was not what I wanted. What I wanted¡­ I knew could not have. I turned back to Omar, in the hope this could be handled without bloodshed.