Читать книгу The Return of the Ancient Ones - Gary Sr. Caplan - Страница 14

It was good to be back on Earth. Gideon felt less heavy and noticed he had a greater effective strength. He had to be careful shaking hands and be mindful of his grip. His wealthy foster parents had a house near New York City. His foster parents were essentially conservative and open-minded individuals, and both were professionals with doctoral degrees. His foster mother was a teacher at one of the nearby universities, and she instilled in him a curiosity. Gideon was raised with the different ethnicities of his foster parents and their friends. Those multicultural experiences influenced his original interest in studying archaeology as well as learning martial arts.

Gideon essentially arrived at his foster parents’ home in time for the winter holidays. The season’s decorations were on the houses and winter was in full swing in New York with people wearing thick coats and hats to keep the chill out. Gideon walked down the street in a coat even though the temperature did not affect him that much, likely due to his Alor lineage. He had arrived a few days earlier and had a tearful reunion with his foster parents. After that, he showed them some of his abilities and swore them to secrecy. They had both read fiction in the past and were unsettled when he told them but sobered up shortly. Today, they were having a holiday party and had invited several family friends and relatives.

He knew he was being watched when he sensed, then saw, one of Faiella’s sons one day and, today, he saw Ragan watching him. Ragan blended in well enough dressed in his red robes, almost like some European St. Nick, and without a white beard. After all, Ragan enjoyed wearing red clothes. It helped him to blend in even though he was over seven feet tall, strongly built, with piercing blue eyes; it was also good that Ragan had a belly laugh and found people amusing. Gideon invited him to his foster parents’ party and his size made everyone there feel like a child in some ways. Ragan spent only two days on Earth and was replaced by another watcher. Gideon learned there was more than one person discretely watching him at any given time. Gideon also explained his recent adventures to two close friends of his. He told them what really happened and even got them to keep quiet as long as they got to write or chronicle some of Gideon’s tales later.

During the holiday party, Gideon spoke with Ragan.

“I’m glad you were able to visit; it will allow you some closure,” Ragan said, as he poured himself some eggnog to try.

“Yes, I needed to talk with my foster parents, and finish a project or two; at least I was able to finish my writing and it allowed me time to submit my archaeology dissertation project. I still enjoy archaeology,” Gideon replied.

“It is good you have diverse interests, Finelen,” Ragan replied. “But be cautious whom you tell about your new life.”

“I am, and I will be cautious,” Gideon promised. “Now when it’s time to return to Illúmaril in a few weeks, do I just use the crystal and someone will contact me for transport?”

“Yes, you will need someone familiar with this region for translocation or weaving of gateways,” Ragan replied. “Kara has many alternate dimensions and is different from the stabilized Illúmaril Key World zone that has few alternates. Just let your contact know ahead of time if possible when you want to return.”

“I will. Now I think they’ll be serving dinner, so let’s head to the table, Ragan,” Gideon said, as he led the way to the dining room.

A few weeks later, when he was in his room asleep, Gideon awakened to a voice and a floating face in the air. He recognized the face as Tauri grandmaster Nimmeral.

“Someone has attempted to locate the Sword of Order. Since they could not locate you, then they tried for the device instead,” Nimmeral said. “I realize you will be back in the next few days, but I don’t think this is something to wait on.”

“OK, ahh...let me get dressed and say my good-byes. If someone can provide a gateway then that would be great,” Gideon replied anxiously as he got up. He thought, Could the Valharri have tried to locate the Sword of Order to find me, a weapon only an heir of Lith-Gilad can wield?

“One of the Tauri, Wynn the Green, shall bring you back by a circuitous route,” Nimmeral said. “You will have to pass through other waypoints, such as Eidelon, or possibly Seytheyr, as the direct passage may provide clues to those monitoring direct gateway formations to Tyl.” The image faded and Gideon rushed to gather his belongings and pack additional clothes.

Gideon thought, Well I got to pick up some of my personal things. But more importantly, I explained some things to my foster parents and my closest friends about my absence, and a little about who I really am without being too revealing. At least now, no one will worry about me that much. When it’s safer, I will come back for another visit. Gideon was saying his good-byes to his foster parents when a tall, beautiful woman in a green robe knocked on the door.

As she was let inside, she said, “I am Wynn the Green; it is time, Finelen. We must travel,” after which she began sketching a series of symbols in the air and a portal appeared. His foster parents’ surprised faces were illuminated as the gateway formed, looking something like a glowing water surface, only horizontal to the floor and it contained by the symbols at its edges. Gideon gave a final hug to his foster parents and went through the gateway followed closely by Tauri Wynn.

Eventually, they returned to Illúmaril after stopping at a few locations, first, to confuse any potential gateway observers. Wynn placed him in the custody of senior master Glade Gilding, a friend and traveling companion whom Gideon was relieved to see.

“Greetings, Glade, it’s good to see you,” Gideon said.

“And good to see you too, my friend,” Glade said. “It seems also that the Sword of Order was moved, but not from your room.” Glade was dressed as flamboyantly as usual in clothes halfway between armor and robes. His golden hair was held back by a silver cord and his bright blue eyes still held that glimmer of mischief.

“It was moved? That should have triggered my alarm, and the talisman told me itself that it would remain silent,” Gideon replied.

“From what we now know, it seems that it was not a hostile action, but we believe that someone, likely a Valharri or an Urshkaar lord, may have attempted to locate the Sword of Order directly within a similar time frame of this event,” Glade said.

“I guess some Valharri or other Darkspawn are looking for me,” Gideon said.

“Yes, they’re looking for the wielder of the Sword of Order,” Glade replied. “There are many types of anti-scrying spellweaves here, and that would be extremely difficult for even a Valharri. I and my group were able to infiltrate and locally scry some dark elves while you were attending classes, and we found out that they have little useful information about you.”

“That’s good, but how did you infiltrate them, Glade?” Gideon asked.

“I used a transformation and, for a short time, traveled among the dark Alor looking as they do. It’s easy enough with my skills,” Glade replied.

“Can’t they do that as well, look like any of us?” Gideon asked.

“They could transform, but most have an overall superiority complex and less than usual patience with subordinates; most would just not desire to,” Glade explained. “Others just end up getting caught trying, because they make mistakes, perhaps by getting angry where one of us would not.”

As they walked toward Gideon’s quarters at the Academy of Spellweaving Arts, they were joined by Ragan the Red who was at Tyl University for a short teaching session. “I have checked the place where you put the talisman.” Seeing Gideon’s expression, he added, “The Sword is safe, but your wards were disturbed and some are dissolved.”

“What does that mean? Who would dissolve the wards?” Gideon asked. They had reached the quarters complex that was actually adjacent and at one time was part of the main Academy until it was converted to additional senior apprentice student housing. Upon entering Gideon’s room, they found Tauri Arda the Green and Mordak the Orange already there. The Tauri grandmasters appeared resplendent in their academic robes.

Arda appeared as a beautiful Alor female. She had an unusual staff with flowers growing out of it in the curl of her upper arm. Arda spoke, as Mordak seemed to be entranced. “He is looking at the lines of power; he believes a Valharri tried to locate the sword by using lines of power of earth magic. Gideon recognized these two. They were senior Tauri and grandmasters. Mordak was one of the Tauri that had convinced him to go to Tyl academy back during the last harvest festival in Andrim.” As a member of the earth Giant race, he was both tall and broad of body, and he carried a staff of golden wood. Since then, Gideon had a few classes with both of these senior Tauri.

“I had placed wards that you and others had instructed me about,” Gideon said, looking at Ragan and Glade.

“Unfortunately, Gideon, you did not anticipate that someone might try to locate the Sword through other means,” Ragan interjected. “But someone here at Tyl did.”

“After you left, Mordak and I placed identifying tethers onto your warding spells,” Arda said, “as a precaution, just in case such an attempt was made.”

Gideon looked around and noticed that a notebook he had borrowed from a friend and classmate, which he had placed in his closet, was also missing. He mentioned this to the others, as Mordak came out of his spellweavings reverie.

“I was correct. Someone was able to locate the general position of the Sword of Order,” Mordak stated. “I suggest we send it to the sequestered facility of the White Council. After all, we cannot have dark forces trying to land on Tyl to look into the situation.”

There was a knock at the door and, as Ragan opened it, a fellow student, one of Gideon’s classmates, lumbered in. He was another earth Giant and stood perhaps twelve feet tall. He bowed to the Tauri. “Masters...I am just here to return a notebook I lent to Finelen. He might not have finished with it,” his deep voice rumbled.

“So, you disturbed my wards, Rektar...to get the notebook?”

“I realized I needed my notes to continue to craft my staff project. I had gotten somewhat behind, and you had not returned yet, and my completed staff is shortly due.”

“I see, Rektar. I ended up staying away a little longer than I originally thought,” Gideon replied.

“It may be that Rektar’s presence influenced the Valharri from attempting anything further, since Tyl is not a place where they hold sway,” Mordak suggested.

“You may be right; if they were using earth weaves to locate the Sword, then they likely sensed Rektar’s strong earth presence nearby and discontinued the attempts, to avoid being caught by one of us,” Arda stated.

“But my sword was moved as well,” Gideon said.

“Oh...I looked at it and, when I touched it to sense the blade, it moved after a few moments,” Rektar said. “It was then that the wards discharged and, if my resistance had not been not as good as it is, I would have been affected for more than a few seconds by your paralysis spellweave and protective glyphs. I walked away injured and with my notebook before others arrived.” Rektar paused. “It’s one of the ‘great swords’ then for a Valharri to be interested in it?”

“I suppose it is in a manner of speaking,” Gideon replied.

“You need not speak of this to others for now, Rektar,” Arda said with authority.

“We still have business with Finelen. You may speak with him later, Rektar,” Ragan said. Rektar bowed again and left the room.”

“It’s probably a good idea to let the White Council hold the Sword for now, as someone may identify it,” Glade said. “Rektar might think it is one of Lord Talmor’s or one of the other ancient Alor’s craftings.”

“If he does for now, let him believe so,” Mordak said. “I know his family. He is a good lad and will not talk about his small mishap.”

“All right, let the White Council hold it if that will be safer,” Gideon said. “I would rather not have it detected and me with it.” Gideon realized it was too soon to carry or use the Sword of Order openly. If he did so, it would probably attract the interest of someone who might accidentally or inadvertently expose his identity.

The others nodded and then began preparations. Lady Arda respectfully took the Sword of Order, producing a sheath of concealing wood creating it from her staff. After saying good-byes to the masters and his friend Glade Gilding, Gideon Finelen Lith-Gilad unpacked. He had classes to attend in only a few days and, now, with this problem solved, he could continue his lessons and begin preparations for his own multifunction journeyman staff of power without much interruption. He still had to locate, borrow, or purchase some magical essence containing material components to enrich the final spellweaving, and that would take up some of his time.