Twixt Heaven And Hell (36 page)

Darius put a hand on the man's shoulder. "Speak your mind."

Emanuelle raised his head again, his composure regained. He wiped his eyes quickly with one hand.

"Bastion is... safe," he said, speaking slowly as he found the right words. "That is one of the basic truths of my life. If the Enemy has threatened that, it is the first thing we must restore."

Darius almost smiled. The man had eloquence in addition to all his other talents. There would be a Generalship in this man's future. He gave Emanuelle's shoulder a squeeze.

"That is exactly what we are going to do."

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Ethion loitered about the doors to the Council Chamber for a few moments before he was noticed. Arric was in deep conversation with the highest echelon of Bastion's leaders, the wizards and generals responsible for all long-term planning of the War. Ethion himself was numbered amongst them, in fact, though he had not resumed the station since his return from the fall of Nebeth.

Finally Arric raised his head in and noticed Ethion waiting patiently by the entrance.

"Come, come in," the Council Leader said as the others looked to see who the new arrival was. They greeted Ethion warmly.

Ethion returned their acknowledgments and moved to join the group that stood before the High Council's table – all who did not have a seat on that illustrious body stood before it.

After welcoming Ethion in, the group went back to the topic at hand.

"Word has come from our emissary to the northwest," Arric said. "He states that the Anseilg have been convinced by Gabriel's visit to join us in the War."

There was a short cheer from those gathered. This was a fruit that had long been ripening – the powerful and numerous Anseilg tribe had been found nearly two years before, but the diplomats of Bastion could never convince them of the necessity of their support. The Archangel Gabriel had finally announced his intent to visit them himself, in hopes of overcoming their stubbornness – and so he had.

"They were so in awe of him, in fact," Arric continued, "That they have decided to join us much more directly. The entire tribe is now preparing to leave their homes and journey to Bastion."

There was a stunned silence.

"They will come in the spring, then?" ventured one General, still incredulous.

"No. Immediately," Arric said. "Apparently they consider it a holy journey, and will not delay. They are a northern people, and used to cold and snow. The greatest hardship will be when they arrive here."

The Anseilg tribe numbered in the tens of thousands, many of whom were men young and hale enough to serve as soldiers – a great influx of strong arms to ward off the Enemy. Now it would not only be they who came, but their children and elders as well.

"This will be the greatest migration Bastion has ever witnessed. They are likely to arrive in two months. We need to prepare quickly. General Tarrantian?"

Arric called upon the man who was in nominal charge of Bastion's domestic side, primarily the gathering and storage of food. It was an outmoded position – Bastion had not suffered from hunger since its earliest days, before the memories of any living man. The knowledge did come in handy from time to time, and so the mantle of that role was taken up anew with each generation.

"We'll have food enough for five winters, even with that many more mouths to eat it," Tarrantian replied without concern. "It is space for them to live in that concerns me."

Arric gestured for the man to continue.

Clasping both hands behind his back, the General was the picture of discipline as he spoke. "Bastion is full to the bursting, Wizard Arric. There are only a scattering of houses left fit to place a family in. There is no more room to build within the city, and people are uneasy at building outside the walls.”

A man stepped forward at the far end of the circle, one whom Ethion did not know. He was youthful, and the beard on his face was barely thick enough to be called such. For one so young to be made a General was unusual, and for him to be amongst this company was still more so. Ethion made a mental note to meet the man who had risen so high, so quickly.

"I have a suggestion," he said, and the depth of confidence in his voice belied his seeming youth. "It solves two problems. The one we have voiced now, and another: the destruction of Deem's Crossing."

There was a moment of silence, and many present hung their heads in renewed sadness at the tragedy that already seemed distant – so many and so dire had been the circumstances between then and the present.

The General continued. "The Crossing proved exceedingly useful in the brace of years it existed. Too useful to leave its role unfilled much longer. Another settlement should be erected to serve the purpose. Something much larger, a city, and heavily fortified. Once completed it will provide a number of benefits. Troops and supplies will again have a comfortable place to rest on their way to and from the border. Room will be freed within Bastion itself. New land can be cultivated around the settlement," The young leader paused for a moment before his next point to make sure he had everyone's attention. "Finally, it will form the foundation of a second strong defensive border." The General's steady gaze dropped for a brief moment, and his next statement was spoken to the floor. "Which may be needed, soon."

There were only a few low voices heard after he spoke, a handful muttering over the plan as the rest of the room mulled it over in their own minds.

After his own silent contemplations, Arric looked about at the others. "Does anyone have an objection to raise over this proposal?"

None spoke against the plan.

"Very well. Start your planning. I want possible locations, the number of soldiers, layfolk, and wizards to be sent, and a beginning timetable for construction," Arric ordered the man who'd introduced the idea, who bowed in acknowledgment.

Now Arric turned his eyes to Ethion, who had waited silently through the discussion.

"Thank you for joining us, Ethion. Did you have an issue to bring before us?"

"Yes, Arric. A somewhat difficult issue, but it must be given attention. We need to resume work on our transportation magic."

The look on Arric's face was stubborn, and he opened his mouth to deny Ethion flatly. Another man spoke first, though.

"Yes! It is about time someone brought this up," exclaimed one of the Generals. "Beg pardon, Wizard Arric," he apologized when he realized he had spoken over the Council Leader.

Ethion used the opening to speak again. "We have every reason to believe that the Enemy exhausted their resources within the city with their attack, and do not have the ability to repeat it. That spell is too important to delay any further."

"Absolutely right," said the General. "Even with our counterspell, Traigan possesses a vast advantage over us. Merely using it to move soldiers and supplies gives the Enemy a profound strategic edge."

Ethion tried to hide his pleasure at finding an ally in this endeavor, for between the two of them they had stopped Arric's protest before he'd uttered it.

Arric looked about the circle. The Generals and many of the wizards were nodding their heads in agreement. "Very well," he said. "We'll need precautions to prevent even the attempt at another such attack, nonetheless."

Ethion nodded. "Of course. I have already thought of some. Firstly, the wizards who carry out this research should be known to the Council, a team selected for the work. No haphazard experimentation. Secondly, all active trials with the spell should be announced beforehand, or take place only in a certain time frame to be decided by the Council."

"I see you've given this some thought," Arric said. "I assume you want to be among those selected?"

"I do. I also have a few other Wizards in mind," Ethion confirmed. He listed the names, finishing with Darius.

Arric raised an eyebrow. "You think he is ready to resume some manner of work?"

"I think it is exactly what he needs. He also remains the most intimately acquainted with the original spell."

"Very well. I leave it in your hands, Ethion."

Ethion blinked in surprise. He had expected a great deal more difficulty in convincing the Council Leader – but of course, why would Arric suspect anything but sincerity from him? Guilt rose in him as he realized that simply by having a hidden agenda he was in effect betraying the trust of his peers.

It would be worth it in the end. It had to be.

"Thank you, Arric. I'll get started right away. I'll let you know before we resume work in earnest."

Ethion bowed to the assembly and took his leave of the chamber.

"Can you tell me where we're going, yet?"

Ethion kept his eyes straight ahead as he answered. "The lower levels. I thought it would be obvious by now."

He and Pendrick were even then descending the final and lowest staircase of the Tower. Pendrick huffed and gave a shake of his head at the non-answer.

"I've agreed to help in this plan, Ethion, and I understand why we must be careful. But must you be so secretive even with me?"

Ethion's walk slowed as he considered. Finally he stopped and turned to face the other man, a figure only partially seen by the sickly light of a few distantly-placed torches.

"We are going to meet the others. Every wizard Darius could convince to help us."

Pendrick nodded. "Ah. How many?"

Ethion had started walking again. "I do not know. Darius said perhaps three, or four."

"He brings four, and you only bring me?"

"He insisted I not approach anyone else."

"Why?"

Ethion sighed. "Darius said that if he approached the wrong man and was brought before the Council, he did not wish me to be involved."

Pendrick's brow furrowed at the thought. "I see."

They resumed their walk, silent now. Eventually they came to the final twist in the corridor, and voices could be heard echoing softly out of the distant gloom. Ethion's heartbeat had quickened – he and Darius and all who had joined them were about to take a large step down a very important path. Succeed or fail, things could not fail to change now.

The two wizards walked through the entrance, and Ethion's jaw immediately dropped. Darius was there, seated in a mighty stone chair to the right of the doorway. Before him, seated two apiece on curiously low benches, Ethion counted seven men.

Before Ethion recovered from his shock, Darius gestured to the new arrivals. "My friends, our last two compatriots are here."

There were nods of greeting from around the room. Ethion returned them, his mouth still slightly agape. Behind him, Pendrick gave a quiet exclamation of disbelief.

"Darius," Ethion said. "I thought you said two or three?"

With a rueful smile, Darius nodded. "I know. It would seem, though, that we are not quite the radicals we first believed." Darius gestured to one of the wizards seated before him, a blonde man with a heavy beard and an intense stare. Barely visible above the collar of his robes was the scarring that covered much of the man's upper body. Alexander was one of the handful of wizards in history who, like Darius so recently, had survived the tender attentions of a Demon.

"Alexander was the last of the four I went to. He brought four others. We, Ethion, are far from the first wizards to see that our fates are commanded by the Aeonians."

The ghost of a smile appeared on Alexander's face. "Every man in Bastion knows
that
, Darius. Those of us here are the only ones who seem to find
fault
with it. We," he indicated four others seated near him, the group of wizards he had brought, "have been talking about it for years, how the world could be without the War. We never thought anything could be done about it. Until now."

Darius nodded. "Indeed, something can be done – but it should not be done lightly. Each of you knows the extent of what we hope to achieve – no longer will the Aeonians govern the lives of our people. The Choirs and the Demons can continue their Great War beyond the boundaries of our world, and leave us in peace."

"
If
we succeed," Darius said somberly, and paused for a moment. "The Archangel Aethel supports us in this goal. It is only because of him that we have any chance. The spell which will see our task complete is an Angelic ritual, and it is he who has given it to us. He has taught it to me, but will come again to share it with the rest of you, when we are ready."

"Wouldn't it be best to learn it now?" asked one man. "We may need time to practice..."

He trailed off as he realized Darius was chuckling softly at the suggestion. "I could not teach it to you if I tried. Fear not, though. This is no mortal spell – it needs no experimentation. It is Heavenly magic, suited perfectly to its task."

Darius did know the ritual. Aethel had imparted it directly into his mind – but the knowledge of such powerful magic carried with it no understanding. Darius knew it would work – he had no idea why. It was an unsettling schism.

"There are other requirements, and plans to be made. It is my hope that when we leave here, we will know precisely how – and when – our great work will be carried out."