Wizard's Blood [Part Two] (6 page)

“
We were lucky not to have found this first,” said Nerila looking at the incredible treasure in front of them. “We could have spent months here without finding a thing relating to Jolan’s search.”

Three days later they were still trying to understand the filing system used. There were whole sections written in the old language, as well as a whole floor of technical volumes. There were sections of spells that would have to be checked carefully at some point, but they had not yet found anything related to their search. They had just entered the portal next to the original library with the intent to return to the oasis for the evening when Nerila pointed to the symbols floating in the air.

“
There’s a new one.”

“
Do you want to try it?” asked Rifod.

“
Let’s wait and see. If it is one our friends have opened, I suspect we will have company soon enough.”

Nodding, Rifod selected the oasis, and moments later they stepped out of the portal next to the waterfall. Sitting across from the stone structure was Jolan with someone they wouldn’t have ever expected to see here.

“
Well, I’m not particularly surprised that Jolan had a hand in everything ya say,” said Morin. “I knew when I first met him that there was something unique about him.”

Morin and Ronoran had become quite comfortable with each other after many days of travel together. Ronoran knew all of Morin’s immediate family by name, even though he had yet to meet any of them. He’d been filling Morin in on Jolan’s and Asari’s adventures since they left him on their trip to Carta, at least those things that were generally known and that Ronoran was certain Jolan didn’t want kept secret. This man was a friend of Jolan’s, and Ronoran was sure the things he was disclosing to Morin would have been told already if Jolan had been around often enough for him to tell Morin himself.

The trip had taken them through the tunnel and then across country to Ekine, following the new road. The road had been in existence for many years, but it had been upgraded and improved because of the need to speed goods from the tunnel at the port city of Jidan to Carta. No longer did they have to take the longer route through Honlt. At the moment they were approaching Morin’s home in Slipi, having made a detour from his initial route to Carta. It would mean the goods he carried would arrive a bit later than planned, something that rarely happened when Morin was transporting something, but he was eager to see if Jolan was right and the magical ring might be able help his wife.

Had Jolan been along he would have been very surprised by the changes in Seret. The country was now on a war footing, and Queen Iril was taking the threat to the country very seriously. The roads were busy with wagons loaded with goods and raw materials. With winter coming on, Seret wanted to be ready for the following spring. It was unlikely that Ale’ald could complete their invasion of Kimlelm before the snows set in, but over the winter Seret’s leaders expected Ale’ald to establish themselves and spend the time preparing for the next advance come spring. That advance would most likely be into Seret. The long unprotected border with Kimlelm had no mountains, with only the Lasayss River to slow the advance of the enemy. It wasn’t a barrier that Ale’ald would allow to stop them for very long.

With the help of Angon and the many mages that had come to support the war effort, Seret was building fortifications around the key cities and at key points along the border. Communications and monitor stations were set up, although of late there had been a determined effort by the enemy to interrupt the communications. Seret intended to be better informed about the positioning of Ale’ald’s forces. They weren’t concerned about an invasion via the southern mountains as had happened in Kimlelm. Not only were they warned of such a possibility, but both Seret and Angon had major forces in place to protect the trade route and the very important cities near the new tunnel. This was essential if the flow of goods were to continue at the current rate. Without those supplies, Seret was in grave peril.

Seret had suddenly become more receptive to the mages and many were openly calling for more direct involvement of the mages in the general war. It was Ale’ald’s use of magic on the battlefield that was allowing them to win. The lever action rifles Ale’ald equipped their troops with were faster firing, an advantage that was offset by the sheer numbers of troops that Angon and Seret could bring against them. The battles would have probably been a stalemate as they had in wars past had it not been for the destructive use of the power that had turned many of the battles to Ale’ald’s favor. Despite the number of wizards that had been killed, Ale’ald seemed to still have an abundance of them to support their troops.

“
Ingari will be happy to see ya,” Morin said to put Ronoran at ease. “She’s always happy to see a new face. Brings in some news of the rest of the lands, something she doesn’t get enough of now that she doesn’t travel with me anymore. She’ll be especially happy to hear about Jolan and Asari. Yashy too.”

Ronoran wasn’t so sure. He suspected Morin’s wife might rather have some time alone with her husband after his being gone so long, especially if she wasn’t feeling well. Still, Jolan had said that they were a very open family, and took to strangers. He and Asari had almost been adopted as true family members, and he remembered Asari talking fondly of their travels as well.

Morin guided the wagon off to the side of the street between a couple of trees into a very large fenced compound and onto a patch of ground covered with gravel. There was one house just off to their left, and at least three others further back from the road. Morin had told Ronoran that he shared the place with his brother and that both his nephews stayed here as well, but he hadn’t considered that they might each have their own homes. Already people were flowing out of the two nearest structures.

“
Papa!” yelled a teenaged girl that Ronoran guessed to be Yashy from her age and the description he’d been given on the road. Following right behind her was an older woman, hair already graying, that Ronoran was sure was Morin’s wife. She moved much slower, and looked as if she were in some level of pain, yet a smile still lit up her face.

Each of the family threw a look in Ronoran’s direction, and in some cases a quick nod, but the focus was mostly on the arrival of Morin, who hadn’t been expected for some days yet. It took a bit of time for the large group to gather and then be introduced to Ronoran. Interest picked up when Morin announced Ronoran was a friend of Jolan. Even more interest was raised when Morin said that he’d had a drink with Jolan less than two weeks before, and that he was now a mage in good standing with the College in Angon. Ronoran winced a bit at this, since their status was somewhat undetermined at the moment, but didn’t think it wise to say anything about those troubles.

“
Are you sure this is safe?” asked Ingari when Morin explained what he wanted to try.

“
Jolan and Ronoran tell me the ring saved one of their friends who was very badly wounded. It uses the power, but it is designed to help. You’ve got to try Ingari,” Morin pleaded. “You know that without help you haven’t much of a chance anymore. None of the doctors know what to do.”

Ingari looked at her husband of thirty-two years and sighed. She didn’t like the power, never had, but her illness was weighing heavily on him. If there was a chance, any chance, she had to try. Besides, she would like to be rid of the constant discomfort. It was actually pain of late, not just a heaviness inside, that made her tired.”

“
Okay,” she said finally.

Ronoran looked at Morin and when he nodded he moved over and sat beside her on the couch. He wanted to tell her he’d never done this before, but decided that wouldn’t help her uneasiness.

“
Just give me your hand,” he said. “All I need is to make contact for the ring to work.”

Slowly she held out her hand, and Ronoran took it gently between his own. At first he thought nothing was going to happen, but then the stone began to glow more brightly and the light seemed to flow from the stone and over and around Ingari’s arm. It looked as if it disappeared into her, and suddenly her eyes grew wide.

“
Does it hurt?” asked Morin concerned.

She shook her head from side to side.

It took almost a minute, the glow almost painfully bright at times. The light seemed to pulse as it performed whatever miracles it was about, and then it suddenly began to dim, the light pulling back into the stone, which returned to its more standard faint glow.

Both Morin and Ronoran looked anxiously at Ingari.

“
The pain is gone,” she said in wonder. She reached under her blouse and felt. “The swelling is gone too.”

Ronoran let loose of her hand and allowed her to stand. She stood erect as opposed to the slight bend she had been displaying since they had arrived. Whatever pain had caused her to crouch had now dissipated. She looked years younger already.

Ingari reached for Morin and gave him a hug. When Ronoran stood he received one as well, which embarrassed him mightily.

As the women rushed off to prepare dinner, Morin looked at Ronoran and the ring.

“
Thank you,” he said sincerely. “I don’t think she would have lasted through the winter.”

Ronoran nodded but said. “You were the one who found the ring in the first place. It is only fitting that it was able to help you. As Jolan said, the user is only a conduit. I had nothing to do with what happened.”

“
Do you realize how much good that ring could do on the battlefield. How many lives could be saved?”

Ronoran shook his head.

“
I don’t know if Jolan knows, but I suspect he must. The ring is limited. I could sense it as it worked. It can help, but used constantly as it would in a hospital or on the battlefield, would consume it. It needs time to recharge, and should be used sparingly when there is a real need.”

* * * *

Morin, Ingari, and Ronoran waited outside the gate of the estate in Carta. They had already delivered the load with apologies for the lateness, and now waited for permission to enter the grounds to meet Jolan’s friend Tomas. Ingari had insisted on traveling with Morin for the first time in a long while. She was feeling completely normal, and had even lost a bit of the gray that had been rapidly spreading through her hair.

The guard returned a moment later, opened the large gates and told them where to go. They were unprepared for the extent of the grounds, and couldn’t help staring as they made their way up the long tree lined carriage way toward the house. Waiting for them was an elegantly dressed young man.

“
Only Jolan would know some of the things in your note,” he said after they had exchanged greetings. “He is vague about what this is about, but he asks that I show you to the stone monument I told him we have on the property. Do any of you know what this is about?”

Ronoron nodded and said. “I do, but I’m certain you wouldn’t believe me. It is better if I show you.”

“
This way then. It’s out back of the house. The open area in front of it has always made a fabulous patio.”

Tomas lead the group into the house and straight through to the back. None had seen such a finely furnished residence before, and Tomas caught them gaping at the furnishings.

“
This is my father’s place. It’s a bit ornate for my tastes, but he hasn’t been well so I have been staying here. Perhaps after this business is completed we can have refreshments and you can bring me up to date on my friend.”

The portal sat just outside the back door, off to one corner of a large patio area. Tomas led them over to it, and Ronoran walked over to the opening. He had the
activator
crystal, but he wouldn’t need it. Even a mage of his level could turn it on if he knew how. Moments later, the faint glow could be seen in the hollow cavity indicating the portal had indeed responded to Ronoran’s spell.

“
I’ve never seen it glow like that,” said Tomas. “Now what do we do?”

Ronoran was uncertain whether he should attempt to try the portal or not. He was about to step into the glow and see if any other portals had been activated, when suddenly Jolan stepped out of the opening with a big smile on his face.

The five day ride up the coast from Burar to Cobalo gave Jolan a lot of time to think. He was traveling alone, something he had never done before in all the time he’d been on Gaea, and it was an odd sensation being without someone to talk to. The fact he was able to travel without attracting attention showed how well he fit in and had adapted to the life here over the past two years. He knew it would have been easy to be happy here if it weren’t for all the trouble Cheurt had caused by his schemes to take over the Settled Lands.

Jolan had no idea what to expect once he reached Cobalo. The only news he had were the bits and pieces he’d picked up at the various inns while traveling, and there was no telling how accurate any of that might be. It seemed that the Queen still ruled Angon, which meant Mojol had not yet been found. That would be the first strike against him when he returned. Sayusta had been adamant that he leave for fear his presence was the motivation for Cheurt’s attacks. He could see no reason for that to have changed, especially with Lonid’s poison tongue prompting her decisions. Once again he wondered why he was making this trip. He’d far rather be attending to matters at hand by searching up at the lake where he’d sent Asari.