‘I know where they are,’ someone called from the assembly and all eyes returned to Master Celios.
‘Have you had a vision, Lord Magician?’ General Ruardin asked, leaning forward on his palms with interest.
‘I have,’ Celios called, standing and staring at the ceiling with glistening eyes, as if caught in the throes of a vision. ‘They aretravellingeast, towards the great fortress of Ghant even as we speak. They are bundled up-hidden, but alive.’
‘Who has taken them?’ Ruardin called out. ‘Where are they! What can you see!’
‘They are bound for the desert,to the home of the Paatin.’
‘Theenemyplansto bargain!’ Councillor Madhaven declared.
But Anthem thought otherwise. ‘The Paatin have no need to bargain. They have us over a barrel already. What do we have that they cannot simply take in due course?’
‘There is a queen at the heart of the desertwhocommands these minions,’ Celios announced. ‘They will live and die for her, for the desert people are fanatics. They worship her and throw themselves to their deaths at her command. She is an abomination and an abhorrence to us, for the Queen of the Desert is a witch.’
‘A witch!’ Ruardin called out in dismay.
‘She has grown strong, far beyond our reach, and has gathered these armies unto herself, intent on destroying us all. She knows we are weakened and has chosen this time to strike at our hearts.’
‘How could this happen?’ Madhaven called out. ‘The Order has failed us again!’
But Celios went on. ‘All is not lost. I see she is intrigued by power of all kinds. She wishes to see what royal merit our young Emperor possesses. They will not be harmed, for the time being. Also, she seeks to use them as bait for her trap.’
‘A trap?’ Ruardin said, hanging on the edge of his seat with intrigue.
‘She seeks to lure our most celebrated magician into her domain and ensnare him-test him. She has heard many things about him. She wants to see the extent of his magic with her own eyes and test him against her minions, and herself.’
‘Who is it, good Master Celios?’ Chancellor Donovan asked. ‘Which magician does she seek?’
Samuel could foresee the answer already, yet he squirmed uncomfortably in his seat as the old seer’s arm was thrust out with a pointed finger at the end. Celios then swung his arm around the room, only pausing once he had it aimed directly towards Samuel.
‘Samuel is the one!’ he bellowed and all in the chamber set their gaze upon Samuel.
‘I knew it!’ Samuel groaned to himself.
‘Word of Lord Samuel’sfeatshas reached even the Desert Queen’s ear and she wishes to behold this Saviour of Cintar,’ old Celios declared, ‘-this
‘Then we must send the boy at once!’ Ruardin declared. Samuel winced at being called a boy in front of the entire court, but he supposedthatto the great old general, he must still seem an inexperienced youth.
‘Patience, General,’ High Lord Jacobs called out. ‘We should wait to see if this actually transpires. We have other immediate actions to consider. Our Empress and heir are far from her clutches and still within our domain.’
‘Yes, yes. You are right. We must get a message to Ghant,’ Ruardin said with urgency. ‘Magicians, how can we reach them in time?’
Anthem shook his head. ‘Falcons and pigeons are your best employ. Magic has made no gains in the direction of communication. We have long tried without success.’ Samuel looked at Eric at this comment, but his friend kept his head down and his gaze averted. A Journey spell could have Eric at Ghant within seconds.
‘Lord Lomar left for Ghant only recently on a mission for the Order,’ said High Lord Jacobs. ‘If he arrives first, he can block their escape and retrieve our stolen treasures.’
Anthem quickly formed a plan. ‘Then we will send word to the Order houses along the way. Lomar does not dally in his travels, but he will need to make all haste to ensure he arrives first, for the Empress’ captors will be moving as quickly as they can. We can only hope he does arrive first.’
Ruardin sank into his armour. ‘If not, they will slip through our fingers at Ghant and once past there, they are into the east…and lost.’
‘They can be returned!’ Celios cried out with a yelp, almost sending those near him leaping from their seats.
‘Explain yourself, good Lord,’ the enormous Ruardin commanded.
‘Lord Lomar may not be able to stop them at Ghant,’ Celios explained, seeming more focussed now, ‘but we know she will also seek the presence of Lord Samuel, whom they could not kidnap so easily. Samuel can bargain to have them returned.’
‘And if not?’ Ruardin asked.
‘Then a small party should accompany him, to take back our kin by force, if need be,’ Donovan suggested.
Councillor Madhaven stood and shook his fist. ‘We should kill their queen whether the young Emperor is returned or not. That will grant a blow to them that could end this war.’
The room called out their agreement enthusiastically.
‘Yes, yes,’ Celios agreed. ‘The Desert Queen drives their armies. Without her they will lack unity and give up their crusade.’
‘And if she is,indeed,a witch then it is our duty to put her to death,’ old Balthazar, from the Union of Modern Magicians, called out, shaking with anger within his flapping,white robes. ‘We cannot allow such travesties of nature to exist!’
Jacobs then added to the plan. ‘Lord Lomar knows those landsbetterthan most. The chosen party can meet him at Ghant and, if he has not been successful in saving the Empress and Emperor-to-be, he can guide them into the far east. If he has been successful, then the mission can end there, or they can still continue to take on the witch, if they choose.’
‘It sounds reasonable,’ Ruardin mused, ‘as long as theheiris never at risk. Also, it is about time we took to the offence. We have been so busy shoring up our walls that we have not even considered striking back at their homeland. Is such a plan feasible?’
‘Oh, I am certain of that,’ Celios said resolutely.
‘Then I will handpick a hundred of my best men toset forthat once.’
‘And magicians will be required. They will need to guide the party and assist Lord Samuel. It may even be possible that he will return safely.’
Samuel was not quite happy with the decisions being made about him, but he supposed he would have little choice in the matter anyway.
‘Yes, that would be fine,’ Ruardin added without too much enthusiasm. ‘Then so be it,’ and the golden- armoured man stood. ‘We shall organise this at once. They will leave at dawn. Let us meet again tomorrow to discuss the Empire’s defence. I want all resources put into getting this team away as quickly as possible.’
With that, Chancellor Donovan declared the meeting overand gaveanother whack of his gavel. With the gathering finished, magicians and officials alike left the room, leaving General Ruardin alone with his aides.
CHAPTER THREE
Samuel and Goodfellow awoke and ate early while the majority of the palace was still sleeping. It was mostly the domestic staff who were awake and busied at such an hour, preparing for the coming day in their neat uniforms. Armed checkpoints were still in place and the soldiers saw to their duties with solid Turian precision, showing no sign of sleepiness or lack of attention.
