“As you wish, Ephraim. If you need anything, though, you must-”
The other interrupted in the same monotone voice he had utilized earlier. “Do you know that it should be possible to take a portion of a ka and keep it after the one to whom it belongs has died? We’ve discussed it, the others and I. No one would truly ever be dead, then. They could be called up, using golems for temporary form, and made to-”
“What are you talking about?”
Ephraim quieted. “Nothing. We have found that we only need a part of our selves now and so we talk. The strain lessens with each one. Perhaps we are adapting to the Dragonrealm.”
Gerrod had heard more than enough. The strain might be lessening, but it had evidently already driven the group mad if its leader was any example. He doubted that his sire would send anyone to spell the group until they began dying. Why waste any more? If Ephraim and the others lived long enough to complete their task, that was all that his father would want.
He wrapped the shroudlike cloak about himself, once more becoming more of a shadow than a man. Ephraim took a step away. Gerrod hesitated, then said, “I will inform Father of your success and your confidence concerning your ability to continue.”
“That would be good.”
Perhaps they will die when no one is around to see, Gerrod thought. If only there was another way than Father’s, I would… He curled within himself, feeling, as he had the last couple of times, a curious hesitation, as if the teleportation spell did not wish to work. It did, however, and he gratefully left his cousin and the others.
Ephraim, for his part, waited until Gerrod had left. Then, he silently returned to the center of the pentagram. The others looked up in unison, and had anybody watched them then, it would have seemed that they were one mind with eleven bodies… a mind that was no longer Tezerenee.
Dru looked over the information his crystals had gathered for him and compared them to those he had utilized in the past. There were definite signs of a potential breakthrough, yet there were aberrations that still made no sense.
Made no sense unless…
He recalled the change in the pattern that Sharissa had wrought. A pattern that should not have been stable. The intruding forces from the other realm were affecting the natural laws of his own world in much the same way as Vraad sorcery did, only without the damage. Could it be that what Dru thought made no sense merely did not because his mind refused to accept that the binding forces of Nimth had been altered by the intruding power?
“A change in the laws of power like none before,” he muttered.
“What will you do now?”
“What will we do? Don’t look at me like that. I’m beginning to think that you know more than I do… or will, before long. Besides, what I hope to do will take two people and I think I prefer to trust you.”
Her eyes were wide with realization. “You think you can cross!”
Again, she had anticipated his next moves. Dru’s smile masked mixed emotions. “It may be possible. What we have to do is go to the point where the forces from the other realm merge and fade away. That is the point of weakness, I hope.” It was also quite possible that due to the combination of Nimth’s power and that of the other, the location would actually be the point of greatest strength. If such were the case, Dru might find himself beating against a wall so incredibly hard that not all the Vraad in the world, even had they been able to cooperate, would have been able to bring it down.
“Will we have to walk there?”
He considered their options. “I do not care to try to teleport, especially not after what I’ve seen and what the crystals have verified.” His eyebrow arched. “We can ride there.”
Sharissa caught his meaning. “I’ll saddle them up!”
Dru watched her hurry off, her childlike glee a direct contrast to her elegant face and form. If there was one thing that she had never outgrown, it was her fondness for the creatures of the stable, specifically the horses. They were rare and wonderful beasts taller than Dru, and fearsome to all save his daughter. She rode them expertly and without the aid of sorcery. They might not be as powerful or majestic as the gryphons, which she also enjoyed, but they were swifter and more companionable.
While Sharissa went about her task, Dru reached out with his mind and strengthened the link between himself and Sirvak. The familiar’s mind opened, knowing that orders were about to be given. Dru informed it of his intentions to investigate and how long he thought they would be. To his surprise, instead of acknowledging all and returning to its duties, the beast protested.
Masterrr! Take Sirvak with! Will need!
Not for this, friend. I only go to research, as I have done in the past.
Do not leave Sirvakkkk! Sirvak will guard!
Your duties are here! Enough of this! What’s gotten into you?
The creature sulked and would say no more. Still perturbed, Dru broke contact. As if he did not have enough difficulties! Now, even Sirvak was causing him worry!
“Father, the horses are ready.” Along with Sharissa’s words came the echoes of animal sounds, hooves clattering on hard earth and the snorts of the two mighty steeds.
“I’m on my way.”
The walk to the stables was not as long as it sometimes was, especially when one was propelled, as the sorcerer was now, by a desire to be done with things. Sharissa waited at the mouth of the central stable, a horse on each side of her, their reins in her hands. Again, she had used no magic save her own charm and skill. It was not due in any part to the gentle nature of the horses, either. As one Vraad-sardonic Krystos, wasn’t it? Dru remembered vaguely-had once discovered, these animals were particular as to whom they allowed close. Krystos had escaped with his fingers intact, at least. A few more arrogant visitors, invited and not, had discovered that the stables of Dru Zeree were no place to vent their arrogance. Like their master, the animals were willing to strike back… and were doubly protected by the spells that he had layered over their forms.
“Was Sirvak upset?”
“Yes, how did you know?”
“It just seemed that way. I could feel the poor thing all the way here. Why not take Sirvak with, Father? The castle will defend itself adequately.”
Dru shrugged off her suggestion. “And Sirvak will defend it superbly. Never underestimate others, Sharissa. A Vraad always has rivals and those rivals always look for weaknesses in your defense. With Sirvak there, it will be as if they are fighting me… and you know what success they’ve had so far.”
Sharissa’s perpetual smile broadened. Despite his more peaceful way of life since her birth, her father was not one to be underestimated. After the Lord Tezerenee, Dru was one of the most respected of the Vraad. Even his most bitter rivals occasionally came to him for assistance and advice.
Taking the reins of the larger of the two animals, Dru mounted. In general shape and color, the two steeds were identical-proud, auburn-furred animals built for both speed and battle. Dru had chosen to forgo the use of sorcery when breeding them and had found, to his pleasure, that the results exceeded what he had originally wanted. As with many things over the past few years, he had discovered a diverse pleasure in not performing spells to accomplish his needs.
When both of them were ready, Dru urged his horse forward. Sharissa’s steed followed close behind. With the cool wind in his face, the sorcerer slowly calmed. Things were moving in the proper direction for once, and if his theories held out, the Vraad would not have to bow to the will of the Lord Tezerenee. Barakas would be upset about that, to be sure, but Dru had no qualms about destroying his “partner’s” dream. It was only because there had seemed no other way at the time that he had let the situation go on for as long as it had. Now, the cross-over would no longer be necessary.
The sky rumbled again, tearing him from his musings and making him look up. The dark, foreboding green was dominant for the first time in months. Dru frowned, recalling the violent changes in the land when that had last happened. The dominance of either color in the sky spoke ill for Nimth. Things were always best when the two were more or less even.
Change could have only come about from some extensive use of Vraad sorcery. Dru knew of only one cause… the spells of the Tezerenee tearing at the boundaries and beyond. The great cross-over was hastening the death of
