the criteria spoken of by the seer, from what I understand, his talents were also unparalleled.”
“Akil knew his days of being the most powerful were numbered. What could he do? Kill James? No. Even for a sorcerer of his stature and power that was not an option. If James were indeed the Anointed One, Akil must be part of his life. He would manipulate him to do his will, to further his agenda, and he would ensure that not only was he proven right but that he would also be in control of the Anointed One. He would help train James and slowly become the most influential person in his upbringing.
But things changed as time progressed. Akil’s access to the boy was limited as was his influence. He had to adapt his plan. He needed to separate the boy from his parents. He needed James to need him. Akil sent some of his men to eliminate Stuart, which would allow him to fill the void. Now that he has succeeded in removing Stuart, Akil will make you an offer to pick up where Stuart left off. You have neither the recourses to hide nor the ability to resist a sorcerer of such power. Akil will use James as a tool, a weapon against all who stand in his way. This is why I have asked to speak with you.”
“Master Alvaro, you can not seriously think I would so readily believe your well-concocted story.”
“Of course not, my dear. Akil has had years to impregnate his lies into your head about who I am and what I stand for. He probably has you believing I’m the enemy. He is gifted in the ways of deceit. His fanatical following was part of the reason it took so long for the council to accept him despite his superior abilities. They were afraid he would take over. If he gets hold of your son, I assure you that is exactly what will happen. He is a master manipulator. He will tell you he only wants to teach the boy, but in the end he will take him from you and use him against you-against us all. I come here to warn you because I don’t want to see James end up being another puppet of Akil’s, who has a very ill-conceived notion of what society should be.”
Of all the things she thought Alvaro would say, she had not even considered this. Determined not to show any sign that he’d caught her off guard, she kept a stone-cold expression on her face. What he’d said meant one of two things. He was telling the truth or there was an informant among the small group she’d entrusted with vital information-with her son’s life. Either way it was very unsettling.
“Very well, Master Alvaro. I will take everything you’ve said into consideration. Thank you for your time. Good day.”
She turned and began walking away.
“There is one other thing,” Alvaro called out before Margaret could disappear into the crowds of people. She turned.
“I wish to honor your husband. He was, after all, the father of the Anointed One and went to great lengths to see that the boy was raised properly. Not to mention that he was also the most powerful sorcerer born to an unfaithful family this or any council has ever seen. Many things became clear because of him, and many lives were saved. A man such as he deserves to be honored, not fall into darkness without so much as a word scrolled into the history of our kind.”
“My husband is dead. My son and I have moved on. What you choose to do as part of the council is up to you.” With this, she turned and walked away.
— 18 -
Luno and James looked at the map wall in Luno’s study. Luno ran his fingers over the painting.
“Six temptresses that I’ve been forced to look at since my arrival yet have never been able to reach. No man who has come to this place has set foot on one of the six islands that sit just offshore. We are surrounded by water, yet we are so cursed that we cannot cross even the narrowest channel. One in particular has always drawn my attention.”
He ran his hand over the island drawn on the far southeast corner of the map. The far sides of the satellite islands were incomplete, left blank until Luno could map them properly. He hoped today things would change.
“And what of the Ammoncourt map?” James asked.
For a moment Luno grinned, then his grin changed to a look of frustration. He turned away from the map wall and walked to the table behind him. He carefully moved the nest of scrolls from the tabletop, save one. He unfurled the lone scroll, revealing the map of a small town. There was a main street with structures lining both sides. Each of the buildings had names. The names were not typical of a town and lent no description as to their function. James saw the names “Marcus,” “John,” and “Thomas” beside the three southernmost buildings. He’d guessed the names were the occupants. Luno sighed.
“I fail to understand its relevance. It appears to be a small town like any other. The names assigned to the buildings are a bit odd, but apart from that, I see no significance. It must have been important, or I don’t believe Ammoncourt would have created it and kept it hidden. And then there is this,” Luno said pointing at the drawing in the far corner of the scroll. The intricate maze was smudged from the numerous times Luno had run his finger over it.
“It’s some sort of labyrinth, There’s a way in, but no way out.” Luno stepped back from the table and looked up at James, who was staring intently at the labyrinth. He felt the call of the black castle. It became stronger the longer he studied the circular maze.
“Now that we have it from that bloody bookcase, I’m not sure what to do with it. I hope in time, its use will present itself.” Luno put his hands on James’s shoulders. “Let us not lose focus, my boy. Today is a big day.”
James snapped out of his trance. “Help me again understand why you believe I have the ability to cross the water when all others cannot.”
Luno’s eyes darted back and forth for a moment then settled themselves once more.
“I’ll have you know, I am not a strong swimmer,” James said.
“You are not swimming across, my boy. You are sailing.”
James did not look the least bit reassured.
“The island has not let anyone cross its waters and reach any of the six satellites. Many have died trying, and those who did not die were thrust back onto the island like a fish on a dock. You told me upon your arrival that you entered the ocean feeling its healing powers. You have entered and not been cast out. And that is once more than any man or woman who has ever been banished. You, my boy, are meant to travel over the water. We’ve gone over the rudimentary seamanship skills you’ll need, and I believe you are ready,” said Luno.
Luno’s experiment made James nervous. Despite his growing fondness of the man, James found it quickly apparent that he was quite mad. The pair made their way down the pier where the men had been laboring on the boat since his arrival. It hovered over the water, held by large ropes strung through davits that allowed it to sway gently in the breeze. The dark purple shore birds, which at first made James more than a bit uncomfortable because of their size and lack of feathers, hovered overhead in hopes of procuring an afternoon meal.
The ship itself was no longer than twenty-five feet. It was beautifully crafted by William and Roger, both shipbuilders in their former lives. The pair stood with proud expressions on their faces as James and Luno approached.
“Absolutely magnificent,” Luno said, running his hand across the smooth wooden hull.
“Zee’s perfect in every way,” William said in his thick French accent. “Best wood I ever verked vit.”
“And the sail?” Luno asked.
“That were a bit more tricky, yet we managed just t‘ same. We didn’t want any seams in ’er so we skin’d a croc monster. Big feller, too,” Roger replied.
“Your sure zis vill verk, no?” William said, looking nervously at Luno. He and Roger had spent the better part of the last year constructing the little ship, and based on past experiences, it was about to be destroyed.
“Only one way to find out, isn’t there, my boy?” Luno said, slapping him on the shoulder. “Lets lower her into the water, shall we?”
Each man doubled up on one of the two ropes strung through the wooden davits that rose above their heads. The ship soundlessly entered the water jostling side to side until it found its equilibrium. William and Roger looked nervously at the ship like parents seeing their child off to school for the first time.
James knew if he didn’t act quickly that fear and doubt would prevent him from acting at all. He descended
