Einar walked to join him. “It is well conceived, is it not?” the consul asked. “Even if an intruder should survive the traps, all he would find is this empty room. Even then, should he read one stone it would be useless without the others. And for that, one needs the incantation. The incantation brings forth only those needed for the spell. All of the other engraved stones are meaningless. It truly is the essence of the phrase ‘hiding in plain sight.’”
Einar turned to look at his consuls. It was clear that they were as intrigued as Reznik.
“Start recording the formula,” he ordered. “Produce nine copies. When we leave, I want each of us to carry one. Should we lose more people on the way back, the formula will survive. The symbols’ placements in the formula can be found at each stone’s top. When you have finished, check your work, then check it again. I have no wish to return.”
Producing parchment and quills, the consuls started working. As one pointed at the stones’ proper order, others dutifully recorded the numbers and symbols. While the consuls worked, Einar and Reznik walked to the door.
“I’m still at a loss to see how we’re supposed to get back,” Reznik said.
“Did you not see the circular staircase carved into the wall on this side?” Einar asked. “It leads all the way to the cavern floor.”
“And then?” Reznik asked.
“We walk to the river,” the consul answered. “A boat lies there. We will let it take us downstream. If Failee was as clever as I believe, the first thing she did after hiding the spell was to produce that staircase and boat. I have no doubt that the river will take us to a safe place.”
Looking at the cavern sidewalls, Einar saw something interesting. Smiling, he shook his head. “Wigg’s wife was indeed a clever woman,” he said.
“What have you found?” Reznik asked.
Without answering, Einar turned back to the consuls. “Someone please give me some water,” he ordered. Coming quickly, an eager consul offered up his canteen. Einar opened it. “Watch,” he said.
Calling the craft, Einar caused the water to leave the canteen and float in the air. Waving one hand, he poured the water across the expanse left by the destroyed stone bridge. The results were unexpected.
As the water fell it seemed to land in midair, forming a link between the iron door and the tunnel entrance in the far wall. Soon they could see that the bridge had somehow returned. But this time it was largely invisible, its outline revealed only here and there by the water pooled on its surface. At first Reznik didn’t understand. Then the partial adept smiled.
“The bridge never collapsed, did it?” he asked. “What we saw and heard was an enchantment designed to fool us into thinking that it had been destroyed.”
“Not exactly,” Einar answered. “The first bridge did collapse. Then it reconstituted itself in an invisible form. That was the next part of the enchantment that started when I slid aside the iron bolt.”
“But why not make the bridge invisible in the first place?” Reznik asked. “That way, only Failee would dare cross the cavern.”
“Because if that were the case, a would-be intruder would come no farther than the tunnel exit and then go back,” Einar answered. “The First Mistress wanted trespassers killed, not saved.”
“How did you know?” Reznik asked.
Einar pointed to the cavern sidewalls. “When the bridge collapsed, both sidewalls cracked. Look again.”
Reznik examined the cavern sidewalls. To his surprise, the cracks were gone. “I don’t understand,” he said.
“No?” Einar asked. “What other reason could there be for the cracks to mysteriously heal, except for the bridge returning and securing itself to the walls, eh?”
Rubbing his chin, Einar thought for a moment. He smiled. “Failee’s traps were even cleverer than I believed,” he mused.
“How so?” Reznik asked.
“That staircase is a lure, and that boat down below is another trap,” Einar answered. “Seeing that the bridge has supposedly been destroyed, an intruder’s only remaining option would be to climb down the staircase, put the boat into the river, and happily be on his way-all the time thinking that he or she had cleverly escaped. We nearly did the same thing! But I doubt that the boat ride would be a pleasant one. I now believe that the boat is enchanted to deliver would-be thieves to their deaths. They might successfully steal the formula hidden in this room, but they would never live to use it. There is no telling how they would die, but I doubt that it would be pleasant.”
“So we will return by way of the invisible bridge, rather than by the boat,” Reznik offered. Einar nodded.
“How can we be sure that the bridge is truly the safe way out, and that the boat is not?” Reznik asked.
As he placed one hand atop Reznik’s shoulder, Einar gave the partial adept a wink. “The answer is simple,” he said. “Failee wanted us to see the staircase. She never suspected anyone would discover the invisible bridge. The bridge is what she would have used.”
Just then a consul walked up. “Forgive the intrusion, master,” he said. “The formula has been successfully recorded.”
“Give me a copy,” Einar said. The consul handed him a scroll. As Einar unrolled it, he and Reznik read the formula. Reznik’s eyes went wide.
“But this looks like…Can it be true?” he breathed.
“It is,” Einar answered. “Now you better understand why we were ordered to take the Ghetto from the Minions.” Eagerly rubbing his hands together, Reznik could hardly contain his glee. At long last this great venture would truly need his services.
Einar handed the scroll to the consul. “How many copies do we have?” he asked.
“Nine, master,” the consul answered.
“Good,” Einar said. “We’re leaving. Pack everything up. Each consul is to carry a parchment.”
“As you wish,” the consul said.
A quarter hour later, they were ready to go. Einar decided he should be first to test the invisible bridge.
As everyone watched, he took a deep breath, then boldly stepped out into thin air. The bridge held. Waving the others forward, Einar started leading them across. On reaching the other side, everyone let go a sigh of relief. Wasting no time, Einar led them back through the dark tunnel.
The return journey to the Recluse would be long and dangerous. But in just two days’ time, Serena’s servants would eagerly start their experiments.
CHAPTER XXXIV
THE FIRST MINION WARRIOR TO SEE THE PRINCE EXITthe pass immediately came running to hisJin’Sai. He took Shadow’s reins into one hand.
“My lord!” he exclaimed. “You have returned!” Suddenly wondering whether Xanthus was also about to follow, the warrior warily drew his dreggan.
Jumping down from his stallion, Tristan smiled. “Sheathe your weapon,” he said. “I’m alone.”
Before he knew it, twenty-five warriors were happily engulfing him. At first he thought he might never escape their joyous onslaught. Looking up at the sun, he reckoned that it was midmorning.
“Who is in charge here?” Tristan shouted above the din.
A warrior stepped forward. He promptly went to one knee.
“I am Hector,” he said. “I live to serve.”
“Stand, Hector,” Tristan ordered. “Tell me-how long was I away?”
Coming to his feet, Hector looked into his lord’s eyes. Tall and tiger-muscled, he was younger than Tristan had expected the patrol’s leader might be. “You entered the pass two nights ago,” he answered.
“I see,” Tristan answered. “Are there still another twenty-five warriors stationed at the base camp?” he asked.
“Yes, my lord,” the warrior answered.
“Where is Traax?” Tristan asked.
