“Why?” Tristan asked.
“Because an equal amount will be needed to return the ships to their original size atop the Azure Sea,” Aeolus answered. “If we find Shashida and return, more will be needed to shrink them again to take them from the Caves and yet more to return them to their normal size-unless we decide to moor them on the Azure Sea and leave them there. Without enough subtle matter, the ships will never return home. Before we make our first attempt we must calculate how much subtle matter is needed to perform each transformation. We simply can’t afford to waste any.”
“There are other concerns as well,” Jessamay said. “The ships must be free of all crew members before the process starts, because we cannot know what effect the subtle matter might have on living things. Conversely, the ships must be fully loaded and as totally prepared as possible for a voyage of undetermined length. We cannot know how far our journey might take us or what we will face on the way. We will be literally sailing into the unknown. Moreover, we are assuming that the ships’ cargoes will shrink inside them. If not, the cargoes will be crushed or the ships’ hulls damaged. It is obvious that we must understand all these things before we dare to take the ships into the Caves.”
“But damage to the ships or their outright loss might not be as catastrophic as it first sounds,” Faegan said. “As you know, Wigg finally found the ships’ long-lost plans. If need be, another fleet might be built. It might take years, but it could be done. Because the cost and manpower needed would be enormous, if the four Black Ships that currently serve us can be safeguarded, we must make every attempt to do so. We will therefore try to supply and transform one ship first, rather than all at once.”
“And despite these obstacles you believe that the basic theory is sound?” Tristan asked.
“Yes,” Wigg answered. “What works for an object like that lamp should work for any object, regardless of its size or weight. It seems that the only limiting factor will be our finite supply of subtle matter.”
“How will you compute the amount needed?” Tristan asked. “It seems impossible.”
“It won’t be as difficult as you think,” Aeolus answered. “From the original plans we already know how much a Black Ship weighs unloaded. The tricky part will be estimating the cargoes.” He turned to look at Traax.
“That’s where you and your warriors come in,” he said. “You will fill one of the ships to the rafters with supplies and arms. As you do, weigh and list each item that is taken aboard and compile a total sum. We will then add that number to the empty weight of the ship to arrive at a total.”
“And then?” Tristan asked.
“The treatise states how much subtle matter is needed to miniaturize one pound of given material,” Faegan answered. “From there we will formulate our calculations. We need enough subtle matter to perform sixteen such transformations, or four times per vessel. If we have enough, after Jessamay brings the fleet home and the ships are resting comfortably in their new cradles, we will empty the ships of their crews, load them, and try our first transformation. If it works, identical cargoes will be loaded onto the other ships and we will then miniaturize them as well.”
Tyranny gave Faegan another skeptical look. She never liked having “her” ships tampered with, to say nothing of this new madness that the mystics were proposing. Overwhelmed by what she was hearing, she tousled her urchinlike hair.
“To what degree will you shrink the ships?” she demanded. Then she scowled and shook her head-she still couldn’t believe that she was asking such a thing.
“That is of critical concern,” Faegan answered. “The smaller the object is to become, the more subtle matter is needed. To put it simply, we will shrink the ships at least to a size that fits through the opening to the Caves. As each ship shrinks, so too should its cradle. Each ship and cradle will be packed into a crate for safekeeping and carried to the Azure Sea by Minion warriors. They should be able to handle the loads, because as each ship shrinks, its weight becomes commensurate with its decreased size. If the warriors cannot easily carry them, we can help them with the craft.”
Tristan reached for his cup and poured some more tea. After a time he shook his head, thinking.
Can such a thing work? he wondered. If such learned mystics as Faegan, Wigg, Aeolus, and Jessamay believe so, then it must be possible. After all, the oil lamp shrank before my eyes. But a simple oil lamp and a massive Black Ship are very different things. After taking another sip of tea he placed the cup back atop its saucer. I’ll believe it when I see it, he thought.
“Assuming for the moment that we are able to miniaturize the ships, some crucial decisions must be made,” Wigg said. Reaching out, he took Abbey by the hand. The look on the First Wizard’s face had again become somber.
“Only certain Conclave members should make the voyage,” he added, “because some must remain behind to deal with the Viper Lord and his servants. Deciding who goes will not be easy. For some it will mean staying behind to wonder whether their loved ones will ever return. For others it will mean sailing off into the unknown, perhaps to their deaths. Who goes and who stays will be of prime importance, not only to reach Shashida but to protect Eutracia as well. The goals are equally important. In any event, one thing is certain.”
“What is that?” Shailiha asked.
“Regardless of what the other Conclave members do, Tristan must lead the voyage. And you must remain here, Princess,” Wigg answered.
“Why?” Tristan asked.
Faegan leaned forward. Like Wigg, his expression had turned gravely serious.
“There are several reasons,” he said. “First, we know nothing about the Azure Sea or about what dangers it might hold. There is a great chance that whoever goes on this voyage will not survive it. If you and your sister die, the world will lose both the Chosen Ones. We cannot allow that to happen.”
“Moreover, you are theJin’Sai, ” Wigg added. “The Tome clearly states that it will be you who must first try to fulfill your and Shailiha’s mutual destinies. The Envoys of Crysenium stated that it should be you who first returns to the other side of the world, not your sister. We believe that the late Envoys’ wishes should be respected. Regardless of who else goes, you should lead the voyage and Shailiha should remain here.”
As usual, Wigg’s logic was irrefutable. Hoping that his sister hadn’t been hurt by the news, Tristan looked over and took one of her hands into his. “I’m sorry,” he said, “but Wigg is right. Will it disappoint you to stay behind?”
Before Shailiha could answer, Faegan spoke up. “Do not worry, Princess,” he said. “Your mission will have equal importance with your brother’s. You must command the Conclave in its war against the Viper Lord. We mystics fear that the struggle will be far larger and deadlier than you might suppose. Failee’s ancient servant will not be easily defeated. Unless we win, Eutracia could perish, leaving Tristan and his group no one to come home to.”
Understanding, Shailiha gave her brother’s hand a squeeze. “It seems that we each have our work cut out for us,” she said. “Just promise me one thing.”
“Anything,” Tristan answered.
The princess put on her best look of mock ferocity. “Just come home in one piece,” she ordered. “I’ve gotten rather used to having you around.”
Tristan smiled at her. Just as he was about to respond, an urgent pounding came on the meeting room door. “Enter!” Tristan shouted.
The door blew open to show Ox standing there. His chest was heaving and his face showed deep concern. Crossing the threshold, he hurried into the room.
Tristan stood from his chair. “What is it?” he demanded.
“Pardon, but one Night Witch patrol find man-snakes and their leader,” the warrior said. “Sigrid only one to survive. She hurt but Duvessa say she will be all right. All other Night Witches impaled. Sigrid say Tanglewood nearly all destroyed by fire and most people there dead.” As the massive warrior did his best to tell the tragic tale, Tristan could see the hatred building in his eyes.
“Ox want to kill all man-snakes,” he said, his voice lowering to nearly a whisper. “WillJin’Sai come and lead us?”
Tristan looked around the meeting table, then into his sister’s eyes. I will start this fight, he thought. But if I sail for Shashida, Shailiha must finish it. As if she were reading her brother’s mind, the princess nodded. He grimly nodded back.
The war against Failee’s Viper Lord is beginning, Tristan realized. May the Afterlife protect us.
