‘Wasn’t it ratherdangerous up there over the battle?’ said Aquitain, ‘Every wizardand every archer in the opposing army would be trying to bring youdown.’
‘Quite right lad, itwould have been quite foolish. In actual fact the wizard in thesphere was an illusion created and sustained by a young wizard onthe ground. His job was to distract the opposing wizards and getthem to waste their magic on it. It also had a wonderful effect onmorale. I flew around invisible, much closer to the action, castingmagic where it would cause the greatest damage. The troops didn’tknow that, of course. All they cared about was that their wizardwas up there fighting with them. Deception is very effective inbattles.’
Zephira, wearing adress for a change, curtsied to the wizard.
‘I’m Zephira a gemmerchant, Your Excellency, and this is my assistant Aquitain theLogicon. We were told to see you when we arrived.’
Featherdown nodded andthen asked for their real credentials.
‘I’m Melanie Darmon,Wizard Defender, granddaughter of Sol Theolaur, ArchMind ofPanmagica, Your Excellency.’
‘I’m Robertus Theolaur,Mind wizard and Crystal Tuner, grandson of Sol Theolaur, ArchMindof Panmagica, Your Excellency.
Featherdown noddedagain and surprisingly asked Aquitain to mindlink with him. Thenthrough the mindlink he asked Aquitain to send him an image of hisgrandfather and then an image of the East Wind. The East Wind wastheir name for the gargoyle that guarded the eastern skyline of themansion. Aquitain did this and the High Wizard seemed happy.
‘You seem to be thegenuine article. Your grandfather sent me a message about the twoof you.’
‘How long have youknown our grandfather?’ asked Aquitain.
‘Quite some time.’ saidFeatherdown. ‘I ran into your grandfather during my travels and wewere able to help each other against a mutual enemy. You know theold saying. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. He taught me alittle about how mind wizards think. Fascinating stuff, I must say.I taught him a couple of unusual magical manipulations in return.We’ve kept in contact and done a little business.
‘Now tell me about yourtrip, how long you expect to be here, and what you propose to dowhile you’re here?’
‘Well, we left inrather a hurry and we haven’t decided yet what we should do, YourExcellency,’ said Aquitain.
‘Yes, something to dowith an archon I believe. Nasty creatures, always surrender to themif you can, they’re sworn never to harm their prisoners but theirenemies usually end up dead. I dare say your grandfather will getthe problem sorted out eventually. However, your illegal entry hereleaves me with a small problem with the Council of Druids whocontrol this world. We will have to make it seem that I hired youto come here to help with local problems. That would also make youmore acceptable with the locals and curtail any wild rumours.’
‘Zephira, yourgrandfather has praised your skills as a wizard defender. None ofour guards here are trained for that role, and consequently ouryoung wizards would be at risk in any major fight. I have a vacancyfor a skilful wizard defender trainer, with the rank of juniorofficer. Would you be interested?’
‘Aquitain, I believethat you are an excellent crystal singer. We have quite a number ofitems that need repairs, and an astute tradesman might also getsome new commissions. I have a well-equipped workshop, which iscurrently lying idle in the tower basement and might be availablefor a nominal rental. I also have a very good library with somerare and unusual volumes, which might be of particular interest toa mind wizard. Would you be interested?’
‘I am a crystal tuner,Your Excellency. Most people get crystal singers, graders andtuners confused. Crystal singers find the mindspeak sensitivecrystals in the wild, the crystal graders buy, grade and sell themand the crystal tuners use them to create magical items such as thecommon translator crystals. Tuners are the top of the peckingorder. I can of course crystal sing and grade as well.’
‘Hmm … that’s mostinteresting,’ the High Wizard replied. ‘I didn’t realize that therewas such a distinct hierarchy amongst crystal workers.’
‘Is the study of mindmagic allowed in this world?’ asked Aquitain.
‘Yes, there are norestrictions on the use of any types of magic or magic abilities onthis world. You are free to study what you will, within the limitsof public safety of course.’
The two cousinsconferred briefly about Featherdown’s proposal. Zephira wasincredibly excited about the opportunity to show and teach herspecial techniques, but Aquitain was less excited. This wasn’t whathe had come here for; but he could see that it would provide a goodexcuse to be here and a base for him seek more help withcontrolling his shape changing ability, and of course to find hisfather, so he accepted.
‘Excellent,’ said theHigh Wizard. ‘Welcome to the community!’
Then suddenly, becomingmuch more serious and official looking:
‘Now, a warning! TheDruid Council of Mudrun controls this world. The story is that thedruids found the world in a very damaged state a couple of hundredyears ago. It had been mostly destroyed by a huge magic storm. Theyhave spent every day since then restoring it to its current nearparadise state.
‘They are extremelyprotective of it. You are likely to be executed if you are caughttrying to harm or smuggle their exotic rare creatures off world.They will also probably execute you for trying to preach anynon-nature-based religion. They don’t seem to worry too much aboutmurder, rape or pillage amongst the settlers here, only thesanctity of nature. So take my advice. Care for the animals andplants and you will be a druid friend, abuse them and you’ll end updead.
‘One thing more! Idon’t know who or what was here before the druids found this world,but lots of strange things seem to happen. Nothing on Mudrun iswhat it seems, it’s truly
