Featherdownturned to the others and said
‘I’ll just slip down and bring him up here.’
Featherdownarrived with High Druid Heteronymous who looked tired and worn.
‘You’ll need to make it quick I have a challenge tomorrow andstill a lot of things to organize. Hello Quab when are you going tothe conclave. I’ll need your help I think the odds are too even formy liking.’
Helixrecognized the old druid as they had apparently had dealingsbefore.
‘Hello Heteronymous, it’s me Helix the traveller bug. It seemsas I have come at an important time.’
‘Hello Ambassador Helix, you have indeed come at an importanttime. Do you know what the Inter-World Council of Druid idiots areup to? They have sent this halfwit here to conduct a witch-hunt andhe’s causing more chaos than an Agent of Chaos. I tried to get intocontact with the Council but it’s not responding. What’shappening?’
‘Something big is about to happen I think. There’s unusualactivity in all the temples of several different faiths back inPanmagica. It may or may not have something to do with thisprophesy of yours. All I know is Aquitain has upset the Mentarinand that spells trouble with a big T.’
‘Damnation. I knew that lad was going to cause trouble but theMentarin what have they got to do with us here on Mudrun? He’s noteven on Mudrun I believe he’s on Moonmist. Isn’t that what you saidFeatherdown?’
‘Yes that is our current belief Heteronymous. I wonder if theMentarin have something of value there and Aquitain has stumbledupon it?’
‘It’s possible.’ said Helix. ‘No one seems to know where theymake their magic items. Perhaps it is there.’
‘If that were the case, why are there problems here on Mudrun?It doesn’t make sense.’ stated Quab.
‘That is exactly what I’m here to discover.’ saidHelix.
‘I need to get to Moonmist to find out. Is the Southern gateopen at the moment?’
‘Unfortunately not.’ replied Heteronymous.
‘That leaves Queen Snowbelle’s gateway then.’ said Helix.‘What do you think my chances are that she will open it forme.’
Heteronymouschuckled. ‘A snowballs chance on a lava flow I would guess. Howeverthere may be a way. I intend to challenge that idiot High Druid atthe Conclave and assuming we win. I’ll get the gate master of theSouthern gateway to open for you. She won’t open it for me at themoment as she’s well aware that I don’t hold the Leadership of theCouncil.’
‘Thank you for the generous offer, I think I will still take alook at Queen Snowbell’s gate on the remote chance that I can getthrough. If not your help will be much appreciated.’
‘Good then I must get back.’ said Heteronymous. ‘There arestill many things to organize before the conclave tomorrow. Quabwhy don’t you come back with me so we can discuss tactics?Featherdown I’m counting on your support if things turnugly.’
‘And you’ll have it, Heteronymous. I will be waiting forQuab’s signal.’
‘Good. Then let’s hope we can pull this off and get rid ofthat idiot and return this world to some semblance of peace.’replied Heteronymous as he moved towards the teleport circle withQuab and Featherdown. After the old High Wizard and Quab had leftFeatherdown yelled.
‘Chantalot, double the guards, call a general meeting ofeveryone in the town for midday. It looks like a longnight.’
‘Lord Helix, as you can see I will likely be busy for a while.I can give you the teleport coordinates for both Queen Snowbelle’sgate and the Southern gateway. You can try either or both if youwish. The southern gateway is preferable and I’m sure you will haveno trouble with the guards there. However, I would suggest thatHieronymus’s information that it is closed is likely to be correct.If you are prepared to take the risk with Queen Snowbelle’s gatewaythen you should be aware that she is not friendly with the currentDruid’s Council but neither does she like wizards and will killthem mercilessly on sight.’
‘She was a High Druid of Mudrun in a previous life before shewas reincarnated as a nymph. She is also the mother of Aquitain’sgirlfriend Miranda but the relationship between mother and daughteris strained at the moment. She may not be prepared to let you passknowing that you wish to help Aquitain.’
‘She sounds like a woman scorned by another magic user thatwants vengeance on all and has the power to take it.’ repliedHelix.
‘Unfortunately, they usually don’t like cockroaches either.Where does she live?’
‘We have the teleport coordinates in the library. Chantalotperhaps you could show Helix where they are.’
‘I would be honoured to show you.’ repliedChantalot.
‘I’m always interested in new stories of heroism andglory.’
‘Then lead on bard, I’m sure you’ll see some in the next fewdays.’ said Helix and flew onto Chantalot’s shoulder.
Chapter 23 The InitialAttack
Helix and Chantalothad two things in common. They both liked beer and bawdy songs.These things were established fairly quickly. Unfortunately therewas little time for either at the moment. Chantalot took Helix tothe library where Helix got the coordinates to the gates but thenHelix changed his mind. He decided to stay and wait for the newsabout the conclave. He had a feeling that the conclave was morethan just a challenge for leadership. Too much was resting on theoutcome. That meant that unknown powers and gods would be temptedto interfere.
After gettingthe coordinates, Helix and Chantalot decided to head back to theinn for some rest. They talked for some time about Aquitain. Helixrevealed that he had been a tutor of Aquitain when he was a younglad. While Chantalot didn’t say so, he thought this wasstrange.
Why would aperson of Helix’s obvious power and influence spend time teachingAquitain when he was a child? Just how powerful was Aquitain whenhe was young? Surely they could have got a much less esteemedtutor. Then he remembered that Aquitain had a lot of hiddenknowledge locked away. What did they put in his mind? Perhaps Helixintended to unlock some secret knowledge. They were awakened atdawn when one of the Guard officers banged on Chantalot’s door.
‘Come quickly to the tower Sir, there’s been trouble at theDruid’s Conclave.’
Chantalotquickly dressed and he and Helix hurried over to Featherdown’sTower where there was a crowd of twenty of the more senior town’speople milling around.
‘What’s happening?’ asked Chantalot.
‘I
