Gruzelvelt stood at the point of pride at the center of the ringed meeting table. "So," he addressed those invited to participate, "we've moved forward with many of our plans. We have gained allies from many races and sowed disorder against groups who would not initially join with us, so they either can no longer stand against us or they now have become part of our plans. We have made great gains in the power we hold over the entire Shadeworld," he said. "Meanwhile, we have become friends with the ugly little fur balls," he added.
The wizards cackled to each other, saying to themselves, "We've got them, we've got them." They think we care about them. Their silly little fights. The ridiculous little scuffles in between the subspecies. It was hilarious. They all knew they had only agreed to help the shifters out because they were useful. They would make great warriors in the war ahead of them all. The stupid shifters were perfectly engineered by nature to be perfect cannon fodder for the needs of the wizard race, and today they had formally agreed to do just that.
Gruzelvelt pounded the table to bring them back to order and they slowly quieted again. "As many of you know, this is not enough. If we are to go forward with our plans, we will need to proceed with our next steps," Gruzelvelt continued. The wizard sitting next to him cleared his throat and pointed at the old man's chair. Gruzelvelt looked over at him and flared his nose. "Ah... yes. Our leader would like to speak now. The floor is, as always, yours. Initiates, we will have a word from our most honored Elder, Brietsch."
He took his chair, glaring at the other man as he did so. "Our secretary has spoken well," Brietsch said. "We are here today to discuss our next steps." He called out to other wizards one by one to report on how well their part of the plan was progressing. Eventually the meeting ending and all of them were released to slowly file out and return to their rooms to enjoy good meals made by the initiates and apprentices in charge of caring for their building.
"A word, Gruzelvelt," Brietsch said as he started to leave with them. The leader placed his hand on his shoulder and squeezed it, hard, until the bones creaked in protest. "You do realize, Gruzzie dear, that you are still my secretary, do you not? It felt an awful lot like you had decided to take command during our little meetings today," he bit off.
Gruzelvelt bowed low and gave him a half-hearted smile. "Why of course, master. I know who is in charge of everything in this city, let alone the role of leader of all of us mere plebeians who delight in seeing it run the way you command," he said. "I am just here to support you in everything you do. Here to stand by you. Carry out your orders. Make sure everything gets done. But at the end of the day, of course, things are only allowed to get done because of your say so, so ultimately everything done here is under your power and authority. I am merely in charge of doing all those things your power calls for, and I am of no great importance because of that distinction," he said.
Brietsch released his shoulder. "I'm glad to hear you understand that. I had been concerned you had forgotten your place," he said. "In fact, I'd even worried that it sounded an awful lot like you were getting aspirations above your position. I wouldn't want to accuse you of getting uppity, but I will say I won't be amused if you cross the line above and beyond your duties and power like this again," Brietsch said. He slapped some papers into Gruzelvelt's hands and demanded he take care of them before he started his evening meal and then stalked out of the Glosbe.
Gruzelvelt sneered at his back while he left. "If a takeover by me wouldn't amuse you, then you are bound to be very unhappy in the none too distant future," he muttered as he set the papers up at the table and got to work going through them.
CHAPTER TWO
Girl on the Run
Priscilla stared in surprise. She felt a connection, some far off movement that disturbed her beloved sister. "What do you think, Dürin?" she asked her contractor. They were the ones usually connected by their special relationship and could always sense each other's movements. To sense some of Jackie`s was unusual.
"It's just a twinge," he said. "You are imagining things because you feel guilty." He seemed to be reproving her. They didn't always speak mind-to-mind like this. But she had always been close to her contractor since the first day they had met and he'd saved her. Dürin not only acted as Pris' hero that long-ago day, but ever since he'd contracted with her, they had been closer than twins by the magical connection. He was a powerful force to have as her contractor as well. Dürin was her friend, but he was also from the Düster Downs, a piece of land that may have been dismal downs hundreds of years ago but was now one of the largest and most powerful swamps. He had centuries of experience behind him and used that experience to remind her that his warnings against doing this mad adventure were backed by experience and wisdom she lacked.
"Well, I may feel a little bad about it," she admitted. "But you know, it wouldn't have worked if I had stayed there any longer. Even with my sister around to
