“How do they work?” Matt asked, leaning forward, green eyes intent.
“The master orb is like a communication orb, allowing the one controlling it to interact visually and verbally across great distances. But it only works with the slave orb, which is called this because anyone looking into the slave can have their mind taken over by the one who controls the master.”
Matt asked, “Does this control continue after the slave orb is removed from their presence or deactivated?”
“Yes. It is permanent or can be until the master orb releases the individual. This happens if the one controlling the orbs dies or relinquishes control somehow.”
Eric observed, “And the Minarin King has looked into the slave orb and is now under someone’s control.”
“Yes.”
“And you do not know who controls him?”
“We do not. But your quest does not include determining this, though it would be helpful to know.”
Eric asked, “How did this happen?”
The warrior Novir answered, “The slave orb was being kept in the nearby dwarven Kingdom of Hamarven, deep beneath the mountains. Only a few dwarves knew this. It was among various rare, precious, or dangerous items under heavy guard. We do not know how long this has been true, and there has been so little mention of the orbs for centuries that many do not believe they are real. Many have never heard of them.
“According to the dwarves, the slave orb suddenly turned on after so many years of inactivity. The dwarves guarding it were so surprised that they mistakenly stepped closer and became ensnared. Whoever took control convinced them to bring other guards nearer, and one by one, those under its control grew in number so that they could walk out of where the dwarves kept it, carrying it before them, ensnaring more as they went.”
Anna inwardly groaned at how easily more people could be affected. It was brilliant and awful. “I can see why these are so dangerous.”
Novir nodded. “Yes. They brought it before the queen and captured her mind. The king passed years ago. We do not know how many among the dwarves the orb enslaved, and there is some question as to how many people can be controlled. It is unknown how the orbs really affect someone, but we suspect that the enslaved just become willing to take orders. We aren’t sure how much they are aware of.”
“Maybe it’s like the orb hypnotizes them,” mused Matt.
Novir didn’t seem to understand the remark and continued as if Matt hadn’t said it. “Before long, the dwarves arrived in our kingdom with the orb. We are not sure what their intent was, whether they came to ensnare our king or if they only did so on their way north. The result is the same.”
“They succeeded.” Eric surmised.
“Yes. We are on friendly terms with the dwarven kingdom, and so no one thought any harm would come from their request to meet with our king. Once the audience was granted, they unveiled the orb, and all were lost to it. I was not on duty or else I would have been among them. I had heard of the request and was en route to the throne room when I learned something was amiss. There are ways into that room, known to only a few, and I used one. I saw the thrall the orb had cast over everyone. I also heard a voice commanding King Orin and him obeying.”
“What was the command?”
“To assist in the orb’s travel further northwest to a place known as Bolin Hill, where the dwarves were to give the orb to someone else.”
“Who?”
“It was not specified, but we now know, as you will see. The power of the slave orb allowed the dwarves to leave unmolested, due to the King’s Guard members enforcing the king’s orders. The orb did not enthrall all of my men, as not all were on duty. Regardless, in their departure, the dwarves ensnared anyone they encountered, leaving some behind, and taking others with them. Some who departed with them were our finest warriors. I sought Denir at once and on learning of my description of the orb and what occurred, he surmised we are dealing with the Orbs of Dominion.”
Denir spoke up. “As you know, we must attempt to solve our own problems before attempting to summon yourselves, or the Quest Rings do not bring you.”
“What do you mean?” Anna asked. She thought Lorian might have explained this, but she wasn’t sure. So much had happened that she couldn’t retain it all. Then she realized others expected to know and struggled to justify her question, making up something. “What I mean is that there are variations in the way the Quest Rings work. They are not all precisely the same. We prefer not to assume but get confirmation on how a specific one is performing, especially if we use it to return.”
Denir looked intrigued. “I was unaware of this. Thank you. Quite interesting devices.” He looked at Matt, who nodded as if to thank him. “I cast the summoning spell and answered the questions I was asked about the quest and what we had done to resolve the matter ourselves. Upon completion, the Quest Ring’s oracle, I believe you call it?”
“Correct,” said Matt, though the expression was news to Anna and likely him, too.
“The oracle agreed the quest was valid and brought you here moments later.”
“I see,” said Anna, wishing she could see
