property.
The Jedea Academy grounds were even more immaculate than its neighbors'. Spring-green grass of uniform height surrounded the twstory complex and was split in the front by a white granite walkway that led from the curb to an ornate, oak door. Brilliant white stone, shining in the fading sunlight, was austere in its lack of decoration. Four square towers formed the corners of the academy, and its sloped roof was covered in tiles of twilight-gray slate.
Ythnel brought up the rear as the quartet walked single file to the door. Kestus looked at them over his shoulder then rapped his knuckles against the solid wood, producing a muffled sound that was barely audible to Ythnel.
'You're going to have to put a little more muscle into it, Kestus, if you expect anyone to hear you,' she kidded. Muctos chuckled, which turned into a throat clearing when Kestus glared at him. The mage went to knock again, but the door opened and a young woman with long, straight black hair stuck her head out.
'I'm sorry, but the library is closed for the night. Please come back tomorrow.'
'We're not here to look at books,' Kestus interjected, pulling the note from a pouch on his robe. 'We have an appointment with Crarl Ormane.'
The woman's face scrunched up in a mix of puzzlement and frustration as she took the paper from Kestus. 'Wait here,' she said after glancing at it. The door closed, leaving the four to stand waiting out in the gathering night.
'Certainly a hospitable bunch,' Ythnel said. Kestus opened his mouth, but the dark-haired woman reappeared at the door before he could say anything.
'Follow me, please.'
Just inside the door was, indeed, a library. Ythnel gazed in awe at the shelves upon shelves of books that stretched across the carpeted floor. She felt insignificant, surrounded by the collected volume of knowledge, and cringed inwardly as the muffled tread of the group passing through the room disturbed the silence that hung in the air like a mantle of respect.
They came to a door and the dark-haired woman knocked once before ushering them into the small office beyond. Piles of books covered most of the floor, with paths cleared between the door, a reading chair, an overflowing bookshelf, and a desk. The desk was occupied by an older man who thumbed through a dusty tome by the light of a brightly glowing quill that rested in an inkpot set on the corner of the desk.
'Master Thilymm, these are the people here to see Crarl Ormane.'
The old man looked up, seemingly aware of his visitors for the first time. He placed a marker in the book, closed it, and set it on the desk before standing and dismissing their escort with a nod. He wore a conical hat that covered any hair that might still be on his head, which made his thick, white mustache stand out even more. A jeweled medallion hung around his neck, the multifaceted sapphire reflecting the light of the enchanted quill on the desk as it rested against the silky fabric of his light blue tunic.
'Welcome, welcome. I am Ovros Thilymm, Head Librarian of the Academy.'
'Where is Crarl Ormane?' Kestus asked.
'He is not here.'
'What? But the note said we were to meet him.'
'No, the note said to come to the academy.'
Ythnel tensed. This conversation was taking an uncomfortable turn. They had no weapons, but she was sure she could take the old man out before he could call to any hidden allies.
'Don't play word games with me,' Kestus fumed. 'The note was signed by Crarl Ormane.'
'I assure you I am not playing a game. Crarl Ormane is not here because it would be impossible for him to. He is nothing but a name.'
'You were right,' Muctos muttered. Kestus nodded, but frustration still showed on his face.
'Fine, so we're not going to meet Crarl. Who are we going to meet? Or was there some other reason we were invited here?'
'You can relax,' Ovros said, looking right at Ythnel as though he had read her mind. He was more observant than she gave him credit for. 'You are going to meet the person you came here to see. Let's go upstairs.' He scooted past them and led them back out through the library to a door in the middle of the back wall. The librarian put his medallion against the wood of the door and uttered something unintelligible. A chime sounded, and the door swung open as the single, clear note faded away.
Ovros followed the hallway behind the library to the right until it came to a flight of metal stairs that led both up and down. He began to climb, the clanging of his steps echoing off the stones of hall. The four looked at each other before Kestus started up the stairs. Muctos shrugged and began his ascent, followed by Kohtakah, who navigated his crutches awkwardly. With a quick look back down the hall, Ythnel brought up the rear.
The stairs ended at a landing with another door. Again, Ovros put his medallion to the wood and spoke the command to open it. Another hallway stretched beyond, lined with doors on either side every ten feet or so. Ovros stopped before the third on their left and knocked.
'Come in,' came the response in a deep, commanding voice. The door swung open at the librarian's touch, and he stood aside to let the four enter.
'I'll be here when you are finished,' he said and turned to leave.
The room they were in appeared to be some sort of lounge. There were four overstuffed chairs set about the room, each with their own end table and candelabra. Thin bookshelves stood against the walls at odd intervals. Another door stood closed in the far wall.
The dominant feature of the room, however, was the imposing figure who stood in the center of it. Thick, shoulder-length gray hair framed a square face and was held back by a gem-encrusted gold band at the temples and forehead. Bushy eyebrows drooped over sparkling eyes, and a neatly trimmed beard ran along the jawline before surrounding a broad mouth. A thick cape dyed red hung over a loose silk robe of deep purple.
'I apologize for all the secrecy,' the man said in the same strong voice Ythnel had heard from outside. She started in surprise just the same then blushed when she realized she had been staring, captivated by the physical specimen before her. 'If my presence here, my connection to you, were to be known, much planning would be ruined and lives possibly lost.'
'Who are you?' There was something in Kestus's voice, as if he already knew the answer, but couldn't believe it. 'We know Crarl Ormane is a phantom.'
'I am Hercubes Jedea, king of Mordulkin.'
Kestus nodded slowly, his face betraying his inability to come to terms with the revelation.
'So you were going to help us,' Muctos breathed.
'Yes, I answered Kestus's inquiries through a third party, so as to remain anonymous. Don't look so shocked,' Hercubes said to Kestus, in response to the furrowing of the mage's brow. 'I've known about the society for a while, but I didn't dare to make contact until everything was in place. In fact, I know more than you may realize, Kestus Aentius, Muctos Dapri-tus, and Ythnel Duumin, though I am surprised to see the werecreature is still with you.'
Ythnel could not keep her jaw from dropping open. It was one thing for him to know the mages' names, but how would he know about her. She had never set foot outside of Thay until a few tendays ago.
'Well, you waited too long, your majesty.' Anger bolstered Kestus's voice, and there was a fire in his eyes. 'The society is dead.'
'But you are here,' Hercubes replied, 'and that will do.' He met Kestus's gaze, but his voice softened as he continued. 'I am truly sorry for the loss of your friends. Do not turn your anger upon me, though. The Karanoks are the ones responsible. We can still exact vengeance upon them.'
'I'm listening,' Kestus said.
'Mordulkin and Luthcheq have long been enemies, as I am sure you are aware. While we have been able to turn away invasions, we were too small to mount an offensive of our own. So we waited, biding our time until the fanaticism of the Karanoks created enough instability in the city that we could strike.
'That time has come. What we lack in armies, we make up for in arcane resources. This academy, which my ancestor built, has produced many skilled wizards loyal to Mordulkin and her cause. Luthcheq's edict against magic will end, and the Karanoks will be destroyed.
'There is one obstacle still in our path, however.'
