Chapter Three (oops)

Tolin had found himself surprised and concerned within moments of his meetings with the council. He had expected Berric of the Minocians and Mora of the Seomites to chastise him for not bringing Joile to them for approval. Even as High Priest, he was not free to act for all the families. After Tularos lead the Hakan against the other Rhiyan families, it was Berric who finally brought the families back together through the sheer force of his single legion.

Berric, the grandson of Minoc, was rumored to have the blood of Rhiya flowing through him. None would stand against him. Even when the Hakani thought he was defeated, kneeling before one of their captains a sword buried though his ribs, Berric pulled the sword from his flesh, roared and decapitated the captain standing before him. He was never subdued again. With his single legion and eight moons, the family wars were over. Berric never cared for Tolin, even as the High Priest, but he liked magic even less. So long as he was appraised, he stayed relatively quiet.

Mora was another story. As an Seomite, she was the enforcer against magic. Her great uncle Seom created the decree to outlaw magic. While he himself wielded it as a sword and shield, he believed it best left in the hands of those educated and in complete support of the Rhiyan families. The entire south became his battlefield. The battlefield she inherited and contained like a vice. Tolin had expected her to actually raise the most disdain for his actions as it superceded her authority. But Mora’s reports had been worrisome. So much so, Joile and the issues of his training would have to wait.

“We have a new enemy from our old enemy in the south. The ‘Lord of Windra’ relinquished his rule to his son. He and his ‘knights’ have begun taking and hiding the young gifted. For each summons in the past four moons has been returned with a dead messenger.” Mora started, standing rigidly in place delivering her news through pressed lips. Mora was a woman of battle, lithe on her feet and fluid in her motions. She never over exerted or over committed. To see her rattled was unnerving and wasn’t lost on Berric either.

“Why does this concern you so deeply. The Lord of Windra has always been a thorn to our families and nothing more. By giving rule to his son while he captures some gifted is little more than a nuisance. Why not simply take a legion and hunt him down. Should the new sickly Lord of Windra decide to test his youth, we could spare another legion to unseat him under the Ministry’s law of the arcane.” Berric stated plainly.

“I would tend to agree. We have the grounds. The order was sent for his son to appear before me and they have refused to do so. We are covered under the law. The Lord of Windra is only the Lord if we allow him such.” High Priest Tolin added. “What is it about this that troubles you? Is it because the boy has the will? This is something we can easily overcome.”

“The boy wasn’t sickly, merely overcome by his own power. I have reports he has returned to Windra. This return has bolstered many in the south and his numbers for soldiers have grown. Should his father continue to succeed we could see him add those with the will to his numbers. That would be a sizable force.” Mora added “We don’t want a war with the south, not when we aren’t sure what has happened with Hammerhold. Any war on two fronts is one that leaves us thin. Even with my legions we are too thin to keep Tabath supported.”

Tolin immediately understood what he had missed. Tabath was their supply hold. To lose it would be costly on any front. They could move to Stormfield or Skara, but could quickly be surrounded. Losing Hammerhold took away their strongest defense point.

“Blackroot!” Tolin stated suddenly. Seeing their surprised faces and their confusion, he explained further. “The old watch tower between Tabath and Stormfield. Joile reformed it all. The people have called it Blackroot. The changes he created, heavily rocky at the base with deep foliage surrounding it. Towers high to watch over. We haven’t lost anything yet, if we were to have to fight both.”

“I think we should commit to removing Windra, before they hit us.” Berric added. If we have a fall back point, we can start stockpiling from Tabath.”

“That would do well. I can have one of my legions begin to transport and then relocate at this Blackroot to prepare and guard it. I have some special units trained for scouting and other duties. But their methods are for private audience.” Mora looked to each of them.

“Sounds just right for hunting down the previous Lord of Windra.” Tolin stated with a smile. “You mentioned he has a night? What is this?”

“Local people have stated they are somehow holy. Blessed by Xhuri. They fight as a calvary in heavy armor. Sounds more to me they are powered with the will which suits my silence teams very well. However this still leaves us thin. With a legion on transport detail and another lessened in strength against Windra it leaves us with only two standing legions.”

“There isn’t another force near that large within Terra.” Barric answered with a frown. “Why are you so worried about this?”

“Hammerhold fell without a single sound. The strongest defensive position fell with no reports. No declaration of war, no troop movements. In fact from Hammerhold we are blind. No messenger has returned.” Mora responded.

“Send merchants. Be sure they are real ones. Tell them we will pay double for any goods they bring back. Triple for information that accompanies it. Merchants always want money. They are cheaper than spies anyway.” Tolin spoke as he thought. “I think the bigger question is where did this enemy come from? Or has Hammerhold simply befallen something else.”

“Boh Madrin.” Mora answered softly.

“I put no weight in the words of Amadagu. He has been the bane of the families since my grandfather.” The words spewed angrily from Berric. “Why should we even begin to think its him?”

“Dislike for him should not mean to ignore his writings. If there is an unknown force, then someone could have been chosen. If someone is chosen, we need to know immediately.” Tolin answered.

“You will need to go to Hammerhold yourself. Merchants are going to take too long. We have been too cavalier with our time. We need to not worry about the south until we know for certain if there is any truth to the Boh Madrin. Berric or I would be out of place. The High Priest however, would not be a surprise.” Mora exclaimed.

“Use your craft to kill those with the will.” Berric stated to their surprise. “If Windra wants them and we don’t. To eliminate them only helps us. I am going to take a legion north to Hammerhold, only a day behind you Tolin. No matter how we look at it, we are at war. Mora you will have to use the other legions to shore up Skara, Stormfield and make Blackroot your base.”

“Will I have any issues with Joile?” Mora questioned as she turned to leave.

“You are his aunt and he is ten.” Tolin answered directly. “I will return to Blackroot as soon as I am finished.”

“Iron and will.” Berric stated.

“Iron and will!” Mora and Tolin responded.

Tolin was never going to actually head to Hammerhold. As he made his way through the halls, he pulled the note he received and reviewed it again;
Hammerhold calls itself Tova. No need of supplies, envoys or visitors of any kind. No longer does it wish outside influence and has removed itself from the Ministry. Conflict non desired, simply to be left alone.”

While the others may wonder, it was clear, the ancient text’s of the Timewalker known as the Boh Madrin had begun its cycle. His ancestors wrote volumes attempting to disprove it, only to sanctify its meaning and truth. The greatest battle of history was beginning to set its roots. A champion for each side would be chosen. Rhiya would have to choose Joile and Tolin for his work with the boy would be rewarded and gifted. To find the other chosen would simply guaranty Rhiya’s victory.

Let the others deal with Hammerhold, training for Joile would have to be intensified and increased. The boy will have to know his place and position. His counterparts would have to be positioned as well.

Entering his private office, he quickly set upon writing a note. Finishing he walked to a hidden chamber in the room and lifted a flying creature from its cage. Its leathery wings stretched and fluttered as its eyes peered directly at the High Priest. The dragonette, pure energy in existence, took his message and darted out his window. Tolin knew Joile would sense the creature and the message. Mora would understand the power of the boy and he would be released upon Hammerhold once Berric failed. Berric and Mora would not die, but they would quickly understand. The Ministry and Rhiya needed only a single head to accomplish its tasks. Anything more would simply be demoted. Joile would find a release for his troubled history.

His thoughts were interrupted by Mora entering his office.

“You have simply gone too far. Your authority does not grant you such leniency.” Her voice was strong and refined. The anger of her eyes was stronger than her voice. She never moved from her place just within the door, her hands folded behind her back. “You Ahrynites always attempt to play your games and garner power that is not yours. You Tolin are the worst.”

“The Ministry has always determined and directed the magic of Terra.” Tolin fired back, “The boy is under my direct charge as the High Priest. I believe you should simply attend to our military matters. Say for instance the fall of Hammerhold.” He rose now and walked to the woman and placed his hand on her shoulder. When she didn’t respond, he walked behind her and spoke close to her ear. “Without a glimmer of anything, the great and powerful Hammerhold blinks into nothingness. Even your spies tell you nothing. Isn’t it odd that I knew and you didn’t?”

“Do not become cocky with your power “High Priest”, it too can be snuffed out. It continues by the grace of the families. It is not contained only in you. Does not your cousin share the same blood?” Mora offered him a smile that dared him to continue.

“His line has always been weaker.” Tolin felt himself walking into a trap, yet he could not stop himself. “The families would be ill served by a lesser blood. The power would be weaker.”

“Perhaps it would be best then to replace that line completely with one who’s power has yet to find a limit. Perhaps one that reformed a keep with but a thought?”

There it was, laid out before him. In a single comment Tolin knew he was in more jeopardy then he realized. Mora had sprung the trap, revealed her true purpose and it would be hard to slip from it. Joile had more power than Tolin could contain, he already knew that. But the boy was young and that would be his only advantage until Mora and the boy were brought together.

“Indeed, he has shown tremendous power. But would you really trust that to one so removed from all we do?” It was time for Tolin to return the favor of the trap. “Would you leave the families future to the hands of one that could perhaps challenge your control of the south? With but a thought no less.”

“In all of us, we share a common blood. Some it is the fire of will. Some the fire of battle. Both are need, iron and will. Already the iron is twice what the will is. This child would add to the will. Until that is done, we are vulnerable. If you play your games, you run the risk of the child being given to Berric for military training. I will support the boy, but you will support me. It should not have been hidden. His training should have been open to us. It was done in secret and without our approval. That is my issue. Berric is aging, our unity must be together on this. If it not, Berric will rule all the Ministry”

“Perhaps I should have consulted the council more directly, but time was simply against us. I recognize we are all the Ministry. I believe I acted in the best interest of the Ministry and the magic controls entrusted to me. It was ill of me to taunt you with our problems in Hammerhold. Let us talk with civility and forgive transgressions.” Perhaps she would see this as a retreat, but the truth of it would have to serve as merit. Berric was not one he could actually handle alone. Joile would do his part with Mora better if she were not already defensive.

Her smile let him know he had gotten exactly what he wanted from her. Acknowledging they were equals and made decisions together. It was best to keep her and her forces aligned, in principle, with his. She would likely outlive Berric and himself; if left to natural means.

“I believe it would be prudent to have regular reports on this child. There is little time before the council is to meet. Do you believe he will be ready?” Mora questioned.

“He will.” He learns so quickly, there is merely some precautions that have to be done. That training will begin in short order. I have already placed visual blocks for him. A visit from his Aunt would do him well.”
“You will make him aware of my intent to visit?” Mora questioned through pressed lips as if something had bit her.

“I have already done so.” Tolin smiled happily.

With a hushed and pressed lipped ‘mhm’, Mora left. Tolin, pleased with himself allowed a broad smile to stay pressed to his lips as he stared a while at the closed door.