Blood of the Earth (40 page)

He touched the outline of the Isle of Karth. The Gate shimmered for an instant before it opened to a walled courtyard surrounded by a heavily fortified military encampment. Soldiers started shouting and bells started tolling. Alexander ignored them and focused his mind on creating another illusion.

He sent an image of himself through the Gate into Karth, yelling a challenge for the beast, while obscuring his true position. The beast dutifully charged toward the illusion and into the midst of a thousand enemy soldiers hastily making ready to repel an assault. Alexander touched the Gate again and it closed behind the beast.

He was sitting on the edge of the Gate platform, deliberately willing the anxiety and tension of the previous moments away, when his friends rode up.

“Well done, Lord Reishi,” Commander Perry said as he dismounted.

“I’ll say,” Jack said. “Did you send it to Phane or Zuhl?”

“Phane,” Alexander said with a chuckle. “I just hope he can’t make a pet out of it.”

“There is that,” Isabel said. “At least it won’t be a problem around here anymore.”

Chapter 31

After retiring to the command tent for a hasty lunch, Alexander asked Commander Perry for a report on their status.

“The wall is just about halfway complete,” Commander Perry said. “I’ve lost one hundred and twelve men to the Reishi Isle and have sixty-eight men injured. The beasts come in the night, most from the wilds but some from the Keep itself. Since we’ve fortified our encampment, the number of casualties has diminished greatly, though some of the creatures still manage to penetrate our defenses.”

Alexander swallowed hard. He knew the mission to secure the Reishi Keep was going to be hazardous, but he hadn’t expected to lose so many men.

“I’m sorry for your losses, Commander. Unfortunately, I’m going to have to ask you to remain and complete your mission. The contents of that Keep may prove to be decisive in the battles to come. I’ll send reinforcements and ask Kelvin if he can spare another wizard.”

“We’ll get the job done,” Commander Perry said.

“Maybe we should go in right now and take a look around,” Isabel said. “We might find something we could use.”

“We might,” Alexander said, “but we might just waste time.” He shook his head. “We have more pressing matters to attend to right now. As much as I’d like to take a look at the sovereigns’ library, we can’t spare the time.”

“If I may, Lord Reishi,” Commander Perry said. “How would you like us to deal with the natives that were pursuing you?”

“With respect and courtesy,” Alexander said. “They may prove to be important allies in the near future. They’re not bad people … we just have a difference of opinion. After lunch, my companions and I will be returning to Ruatha. Expect reinforcements tomorrow. And Commander, the Nether Gate is on this island and Phane knows it, so be ready for anything.”

“Understood, Lord Reishi,” Commander Perry said.

Over lunch, they discussed all of the beasts that had attacked them during their time on the Reishi Isle. Alexander listened carefully and offered suggestions for combating the creatures that he’d fought in the past. He had expected to hear about the tentacle demon, but much to his relief, it hadn’t ventured forth from the Keep.

Commander Perry had fought gorledons, nether wolves, and ganglings, as well as a number of other things that they had no names for. His men had done well in the face of all they’d encountered, but they’d also paid a heavy price.

When he was ready to leave for Ruatha, Alexander asked Wizard Dinh to cast his translation spell again so he could speak with Rentu before he left. After a contentious discussion, Rentu agreed to help Commander Perry and his men. Rentu was adamant that Isabel should remain with them, but Alexander flatly refused. Aside from that point of disagreement, they were able to come to an understanding. Both wanted the same outcome, they just disagreed on the best way to get there, and Rentu had to admit, he was grateful that the beast was gone.

***

Alexander stepped through the Gate to a cold and rainy day on Ruatha. The Rangers guarding the Gate stood down immediately when they saw him, and the Lieutenant in command of the hundred-man guard force saluted crisply.

“Welcome home, Lord Reishi,” he said.

“Thank you, Lieutenant,” Alexander said. “We need horses.”

“Right away,” the lieutenant said.

Some time later they were approaching the bridge leading across the chasm to Blackstone Keep’s paddock. The fact that the bridge was present in the world of time and substance was a reminder that the Keep’s magic was failing. One more problem that Alexander didn’t have the time or power to address at the moment. He added it to his mental list of the things he needed to do before they departed for Tyr in the morning.

When they reached the paddock, a horn sounded from one of the platforms above, signaling their arrival. As they were approaching the entrance to the Keep, Bella and Emma came out to great them.

“It’s so good to see you both,” Bella said, hugging Alexander and Isabel in turn.

“With everyone gone, we have nothing to do but fret over you all,” Emma said. “Come inside out of the cold and have something to eat.”

Alexander and Isabel shared a smile as they followed their mothers. Adele was waiting for them in their quarters. Their friends had all gone to their own quarters to get cleaned up.

“Welcome home, Lord Reishi,” Adele said with a bright smile. “I’ve stoked your fire and have water boiling for tea.”

“Thank you, Adele,” Alexander said. “We’ll be leaving again tomorrow, so I’d like to have dinner with family tonight. Also, I have an important task for you. I’m going to need furnishings for a large room, about fifty feet square. I’ll need a double bed, five single beds, a desk, table and chairs for six, another six comfortable chairs, a sitting-room table, bookshelves, two barrels of water, enough travel food to feed six for a month, a footlocker, an armoire, and enough firewood for a month.”

She frowned, a bit confused, but said, “I’ll see to it personally.”

Alexander nodded with a smile and willed the door to the Wizard’s Den to open. With a pop, the chamber outside of the world of time and substance stood open before them. Adele stared in disbelief and shook her head.

“That is truly astonishing, Lord Reishi,” she said. “If I may ask, many of the furnishings in your magical room look quite nice. Why don’t you use them?”

“Everything in that room belonged to Malachi Reishi and I don’t trust anything he ever touched,” Alexander said. “As soon as I get cleaned up, I’m going to have the wizards help me clear everything out of this room and then I’m going to clean it from top to bottom.”

“Very good, Lord Reishi,” Adele said. “I’ll have everything you asked for by this evening.”

“Thank you, Adele,” Alexander said as he headed for his washroom to draw a bath.

***

“I’ll be with the wizards for a few hours,” Alexander said. “Why don’t you see if you can find Wren and invite her to dinner?”

“Are you sure you don’t need some help?” Isabel asked.

Alexander smiled, shaking his head. “We’ll just be moving furniture. Get some rest. I’m sure Wren would love to hear all about the Reishi Isle.”

“You’re right about that,” Isabel said. “She loves stories, and I would like to see her.”

“It’s settled then,” Alexander said. “I’ll see you at dinner.” He kissed her goodbye and headed for the Hall of Magic. Alexander loved Isabel with all his heart but he didn’t trust the darkness that Phane was using against her. He had a contingency plan in mind for dealing with the Nether Gate but it hinged on secrecy. He knew Isabel would never betray him of her own free will, but he also knew that she might not have a choice in the matter. It hurt him to keep things from her, but the stakes were just too high.

Jataan P’Tal was waiting for him at the archway leading to the Hall of Magic. He sat in a hard-backed chair, looking uncomfortable. When Alexander rounded the corner he stood with some effort and the assistance of a cane.

“Lord Reishi, Hector and Horace reported your return,” he said. “Can I be of assistance?”

“Shouldn’t you be in bed?” Alexander asked.

Jataan’s brow twitched. “Perhaps, but I grow weary of resting while others struggle against your enemies.”

“You won’t do anyone any good if you reopen your wounds,” Alexander said.

“So Mistress Lita tells me … frequently,” Jataan said. “I’m taking appropriate precautions to ensure that I heal as quickly as possible, but I would very much like to accompany you this afternoon, if you will permit it.”

“Of course, Jataan, just take it easy, all right?”

“As you wish.”

On their way to Kelvin’s workshop, Alexander stopped at Lucky’s laboratory and stuck his head in the door. The place was in a state of orderly disarray, every surface covered with something, from books, to glassware, to a sheet pan of steaming biscuits. Lucky was busy setting up a complex network of glass beakers, tubes, and basins.

“Hi, Lucky,” Alexander said with a broad smile.

“Ah, my boy,” Lucky said. “Are you hungry? I have some fresh biscuits. I’ll pour you a cup of tea and you can tell me all about your adventures.”

“I’m afraid I don’t have time at the moment,” Alexander said with an apologetic smile. “I was just headed to see Kelvin. If your work can wait, I have something to show you.”

“Always in a hurry,” Lucky said with a sigh. “Well, let’s go then. Does your mother know you’re home? She tries not to let it show but she worries about you and your sister … and your father. In some ways, I think it’s harder being here where it’s safe while you’re out there in danger.”

“I know what you mean,” Alexander said. “I looked in on Abigail a week ago. She was moving toward the shipyards as planned.”

“Glad to hear it,” Lucky said.

Kelvin was busy at work, directing a crew of nearly twenty craftsmen and a few wizards. His expansive workshop was bustling with activity as he choreographed half a dozen projects. Alexander smiled at the sight. The big mage was in his element and he looked like he loved it. Kelvin stopped abruptly when he noticed Alexander standing just inside the doorway and issued a few quick orders to his chief assistants before winding his way through the forges and worktables to greet him.

“You’re back sooner than I expected,” he said.

“We’ll be leaving again tomorrow,” Alexander said, “but I needed to talk to you first.”

Kelvin nodded and motioned to the door of his office. Once inside with the door closed, Alexander willed the door to the Wizard’s Den open. All three men stared in shock for a moment before Lucky and Kelvin began to chuckle.

“Please step inside,” Alexander said.

Once they were all inside, he closed the door and took a seat at the table.

“Malachi Reishi left us some very useful, and dangerous, gifts,” Alexander said. “There are a number of items in particular that I wanted to talk to you about. Then I want to remove everything and refurnish the place so we can use it without fear of activating some trap or other.”

“Why would Malachi Reishi have left traps within his own Wizard’s Den?” Jataan asked.

“Apparently, he was afraid that Phane was planning to kill him,” Alexander said. “A lot’s happened since we left.” He proceeded to report everything that had transpired on the Reishi Isle: the encounter with Rentu, the fight with Phane’s agents, the loss of the keystone, the encounter with Selaphiel and the smoke demon, their narrow escape from the beast, and the effect that the Wizard’s Den had on Isabel.

“Sounds like you had a busy trip,” Lucky said. “Is Isabel all right?”

“I don’t know,” Alexander said. “She’s strong, but the darkness is gaining a foothold within her. That’s one reason we’re having this conversation in private. What we discuss in this chamber must remain secret. I have a contingency plan for the Nether Gate but I need your help, Kelvin.”

“Anything within my power,” Kelvin said.

“I need one of your smaller explosive weapons,” Alexander said. “I’m going to send reinforcements to Commander Perry tomorrow before we leave for Tyr and I want to send one of your wizards along as well. Only the wizard you select can know his true mission.”

“Very well,” Kelvin said. “What’s your plan?”

“I want the wizard to bury the weapon in the chamber with the Nether Gate,” Alexander said. “If all else fails, we can destroy the chamber and bury the Gate under tons of stone. Who knows? We might even be able to lure Phane into a trap.”

“I have just the man for the job,” Kelvin said. “And I’ll ensure that the wagon carrying the weapon looks like nothing more than supplies for the soldiers.”

“Good,” Alexander said. “Prepare the weapon and give me the activation stone in a protected container. Hopefully, we can get the keystone from Bragador, but if we can’t, I want to have a backup plan.”

“A wise precaution,” Kelvin said. He looked over at the desk and bookshelves. “Have you consulted the sovereigns about these items?”

“I have,” Alexander said, “and that’s another reason I came straight back here.” He got up and retrieved the little stone box full of Wizard’s Dust and set it on the table. Holding his breath, he carefully lifted the lid.