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The Circle
Part 6
The Library of the Elders was dark and quiet. It was enormous, containing tens of thousands of volumes. They were stored on rows of shelves that stretched far back into the sanctum, well beyond eyesight. This was a secret place, its existence known to the people of Halcyon through centuries of legend. Only the highest members of the Circle knew its true location.
More than three weeks had passed since the decision to send Duncan Milius and his battle group to the Palladum — three weeks since Cain, Quinn and the rest of the Inner Members began a course of action that would affect the future of Halcyon. Cain reflected on this as he strode briskly through the darkness. His long legs carried him swiftly through the chamber. His robe, which would look crimson if this place was lit, flapped lightly as he moved. On either side of him, stacks of shelves reached up to a vaulted ceiling that was so high it was often hidden from view even when there was light. As he walked, he brushed past endless rows of books. The volumes dealt with a diversity of topics, ranging from History, Engineering and Philosophy to Biology, Physics and Mathematics. All of Halcyon’s knowledge was stored here, and the Circle had exclusive control over it.
Cain continued walking deeper into the Library. The darkness was no concern for him. If he wished, he could make the place brighter than the brightest day, but for now, he preferred the darkness. The tap of his shoes and the brush of his robe against the shelves echoed in the sanctuary’s stillness. Finally, he reached his destination and stopped in the middle of the vast hall. There was no wall to block him, no marker on the floor, just more rows of books goading him onward. He steeled himself for the punishment he knew was coming, the punishment that was inflicted on him every time he tried to pass. He stepped forward and closed his eyes.
With a surge of power, Cain was violently thrown back by an invisible barrier. He landed heavily on the stone floor. He stood up painfully, clenching and unclenching his fists in frustration. This always happened. He had tried to pass by hundreds of times and he was always caught off-guard. The Elders constructed this place and they were the only ones who could cross this point.
They had been dead for centuries.
The Chieftain stared longingly ahead. We have access to thousands of volumes, he lamented, but even more lie just beyond our reach.
He stood there for several long moments, contemplating the mystery beyond the barrier. What was it that Ahenak wrote in his First Codex? ‘Of all the great treasures in the universe, nothing is more valuable than human intellect.’ Cain shook his head. The treasure in this place was incalculable, but he would never see any of it in his lifetime.
It was time to get back to work. He knelt to examine the shelf on his left. A ball of dim light popped into existence over his right shoulder. Like the other shelves, this one was crammed with books. He worked his way along the floor and stopped at the wall. He ran his finger delicately along the spines of the last five volumes.
This is all we have left. Soon, there will be nothing more for us.
He stood up and marched back to the aisle, trying to understand why the Elders had sealed away the rest of the Library. What was so important that it had to be locked away like this? And if present generations weren’t meant to use it, why wasn’t it destroyed or hidden, instead of lying out in plain sight? Obviously, the Elders wanted them to know about it, so there had to be a way to bypass the defenses.
We just have to find it, sighed Cain. The Elders were as selective in their choices of the kinds of knowledge we’re allowed to obtain as the Circle is in the way we ration out what they left for us to see. But the Library’s stores will soon run completely dry and the Circle will no longer be able to maintain its control of information. Is this what the Elders intended all along? What will we do when the last books are used up? What will be the Circle’s place in Halcyon?
Cain stood there brooding over these unpleasant thoughts with only the pale ball of light providing illumination. For nearly three hundred years, the Circle had been trying and failing to get past that barrier.
Suddenly, he was wrenched out of his musings as his mind was invaded by a force more powerful than he had ever experienced. It felt as though a chilling wind was sweeping through the Library, filling the Chieftain’s head with images of death and decay. The intrusion was terrifying and he felt paralyzed to stop it. He saw the destruction of his people. Valor’s Keep… Gath… Hansehaven… Castle Ghault… Irbirah… every settlement in the Commonwealth lay in ruins. A raging firestorm consumed Halcyon. There were terrified screams everywhere. He saw strange creatures of unimaginable size devouring humans, livestock, grimals… anything they could grab. A throaty hiss echoed in his head that slowly grew into malicious laughter. It was a cackle that mocked the Circle, the Commonwealth and all humanity. He saw swarms of the enormous creatures ravaging the countries.
The images disappeared as quickly as they came. Cain shivered and choked. This was the moment he had been dreading all his life.
Within minutes, a new presence filled his mind. A barely effeminate, cracking voice replaced the horrid laughter in his head.
Chieftain?
Cain had barely recovered from the ordeal. He had no desire to deal with her right now. What is it, Quinn?
It’s here.
A bitter sigh. I know, I felt it. Send for the others — the hour is upon us. We must join minds and complete the task set out for us by the Elders. We must find the Savior of Order before the Dark Champion engulfs us all.
What of the Greater Cause? she asked.
Cain put his hand to his forehead and shook his head sadly. The Greater Cause would certainly lead to the destruction of Halcyon, but it may be the only path to salvation. He marveled at Quinn’s apparent heartlessness. He felt violated — something had entered his mind illicitly. Every mentallic on Halcyon must have experienced the same effect, yet she took it in stride, as if it was just another daily event! Didn’t it occur to her that if the Dark Champion was strong enough to invade Halcyon’s most powerful minds, it could certainly run amok over the land with impunity as the vision foretold?
The Chieftain lifted his head and turned around. Quinn was standing behind him. Her cowl was pulled over her face, which was completely hidden from the ball’s dim radiance. It was like staring into a dark pit. If he gave his approval to enact the Greater Cause, Halcyon would cease to exist. Humanity would persevere, but what would remain would be a mere shadow of what once was. The only way to stop the madness was to find the Savior before the Greater Cause got out of control. Cain inhaled deeply and slowly exhaled. He looked up at Quinn.
Initiate phase one.
Quinn nodded and smiled triumphantly, though her superior couldn’t possibly have seen it. Nor could the Chieftain have known about her concern that his conscience might override his judgment. She would have to watchful. She and her superior concentrated as one. Cain’s light winked out. Their bodies faded and melded with the darkness until, at last, they disappeared.
Stay tuned for the next chapter…
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