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Flight
Part 1
The convocation theater was full. Free-floating balls of light provided ample illumination for the six thousand Members. Despite the large number of people, it seemed as if they were only taking up a small portion of the enormous chamber even though there wasn’t a vacant seat to be found. They sat behind desks that were arranged into concentric circles which decreased in circumference from a thousand seats in the outermost ring to just six in the innermost one. The people were dressed in robes that bore the colors of their levels. Underneath, many of them wore their civilian clothing. For some, not even the families of these Members were aware of their double lives.
It took days to transport everyone to the Circle Enclave for a convocation, and as a result, convocations were only held twice a year. This was their first-ever emergency gathering, and the unease was palpable.
The Members sat in their places listening calmly to their Chieftain’s pronouncement. He stood on a dais in the very center of the circles surrounded by the other six Inner Members. Apart from the odd shifting or coughing, there was not a sound to be heard in the theater. Cain’s voice echoed clearly in their heads.
Cain gave them his customary greeting and paused. He gazed for a long moment at his fellow Members. Sorrow and worry were etched onto his face. Cain sighed. It was time.
I don’t know how to put this delicately, so I’ll just say it. We’ve managed to confirm what many of you already know. The Champion of Chaos made itself known to the world a week ago at the Temple of Assize.
There was astonishment from the handful who hadn’t yet heard the news. Worried murmurs escaped from many lower level Members for whom telepathy wasn’t a routine form of communication.
The details of the event are irrelevant for the moment, he continued. What’s important is the fact that unlike last spring’s mentallic surge, the Dark Champion manifested itself physically in one of the few places it knew people would take notice. It obviously chose Assize because of the symbolic nature of the site — the spot where the Harbinger was first uttered is now the same spot where its last prophecy came true.
Cain let this information sink in while he scanned the crowd. He detected much apprehension, but he needed to be forthcoming. They had to know what was coming.
You’re all being placed on high alert, he continued. When the Enemy arrives, you’ll be summoned to Valor’s Keep. Obviously, there isn’t enough room for everyone in our tower, so we’ll work something out with the Grand-General. Our task will be to provide whatever aid we can for the Praetorship until we’re ready to initiate phase two of the Greater Cause, though I pray that this won’t become necessary.
The Members were visibly uncomfortable at the thought of this possibility. Although most of the first-levels were successfully linked, phase one was still proceeding very slowly. It had been more than four months since Cain had authorized Quinn to begin her work on it. The intricate network of links required for the psychic nexus had to be painstakingly built one mind at a time. This was further complicated by the fact that each mind had to be in exactly the right place in the network, connected to precisely the right people. One mistake would cause an imbalance that could permanently damage everyone in the nexus. This sent a collective shiver through the Membership.
Cain studied Quinn. She still wanted to accelerate the Greater Cause while he searched frantically for the Savior of Order. He recalled the day so many weeks ago – had it really been more than four months? – when the Dark Champion invaded his mind with images of death and destruction. He had been in the Library attempting to break the Elders’ invisible barrier as he had done countless times before. The Enemy had violated his mind that day. The memory of that violation was as vivid now as when it had just happened, just as he knew it was for every Circle Member. Yet Quinn seemed immune to its effects. The ensuing argument with her had been less than cordial, and Cain was sure that if it wasn’t for his mentallic superiority, she would have deposed him long ago.
The Chieftain brushed this aside and finished what would likely be remembered as the briefest address in the Circle’s history. Let’s take a break. Get up, walk around and stretch. In thirty minutes, report to your supervising eighth- and ninth-level Members. They’ll provide you with detailed briefings and instructions on our plans as we move forward. Following that, we’ll conclude this emergency convocation. First- and Second-Level Members will remain to work with Quinn and her team on the first phase of the Greater Cause. Everyone else will be free to leave. As usual, supervisors will see to the teleportation of those who cannot do so themselves. Be ready to move to the Keep when the call comes. That’s all.
What followed would have been an eerie sight for any non-mentallic. The people in the theater rose from their seats and mingled as they would if this was an ordinary gathering, but they engaged in hundreds of conversations without uttering a single word. There was the presence of typical hand gestures and body language to accompany the dialogue, but nothing was spoken out loud. Apart from the occasional chuckle or cough, the only sounds to be heard in the convocation theater were moving chairs, rustling clothes and shuffling feet.
The number of people gradually diminished as more of them were teleported away or they left for other chambers in the Enclave. Eventually, the Inner Circle, two green-robed sixth-levels and a blue-robed eighth-level gathered in a secluded corner of the convocation theatre.
I’d say that went rather well, stated Reeve. He pulled up a chair and settled his bulk into it.
As well as anyone can expect, added Phylar, one of the other Inner Members. I suspect that the reality of the situation won’t hit them until they have to move to Valor’s Keep.
Enough chitchat, interrupted Cain. Let’s get this over with so we can get back to business.
The other four Inner Members approached and took seats.
We have updates from our head operatives in the Republic of Ghault and the Federated States, continued the Chieftain.
The three Lesser Members approached and pulled back their cowls. The eighth-level was a man whose armor showed plainly through his robe. The sixth-levels were a man and a woman, both of whom appeared to be of noble stature.
The program of destabilization in the Republic has been accelerated, stated the noble. We’ve made sure that a number of rumors have been brought to the Grand-General’s attention over the last few months. When news of his reaction makes its way to Castle Ghault, it will serve to increase anxieties.
Dukes Robert du Dijinn and Cecil du Langue have been pushed into becoming the major players, added the woman. Neither Castle Ghault nor the dukes are fully aware of the technological advances of the other. When the Padishah discovers the scope of his own ignorance, it should be too late. The dukes will already have made their move.
What of the animosity we wanted to foster? asked one Inner Member.
It’s worked better than any of us imagined, replied the woman. The dukes are ready to kill the Padishah right now.
You have to rein them in, warned Cain. We can’t have them make any move before we’re ready. Instigate some setbacks in their weapons development programs — that should keep their emotions under wrap for a few months. We can’t have open warfare until Jehorom Galaddi is in place.
The sixth-levels nodded.
Good, off you go.
The sixth-levels concentrated. After a moment, their bodies started to fade as their constituent particles broke apart for reassembly elsewhere. The Chieftain turned to the eighth-level and motioned for him to begin his report.
Jehorom Galaddi has met with moderate success in his new post. It’s only been four months since his arrival and it took him a while to adjust.
Reeve rubbed his eyes. This is all fine and well, but has he exhibited any more unusual behavior?
Not to my knowledge.
Cain nodded. Thank you, that’ll be all. Return to your garrison.
Yes, Chieftain. The eighth-level concentrated slightly, and his body faded away as the other two had. In a moment, he was completely gone.
Reeve inhaled deeply and studied the other Inner Members. They didn’t look very optimistic about the coming Chaos. He glanced at Cain. What if we’re wrong about Galaddi?
We’re not.
Are you sure? asked Phylar. The Circle has been breeding Teivans since it was established, but so far, we haven’t produced anyone with more than tenth-level abilities.
You’re forgetting something, replied Cain. Remember that day when I contacted Terrel while she was en route to Ravelin? It was about five and a half months ago when she was our agent with Marshal Corinn Wallace’s battalion in Valandov Province.
The others nodded. That was right before the battle, before we rerouted Duncan Milius to the Palladum, clarified Reeve.
Right, confirmed Cain. When I contacted her, I told her that I secretly sat in on Marshal Wallace’s strategy session. What I didn’t tell her was that I was also there to scan Galaddi.
And?
Cain threw his arms up. And nothing! I couldn’t get through. I’m always able to tell when a person has no mentallic capabilities because my scan comes out negative. The opposite holds true with a person who possesses such abilities, but with Galaddi, I got neither a positive nor a negative response.
That means nothing, rebuked Quinn.
It means that his mind has a natural defense mechanism that blocks any scanning attempt. I felt him pushing me back!
Quinn was incredulous. You’re pinning the salvation of Halcyon on a hunch?
I’m doing no such thing, replied Cain angrily. The Harbingers foretell the coming of a Savior to combat the Champion!
What if the Circle itself is the Savior of Order? demanded Quinn harshly.
Cain was growing frustrated with his subordinate. It’s always a possibility, which is why I’ve given approval for the first two phases of the Greater Cause. While you initiate that program, I’ll research our only other likely candidate.
Cain noticed Quinn’s look of disgust. Had he been speaking out loud he would have been shouting. He pointed an accusing finger at her. What if you’re the one who’s wrong? What then? The Time of Meeting will come upon us, the Dark Champion will destroy Halcyon and the Savior with it, and the world will be ruled for eternity by the forces of Chaos! You may want to gamble with our fates, but I don’t see a second chance for us! We must exhaust all other options before choosing a final course of action.
Quinn looked away. She was unable to hide this much rage from the others. As you wish.
The Chieftain shook his head. Somehow, he had to make her understand. We all have jobs to do. Let’s pray that we find our answers before it’s too late.
The Inner Members nodded their agreement before teleporting themselves away. Only Quinn remained. She needed some time to clear her head. She had to find support. Phylar was sure to back her up, but Reeve would undoubtedly support the Chieftain. That left the other three. She had to bring them all on side before making any kind of move. If only two backed her, it still wouldn’t be enough because Cain was too powerful. She needed support from four Inner Members, and she had to secure it before the Chieftain’s policies destroyed them all.
Stay tuned for the next chapter…
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