Chapter 14: Innocents and Conspirators

Chaos broke look in that throne room. Guards ran to protect the royal father and son, and to the balcony to try and spot the would be assassin, the vizier was shouting accusations, Dregan, Zentarou, and Danious were protesting his statements, and Vivi and Orko were trying not to get caught underfoot or tripped over.

At last King Tazan gave what must’ve been a shout for silence, for all that could understand him instantly fell quiet. He spoke briefly with his son, apparently asking of his well being for the prince nodded in response, then said something to Sahadi that he didn’t like, and that Danious did, for the knight smugly crossed his arms over his chest. The Bretheren huddled close together, and Dregan let the smaller pair in on what was going on.

“The king doesn’t believe we’re involved in this assassination attempt. After all, why interfere if we’re behind it?”

“This probably has something to do with the marriage,” Orko commented. “Someone doesn’t want this war to end.”

“Hey Dregan,” Zentarou suddenly commented, “do you have any defensive magics?”

“Yes. Why?”

“What about you, Orko, Vivi. Anything?”

“Nope.”

“I don’t think I’d want to cast any, even if I did.”

“I have an idea.” Zentarou drew the other three close. “Why don’t we help defend the prince until after the treaty is signed? After all, we seemingly aren’t going to get pulled anytime soon. And Natar probably can search faster without us on his back making him stop every few hours.”

“Sounds good to me,” commented Vivi. “Though I don’t know what I could do.”

“Every set of eyes counts.” Dregan smiled, as the prince joined them, seemingly to thank Zentarou. Dregan made the offer to the prince, and the king, overhearing the plan, eagerly agreed.

He says that with four powerful mages guarding his son, translated Danious, he’s sure to be safe. And that you all will stay in the palace until the threat is over. Vivi had an idea of his own.

“Dregan, why don’t we give Prince Caresh a pendant to wear, so he can talk to all of us?”

“Good idea.” Dregan pulled the forth pendant out of a pocket of his robe and held it out to the prince. This caused the Vizier to protect almost violently, and he even moved forward to strike it from Dregan’s hand. The prince was quicker, giving a curt reply, and took the pendant, putting it on. Vivi smiled.

Hi. He waved so the prince would know who was speaking. The prince blinked in surprise, then attempted to respond.

Hello. Is this the correct way to use this magic?

Yes. You just think whatever you want us to hear. And with a bit of concentration, you can make it so only one or two of us can hear. Prince Caresh smiled broadly.

Your magic is wonderful! So powerful, and effective. Much better than anything Vizier Sahadi has ever done. Vivi blushed, though none, of course, could tell. Please, tell me of magic, of your worlds.

Sure, came Orko’s thoughts. We’d be glad to.

Follow me. Prince Caresh spoke briefly with his back, and after bowing their farewell the Bretheren Arcanum followed the prince out of the throne room. He led them through various halls, to a set of doors, and through them to a lovely walled garden.

It was large, with a small pond in one corner, complete with water trickling over stones to filter in. Leafy trees, carefully cultivated, provided a lot of shade, and soft grass carpeted the ground. The scent of flowering bushes perfumed the air. All in all, it gave the impression of a desert oasis.

Prince Caresh sat down by the pond, bidding the four to do likewise. He spoke in his language, than thought to Vivi and Orko, Please, tell me of your homes.

“Who first?” Zentarou asked. “And how?”

“How about one of us translate?” suggested Dregan. It was agreed upon, and Orko sent first.

He told of both of his homes, Trolla and Eternia, of his people - all powerful spell casters - and of the loss of his wand. He told stories of some of his adventures involving a great hero in Eternia, named He-Man, and his tiger Battlecat, such as when he lost his magical powers, and He-Man helped to get them back. And how they had ventured together to Trolla to save Orko’s people, and the Trollan he loved, Dree Elle.

Then Zentarou told of Talsdia, and his birthplace of Kylado. He spoke of how magic was only slowly returning after being non-existent for over one thousand years. He told of their great heroes, and of their conflict with humans ending with the Sir’Kai and elves joining in a human rebellion that usurped the tyrannical, cruel dictator and put his son, a sweet, kind, caring youth of thirteen, on the throne under the guidance of King Zentor of the Sir’Kai and Emperor Karashi of the elves, in the form of Ora Prydwin and Daernin, a white lioness paladin and elven ranger couple, respectively, who were his guardians and chief advisors, and friends.

Vivi went next, telling of the only adventure he’d been involved in. He told of Kuja, and of Zidane, Garnet, Steiner, and all his friends, of the Black Mages and Genomes and the Mist. He didn’t omit one detail, no matter how personally painful or heart-wrenching. Then he told of his sons, and how happy things were now. That got a smile from the prince.

Dregan went last, and for him Zentarou did the translating. As the prince had asked to hear stories of magic, the elf chose to tell of the Counsel or Mages; five mages who were the most powerful of all, chosen by Tavannes the Magic Giver himself, to regulate who becomes a powerful mage. There was Jayden Strom, the Creationist, newest Counsel Mage and able to create anything from nothing at all, with just a thought. Then Stratix the Nature Mage, a being from another plane who had taken up residency on Sindaya. Resembling a mix of every type of elemental, even holy, unholy, light, and dark, anything plant, animal, or mineral, whether living or not, even the weather, readily obeyed his every command. Then came Feamor the Planar Mage. A Domedi, or shade elf - one of a cursed race who turned against Sovellyn their creator, and were severely punished for it but being turned into living undead, living shadows - he possessed innate summoning abilities that his position only enhanced, as well as a rather fearsome visage: The more light that shone around him, the harder he became to focus upon, the darker his surroundings, the clearer his form. Jaskar Mageweave was next, the Destructionist who was the only creature alive able to touch Cataclysm, a powerful artifact staff that - up until Jaskar himself - had consumed entirely every previous would-be wielder, and absorbed their powers. Dregan added that of all the mages, Jaskar and Feamor had evil streaks that they didn’t even try to hide. Everyone, more or less, feared Feamor, and Jaskar killed students who enraged him. Rumor was that they had conspired to murder Jayden’s predecessor, but none knew for sure. Except maybe the fifth mage, spoken of a Lady Iridesca Scintillion, the opal dragoness, Mage of Knowledge and master of illusion and scrying spells. If she didn’t know something, or have means to find it in her library, then it wasn’t worth knowing. Beautiful and kind, she was also a frequent lover of Jaskar.

By the time the takes were over, it was growing late. A servant politely entered to inform Prince Caresh that dinner was soon to be served, as Dregan translated. The prince nodded, and offered the Bretheren the chance to clean up before dinner. Dregan smiled and used magic on them all, though Vivi accepted the offer anyhow.

After all the casting I did, I could use a little soak. The Prince nodded, and as they headed down the various hallways, he showed Vivi a bathing room.

We’ll be down the hall in the dining room, the prince mentally told him. If you have trouble finding it, ask any guard you see.

Okay. They left, and Vivi took a long, hot soak. It was only his growling stomach that reminded him of dinner. With some reluctance, he climbed out and toweled dry, then dressed and headed towards the dining hall... sorta. There were a veritable maze of hallways before him, and not a guard in sight. Vivi couldn’t help but laugh to himself. Orko, he thought specifically to his friend, I think I’m lost.

Okay, came the reply. Do you remember the way we were going? Just go that direction. I’ll meet you on the way. Vivi started to jog.

Any turns?

A few, but don’t worry. I’ll find you easy enough. Vivi strolled for a while, then came to a T-intersection.

I’m at a T-intersection. Which way?

We passed a statuette on a pedestal on the way. Vivi looked, and did see a statue.

Okay. On my way. He turned right. But after five minutes, he hadn’t found Orko.

Trolly-molly, where are you? came the red-robed mage’s query. I’m in the hall with the bath room, and I don’t see you.

I must’ve taken a wrong turn. Suddenly Vivi heard voices. Hold on. I think I’ve found someone.

Okay. Hopefully at least they can direct you back here. They shared a laugh as Vivi prepared to knock on the slightly ajar door.

But fortunately he recognized the voices before he made any noise. Or, at least one voice... that of Vizier Sahadi.