Month: May 2016

As they exited the city p-Mayard said, “If weather’s good, we should make it in two or three days.”

Rhiann commented, “If we make it at all… Uncle Mayard speaks of highwaymen and brigands looking for easy marks.”

The Shapechanger replied, “I’m familiar with such blokes. Most aren’t willing to mess with a sorcerer, Boss. Mayard Klarje has nothing to worry about, if you ask me.”

Rhiann said with relief, “And you look like Mayard Klarje.”

The pseudo-Mayard quickly replied, “But more importantly, you are Mayard Klarje. Mind you, I’d rather be in young Rhiann’s shoes and soaking in the plushness of the Hanging Gardens and the closeness of beautiful Decima. I managed to pick out two good phi gamms to pull the wagon. Helene and Curtis… the stable master named after his spouse’s parents. The miners will have to like the goods we brought them. How much do you trust that dwarf Roswell?”

Rhiann replied, “More than I trust the Council of Thynna. He’s working on something my family has been seeking since the time of the first sorcerer Cydney Klarje. Cydney dreamed of an artifact buried deep in the Copper Mountains. Mayard… uh, I heard of the miners’ discovery in my youth. Finally talked old Forty-niner to part with it. It’s going to cost me these gems from the Gem Bush. He wants them for his daughter Clementine.”

p-Mayard said, “I wouldn’t cross Forty-niner. He’s meaner than Clifton Clowers, the chieftain of the wild tribe that inhabits Wolverine Mountain.”

Rhiann said, “It’s my intention to treat him fairly.”

The Shapechanger replied, “I’m hoping he returns the favor.”

Kurth Marsh approached his son and queried regarding his plans. Rhiann relayed his need to leave Thynna immediately for the Copper Mountains.

Kurth said, “Your mother will be disappointed. She’s been quite worried about you. For all experience, Mayard, you oft lack good judgment. You should have asked Caye and me before leaving with our son. Relations between Thynna and the miners are little better than those between us and the Three Sisters. The miners feel their ores have been undervalued. I’m not sure it’s safe for you to travel there. We should seek the counsel of your mother, Rhiann.”

p-Mayard replied, “Caye will continue to shelter him! He bears the mark of the Klarjes! His growth as a sorcerer and negotiator will benefit from dealing with the miners!”

Kurth countered, “Yes, he bears the mark and it makes him a target! He needs more time!”

Rhiann said, “How could I be in better hands than with Uncle Mayard?”

Kurth demanded, “We will discuss this with your mother. I’ll try to calm some frayed nerves in the Council and then meet you at home shortly. Mayard, I could use your help.”

p-Mayard answered, “I’ve my own affairs to attend. I’ll leave holding the Council’s hands to you, Kurth. I’m going to make ready.”

Rhiann and p-Mayard left the Council chamber.

The Shapechanger said, “Wow, you were convincing, boss. Even I thought you were really Rhiann. I bet that young rascal’s getting along fine at the Hanging Gardens. The centaurs were rambling about Decima getting sweet on your nephew. Lucky dawg! How’d I do?”

Rhiann struggled with his father’s demands but managed, “You did fine. You make a good Mayard. It’s going to take my father quite a while to sort out the mess we left with the Council of Thynna. We need to gather materials for our trip. What do you suggest?”

p-Mayard replied, “Are you serious, Boss? Why are you asking me? I’m much better at stealing stuff than negotiating with merchants. Last time I checked my pockets were empty. Merchants like coins and bling.”

The sorcerers entered Thynna. A squad of armed guards met and surrounded them. The Sergeant of the Guard descended the wall stairs and approached the sorcerers.

Sergeant Regan addressed Rhiann and the Shapechanger in Mayard’s visage, “Removing the Wizard Lock proves Magick touches you. I’m not convinced you are who you say you are. I must interrogate you before you enter the city proper.”

p-Mayard muttered, “This is outrageous! I’m insulted! I’m not going to honor your question by answering them. You’ll have to talk to my nephew!”

Sergeant Regan said, “Now… that comment puts me in mind of Mayard Klarje. So be it! If you are Rhiann Klarje, you should be able to answer some questions.”

Thus Rhiann did most of the talking and passed all the tests of identity given him. Actually, it was easy in that he was really Rhiann.

Sergeant Regan concluded, “You are cleared to enter the city. It’s good to have you back, Sorcerer Mayard.”

Rhiann and p-Mayard meandered along the busy streets and received many greetings. Folk in the outer ward did not share the Council of Thynna’s contempt and had great regard for the older Klarje.

p-Mayard said, “Boss, I’m impressed! You even had me convinced that you are your nephew! You handled that well.”

Rhiann replied, “You weren’t much help!”

The Shapechanger answered, “Well, duh! I’m not you, Mayard! It was best I kept quiet.”

Rhiann wanted to spend time with his mother Caye and father Kurth, but his uncle stressed the import of delivering the Fate’s message and then going to the Copper Mountains. The duo passed through the inner curtain and entered the inner ward. They passed the Gem Bush and the statue of Mayard in the courtyard and entered the Council of Thynna’s chambers. Rhiann turned to p-Mayard and said, “It’s your turn now. Just go in there and tell them that Nona demands Thynna not extend its influence into the Veldt.”

p-Mayard muttered, “I’m not much of a public speaker, Boss. Couldn’t you just be yourself and address them yourself.”

. Rhiann and pseudo-Mayard then approached Thynna’s formidable outer curtain and its guards.

p-Mayard asked, “How are we going to get in, Boss?”

Rhiann answered, “You are Mayard Klarje, benefactor of Magick and Thynna. They won’t refuse you entry.”

p-Mayard replied, “Actually, you are Mayard Klarje. I’m just a likeness. What do I do if they ask me to cast a spell?”

Rhiann replied, “Just wave your hands about and move your lips.”

The duo stood before the outer curtain. The Sergeant of the Guard on the allure shouted, “What business have you in the City Thynna?”

p-Mayard said, “Open the gate! I have business with the council.”

The guard laughed, “Old timer, lots of blokes want to speak to the council. Dressing up like a sorcerer isn’t enough to get you inside the city.”

Rhiann said impatiently, “Sergeant, know that you are addressing Mayard Klarje, the foremost sorcerer of this and most any generation. I’d suggest you let us in before he grows impatient and turns you into blue nu crap!”

The burly sergeant barked, “Listen young whipper-snapper! We have strict guidelines on who gets in or out. For all I know you blokes are a couple of Shapechangers! Everyone in Thynna knows of the great Mayard Klarje and his propensity for going on walkabouts. It’s also common knowledge that his young nephew Rhiann left with him. You blokes have copied them all the way down to the red marks on your faces.”

Rhiann walked to the heavy bluewood gate, uttered an incantation, and pecked on the door. Nothing happened. P-Mayard mumbled and made gestures. Again nothing happened.

The sergeant said, “You fellows having some trouble. Takes more than gestures to undo a Wizard Lock.”

Rhiann muttered under his breath, “Idiot that I am! I cast a Knock Spell. Undoing the Wizard Lock requires Dispel Magick! I just hope the sorcerer that placed the spell isn’t more powerful than I am.”

p-Mayard stood close by and heard Rhiann’s rumblings. “Boss, why aren’t you opening the door?”

Rhiann said, “It has to look like you do it. Start talking and touch the door.”

p-Mayard obliged.

Rhiann concentrated. The phrases of the Dispel Magick incantation flowed flawlessly from his lips for the first time. He furtively touched the door. The massive gate swung noiselessly open. The sorcerers entered Thynna. A squad of armed guards met them.

The Shapechanger as Mayard urged his flying steed Shyrra nearer Urra and addressed Rhiann, who he thought was Mayard, “Mayard… I can’t shake the feeling like I’m talking to myself. After we rest up at Low Gap and then get to Thynna, how long will we wait to proceed to the Copper Mountains?”

Rhiann as Mayard said, “I’ll address the Council of Thynna and deliver Nona’s ultimatum. The forces of Thynna are to remain outside the Veldt. Visitation to the Seven Wonders will remain at the discretion of each shrine’s stewards.”

The Shapechanger answered, “Boss, even I can tell you the Council isn’t going to go for that s**t. The time of the Old Ones is past. The Three Sisters can’t hold on forever.”

Rhiann replied, “I know. How long will the trek to the Copper Mountains take?”

The Shapechanger said, “Huh? Are you serious, Boss? You’ve traveled with me to deal with the miners eight times. How fast we get there depends on how good our transportation is. When you had purple enigmas pulling the carts from Thynna the trip took two weeks. Blue nus and red machis are stronger and faster. Purple enigmas are hard to figure out and harder still to predict. If we are carrying finished goods to the miners, I’d suggest we get phi gamms to pull the wagons. They’re strongest. Of course, it be nicer if you just used a Teleportation Spell to get us to the mountains or else reconsider the decision about the Cloudmares.”

Rhiann dug into his knowledge gained from his great uncle and remarked, “Sorcerers easily learn low-level Teleportation Spells. Teleportation only works over short distances and enables the caster to carry nothing. The caster arrives at his destination nude and defenseless, and this presents problems. Word of Return Spells only permit returning to one’s sanctuary, though this valuable dweomer allows some encumbrance; that is, the caster can carry some of his stuff with him! Teleportation and Word of Return enable escape and little else.”

Shapechanger Mayard conceded, “Arriving naked wouldn’t impress the miners.”

.

The ersatz Mayard and true Rhiann made their way to the waiting Cloudmares and Lennard.

The Shapechanger Lennard said, “You look like Rhiann and I look like you. Syrrth will expect to carry me and you should ride Urra. I suppose you’ll want to remain with Syrrth. Urra carried Rhiann before. Shyrra has no Lennard to carry. Wait!”

Beautiful Syrrth abruptly flew away.

Lennard mused, “Why’d Syrrth leave and Shyrra stay? Guess it doesn’t really matter. We ought to get going. We should try to get to Low Gap before dark.”

The Cloudmare Urra sent a silent message to Rhiann, “I’ll continue to carry you, young sorcerer. Your ruse is wasted on me. I see into your mind. Mayard’s business is his own, and I learned long ago not to question your uncle’s actions. Think what you want to say to me.”

Urra with Rhiann and Shyrra with the Shapechanger-formerly Lennard-now copy Mayard flew away from the Hanging Gardens. Rhiann snuggled into Urra’s soft plush hide and held on tightly.

Urra sent another silent message, “Are you going to follow us to Thynna?”

The invisible siren Maranna silently replied, “Yes, Urra. Mayard has asked me to watch over him. He is powerful, but very inexperienced.”

Urra sent back the message, “Maranna, what sort of experience do you plan to offer him?”

Maranna replied, “I don’t appreciate what you are implying, my friend. I only have his best interest in mind. I maneuver easily in Thynna. Most sorcerers don’t oft employ Detect Invisibility” spells.”

Urra continued, “Mayard’s plans oft perplex me. I’ll bear the youth back to Thynna, but the Copper Mountain folk will not welcome my sort. Our presence will be counterproductive to Mayard’s plan.”

Maranna said, “All these years, Urra, and I still don’t understand telepathy. How does young Rhiann not “hear” us?”

Urra said matter-of-factly, “I’m not thinking to or about him.”

Mayard Klarje muttered a conjuration. His visage changed to mimic his young nephew Rhiann. The two Rhianns exited the gardens with Chiron and approached the bewildered Shapechanger. The Rhianns shook hands and Mayard (looking like Rhiann) reentered the Hanging Gardens.

Rhiann said, “Rhiann is going to stay behind at the gardens. I’m going to procced to the Copper Mountains and conclude my business with the miners.”

Lennard asked, “Why do you look like your nephew, Boss? You even sound like him!”

Rhiann said, “I shall appear as my nephew in order to better monitor events in Thynna. It’s a ruse. I want you to look like me. I’ll look like Rhiann. The miners and Council of Thynna won’t know.”

The Shapechanger said, “All right, you’re the boss. Your actions never surprise me. I’m surprised you’re going back though. Last time I wasn’t sure we’d get out of there with our hides. You said it was because they thought I was a merchant from Thynna, but their mistrust of sorcerers was very evident. Here goes!”

Lennard became Mayard.

The innate ability of Shapechangers was not Magick and produced no auras. It just happened. The ersatz Mayard and true Rhiann made their way to the waiting Cloudmares.