Month: September 2016

The sorcerer turned away from the massive gate and started toward the building named for Gnome-town’s old nemesis. He blended into the crowd near the gate house and observed the activities at the outer curtain.

The sergeant turned and shouted to colleagues on the allure, “Send word to the Castellan. There’s a young bloke at the gate calling himself Rhiann Klarje.”

The Captain of the Guard challenged, “Are you crazy? I’m not going to message the Council of Thynna that a sorcerer that disappeared 600 years ago wants to enter the city. I saw the man! He’s barely twenty!”

The sergeant said, “Did you see he bears the mark of the Klarjes?”

The Captain answered, “Like all the rest of you, I’ve only read about the birthmark shared by many descendants of the founder of Thynna. Lord Bailiwick has long forbidden mention of the founder’s name publicly. I’ll send word to High Sheriff Clank’s office. If he approaches the gate again, detain him. If he’s a Klarje, he’s not welcome. If he’s not a Klarje, he’s taunting the Castellan and High Sorcerer, and that’s a pretty dumb move.”

More guards gathered near the gate. Rhiann chose to await nightfall. One by one the guards left their posts and returned to the barracks. Per usual the nighttime ritual of closing the gate ensued. When darkness arrived, Rhiann removed the Staff of Entry from his bag of holding, placed an Invisibility Spell on his person, and approached the gate. He touched the staff to the intricate gate. Auras flashed about and the gate opened. Rhiann slipped inside. All manner of confusion ensued. Guards hustled about to try to close the gate. The Captain of the Guard called for battle stations. Rhiann made his way toward his parents’ home. The outer ward had changed little in his long absence. Taller spires filled the inner ward and more opulent high rising structures were readily evident inside the inner curtain. Sorcerers were exiting their homes to investigate the ruckus caused by the opening of the gate. Squads of heavily armed inner ward guards rushed toward the gate. The chaos facilitated his trek to Caye and Kurth’s modest home. The neighborhood remained familiar. Few things had changed. Curious folk stirred about and moved toward the outer curtain. Rhiann stood outside the door for a while. He sighed and approached the door and knocked.

. Rhiann made his way through visitors, merchants, and soldiers and approached the gate. An officer on duty stood in front of the closed gate. The intimidating officer had turned away several persons who had petitioned for entry. He referred some to the gate house for papers and flatly told others to stay away from the gate. His booming voice unsettled others to the point they retreated to regain their courage. The soldiers wore uniforms emblazoned with the crests of Yerko and Bailiwick. Three complex opening mechanisms had been added to the door. Three large dials dominated the odd black door. Rhiann pulled his cowl over his face and approached the gate keeper.

The sergeant at arms said, “State your business or be away!”

Rhiann answered, “My name is Rhiann Klarje. I petition for entry to the city.”

The soldier said, “Your garb implies you are a sorcerer. I’ll attribute your choosing to claim to be the infamous lost sorcerer Rhiann Klarje as a mistake of your youth. You even have his mark on your chin. I’m in a particularly generous mood, kid. Here’s some free advice. Drop the Klarje act. Lord Bailiwick and Castellan Yerko detest the Klarjes, particularly the one you are mimicking. You don’t want to cross the Castellan and High Sorcerer of Thynna. The Klarjes are relics of the past. Now they are relegated to outer ward residents. You’d better wipe that red mark off your face. Here! I’ll do you a favor.”

The burly sergeant extended a thick index finger and rubbed the heart-shaped, cherry-red birthmark on Rhiann’s chin. A small spark left Rhiann’s face and burned the sergeant’s finger. The big man yelped, “Ouch!”

Obviously the birthmark remained after his gesture. Rhiann bit his tongue and tersely replied, “I am Rhiann Klarje. Please grant me entry.”

The soldier said gruffly, “Don’t play sorcerers’ tricks on me! You could be charged with assaulting an officer. Now you’re trying my patience. You have to get papers to enter the city. Go over to the John Money Building and apply. If you get papers, I might let you in.”

Rhiann said, “The John Money building? Where…”

The soldier huffed, “Where have you been? The John Money Gate House. It’s named in honor of the greatest non-sorcerer to ever serve Thynna. Money became a member of the Council of Thynna before the end of his days. There are statues honoring him all over the inner ward. He’s in all the school books. He led the parties searching for the legendary Gem Bush. Rhiann Klarje, the very one you mimic, disappeared about the same time the tree vanished, gosh, over six hundred years ago. Castellan Yerko, High Sorcerer Lord Bailiwick, and Money suspected Rhiann Klarje had a hand in the bush’s disappearance, but they never found the rogue or the Gem Bush and were never were able to prove anything. Klarje probably wandered off into the desert and got eaten by one of his Old One friends. Bottom line is he’d be over 600 years old if he were alive and you don’t appear to have seen more than 25 seasons. Now… one last time. All newcomers have to be processed. Get in line at the Money building.”

Iyaca said, “If you insist on going to Thynna, you need to know the defenses have been shored up. Your Uncle Mayard’s defenses are still employed. By orders of the Council of Thynna the outer gate is Wizard Locked at nightfall. None came pass through without disabling the spell. The guards are carefully chosen and given Gems of Seeing to detect Magick and Invisible Creatures. Rings of Protection make the guards unsusceptible to spells such as Sleep, Death, and Stun. Every night a sorcerer places Protection from Magick Spells on the oncoming shift. The outer curtain is made of Stone of Ooranth, dark black stone impervious to most forces and nigh as hard as red diamonds. The wall stands thirty feet high. Guards on the allure have an unobstructed view of the ground in front of the wall. The bartizans rise another thirty feet and are positioned so that guards see several hundred yards. Continual Light Spells placed on Semper Fi Wood poles long ago illuminate the area on the outside of the wall. Outside the outer curtain, armed guards monitor the activities. During the day the guards control all who enter. Bailiwick installed three combination locks on the door. Failure to open them properly activates a Glyph of Warding. Every day, the combinations change. The sergeant of the guard only opens the door for those thoroughly vetted. Getting into the city is difficult, even for me. I sneak in every now and then just to keep my skills up. I’ve gotten pretty good at it after 600 years. Be careful. Bailiwick and Yerko’s minions are ruthless and thorough. If you get inside, don’t expect any help. Bailiwick and Yerko have firmly consolidated their control of the city of Magick. Your parents Kurth and Caye remain compliant to the council’s orders. Kurth sits quietly in meetings of the Council of Thynna, and Caye becomes more and more withdrawn. Both fear you are dead. Bailiwick, Yerko, and most leaders relish the idea. Thynna has not seen the mark of the Klarjes since you left. Don’t expect it to afford you any advantage.”

Rhiann said, “When I went into the desert, I had no idea I’d be away so long. It saddens me to know my Gnomish friends have long passed on. When I saw them leaving Thynna, I had no idea it’d be the last time I’d see them.”

Maranna said, “Not all of them have passed on.”

Rhiann said, “That’s impossible. Gnomes are not sorcerers. Even if they enjoy good health and accumulate thirty names, Gnomes are lucky to live a hundred seasons.”

Maranna said, “True. However, the spirit of adventure filled one of your friends. Right after you left, Burgomaster Storming Norman Twenty-four names sought to open relationships and trade with the Hanging Gardens and the Three Sisters. He sent his most reliable officers, including Captain Donovan. The envoys met with the Three Sisters. Mors became enamored with Donovan and shared a strand of her hair. Nona tied Mors’ lock to Donovan’s hair and bound the strands with fibers from her distaff, just as she did you and Decima and herself and Mayard. Donovan Eighty-four names still makes journeys to the Hanging Gardens. He has served as Burgomaster now for over four hundred years. Gnome-town has flourished under his rule. Copper dragons are domesticated. Thynna reacts very little now with the Gnomes. Bailiwick and Yerko even accused Donovan of hiding you and the Gem Bush. But it’s all water under the bridge now. Gnome-town allies with the Hanging Gardens. Donovan always asks about you. Thynna’s pardon did not extend to Gnome-town.  Of course, everyone else you knew in Gnome-town has gone to their ancestors. You’ll be glad to know that Donovan’s troops captured three of the Fearsome Foursome on the road and made them pay for their crimes. Castellan Yerko objected, but Longbeard, rest his soul, and Donovan held fast. The Man in Black, or John Money, was reassigned duty inside Thynna, and to my knowledge never left the city again. He choked to death on a blooter bone at Elliott’s shop. Yerko accused Elliott of fomenting the deed. There were suspicious marks on the body, but Elliott eventually evaded prosecution.”

Maranna touched the heart-shaped, cherry-red birthmark on Rhiann’s face, bent over and gently kissed him, and said, “I wasn’t the only one who searched. Decima implored Chiron to send out search parties. She rode centaurs throughout the Veldt for years. Your parents Kurth and Caye used their limited resources and searched for you. The Council of Thynna looked for you also, but only because they considered you a suspect in the disappearance of the Gem Bush. Search parties came around here, but Venla Faxxine and others scared them off. Your illusory Magick has served us and the little tree well. It’s thrived, by the way.”

Rhiann said, “Decima… searched for me? Has she changed?”

Maranna said, “Doesn’t look a day older. Constantly opines over your absence. The Three Sisters are as stubborn as ever. Many occasions have brought Thynna and the forces of the Hanging Gardens close to war. Thynna’s allies now include the Giants from Hinderburgh and the kobold legions of the north. Bailiwick and Yerko have solidified their hold of Thynna. Aging has not softened their dispositions. Shortly after you disappeared, the truly elected Lord President Homer and High Chancellor Odell both died mysteriously. Yerko’s puppets President Bogni and High Chancellor Lubick are very old now. They have never been more than figureheads.”

Rhiann blurted, “My parents? And brother Arthur Seigh?”

Iyaca said, “Your parents are still in fairly good health. Many sorcerers now see their thousandth year. They sent your brother Arthur Seigh Klarje away to attend school at the Laurels, a small village to the north near Hunter’s Peak. Kurth and Caye hoped to remove your younger brother from the discord that gripped Thynna and lessen the likelihood he’d follow in your footsteps. The Laurels has become a gathering point for thinkers and philosophers.

Rhiann then headed toward Wombat Mountain to rejoin Maranna and Iyaca Vassi. The cottage was completed. Extensive gardens grew around the homestead. Rhiann felt disappointment. His friends must have commandeered Magick to produce such growth, and he’d asked they adhere to Mayard’s wishes and limit its use. Rhiann found Iyaca working in the cottage. His apprentice looked older.

Iyaca said uncertainly, “It’s you, isn’t it?”

Net marveled, “Of course it’s me. I realize p-Mayard and real-Mayard mimicked me, but they are gone. Why’d you doubt me?”

Iyaca said, “You look the same. It’s like you’ve not even been away.”

Rhiann answered, “Iyaca, are you well? In this dim light, I’d swear you look older. Nice work on the cottage! I’m amazed you finished it so quickly! I’d rather you had avoided using Magick, but the end result is impressive.”

Iyaca replied, “What do you mean quickly? I am older, and we didn’t use Magick. Rhiann, we’d nigh given up on you. Only stories of powerful Magick to the south and east and reports from Old Ones saying they’d spotted you in the Veldt gave us the hope that you would yet someday return. You’ve been gone six centuries, six hundred changes of the seasons!”

Rhiann said, “You jest! I see my reflection in ICU! I look the same. How?”

Iyaca replied, “I see you still need convincing. You have been away six centuries.” Iyaca called, “Maranna, the wayfarer has returned.” The mature apprentice stared at Rhiann.

Rhiann said, “I feel like I’m on display in Thynna’s museum.”

The siren Maranna entered the room.

Rhiann said, “Maranna, you are as lovely as ever. Is Iyaca teasing me?”

Maranna said, “It’s true. You are not of the Old Ones, yet time has not touched you. How? Where? I flew over every inch of the Veldt, including those cursed buttes.”

Rhiann said, “I was oblivious to the passage of time.”

Iyaca noted, “You were unaffected by the passage of time.”

In the words of the Teacher of the Drelves on the occasion of the harvesting of the enhancing root tubers in Green Vale in the World of the Three Suns…

 

“The plants on the hill in the center are the Thirttene Friends. All plants are our friends, but like the enhancing plant, the circle of exceptional trees of various shapes and sizes that occupy the top of the knoll are special. The Thirttene are Magick. Even when we are without a Spellweaver, we are not without the Thirttene. Their gifts have saved us many times. But we must reserve their fruits for times of need. The Thirttene Friends and the geyser that gives them life predate our spoken and recorded histories. Legend holds the Thirttene are older than the Lone Oak. The waters of the geyser are Magick. You should respect, but not fear Magick.”

Caye and Kurth received taunts and an occasional splat from an overripe fruit during their trek through the inner ward. Once they reached the outer ward, they found more gentile treatment, though most sorcerers thought better of greeting them. The beleaguered sorcerers finally reached their home. Rhiann, Iyaca Vassi, and the wondrous siren sat in the family room. Kurth relayed the Council’s decision.

Kurth said, “The Council has learned of Mayard’s death. His statues are being torn down. Yerko has brought the sorcerer Bailiwick to Thynna and bestowed stewardship of Magick to him. Pinochynose’s deputies are planning to strip the gems from the Gem Bush to cover the cost of hiring mercenaries.”

Caye dejectedly said, “Stripping the gems will kill the tree. They must be removed one at a time in order for the tree to replenish its fruit. “

Rhiann said, “Mother! Father! We must dispute Yerko’s actions.”

Kurth said, “The Castellan has seized total power. Now he has Bailiwick to back him up. Say what you will about him, but Bailiwick is an accomplished sorcerer. Few resist his Hold Spells. Yerko has replaced the Lord President and High Chancellor with his minions. Many in the inner ward resented Mayard’s association with the Old Ones. Mayard stayed away too often and too long. While the cat was away, the mice played, and all that… Your mother, you, and I are under banishment, Rhiann. We are denied entry to the inner ward. Failure to comply with Yerko’s orders will result in our permanent expulsion from the city. Any association with old Ones will lead to our expulsion. I’m afraid your beautiful friend must leave. Iyaca’s presence puts us at risk, too. The Castellan and High Sheriff’s deputies roam the city. If they find him without proper papers, again we’ll bear the brunt of punishment. The mark of the Klarjes no longer gives us prestige. Now it marks us as adversaries of the Council of Thynna.”

Rhiann asked, “How did the council learn of Mayard’s death. I only told you and the Gnomes?”

Kurth said, “Bailiwick is a powerful ally for Yerko and Pinochynose. Who knows what resources he may have employed!”

Caye said, “Yes, he looked so confident when he entered with his ferret. Mayard’s greatest adversary is now the steward of Magick! Alas!”

Maranna quizzically asked, “Did you say ‘ferret’?”

Caye said, “Yes, it’s a lovely creature, but it’s Bailiwick’s familiar.”

Rhiann, Iyaca, Captain Donovan, Commandant Longbeard, and Archer Dibbit walked among the Castellan’s deputies. Rhiann felt a subtle tug on his cape. Unmistakable pleasant pheromones besieged his senses. Maranna was near. Touching him did not betray her invisibility. Innate abilities differed from spells. Had she been made invisible by a sorcerer, her action may well have exposed her. Suddenly one of the deputies went sprawling. His armor and weapons clanked loudly. His curses filled the air. His comrades laughed and one commented something along the line of “two left feet.” The Gnomes fought back laughter. Then another deputy stopped laughing and stared off idly into space. His colleagues started shaking him, but the hulking centurion did not respond.

In the confusion Maranna whispered in Rhiann’s ear, “I only gave him a little kiss. He’ll probably come around in a couple of days.”

Rhiann, Iyaca, and the three Gnomes made their way on to the massive outer curtain. Donovan received many greetings along the way. The Gnomish Captain had made many friends and helped many outer warders with tasks during his short tenure in Thynna. Two deputies caught up with the small party. Sergeant Redbrick met them at the gate and returned their weapons. One of the deputies started to object. Suddenly he stopped talking, smiled, and stared off idly into space. His comrade began shaking him. Sergeant Redbrick gave Donovan a vigorous handshake and slap on the back. Redbrick then opened the gate. Rhiann and Iyaca stood by Redbrick as the Gnomes exited.

The new gatehouse clerk who called himself John Money stood just outside the gate and said facetiously, “Sorry to see you leave, boys. Be sure to turn in your temporary papers. Remember you’ll have to see me to get papers to enter the city in the future. I’m scrutinizing all visitors. Oh my. Young Rhiann Klarje. Are you harboring an undocumented visitor? That’s a punishable offense! You’ll have to go before the Council. He must…”

Suddenly the tall man stopped talking, smiled a silly smile, and smiled off idly into face.

Donovan Fourteen-names, Longbeard Twenty-names, and Dibbit Six-names waited in the foyer. They were dressed in travel clothes and carried their bags. Their weapons remained in the armory at the outer curtain’s gate. Sergeant Redbrick had managed to garner papers for the Gnomes to roam the outer ward, but he had to store their arms. Longbeard still looked a bit thin and peaked, but the Gnomish Commandant walked now without the cane he had employed only a few days earlier. High Sheriff Rhino patted her foot impatiently, and her ten heavily armed deputies with disdain reproached the Gnomes for tarrying in Thynna. High Sheriff Rhino and her twin brother Pinochynose had been childhood friends of Castellan Yerko. High Inquisitor Pinochynose mastered the spell Detect Lie and its reverse Lie. He could half tell some whoppers… and usually got away with it. It was very hard to mislead him. The Gnomes nervously avoided Pinochynose’s gaze and questions.

Newly-promoted Captain Donovan said, “Rhiann Klarje, we came to say goodbye for now. Our duty calls. Fact is… I’m really missing my axe and hammer, and I get the feeling we are wearing out our welcome.  Madam Darktop’s cooking will fatten up old Longbeard in no time at all. He’s Commandant Longbeard now. That means he gets to hobnob with the Burgomaster’s guests.”

Longbeard quickly said, “I’m not kissing anybody’s a**, Donovan! I’ll summon you for that duty!”

Dibbit chimed in, “Don’t you mean doody, Longbeard?”

The Gnomes shared a laugh. Donovan said, “Rhiann, being in Thynna has helped me learn a lot about sorcerers. Trouble is… there’s a lot more to know about them than I thought. I’ll never pretend to understand your Uncle’s motives, but I’ll put in a good word for you with the Burgomaster.