The Mage

Chapter Six

Gazing into the crystal she summoned its powers. "Show me my father Tobin."

The crystal obeyed, Tobin appeared before her. He was young, with a gentle face. He was laughing at something someone had said.

"Show me, Regnash." she ordered.

It whined at her.

"If you wish to see a new master, then obey."

The image changed. She could see a man with a long beard and scarred face. He walked with a limp, pausing he turned to her.

"You seek me child. Show your face. No? Well I will see it when you die." He snapped his fingers, the crystal shattered, sending her diving for the floor.

Dam him, she thought, I need to know more. Gathering herself she headed out the back entrance. There must be another seer who's crystal I can use.

A day's search rewarded her with what she sought. As she probed the crystal for answers a voice called to her.

"Why do you seek him, child? He will not show you what you want."

"Who are you? What are you?"

"Come now child, I am the first you sought out." Said the disembodied voice.

Could it be, she thought, no it can't be he's been dead far too long.

"Tobin?" she asked hesitantly.

He appeared in the crystal. "Yes, my child. I will show you what you need to know."

She thought for a moment before asking, "Who are the seven."

"You know this from my notes. So I will not tell you."
 "Why does he seek the book?"

The image changed again. It was a dark room underground, men lay prostate chanting at the edge of a circle. In the middle she saw Regnash standing over a child. Around him stood five men.

"The five men, who are they?" She asked, watching the proceedings.

"They are the brethren, devoted followers to him. While they do not bear the mark, they are similar to him."

She tried to make sense of what she was seeing. "What is going on here?"

"This is what he sought and failed to achieve." Tobin turned his voice towards the brethren. "Bask, Loth, Dagan, Brhom, Ratheke, leave now or be forever ruined."

Regnash called out. "So you still live Tobin, a spirit. Begone or I will destroy you."

The image faded.

"I pray this will help you find what you seek. Farewell daughter."

What is it I seek, she thought as the light in the ball dimmed.

"Before you go, what mark does Regnash bare." She demanded.

"The same as you but on his leg."

She furrowed brow, what mark? "My jaw?"

"Farewell daughter."

She watched him fade. Looking at the crystal, she thought of what to ask next.

"Show me lore masters in Sol." The crystal obeyed, several faces floated by. She pondered over which one.

"Who served under Tobin the wizard." Two old men appeared. How do I narrow this down, or should I just ask both, she thought.

"Where do they live." The crystal showed her two houses, then it faded, its power waning. She pondered over how to solve this problem. Leaving she headed in the direction of the nearest lore master. How will I know it's him, all Tobin's notes said was where the parts were not who had them.