The End is Near

Chapter 32

19 July 2045 - Banff

Mickael and I returned to the sitting room after our spectacular little exit, only to find there was no one there. A quick search of the other rooms indicated they really were all gone.

I ordered myself some coffee, the magickal bell-pull way of course and sat down to wait. "I wasn't sure you could take us directly here," I observed to Mickael.

He was prowling up and down the room with the restless energy of a caged animal, so it seemed like a good idea to find something to do and quickly.

"Mmmm...I think the Seventh made it so I could," he said, "I usually need some sort of image or knowledge of a destination in my mind but this place is heavily warded. He seems to have lifted enough for us to be able to get in and out though. It's strange - "

He was looking up at the ceiling so I looked up too, "There are some heavily warded areas above us, but if we keep walking long enough you will come to windows and if you look up there is only sky above. No indication there is anything above us."

The Seventh had taken some very winding routes before and a lot of his magic bent reality in ways I didn't understand. It was strange and interesting, however, I had bigger fish to fry just then. Two large fishies.

"I need the rulers to agree to the spell that will allow us to complete the wand and charge those crystals we saw in the vision," I said out loud. "And it needs to happen tonight!"

He stopped his pacing and looked at me. "Why tonight?"

"Because that kind of spell will use a fair amount of power so I don't think we can wait. We have to give ourselves enough time to recharge our own magick before these things are in striking distance."

"But you barely got the rulers to agree to consider it. Also, there is the little problem of Athena being a part of the vision and you may have noticed that she is not here right now!" His protest started off calm and steady, but by the time he said Athena's name a different light shone in his eyes and his voice had risen in volume.

So it's like that, is it? Ha! Knew it! Does he even know just how smitten he is?

"One problem at a time, big brother. Let's deal with the rulers first and have faith in Athena. Everything I've seen of her says she's a tough one." I regretfully put down my cup of coffee and rose.

"King Mullac first? Since I feel like I've spent more time in Lilon's realm and don't want to play favourites?"

He shook his head at me and there was the barest suggestion of a smile as he said, "Somehow, I don't think either of them would be fighting to be first in this instance."

"You know, I really admire that," I smiled back, "you're able to compartmentalize what needs to be done and act decisively –". I cut off before the end of the sentence. We didn't know each other well enough that I should be talking about his feelings.

Mickael took my hand and shifted us to King Mullac's court. I hadn't stopped to think about how the ruler of the woods would be managing in a place that was not his actual realm but it was more than I could have expected.

King Mullac was not seated on the grand throne he had been earlier, yet he had a clear view of everyone. The clearing was arranged exactly like the great hall of a castle would be, with a head table on a raised dais and the King seated in the middle of it, his advisers on both sides.

The trees could have been the pillars holding up a vaulted ceiling of green and the lights throughout added a magick and mystery that a great hall could never have had.