The Tome of Law Collection

Chapter 2-4

“Master, I suggest that you join us, as the proper amount of focus from four people on this can rend any focus stone within a mile useless for months. I assume you have yours on you?” Belyn held a stone that appeared to be full of small fossilised, ancient shell creatures, the swirls of surrounding sediment creating a pattern that the eye simply could not follow. He tucked it back into his robes, and continued walking. “Yes, my pupil, I have my stone, safe as always next to my skin. But why do you propose such a course of action? The majority of the order have done nothing more than be ignorant.”

Keldron continued the explanation in a hushed voice as Belyn concentrated on creating a ward. “We have nothing against the said majority,” he replied to the ancient but brisk man. “But we feel that Caldar at least will have agents trailing us as soon as we leave, which we will do in the morning. His agents will most likely be those who can focus, as they are the best trackers. Remember, not everyone here is as venerable as you, Master.” The old man smiled, showing that at least one person was capable of a positive emotion in this guild.

“So what you are saying is that when we cast this focus, any possible pursuer will be less likely to follow you?”

“Because they are all currently present within the building!” exclaimed Raoul, earning a scowl from Belyn who had only just raised the ward.

Keldron continued. “You see, Master, although this is unfortunate, we were planning to venture out at some point anyway, not necessarily in the direction of the Temple, though my good brother Raoul has designs with that in mind. Belyn, however, has a desire to collect more varied types of stone, as all the types from around here are accounted for.”

Their tutor raised an enquiring eyebrow. “What is it that you want, Keldron?”

The younger man paused, causing everybody to halt. “You know what it is that I want, Master. I want to find the secret behind the Night of the Spears.”

The rest of the brief journey back to their quarters was undertaken in a jovial mood, for the three younger wizards, having accepted their fate, were now enthusiastic to leave. In a short while, Keldron found himself locking his door for perhaps the last time. He had with him some spare clothes, a few parchments and ink quills, and his stress balls and focus stone. He needed little more, as Belyn was providing enough funding to allow them to live like kings, though this was not their wont. He fumbled in the large pocket low down on his tunic, eventually producing a tiny sphere of a soapy like substance that Belyn insisted was a rock. Keldron concentrated on the stone and his door, eventually feeling a warming sensation from the rock. The sensation passed, and the rock crumbled to dust, precisely as Belyn had predicted. He laughed through his nose as he looked at the fine dust on the floor; a one time only focus stone used for a particular purpose. The forum of elders would have collective apoplexy at such a notion!

Keldron looked at the doorway; it was not there. Were any person to come this far up the building they would find a pleasant view out of the window and nothing else. The ward that hid the doorway was set to trigger an explosion should anyone try forcing their way in there. Unfortunately, that would ruin much of the evidence he had to leave behind. That was the only negative aspect to such a ward. Still, Keldron assumed he would not come back here anyway, so why think about it? He shouldered his light notes bag and met Obrett on the stairs leading to his room. Obrett nodded and turned to look out of a window.

“You certainly do pick your places to live, my boy. The view is splendid, simply splendid.”

“I like it,” Keldron replied, and correctly guessing his tutors next statement he added, “That is why I have been there so long; I hid some of my more delicate notes, and then just sat there gazing at the afternoon sun on the lake.”

Keldron turned and sighed. Obrett decided to take charge. “There"s no use getting sentimental my boy, there are plenty of other sights to see, plenty of sunsets to view. But you need to get a move on now while the thought is moving in that direction.” Laying an ancient but still youthful hand on his protégé"s shoulder he said quietly “Always remember, keep your thought concentrated on your goals. For like the focus stone, your goals in this are important. I have the feeling that there was more to those killings twenty years ago than anyone was willing to, or able to believe. I feel certain that you will find something, some scrap of information that will lead you to the answer.” Keldron chuckled, laughter lines on his face making him seem even younger to the old man.

“One more lesson, Master?” The old man nodded. “That, and this. Watch your step. And trust nobody.”

Belyn brought out the muddy fossil stone for them all to see. He laid it upon a pedestal in the centre of the room. He then motioned for the three others to join him around the pedestal.

“Now, I want you all to follow my lead in this, as it is fairly difficult. The shield is in place, and all that is left for us to do is focus on this stone. Now when you start to concentrate, think about the shape of the stone rather than what is contained therein. I have tried this before, and I know that the swirls and shapes within tend to distract the mind – even minds as disciplined as ours. I will go first. When I begin, do not make a sound or move a muscle, for the stone needs a certain resonance to be able to focus its energies correctly. When you do so, you will feel a warmth. Do not be alarmed as this is part of the focus.”

Belyn stepped back, and faced in the direction of the stone as he concentrated. It appeared to the others as if Belyn"s face had entered a trance, the red beard appearing as a creeping vine upon a face carved from rock. He did not even appear to be breathing. All of a sudden, a low hum emitted from somewhere in the room, but none of the men present could tell where. Belyn"s eyes opened. He motioned to Raoul. Raoul repeated the process that had been performed countless times for a whole myriad of reasons, and jolted slightly with the increased pitch of the hum, evidence that although his concentration was great, he had enough power to spare some consciousness for the surrounding area.

Keldron knew his friend had power, he just did not realise how much potential was manifest in his friend. When Obrett joined the ring of focus, the humming again increased but the stone also began to glow. At last Belyn motioned to Keldron to close his eyes and join the ring. Keldron did so. He thought about the egg-shaped stone in the middle of the room and how its energies were part of him, and how his were part of the stone. They were one. He felt a warmth descend over him, and with it a sense of peace with his surroundings. Never before in his life had he felt this clear of mind. The humming passed beyond hearing range, and a rushing noise replaced it. Though his eyes were closed, he could still sense that the stone was no longer in focus with him; it had passed somewhat beyond his capabilities.

Keldron opened his eyes and found that Obrett and Raoul were both staring at the stone egg, which was now spinning a few inches above the pedestal, and looked to be aflame, or like a blob of molten rock. A movement made Keldron glance to his left. Belyn had stepped forward with a large, clear crystal of quartz in his right hand. Through the fuzzy warmth, Keldron was aware that Belyn should not be able to move. Belyn frowned at the quartz crystal, apparently a perfectly formed crystal; every angle seemed exact and matching the others. The egg suddenly dropped back onto the pedestal, leaving the ball of physical energy glowing in the air. The rushing noise increased and the ball of energy shot into the quartz crystal, sending Belyn staggering. Despite being off balance, Belyn raised the crystal as high as he could and held it there. A lattice of energy formed around him, and seemed to spread out until it filled the room. It then passed through the walls, and the fuzzy feeling left the three other men.

Belyn stood panting heavily. “It is done,” he gasped. “We had better move quickly.”

The four men moved quickly down the disused passageways to an intersection Keldron had never seen before. Belyn stopped and turned. “Master, all due respect but I think this is where our paths must separate. If you do not know where we have gone then those who might question you will never be able to get an answer. One further thing; take this and focus on the door and surrounding walls when we have gone.” Belyn handed another of the small soapy stones over to Obrett.

“You will have to show me how this is done sometime, my son.” Obrett looked steadily at all of them.

“I know this will not be the last time we meet, my pupils. You know me to be different to the others and I have shown you the way best I can. Let me tell you this though. I do have my secrets, and I know you will learn of them before we meet again. Think well of me when you do so. Lastly, I know that if you are seen again, Caldar will have you expelled from the order. Yes, I was aware you heard the debate, and you are members of the order by the skin of your teeth. Doubtless after your most excellent performance in the Hall he will make every effort to have you expelled.”

Keldron smiled a resigned smile, almost looking defeated. “Master, we had already thought about that, and know there are other orders that we can be of use with. As for our zealot here,” Keldron shoved Raoul a little; Raoul decided on the spot this was going to be a very long trip indeed. “He will never give up the ideal of the pure Law, so guildsman or not he will be dedicated to it.”

Obrett nodded. “So be it. Get you gone. Quickly, before they realise they cannot focus a whit.” The three younger wizards shook hands with their master, and then entered a hidden doorway that popped out when one placed their hand in just the right place; another of Belyn"s discoveries. After the three had felt the surge of a focus from the other side of the door, they turned and made their way down the passage. Around a corner, Belyn stopped them by some bundles and lit a lamp that had obviously been recently set here for such a purpose. When Belyn looked up to see two enquiring sets of eyes peering at him, he answered with, “I knew it was only a matter of time before something like this happened, and I have used this passageway fairly frequently, so I tend to keep a few stores here.” Belyn explained how he used this passageway for his sources of information as it led to a warehouse down near the docks area of the city. The sets of enquiring eyes were still prying at him, their need for knowledge undiminished. In the gloom of the lamplight the normal placid eyes of Belyn"s two friends were flat and unsatisfied.