Cryptic Magic

Prologue

Tahir stood at the end of the Grand Hall, looking out onto the city of Rhapta. The wide, sweeping steps fanned out below him, but he did not descend. No, he would not do that. He belonged in the Grand Hall as all Elders did in times of strife. He stood positioned in the middle of the last two pillars and looked out.

The limestone city spread out before him in near-perfect symmetry, with the Grand Hall at the head of the central plaza. The only structure more grand was the magalkan’a that sat in the center of the Plaza itself. The massive, azure stone nearly pulsed with energy, and people flocked daily to place their hands upon its warm surface.

It has been confirmed, said a voice like darkness in his mind. A moment later, a shadow of a man materialized at Tahir’s shoulder; the light coming in from the archway seemed to shy away.

It has been confirmed,Tahir let out a long, deep sigh. He had spent years of his life, close to a century, devoting time and effort to protecting his people. All the Elders did, but him more so than others; whether or not they knew that. He prided himself in being able to make the difficult decisions the other Elders refused to do, and he would do so again.

You are sure? he asked. He had to be sure. The resources he had devoted to uncovering secrets long buried would boggle the mind of a lesser man, but he knew what knowledge costs.

You are sure?Yes, he is, the voice replied back. The man waited patiently for his orders. He would wait until the sun set and rose again a hundred times or until starvation eventually took him. Obedience had been the heart of their training. But Tahir needed him a while longer and found no use in letting him rot.

Yes, he is, Take care of it then.

Take care of it then.The shadow man moved to leave.

Oh, and Yusuf? Tahir said, turning to look over his shoulder. The shadow man paused. Be sure to get there before the boy.

Oh, and Yusuf? Be sure to get there before the boy.The shadow man gave an almost imperceptible nod and vanished into the pools of darkness that led deeper into the Grand Hall.

Tahir took another breath and let the familiar iciness loose. It crept down his legs to crackle over the marble floor. Frost spread around him in fractal patterns, traveling up the pillars to the sides of the room. The release felt good, and he reveled in the feeling.

It would be his last bit of peace for quite a while.