Sovereign Stone Read online

  He could even see a few moments into the future, although he had no idea how to make it happen deliberately.

  Perhaps the most powerful magic he had was long-range clairvoyance. It was his only magical capability that required a deliberate connection to the firmament, but it allowed him access to information in a way that few others could match.

  ***

  Alexander returned to his quarters. It was a simple room cut into the interior of the mountain and had a small balcony on the west wall facing the bridge platform. He took a quick look down to the road below but saw no sign of the enemy soldiers or of the scourgling.

  Sitting on his balcony, he started the process that led to the firmament. It was becoming more familiar and reliable.

  He started with several deep breaths, relaxing his muscles one body part at a time. Once he was physically relaxed, he focused each breath on deepening his relaxation and allowing tension and anxiety to drain away.

  When his body felt heavy and warm, it was time to begin quieting his mind. He allowed any thought that came to him to capture his attention and focus, but only for a moment. He acknowledged each stray thought before dismissing it. One by one, he let the thoughts come to him, and one by one, he let them go, until they came more slowly and then not at all.

  When he found himself in a place without thought, where his mind was quiet yet alert and aware, he knew the firmament was close. Sometimes it took several minutes of holding his mind in a state of empty-mindedness before he would slip free of his physical form; other times it happened quickly.

  This time he found himself floating in the limitless expanse of the firmament after only a few moments. He let himself drift, listening to the music of reality humming with impossible complexity in the background before he focused on his location.

  With a sensation of impossible speed, his point of awareness formed just outside his balcony. He took in his surroundings, looked at his meditating body, then turned his attention toward the bridge platform. He focused on moving his awareness slowly rather than simply willing it to be in a different location.

  Floating toward the smaller peak, he saw movement on the spur road. The enemy soldiers were crossing the spur just as the scourgling was coming up the road from below.

  With a flick of his mind, Alexander moved his point of awareness to a place a few feet off the side of the spur road and twenty feet overhead.

  The scourgling didn’t even seem to notice the soldiers on the road as it charged with single-minded determination back up to the bridge platform. If the soldiers had been on foot, they might have been all right. But when their horses saw the beast running toward them, many of the terrified animals bolted. More than thirty of the panicked horses slipped off the sides of the spur, carrying their riders to their deaths on the plains far below.

  Several of the remaining soldiers managed to survive by quickly dismounting and allowing their spooked horses to go over the edge without them. Still a few others were able to rein in their horses tightly enough that they couldn’t bolt.

  But the scourgling didn’t attack.

  It simply ran, headlong, through their ranks like they were little more than brush on the side of a trail.

  Jack would have his story.

  Alexander refocused his vision on a splotch of dust rising on the horizon. In a blink, his awareness was hovering over the leading edge of a force of five thousand soldiers, all wearing the crest of New Ruatha. The army moved slowly but steadily toward the giant black mountain that was Blackstone Keep.

  More than anything else, the sight of Kelvin Gamaliel leading the army gave him hope. He’d worried about the Guild Mage many times since the battle with Jataan P’Tal at the palace in New Ruatha. The north wing had collapsed while both men were still inside. Alexander had held out hope that Kelvin had used some form of enchanted item to protect himself when he brought the entire building down with his magical war hammer.

  He was gratified to see that his hope was well founded. The half a dozen wizards riding with the Guild Mage gave him even greater hope.

  Alexander relaxed his focus, and his awareness melted back into the firmament. He was no longer in any single place. Instead, he rode the wave of reality through time, with every thought, feeling, and action taking place in the present moment thrumming in the background like a symphony of impossible variety. He took a moment to float there on the crest of the wave before bringing his real purpose into focus in his mind’s eye.

  His awareness coalesced high in the air above the ocean. Below was a ship sailing north on a strong breeze. Alexander cautiously descended toward the vessel. It looked to be manned by experienced sailors. Two things immediately caught his eye: the Reishi flag flapping in the wind atop the main mast and the soldiers of the Reishi Army Regency manning the catapults and ballistae on the fore and aft decks.

  Alexander moved closer, looking cautiously for the Reishi Prince. When he didn’t see him on deck, he moved his point of awareness next to the captain of the boat. The grizzled old man was holding the wheel of the ship and listening to another wind-worn sailor.

  “Captain, I’m telling you this is a mistake. The Reishi Isle is cursed. Its waters are filled with unspeakable things,” the sailor said.

  “Be that as it may, I couldn’t very well refuse Prince Phane. He’s an arch mage and I fear him far more than I fear whatever’s in the dark waters around the Reishi Isle. Besides, the Prince paid well and in advance.”

  “Indeed I did.”

  Alexander felt a thrill of fear at hearing the calm, confident voice. He moved his point of awareness back several feet off the side of the ship and saw Phane. The sailor who had questioned the wisdom of their destination went white.

  The captain grunted. “Didn’t hear you come up behind us with the wind in my ear. We’ll make good time to the Reishi Isle if this keeps up. I trust your quarters are adequate?”

  Phane smiled graciously. “Your stateroom is more than adequate, Captain. And I’m happy to hear we’re making good time, but I didn’t come up on deck to listen to your first mate whisper doubts in your ear.”

  Phane turned to look straight at Alexander. “I came to have a chat with my most resourceful enemy. Hello, Alexander. I see you’ve managed to elude Commander P’Tal. I must say I’m impressed, especially for one such as you.”

  Alexander shifted his position, and Phane’s smile widened as he tracked the point of Alexander’s awareness.

  “Of course I can see you, Child. You’re clumsy and unskilled in the use of your magic, although I must say you do have an impressive degree of power at your disposal. With the proper training and guidance, you could be most formidable.

  “Alas, there are none alive today capable of providing you with the tutelage you need to fully realize your potential. Except me, of course.” Phane smiled warmly.

  The captain and first mate looked around, clearly wondering who Phane was talking to. He ignored them as they shared a worried look.

  “You’ve impressed me with your resourcefulness,” Phane continued. “Bow to my command, Alexander. Serve me and I will spare you and your family. You can rule Ruatha under my authority as the Reishi Sovereign.”

  Phane paused for a moment as though he expected an answer. Then he chuckled with genuine mirth. “Ah, you don’t know how to answer me. How unfortunate. Looks like we’ll be having a very one-sided conversation, but I don’t mind if you don’t. I’m not actually interested in anything you might have to say—with the exception of your oath of fealty to me, of course.

  “In the spirit of good faith, I will freely give you the information you seek. I’ve conquered Karth and I’m consolidating my army there. The King of Andalia has agreed to my terms and allied with me. I control one of the larger islands of Tyr and I expect to bring the entire island chain under heel once I’ve completed construction of my navy. Furthermore, Commander P’Tal will raise an army at Headwater and conquer New Ruatha by summer’s end.

  “You have, no
doubt, met my scourgling and are trapped within the walls of the old traitor’s keep. So you see, Alexander, I am well on my way to victory. You should carefully consider my offer. I could use a strong king on Ruatha.

  “Finally, and this is really the crown jewel if you will—I’m headed to the Reishi Isle to retrieve the Sovereign Stone. Once I have it, all will bow to me and your cause will be lost.” He smiled with triumphant glee.

  “Think hard on my offer, Alexander. I will not make it again. For now, I tire of you. Begone!” Phane waved his hand, and Alexander’s awareness plunged back into the firmament and scattered to the edges of reality.

  Chapter 3

  He was lost in the firmament, disoriented. The cacophony of world events reverberated through him with an intensity like nothing he’d ever felt before. He struggled to maintain a hold on his identity, to remember that he was a unique individual and not just an echo rippling through the ocean of creation.

  He fought to keep from losing himself in the endless sea of possibility. He felt like he was drowning and he started to lose track of time—even the concept of time began to slip out of his mental grasp. Fear slammed into him. What if it was already too late? What if he’d been lost in the firmament for too long and his body was wasting away?

  It was the fear that saved him.

  It reminded him of the safe place within his psyche, the place where the witness lived. He retreated into the refuge where emotion had no power, where detached reason was master. Piece by piece, he reassembled his identity, searching throughout the firmament for the scraps of his scattered consciousness until he was whole again. Then he found a thin thread of consciousness leading back to his physical body, and with an effort of will he followed the thread. His awareness returned to his body with such force that he fell over. For several long moments, he lay on the cold black stone of his balcony, breathing hard and trying to calm his pounding heart.

  Trembling, he sat up and put his head in his hands. So many questions swirled around in his mind that he couldn’t focus on one before another pushed its way in.

  Things were moving much faster than even he had expected. In the last few days, he had managed to find the Thinblade and gain the loyalty of two out of nine Ruathan territories. Now he was facing a war with Headwater for control of the heart of Ruatha, a war that would likely be bloody and destructive whatever the outcome, leaving Ruatha weakened and vulnerable.

  Phane had already conquered one island, secured an alliance with another, and controlled part of a third. Worst of all, he was close to retrieving the Sovereign Stone and with it the loyalty of the remaining islands, not to mention the secret of Wizard’s Dust. The war hadn’t even started and already Phane was nearing victory.

  Alexander schooled his thoughts. Despair would not serve him; he needed reason and a plan.

  ***

  When he returned to the paddock, it was midday and the Rangers were cooking lunch. Despite his anxiety, he felt the rumblings of hunger in his belly.

  He found Abigail and Isabel talking quietly and watching the scourgling at the edge of the far abutment waiting for the bridge to become real again. Alexander wondered if the netherworld beast would fall for the disappearing bridge again or if it would simply hold its ground and prevent him from ever leaving Blackstone Keep.

  Isabel and Abigail turned when he approached. As one, their brows furrowed with worry at the look on his face. He told himself that he had to learn to control his emotions better if he was going to be taken seriously as King, Thinblade or not.

  “What’s wrong?” his sister asked.

  “Quite a bit actually, but nothing we can do anything about at the moment. How’s our dark friend?” he asked, motioning toward the scourgling with his chin.

  “It hasn’t moved since it stopped a few feet short of the drop,” Isabel said. “It did manage to kill several soldiers on its way back up here though. Unfortunately, everyone leading the little band of thugs managed to escape unscathed. I was really hoping it would knock Truss over the edge.”

  “I know how you feel. But at least it gave Jack some fodder for his story.” Alexander looked over at the bard, who was sitting on a nearby rock and writing in his little notebook.

  “That it did,” Isabel said. “He grilled me for twenty minutes about every detail of the encounter.”

  “I should probably go talk to him about it. I managed to be watching at just the right moment and had a pretty good look. I might be able to add a few things that he could use.”

  “So you were able to use your clairvoyance again?” Abigail asked. “It seems like it’s coming to you more easily.”

  Alexander nodded. “I feel pretty confident that I can make it happen when I need to, provided I have the time to meditate. I took a look at the army headed our way. It’s from New Ruatha and Mage Gamaliel is with them.”

  “Really? That’s wonderful. I was so worried for him when the palace collapsed.” Isabel smiled with genuine happiness.

  Alexander wanted to withhold the rest of his news just to enjoy her smile, but he needed counsel and they needed to know the truth of their situation.

  Her smile faded at the grim look on his face. “What is it?”

  “I saw Phane,” Alexander said. “We have a lot to talk about and I’d like the rest to hear it, too. Let’s discuss it over lunch.

  “Is it really that bad?” Abigail asked, more from the look on his face than what he’d said.

  He nodded as he took Isabel’s hand. The three of them walked back to the cook fire with Jack in tow and were soon joined by Anatoly and Lucky. Alexander sent a Ranger to find Erik, who showed up moments later with Chase at his side.

  They sat at a makeshift table cobbled together from the remnants of an old, broken stable door that had managed to withstand the ravages of time. Lunch was rice and beans with salt pork. It was simple fare but filling and hot. No one complained. Lucky even seemed to enjoy it.

  Once everyone had eaten, Alexander recounted his experience with Phane. He held nothing back, not even the offer Phane made to spare his family if Alexander bowed to his authority. Everyone listened quietly until he was finished, then remained silent for several long moments.

  It was Abigail who broke the silence. “Sounds to me like the easiest item to clear off the table is the ridiculous offer Phane made.”

  Alexander nodded without hesitation. “Agreed.”

  Chase looked surprised and dismayed. “But how can you reject such an offer out of hand? He’s offering to spare you a war that could devastate all of Ruatha. Surely, that deserves some consideration, Lord Alexander.”

  “You speak out of turn, Chase,” Erik said to his Second.

  “No, it’s all right,” Alexander said. “He wouldn’t be at the table if I didn’t want to hear what he has to say.”

  Alexander turned to Chase. “Phane can’t be trusted. His offer isn’t genuine and would only lead to the enslavement of every life on Ruatha. But more than that, I value the integrity of my soul and I will not give my allegiance to a man who would bring something like that thing into the world of the living.” Alexander pointed toward the scourgling standing stone-still across the chasm. He could see from Chase’s colors that he wasn’t convinced, but he didn’t object.

  Anatoly weighed in next. “Phane’s swift victory in Karth and his alliance with Andalia are troubling, but at the moment there’s nothing we can do about either island. As for his plans to conquer Ruatha by summer’s end, I’m afraid the Prince will be disappointed. Headwater may be able to raise an army, but I doubt they’ll be a match for the combined forces of New Ruatha and Glen Morillian’s Rangers. With the strength of the Wizards Guild behind us, I’d wager that Ruatha will be united under your flag rather than his by midsummer.”

  “I tend to agree with you,” Alexander said, “except for the fact that Phane can send more creatures from the netherworld to support his army. We need to unite the rest of the territories quickly and assemble our army as soon as
possible.”

  “The force headed our way is a good start,” Anatoly said, “but you’re right, it’s nowhere near the numbers we’ll need.”

  “It’s good to hear that Mage Gamaliel is with them,” Lucky said. “I was worried for his survival. His counsel on these matters may prove invaluable, but the issues of armies and troop movements are of less concern to me than the other two parts of your story.”

  “I agree with Lucky,” Jack said. “If Phane gets the Sovereign Stone, then all is lost.”

  Lucky nodded. “But more immediately important, you’ve discovered that Phane can harm you when you view him with your clairvoyance. I would caution you not to spy on the Prince again. He was able to scatter your consciousness into the firmament. I’ve read accounts of such attacks before. What he did could have very easily been fatal, and we don’t know if he withheld some of his power to spare you in hopes that you would bow to him and deliver Ruatha without war. Next time may be the last.”

  Isabel’s hand tightened on his arm. Alexander nodded thoughtfully. “I hadn’t considered that. The few moments I spent lost in the firmament were terrifying. It didn’t occur to me that he could have scattered my awareness more completely. I wonder how close my point of view has to be before he can see me. On Karth, he didn’t seem to notice that I was there when I was high above him. I guess I’ll have to stop looking in on him until I gain a better understanding of my clairvoyance.”

  “That leaves us with the problem of the Sovereign Stone,” Jack said. “With the Stone, Ithilian will probably submit to his rule without a fight, but that’s not the worst of it. The old stories say that the Reishi moved armies by means of the Reishi Gates, which are tied to the power of the Sovereign Stone. When the Stone was lost, the Gates stopped working. If Phane retrieves it, he may be able to use the Gates again and bring as many troops as he wants into the heart of Ruatha.”