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She'd delivered the ancient texts to the guild's first branch; she believed they were pe
But nothing had turned out as she expected.
The texts, as well as all of her journals, were taken and locked away. She was most stu
When she grew insistent, the other sages kept their distance, as if she were sick in the mind and contagious. Domin High-Tower, a master of her order, chastised her and insisted she stop telling "wild tales" of undead, dhampirs, and superstitious nonsense.
For a while Wy
She'd never been—felt—so alone. Eventually she couldn't stand it any longer.
She pressed her accounts of powerful undead, of subterfuge and meddling from the Anmaglâhk, and Most Aged Father's obsession that a long-forgotten Ancient Enemy was stirring in the world. And the more she said, and the more she was denied and shu
Memories came as nightmares that wouldn't ease, but no one listened to «Witless» Wy
Magiere, a dhampir born of a mortal mother and a vampire father, had a nature akin to a Noble Dead. Leesil, half-elven with the sharp senses of his mother's people, had been trained as an assassin. And Chap, a born-Fay in a majay-hì's large form, had awareness like no other living being. Each had their way of dealing with the undead, and together they had sent many to ashes.
What did Wy
So she had gone to il'Sänke with a wild notion.
She asked—begged—for his help, as he was the only one who might achieve her request. Rather than the cold lamp crystals made by her guild with notable effort and cost, she needed light of a different nature.
Wy
That night, Domin il'Sänke had just stared at her.
The look on his dusky tan face made Wy
To make a crystal that could emit light of the same nature as the sun…
Waiting upon il'Sänke's reply had been the heaviest silence Wy
Finally someone believed in her.
Now, sitting upon the bed with the dark-ski
"Show me… how to activate it."
Another disapproving scowl darkened il'Sänke's face. He shook his head with a huff and took the crystal.
"First, it must be properly mounted for handling. I do not think it safe to hold when activated—and it is not yet ready. I and my chosen aides have only completed its physical making… after quite a few unsatisfactory results. Now I must work upon it myself… prepare it… and only then teach you its use."
Wy
Il'Sänke arched one thick eyebrow.
"Sorry," she said. "It's just taken so long, but I'm grateful for your effort and faith in me."
Domin il'Sänke rewrapped the crystal and slipped it inside his robe. "Then as repayment, you will come out among your peers. Play at cards, discuss local politics, drink tea, anything besides this self-imposed cloister."
Wy
"No, you do not!" he answered sharply. "Not without my supervision. If only I could find a way to remove your… talent."
At that Wy
He was the only one here who knew of her malady, and she noticed the glistening of his brow. Shutting off her mantic sight hadn't been easy on him, even as an adept mage. Not as it had been for Chap, with his Fay nature.
When she'd first told il'Sänke, he'd seemed anxious and angry, immediately suggesting he try to «cure» her. She'd hesitated, and then refused. That didn't please him, and he insisted she not tamper with her sight except under his supervision.
He'd said «could» and not «should» concerning removing her mantic sight. Had he been trying something behind her back?
Il'Sänke placed a hand behind her shoulder and propelled her toward the door.
"Your work can wait. Come."
A
Along the hallway they passed other doors to small chambers of other apprentice and journeyor sages. They headed down the far narrow stairs and out an old oak door. Entering the castle's i
Even in her hesitation, il'Sänke waited patiently until she stepped into the entryway. She followed as he headed left down the passage leading into what had once been half of the castle's old great hall.
In spite of everything since Wy
Two centuries later, Queen Âlfwine II saw a need for something more. Several scholars of history thought she desired a more lavish residence, while others claimed that—like her descendants—she wanted a place where she could view the sea. Those of the royal bloodline had always shown a strange attraction to the open waters, even unto tragedy. To this day no one knew why the sea called to the family of Âresky
Âlfwine II oversaw designs of an elaborate castle closer to Beranlômr Bay. The nation's armed forces, including a newly established city guard to augment the constabularies, moved to the vacated second castle. The first castle—by far the oldest and smallest—was given over to the early begi
And since that time, with the help of the dwarves across the bay in Dhredze Seatt, who had lent their legendary stonecraft to the building of all three fortifications, the first castle was modified to meet the sages' needs. New buildings were attached to the main keep's exterior in its i
The keep of the guiled p of thd's castle was a hollowed square, its i
"Perhaps some ci
Wy
Here the royals of Malourné once entertained guests of high birth and visiting dignitaries. But the space was now the guild's common hall, filled with a variety of mismatched tables and chairs, stools and benches. It was used for everything from off-hour meals and light studies to leisure pursuits and social gatherings. As a child Wy