In The Beginning by Gail Daley (top 100 books of all time checklist .TXT) 📕

to set up a message network for the Magi Cadre, but he is the direct descendant of the original Dracon Ironlyn. Until recently, cousin Lerrys and his wife managed the property, but they needed to leave here because the Magi Proctor assigned to this Province was becoming suspicious. Too many suspected Magi were coming to this area and disappearing. He was afraid the Proctor would come here and demand entrance. We can't allow it because we dare not let the Proctors find the Gate. Ironlyn is supposed to have mighty defenses, but our cousin didn't know how to use them."

"Does Lewys know how to operate them?"

"No. There should be a book about the history of Ironlyn somewhere in the keep explaining how to work the defenses. Our cousin and his wife looked for it, but couldn't find it. Grandpa hopes since we are more in the direct line we will succeed where they failed. To lull the Proctor's suspicions, he told Lerrys and his wife to take most of the gold out of the strongbox when they left, so it would appear as if Grandpa had bought the property."

Andre studied her troubled expression. "There is something else, isn't there?"

She took a deep breath. "Yes, there is. Have you ever heard of the Magi Cadre?"

"Just rumors. Isn’t it a subversive group? Is that who Lewys was passing messages for?"

"I suppose some people might consider us subversive. We don’t think of ourselves as subversive. We don't want to overthrow the Shan. Mostly we help Magi evade the Royal Proctor, while trying to work inside the government to change the laws about Magi."

He snorted. "I don't know any of the Proctor’s or Proctor’s agents, but if they behave like the one who had Selene, I have no problem with it."

"Even if this means defending ourselves against the Royal Proctor or the Shahen?"

He shrugged. "If that what it takes. I won't allow you or your sisters to be taken as breeders of more Magi for the Shahen, if it worries you. But I think we had better find out what those defenses you mentioned are, and how to use them."

Tears started in her eyes and she raised a hand to wipe them away. He was on her side and he would do everything he could to protect her and her family.

"What's the matter?" he asked.

"Nothing," she said, offering a tentative smile. She stood up and held out a hand. "I think there might be something in the Alcove room besides the connection to the wards. I intend to look for it."

"So let's go and look. Maybe we can find it together. When they reached the alcove, he asked, "What are we looking for?"

"I don't know," she admitted. "But something keeps pulling me back in here."

"Any particular spot you are more drawn to than others?"

Rebecca frowned, opening her senses to the house and the room. "This house is strange. I've experienced a kind of kinship with it ever since we got here. I think—yes, the wall over there." She pointed to the wall at the back of the room.

Andre grunted. He walked to the wall in question and ran his hands over it, looking for seams. As he did so, it grew warm under his touch. "That's odd. It got warmer as I touched it."

Rebecca joined him. As she touched the seam, a hand shaped indention in the wall appeared. She and Andre exchanged glances.

"It responded to you," he said.

Tentatively she placed her hand in the niche. There was a click and the wall opened.

"Wow," she said. The room was dark, but as they stepped into it, lights came on. There was a bank of machinery which flickered into life as she approached. "Identify yourself," the voice came out of nowhere.

Startled, Rebecca looked around. "Where did that come from?"

Andre was looking at the flickering panel of lights. "I would guess, out of there," he said, gesturing to them.

"Identify yourself," the command was repeated, more peremptorily this time.

"Uh, I am Draconi Rebecca Mabinogion, daughter of Kathlea and Maxton and this is Drake Andre Benoit, my betrothed."

"Welcome daughter of Mabinogion and intended Defender of Ironlyn. How may I assist you?"

"Um, what or who are you?"

"This entity is a level 9 artificial intelligence, created by your ancestors to assist their descendants."

"Do you have a name?"

"One of your ancestors called me Geri."

"What type of help do you provide?" Andre asked.

"Daughter of Mabinogion am I to answer the intended Defenders questions as well as yours?"

"Yes," Rebecca replied.

"I provide tactical advice on defense and I have a large storehouse of memories of your ancestors. You may call upon those memories for advice on the use of what has been termed 'magic' on this world."

"Are there other hidden rooms in the house?" Andre asked.

Immediately a large window on the panel lit up with a diagram of the house. "Here is the internal blueprint of Ironlyn. Access points are shown in red."

"Can you print this?" Andre asked.

In answer, there was a groaning sound. "Your pardon," Geri said. "It appears my external printer needs to be serviced."

Both Andre and Rebecca took a step back as a panel on the lower level opened and a small machine rolled into the room. As they watched open mouthed, it went over to another panel, opened it and moved parts, squirting a clear liquid on them.

"Your printout will be available shortly," Geri said.

"Does Rebecca need to come with me for me to gain access to these other rooms?" Andre inquired.

"Do you wish the intended Defender to have access without your presence, Daughter of Mabinogion?"

"Yes. I would also like to find a written history of the house, Geri," Rebecca said. "Do you know where it might be found?"

Another door slid open. "Your ancestors used this room to record daily happenings," Geri informed her.

Rebecca found a set of leather-bound journals going back many years on the shelves. She took out the oldest one and opened it. "It's written in another language," she said in dismay.

"If you will place the book