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

royal forces. Some of those will be Magi," Andre said. "I need to know the nature of the Wards surrounding us and how they work."

"It will take many hours. My chronometer says it is late in your sleep cycle. We should start lessons when your minds are fresh."

"You are right," Rebecca agreed. "Especially for two children who apparently did not go to bed when told to. Don't think Andre and I aren't grateful you kids disobeyed us this time, but it is way past your bedtime."

Andre and Rebecca found Lewys sitting up in the library, going over accounts.

"Grandpa, you should be in bed," Rebecca exclaimed, seeing him rub eyes. "Surly those accounts can wait until the morning?"

"Tomorrow is payday," he reminded her. "I need to have everything ready. It's a good thing you and Andre found the strong box rooms last week, or we would be running short of money."

"That isn't all we've found," his granddaughter told him, smiling.

"You found this War Room you've been so anxious about?

"Well, it was Selene and Tyrel who found it."

"Tonight? I thought they were in bed," he protested.

"I don't know how many times that pair has snuck out to explore after everyone has gone to bed, before this, but tonight they found what we've been searching for, so we gave them a pass."

"Tomorrow, Andre and I start lessons on how to manipulate the Wards the way the journal says we can."

"When the Proctors come, we will be ready for them," Andre said.

The next morning, he turned his self-defense classes over to Jors so he would have more time to work with Rebecca in the War room.

The lessons with Nicos proved extremely interesting. He suggested they bring in chairs for the first lesson. "You will be spending much time simply listening this first day," Nicos had said.

"A brief overview first. This world has many lines of energy that can be harnessed. The founders, simply referred to them as power lines, but they were nicknamed Ley Lines after legendary lines of power said to be found in the old world. The world of Rulari has more of these energy lines than the world the founders came from. It took the founders some time to learn use them. It was discovered they proved a source of power and could be shaped in many ways for use. Ironlyn's founders used these power lines to develop what they termed Wards for Ironlyn's protection."

A table rose in the middle of the room showing a topographical map of the entire land mass of Ironlyn. "This is all the area protected by the Wards. It was created by the makers using the Ley Lines over Ironlyn," Nicos said.

"That extends up into the mountains, and down to the sea!" Rebecca exclaimed.

"What form does the protection take?" Andre asked.

"The makers favored a wall," Nicos replied.

Andre pointed to the land in front of the gates. "That area shows covered by the Wards, but we had no trouble passing through it when we arrived."

"You are correct, Drake Andre. The Wards are set to repel those with harmful intent," Nicos voice showed respect.

"Then they are more than just a force to be shaped?" Rebecca asked.

"That depends on the intent of whoever uses them," Nicos replied. "They are also set to recognize those descended from Ironlyn's founders."

"What about me?" Andre inquired. "They seem to recognize me as well."

"Draconi Rebecca has declared you the Defender of Ironlyn. You wear the medallion and the sword answers to you. The Wards have been programed to answer to you."

"How do we control them?" Andre finally got to the question he wanted answered the most.

"Draconi Rebecca, you can feel them can you not?"

"I—yes, I sense them. It's like a quiver in the air if the gates are open. I noticed them for the first time when Grandpa was attacked outside the gates."

"That's right," Andre exclaimed. "I could see them, and I felt it when they snapped into place."

"Excellent. To exercise your connection to the wards, you must reach again for those feelings."

Andre and Rebecca spend the next few hours, reaching into the Wards and establishing a connection. Nicos insisted they do this over and over until it became second nature.

"A good session," the machine said with approval in its mechanical voice. "Tomorrow we will learn to change the power of the Wards into different shapes."

The Weatherman

AN EMISSARY FROM JACITE arrived, not openly from across the border, but secretly by boat. The Harbormaster's daughter rode a pony up to the Keep with information requesting he be allowed to speak to Dracon Lewys of Ironlyn.

"He is staying in the village?" Lewys asked the girl.

"Yes, Dracon. He has taken rooms at the Inn. He says he does not wish to come further unless he has your permission."

"Thank you," Lewys told her. "I must discuss this with the Draconi and the Defender. Selene, could you show her the library and give her some refreshment?"

Selene nodded, and beckoned to the girl, who was about her age. "You must see the library. It is fabulous. Do you like to read?"

"I wonder what he wants," Andre remarked.

"I do too," Rebecca agreed. "Do you think it's safe to speak with him, Grandpa? What if his presence gets reported?"

"We need to know what he wants, granddaughter," Lewys said. "I must speak to him."

Andre nodded in agreement. "He's right Rebecca. Not speaking to him might be even more dangerous. But I think there will be less chance of his presence being reported if we go to him in the Harbor."

"You still think we have a traitor among us," Rebecca said slowly. "Who do you think it is?"

He shook his head. "I have no proof, and I don't want to accuse anyone without it. When I have the proof, I will act on it."

"Without checking with me first?" Lewys glared at him.

"Yes," Andre said flatly. "Whoever it is, is a threat to my family. I don't ask permission to take care of my family Lewys."

Lewys held his gaze for a long minute.