Delver Magic I: Sanctum's Breach by Jeff Inlo (read novels website .TXT) 📕

gritted his teeth and toned down his emotions. “It is impossible to say what is responsible for the fate we now face, but I bring you news of both darkness and light. As I warned the camp previously, the sphere is again radiating its tainted magic upon the land. It is not, however, in the hands of an enemy. It is the sphere itself that has broken from its own entombment. It remains in Sanctum, yet it has managed to create a break through the very side of the mountain. Through some dark power unexplained to me, the sphere has gained an awareness of its captivity and refuses to be encased any longer. It will bring oblivion to the land.”

Mappel rotated his hands about the long branch in his grasp. His words expressed his doubt over the younger elf’s story. “You have gathered much information in a short time, information which seems beyond your abilities. How is this possible?”

“There are two major factors.” Lief’s voice quickly brimmed with pride as he revealed the encounter with the elfin sorceress. “The most important being that I have spoken with the spirit of Shayed. She has explained the awareness of the sphere and its refusal to be encased within the mountain. That is how I can be sure of the fate we face.”

The elder elf appeared greatly mystified by this explanation. He leaned upon his branch with greater reliance as if the weight of this revelation staggered his balance. His eyes narrowed and his head tilted as his expression communicated his expectation of further explanation.

Lief gladly continued. “Shayed has told us that the sphere remains out of the hands of any enemy. Its effect upon our land is based solely upon its own will. It is the land’s misfortune that the sphere has gained its awareness. It works for neither good nor evil. It simply wishes the total extinction of all life. As to why, I can not explain.”

Mappel took no time to mull over the possibilities. Instead, he questioned Lief further. “You said there were two factors which aided in your retrieval of this information,” he noted almost harshly. “What is the other?”

Lief presented Ryson with a wave of his hand. “He stands beside me now. I came across a delver as I traveled toward Sanctum. His name is Ryson Acumen. I found him locked in a struggle with one of the undead. When I learned he was full-bred delver, I sensed the hands of fate bringing us together.”

“Do not be quick to judge what might be fate,” Mappel interrupted. “These are uncertain times. We have no idea what forces may or may not be at work. But continue with your explanation.”

“Fate or not,” Lief conceded, “that I can not say, but I can say that Ryson Acumen was indeed a boon to my travel. We agreed to follow the path of the quake which initiated these troubled times. It led us, as I suspected, to Sanctum. His powerful senses detected a group of goblins. With his help, we captured one and found that the goblins were not responsible for the freeing of the sphere.”

Ryson suddenly felt the urge to help with the explanation. In listening to the story, he himself found it unbelievable even though he experienced everything described. Knowing the severity of what they faced, Ryson felt it essential to convince the elder elf.

“What he says is true,” the delver exclaimed. “I did fight what he calls one of the undead. I couldn’t believe it myself at the time, but it tried to kill me. We also fell upon goblins and captured one. I have one of their swords. You see.” Ryson held up the crude short sword for the elder elf.

Mappel showed no interest in the weapon. His eyes fell upon the delver and spoke with a voice so crisp, it defied his age.

“Do not feel as if you must prove something to me. I still have eyes and ears. I see, hear and feel what is happening. I might not have accepted the truth at first. I hoped that the magic might have returned naturally, but now I am sure that it is the work of the sphere. That means the return of goblins, among other things.”

“You believe now?” Lief asked with his hope rising.

“Much has happened during your absence, Lief Woodson. The magic has grown within us. Though it may be difficult to accept, I know you, and I know you have no reason to lie. Your story corresponds with much of what has already happened here. Those gifted have even been able to cast minor spells. The magic, unfortunately, is not pure. I am not so old that I can’t sense the poison within it. It will undo us all. If the magic has returned, then why not Shayed? There is also the matter of the river rogue and the fate of the two unfortunate elves. Now, you return to me with continued proof. As much as I would like, I can not deny the tragedy which faces us.”

“It may not have to be a tragedy. Remember, we have spoken with Shayed,” Lief reminded him with words trimmed in pride and optimism. “It is her counsel that we might yet defeat this thing which now haunts us.”

Mappel found only small reassurance. He spoke more of his growing confusion. “The return of Shayed, even in spirit form, fills me with hope. It appears as if this is indeed a momentous time, a time which may decide the fates of many. Yet, this all remains so distressing. It distresses me that elflore gave no foreshadowing of this event. The return of Shayed signifies a time which must be of great importance. Why must we face this without a shred of help from the lore?”

Lief hesitated for a moment, but finally forced himself to speak.

“There is more which you might find troubling, Mappel. We will not be able to simply bury the sphere. It is the word of Shayed that this will no longer be allowed. She makes other requirements of us. In truth, she commands that we destroy the sphere.”

The words lingered in a moment of silence, stabbed at the elder and drew his ire.

“Were those her words or yours?!” Mappel questioned sternly, hissing like a startled rattler.

Lief stood his ground. His eyes remained upon the elder, but his voice dropped in tone. “They were hers.” It was apologetic in its offering.

Mappel remained unsatisfied and eyed Lief questioningly. “You know the story of Shayed. During the Wizard War she defied the magic users because she would not destroy the sphere. Now, you tell me differently. This does not follow with elflore. Does Shayed truly advise the destruction of the sphere?”

Lief could answer no differently. “Yes, she does.”

The elder elf, filled with disbelief, turned to Ryson. “What do you say to this, delver?” Mappel demanded. “Were you present? Did Shayed truly order the destruction of the sphere?”

Although he found Mappel’s outburst most disquieting, Ryson answered with the simple truth. “Yes, she did.”

The elder gripped his branch slightly tighter and grumbled something unknown to Ryson. He ripped his sight from the two that stood before him and his eyes bore into the trees. He thumped his staff twice against the ground in revolt against what had been told to him.

Ryson and Lief waited quietly before him. The delver remained uncertain of what to do or say. He looked to Lief who stood, more or less, patiently waiting for Mappel.

After his momentary display of resistance, Mappel fell completely into acceptance of what he viewed as nothing less than a tragedy.

“Then so it must be done,” he sighed, his shoulders sagged with the weight of the revelation.

Mappel turned the prospect over in his mind. As if condemned to a sentence of hard labor, he faced it with a will to begin as soon as possible in order to end it as soon as possible. “To destroy the sphere we must reach it first. You say it is still within Sanctum. What of this breach? Can we use it to reach the sphere?”

“No,” Lief replied flatly. “The sphere protects the opening with a force barrier. The magic may exit, but we may not enter.”

The elder dropped his head in frustration.

Lief continued. “Shayed advises us to use the tiers as a path to the sphere. It can not be blocked by any power the sphere might induce.”

“The tiers are protected in other ways,” Mappel shook his head.

“I know, but we have no other choice.”

“You realize what this means?”

“We must enlist the help of the other races,” Lief began, again sounding apologetic, but when he recalled his own encounter with the spirit of Shayed, unyielding determination filled his voice. “I realize the weight of this matter, but it is also what Shayed commands.”

“Shayed may command, but it may not be all within our power,” Mappel spoke with sadness. “We must depend on the assistance of others for this request. The tiers have proven to be the divisive matter surrounding all the races. To break the secrets of the tiers is to break centuries of an accepted settlement that led to the new order. This can not be done easily.”

“It will have to be done,” Lief insisted.

“You speak as if we can snap our fingers and it will be so,” Mappel lectured. “You have no idea of what we face. Not only must we convince others to join our cause, we must defeat the barriers themselves. Although I know only of what the elves placed within Sanctum, I know that passing this will not be easy. I can only imagine what other horrors might await. The tiers were constructed so that no one might reach the power of the sphere.”

“Do we have another choice?” Lief questioned. “Forgive me, if I appear impudent, but I see little value in debating the issue. We must do what we must do.”

“It is not only up to us,” Mappel countered. “The barriers of Sanctum are beyond the unity of elves. They represent the separation of the five races, and thus, they include the five races. Just because you and I might say Sanctum must be entered does not mean others will agree.”

“It is not just you or I,” Lief reminded, “it is Shayed as well.”

“So it is,” Mappel allowed, “and perhaps it is time to break the symbol of the pact which separates the races. I don’t know how we might accomplish such a thing, but if it is the command of Shayed, it must be attempted.”

“Excuse me, sir,” Ryson finally spoke. He found the exchange between the two elves interesting and enlightening, but the near defeatist attitude of Mappel puzzled him. As he questioned Mappel, his voice carried in low tones, hoping to remain as inoffensive to the elder as possible. “I can’t claim to know much of what you’re talking about, but it sounds as if you’re dooming this before we even get started. Will it be so difficult?”

Mappel turned his disheartened glance upon the delver. He answered with grace. Though his response was lacking in detail, he made a genuine attempt to answer the delver with all honesty. “If you must ask, I must reply that it will be far more difficult then you can comprehend. It is not simply the barriers we must overcome, but the ages of mistrust and separation.”

“Well, that may be,” Ryson countered. “I really don’t understand any of this fully, but I’ve continued along with what I’ve seen and heard so far. That may not be much, but consider what I have seen. I didn’t know of elves or goblins before. Today, I saw a ghost for Godson’s sake. I haven’t walked away yet.”

“You