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  "Down! Faster!"

  The basket dipped as lances of bone shot from the swanlear's rider's extended arm, splitting to angle for the two remaining eagles and the controller. One of the birds was hit and white smoke issued from the end of a length of steel the swanlear's rider held, a stethian.

  Chelka yelled an order to the hybrid animal, one her heritage would force it to obey.

  "Catch the carriage!"

  As they lost altitude and the ground rushed toward them, Durine cut the last eagle free with the edge of his hand. They plummeted toward the palace grounds, the swanlear diving after them without its controller making a sound of his own to stop the descent.

  That's odd, Edmath thought in the final seconds before impact.

  The swanlear's tentacles wrapped around the basket, arresting its descent sharply less than a yard before impact. Edmath lost his footing, flying upward to hit the birdlike belly of their attacker. Ninafi and Chelka hit on either side of him before falling into the basket still settling to the ground below.

  A male voice cried in the swan language, "Up! We have them!"

  Edmath hit the basket and grabbed Chelka's arm. Durine loomed, his form mountainous with shadow and cloak.

  He reached for the swanlear's belly as tentacles seized the sides of the basket. The hybrid creature beat large wings. Edmath snarled, shooting a thorny volley at the beast using the last of his magic.

  The swanlear caught a thicket of sharp edges. The great animal screamed in pain, then lifted off, dropping the basket back to the grass of the garden below. Bird and rider soared away into the night.

  "Creator, damn this," said Chelka, straightening, then standing. She aimed her stethian into the dark, then lowered with a frustrated groan. "Not enough light to aim by."

  Ninafi clutched her arm as Durine helped her up.

  "I think it’s my shoulder," she said. "Dislocated maybe."

  Edmath nodded. He hated to admit to himself the anger he felt seeing Ninafi hurt. He clenched a fist.

  "We're inside the palace, though. We need to get to the inner gardens, the pyramid."

  "Agreed," said Durine. "Are you all well enough to continue?"

  "I can handle it," said Ninafi with a grimace.

  "Only if you're sure," said Chelka. "If you can't fight, it'll be easier to protect you if you stay behind."

  "I can fight." Ninafi flexed her good hand, bone-rings shining on her fingers. "Just don't ask me to lift anything."

  Durine looked around.

  "This way," said Edmath. He led the way to the inner palace but found the path barred by an iron gate, sealing the entrance bridge.

  Chelka squinted at the faintly glowing bars.

  "You see that? The High Emperor or his Saale has charged the bars with a magic-eating aura."

  "We can't fly in, of course, and we can't break the bars," said Edmath.

  Ninafi's brow furrowed.

  "We'll need to find someone to open this gate."

  Chelka folded her arms and frowned.

  "His Grace's clerks have an office on the grounds. They keep the keys to the inner palace."

  "Hopefully the clerks on duty will understand the situation."

  "I will make them understand," said Durine, "one way or another. Lead the way."

  Watching the dark sky for signs of the swanlear and rider, Edmath and the others made their way toward the Office of Keys.

  The Office of Keys was dark when they arrived. Groups of guards, dressed in the red and white heraldry of the High Palace, patrolled outside. Edmath approached one squad, hands raised, stethian sheathed.

  "Who's there?" asked the leader.

  "Edmath Benisar and my companions, mages all."

  "Benisar? Mages? What is the meaning of this?" asked the guard leader.

  "We bring an envoy from the north. He requires an audience with the high emperor, and the high emperor alone."

  "Is that so? Stay where you are."

  The guards approached, hands on their swords. None drew a weapon.

  "Princess Benisar," the leader nodded to Chelka. "You I recognize."

  "Is there a clerk in the office?" she asked.

  "Yes. We can take you and your comrades to her. She will decide whether or not you should enter the inner gardens."

  "Very well," Chelka said. "You do a service for the empire."

  "Thank you, princess, but I must insist you leave those weapons here." The guard leader pointed to Chelka's stethian, then Edmath's. "We know they are tools of magic, deadly ones."

  "As you say," said Edmath. He handed a guard his stethian, hilt first. "But please, tell us precisely what transpired to draw his Grace into seclusion."

  "I cannot, for I do not know."

  "I see. He is mysterious as ever."

  "True," said the guard leader. "This way."

  The guards escorted them to the white marble Office of Keys, its dome marked by streaks of bright red flashing through the pale stone.

  Inside the office, lamp brackets lit everything in a warm glow. A massive desk, at least five feet high, stood in the center of the dome, flanked on two sides by deep wells that led to the city's subterranean waterways. An old woman sat alone behind the desk, perched atop a high stool. She turned her gaze to them as they drew near.

  The lines in her face deepened in the shadow, eyes bright and alert but set deep. She looked from Edmath and Durine to Ninafi, and finally to Chelka.

  "Princess," she said. "It is late to trouble an old woman. But you don't care for that any more than you did as a child, do you?"

  "Matron Akustotha, it has been some years."

  "It has indeed, Chelka. Kidar and the Coral Royal family have seen far less trouble since you left for Lexine Park. That is certain. Tonight, though, I am not a matron, I am High Clerk Akustotha."

  Edmath glanced at Chelka. He thought better than to question her at the moment, despite the urge. She reddened.

  "We bring an envoy to speak with his Grace, Vosraan Loi."

  "Of course you do. And an old Oyster Clerk is here simply to see you through the gates, despite the riots and the hour?"

  Ninafi glanced at Durine.

  Edmath put a hand on Chelka's shoulder. She seethed.

  "Whatever you suggest happened in Kidar is behind us, High Clerk," he said. "Please, hear our envoy out."

  "Which of you is the envoy?" Akustotha pointed at Ninafi, then Durine."

  "It is I," said Durine.

  "And who do you represent? Which land, which tribe?"

  "I speak for the forgotten of northern Zel. I am their greatest seer."

  "The forgotten? I must admit your people are well-named. I've lived for seventy years and never once heard of you or your kind."

  "These servants of Sayl wished me to conceal my nature, but I see you will not believe the rest if I do not show you, good clerk."

  Durine scuttled forward and cast off his outer robe.

  The body of a monstrous centipede led to the front half of a large black wolf, from whose back sprouted Durine's human torso. He folded his human arms as the forelegs of the wolf hung in the air and its jaws dripped saliva onto the tiles.

  "My wolf smells cured meat," he said. "Likely provisions for overnight?"

  Akustotha stared at Durine. Her eyes narrowed.

  "What are you?"

  "The great seer of the northern grafters. I remember Sayl, Mu, and Dawh from my meetings with them. It was I who waged war with the first High Emperor of Zel. And it is I who have come to offer my surrender after eight hundred years of quiet."

  "That is a grand tale, hybrid. I've never seen another like you."

  "There are others of my kind, many thousands dwell in the north."

  "If you are here to surrender, I suppose I should allow you passage," said Akustotha dryly. "But anyone who read old books could say what you've said and bear it falsely."

  "Perhaps. What can I do to conv
ince you otherwise."

  "Tell me..." said the clerk said. "Which of the three warlords you mentioned became high emperor?"

  "None of them," said Durine. "Of course, they were all masterful mages, and they each served as a lower emperor at first. However, all three decided the power of the Sphere of Humanity was too great to entrust to any trained mage."

  "How did they decide this?" asked Akustotha, nodding.

  "I confess, even I do not know," said Durine.

  "I believe you. And to the Palace Records, your story holds true." She tossed a heavy key to Durine. He caught it in his hands.

  "Go, offer your submission to High Emperor Loi. I trust you, Durine, seer of grafters."

  Edmath's mouth hung open for a moment, speechless at Durine’s forthrightness and success.

  He followed the others to the inner garden's gate. There, the key unlocked the path and they entered. Winged hybrid-formed enchieli lined the way as they walked the bridges and domes to the central pyramid.

  They climbed the steps of the pyramid and entered the chamber at the top. Within the curtained room, the Sphere of Humanity a shadow behind the ultimate curtain, Keve Zasha, the High Emperor's young Saale, stopped them with a raised stethian.

  "Benisar and Benisar. I didn't expect you as this kind of traitor."

  Edmath met Keve's eyes.

  "We are here escorting an envoy who offers his supplication to the High Emperor, and to him alone."

  She grimaced.

  "The envoy may enter. You others may not."

  Durine bowed his head to Edmath, Chelka, and Ninafi in turn.

  "Thank you for bringing me this far. It is time for me to complete my journey."

  Keve pulled back the edge of the ultimate curtain. Durine bowed to her. Reverently, he crawled past. The curtain fell, hiding Durine from sight.

  "Go, wait outside," said Keve. "I won't share this place with you a moment longer, no matter what his Grace thinks of you."

  "Honesty is a virtue," said Edmath.

  He turned and left with Chelka and Ninafi. They waited, dozing on and off until dawn arrived. The sun rose. At first light, the High Emperor emerged from the pyramid. He brought the Sphere of Humanity with him.

  Brosk

  Brosk waited with Kana's people in the crowd by the palace gates. They watched as the High Emperor appeared over the wall atop the Sphere of Humanity. People pointed. People yelled.

  The crowd seethed with unconcealed energy. The citizens of Zel waited, bubbling with murmurs, as the High Emperor rode the floating sphere, its ridges looking porous despite their stony solidity, over the crowd. His white hair streamed behind him and the wings of the Crown of Three folded on his head.

  Despite his stoop and his age, he looked giant, regal, imperious.

  "This is Vosraan Loi," said Kana softly.

  "Indeed." Brosk touched her shoulder gently, then sank to one knee. All around them, the crowd did the same.

  Foreigners knelt beside Zelians.

  The High Emperor spoke in their minds, his voice carried by the power of the sphere.

  "My people, of all great tribes of Zel," he said. "I have seen a vision, revealed to me by the sphere. In the thousand years of our empire, its like has never before been recorded, an age of perils previously unknown awaits us. Dangers new and old threaten us, one and all. Zel and Roshi and every nation will feel the terror that is coming. But do not despair, for hope touched me with every scene of what is to come. We are a powerful people. As one we must face the onslaught of the future. Bless you, and be patient, for with this dawn there is news from Roshi..."

  Brosk shuddered involuntarily, unsure of what part of the message shocked him more.

  "...The last heirs of Minister Regent Rathuk Inani were murdered last night by unknown hands. With them, goes our hope for peace. Zelians, we steel ourselves for another war, a war we will not survive unscathed, but one I promise will not end our empire. Look to the kings and queens of land, sea, and sky. Look to the emperors chosen to govern war, hearth, and magic. We will emerge stronger. I do not ask you to serve. I know you will."

  The sphere descended to the level of the crowd, carrying the high emperor low. He spread his arms over the crowd, then bowed to the citizens who called him grace.

  Tears welled in Brosk's eyes.

  Another war loomed, but Vosraan Loi's wisdom would see them through it. He wiped his eyes before rising. Kana frowned.

  "Bad news."

  "You heard him too."

  "His presence commanded it." Her face fell. "Perhaps Zel is not a safe place to stay after all." She turned and started away, leading her people.

  Brosk followed them, unsure of what to say.

  After watching the High Emperor's message from the walls at first light, Edmath went into the gardens looking for a glade of Orpus trees. Despite the poor sleep he'd had the night before, his desire to see Lengbyoi, Rakoi, and the other trees, won over his fatigue.

  He found most of them in the gardens near the Saale palace. The trees weren't alone.

  The trees, each empowered with speech and mobility thanks to his and the Saale Emperor's research, received him with child-like excitement, and then from among them emerged three humans.

  Haddishal Rumenha, the Saale Emperor, walked beside his wife Nelna, the Hierophant who governed the laws of magic, and their daughter, Yezani. All three were Saales, but none carried the glow of magic at the moment.

  "Ah, Lord Benisar," said Nelna with a nod. She towered over him as he approached, easily a head taller than Edmath.

  "My report is written, excellent Hierophant," Edmath said. "To what do these trees and I owe your visit?"

  "Sadly, the High Emperor's announcement has put the entire empire in motion," said Haddishal Rumenha. "I have a mission for Saales I can trust, Edmath."

  "Another mission?" Edmath frowned. "Where?"

  "Kidar," said Haddishal. "I fear Roshi will strike there first, and there is already tension afoot according to my office there."

  "What kind of tension?"

  "The Coral Tribe consul of the city accepted a Roshi ambassador a week ago. Yesterday she left the city to become a general, leaving a representative behind."

  "Do I know this Roshi Ambassador?"

  "I do not believe so. Her name is Mutrari Sinnet, the current Fox Minister."

  Edmath's eyes narrowed.

  "The Fox Tribe is among the most warlike of all Roshi."

  "Indeed," said Nelna. "Their grudge with Zel runs deep, only made worse in the last war."

  "I can leave for Kidar at once, if necessary. I need only tell Chelka."

  "Take her with you, if she is willing," said Nelna. "As ever, her skills will be of great use in battle."

  "As you say," said Edmath. He turned to the trees. "Lengbyoi, do you wish to travel once more?"

  "Edmath!" the tree said, "it would be my honor."

  "Honor now?" asked Edmath softly.

  "They've been talking with Emperor Benisar too much, lately," said Yezani with a smirk.

  "You've taken good care of them," said Edmath.

  She nodded.

  "Of course is your phrase, Edmath."

  He smirked.

  "Right you are, Lady Rumenha. And any of you should see Durine, please say farewell for me. I doubt I'll see him before I return."

  "As you say, Edmath." Haddishal waved Lengbyoi forward. "For all our sakes, hurry west."

  The narrow eastern gate of Kidar resounded with wagons passing through. Shouts from the market on the other side echoed through the passage in the walls.

  Edmath and Chelka drew closer, riding in the branches of Orpus Lengbyoi. Commoners and royals alike gathered around the gate. The salty smell of the sea drifted on the breeze.

  "An inlet reaches across the western side of the city," said Chelka. "That's why the Coral Tribe is so strong here."

  Edmath nodded.

  "This is t
he first place Roshi attacked in the last war as well."

  "I'm surprised you know that, Ed. War is rarely on your mind."

  "More than it once was," he said with a sigh. "I hope Brosk catches up soon. I'd feel better knowing we could call on him should battle arrive at this city."

  "There are many powerful warriors in this city. We can trust them."

  "The Nane family rules here. Thanks to Oresso, them I do not trust."

  "His younger brother, Juro governs as consul in place of the traveling Queen. Him, I think we can rely on for support."

  "Is that so?" Edmath frowned as Lengbyoi halted near the press of people before the gates. "I ought to meet him soon, in that case."

  "We will speak to him as soon as possible," said Chelka. "Don't worry, Ed."

  He nodded.

  Lengbyoi raised a root and pointed to the edge of the crowd.

  "Look at that, Edmath, Chelka!"

  Edmath scanned over the crowd.

  "What do you see, good Orpus?"

  "A man with a strange sword at his belt," said the tree.

  "Swords will be common in the city at a time like this," said Chelka.

  "Not like this one! I've never seen a sword like this before."

  Edmath traced the line indicated by Lengbyoi's raised root. On the edge of the press of people, a man with a broad-brimmed hat and a short scabbard on his belt craned his neck as he spoke to the passersby. Edmath could not make out his words.

  "Take us closer," said Chelka. "We've time to see who he is, given the line here."

  "I could always climb the wall if you wish to hurry," said Lengbyoi.

  "Best we avoid that without addressing the guards first, my friend," said Edmath. "People are on edge enough as it is."

  "I'm not scary, am I?"

  "You've grown large," said Chelka. "And many will not know your gentle nature."

  The tree leaned forward. Chelka and Edmath climbed down. The two of them slipped through the crowd, approaching the man with the hat and the sword. As they closed, his voice carried to them.

  "Zelians! You need defense in these dark times, a sword not for sale, but eager to serve. That is me! Roshi approaches. My skills are unrivaled, my virtue unmatched!"