“I have an idea,” MistyTrail said excitedly.
“What is it?” Mistake asked quickly, welcoming the change in topic.
“We may not be able to get an air tunnel into the temple,” MistyTrail explained, “but there are many other places where we can reach with air tunnels. Between us, we know practically every place that Marak or Lyra would attempt to communicate with. We can notify all of them of our plight. If either the Torak or the Star attempts to communicate with anyone, they will learn of our location and situation.”
“I like it,” grinned Mistake. “I will start with the Qubari village, Khadoratung, Fardale, and Ghala.”
“I will begin with StarCity and Alamar,” nodded Mistake. “Be quick about it as they may only communicate once this night.”
* * *
The Torak, the Star, and the Astor stood before the large mural in the temple in Angragar. Lyra stood staring at her likeness with disbelief. Marak stood to one side, slightly amused, and Rejji shook his head in wonder.
“I swear that the sword was not there before,” Rejji said. “I paid more attention to the Torak and myself, but I am positive that the Star held no weapon.”
“Well she certainly does now,” smiled Emperor Marak. “It looks like a fine rapier, too. I wonder if it will found here in Angragar.”
“Do you have any skill with a sword?” Rejji asked the Star of Sakova.
“Some,” Lyra answered without taking her eyes from the painting. “I used to practice swordplay with the students at the academy. My father, of course, strictly forbade it, but I was a fair hand at it. I gave Syman and Antello a good fight. Still, I am not in the same company with Sakovan warriors. If we find it, I will have to practice.”
“We will find it,” smiled the Torak.
“You seem to be enjoying this,” Rejji said to Marak. “What is so funny?”
“We are three individuals who do not take well to taking orders from others,” chuckled the Emperor, “yet here we are dancing to Kaltara’s tune, and quite willingly I might add. He does not tell us what to do on a daily basis, yet he guides our every step. Do you not find that amusing?”
“I have not really thought about,” admitted Rejji. “Are you saying that we are puppets?”
“Not at all,” clarified the Torak. “Just the opposite, actually. We are strongly independent. In fact, I think we may be causing Kaltara to constantly revise his plans because we do not act as we are expected to. I have no doubt that your recollection of the painting is the same as mine. Lyra held no sword in the painting before this day.”
“But you did have the Sword of Torak,” responded Rejji.
“I already possessed it,” nodded Marak. “In the painting you held the staff, which you left Angragar with. Now Lyra holds a fine rapier, which I guarantee she will actually hold before she leaves this city. In a way, the mural is prophetic. I would not be surprised to see it change again in the future.”
“Where will I find this rapier?” asked Lyra. “And what am I supposed to do with it?”
“I suspect that it will have the capability to vanquish hellsouls,” answered the Torak. “What else it might do is a mystery to me.”
“We will look for it in the king’s treasure room,” stated Rejji. “If it is not there, we will search the entire city.”
“After we vanquish the hellsouls,” interjected the Torak. “It is too late to search the city tonight, and in the morning the army will arrive. After that we will search until we find it.”
“What is the plan for the morning?” asked the Star of Sakova.
“At dawn some of us will depart from the temple,” answered Emperor Marak. “Specifically, the three of us must be among those to leave. I think we should bring the mages along as well.”
“And not the warriors?” asked Rejji.
“No,” replied Marak. “They will just get in the way. I think we saw today that the light blade, properly aimed, is a devastating weapon against the hellsouls. That is why the mages must join us. They will protect us while the army advances against the enemy’s rear.”
“That sounds dangerous,” Lyra commented. “I am not so concerned about myself, as I have Kaltara’s cylinder to protect me, but the others do not.”
“It is dangerous,” nodded the Torak. “Just getting to the center of the plaza may be dangerous as well. We will discuss it in detail later. Let’s grab a bite to eat while the food is warm.”
The Three turned and left the room. Lyra turned and stared one last time at the prophetic mural as they left. They walked back to the entry foyer where the rest of the group were having a warm meal cooked by Mobi.
“This is great,” commented Wyant. “I can’t recall ever tasting anything like this. What is it?”
“Monkey,” smiled Mobi. “I am glad that you are enjoying it. The taste is mostly attributable to the herbs and spices that are used. You are probably not familiar with most of them. They grow only in the jungle.”
DarkBlade’s eyebrows rose, but he did not say a word. Mobi looked up and saw the others had returned from viewing the mural.
“Did you notice the change?” asked the Qubari warrior.
“We did,” nodded Lyra. “We will search for the rapier when the hellsouls are vanquished. May I have some of the monkey?”
Mobi grinned and readied a portion for the Star of Sakova. He watched her expression closely as she sampled it. He smiled when he saw her nod of acceptance. Gunta came down the stairs and sat near the fire. He helped himself to a portion of the meal.
“What is happening out there?” asked Emperor Marak.
“There are thousands of them,” frowned Gunta. “Much more than the last time we were here.”
“They sense that the battle for Angragar is upon them,” responded the Torak. “They will all gather to defeat us. I worry for the Qubari army. It will be hard to defeat the hellsouls without some casualties. It is a shame to die to something that is already dead.”
“Do not worry for the Qubari,” offered Mobi. “We are reclaiming Angragar. We could perform no finer service for Kaltara. Those that die tomorrow will be honored for ages to come.”
Rejji frowned at Mobi’s words and sampled the food. He also sat on the floor and urged the Torak to eat. Marak nodded and helped himself to some food. He stood as he ate, staring at the closed doors of the temple
“If you are planning on contacting your home tonight,” Lyra prompted, “you should do so soon. After the meal we are retiring to the library to begin our search for information. You know that we will be there until morning. LunarSigh or I would be happy to weave an air tunnel for you.”
“A good thought,” nodded the Torak, “but I communicated previously today. Thank you for the offer.”
Lyra’s face was puzzled at Marak’s answer. He had not asked her to create an air tunnel, and he had brought no Khadoran mage with him. She wondered if Mistake or MistyTrail had helped him.
“Was there any pressing news?” asked the Star of Sakova.
“The murders continue,” frowned Emperor Marak. “The hellsouls have been found in every major city of Khadora, and some of the more remote areas as well. Less of them are escaping now that we know how to vanquish them, but their very presence terrorizes the populace. I must begin thinking about returning to Khadora to address the problems before the lords decide to keep their armies home to protect themselves. I must succeed in training all of them.”
“Cannot the Lords’ Council take care of that?” asked Lyra.
“There are good men on the Lords’ Council,” replied the Torak, “but they do not get the attention of the lords the way that the Emperor does. It will take pressure from me to get some of the lords to comply, but I am determined to do exactly that. It will get done. Shall we go to the library now and see what awaits us there?”
The group rose and started heading for the library. Mobi offered to stand guard at the door while the others read. Lyra caught up to her people and spoke softly to them. DarkBlade and LunarSigh nodded and turned around to stay on guard with Mobi.