"Behold," the boy said.
The glow of the craft surrounded them. Tristan felt his body lighten, then cease to exist altogether. As the thousands of shelves and the endless hallways flashed before him, all he could think of was Celeste.
"Wigg…" Tristan said softly.
The wizard sat cross-legged on the marble floor. Celeste's head lay in his lap. He did not turn around. As he held his daughter's lifeless form, his body shook and he sobbed quietly.
Finally he looked up. Tears ran down his face, and for several moments his mouth moved but no sound came from it.
"She's dead, Tristan," he finally uttered. "Despite all my powers, I couldn't save her."
Tristan walked up to the wizard and placed one hand on his shoulder.
"I know," he answered. "In the end, I couldn't save her either. I'm sorry."
As Wigg pulled Celeste closer, confusion crossed over his face. "I don't understand why she has not turned to ash."
"The Scroll Master is preserving her form," Tristan told him. "But it will not last much longer."
Wigg looked up at Tristan again. At first he thought that his grief was causing his mind to play tricks on him. But the longer he regarded the prince, the surer he became.
Tristan had changed. The changes were subtle but definite. He seemed slightly older, more mature, and his demeanor was somehow more commanding. There was a slight graying of his hair around the temples, and his dark, penetrating eyes looked even more lustrous than before. Concerned, Wigg tried to put his grief aside for the moment.
"What have you done to him?" he demanded of the Scroll Master.
"Nothing the Jin'Sai did not agree to, and only what the Ones dictated that I do," the boy said. "All is as it should be."
Wigg finally eased Celeste's head and shoulders gently to the floor. As he stood, his knees shook. When he regained his footing, he looked carefully into the prince's face.
"Are you all right?" he asked with concern.
"Yes," Tristan answered. "But there is much to tell you."
Wigg reached into his robe. With a shaking hand he produced an envelope sealed with red wax. As he handed it to Tristan, the prince detected the scent of myrrh.
"This is for you," Wigg said. "She gave it to me just before she died. In the event that you did not see each other again, she wanted you to have it. She said that you would understand."
Tristan took the envelope from Wigg. He broke the seal and removed the letter. It read: My darling,
If you are reading this, my love, then I am dead. As I put quill to paper, it is nighttime at the palace. It is the night we lit Geldon and Lionel's funeral pyres, and I have come to my chambers to collect my things so that we might be together. There is so much that I want to say to you-and so much that will, of necessity, remain unsaid-but I will try.
You must not feel guilt over my passing. If the Afterlife has claimed me, then it was meant to be and you must accept that. But also know that all that I suffered I would have gladly endured again, if it meant reclaiming even the brief months that we were able to share. They say that lovers can live a lifetime in a matter of days, and you and I proved them right. Please look after Father for me, as I know you will. The two of you will need each other more than ever now.
And, lastly, know that from wherever my spirit shall come to rest, I shall continue to love you. You were the light of my life, and the spark that you lit within my heart shall never die. Goodbye, my love, Celeste
As the tears streamed down his face, Tristan handed the letter to Wigg. The First Wizard read it slowly, then placed it back into his robe. Trembling, Tristan looked down at Celeste. The Scroll Master came to stand by him.
"It is almost time," the boy said. "You must say goodbye to her before it is too late."
Tristan nodded.
Kneeling, he took her into his arms. She looked even older, her face more wrinkled, her hair whiter than when he last saw her. But to his eyes she seemed as beautiful as ever. He pulled her to him and kissed her cold cheek for the last time.
"Goodbye, my love," he whispered.
With that her body turned to ash and slipped between his fingers, falling lightly to the floor. He covered his face with his hands, and sobs wracked his body.
After a time he looked down again. Something caught his eye, twinkling in the gray ash. Reaching down, he plucked her wedding ring from the ashes and placed it into his worn leather vest.
"You and your wizard must leave now, Jin'Sai," the Scroll Master said. "Your destiny awaits you."
"Her ashes go with me," Tristan said. As he turned to look at the boy, there was no compromise in his eyes. "I know it is in your power to make it so," he added.
"As you wish," the Scroll Master answered.
The boy waved one hand and a golden vase appeared. It settled gently to the floor. Celeste's ashes collected, whirled into the air, and flew into the vase. The vessel's top sealed itself. Tristan picked up the vase and cradled it in his arms.
"Thank you," he said softly.
The boy nodded. "Farewell, Jin'Sai," he said.
Tristan and Wigg heard the door in the wall of the pyramid slide open. Night had fallen. Several surprised warriors-Ox among them-stood there, gaping.
Without looking back, the Jin'Sai and the First Wizard walked through the door and into the night.
CHAPTER LXXXIV
A captain Merriwhether looked out over Tammerland from the bow of his Black Ship, he couldn't have been more delighted. It was nearly midday and the sun was high. The captains of the five other Black Ships stood beside him at attention.
Thousands of K'tons had arrived only moments earlier to join Merriwhether's waiting fleet. They had flown all night to reach him. Their speed had been astonishing; they could certainly outpace any Minion warrior who had ever lived. Their numbers darkened the sky for as far as he could see, and none appeared tired. Satisfied, he raised his spyglass and looked out over Tammerland.
The southwestern sections of the city already lay in ruins. Merriwhether had directed his airborne fleet to swing around and approach the city from the opposite direction in order to avoid the fires. The part of the capital that lay before him was as yet untouched, and he relished the idea of unleashing his servants upon it.
He would march his forces southwest, trapping the royal palace between his army and the raging fires. The flames continued to burn, and Merriwhether could smell the stench even from here.
Only moments before, he had read Wulfgar's message, brought to him by a drooling K'ton. Merriwhether:
The creatures that I have sent to you are called K'tons. Until I arrive with more, these are yours to command. When I have concluded my business with the Orb of the Vigors, my K'tons and I will join you, and victory will be ours. In the meanwhile, start at the outskirts of the city and destroy everything in your path as you make your way to the palace. Leave nothing standing; leave nothing alive-except the two wizards and the Jin'Sai and Jin'Saiou. Leave them to me. I have scores to settle with them all. Wulfgar
Smiling, Merriwhether read the message to the other five captains.
"Do you understand your orders?" he shouted.
They all nodded.
"Very well!" he said. "To your ships, then! Wait for my command!"
Merriwhether watched as the other dark captains went to take command of their respective vessels. He then raised one skeletal arm and waved the K'tons on ahead to begin the attack. When they saw the dark swarms flying over their city the citizens panicked, but there was nowhere to hide. Tens of thousands of K'tons landed in the streets, their hungry eyes glaring about as more of their kind darkened the sky above. They immediately began kicking in doors and windows in their search for fresh meat.
Men, women, and children poured from buildings, only to find hungry K'tons waiting for them. The lucky ones fell prey to the monsters' weapons and died on the spot. Others were scooped up into the beasts' arms to be devoured alive. The air was soon thick with the screams of the dying.