Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

S olomon continued to revise his plan, but there was so much more to it. So many moving parts. Coordination needed to be on point. At some point, he should figure out when it would be a good time to add a meeting with Mac.

After buzz against his mind, Solomon opened a tiny portal and several paper birds flew through and landed on the table.

“Those little birds popped out of those portals for days. What is that spell? It is definitely a spell we need to know about,” Andre said.

“I really want to know how that particular spells works. These birds appear out of nowhere,” Lennox added.

“The spell is rather helpful. I connected it to a special card I gave to Layton, a guide for the Guild. Originally I set up the card as a hidden communication portal to bypass a possible trace on phones. This time, I added a regular tiny portal to it for the transfer of birds. He says a code phrase to the card, I feel a buzz in my mind. Then I open a tiny portal to the card. Just enough to fit the messenger birds.” Solomon sent a received message back to Layton that would close the portal on the other end.

“Would it be possible to create them for agents?” Lennox asked.

“Probably.” Opening the first paper bird, Solomon realized it was four sheets with multiple styles of handwriting. “Looks like Layton got help to collect names and locations.” After reading the notes, he held it out. “Julian, lots more names and locations to add to the master report and map.”

“Ahh, excellent, was hoping Layton would end up with more names. We can narrow down the locations to be surrounded.” Julian was proud of stepping up to take over this vital part of the collection of information. “Oh, my leaves. He gathered a strong team. Names from all three sections.”

Solomon opened the next note and hastened to the last two birds.

“What is it?” Andre asked.

Solomon handed over the notes. “Carmine is condensing their members into their main headquarters. Layton believes they are planning something. Several trucks delivered multiple large boxes. There wasn’t a chance to check the contents. He has a few friends in place to listen in on the lower level members.”

“They’re consolidating. Something is in the works.”

“An attack?”

“Possibly.” Andre continued to read the notes. “Lennox, get our superiors on the line. I think we need to move up our plans. We can’t wait.”

“There are multiple pieces to move,” Lennox said. “As you suspected earlier, the center is where we need to focus our attack.”

“Part of me wishes I wasn’t right,” Solomon said.

“We’ll have to do it faster than we thought,” Andre said. “Get them on the line. We need to have a meeting.”

Lennox rose and left the area with his phone.

“Split up the plans into various areas. We’ll need teams to go after the known locations outside of Abbethan. Julian, you’re on that part. Emrys, Solomon, you’ll need to figure out how to get into the North to contact the laboratory and connect to all the gemstones. Then we’ll concentrate on attacking the headquarters,” Andre said.

“Got it,” Emrys said.

“Still have that issue with traveling for me,” Solomon said.

“We’ll make sure you have a clean identity booklet, tickets, and travel plans. Then we’ll figure out a simple, but effective disguise. You can’t use a spell because some borders have cleaner spells,” Andre said.

“Will it work?”

“I don’t know. Perhaps it’ll get you close enough for a fast portal,” Andre said and left the room.

“The Carnival,” Solomon muttered.

“What was that?” Emrys asked.

“I asked the Gloriosa if they could locate that mysterious carnival that was here.”

“Why?”

“The magic I felt inside that carnival could, hopefully, get me anywhere I need to. Or give me the right bit of magic to slip through the borders. If I can get to the carnival, I might have a better chance,” Solomon said.

“Either way, you can’t go anywhere until you head to the laboratory,” Emrys said.

Knowing that was the truth, Solomon nodded. “After traveling across the East, that’ll be my first stop. I’ll know for sure if I can cross close to the Central border. If there’s trouble, I’ll head for the carnival location. If there’s none, we can move straight to Abbethan.”

“But you will speak to Mac.”

“If he lets me, yes, I’ll explain everything to Mac. But?—”

“But?”

“You mentioned that every traveler to their realm requires permission.”

“Mac will not give it to you.”

“I don’t think so or he wouldn’t believe I was asking, especially so soon.”

“I’ll call Gray and explain what is happening. He’s the level-headed one,” Emrys said. “He’ll have to put the permission under whatever name is on this new identity booklet. And know that you’ll look a little different. Perhaps Cathrène can create a potion to alter things. I’ll message her.”

If anyone could figure out a spelled potion, the academy’s Head of Potions Cathrène Bordel would do it.

“Better do that first.” Emrys pulled out his communication device and messaged Cathrène. Instead of a text back, his phone rang. He put it on speaker so all of them could talk to her.

“What are you talking about, Emrys? Is this why the three of you have been squirreled away in Julian’s tree? Bella has been tied up in her office while everyone is being questioned and scanned. What is going on?” Cathrène asked.

“There’s a lot we can’t tell you due to confidentiality,” Emrys said. “We’re working with RASI. While Julian and I will be fine, Solomon could have trouble. He needs to pass through the borders, under a false identity booklet, and needs a disguise that will not get washed by the cleansing spells.”

“Oh my flames… Carmine?”

“How do you know that name, Cathrène?” Solomon asked.

“Bella’s my best friend. I know bits and pieces when she’s struggling and I’m there to calm her down and listen. It’s about them? Right?” Cathrène asked.

“Yes,” Solomon said, “but we can’t explain more.”

“Then I will not press. Need to know more about these potions. You need something to alter your appearance, but it can’t be a spell,” she said.

“Exactly. The border’s cleansing spells can cause havoc,” Solomon said. “I might need a few of them.”

“You don’t leave the East. You never travel outside the East.”

“That was for very specific reasons to maintain my safety. Now, I have to drop that safety and travel.”

“Where are you going?”

“I plan to travel across the East by mag-train, then deal with the border security to get to the North. I’ll travel across the northern realms. Then I might have to go somewhere else to find that mysterious Carnival, if it’s back.”

“If it’s not?”

“I’ll have to venture across the borders to the Central realm.”

“Right. There is an Elixir of Smoke than can last up to a week in the lower realms. Which we know are shorter days than Nucira,” Cathrène said.

“What will it do?”

“Depends on what you want. I’ll add the alterations while creating the potion.”

“How long do you need?”

“If I can use my graduate students, we can create them in two days,” Cathrène said.

“Use the graduates. I need at least four vials,” Solomon said. “What do you need from me? Andre is setting up a false identity booklet for me.”

“To create the base potion, three hairs from your head and five drops of blood. Once you have the coloring changes, I’ll need those details. Please tell Andre that the coloring change can’t be too drastic. I can lighten your hair and add highlights. I can lighten your eyes, but not change your prescription. Perhaps add a hazel effect instead of changing color. The same will happen with your skin coloring — dark or light.”

“I have contact lenses. And that’s fine with the coloring. I’ll let him know.”

“Do they have any coloring on the lenses?”

“No, these are clear ones.”

“You shouldn’t have an issue. Just take the potion ten minutes before putting in the contacts. That’ll give time for it to work. I’ll send over a student to collect the hairs and blood. Just put both in empty vials.”

“It’ll be ready in a half hour,” Solomon said. “Thank you, Cathrène.”

“I have only one caveat.”

“What’s that?”

“Don’t get yourself killed. Got it?”

“Yes, Professor, I’ll try not to let that happen.”

“One more thing.”

“Yes?”

“Get back together with that sexy scientist,” Cathrène said before she hung up.

“I need two vials for her.”

“They’ll be in Julian’s workroom. I’ll get them.” Emrys left the table and room.

After removing his glasses, Solomon dropped his head in his hands and let out a long sigh. All this planning was draining. They didn’t know if any of this would even work. Let alone if any of them would survive.

Then there was the whole mess with Cormac.

Even if he could make it to the laboratory, would Cormac even want to talk to him? After all the hurt he done to Cormac, he couldn’t put any blame on him for staying away. For telling him no more. There was a lot of distance he would have to fix and bridge.

“Sol?”

Lifting his head, Solomon blinked through the fuzziness. Then he replaced his glasses to see Andre and Lennox were back. There was a young graduate student with them.

“Greetings, Professor Windham, I’m Greggory. Professor Bordel sent me for the vials,” Greggory said.

“Still working on that. It’s been chaotic here,” Solomon said.

Emrys returned with the vials and a small kit. He opened one vial for Solomon, who plucked three head hairs. Then he tucked them into the vial and sealed it. Emrys took out a needle. Solomon stuck out his finger. After a quick prick, Emrys squeezed out five drops of blood. Then he sealed the vial.

“Thank you. I’ll bring the bottles back here when we’re done.” Greggory scooped up the vials. He tucked them away in his jumper’s pocket.

“Appreciate it, Greggory. Thank the professor again.” Solomon healed the tiny puncture.

Emrys took care of the clean-up.

“Will do, Professor.” Greggory hurried out of the home.

“What was that all about?” Andre asked while he sat down again.

“Cathrène Bordel can create a special potion that will alter my appearance and not be washed away with a cleansing spell. It can’t be a dramatic change. It’ll lighten my hair with highlights. Then I can lighten my eyes with a hazel coloring. I’ll wear contacts while traveling,” Solomon said.

“Excellent. I’ll add that to the new identity booklet. We can add a picture after you take the potion to finish it.” Andre tapped out a message. “Our team will set it up now.”

“I’ll need a mag-train ticket across the East to the border. Then I’ll need passage through to Gledinium. Depending on what happens there, I’ll set up the tickets or find another way to travel,” Solomon said.

“I’ll call Gray and make sure he sets up permission at the border, but I need the name on the identity booklet,” Emrys said.

“I’ll get the new identity booklet tomorrow. What about you and Julian?” Andre continued to tap replies on his phone.

“We’re fine traveling as a couple. We have done it these last few annuals to see my family throughout the realms,” Emrys said. “My last name removes most issues.”

“Right. That’s a positive in our favor,” Andre said.

“What did your superiors say?” Julian asked.

“They agreed to move things forward. Everyone needs to get ready to leave by the weekend. We’ll keep in contact throughout and adjust the schedule to reach the center. One sticking point will be Solomon’s ability to travel, but even if we have to take over a border crossing, we’ll get you through it,” Andre said.

“We’ll take control of sticky borders if it means pushing through to get the job done. Especially if we realize the border agents are Carmine. They’ll be arrested and imprisoned. Our agents will take over the crossing,” Lennox said.

“The plans need finalizing. Then everyone can pack,” Julian said.

“Start with the outer realms. We’ll get those agents moving into position and take those down first. Nice and quiet. Then everyone transfers to Central so we’ll have the better numbers,” Andre said.

“I like that idea.” Julian pulled out the maps and flicked them open. “Let’s start in the West.”