Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12

W alking through the impressive RASI facilities in Ibemar, Solomon checked out everything while following the others. Leaving the mag-lift, he stepped out into the expansive front entrance atrium.

There was a buzzing noise in his head. It was a quick repeating pattern. He recognized it was coming from one of the card connections.

“Hold up, everyone,” he called out.

“What is it?” Andre asked.

“Card call.” Solomon whispered a spell to connect the call. “This is Solomon.”

“It’s Layton. Can you talk?” Layton said in a whispered tone.

“Are you in a safe place?” Solomon asked.

“I am. Everyone with you?”

“They still are. We’re in a RASI office. Hold on a moment.” Solomon altered the spell. He cupped his hands to create a ‘speaker.’ “Go ahead. Everyone can hear you.”

Emrys created a quick rune to keep the conversation private and let it spin above them.

“Good to speak with you, Layton. This is Andre. I’m one of the RASI agents,” Andre said. “What’s happening?”

“A trusted friend overheard some goons discuss the Carmine’s plans. Almost bragging about it. This couldn’t wait for a bird message,” Layton said.

“Layton. What’s happening?” Solomon asked.

“Remember that flyer you showed us?”

“Yes, the one that spoke about the children and academies.”

“Our biggest fears are coming true. They’re going after the academies.”

“What?”

“Your academy was the last one they wanted to locate and that thrice blasted guide led them to you,” Layton said with a slight snarl of anger.

“What do you mean they’re coming after the academies? What are they planning to do?” Julian asked. His eyes widened in fear.

“The squads are going to rush through multiple portals on each academy. They’ll overrun security, killing anyone that stands against them, and forcefully enter. Once they have full control, they’ll gather the students and professors. Each one will be scanned to see who is arcane,” Layton said. Now his voice shook with fear.

“Were they bragging about harming the children or professors?” Andre asked.

“They joked about roughing up the adults. At the moment, the plan is to discover who is arcane and pull them aside. After that, my friend heard nothing,” Layton said.

“Did your friend overhear when this is happening?” Andre asked.

“The upcoming solstice. The Carmine leaders can draw in maximum power to open all the portals. They’re starting from the headquarters. The outer stations are being emptied. Everyone is traveling to Abbethan,” Layton said. “I was mistaken. We don’t need to attack all these smaller outlying areas.”

“We must control them in case anyone escapes, but it will not take as many to accomplish if those places are emptied. My partner and I will re-organize the teams and send everyone to Central.” Andre studied the others. “We’ll hit back the night before or day of the solstice.”

“Should we send more security to the academies?” Julian asked.

“No, that would alert the Carmine and all could be changed. The academies are being watched. Discreetly,” Layton said. “Even your academy, Solomon, but far beyond the wards. I think a team is Rosemire Village.”

“They can’t get through the wards. I increased the protective weave and everything is anchored deep,” Solomon said.

“That’s part of their orders. They test the wards and figure out how to punch through. Make sure you lock down the landing zones for the mag-train and airships. Some sneak in there to get around the wards,” Layton said.

Solomon cursed under his breath. “I’ll alert the security. Spread this knowledge out for everyone to adjust their wards and step up security.”

“RASI will handle that. We know who to contact,” Andre said.

“What about us?” Layton asked.

“Can your friend keep close to those talkative fellas?”

“Of course, they’re in her tavern. She’ll hand over all the beer they want to drink and keep them talking without knowing what she’s doing,” Layton said. “I’ll tell her to keep in place and listen. The rest of us will prepare for everyone’s arrival around Abbethan.”

“Most will appear in the outer central realms. Then push into Abbethan on the day of the attack. We’ll keep you updated,” Andre said.

“I’ll meet you at the landing zones or tell you to alter them. With all the Carmine folks arriving, things will get chaotic. We’ll shift things around,” Layton said. “We’ll be ready on our end.”

“I’ll send you a list of everyone’s contact information, since we’ll be splitting up,” Solomon said. “We need to leave for the stations. I’ll send it when I’m on the mag-train.”

“Will keep a lookout.”

“Stay safe. That’s for you and the group of friends you gathered. This will be over soon,” Andre said.

“Good journey. All of you,” Layton said. Then he disconnected on his end of the card.

Solomon cleared out the spell. “The academies… My…” He rubbed a hand down his face. When he glanced around his small group, all of them were stunned at what they heard.

“Dark flames of mercy,” Julian said. He was almost shaking while he leaned against Emrys, who wrapped an arm around him.

“I’ll get the word out, I promise,” Andre said. “We’ll never let the academies be attacked. The Consortium will come down hard if they dare to follow through with those plans. That’s going a step too far.”

“We need to move out or we’ll miss our connections,” Lennox said.

“Do you want to return home?” Emrys asked Julian. “I can manage our section.”

“No. I can remain at your side,” Julian said. “We can create an emergency portal home. Bella will know what to do.”

“Then we’ll continue with our current plans. Lennox and I will alter the rest of the plans regarding the outlying stations,” Andre said.

After everyone agreed, Emrys snapped his fingers to dissolve the spinning rune.

Startled by the update, Solomon knew they had no other choice but to continue. This enhanced the absolute need to strike first. With a breath, he followed the group through the sunny atrium to the doors.

“Good journey, everyone. Meet in the outer central realms at least three days before the solstice in Esterville, Abbethan. That’s—” Andre did something with his device. Then he said the date for everyone to remember. “If we hit before the Solstice, it’s a new moon. Harder for them. Better for arcane.”

“Don’t forget to change your watches to make sure the date is set,” Lennox reminded.

In agreement with the slight alteration, they split apart before stepping through the doors.

Outside, Solomon pulled in a deep breath of air filled with large city scents full of people, vehicles, and magic. Then came the overwhelming noise. Rolling his shoulders, he raised a hand for one of the mag-cabs. After one rolled up to the sidewalk, he slid in the back.

“Afternoon. Where can I take you?” the cabbie asked.

“Goldenleaf Mag-Train Station,” Solomon said.

“Going on a trip?”

“Yes, sir, to the North. Need to look at some old books recently recovered.”

“Books?”

“I’m the Council’s librarian and museum curator. It’s my job to look at and care for our realms’ history. Had to get some information out of RASI before traveling. Either government or RASI will tug you around.” Solomon kept his answers to his new background.

“Don’t I know that, sir. One license or another with them. You have what sounds like a grand job, sir,” the cabbie said while he wove his mag-cab back into the traffic. The mag-levers underneath connecting to the woven streets to create a smooth ride.

“It has its moments.” Leaning back, Solomon watched Strafield’s streets fly by the glass.

Moments later, the cabbie pulled into the area designated for mag-cabs and parked. He set the timer and called out the amount.

Solomon pulled out enough krepham marks for the ride and tip. Then he folded and slid them into the slot. “Appreciate the ride.”

“Good journey, sir,” the cabbie said while he collected the funds. He smiled and nodded at the extra touch. “Appreciate the tip.”

Sliding out of the car with his satchel and coat, Solomon slung the satchel’s strap cross-body and secured it with a sticky spell. Then he stood still, not caring that he was blocking anyone else. If he went any further, he knew he might not return to the East.

Exhaling, he took his first step forward on the long journey with an unknown ending.