Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21

F ollowing Errante’s directions, they entered the Fun House and discovered the Emergency Exit door at the rear. Luckily, they didn’t get lost in the regular maze.

Placing his hand on the handle, Solomon glanced at Mac. “Ready?”

“I trust in his magic. It’s warm and inviting. This will work,” Mac said.

Blowing out a breath, Solomon opened the door. On the other side was a beautifully maintained lawn that shimmered under the crescent moon. If this truly was Abbethan, they were running out of time for the dark of the moon. Looking around, Solomon stepped further out but kept one hand on the door.

Mac stepped outside and turned around to get a full view. “There’s a large manor home in the shadows. I can make it out. I think we’re here.”

“‘The eyes are useless—” someone called out.

“‘When the mind is blind,’” Solomon finished the simple quote to confirm their presence.

“What is that?” Mac whispered.

“Security code. We’re safe.” Solomon released his hold on the door. The door closed, hung briefly in mid-air, and disappeared. Then he quietly whispered his thanks to the carnival’s owner.

Layton appeared out of the shadows. “Look at you appearing out of a door from the middle of nowhere.”

“Thanks to the Carnival of Mysteries.”

“A carnival?”

“We’ll explain later. What is this place?”

“The estate and home of one of the Guild’s leaders. It’s a known safe home when there aren’t many options. The lady of the manor is a well-respected member of high society here in Esterville,” Layton said.

“The capital of Abbethan. Can’t believe we made it here,” Solomon said.

“You wanted to get in close.”

“How close are we to the Carmine’s headquarters?”

“The Liontooth Bastion is a big marble and brick encased building located on the other side of the capital.” Layton motioned toward the general location in the distance. “It’s placed at one end of the Elysian Gardens, the opposite end from the massive fountain. But there’s enough open ground around the building that we can easily surround it on all sides. The council’s capital is the next block over along with the justice building and the RASI building.”

“So the Carmine can keep a close watch on all of them.”

“Unfortunately, yes, that’s how it worked out. But the Elysian Gardens is an old, mature garden with historical records stating it appeared after the creation of the realms. There had been another building, some records called it a temple, but no one can remember it except for what it looks like now.” Layton circled his hand. “Follow me. The others are waiting inside to meet you.”

“Who are they?”

“A good collection of folks want to meet you.”

Solomon glanced at Mac, who shrugged.

“I’m in the dark with you,” Mac said.

Layton glanced at him.

“Sorry. Steamrolled past all the introductions,” Mac said and held out his hand. “I’m Cormac Wyn. Call me Mac.”

“Oh, right. You’re with that Grayson fella,” Layton said and shook Mac’s hand.

“He’s my cousin, along with Emrys. You met him.”

“Yes, he’s been around, able to go back and forth through the portals and gates without any issues. He’s setting up all those special labs and medic centers.” Spinning, Layton led them across the carefully landscaped garden.

“I’ll need to make my way to him to see what else I can do,” Mac said.

“He knew you would say that and told me to tell you something.”

“Which is?”

“Stay with Solomon,” Layton said.

Mac glanced at Solomon.

“Guess he thinks I need you more,” Solomon said.

“Do you?”

“All the time.”

“Then I’ll stay,” Mac said and took Solomon’s hand.

Reaching the rear of the beautiful old manor home, they crossed a detailed paver-covered patio. There was a glass-enclosed sunroom. Someone, still in shadows, opened one of the doors.

“Welcome to the Moonriver Manor,” a man intoned in a deep accented voice.

“Greetings, Roland,” Layton said. “This is Roland, the butler of the Manor. Roland, these are our guests, Solomon Windham and Cormac Wyn.”

“A pleasure to meet you both,” the butler said with a slight bow. “All the guest rooms are prepared for anyone who needs one. They are waiting in the drawing room, Mister Layton.”

“I’ll take them through.” Layton motioned for Solomon and Mac to follow him.

“If there is anything else you need, don’t hesitate to ask,” Roland said when they passed him.

“Thank you,” Mac said.

Solomon moved his fingers around Mac’s hand, but maintained their grip.

“Easy. We’ll be safe here,” Mac whispered.

Following Layton, they reached a decorated drawing room with the lights kept low. Three separate shadows stood in front of the large windows that overlooked another moonlit garden section. Each one wore a cloak.

“I collected our guests as you requested,” Layton said with a bow. “May I present Professor Solomon Windham, the arcane mage, and Doctor Cormac Wyn of the Cad-Wyn Laboratories, a druid and earth mage.”

“Greetings and welcome to Moonriver Manor. We are the Sentinels of the Guild of the Blind Eye. Long have we known your name, Solomon Windham, and the Academy of the Arcane Arts in Nucira Realm along with your long-standing and respected positions within the Guild,” a man said in a deep rich tenor. He snapped his fingers and the wall sconces flared to brighten the entire room. A fire crackled to life in the fireplace, but kept low.

The man stepped ahead and pushed back the hood of his cloak. His hair was snow white and full along with a close-cut white beard that framed a golden brown face. His face was strong, but careworn with life with hazel eyes that missed nothing.

“Greetings.” Solomon waved his hand. “Your home is beautiful.”

“Thank you, but this is not my home,” the man said. “My name is Thurston Blome, the Prime Sentinel of the Guild. My family created the Guild along with three others after another family twisted all the histories of the realms during their creation of the Carmine.”

Another cloaked figure stepped forward and removed their hood to reveal another older man. His hair was a salt-n-pepper mix and a bit fluffy, almost like it was the last thing the man cared for during a day. While his face was wrinkled and paler, his eyes remained a sharp blue behind his gold-rimmed glasses. “Greetings to you, I am the Historian and Secondary Sentinel of the Guild. My name is Percival Rawson.”

“The home belongs to my family and I welcome you again to the Moonriver Manor. I am the Tertiary Sentinel of the Guild,” the third figure said. The lovely voice revealed she was a lady while she joined the men. “My name is Victoria Emmeline Spencer MacCoghlan. I am your mother, my dearest son.” She removed the cloak’s hood and let the entire cloak fall. Dressed in a simple, but elegant deep blue gown with embroidery around the scoop neckline and sleeves while a silver and blue vest pulled in her waist and supported her body, she smiled at Solomon. Her golden hair was gathered into an elegant twist design and secured while her bright blue eyes sparkled against pale skin. Clasping long fingered slim hands, she tilted her head while she stared at Solomon.

Wavering at the sound of the voice and name, Solomon leaned toward Mac. “You knew this was the house,” Solomon whispered.

“I got you.” Reacting fast, Mac moved his arms around Solomon to steady him. “Yes. I recognized the name of the manor from my earlier search.”

“Before we begin all this discussion of spies and battles, I first desired to meet the son I lost.” Victoria stepped closer to them. “Even with the alterations, I can see the boy, my precious son, in your face. You have become such a strong young man.” She paused and moved her hand to touch him, but Solomon leaned back. A bit of disappointment flared in her eyes, but she didn’t press the matter. “I’m pleased they kept your name as Solomon for that is what I always called you. Never his name that he demanded I give you upon your birth. You were Solomon. Always. In my heart.”

“There is no time to reminiscence on memories, Victoria,” Thurston said.

“Another time we will speak.” Victoria returned to the others.

The men removed their cloaks and laid them across a nearby chair.

“There is little time for discussion, but we shall try to answer any questions before we return to the planning,” Thurston said.

“If Layton updated you on what happened in Nucira during a delivery, then you know you have a spy, possibly several ones, mixed within the upper ranks. Unless they are discovered, anything we discuss could be taken to the Carmine,” Solomon said.

“Layton did explain everything and we agreed with his assessment. We discovered there is a spy among the Sentinels,” Thurston said.

“What? How could that happen? Who?”

“It is the Quaternary Sentinel, Leonard Sackville. Due to an illness with his heart, he was losing his magic and became lost in his beliefs or our important role. Unfortunately, a member of the Carmine promised they could heal him, but only if he informed them of everything. To save his own life, Leonard betrayed us. He told them everything he knew about the Guild and how to infiltrate our ranks.”

“Where is he now?”

“Kept in a confined space within the Consortium realm while we decide what to do with him,” Thurston said.

“Obviously the Carmine had no better healers than what you had access too,” Cormac said.

“We actually had our healer contact your partner, Dr. Cadogan, for a consultation. There is nothing that can be done for him, but he wouldn’t listen to either reason or the truth,” Thurston said.

“When he tried to portal in Carmine members to attack us, we realized the danger was far more severe. Luckily, we managed to close the portal before the Carmine entered and placed Leonard under lock-down,” Percival added.

“What else happened? If I may ask,” Solomon asked.

“All testing bureaus are closed until further notice. Guild safe houses were emptied and closed. As the Quaternary, Leonard was in charge of the guides and the locations of testing bureaus. He did not have access to the safe houses, but we added them as a precaution,” Percival said.

“Though the Quaternary line was Layton’s official way to contact the Sentinels, he didn’t follow that path. Which prevented a serious problem from expanding,” Thurston said.

“And possibly my own life. Out of all the Sentinels, I trusted our Tertiary Sentinel, Lady Spencer. I connected directly with her and explained everything that happened in Nucira with the boy and the guide, Helene, and went on from there,” Layton said.

“As anyone could expect, I didn’t quite believe what was happening, but in time and thought, I believed him,” Victoria said to continue the story. “I went straight to Percival, because as Historian, he didn’t have a specific line of access to the entire Guild. All of the documents are magically transported to his secured wing. That magical document portal is routinely inspected for alterations or hidden spells. When he confirmed things, we spoke with Thurston.”

“Once we understood what was happening, we traveled to the Consortium and spoke with Lady MacNia,” Thurston said.

“Fionnuala MacNia?” Mac asked.

“Yes. Do you know the lady?”

“She’s my nana,” Mac said.

“I also know Lady MacNia because of her visit to Nucira,” Solomon said.

“Then you know we could trust her,” Victoria said.

“With her known defiance against the Carmine, yes, I understand,” Mac said. “We are lucky and privileged to have her as our matriarch.”

“While my scribes and I went through several inquiries, it was determined the breach happened within Leonard’s office. When we confronted him, he tried to set up the portal,” Percival said. “After he was detained, my scribes and I completed a search through his entire wing. There were an immense amount of documents and interactions with the Carmine. Far more than any of us could have imagined.”

“Where is all that paperwork?” Mac asked.

“We transferred it here where we hope it can assist all of you and RASI in the investigation and planning,” Thurston said.

Rubbing his temples, Solomon wondered how far, how deep the deceit went in the Guild. Could they even trust the Sentinels?

“Please follow us.”

There was a gentle tug on his hand.

Blinking, Solomon looked around and at Mac.

“Are you all right?” Mac whispered.

“Lost in thought.” Solomon glanced at the blonde woman who called herself his mother. And he her son.

Victoria. Deep within his mind, he kept her in the box labeled Victoria . It was the only way to remain sane and concentrate on what he needed.

Victoria motioned to a pair of interior French doors. “Please join us. You don’t have to fight this alone. Not with your friends.”

“Pardon?”

“You’re not my first uninvited guests this evening,” she said. “Come along.” She opened the door and voices echoed out.

“Who…” Tilting his head, Solomon paused.

Releasing their hands, Mac went ahead. “Oh dear flames… What… How did you all get here?” He laughed and disappeared into the room.

“Nothing is better than having friends. Good ones who stand by you through anything,” Victoria said.

“And others that are considered family. A chosen one instead of relying on blood.”