Chapter 23

CHAPTER 23

D eeper in the city, the mages sent out a light fog to spread throughout the streets and across the gardens and field around the Liontooth. In the low light of the morning, the day of the new moon, the fog would cover their movements.

At the edge of the alley, Solomon waited with one group. Andre was in charge of their section. Emrys and Julian were with them. Cormac and Grayson held back with the healers, but could join the battle if their specialized druidic skills were needed.

Leaning against the building corner, Solomon studied the elegant gardens with a majestic fountain in the middle. Just beyond was the rather ugly building that was their ultimate destination. All around, he could catch a glimpse of other groups waiting in the alleys.

Andre stepped forward to begin the movement out to place the anchor point stones.

Sensing something, Solomon said, “Hold up a moment.” He placed a hand on the ground.

“What is it?” Andre asked.

“I need to go to the gardens.”

“What?”

“The gardens. I need to go there first.”

“That’s not?—”

Solomon looked at Andre. “I’m being pulled to the gardens. I can’t resist it. Let me go.”

Andre held up his hands. “I’ll alert the others to the side quest. Emrys, go with him. Keep an eye out since it’ll be harder to spot anything in this fog.”

Stepping up, his tall staff in hand, Emrys nodded to Solomon. “After you. Julian and I can sense that Gloriosa is here. Along with a lot of other sentient voices.”

“Could be what I’m sensing,” Solomon said while they walked across the street to the arched entrance of the Elysian Gardens. He stepped through and looked around. The misty fog swirled around him, but he parted the wisps with a soft breeze.

Covered with climbing vines and roses, the arches opened into an ornate plot of moss-covered grass contoured by ancient flower bushes and shrubs. A fountain — six cloaked figures in a circle with an upper level of birds — was prominently placed in the front of the garden. The upper level of birds spouted water in the air and offered birds and insects a place to drink. The smaller flower bushes are well looked after, but still allowed plenty of space to grow in the tended beds. The flower bushes and shrubs are all mature. Additional archways overgrown with flowers are scattered throughout the garden, leading visitors to the best spots. Grass, roots, and vines work together almost harmoniously to claim more land for themselves.

Following the path, Solomon studied the fountain carefully. The cloaked figures were an intriguing choice at the center. The fog added to the mysterious effect of the entire fountain that was the focal point with patterned walkways and benches surrounding it. The smaller flower bushes did their best to take some of the attention, and the flower bushes and shrubs did attract some attention, but nothing beat the majesty of the fountain. There were several marble stones around it with engravings but all were either faded, covered by moss or pieces of the shrubs.

Crouching by one of the stones, Solomon sent another breeze to open the fog while he brushed away the moss and stared at the engraving. It was a name. An ancient name.

“What is it?” Emrys asked.

“My family’s name. Spencer.” Solomon moved around and discovered there were more names. He glanced at the cloaked figures and the names. “It’s them. Or a representation of them. The Circle of Elysium.”

“Why would it be here? In front of that building,” Emrys said.

“I don’t know…” Sensing something in the ground, Solomon used another breeze to create an opening across the garden and into the field. As the fog shifted, he pointed across the garden. “Look, Emrys.”

A familiar set of glossy green vines punched up at the far edge of the garden where there was a grassy field before the flower beds that went around the Liontooth. Then three more sets of vines broke free and waved.

“Gloriosa?” Emrys asked.

“I believe so,” Solomon said while he moved through the garden and allowed the vines to touch him and Emrys.

The vines made their connections.

::The sentient vines of all the realms are here to assist in the rebirth of the Central Realms. All have heeded our call and traveled far to combine our strength and revive our oldest friends. The first of our kind,:: Gloriosa said to both of them.

/I thought you were the first,/ Solomon asked.

::We are the oldest at the moment. The first of our kind lay here in this realm, the first set created by the Elysium. Only they have faded and withered while the rest of us spread our strength and continue to protect our realms.::

/Can you sense the vines? The gemstones?/

::They are here, but broken, faded, and withered to almost nothing. Forgotten,:: Gloriosa said.

/Do you know their names?/

::The gemstones are called Sapphire Brilliance Ferdolite. They are a brilliant blue color. Their protector and sentient vines are the Winterberry Meltosse Creeping Vine. They answer to Meltosse.

Dearest arcane mage, like the arcane mages of old, it is up to you to save our dear friends. You must send waves of arcane magic into the ground and awaken the Meltosse. Feed them your energy. Give them something to grasp and return to life,:: the Wild Laceflower Fozlane Vines added.

/But I need to set the containment spell. That will take all my strength./

::Without the rise of the vines and the inherent gemstone power, no spell will take hold,:: Fozlane explained . ::The bags of our gemstones will assist with anchor points, but only if the native gemstone is awake.::

Pulling back, Solomon turned to Emrys.

“Do it. We have the energy stores to restore you,” Emrys said.

“What is happening?” Julian asked when he appeared with others. “My Gloriosa, you are here. So far from Nucira.” He caressed the vines. “Who are your friends?”

“Darling…” Emrys said with a smile. “Need to focus.”

“Oh, yes, sorry,” Julian said, but mentally connected to the vines.

“The others want to know what is happening. Continue with the plan. Hold?” Andre broke cover and raced over with three other RASI agents.

“Slight alteration.” Solomon caught Andre’s gaze. “Need to awaken the vines and stones. According to the other vines, things are a little worse than believed. The native gemstones and vines are faded and withered.”

“Which means?”

“Unless we awaken and power up the native gemstones, no spell will anchor to the ground. Even with the gemstones.”

“That’s a problem. How do we awaken them?”

“I fire my energy into the ground.”

“Do what you have too.” Andre created a sight shield with other RASI mages. “Between the fog and these shields, no one around can see us.”

“Back everyone up. I don’t want to hit anyone with the energy. Not quite sure what will happen here,” Solomon said.

Emrys grabbed hold of Julian and pulled him away from the vines.

Andre and the other agents did the same along with their shield and barrier combination.

The Gloriosa and Fozlane vines wrapped around Solomon’s legs to anchor him.

Drawing in as much energy as possible, a white glow encircled Solomon. Then the glow altered and changed into flames that covered him. Opening his arms wide and over his head, Solomon shoved the flames into the ground.

::Again. Again. Like a beating heart.::

Groaning, Solomon continued to draw up his magic and send it into the ground and deep into the rocks and gemstones. Again. Again. Again. Nearing magical burnout, he sent a final massive wave down and collapsed to his knees.

“Solomon! Blast the leaves.” Emrys raced over to tend to his friend.

“Did. It. Work?” Solomon asked between heaving breaths.

Julian walked closer and tilted his head. “Yes. The vines are able to reach the native ones. They claim the native gems are glowing with power and it is spreading.”

Dropping until his forehead brushed the ground, Solomon tried to remember how to breathe. He waved at the fog as the wisps rolled back in to cover the ground, but it was futile. The soft cloud brushed against him.