Chapter 24

CHAPTER 24

F eeling someone kneel down near him, Solomon turned his head a little. Luckily, it was Emrys who reached him first. Emrys, Julian, and Andre would care more for his well-being than pushing forward to keep a schedule. His three friends would understand how taxing this entire day would be on his body. Plus, if they screwed up, Cormac would pounce on them for ignoring all the health rules he laid out.

“How bad is it?” Emrys asked while he moved around his satchel that held various items to support their efforts.

“Close to burnout,” Solomon admitted.

“Got it. Just stay put and breathe.” Emrys dug into the satchel and pulled out something. “Here. Hold on to this one.” He placed a glowing laumeldite in Solomon’s hand. “Slowly draw in the energy. Slow. Don’t overwhelm your system. Otherwise I need to call Mac or Gray to the field. Neither one will be happy if they see you in shambles. Nor do I want to get pounced and smacked by Mac. He’s quite protective of your health since your poisoning.”

“How bad…” Solomon breathed while he rocked back to a regular sitting position. “Do I look?”

“Pale and a little gray around the edges.” Emrys wrapped Solomon’s fingers around the laumeldite. “Draw in the energy. Carefully. Let it be absorbed.”

With every draw of breath, Solomon absorbed some of the energy stored in the gemstone. After much discussion, it was decided that others would hold on to the stored energy gems and pass them around as needed. If one came this close to burnout, like Solomon, he wouldn’t be able to open a magical pocket.

By the second gem, he was able to get back to his feet. Emrys fed him some of those famous Cadogan family nutrient-rich bars and a special tea. After two more gems, Solomon could create mageballs and other elements. He sent the used gemstones into the ground knowing the vines would use them.

“Better?” Emrys asked.

“Good to continue.” Solomon motioned to Andre. “Have the teams drop off the bags. Emrys, have your family call the points for the circle.”

Both men followed through with the orders.

Crouching down, Solomon pressed his hands to the ground. This time to make a vital connection to the native vines and gemstones. He sent a gentle pulse of energy. /My name is Solomon. I’m an arcane mage. I’m here with others — mages, regulars, and your fellow vines — to revive you and restore the realm back to the truth./

There was some distant mutterings.

::The Meltosse is regrowing. Unable to respond. We will watch over them. Continue with your plan. We will assist with the rebuilding under the ground,:: the Gloriosa responded.

Then all the vines lowered back into the ground.

The RASI agents lowered the shield while everyone moved off to the shadows of a combination of Raven Yews with their unique glossy black leaves and the fragrance from the Flemany Cedars that radiated from the rich red bark and sleek reddish green leaves.

“Drink some more while the others set things in motion.” Emrys handed over the tea container.

Solomon drank more of the delicious tea that assisted with restoring magical energy and strength. An herbal mix created by the Cadogans over generations. He remembered Emrys drinking the tea exclusively while striving to save Julian and the grove.

“Bags are dropped. Ready to be sent down in the ground,” Andre said.

Solomon crouched again with Emrys next to him. Together, they reached out their energies to locate the bags. Then they drew the bags down into the ground at the cardinal points. Emrys concentrated on opening the bags while Solomon spread out the gems.

The protection circle settled into place and glistened above the grass.

“Gems are set. Circle in place,” Emrys said.

“Go for the extra gems,” Andre said.

Pulling the last collection of gems from his magic pocket, Solomon dropped the bag. Breaking it apart, he sent the gems deep and matched them to each sentient protector.

Underneath, the vines spread out to collect their gems. At the same time, they supported and coaxed the withered vines back to life and soak up all the arcane energy.

The native vines become stronger until they reached out and touched his mind. :: We are the Winterberry Meltosse Creeping Vine, the lost protector of the Sapphire Brilliance Ferdolite. We thank you for your arcane energy and other gifts. Now we must strengthen and will speak again.::

::We will continue to care for them. Take down the darkness,:: the Gloriosa said while the vines curled around the withered Meltosse and swirled underneath Solomon’s hands.

“Gems sent. Connection made with vines,” Solomon reported.

“Send the compulsion spell,” Andre ordered.

Since their magical strengths were lessened due to age, Thurston and Ewen created a mageball with their combined energy. They used it as the foundation for the compulsion spell to draw in any lingering suspects. Sending the glimmering white, blue, and green ball high into the air, the elderly mages triggered the release. When the ball exploded, a wave of energy flowed out in every direction.

Andre continued to receive reports from all around.

While waiting, Solomon sent another pulse deep to build on the progress.

“Heads up. We have activity happening. Guards are stepping out,” Andre said.

While the compulsion spell began to confuse all the Carmine, Solomon drew his magic to build the containment barrier.

“Crowds building and spreading out. Go, Solomon.”

Releasing his magic, Solomon poured all of his strength into the barrier. A massive bubble rose from the ground. The edges appeared out of the fog and high in the air until it closed. White and blue shades glistened and swirled when some Carmine members sent fireball shots against it.

Dressed in more elaborate uniforms, five Carmine members stepped out.

“Who are those fancy fellows?” Emrys asked.

“The justicars underneath the Prime Justicar and his Shield,” Victoria said.

“Shield?”

“The one in the middle with the fancy shield emblem on his cloak. That’s the Prime’s protector and general,” she explained. “The other justicars are in charge of the four sections, East, West, North, South. They decide what will or should happen.”

“Doesn’t always work in the East and North,” Emrys said.

“No, but that is their role,” Victoria said.

“Looks like they want a talk. Shall we join them? Try a little diplomacy?” Thurston asked.

“We shall join you,” Fionnuala said.

“Good luck with the talk,” Emrys said.

“Not going to do a thing,” Solomon muttered.

“Never did before,” Andre added.

After the justicars walked across the yard to the inner barrier. “Who dares to contain our home?” one of the justicars stated.

Victoria and Thurston stepped forward along with Fionnuala and Ewen. Stopping on their side of the barrier, they faced the Carmine.

“We represent the Consortium,” Fionnuala said while she stood with Ewen.

“And we represent the Guild of the Blind Eye,” Victoria called out while she stepped next to Thurston.

Thurston moved his hands and created a spell to amplify the voices for all to hear. Especially the hidden media around the edges.

Solomon moved off to the side for a better view. He sensed Emrys and Julian moving with him.

“You are not welcomed on our lawn, Victoria,” the justicar with the shield emblem said after stepping forward.

“Murdoch, of course you would be the shadow behind your brother. Like always,” Victoria said.

“I am my brother’s Shield and I stand for him,” Murdoch replied. “What are you doing here, Victoria?”

“Where is the Prime?”

“Not out here. Nor would he care to deal with his former wife. You betrayed everything?—”

“Do not start with betrayal, Murdoch,” Victoria snapped.

With that exchange, Solomon realized who the justicar was and his relation to Victoria. But also the man’s relation to him. He wiggled his fingers so he didn’t clench them in fists.

“Done with this exchange. What do you want?” Murdoch Rackley, the Shield Justicar, asked.

“We demand the surrender of the Society of the Carmine Knot. To maintain civility and a diplomatic situation without causing anyone harm. All within the Society will step down from all government, justice, or other positions throughout all the realms. The Prime Justicar will step out and present himself to the RASI, who will take him into custody. Along with any others we decide shall face justice,” Thurston ordered.

“Consortium justice,” Fionnuala added.

“We will not yield or surrender to anyone. Nor will we comply with any diplomatic demands or reasonings. Not when the Society has the upper hand on this field. The Prime will never approve a full surrender to anyone,” Murdoch said. “Let alone to the Guild. The Consortium no longer has a place in the realms. Lost in your hidden realm, you have no touch or position within the rest of the realms. All of the realms will soon be under the control of our Prime Justicar.”

“We shall see who the relevant ones are today,” Ewen said.

“Once again. We order that you leave our territory.” Murdoch raised his hands. He shot flashes of lightning toward the sky and containment bubble to augment his words. “Now!”

“We have no intentions of leaving,” Ewen said.

“Then we shall have to make you understand the Society of the Carmine Knot will never leave the realms.” With that statement, Murdoch motioned to the other justicars to return to the building. One the way, he leaned close to a tall man in dark robes with the Carmine symbol. Knowing the enhancement spell remained, he ordered, “Destroy them. Except for the Consortium and Guild Sentinels. Not to mention my former sister-in-law. We need to make an example of them.”

The Carmine soldier bowed in respect. “As ordered, my Shield.”

“And now comes the fight for freedom and truth,” Ewen said.

Thurston removed the spell while throwing up a shield to protect their exit from the meeting.

With that last order broadcast, everyone knew what was about to happen.