Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

D ays later, they remained in the tree house.

At first, there were some difficulties in the planning and pulling all the information together. A lot of sources were hidden or unknown. Andre and Lennox weren’t sure what information could be trusted. Even Solomon’s Guild notes were scattered in spite of his attempts of organization. When they could finally write down a growing list of all the missing or dead RASI agents, along with other known arcane users, the loss overwhelmed them. It was far worse than anyone in the Guild even suspected or realized.

Utilizing the special portal connection through that magical card Solomon gave him, Layton sent paper ‘birds’ through it. The card guided the portal straight to wherever Solomon was located. Once unfolded, Solomon read through the lists of Carmine spies or conspirators in multiple locations that Layton discovered. There were only a couple of names on the first bird. Then, with each new bird, the number continued to increase. Far more than anyone expected. One location was where the poor boy tested. It shut down ‘for inspection’ after the parents picked up the body.

Studying the map, they were plotting and building based on the locations of known Carmine members, sanctuaries, and meeting places, Solomon realized he would have to enter the Central realm for the confrontation. His stomach flipped and dropped at that basic knowledge.

“What is wrong?” Emrys asked.

“I have to physically be in the Central realms,” Solomon said.

“We don’t know that.”

“Why do you think it has to be done in Central?” Andre asked.

“It’s their primary location. The heart of the society. Everything started there. It has to end there.”

“Which is why we should avoid it and capture them somewhere else,” Julian said.

“But we will not discover all the secrets,” Solomon said.

“Where would it be?” Andre asked.

Solomon flicked in a piece of paper and pointed his finger at a close-up map of the main central realm, the first realm, called Abbethan. He turned over the paper that revealed a drawing of a popular building. The headquarters of the Carmine. “We go here.”

“That’s—” Julian trailed off.

“Unbelievably insane, but the only genuine option. Records. Documents. Everything. Any physical evidence. It would all be archived. There,” Lennox said.

“The leaders of the Carmine live and work there. There are countless others who go in and out or remain there,” Andre said. “What are you concerned about traveling to the Abbethan?”

“I can’t use one of the main portal or gate centers. My face and magic levels could be on a Carmine’s watch list. Arcane gives off certain levels on tests. Even passive tests. Unless I find some way to suppress my arcane or arrive in a different fashion,” Solomon said.

“Even mag-trains and airships go through passive checks at border crossings. Only specific crossings have an extra check, like Gledinium,” Emrys said.

“How do we get him through?” Julian asked.

“If your arcane is the strongest one we have in our arsenal, we need you in our efforts to contain and confront the Carmine,” Lennox said.

“If you go anywhere near the central realms, you must stop at the laboratory,” Emrys said.

“Em—” Julian murmured.

“No, Julian, Emrys is right. I need to speak with Mac and explain what is happening. He needs to know the truth before I continue on to the confrontation,” Solomon said.

“You will not die,” Julian snapped.

“I don’t plan on that, but it’s a possibility. We know there’s a chance.”

Even with potential danger of their plans going awry, Cormac and Grayson shouldn’t be kept in the dark. Especially if Emrys and Julian stepped on the potential battlefield with him. Solomon couldn’t live with himself if something happened.

Perhaps, by some long shot, Mac and Gray would have ideas or knowledge. They were situated closer to the Central realms. Gledinium’s borders were protected from any possible infiltration, but it might happen. They could create something to assist.

“Gledinium is full of technology and science. RASI and the Consortium are the realm’s biggest supporter, financial and political. It’s a stronghold against the Carmine,” Andre said.

“Far as we can tell, the Carmine can’t get near or infiltrate a company within Gledinium. They’ve tried. Multiple times. To date, we know all spies were found, reported, and are currently incarcerated,” Lennox said.

Julian tilted his head and his gaze went distant. “Did not know that. Thank you, Gloriosa.”

“What is it?” Andre asked.

“According to the Gloriosa, Gledinium has a series of massive magical gemstone veins. Part of the reason the companies purchased the realm and settled there. The base magic supports everything and generates enough magic to sustain many experiments, along with protecting and strengthening the borders,” Julian said.

“Do they have the sentient vines?” Emrys asked.

“Yes, but the Gloriosa hasn’t contacted them. They will try,” Julian said.

“That would be helpful to know,” Solomon said.

“Why?” Andre asked.

“Do you know the current locations of the gemstone veins in the central realms? They must be there. Somewhere. The central realms remain standing,” Solomon said.

“The veins were extensively mined. I don’t know what is left,” Lennox said. “I’ll send a message to the Consortium to have someone run a few tests to get the definitive answers.”

“That would be helpful,” Solomon said.

“What are you thinking?” Andre said.

“The strength of healthy realms is based on the gemstones and their sentient protectors,” Julian said. “Without that relationship, you’ll get a collapsed realm. A dead realm. That’s the basics of any magical ecology program.”

“Realms break down when losing the gemstones. The Carmine slide in. The realm is lost,” Solomon said.

“If you rebuild the gemstone veins and connect the vines, you can strengthen the realm’s natural defenses,” Julian said.

“But that’s only a beginning step,” Lennox said.

“But an important one,” Emrys said.

“Just a piece, but I need to continue pushing around the idea. Plus, a talk with the Gloriosa will help,” Solomon said.

“Keep going down that path. I think it’s a brilliant one,” Andre said.