Freslia P.O.V.

“How secure is this place Akathos?” My master Burin asked with a serious countenance.

“We are dealing with gods here, with so many of us in one place and away from Lemuria, there’s only so much I can do.” Lord Akathos gave an apologetic smile.

The air inside the room felt overwhelming. I was feeling uncomfortable in my chair.

My master, Draken, Lord Sarkan, Lord Tanin and Lord Akathos began making hand sigils and drew blood. Master Burin’s olive skin shone with a blue hue. His white beard dripping a few drops of sweat unto the floor.

“FALRON!” They chanted in unison.

The blood coalesced into a single point floating in the middle of our circle and then it evaporated. A very familiar energy surrounded us in the shape of a sphere, invisible yet material. The protection seal of the Andurin.

I was excluded from the blood offering due to a certain special artifact I had been using the past days. I was drained.

“We don’t have much time and we must avoid unintended consequences. Short and to the point.” Master Burin signaled Draken to speak.

“The report indicates that THEY are here. They have used one of their premiere trump cards.” Draken was solemn.

“If they have, it means the conflict will take years, even more than a decade, to resolve. The good thing is that we can estimate that our preparations were adequate and we have gained more time.” Lord Sarkan spoke with a positive tone.

“Orgis will be the main target. We will need to use our current countermeasures and come up with new ones. I’ll head to Lemuria. Special seals will have to be placed on your little class Sarkan.” Lord Akathos gave instructions.

“I’ll be heading to Orgis, Draken go to Luz, you know what to do, return as quickly as you can. Freslia you will be in charge of security here until Akathos returns, we will reorganize our man power, I’ll send you help.” Claimere Burin spoke firmly.

“Yes, master.” I politely nodded.

“Sarkan be very circumspect about your dealings with your assigned charges. They are not and cannot be allowed to fail.” Master Burin ordered.

Master Burin was starting to perspirate profusely, the seal was taking its toll on him.

“Be on guard brothers. For Kotar!” Lord Akathos gave the final salute.

“For Kotar!” We answered.

The power of the seal dissipated and with concerned expressions everyone left to their duties. Lord Akathos and I remained in the room.

“The gods seem to enjoy our little scrimmages, watching us tumble around like fools.” I commented.

“The world’s but an evaluation of your soul. We do the best we can and let things fall where they may.” Lord Akathos reminded me of what he always says.

“After the assessment is over, I’ll sent our string duo out for hunting.”

“That’s good. He is progressing suitably. Get ready to push him even harder. He’ll need an anchor to sustain himself. Tell Krigsain to make preparations in advance.”

I flinched at the words.

“No matter how efficient a practice is, that doesn’t mean I have to like it.” I tried a rebuke.

“Get over your preconceptions, we are at war. There is little time for him.” Akathos countered.

“I’ll get on it. Krigsain will be over the moon.”

I stood and prepared to leave with a slight nod. A set of pills flew into my hands as I straightened myself.

“This!?” I was taken aback.

I had at least, ten premium magicraft alchemical pills between my fingers.

“I know you took the soul artifact to help him. Consider this my gratitude, but do notify me next time.” Akathos elaborated.

I had taken the soul artifact from his study. I was the only other person with access to his personally sealed space in the castle.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“You have eyes everywhere. Kind of ironic that you complain about the gods lurking over us.” I pointed out.

“I just try to follow my maker that’s all. Keep up the good work.” Lord Akathos waved his hand.

“By your order.”

I couldn’t help the distaste in my mouth, I didn’t like the order I was about to give but if I didn’t, my future midnight training sessions would become hellish torture. I involuntarily shuddered a little.

----------------------------------------

Several days later…

I was looking at the trade convoys in the distance that were approaching the castle. Our trade partners were coming to deliver specialty goods in exchange for the mined orgon crystals and other rare metals. Not even the drought of light nor the threat of war could stop the covetous merchants’ hands.

‘Why do the factions fight feverishly for orgon mines? Because orgon is not only key for all magical, alchemical and awakening processes but also behaves like a plant. As long as you take proper care of the environment where it is located, the crystals will grow again. The blessing of the gods for some, the curse of the gods for others.’

“Lady Freslia, there’s an urgent communication signal from the underground facility.” Darin notified me hurriedly from behind.

With Akathos’ absence, Darin was in charge of all incoming and outgoing magical communications. There weren’t many, we could use our powers to communicate short messages that cover several furlongs among the hierarchy and high ranking Kotari. The usage of magical devices meant an extremely large distance.

‘Maybe I need to invest some funds into a crafter company that dwells in intercontinental magical transfers. It’s quite the boon nowadays.’

“Lead the way.” I ordered quickly picking up the pace.

After going through the security checks and the mechanical platform, we arrived at the second deepest level of our fortress.

“I’ll set up the connection. The arrays will activate in a minute.” Darin went near the control room. Using his cores, he activated the mechanism.

I stepped forward inside a disc like platform with many sigils superimposed over each other. The same energy of the seal encompassed me, a hundred times stronger.

“Who could it be? The Patriarch? The King?” I wondered.

“Freslia.” The powerful voice dispelled all doubts.

“Archsage.”

“There is little time, listen closely. Temporal fluctuations have been detected, we are being targeted extensively in a very meticulous manner. You need to ramp up security immediately. Our enemies will target Malaktaraf.”

“We deduced as much as well. Master Burin went to Orgis because of this reason. There must be extenuating circumstances from your end my sage.”

“As long as Orgis stands, even if they hide masterfully, we will catch the scurrying phoenixes long enough to take appropriate measures. They will target our defensive mechanism to obliterate the castle, cut off our portal devices and/or target our saplings.”

“Understood, I’ll redouble our efforts.”

“Freslia, there’s a deviator among you right now. Find that person and bring that traitor here. Once I uncover the secrets our victory will be assured.”

“A deviator? We have taken the ritual oath, the entire castle personnel are accounted for and handpicked by Akathos, my sage.” I was clearly troubled.

“As you know, this is not your normal conflict Freslia, the future of the Andurin hangs in the balance. The intervention of the gods is recognizable. The flow of time must be preserved delicately, the actions of the leadership must continue as they are, you must be successful with what you have at your disposal.”

“We need to weed out a very cumbersome rat.”

“Freslia, I know your need to protect Krigsain and Eriel clouded your judgement in the forest and lost to the Zigurs, don’t let it happen again.”

I nodded silently.

‘Akathos was already admonishing me enough with every spar.’

“Akathos cannot be by your side for now, he must do other things, take action urgently my child.”

“Yes, Archsage.”

The sigils and the arrays deactivated, the communication seal dispersed. I made my way out swiftly.

“Darin to the undercroft armory, now!”

We arrived at the armory in just a few breaths. Opening the guarding seal of the special weapons section I took out a box with a set of fifty crystal beads. Dark blue sphere crystals with a very small red line in the center, half a thumb in size. I took twenty-four of them. With a wave of my hand, they floated around me.

I sprinkled blood on each one of them. The beads reacted absorbing the blood.

“Take these beads and give them to each one of our Sachears. Tell them, they are to have them with them at all times, if they are in danger they are to crush them. We will explain later. Additionally, tell Lord Tanin to check and double check the magical wards and protection devices like the barrier system. If he complains, tell him I am acting on behalf of the Archsage.”

Darin had a worried expression but nodded at my words.

“I’ll be at your master’s sealed spaced study, come find me, we will comb through the records, I’ll need your help. On the double!” I ordered.

Darin left so fast, he seemed to be an afterimage.

About fifteen minutes later, I found myself looking over every registry we had on the people inside the castle. Record keeping and detailed examination of anything other than war tactics and stratagems has never been my forte.

“Claimere! Claimere!” Darin shouted from the other side of the space.

I opened the magical rift for him.

“What’s happening?” Since Darin was shouting it could only mean brewing problems.

“I informed Lord Tanin and I delivered the beads to all the Sachears I could find. Six are missing. You are not going to like it.”

‘How? The barrier is infused with the Will. The castle is filled with wards. How could they leave without traces? There is no way we can get caught off guard.’

“Who are they?” I was already having a terrible premonition.

“Krigsain, Ciel, Kletay, Iru, Puri and Ikrei my lady.”

“And there’s the answer.” I was in the process of expressing pure ire, my veins bulging uncontrollably.

‘This is a cosmic game; it is beyond our understanding. The capriciousness of the Will.’

The recollection of Akathos’ words haunted me.

“I did tell Krigsain to make preparations ahead of time, he’ll just say he was following orders. Gurnir! Shit!” I cursed.

“Bring two of your trusted brothers, call sister Kuyun. We will set out as a search party. Suit up properly. Have Lord Sarkan put the castle on lockdown until we return.”

“By your order.” Darin saluted and ran like a magically infused gazelle.

“It is time to wear proper armor, just in case.”

I left for my private quarters.