Hump watched as Aldric spoke to the captured warlocks. They were husks of their former selves. While Hump saw no signs of physical torture, he had heard of the cruel magics the Inquisition used to wrestle secrets from their prisoners. He was under no false illusion regarding what they must have suffered. The warlocks were pale, a vacant stare in their eyes that was only broken when spoken to directly. They answered Aldric’s questions easily. Gone was the arrogance of Lady Fiona Heinlock—now, she cooperated fully.

A number of alchemists tested the powders they’d discovered in the formation, and gradually, a line of components took form beside it. Others worked to translate the runes, identifying clues to help to fill in the gaps that could not be solved through alchemy. They recreated small sections of the formation, finding materials that correctly interacted with the runes, figuring out the material pieces required. A bone, a vial of demon blood, a pile of hair from young women. With every find, Hump felt the inevitability of what must be done draw closer.

Hump glanced over the many Chosen gathered in the room. Food was handed out recently, and most took their fill while they could. Hump’s lay beside him—the very thought of food made the nausea from activating the spell formation even worse. It had been six hours. He’d tried to sleep, but it hadn’t come, not with the pressure of what awaited him, his thoughts plagued by the thought of vengeful gods. Instead, he’d run his hand over Nisha’s back as she rested, chatting quietly with his party.

Finally, Wizard Aldric approached. “We’ve identified the spell components,” he declared, a rueful smile on his face. “Are you ready?”

“Just about,” Hump said. He stood along with the rest of his party, then massaged his throbbing head, a wave of nausea triggered by the movement. He was exhausted, though the short rest had done him good even if he couldn’t sleep.

Nisha stood up with Hump, still groggy and wanting to continue to rest. She nudged his legs with her head, her usual bout of playfulness subdued with worry.

“I’ll be fine, girl,” Hump said through their link. “No rest for the weary and all that.” He held back a snort when she tilted her head in confusion.

Hump’s attention returned to Aldric as he held out his silver flask, offering it to him.

Hump took it curiously. “What is it?”

“Essence suppressant,” Aldric said. “Take a swig, it’s strong stuff. It’ll help with whatever lingering essence is still in you.”

“How did you know?” Hump asked.

Aldric gave him a look that made Hump feel stupid for asking. “I’ve had more than my fair share of encounters with their foul magic. Drink. It’ll help.”

Hump unscrewed the cap and swallowed it back, gasping at the burn that rushed through him. For a few seconds, it was like his entire body was on fire—not the alcoholic burn of a strong spirit, but pure, searing heat. The heat changed to a horrible itch, like holding an icy hand over a campfire. The slickness of the oily sensation beneath Hump’s skin vanished. The grimy feeling penetrating his essence channels and soul dissipated, burned away like fumes over a flame. As the burn died down, Hump’s mind felt clear once more.

“Gods, that’s an unpleasant swig.”

Aldric chuckled, taking the flask back and taking a drink himself. “Does the job though.” He returned his flask to his robes and addressed the rest of Hump’s party. “Would you allow me a word in private with Wizard Humphrey? There is something we must speak of before we begin.”

“Why?” Celaine asked, clearly distrustful. “What is there you cannot say to all of us?”

Aldric gave her an awkward frown.

“I’m sure Wizard Aldric has his reasons,” Bud said diplomatically.

“He is one of the Three Eyes,” Celaine said. “I suspect that is the reason. Now that it’s out in the open, we can all continue our discussion.”

Bud, Dylan, and Emilia all appeared surprised at that.

“Ah,” Bud said. “Is that true?”

“It is.” Aldric’s voice was tinged with annoyance. “And I would prefer it if such information was not shared further.”

Celaine gave a shrug. “I’m not too keen on sharing our wizard either.”

“Celaine…” Hump said, turning to her, bewildered by her hostility. “We owe Aldric much. Though, there is little my party does not know, Wizard Aldric. With the situation as it stands, perhaps you could speak with all of us. They know about my book.”

“It seems they are very well informed indeed.” Aldric placed both hands on the top of his cane, leaning forward onto it. “I suppose that leaves me no reason to mince words. I will return to my order once the foreseeable events are dealt with. Wizard Humphrey, I wish for you to come with me.”

Hump considered it. The mystery of the Three Eyes was one he was eager to solve, but becoming entangled with another group of unknown powerful wizards hardly felt like a wise decision.

“What for?” Hump asked.

“Because your book must be kept safe. You are a fine young wizard with more potential than perhaps any I have seen, but it is clear to me that you are not ready to protect what you carry. Your ability to conceal it is too weak, your power too chaotic, and your decisions… too reckless.”

He’d been told such things before. In a way, he supposed Glyndaril had tried to restrict him for the same reason, yet in the end his will had triumphed.

“Why should I trust them?” Hump asked. “Why wouldn’t they try to take the book from me like everyone else?”

“If Starrick wanted your book, he would have taken it from you in Sheercliff City,” Aldric said. “However, your question is a fair one. What I can tell you is that they saved my life, and that they are true wizards seeking to push our craft forward.”

“Then why would they help me?” Hump asked.

“I do not deny that the information contained in your spellbook is of great interest to the order, as is the case for all historical artifacts and details on magic. Just as importantly, we are protectors of such knowledge. It is in all of Alveron’s interest to keep it out of enemy hands.”

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“Your goal is to protect the seals?” Hump asked. “That’s why Starrick was in Sheercliff.”

Aldric shook his head. “Not exactly. Anthony was a member of our order before stealing knowledge from us. Knowledge that was key for what the Order of the Ancients have now accomplished. We want it back, and to undo the damage that has been caused.”

“You people are behind this?” Bud asked. “What dark magics did you keep that allowed this to come to pass?”

“Now that is a question I cannot answer, Sir Robert,” Aldric said.

Bud narrowed his eyes. “Perhaps General Korteg and Count Daston might be more persuasive.”

“Such a conversation would be most unfortunate, for all of us,” Aldric said darkly.

“Relax, Bud,” Emilia said softly, resting a hand on his arm. “Ultimately, this is Hump’s decision. And it’s difficult to argue with some of Wizard Aldric’s points.”

Dylan said nothing, but grasped Hump’s shoulder and gave it a supportive squeeze.

Hump let out a sigh. “What do you intend for me? Lock me away in a tower where no harm will find me?”

“No, you need advanced training, and there is no better place in Alveron to get it. I’m sure you’re aware of just how vulnerable you are. Karlac will hunt you, the attacker in Fort Nordric was just one of many. Everywhere you go, you draw more attention to yourself. Even today, it is clear to everyone in this chamber that the spellbook you possess is a powerful artifact. To those in the know, they will be able to connect the dots between a powerful young wizard and such an item. The Three Eyes can offer you protection.”

“As can my people,” Celaine said. “If we wanted to hide, we would have remained in Drakalyn.”

“Perhaps you should have,” Aldric admitted. “I will not force you into this. And by no means will meeting with my order prevent you from leaving if you do not like what you see. What we can offer you is guidance, and a method to breakthrough to the seventh rank, Soul Domain.”

There was a gravitas to Aldric’s voice that portrayed the weight of his words. Hump considered them carefully. Once, he would have done anything for such information. To break through the seventh rank was the goal of all wizards—an impossible puzzle that as far as common knowledge went, none had solved. Yet even with all the knowledge the gods had destroyed, some still persisted: warlocks, the Three Eyes, and the information in Hump’s spellbook.

“What makes you think I require help in that regard?” Hump asked.

Aldric’s eyes flickered to the Book of Infinite Pages and then back to Hump. “Technique is only one aspect.” As General Korteg called out the wizard’s name, Aldric turned from the group. “You have heard my piece, and we have a mission ahead of us.” The man gave an easy smile. “It would be best if we don’t keep our Chosen waiting.”

The tap of Aldric’s cane echoed through the chamber as he started back toward the others. As he walked, Hump’s eyes went to the man’s neck. The throbbing blue veins he’d seen when Aldric faced Karlac were now faded, but still appeared swollen.

“Wizard Aldric,” Hump said, catching the man’s attention. “You said that the order saved you. Can you tell me what happened.”

“Ah… this.” Aldric gave a tight smile. The man paused a moment, making sure nobody was in earshot. “My soul was damaged during a battle against a group of warlocks that called themselves the Silver Circle. I killed the woman that did this to me, but the wound never healed fully.”

Hump’s heart started to race, his shock plain as day.

“What?” Aldric asked.

“A wizard of the Silver Circle attacked my master. His apprentice, Eliana, was the one to later have him killed. She was present in Sheercliff City when the warlocks attacked, working closely with their forces. You may know her. She was the partner of Inquisitor Abraxus.”

“I had heard of her betrayal,” Aldric said. “I did not know of her connection to you, nor the Silver Circle.”

“It didn’t seem like something that would be wise to speak of. I was under the impression she was working with the warlocks but not one of them.”

“Well, it does not surprise me she had dealings with them. The Silver Circle were a small group of greedy wizards corrupted by their lust for power. They are—were—powerful. I would be dead if not for an invitation from the Three Eyes and their help in crafting a treatment. I will say no more on the matter today. Consider my words and find me when the time is right.”

“I will,” Hump said. “And thank you for your consideration.”

Aldric gave him a nod and then made his way over to the formation.

“What do you think?” Hump asked his party.

“I think Celaine is right, and we cannot trust him,” Bud said. “Secret wizards are bad news.”

“I’m not so sure,” Dylan said. “The knowledge of advanced wizards would be invaluable.”

“It would drive us apart again,” Bud said.

“I’m just saying it would help.” Dylan gave a helpless shrug. “And not necessarily. We don’t even know where they are. For all we know their headquarters is in Elenvine.”

Emilia hummed her agreement. “It would have been helpful to ask that in hindsight.”

“I’ll ask him when we next speak,” Hump said. “I also don’t want us to go our separate ways again. If we are truly at war, I want us to fight together.”

“Agreed,” Celaine said. “Whatever we do, we do it together.”

Emilia stepped forward, taking Celaine’s arm in hers and pulling her close. “Now that sounds like an excellent idea.”

“No argument here,” Dylan said.

Hump turned to Bud, smiling at the grin plastered over the knight’s face. “Together,” Bud said.

“Together,” Hump repeated, yet the word sat heavily in his heart. He trusted his companions with his life, but what would they say to him if he told them the gods were lying to them? Hump shook the thoughts from his mind. For now, he would open the rift, and they would deal with the warlocks attacking their home.

Hump made his way forward, and the chamber seemed to hold its breath. Whispers swirled around him, and every eye on him. He heard his title ripple through the crowd—The White Flame. He took his position at the head of the spell formation, the rest of his party joining the Blackthorne Company nearby. Nishari went with them, staying close to Celaine.

All around him, wizards checked the spell over for the hundredth time, ensuring the runes were unmarred, that the spell components were correct and appropriately placed. General Korteg and Count Daston arranged the Chosen around him, both ready to defend against anything unexpected that came through the rift, and to advance to the other side. Marcela approached, wishing him luck, her own party ready nearby. Hump spotted the parties of Anara and Owen in the room. He caught Randall Ferrand’s eye at the rear of the chamber, who gave him a nod. Drexel, the spy master, and Marsall Merrick were there too. All the elites of the army of Alveron, prepared to march when Hump was ready. The gods had given their blessing, now all that was left to do was follow the path they’d set. There was no doubt in any of these people.

Despite the pressure, Hump was not nervous. He stood before the formation certain of its success. His head was clear now, Wizard Aldric’s tonic working well to remove the sickening sensation. Despite his tiredness, standing before everyone he suddenly felt strong. What tomorrow would bring, Hump did not know. Today, however, they would hunt warlocks.

Hump extended his right arm and placed the butt of his staff against the base of the formation. In his left hand, he opened his spellbook, Glynadril whirling to obey. Summoning his essence, Hump fed it into the formation. The dark power of the spell flooded back into him, amplified from before with the addition of the material components. Slowly, the runes drawn in blood filled with light. Hump held nothing back. Essence raged from the focus of his staff, weaving a stream of power to his spellbook and filling the dungeon core chamber with an eerie glow.

There was a tension to the air as it filled with power, ripples of distortion like heat waves. Seconds passed, and Hump pushed harder. He sensed the spell’s desire to activate. Each rune was filled, and all that remained was to permit it to complete.

Hump breathed deeply, lungs strained as he drew in the thick essence in the air. “Greater Gateway.”

The room trembled with his command. Power surged back into his staff, roaring through him like a storm. Sensing the spell’s will, Hump instinctively raised his staff and cut through the air. A perfectly straight red line split the world before him like a bloody wound. From within, a torrent of swirling essence erupted, black streaks pouring out like thick smoke. Darkness spilled forth, clawing at the world, expanding until the rift stood tall and wide—a monstrous, vertical slit like the eye of a dragon.

Hump gazed into the abyss, where silhouettes of what could be rocks or the twisted remains of buildings was all that he could make out through the darkness.

“The rift is open,” Hump said, his voice resonating with essence. “You may advance.”