Damien landed his conjured mount in the castle courtyard and helped Leah down. She’d held his shoulders in a death grip the whole flight and only his shield saved him from having her fingers imbedded in his flesh. He felt her strength through his soul force. Leah had a warrior’s grip. If she’d been running from those wolves for a day and a half she had incredible stamina as well. It was strange that she carried no weapon beyond a six-inch knife at her belt.

A messenger ran out the open castle doors and toward the gate not sparing them a glance. Damien absorbed the construct and led Leah to the castle. The guards let him through without a fuss, though they gave Leah a second look. The throne room doors were open as well. Four warlords, two on each side, stood at attention. From a distance he spotted Uncle Andy slumped on his throne with Jen on his left and Dad on his right. Whether to keep him safe or from falling off the chair Damien couldn’t say. The king certainly hadn’t had an easy time of it the past year or so.

His master was talking to Alden and Imogen, her face twisted into a particularly fierce scowl. What news had the two legionnaires brought that put the archmage in such a foul mood? All three sorcerers turned his way when he got close. One of the downsides of having such dense soul force: it made it impossible to sneak up on fellow sorcerers.

“Damien, who’s this?” the archmage asked.

“Leah, this is my master, the archmage. Master, this is Leah Walks-in-Sunshine. She was being chased by demon-possessed wolves. I had the good fortune to stumble across her just in time.”

Leah bowed. “Your apprentice saved my life. I’m very grateful.”

“Saving people is Damien’s job. Why did you bring her here?”

“Because you and the king really need to hear what she has to say. Hopefully it makes more sense to you than it did to me.”

“All right.” The archmage turned back to Alden and Imogen. “You two know what you need to do. Get going.”

The two Crimson Legionnaires bowed and rushed out of the room. Whatever their mission it must have been important. When they’d gone she asked Damien, “Do you want to give me a preview?”

“It’s about the earthquake. Apparently it wasn’t a natural event.”

The archmage’s eyebrows leapt at that. “You were right. I do need to hear what she has to say.”

His master led the way up to the throne. Uncle Andy’s head popped up as they approached and he managed a weak smile. “Damien. Everything secure beyond the wall?”

“As far as I could tell, Majesty. I ran into a minor difficulty, but it’s resolved now.” Damien gave him a quick summary of his meeting with Leah. “Go ahead, Leah. Tell them everything.”

Leah cleared her throat. “I suppose I should give you a little background. I’m a druid, a follower of the Green Path. We tend the wild places and make certain the earth force remains pure and flows as it should.”

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“Earth force?” the archmage asked.

Leah nodded. “The energy that flows from the core of the planet and sustains all the things growing on it. That power flows in great rivers called ley lines that then branch into ever smaller flows that connect everything.”

“If so much power is flowing right under our feet why can’t we sense it?” The archmage asked the question Damien was thinking.

“The wise one says it’s because you’re too bright. Your power blinds you to what’s all around. It’s like staring into a fire at night. You can see nothing beyond it. Even people without power must spend many months meditating in the sacred groves before they become sensitive enough to see the earth force. It takes years to be able to manipulate it even a little.”

His master seemed ready to ask another question but Uncle Andy coughed. “Perhaps we could get to the point of what, exactly, brought you here.”

“Apologies, Majesty,” Leah said. “I’m here because someone or some ones have shifted a ley line. Subtle shifts at first, so that no one would notice. But a few hours ago they gave a great yank on the flow. That’s what caused the quake.”

The king leaned forward. “Are you saying someone caused this catastrophe on purpose?”

She shied away. “Yes.”

“And that’s what brought you here?”

“Not the earthquake specifically. I had almost arrived when that happened. The fact that someone was shifting the ley lines is why our leader sent me to ask for your help.”

Uncle Andy shook his head. “I’m not certain I understand. Can’t you just put it back where it belongs? What do you need our help for?”

“Druids have shifted the ley line, Majesty. We don’t know which ones. The wise one isn’t certain who he can trust. He determined it would be best to bring in outsiders to investigate. Once we deal with whoever betrayed the Green Path, the rest of the order can put the flows to rights. Please, can you help us?”

The king leaned back on his throne. “Please excuse us for a moment, Leah. We have a great deal to discuss.”

Damien escorted her to a bench at the rear of the throne room. When he turned to leave she grabbed his hand. “Do you think he will help?”

He patted her hand then pulled his free. “The king is a good man. If he can help I believe he will.”

“Thank you.”

Damien smiled and rejoined his master.

“Did you even know these druids existed?” Uncle Andy asked.

The archmage shook her head. “I’ve never heard of them or read about them in any of the histories. The girl is telling the truth, at least she believes she is. I swear in less than a year I feel like my whole world has shifted.”

“I don’t know about druids,” Damien said. “But those demon wolves were real enough and they wanted her dead. I can’t see anyone going to the trouble of siccing them on her if she didn’t know something someone didn’t want getting out.”

“It bears looking into, certainly,” Uncle Andy said. “If they can do this much damage to us, what else are they capable of?”

Damien glanced at Jen and raised an eyebrow. She nodded back.

“Jen and I could investigate. We have some experience with demonic matters.”

“Just the two of you?” Uncle Andy said. “I was thinking a bigger force.”

“No, Damien has the right idea,” the archmage said. “If a dozen sorcerers descend on them whoever’s responsible will just disappear into the group then pick up where they left off once we leave. If Damien and his sister go in alone they might not even be noticed or at least not recognized as a threat. Also, we need everyone to help with the cleanup and to protect against anyone taking advantage of our current vulnerability.”

“I suppose you’re right. Besides, if anyone can handle this, Damien and Jen can.” Uncle Andy sat back and sighed, looking far older than his forty-one years.

His master led Damien and Jen away from the exhausted king. “Be careful. That young woman doesn’t have a clue what’s really happening. Don’t depend too much on her.”

Leah bounced to her feet when Damien and the others reached her. “Has the king decided?”

Damien smiled. “My sister and I will be returning with you to investigate. We’ll set out at first light.”