“Huh? Canalith? How?” Umbren said in disbelief.

“Don’t worry Hound of Mortis. I would explain it to you now, but we don’t have much time till the other tenebrage fall through the lens, so I would appreciate it if you called your mount.”

Umbren looked to Grimel who did not seem happy with leaving the old fulgcere unsupervised, “Come on Grimel we don’t have a choice right now.”

Grimel gave a doubtful glance to the fulgcere and made his way down the steps with great finesse.

The elder fulgcere clasped his hands together, “Great now just go help look after Morta while I work on this.”

Umbren looked around the room in confusion, and once Grimel came to him, he did the same. The only people around were the same as the last time he checked. Faldrid was comforting Thestra while Caekeve prayed.

“I’m sorry sir, but I don’t understand what you mean. Morta’s still fighting the decai the last time I saw her.”

The elder fulgcere waved his hand back at Umbren as he maintained his attention on the lense, “Aww, don’t be like that. She’s right next to Faldrid ever there, and may I just say Faldrid, you are living up to that insignia right now.”

Umbren looked back to Faldrid who seemed to also notice the fulgcere’s strange words as he furrowed his brow while he held his scarf tightly around his neck. The fulgcere’s persistence made Umbren squint at Thestra just to make sure it was actually her. It was, without a doubt.

“I’m sorry, but that’s really not Morta.”

The fulgcere looked back with an irked expression on his face, “I would think I would know. We disciples are closer than you think I would have you know.”

“I’m sorry to disappoint you Lord Taldry, but Morta has yet to arrive.” Faldrid called out.

Lord Taldry furrowed his brows as his eyes took on a new interest. A circular window appeared next to him, and once he stepped through it, he appeared next to Faldrid and Thestra. Lord Taldry seized Thestra’s face and examined it, but he only got a second to look before Thestra shook him off.

Lord Taldry stepped back, locking his gaze with Thestra’s, “Faldrid? Do you happen to know if my wife is nearby by any chance?”

“She is certainly not in this room.”

Lord Taldry didn’t break his gaze with Thestra and reached out for her eyepatch. In response Thestra violently slapped his hand anyway, and stumbled back onto her feet with a glare.

Faldrid took on a panic expression, but Lord Taldry held up his hand, silencing him, “I apologize for overstepping my bounds. I really don’t know what came over me.” He said with an innocent smile on his face.

Thestra regained her composure, whipping her mouth, but the glare still remained, “It’s fine lord.”

“Well then could I perhaps get your…” suddenly Lord Taldry was cut off by a cry of an attoka from the balcony overhead.

Lord Taldry’s eager gaze turned to one of disappointment, “Looks like they’re already here. Though I would love to resume this conversation at a later date.”

Thestra made no comment as he walked through another window and appeared on the balcony once more, “Are you still up here?”

Suddenly Relam was dropped in the fetal position next to Faldrid and Thestra where Lord Taldry once stood.

Umbren walked over to where Relam had appeared and Faldrid followed after Thestra slapped his hand away when he offered her assistance once more. As the two came to Relam they saw how he was shaking uncontrollably and drenched with sweat from head to toe.

“You okay Relam?” Umbren asked with uncertainty.

The only semblance of a response from Relam was an incoherent mumble. At this Umbren looked to Faldrid with a questioning expression.

After a moment of thought, Faldrid rummaged through his satchel, and looked up with a discouraged expression, “I don’t have anything for…that. He’ll have to weather the storm. Well unless there’s a spare luxcian around.”

“Don’t joke like that. I would never let a luxcian tend to one of us.” Thestra said with an intimidating tone.

Faldrid gave a simple shrug, “It was just a suggestion.”

“I wouldn’t go that far though mistress.” Umbren interjected.

This only earned him a harsh glare from Thestra. He was unable to meet her gaze, so he went back to inspecting the room they were in.

Naturally Umbren’s eyes came to the balcony where Lord Taldry and the lens were. However, there was now an attoka nudging a figure that hung over the balcony railing.

“Never again, never gain. Why did Sadine bring me here? I’ll never follow her anywhere ever again. I swear to Tenebrage…Huh? Where am I?! Who are you?!” Kagi’s voice rang throughout the chamber.

Lord Taldry gave a whimsical yet reassuring smile, “I’m the Disciple of Knowledge, Taldry Fulgur, and who may you be?”

“Oh, I’m Kagi. Wait…Disciple!?”

“Kagi stop making a scene and get down here! The others should be coming through soon!” Umbren shouted out.

After being prompted by her attoka, Kagi made her way down to the others in a daze, “Umbren if he’s…does that mean that we’re in Canalith?”

“Yes.”

Once Kagi arrived at the bottom of the stairs, she spun around and bowed to the disciple, “Thank you, for getting me out of that hell! I’m eternally in your debt!”

Kagi stumbled towards the others, and Umbren asked her to sit down next to Relam, and she didn’t question what was wrong with him.

The next person who came through was Mistress Sadine.

“Ah! The Daughter of Sardon. My! How you’ve grown!”

Sadine looked a bit uncomfortable, “And who are you?”

“Sadine!! How could you do that to me! Why would you throw me into that thing! I expect an apology, you know!” Kagi suddenly called out.

“Oh! There you are. I won’t apologize because I had to do it. How else would I know if it was safe?” How else was I supposed to know if it was safe? So, is this Canalith?” Sadine walked her attoka down the stairs, forgetting that Lord Taldry was there, prompting a confused expression from the elder fulgcere.

Kagi and Sadine continued to bicker as the others came through the lens.

Dela came through next with a disgruntled expression. Faldrid gave her an innocent expression when she arrived at his feet. Though the beast glared more at Thestra than Faldrid.

Next came the Hands of Morta led by Vale.

“So the second sister arrives.”

Vale gave a pleasant expression, “I hope you’ve been well Lord Taldry.”

“Always.”

When Vale reached the bottom of the staircase, she questioned Sadine, “I hope you’ve been polite towards our host while you were unsupervised.”

“Him?” Sadine pointed towards Lord Taldry, receiving a nod from Vale, “He’s a little weird for a disciple, isn’t he?”

Vale berated Sadine for her comment, but she mostly blew it off.

The next group to come through the lens was the Bluecloaks led by Mordrin.

“Lord Taldry?” He asked

Lord Taldry gave a brief bow, “In the flesh.”

“Oh, so that way?” He pointed down one of the staircases.

“You can use either one.”

As the Bluecloaks made their way down the steps, one girl with a dull expression gave a deep bow to lord Taldry, thanking him for his hospitality. This made Vale comment to Sadine that even a Bluecloak was more polite than her.

After the Bluecloaks had assembled at the bottom of the staircase, the chamber was starting to lack room to move around. However, the Hands and Bluecloaks still tried to segregate themselves.

Suddenly a green blur came from the lens towards Lord Taldry, but another lens opened up in front of him before the blur reached him. Alsarie appeared next to Relam and Kagi, rolling to a stop with a kukri in her hand.

Sadine gave a snicker, “At least I wasn’t that impolite.”

Vale gave a furious grimace to Alsarie, “How could you embarrass Morta like that? I’ll make you apologize.”

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An astounded expression popped onto Alsarie’s face, “Embarrassed!? Don’t worry I’ll definitely apologize, but will that be enough…” Alsarie’s voice trailed off as she questioned herself.

It was evident from Vale’s stunned expression, that she didn’t expect such a reaction as she simply let out a, “Oh, okay.”

The next to come through the lens was Morta and two unmounted attoka. One immediately made its way towards Alsarie while the other lay down on the spot much to all of the onlooker's confusion.

Morta greeted Lord Taldry with a familiar smile, “Taldry it’s good to see you again. I was happy to hear your invitation. Though I have to admit that I never thought that you would reach out to anyone. I sensed Geb underneath us while we rode, is he here yet?”

Lord Taldry matched her smile, “I promise I wouldn’t have called unless it was necessary, but I suspect you and Mortis already know our main intentions from my message.”

“We have an idea.”

“I would have been disappointed if you didn’t. Oh, and Geb got here a few hours ago. Cere and him have been entertaining each other in the altar.”

“I can’t wait to see them again. I’m sure we have a lot to catch up on.”

Lord Taldry’s voice took on a darker tone, but his smile remained, “Yes, I’m sure we do.”

Morta gave an uneasy nod at the sudden change, and made her way down the stairs, “Oh, and Mortis should come through soon. You know how he is with your lenses.” She called back.

Lord Taldry gave an awkward laugh, “Yes, you don’t have to remind me.”

Sure, enough Mortis mounted on top of Yamack came through the lens. Immediately after he came through, he jumped off Yamack and violently seized Lord Taldry’s collar. The difference in the height and outward age of the two did not cast Mortis in a favorable light.

Alsarie looked to Vale in confusion, and Vale simply let out, “I said Morta. I still expect an apology.” without returning Alsarie’s gaze

Lord Taldry gave a fake laugh to cool off the fury in Mortis’ eyes, “Hey…How have you been Mortis? How long has it been? Sixteen, fifteen years?”

Lord Taldry’s comments did nothing to quell Mortis’s anger, “What have I told you about those damn portals?”

“You know it took a lot of effort to get you here. You're lucky you were in the field of Sardon because I was able to combine all the lenses left there during that battle, not to mention that moving them was…”

Mortis’ grip on Lord Taldry’s collar tightened, “I didn’t even need your help.”

“Hah! You could barely move with all those Decai around you!” his voice suddenly became smaller, “By the way do you know why that acted that strangely. I haven’t seen…”

“How should I know!” Mortis roared

Lord Taldry waved his hands frantically, “The point is that out of consideration for your…unpleasant feeling towards traveling through a lens I didn’t use one in Ambis to get here faster.”

Mortis’ voice took on a certain deadly edge, “So?”

“Okay, okay, okay, okay, Cere told me to do it! I promise. I promise.” Lord Taldry spoke frantically as if he feared for his life.

“Cere?” Mortis asked

Suddenly the massive around doors to the chamber started to open, revealing an older fulgcere lady with a majestic way of holding herself who somehow stood with a perfectly straight posture, unlike any other fulgcere anyone in the room had seen.

“Speak of the devil.” Mortis mumbled and instantly let go of Lord Taldry’s collar.

Lady Cere was not fazed by the numerous amounts of attoka and tenebrage in the room, and instead looked at her husband with a disgruntled expression, “What took you so long Taldry?”

A broken smile appeared on Taldry’s face, “Well you see the decai started acting peculiar and…”

Lady Cere jabbed her finger at Lord Taldry, sending a small bolt of lightning past his head, “We don’t have time for such things right now. We have many things to discuss, but not much time to do it, so if you're really interested you can ask our tenebrage guest later…” Cere’s trailed off as her face took on a perplexed countenance, “Did anyone else come with you?”

It took some time, but Lord Taldry’s face soon lit up as he understood her meaning, “Oh that, you know it was the weirdest thing when the first people came through…”

“Cere it’s wonderful to see you again. I see age is still being kind to you.” Morta cut the other disciple off.

Cere’s face lit up a little at Morta’s voice, “Ah, you’re too kind. Age hasn’t even come close to affecting you. I envy that your essence doesn’t craze for another plane of existence. I guess that’s just a benefit of being Tenebrage’s disciple.

Morta waved the complement away, “Thank you, but I’m sure it will catch up to me one of these days.”

Cere shook her head with a smile, “I doubt it. Oh! How were those books I leant you last time we met? They were from Taldry’s personal collection, you know.”

Morta dismounted her attoka, “They were wonderful. We can discuss them as we make our way to the altar. I’m sure Geb’s waiting for us.”

A Hand respectfully took Morta’s attoka as the two exited the chamber, engrossed in pleasant conversation.

Their husbands wordlessly watched them leave.

“So are you going too apologize or…” Lord Taldry commented.

“No.”

Lord Taldry gave a sigh, “That’s to be expected from you I…”

“But I did get you a gift.”

“A gift?”

Mortis gave a smirk, “That messenger you sent has seen Tenebrage.”

Lord Taldry immediately vanished from the balcony, and a high-pitched voice of excitement could be heard from the back of the chamber.”

Mortis gave an audible sigh and looked down on the tenbrage, “Once you exit the building you should come to a plaza with a fountain. Make camp there.”

Mortis turned to walk down the steps with Yamack, but stopped after a few steps as a large black mass blocked his path, “Who’s attoka is this?”

***

The man walked through a camp filled with tents displaying a golden emblem of a hand holding out a sun. The man gritted his teeth thinking about the events that had happened mere moments before. Just the thought was enough to make his blood boil. He couldn’t stay here any longer. It was a waste of time anyway. He was just here to show good faith to the prince since their destination was the same, but that had failed.

Many Luxcian soldiers called out to him-most drunk-to come and talk. The man ignored them. They just wanted a favor, or a future favor. Such things were attracted by the silver military jacket that he wore, but it was a necessity to carry out his task.

As he reached the outskirts of the camp the man caught the flash of the blade in his periphery. The man instinctively jumped back, grabbing the shaft of a spear and pulling it towards himself then seizing his attacker and throwing them to the ground.

The man looked down unruffled by the attack at a female figure clothed in yellow with a shawl covering her hair. The man threw the spear back towards the woman without concern.

“I never thought one of Dilem’s Daughters would try to kill me. Have I done anything to make him mad? I’m not too mindful of the current political landscape in Lysets, and I know he’s gotten very involved in that, so maybe I’ve done something without knowing it? Though he knows enough that if he wants to kill me, he would have to come himself to even have the slightest chance at getting the job done. I’m honestly disappointed.”

The woman looked back revealing a white mask with spears piercing the sun, “So you are him. I’m glad that I could fulfill his wish.”

“What are you?”

Suddenly the women started to tremble then that rose into sudden convulsions, and then a subtle laughter. The laughter grew louder and louder until it was a mad crackle, “Oh Ritoro you never disappoint!”

Ritoro backed away as a minute shiver ran down his back, “Did you really have to do that in front of me? It’s honestly disgusting. That poor girl.”

The woman's voice was the same, but it became more excited and wild, “Oh, don’t be like that Ritoro! Is that anyway to greet a close friend? I needed to make sure it was you, not just anyone could disarm a Daughter like that.”

“Couldn’t you have just recognized my face.”

The woman spread her arms, “Where’s the excitement in that!? Besides, my Daughter's don’t know what you look like, and not many people can make them bleed.”

“I didn’t make them bleed.”

“Well I have to admit that was a disappointment. My Daughters need to be humbled. I can’t allow them to become too relaxed with pride,” her voice suddenly became shrill, “Yes, yes, yes, if they were to be killed by a Hound then that just wouldn’t do. What an embarrassment that would be! I couldn’t allow it, I’d never allow it!” Her voice became a deadly calm, “But if this one lost to you that quickly…A Hound would butcher her! I CAN’T ALLOW THE MORTIS TO TAKE THE PLEASURE! I will make this one regret…”

A flash of light made the women recoil, and in the aftermath Ritoro stood with his hand outstretched. His face held a look of bitter irritation, “I’ve told you not to put on that act around me, Dilem. I understand why you do it around others, but it doesn’t make me fear you, it's just annoying. Can you get to the point already? What are you doing here? I heard you were still…hunting.”

Dilem cleared his throat, “Sorry, force of habitat. Why I’m here? To be honest I’m a little confused about what you’re doing.”

Ritoro furrowed his brow, “What I do is my business.”

“Yes, yes. Yes, but why in all of Anknown would you force yourself into Prince Aldamon’s force. It makes no sense. Well, not like a lot of things you do make a lot of sense. "Is it perhaps on Lord Soluriel’s orders.”

“Something like that.”

“Hah, ‘something like that,’” Dilem’s voice took on an inquisitive tone, “If no one ordered you then maybe you’re doing it out of obligation?”

“I have no such…”

“Maybe you still have some loyalty towards Morta?”

Ritoro raised his brow in challenge, “And what if I do.”

“Oh, this is why I love these talks with you Ritoro.”

“Get to the point.”

“Say…hypothetically mind you, if Prince Aldamon ordered you to kill Morta what would you…”

“I would kill him.” Ritoro said curtly

Dilem gave a mocking shiver, “What resolve! I never knew you could hate him so.”

“It’s not all personal, but duty also would compel me to.”

“Duty to whom may I ask?”

Ritoro breezed past Dilem, “I have no interest in your political games Dilem, and I will not be a pawn on your board.”

Dilem gave a shrug, “You couldn’t be even if I tried. However, don’t be confused, that was not my intention. I must say that your indifference towards Aldamon fills me with great relief.”

“Does it now.”

Dilem frantically gripped Ritoro’s shoulder, stopping him in his tracks, “Why of course! That brat has no respect for our lord. He oversteps his bounds, especially with this excursion.”

Irritation grew in Ritoro’s voice, “Then why did you inform him about Morta and Mortis’ plans to go to Canalith.”

“Why! Our lord is still broken from what that devil did to Fotos. I’ve heard rumors that Aldamon is taking advantage of that, and I can’t tolerate such a thing.”

Ritoro shrugged Dilem’s hand off of him, “You must have gotten into the prince’s good graces because I can’t imagine Aldamon getting this large of a force together in a day, especially General Levan.”

Dilem shook his head, “Nope, quite the opposite actually. Really this large migration of troops didn’t work out for me. That bastard Aldamon took away from the border's defense to provide enough troops. Now, that other tenebrage force has a clear path right to me and many towns are left vulnerable.”

“Sounds like you have your hands full.”

“Indeed! And that’s why I need your help.”

“I’m busy.”

“Don’t worry it shouldn’t be a problem for someone like you.”

Ritoro studied the women’s mask in front of him. He wished he could see her face so he could know the validity of her words. Though he would be afraid to gaze at it because of the nature of Dilem’s control.

Ritoro gave a nod, prompting Dilem to go on, “I knew you would come through for me, old friend! First, I need you to kill General Levan.”

Ritoro raised his brow in surprise at the request, “That’s suicide. Why would you even want me to do such a thing.”

“Well, he’s Prince Aldamon’s biggest supporter and his influence cannot be ignored. Also, I just don’t like him too much.”

“I’m not going to risk my life and reputation because of one of your personal vendettas.”

Dilem spread his arms out wide, displaying the women he was using as a puppet, “My daughters will help of course. It took a lot of effort for Prince Aldamon to accept them into the force, and it’s been difficult maintaining their position in it, especially because of Levan. Don’t be afraid to use them to your advantage. They’ll obey anything you say over Aldamon of course. Think of yourself as second in command.”

Ritoro gave a brief sigh, “I’ll consider it. Now if you don’t mind, I need to get going.

Dilem held out his hands and pleaded wildly, “Wait, wait, wait, I need you to do one more thing.”

Ritoro looked over his shoulder in frustration at the other general’s persistence, “What?”

An ominous yet eager sound came from the women’s lips, “I need you to find a certain Hand of Morta. One with an eyepatch over her left eye.”