C2 1. Introduction

Trapped in the misty emptiness between the worlds – for such a long time now. He could neither live nor die – just exist. And he waited for that glorious moment when he could free himself from the bonds. The bonds, once his last sanctuary and his only chance to survive the vicious attack of the Great Dragon.

But now all had changed into an curse, granting him endless years of waiting without any chance of salvation.

In the beginning it had been different. In those days he had still held enough power to maintain a firm connection to the outside. At that time his spirit was able to wander around freely, allowing him to get things into motion.

He still considered it a great miracle that his ludicrous plan had worked out so well and he had managed to create the being, which now held the power to set him free. Or should he better say: “Him”. Hidden from curious eyes, the boy grew up and inside him the precious magic increased too. Well hidden. And now the time was approaching, when his powers would be sufficient.

The old hag and the kettle were his tools to keep contact. Through the kettle artefact, things could be brought in and out of the Nimrod. Naturally it was a great exertion, every time he used the kettle, and afterwards he would fall into a dozy state – sometimes for months. But when he woke again, the misery of his situation flushed to his mind with cruel disillusion.

Trapped and damned for all eternity.

And now everything was prepared. He channelled his last remaining powers for the final act. But then the old hag revealed the shocking truth. The boy had gone! Completely enraged in his despair, he shouted at her to search for the boy at once, taking the kettle along with her. There must be no delay, and when she found him he would immediately draw the lad through the artefact into the Nimrod. In any event, the boy and kettle must come together.

As ordered, the old woman set out. Progress was slow, her legs were old and frail and her spine curled forward like a hook. With milky eyes she could barely see the path in front of her. Her life was nearing its end. But before she died, she must finally bring together the last pieces in his great game:

The kettle and the boy.

Helped by the kettle's magic, he tracked every footstep of the old hag. In the distant past, he had crafted the kettle and its precious magic himself. He had always taken such precautions in case the worst should come. In preparation, he had enchanted all sorts of things. And some, such as the old hag, he had lured into his schemes and woven spells on. He had hoped such a scenario would never come to pass. Yet come it did. A cruel truth, worse than he had ever imagined.

Tired of the old hag's slow turtle pace, he got impatient and urged her:

“I am sick of waiting. Hurry up and find the lad!” As always, when his voice suddenly sounded inside her head, the old hag screamed out in fear and tried to block out the wicked sound. She tripped over a stone and slipped from the path, tumbling down into a gorge – and with her fell the kettle.

He cried out in rage – but only in his mind, his body had been condemned to motionlessness for so many years now. Against enemies he could have defended her, but the fall he could not stop. The old woman's body smashed against the bottom of the gorge, killing her instantly. The metal boiler bounced and clanged over the rocks before sliding into a dark crevice where nobody would ever find it. Desperation overwhelmed him and he wept, but then he clung to a small glimmer of hope as he realised:

He will come, because it is his destiny.

There were still other ways to contact the lad. As long as the old woman was bound to him, things were easy, but he could also do without her. Yet this would present him with more difficulties and cost him more of his precious power. These magical trips were exhausting and could therefore only be short.

For some time he continued his search, but after many months there was still no a trace of the boy.

So he fell into the dozy state of endless waiting, forcing his mind to go over everything he knew in order not to forget everything. And still hoping dearly, that eventually, the day would come when he would be free again. The only thing he could do now was cling to this vanishing hope.

2. Access to the Nimrod

At this time Master Raiden and Master Calwas were the only mages that could send magical eyes into the Nimrod. The others were either not talented enough or lacked the specific knowledge needed for the task.

Both of the old masters had seen glimpses of the same image. A tremendous landscape, consisting of a broad meadow with magnificent mountains in the distance. They described the scene to each other unmagically, because the art had its limits when it came to bringing a copy of the scene through the border of the Nimrod. The tunnel also distorted their perception, which made it impossible to guess precisely how far away the landscape really was. Yet Master Raiden's mind slowly formed a plan of how to gain access to the Nimrod.

“Eryn, meet me in my study!”

The telepathy hit Eryn in the middle of the night, startling him from his sleep. No doubt that voice would even resurrect him from the dead.

“Yes, Master Raiden”, he telepathed back and rubbed his sleepy eyes.

In the middle of the bloody night - why? And what does he want? Fortunately he did not sound angry. Eryn shrugged his shoulders. He would find out soon enough. Then he pulled on a robe and stumbled out of the room.

“Do you think it is appropriate to take your time?” Prince Raiden asked impatiently.

“I am already on my way, Master.” Eryn replied. He quickened his steps, but not too much.

When he entered the study, Master Raiden looked as though he had not been to bed at all.

Of course sleep is only for common mages, Eryn thought and suppressed a yawn.

“How far can you extend your tunnels?” asked Master Raiden in a piercing tone. But Eryn was still shaking off sleep and it took him a moment to understand what this was all about.

“But you ordered me strictly not to tunnel.”

A clout hit Eryn, helping him to recognise that this was not the desired answer.

“Well, I give you my permission now. It probably isn't as dangerous as I originally thought. In the olden days, many mages travelled in this manner without all those fixed gates and tunnels.”

Oh yeah – now it’s an option all of a sudden. The thought crawled unbidden into Eryn's mind, immediately followed by a reprimand.

“Could you stop that unnecessary whining and just listen!” Then Master Raiden spoke with great excitement and what he explained sounded much more dangerous than anything Eryn had attempted up until now.

“We have managed to send eyes into the Nimrod through an opening in the tunnel. You know this already. From the speed at which an eye travels, we know the Nimrod must be close. The only thing we have to do now is to jump out of the tunnel at the right place and we will enter the Nimrod itself.”

That sounds pretty easy. “A tunnel out of another tunnel?”

“Exactly. We have five seconds before we pass the opening – after that time we lose connection with the eye. Like a boat drifting past a tree on a river bank. Do you follow me?”

“Yes, Master Raiden,” sounds logical and possible - theoretically. May I mention that I don’t have much experience with tunnel spells.

Master Raiden went on eagerly: “Once the tunnel is opened, you and one other must go through. So far you are the only one who can open a tunnel, who also has a hope of finding the way back. And the person who goes with you has to be a true mage, because nobody knows what we will find on the other side.”

“An ambitious goal.” This cheeky remark slipped out, because Eryn felt somewhat overwhelmed by the challenge and also offended by the comment: ‘the other person has to be a true mage’.

Master Raiden glowered: “Keep your effrontery to yourself. I have had enough of Ravenor's transgressions. Focus only on the task at hand. Everything has to be absolutely perfect, otherwise there is no point in trying this masterpiece of a plan.”

“Shall I start right now?” It was, after all, still the middle of the night, but that was not necessarily an argument in Master Raiden’s world.

“No, we start tomorrow morning. I need you awake and with a fresh mind.”

Dismissed?

“Dismissed!” Eryn saluted and went back to bed.

The following day started with an endless series of tunnel spell tests. And Eryn was still marvelling:

A few weeks ago he told me strictly “Never do that again!” and now he is pushing me mercilessly to do the very thing he forbade me.

White lines marked the ground every few metres. Three - five - ten - fifteen - twenty.

To do the jumps in the required time window of five seconds turned out to be simply unrealistic. The Lord of Naganor himself supervised the experiment, throwing constant advice at his student, urging him forward.

After four long hours, Eryn’s robe was so soaked with sweat that the fabric stuck to his skin, and he dared ask:

“Master Raiden, may I take a break please? Just a short one?” “You will carry on until you can manage an acceptable result – afterwards you can rest.”

How kind an impatient master can be. “Maybe a sip of water, Master Raiden?”

At least that wish was granted – even if with a certain unwillingness.

Hours passed and slowly Eryn's attempts began to make progress, but by nightfall they were still far from reaching the ambitious target set by the Prince. Finally, Master Raiden allowed the experiment to stop and dismissed the exhausted mage student.

Eryn hastened to the kitchen, filled his grumbling stomach, and went immediately to his room, where he collapsed onto his bed, exhausted.

Master Raiden now was set on a goal, and nothing would stop him from pushing all those involved far beyond their limits. So Eryn decided to hide in the safety of his room, just to avoid running into his Master again that evening. That might end in additional practice hours of torturous tunnel spell weaving.

It will catch up with me soon enough, was his last thought before he fell into a deep and dreamless sleep. His prediction proved true the following morning.

Luckily, he had had the foresight to forage plenty of food from the kitchen the day before, so he could at least fill his belly in the morning. I know damned well he doesn’t care at all whether I'm hungry or not.

The day started just like the previous one. Master Raiden did not supervise him all the time, but in his place Master Eriwen took over. The fire-mage was not known for his gentleness either. The sun rose higher and, after a while, hunger tortured Eryn and his throat became dry.

“Try again!” Master Eriwen demanded and Eryn was absolutely fed up with hearing those two words over and over again.

“Master Eriwen, couldn’t we take a short break? Thirst and hunger greatly reduce my concentration,” Eryn begged, but the Goddess of fortune did not favour him this time, because just at that moment Master Raiden came around the corner, overhearing his pitiful plea.

“There is work to be done and a little grumbling of your guts should not distract you from our heroic goal.”

“Master Raiden, please.”

The Lord of Naganor radiated a fierce determination to make progress, but he finally gave in.

“You have become weak, Eryn. When you first came down from those mountains of yours, you were a different man.”

A more stupid one.

“That’s for sure.” – “Guard! Go and fetch my poor feeble student something to eat and a flagon of water.” Then he turned back to Eryn and demanded: “And you – carry on. Not only do we have to construct a tunnel in the given time, we also have to bring another person through it. We will start first with a chicken before we try something bigger.”

In the back of the yard several chickens were running about and Master Eriwen swiftly caught one. Meanwhile, Master Raiden showed Eryn the special spell he needed to create an aura. Then it was nothing but endless practice. If Eryn failed to draw the aura around the bird, the chicken simply remained on the other side of the tunnel. Somewhat reassuringly, there seemed to be no danger to a living being if the spell failed. But pretty soon he was doing rather well at carrying a chicken with him, as the process only required a small field.

Finally the sentry, who had obviously taken his time, returned, giving Eryn a welcome and truly necessary break. Master Raiden, meanwhile, disappeared into the citadel.

With a full belly everything is more bearable. Then Eryn tried to transport Master Eriwen through a tunnel, which kept him busy for a while. Even after he managed once, his success rate was still only one in three.

At sunset, Master Raiden telepathed his student, permitting him to end the magic session. But instead of rest he was to report immediately to Prince Raiden’s study. His demanding Master came straight to the point:

“There are two main problems that we are facing...”

Hunger and thirst!

“... you are still too slow at weaving tunnels and we still can’t start travelling through the tunnels ourselves. If the tunnel is too short we could emerge out into solid ground. And if it is too long, well, then we will fall from the sky. For that reason, we first have to do a series of tests. You will start with that tomorrow.”

Thank God he didn’t insist on today.

“But you will not try to pass through yourself. I am warning you, as I know how carelessly you sometimes gamble with magic. Instead, you will send through something else.” Master Raiden handed Eryn a book with several bookmarks inserted between the pages.

“On these pages you will find a description of how it is to be done. Prepare that for tomorrow.”

“Yes, Master Raiden.”

“We are so close – I can feel it!” Master Raiden was so full of passion, but Eryn could not share his Master's enthusiasm.

I feel nothing at all. I am completely finished.

“I can almost picture us stepping into the Nimrod.” His obsession for success turned the Lord of Naganor into a savage and unpredictable beast and Eryn thought the day's work would never end.

But now he was dismissed and gladly fled to the safety of his chamber. He had barely closed the door when it reopened and there stood Ravenor.

“I heard you coming – thought I’d keep you company.”

Eryn pointed at the open book on his desk. “Bad timing, Ravenor. I have to prepare for tomorrow and I’m already completely shattered.”

The Prince's bastard took a seat opposite Eryn. “Oh I see, the old man is putting you through the mill. Lucky for me – now I’m less important to him and can enjoy a peaceful life. What are you doing exactly?”

“We are searching for a way into the Nimrod.”

“Haven't you been doing that the whole time you've worked together anyway?”

“Yes true, but now Master Raiden sniffs a real chance and you know how patient he is. Funny isn't it, when I was first brought to Naganor and locked up in this chamber, I wanted nothing more than to escape these four walls. Now I would be only too happy for someone to lock me up in here, at least I could have a well deserved rest.”

As always, Ravenor had some good advice for his mate:

“Do something illegal, then they'll certainly lock you up.”

“That’s a terrible idea. If I do something wrong, first he'll clobber me and then I'll have the pleasure of working the whole night through, with him watching over me.”

Ravenor rose from his seat. “Well then, I can’t help you and have to abandon you to your fate – just

as you did to me recently. By the way he didn’t want my cheap nag and now I am the proud owner of a formidable stallion. Even Askir’s horse is ordinary compared to my steed.”

“Good for you. Now get out, so at least I can hope for a quick kip when I am done with the preparations.”

At this eviction, Ravenor raised his hand in a half-hearted wave and left the room.

They were able to save time by starting to build up the spell before entering the tunnel and, in this way, they were able to complete it in the allotted time. This had been Eryn’s idea – not that anybody considered showing him any signs of appreciation. At least, they were a big step closer to success. But breakthrough aside, other problems continued to arise. They travelled to Aspengate and carried out endless tests. The current task was to create a tunnel within a tunnel and relay chickens through it, while Master Calwas or Master Raiden wove a magic eye to see if the chickens arrived on the other side. It was an overwhelming moment when they succeeded for the first time. Despite this achievement, they were still a long way from ensuring a secure passage, and besides, one chicken wasn’t the same as two humans.

Just as they had suspected, it soon became clear that there was a connection between the time it took to weave the magic and the length of the tunnel. Eryn practised hard for some time. Day by day, he got steadier in his weaving, and then finally the

moment arrived when they would give it a real try.

On that day, Aspengate was closed to normal travellers again. The merchants guild had already vehemently protested these repeated closing times, but a firm word from the Lord of Naganor himself was enough to silence them. He made it quite clear, that he would not accept hindrances to his progress by a bunch of greedy merchants. But now everything was ready and Prince Raiden and Eryn stood side by side in front of the gate. The prospect of their first serious attempt made Eryn nervous, and even Prince Raiden was feeling tense.

“Nothing is different this time, student. Let's just do it.”

Pressing his lips together into a small line, Eryn nodded in silence. Master Raiden wrapped his arm around his student’s shoulder and Eryn followed suit. The closeness to the Prince made Eryn extremely uneasy but it was necessary. It made it a lot easier to drag an aura around both of them, which was very important the moment they passed through the tunnel.

The next step brought them through the gate, and they drifted along in a magic gray mist. Master Raiden slowed their passing so that they could find the right spot. Trips through gates usually happened in the blink of an eye, and, even with the delay, they only gained a little extra time. Eryn had already summoned his magic and prepared the spell, while Master Raiden formed the words in Eryn’s head: “ 3 – 2 – 1 now!”

Eryn opened the tunnel and, as they had agreed, made it as long as possible. In his mind, it was better to be cast out into the air than to wind up somewhere deep in the ground. Master Raiden had promised that he would provide them a safe landing with an magical air-cushion.

Hopefully, he will do so.

Once the tunnel was ready, Eryn wove the aura around himself and Master Raiden. Before they jumped, he pulled his arm tightly around his master’s shoulder. They were surrounded by milky white with glittering spots of colour. Suddenly their view cleared and they emerged into a blue sky.

We are through, Eryn rejoiced.

Then they started falling rapidly and he screamed out in shock. Their fall was stopped by an air-cushion, as promised, but Eryn received a hard blow to his shoulder anyway, as his arm was still wrapped around Prince Raiden. The latter got up cursing, while Eryn groaned. After their unprecedented first step into the Nimrod, Master Raiden uttered the historical words:

“Was it necessary to shout right into my ear?”

It obviously wasn't a serious question and Eryn refrained from answering. They had finally succeeded on entering the Nimrod and his gaze wandered around – full of interest. The landscape was rather ordinary. They stood on sandy ground with sparse vegetation. Behind them, a wall of rock towered up into the sky, and before them lay a boulder-strewn meadow. And sticking out between the large and small rocks, lay various chicken-parts in different states of decay. They dotted the earth like some kind of strange flower. Eryn also noticed some chickens scratching about in the grass.

It's no wonder some of them made it. I threw so many chickens through that tunnel.

A bit further away, the meadow became more lush and then turned into an forest that extended into the distance.

Master Raiden turned to Eryn. “The Nimrod is nothing more than an ordinary piece of land. Somehow I had greater expectations.” He sounded somewhat disappointed. “Well then, let us first find a way back. By the way, the tunnel was far too long. We fell almost ten metres.” “Better too long than too short, Master Raiden,” Eryn remarked and pointed to the remains of the poor chickens sticking out of the earth. The black mage barely gave the chickens a glance before starting to scan the surroundings.

“The field is here. Do you sense it?”

Eryn activated his magical sensors and also noticed a strong source within an area of around two metres squared.

“It is much stronger in the centre.”

“Weave a tunnel and throw something through it. We need to see whether we can get back.”

And if we can’t? the fearful thought slipped into Eryn’s mind, but he pushed all doubts aside and obeyed. The newly created tunnel stood ready, but Eryn had the feeling that there was an odd shaking on the other side. He threw a stone through the magical gate. There didn't seem to be any problem so he declared:

“Going back seems easier than entering, but I sense some shaking at the point where the two tunnels meet.” The Master nodded knowingly:

“That verifies my theory. The trembling is caused by the flow of the tunnel. When travelling through the tunnel from this end it should be much easier to get out at exactly the right spot.”

“What now, Master Raiden?”

“We go back.”

Soon afterwards, they were standing in the isolated room in Aspengate, and from there they made their way back to Naganor.

Then Master Raiden ensured that Eryn would keep their success a secret. To be precise, he used the connection of the soulban. Then he ordered Eryn to gather some things. Mainly artefacts and some light gear. It was obvious that the Lord of Naganor was eager to explore the newly discovered land and their journey into the Nimrod would soon start.

As Eryn re-entered the study he asked frankly: “When do you want to return to the Nimrod?”

“As soon as I have arranged the usual matters. Have you gathered everything?”

Eryn put the clothing and artefacts, which were mainly rings, on the table and Master Raiden immediately put some of them on. Then he buckled on his breastplate and wrapped the sword belt around his hips. His knife and sword, covered in their scabbards, were still lying on the table.

“Equip yourself with something useful. Standard armour, blank crystals and also a bag for the maps. I found an old drawing dated from the time before the Nimrod-spell was cast. Here – make a copy and add it to the luggage!”

Outside Eryn met Master Calwas, Master Eriwen and Lord Boron. He saluted smartly as the three highly ranked officials passed him on their way to Master Raiden's study.

When Eryn came back they were still in consultation with Master Raiden, but the black mage waved him in all the same. Then he turned his attention back to the commander of the Guard and the other mages.

“It won’t be the first time I have been away from Naganor, but I don’t want rumours spreading about the true purpose of my journey. Master Calwas, you take care that an illusion of me is walking around for the next few days. And make up some story to explain my absence after that. Find some explanations for my loss of interest in the Aspengate experiments and... tell everybody I am engaged elsewhere. Or something like that.” The Lord of Naganor gave the gathered men an insistent glance.

“As you wish, my Prince. Everything will be seen to,” Master Calwas nodded and Prince Raiden turned to the commander of his guard.

“Lord Boron, you take over the command at Naganor and, please, keep Sir Ravenor busy.”

The Lord grimaced slightly and Prince Raiden pointed out, “So far, I have made a rather acceptable officer out of him, as I am sure you’ll notice. But I still wonder why you couldn’t manage that miracle on your own.” He underlined the words with a mocking grin and Lord Boron swallowed the reprimand, flattering him:

“As always your skills far outshine our own, my Prince.”

“So enough talking. Let's go! Eryn!?”

“Everything's ready, Master Raiden.”

...And so the journey into the Nimrod began.

Their next jump through the tunnel was much more experienced than the first had been, and now, for the second time that day, they found themselves standing in the hidden land of the Nimrod. Eryn awaited Master Raiden’s orders.

But the Lord of Naganor seemed busy scanning so Eryn too sent a magical eye around. First he rose it high to get an overview of the land. In the distance stood a mountain range, and before it the large forest was an expanse of dark green. But in amongst it there were odd milky areas, which seemed to be covered by mist.

What is that? Eryn wondered as Master Raiden whistled through his teeth the same moment. Has he noticed them too? Even before Eryn could ask, his master explained:

“Magical detection fields. So we are not alone. I didn’t really expect that anyway. But now the question is: Where are we more or less? Eryn, the map.” Impatiently he held out his hand. The map was quickly unrolled and hovered at a comfortable working height before the Prince. The drawing was no masterpiece, but rather rough and with minimal details. Unfortunately it was the best Master Raiden could get hold of in such a short time and, as His Highness didn’t want to wait any longer for the exploration, the map had to suffice.

Eryn stood beside his master and looked back and forth between the map and the landscape. He made a vague guess of where they could be, but Master Raiden pointed promptly to another spot.

“I think, we are here.”

“Humph?” Eryn grumbled doubtfully and the black mage did not miss his murmur of disagreement.

“You have a different opinion, student?” he asked with a certain undertone that translated to: You dare to question my judgement? Nevertheless, Eryn stood his ground:

“Master Raiden, I think we are here!” he declared, pointing out a completely different spot on the map and then mumbling: “Ranger's intuition.”

The Lord of Naganor rubbed his chin. “Hmm?” He seemed to be lost in thought, then he suddenly came back in the present: “That doesn’t matter anyway. First we'll march over to those woods and head for the misty area. We will both record the route we take, so that later we can draw a map and also find our way back.” He started to move forwards, but something came to his mind and he suddenly stood still. “Stop, wait! First we must first create a gatestone which we'll leave right here.”

“In this case ‘we’ meant Eryn as he was the only one who had this ability. And since Eryn was already experienced with casting this spell, Master Raiden saw no reason to help him do the work. In the meantime, he occupied himself with something else and only set the task aside to examine Eryn's result.

“Fine, that’ll do. Now let‘s go.”

They headed towards the trees and at first nothing special caught their attention. The usual plants and flowers covered the ground and a few insects buzzed about. Several chickens were scratching around and Eryn caught two of them to stock up their supplies.

Certainly we need food sometime and this is a good opportunity...

On the edge of the forest, they found an isolated square column, about the height of a man and constructed out of rough stone. At eye level on all four sides the same symbol had been engraved – an eye beneath a jagged line, enclosed by a square. The stone was not enchanted and seemed rather ordinary. Both men didn't have any idea what it could possibly mean and they soon continued their journey into the forest.

As they had already observed from afar, the wood was cloaked with a magical fog severely limiting their scanning abilities. In fact, their magical eyes couldn’t see much more than their human eyes. A mouldy smell hung in the air and the gloomy light gave them a strong sense of unease.

“Where are we heading, Master Raiden?” Eryn asked, his master having not informed him of their plans.

“By the curse of the Gods, if I knew that!?” the Prince swore indignantly.

That you've lost your way, I am well aware of, but I meant the place you wish to find.

A mean spell attacked Eryn, who tried to block it with nested shields like Master Savyen had shown him. He managed to hold the spell back for a moment but then the magic pushed through and hit him anyway.

“I can’t lead us astray, if we don’t even know where we are. I am hoping we will come across some rational beings, who can tell me something about the land here. Not just disgusting insects like this!” With that he shot a fire beam into a nearby tree and some creature, about the size of a fist, fell in front of their feet. Curious, Eryn lent down and picked up the tiny corpse. The being had three tails with sharp barbs and four legs ending in claws. A thin neck extended from a small body and upon it was a big round head with strong pincers and just one large eye.

“This isn't an insect, it's a reptile. A three tailed yellow-spotted quarz. He bewitches his victims and then kills them with venom from his jaws. It's quite a rare species.”

Master Raiden was a few steps ahead, but this made him turn round sharply.

“Really? Then you'd better have a look around. Those nasty creatures are overrunning the place here, and the fact that they are venomous doesn’t make me any more sympathetic towards them.” Master Raiden was right, a great number of quarzes were sitting in the trees and many were running on their thin lizard-like legs around on the forest floor. Losing his temper, the Lord of Naganor wove a carpet fire, killing several of the quarzes and causing the rest to run off in all directions.

“So, cleaned up. Why do I have to take care of insect pest control? Isn’t that your job?”

“Of course, Master Raiden, but you were simply quicker.” ...And they are reptiles.

After the delay, they continued on their journey, scanning their surroundings cautiously so that nothing would escape their notice. Excitedly, Eryn discovered many animals he'd never seen alive before. He knew them from the thick tome he had had to learn by heart at Gahaeris, and now he made the mistake of uttering these sensational discoveries aloud.

“Wow a jaswent!” – “Incredible, a golorn!” As he announced the sudden appearance of a loganon, the annoyed Master Raiden turned round and remarked sharply.

“Is it in any way useful that you name all the animals in this forest?”

Eryn didn't find an answer immediately, so Prince Raiden continued:

“From where do you know all these creatures anyway? I've barely seen any of them before and as long as they are no threat to me, I don’t care what their names are and how they spend their useless lives.”

Master Raiden is in a very bad mood considering we have successfully entered the Nimrod, thought Eryn, as his scientific endeavour was shut down so heartlessly.

“Do I get any answers today or do you refuse to talk, now that your oral flow has dried up?”

“Gahaeris, Master Raiden. I had to learn the content of a lexicon on all the different magical beings and now I can see them living – it is rather exciting.”

“Master Tellenor would be delighted,” the words were pure sarcasm, “But I warn you, curb your over-eagerness for comical animals and put your focus better on the rest of the environment, in case something really threatening should show up.”

After Eryn’s euphoria was harshly killed, he paid the usual lip service and followed his humourless Master. They passed by another of the odd columns with the same symbol on each side. Again it was simply bare stone without a hint of magic. Their way – or more accurately, Master Raiden's way – led them zigzagging steadily deeper into the woods. Eryn, who had a good sense of direction, noticed very clearly that they were walking in a slight curve, but he was wise enough to keep his mouth shut, not daring to instruct the Lord of Naganor. He would only snarl at me and wouldn’t believe me anyway. Should he walk in a circle, I won’t say anything.

And because Master Raiden was lost in his own thoughts, he missed Eryn’s contemplations.

The trees stood close together and their leaves formed a dense canopy that kept beams of the sunlight from breaking through. As the light of the day faded it got dark quickly and so Master Raiden decided they would set up camp on the shore of a rivulet.

“We stay here for the night. Not such nice place, but you can't always have everything.”

Certainly true. Eryn began to set camp.

Eryn was woken early next morning by an urgent need to empty his bladder. A glance towards his noble companion told him, that His Moodiness was still asleep. So Eryn rose cautiously, not wanting to arouse the beast. Maybe he is in a better mood today, but this depressing forest is not the best place for cheering someone up. Usually Eryn liked nature, whether it was forest or meadow, but this place had the smell of death upon it.

Eryn pissed on a tree trunk, making sure he was far enough from their sleeping place that it would not disturb His Highness' sleep.

Sometimes I am completely fed up and don't even have the chance to run away. Will I be my own master some day? Or will it forever be my fate to be the puppet of the high-born Prince, fetching him this and that?

He shook the last drops away and packed his dick back into his pants. Suddenly, he noticed a movement out of the corner of his eye, not far off. Alarmed, he focused on the movement and what he discovered left him feel queasy. Tageroths! Two, no, three beasts and they have discovered me! “MASTER RAIDEN, TAGEROTHS!” he shouted a warning telepathically as the monsters were already coming closer. First slowly, then they spread and surrounded him.

By the Gods, they will swoop down on me in an instant! Running out of time, Eryn did what he had practised so often lately. He built up a tunnel, seeking an escape from the beasts. Just as the tunnel was steady, the monsters attacked and Eryn jumped and reappeared about fifty metres away from his former location. All shields up and with the help of thickening air spells, I'll flee to a treetop.

After their first victim had hidden himself successfully, the tageroths turned towards the camp and then all hell broke loose. The Black Prince had his hands completely full keeping the three beasts at bay with flashes of magic. Eryn watched the spectacle from a safe distance, observing magically the great show of lightning, shields and spells. The first tageroth went down. Meanwhile, Eryn sat in the branches, well secured behind his shields and thinking about what he should do next.

First I have to come closer to the battle again. And so he weaved air magic and ran across thickened air to the next tree, just as a blow hit Master Raiden. His shields held off the worst of it, but the stroke threw him several metres backwards and knocked him off his feet. Immediately Master Raiden jumped up and dazzled the beast with a lightning bolt, and the next tageroth met his fate. Eryn knew that the monsters were resistant to fire, but he shot a fire-lance anyway to distract the beast. He would have liked to have been more useful, but fire-lances were one of the few spells from the topic of fighting magic that he had mastered.

The tageroth didn’t even notice the attack, he was busy lashing out at Master Raiden, who moved rapidly back and forth delivering blows with his sword. With an incredible execution, that would have been impossible without magic, Master Raiden jumped up over the beast in a spinning movement and pierced his blade straight into the monster's eye. A last roar shook the air and the third tageroth fell down, his heavy weight causing the earth to tremble. Eryn came down to the battlefield, finally leaving the safety of the trees. Master Raiden, covered in sweat and panting, stood amidst the fallen beasts with lowered sword.

“Such a damned mess so early in the morning! I dislike this forest more and more.” Then he turned to Eryn in a pointed voice: “You are a little late to come to my rescue.”

Eryn shrugged his shoulders in a gesture of helplessness. “What could I have done? The tageroth didn’t notice my fire-lance.”

“With fire you can’t achieve anything,” Master Raiden noted, then he judged: “Probably it was the right decision, to hide like a coward. You would have only got in the way anyway.”

I didn’t hide myself like a coward. Is it my fault, that the great Master had finished the fight before I could be of any help? It hurt Eryn's pride to be called a coward, but the insults didn’t stop there. “You could just say ‘thank you’. You couldn’t handle such a fight anyway, Nurin.”

“Thank you, Master Raiden.” Now does that please Your Vanity ? The answer was a pretty hard slap in the face and Eryn turned to Ravenor's method of thinking of nothing but banalities, especially relating to their closer environment: wood, wood, wood, green, mouldy wood...

They had eaten the chicken the day before, so Eryn was instructed to roast tageroth meat for breakfast. As he disembowelled the beasts he noticed a branded mark on the skin. The eye with the jagged line inside a square.

It's the same as that on the columns, he noted, and then he informed Master Raiden immediately and very respectfully about his discovery. The black mage had a closer look and found the other carcasses had also been branded with the same symbol.

“Looks like someone set the dogs on us. So far we haven't met anyone reasonable and we have enemies already.”

The word enemy, together with the Lord of Naganor, caused Eryn some unbidden thoughts, but he quickly banished them from his mind to avoid receiving another resounding slap. Eryn had to be very careful as Master Raiden had been in a foul mood for as long as they had been out in nature.

The meat of the tageroth let off a disgusting stench as it was roasting on the fire, and then was so stringy to eat that they finally threw it away.

“We'll find something else. Let’s break camp, Eryn.”

“Yes, Master Raiden.” Their few belongings were quickly gathered and as usual Master Raiden took the lead. He didn’t keep to a straight direction, but Eryn was wise enough to keep his mouth shut, scanning the woods as they went along.

Wood, green wood, bad wood, wood dark and nasty...

An hour may have past as they walked in silence, then Master Raiden started talking:

“Student, you do not have to walk ten feet behind me and you should stop pretending to be offended.”

With a few long steps Eryn caught up. “Yes, Master Raiden,” he nodded, not a hint of forgiveness in his voice.

“You can behave normally again and think your droll thoughts as you usually do. Sometimes I enjoy them as amusing entertainment, if you don’t overstep the mark.”

“Yes, Master Raiden.” Ha, droll thoughts!

Master Raiden's temper was changing as fast as coastal weather and now His Highness was once again in a joking mood.

“I punished your impudence a bit harder than usual and now I am penalised with stubborn silence and minimal cold affirmations.”

Eryn decided to vent his anger: “Would you like to be supervised all the time, without the right to a will of your own, and no matter how hard you work, you only earn unjust and harsh words?”

“Well, well, unjust... you'd better think twice about whether they were really that unjust. And I know pretty well, what it's like, to have no free will. Your problem is the same as mine and, if there is a solution to this dilemma, it is hidden here in the Nimrod. Believe me, I have been looking for such a solution for thirty years now and if I find one – which I will one day – you can be sure that I will undo the bond between us just as I undo the bond that connects me to Master Elderon. But as that time has not come yet, I'm sorry but you just have to deal with the given situation.”

“You really think there is a solution?” Disbelief and curiosity layered Eryn's words, and Master Raiden praised Eryn: “I like you much more this way. The nosy Nurin has questions again. Well, my hope lies with the wisdom of the Great Gray.”

So we are looking for the dragon. “You think he is still alive?”

“Why not? Master Elderon is still alive and Master Tellenor clings to life like a burdock and they are both only human. A dragon has a much longer life expectancy.”

“And you will let me go, when the ban is broken? Just like that?” Eryn had his doubts about this but Master Raiden confirmed it with an elongated: “Yeeesss.”

That gave Eryn a glimmer of hope and he decided to try pushing his luck little further.

“Would you also consider stopping reading my thoughts?”

The answer was a similarly elongated “Nooo.”

That would have been much too considerate.

“You can’t have everything.”

“But a little at least...”

“You already have everything you need!”

“If you say so, Master Raiden.”

The Lord of Naganor laughed heartily. “Well I do, but if I think about it twice, there are some things still missing. For example the basics of fighting magic. When did you practice it last?”

“I was busy learning the gate spell,” Eryn admitted, a little abashed.

“Don’t tell me what I already know. Besides, you haven’t answered my question.”

That put Eryn's back against the wall, “My Prince, true lessons in fighting magic... half a year ago I would say.”

“Why I am not surprised? When we are back at Naganor, we have to recover lost ground. You and Ravenor. Sometimes it occurs to me that both of you are always needing to make up for your deficiencies.”

Hmmm. “Master Raiden, may I point out that I have learned quite a lot in the short time I have been using magic.” It was a desperate attempt to fish for compliment, but Master Raiden was pitiless in his judgement.

“The modest student does not beg for praise. You should have started with the study of magic much earlier in your life, then you would be at an acceptable level by now.”

“How stupid of me. Excuse me – certainly my fault.” He only makes jokes about me. Eryn was close to abandoning any further conversation and going back to only stubborn affirmations of “Yes Master.”

Suddenly Master Raiden froze on the spot. Alerted, Eryn too scanned the surroundings and immediately noticed magic from the circles of violet, orange and silver. What’s that?

After his initial hesitation Master Raiden was now grinning broadly. “A fairy.”

Obviously the Lord of Naganor found nothing worrying about fairies, and he hurried forward with lively steps. He headed towards a place with a small pond, where the forest was less dense.

Eryn had the strange sensation that he had witnessed this scene before.

“Oh, there are even two of them,” Prince Raiden remarked dreamily, and Eryn ventured nervously:

“Aren’t they dangerous, Master Raiden? I am thinking of the malady that afflicted Ravenor.”

Master Raiden's eyebrow rose. “As usual, you don't know anything. There are many different kinds of fairies and these ones here give you a marvellous time of pleasure. This is typical for Tellenor, to tell you nothing of such things.” Master Raiden made a dig at Gahaeris, but then continued:

“Doesn’t matter anyway, because you will keep watch, while I allow myself some diversion. I have worked far too much lately, now a little distraction is more than deserved.”

Eryn hesitated until Master Raiden made an unmistakable sign with his hand.

“Go on! I do not need an audience. But stay in the vicinity, this forest is home to more beings than harmless fairies.”

And he was already on his way down to the pond, where the naked fairies alluringly beckoned him with their arms.

Ravenor would have behaved in just the same manner, that’s for sure. Those two are certainly cut from the same cloth. And what should I do now?

With melancholy, Eryn thought of Nijada, but then he dismissed those unwelcome memories and started scanning the wood for dangerous beasts as he had been instructed. Of course he did not watch the spectacle at the pond, but the sounds penetrating his ears left no room for doubt of the happenings there. Eryn concentrated on the task of keeping watch. Firstly, the pond spectacle was none of his concern, and second, experience had shown him that dangerous beasts were lurking in this forest. So keeping guard was not an unnecessary boring task but a rather serious matter. Annoyingly, his scanning radius was limited, so Eryn had to rely more on his hunting skills. Suddenly he noticed a twig swinging around oddly. He focused on it and soon discovered the source.

Wyvern, two, three, four – shit, a damned lot of them!

At that moment they attacked and Eryn opposed them with fire and sword. A fire-lance stopped the first and Eryn killed the second with his blade. His magic shield did its job and he moved around without pausing for breath. Two more he killed with an enormous fire-blast, setting some branches on fire in the process. Then Eryn received a hard blow to his back that certainly would have killed him without his magic shield. Protected by magic, however, the impact only pushed him forwards and he somersaulted across the ground and landed on his feet again. Now there were three beasts surrounding him, but in the chaos of the fight his fire-lance missed them all. He had never been good at aiming magic over great distances, and now, exhausted from fighting, his ability deteriorated even further. As the wyvern approached slowly, Eryn decided to jump up into the air, just as he had seen Master Raiden do that morning. His methods were limited so he used thickened air to form stairs, climbing them hurriedly. Unfortunately one of the beasts had a similar idea. It hurled its huge body with a great leap towards Eryn and they crashed together in the middle of the air. Eryn looked directly into the open jaw of the wyvern and shot a fire-blast down its throat, while his shield guarded him from the sharp teeth. The incredible defence came to him instinctively and saved him at the last moment, but the impact sent him flying two metres down to the ground directly in front of the feet of another monster. The wyvern looked at him in surprise and suddenly it collapsed to the ground.

“I thought I'd help you a little, unlike you did for me in the morning.”

Covered with dirt and breathing heavily Eryn got to his feet again and looked around. All the wyverns had been struck down, lying in pools of blood, and a rather naked Master Raiden stood amidst the battlefield. He raised an arm and magic delivered his shirt to his open hand. The rest of the clothing followed.

While he dressed, he complained that the fairies had run away as soon as the fighting started. Eryn meanwhile counted the bodies. Ten corpses lay scattered around and these creatures too were branded with the strange symbol. As the heat of the battle cooled, Eryn began to feel proud of his magical performance. Five maybe even six of the wyvern went to his credit. That would never have been possible for a simple human hunter, a mage on the other hand...

Meanwhile Master Raiden had finished dressing and stepped next to Eryn. He pushed the body at his feet with the tip of his boot and noted: “All the dangerous animals in this forest are marked and they seem to have something against us. It's no coincidence. There's also a column by the pond.”

As Eryn was cleaning his sword, he asked, “Did the fairies tell you something useful about this land?”

Master Raiden's eyes went dreamy, “Oh yes, the fairies. What a pity the wyvern have scared them off. I didn't want to be too intrusive at the beginning of our conversation and I had it in mind to ask them about that later.”

Ravenor couldn’t have described the situation any better, Eryn thought with a silent sigh. But when he noticed that Master Raiden had spied his thoughts, he immediately changed the topic.

“Master Raiden, Askir was promoted for slaying only one wyvern, but what about five?” Maybe even six. But I do not want to show off.

“What shall I say to that? Well, Nurin, for an unmagical being, such a butchering might have been a great deed, but for a mage, well, I would say – lowest level achievement. And I will reveal to you something too, which you could have figured out by yourself, with a little bit of thinking. Sir Askir would have been promoted anyway. One way or another. The wyvern was just a pretext. Sir Askir is the son of Egmond Orten, highest aristocracy in Ardeen, and right at his birth it was predestined that he would come to rank and title at an appropriate time.”

That kind of justice Eryn did not understand. “Does that mean I am still below Sir Askir in rank and have to follow his orders, although I am capable of much greater achievements?”

Master Raiden held his head and became agitated. “Eryn!!! Does this play any role? Sir Askir isn’t even here. The fact of the matter is, you are far below me in ranking and have to follow my orders and now I would be grateful if you could spare me further thought effusions such as these.”

“Yes, my Prince!” Flattery was once again appropriate.

Now that the matter had been settled, Master Raiden went on – in a completely new direction.

“We've changed course by about 90 degrees, Master Raiden.” Eryn couldn’t keep this remark to himself. Not after the reprimand he had just received. Now he wanted to make Master Raiden look stupid.

The Lord of Naganor stopped immediately and looked around. “No, um, I just thought there was something over there, but it's nothing.” Then he scratched his chin absent-mindedly and reconsidered his decision, finally correcting their course.

After all the unpleasant encounters of the day so far, they now observed their surroundings very carefully. But as they continued on until nightfall, they saw just a few inhabitants of the forest, all of which kept to the distance. Nothing else exciting happened. When they had finished setting up camp for the night, their construction resembled a fortress. Master Raiden cut down almost fifty square metres of the abhorrent jungle and erected a palisade, strengthened additionally with various safety spells. The high mage had learned his lesson well, as the tageroths had walked so easily through his safety devices in the first camp. He would not repeat the same mistake twice. He wove the magic into a much thicker pattern and in the protection of their fortress they were able to spend the night without any unpleasant incidents.

On the following day the forest slowly began to thin out, and finally they came across a sign of civilisation – a path. A simple path, obviously not in regular use, but without a doubt more than just an animal crossing. Along the sides stood several columns with the carved emblem. Who had erected these stones so liberally was yet an unsolved mystery. After they left the dense forest, patches of trees alternated with small meadows, but their magic spying eyes couldn’t see much further than their human eyes.

It was dozing as the smell of magic streamed toward it. Immediately it was wide awake, all its senses alert. Food, very close.

It consumed magic. Not just magic, but for the most part. That was typical for its species. It had been sleeping in a tree, as it usually hunted at night. But if prey should wander right under its hiding place, it would not say no.

It sensed two humans, standing right below the tree. It had been many years that it had come across members of this species, but it remembered them. Big and easy prey. It would be satiated for weeks. Hunger filled its thoughts, and delight at the anticipated culinary pleasures increased the excitement of the coming hunt.

Slowly, very slowly, it crawled along the branches of the tree, before stopping directly above the two humans. They were making some sounds, but it didn’t understand their meaning. For a moment it hesitated, evaluating whether the fact there were two of them might be a problem. But humans had always been a weak species. It would kill the first one in an instant and then jump to the other one, so fast they wouldn’t even know what was happening to them. It sensed one of the humans was weaving magic. He is distracted. Now! And silently it pounced.

The position of the sun revealed that it was already late afternoon, when they came across several fruit trees. They quickly collected fruit using magic and a lush stock soon packed their pockets. Without hesitation, Master Raiden tasted one of the plums and spat out the seed.

“There's not even any small game around. Right now I would really fancy some rabbit with plum sauce or chicken stuffed with apples. But the only things we encounter are vicious and disgusting animals that taste worse than old leather soles. We should have brought more adequate supplies.”

“Master Raiden, it was difficult enough for me to bring you unscathed through the tunnel. You know yourself that I have only been studying magic for a few years and tunnel spells such as that... are they not already spells of the fifth or even sixth level?”

The Lord of Naganor was busy with the plums and had no intention of answering Eryn's question, which he considered unimportant.

But Eryn, who wanted to know more now, persisted, “I have been wanting to ask you for a long time, Master Raiden: which level of magic have I actually reached?”

Again the Prince spat a pip from his mouth and said: “In fighting magic – no more than the first grade, I would say.” This was another blow below the belt and Eryn was indignant.

“My Prince, you yourself said that you would grant me the second grade and today I killed five wyvern. And, I would like to point out, all with magic. Is that nothing?”

Master Raiden didn't take Eryn particularly seriously as he replied with his mouth half full: “And I, the other five, which otherwise would have been your end. What's the problem, the little puppy is barking and showing his teeth because he wants to be respected? Why all the nagging? First about your rank in the Guard, now about your level of magic. Here in complete wilderness your rank is irrelevant anyway. We are the only two individuals around which makes the ranking pretty clear.”

Whilst he was giving this little lecture, Master Raiden had taken a few steps and was now standing in the shade of a large tree. Eryn followed him and insisted:

“Master Raiden, I would like to know it anyway.”

The master's tone became sharper: “Did you not understand me? The topic is over. Is it this miserable forest which has caused you to fall back into your stubborn behaviour, or what's the problem?” “There is no problem, Master Raiden,” Eryn choked angrily, then he dropped a remark that even Ravenor could not have bettered:

“It's just that a man needs perspectives that go beyond the mere existence as a low ranked servant.”

As soon as the words were spoken, Eryn knew he had gone too far and pulled all his shields up, stacked and nested. As expected, the magic flew towards him, initially caught in his defences and then it began to drill itself through. I will not surrender without a fight.

With a huge effort Eryn held out, moving his shields and drawing on new layers. Nevertheless, the magic of the Black Prince drilled inevitably closer and then Master Raiden suddenly cried out and the threat of being clouted by magic vanished.

Mouth hanging open, Eryn stood there in amazement. His first thought was that a piece of black cloth had fallen on Master Raiden's head. Then he realised that the thing was alive. But in that instant the unknown creature flew down to the ground and died there, twitching in agony.

“What the hell is that?!?” shouted Master Raiden and, disgusted, he prodded at the rag-like creature with his foot. The animal looked very similar to a piece of cloth. It was flat, except for a small hump in the centre, which probably represented the head. From there extended eight star-shaped limbs, which were connected with a thin, black membrane and ended in small claws. The head had a toothless round opening and a ring of facets that might have been the animal's eyes. Eryn clearly remembered the image in Oros' lexicon on the various kinds of magical creatures.

“This is a lumpus, Master Raiden. It feeds mainly on magic and it is actually thought to be extinct,” he repeated the knowledge from the lexicon.

Disgusted, the black mage again kicked at the carcass.

“Sneaky insect. Extinct! – Hopefully that was the last of its useless kind. I am really beginning to wonder if we will meet any intelligent beings, with whom I may talk, here in the Nimrod. Beings who don’t attack immediately and try to eat us. Let's continue – until we come across the next malevolent creature,” the Lord of Naganor added ironically.

As they left the shadow of the tree, Eryn became aware of something else.

“Master Raiden, you owe me a hundred pieces of gold.” This needs to be mentioned. The Lord of Naganor turned abruptly around.

“Why!?” The Prince was in a pretty bad mood and Eryn had to be careful, but he did not want to give in. His recent victory against the Prince was far too big to be forgotten and right now he wanted to bask in the glory of winning.

“Master Raiden, I successfully blocked one of your spells and in even less than the ten years that you considered realistic.”

For a moment, Eryn feared an additional spell attack, but the Lord of Naganor decided otherwise and

justified himself instead.

“That was only because of that thing! Or do you really believe, that you would have stood a chance STUDENT?” Oh, great caution is required. Eryn gave a disarming grin. “No, Master Raiden, not at all. But that was not part of the bet. And if a lumpus falls on your head at the crucial moment, it's just a stroke of luck that decided the bet in my favour.”

Master Raiden pursed his lips slightly and gave in, even if he didn't seem especially pleased with the outcome.

“I will keep my word. But once we are back at Naganor, I will devote myself more intensely to your training until your thoughts are filled with reverent respect and deep gratitude. Lately, you get more of my attention through your impudent words than through your deeds.”

After this threat, which translated as: 'At home I'll tear your ass all the way up to your ears,’ Eryn decided it was better to keep his mouth shut and enjoy his victory in silence.

The sun was close to the horizon, when Master Raiden's hopes were finally fulfilled. The road widened and opened into a square, from which a few more steps led to an even larger square. The stairs were more for decorative purposes, than for practicality's sake. In the middle of the second square a stone pillar the height of two men towered into the sky, and there was someone standing in front of it. Whether or not they belonged to the humans species was difficult to say at such a distance. Master Raiden and Eryn were still standing in front of the steps and trying to assess the situation. The man in front of the column wore a long gray robe and his hair was held by a band. Carved into the sides of the pillar was once again the resplendent and now familiar symbol with the eye. Both the Lord of Naganor and his student had readied their shields, when the man started to speak loudly and clearly:

“You, who have come into the land of the Majestic, step forward to the column and state your request.” After the announcement he was silent again. Meanwhile Master Raiden had already scanned everything and had a grasp of the situation.

“An illusion – nothing else!” And indeed, the figure began to recite his little speech again:

“You, who have come into the land of the Majestic, step forward to the column and state your request.”

“The column seems to allow some kind of communication,” suggested Master Raiden, but he seemed hesitant to do anything, so Eryn asked innocently:

“Shall I go up and examine the column?” The Lord of Naganor had been lost in thought, but that brought him back to the present.

“Better you stay here. Without my protection you can’t even take three steps in this hostile land. I will examine the column on my own. You wait here so I don't have to watch out for you in the process.”

The usual contemptuous words bounced off and Eryn simply shrugged.

“As you wish, Master Raiden.” So he stayed put while Master Raiden walked up the steps towards the column. The illusion now produced a different text:

“The Majestic gives a hearing to all those seeking advice. Come closer, and have faith in his wisdom.”

Again Master Raiden scanned the column and the illusion. There was no indication of a threat. So he went on cautiously, directing his attention mainly to the monument. As he stepped off the last stair out into the second square, it happened. A magical net appeared above Master Raiden and tightened itself around him. Extremely quickly. An angry shout echoed through the air, magic flickered around Master Raiden, and then it was over. Eryn had also had all his magical senses out, and so he had been able to observe the whole clearly. Now the Lord of Naganor stood hunched over in a kind of magical cage. He had his hands stretched out and it did not look as if he had the situation under control. His gaze was fixed on Eryn and he seemed to be saying something, because his mouth moved, but Eryn couldn’t make out any sounds. Suddenly Master Raiden's voice sounded in his head.

“Come forth, Eryn. This is a damned mage's cage and you have to free me before it continues to contract.”

“What's that?” Eryn came cautiously closer, but Master Raiden began to urge him:

“Hurry up, Nurin! The one who set this trap will certainly show up soon. A mage's cage can easily be opened from the outside. Search the strands and tear them apart by negation. I can’t do anything from inside. My shields have strengthened the structure and any space I leave free, allows the damn thing to become tighter around me.”

In fact, a scan showed the traces of all twelve circles, which were woven together in thick webs. “Master Raiden, I see all twelve veins,” Eryn shared his observation, still undecided how to proceed.

“Then just start! Luckily you were accompanying me. Only if every circle is broken, am I free again.” Negation had never been Eryn favourite subject. He began with the Circle of Gold, where he had the greatest power. The strand melted away until it tore at the end, a residual part of the magic slashed Master Raiden, causing him to fall to his knees with a pained expression. The prison contracted further, the strands immediately increasing in thickness. “Would you kindly be careful! You have to destroy the veins carefully so the separated parts do not touch me.” Eryn managed to dissolve the orange and green strands without causing further deterioration.

The illusion had disappeared the moment the trap had closed, and Master Raiden avoided speaking unless it was strictly necessary, so at least Eryn's concentration would not be interrupted. His forehead already shone with sweat, and the thinner his own strands were, the more difficult the negation of their magic became.

Red and silver – that means only seven remain. He was busy with the blue strand, when several gates opened simultaneously and black-skinned beings stepped out. Of course he had not been scanning as he tried to open the cage, else he might have noticed the magic earlier. He hurried to build up his magic shields, but before he had managed half of them, a spell hit him and pinned him helplessly to the ground. In his limited field of vision he could make out a clump of grass and a few stone slabs. More he couldn't see. Someone placed magic-blockers around both of his wrists and his sword was taken away. Then the paralysing magic disappeared and Eryn was able to lift his head. Slowly he came to his knees and tried to assess the situation. They were surrounded by ten pitch-black creatures. In shape they resembled human beings, except that they had tails and partially scaly skin. Their hands ended in three-fingered claws and their heads were bare. Their strange ears reminded Eryn of Braevens Brut's ears. He concluded that they were a kind of demon and somehow connected with the ominous Majestic that the illusion had already mentioned. Another clue in that regard were the golden necklaces, which all the men wore. A pendant with the now familiar eye emblem hung around their necks on strong chains. These martial looking men were barely clothed, but they were heavily armed. Eryn suspected that they possessed considerable magic, but the magic-blockers prevented him from verifying this hypothesis.

One of the creatures began to talk to them in clipped sentences.

“The Majestic will see you now.” Then he pointed towards Eryn. “Get up!”

When he saw that Eryn had obeyed the command, he turned to Master Raiden and dropped two bracelets in front of him. They were of the same kind as the ones Eryn was wearing.

“Put on!” the alien being commanded tersely.

Eryn observed how much the Lord of Naganor struggled at the thought. Even he, as a young mage, felt humiliated at being forced to wear magic-blockers. What a heavy blow it must be to the pride of the great black mage... But the situation in which they now found themselves, was inescapable.

“Put on!” the scaly warrior repeated his prompt, with the same unmoving tone as the first time. Finally Master Raiden grabbed the amazingly thin bangles and pushed them both onto his left wrist. One armlet immediately shrank down and clung to the skin, but the other retained its shape.

“On the other hand,” commanded the demon-man without emotion. Eryn realised that Master Raiden had tried to fool it, but the demon-man had obviously seen through his attempt. As the hoop slipped over the other hand the cage disappeared and the Lord of Naganor was also disarmed before being allowed to get up.

Despite their predicament, Master Raiden completely misjudged who was in charge now.

“What happens now? Who are you and who is the Majestic?”

“No questions. The Majestic will see you. Take off clothing. Everything

– now!” answered the leader, but Master Raiden did nothing to follow the order.

“Why?”

A magical bat hit him in the face and another blow in the stomach sent him to the ground. The Lord of Naganor came painfully on his feet, still showing a tortured grin and then remarked provocatively:

“That doesn't answer either of my questions.”

Why does he remind me so much of Ravenor. Can’t he just shut up? Our situation certainly doesn’t improve with that kind of behaviour. The leader repeated with stoic determination, “No questions! Off – everything!”

In order to avoid a similar treatment, Eryn began to undress himself and the Prince too took off his clothes. The jerky movements were evidence that he did so under the influence of a spell. Then all their belongings were packed into a sack, which one of the demon-men swung over his shoulder.

At least they don’t throw our things away, thought Eryn, as one of the demon-men approached and then stopped beside him.

He is probably scanning me. Suddenly a spell hit him that forced him to lift his arms. The demon-man pulled a knife from his belt and Eryn's throat tightened with fear.

Like an animal for slaughtering – unable to escape. And I won't even have the opportunity to fight for my life. But the demon-man only cut into his side, where the ring against the unhaer was hidden, and pulled it roughly out of his flesh. Then the spell was lifted, and blood began running down his leg. The wound was deep, but not threatening. A healing spell would be nice.

But on such courtesies none of the demons seemed to waste a thought.

Now, naked as they were, they were taken into the middle of the group and marched through a gate. They dropped out onto a road which was lined with eye engraved pillars along both sides and seemed to lead on forever. Both Master Raiden and Eryn had stopped walking to look around, but that was not in the interest of their guards. They both received harsh blows to the back, emphasised with one short word:

“Go!”

“I can walk without help!” snapped Prince Raiden, which only earned him a further command from the leader: “Silence!”

The Prince and Ravenor are just the same. As if it's always a matter of having the last word – no matter what consequences will follow. “Stop comparing me with Ravenor!” The Prince suddenly burst into Eryn’s thoughts and he responded surprised.

“You can still read my mind?”

“Of course I can. That works through the soulban. For that I do not even have to use magic. If you think it's almost as if you were talking to me out loud.”

That explained a lot and Eryn wasn't particularly pleased by the revelation. But their bigger problem was the current situation and he was hoping for some brilliant inspiration from his master.

“Do you have a plan, Master Raiden? I mean, with the way you are provoking our guards?”

“No. Until we've met with the Majestic, they certainly won't harm us. But it's a question of honour, not to silently accept everything. It is a protest against this undignified treatment. You however, obey their orders amazingly fast.”

“The lesson in obedience I have learned well. It eliminates pain and unnecessary hardships. Orders by superiors have to be followed without resistance, delay or even judgement. You should remember, because it was you who gave me that lesson often enough, Master Raiden.”

“Don’t let me forget to give you a lesson in loyalty the next time.” A familiar third voice chimed in: “SILENCE!” “Oh, a telepath?” “YES, SILENCE!” The words were highlighted with a magical smack and Master Raiden's head flew to one side, his nose beginning to bleed.

Why don’t I feel sorry for him? Now he experiences it for himself. Eryn could not resist this thought, even though he now knew, how easily he could be overheard by his master. But the Lord of Naganor was silent, trying to stop the bleeding with the back of his hand.

They had been following the path for about two hundred metres, when it finished up and they walked through a gate into the entrance hall of a building.

In earlier days Eryn would have been rather impressed by such a dramatic transformation of surroundings but now, only moderately impressed, he thought: Illusion Magic. I suspect we will soon face the Majestic.

3. The Majestic

They crossed the foyer and followed along a narrow passageway. The air was cool and the marble floor was uncomfortably cold against their bare feet. The sound of their uniform footsteps echoing from the walls was the only audible thing there. While the demon-men’s boots sounded like a drumbeat, the soft plodding of the two barefooted humans was almost inaudible.

Bam-bam-bam-bam. Involuntarily, Eryn thought back to Falgars Vale, as he stood on the podium, awaiting his execution. What can we expect at the end of this corridor? They turned a corner, after which the passage branched off and then they stepped out into an even larger hall. It was magnificent, overwhelming in dimension, and the whole place was flooded with bright light. Pillars as thick as century old tree trunks reached up to the ceiling. Their plain surfaces made them look even more powerful and had the effect of making the newcomers feel small and insignificant.

As they stepped into the centre of the empty hall, they were flanked only by two guards and accompanied by the leader. They walked across an oversized pattern of lines and squares and in the centre of the floor was a red field, framed by a black line. Here their guards stopped and one of them held a blade just in front of Master Raiden's chest as an unequivocal invitation to stop too.

On such a red square blood can't be seen so well. Eryn looked around nervously. Their guards bowed slightly and withdrew from the hall. Eryn would have liked to know to whom the warriors had offered this homage, but with his magic sealed off he could not even survey the simplest magical spells.

But then the veil of illusion lifted and Eryn faced a being whom he had never met before, yet recognised immediately. There was the Great Gray. Gigantic and impressive, he radiated such a magnitude of power that Eryn could have only guessed in his vision before. As though hypnotised he stared at the creature, unable to tear his eyes away. Memories of all the stories he had heard about the mighty dragon and the Great War flooded his mind. But to come face to face with such a great being as this aroused in him an awe of another dimension entirely. The Great Gray was not just any dragon. He was the most powerful of his kind.

Master Raiden was not as awestruck and paralysed from surprise as Eryn was and found his voice quickly. He bowed slightly and said:

“Majestic, I greet you. Or should I call you the Great Gray?” The giant was stirring slightly and suddenly words formed in their minds:

“A name I have not heard in a long time, homunculus.” The big eyes of the dragon rested appraisingly upon them, his gaze certainly also involving a total magical scan.

As the dragon had stopped talking, Master Raiden took it upon himself to continue the conversation.

“Why are we here, Majestic?” Eryn was content to be silent, because Master Raiden was the man of words and if his articulations should bring him further complications, then Eryn still had the chance to distance himself from everything later.

“Precisely, little man,” answered the Dragon. “I too wonder about the reason. Why are you here? For days you have wandered along the borders of my garden, killing indiscriminately my guardian animals and devastating the land. So why are you here, homunculus?” Even naked, Master Raiden radiated the dignity and arrogance of a prince: “I am from outside the Nimrod...” “What is the Nimrod?” the dragon interrupted. “It is what we call this land here, Majestic. After the Great War, when the world was divided, we from outside gave this name to the hidden land. And in over fifty years, we are the first who have managed to find a way in. In consequence, please forgive me my ignorance. Indeed I was looking for you, but unfortunately everything here is unfamiliar to me and I didn’t know the way. Nor was it my intention to kill your guards. I only acted in defence when they fell upon me.”

“So, you were looking for me, homunculus. Why?” Obviously the Lord of Naganor was tired of being called a homunculus, and he introduced himself: “Majestic, I, Raiden, Prince of Ardeen and Lord of Naganor, am seeking knowledge. I was born in the time of the Great War, and after all these years, everyone still talks about the incredible wisdom of the Great Gray.” The dragon puffed small clouds of smoke from his nostrils. “Stop the flattering. I have been immune to it for a long time. Well, Master of the Black Tower. You seem too young for that, though you are not entirely without talent. And your companion?”

“My student, Eryn.” “A short name, compared to your pompous titles”, the dragon remarked cynically. Master Raiden added, “Eryn Bloodhand.” “The old word for oath-breaker – isn’t that what you all are, homunculus? Oath-breakers? Lies and deceit, perjury and treason, this is what mages always did.” The dragon's assessment of mages did not provide much assurance and Master Raiden launched immediately into justification.

“All that happened far before my time and, as such, is not my crime. Are we now your prisoners, Majestic? What will you do with us?”

For a painfully long moment there was silence, then the voice of the Majestic echoed in their minds.

“I have not decided yet. However, for the time being, I would say you are my guests.” Present Master Raiden with a finger and he immediately takes the whole hand.

“If we are guests why do you treat us so humiliatingly? You have had our clothing taken away, made us stand before you completely naked and insisted on these bracelets.” To emphasise his words he lifted both his forearms, showing the only items worn on his entire body.

“Since when is nudity humiliating? In case it has escaped your observation, vain homunculus, I'm naked too. Your inferior human species needs to be covered by strong armour, because your skin is torn so easily, and you need to wear furs, because you have nothing to hold back the cold, and you need bags in which you can hide things. Once all this is taken from you and you stand there naked as nature has endowed you, it is obvious, that you feel ugly and that you are ashamed of it. I do not appreciate it when you try to conceal anything. A ring, a jewel, sometimes just a piece of cloth, anything can be enchanted. I have learned my lesson over the years and this is why all, without exception, must appear naked in front of me. But as this seems to have dealt a heavy blow to your vanity, homunculus, I will do you a little favour.”

In that instant a belt and a piece of cloth appeared in front of each of them. They took the items and covered up their nakedness. “How did you get inside?” asked the dragon, and Master Raiden explained how they had found the weak spot and then traveled through the tunnel.

“You are wiser, homunculus, than I expected at first glance” acknowledged the Great Gray.

“Maybe I should hold off for a while, before I incorporate your magical essence into myself.”

Eryn swallowed. Does the dragon really plan to steal our magic, or is this just a bad joke?

Even Master Raiden's excessive confidence began to waver slightly.

“Majestic, we have done nothing to you and you are threatening us in this way. But to exchange our knowledge could be very useful to both of us .”

“This mistake homunculus, I have made with your breed far too often, and history seems to repeat itself over and over again. Last time I believed the words of a mangy mage, he betrayed me. Ador Coronos – his name shall be accursed. It will take another thousand years before I can forget his betrayal. And besides, what kind of knowledge could you offer me, so young and inexperienced as you are, not to mention your student's inadequacy. He's such a greenhorn that his veins still flicker irregularly.”

“And yet I have something to offer, which I believe will attract your interest, Majestic. I can show you, if you allow me access to my magic. You have no reason to fear me. I have seen your overwhelming power.”

The green eyes of the dragon rested upon Master Raiden.

“So, you have seen my power, though your magic is sealed?” he said sarcastically, but the master of words played his cards well.

“Your power, Majestic, and Sefira Visaer.”

The dragon raised his head. It was difficult to read his emotions, as he did not have the facial expressions of a man, but it was obvious that the name of Sefira caused him to pay attention.

“The Circle of Silver should be sufficient. Show me,” he demanded, and from that moment on, the dragon's voice disappeared form inside Eryn's head and he was excluded from the conversation.

The dragon and Master Raiden had a long discussion through thought, while Eryn waited, the cold seeping up from the ground into his feet, causing them to go numb.

To kill time he surveyed the dragon in detail, then the hall, then the dragon again. It did not look as though the Majestic wanted to kill them or steal their magic essence. The sensation of temporary security calmed Eryn and he drifted into a state of dreary boredom as his Master and the Dragon seemed to have no intention ending of their conversation.

The Circle of Silver opened and even this alone was a blessing for the Lord of Naganor. To be completely unmagical, felt wrong – even sick.

“Majestic, I would prefer to continue our talk in private now.” “You do not trust your student, homunculus?” “Certainly, but I'm afraid we have things to discuss that may only concern you and me as they are rather personal matters. Unpleasant memories, which should better remain between the two of us. I will inform my student everything he needs to know later.” “Well, this is your intrigue. And now show me, what it is you announced so boastfully, homunculus.”

The Lord of Naganor opened the vision that Eryn had had in the ruin and showed the dragon the images of Sefira Visaer's death. Once the short sequence was completed, the dragon was silent and minutes elapsed before his voice sounded again in Raiden's head.

“An unexpected surprise. Dunkin Dun has been deceived just like me. Who would have thought it? And everything comes back to the same wicked snake. I knew that he was completely evil, but for this deed I didn't think he was the guilty one.”

“You know the other mage?” “Very well indeed. That's Ador Coronos and he took the key for himself.”

Master Raiden listened keenly. The dragon knew things that were no longer known by anyone in the world outside the Nimrod and the Lord of Naganor was eager to learn more.

“What key?” He asked immediately. “First you will answer my questions, homunculus. You said that you came here to find me. Why?”

Master Raiden could think of a thousand reasons why he had come. There was much he wanted to learn from the wise dragon, but one thing was of greatest importance to him and he blurted out:

“Do you know a way to break the soulban?” Usually the spell was woven to bind a dragon to a human being and no-one in the Nimrod could know how the spell had been misused.

“Do dragons still exist outside of the Midland?” asked the Great Gray in slight surprise, and Master Raiden replied truthfully:

“No, the spell was woven on me and for thirty years now I have been looking for a way to rid myself of it. My last hope is your wisdom.”

The Lord of Naganor waited excitedly for the answer that was once again delayed. “The soulban is not intended to bind people to other people. Originally it was a bond of deep brotherhood between a dragon and a mage. But the mages became greedy and did not want to be allied to the dragons they were bound to, but to rule them. Kahan was the first who modified the spell to make a dragon his servant. He got the punishment he deserved for this crime, but the corruption had been done. Things got worse and eventually it culminated in the absurdity of Ador's attempt to bind me. In his blindness and irrepressible desire for power, he thought he could succeed. ...And this, after everything that we had already achieved together.”

Master Raiden listened intently. It sounded almost as though the Great Gray and Master Ador had once worked together. But then the Majestic turned the conversation in another direction.

“Irony of fate that mages now bind mages to themselves. Now who is it that holds you in his hand, homunculus?” “My name is Raiden, Majestic, just in case you should have missed that earlier. And my shame was caused by Master Elderon, the Lord of the White Tower. Since the end of the dragon war he has been the first mage of the Brotherhood.” “Fine, Raiden it shall be, just so that I can distinguish you from the other little men. And why has Elderon woven the spell on you?” “I had a different opinion in some matters and did not support his goals.” “So you did not obey your superior and for that he punished you with a curse. In truth, he should have killed such a rebellious rival.” The dragon's logic was shockingly radical and Master Raiden tried to explain. “Between humans these manners are not so clearly defined, Majestic, although sometimes I wish he had killed me. Besides, I never doubted his rank, but in some matters I simply had another opinion.”

“And what matters were these, Raiden?” The dragon seemed to be very eager for more details. “Master Elderon is desperately looking for a way to undo the magic of the Nimrod. The unhaer stretches slowly but steadily from the borders of the Nimrod. Every year it creeps forward a few more centimetres, and, since the spell was woven, there have been fewer and fewer gifted among the humans. Master Elderon believes this is all connected and he sees it as his mission to heal the world by undoing the spell. That was one of the reasons.

I, however, simply don’t care whether two worlds exist or not, even if this is the reason for the increasing of the unhaer. It's so gradual it will take millennia until it is truly a threat. Yet the First Mage disagreed, and for his plans to be put into action, he needed the vein of gold. But all mages lost this vein at the creation of Nimrod – except for me. That’s why he was so very interested in my allegiance. But, as I mentioned, I had, and I continue to have, other views. Only the soulban assured him my absolute loyalty.

In addition to that, he decrees that mages keep out of all worldly concerns. For me, as prince of a large country, this is virtually impossible. Only on one point do I unreservedly agree with Master Elderon. He values peace above all else. The experiences of the Dragon War have had a profound influence on him.”

“Peaceful mages? That seems to me a contradiction in itself. But the war probably has changed all of us and maybe even for the better.”

Then the dragon mused: “I remember the white mage. He tried to mediate between the fronts when the earth was burning. Had there been more beings like him, it would not have come to such a cruel war. You can consider yourself lucky, homunculus, to have someone like him as your master. It's not the worst of all fates.”

Master Raiden disliked this view of the matter. “To have any master, is a bad fate. I am prince of Ardeen, I was born to rule, not to serve. I need to be able to make my own decisions again without having to blindly obey another. I need to be free again.”

“You are vain and arrogant, Raiden. Those are hazardous traits. And you are a man who seeks his own advantage. On the other hand that is still better than a fanatic who only represents his own mistaken beliefs, using everything at his disposal. A man such as Ador.”

The telepathic voice trailed off for a moment, then the dragon changed the subject. “You claim to possess the Circle of Gold, but my sight tells me otherwise?” “I had the Circle of Gold, Majestic. But during the ritual of the soulban, when I nearly faced defeat, I mutilated myself.

It was only a thin and miserable strand anyway.”

“It was great courage or great stupidity to do such a thing. A vein can’t be regained.” “I was aware of that. But I couldn’t do much with it anyway.” The dragon asked in an interrogating manner:

“In addition, you claim the gifted ones have decreased, but your student here has all twelve circles with significant potential?”

“He is the first one in decades. And the only one with the Circle of Gold. Only with his help, could I come here at all.” “And now you're going to turn back empty-handed. You can report to Elderon that the Midland can’t be freed from the spell without the key. I tried many times and didn’t succeed, though I myself created this magic. The spell keeps going by itself, and only the power of the key will allow the magic to be opened and dissolved.”

“And where is this key, Majestic?” Master Raiden could hardly suppress his curiosity.

“A good question. The vision has at least shown me who possessed it last. Dunkin stole the key and then Sef took it after the fight, just before the most miserable of all traitors murdered her. That was not a fair fight. She would never have been defeated in a fair fight. And it looks as though he only used Dunkin as a scapegoat. Otherwise he would have intervened in the fight much earlier. But he was waiting for the best opportunity to kill Sef and take the key at the same time. So he could deliver me a harsh defeat with no-one to witness his deed. Everyone would think Dunkin had killed Sef.

But I always knew that the loathsome schemer was behind it all and that's why I flew directly to Ador's Golden tower and destroyed it down to ground level. I'm sure Ador was in it, but I never found his body, and the key too, was gone. Though at that time I didn’t know the key was in his possession. I always thought the water-mage had hidden it and it would be outside of the Midland. Sometimes I even imagine that Ador is still alive somewhere out there. In the area that I can no longer reach.”

“One thing I can tell you for sure, Majestic, Ador doesn’t live outside the Nimrod. Unless he has been hiding since the end of the war and hasn’t shown himself to anyone.

Even in my country the story is told, that you had killed the mage in the Golden Tower. That was the last message the Brotherhood received before the Nimrod was created. It is said several mages witnessed the destroying of Elverin from a distance, but they were afraid to intervene. They also affirmed that Master Ador could not have survived this destruction. He was burned in magic fire – so it is told in the books of history.”

Clouds of smoke curled toward the ceiling. “That can be believed. My rage was tremendous. Maybe I burned him completely to ashes. Of the tower at least, not a single stone remained upon another.”

“What was the reason for creating the Nimrod, Majestic?” “Peace. Mages and dragons had fought repeatedly for many centuries. Not to mention the other magical beings that populated the continent. I wanted to create a refuge in which we could live peacefully in our own way. A sanctuary that no one could get in and out of so easily. Departure would have only been possible with the key and, in the beginning, that was the plan. Ador helped me to develop the spell, because, even long before it came to the Great War, the idea was born to create two worlds, connected only by a controlled gate. So it would have been, but the war changed everything.

I knew that a seal without a key would be final. How final, even I couldn’t imagine at that time. Secretly, I hoped later to find a way to create a new key. I was sick of war, my species was dying out and when Sef died, I just wanted to give us magical beings a rest from the attacks of corrupt mages. And so I wove the magic without holding the key in my hands. I had simply had enough. I have seen too much in my long life. Now, after all these years, I can’t say that I miss the rest of the world.”

With a sigh, a long trail of smoke streamed from the nostrils of the old dragon and he remarked:

“Now you've lured me into responding to your questions, homunculus. I'm getting old and indulgent.” Then the dragon began to ask questions again, “So Elderon is still alive. And who else of the Towerlords?” “There are only a

few who already had names at the time of the Great War. Master Savyen, Master Tellenor, Master Oderon...” “Savyen of Draegnok, he was strong, and Oderon the healer. Who is Tellenor?” “The Lord of Gahaeris. He has stayed out of everything his whole life long. Probably he never even left his tower during the time of the war.” Master Raiden couldn’t resist the mockery.

“Now I remember. An inconspicuous mage.” “Absolutely,” the Lord of the Naganor agreed, but there were more urgent matters to discuss, than to waste time with talk of Master Tellenor. “Majestic, the information I have about the war and its background is patchy and most of it is probably even inaccurate. Your words reveal a whole new image of those times. You said you worked together with Master Ador?”

“I will talk more about that, when I finally decide what I am going to do with you.”

“Have you not already made up your mind, Majestic? You talk with such reason and wisdom. You are not a butcher of the defenceless, but a creature of the intellect.”

“Maybe. But what do you know about dragons?”

“I'm learning more and more, Majestic.” Master Raiden grinned disarmingly, before he realised that, to a dragon, his expression might have looked more like a menacing snarl. But the Majestic did not seem to notice.

“Was it you who had this vision?” “No, it was my student. He is a visionary.”

“Twelve circles and such a rare gift,” noted the Great Gray, and then turned back to Master Raiden. “I do not trust you, vain homunculus. I don’t trust anyone any more. But your arrival raises interesting questions.”

“Then we should form an agreement, Majestic. You help me with my case, and I will look for answers to your questions.”

“You're trying to buy me? That is so representative of your kind.”

“It was your idea, Majestic. What have you got to lose?”

“What have I got to gain? Perhaps we are better off holding the past in abeyance. What's happened has happened and Sefira Visaer will not come back to me. And to know that this was Ador's work, doesn’t change anything. Basically, it was all his doing. New to me is only that he himself performed the coup de grace.”

“And the key?” There were so many unanswered questions that, to Master Raiden it seemed, he could fill a book with them. But how long would the dragon be willing to speak with him and what would happen after that? “Do you want to bring it to Elderon, so the Midland can be reunited with the outside?”

Raiden hesitated. He didn't have time to think things over. Besides, the dragon could read his mind anyway. “I would bring you the key, so that you can decide what to do with it... in return for your help.” “You think it is in my power to lift the spell from you. But I must disappoint you, homunculus. The soulban has a reputation for being irreversible.” “Do you know that for sure?” “Nothing in this world is sure – but in all likelihood, yes.” The following words sounded like a desperate plea and Master Raiden was not playing any games.

“Don’t destroy my last hope, Majestic. This spell is the bane of my existence. Master Elderon cast it on me, and he forced me to do the same to this boy beside me. Now he is bound to me as I am to Master Elderon. Please help me. Doesn't all your wisdom show you a way to solve the problem?”

“Raiden, you are persistent. I will think about it. I have to admit that at present there is little to stimulate me intellectually.” “My gratitude would be eternal.” “Don't make promises you can’t keep. I have seen too many mages break their word, and what with the name of your student... I do not expect too much.”

Master Raiden needed a moment to realise that the Great Gray had made a joke.

“Majestic, I will do everything to show my appreciation. I'll look for the key and bring it to you.”

“And if Elderon demands the key from you? He sent you here, after all.” “That would be a problem, but Master Elderon doesn’t know that I'm here and I won’t tell him.” “He doesn’t keep you firmly under control?” “He is holding me tight enough,” Master Raiden replied with bitterness. “So be it, I do not think in any case that you will find the key. In all these years I couldn’t find it, why should you have better luck?”

“I want to try anyway and I would guess that it's somewhere here in the Nimrod. Searching the remains of the Golden Tower would be a start.”

“Then be well armed, because in that part of the Midland live creatures much less tame than those in my little garden.” “I need more information about the land, the creatures, the history – about everything. Are there any records?” “My ants will assist you with all of this and I will sit back and watch how long you survive here in the Midland.” “I'm tougher than you'd expect. Who are your ants?” “My diligent little black servants. You met them already when they brought you here. I call them ants.” “How accurate. And what, may I ask, do you use to describe me?”

“A cockroach. You can go now. But I would like to exchange a few more words with your student.” Master Raiden bowed slightly. “The cockroach will withdraw himself, before you crush him under your feet.”

“I prefer fire.”

Eryn noticed that Master Raiden bowed and so he did the same. But when he wanted to follow him, the dragon's voice called him back. “Stay!” The summon felt like a stab. “Yes, Majestic.” “Why are you here?” Behind him, Eryn heard the footsteps of his master fade away, but did not dare to look around. He was very nervous being alone with the dragon now. “I am accompanying Master Raiden, Majestic.” “And what kind of man is your master?” What does the dragon want from me? “He is highly intelligent and focused. He is just, and he cares for the interests of his country.” “And to you?” “I am grateful that he teaches me his knowledge.” Although he is sometimes very strict. The interrogation went on: “Is he honest?” He keeps his word. “As far as I can judge... yes, Majestic.” “And how long have you known him?” “A few years now.” “And what would he do to break the soulban?” Without hesitating Eryn replied, “Anything,” as I too. “You may leave now. My servants will receive you at the entrance of the hall.” “Yes, Majestic.” With a deep bow, Eryn bid farewell. Then, with steady footsteps, he tried to slowly retreat from the hall. But in the fear that the dragon behind him could burn him with a single blow, his footsteps became more hasty and he almost hurried away. In the safety of the passageway he relaxed a little. One of the black demons awaited him there and uttered briefly: “Follow!” The demon-man turned and started walking along the corridor, without checking whether Eryn was following him or not. I don’t seem to be a prisoner any more, but they still haven't taken away my magic-blockers... And what were Master Raiden and the dragon speaking about for such a long time? Eryn would have really liked to know that. A little later, Eryn was returned to Master Raiden and he was almost happy to be back in the Prince's presence. Secretly, he hoped that the Lord of Naganor would know what to do next and that everything would be all right. Master Raiden always seemed to know the right thing to do.

After the guard had delivered Eryn to the room with Master Raiden, he turned and left without a word. One of the black demons was standing next to Master Raiden and they seemed to have just finished a conversation. The Lord of Naganor noticed Eryn and waved him over: “Student, come here.” “Master Raiden, what’s next?” he blurted out curiously, and Master Raiden informed him:

“I had an interesting conversation with the Majestic. We will work together – in a manner of speaking. But first of all I need some information and Ruok here will help me in this matter.” “And what should I do?” Eryn asked. What knowledge will we find? Master Raiden raised his hands in a fatherly manner: “For you there is nothing to do at the moment. You have spare time – enjoy it and just wait until we are finished here.” Then Master Raiden and Ruok left the room, leaving Eryn behind alone. Great, couldn't this have happened to me at Naganor once in a while... Here there is really nothing to do. Just an empty room. Wait for me, until I return in three days time. Thank you, Master – too kind. For a moment, Eryn was playing with the idea of exploring the building, but he resisted this temptation. He did not want to challenge his destiny too much. So he stayed where he was. The room was cool and Eryn decided to warm himself up with some exercises. This was not a place to sit around. But there was no-one here with whom he could do anything of purpose.

Ruok lead Master Raiden into the archives. Here he saw endless shelves packed with books of all descriptions. “May I look around?” The Black Prince asked as politely as he could, and Ruok gave his approval in the usual terse way, to which Raiden had already grown accustomed. He stepped in front of the shelves and scanned the titles. There were lots of books about magic. Older works that Master Raiden already knew, but also many unknown volumes, evidently from more recent times. “You write these?” he surmised, and Ruok confirmed:

“Yes. We are the little hands of the Majestic.”

Now Master Raiden asked specifically for the knowledge he was looking for and Ruok helped him to find the relevant books, without uttering a single word more than necessary. But he helped Master Raiden without hesitation, just as the dragon had promised. The magic-blockers were not taken off and the vein of silver had been sealed once again, but Ruok made copies of all the volumes that Master Raiden wanted to study. One work after another was saved onto the crystals they had brought with them. It would have simply overwhelmed Eryn's abilities to bring all those heavy books through the tunnel. Completely focused on the task at hand, many hours went by before Master Raiden thought of his student again.

Oh, I was so engrossed in my work that I completely forgot about Eryn. What has he been doing all this time? He could do something useful and set up a gate. That will keep him busy and also shorten our journey time considerably. And on top of that, I do not want to go back through that cursed forest. A little jump, bypassing the garden with the lovely little animals, directly to our entrance. Yes, that's what I would like to have.

He requested Ruok to ask the Majestic for permission to establish a gate. The dragon gave his assent, but only outside his palace.

So Eryn was brought outside and the magic-blockers were taken off so he could enchant the gatestone. All his clothes, along with the rest of his belongings, were handed back to him too.

But when he wanted to go inside again, the vigilant demons insisted that he had to put on the bracelets and undress once again. Only once completely stripped, in all senses of the word, was the palace allowed to be entered. Despite his immense power the Majestic seems to be extremely suspicious. He only trusts his ants. They have such stoic emotions and absolute devotion.

So Eryn spent the next days mostly just sitting in front of the palace, while Master Raiden, accompanied by Ruok, searched through the archives inside the building.

“Here, Raiden, the crystal is full.” Ruok handed Master Raiden the information storage device and he placed it on the table beside to the others. It was already the fourth crystal they had filled on this day alone.

“Thank you, Ruok. By the way, I am Prince Raiden. That is my title,” the Lord of Naganor remarked casually, and Ruok looked at him questioningly, “What is a prince?”