Icestorme, Thale

  After leaving the guests to her older sons, Morganna went to her office as she checked the message from Dahlia Blackheart. She was on her way to her office via Drake. So she had to hurry to intercept her visitor. She greeted her staff in the out office as she walked into her office. There was already a black Drake in Starshadow official regalia with a pouch draped across her body.

  When the Drake saw her enter, she bowed. "Confidential delivery for the Countess," she said professionally. "Please verify your identity to open the pouch," she instructed politely.

  Morganna pulled out her identity token, and touched it to the Drake's pouch. The latch glowed and she was able to pull out a piece of paper with a word on it and a small cloth capsule. "Thank you for your hard work," she said to the Drake and gave her a drakoth as a tip.

  The Drake bowed again, jumped off the desk, spread her wings and began flying in circles until she disappeared with a crack.

  Morganna looked at the capsule with curiosity. She knew what it was, but this is the first time she'd seen it in person. She studied it quietly before setting the capsule on the ground and reading the word written on the paper. The paper ignited and disappeared in a small flame. The capsule opened and Dahlia stood where it was, draped in a black cloak. At some point she'd shifted to a hyper feminine form. She held up a hand to excuse herself and grabbed the back of a chair to lean on while the grogginess and lethargy passed.

  "I heard about this part, but I can honestly say I was not prepared," she muttered under her breath. She blew out a breath, straightened her shoulders, and then bowed to Morganna. "Countess Icestorme. I apologize for being late," she said.

  Morganna shook her head. "It's fine, please, have a seat," she instructed as she took her own seat.

  Dahlia thanked her politely, unconsciously shifting again, returning to her androgynous female form as she sat across from the Countess. "What can I do for you, my Lady?" she asked professionally. She was here for a job and she needed to know what it entailed.

  Morganna was quiet for a while, then pulled a file out of one of her desk drawers. "The voices in Parliament against the witchborn. I want to know the driving forces behind this. I don't like the isolationist push. Isolationism is how the Siege happened," she said with a tight frown. Her great-great-aunt was the former Countess who closed off Thale and allowed the opportunity for the hostile sea-faring races to lay Siege.

  Dahlia took the files and glanced through them. It was basic information on the loudest voices in Parliament and their surface contacts. "No grass-roots hate groups?" she asked. Even during her assignment in Elmdale, those voices were everywhere.

  Morganna shook her head. "Not yet. If there's really someone behind all this, it will only be a matter of time. Fortunately, the races that can live in Thale are few and have been entrenched for several Ages. It will be harder to get traction," she explained.

  Dahlia listened as she read. The smaller population had its advantages and drawbacks. She needed an outsider's perspective which is why she asked for Dahlia. Even in Thale, she's heard about her reputation.

  After finishing the file, Dahlia closed the file and nodded. "Very well. I'll investigate," she stated.

  Morganna sighed in relief. Dahlia instantly shifted into work mode and began asking the Countess countless questions. About the politicians, about the populations of Thale's Domed and undomed communities, and many other pertinent questions that would help her determine how to approach her assignment.

  This discussion took several hours. Morganna had already cleared her schedule for the day to deal with the Bridging Array anyway, so she just redirected her time to something equally important.

  --

  Silvermoon, Silubra

  After checking the relief supplies, Chrystianna took Xolani to have an early lunch. Given the amount of time and energy needed for building the Array in Silvermoon, she estimated approximately what time her daughter and ZsaZsa would be ready on the other end, so she didn't want to delay the relief effort because she was hungry.

  They had lunch at Crowley House and then returned to the transit station. She really needed to give it a name. Maybe she'd put the new Chancellor in charge of that. She was letting her mind wander and was a little startled when someone suddenly appeared in the middle of her perception range. Someone stepped out of the shadows in the station.

  She turned her head toward the newcomer. It was a tall, dark, handsome man with medium olive skin, short black hair, and deep green eyes. He was dressed in the black and twilight blue uniform of the Myrkirian High Sentinel that showed off his wide shoulders, thich chest, slender waist, and long legs. "Zane," she greeted. "We weren't expecting you," she said.

  Zane Darkwynde shook his head. "It was a spur of the moment decision. After talking it over with Sonja, I decided to be here for the first trip to Thale. I want to scout the Siege situation," he explained.

  When speaking of connecting to Thale, naturally the topic included sending people to break the Siege. After much debating, it was finally agreed that Zane would be in charge of the overall operation. Chrystianna had quickly agreed to it. Morganna also agreed because Marius wasn't experienced enough, and learning from Zane would be a good opportunity for him.

  Although they didn't demand to be in charge, Elektra Sunfyre, Isolde Wyntercrest, and Avalon Treestar debated the merits and disadvantages, while consulting with their protectorates, before finally agreeing as well. The plan was to send relief first before starting the military operation. However, sending Zane to look over the situation first wasn't a bad idea and Chrystianna merely nodded her head.

  "It shouldn't be too much longer," she told him.

  Zane crossed his arms over his chest. He wasn't the talkative sort. He looked at the several large chests of relief supplies. They were from all over the world. Every continent had sent things, Myrkir included. Though the chests looked large and took up a lot of space, each taking two people to tote, tally nearly a hundred, he knew each one contained much more supplies than was visible. The chests were also just for show. Reasonably, even that many supplies could be contained in a storage device no larger than a ring, but that lacked a certain majesty. Even among the closest of allies, a little pomp was still necessary.

  Silvermoon was also entitled to the pomp. If it weren't for the hardships endured by Chrystianna and her children, the Bridging Array wouldn't exist on Emphyralis. It may have been lost in the history of a small, insignificant little world called Thelessia for all time.

  Neither Zane nor Chrystianna made small talk. As time went by, the tension grew more and more palpable. Soon, one of the troubles plaguing the world for over a century would finally be alleviated.

  --

  Icestorme, Thale

  After finishing their lunch, and resting Britiana and ZsaZsa stood again to work. There was a reason only two of them were there. More people simply wasn't feasible for drawing the array. They'd get in the way. Even the next part only needed one of them. It was afterwards that more people would be needed, but they didn't necessarily have to be mages. Darius and his team could handle it.

  The final activation of the Array needed four mages. Britiana invited Morganna and the First Mage of Icestorme's Mage Tower to participate in this part, as it would be a momentous occasion. However, there was still some work to do before they were to that point.

  Darius put away the chairs, table, and remnants of lunch. Britiana glanced at her brother. "As soon as we're done, have your team get started," she instructed.

  He nodded to show his agreement. "Is everyone ready?" he asked, looking at his team members who'd just finished eating.

  "Aye, my lord!" they stated in one voice.

  "Come up and take your positions," he ordered.

  Marius and Mason watched as the team that had been patrolling in an orderly fashion, quickly ascended the steps of the pavilions and took up a position in each corner of the octagon. They resisted asking questions because they could sense that a critical moment was approaching.

  Britiana, ZsaZsa, Darius, and Isa stayed grouped together. Only Britiana approached the floating array lines. She spread her arms and chanted a few words in Emphyralian Draconic. The lines began to glow slightly. Suddenly the bottom most of the floating lines crashed into the floor of the pavilion with a crash that actually shook the plaza. Instantly, several inches of the tile floor disappeared.

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  The next line descended with another quaking crash and another section of time vanished. This action repeated as each line that took four or five hours to set up engraved itself into the floor of the pavilion.

  Marius and Mason looked at each other in surprise. People nearby, hearing the sounds, and feeling the vibrations, panicked and tried to see what was happening in the plaza, but were stopped by the Icestorme Guards. People in the know guessed that the ruckus was related to the new Bridging Array and could barely contain their curiosity, eventually gathering near the plaza.

  Carving the array didn't last very long, maybe half an hour, a considerable difference from the initial set up, but even magic wasn't easy. When the last crash landed, the Bridging Array glowed slightly, signifying it had been successfully created.

  "Start pilling it in," Darius ordered his team. The team members pulled a large barrel of each of their storage devices. Inside the barrels was liquidized medium-grade Draconite. For such a large Array that was to be used on the same plane, high grade Draconite wasn't needed. They began to pour the Draconite into the grooves on the floor of the pavilion.

  Knowing that Thale's resources were tight at the moment, Silvermoon even generously donated the Draconite. Other continents would have to provide their own. The Draconite would power the array, allowing a hundred people, or twenty Dragons, to travel at once.

  Each guard had been equipped with several barrels. Soon, the liquid Draconite became level with the floor and Britiana called for them to stop pouring. She said another magic word and the liquid Draconite immediately solidified. Now, looking down at the pavilion floor, inset into the white-gray tile floor was an intricate, smooth, slightly metallic, icy blue magic array.

  "We're done. When her ladyship, the Countess, arrives with the First Mage, we can activate it," Britiana told Marius and Mason.

  "No need to wait, we're already here," Morganna announced as she strode into the Plaza.

  Frankly, half an hour earlier, her meeting with Dahlia Blackheart was interrupted by the shaking. Taking account of the time, she surmised that it must be the final preparations of drawing the array. She invited Dahlia to join her. Dahlia agreed and shifted forms.

  Dahlia's clothes were enchanted, and she also had other hidden charms. She shifted into a tall, tanned male guard wearing the uniform of an Icestorme guard. Her hair had turned black, and her eyes frosty gray. A pair of translucent gray wings rested on her now broad back. She looked no different than any other guard, without anything significant to make her stand out. This was also partially due to the activation of a magical charm that reduced her presence.

  Morganna smiled slightly. She'd heard about Dahlia's abilities, but had no idea her disguise could be to the extent that upon meeting this new guard, she felt the aura of a Platinum Dragon instead of an Onyx. "Amazing," she murmured. The guard merely bowed in a subservient manner, completely losing any sharp edges or momentum the mercenary usually had.

  Morganna left the office and the guard fell behind her. No one seemed to even bat an eye at the new addition to her entourage. On the way the plaza, she ran into Icestorme's First Mage. He was an an old half-ish man with a long gray beard, long gray hair in messy robes and a pointed hat. He clutched at a still smoking pipe as he spryly hurried to the plaza. "Why didn't anyone remind me it was today? I probably missed the best parts" he scolded the few apprentice mages following along behind him. None of them had the heart to reply and let their master know he'd been reminded countless times.

  Curiously, Morganna also ran into two of her friends as they hoped to see what was happening in the plaza. They were the First and Second Healers of Icestorme. Kahlan Rockwood was a Topaz Dragon with tawny skin, short black hair, and earthy brown eyes. Her pointed ears were slightly shorter than others'. She was the First Healer. Astaria Rainsong was a serene Aquamarine Dragon. She had bright aqua colored eyes, light tan skin, and long light brown hair. Being healers, neither wore exaggerated robes, instead they wore white clothes easy to move around in.

  When they ran into Morganna they gave sheepish expressions. Morganna didn't scold them, instead she graciously invited them to watch the activation of the Array.

  Thus, with a rather large entourage, Morganna arrived at the Plaza just in time to do her part.

  Britiana beamed, and the eight guards scattered to retake their positions below the pavilion. "Then please would the Countess and Grand Magus join me," she said politely.

  Morganna glanced at the First Mage of the Icestorme Mage's Tower. He was probably one of the oldest living Half-ish people in the world having lived half of his life in the 11th Age. He was a fixture in the Tower, and she had no purview to discharge him. It was an internal matter of the Tower. She did know that the person in charge was actually the Second Mage. She frowned and looked for the figure. "Deputy Pugoks isn't here?" she asked in surprise.

  One of the apprentices bowed. "High Magus Pugoks has been away on business for several days," he explained.

  Morganna nodded slightly, however, she was still perplexed. This didn't seem like an occasion he would miss. Whatever his business was, it must have been extremely important. "Then, shall we, Grand Magus," she said with a smile to the old man.

  Eldrin Whimblethorne nodded, highly eager to see the activation of this spell. Ah, if only he could study it in depth. Alas, such a spell, he would probably be long gone before Silvermoon widely released it for study. Despite his eagerness, he didn't hastily go ahead of the Countess. He still had that much wit about him.

  Darius and Isa withdrew slightly and let Britiana and ZsaZsa direct the two. Four people had to stand at the cardinal directions. They let the elder Grand Magus stand at the closest point, gave him a written phrase and instructions on when to say it. Then they positioned Morganna, and finally themselves.

  "Let's begin," Britiana signaled. Determined not to miss the timing, Eldrin paid close attention and joined the three women in chanting in Emphyralian Draconic.

  "The North is our Guide. The East is our New Beginning. The South is our Anchor. The West is our Future. May the directions bring blessings upon the travelers and open the Way," the four of them intoned together.

  There was a brief, pregnant pause. Then there was a low humming sound as the array began to glow with an icy aura, shimmering as the lines lit up one by one before the entire thing glowed.

  On the other end in Silvermoon, the Array began to glow at the same time. The person in charge shouted to a subordinate. "Inform the Grand Duchess. The Array is active!" he shouted. The subordinate hurriedly ran to inform Chrystianna. When she heard it, she smiled. She nodded to Zane, and turned to the guard in charge of the relief delivery. "Let's go," she stated.

  She, Zane, Xolani and her personal guards walked into the Icestorme Bridge followed by the guards carrying the relief supplies. When everyone was ready, she activated the array. The Array hummed again, lit up with a faint purple light and the large group of people disappeared.

  There was only a few minutes after activating the array in Icestorme when it began humming again.

  "What's going on?" Grand Magus Whimblethorne asked.

  "It was activated from the other side. People are coming," Darius explained to him. There was a ten foot buffer around the array itself, so no one felt that it would be crowded when the others arrived. Within moments of speaking, Chrystianna, Zane, and the others appeared in the Pavilion. Slightly flustered, the old mage startled backwards and his apprentices helped steady him.

  Morganna, however, remained calm. Marius and Mason came up to flank her because the new arrivals included the Grand Duchess of Silvermoon, and the High Sentinel of Starshadow. They each bowed and greeted, "Your Grace."

  Chrystianna smiled. "Morganna! How good to see you in person again after all these years," she greeted happily, and ignoring rank and politics, embraced the other woman in a friendly hug.

  Morganna was slightly caught off guard, but happily returned the hug. yes, it had been too long since she'd seen any of her peers in person. For a moment, tears filled her eyes. She managed to blink them back. "Yes, it's really wonderful," she murmured softly. She cleared her throat. She introduced her sons to Chrystianna and Zane. "You two, take care of the relief items, I'll talk to the Grand Duchess, and High Sentinel Darkwynde," she said.

  Marius and Mason didn't argue. They had their people lead Chrystianna's people away.

  "Please, come with me to the Hall," she invited.

  Chrystianna nodded then looked at her children. "What will you all do?" she asked.

  "We'll go to our official residence and stay a few days. It's a rare opportunity. Delaney had an emergency with her mom, so she can't take us to Cruinog just yet, anyway," Britiana answered.

  Morganna heard that and waved a hand to a steward from her entourage. "Lead Lady Britiana and her people to the Silvermoon official residence and make sure to provide them with anything they need," she instructed.

  The steward bowed and stood away from the others.

  Zane stood aside listening without adding his input, but his gaze swept over the guard lingering behind Morganna that other people seemed to fail to notice. Feeling his gaze, the guard glanced at him. Their eyes met briefly before the guard turned away. Zane snorted. Dahlia could fool practically everyone else except him. Knowing she was on an assignment, he chose not to acknowledge her and she, likewise, did the same.

  After a few moments, Morganna led the two leaders and their delegation away, leaving the young lord and lady of Silvermoon and their team to the steward. The steward stepped forward. "The official residence is some distance from here, should I arrange transportation?" he asked.

  "No need, just lead the way," Darius said. From his storage device he took out a carriage with two mechanical silver horses hitched to it. Six of the eight guards brought out similar silver mounts, while the two Noxies transformed into different shapes.

  Noxies had three main forms, dark shapeless shadows, humanoid forms used to interact with other humanoid creatures, and wild natural forms of large black unicorns. They were towering and muscular with lethal horns nearly a yard long. They stood almost eight feet tall at the withers and almost eleven with their heads raised. Their manes and tails were wispy shadows. The steward was highly unnerved when they appeared, and stumbled back a few paces. He cleared his throat.

  The Noxies ignored him, but he caught Lady Britiana frowning at him before she boarded the carriage. He swallowed nervously and took out his own mount, an animated sand horse. He mounted and waited for the signal to move.

  Isa handed Britiana and Zsa Zsa into the carriage. Neither he nor Darius would be riding inside. Instead, they also took out the silver mounts. These silver mounts were standard issue by the Silvermoon army. They were the most basic magical mounts. They travelled easily because, unlike living mounts, they could be stored away. However, they lacked the intelligence of real animals, not ideal for battle scenarios. They were fine for escaping or a quick trip down the streets of a peaceful city.

  The guards took up positions around the carriage, Darius and the Steward while Isa stayed close to the carriage. Darius rode close to the steward. "Lead the way," he instructed. The steward dared not delay and quickly set off to lead their esteemed guests away.

  --