Book Five Prologue: Consequences of Action

Book Five Prologue: Consequences of Action

The skyline of Esebus was gorgeous at night. Towers of crystal and magic pierced the sky, and people soared through the air on wings of bronze and chrome. The night was overcast, but the light of the city illuminated the clouds from below.

Badud stared over the skyline moodily, watching a patrol of city guardians swoop high above. They were carried by constructs that would be better described as battlesuits than simple wings, and he considered blasting them from the sky to make a point. The Questor started absently crafting the necessary spell construct, not really intending to go through with it.

But then he winced, the mana starting to unspool from the tight weave hed been shaping. He gritted his teeth through the sudden headache, hurridly banishing the failing spell before it could blow apart the rooftop terrace where he stood.

It wasnt even a Questor that did this. But my revenge was thorough, even if it was expensive.

In a detached sort of way, Badud knew that the damage to his spellcasting wasnt that bad. He could still cast any spell he knew. But without the automagic every spell would be slower and require more concentration. He wouldnt naturally enhance every spell with wizardry. The guidance wouldnt be automatic. And Badud shook his head, stopping himself from reciting the litany of ways in which Nathan Lark had damaged his magical capabilities. The balcony railing creaked under his grip, and he forced himself to release it and clasp his hands behind his back. His gridmates would be here soon, and he needed to appear calm and collected before them.

Even if its an obvious lie, given the deals I have made.

As if summoned by the thought, Sussu levitated over the balcony. The stick-like woman appeared entirely androgynous, and her bare feet delicately cleared the railing before landing gently on the artful stonework of the terrace. She looked at Badud for a moment in bland examination.

It is a shame, that the project of Giantsrest is ended. Sussus voice was level and dry, and it was only through long familiarity that Badud could detect the derision laced throughout her wods.

He frowned and returned her gaze flatly, not giving her the satisfaction of defending himself. It is. Let us wait until the others arrive for the full description of the events.

Sussu nodded faintly, then clapped her hands twice. With each clap, another Questor appeared on the balcony.

The first was a large and well-muscled man in loose and flowing robes. Hed teleported in sitting atop a chaise lounge, and was munching from a bowl of fruits. A wide-bladed scimitar leaned against the side of the couch, within easy reach.

Amoh. Badud said in greeting before he turned to the other new arrival, his gaze narrowing at the gaunt man. Ogarius.

They coordinated arriving like this. Hoping to catch me in the middle of defending myself to Sussu, and make me repeat myself.

The last Questor was standing casually, wearing a hooded robe and holding a plain staff that had been the walking stick of a god. Some kind of skill concealed his face, exposing only the hint of a goatee and a satisfied smile. His voice was calm and smooth, like pouring oil. Badud, it has truly been an age. Tell us of how Giantsrest fell while you were present.

Badud smoothed his expression, running his mind through the story he meant to tell. It galled him to make excuses, but he had to explain what had happened - and justify his response to it. Several months ago, I decided it was time to tier up Giantsrest. I showed myself occasionally to give lessons and dispense appropriate Insights, but it was my desire to give them true advancement. I finished annihilating that blight up in Quilbor, the one that you allowed in, Amoh. He turned his attention to the reclining man.

Amoh shrugged blandly. Edes as a witness, they were trained and motivated. Their failure is their own fate.

Neither Sussu or Ogarius diverted their attention from Badud and he sighed, aware his attempt to divert attention had failed. He resumed his story. I intended to teach them more magic and drive the expansion of Giantsrest over the continent. One of the mages there was skilled with dimensional magic, and I was attempting to usher him towards [Mass Teleport], and make that a common Insight of Giantsrest. Then they would have been able to ambush their enemies at will, quickly conquering the escaped slaves to the west. I expected it to draw in Brox, but hes closer to a lizard than a dragon.

What happened instead? Sussu asked, cocking her head in a birdlike fashion.

Badud twisted his mouth in annoyance. The dimensional mage was a fool. He derived some Insight into summoning magic, and managed to pull in an outsider, from the external universe.

The others reacted with varying degrees of surprise, with Amoh freezing mid-chew while Sussu frowned slightly and Ogariuss hidden face gave the impression of a cocked eyebrow.

Badud waved his hands to dispel some of the suspense. Not from anywhere important. Pre-orbitals, but he had an anti-magic Insight and my student was obsessed with even basic technological Insights. I set them against each other, thinking it a way to develop my student and grant Giantsrest deniable technological Insights. Think of that bounty, if Giantsrest could have developed their magic with even basic scientific Insights.

Ogarius voice emerged again, tinged with a faint hint of disapproval. Antimagic Insights are a plague. You should have scrubbed this outsider before it could spread.

Sussu replied quickly, before Badud had a chance. The downsides of antimagic make it a curse of Quenfi. It either denies all supporting magic and equipment, or is weakened to uselessness. Situationally useful, but without the capability for true power. She tilted a hand towards Badud, indicating he should resume.

"Ugh. Treeborn." Amoh said, then then gestured with a piece of fruit. Regardless, the smaller matter is dealt with. We should discuss the larger. How will this change grid politics?

Losing three continents of their choice is a blow, but not a fatal one. Sussu said, glancing around to see the reactions to her words. It may even allow us to petition the Aleph grid for aid. They see us as better allies than Sarya.

They might have even forgotten what I did. Amoh said with a chuckle. It was the Ending of Monsters, after all. Quite some time ago."

Ogarius stroked his goatee thoughtfully. The Aleph's are to large to move quickly. We would be better off drawing in an independent Questor. Are there any new Questors we could tempt to join us, with lands to claim and battles to fight?

Badud kept silent, though he stewed internally. Hed always been opposed to involving the larger Grids in their struggle, or trying to bring new Questors into the sector. He liked how few Questors there were in this corner of Davrar. He wanted to be lord of all he surveyed, not merely one champion of many. But he wasnt in a position to make that case now. Sussu had framed bringing in other Questors as a way to solve the problem, and Badud could feel the scales tipping against him.

I would accept bringing in one new member to our grid, he said begrudgingly. I will handle half of the recruitment cost, but there must be conditions. Our grid was formed to create new societies made possible with magic, and any addition must share that goal and have the ability to contribute.

Ogarius nodded thoughtfully. Yes, I would rather share the credit of our demonstrations with a fifth than muddy the waters with a larger Grid. I will reach out to some like-minded members of my own batch to determine their interest.

Sussu seized the moment of accord quickly. Then it is agreed. We will bring in another Questor to push back against Saryas claims. Do we whet the new Questor against the blight, or against one of Broxs holdings?

Send them towards Brox. Badud said quickly. He is a good opponent to learn how Questors fight.

Shall we share our next plans? Ogarius said, eyes evaluating the other Questors.

Amoh shook his head. I will not justify myself.

Ogarius nodded. Very well. Good luck, and create something new. He blipped away without a single indication of spellwork.

Badud relaxed internally. Hed been worried that theyd all discuss their future plans, which he wasnt interested in. He meant to take it easy for the next few decades - or centuries - as he rebuilt his spellcasting abilities. This way, he wouldnt have to figure out a way to justify those actions to his compatriots.

Though I should probably be worried why Amoh was so dismissive of the idea. Whats he up to?

It wasnt worth worrying about. With his duty discharged, Badud transported himself to one of his designated travel points. With barely a flicker he appeared in a large and well-appointed study, lit by a bluish light spilling through the window that dominated one wall. He spent a minute looking out over the underground city of Sangrad. Buildings spread out over every surface of the massive cave, with the tallest structures were clustered around the pillars of massive crystal that glowed with purple light. His vantage point was high above every other building, the Seal fortress stretching upwards towards the opening in the roof of the cavern high above.

He sat in the chair delicately, though his aches werent physical in any sense. Eventually, he reached for an enchanted bell sitting near his elbow. It rang without sound, and seconds later the door slid open to admit a formally-dressed woman who bowed deeply.

Archlord Badud. What is your will?

The annual reports of the triumvirate for the last decade, as well as the records of the artifice guild auctions. The woman nodded her understanding and turned to leave, but Badud raised a hand. Wait. And the list of state assets with deep ocean capabilities. Mercenaries preferred. I dont need that list immediately. Make it thorough.

The woman left with her amended instructions, and Badud laced his fingers together as he awaited the papers that would let him catch up on what had happened in Sangrad since his last visit.

If Nathan slips through Sussus trap, then hell be vulnerable at sea. Im never going to get within a hundred miles of that boy again, but if we destroy his ship, then he wont be able to survive the deep ocean.

It was only a few minutes before the woman returned with several folders of reports, and Badud licked a finger before diving in. There were more efficient methods of organization and data storage than paper, but he loved the feeling of control that came from manipulating an empire through such basic physical means.

It was one of the reasons that Davrar was worth it.