Chapter 27: Restructuring (3)

Chapter 27: Restructuring (3)

Two days later, Gandashs parents hosted a feast at their manor in Garden Terrace. It was a small banquet, but a banquet nonetheless. Other than Xerxes family, the only guest present was Purattu.Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

I wish there was more time for you to say your goodbyes, Purattu said as they sat down to eat. But theres much work to be done. Ive been to Kartos, Erishti-Aya, and Nos, which means my work gathering Seers isnt even half done. Of course, you know that.

The off-planet Seers were instrumental in purging the capital of monsters and cultists alike, Xerxes father explained for the benefit of the mothers, neither of whom were Sighted or did work related to the government or military.

Purattu reached out to accept a goblet of wine from Xerxes mother. Thank you, maam. After taking a sip, he continued, Well be visiting Hannemid next. After that Jehannemid and Gehannemid. Well you get the picture. I need to keep moving. No time for rest and relaxation.

We completely understand, Dumamu said. Looking fondly at his son, he said, Were all very proud that Gandash and Xerxes are getting this opportunity. Sin-Amuhhu, its its just incredible.

It is, Gandashs mother said. Although having spoken to many of the family members, I can tell you people are worried. What if the cultists wait until youre gone to make a move? Also what if more Abhorrent attack?

Valid concerns, maam, Purattu replied. But I wouldnt worry if I were you. We were thorough in tracking down the cultists. Though High Seer Ninsunu was one of them, we have no reason to suspect any of the other mages.

Except for Gad, Gandash said.

Gad? his mother asked.

Ninsunus apprentice, Dumamu said. He reached out to clasp his wifes hand. Hes traveling in Fal right now. Well find him.

Besides, Purattu continued, a Seer cultist isnt anything to stay awake at night worrying about. As for any leftover Abhorrent, you can rest assured. From what I can tell, all the spawn and juveniles were sent down to make way for the big one. Now that its dead, the only ones left behind are runts the local mages and military can handle.

Xerxes and Gandashs parents had many questions, and Purattu answered them all patiently.

Just before entering the Gateway to Humusi, Purattu said, Gandash, Xerxes, this is your first time, so be ready for some strange sensations. You might vomit on the other end. If so, dont feel embarrassed. It happened to me the first time.

Traveling through the Gateway was the strangest feeling Xerxes had ever experienced in his life. He felt surrounded by icy coldness, while at the same time, his insides seemed weightless. Visually, he knew that he was moving. He was in a tunnel with bright lights that flowed past him like multicolored river water. However, when he closed his eyes, he didnt feel like he was moving at all.

Purattu had been the first to step in, then a mage named Kashtiliash and a few others. By the time Xerxes entered, followed by Gandash, there were only one or two people ahead of him in the tunnel. Gandash was behind him, seemingly a huge distance away.

The entire process only lasted for about a minute. Then everything turned white, and he was ejected onto a wide platform that looked very similar to the platform hed strode across to enter the Gateway. The sensation was disorienting. He felt dizzy and slightly nauseous, to the point where it took some effort to prevent himself from vomiting.

Gandash came out a moment later, and he made a gagging sound, but also kept the contents of his stomach where they belonged.

Bellies of steel, eh? Purattu said. Impressive.

After all the mages had exited the Gateway tunnel, Purattu organized them into ranks, with one line behind Xerxes and the other behind Kashtiliash.

Is he putting me in charge or something? Xerxes thought.

During the days of activity on Mannemid, he had been introduced to all the other Seers in Purattus group. But even still, he hadnt memorized all their names, much less any detailed information about them.

Kashtiliash was obviously favored by Purattu, so Xerxes had made an effort to pay attention to him. He knew that the young man was an Asgagu mage who had been born in Ira but grew up in the starisles of Kartos. That was unusual. Normally speaking, mages sought to go up in the world, not the other way around, and Kartos, like Mannemid, was subsidiary to Humusi, which made it much lower than Ira.

Perhaps that was why Kashtiliash was so aloof. He rarely talked, and always seemed to be looking away from everyone else. That said, he had a beard that made Xerxes extremely envious; he kept it well-oiled and curled tightly. Combined with his skin, which was as dark as the shadows in the Yellow Wood, it made him seem imposing in a way that Xerxes couldnt even hope to imitate. Most mysterious of all was that he carried an unusually long traveling pack, as opposed to the smaller backpack-style bags that most of the other mages favored.

After their ranks were in order, they proceeded through Humusis Gateway complex to another area where they went through the tunnel to Hannemid.