Jollis stopped at the top of the stairs and looked up. The temple stood in sharp relief against the deep twilight sky. The torches cast their soft glow upon the thick white columns that rose as silent sentinels on either side of the wide entrance. Over the crackle of the flames could be heard the ethereal sound of chanting drifting to him from inside the temple. He had changed to a simple robe, nearly identical those worn by the Cohorts. The trappings of title and social class were abandoned upon entering this holy place, for it mattered not when standing before the gods.

Jollis walked towards the entrance and was inside before he could reconsider.

The soft chanting echoed hauntingly from the high balconies and resonated under the vaulted ceiling, creating a somber atmosphere despite the uplifting message of its words sung in the more ancient language of his people. He lifted his eyes, his eyes gliding over the murals that depicted the beautiful green fields of the Inonni vision of the afterlife, and then the faces of the young men whose voices sung in uplifting harmony.

Jollis lowered his eyes, and made pains not to look directly ahead of him. Instead, he glanced to either side, where tall statues depicting each of the six gods of the Inonni pantheon stood as silent guardians, three on each side. Each represented a different facet of the human experience. Surrounding each were concentric semicircles of kneeing benches, where Devotees to that particular god could arrange themselves in prayer.

Jollis was not ready for this yet. Now he was forced to direct his gaze towards the other end of the temple. There, elevated from the floor on a wide dais, and cordoned off with a small, low fence of wrought iron, rose the statue of the Goddess of the Inonni.

The Goddess was The Mystery. She was attired in the translucent veils of a Companion, yet she carried a staff that symbolized power. She stood without pretense or airs, yet exquisite gems ringed her ankles and wrists. She was dazzlingly beautiful, yet her face betrayed a vast intelligence. She was unapproachable to males, as only females could connect to her and ever hope to understand her. Even then, only the few, the Priestesses, would come close.

Jollis advanced to the fence and knelt before it. He bowed his head and waited.

After some time had passed, a hidden door behind the great statue opened. A woman emerged. Her feet were bare and padded silently across the stone floor of the temple. Yet Jollis heard her, as the jewels about her ankles and wrists made a gentle sound. Her veils swirled around her feet.

She stood alongside Jollis, observing him. She brushed a few strands of deep brown hair from her sharply green eyes and spoke in a lilting voice. "What is it you seek of the Goddess?"

"To be Purified so that I may conduct my Devotions with a clear mind and pure heart," intoned Jollis, his voice quavering nervously.

"Rise."

Jollis let out a breath and stood. Almost reluctantly he lifted his eyes to the elegant young woman's face.

The Priestess appeared to assess Jollis. He tried to contain his anxiety. It was believed that the Goddess worked directly through the Priestesses, thus it was nerve-wracking to some to be scrutinized in any manner by one of them.

The Priestess cradled one of Jollis' cheeks in her hand. "Your mind is in torment," she said softly. "You have a great fear. It has weighed on you heavily for some time."

Jollis' legs grew weak. The gift of insight of these women was astonishing to behold, no matter how many times he had seen it.

She lowered her hand. "What is your name?"

"Jollis."

"Ah. Wanderer. Yes, it makes sense. I am Jeresa. Come with me."

Jollis' heart pounded as he followed Jeresa around the side of the statue. Never had a Purification so terrified him. He was worried if he could arouse himself sufficiently to join with her.

Jeresa led him down a dark staircase into the earth beneath the chamber. The temple building itself had been rebuilt several times in his long history. The first time was from its razing during the violent war just prior to Enlightenment. The subsequent times were simply to combat the ravages of erosion and age.

This section, however, was the most ancient and had changed little. It had been given new purpose after Enlightenment. Its former use was a dungeon to torture non-believers into believers. Now it was a means of voluntarily reaffirming and rejoicing in belief. The corridors were roughly-hewn and dank, purposely left this way as a reminder of the foolishness of their ancestors. But when Jeresa opened a metal door and led Jollis into the room beyond, it was like stepping into another world.

The chamber was small and cozy. Torches cast a subdued and almost romantic light. A depression near one end of the chamber was lined with thick furs and cushions. Around the edge, candles burned and emitted soft fragrance. At the other end was a small altar, and behind it was another statue representing the Goddess. Before the altar was a padded kneeler.

Jeresa turned to Jollis. "To bare your soul to the Goddess, you must first bare your body to her as well, and let her judge."

His hands trembled as he sought to undo the belt holding his robe closed. Jeresa stood with her hands on her hips, her eyes held as if in appraisal as the robe slipped from his body, leaving him naked and feeling helpless.

"To be Purified, you must first show your Devotion," Jeresa continued. "It must be given freely, and with no reward for yourself. Are you willing to do this?"

"Yes, I am."

Jeresa stepped lithely to the altar and sat upon it, facing Jollis. She pulled her robe up, exposing first her long, graceful legs, and then her lightly furred sex. She spread her thighs. Her folds glistened faintly.

Jollis could not recall ever being this nervous, or feeling that every movement he made was being judged. His heart pounded so powerfully that his chest ached. He knelt before this representative of the Goddess and drew himself towards her sex.

His trembling hands slid over the insides of her thighs as his tongue found her womanhood and worked it as skillfully and gently as he could. Her wetness soon flowed freely, growing slick over his tongue, until she was panting lightly. To his surprise, he felt a stirring between his own legs. He remembered now. Something about this Devotion was an intensely arousing act, and before long, his manhood pulsed and quivered, straining with the need for relief.

Jeresa leaned back, moaning softly. He tried not to quicken the pace too soon, as anxious as he was to continue. Her moans escalated, her thighs tensing. Suddenly she tilted her head back and let out a short cry. Her orgasm throbbed in her sex and into her spirit, opening her to her gift.

She let out a satisfied sigh as Jollis drew back. "The Goddess is pleased," she said in a breathy voice. "We will now commence with your Purification."

The great doors opened. All eyes turned. There were several soft exclamations of surprise. Even Uroddus looked on in macabre wonder.

Q'yros had worsened since Uroddus had last seen him. He hobbled past the doors with his back stooped, his staff trembling each time he planted it on the floor and leaned much of his weight on it.

Assisting him was a tall and slender woman with nearly white hair tied into a tight ponytail behind her head. She wore flowing Healer's robes, and her expression vacillated between deep concern whenever she looked at Q'yros and disdain whenever she looked up towards the Mage Elders.

Silence fell as Q'yros was helped towards the table of Mage Elders. Q'land stepped before them. "Please, Tallia, if you would take him to the podium instead? We do not have accommodations for him at the table."

Guild Hall Healer Tallia G'jossa gave Q'land a withering look and led Q'yros to the podium. He wheezed from the effort, and took a few tries before he could grasp the side of the podium with his free hand. His other hand remained curled tightly around his staff.

Tallia turned to the Mage Elders. "For the record, I protest this in the extreme," she said in clipped tones. "This Mage is in no condition to be subjected to such stress. I will be lodging a formal protest with the Healer Guild."

She turned on her heel and headed to a nearby seat. Q'land looked uncomfortable. Behind him, from the chair, Q'ixanna looked squarely at Q'yros, a small smile on his lips.

"Mage Elder Q'yros, are you aware of why you are here?" asked Q'land.

Q'yros' fingers tightened around the edge of the podium. "Yes, I am," he said in a voice like old parchment.

"I will read each of the charges in order. Respond 'aye' if the charge has merit, 'nay' if it does not." He lifted the scroll and opened it. "One: That he forced a competent and healthy Mage Elder into retirement against his will and for no justifiable reason. How do you vote?"

Q'yros clutched his staff, his hand shaking. His mouth worked for a few moments before any sound came forth. "Nay."

"Two: That he willfully withheld information critical to both the business of the Guild and to the security of Oceanus. How do you vote?"

Q'yros clenched his teeth. He glared at the Guildmaster, his eyes like icicles. "Nay."

Katla thumped her hand on the table in frustration. Murmuring broke out briefly. Several Mage Elders uttered exclamations of frustration. Q'kollan stared at Q'yros and frowned.

Q'land waited for the din to subside. He took a deep breath. "Three: That he has acted in an exceedingly authoritarian manner well beyond what is prudent and expected in running the Mage Guild. How do you vote?"

Q'yros' labored breathing was the only sound in the tense silence. He swayed, his staff slipping momentarily with as badly as the hand that held it shook. Tallia frowned and leaned forward, as if ready to bolt to Q'yros' side. The old Mage's hands tightened until the joints audibly popped. His lips trembled. He stared hard at the Guildmaster, his eyes betraying now equal amounts of hatred and fear.

Q'ixanna rose from his seat. "Well, Mage Elder Q'yros?" his voice boomed into the unnatural quiet. "What say you? How to you vote? Come, come, speak up!"

Q'yros stared hard into the eyes of the Guildmaster. Perhaps something passed between the two ancient Mages, for the Guildmaster seemed to recoil slightly, as if having seen something that frightened him. At the same time, Q'yros' face changed. The fear in his eyes vanished. The icy look of loathing faded. His face radiated an almost angelic state of calm, and in his eyes was a look of finality and acceptance. His cracked lips curled into a smile.

"You lose," he said.

Q'ixanna stared. "I beg your pardon?"

Q'yros turned to Q'land. "My vote ... is 'aye.'"

The old Mage's face contorted. His staff clattered to the floor. He let out a strangled cry and collapsed beside it. His body curled up and convulsed violently. He let out a thin moan and was suddenly still.

Several Mage Elders leapt to their feet and gathered around the fallen Mage. One had already grabbed his hand, faint blue light glowing from the point of contact as he attempted to inject some of his own magical energy into Q'yros to revive him.

From the chair, Q'ixanna could only stare.

"One side! ONE SIDE!" Tallia shouted, pushing aside Mage Elders. She fell to her knees beside Q'yros. She felt his wrist, then placed a hand near his chest, and then near his mouth. Finally she drew back with a sigh and placed her hand on that of the other Mage. "Stop. There's no point. He's dead."

A shocked gasp rippled through the Mage Elders.

Tallia pulled her hand away. She flinched as something similar to a small electric shock passed through her fingers. The Mage Elder was similarly looking at his own hand in bemusement.

Tallia frowned. "Get back, everyone," she called out. "I said get back!"

The Mage Elders retreated. The Healer turned Q'yros' body onto its back. She hovered her hand over his heart, then over his head. She took his hand in hers, paused, then let it go. There was a brief crackle of dark energy.

Tallia stood. "I want this Mage's body taken to my office at once."

"What?" a Mage Elder called out. "If he is dead, we must observe the traditional rite of ..."

"Not until I investigate the cause of death."

"What is there to investigate?" Q'ixanna shouted. "He was an old Mage! He died from natural causes!"

Tallia narrowed her eyes. "There is an odd magical charge on his body, Guildmaster. It is not simply his residual magical energies, or it would not have reacted as it did. I am bound by Healer and Mage law to conduct an investigation. This will not take long."

"I forbid it!" Q'ixanna bellowed.

Several Mage Elders reacted in utter shock. Dead silence fell over the chamber.

Tallia's voice frosted the air. "I do not recognize your authority to deny me. You have a protest, take it up with the Guild Hall."

The Guildmaster opened his mouth, but the Healer had already turned away from him. She summoned several Mages from the observers to help her carry the body out of the court chamber. Q'ixanna clenched his hands into fists and retreated to his chair.

"In the interests of expediency," announced Q'land in a shaky voice. "Court will remain in session. I ask that no one leave this chamber save for Tallia and the Mages assisting her."

Uroddus looked away as Q'yros' body passed. As he turned his gaze to Katla, he caught her wiping her eyes. Seeing his attention on her, she flushed pink and cleared her throat awkwardly. "An i-interesting development, I would say," she said, her voice quavering badly despite her valiant attempt to remain calm."

Uroddus had no response. He looked up again, towards Q'ixanna. He aborted the calculation in his head. He couldn't rely on the numbers anymore. Whatever he did next, it would be out of feeling and instinct rather than logic.

It was said that the position one took in the Purification joining was very telling. The Priestess let the supplicant choose. Supposedly, a submissive position on one's back indicated a need for guidance. A more dominating position on top indicated a need to reaffirm what had already been decided.

Jollis had chosen to lie on his back.

Jeresa was extremely skilled. Most Priestesses had been Companions for a long time. She drew out his pleasure to such lengths that were this another setting, he would have begged for release. Perhaps that he did not was being judged as well.

Jeresa seemed to enter a trance halfway through their lovemaking, ending only when she let out a short cry at the peak of her pleasure. Jollis was so enamored of watching her that he did not realize how far along he was himself. His own climax surprised him, and seemed strangely muted for such an intense tryst.

Jeresa parted from him, the jewels on her wrists and ankles clacking softly. She rolled onto her back and closed her eyes. She remained still for what seemed to Jollis an eternity. He did not dare disturb her for fear of ruining her vision.

"The one that is crucial to your success," Jeresa finally said. "Your thoughts weigh very heavily on her."

Jollis let out a small sigh. "Yes."

"She is everything. She is the foundation. Without her, everything collapses."

Jollis said nothing. He could only keep agreeing with her.

"She was a cog. A cypher. A piece of a puzzle. A pawn to move about the board. But you have moved beyond that."

Jollis was puzzled. Move beyond? Why would he have need to do such a thing?

She opened her eyes and smiled. "You see her for what she is. For what she should be. You have nothing to fear."

Jollis stared, dumbfounded. "Forgive me, but I do not understand. It is my feelings for her that get in the way."

"No. It is your refusal to accept them that gets in the way. Accept them. Understand the reality. Then move beyond it."

Jollis sighed. "I cannot move beyond it. My thoughts of her will cloud my judgment. They ..."

Jeresa drew herself over him, draping her body partially over his. "You confuse what constitutes good judgment. You fail to see how your feelings for her have been a great strength."

"I have made decisions based upon my feelings for her."

"Yes, you have. This was the right thing to do. That is your confusion. Look back at the points where you made some decision based on your feelings for her. Step away from it. Look at it from the outside. Now imagine how events would have transpired had you acted differently. Would the outcome have been significantly better?"

Jollis thought hard. He thought back to his previous plans, when he had nearly brought both sides of the war into a bloody, chaotic conflict and how his words of advice to Amanda had been the cause of its downfall. Then he imagined the war starting at that moment. "The margin for success would have been a little higher."

"A little higher. And how does that compare with the consequences had success been achieved?"

Jollis tried to come up with an outcome that would prove that the plan would have succeeded. His eyes suddenly widened in shock.

He had overlooked something extraordinarily critical. Had the war commenced and the Imperial legions routed Duric's army and chased the remnants back to his base camp, Amanda could have been in grave danger. But because of his advice to her, because she helped stop the war and force Jollis to consider a the new plan, her safety was vastly increased.

And thus Jollis was enlightened.

"Do you see now, Wanderer?"

Jollis slowly nodded. "Yes, I do." He let out a deep sigh, feeling the tension melt away for the first time in several moons. "I have been an utter fool. It is my feelings for her that keep her well and safe, and allow her to fulfill the ultimate plan. I have made the right decisions, but simply have not allowed myself to feel confident that I was correct."

Jeresa caressed his cheek. "You are no fool, Jollis. For only the fool refuses to learn." She kissed him softly and rose to her feet. "Your soul has been Purified. Make Devotions to the gods that will best guide your path. You go with the blessing of the Goddess."

Jollis rose, feeling confident for the first time since his arrival in Inonnus. He bowed deeply to Jeresa. "I am honored far more than I could ever express in words. Thank you."

Jeresa bowed as well, and smiled.

The din of conversation in the court chamber faded in the wake of Tallia's footfalls as she walked with purposeful strides towards the Mage Elders. By the time she reached the curving table, the chamber was once again silent. It was only when she stood before the assembled crowd that they could see she held something in one hand, something round and covered with a piece of cloth.

Q'land met her, and the two exchanged a very brief, whispered conversation. Q'land nodded and gestured towards the podium. He took position front and center as Tallia ascended the dais and stood before the Mage Elders and the Guildmaster, looking every bit as unperturbed as Roquan had. She placed the covered orb upon the podium, holding it in place with one hand.

"We are reconvened," said Q'land in a steadier voice, though his eyes shimmered. "Healer Tallia G'jossa, have you established a cause of death?"

"I have established the immediate cause of death, Mage Elder Q'land," Tallia announced in hard tones, her eyes narrowed, her lips drawn into an intense frown. Several Mage Elders appeared anxious, having themselves been subjected to that scowl when Tallia was distinctly upset about something.

"And is it natural causes as the Guildmaster suggested?"

Anger flashed in Tallia's eyes. "It most certainly is not."

Several exclamations of surprise and shock rippled through the room.

"Please! Please!" Q'land called out. He let out a breath. "Healer, please explain your findings to the court."

"Mage Q'yros was subjected to a horrible wasting process that was magical in origin."

Q'land's eyes widened. "A wasting process? I'm afraid I don't understand!"

"There is magical energy accumulated in his body that is not his own. It does not bear his biomagical signature. It is incompatible with his life energies, and thus corrupted them and drained them from his body."

Several Mage Elders were in an uproar.

"Enough!" Q'land shouted. "For the love of the gods, let her finish!"

"There is enough in his body that it must have been going on for some time," continued Tallia. "So much that it should have killed him before this day, but he kept himself alive despite it, so he knew something was happening to him."

Q'land was beside himself, clutching tightly at the scroll in his hand like a lifeline. "But h-how do you know this?"

"I unsealed his quarters and found this within." She slipped a hand under the orb and yanked the cloth off with the other. Several Mage Elders recognized the charred Mage glass for what it was and gasped. Q'land and many of the observers assembled were confused.

Uroddus simply nodded.

"I'm sorry, but ... what is it?" Q'land asked.

"A Life Orb," Tallia said. "Something that no Mage would normally fool with, though I suspect Q'yros was skilled enough to actually pull it off right. One stores magical energy in it over time, and then releases it into his body to replenish life force that has been weakened from illness. Some Mages use this to keep themselves alive in the face of incurable cancer. I need not tell you what they used them for in ancient days. But you can do as much damage to yourself as you can good."

She dropped the spent orb to the top of the podium with a thud.

"So what is the significance of this?" Q'land demanded.

Tallia's eyes burned. "I will tell you what the significance is, Mage Elder! It means that Q'yros knew he was dying and took pains to combat it. But it was a losing battle from the start. The malevolent energies were growing stronger as ..."

"Malevolent?" another Mage Elder exploded.

"Healer G'jossa, what are you suggesting?" Q'land cried.

"I am suggesting nothing, I am telling you. If this had been a magical accident, the energies would have faded over time, and would have been disorganized or random. The fact that they grew and that they were well-organized means it was an active spell. It was designed to do what it did."

The Mage Elders were in an uproar again, and this time it spread to the observers. Q'land held up a trembling hand, and the gong needed to sound several times before some sense of calm was restored. "Healer G'jossa, realize what you are saying! You are implying that ... that this was done purposely to him, that another Mage ..."

"I simply state that this was not natural and not accidental, and nothing beyond that," said Tallia. "I cannot tell you specifically who or what."

The Guildmaster finally stood. "This has gone far enough!"

The Mage Elders quieted. All turned their eyes to him. More than a few cast dark looks of suspicion upon him.

"We did not witness a death by wasting! We witnessed a sudden death!"

Tallia cast a level look at the Guildmaster. Her eyes, too, were tinged with doubt and suspicion. "The malevolent energy in his body surged. That was the ultimate cause of death."

"But what caused it to surge?" another Mage Elder exclaimed.

"Since it was likely part of a spell, it must have had a trigger."

"But the last thing that Q'yros did was cast his vote for ..." The Mage Elder trailed off.

Q'ixanna's eyes blazed. He shook a finger at the Mage. "Don't you dare," he said through clenched teeth. "Not another word. I refuse to be implicated in this. I refuse to be accused of having a hand in his death! There is no proof! No proof whatsoever!"

Q'land was unsure of what to do. Finally he stepped forward and addressed Tallia. "Healer, is there any way you can shed more light on this? Any way at all you can determine more exactly what -- or who -- might have been responsible?"

"With more investigation, I may discover more," said Tallia. "But I offer no guarantees."

Uroddus leaned back in his seat. He took a deep breath and let it go with the finality of someone choosing a path from which there was no return.

Katla turned her head. Her eyes widened. "Uroddus, what ...?"

He adjusted his spectacles and stood.

"Uroddus, no!" Katla hissed.

"My apologies for the interruption," Uroddus' voice rang out. "But perhaps I could offer some information that might shed some light on this."

"We have heard enough from you!" Q'ixanna roared, red-faced. "You have had your say!"

"Guildmaster!" Q'land shouted. "You cannot arbitrarily strike witnesses from testifying! It is up to the Council!"

"Let him speak!" a Mage Elder called out.

"Yes, let us hear what he has to say!" said another.

"Any information is better than no information!" declared a third.

Q'land turned to Tallia. "Do you have anything else you wish to add, Healer G'jossa?"

"I have only one thing," Tallia replied. "The pattern of magical energy that caused Q'yros' death is most unusual. I have not seen anything quite like it, and I have seen quite a lot in my life. It suggested something rather old, perhaps something no longer used very much. Perhaps ancient."

Several Mage Elders murmured to one another. Q'land nodded. "Thank you, you are dismissed. Journeyman Q'garra, come to the podium once more."

Amanda had been relieved -- if a bit surprised -- at Sirinna's sudden upbeat mood when she returned to their quarters later that day. It was clear she wanted to talk to Amanda about something, but they first had to tend to the sexual needs of the four Narlassi girls. When that was done, the girls having settled down for a snuggle and a nap with each other, Sirinna finally told Amanda what she had been bursting to say.

Amanda's jaw dropped. "He wants me to what?"

Sirinna looked uncertain, some of her enthusiasm waning. "Well, he said for you to ... well ... you'll do it, won't you? I mean, you said you ..."

"Of course I'll do it!" Amanda cried. She threw her arms around Sirinna. "Sirinna, I'll be glad to do it! And Master Roquan actually told you do this? He actually said this?"

Sirinna smiled. "Of course he did, Amanda. Why wouldn't he? I told you, he always wants what's best for his slaves."

Amanda was still stunned. She remembered the conditions that Roquan had imposed on her when she had received the history scrolls. And now this! It was like Roquan was a different person than the one she had first met.

Sirinna tilted her head. "Is something wrong, Amanda?"

"Huh? Oh, no, not at all. When did he say you could start?"

"After the four girls have been sent away to Master Rennis." Sirinna smiled. "So what will you teach me first?"

Amanda stared. "Gods ... I have no idea ... I'm going to have to think about this. He didn't suggest anything?"

Sirinna shook her head. "No, he just wanted you to educate me. That's all he said."

"Okay ... wow ... okay, I'll come up with something." She suddenly laughed.

Sirinna smiled. "What's so funny?"

"Just that I was barely halfway through my own education on Earth, and here I'm going to be the teacher now!"

Sirinna's eyes widened. "You were only halfway through it?"

"Well, assuming I decided to go to at least four years of college and maybe two years post-grad."

Sirinna looked on in confusion.

Amanda smiled. "Never mind. But I'm sure there's a lot I can teach you from what I do know."

"I really want to try and be as smart as you are, Amanda."

Amanda beamed and hugged her lover again. She thought she had forgotten what it was like to feel happy. She was delighted to have rediscovered it.

"It was no secret that Master Q'yros and Master Q'ixanna did not see eye to eye on many issues," explained Uroddus. "Master Q'yros could be considered the Guildmaster's largest political foe at the Mage Guild."

Several Mage Elders nodded in affirmation.

"Thus it is likely that Master Q'yros' return to the Guild Hall would be the cause of friction between him and the Guildmaster. Yet he needed to perform research on these foreign Portals and required access to artifacts that were a closely guarded secret."

"And I allowed him that access!" Q'ixanna shouted.

"Yes, Guildmaster, you did," said Uroddus smoothly. "I do not dispute that. But there was much more he could have asked for, yet he was quite reluctant to stir up trouble."

The Guildmaster glowered. "He did plenty. He lied to get out of the Guild Hall. He put your lot up to using the courier."

"Yes, he did. He worked clandestinely where he could, and avoided public confrontation. That is about the time that his health began to deteriorate."

"Circumstantial!"

"Perhaps. In fact, I did not notice his declining health immediately. I was more concerned with his lack of desire to speak out against you when so much was at stake. It was then that I engaged my colleagues to calc ... " He paused. "To postulate what may be the cause."

"Yes, your colleagues!" Q'ixanna sneered. "Your lazy, intellectual, Empiricist cronies."

"Guildmaster, that is uncalled for!" Q'land called out.

"It is most certainly called for! I am allowed to cast doubt on the integrity of the witness!"

"Believe what you will about us, Guildmaster," Uroddus continued. "But if you look not just at our observations, but at the death we ..." His voice caught briefly. "... we just witnessed before our eyes, and you will come to the same conclusion that we did, that Master Q'yros sealed an Oath to secure his silence against the Guildmaster in exchange for the right to research these Portals."

Nearly all the Mage Elders were on their feet, all shouting to be heard at once. Q'land quieted them with another flourish of gongs. Q'kollan stood as the din eased. "I believe I speak for all of us when I say that this is a very serious allegation to be leveled, Journeyman."

"Everything appears to suggest this possibility, Mage Elder. There is Master Q'yros' rather out-of-character fear of speaking out against the Guildmaster. There is his declining health that began when he did. There is his increasingly rapid deterioration after he first suggested to me that I send a Farview pearl to the Overlord, and then again and much worse after he released copies of my notes specifically to influence this court. And then there are his own words to me, in which he affirmed the truth when I confronted him with my theory."

"You did not mention that before!" cried a Mage Elder.

"If I had, I may have abetted in Master Q'yros' demise. Thus I was reluctant to do so."

"Another convenience!" Q'ixanna cried. "You expect us to believe this?"

"There is the testimony of our Healer," said Uroddus. "She has stated that the magic that killed him was placed intentionally within him. She has further stated that the magic is old, possibly ancient. Most magicks that deal with Oaths and curses are indeed quite old."

Q'kollan looked intensely thoughtful.

Q'ixanna turned to him in desperation. "You cannot possibly believe what he says! There is no proof! No proof at all that I had anything to do with this!"

"I should further note that I am not accusing the Guildmaster of forcing this Oath upon Master Q'yros," Uroddus said. "He may have offered it voluntarily."

The Guildmaster gestured wildly at Uroddus as his eyes darted over the Mage Elders. "See? See? He wanted to do this himself! I did not force his hand! It was his idea, not mine!"

A shocked silence fell.

Q'kollan let out a sigh through his nose and fixed a level gaze at the Guildmaster. "I know a little something of Oaths, Wytho," he said in a low voice. "I know how powerful they can be. How terrible they can be if worded in such a way that they leave too many ambiguities. And I also know they can be removed. Easily. All that needs to happen is for both parties to agree to lift it."

The Guildmaster looked aghast.

"And by the words you just spoke, you have all but admitted that an Oath did indeed exist and that you were conscious of it. And if this is the case, then I would suggest you also knew that this was what was behind his declining health."

Q'ixanna stared. "That ... I ... that's a lie!"

Q'kollan shook his head. "No more, Wytho. I've had it. You knew he was dying, and you knew why. And you did nothing to stop it."

Q'ixanna looked stricken. He staggered back as if struck.

Another Mage Elder rose. "Q'land, I've heard enough! I wish to change my vote on the first charge! I vote 'aye' for merit!"

And another. "As do I!"

"Here, here! I vote 'aye!'"

Q'ixanna's gaze darted like that of a frightened animal.

Q'kollan turned to Q'land. "I, too, also change my vote. I vote 'aye' for merit on all charges. I also move that Q'yros' vote be stricken as there is doubt as to whether he was of his own mind or not."

"I second that!"

"Same here!"

"Strike his vote!"

The Guildmaster collapsed into his chair.

"Order! Order, please!" Q'land called out. He swallowed and glanced at the Guildmaster. "In light of these circumstances, I concur with striking Q'yros' vote. This makes the vote for the second and third charges unanimous for merit. As for the first, we will tally a new vote ..."

Uroddus remained where he was as the re-vote was conducted. He heard the excited murmuring behind him. He had an idea what was going through their heads. A very unpopular Guildmaster was about to be deposed. It was okay for them to feel openly hopeful now.

But the Journeyman kept his eyes focused on the Guildmaster. It was as if he were waiting for something. His hands gripped the lectern tightly.

"The vote is twenty-three 'aye' and none for 'nay,'" Q'land called out. "All three charges are carried. Does anyone wish to make a further statement?"

Silence.

"Very well. Journeyman, you are dismissed."

Uroddus nodded. He backed away from the podium. Q'land's gaze lingered, then left him as the Mage turned to face the Guildmaster.

"Guildmaster Q'ixanna," Q'land called out. "Stand before the Mage Elders!"

Uroddus stopped and remained standing where it was, just short of forward-most of the observers' tables. The Guildmaster slowly stirred. His eyes were dark, his face morose. He stood and stepped down from the dais surrounding his chair.

"Having found merit for all three charges that have been declared against you in this Court of Oversight of year two-one-seven one After Founding, it shall be the desire of this court that you be removed from your position of Guildmaster, effective immediately."

Katla clasped her hands together and let out a sigh of relief. It was only then that she saw Uroddus. "Wait, what is he doing up there?"

"Have you anything to say to this court?" Q'land asked.

Q'ixanna said nothing. He did not even bring his eyes up to meet Q'land's.

Q'land shifted uneasily. "Very well. From this moment henceforth, you will cease to use the title of Guildmaster. You will vacate the Guildmaster office by dusk. You will ..."

"NO!"

The sudden shout startled nearly the whole room. All except Uroddus. His reaction was to lift his hand and flick his fingers once.

Q'ixanna lifted his head. His face was contorted with rage, his eyes nearly glowing with the fury contained within them. He thrust his hands out to either side. There was a bright flash of light as a blast of hurricane wind exploded outward in a circle, knocking the Mage Elders off their feet and sending many observers tumbling from their chairs.

Only Uroddus was still standing.

The quick shield that he had projected was already fading, its light gone before anyone would have noticed. And by that time, as the Mage Elders picked themselves off the floor, their attention would instead be drawn to the Guildmaster, who now had his own brightly glowing shield conjured before him.

It was far more impressive than anything Uroddus had done. It appeared as a translucent curtain of light, floating in the air before Q'ixanna, a half-cylinder protecting him from direct assault from any side, save for behind. It was his signature defense spell, his own personal contribution to the magical knowledge of the Guild. It was a shield that only the most powerful magical attacks could breach, and then only after repeated strikes.

"I do not recognize your authority to remove me!" Q'ixanna's voice boomed. "You have all been deluded! I am the only one that can lead this Guild! I am the only one that can save it from itself!"

"You have heard the ruling of this court!" Q'land called out in desperation. "You must abide by it! You have been removed from ...!"

Q'ixanna's hand shot out. A ball of crimson energy was launched from his fingertips. It crashed into Q'land and blasted him off his feet. Several younger Mages scattered as his body was flung into the observer tables with a terrible crash.

Pandemonium rose from among the less experienced ranks. Many Apprentices made a mad stampede for the door. Q'land moaned in pain and then was still as he lost consciousness, blood streaming from a long gash on his forehead, his back twisted at an unnatural angle. In moments, Tallia was at his side, one of her cheeks bright red with scratches and a bruise growing on the other.

"THEN MAKE ME ABIDE BY IT!" Q'ixanna bellowed. "You have made your decision! I have made mine! I will not step down!"

Katla was helped to her feet by a fellow Empiricist, a cut on her chin trickling blood. Her eyes widened in horror. "Oh gods ... Uroddus ... what are you doing?"

Uroddus was finalizing a decision he had already made, one that was cemented once he saw Q'yros body hit the floor of the court.

When you know you're right, when you're absolutely sure of it ...

"Is there one of you who thinks himself powerful enough to do it?" declared Q'ixanna with a savage glee. "Does one of you think he can Duel me?"

... when you are confident that you know the right action to take ...

The Mage Elders backed away in fright, stumbling over each other. A few had to be helped to their feet, bruises and contusions on their faces and arms. Tallia yelled for a Mage to cast a motion freeze spell on Q'land so he could be safely moved from the chamber.

Q'ixanna laughed. "So there is no one? No one at all? No one to back up your mighty words with deeds?"

... do not hesitate ...

Uroddus lifted his arms and spread them in a "V" before him.

... and do not let anyone stand in your way.

Amber energy shot from his hands, the air sizzling in their wake. They struck the walls of the courtroom on either side of Q'ixanna. Yet instead of blasting through either wall, the energy bounced like a light beam off a mirror. They ricocheted to the great doors behind Q'ixanna and reflected once more. Then the yellow reflective shield energy dissolved and released the bright scarlet within.

Both bolts converged on Q'ixanna, bypassing his shield. The Mage let out a surprised yell as he was sent tumbling to the floor, his shield vanishing into mist as he fell face-down, a flash of light like an aura briefly cocooning his body for a tiny moment as he hit.

The Guildmaster lifted his head, panting and shaking. He was winded but unhurt, having conjured a body protection spell at the last moment before he struck the floor.

Uroddus adjusted his spectacles. "Will I do?"

Q'ixanna let out a loud snarl. One of his arms was up and his hand thrust forward half a breath later.

Uroddus did not have much time to react. Any shield he could conjure Q'ixanna was sure to tear through like a sharp knife through thin cloth. He flicked his hands to either side. Pale gold energy sprang into being behind him. By the time the bolt of red struck him, the energy had formed a curving saucer shape behind him.

The blast burned like fire, though his skin remained unblemished. His body fit neatly into the depression of the shield behind him. He flew over the heads of the other Mages fleeing for the exit and struck the wall hard to Katla's strident scream. With the shield behind him, it felt like landing in thick pillows.

He braced himself for the fall to the floor. His knees nearly gave out as he struck, but he remained standing. He reached behind him and grabbed the edge of the shield and flung it like a discus at Q'ixanna.

The second bolt that Q'ixanna had sent at him struck the reflective energy and was sent back. He went sprawling across the floor and stopped short of hitting his head on the bronze doors behind him.

Katla stared in amazement. Someone grabbed her arm and started to drag her towards the door.

"We have to leave!" shouted her friend.

"But Uroddus ...!"

"No, it's too dangerous, come on!"

Katla resisted for another moment before fleeing the chamber.

"I would suggest this is a good time to leave," Q'kollan said urgently to his fellow Mage Elders.

"You cannot be serious!" cried a Mage Elder. "He is only a Journeyman!"

"He is holding his own quite well, and we are only in the way! Let's GO!"

Uroddus stepped forward, even though his muscles were still aching from the blow. He could not afford to show weakness. He wished for a clear shot to finish this Duel, but there were still too many people nearby. He approached the now recovering Guildmaster as the others streamed out of the chamber.

Q'ixanna sneered at Uroddus as he stood. "So you have no ambition, do you? Or did the probability of your success rate high enough that you deigned to abandon your numbers and practice real magic for a change?"

"On the contrary, Guildmaster." Uroddus flicked a hand. The table between them crumbled to dust, leaving nothing between them. "I have always been able to do 'real magic' as you put it. I simply do not like to show off."

The Guildmaster laughed. "So you will Duel me? You? A Journeyman? An Empiricist? Aspiring for the highest post in the Guild? That is not ambition. That is stupidity!"

"Nevertheless, I will Duel you. I do not do this for myself, I do this for the Guild. You are not fit to be Guildmaster. You will lead this Guild and Oceanus to ruin."

Q'ixanna frowned. "Very well."

He raised his arms as the last of the people left the room. The doors slammed shut with a clang. There was a flash of light, and then a sizzling noise from first the doors at one end of the room and then the other. When the light faded, a magical seal glowed upon each set of doors.

Uroddus glanced at the one behind him for a moment before turning his attention back to the Guildmaster.

"Accepted," said Q'ixanna, his eyes glittering. "The doors will not open until one of us is quite dead. And I can assure you ... it will not be me."

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