Eramar informed him. "You never know when enemy spies or shape-shifters might try to infiltrate an abode of knowledge like this. We also do this to keep the journeyman adepts and senior students alert by placing certain protections on doors and in the hallways. Only those who study thoroughly will be able to pass them with relative ease."
"Yes," said Ragan. "I can see the necessity in such measures."
"I'm glad you approve. Shall we go in?" asked Eramar. Ragan nodded. Eramar then pushed the door open the rest of the way, and in they went. Inside was a large chamber conservatively furnished, except for a great circular table where sat five distinguished elves, two reptilian Ikhsar, two Dwarro, two mantis-like Edrix, two Norgtor, a twelve-foot-tall earth giant, and a human of Arnor lineage. These were the archmages of the Inner Circle of the Blue Lodge of Mindon.
All rose when Ragan entered.
"Greetings," said one of the elves at the far end of the table. "I am called Curugar, the archaeus achandar of this circle of archmasters." Ragan nodded his head respectfully to this individual for his educational achievement as a grand master of the arts. "My brothers in Andrim send their greetings," continued Curugar. "You also have a message from the Corthondral, Talmor, which you should view after this conclave." He briefly introduced some of the others Ragan did not already know.
"Greetings to you all," said Ragan. He looked about the room at the other sorcerers, all having achieved mastery in at least four different fields of arcane lore as denoted by formal robes, cloaks, and multicolor sashes of arcane rank. In Mindon, the lodges were eclectic and had panels of senior members from most of the major races. Ragan sensed the subtle energies in the room and a few mystical devices of protection. This room was specially constructed and protected to block the eyes and ears of the Dark One's minions.
Swizzlick, the gnome archmage, then said, "Please sit, Archmaster Ragan, and we will tell you of the current events of this region." Ragan sat himself down in a plush high-backed chair. The other sorcerers followed his lead and sat down in similar chairs.
"I felt a force draw me to this place in response to my sorcerous sending. I believe that you have something to tell me," stated Ragan.
"There is much trouble, Tauri, and it is your order's sworn obligation to aid us in time of need," said Quiddel, the other gnome archmage.
"Our agents," said Eramar, "have reported to us that a strike force led by Valharri has attacked a region of Reslar Woods and the Gilthanalate of Pyron. We have dispatched adepts and masters to aid in the defense."
Another archmaster, a human, said, "I, Abryn, have been north to my homelands in Numeria, and I discovered that some of the Dark Elves are moving military forces into Numeria Province's border areas. Furthermore, I found that the Valharri are involved, and I barely escaped long-range retribution when the Valharri Zerrith, whom I attempted to spy on, sent a force of chaotic elementals and other spirits to attack my group. In addition, I found out a few human and Urshkaar sorcerers are supporting this incursion into Numeria Province in order to deal with some of the undead and other forms of the Unlife that have arisen. I believe, in addition, that these few wizards and sorcerers wished power for themselves. So they mounted an attack against a portion of my home city, Hyneria."
"We realize that the Dark One has not yet returned to Illúmaril," said Curugar. "This is evident because the most powerful servants and other allies he used long ago are not active. Our information from scouts about Morthaurnan indicates that the main armies of Dormas have not gathered, as yet, and his presence has not been felt."
"This is all academic," said Ragan. "For when evil does raise its head, the Tauri will be there, and we will be aided by many of the several hundred militant orders like the Order of the Horn, the Order of the Shield, or the Order of the Platinum Griffon."
"There is one further matter to inform you about, Tauri Ragan," continued Grand Master Curugar. "Recently, we have been receiving reports from some of our members in Amir about a powerful sorcerer from Khanuur named Mordru. It appears that this unusually strong senior master has been admitted into the senior membership of the Black Lodge. He is not only delving into the necromantic arts but also devising new methods to create, conjure, and control the undead and probably other forces of the Unlife."
"I thank you for the information," said Ragan. "I will discuss it with the members of my order as soon as I can. I must be leaving now, for I do have other things to attend to, as I am sure you do. Now, will you show me to your crystal chamber and the message please?"
Ragan was led by Eramar to another specially constructed room, and then he left, saying that he had to return to the conclave. Now alone, Ragan located an elongated crystal shaft with the runes of his name inscribed on parchment around the crystal. The arcane device that Ragan was about to use was ancient but extremely durable. At the control station, there were crystal tubes and other crystalline projections that had various uses. This was a multipurpose device used not only for communication and education, but also as a spell engine for storage of sorcerous energies.
Ragan placed the message crystal in the holder and then went to one of the three viewing stations along the far wall. Each station with clear, elongated oval crystals was about the height of a man. Ragan performed a short verbal invocation that activated the device, and the familiar face of Talmor of Andrim appeared in the crystal oval.
The image said, "Ragan, I have left this message in the care of the Blue Lodge, as I am a member and I was not sure of the exact time that you would arrive in Mindon. It is unfortunate that we could not communicate directly this time, as we are both extremely busy now. Additionally, I am aware of increased multiple modality monitoring of my communications, as well as scrying to try to locate you and intercept mystical communications.
"If you require any aid, I believe the ranger and former knight Gil Gallow and that jack-of-all-trades Glade Gilding are somewhere near to Mindon or can be found on your way to Tetherin. Glade is likely already in the city. Gil is still near the border of Calendor assisting the Dwarro. I sensed you traveling beyond our world, and if I am not mistaken, you brought someone back to Illúmaril with you. I hope that this time, the Tauri intend to guide him more fully while he is in our world or at least have some distant relative help. Ragan, I think that there are times you take on too much responsibility at one moment, especially with all the projects you have in progress.
"Perhaps you can let him reside with a more similar culture for a while so that he can become accustomed to our world. It was almost a catastrophe when Vasha intercepted you. Luckily, Garenthal was in the region and sensed her presence. I hope that you can obtain some amnoxillin or similar imbuement for your new ward in Mindon, or he might succumb to our planoi, which could delay his transition.
"One more item of interest, my friend, as I know you like to monitor some of the Tauri and other wizard members in that lodge. I have sensed increased activity in those members of the Black Lodge loyal to Dormas; however, they are more secretive than usual. According to my informants, that Khanuurian I mentioned, Mordru, has built a fortress near one of the many ancient buried Eldren fortresses. Mordru may have found one of the ancient Eldren artifacts that has been buried since ancient times. Such a device may augment his already considerable ability to control the undead. Ragan, Mordru has increased his position in a relatively short time within the leadership of the Black Lodge. Additionally, he holds a degree of high mastery in necromancy. There are rumors he may be in the process of developing a new cult for one of the so-called Ancient Ones—one of those same Lords of Chaos and Entropy we and the Erradan lords banished long ago." Talmor paused as if reflecting on some issues. "It is sad when several lodge members in a few of the chapter houses end up doing evil deeds. It sullies the lodge's reputation." Ragan nodded to this, realizing that such members did cause problems for other more responsible lodge members.
"There are some
