High Lord Legasa motioned with a wave of his hand. There was a creak, and the heavy chamber door opened. A newcomer entered, wearing a brown robe similar to High Lord Legasa’s, but where Legasa’s was plain, his shimmered with runes and the torque around his neck glowed with flickering lights. As he stepped forward he rested his weight on a thin wooden cane, and when he reached the table, he released the cane and placed his hands on the stone, peering at each face in turn, his gaze strangely intense.
Miro gaped in astonishment as the cane sprouted tiny wooden legs and walked into the corner, resting itself against the wall.
"I think I am best suited to answer your questions, High Lord," the newcomer said.
"May I introduce High Animator Gazzio Marcado," said High Lord Legasa.
All of the Alturans in the room stood and touched their fingers to their lips and forehead — even High Lord Tessolar.
"It is an honour, High Animator," said High Lord Tessolar. It was rare for a loremaster to leave his homeland.
"High Lord," said High Animator Gazzio. "Please, sit down. You asked how our Lexicon was stolen from us. My answer is: I do not know. I personally administered the safeguards, the traps and wards. The thief went through them like they did not exist."
Legasa took up the dialogue. "We tracked the thief for a time before he vanished completely. He went east."
"To Torakon?" said Tessolar.
"That way, yes. But he could have been heading for Tingara. As we speak our Lexicon could be somewhere in Seranthia. The High Animator is investigating."
"How long has it been?" Devon spoke.
"Over a week," said the High Animator. There were gasps from around the chamber. "I renewed our Lexicon not long before the theft, but in time, our magic will fade."
"May I offer you the support of some of our men — perhaps a few of our bladesingers could help get some tongues moving?" said Tessolar.
"Your offer is appreciated. However we will not require your assistance at this stage."
"Money," said Captain Sloan.
All eyes turned to the reticent guard captain. "I’m sorry, captain?" said Tessolar.
Captain Sloan faltered, and then spoke up. "Fear will only get you so far in Seranthia. You need plenty of money. Offer the right sum for knowledge leading to the whereabouts of the Halrana Lexicon and word will get out. There’s a chance you’ll get your results."
"I don’t think..." Devon began.
Legasa held up his hand. "An excellent piece of advice, Captain. We will see to it."
"Do you think this is in any way connected to Emperor Xenovere’s reasons for calling the Chorum?" Tessolar said.
Legasa nodded. "It could be. At any rate we will know tomorrow."
"What about the Primate? Have you spoken with anyone from the Assembly of Templars?"
Legasa shook his head. "Melovar Aspen seems too interested in his relics of late. He declined a meeting."
"High Lord Legasa, I need to know," Tessolar said delicately. "Does this affect our stance?"
"I’m afraid it does. We need to swiftly increase our presence, before our runes fade and we are seriously weakened."
The Alturan leader’s eyes darkened, and Miro felt the tension in the room grow. He became very aware of the glistening black golems, still motionless but coiled with pent up power. "I fear we might be taking actions that offend…"
"We are dealing with uncertainty, High Lord Tessolar, but above all we must be decisive. We once said that with the Ring Forts again under our control we could build alliances and do something about our pitiful essence ration. With this setback, we need to move faster than we might wish. The Emperor needs to be challenged, and we are the raja the other houses are looking to for leadership. I have assurances from High Lord Dimitri of Vezna, and while the Petryans, as always, are an unknown, I believe the Louans and the Primate will support us against the growing power of Raj Tingara."
Tessolar licked his lips. "Yes, but we must be careful to avoid confrontation."
Legasa’s eyebrows grew closer, "You want to avoid confrontation? What about us? We lost more blood than you in the Rebellion!"
"It was your war!" said Devon.
His ruler silenced him with an angry glare. "It was a just war," said Tessolar. "You called and we supported you. And some still say the day may have been ours. I am not one of those people."
Miro grew cold. He avoided sharing glances with the other soldiers.
"We have been biding our time at your request, gathering our strength," said Legasa. "Now the Emperor has called a Chorum. We cannot afford to let him grow in power."
"We will fight," Tessolar bit the words off. "But first you need to find your Lexicon."
"This discussion is over," said High Lord Legasa standing up. His lords stood beside him; the Alturan lords reluctantly followed suit. "We will reconvene after the Chorum."
Shaking his head, High Lord Tessolar led his men from the room.
9
Yes, most of the relics are here in Stonewater, but I know of many that are being held by the houses. Shouldn’t they be here, where they belong?
— Primate Melovar Aspen to High Templar Saryah, 540 Y.E.
TUOK found Miro preparing for bed.
"We’ve got the night off," said Tuok with a wicked grin.
Miro paused midway between pulling off his boots.
"But if you’d rather stay here with the merchants, that’s fine with me. Perhaps you can find some work selling nightlamps to old women, young lord."