Meecham gripped his sword at hearing this, but Pug placed his hand on the big franklin’s arm. “Since the rift is closed, half my power is lost, that which I gained from Kelewan, but this should prove no obstacle.”
Pug concentrated upon opening the door. Instead of the usual response of the door swinging open, a change occurred in the door itself. The wood seemed to become fluid, flowing and ebbing as it fashioned its surface into a new form. In a few moments a face could be seen, formed in the wood. It looked like a bas-relief, with a slight resemblance to Macros. It was very lifelike in detail and appeared to be asleep. Then its eyelids opened, and they could see that the eyes were alive, black centers showing against white. Its mouth moved, and a voice issued from it, the sound deep and resonant as it spoke in perfect Tsurani. “What is the first duty?”
Without thinking, Pug answered, “To serve the Empire.”
The face flowed back into the door, and when there was no trace of it before them, the door swung aside. They entered and found themselves in the study of Macros the Black, a large room occupying the entire top of the tower.
Gathis said, “I take it I have the honor of hosting Masters Kulgan, Pug, and Meecham?” He then studied the fourth member of the party. “And you must be Prince Arutha?” When they nodded, he said, “My master was unsure if Your Highness would attend, though he thought it likely. He was certain the other three gentlemen would be here.” He indicated the room with a sweep of his hand. “All that you see is at your disposal. If you will excuse me, I will return with your message and some refreshments.”
Gathis left, and all four looked at the contents of the room. Except for one bare wall where it was obvious that a bookcase or cupboard had recently been removed, the entire room was surrounded with tall shelves from floor to ceiling, all heavily laden with books and scrolls. Pug and Kulgan were almost paralyzed by indecision about where to begin their investigation.
Arutha solved that problem by crossing over to a shelf where lay a large parchment bound with a red ribbon. He took it down and laid it upon the round table in the center of the room. A shaft of sunlight from the room’s single large window fell across the parchment as he unrolled it.
Kulgan came over to see what he had found “It is a map of Midkemia!”
Pug and Meecham crossed over to stand behind Kulgan and Arutha. “Such a map!” Prince Arutha exclaimed “I have never seen its like.” His finger stabbed at a spot upon a large landmass in the center “Look! Here is the Kingdom.” Across a small portion of the map were inscribed the words Kingdom of the Isles. Below could be seen the larger borders of the Empire of Great Kesh. To the south of the Empire, the states of the Keshian Confederacy were clearly shown.
“To the best of my knowledge,” said Kulgan, “few from the Kingdom have ever ventured into the Confederacy. Our only knowledge of its members is through the Empire and a few of our more venturesome captains who’ve visited some of their ports. We hardly know the names of these nations, and nothing about them.”
Pug said, “We learn much about our world in an instant. Look at how small a part of this continent the Kingdom is.” He pointed to the great sweep of the Northlands to the north of the Kingdom, and the far-reaching mass of land below the Confederacy. The entire continent bore the inscription Triagia.
Kulgan said, “It appears there is a great deal more to our Midkemia than we had dreamed.” He indicated additional landmasses across the sea. These were labeled Wi?et and Novindus. Upon each, cities and states were delineated. Two large chains of islands were also shown, many with cities marked. Kulgan shook his head. “There have been rumors of traders from far distant lands, venturing into the trading ports in the Keshian Confederacy, or treating with the pirates of Sunset Islands, but they are only rumors. It is small wonder we have never heard of these places. It would be a brave captain who set his ship upon a course for so far a port.”
They were brought out of their study by the sound of Gathis returning to the room. He carried a tray with a decanter and four wine cups. “My master bade me say that you are to enjoy the hospitality of his home as long as you desire.” He placed the tray on the table and poured wine into the cups. He then removed a scroll from within his tunic and handed it to Kulgan. “He bade me give you this. I will retire while you consider my master’s message. Should you need me, simply speak my name, and I will return quickly.” He bowed slightly and left the room.
Kulgan regarded the scroll. It was sealed with black wax, impressed with the letter M. He broke the seal and unrolled the parchment. He started to read to himself, then said, “Let us sit.”