Shrieks of panic sounded overhead, as the remaining creatures now understood that here was a foe beyond their powers to harm. As one, the seven remaining creatures turned and began a headlong flight northward.
Pug waved his hands and suddenly a blue fire danced upon his upraised palms. He cast it after the fleeing creatures. The sphere of blue fire sped after the elementals and caught up with them as they winged furiously over the water. Like a cloud of pulsating light, it enveloped them. Strangled cries of pain could be heard as the elementals contorted in midair and fell twitching into the lake. As each touched the surface of the water, it erupted into green flame, consumed as it vanished under the rippling surface of the lake.
Gardan watched Pug as he approached the nearly exhausted soldiers. There was something unusually somber in Pugs expression and his gaze held a hint of power Gardan had never seen before. Abruptly, Pug’s expression changed as he relaxed. His face now looked young, boyish in spite of his nearly twenty-six years of age. With a sudden smile he said, “Welcome to Stardock, gentlemen.”
A warm fire filled the room with a cozy glow. Gardan and Dominic rested in large chairs set before the fireplace, while Kasumi sat on cushions, Tsurani fashion.
Kulgan dressed the captain’s burns, fussing like a mother over her idiot child. The two had known each other for years at Crydee, well enough for Kulgan to take a rough tone with the captain. “How you could be foolish enough to grab on to one of those things—anyone knows that contact with an elementally dependent creature when it returns to a primal state involves the release of energies, mostly heat and light.”
Gardan, tired of being scolded, said, “Well, I didn’t know. Kasumi, did you know? Dominic?”
Kasumi sat laughing as Dominic said, “As a matter of fact, I did know.”
“You are no help at all, priest,” muttered the captain. “Kulgan, if you are done, can we eat? I’ve been smelling that hot food for nearly an hour and it’s close to making me go mad. “
Pug laughed, leaning against the wall next to the hearth. “Captain, it’s more like ten minutes.”
They were sitting in a room in the first floor of a large building under construction. Kasumi said, “I am glad the King permitted me to visit your academy, Pug.”
“And I as well,” said Brother Dominic. “While we at Sarth appreciate those copies of works you’ve forwarded to us so far, we are still vague about what your plans are. We seek to know more.”
Pug said, “I am pleased to host any who come with the love of learning, Brother Dominic. Perhaps someday we may claim repayment of our slight hospitality and visit your fabled library.”
Kulgan’s head came around at that. “I would be pleased to claim that right, friend Dominic.”
“Anytime you call, you’ll be welcome,” answered the monk.
“Watch this one,” said Gardan with a tilt of his head toward Kulgan. “Lose him in those underground vaults and you’ll never find him. He’s as passionate for books as a bear for honey.
A striking woman with dark hair and large, dark eyes entered the room, followed by two servants. All carried platters with food, and as she placed hers upon the long table at the other end of the room from where the men were gathered, she said, “Please, it is time for supper.”
Pug said, “Brother Dominic, this is my wife, Katala.”
The monk nodded deferentially and said, “My lady.”
She smiled at him. “Please, Katala. We tend to the informal here.”
The monk again inclined his head as he came to the indicated chair. He turned at the sound of a door opening, and for the first time since the captain had met him, the monk’s composure cracked. William came hurrying into the room, the green-scaled form of Fantus behind.
“Ishap’s mercy! Is that a firedrake?”
William ran to where his father stood and hugged him, eyeing the newcomers cautiously. Kulgan said, “This is Fantus, lord of this estate. The rest of us live here by his sufferance, though he suffers William’s company best.” The drake’s gaze shifted to Kulgan for a moment as if he agreed totally. Then his large red eyes returned to contemplating the table and what lay upon it.
Pug said, “William, say hello to Kasumi.”
William bowed his head slightly, smiling. He spoke in the Tsurani tongue, and Kasumi answered, laughing.
Dominic looked interested. Pug said, “My son is fluent in both the King’s Tongue and the Tsurani language. My wife and I keep him practicing both, for many of my works are in the Tsurani language. That is one of the problems I have in bringing the art of the Greater Path to Midkemia. Much of what I do is the result of how I think, and I think magic in the Tsurani language. William’s going to be a great help someday, aiding me in discovering ways to do magic in the Kings Tongue so I can teach those who live here.”
Katala said, “Gentlemen, the food grows cold.”
“And my wife does not permit talking of magic at this table,” said Pug.