She said nothing, for she knew her husband and would wait until he was ready to share his feelings. Finally he said, “I know the voice, Katala. I have heard it before, when the time of troubles was full upon us at its most dreadful moment, when the outcome of the Riftwar hung in the balance, when the fate of two worlds rested upon my shoulders. It’s Macros. It’s his voice I hear.”
Katala shivered and hugged her husband close. The name of Macros the Black, whose library served as the seed for this growing academy of magic, was one she knew well. Macros was the mysterious sorcerer, neither of the Greater Path like Pug, nor of the Lesser Path like Kulgan, but something else. He had lived long enough to seem eternal and he could read the future. He had always had a hand in the conduct of the Riftwar, playing some cosmic game with human lives for stakes only he understood. He had rid Midkemia of the rift. the magic bridge between her own homeworld and her new one. She nestled closer to Pug, her head on his chest. Most of all, she knew why Pug was troubled. Macros was dead.
Gardan, Kasumi, and Dominic stood at ground level admiring the work proceeding above. Workers contracted in Shamata were laying course after course of stone, building up the high walls of the academy. Pug and Kulgan stood nearby, inspecting the newest plans submitted by the Masterbuilder in charge of construction. Kulgan motioned for the newcomers to join them. “This is all vital to us, so you will please indulge us a bit, I trust,” said the stout mage. “We have been at work for only a few months and we are anxious to see the work uninterrupted.”
Gardan said, “This building will be immense.”
‘Twenty-five stories tall, with several higher towers for observing the heavens.”
Dominic said, “That is incredible. Such a building could house thousands.”
Kulgan’s blue eyes sparkled merrily. “From what Pug has told me, it is but a part of what he knew in the City of Magicians on the other world. There an entire city has grown together into a single gigantic edifice. When we have completed our work, years from now, we shall have only one-twentieth part of that, or less. Still, there is room to grow, if needs be. Someday, perhaps, the academy may cover this entire island of Stardock.”
The Masterbuilder left, and Pug said, “I am sorry for the interruption, but some decisions needed to be made. Come, let’s continue the inspection.”
Following the wall, they rounded a corner to come upon a group of buildings looking like nothing so much as a small village. Here they could see men and women in various manner of dress, Kingdom and Keshian, moving among the buildings. Several children played in a square at the center of the village. One of them was William. Dominic looked about and saw Fantus lying near a doorway in the sunlight, a short distance away. The children were frantically trying to kick a ball fashioned of rags bound in leather into a barrel. The game seemed devoid of rules of conduct or play.
Dominic laughed at the sight. “I used to play the same game on Sixthdays when I was a boy.”
Pug smiled. “As did I. Much of what we plan has yet to be implemented, so for the present the children’s duties are occasional things. They don’t seem to mind.”
“What is this place?” asked Dominic.
“For the time being, it is the home of our young community. The wing where Kulgan and my family have our rooms, as well as some instruction rooms, is the only part of the academy ready for use. It was the first section completed, though construction still continues above on the upper floors. Those who travel to Stardock to learn and serve at the academy live here, until more quarters can be made ready in the main building. He motioned for them to follow him into a large building that dominated the village. William left the game and tagged along beside his father. Pug placed his hand upon the boy’s shoulder. “How are your studies today?”
The boy made a face. “Not so good. I gave up today. Nothing works as it should.”
Pugs expression turned serious, but Kulgan gave William a playful push back toward the game. “Run along, boy Worry not, your father was equally hardheaded when he was my student. It will come in time.”
Pug half smiled. “Hardheaded?”
Kulgan said, “Perhaps ‘slow-witted’ would be a better way to put it.”
Entering the door, Pug said, “Until the day I die. Kulgan will make sport of me.”
The building turned out to be a hollow shell. Its only purpose seemed to be to house a large table running the length of it. The only other feature of the room was a hearth. The high ceiling was supported by rafter beams, from which hung lanterns that gave off a cheery light.
Pug pulled out a chair at the end of the table, signaling for the others to sit as well.
Dominic was pleased with the fire. Even if it was late spring, this day was chilly. He said, “What of the women and children about?”