Runic Revelation (The Runic Series Book 2) Read online

  “Spare the theatrics,” Goran grumbled. “What did they find?” Erasmus tossed the envelope with the medical examiner's report across the table at Goran.

  “See for yourself,” Erasmus retorted. Goran grabbed the envelope, opening it up and taking out the sheath of papers within. He scanned the document, his eyes growing wider as he did.

  “Dear god,” he gasped. Erasmus gave Goran a grim smile.

  “That's what I said,” he replied. “Would you do the honor of...paraphrasing, Goran?” Goran looked up from the papers he held, then nodded.

  “There was a green crystal embedded in the assassin's skull,” the Councilman revealed. “Nestled within the brain, just as with the late Grand Weaver Rivin.”

  “What?” Councilman Ibicus exclaimed. “This assassin was one of these Chosen?”

  “Apparently so,” Goran stated, handing the papers to Ibicus.

  “How did we miss this?” Councilman Ibicus half-asked, half-demanded, scanning the papers for a moment, then shaking his head. “I ordered extensive background checks and physicals on every person living within these gates!” It was true, Kalibar knew; as the most senior Councilman other than Jax, Ibicus had been in charge of organizing and implementing the screening process for the entire Secula Magna. Ibicus's work had been exhaustive; no one could fault his efforts.

  “The crystal,” Erasmus answered, “...was embedded so far into the assassin's brain that the base wasn't visible on the forehead.” He shook his head, rubbing one hand over his bald pate. “From what we can tell, the skin on his forehead had been peeled back, the crystal embedded through the skull, and then the skin was replaced over the wound...which sealed itself perfectly.”

  “Barbaric,” Ibicus muttered.

  “So this assassin,” Goran interjected, “...was able to summon Xanos at any time, with all of his power?” Erasmus nodded.

  “I assume so,” he replied. “The crystal was identical to the one Rivin had. Unfortunately, it also self-destructed after the assassin was killed. But yes, we have to assume you're correct.”

  “That's it,” Goran stated, standing up and throwing his arms up into the air. “It's over, gentlemen.”

  “Hold on,” Kalibar countered. “Remember that my assassin was killed.”

  “Jax's wasn't,” Goran shot back. “You insisted that we have faith in Kyle's ring, that we would be protected as you were, and what happened?” He jabbed a finger at Kalibar angrily. “You were wrong about Kyle's ring, you were wrong about our safety, your excursion to Crescent Isle failed, there are eighty powerful criminals loose in the city, our most prestigious bank is in ruins...” He lowered his hand, slamming both palms on the top of the table. “Xanos is making a mockery of this Empire!”

  “I agree,” Ibicus concurred. “We're severely outclassed, gentlemen. But we've known that from the beginning...we all knew this was a losing war.”

  “So what do you suggest?” Erasmus nearly shouted. “Surrender? Evacuation? Head for the hills and hope we're lucky enough not to be hunted down and killed one-by-one?”

  “Hold on,” Councilman Mudd – a stalwart ally of Kalibar's – interjected, standing up slowly. He turned to Kalibar. “If Kyle's ring didn't kill this assassin, do we have any idea what...or who...did?”

  Erasmus glanced at Kalibar, who grimaced, lowering his gaze to the well-polished tabletop. He had two options...reveal the mystery man who'd given him his sight, or say nothing. There was no way of knowing how the Council would react to the former...but at this point, the Council was near its breaking point. He had to do whatever it took to keep the Empire together.

  Kalibar stood.

  “Someone extraordinarily powerful,” he answered, leaning forward and placing his palms on the table. “Someone more powerful than any of you could ever imagine.”

  “Like Kyle's ring?” Goran shot back snidely. Kalibar felt anger rise within him, and paused for a moment to let it fade. Councilman Ibicus leaned forward, his interest clearly piqued.

  “Hold on Goran,” he admonished. “Let Kalibar talk.”

  “Thank you Councilman,” Kalibar stated, nodding at Ibicus. “I have proof,” he added calmly. “I met him.”

  “Are you saying you met your assassin's killer, and you've been keeping this information from the Council?” Goran pressed. Ibicus turned to glare at him.

  “Let him explain, Goran,” he interjected sternly. Goran frowned at his ally, then nodded, folding his arms across his chest.

  “It was only yesterday that I met him,” Kalibar explained. Then he recounted what had happened...him going to sleep, the paralysis, the enormous outpouring of magical power...and then the rapture. Goosebumps rose on his arms at the memory.

  “That's all well and good,” Ibicus stated when Kalibar had finished, “...but it could have just been a dream.” Erasmus smirked, shaking his head.

  “Doubtful,” he retorted. Kalibar sighed, taking his palms off of the table, then grabbing his eyepatches, one in each hand. He peeled them off slowly, his eyes remaining closed, then tossed the eyepatches on the table.

  Then he opened his eyes.

  * * *

  Councilman Ibicus burst upward from his chair, followed by Goran, Hewes, Mudd, and the rest of the Council. Their eyes went wide, their jaws dropping as they all stared into Kalibar's regenerated eyes.

  “Impossible!” Goran breathed. Ibicus stared silently at Kalibar for a long moment, then got up out of his chair, walking to the Grand Weaver's side.

  “May I?” he asked. Kalibar nodded, and Ibicus leaned in to stare at Kalibar's eyes. “You're saying this man gave you your eyes back?” he pressed. Kalibar nodded.

  “He did,” he confirmed. “And I have every reason to believe that he was the one who protected me from the assassin...and who saved all of us from Xanos when he attacked the Tower.”

  “Do we know anything else about this man?” Ibicus pressed, walking back to his own chair and sitting down. Kalibar shook his head.

  “Not really,” he admitted. “Anything else is pure conjecture. But the point remains...we have a powerful ally, one that's already saved us, and the Empire, from certain death.”

  “We have no proof of that,” Goran countered. “All we really know is that someone gave you your eyes back.” He held his palms out in front of him as Erasmus scowled. “That's a miracle, no one is denying it,” he added hastily, glancing at Ibicus. “I'm just saying that you can't prove this man was involved in anything else other than that.”

  “I agree,” Ibicus stated. “After all, where was this mystery man when Jax was being murdered? Or when Master Banar was killed? Or when Kyle was kidnapped?” He shook his head. “He let that prison outbreak happen, and the destruction of the Central Bank. We can hardly count on him to save us.” Several of the other Councilmen nodded their agreement.

  “So what would you suggest we do?” Erasmus asked Ibicus, pointedly ignoring Goran.

  “We need to protect the government,” he answered. “First and foremost, we need to protect our Grand Weaver and Grand Runic...and those serving in the Council. I suggest that each member of the Council sleep in a secret location known only to that Council member and a select few others, and that these locations are changed on a nightly basis.”

  “An excellent idea, Councilman Ibicus,” Goran agreed. “I think I speak for all of us when I say I won't go to my room here, waiting to be murdered in my sleep.”

  “I say we take a vote,” Councilman Mudd suggested. Goran nodded, raising his hand.

  “All in favor?” he asked. All eleven hands joined him. “Then it's decided.”

  “Our next act,” Erasmus stated, “...as much as it pains me to say it, is to vote for a replacement Runic for the Jax's seat on the Council.” Goran nodded.

  “And an Elder Councilman to lead us,” he added. “As Jax's replacement will not be eligible for elder Councilman, I suggest we choose the most senior – and eldest – Councilman here...Councilman Ibicus.”

  “
Of course you would,” Erasmus retorted angrily. Kalibar put a hand on Erasmus's shoulder, making him pause. Kalibar certainly knew why his old friend was furious; Ibicus was on Goran's side. With Ibicus as elder Councilman, the balance of power would shift away from them, making the Council far more difficult to work with. In fact, it could render them all but impotent, if the Council elected a Runic that was also sympathetic to Goran's cause. The Council was already split 6-6 in terms of those sympathetic to the Grand Weaver and Runic, and those sympathetic to Goran. A tie vote on any issue would be decided in favor of the elder Councilman's vote; with Jax on their side, Kalibar and Erasmus had won consistently on their proposals. With Ibicus, they wouldn't have that edge...and if the Council chose a Runic sympathetic to Goran, the Council would be split 5-7 in Goran's favor, with Ibicus swinging any occasional tie votes Goran's way.

  Either way, it would be disastrous.

  Kalibar sighed, knowing that a 5-7 split was all but inevitable. He'd thought through the implications of Jax's murder as soon as he'd heard of it...after the initial shock had passed. Ibicus was a shoe-in for Elder Councilman. No other would be chosen. This would bring the Council 5-6 in favor of Goran. Voting for a new Councilman entailed each member of the Council submitting the name of their nominee, then counting the votes for a majority.

  Kalibar closed his eyes for a moment, then looked across the table at nothing in particular.

  Goran had undoubtedly already conferred with his fellow Elitists on the Council, letting each know his preference for a nominee. They would all choose the same person, to maximize their chances of winning. Even if there happened to be a tie, Ibicus, also an Elitist, would decide the vote.

  A master stroke, by a master strategist, Kalibar thought. Xanos had bested him yet again.

  He and Erasmus had lost the Council, even if Erasmus hadn't realized it yet. As brilliant as his old friend was, he was not a superb strategist. Erasmus's strength lay in his ability to execute a plan, not to come up with one. Conversely, strategy came easily to Kalibar, whether it was on the battlefield or in the political arena. He was always thinking a half-dozen steps ahead, considering every possible attack and counterattack.

  This battle had already been lost.

  * * *

  “Those bastards!” Erasmus roared, slamming the door to his suite. Kalibar said nothing, walking to one of the many white couches placed throughout the room and sitting down in it. Erasmus didn't follow suit, pacing back and forth in front of Kalibar instead.

  “Can you believe the guile of that man?” he seethed, complaining about Goran. “Jax's body isn't even cold yet, and he's already scrambled to take advantage of his death!” Erasmus turned to Kalibar then, pointed one chubby finger at him. “And you didn't even put up a fight,” he accused. “You just sat there as it happened!”

  Kalibar sighed, being careful not to seem too nonchalant. Doing so would just irk Erasmus more.

  “It was inevitable, Erasmus,” Kalibar replied evenly. “And we have no say in who is elected to Council...you know that,” he chided gently. Erasmus threw up his hands.

  “So we roll over and die?” he shot back. Kalibar paused for a moment, then shook his head.

  “Consider what we've lost,” he stated. “With the Council against us, at best we've got an uphill battle with every decision. At worst, we lost control over the military...save for our Runics and Weavers.”

  “Oh, that's all?” Erasmus stated sarcastically. Kalibar raised an eyebrow.

  “Has it occurred to you,” Kalibar asked, “...what would happen if our soldiers encountered a single Chosen like the Dead Man?” Erasmus snorted.

  “Of course,” he replied. “They'd get slaughtered, without Battle-Weavers backing them up.”

  “Even with backup,” Kalibar agreed, “...our Battle-Weavers would be no match for a Chosen with Xanos possessing them.”

  “You're making me feel better already,” Erasmus grumbled. “What's your point? Should we all grab shovels and start digging our own graves?”

  “Not yet,” Kalibar answered with a smirk. “I have a better idea.”

  “Better than laying down and dying? You don't say,” Erasmus retorted. But the steam had been taken out of him...some of it, anyway. Kalibar motioned for Erasmus to sit on the couch opposite where he was sitting, and the Grand Runic sighed, plopping his plump frame down on the soft cushions. Kalibar leaned forward, propping his elbows on his knees.

  “I've been thinking,” Kalibar stated, “...about that idea Kyle had. You know, the one about reverse-engineering naturally occurring magical patterns.”

  “I remember.”

  “I think I figured out what Kyle was talking about,” Kalibar stated. “Do you have any fresh crystals on you?”

  Erasmus frowned, thrusting his hands into his pockets. Eventually, he retrieved a small yellow crystal, handing it to Kalibar. Kalibar shook his head, giving the crystal back to Erasmus. “Embed the gravity-sphere rune into it,” he commanded. Erasmus shrugged, and soon a small rune began to form itself on the mineral's surface.

  “Stop,” Kalibar ordered.

  “It's not finished,” Erasmus protested. Kalibar smiled.

  “Precisely,” he agreed. “Now, runes in the natural world are too complicated to stumble on by random, right?” he asked. Erasmus nodded.

  “Only the simplest runes could be discovered that way,” he agreed.

  “But when I weave the gravity-sphere pattern in my mind,” Kalibar continued, “...magic theory states that I must be doing the same thing in my mind that magic does in a rune...travel in a tight loop, forming a pattern that, in whole, triggers a similarly-shaped rune.”

  “Right,” Erasmus replied. “It's entry-level Runic theory,” he added rather indignantly. Kalibar smirked.

  “I'm an entry-level Runic,” he remarked. “In any case, it stands to reason that, if I weave the gravity-sphere pattern near this incomplete sensory rune, when I've completed weaving the pattern up to the same point as this rune, it should be triggered.”

  “No,” Erasmus countered. Then he frowned. “I mean, I don't think so,” he added. He scratched his bald head, thinking it over. Then he shrugged. “Actually, I have no idea.”

  “Make another sensory rune,” Kalibar instructed. “The second half of the gravity-sphere rune, as a separate rune from the first.” Erasmus did so, completing the task within seconds. “Now,” Kalibar continued, “...make each sensory rune trigger a light-emitting rune, like we talked about.” Erasmus complied again, shaking his head at Kalibar.

  “Dementia finally kicking in, old buddy?” he quipped. “I'll give it a bit longer before I have you write your will. I always liked your mansion in Bellingham.” Kalibar ignored the comment, knowing full well that Erasmus hated Bellingham, and waited for his friend to finish his task.

  “Now, weave the gravity-sphere pattern,” Kalibar commanded.

  “Do I look like a Weaver to you?” Erasmus protested.

  “Humor me,” Kalibar insisted. Erasmus sighed, closing his eyes. Kalibar frowned. “No, keep your eyes open,” he insisted. “Watch the crystal,” he added. Erasmus complied. A second later, a small gravity sphere appeared between the two men, winking out after a few seconds.

  And, right before it had appeared, two bursts of light flashed from the surface of the crystal in Erasmus's hand, one after the other.

  “What?” Erasmus exclaimed, blinking at the crystal. “Well I'll be dipped in...”

  “Not quite demented yet, am I old friend?” Kalibar said with a grin, clapping Erasmus on the shoulder. Erasmus stared at the crystal for a moment longer, then frowned.

  “Alright, so what?” he asked. “I still don't see how this is going to help us.”

  “Well,” Kalibar replied, “...say we take a long crystal slab, and put a bunch of random sensory rune fragments on it.”

  “Okay...”

  “What if, instead of having you weave the gravity sphere pattern, we took some feathergrass, and
put it near the sensory runes?”

  Erasmus frowned, thinking it over.

  “If the sensory rune fragments matched whatever pattern the feathergrass wove, they would light up,” he answered.

  “Exactly.”

  “But they'd light up incredibly quickly,” Erasmus pointed out. “Unless you could slow down time, there would be no way to figure out the correct sequence of pattern fragments to make the whole pattern.”

  “Except there is,” Kalibar countered with a grin. Erasmus frowned.

  “No there isn't,” he insisted. Kalibar's grin widened, and Erasmus frowned. “Don't even tell me you figured it out,” he warned, jabbing a finger at Kalibar. “You're a damn Weaver, Kalibar...not a Runic!”

  “You're right, I'm not,” Kalibar agreed. “I'll need your help if it's going to work,” he added. Erasmus continued to frown, and then he leaned forward as well, his blue eyes narrowing.

  “Alright, tell me.”

  “So, we put a bunch of short, random patterns on a sensing board,” Kalibar began. “Feathergrass extract continues to weave its magic pattern – that of affecting gravity – even after the death of the plant.”

  “Yes, yes, I know,” Erasmus replied impatiently.

  “Bear with me,” Kalibar insisted. “Now, I put the extract near the sensing board, and a few dozen runes lit up, almost all at once. If I could just slow down time, I could see each rune lighting up, figure out the sequence of runes as they were triggered, and recreate the complex pattern.”

  “But you can't slow down time, so it won't work,” Erasmus concluded rather smugly. Kalibar shook his head.

  “Imagine if we had a long sheet of paper,” he explained. “...and we had it on two rollers.”

  “Okay...”

  “Say we rolled the paper quickly from the right to the left on these rollers,” Kalibar continued. “And that we had a long, single line of effector runes right below the paper that could each burn their unique pattern fragment into the paper.”