Chapter One

Mhavrych waited until Malcolm’s injuries were fully tended to and he was resting peacefully on the bed in the cavern before he left. There was still a sense of tension in the air around him and he knew that it had to be strange for Casimir and Icelyn to be in the same space together. They had always known of each other, but this was the first time that they had seen one another. It was the culmination of a lifetime of wondering, of thinking about what the other would look like, what their voice would sound like, and if they could ever live up to what others had told them about one another. Mhavrych knew that there was little that anyone could have told Icelyn that would have been too much, too impressive to create an accurate picture of her grandfather. All that she had been told about what he had done was completely true, and the details that had been kept from her, hidden to protect the secretiveness of the Order, were even more extraordinary. Mhavrych knew that if they could get beyond the awkwardness of the early moments of learning each other, their combined influence could be a nearly unstoppable force in the war.

Mhavrych pulled his cloak tighter around him and ducked his head down to push through the intense cold that surrounded him as he made his way away from the cave back toward the portal that would bring him back to Uoria. He knew that the time that they had was running short. Now that he had gone to Casimir and told him what was happening, they needed to move as fast as they could. Malcolm’s marriage to Icelyn was more impactful than he thought any of them understood. Their union brought Malcolm into the proud lineage of her family and made him stronger and more influential than he would have ever been on his own. This didn’t just allow him to release Casimir from the bonds of his exile but also instilled in him the strength of all the men who came before him, raising him into the ranks of some of the most important men in the war.

The snow was falling around him in a thick blanket and he could feel the wet chill of the cold seeping through his clothing. When he tilted his head, he felt the sharp edges of pieces of ice stinging on his skin. He couldn’t imagine what it had been like for Casimir all these years. He had been alone, cast into the cold and darkness of exile to protect all that he and Aegeus had been building. Though Mhavrych and Icelyn’s parents had visited him periodically, there were long stretches when he had nothing but the sound of the wind and the chill of the snow to keep him company. The isolation had aged him far more than the years had and Mhavrych wondered how the bitter edges that had formed on Casimir would influence him when he finally made his return to Uoria.

Mhavrych paused outside of the portal for a brief moment before making his way through. He was accustomed to the unusual method of travel and was barely affected by it, unlike others he brought with him, but he knew all too well the reaction of people who didn’t know of the existence of the portals and witnessed him traveling through when they didn’t know that he was coming. When he got back into the tunnels, he paused again, listening intently for any indication that the members of the Order who had been pursuing them as they ran were still nearby. He knew that Casimir was right about the portal. When they got to that portion of the tunnel they would have seen the gap in the wall that led outside and assumed that that was the way that the group had escaped. They were likely still outside, scouring the area, trying to find them so that they could bring them to the Panel.

Even if they did witness the group going through the portal and knew exactly where it was located, they still wouldn’t have been able to use it. The method of traveling through the portals was something offered to a select few of Mhavrych’s kind, given as a closely guarded secret and gift to those who had earned the trust and reliance of his people even before he had been sent as their representative. The members of the Order might have been able to see them go through and disappear into the realm of exile, but it would have been out of their reach to follow. That didn’t mean, though, that they wouldn’t maintain guard to watch for their return and try to figure out where they had gone and how.

When he was confident that they were not still there, Mhavrych started back through the tunnels. This portal was unique among the network scattered throughout the Universe, one of only a very few that could be used in both directions. In most circumstances, he had to use one portal to get to the location that he desired and then another to bring him back to the first location, making travel complex and often confusing. This, however, was largely by design. When the web was kept as tightly tangled as it could be it minimized the chances of misuse and protected both those who didn’t know of the portals and those who used them.

Though the portal had brought him right back to the same spot where he had entered the frozen realm, Mhavrych didn’t go back through the tunnels in the same direction. That would have led him back through the damp dungeons and possibly into the grasp of the waiting Order. Instead, he took a different path, moving through a smaller section of the tunnels that brought him directly past some of the more commonly used chambers. It was a risky move, but he trusted that with the group missing and the Panel hungry for vengeance, there would be few members who would be relaxing in the lounges or drafting plans in the strategy rooms. He made his way past these usually inhabited sections quickly, ducking into one of the smaller lounges only once to avoid contact with one of the older members who seemed to be wandering the corridors largely undirected.

The most dangerous element of his move through the tunnels came at the end when he needed to get out without detection. He knew that the entrances and exits would be heavily guarded with the assumption that the group would want to reenter, which meant that he would not only need to select his exit point carefully but would need to divert the attention of any of the members who might be there so that he could get past them.

Mhavrych had entered the newer, most used section of the lair and saw the lights in the ceiling turn on as he stepped beneath them. It was something that he couldn’t avoid, but he knew that it would draw the notice of any of the Order members who might be nearby. He paused briefly to orient himself, trying to figure out exactly where in the lair he was and the precise location of each of the exits near him. He preferred to use one of the exits that would get him into the center of the village as fast as possible, minimizing his exposure and getting him back among the rest of the group as soon as he could so that he could complete the preparations that needed to be done before they would be able to leave Uoria and finally rejoin the others on Penthos.

He made his way down two of the corridors, having identified the exit that he wanted to use and hoping that he would be able to get there without incident. Moving through these tunnels was not unusual for Mhavrych. He had spent a considerable amount of time in them over the years that he had been connected to the Order, but this trip was far more fraught with tension and anxiety than his others had been. The stakes were higher now. Where before he had traveled through the corridors largely unknown, simply checking in and making sure that everything was secure, now he was known and the cracks that had begun to show in the security of the kingdom and all of Uoria had become severe. He could no longer move through the space undetected or feel that his duties were as limited and focused as they once were. Though he had never truly considered the possibility, what Casimir had said was true. The time had come and though Mhavrych had denied it vehemently both to himself and to those around him, he knew that he was standing on a dividing line. He either turned his back and let what was going to happen to unfold without interference, or he let himself get swept fully into it and face the war not just in his hidden, secret role, but also as much a part of it as Ellora, Maxim, Creia, and Athan.

Mhavrych reached the end of the corridor where he was walking and heard footsteps ahead of him. He pressed himself against the wall and looked up at the lights that were glowing from the ceiling. He knew that if whoever was in the tunnel looked in this direction he would see the lights and know that there was someone standing here. The footsteps continued, growing fainter as they moved in the direction of the exit that Mhavrych wanted to use. He couldn’t wait. With every second that he hesitated, the chances increased that he could be found. He risked looking around the corner and saw the back of the member of the Order moving away from him. Scanning the tunnel, he noticed that one of the tunnels that branched off to the side was dark. If he remembered the layout of the lair correctly, that tunnel led around a large curve, passing several small chambers and then funneling out into a section of this tunnel ahead of him. If he moved down that tunnel fast enough he could reach the section of the tunnel that contained the exit before the member of the Order.

Surging forward with all the speed that he could gather, Mhavrych ran down the small section of the tunnel and crossed it into the other corridor. Immediately bright green lights glowed overhead, but he didn’t hesitate. He ran down the corridor as fast as he could, forcing himself not to pay attention to any of the chambers on either side of him. The tunnel curved tightly and soon he could see the end of it ahead. He slowed his pace, wanting to leave the area ahead of him darkened until he was able to discern where the member of the Order might be. He listened intently and soon heard the footsteps again. They seemed to be going in the opposite direction, telling Mhavrych that the guard was pacing to monitor more of the space than just standing in place beside the exit. After a few seconds he saw a shadow stretch across the floor in the corridor ahead and then a man stepped into view. Mhavrych moved back and sank into one of the doorways to conceal himself. As the man passed by the tunnel an idea formed in Mhavrych’s mind.

Reaching into the pouch at his side, he grasped one of the firm orbs and withdrew it. He had to time this perfectly. There was no space for even the slightest mistake. He let the orb roll across his fingers for a few seconds as he bided his time, listening to the length of the footsteps and counting them as the man went back in the other direction, turned, and passed by the tunnel in the direction of the exit again. Just as he had each other time that he had walked down the corridor he turned his head to glance down each of the tunnels. Mhavrych had remained perfectly still since taking his position in the doorway, allowing the light above to fade out so that the guard saw nothing but darkness. This was key to what Mhavrych would do next.

He counted the guard’s steps. He would allow him to pass by once more and then he would have only seconds. Twenty steps. Fifteen steps. Ten steps. Mhavrych adjusted his grip on the orb and drew in a breath. Five steps. The guard turned. Twenty steps. Fifteen steps. Ten steps. Mhavrych stepped out from the doorway just enough to aim his hand. Five steps. In one swift movement, Mhavrych swung his arm and released the orb that he held, so that it rolled along the floor of the tunnel, crossed the corridor ahead, and rolled into the tunnel across from him. As it went, it triggered the lights overhead, turning all of them on in sequence. He ducked back into the doorway and in an instant, he heard the shout from the guard.

“Who’s down here?” the man demanded.

Mhavrych knew that the guard would see the lights on in both tunnels, but that the curve of the one across from him would allow the orb to travel further, making it look as though someone had run out of this tunnel and into the other, luring the guard in that direction. Just as he had hoped, the guard took off running down the other tunnel, allowing Mhavrych to rush out down the tunnel, around the corner, and toward the exit. He didn’t pause to look over his shoulder or listen for the sound of the guard coming back his way. Even a fraction of a second could mean capture and death. When he was within a few feet of the short ladder that led up toward the exit, he leapt forward, grasping the ladder and starting to climb it without hesitation. This ladder led not directly out of the exit, but onto a small platform that ran along the ceiling for several yards. There was only a few feet of clearance between the platform and the ceiling, forcing Mhavrych to run in a crouched position, but he continued to move as fast as he could. He could hear the shouts of the guard beneath him, soon joined by another whose attention had been caught by the diversion. Soon he saw the ring of the trapdoor ahead of him and he knew he was only seconds from escape. His hand grasped the ring and he pushed the door out of the way.

Cool water swept down over him from above and Mhavrych started to climb out of the lair. Just as he was starting to pull up his second leg, he felt something hit his ankle. He looked down and felt his heart give a hard pound. Reaching down, he wrapped his hand around the orb that was now sitting on the platform against his foot and drew it out. He stared at it for only a second before scrambling the rest of the way out, letting the door fall into place where it was concealed beneath a large flat rock in a shallow of the river, and climbing onto the bank. He ran for a few moments, weaving his way through the trees to make his path less discernible, and then climbed up the large trunk of a fruit tree to settle into the curved seat created by crossed branches. Here he was able to breathe.

Confident that he had effectively avoided the members of the Order and that they weren’t following him, Mhavrych allowed himself to relax. He opened his hand and looked down at the orb sitting on his palm. It was still glowing, the vibrant light from within it cutting through the darkness of the last hour of night that surrounded him. Mhavrych extinguished the light but continued to examine the orb, letting it roll over his palm and fingers as he looked at it. He didn’t understand how it could have been on the platform with him. He had only brought three such orbs with him when he came for this visit to Uoria. One was still in his pouch, untouched since he left home. He had used the second to save Kyven and Emerie from the Meldor on Penthos and knew that the young Mikana man still had it. That meant that the orb that he was holding now was the third of the set, the one that he had used to trigger the lights in the tunnel. It had rolled down the corridor and around the curve, going further into the lair. How did it find its way to his feet on the platform only moments after he had thrown it?

Not knowing what else to do, Mhavrych slipped the orb back into the pouch. He was feeling calm and in control again and he started down the tree trunk, so he could travel the short distance to the village. He had chosen the exit from the lair precisely for this short separation between the river and the village. Though there were other exits that he could have chosen that would have brought him out of the tunnels within just a few feet of Ellora’s home and other locations within the village, Mhavrych had chosen one that would allow him more opportunity to respond should he not be able to fully avoid a guard. If he had been chased out of the tunnels, the gap between the exit point and the village would have offered him the chance to divert the guard, leading him away from the village and the group there rather than presenting them directly to the Order. There were other portal points across the planet that he would head directly for if he was being chased. He hoped that he would be able to access one of those points and disappear, confusing the guard and focusing their suspicion and attention on himself so it wouldn’t be placed more heavily on those in the village.

The sun was coming up as he entered the village and made his way toward the meeting hall. He needed to find Creia and Rey and ensure that the preparations were moving along quickly enough. Despite the early hour, the village was already beginning to show signs of life. The people he saw coming out of the homes and going about the first tasks of the day all carried a sense of purpose and determination. Even those who still looked as though part of their minds and bodies were sleeping seemed driven.

Mhavrych thought about the motivation that pushed them and how different it was from what drove him. He hadn’t always known about the Order. When he was a child, he traveled through the portals, visiting the different streams of reality with his parents without any concept that that was not the way that others lived. As he got older he learned of the true purpose of his kind and the destiny that he had. He still struggled with that responsibility. It wasn’t something that he chose. It was given to him, put on him by his father after he learned of the tremendous danger that hung over the Universe, a danger that few knew about and even fewer understood. What he was protecting, what he had taken from the tunnels when he rescued Ellora and Athan had an importance that was immeasurable, and while he was proud that his father had entrusted him with it, there were moments when he questioned whether it was something that he would have chosen for himself. If he had been given the choice, presented with the opportunity to take on the job of being the Protector, would he have taken it?

He could still remember the day that he met Aegeus. He was very young, barely aware of what was happening around him, and his father brought him into the strategy room of the palace. There he met Aegeus, a man from a planet that Mhavrych had never visited, of a species that he didn’t know. Even then he could tell that this man was impressive, something important and powerful. Several more years would pass before Mhavrych would learn the truth behind why Aegeus was so important. That is when he began to learn about the origins of the Universe and the critical role that his family played in it. The next time that Mhavrych saw Aegeus, the Mikana man had barely changed, but he had. Now nearly an adult, Mhavrych was ready to know all the secrets that his family held. It wouldn’t be long before the chaos began and the role of Protector was bestowed upon him. That was the first time that he traveled to Uoria on his own and encountered the Order.

Mhavrych thought of the bag tucked away in the distant hiding place he had chosen. It was the most secure place that he could think of, and he could only hope that it was protected well enough until he was able to get to it again and bring it back to his father. There was still more to do, but when the time came, he would be able to return home and live out the life that he still had ahead of him, and yet had already lived. The distinction was something that no one around him could understand. He was completely alone, the only of his kind, and there were times when the pressure and isolation were overwhelming.

A strange sound caused Mhavrych to pause in the middle of the path that meandered through the village toward the meeting hall. He turned toward it and saw dark forms filling the sky in the distance. They blotted out the horizon, dimming the morning’s new sunlight. They were growing larger, getting closer as the sound became louder. Mhavrych took a step toward them, intrigued by the foreign sight. Within seconds he realized that the forms were individual creatures, the strange sound that of their massive wings pressing through the air around them as they flew toward the kingdom. He noticed that one of them seemed to be carrying something and in an instant Mhavrych’s hand was searching for his weapon as he ran toward the figure.

Mhavrych lifted his blade above his head as he approached the creatures and he wished that he had a sword or bow with him. The flying beings were within a few yards now and he saw Creia’s head lift so that the Denynso king looked directly into Mhavrych’s face from where he hung clutched in the strong arms of two of the flying creatures. Mhavrych let out a scream and ran toward the swarm, prepared to fight in whatever way he could. As he approached, though, he saw Creia hold up a hand. The beings that held him started their descent and soon lowered the king to his feet. Mhavrych slowed and came to a stop, confused by what he was seeing. His hand still held up as if to keep Mhavrych at bay, Creia walked toward him.

“It’s alright, Mhavrych,” he said. “This is the Eteri, they have agreed to help us.”

Mhavrych’s arm lowered as he looked out over the group of winged men and women who were landing lightly on the ground ahead of him. He had heard of the Eteri, often known as the winged warriors, but he had never personally encountered them. They were an imposing species, not as large as the Denynso, but powerful. The tremendous wings that stretched out from their backs created a fearsome impression. Their faces remained stern, emotionless as their wings lowered and then folded into place behind them. Mhavrych started toward Creia, but before he could get to him, he saw Theia rush past him to her mate.

“Creia,” she gasped. “They’re missing!”

Creia’s face fell and he reached out to take his mate’s hands.

“Who?” he asked. “Who’s missing, Theia?”

“Athan, Malcolm, and Icelyn,” Theia told him desperately. “We can’t find them. No one has seen them since yesterday.”

Mhavrych stepped up to Creia, getting in his way so that he didn’t start toward the village.

“They aren’t missing,” he said.

Theia looked at him incredulously.

“What do you mean they aren’t missing?” she asked.

“I’ve removed them from the village,” Mhavrych said, still looking at Creia. “Malcolm was captured by the Order and his life was in danger. I’ve brought them somewhere out of reach so that they will be safe until we are prepared to leave for Penthos.”

“The Order captured him?” Creia asked.

“Yes,” Mhavrych said. “We found him in the lair dungeons. He had been tortured and was close to death. If we hadn’t found him, I don’t believe that he would have survived much longer.”

“But he’s safe now?”

“For now, he’s safe. He is inaccessible. As long as he’s there, he should be secure. But he can’t stay there endlessly.”

“No,” Creia agreed. “We can’t stay in the kingdom any longer than absolutely necessary. We need to gather with the others to discuss this situation and decide what to do next.”

Any levity that the king had had when he landed back on the ground with the help of the Eteri behind him was now gone. The show of aggression from the Order had changed things, further illustrating the severity of the situation and their need to take immediate action. The Eteri falling into step behind them, they started back across the field and toward the meeting hall.