Read Online Mage Prime (Book 2) by B.J. Beach - Free Book Online Page A

Preceded by a soft click, the doors swung ponderously open and the two magicians entered the Council Chamber. Silence fell over the room like a shroud as they made their way towards the front. As Court Magician, Symon was automatically given a place close to the King. It was to this that he headed, barely pausing to respond to the few greetings he received. Karryl also offered little more than a smile and a nod. In a minute or two they had taken their places on the high dais, close to what King Vailin light-heartedly called his ‘bargaining throne’. Once they had settled the hubbub of voices returned. Of momentary interest, their arrival was soon passed over for other topics of conversation. From his elevated position Karryl was able to see everyone in the room and began scrutinising the small number of faces he recognised, hoping to gauge their mood.
    Feeling a gentle tap on his shoulder, he turned his head to see Symon getting to his feet. A pace away stood a resplendently liveried footman, his expression making it quite obvious that they should follow. With a last quick look around the room, Karryl pushed himself to his feet. Symon and the footman had already disappeared behind a heavy, red velvet curtain to the rear of the dais. Karryl hurried after. They stepped into a small ante-room, very similar to the one in which Karryl had signed his Oath of Allegiance and eaten his fill of pies over four years ago. A small wooden panelled door to their right swung noiselessly open. The two magicians bowed their heads respectfully as King Vailin entered, accompanied by Agmar. After dismissing the footman, Vailin motioned to a pair of richly upholstered chairs.
    Seating himself in another, the young monarch indicated that Agmar should take a fourth. “Let’s not stand on ceremony. We wanted to see you two before the meeting starts. As you well know, Agmar has been using all means at his disposal to get to the bottom of this dreadful business concerning the return of the grelfons. Only in the last few minutes have I learned what he has discovered. It affects you both directly, and you Karryl in particular.”
    Vailin sat back and indicated that the grey-robed elder should continue. Agmar also leaned back, resting his hands on the carved arms of his chair. “We have very recently discovered that what we all feared is indeed true. A staunch ally of ours who has powers beyond even our comprehension, has agreed after much discussion to use his quite remarkable abilities to assist us. The approximate location of the city of Vedra is now known to us, and in all likelihood it is there that the grelfons are being bred and trained.
    “The people of the city are known to be followers of a cult dedicated to a darkly aligned god they call Zo’ad. It is the fervent desire of these Vedrans to do the perceived will of their god. This has resulted in the return of the grelfons, aided in no small part by the illicit use of the abhorrent Vedric discipline. It would also seem that a race of desert-dwelling warriors known as the Jadhrahin are closely connected in some way.”
    Karryl locked eyes with the softly spoken elder. “What I’d like to know is, why is Vedra doing this and how is Ghian involved?”
    Symon’s mouth tightened and he frowned at Karryl. Agmar acknowledged the question with a slight nod. “I was coming to that. The reason is the same one they had in the distant past, when they were defeated by the first Mage-Prime.”
    Symon, who had been listening intently with his head supported by one hand, sat bolt upright in his chair. “To the best of my knowledge the underlying reason for the War of Power was never established.”
    A glow of near triumph in his blue eyes, Agmar rested his elbows on the arms of his chair and steepled his fingers. “Then you will have no objection to my filling the gap in your knowledge, Master Symon.”
    The little magician raised his hands in acquiescence. “None at all. I just wish I’d brought