Sovereign Stone from the aether, then darkness will fill the world,” Alexander said.
At mention of the Sovereign Stone, she spun back into a scintillating ball of light. “I have looked at the Stone you speak of. It has great and terrible power. It would be best to leave it where it is.”
“I wish we could, but Phane, the one followed by darkness, will not stop until he has it. I have to prevent that,” Alexander said. “I know of no way to do that other than with your help.”
She stopped spinning and floated close to Alexander. She scrutinized him for a long moment before she went to Isabel and looked at her just as closely. She floated back to the silver saucer and landed facing them. “You ask more than you know. The cost will be great, to both of you.”
Alexander felt Isabel squeeze his hand, and he squeezed hers in return.
“We’re willing to pay the cost if it will save the future from darkness.”
Isabel nodded her agreement.
“Very well. Both of you must come to our home in the Pinnacles and stand before the Fairy Queen. She will decide.” With that the fairy spun back into a scintillating ball of light—then she was gone, leaving them sitting in the dark of night.
Alexander and Isabel walked silently back to their quarters, still holding hands.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“I’m just wondering about the price. I hope we can afford it.”
“Whatever it is, we have to.” She stopped and turned Alexander toward her. “You said it yourself: If Phane gets the Stone, everything is lost. What price is too high?”
He shook his head slowly; he couldn’t bear to put words to the price he feared.
“Alexander, tonight was a triumph. You’ll see.” She stood on her toes and kissed him, and for a long, blissful moment, he lost his ability to focus on anything else.
Chapter 7
He slept fitfully and woke with a start just before dawn. He dreamt he was standing in Mason Kallentera’s workshop, talking with the court wizard of Glen Morillian. Mason told him that a force of ten thousand Rangers would leave for New Ruatha in two days’ time.
After several moments of pondering the strange dream, Alexander realized it was a dream-whisper spell. He rose with a renewed sense of purpose; his plans were progressing. Unfortunately, all he could do for the moment was explore the Keep and make preparations for a journey to the Pinnacles.
He realized with sudden dismay that he would have to leave his army on the eve of its first battle. They would be looking to him to lead and he would be absent. He needed a general he could count on, a man he could trust.
The Rangers had set up a large conference room as the royal dining hall. All of Alexander’s friends and all of the wizards sat around the table finishing breakfast when Alexander broached the subject.
“Isabel and I have to leave as soon as the scourgling is contained. Anatoly, I need you to take command of the army and lead the battle against Headwater.”
Anatoly looked up sharply and met Alexander’s eyes. “No,” he said firmly and went back to his breakfast.
“Anatoly, I need someone I trust,” Alexander said, trying to sound reasonable.
“I agree,” Anatoly said. “Find someone else. My place is beside you.” Alexander opened his mouth to protest, but Anatoly cut him off with a look that Alexander had seen many times under the tutelage of the old man-at-arms. “Your father, my best friend, charged me with protecting you and your sister. I will not fail him.”
Alexander took a deep breath. “Then who do you suggest?”
“General Markos is a capable man,” Anatoly offered.
“I don’t know General Markos,” Alexander said. “I need someone I can count on absolutely.”
Abigail interrupted. “You don’t have to decide immediately. Maybe time will present you with a better choice.”
“Maybe,” Alexander said. “But I’m worried about what my absence will do to the morale
At mention of the Sovereign Stone, she spun back into a scintillating ball of light. “I have looked at the Stone you speak of. It has great and terrible power. It would be best to leave it where it is.”
“I wish we could, but Phane, the one followed by darkness, will not stop until he has it. I have to prevent that,” Alexander said. “I know of no way to do that other than with your help.”
She stopped spinning and floated close to Alexander. She scrutinized him for a long moment before she went to Isabel and looked at her just as closely. She floated back to the silver saucer and landed facing them. “You ask more than you know. The cost will be great, to both of you.”
Alexander felt Isabel squeeze his hand, and he squeezed hers in return.
“We’re willing to pay the cost if it will save the future from darkness.”
Isabel nodded her agreement.
“Very well. Both of you must come to our home in the Pinnacles and stand before the Fairy Queen. She will decide.” With that the fairy spun back into a scintillating ball of light—then she was gone, leaving them sitting in the dark of night.
Alexander and Isabel walked silently back to their quarters, still holding hands.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“I’m just wondering about the price. I hope we can afford it.”
“Whatever it is, we have to.” She stopped and turned Alexander toward her. “You said it yourself: If Phane gets the Stone, everything is lost. What price is too high?”
He shook his head slowly; he couldn’t bear to put words to the price he feared.
“Alexander, tonight was a triumph. You’ll see.” She stood on her toes and kissed him, and for a long, blissful moment, he lost his ability to focus on anything else.
Chapter 7
He slept fitfully and woke with a start just before dawn. He dreamt he was standing in Mason Kallentera’s workshop, talking with the court wizard of Glen Morillian. Mason told him that a force of ten thousand Rangers would leave for New Ruatha in two days’ time.
After several moments of pondering the strange dream, Alexander realized it was a dream-whisper spell. He rose with a renewed sense of purpose; his plans were progressing. Unfortunately, all he could do for the moment was explore the Keep and make preparations for a journey to the Pinnacles.
He realized with sudden dismay that he would have to leave his army on the eve of its first battle. They would be looking to him to lead and he would be absent. He needed a general he could count on, a man he could trust.
The Rangers had set up a large conference room as the royal dining hall. All of Alexander’s friends and all of the wizards sat around the table finishing breakfast when Alexander broached the subject.
“Isabel and I have to leave as soon as the scourgling is contained. Anatoly, I need you to take command of the army and lead the battle against Headwater.”
Anatoly looked up sharply and met Alexander’s eyes. “No,” he said firmly and went back to his breakfast.
“Anatoly, I need someone I trust,” Alexander said, trying to sound reasonable.
“I agree,” Anatoly said. “Find someone else. My place is beside you.” Alexander opened his mouth to protest, but Anatoly cut him off with a look that Alexander had seen many times under the tutelage of the old man-at-arms. “Your father, my best friend, charged me with protecting you and your sister. I will not fail him.”
Alexander took a deep breath. “Then who do you suggest?”
“General Markos is a capable man,” Anatoly offered.
“I don’t know General Markos,” Alexander said. “I need someone I can count on absolutely.”
Abigail interrupted. “You don’t have to decide immediately. Maybe time will present you with a better choice.”
“Maybe,” Alexander said. “But I’m worried about what my absence will do to the morale
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