Icienne nodded slowly as Arkhann proposed taking an expiditionary force to the Nameless Lands. "Partway only, they are welcome. The need for stealth and cunning will not come until late in our journey, Lord Commandant, and it would seem less likely that we would tire of each other's company by journey's end if there were others about." A small smirk passed her face, fleeting, like the touch of a snowflake upon the flesh. "But let us not look too far ahead. There are Orcs that must be contended with first and foremost. Goodnight to you.
"And to you." She nodded to Selik and glided across the common room to the stairs. She stopped before ascending the first step and looked to Mac. "And goodnight dear barkeep. I hope the glass comes clean." Mac sputtered, trying to think of something to say, but before he could, Icienne was gone.
In the room Selik had purchased for her, Icienne sat down at a small wooden vanity, upon which was perched a mirror. She reached into a pouch hanging upon her left side and pulled out a small wooden tube. At one end she tugged, and the tube came apart, revealing a stick of wax encased inside. The wax slid out easily and, taking it in her hand, Icienne drew a circle upon the mirror, around the reflection of her face. As she drew, an incantation left her lips, and when the circle was completed, it began to glow, a dull light that made the mage seem even paler than usual.
"I beckon thee, Ichlaz, Master of the Tower..." she hissed, and verily, the face of Ichlaz could be seen inside the circle of wax. He was thin, like Icienne, with dark eyes; you could not tell where the pupil ended and the iris began. His flesh was as nearly as dark as his eyes, and deep lines were creased therein. There was no hair upon his head, nor on his face. When he spoke, his voice boomed like the thunder crashing over Barkwood.
"What is it, Apprentice? Why do you disturb me? Have you news?"
"I do, Master," Icienne replied, her voice sounding very meek compared to that of her master. "Long and difficult has been my search, but I have found the Warrior that you have forseen, the One to aid me in retrieving the Stone of Ice the demon lord Ka guards with his very life." There was an unusual, almost child-like excitement in her voice as she continued. "Soon, the Stone shall be in your possession, and my Test will be completed."
"Good... very good..." Ichlaz seemed pleased. "I shall begin making the preperations for your return. The Portal stands at the ready, guarded day and night by charms placed upon it by my own hand. Once I have the Stone of Ice, the plans that I have worked so very hard on will be realized."
"And my freedom?" Icienne pressed, leaning closer to the mirror.
"Your freedom shall be granted, faithful Apprentice." Ichlaz grinned, and there was a viciousness in that gesture that Icienne did not detect. "The next time we speak, you will be here before me, and you will have the Stone." The grin upon Ichlaz's face diminished, and his voice became more dangerous. "Should you fail, know that your punishment will be most severe..."
Ichlaz disappeared, leaving Icienne staring at herself in the mirror. "I will not fail..." she whispered, waving her hand in front of the mirror. As she did so, the wax vanished.
Thunder rumbled outside, more closely than before. Icienne stood and left the room the way she found it. She would not require sleep this night. She headed back down the stairs to the common room. Mac was gone, apparently off to bed. Foolish old man, she thought as she made her way to the door of the tavern.
Another clap of thunder roared overhead as Icienne stepped outside, and she looked up at the night sky. Lightning danced from cloud to cloud as the storm made its way west from Barkwood. Soon it would be over the town, throwing its rain and wind down.
Tucking her hands inside the sleeves of her robes, Icienne walked purposely down the street, heading in the direction of the garrison's.
Tip jar: the author of this post has received
0.00 INK
in return for their work.