Jothan scrambled onto the boulder as a wave broke around it, surging into foam before pausing and retreating into the sea. He shook the bits of wet sand and water from his bare feet for a more secure foothold. He squinted as he peered into the sky, the wind prickling his skin as he waited for the sun to re-emerge from behind a small cloud.

Jothan lowered his eyes and looked out across the indigo ocean. He sensed the wards rather than saw them, as the slim crystals which held the enchantment were visible only at low tide, and then only to the sharpest eyes or a distance viewer trained on the right spot.

The skies brightened, and he felt the heat of the afternoon sun on his neck and arms once more.

He raised his hands, spreading them out as if to embrace the wards. He closed his eyes and breathed slow and easy as he let his five senses dull. The roar of the ocean became little more than a muffled whisper, the sunlight cool and inert, the brine no more odoriferous than old parchment.

The wards appeared in his mindscape as bright points in the deep velvet of the magical weave, like stars scattered across the night sky. He opened a conduit to them, and at once the energy pooled from the Inonni Mages surged through him, spiking out towards the wards. His arms trembled as maintaining the smooth flow of energy taxed both his endurance and powers of concentration.

Finally, it was done. He lowered his arms and reopened his normal senses.

"Most impressive, honored Mage," said a booming voice behind him.

Jothan had already sensed the man's presence. He waited until the water had surged out once more before he leapt from the boulder. He ran to drier land, beating the next wave before it could inundate his feet.

He stepped up to the older, balding gentlemen, who offered a wide smile and a bow of his head. Jothan returned the gesture and intoned, "Good day and good blessings to you."

The man beamed. "Learning our customs already, are you?"

"It behooves me to share in the culture of my esteemed hosts, Mage Master."

Inonni Mage Master Verano nodded once, the breeze catching his lowered hood with a brief flapping noise. He drew his robes more snug about his thick girth, similar in style to those worn by the Cohorts, but cast in a faint purple color and covered in runes woven in delicate silver thread.

"And your praise means much to me," continued Jothan. "As weather magery is not my specialty."

"It is most unfortunate that native Weather Mages are in such short supply, thus we must make do. Come, walk with me."

Jothan stepped beside the Mage Master as he started down the path. "I contend what I have done is little more than expediency of the moment," said Jothan.

"Not to worry, Mage Jothan, not to worry. We need only ensure the wards will take the edge off the worst of the storms this coming hurricane season. You have done well indeed."

"I thank you again, Mage Master."

Verano paused as he studied Jothan's face. "And now I am told you wish to assist us further. This time with knowledge rather than skill."

"Yes. I must admit, I am rather surprised at the reluctance I sense. No one appears ready to hear of the location of my brethren."

Verano chuckled. "You will find the Inonni are a very methodical people, with minds oriented to planning and schedule." He gave Jothan a significant look, though it was tempered by his jovial smile. "And patience, I might add."

Jothan allowed himself a small smirk. "And if you have worked with other expatriate Mages before, you will find patience is not as widespread a virtue as perhaps you might like."

Jothan's voice faltered slightly on the last word. His eyes shifted to the side. They were passing a round clearing, a low mound of grass surrounded by trees, one of the paths leading to it marked by a decorative stone archway. His eyes tracked the canopies of the trees, paused, then whipped back.

"Ah, yes, this is true," said Verano. "But I ask it of you nevertheless, at least until this evening."

Jothan stopped walking. "This evening, Mage Master? What is special about that time?"

The Mage Master turned to face Jothan. He knitted his fingers together over his belly. "We are to be visited by a man who has taken a keen interest in seeking rapprochement with your fellow expatriates."

Jothan raised an eyebrow. "Indeed?"

"He would be the one to follow up on your information. It is best you bequeath your knowledge directly to his ears."

Jothan nodded and slowly smiled. "Very well. I look forward to meeting this man."

Verano smiled and gestured down the path.

"I think I would like to enjoy the sun and fresh air for a little longer," said Jothan. "Channeling that much energy has worn me out a bit."

"Ah, of course." He bowed his head. "An honor as always."

Jothan smiled and bowed his head as well.

He waited until he heard Verano's retreating footsteps crunch over the sandy gravel before he raised his head, his smile fading. "Yeah, some honor," he muttered, and directed his gaze towards the trees.

He found it on the second sweep, utilizing more than just his eyes. He let out a relieved sigh. He had finally found one of the so-called "spy pearls."

He glanced down the path before he raised his hand. It was too high in the tree for him to touch, but he could sense the magic within it. Some of the binding magic had failed, as he could sense a minute amount of energy leakage, but it was still viable. He would come back that evening and replenish it.

And add a further embellishment to it.

Since the start of his self-appointed mission, he had been in a quandary as to how to get his readings of the Portal to the outside world. He would not risk a letter being perused by the Inonni before it made its way to a courier, and he doubted he could simply walk away once he had committed himself. He was embarrassed how long it had taken to think of the spy pearls.

He had conceived of a modification to the Farviewing spell. The pearls would be pushed to the limits of their abilities, not likely lasting more than a few days before they burned out, but he hoped it would be long enough to accomplish his task.

Yet he had to assume Marlon would think to examine the receiving orb at his end while the data was being transmitted. He could mitigate this by crafting the pearl to retransmit the data over and over until it was spent, but he could charge the pearl only so far.

He peered at the clearing beyond the trees and rolled his eyes. Now he knew why the spell had faded on this particular spy pearl. It had been from overuse. He was sure the clearing had once been used for slave training.

He made a mental note to find out who was cheeky enough to put a spy pearl right there considering the former Overlord had some magic sensitivity. He would do well to pick up some pointers from the man.

Jollis stepped out of the Portal and into the past.

The Portal closed behind him in a silent concussion of light, and he stood at the bend in the sandy path where it turned along the western shore of the island which once hosted the D'ronstaq Manor.

He looked off to the side and for a moment did not breathe. There it still stood, its walls and roof of wood and thatch still maintained against the elements. He knew no sentiment existed; his fellow Inonni maintained it as a matter of practicality, as it may once more have a use.

He was happy it had been decided to locate the new port along the north edge of the Manor, where the tides were more favorable. His brethren had left this corner undisturbed as a unintentional museum of his past.

Jollis felt compelled to enter. He did not let himself hesitate as he approached the doorway, its curtain still intact if faded from tropical sun and frayed from briny moisture. Hesitation would suggest an inability to accept his past actions. He was beyond such doubt. There was only the road ahead and the goal at its end.

Yet when he stood inside and stared past the now empty bedchamber which once housed a slave trainer and into the equally vacant chamber which once held her beautiful, luxuriously dark-haired, delightfully clever and intelligent charge, he could not move. He could not bring himself to take a step forward or to retreat, as if something forced him to remain in silent witness to what he had wrought.

Jollis let go a gentle sigh, no greater than the breeze which wafted in the windows and stirred the curtains in the doorways. Suddenly he could see Amanda before him once more, her eyes both blazing and tearful, holding out her hand and demanding the Farview pearl he had bound to her.

"I am upset," said Jollis to his memory. "Why?"

He received no answer, and an instant later, she faded back into the past.

Jollis clenched his jaw. He broke himself from his self-imposed paralysis and headed back outside. It had been a mistake to invoke privilege and arrive inside the Manor. He should have opened his Portal to the road outside and entered through the gate as everyone else. Perhaps it had been presumptuous of him after all to attempt his Pilgrimage to the Holy Mountain. This diversion could have well been the gods telling him he needed more Enlightenment before he would be ready for that ultimate step.

And perhaps the Elders of the Holy Order would be the source of that Enlightenment.

Suddenly it was as if a lead weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Now he had an honest purpose in coming here. As much as it pained him to admit it, he had been distressed at the lack of direct guidance from Kyllos. His mentor was not one to deliver tasks by such clandestine means. Only those who wished the option of disavowing any knowledge of the task did such things, and such things were beneath Kyllos.

And yet he was haunted by his own words: It is the wise man who practices deception when it serves a greater good.

The Holy Order would help make it all clear to him, he was sure of that now.

Jollis continued along the path which in the past would take him to the Overlord's quarters. As he walked, the trees fell away to his left, revealing the ocean. Some distance up the coast, several wide piers jutted from a cleared beach front, fulfilling the promise the Inonni had made to the peasants formerly beholden to the former Overlord of this Manor. Merchants ships sat anchored nearby, men loading and unloading goods as carts trundled back and forth along the new road constructed so the peasants did not need to come through the main gate to get to the depot.

The path itself had been widened, and now several Cohorts traversed it with him. He nodded in greeting, occasionally rewarded with a look of recognition and a deeper bow of the Cohort's head. The sand which had been gentle to bare-footed slaves had been scraped away and replaced with packed earth. Faint trails from wagon wheels lay in loose swirls in the dry ground. He glanced to the right; the vast flower garden once tended to by Roquan's slaves had been replaced by rows of vegetable plants and small fruit trees.

He pondered the reasons for this particular change, as the Inonni should have all the supplies they needed from grateful peasants. But he supposed he saw the reasoning. It was eminently practical, the antithesis of the old purpose of this Manor.

And he saw the warriors.

Yet again, he was struck by an odd juxtaposition of emotion. He wanted to feel pride. They had accomplished the goal of subduing Oceanus with a minimum of bloodshed. But as he approached where the Overlord's quarters once stood, he was reminded of that night when the Inonni had come to the Manor, and of a girl who had been forced into the maelstrom without understanding, who could not be allowed to understand until the time was right.

Jollis stopped as his gaze fell upon the structure just off the left side of the path, and for a distressing moment, he thought he had been taken back in time. It took another moment for him to realize this was a new structure which had been built upon the ruins of the old. It was larger than its predecessor, and more ornate. Once he spotted the crossed laurel leaves over the entrance, he realized it was a domicile of an Elder of the Holy Order.

The two warriors stood on either side of the entrance.

Jollis paused to collect his thoughts and calm his mind before he started towards the structure. He felt the same sense of anticipation and trepidation both which had accompanied his final trek towards the Holy Mountain. In a way, he was once again making that journey, as the mountain was symbolic of everything the Holy Order was.

Suddenly, his chest bumped into something long, thin, and unyielding, and when in his surprise he did not back away, surprise turned to shock when he was rapped quite soundly against his solar plexus. He staggered back, briefly robbed of breath as the blow reverberated through his body as only one delivered by a master of the Inonni war arts could do.

It was only when he had steadied his breath and taken another step back did he stare at the two warriors who flanked the entrance. One still held his staff out like a bar before the doorway, which he now slowly lifted. The warrior bowed his head, his face betraying no animosity. "Good day and good blessings to you, traveler. My apologies for my bluntness. I trust you are not injured."

Jollis hesitated before he returned the gesture, and his lips curled into a small and partially forced smile. "Not at all. May I ask the reason for such a reception?"

"A simple matter of security," said the warrior. "None may enter the presence of the Holy Order without securing prior permission."

Jollis had no immediate response, for the words made no sense. After a moment's thought, he finally spoke. "With the utmost respect intended to you, good warrior, have you not, perhaps, misinterpreted your orders?"

"Not at all," said the second warrior. "They were quite specific."

"This is most ... unprecedented," said Jollis, who caught himself before he could use the word "distasteful" instead. "In our own lands, even the private homes of the most elder of the Holy Order are considered open to all who have made the Pilgrimage. When they emerge from their Temple and walk among the people, they allow all to approach without--"

"This is not Inonnus, my good traveler," said the first warrior. "There are more than just Inonni here."

"Such as the expatriate Oceanus Mages," said the second.

Jollis wanted to object. This was not the way of the Inonni. He wanted to argue there was no better way to overcome the fear of the peasants than to show them how open and egalitarian even the revered members of the Holy Order could be. And yet the warriors' orders had most assuredly come from the Holy Order itself.

"And there can be no exception?" said Jollis. "Even for a Wanderer like me?"

"We are quite sorry, honored traveler," said the second warrior. "But--"

"One moment," said the first to his companion. He turned towards Jollis. "Did you say Wanderer?"

"Yes," said Jollis. "I am Jollis, the Wanderer."

The first gestured to the second, and both backed away from the door, planting one end of their staffs into the ground and gripping the other end with both hands. "Forgive us, honored Wanderer. I was told you would grace us with your presence."

Jollis tilted his head. "Have you, now? And who told you?"

"Our Mage Master divined your imminent arrival earlier this morning. You, of course, are always welcome, honored Wanderer."

Jollis avoided the temptation to react with a feeling of pride. He should hold no privilege above any other Inonni. All are equal in the eyes of the Holy Order, so it was believed.

And yet he was forced to overlook this anomaly. The Holy Order were the guiding hands of the Inonni. The people sought their future in the Order's wisdom. Thus everything the Order did was for a greater purpose, for a greater Enlightenment.

Jollis stepped past the warriors and entered a spacious reception chamber. Thick furs covered the floor, and exquisitely painted and embroidered tapestries festooned the walls depicting the gods of the Inonni pantheon, interspersed with symbols of the goddess, but not her image.

Jollis' eyes flitted across the tapestries, and he uttered a small sigh. Representations of the goddess were considered appropriate in such a setting only when accompanied by the nearby presence of a Priestess. The lack of Her visage told him none would be available to him here.

The rest of the room was largely empty save for a few small, cheap wooden chairs. They were expected to be used only in passing or to rest one's feet. This was again keeping with tradition. It gave Jollis some comfort, yet it forced the question: had he expected to see something else?

Before he could explore this thought any further, the curtain in the doorway to the inner chamber was parted by a thick, age-spotted hand. There was a pause, almost a hesitation, and a slightly portly man with gray hair fringed with frosty white stepped into the chamber.

Jollis was at a loss for word or action when he first laid eyes upon the man. This was the first time he had ever been in the presence of the Holy Order. In many ways, he looked like another Cohort. Only the presence of the silver embroidery around the fringes of his robes and that his hood remained down gave away his true nature.

He should not have expected more than this, and he silently chastised himself. Despite the reverence in which they were held, they were still men. They did not exude divine auras, nor did they revel in the trappings of riches and influence as did the former Oceanus Nobility. Yet the hard, lined face and the penetrating steel blue eyes augmented the sense of authority which Jollis had already given this man in his own mind.

The man folded his hands before him and stepped forward, his lips twitching into a small smile. Jollis bowed his head, then dropped to one knee. He spoke a short prayer, and held in his mind the image of the temple by his home in Inonnus.

The man held out his hand. "I accept your honored blessing," he said in an even baritone. "Now, rise, and face me as my equal."

Jollis stood and held his body erect and his head high. He met the Holy Elder with as even a gaze as he could muster. "You honor me by considering me your equal, Elder."

"But it seems, perhaps, it is I who should be honored, my Wanderer," said the Elder, his smile wide but tight.

Jollis allowed himself a small grin. "It appears I am becoming somewhat celebrated among my kind. I will ask the gods for guidance so it does not lead to unwarranted pride."

"Spoken as a true Wanderer, my friend. I am Elder Yurton."

"Jollis the Wanderer."

Yurton laced his fingers together. "And what brings your wanderings here?"

Jollis had not considered how he might answer such a question. He could never bring himself to lie to the Holy Order. Even acting judicious with the truth seemed wrong. In the days leading to Enlightenment, when those who would become the modern Inonni were little more than a group of radicals, the first of the Holy Order wielded great powers with which they could discern the truth from any man. It was only later those powers were reserved for the Priestesses and their special connection to the goddess.

Yet the tradition was carried into modern times. Thus it was believed any untruth told to a Holy Elder was always discovered eventually.

"I do no know, Elder Yurton," Jollis finally replied.

It was indeed the truth. He did not know. Kyllos had offered no explanation as to why he had desired that Jollis perform this task.

"Then, perhaps that is part of your quest for Enlightenment."

"You assume that is my ... my purpose here?"

Jollis realized the impertinence of his statement even before he had completed the thought. Such a thing would normally never have passed his lips. He wondered if his mind now insisted the aura of enforced truthfulness surrounding the Holy Order still existed.

Yurton smiled. "Few are able to visit us in our sanctuary past the Holy Mountain. It is inevitable some would leap at the chance afforded to them by current circumstances."

"You will find me at a loss, I am afraid," said Jollis. "Your words ring true, but I cannot as yet decide what requires your guidance."

Yurton considered and laced his fingers tighter. "Then I would be honored if you would remain among us. Perhaps then you will come to know the source of your discomfort, and I will be better able to guide you along the right path."

"I am most grateful, Elder Yurton. I suppose this may seem somewhat strange."

"In what way, my Wanderer?"

"It was I who helped lead the Inonni down the path to Oceanus. And yet I still feel the need to be shown the path ahead when it seemed so clear only a short span of days ago."

"No path is ever set in stone, Jollis. No path is so ingrained it cannot be altered, or even abandoned, if need be. None among the Inonni should know that better than you."

A slow smile touched Jollis' lips. Yes, it had been an eleventh candlemark change in plans which had secured Oceanus when it seemed he was on the brink of failure.

He realized he had attempted his Pilgrimage too soon if he had been too ready to rest on his laurels and let others continue what he had started. "I am honored my work is known and recognized by such men as you, Elder."

Yurton placed a hand on Jollis' shoulder. "We are quite grateful for your perseverance and your foresight. You have brought us another step closer towards our ultimate goals." His fingers squeezed gently. "And we are aware of your personal sacrifices."

Jollis' eyes widened in a rare, overt reaction of shock.

"Yes, we know of your difficulties in consigning one you grew to love to a life of suffering until her time comes."

Jollis was too overwhelmed to speak. He swallowed and tried to beat back his emotions, wishing he had taken more time to meditate to re-focus his mind before he arrived. He had been too eager to set about his new task (and thus discover exactly what that task was).

Or perhaps this is what Kyllos had wanted of him, to force Jollis to better confront his loss and see how it had been recognized and considered in the larger plan. "Forgive me, Elder Yurton," Jollis said in a slightly quavering voice. His gaze remained steady, but his eyes shimmered as they gave vent to some of his emotions. "My reaction is not at all appropriate."

Yurton folded his hands before him again. "It is understandable. We will say nothing more about it for now. Is there anything else I may help you with, Wanderer Jollis?"

Jollis took a moment to restore his inner calm. He wanted to believe he had long since come to terms with the dilemma of his feelings for Amanda. He felt fortunate Yurton would let it go without examining it too closely. "Yes, I have a request, if I may. Master Kyllos told me the Holy Order is here to oversee the dismantling of the Overlord Portals."

The serene smile on the Elder's face did not change, but his fingers twitched slightly, and he laced them tighter once more.

"I sense the Portal is still active," continued Jollis. "So I am assuming this ceremony has yet to happen."

Had Jollis not been distracted by his inner demons, he would have noted the slight pause which followed. "Indeed it has not," said Yurton. "And there is a reason. We still require its use."

"May I ask why, Elder?"

"Certainly you may, as the answer is likely of great concern to you. You are aware our Mages continue to work on refining our Portal targeting technology?"

Jollis understood and nodded. "Yes. The intent is to allow the memories of a single person to properly guide a Portal."

"It is a pity we do not have this now, or these distasteful machinations with the Urisi would not be required. But it must be ready in time for the young slave girl Amanda to serve her true purpose. Our Mages have made wonderful progress, but we are not at the point where it can be done safely."

Jollis nodded again, more urgently. "Yes, Elder, safety is of paramount importance. We do not kill indiscriminately for our aims."

Now Jollis noticed the Elder had tensed. Was it because he considered the statement too brazen, reminding him of something which was a given?

"Despite the backward nature of the Oceanus Portal technology, I am told they were quite adept at handling the chaotic energies of trans-dimensional travel. This technique can be utilized to counter the similar chaotic feedback which results from trying to draw too much imagery from one mind."

"But we know the technique of trans-dimensional travel and vowed never to use it again."

"Ah, but we can study these energies by merely powering the Portal and not opening it. That, at least, is what Mage Master Verano hopes to do before he leaves."

Jollis smiled. "I would be most honored to meet him, Elder Yurton."

"I believe that can be arranged."

"Thank you, Elder, you are most kind. I do hope the Rogue Mages have been of assistance to you in this endeavor."

"Yes, they have been helpful in many ways. I trust you found use for the information they revealed about their encampments?"

Jollis hesitated, not wanting to admit the information had been a day late and a platinum piece short. "I could use more information. Perhaps if I could speak with some of them myself."

"Sadly, we are forced to shuffle our Mages around quite frequently between other Manors, as there is a great deal of work and not enough Mages to do it all. But a new one joined our ranks a small span of days ago and appears eager to assist. Perhaps you will find what you need from him."

"Yes, that would be good."

Yurton smiled. "Now, I am sure you wish to rest and meditate."

"Yes, Elder," said Jollis in a weary voice. "I fear I am in need of both."

Jothan was given little more than odd jobs about the Manor grounds, and none were anywhere near as taxing as recalibrating the weather wards. They required only a fraction of the time allotted to him, and thus he spent a good part of the afternoon wandering about the grounds.

He thought it rather odd he had not encountered other fellow expatriates. He was especially interested in meeting Garranus, the fellow Mage he had seen arrive before him over the spying pearl. Though it would have turned his stomach to pretend to be as big a traitor as Garranus, when what he really wanted to do was punch the pompous ass in the jaw.

Stranger still, he came across former slave quarters which bore signs of recent habitation. While a peek inside revealed only empty bedchambers, he sensed a lingering pall of diffuse, magical energy. Expatriate Mages did not share the personal discipline of the Guild Mages, where they were taught to control and eventually stop the sloughing off of energy while at rest. Expatriates eschewed this personal discipline as a symbol rather than as a lack of ability to learn it.

Thus if an expatriate Mage took up residence at a location for more than a handful of days, the energies would linger for up to a half-moon after his or her departure. So Jothan could sense his brethren had lived here in the recent past, but where were they now?

He came across another such structure nestled in the trees along the eastern border of the Manor. It bore a stronger resonance than the others, as if more than one had taken up residence there. But as he approached, he realized he was sensing only one source, just stronger than it ought to be.

He was about to turn towards it when he heard quickened footsteps behind him. He kept to the straight path and betrayed no obvious interest in the structure.

"Ah, there you are!" said Verano's exuberant voice.

Jothan turned and gave him a polite smile. "Yes, Mage Master, how may I be of service to you?"

"I would be most honored if you would join myself and my companion for the evening meal."

"Your companion? Would this be the one you mentioned earlier?"

"Yes, indeed. And I daresay Jollis is quite anxious to meet you."

Jothan's eyebrows rose. "Excuse me, but did you say 'Jollis?'"

"You know him?"

"I have heard of him, yes. I understand he was quite ... instrumental in bringing the honored Inonni into our midst."

Verano beamed, and Jothan again fought the urge to punch someone in the mouth. "Ah, but he is considered to be the very architect of our great task here. Quite a remarkable man." He chuckled. "Jollis has expressed a keen interest in meeting me as well, but I daresay it is I who will be honored by his presence. Now, come along!"

Verano bustled down the path, and Jothan needed long strides to keep up. He risked a glance behind him. Did Verano sense the leftover magic in those quarters? Something about it disturbed him.

They took the path which looped around the northern edge of the Manor. As they approached the main gate, Jothan sensed the distinct thrum of Portal energy. It grew stronger as they passed the gate and turned down the west-side path. Finally he spotted a narrow trail which forked into the trees, and at its head were two Inonni staff-wielding warriors standing guard. He caught a glimpse of a domed building at the bottom of the path, guarded by yet more warriors.

"Is that the Manor's Portal?" asked Jothan.

"Ah, yes, it is," said Verano. "You can sense the energies, can you?"

"Oh, a little bit, yes," said Jothan with a friendly smile. As it fell behind them, he felt the energies building; the Portal was being charged. "And only because we're so close. I am sure they are primitive compared to what you and your brethren have accomplished."

"It is important we avoid the arrogance of believing we have nothing left to learn," boomed Verano in a jovial voice. "And thus we study them to glean what we can. We have no intention of completely powering them and hope to shut them down for good quite soon."

"Of course," said Jothan, smiling. You are a blazing liar, he added in his head. The Portal was quite obviously being charged to full activation. He just didn't know why.

Verano had not needed to lie. He could have let it go, and Jothan would not have thought more of it than he already did. But Verano's clumsy attempt to cover his tracks drew attention to the fact there were tracks to be covered in the first place. It was like pointing to a supposedly empty abode and shouting "There is nothing of interest in there!"

They turned down another path which took them through a vegetable garden and past another cluster of former slave quarters. Verano motioned to the nearest one, silently inviting Jothan to enter first. Jothan parted the curtain and stepped inside, where he stopped and stared.

A small, round table lay in the center of the chamber, low to the ground, covered in baskets of fresh fruits, vegetables, and bread. Several plush cushions were arranged around it. On the opposite side of the table, Jollis rose from his seat and bowed his head. "Good day and good blessings to you."

There was no mistaking it. This was the same person Jothan had seen snooping around the abandoned expatriate camps. He recovered from his surprise and offered a small smile, returning the gesture of greeting. It was a silent gesture, as he could not force the words from his mouth.

Verano stepped past him and swept his arm towards the table. "Please, sit and help yourself! We Inonni do not stand on ceremony during meals."

"Yes, indeed," said Jollis as he sat down, his gaze intense and unwavering on Jothan. "At the meal table, all are equal, and all may speak their mind."

"I am honored," said Jothan in a clipped tone. He hesitated before approaching the remaining cushion between Jollis and Verano but finally stepped forward and lowered himself to his seat, crossing his legs under him. He noted Jollis' eyes never left him.

"So, Wanderer Jollis," boomed Verano as he plucked items from several baskets and placed them before him. "I understand you wished to meet me."

"If I may be allowed to briefly violate the egalitarian tradition of the meal," began Jollis as he took a single fruit into his hand. "It is a great honor to be in your presence. I am quite looking forward to seeing the fruits of your labor." He paused as he brought the fruit to his mouth. "Ah, no pun intended."

Verano laughed and dug into his meal.

Jothan eyed the offerings. Much was familiar, but a few looked exotic enough to be imports from Inonnus. He opted for the former and crunched on some vegetables which looked similar to broccoli. "If I may ask, what is this great project that Jollis is so enamored of, Mage Master?"

"Please, at the meal table, I am only Verano. And I am afraid that is not something I can reveal to you right now."

"Ah."

"Forgive me for mentioning it," said Jollis.

"Not at all, Jollis, not at all!" said Verano through a mouthful of food. "Jothan here understands there are just some things we cannot reveal yet, not until the Enlightenment of Oceanus is further along."

"Which is something I wish to offer assistance in achieving," said Jothan, the words spoken fluidly but his voice still slightly curt.

"I am told you have information for us," said Jollis.

"Yes. Are you willing to listen?"

"Indeed I am."

"Then I can tell you about a major expatriate encampment, perhaps one of the largest." Jothan paused to finish the stalk he had begun eating and tried to gauge Jollis' reaction. He could tell nothing from those dark, intense eyes. The mask was too good to see through. "It is near a place called Virgia Point."

"Hmm!" said Verano. "I do not believe I have ever heard of that place, but my knowledge of Oceanus geography is not extensive."

"I believe I know approximately where it is," said Jollis.

"I can give you the precise location," said Jothan.

"And what is your purpose in telling us?"

Jothan paused again, feigning trouble deciding what to eat next, his hand hovering before finally choosing a piece of bread. He needed to get the words straight in his head. "Only to help my brethren understand there is much to be gained in assisting the Inonni. I feel this will force the issue, and they can see for themselves the Inonni are not to be feared."

When Jothan received no immediate reply, he glanced at Jollis. Jollis continued to regard him, his eyes bearing a faint look of expectation, as if silently declaring Jothan's words were not good enough yet.

Or perhaps I am being just a little paranoid, Jothan thought. Or attributing far too much power to this man than he deserves.

Yet when he glanced at Verano, the Mage had cast a sidelong glance at Jothan, his eyes both querulous and concerned, yet looked back to his meal barely a breath later.

"If you doubt my words, you only have to travel to the location which I will give you," said Jothan. He forced a small smile. "I am not going anywhere, so you can easily call me to task if you believe I have led you astray."

Verano waved a beefy hand. "What would be gained by such subterfuge? I am sure your information will prove most valuable."

"Verano, I will require a means to target a Portal to that location," Jollis said.

"I am somewhat familiar with how your Portal technology works," Jothan said. "I would gladly offer my memories to help guide a Portal."

"If you know of our technology, then you understand it takes several people with strong memories of a location or a person to target a Portal safely."

"Hmm, yes, I see the problem. It is unfortunate more of my brethren have not come forth who know of the Virgia Point encampment."

"Virgia Point is not too far from a major road, however. There are sure to be Cohorts who have traveled that road and know the area well. It is remarkable we have not found this encampment yet through more mundane means."

"It is hidden and guarded well with many Mage wards," said Jothan. "But I can instruct you on how to get past them."

Jollis nodded once. "This sounds like an important place to be so heavily protected."

Jothan realized the Inonni was on a fishing expedition. He wanted to know what was in it for them. Jothan was saving this bit for last, just in case he needed to give them this final enticement. "The camp is presided over by a fellow expatriate named Marlon. He is a sort of unofficial leader of the expatriates. Though admittedly not everyone expresses allegiance to him."

"And do you?"

Jothan smiled. "Where are my loyalties, in other words? Yes, I look to him, but I feel he is making a mistake in avoiding contact with the Inonni, which is why I am here. Words did not work on him, so I am hoping action will."

Jollis slowly nodded. "This is understandable. The wise man questions authority when he believes it in the wrong; only the fool accepts it with unquestioning faith in the light of evidence to the contrary."

This was the first thing the Inonni had said all evening with which Jothan could agree. He gave Jollis a small, unforced smile. "Yes. Well said."

The starry darkness which had settled over the Manor was held at bay by a traveling circle of light as magical torches along the sides of the path lighted and extinguished themselves in succession, timed with the footfalls of the Mage Master. The warriors standing guard at Elder Yurton's residence bowed their heads at Verano's approach, then stepped back and planted their staffs in the ground.

Verano did not acknowledge them as he parted the curtain with a sweep of his arm and surged inside.

Yurton was already waiting for him, his hands folded, fingers laced tight, his face a stony mask. Verano bowed his head and cast a level gaze at the Elder. "So what have you decided?"

"I do not trust him," said Yurton.

"Nor do I. You share the same misgivings I do."

"No Rogue Mage has been as willing to reveal the location of his companions as this one."

"Is that not an understatement? I do not recall a single one you have sent my way being at all willing." He let out a windy sigh. "And I have not been very happy about that."

Yurton raised a hand and shook his head. "We have been over this. You have been and will continue to be absolved of your actions. You have the blessings of the Holy Order, and therefore, the blessings of the gods as well."

Verano bowed his head again, but his eyes remained clouded. "It makes it no less distasteful."

"Speak of this no more, Verano."

Verano frowned but nodded once. "So what of Jothan, then?"

"Let the Wanderer work with the information he provided and see where it leads him. Then I will decide. You mentioned he knows Marlon, the one we truly seek."

"Yes, he does. But if he is as you suspect, he will be loathe to allow--"

"That is your providence."

The Mage Master's frown deepened. "As you have reminded me."

"Then I would suggest you further your work in this area."

"I am already going as fast as I can. This is too delicate to rush! There are many variables to consider!" Verano sighed. "If only we had convinced the Healer Vanlo to work for us. He had insights into the workings of the mind no other Healer has managed in a century. I would have the answers I seek by now and could have avoided all this needless--!"

"We cannot dwell further on our losses," said Yurton in a tired voice. "And I would not call them needless. We must continue to focus on what we have to work with."

"Yes, yes, again, as I have been told many times before. Very well. But I hope this information does prove useful. I need more time."

Yurton laced his fingers tighter. "That may not be something we have in abundance."

Jothan emerged from his quarters, the lights along the path illuminating for him. He waved his hand, and the lights went dark. He produced a pearl from his robe and let it glow faintly, just enough light to see the path but not bright enough to disturb his eyes' dark adaptation.

He had sensed the Portal charging steadily all evening and into the night. Very soon it would be at the proper energy level for activation. He had to be ready to get the proper readings.

His quarters were located near the northeast corner of the Manor. The path along the northern edge would lead him to the Portal, but he would have to pass the gate, which would likely be guarded.

Jothan stepped into the foliage along the south side of the road and crept along as quietly as he could manage. As he drew near the gate, he doused the light from his pearl and traveled by feel and Mage Sense. He reached the point where the north-side path joined with the west-side path, and here he could go no further without being seen.

Jothan extracted another pearl and waved his hand over it, murmuring an incantation. It glowed for a moment, then subsided. He placed it in the crook of a branch of a tree, paused to check it was recording the energy patterns of the Portal properly, then headed back the way he came. When he emerged near his quarters, he knew he had one more task to perform.

He headed down the east-side path until he came upon the quarters which had so fascinated him earlier. He took out his light pearl and stepped inside.

The chambers were empty. Nothing remained of its former occupants, either the expatriate he was sure had stayed here or the slaves before him. The lingering resonance still seemed odd. It was "off" somehow, as if other magicks were mixed with it.

The structure contained three bedchambers, and the sensation was the strongest in the one in the rear which faced the jungle. He scrutinized the chamber with Mage Sight, but nothing glowed to indicate the presence of nearby magic.

He dropped to his knees and looked under the bed. It took him three times to properly see it. It was extraordinarily faint, yet when he brought his light to it, nothing was there.

Jothan reached forward with his hand anyway. His fingertips tingled, and energy crackled like static electricity as a stealth spell was broken. In his hand was a Farviewing pearl.

Jothan stood and peered at his find, rolling it around in his fingers. That had been no accident; someone had purposely hidden this pearl here. He did not have the necessary expertise to discover to whom it was bound, so he had to find out by brute force.

He waved his other hand over it, and a female figure immediately shimmered into view. Jothan raised an eyebrow as he was treated to a view of her naked breasts before she hastily pulled on a robe. "Oh thank the gods, I was so worried about--" She stopped and gasped. "Who in the blazing hells are--?! Wait, is that you, Jothan?"

"Yes," said Jothan. "Taarla?"

The woman pulled her robe more tightly around herself and ran a hand through her disheveled straight dark hair. "Yes, this is Taarla, and what in hellfire are you doing Farviewing me with Garranus' pearl?"

Jothan's eyes widened. "This is Garranus' pearl?"

"Yes, of course it is! It ... wait ... why are you asking that? Didn't ..." She let out a shaky sigh and buried her face in her hands. "Oh gods, something's happened to Garranus, hasn't it?" She lifted her head, her eyes glistening. "Jothan, where is he? Is he hurt?"

"I don't know. I only just found this pearl."

"But where are you?"

"At the Inonni camp in the former D'ronstaq Manor."

"But that's where Garranus is supposed to be! Gods dammit, I told him this was foolish. I told him he should have informed Marlon what he was doing, but--"

"Whoa, slow down!" Jothan cried. "What exactly was Garranus doing here?"

"Same as you, Jothan. He was trying to infiltrate the Inonni and find out what they're up to. He claimed he didn't want to tell anyone because it was better if people thought he had gone over to them for real so no one could give him away."

Jothan very nearly smiled. Garranus, you sneaky bastard, he thought. You even had me fooled. "Taarla, I honestly don't know where he is, but I vow to find out. I've been here only a few days, and already I can tell you something really stinks."

"If it helps any, Marlon is nearly done helping with the move from Virgia Point."

"Helping? But he didn't want anything to do with it."

"He was convinced otherwise." She paused, a corner of her mouth twitching. "You have the Oceanus Guildmaster to thank for that."

"Huh. At this rate I might start having some respect for the Guild Hall."

"Jothan, please, find Garranus. I know you two never saw eye-to-eye, but he has a great deal of respect for you."

"Oh, I'll find out, all right," Jothan said. "When was the last time you heard from him?"

"About a quarter moon ago. In his last message he said they needed him for some sort of special task that involved his fellow expatriates, but he never told me any more detail than that."

"All right, I'll take it from here. I'll contact you as soon as I can."

Taarla nodded. "Thank you, Jothan, for everything."

Jothan managed a small smile before he terminated the Farview. He dropped the Farview pearl into his pocket.

"Yeah," he said to the empty chamber. "This just got a whole lot more complicated."

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