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Chapter 1

September, 1898

Two men walked along a gray brick path. The first, tall in comparison to his counterpart, wore a

nervous look that was partly concealed by his midnight-black, shoulder-length hair. His face was drawn

and the deep blue robes he wore did little to conceal his lean build. With every word in his fervent

conversation, striations in his jaw muscles contracted and relaxed. Despite being in his mid teens, his

concerned expression and the weariness in his eyes gave him the look of a much older man.

To his left strode a man who looked as if he lacked the strength to stand let alone keep the pace at

which he currently moved. He was bent over a rickety looking wooden cane that threatened to break

every time the man’s weight shifted, bowing the shaft slightly. His grey hair was cropped close and

marbled with streaks of bright white. He wore purple robes beneath which wide shoulders and a well-fed

midsection pulled at the clasps. His face was calm. Despite the many summers it had obviously seen, his

expression added youth to his appearance.

The path appeared endless. Dark moss grew in the joints between stones softening the men’s steps.

The path was lined with tall rectangular columns that reached just above even the tallest man’s head. To

the right of the path a crimson sun cast long shadows from each column and blood-red light spilled

through each opening.

They continued their walk conversing back and forth as the sun fell behind the horizon. Just as the

last ray of light fell behind the trees, tureens mounted on the columns ignited in orange flames. The men

stopped as they reached a massive staircase. Torches flickered in the breeze beside the steps that

appeared to stretch to infinity. The boy turned to his elder.

“So it is to be in the upper chambers.”

“No need for concern, James. Mind games are standard practice among the politically well

connected when attempting to make a point. They want you to be afraid. They want you to be

intimidated,” said the older man.

He paused a moment, took a deep breath and looked up at James.

“Are you afraid, James?”

“No.”, James replied.

“Remember, it is they who are afraid. You intimidate them. That is why we are here. The rest is

just political smoke and mirrors on both sides to grasp what little power they can. They are desperate.

Speak cautiously. Desperation will push reasonable men to say and do unreasonable things.”

Without interrupting his train of thought the elder man began his ascent. James followed quietly.

“Understand the question and reply. Never speak from emotion but from fact. Truth will reveal

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you for who you are. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Master Ammoncourt.”

“James, I cannot overemphasize the importance of remaining calm and emotionless. You have a

tendency to react without analysis but do not lament. Many men who’ve seen more turns than even Akil

haven’t mastered this technique. Everyone’s in such a bloody hurry to say what they want to say, they

don’t take the time to consider if they should actually say it. The years of putting some thought into a

conversation have long passed, “ said Ammoncourt.

Ammoncourt looked over at James as they climbed the stairs. James’ brow was furrowed,

forcing a vein in his forehead to pulse beneath his skin. His hands were clenched into fists. Ammoncourt

stopped suddenly. James, consumed by his current thoughts, didn’t notice and continued up the stairs.

“James,” Ammoncourt said calmly.

James stopped and looked back down at Ammoncourt, his hands immediately relaxed.

“I do not intend to take another step until you’ve eliminated this turmoil from your mind. You

must control your anger. While you may find it amusing that you’ve developed a reputation for your fits

of rage, I assure you it is only a weakness. One that will be exploited by your enemies as often as

possible. Now, calm yourself.”

James closed his eyes and took several deep breaths. With his last breath he exhaled the tension

from his body. Ammoncourt raised a concerned eyebrow as James looked down at him with a reassuring

expression.

“No matter how absurd or unjust the questions become, and you can assure yourself they will

digress into absurdity, you must remain calm. “

James took another breath. He imagined his emotions expelling from his lungs with his last breath

as Ammoncourt had taught him. His mind felt sharp and clear.

“The boy masters what took the rest of us thrice the time yet he cannot control his own emotions,”

Ammoncourt muttered to himself.

James gave a single nod as the final breath escaped his lungs. The pair continued up the stone

stairs in silence. After climbing twice the number of steps on any Egyptian structure, the men finally

reached the apex.

Two guards cloaked in white stood watch on either side of an archway. Both wore helms of

silver preventing recognition. Neither moved as James and Ammoncourt passed into the darkened

archway. James had to duck slightly to clear the curve of the arch. The pair walked through a darkened

tunnel toward the light beyond.

Just before they stepped past the end of the tunnel, Ammoncourt muttered tersely “Listen,

analyze, respond. And remember the primer incantation.”

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James took several calming breaths then followed Ammoncourt into the upper chambers. The

room was massive. The floor was one large piece of polished emerald granite. It stretched in an oval to

an identical archway at the opposite end of the chambers. In the center of the chamber stood a stone

lectern. On it sat a large old book.

James kept his gaze forward as they walked toward the lectern but couldn’t help noticing the

perimeter was lined with more guards in white cloaks. The men stopped within arms length of the

lectern. James concentrated on the archway at the opposite end of the room. He repeated the primer

incantation as they waited, fighting the emotions that pressed upon his mind to free themselves.

Hustasunetik.

After a moment of standing in silence a sound resonated in the chamber. Despite Ammoncourt’s

instruction not to react, James turned his head toward the origination of the sound. He thought he heard a

consternative grunt from Ammoncourt. He had violated his master’s instructions before the hearing even

began.

The sound echoed through the chamber again. The second time, James did not react. He knew

what it was. The guards surrounding the chamber were each armed with long-handled steel axes. The

blades were tall and slender unlike standard fighting axes. They were rumored to slice through oak as

easily as a man’s throat. The never dulling blades were one of many defenses carried by the guards.

Again the handles fell to the floor. James could feel the impact in his chest. The tempo

increased. Boom, boom, boom. He knew what came next. Flames erupted around the archway. The

pounding stopped abruptly. Three men walked briskly beneath the flames toward the lectern. The first,

smaller than the two behind, wore white robes like those of the guards. Crimson embroidery

distinguished him from the others. The two men following wore blood red robes, their faces shadowed by

hoods.

As the man in white reached the lectern, the guards surrounding the chamber gave one final

concussion that echoed for minutes. Boom. The red-robed men stood just off the man in white’s left and

right shoulders. The man in white raised his right hand as if quieting an applauding crowd.

“We hear the testimony of James Lochlan Stuart IV in defense against charges brought forth by the

counsel. Are all present whom we require?”

Lights illuminated revealing a previously blackened area of seating surrounding the chamber above

the guards. They dimmed as the man in white nodded his head.

Again James calmed himself. Exhaling slowly. Focusing on fact. Knowing the counsel had

nothing to convict him.

“Let us begin,” said the man in white. He peered over his spectacles at James, searching for signs

of weakness, attempting to intimidate James with his cold grey eyes. James remained stone-faced. The

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man turned his gaze to Ammoncourt who smiled back. His smile feigned friendliness while his eyes sent

another message. The man was unable to hold eye contact for more than an instant. He looked down at

the lectern, clearly vexed by the look Ammoncourt returned. He turned his body toward James as if he

could pretend Ammoncourt wasn’t there at all.

“The charges: Acting against a counsel mandate. Spearheading a conspiracy and murder.”

“Murder?” James shouted. Taken aback, his heart immediately began pounding in his ears.

Ammoncourt’s eyes glanced quickly at James but he made no other movement.

“Calm yourself,” Master Elder said with enjoyment in knowing he had broken James’ emotional

shield with a single word. The red-robed figures each took a step toward James. Master Elder raised his

hand stopping the guards. James silently cursed himself for reacting.

“The counsel mandate...”

“In order to afford a proper defense, the accused has a right to the victim’s name, Master Elder,”

Ammoncourt interrupted.

Master Elder looked up with a grin, happy it was Ammoncourt who had interjected; providing him

the opportunity for retribution from his previous embarrassment.

“Of course, Master Ammoncourt. The victim is Akil Karanis.”

Several gasps could be heard from the seating area above. Ammoncourt’s face turned dour as he

took a step forward.

“Preposterous. Simply because the counsel is too incompetent to locate the man they deem an

enemy of the faithful does not imply he’s been murdered. No proof has ever surfaced of his so-called

murder, no evidence of a body has ever been found. It is clear that the counsel is grasping at anything in

order to besmirch Mr. Stuart. If this, the most serious of charges, is so riddled with holes, how is any

among the counsel supposed to give any merit to the remaining arguments? I call for a vote on the

immediate dismissal of all charges. Let us stop wasting the counsel’s time by allowing Alvaro’s

influence win over absurdity.”

“Blasphemous! How dare you speak of Grand Master Elder Alvaro in such a manner? Such

admonishment will not be tolerated,” said Master Elder.

“I speak the truth. Nothing more,” replied Ammoncourt calmly.

“This is not an open forum in which to further your political agenda, Master Ammoncourt. We are

here today because crimes have been committed. Laws have been broken. A man has been killed. Now

be silent and allow this hearing to proceed or I will have you removed.”

“Your puppets do not frighten me. Nor do your threats. I stand on the side of truth. Which, above

all else, will prevail.”

“Master Elder,” a voice said from the seating area above the chamber. “I suggest you move

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quickly to show us your evidence, irrefutable I imagine, or you wouldn’t have summoned us here,

proving this boy is the murderer of Akil Karanis.

“Of course, High Elder Grimm,” Master Elder replied hastily. “With respect to the murder of Akil

Karanis I present the following damning evidence; a witness to the crime.”

Gasps fell from the seats above. Master Elder raised both hands, palms up, to his shoulders. An orb

of blue light, small at first grew from the centers of his palms until it stretched across his hands.

“As always, the counsel allows witness recounts to be classified incontrovertible.” He turned

toward James, grinning.

Without another word, Master Elder gently tossed the orb into the air. As it reached its apex, it

expanded, encasing the entire chamber in a new scene.

In a forest of giant trees, James sat on a large stone by a fire. He looked younger –less burdened.

He leaned toward the flames warming his hands. A flash of light drew his attention. He quickly stood

and turned toward the source. A man appeared. Akil Karanis. James relaxed. He walked toward Akil

then stopped several feet away, encircling his right fist in his left hand, he bowed deeply. Akil returned

the greeting.

“I didn’t think you’d return,” James said.

“Nor I, until I was summoned.”

“By whom?”

“By you, of course,” Akil replied, slightly perplexed by James’ response.

“I did not summon you,” James replied, a concerned look quickly replaced the relief.

“We must leave quickly. Gather your things,” said Akil.

James stepped quickly toward the fire and lifted a leather bag lying next to the stone upon which he

was seated. Another flash of light drew both men’s attention. A third person, veiled by the shadow of the

tree, appeared.

“What are you doing here?” James asked to the figure in the shadow.

“You know this person, James?” Akil asked.

James looked into Akil’s eyes for a brief moment then quickly muttered a word. A large rock lifted

from the ground and, as if James controlled it with invisible strings, he heaved it at Akil. The stone hit an

invisible barrier and fell harmlessly to the ground.

“James. Why?” asked Akil.

A purple flame grew between James’ outstretched hands. Without a word, he pushed it toward

Akil. Looking neither afraid nor even concerned, the flame struck Akil. He stiffened and began to shake

where he stood. Beams of red light bore outward from beneath his skin. He let out a wail of pain as the

light exploded from his body leaving only a small purple orb floating in the air where he stood. Akil

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Karanis was dead. James’ hands were still outstretched, his face still wrought with concentration after

casting such a massive incantation. The scene dissolved like mist revealing the chamber once again.

Ammoncourt looked at James in disbelief. Pandemonium gripped James’ expression.

“This cannot be.” Ammoncourt muttered.

“Incontrovertible,” Master Elder said with a wry smile, “as are our laws. I move to immediate

sentencing if it pleases the counsel.”

“This is clearly a fabrication. The third law would have had to been broken as the alleged spell

caster still stands before us,” said Ammoncourt.

“Never in the history of our kind has someone tampered with a memory as you now allege,” replied

Master Elder.

“What is more reasonable? That this boy has managed to circumvent one of the unbreakable laws

or someone, a person with real power, has finally found a way to tamper with a memory, which is not

among the unbreakable nine?”

Ammoncourt stepped toward the center of the chamber, his arms outstretched in a pleading posture.

“Ladies and gentlemen. I implore you to listen to reason. The counsel fears this boy because of

what he is. James is our one chance to bring about a peaceful end to the impending conflict. Have no

doubt, he is The Anointed One. Do not be swayed by political motivation and use common sense. Is it

truly reasonable to assume that not only did this boy find a way to break an unbreakable law and

overpower the greatest sorcerer of our time or perhaps there is another explanation?”

“Touching, however irrelevant at this point, I’m afraid,” Master Elder said with the slightest of smirks.

“It’s over Ammoncourt,” he whispered. “You should have never returned.”

“The only thing left to discuss is the sentence,” Master Elder said, raising his voice.

“No!” James shouted, finally coming out of his shock-induced stupor.

“I didn’t kill Akil. None of that happened. He’s like a father to me. Someone tampered with the

memory!”

James’ body began to shake. The vein on his forehead stood out and began to pulse as the ground

began to tremor. Gasps and cries could be heard from the invisible witnesses in the shadowed seating

above.

Master Elder nodded at the red-robed guards whose body language quickly changed from

aggressive to apprehensive. Neither moved as James continued to shake. A faint red glow surrounded

him as he clenched his fists in an attempt to control himself.

“Now, you fools!” Master Elder screamed, jolting the guards into action. They stepped forward and took

James by his arms. Both guards immediately fell to the ground motionless. As if expecting it, Master

Elder waived his arms signaling the axe wielding guards to converge. James’ vision began to spin as he

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listened to the sentence read by Master Elder. He could hear Ammoncourt arguing but his voice was

distant, muted.

“Rarely among our own people is such a heinous crime committed. Into consideration must be taken the

victim, being a servant to our counsel and community for a time greater than even Grand Master Elder

Alvero. It is because of the severity of the crime as well as the loss our world has incurred as a result, that

I recommend to the counsel that James Lochlan Stuart IV be immediately banished to The Never.”

“You cannot do this,” cried Ammoncourt, no longer stooped over his cane. “He is the anointed one!”

The witnesses in the seating above were in an uproar. Shouting, screaming and even cries echoed

from above. The last thing James heard before James could react or even cry out was “Banish him.” All

sound fell into a void as he was engulfed in a spiral of purple smoke and lifted from the only world he had

ever known.