Volume 1: «Preparation»
Chapter 37: «Gryphon Eyes (Part 4)»
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Aaron took his parents and Orion in the direction of a small wooded area that was located near Guldar Lake. They rode their horses along a neat stone road, it was narrow and not meant for carriages to pass over it. Deep in the forest was a very tall tower with a sharp spire, clearly visible from afar.
It was this tower that was the destination, where Aaron's main project for the moment, the Illusory World, had been realized.
— This tower took a long time... — said Ilmira, and added with a sigh. — And more importantly, the means...
— If it works as it should, it will more than pay for itself," Einar added.
— You'll see soon enough," Aaron smiled, anticipating the praise in his favor.
He was feared and respected in his former life, but rarely did he receive praise from anyone, it was mostly curses... So, after returning to time, he became dependent on the approval of those around him, not critically, but still a little too much...
Soon, the group reached the tower and dismounted. The tower was tall and rounded, the walls in a dark color, giving off metal, and at the top a sharp spire was visible, emitting a white glow, like the lighthouse light on a foggy night. The entrance looked austere and uncluttered; it was a double-winged, tall door that matched the overall style of the tower.
The group of four went inside. At the moment the tower was practically empty, but some time ago there had been many people there. They were all members of the Tree of Knowledge Order.
A few months ago, this order had been created by Aaron, and consisted of all the mages he could get on his side. At this point, there were few members, only seven, including Edgar Lawrence, who took over as Master of the Order. Also, the man ran a greatly expanded magic tool business and acted as Aaron's right-hand man, assisting him during his research.
At this point, Aaron's use of magical energy was very limited and mostly indirect, so naturally he was in critical need of a skilled person to fill the gap. Such a man was Edgar Lawrence, a rather talented mid-level mage, weak in combat but with a pretty good head on his shoulders and an inquisitive mind.
Aaron's process of magical research seemed extremely simple, but quite productive... He proposed the idea and set the direction, while the members of the Tree of Knowledge attempted to implement that very idea. In the course of the attempts, various difficulties and problems arose, which were eliminated thanks to Aaron's knowledge, experience, and natural talent.
He could not do it by himself, but he had no difficulty in giving directions, advice, or a clear answer to any question that arose in the course of his research. Simply put, Aaron dealt with theory, while the Order of Magi did everything related to practice...
— 'Master Aaron, the equipment for the demonstration is already set up,' said Finar, the knight having served faithfully as Aaron's chief minion for several months now. — Lawrence is waiting for you downstairs...
— As impeccable as ever... — Orion snorted when he saw the young knight, who had only recently turned thirteen. — Why so much energy, annoying...
— Good day, and good to see you," Finar nodded to him, showing a withering smile.
— Calm down," Aaron quickly stopped the little squabble. — Let's go to the cellar, Edgar must be tired of waiting by now...
No one argued, and the group headed down the stairs. There they saw an underground room, a very large room, much larger than the first floor.
On the walls were visible patterns similar to the diagrams that were in many places in the tower, since the structure itself acted as a huge magical instrument. Aaron even had to coin a new term, «Magical Structure,» as something like this had never before appeared on Aorzorun. At least in known history, magical instruments of this type and scope had never been recorded...
In the center of the basement room was a monolithic stone resembling a massive round altar. It was also mottled with magical diagrams, and twenty rounded sockets, about the size of a grown man's palm, could be seen on top of it. In the center of the altar, a narrow spiral column could be seen. It ran straight up to the spire at the top of the tower. Only twelve of the twenty sockets were occupied, and they contained globular objects of a bright brown color.
— Those are the same griffin eyes! — Orion exclaimed, immediately recognizing what was in the sockets.
— Right, but three of the eyes were lost because during the experiments they were destroyed or lost their properties, Aaron explained.
— Damn, when I think of all the time and effort we put into it with the boys back then... — Orion said with a touch of nostalgia. — The Fall was hell, first the massacre of the Arser clan, then the tracking of the demigod of life, and then the purchase of the gryphon eye at an auction in Urih.
— You are my most useful subordinate Orion, only you I could entrust such an important mission, — said Aaron confidently.
— Is that why you made me spend a month gathering information about the Moyser clan, and then participate in the auction they held? It was a boring assignment, but it was also very dangerous ... — Orion said reproachfully. — And at the same time they found a replacement for me...
Orion glanced irritatedly at Finar who was a whole head below him.
— Envy is a bad feeling," the young knight replied.
At that moment, a vein seemed to bulge on Orion's forehead, and his eyes were filled with blood...
— Hm, sorry to interrupt, but maybe we can start the demonstration already, — Edgar Lawrence cut in, the man looked very tired and exhausted, he wanted to shoot off as soon as possible and go under a warm blanket.
— That's right, Aaron, tame your subordinates, or should I do it for you? — Ilmira said, crossing her arms across her chest.
Orion and Finar's backs were covered in sweat, and then they both shut up at once, and then silently parted in different directions.
— Edgar, you may begin your demonstration... — Einar said, putting his arm around his wife.