Markham II
The sound of grinding metal filled the lecture hall and echoed throughout, filling every space with the reverberating sound. Dust fell from the ceiling, Markham and Elandra looked skyward to see the ceiling was shifting. The Council of Masters had ordered the dome opened to view the night sky.
"They've always had a knack for theatrics." Mumbled Elandra. "Come, let's take our seats now, darling."
Markham followed Elandra and the pair found two seats close enough to the podium to get a clear look at both the night sky and whoever would be giving the lecture. One by one mages of great repute filled the seats. Then something changed in the air, there was an ineffable power beginning to swirl about the room. From the middle of the hall only about fifteen feet from the podium blue and orange sparks began erupting from the floor. Markham deduced that perhaps the speaker comes from far away and is to be teleported to the academy. Just as the thought reached his mind the sparked burst into a portal pulsing in a swirling motion of aqua and ochre. Shortly after a man walked through, then another, then a woman, then floods of mages from academies across the world began to flood into the lecture hall. They scrambled to their seats, countless men and women of different races and countries. Finally, after all had taken their seats the main door to the lecture hall opened. In strolled an old man who depicted that of your stereotypical Mage. His grey beard hung long almost to his stomach and his hair rolled down his neck and back so that it touched his shoulder blades. However, this man wasn't Human, neither was this man of Elven kind. This was the Grand Master of the academy, Cazbin Vortek and he was one of the most magically inclined races of them all, next to elves. He was one of the Devilkin. Atop his grey haired head were a series of horns that jutted out about two inches in every direction. His eyes were balls of hellfire and behind him, a long pointed blue tail that matched the rest of his skin. It was a soft icey tone a sort of blue grey that almost gave him a sickly look but luckily there was enough blue to keep that from happening. He stood at the podium and raised his left hand, performing a simple spell with a swish of his wrist. A faint light emanated from him and he began to speak.
"Thank you, all of you, for coming to Durgeus academy. On this most beautiful of nights." His voice boomed as if it was being shouted into a cave. Not doubt due to the spell he had cast. "We have representatives from every academy in every kingdom! Every known master from every land. Zandrinia, Beldercaust, The Ocean Empire of Mallkonos, Tanyouk, and so, so many more. It is heartwarming to know that our bonds remain strong! Now! I assume you all are wondering why it is that you have been summoned here! Yes?"
The crowd murmured with countless confirmations and sounds of discontent. One man in the stands shouted above the rest.
"TELL US WHATS HAPPENING!"
Grand Master Cazbin raised his hands to hush the masses and continued on with his speech.
"Please, settle, my friends. For there is much to discuss and very little time to do so." He sighed audibly. "Let us get to the point then... My fellow Masters I fear something terrible is about to happen here in Beldercaust. Something that yes, may begin here. But may not end here. As we speak the winds of change are blowing! From the night sky, something is traveling from beyond the veil that separates our world from the stars! Magic on a scale that we have never seen. In only a short while it will pass above our very heads. You will see for yourselves, a single sphere of pure energy is cascading through the stars, falling at a speed that will annihilate everything it touches. Within a decent radius. Nothing that will affect any of you in your lands and not even us in our academies towers. But soon, when impact occurs many settlements in the south will be lost, and countless lives with them."
"WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH US? THIS SOUNDS LIKE A BELDERCAUST ISSUE! CALL UPON YOUR RULERS!" Shouted another master form the stands.
"Imbecile." Markham grunted to himself. Elandra gave him a quick look and hushed him.
Cazbin looked towards the shouting voice and shouted back in anger.
"Silence, you fool! We have no time for such selfish and reprehensible thoughts! We have not a single clue on what this is! We don't know who could have cast such magic! This shouldn't be possible! It would take the grand total of us all to craft a spell this outrageous! So cease your idiocy!" Cazbin calmed himself and stroked his long beard. "Something of this magnitude doesn't just happen! We must discuss this! And figure out what we are to do once impact is made. Because no, unfortunately, we cannot stop it before it lands. That is why I have called all of you here. I am looking for ideas, thoughts, opinions! I offer anyone willing to take the stand and lend your mind to this issue."
The crowd began yet again, to murmer and silent discussion began. Hundreds of hushed voices argued, speculated, hoped and despaired. Out of this mass of panic a hand shot up, half way up the stairway. The crowd went silent. Grand Master Cazbin squinted into the crowd until he could recognize the face.
"Ah, yes! One of the representatives from Zandrinia! Master Quinlan! Please, take the stand." Cazbin waved the man over.
Markham turned his head and spotted him. Master Quinlan had been just a boy when they met. They had studied together as young apprentices before Markham made the move to Beldercaust. In a quick motion, Markham turned his head in an attempt to keep his face hidden. Elandra gave him an inquisitive look and whispered to him.
"Whats the matter, darling?"
"We haven't had time to talk, Elandra. My brother is dead, his wife as well." Markham fished around in his robes for the letter and handed it to her.
"Dead? How? What could have happened?" Elandra unfolded the letter and gave it a read. A grim look came over her face and she double takes from the letter to Markham. "This, why this is horrible! What about your nephews? Are they alright?"
Markham looked down at his boots and whispered solemnly. "They killed the children."
"Oh my- this cannot stand! Something must be done! We must petition the lords and ladies to do something!" She placed her hand upon Markham's lap. "I'm so sorry my love. Something will be done to avenge them."
"Vengeance isn't on my mind, Elandra. You and Amara are in danger if they come for me. And now whatever this is! Let's just get through this."
Quinlan reached the podium and Grand Master Cazbin cast the voice projection spell onto him. Now Master Quinlan shone in the moonlight.
"My fellow Mages! Master's and Grand Master's of the academies. To me, the cause of the magic is clear. Only one being could have the power to cast such magic. Only one has ever commanded such strength! We must be honest with ourselves and know that this is the work of The Old Emperor! Zandrine is returning! After his ascension he blesses the people by bringing his divine power back to the mortal realm!"
The crowd erupted into arguments and name calling. Fingers were pointed and shit was metaphorically slung. Markham added to the boos and calls for Quinlan to be removed from the podium. Despite this Quinlan stood tall and argued back.
"What other possibilities are there? None of your false gods command the sheer strength and power that he did! It is the only expl-" Quinlans voice was cut short but Cazbin removing the spell that amplified his voice.
"That is more than enough, Master Quinlan. Thank you. It is clear to me that our speculation on where this threat comes from will take time! In the mean time we must decide what we must do! Is there anyone else who would like to take the floor? Master Deacon perhaps? Master Ori? No? How about you, Master Trevelyan?"
While walking towards his seat Master Quinlan halted at the naming of Master Trevelyan. He turned his head quickly and spotted him in the crowd, following the pointed finger of Grand Master Cazbin. Markham met his gaze and sighed heavily then stood tall.
"I would gladly be recognized by the council, Grand Master"
"Ah, delightful! A bright mind taking initiative! Come, Master Trevelyan, you have the floor." Cazbin bowed and motioned for the podium.
The walk to the podium felt like it took ten grueling minutes. When in reality it was only several seconds. But with each step he felt the stares of every single Zandrinian Mage. They all believed him to be dead alongside his family. And here he was, informing them on what they should be doing. The gall of such a move was astronomical! They hated him with all their being and he could feel it. Markham's hands finally connected with the podium and he inhaled as Cazbin cast his spell upon him. The room fell silent in anticipation of Markham's words.
"My colleagues, it is good to be standing here today. I see many faces that have known me since I was a child. Many who I've taught myself, now Master's themselves! I am proud to be among you and I thank you for this opportunity to speak."
Small applause came from the stands.
"Now, after listening to what Grand Master Cazbin has said, I have pondered this anomaly. Of it's origins, I haven't got a clue, sadly. However I mean to discover them! This is the nature of our being here, yes? We gather knowledge, we learn!"
The applause grew this time, more of them and louder.
"That is why, after impact is made, Zandrine bless the souls of those who may be lost, we must investigate! I would like to personally put forward a motion to assemble a team of mages to inspect the anomaly. I will oversee the operation and report back and findings I come across. Do I have the support of you Grand Master?"
Cazbin nodded his head. "You do, Markham. I couldn't be more happy to have one of my prized Masters on the case. But it is not just up to me. The council must agree as well. We must put it to a vote! All who are in favor of Master Trevelyan heading this team say 'Aye' all opposed vote 'nay'"
The old man snapped his fingers and a large box was conjured upon the podium. Two more snaps came after. The first brought paper so each member of the council. The second brought an already inked quill to each hand. The room came to complete silence besides the scratching sounds of Quill on paper. Grand Master dropped his paper into the box then gently placed his hand on Markham's shoulder.
"If they know what's good for them, they will not interfere with your plan, Markham."