When the last human had passed, King Arron closed the Archway. A younger version of Brita stood beside the king, watching. He performed a ceremony that warded the passage so only the reigning king could open it, thus ensuring the human’s safety from those wishing to reclaim them as slaves.
The scene pulled back and faded to darkness. Noises from the present invaded Siban’s meditative state, bringing with it a flood of emotions about what he’d just witnessed. Rhys released Siban’s hand. Keeping with the instructions, he released Rell’s and slowly opened his eyes. The group looked at each other. Their stoic faces showed the same shock he was experiencing.
“The information we just imparted happened more than a thousand years ago, before the Thousand Year War between the Bringer and the Bane.” Magnus slid his stool back and stood. He paced in front of the table, as if struggling with the memories of the past. “As you have seen, King Arron was victorious over his father. In an effort to ease the suffering of the humans, he allowed them to pass into Inness. He hoped that by giving them a world of their own, they would be free to live without persecution.” Magnus stopped at the table and leaned his fists against the wood. “Are there any questions?”
The group exchanged glances. Siban, for one, had a hundred questions. He focused on the specifics of what Magnus had showed them. “So, humans originated in Bael and were originally Bringers but without power?”
“Yes.” Brita gracefully rose from her seat. “It was not unusual to bear a child without powers, but as with many have-and-have-not situations, the greedy preyed on the weak. To not bear a mark became a badge of shame in itself. By letting those humans and their families pass through the Mystic Arch, King Arron had hoped to put an end to their suffering.”
“Did it?” Rell asked.
Brita gave a delicate shrug. “For the most part. But during that same battle, King Arron’s firstborn son was kidnapped. We believe it was in retaliation by those who opposed the human’s exodus.
“And the child was never found?” Disbelief tinged Ravyn’s question.
“No.” Magnus paced at the end of the table. “Our strongest Tells assured us that the child still lived, and since Gregory can not open the portal from this side—” he stopped and looked at the group— “we’ve surmised that the child was secreted here, to Inness.”
Brita moved around the table to stand beside Magnus. Though her action was subtle, she placed a hand on his arm. Calming waves emanated from her, flowing over Siban. Magnus’s stance visibly relaxed, as did most sitting at the table.
Magnus inhaled and then exhaled deeply. “Are there any other questions about what you were shown today?”
“You mentioned this was before the Bane War,” Rhys said. “Were the Bane already on Inness?”
“We’re not sure.” Magnus locked his hands behind his back, his brow furrowing. “Until the human queen, Anna, implored King Arron for help that day at the Arch, we never knew of the Bane. We assume they originated in Inness. Once the Arch reopened to help Anna battle the Bane, several demons slipped through to Bael. Fortunately they were quickly dispatched.”
“The man beside the king,” Siban said, “Who was he?”
Brita’s gaze turned hard. “King Harlin’s brother, Ander.”
“What happened to him?” Jade asked. “Was he also beheaded?”
“Worse.” Magnus pointed to his chest. “Perhaps you noticed the eight-pointed star on his chest.” The group nodded. “It’s called a chaotic star and is the symbol of the Summoner. The Summoners were another clan of Bringers, but because of their dark natures, King Harlin had them rounded up and imprisoned.”
“Even his own brother?” Meran asked.
“Oh yes. The Summoners were the most powerful group of Bringers. They drew their abilities from dark magic, which eventually corrupted nearly all of them.” Brita slowly moved around the table, weaving her tale. “When King Harlin realized his brother had been scheming to take the crown, he created an inescapable prison and threw each of the Summoners into it—including his own mother.” She paused. “The Abyss is that prison.”
“His own mother?” Rell shook her head. “Were such drastic measures necessary?”
“Most definitely.” Brita stopped at the opposite end of the table. “She had corrupted Ander into believing that he should be king and in so doing, he would be able to set the Summoners above all other Bringers and rule not only Bael, but other worlds that the Mystic Arch opens to.” She nodded. “Though Harlin was a tyrant when it came to dealing with the humans, he believed all empowered Bringers were equal and that no single group should rule the other.”
“What a contrary king,” Ravyn said. “Where is the Abyss located?”
“We don’t know.” Magnus’s thumb stroked the hilt of his sword again and Siban realized it was an action the Tell did when distressed. “Many things were kept secret by King Harlin for reasons of security. For a long time we assumed the Abyss was in Bael, hidden from those wishing to free the Summoners.”
“But now?” Instead of feeling like he understood the Bringers better, the information only raised more questions for Siban.
Brita and Magnus exchanged glances. “Now we believe it’s somewhere in Inness,” she said.
“But…” Ravyn turned to face Magnus and Brita. “We’ve always believed that Vile has been trying to open the Abyss.” She shook her head. “Why would he do this?”
“There is a legend that whomever opens the prison controls the army within.” A heavy sign escaped Brita. “Perhaps the Demon King is misguided in his beliefs that he will be able to control the Summoners.”
“Because of his bold move to kidnap Bringers, we feel he understands some of our history. But we also believe Vile is missing vital pieces, which will render his attempts to open the Abyss unsuccessful.” Magnus rubbed the back of his neck. “Fortunately for us. Let’s pray that is the reality.”
“What would happen if he was successful?” Luc shifted and draped his arm across Jade’s shoulder.
“Death, destruction.” Magnus crossed his arms over his chest. “The battle against the Bane a thousand years ago would seem like a mere skirmish.”
“The power the Summoners possess is great and horrifying.” Brita walked slowly around the table, spinning the tale. “Because they draw from the dark, their source is nearly endless. Always there is suffering and greed from which they feed their powers.” She stopped at the opposite end of the table. “That is why when a Bringer embraces their ability as a Summoner, it is almost guaranteed they will be corrupted.”
Siban slid his hand along Rell’s leg, needing the contact. They had both experienced the darkness. Was that the same black force, which was void of compassion and happiness, the evil the Summoners claimed? A tiny shiver ran along his skin. He couldn’t imagine voluntarily embracing such a choice and condemning himself to a life of such insatiable mercilessness.
“Both Magnus and I have battled against the Summoners,” Brita continued. “And though their abilities were far greater than any of the other Bringers, I’m quite certain we only witnessed a small part of their capabilities.”
“Keeping the humans from persecution had been King Arron’s mission.” Magnus paused. “Let’s pray that saving the world from the Summoners will not be ours.” His gaze shifted to the doorway of the kitchen. “Are there any more questions?” When nobody spoke, he raised his hand and waved Delphina into the Great Hall. “That’s enough for today. Transferring visions is draining for the both the Tell and the receiver. Refresh yourself and meet back in the bailey for guard assignments.”