I took the box down to the library and leftit on an empty shelf to deal with another day. Right now, I neededto get some sleep.
I lay there in my bed a long time justthinking about what Mantis had said. I slowly opened my mind to thepower that I had and could see the swirling energy around me.Mantis at one time called me a spellweaver. He also said my naturaltalent for seeing magic meant I worked directly with the energy inits purest form. While most wizards had to convert the energy intosomething else to use it, such as fire or electricity, I couldweave the power itself.
Something else he had said at that time hadnot hit home until now. He said that all the grandmasters werespellweavers, and because of it they dominated any battle they wereinvolved in. As I looked at the amount of power that flowed aroundme, I finally accepted my fate and embraced it. I was trulygrandmaster of this realm.
When I did that I felt something shift. Itwas as if the scales of the universe tipped slightly from darknesstowards light. Yes, that was it: the balance of power in this realmhad just changed for the better. Hope and confidence welled upinside me as I realized this, and I was finally able to get somesleep.
Chapter Thirty-One
I woke early the next morning and dressed inthe full ceremonial robes of my office. I needed to look my best onmy wedding day. While I was getting ready a call came over theintercom from Luke, saying that the Dark Talon was incoming, so Itold him I would meet them down in bay two.
When I arrived, the bay had just finishedpressurizing and the Dark Talon’s doors were opening. Twenty-fiveof the Dark Knights filed out of the craft and into the bay. Theylined up at perfect attention as if ready for an inspection. Theircommander came towards me and said, “We are honored to take care ofthe Nevermore for you today.”
“Thank you. You will find that most of theship is fully automated, as there are only seven people on boardwho can fly her. Feel free to disengage what automation you need toin order to do your job. I do not expect any trouble out here, butshould any come, handle what has to be handled and contact meimmediately,” I said.
“Yes, sir. Did I hear you right that thereare only seven people to run this ship and fly her into thepotential battle we are about to face?” he asked.
“Yes, there are currently only seven wizardsunder my command,” I said. “I must be going. If I am even a momentlate for our rehearsal this morning, well … let’s just say I darenot risk it.”
He smiled at that, turned and led his squadout. “Luke, when they arrive, make for the garden. They willknow what to do.”
“Okay, Vydor,” he responded.
Once the captain and the others arrived intheir shuttle, I took them down to the gardens. After an exchangeof pleasantries Andreya took charge. I spent the rest of themorning standing where I was told to stand and moving only wheninstructed.
Kellyn wanted a simple but formal-stylewedding. To create this effect, she and Andreya rearranged thegarden so that there was a path from the entrance flanked byvarious pink and purple flowers that led to a grassy knoll alsoflanked by flowering bushes and small trees, with a waterfall inthe center of the back wall of bushes. It was in front of thatwaterfall that the captain would marry us. There were no illusionsanywhere. Kellyn insisted on a pure ceremony.
When the time finally came for the wedding Itook my place in front of the captain and waited for her to come. Ifelt her presence long before she came into view, but when she didI was almost overwhelmed with emotion. She was dressed in astunning, pure white gown that was tastefully decorated with pinkand clear crystals. She came slowly up the path escorted, to mysurprise, by Mantis. Despite, or maybe because of, the lack ofmagic, the ceremony was a powerful experience.
After the ceremony, Mantis made his typicalquick getaway and we all headed over to the Dragon Claw for thereception, which was a whirlwind of handshakes, pats on the back,cheers, music, and food. It was a huge event, orchestrated by thecaptain’s hostess, Carol.
When it was all over Kellyn and I returned tomy quarters on the Nevermore …
Chapter Thirty-Two
Kellyn woke me early the next morning andreminded me that we would be jumping very soon.
“The Dark Knights are still here, so Iasked them to handle the jump. I hope you do not mind,” shesaid.
“No, that was a good idea. Where are theothers?” As we were still in what was now our quarters, I couldnot sense them.
“We are meeting on the observation deckfor the jump in one hour,” she said.
“All right. I will have a shower and go upthere,” I said. She went back to her previous quarters to getready herself, and then we went up to the top deck together.
“You know, Vydor, you are very lucky. Notmany people get to be woken early the day after their wedding nightto face battle with a demon,” commented Luke as I arrived. Itwas a good thing that Kellyn’s primary power was healing, becauseafter the look she gave him I was sure he was going to needemergency treatment.
I noticed that Rannor was with us, so Iasked, “Can he hear us yet?”
“Yes, Master Vydor, I can. Master Gafar isserving as a link for me until I learn how to do this myself,”Rannor replied.
“Good. Have you been told what is about tohappen?” I asked.
“Only that we will be jumping soon,”he said.
“Well, I wish I had more time to explain.I will just say that jumping is dangerous for me at this time and Icannot do it alone. You may see some odd things, but do not worry;united we can handle it,” I said. “Rannor, make sure youhave a good physical hold on Gafar and do not let go until the jumpis over. We will take care of everything else. Focus on holding onto him while you have a grip on him and it will hold through thejump. Okay?”
“Yes, Master Vydor, I can do that,” hesaid and grabbed hold of Gafar’s arm.
“Commander, we will need the jump countdownup here. I do not have time to explain why, just be aware that wewill probably face greater than normal hangover coming back,regardless of our preparations,” I said over the comm, taking careto leave it open so that we could hear the countdown as I walkedback to the group. Privately to the other master wizards I said,“I plan to take the offensive this time, so be ready for somefun.”
Then we heard over the speaker, “Jumping infive, four, three, two …”
The blueness of jump space surrounded us all,and I saw the dark specter moving towards us. This time I lookedhim right in the eye without fear and said, “Foul creature, beware!I, Grandmaster Vydor, and all six of our realm’s masters standbefore you. Prepare yourself for battle!” With that I called up abolt of pure magical energy and blasted him in the dead center ofthe chest. He screamed out in pain and shrank a little in size, butflew right at me in spite of the blast. I stared him down withoutblinking, and then raised my left hand, with my wedding ring on it,and channeled the power that I felt coming from Kellyn through thering and into him. The bolt cut a hole right through him; this timehe fell back in intense pain. “Spirit of old, you have no powerover me. Your curse on my family ends, NOW!” As I screamed “now” Ichanneled another bolt, this time combining the powers of all thewizards, and when this bolt hit him he burst into fire and wasconsumed, leaving only us and the spirit of light.
“Well done, Grandmaster Vydor, you arefinally free,” the spirit of light said. “Now you must prepare foryour greatest battle yet. Take this scroll. It contains vitalinformation that you will need soon. Do not worry about how to readit. When you return to normal space you will have the knowledgecontained in it.” I took the scroll the spirit offered withoutpausing to think about it.