"That," Wigg answered, "and a good deal more. In many ways it is easier to tell you what the scrolls cannot show us, rather than what they can. In essence, the scroll before you holds the calculations for virtually every known Forestallment of the Vigors, just as we believe the scroll in Krassus' possession does for the Vagaries. By employing the calculations gleaned from the scrolls, one can identify any already existing Forestallment branch that shoots off from a person's blood signature. The Forestallment branches can now be 'mapped,' as it were. In addition, whoever is in possession of the scrolls can actually not only decipher the calculations required for any Forestallment he or she desires, but can also imbue the blood signature with it and activate it at any time of his choosing."
"But there is even more to the puzzle," Faegan said, leaning over the table. "The scroll also reveals the answers to many of the mysteries of the craft that have plagued us for centuries. In truth, we have only had enough time to scratch the surface of what the scroll may tell us. Reading the document is an amazing experience-like looking into the very souls of the Ones Who Came Before. We now believe it was they who wrote the Scroll of the Vigors, and the Heretics of the Guild who wrote the other. Neither side expected to use the information to destroy the orb that supported their side of the craft, of course. But by including the opposite formula in each one, it seems they could assure themselves of mutual mass destruction in their struggle against one another, should the need arise. Simply put, each scroll was meant to be both a safeguard and a weapon for future generations of the craft to protect themselves with, should its opposite ever be found and used against them."
"What do you mean by 'mysteries of the craft'?" Abbey asked.
"For example, we could never understand how Nicholas had circumvented the death enchantments of the consuls of the Redoubt," Wigg answered. "But now, after reading part of the scroll, we do. We believe the calculations for their reversal must be contained in the Scroll of the Vagaries. Nicholas imbued them into the consuls' blood, thereby allowing them to participate in the construction of the Gates of Dawn without violating their oaths and perishing. The Forestallments no doubt exist in their blood to this day, thereby allowing them to serve their new master Wulfgar on the isle of the Citadel."
"I'll give you yet another example," Faegan added. "I believe each of you is familiar with the phenomenon that accompanies the deaths of certain endowed individuals and creatures of the craft. Most of us have seen the lightning and sudden wind that accompanies these events, such as occurred with the deaths of the mistresses of the Coven. The Directorate had always believed these phenomena to be a way for those who had perished to signal their demise to those of their cause who might still live. We now believe we might have been wrong about this-that the atmospheric events might have something to do with only the death of one's blood, rather than the death of both the blood and the body. Forestallments are, of course, a part of one's endowed blood. But unlike endowed blood, which is present at birth, Forestallments are conjured and added later. Each is the physical embodiment of a spell-a very potent and complicated one. But I digress. The truth is that we have far greater problems to solve now."
"So Wulfgar wants to destroy the Orb of the Vigors," Tristan said, half to himself. "And that is why Krassus so badly wanted the Scroll of the Vagaries, isn't it? He needed it so that he could imbue Wulfgar's blood with the proper Forestallment, among others."
He looked up in horror at both of the wizards. "That's what this is really about, isn't it?" he asked. "That's what it has always been about."
"Yes," Wigg answered. "Had he survived, it now seems that Nicholas' plans were to have gone much farther than simply releasing the Heretics from the heavens. Do you remember how Krassus talked about wanting to carry on Nicholas' work, but we could never fathom what he meant by that? Well, now we think we know."
"But how can you be so sure that this is his mission?" Tristan countered. "With so many Forestallments recorded in the scrolls, how can you know that the destruction of the Orb of the Vigors is Wulfgar's intent, and not something else?"
"An excellent question," Wigg answered. "While Faegan and I must admit that our conclusions are more educated guesswork than substantiated fact, one thing stands out about the scroll that convinces us we are right."
"And that is?" Celeste asked.
"Of all the calculations, one seems to rise head and shoulders above the rest in its relative importance and complexity: the formula for the destruction of the Orb of the Vagaries. We must surmise that the scroll in Wulfgar's possession contains the formula to destroy the Orb of the Vigors."
With all of this talk of Nicholas and the orbs, Tristan sensed a recent memory trying to float to the surface. He knew it had to do with the day he had visited the Caves of the Paragon, when Nicholas had not only revealed that he was Tristan's son, but also what his plans were. Finally Tristan took a quick breath of realization and looked over at Faegan and Wigg.
"You're not wrong," he said quietly to the table at large. "The destruction of the Orb of the Vigors is exactly what Wulfgar has in mind."
Wigg looked carefully at the prince. "And you are certain of this because…"
"Because Nicholas told me so himself, that day in the Caves when he first revealed to me who he really was, and why he had been sent here by the Heretics," Tristan answered. "He did not tell me of his orders to Krassus should he perish, or of the existence of Wulfgar. Those intricacies of his mission he must have wished to keep secret, should all else fail. But he did tell me of his eventual plans for the orb."
Closing his eyes, Tristan did his best to recall Nicholas' words of that day. As they came back to him, he spoke them aloud as best he could remember.
" 'After the return of the Heretics, we shall eliminate all the others of the earth… Our world shall become one barren of all human life other than that which is sufficiently gifted… Together we shall then destroy the Vigors and their orb forever, leaving only the true, sublime teachings of the Vagaries that we have so come to love…' "
"The other half of Nicholas' mission," he murmured. Not only to destroy the Orb of the Vigors, but also to kill anyone-other than the consuls he was corrupting-with a right-leaning blood signature, as well! But first Krassus needed two things, didn't he? He needed Wulfgar because of the quality of his blood and the fact that he has a severely left-leaning signature. Wulfgar was the perfect choice because he would be a far easier subject to turn than Shailiha or I, yet he still possesses the blood of Morganna, the mother of the Chosen Ones. And Krassus also required the Scroll of the Vagaries to provide him with the calculations for the Forestallments he needed to gift into Wulfgar's blood, the most important of which shall grant Wulfgar the ability to destroy the orb."
Wigg looked over to where Faegan was sitting, to see that his old friend's face had become a mask of grave concern. Then, sensing what the prince was feeling, he reached out compassionately and placed one hand on Tristan's shoulder. "From what you tell us, it seems we were right after all," he said softly.
"Indeed," Faegan replied. "This is one of the few times in more than three centuries that I can honestly say I am sorry my deductions have proven correct. But there is most certainly another reason why Wulfgar will come."
"And what is that?" Tristan asked, lifting his head.