Chapter Nine
The female Troll, who had arrived with Constantine, the president of the Talons, as his concubine, entered and touched her bowed forehead in respect.
When she raised her eyes, her gaze was directed at Morgan, but her thoughts touched them all.
“I am known as Cassandra and seek your forgiveness for the intrusion during this time of mourning, but you are all in grave danger. Tonight, unless you can conjure a protection spell, the Grand Vizier will succeed in murdering more of your kind. I am here to help.”
Whispered conversation ebbed and flowed, building, growing, until there was a powerful undercurrent of controlled energy.
All welcomed Cassandra. Once, in the time before the shift from female to male power, female Wizards, in alliance with others of their gender, were part of a warrior people.
It was this long-buried spirit that shone in their eyes after centuries of absence.
Morgan made eye contact with each one in silent understanding. What they had learned concerning Caitlin’s death had rocked them to the core. If someone could kill one of them, no one was safe. Morgan felt a renewed strength as though her friend’s life force had passed into hers.
Morgan’s deep sadness transformed with each breath she took, replaced by a new strength of purpose.
For too long she had stayed on the perimeter, ignoring the signs.
With each year that passed, Vlad welcomed the dark side of Wizardry and pushed back the good.
Emboldened, he had killed Caitlin and, no doubt, countless others.
She gazed at the sparkling lights still hovering above Caitlin’s heart as Morgan’s hands clenched at her sides.
She fought the instinct to strike out in revenge.
But even as her mind’s eye plotted the attack, the light of reason took root.
Vlad was well protected, and she knew her chances of reaching him to end his reign of terror would fail.
She must assure the safety of the young Wizards first.
Morgan focused her thoughts on Cassandra, allowing them to travel to her sister Wizards as well. “Cassandra, we are honored by your presence and willingness to help us. We accept your offer.”
Morgan raised her voice, taking on the mantle of leadership.
“No one must learn what we have discovered. Extinguish the sage and cleanse the room of smoke. There is much to discuss and little time before they call us for the second day’s ceremony.
When the male Wizards are all under your spell and asleep, that is when you all will escape with the young Wizards. ”
A collective gasp and a hum of whispered conversations surged through the room like a river overflowing its banks. Morgan knew her words tested the beliefs of all her sister Wizards. They had been raised to rely on the male Wizards for their survival.
She raised her hand to still the growing unrest. “Someone killed Caitlin because she spoke out against the leadership and was of an age where no one would suspect it unusual if she died. The oldest among you and those who have spoken out in protest are the most vulnerable. Therefore, I advise that all of you should leave and take the young Wizards with you. But as is our custom, it is your choice to stay or leave. I have already made the decision to remain on the island to assure that our plan will succeed.”
“Cassandra. Come with me. We have much to prepare before I must return to the Fire Wizard before he awakens.”