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Illan stands there impatiently as he awaits the return of the junior guard. Almost a half hour later, he sees him returning. He waits while the lead guard confers with his man and then watches as he begins moving toward where he’s waiting.

“He said that he will meet with you,” the guard tells him. “A page is being summoned and will arrive shortly to escort you.”

“Thank you,” says Illan. A short time later, a boy in the livery of a castle page approaches the gate and Illan moves to follow him into the castle area.

The page leads him through to the building housing the Royal Archives. Going in through the main door, he takes him down to the doors leading into Ellinwyrd’s sanctum. He pauses a moment as he knocks upon the door and when he receives Ellinwyrd’s permission to enter, opens the door. Stepping to one side, he allows Illan to precede him into the room.

“Thank you Michael,” Ellinwyrd says from where he sits at a table stacked haphazardly with books and scrolls.

Nodding, Michael closes the door.

Coming over to where Ellinwyrd sits, Illan makes his way through the ‘obstacle course’ as James had called it when he described his visit here. He can see what James meant by this place being a disorganized chaotic mess. It’s a wonder that anything can even be found.

Ellinwyrd glances up from a book open before him as he approaches. Indicating a chair across from him, he says, “Please, sit down.”

“Thank you for seeing me,” Illan says graciously. “I don’t know if you’re aware of what happened last night, but they came and arrested James.”

Closing the book before him, Ellinwyrd nods his head as a sigh escapes him. “I know,” he replies.

“Do you know what’s going to happen to him?” Illan asks.

“I’m afraid so,” he says sadly.

“They’re not going to hand him over to the Empire are they?” asks Illan, afraid of the answer.

“Yes, they are,” he tells him.

“Why in god’s name are they acceding to their request? They have to know he’s innocent!”

“Innocence or guilt rarely has much to do with what kingdoms decide,” he explains. “First of all, Cardri is not so big that they can afford to antagonize their neighbor to the south. James isn’t even a citizen of Cardri in their eyes so to them it’s not like they’re handing over one of their own.”

“Also, when the Ambassador’s adjutant was killed, that was just one more strain on an already shaky peace. Giving them James was a way to alleviate that strain.”

“You know what the Empire is going to do to him, don’t you?” Illan asks. “They’ll torture and kill him.”

“I know,” he replies.

“If they try to give him to the Empire, he’s likely to tear down the castle and kill an awful lot of people,” Illan tells him. “I’ve seen him in action.”

Shaking his head, Ellinwyrd says, “No, he won’t.”

“What do you mean?” he asks.

“I mean, there are steps one can take to ensure the safe capture of one who controls the power,” he tells him. “I believe it’s already begun to be implemented.”

“If they try to drug him, he’ll resist,” he asserts.

“He won’t even know it’s happening until it’s too late,” he explains. “There’s more than one way to drug a mage. They have torches that when lit, emit a narcotic fume which will render him unable to use his magic.” Illan just stares at him in horror. “After that, it’s just an easy matter to go in and collect him.”

“But we have to do something,” he says. “We can’t just let them take him.”

“From what I’ve gathered, they’ll not be taking him for some time,” he says. “They still must conclude the new trade agreement, and that could take another day or two.”

Looking at Ellinwyrd, Illan narrows his eyes as he contemplates what he just heard. “A day or two eh?” he breathes as he cocks one eyebrow in question.

Ellinwyrd nods his head. “Our Merchant’s Guild is pressing the Royal Court to get good terms with the Empire and the negotiations have at times become heated. But the general consensus is that the Empire’s representatives need to finalize the trade agreement for the next five years, and do it soon.”

“Alright then,” replies Illan as he gets to his