“Lysias, have you still been unable to capture the Scholar? Our agents within the League have done everything possible to separate the man from his base of operations… this is one of the few chances we will have to strike, do not ruin it! Keep in mind that the high council is watching… should you fail again there will be no repeat opportunity.” The voice that emerged from the purple orb was that of a wizened female, the harsh grating sound coming from her lips causing Lysias to wince slightly.

“Fear not venerable Hierarchs, that mindless toad Xeander’s anger and greed has provided the perfect opportunity to capture the target. I have spent yesterday organizing the pursuit force under Xeander’s name, all responsibility for the Scholar’s disappearance will fall upon him.” Lysias took a sip from his cup as he observed the orb resting in the center of the table. “Better yet, he even tasked me with killing the Scholar, with many of the servants within earshot. The buffoon has yet to realize the consequences of that action, even if he believes himself backed by the royal house, the Archon although ill will never allow such an action to stand.” Lysias could not help but laugh under his breath, smiling at the absurdity of himself being subordinate to that toad.

“That is fine, but do not underestimate the target. That man has eluded capture for many years now, our attempt at using local forces such as yourself have failed time and time again. That is why the Order of the Wodh has been dispatched to help deal with this matter.” This time the voice was similar to that of a prepubescent boy, but that didn’t matter, what mattered was the content of his message.

“Oh, Great Lords of Daena, mouthpieces of the all-knowing…surely there is no need for one of the three pillars to become involved in such minor affairs. This is but a small island, a land of factions, and squabbling tribes, there is no threat to you… and if the Scholar is such a threat, then he will be soon eliminated.” A cold sweat could be seen flowing down the back of Lysias’s neck, the Hierarchs had dispatched one of the three orders which served directly below them. A skilled group of assassin’s and cutthroats, known to employ all kinds of methods, including supposedly forms of dark magic.

“I care not for your petty power games Lysias, the decision is made. ‘Orchid’ has already departed the Althai Federation, they should be nearby and carrying out their own tasks as we speak. Should you fail in capturing the target, you and your experiments will be placed under their direct command. Your continued failures have forced our hand, and we have little free time to deal with such minor inconveniences. It is only your success with the pellets and the experiment that stays our hand… remember that.” The elderly hierarch was no longer making suggestions or asking questions, she was stating what would happen and that he was to accept that as fact. There would be no area to maneuver, no negotiation, just obedience to the Hierarchs.

“Now, Now, enough with chastising the child, it is not proper to only promise the stick. Sometimes once must provide the appropriate carrot to incentivize action… What of the experiment Lysias, I have provided the resources for the pills, but is the subject still functioning?” The tension within Lysias’s shoulders visibly relaxed with intrusion of the final voice. Sweet and lyrical, the feminine tone was like a symphony with every word, the notes intoxicating and leaving those who heard it in a state similar to inebriation.

“Yes Mistress, the boy has shown exceptional growth in both strength and endurance. The newest pill appears to be capable of modifying the body to some extent, enlarging muscles, hardening bones. Massive jumps in aggression can be seen, which could leave the subject in a berserk state, while the major drawback persists… the massive decrease in thinking capacity makes them capable of only frontline combat. Otherwise, the results have been a resounding success.” As Lysias spoke in an upbeat tone, his eyes and demeanor painted a different picture. Seemingly more akin to a puppet spitting out lines, cloudy fish like eyes, in addition to an emotionless face created a jarring disconnect with the upbeat happy tone that emerged from between his lips.

“Excellent, the pills will provide a faster way to produce what we need. Although expendable and nothing more than chaff in the grand scheme of things, they should prove useful for the time being. Continue your work and you may be elevated into the fold my dear. We must all prepare for the arrival, and we will herald the descent of the all-mother. Rejoice mortal for the promise of salvation is soon to arrive!” The voice slowly dissipated as the light from the orb did, the sickly-sweet aura dying along with it. Soon enough Lysias’s eyes regained their sharp glare, his thoughts returning to some semblance of normality, and in that moment as the realization of his powerlessness hit him, he reacted, throwing his cup into the wall, and screaming in rage.

The man craved power, he was the manipulator, playing others to his will. Yet to be played like a fiddle, to be reduced to a slobbering mess, that was not him. His eyes drifted to the crystal orb, his hand reaching for a nearby decorative sword, wanting nothing more in that moment to smash the device. However, cold rationality regained control, quelling the anger, and ensuring he did not act in such a foolhardy manner.

This orb was a magical device, one that allowed for communication over vast distances. No need for messengers, or trained animals, no fear of a message being intercepted. Its use constrained only by the minuscule amounts of magical energy it could refill naturally. Yet the amount it used depended on the distance and time, but always more than could be generated naturally, restricting effective usage to around once a week at best.

Even with its drawback, the device was merely a taste of things to come. For now, Lysias was not deemed worthy to learn the true extent of magic. He had yet to be inducted within the higher ranks of the cult of the All-Knowing. However, with the capture of the Scholar he would be elevated beyond the pitiful mortals of this world. The orb was just the beginning, as he looked toward the device, he could not help but smile at that which would be, the thought of failure seemingly never once crossing his mind.