Golnar sat in the study off of the throne room. He was very pleased with the way things were going. All magical users in the first ring of Aurumist had been released. They were all either trained or in training. Those without magical powers were left alone for the moment. Those with magical spouses and children would be left where they were. Those families who had no magical blood would eventually face a new reality. There was no need to rush things in the first ring. They would work themselves out as the magical families realized their power.

King Kedan was no longer a problem for Golnar. Kedan was far away in the Forest of the Lowlands. Kedan would be busy following Daracha around playing the part of king. Daracha had written that Kedan had arrived. She said he would be very useful. She would need his services for many weeks to come. Golnar hoped Kedan would be successful and come back with his head full of his own importance.

Golnar’s magic had seemed to stabilize. He was able to do all that he could before. He was working on more advance magic at the moment. He could summon things, manipulate objects, and even make water and fire move. Other abilities such as the conjuring of winds and magical travel alluded him. He would continue training. He was glad he was no longer having his earlier issues. He supposed removing certain stressors such as Kedan had a great effect on him. Golnar had tried to make sure he was actually resting and eating.

It was almost time to start the next phase of the plan. They would move into the second and third rings of Aurumist. They would find those with magical blood and have them drink the potion. Camelia, Teryn, and some influential woman of the first circle were already organizing meals for the needy. At these meals Camelia and others who were gifted would identify those with magical blood. Camelia and Teryn had made an appearance at the mid-winter celebration of the third ring. They had already identified several useful future magical users. The hope was to turn a select few to help with the distribution of the elixir.

Today, Golnar would meet with Philo and Till. All of the soldiers with magical blood had been released. They were all in training. Golnar was pleased with their progress. They still had many soldiers who were not magical, but gifted in other ways as well. The kingdom would have a mighty army from Aurumist soldiers alone. The number of soldiers wasn’t up to Golnar’s liking. He wanted an overwhelming army that would leave no doubt of victory.

Of course, after the magic was released in other areas of the kingdom, they would recruit even more soldiers. Golnar worried that Aurumist at the moment was vulnerable to the threat of an attacked by the old magical folk. He would remain uneasy until his plan was well underway all throughout the kingdom. He wanted to meet with Philo and Till to see what could be done to protect Aurumist from outside attacks while the plan was taking place.

Golnar waited behind the desk of the study, looking over the things Kedan had left. There were still messages left by Kedan. Golnar had read a few. They were all simple problems in the kingdom. One village in the High Mountains didn’t have enough food to last through the winter. Another village in Lakeland had a minor sickness running through the folk.

These were all things that would be taken care of once Golnar’s new way was in order. Once the kingdom was set up in the true way of the Ancients, no one would be sick. No one would starve. All would have their place. There would be some suffering and sacrifices. For a wonderful new kingdom to be reborn, the old ways would have to die. Still, those who would be sacrificed didn’t have much of a life now. They would probably be better off dead.

Golnar again thought of his mother. She should never have died so young. She should have never had to suffer. She was born with a gift she never learned to use. It was unfair. She should have had power. She should have had whatever she needed and wanted. Instead, she died with nothing. She died powerless. Golnar would never be like that. He had everything he needed in his fingertips.

A knock on the door announced a visitor.

“Who is there?” asked Golnar loudly.

“It is Philo Quick. I have come as you requested,” replied Philo.

Golnar stood up and raised his hand. The door opened. Philo strode in wearing his captains’ garb. It was a gold tunic with tan pants with brown boots. He had on a red cloak that flowed behind him. Philo walked in front of the desk and bowed to Golnar. Golnar sat down gesturing to Philo. Philo gracefully had a seat.

“Philo, thank you for coming. I know you have been busy.”

“I have, but I don’t mind coming to see you. I like to be involved with the decisions of the kingdom. Are we expecting anyone else?”

“Yes, Viceroy Till should be joining us. It seems he is running a little late.”

Philo sat back and sighed.

Golnar looked at Philo. “Have you heard any word of your son?”

“No, the idiot seems to have gone into hiding. I have a few soldiers out and about looking for him. Unless Marcus is hiding in Abscon or the Valley, we should find him at some point.”

“Could he be hiding in those places?”

“I doubt it. Marcus has always been a coward. Either place, Ansel would find him easily. After trying to attack the king, I’m sure the protector is not happy with Marcus and the role he played. Not to mention I believe that Keene woman was almost killed. Ansel has been a friend to that family for many years.”

Golnar nodded. “Well, hopefully he will turn up soon, and you can convince him this is the right side.”

“I will convince him easily. My son likes to live in wealth and leisure. One look at our new manor in the city, and he will relent. I will find him a nice woman to marry. He will not be a problem.”

There was a knock at the door.

“That must be Till,” said Golnar. He raised his hand and opened the door. Till walked in quickly. He sat down heavily next to Philo.

“You are late, Till,” said Golnar harshly.

“I know, I know. I apologize. The wife was in a tizzy over some slight by a servant. I had to stay and deal with it. I came here as quick as I could.”

“My time and Captain Philo’s time is very precious. You would do good not to waste it,” said Golnar.

“And mine isn’t? I am running a city that is being turned upside down. I have to spend more time than ever in the public reassuring people. You will do well to remember all I do for the kingdom.”

“Yes, we know, Till. Just try to be on time for meetings,” said Golnar trying to placate Till. “I wanted to speak to both of you about how vulnerable we might be to attack at the moment.”

“I don’t think we are very vulnerable at all,” said Philo. “Our soldiers have been training constantly. Many of them are ready for combat. If someone hits the city, we should have no trouble.”

Till nodded his head.

“Even if the magical powers of Abscon and the Valley combined with other magical folk in the kingdom?” asked Golnar. “Philo, wouldn’t that be quite a powerful force?”

“It would,” said Philo. “It will take them time to unite and organize. I don’t see them being ready for an attack anytime soon. The Ring moves slowly. It always has. They won’t be ready for at least a year.”

“Golnar, you are worrying about nothing. We are well fortified in the city. We have many guards stationed outside all the rings. We will be able to add to our forces once we start reaching the lands with your elixir. Relax for a moment. Everything will be fine,” said Till crossing his legs.

“Relax? You think we have gotten his far with me spending time relaxing?” asked Golnar in a dangerous, quiet voice. “Philo, when was your last information out of Abscon?”

“When Gorm left. I haven’t heard anything since then.”

“So, we don’t know what’s happening in Abscon or the Valley. Many things could have changed since last summer. Especially since we attacked their king in the forest. Do you remember how that went, Philo? Whether you want to admit it, the old magical folk are powerful. We need to prepare.”

“What would you have me do? I am training soldiers as fast as I can. We have released all the magical-blooded ones. Unless I have new recruits in the outer rings, there is nothing else I can do,” said Philo loudly.

“Have you been able to contact any of your old friends in Abscon?” asked Till.

“No, no one has replied. I’m not even sure my messages are getting through,” said Philo.

“What about the Valley. You had a home there as well, didn’t you? Have you contacted anyone there?” asked Till.

“I can try, but most of the old magical families there are firmly on the council or loyal to the Ring,” answered Philo.

“Do what you can, Philo. If we can find someone to give us information, it will go a long way.”

“I will think of some folk I can write. I can’t promise anything,” said Philo.

“Remember, we can offer them almost anything they want. Promise them riches, power, and safety. If you get even a sniff of an answer act on it. Even if you have to go out and meet them somewhere. You can take some guards with you.”

“What would happen if we sent some guards outside of Abscon and the Valley?” asked Till. “I know we can’t get into the villages. We might not even be able to get close, but Philo can at least give us the general area.”

“My soldiers will be sitting ducks out there,” said Philo unhappily. “You want to just sacrifice men when we are afraid we don’t have enough to begin with?”

“It was just a thought,” said Till. “It would at least send a message.”

“Yes, send a few, Philo. Send some to the Valley and some to the forest of The Great Surrounding. Tell them to remain hidden unless they come across someone alone. Maybe we could take a magical folk and get some information out of them. Tell them not to cause any trouble, unless they are absolutely certain they can win,” said Golnar.

“Very well,” said Philo. “I suppose there are a few I could spare, but if something goes wrong, I don’t want to be held accountable. We might lose those men.”

“We will lose many as we build a better kingdom. They will all be martyrs in the battle for a better Regventus,” said Golnar standing up.

“True,” said Philo. “I’ll go give the orders. I will send five to each area.”

“Good. Remember if you hear of anyone who would like to offer information and their loyalty, let me know. There will be those who get scared as the war to come looms closer,” said Golnar.