The moment that the bubble faded, Vorxin’s bodyguards rushed in toward Toric with angry expressions. They were understandably perturbed at him for barring their access to their charge. However a single sharp word from their principle stopped them in their tracks. Vorxin frowned at them both before turning to speak to the otherwise still crowd.

“Let us move from the hospital so we do not disturb Toric or the other patients.”

Suiting actions to words he strode toward the exit, motioning the Praetorian up next to him.

“Praetorian Arnolds; please go to the Legion Embassy and send a request to the Citadel. Ask for a full squad of Strikers, three orderlies, and a Legion Tribune. Sign my name to the request and put the words ‘for fate and blood’ after my name. Go now and report when it is done.”

The Praetorian saluted and spun on his heel, heading straight for the docks.

Vorxin stepped into a medium sized bedchamber just down from the hospital and finding it empty gestured for everyone to enter. Once he sat down on a chair he looked at the gnome.

“Ictill, thank you for coming to that meeting with me, but by the grace of the fates your services will not be needed. The boy remains anchored to his body, in a way. I do not want rumors to get around just yet; so please keep this under your hat, he is a Veil-Walker.”

The gnome stumbled back a step and his eyes grew wide. Nodding his head he twisted a grip on his staff and it shrank to the size of a pencil; which he stowed in a belt pouch.

“It is good. A great heart I sensed. I did not wish to sever his thread. I will go now; much to research I have. Keep me updated?”

The gnome was already wandering off as he asked the question, and he did not await an answer. Vorxin just shook his head, Ictill had a brilliant mind, but all those smarts seem to leak out and he had to chase them down. Shaking away the loose thought he lifted his head to look at Drax.

“Drax go and inform your CO that by my command you are off the rotation. I want you to stay with Toric all you can, he is going to need someone familiar and you are conveniently near his age. Although for a bit that boy had me fooled into thinking he was fifty not fifteen.”

Drax smiled and saluted the Second Magus.

“That is an order I am happy to obey.”

Turning on his heel Drax also vanished from the room.

Next Vorxin looked at the woman Toric had noted among the group.

“Stephany, your services will not be required with this matter. Furthermore I need you to spread the word to any that you deem it necessary to warn. Toric is not to be subjected to the usual games of the court. This detail goes no further than you; he is of the Blood and will be under Legion protection within the Keep. He is naïve and young, but not stupid. Any women that try the usual tricks are likely to find themselves in a cell, and as for any of the courts many political movers and shakers – the Legion does not take kindly to politics. They are likely to end up dead in an attempt to control or manipulate the lad, and you notice I do not mention what capabilities he himself has. Spread the word, hands – and all other body parts – off Toric. Got it?”

The stunning Imperial Spy Master nodded her exquisitely made up head and twirled upon delicate court shoes; her short strides tapping along the stones and out of the room.

Vorxin finally looked to the three Imperial Functionaries.

“Your job is simple. I chose you three because I did not know how this was going to turn out, and I trust all of you to keep your mouths shut. Prepare a room near the healer wing here, but one suitable for a sovereign level guest. Have Toric moved there while he sleeps, and until the Legion arrives and are briefed one of you remain in the room at all times. The centurion Davyd will be there most likely, as will Drax at times. Once the Legion’s group arrives, arrange for all of you to move to a room nearby; where at least one of you will be on call and available to Toric or the Legion at a moment’s notice, around the clock. I am unsure how long this will all go on, but new and more permanent arrangements will likely be made within the next week. Do you all understand?”

He waited for any questions and when there were none he nodded firmly and smiled at the three men.

“Good, get to it.”

Once the three functionaries had gone and Vorxin was alone with just his guards he relaxed and rubbed his temples. This was going to be difficult, but the entire Empire owed a debt to Toric’s parents and this was a small way to begin repaying it.

I have to shield Toric from Imperial politics. I have no doubt he can handle them, but as much as I would love to see some of those vipers dead, I cannot allow such things to happen. Not when I am capable of preventing them. As a Veil-Walker Toric will be impossible to lie to. Thinking back over what I know of the Walkers, there are several traits that he doesn’t even have to learn, he will just be able to do it. He can see spirits that linger on this side of the Veil. He can sense untruths – whether written or spoken – I always thought that was odd, but it is undeniable. There is simply too much documentation to prove it. His spirit on the other side of the Veil is impervious to harm, but his spirit on this side is vulnerable until he learns to protect it. Well, just as vulnerable as it always was. He is impervious to magical attack, but vulnerable to poisons and physical attack. Fortunately for him, his draconic heritage makes him nearly impossible to poison and with training physical attacks will be less of a problem. He is also granted an elemental boon; that must be a priority. We must discover what his element is as soon as possible, that fact will shape all his future training. Enough of this; I need to go and report to the Emperor and then get some rest; there is a LOT to be done.

With that last thought he climbed to his feet and nodded to his guards, turning and striding from the room with renewed energy and a set purpose.