The Arch-Mage and Legatus looked at him in shock, but their minds were already turning toward what it would take to make it happen. They had a willing workforce and plenty of trade partners to get materials from. The Legion had long since purchased vast stretches of forest on the edge of the lake from the Empire, for their exclusive use as timberlands. The Legatus imagined what the Island would look like if they threw themselves into this project. Massive quarries would be needed and those would be carefully carved out so as to form the bottom levels of the new Citadels. They would have almost twenty times the room they had now, and that was when he saw something Toric had not mentioned. He expected the Island to be a last refuge. A place where people would flee to when their own lands fell. It would be a terrible responsibility and they would have to test everyone before allowing them onto the Island, but that was no matter. Most of the Empire possessed the requirements to join the Legion, but they were comfortable in their lives and did not want to leave their happy lives to join a kingdom where they would face battle on a regular basis.

Toric cleared his throat and the two men looked up at him.

“These are matters for another day. Think about what I have said, and discuss the implications among yourselves and those that you trust; but today we have plenty to deal with without adding all of that to the load. I must prepare myself to destroy this place, and I am certain I have called you away from other duties. Thank you for coming to bear witness. I will be returning to the Imperial City on the morrow to meet my grandparents, and I will need the Fists and another Striker squad with me. Which squad is to be chosen; I leave up to you Legatus. Arch-Mage, I would like two magi to accompany me, but their selection I leave to you. He will not like it at all, but Marrick is staying here. I need him to begin some preparations for me. Before I leave I will give him a way to contact me, and will speak with him daily. Any messages that need to be passed can go through him. We must act swiftly to cut this rot from the Legion and to ensure that no other problems remain. Do not think of me as a young untried boy that has been thrust upon you, but know that I am the Sword of Daath, and He has given me all that I need in order to serve Him and the Legion as well as is possible. Do you believe me?”

The three that sat there were overwhelmed by the unexpected speech, but after a long moment they all responded quietly, nodding their heads and speaking in turn.

Valeria spoke first and her voice was both hard and soft in a feminine way that Toric had difficulty quantifying.

“You are correct that Marrick will not like this idea at all, Toric. However, I also believe you are correct about the problem and how to fix it. I have missed Marrick so much for these last fifteen years, but I understood the honor and desperate need behind his leaving. I would have preferred to go with him and help raise you, but your mother was very specific that no one else than he know your location. I believe that you were born for a purpose, this purpose that you have detailed to us. You are the Sword of Daath, and in the end that is all that I need know. Command me my Princeps and it will be my honor to obey.”

The Arch-Mage peered at Valeria and then turned to Toric, licking his lips before speaking.

“I am Ultan, and I am ashamed. I let this perfidious atrocity develop right under my nose. If the signs, portents, and very voice of Daath were not enough; your actions here would be. You are what we need, whether we like needing you or not. I believe you my Princeps and I will endeavor to become more aware as I go on. You shall have your two magi by this evening; as a matter of fact, I know just the two for you.”

The Legatus had never looked away from Toric for the whole of the other two speaking, and now that it was his turn he did not flinch or waver.

“No long speeches are needed. You are your father’s heir, and the Sword of Daath. The Axes will join the Fists tonight, and be at your orders my Princeps. Do not worry about Marrick; I will deal with him immediately. He can be a bit grouchy at times, but I know all of his dirty little secrets.”

Toric smiled and nodded. Then turned and looked at Xander who stood behind him.

“Xander, I need a space of about ten feet cleared all around me. It will take me the rest of the day to gather the power to level this building, and if anyone gets close while I am doing this, they will die.”

With no further words he stepped forward from the table where they had eaten and knelt upon the stones. His weapons were laid beside him, and his helmet sealed into place upon his shoulders. Xander and the Fists were already clearing people away and as soon as there was enough room he began. It was an arduous process to control the Fire, but not to summon it. If he didn’t care where it spread and what it burned this would be simple, but to control Camnorous’s True Fire was a task that would take all of his power and concentration. As soon as he produced the first spark of that flame to hover before his eyes, every mage or sensitive on the Island knew that Greater Magic was being wielded there. The Arch-Mage stared at the growing flame with shock and then ran to hurry the men that were clearing the Temple along. Valeria was frozen with awe and fear as she watched the young man shape magic that was beyond the abilities of any other mortal being. This was the Fire of Camnorous the Devourer, the Lord of Beasts, the Greater Being of Fire, and the progenitor of the dragon race. The Flame built so very slowly, a spark at a time, but by the time that the sun was near to setting and Toric was close to being ready, there was an enormous ball of liquid fire burning in the air above him. As the last bit of light left the horizon, and a runner finished checking the Temple, Toric screamed his rage and fire flew forward to cage the gaudy building in bands of pure elemental fire. The cage shrunk and burned inward. It was a masterful display of control as Toric created a firebreak from his own construct. Everything the flame touched turned to ash and within a dozen heartbeats the Temple was gone. The flame roared and hovered in a condensed ball where the Temple had just stood, before suddenly rushing in a line back to Toric and disappearing as it touched his chest. Toric stiffened in shock when the fire filled him, but before he could pass out a form appeared at his side.

Daath coalesced beside His Sword and shook His head in amusement. The boy was pushing himself to make the Legion pure again, and needed this public display of approval to erase any doubts. Daath laid his hand on Toric’s shoulder and with a slight nudge of power refilled His Sword’s waning strength. His voice shook the stones and scattered the ashes as He spoke.

“This man is My Sword, and he will help My Legion against the Darkness. If any wish to serve Me, they will do so by serving My Sword. Do not twist My words or My law, the Commander remains in Command, and the Princeps leads when he cannot. The Priests were never for Me, but instead to pander to your needs. No more, any that wish to serve as a Cleric of Daath, will do so in armor and with a sword. My Temple is the battlefield, and prayer is the sound of your charge.”

It was short, sweet, and to the point. Toric stood and looked gratefully up to Daath.

Daath looked down and spoke softer, but still loud enough for others to hear.

“Go Toric, and do what you must, but please stop trying to do it all alone.”

And with that Daath was gone and Toric looked up at Xander who was staring at him with wide eyes. The momentary boost of energy from the Greater Being was fading and Toric could tell he had just enough to get back to his rooms. He gestured urgently to Xander and as soon as he was close, leaned heavily on him. Whispering the order to get him back to his quarters. Somehow they made it and he was undressed and dumped into his bed. No dreams did he have that night, there was no energy to be used for training. A good night sleep did him a world of good and he awoke to a new day and a fresh dawn.