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powerless within High Lodge. This garbage is what allows her to operate
here!"
Guy stopped and stood, although he did not turn around.
"Explain. For once, his voice seemed free of sarcasm and belittlement.
"Yes, please do, Grimm, Numal said, his brow as furrowed as a farmer's field.
"This place, this crypt, was chosen for its central location alone, because it
allows Lizaveta to spread nodes of power throughout High Lodge, Grimm said.
That means she can use her Geomantic magic anywhere inside the building,
without being in direct contact with the earth. I should have thought of it
before; most witches prefer to conduct their spells in the open, preferring
not to enter buildings without an earthen floor. A web of Geomantic power
extends from here to every part of High Lodge, drawn from the earth."
"Looks more like flagstones to me, Guy said. He did not turn round, but Grimm
heard growing interest in his voice.
"Precisely, the young Questor said. I read of a basic Geomantic principle,
although it meant nothing to me at the time: 'contact is eternal'. The
sacrifices wore these rags at the time of their deaths. They were butchered
here, according to a prescribed ritual: their blood flowed between the
flagstones into the earth. During the ritual, Lizaveta took a sample of their
hair, one of their bones, or a scrap of their clothes, and bound it to her.
This gives her and her closest acolytes intimate contact with the earth, and
it enhances their power accordingly, growing with each sacrifice."
Retaining the fragment of Madeleine's velvet dress, he pointed at the throne
and concentrated, summoning and ordering his power.
"Sh'shakk't!"
The nonsense word burst from Grimm, and the throne's contents shivered into
insubstantial motes. He sank to his knees in the circular depression before
the altar and stared at the gap surrounding the round centre stone, placing
his palms flat on the stone. He remembered how Magemaster Crohn, during one of
his long, tedious monologues on the various classifications of runic spells,
had mentioned spells of Gathering, and their applications. Although the
Magemaster had divulged no details of these enchantments, the principle seemed
clear enough to him.
That was all a Mage Questor needed to cast any spell.
Blood, arise from the earth.
With his Mage Sight, Grimm followed the brown tendrils of life-essence as they
snaked through the interstices of the bedrock beneath High Lodge.
Arise, and be free.
The young mage groaned as he felt the tortures and agonies visited upon the
victims of Lizaveta's evil lust crowding in upon him, a score of voices
screaming for release. Come!
A flurry of syllables flew from his lips, and a fine spray of brown dust began
to fly from between the stones, showering over the grim chamber. Grimm sighed
as the pressure of the spell was released, and he climbed to his feet.
"It's done, he said, his voice hoarse. Lizaveta's finished here. Let's go.
Guy, feel free to hunt around for trinkets, if you want. I have a mission to
fulfill."
"Where are you going, Grimm? Numal asked.
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"I'm going to see Lord Horin, Numal. If necessary, I'll smash the door down."
Grimm looked at Guy's face, a picture of incomprehension, and he laughed at
the popinjay mage's apparent discomfiture.
"Enjoy your treasure hunt, Guy, he said. I'm sure you know best. I'm
finished here. I have all the proof I need."
"Wait a minute, Grimm, Guy said, his expression almost friendly. If what
you've said is true, I can't wait to see Lizaveta's face; I'm more than
willing to take that chance. Besides, you might need a real Questor to help
you. Horin doesn't let people into his chamber lightly."
"Numal, we're saviours of the Guild now, Grimm said. If being a part of this
doesn't get you that first ring, I don't know what will."
Numal looked dubious, but he nodded. All right, Grimm. I just hope you know
what you're doing."
* * * *
With the invaluable aid of his borrowed Location Gem, Grimm found Lord Horin's
private chamber with ease.
Two men-at-arms stood by the door, but they paid little attention to the
approaching mages; rather, they seemed drawn by the sounds of a loud
altercation from inside the room. The sentries seemed uncertain what to do,
their jaws slack and their eyes wide.
"Better open up, boys, Guy drawled. It sounds as if Lord Horin may be in
danger."
Flicking the least glance at the gaudily-attired mage, one of the guards, a
grizzled, battle-scarred man rapped on the door.
"Lord Horin! Is everything well with you?"
"Get in here at once! a voice from within screamed, and the guard opened the
door. The two warriors stormed inside, followed closely by Grimm and Numal,
while Guy remained outside, the hood of his robes pulled over his head.
Grimm saw a sumptuous room lying in complete disarray. Two tables lay on their
sides, and broken glass and crockery littered the floor. In the centre of the
chamber stood Lord Horin, his face flushed and his robe dishevelled, and
Lizaveta lay sprawled at his feet.
The Dominie's mouth quivered for several moments before any sound came out.
What emerged was a shriek of outrage.
"Get her out of here! cried Horin. This filthy creature tried to beguile me
by means of magic. She might have caused me to flout my sacred Oath, had I not
managed to collect my wits in time!"
"Lord Horin, I beg you to reconsider! Lizaveta pleaded, and, from the corner
of his eye, Grimm looked over his right shoulder to see a broad smile
spreading across Guy's face as he waited in the corridor. You always seemed
so comfortable in my company before, and I found myself entranced by your
commanding manner "
Horin's sweaty face was the colour of an embarrassed beetroot, and his eyes
bulged from their sockets. I command you to leave, witch! Guards, get her out
of my sight!"
The guards seemed uncertain about just how to deal with a prostrate, pleading
old lady, and Horin turned his eyes to Grimm and his companions.
"What are you two doing here? he demanded.
Grimm sank onto one knee and bowed his head. Lord Horin, this woman is a
witch who sought to gain control over you."
As the guards dithered, Horin snapped, I know that!"
"My lord Dominie, my colleagues and I suspected her of foul magic. We located
her chapel and base of power within the crypts of High Lodge. We destroyed it,
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