Words

"We're prisoners," said Astra. "Not for the first time," added Fred. He hobbled towards the cot that was in the small room. Putting the walking stick aside he slumped onto the cot. "My world is getting worse by the minute," said Fred. "Fool, stupid, stupid, stupid fool!!! By the gods how I hate magic!" Astra remained in her chair. Considering that she still had a snout for a face she had little sympathy for Fred, but she did have a question. "If you distrust the major arcana so much, why did you do it?" Fred sighed. "Fear," he answered. "Sheer, stupid fear. I was dead certain Synizn was simply going to take it. As long as it was in my hands I knew that I had a chance. I don't trust this mage, the demifoxes said he was evil, that he was a dragon-slave." "They also locked us up for being monsters," said Astra. "You weren't the one hit by that bastard Ringroot's magic! How do we know if what they said was true?" Fred looked at the ceiling, his eyes not fixing on any particular spot. "How do we know if any of this is true," he said. "It's all threats and promises. It's all just a bunch of empty words."

"Words..." murmured Synizn as he stared at the Crystallic. He was now in another part of this particular compound, one of many at his disposal. He gazed intently at the crystalline gem as if trying to look into another world. "Words spoken in Allarian witchery... and you responded." Synizn sighed. "What are you, hmmmm? Not even Malachi knew for sure... only rumors and legends." Synizn rose and began to pace about the room. He was putting into place each and every detail he knew about this magic gem. He was sifting through fact and fiction, truth, legend and myth. He revelled at how much he didn't know, how much no one knew. His thoughts turned to his 'guests'. He didn't enjoy having them and he realized that his lies would only keep them happy for a while. He couldn't heal them, he didn't have the power to transform living flesh. He couldn't use the Crystallic, Fred's spontaneous outburst proved how dangerous and unpredictable it was. Only Minestus knew how to use it, and he was dead. Malachi had some ideas, but she was dead too. All that Synizn had from her were notes and recollections of interesting conversations. Lifting his eyes from his intense reverie he noticed that his legs had brought him once again to his liquor cabinet. "What the hell," he said, and poured himself another strong one.

1. Minestus was the ArchMage, he was the Feared One. Though he was dead, let us not forget that he had many minions.

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