Excerpt: Imperium

The snow-covered lands of Dalieoma stretched out in unbroken white splendor on all sides of the dreary keep. The grey stone building sat in the center of a spacious clearing, providing it with a natural defense. Anyone wishing to attack would have to ride across a wide expanse of open territory, giving those within the fortress more than enough time to assemble. One single gate allowed entrance and the thick walls were anchored at each corner with a tower connected by ramparts. It wasn’t much for beauty, but it could withstand siege with ease.
“By the gods it’s freezing,” High Master Atasia muttered and gathered the grey fur lined cloak tighter about her petite shoulders. She had cast a spell to warm herself, but it was never enough when she had to be outside. She could smell, and if someone had told her she would be their long enough to identify the weather by scent she would have thought twice about accepting the assignment, in the air that more snow was coming.
It was going to be a long winter.
Kagor approached the woman standing on the rampart, stopping just beside her, his six foot frame easily dwarfed her by a foot, but it was clear from his respectful stance who was in charge. Inclining his head in acknowledgement he said, “The spires are complete, High Master.”
The brunette shifted her gaze to the two round onyx pillars that had been painstakingly carved from the same massive block and which now rose up out of the frozen ground. Attached to each of the polished black pillar was a perfect crescent made of smooth diamond. The lingering light of the single sun sent rainbows of colors shining through them to dance across the white ground.
Everything was exactly as the Grand Master had specified. Atasia wondered why the spell had not called for a full circle, which would transmit the magic more effectively than the halves, and had suggested as much to Isri. He had replied only that it was what it was. She did not envy him the casting.
Turning from her inspection she replied to her aide, “Excellent. Make sure the snow is kept from drifting between the pillars and the ice is kept off the carvings. It wouldn’t do to have the men walk through the portal and into a wall of ice.”
“The Dalieomans could win the day simply because our troops will not know how to fight in all this damn snow and ice,” Kagor’s deep voice rumbled, his breath puffing heavy in the chill air.
“We do not plan to move troops in until spring,” Atasia assured him. “We are only bringing in those we need to prepare the camps and siege engines now.” The High Master drew the fur cloak tighter around herself. The spell was starting to fade and she was beginning to feel the chill in her bones. Finding a long lasting spell that would keep her as warm as if she stood on The School grounds was fast becoming one of her top priorities. “Besides, no one can fight in this gods’ forsaken land right now.”
Kagor rubbed his large hands together in a vain attempt to return feeling to his fingers; the thick brown gloves he wore did little to keep them warm. “Are we sure we even want these lands?”
“I am told there are kingdoms that do not have winter. I intend to claim one of those. I have had enough of cold for ten lifetimes.”
“I don’t suppose we could just rebuild the Gate in one of those places?” Kagor asked wistfully, his brown eyes shinning with the thought of warmth. His place was with Atasia, but he could not wait to return to the Island. He would not cry any tears if he never had to see snow again.
The High Master teasingly pretended to ponder the thought for a moment before shaking her head and replying in all seriousness, “As nice as that would be, no. The Grand Master was very specific that it had to be this place and no other.” Pushing her auburn locks out of her face she added, “Spring will be here soon enough and it will take at least that long for Prince Monuel to organize his claim against the Emperor, even with us guiding him from the shadows.”
A scowl darkened Kagor’s face at her response. Pushing away thoughts of the weather, he asked, “What if the Houses don’t accept it?”
“They will,” she assured him. “They are power hungry.”
“Everyone is power hungry,” he quipped, “but this plan will not stop the Dragons from getting involved. All they have to do is declare the claim to be a lie and they can ride to Koneff’s defense as soon as the first sword is raised. I would assume that would be a major deterrent to the lesser Houses.”
“To some extent, but the lure of this opportunity will be too great for them to ignore. A chance to elevate themselves so quickly and so far may never come again, and certainly not in their lifetimes.”
“And if the Prince loses?”
“What if, what if,” she said, dismissing his concerns with a wave of her ebony hand. “How have you not worried yourself into an early grave, Kagor?” Atasia smiled softly. “Relax and trust that the Grand Master will see us through. Besides, the outcome on Arafia is irrelevant. We only need them to fight.”