Chapter 2

To the town of Vale and its residents,

The city of Tolbi is undergoing changes. We feel that our place in Weyard is unacceptable to the superiorism we possess. We have combined the forces of Tolbi with forces from towns across the Eastern Sea. The towns we have allegiances with are Kibombo, Naribwe, Madra, and Alhafra. Also, we have severed our ties with Kalay. Therefore, we control all land in between the borders of these towns.

We acknowledge the power possessed by Vale in the form of the eight adepts that lit the Lighthouses five years ago. We would like to possess this power and we can acquire it in one of two ways. We are extending a hand to you. If Vale and the eight adepts join our "empire" we will spare you from unnecessary bloodshed. If you refuse we will declare war on the whole of Weyard that is not within our empire.

We have powers you cannot imagine. You do not want to test us. You have a fortnight to respond.

Iodem

Isaac read it aloud to Garet and Jenna. "I don't understand," Garet said, "Iodem was supportive of us on our quest to Venus Lighthouse. What's all this about an empire?"

"And why haven't we heard about this before?" asked Jenna, "Tolbi could not have possibly possessed all this land right under our nose."

"They have been very secretive as of late," remarked Isaac.

"What are we supposed to do?" asked Garet.

"We need more information," commented Felix. Isaac thought about this as the others gave ideas about what to do.

As Isaac thought he felt a force inside his head. He suddenly felt faint. He felt as if he was falling thousands of feet, falling towards his death when…he stopped. He felt a voice fill his head.

Isaac.

Isaac, it's Sheba.

Since we last saw each other, I have gained the psynergy of telepathy. That is how I'm reaching you. You cannot respond while I speak to you. I feel the worry that fills you. I have left Lalivero since I heard about Tolbi. I am now traveling to Kolima. If you wish to meet, we should meet there. We must regroup the eight. We will plan that there. Meet me there by nightfall tomorrow. I will sever our tie now, I expect you.

"Isaac, Isaac?" Isaac looked up to see a concerned Garet. He saw that he had fallen to the ground and was lying flat on his back.

"Are you okay?" asked a concerned Jenna.

"I'm…I'm fine," said Isaac wearily.

"Man, you went out like a light, what happened to you?" asked Garet.

"Sheba…contacted me," answered Isaac.

"How could she do that, she's miles away from here in Lalivero!" exclaimed Felix. So, Isaac explained to all of them how he had been contacted and he told them what Sheba told him.

"So…we go to Kolima than," said Felix, "We had better get started, Kolima is a day from here if we move fast."

"Who will take care of Grant?" asked Jenna, concern written on her face.

"We should talk to my mother," said Isaac, "once she knows what we are doing, she will be more than willing to take Grant in while we are away."

"Okay, let's go to your place then," said Garet. As they walked up, Isaac thought about why Tolbi would send a threat like that to Vale.

There's something going on here, Garet is right, Iodem has been our friend throughout the time we've known him. Something must have caused a change of heart. Before we agree or disagree, we have to find who or what is behind this.

"What's wrong?" asked Doris, concerned.

"You all look concerned about something," commented Kyle.

"Read this," said Isaac. As they read Tolbi's letter, their faces looked more and more grim.

As he finished reading this Kyle looked up and commented, "This is not good, what are you going to do?"

Felix answered the question, "Before we make a hasty decision, we are going to Kolima to speak with Sheba. Our short term goal is to get the eight of us together before the week is over."

"An impossible task to be sure," said Doris, apprehensive.

"We must do this, all eight of us must make this decision, not just the four of us," said Jenna.

"Mom, we came here to ask a couple of favors before we leave," started Isaac, "we need someone to take care of Grant while we are gone. You are the greatest caregiver I have ever known and it would honor me for you to take care of him."

"Of course, honey, I will be happy to," answered Doris.

"Thank you, Mom. We should be leaving before nightfall so we can make it to Kolima before nightfall tomorrow," Isaac said, "Dad, goodbye." Isaac hugged his mother and his father.

They spent the rest of the day preparing for the journey. Isaac freshened up on his psynergy and prepared his Darksword for battle. He slipped on the Cleric's Ring which had saved his life on many occasions. As the sun set, Isaac made one more walk through town. He passed Kraden's house, where six years ago, he was preparing to climb Sol Sanctum for education. The events that followed were, up to this point, the most hectic and exciting of his life. He thought about what the next fortnight would bring. How were they going to get the three remaining adepts back within the next week? As his worries filled him, he was suddenly jolted by a rush of energy. The energy washed over him and Isaac knew that he was ready for another quest.