Wizard Chronicles 3: Orbs of the Gate of Oban
Chapter 11: Rude Welcome
Spies come and go from the Dimaran Spy Agency as activity in the city picks up after the events over the weekend. Other agencies in the city have resumed normal operations since the brotherhood fled the city. On the roof of the Dimaran building, Samantha overlooks the hustling city.
"Now this is how a city is supposed to look," she looks on with a smile not noticing Matthew walking up behind her, "busy and full of life."
"Admiring the city are we?" Matthew gets her attention, "I just had to let you know that the news reports those wizards on Aceleon are headed in this direction."
"It's about time for law and order in this chaotic land. I wonder if Dante has heard this news."
"If I was a betting man, I'd think so."
People flock to the Varayan docks as media crews arrive and set up their cameras. Fuel lines run from a fuel storage tank to a yacht sitting in the marina. Workers load several crates of various food items onto the boat as maintenance crews check the ship's seaworthiness. Amy walks down the walkway to the boat as crowds continue to gather in areas around the ship.
"Everything is in order Miss Laughlin," a male worker steps off the ship. "You all should be ready to set sail in about an hour or so."
"Thanks Martin," Amy smiles walking onto the ship, "Are the rooms set the way that I asked for?"
"Of course, all rooms are furnished and ready to go."
Willie ruffles through his dresser selecting jeans and other outfit combinations to pack into his bag. Opening his closet, he throws several shirts onto his bed before pulling several pairs of shoes from their boxes.
"Ok now," he puts a pair of white shoes with a pair of light blue jeans and white shirt, "that seems to work but what if . . ." he runs to his closet pulling out a light blue button-down short-sleeve shirt. "That'll do nicely." He returns two pairs of dark blue jeans to the dresser as Kali enters his bedroom.
"You're packing I see," she startles him, "sorry if I startled you."
"It's ok. I'm nearly done just as soon as I decide on the right combination of outfits," he catches his breath as Kali closes his door and walks to him. "We do leave in less than an hour . . ." he is cut off as Kali kisses him.
"We do have a little time alone so why don't we . . ."
"Hold on a second. At least help me finish packing first and then we'll see."
Workers scatter from the Port of Ovium as wizards take positions throughout the docks. Fishing boats seal off the sea port as wizards lookout for foreign ships. Alison and Avery stand on the edge of the dock as the last of the fishing boats take its position just beyond their visual range. Dante stand atop a supply building overlooking the scene as wizards place themselves across the vast port.
"Listen up everyone," Darius speaks into his communicator, "In a few hours wizards from Aceleon will come here in an attempt to find and aid James Fulton and that traitorous Samantha Valerin. As you all know, I have placed bounties of two of those wizards so there's a bonus to the ones who take them out!"
"Remember," Avery speaks up, "we assume they're coming after James so he needs to be found. None of them are to past this port." Cheers ring from the wizards acknowledging the mission ahead.
"I just want that power," Dante admits to himself, "with it I can access that strange orb and take the power of the guild for myself!"
Workers begin work renovating the newly constructed Azorius Guildhall putting up the symbol above the entranceway. Inside, construction crews put up new walls expanding the main lobby. Further down the main hallway, several courtrooms take shape as benches are placed and computer equipment is placed onto the tables near the judge's podium. Members of the wizards' council oversee the restoration directing a statue near the stairway to the entrance.
"Things proceed according to plan," a worker explains to Director Salazar, "the original guildgate was perfect as is but we've decided to improve on the main structure and make a few additions."
"As long as the main structure is intact," Director Salazar nods in approval, "then you may proceed with your modifications." The worker heads back into the building as Willie and Kali land behind him wearing backpacks.
"I shouldn't be surprised," Willie sighs looking at the ongoing construction, "I tell you guys about the guildgate and the next thing I know, you're making improvements."
"The building needed to be updated with technology for this era of the game. What brings you two here?"
"We're letting you know that we're fixing to leave," Kali smiles as the director turns around, "we'll be gone for about two weeks due to the recent activity going on out there."
"Just remember that you guild leaders are representing Aceleon out there so don't do anything stupid."
"Yeah, yeah," Willie rolls his eyes, "we know. We'll see you when we get back and hopefully with the other six guild leaders," the pair takes off towards the marina. "Sorry we couldn't do what you really wanted to do."
"It's ok," Kali grips his hand, "I managed to get a mouthful if you know what I mean." Lola and Tia join them as they descend onto the port. Landing, Amy waves them towards the yacht. "Since when did you get a yacht?"
"My family's loaded," Amy cracks a smile as security guards clear a passage for the wizards to board the vessel, "my parents let me use it as long as I return it once we get back."
"Sounds like we're in for a fun trip," Alicia shrugs walking up the ramp and getting on the boat, "although I tend to get a bit seasick. Why don't we all just fly there?"
"We'd use way too much power getting there," Willie admits walking towards the yacht, "and besides, it's more fun travelling this way."
"It'll be fine. Let's get going," Amy motions as the rest of the gang boards the yacht. "We are out of here," the engines start as the boat moves slowly out of the marina and into open water.
The Yang-Singh Sea has the calmest waters on the planet with few winds and hundreds of miles of ocean in all directions. Whales jump out of the sea making a scene splashing back into the water. Dolphins race alongside the yacht as Willie films them on his camcorder.
"Something about dolphins," Willie records the movements of the gentle creatures, "takes the edge off of a tense situation."
"You and those dolphins," Kali walks up to him near the bow, "they really are your guilty pleasure."
"Everybody has one."
"And you're mine," she kisses his cheek. "So what do you think is waiting for us on Ozan?"
"Honestly, I'm half expecting an all out battle. I can almost assure you the leaders of the brotherhood know we're coming."
"Can't we just sail to another town or even straight to Tia's parents' place?"
"Not a chance," Tia walks up to them peeking at Willie's camera, "coral reefs surround the entire nation. We could take the river left of the port to my parents' house but the spillway leading to the river is full of wild creatures that destroy ships."
"We have trouble," Amy rushes onto the deck, "you need to see this." The group rushes below deck where a monitor shows wizards scattered throughout the port.
"They're not going to let us into the dock without a fight," Martin speaks from the wheel as the first signs of Ozan come over the horizon, "they've got the port blocked off with wizards on the boats."
"What about this river west of the port?" Kali points out a river heading inland. "It looks wide enough for us to sail into."
"We could," Tia reminds her, "but as I explained earlier, wild creatures inhabit those waters. There is a saying on Ozan that anyone who sails the rivers here ends up with a shipwreck."
"I can handle the creatures and keep the ship safe," Lola walks to the monitor, "but won't they know what we're up to if they see us turn before reaching the port?"
"Which is why the four of us are going into the harbor as a distraction," Willie looks on as the port comes into view of the yacht, "no harm can come to our means of transportation," he walks back onto the boat deck to access the threat.
"How many are there?" Alicia comes behind him, "I know the energy you have lets you sense things far out."
"We're a bit far out to tell for sure but I do sense about forty auras. Good thing is most of them are regular wizards and a few sporadic sorcerer class. I do sense three mana masters and I think that they're the leaders."
"That might be Dante and the twins Alison and Avery," Tia walks up with the rest of the group, "the three strongest wizards in the entire city." A voice comes over the loudspeaker.
"All right everyone," Martin announces to the group, "we're about five minutes from the outer range of Orius's mana distributor. In three minutes I'll make the turn towards the river."
"That means it's time for our most ferocious fight yet," Willie flares his light blue aura with white and golden entrails. "Here's the plan: Lola and Alicia will stay on board and head to the river and clear it. The rest of us are heading into the port and storm the city of Orius."
"What do we do once we get past the port?" Amy looks on flaring her red aura with green and golden entrails as a card materializes on her communicator.
"Two minutes everyone," Martin announces as the ship starts to turn, "prepare to launch."
"Spread out and search the city," Willie holds out his hand as his hammer materializes and a second card materializes on his communicator, "there might be wizards with our guild symbols that may need our help. Tia uploaded the location of her parents' place outside of Orius so we'll meet there at sundown."
"Got it," Kali confirms flaring her white aura with red and golden entrails as a card materializes on her communicator, "I'm ready."
"We need to be careful," Tia reminds the group, "some of these cats are adept at sniper-style antics and can kill us in one shot."
"You guys ready to launch," Lola comes over the loudspeaker, "you'll be in range in five . . . four . . . three," Tia flares her blue aura with red and golden entrails as a card materializes on her communicator, "two . . . one . . . launch!" the four wizards jump off the boat streaking towards the port. The yacht turns toward the river.
Dante stares into the horizon as wizards stand about chatting over the noise of the other boats in the marina. The sun inches down through the afternoon sky as several lights in the distance get his attention. An explosion near the downtown area gets Avery's attention as she joins him on the roof.
"Those damn rogues," Avery checks a message on her phone, "the wizards with that dragon symbol just blew up another warehouse."
"That makes three in the last week," Dante glares at her, "find out where they're hiding and stop them."
"I could but most of our wizards that aren't here are looking for James. We can't spare anyone. Plus, I got another message saying that wizards brandishing that flaming fist symbol have taken out one of the search parties in the shopping district."
"The timing on this couldn't be any . . ."
"Incoming," Alison shouts in her communicator to the entire group as four lights speed closer to the shore, "four wizards heading this way . . . ETA forty-five seconds."
"Alright everyone," Dante shouts to the entire group as auras come alive, "prepare to attack and remember: they are not to get past the harbor."
The Obsidian River is Ozan's main river that cuts through the entire continent connecting several smaller rivers to many of the villages and surrounding areas. The river serves as the main habitat for various fish and rogue untamed creatures making it a hotspot for fishing and hunting on the riverbank. The area near the river floods frequently prompting officials to put up a floodgate at several places along the river to protect the less fortunate. Most of the country's residents live in slums and villages near the riverbank prompting constant hostility with neighboring villages. Ferries run people from one area to another using several of the smaller rivers. Approaching the first gate, Lola and Alicia stand at the bow.
"Now it's our turn," Lola flares her white aura noticing the condition of the gate, "strange, the gate is already open."
"Makes our job just a little bit easier," Alicia looks on her communicator's map for the location of Tia's parents' home, "we have to head at least five miles upriver before we reach the dock where we need to be."
"Then what are we waiting for . . . let's go Martin," a card materializes on her communicator as the yacht gains speed against the current of the river. "I hope the others are alright getting into the city.
Fireballs fly from a line of boats blocking off the harbor straight at the wizards on a beeline for the port. Streaking for the harbor, the guild leaders notice the flames.
"Looks like you were right," Kali sees the fireballs ahead of them, "we're going to get that all out battle you expected."
"They aren't our concern," Willie dives to dodge several of the fireballs, "let's just get there and take care of business."
"I've got the boats," Tia streaks ahead of the group, "time to strike fear in these fools – Hypersonic Dragon!" the dragon emerges amongst the group. "Attack the line of boats throwing those things at us." The dragon nods and charges after the boat. Tia rises back to the group passing over the boats and into the harbor.
"All right everyone," Willie speaks into his communicator speeding ahead, "we'll split up here. Meet up at Tia's parents' place at sundown."
"Attack!" a voice calls out as wizards summon creatures across the harbor, "don't let them get past you!"
"This is some welcome," Kali observes hovering at the edge of the pier, "I thought we'd get into the city before the fighting starts."
"This is life on Ozan," Tia puts her hands on her hips, "rudeness is how things go here. We better get through them." The guild leaders storm the harbor.
Brotherhood search parties search alleyways and abandoned buildings looking for a group of rogue wizards that have attacked a series of warehouses throughout the city. Since the Aceleon warning, supply lines and extortion rings have been broken up across the country. A dark-skinned male hides in an abandoned home as brotherhood search parties search house-by-house looking for the rogue wizard groups. The young man rushes from the run-down house through backyards into a different search party.
"Well what do we have here," a Caucasian male looks up at the individual, "about time you came out of hiding. Now how about we drag your ass back to headquarters?"
"I'm not going anywhere with you goons," the male, James Fulton, runs from the pursuing brotherhood searchers. He's only fifteen with his hair in cornrows and wearing a white and black shirt with black jeans along with black and white shoes. His communicator brands the golden Orzhov symbol. "Stay away from me!"
"After him," the male leads the group after James. Several wizards jump from behind a fence and cut off the search party. "Not you fools again. Man you're becoming a nuisance."
"Believe it," a dark-skinned female speaks for the group all brandishing the Azorius symbol on their communicators, "James told you to leave him alone."
"Stay out of this Leanne. James is a prisoner of the brotherhood and I'm taking him back where he belongs," A card materializes on the wizard's communicator, "we're taking him back . . . Merciless Eviction!"
"Fall of the Gavel!" Leanne yells out cancelling the effects of the spell. "I can't let you do that John. James is staying with us."
"Whatever, you've just sealed your fate," cards materialize on James and his group's communicators, "prepare to die fools."
"Someone please help us," Leanne's symbol starts to flash on and off.
Willie maneuvers through the streets looking for members of his guild that might be in trouble. He tucks his warhammer into his belt on his back as he hovers around a corner as his communicator goes off.
"What's going on," he opens his communicator and notices an Azorius beacon flashing, "there's my answer and they're not that far away." Willie flies off in the direction of the beacon. Arriving at the location, he sees two groups of wizards battling.
"Hands of Binding!" John calls out as the opposite group's hands are bound unable to move. "You Azorius creeps have been a thorn in our side for far too long. Okay gang, pick one and do the brotherhood proud." Cards materialize on the brotherhood's communicators as they inch forward.
"That's my cue," Willie speeds to the melee as a card materializes on his communicator, "Sphere of Safety!" a barrier forms just as John attacks Leanne forcing him back.
"Where'd this barrier come from?" John looks around as a streak of blue rushes past him stopping in front of Leanne and her group. The smoke clears revealing a dark-skinned individual wearing light blue. "Who the hell are you?"
"I don't appreciate you attacking members of my guild like that," Willie holds up his golden symbol to the shock of everyone, "now I suggest you back off before things really get ugly."
"You're that Johansson kid Dante warned us about. Kill him!"
"Dante Riverson?" a card materializes on his communicator, "haven't seen that backstabbing nincompoop in seven years – Inaction Injunction!" John's hands are shackled in blue interlocking triangles. "How did that no-brained moron get to lead the Osirian Brotherhood?"
"He took over the city three years ago," Leanne walks forward as John and the brotherhood scatter out of the neighborhood, "since then, the brotherhood keeps everyone dirt poor except for those who swindle their way to the top and that is where we come in. I'm Leanne Mickelson and I sort of lead the Azorius group here in Ozan."
"I guess you know who I am," Willie puts his hand on Leanne's shoulder with a smile. "You and your group are doing great so keep it up. The other guild leaders that are here with me will deal with the brotherhood. We have beef with them anyway."
"Um," James steps forward covering his communicator, "I'm happy to see you."
"And you are?"
The river port of Valestra is the second busiest port next to Ovium Harbor. The marina is relatively small but large enough to fit a number of different sized boats. Pulling into the marina as the sun fades beyond the horizon, Alicia and Lola disembark to see a pair standing on a pathway leading to a three-story mansion. The male is in his late forties wearing a red robe and navy blue pants and the female is in her mid-twenties wearing a blue dress.
"Welcome," the male holds out his arm towards the mansion, "I'm Randall and this is the Tomlin estate."
"Thank you," Lola bows out of respect, "for letting us stay at your home while we take care of our business here."
"The pleasure's ours," the female nods seeing the girls stand, "any friend of Tia's is welcome here. I'm Lesley Tomlin, Tia's sister." Amy lands covered in soot, blood and dripping wet.
"What happened to you?" Alicia rushes over helping Amy recline next to a tree.
"Those brotherhood goons may be weak but there are a lot of them," Amy gasps catching her breath. "I was lucky to get here before I ran into even more of them."
"Help her to the main house," Randall motions seeing Tia and Kali descend onto the property. Tia runs and hugs her father. "Welcome home my daughter."
"Thank goodness you're alright," Tia sighs in relief, "with everything going on I was hoping the brotherhood hadn't attacked here. How ya doing sis?"
"Great to see you little sister," Lesley nods helping Amy to the main house, "stirring up trouble again I see."
"Has anyone seen Willie yet?" Kali scans the skies looking for traces of blue mana. "I haven't seen him since we came through the harbor. I would've found him if I hadn't run into several groups from my guild."
"Same here," Tia throws her hands in the air walking to the mansion, "it's been one crazy day so I'm more than sure he'll turn up before long. Let's go inside and chill out."
"I guess you're right." The group heads inside as a blue streak lands at the front door. "About time you got here."
"Sorry I'm late," Willie waves to the group, "would've been here sooner but I cut off an ambush and picked someone up," James walks from behind him as everyone sits in the living room. "This is James Fulton, the actual leader of the Orzhov guild."
"Hey everyone," he chuckles a nervous laugh and rubs the back of his head, "it's nice to meet someone other than that brotherhood for once."
"He was a prisoner of the leader of the brotherhood until he escaped back on Friday."
"The fuss that Dante had over the warning from the Aceleon Wizards Council allowed me to get away from him and I've been hiding ever since. They started closing in on me earlier today and that's when that group of wizards representing the Azorius guild showed up. I'm thankful for them."
"That's great that you got away," Kali asks looking at his communicator, "but my question is do have an orb that each guild leader gets from its guardian?"
"I did meet Obzedat and get the Orb of Ovaram from him last month after I conned several of those brotherhood goons out of several cards. Dante took offense to it and captured me soon after. He has my orb now making my powers inaccessible."
"Why would he want the orb when it's not his?" Tia asks the young wizard shaking in his chair.
"Because Dante found a way around the power link the guild leaders have with the orbs."
"I shouldn't be surprised," Willie sighs shaking his head, "the greedy bastard never has enough power. It's all he ever cares about."
"Do you know this guy?"
"I did seven years ago. Dante Riverson is the greediest son of a bitch I've ever had the displeasure of meeting. The only thing he cares about is absolute power. I had to work with him when I was with Jalen and Silas when we found a rare energy gem back then and promised to split it. Then I found out he ripped off me and several others we worked with and kept the entire thing."
"Which explains why he's after your power," Alicia adds in, "the blue quartz in your aura structure has properties consistent with a rare form of transfer magic. He must be trying to transfer the guild power from James and into himself."
"Whatever the reason, he needs to be brought down a peg or two."
"I need to get my orb back from that maniac before he does something dangerous," James shouts over the group, "I want my powers back."
"And you'll get them," Kali calms the young man down with a hug, "but we have to be smart about this."
"Plus we need to find the guildgates of the guilds here and get them linked up with the one back on Aceleon," Willie reminds the group of their ongoing mission, "and there's the other matter of finding Samantha Valerin and getting her to join us." A knock at the door gets everyone's attention as Randall opens the door. A Caucasian female walks into the living room wearing black jeans with a navy blue shirt and red hair. "Speak of the devil . . . I'm surprised you managed to find us."
"It wasn't that hard; however, I want to apologize for my role in what happened last weekend," Samantha bows and takes a seat next to James, "I meant no harm but I was sent to Aceleon by my boss to gather information."
"But why involve yourself with the brotherhood?" Kali glares at her as tears in her eyes.
"I needed them to get close to you guys while I did my job . . . learning about the legendary healers."
"We've just started in on that ourselves," Willie cheers her up with a smile, "but it sounds like you've found something out."
"I'll tell you all I know. After everything that's happened, I owe you that much."