Chapter First: Beginnings

Out of the brambles and brush, on the dirt road, a black steed came rushing after nightfall. Its rider was ushering the horse on with great speed. As it rounded the last few corners, the tall rider pulled it to a stop. Then he got down and secured the horse to a post. He strode towards the door of a large building and entered quietly.

Inside, he took off his hat and cloak and moved towards a long black table. Oil lamps burned in the alcoves. An even taller man with a grizzled white beard rose to greet him, then sat down. The rider seated himself and began to speak.

"I suppose you are as sure of yourself as you seem, but I can hardly believe the events as they have occurred. You knew danger awaited you, and to have sought and to maintain the item is folly. I mention also that you have upset the council. This madness is yours, Charles. I depart tomorrow."

The old wizard gazed down at his friend. After all, they had been kinsmen in life, and seekers of a new world. A world without strife. He reflected how close they had been, with no secrets.

"I meant to tell you sooner, Lord Blakeney. I had to make sure I could use the magic to find it. Many of the secrets of the amulet have been lost to fire and war, buried deep within books of ancient lore. The finding of the library of old was a surprise. Therefore, I could not have found it and told you immediately."

"And why not? As potentate over these lands I am entitled to all information regarding the well-being of my people. I could have introduced this evidence to the counsel and found..."

"Ah bah, the council would never have understood. And I believe you don't either."

"I do! I protest your insolent tone. Whatever you thought I did not know, I did know the amulet existed. It is not important what you think the council can understand. What you have done is very foolish. I must leave tomorrow, to inform the others. It cannot wait."

"I see. Perhaps you are right. Maybe it is the council's business to decide." The old wizard said in a hollow but believable measured tone. He knew it was in his best interests to stay calm. He felt it was important to keep the majority of what he knew hidden. It would simply be difficult to explain it all, and besides, he had a deep secret of intentions he knew must be kept silent.

He reclined and sat in his chair. The room was askew, with many documents on parchment upended and strewn about the table. Papers and writing implements were littering the floor. It had been Lord Blakeney's intention to find the amulet, and take it back to the council. So the wizard LaFleur had made a fake amulet. A decoy, until his plans could take shape. His grand plans of the future. A future in which he would be master of the amulet.