Chapter 417 - Council of the Three Eyes

This one took a lot of thinking but I'm happy with where it's at now.

Sorry about it being another late one. I hope it's not too annoying that the releases are a bit inconsistent, but Book 6 is bringing together plot points that I've been building to for the entire series. It's more complicated than before and taking longer to work out the kinks in each chapter. The story is starting to get BIG. I had to start a tracker seperate from my outline to keep track of each of the individual plotlines now, cause there's like 10 of them happening at once.

It's really fun to have such an extensive world now, but at the same time quite intimidating to hit all the right beats while balancing pacing, tone, progression, and character stuff. Chapter delays are mostly caused when I'm struggling to get those things in balance. If I rush the chapter out, it usually means I've waffled on to meet a standard chapter length, like in the chapter with Emilia's family having dinner that I mentioned not being too happy about.

Not sure how interesting updates like this are for you guys, but I like keeping you in the loop. Hope you enjoy the chapter!

Lanterns with flickering white flames illuminated the room, revealing a study filled with bookshelves, ornaments, and paintings. It was a comfortable looking place. In one corner, a liquor cabinet lined with clear glass bottles containing various different hues of liquid. While in the other were the wizards’ staffs. They were secured in what could have been an umbrella stand anywhere else. Most appeared much like any other staff Hump had seen, but two stood out as unique. One was a spindly tree branch without a focus, instead splitting into a V at the top where a web of silver thread formed a pentagon. While another held what appeared to be a human skull, bound in iron rings and fixed in place.

And then at the centre, eight figures sat around the long wooden table, their gazes fixed on Hump as he stepped inside with Aldric.

At the head of the table was a man that looked so ancient, his skin was like aged parchment, lined with deep creases that spoke of centuries rather than decades. His long white hair flowed past his shoulders, thin as cobwebs, yet his beard was full and elegant, trailing to his stomach in a great bush. From the milky white of his eyes, Hump guessed the man was blind, but his focused stare made him wonder if he was right. Judging a practitioner’s age from their appearance was always a challenge, but Hump had learned that it was their eyes that best showed the weight of time. Hump wasn’t quite sure what milky white correlated to on that scale, but it was old. Perhaps older than any man he had ever met.

Despite the man’s frail frame, there was something odd about him. From everyone else, Hump detected a hint of an aura suggesting at their strength, but from this man there was nothing at all. Despite that, his instincts were on edge. It was the same feeling he got when he was before a foe that was so far beyond him, he was mere prey.

It told him that if this man willed it, he would be dead in an instant.

Just what den of beasts has Wizard Aldric brought me too? Hump thought. He refused to let his discomfort show, scanning the other occupants of the table.

Starick was on the old man’s right. He looked much the same as in his memories. Pale blue eyes, his brown hair and beard were peppered with grey. If he was an ordinary person Hump would have placed him in his forties. Little stood out about his grey wizard robe, but for the intricate runes embroidered across it.

Hump recognised two of the others with him, even without their heavy plate armour. They were the ones that had appeared from the fallen star and helped fight back Anthony in Sheercliff City. Torrin was a broad-shouldered man, so big his seat looked like it might collapse beneath him. Yet in his wizard robes, he looked quite at home in the study. Across from him was Fena, who leaned back in her chair, fingers idly tapping against her table. Her dark hair was tied tightly, and she watched Hump with sharp eyes.

The other five members were strangers—all unreadable to Hump, but there was an aura to them that put him on edge. He had no doubt that every person in this room was powerful.

A woman spoke first, her voice laced with impatience. “So here we all are Aldric. What pressing matter requires the Council’s deliberation so promptly?”

She was a hunched old woman, her robe patchy and layered, more like a crone’s cloak than a wizard’s garment. Sharp, beady eyes peeked out from beneath her hood, and her fingers curled like talons around the armrests of her chair.

“As pleasant as always, Eileen,” Aldric said dryly. She scowled at him, but Aldric continued. “I have brought us together to introduce Wizard Humphrey, and to recommend him as a new addition to the Three Eyes.”

Hump grew uncomfortable at the mention. He hadn’t had time to speak with Wizard Aldric further on the matter, but he wasn’t even sure he wanted to join the Three Eyes. Mostly for the same reason he didn’t want to join the Wizard Society. He didn’t want to be tied down by people he didn’t know. He had a life to live.

But he needed them. Over the last year, he’d made many enemies. With a powerful organisation like the Three Eyes to back him, it would bring him some comfort. Not to mention their extensive collection of books were of great interest to him, along with the potential opportunities for guidance in the ways of wizardry. He had come far on his own, but the training of an expert could speed up his progress exponentially.

He felt the weight of their gazes settle on him once more, but this time it was different. While he sensed no change to the steady essence in the room, something stirred against his skin. It sent a shiver down his spine like he was being stalked. A chill ran through his soul, like even it was not safe from their eyes.

Whatever the purpose of this pressure, Hump refused to let anything show on his face. He faced the deadly intent of the hunter goddess and held his ground. A handful of wizards was nothing compared to that.

“Humphrey, this is the Council of the Three Eyes. Wizard Eileen.” He gestured at the woman that just spoke, then nodded to each member in turn. “You’ve already met Wizard Starick, Fena, and Torrin. And then here we have Avara, Melissa, and Charles.” His hand finally settled on the ancient figure at the head of the table. “And presiding over us all—Master Dorn.”

Recognition struck Hump at a name. Wizard Avara was a famous figure almost a hundred years ago. Hump had seen pictures of her in his studies, and seeing her now, she looked like she could be the very same. If he remembered correctly, she was thought to be dead.

Avara watched Hump with a warm smile. There was a kindness to her presence. Her robes looked like silk and were of pale green. Across from her, Charles sat near the centre, a man in his forties with cropped blonde hair and a smart beard. His robes were purple and embroidered with gold. Of everyone there, he appeared the wealthiest—a noble to be sure.

Next to Charles was Melissa, who sat back in her chair with her arms crossed, glaring at Hump with irritation. She was younger than most, perhaps in her thirties, with an arrogant smirk and eyes that burned with something fierce. Her body was covered in black ink tattoos in various patterns, though Hump didn’t recognise them as runes. A gold amulet in the shape of a coffin hung around her neck—Hump supposed she was the likely owner of the skull staff.

“I appreciate you all taking the time to meet with me,” Hump said.

Nobody responded, so Hump stood there doing his best to hide his awkwardness. There was a haughtiness to these people, but he supposed they had earned it. For now, he decided to stay calm and let Aldric handle things.

Wizard Fena’s face was the first to let the intensity drop, changing to an expression of confusion. “Aldric, I don’t know this kid. Why are you suggesting that we’ve met?”

“You have met him, Fena!” Torrin said jovially. “He was the boy from Sheercliff City.”

Fena frowned. “What boy?”

Torrin shook his head. “Did Anthony hit you so hard you didn’t see a thing? He was the one that burned down the Tree of Damnation and stopped the ritual.”

“Oh, he’s the warlock!” She clapped her hands together and took Hump in again. “I never would have guessed. No offence, kid, but that was a big fire and you’re so… weak.”

Hump almost winced at the mention of his past as a warlock. It wasn’t like Starick wouldn’t know, but he wasn’t sure it was something Aldric was informed of.

It had been a while since anyone had called him weak.

“That’s alright,” Hump said. “I can’t claim full credit. I had the help of a phoenix feather.”

Fena chuckled. “It certainly did the job!” She leant forward, resting her chin on her hand, her smile widening until she reminded Hump of a cat. “Baelkor must be very unhappy with you.”

“Explain yourself, Fena,” Melissa snapped. “What do you mean by ‘warlock’? Why have we brought a warlock into our midst?”

Hump felt Aldric’s stare on him too. Maybe leaving it to him wasn’t going to work out after all. Better to speak for himself.

“I was imprinted by a dragon during a dungeon raid,” Hump said. “In the Battle for Sheercliff, I almost lost control when Wizard Starick helped me to overwhelm the imprint. I am a warlock no longer.” Hump nodded his head toward Starick. “Thank you again for that.”

“I saw a young wizard in need while fighting for our people,” Starick said. “There is no need to thank me, but you are welcome. I must admit, I’m rather surprised to see you again so soon, though I wondered when the Book of Infinite Pages would find its place.”

“This is the Bearer of Infinity?” Melissa scoffed. “He is just a boy.”

“Given time, I believe Wizard Humphrey could become our greatest asset,” Aldric said. “And the Book of Infinite Pages may hold the answer we’ve been searching for.”

What answer? Hump thought, glancing at Aldric. This wasn’t exactly going in a direction he was too happy with. Aldric had expressed little interest in his spellbook before but hearing him now it crossed Hump’s mind that he may have jumped into this too soon.

What if they decided to keep it for themselves?

“A heavy burden to place upon the shoulders of a teenager,” Avara said.

“A foolish expectation,” Melissa said. “If he needs our protection, he is nothing but a burden.”

“At eighteen, he is a Rank 5 wizard,” Aldric said. “A position he has risen to in little more than a year. And his spellbook may possess a reliable method to reach the Soul Domain. You could be looking at the greatest wizard of this age.”

Melissa exploded with laughter, shaking her head. “I’m touched to see you so taken by someone, Aldric. Truly. It seems even your iron heart has been touched. But if this is truly the Bearer of Infinity, then for what does he need us? He possesses all this talent, the knowledge of a spellbook out of legend. There is nothing we can teach him.”

It wasn’t an unreasonable point, albeit, the condescending tone she made it with was not something Hump appreciated. Still, he held his tongue. If things got out of hand, he would say his piece, but until then he would trust in Aldric.

“He has attracted the attention of a demon called Karlac—a greater demon and devi,” Aldric said. “Others seek his spellbook too. Given time, he could become our greatest asset, but without our aid I fear the book could fall into the hands of those that would use it for evil.”

Fena chuckled. “How have you managed to piss off not only Baelkor, but a devil? It’s only been a few months.”

Hump smiled tightly. “I like to keep busy.”

“Does Anthony know of him?” Torrin asked.

“It’s possible but unlikely,” Aldric said. “Karlac and his demons are in league with the warlocks. But I think not.” He turned to Hump. “Is there a chance he learned of what you carried in Sheercliff?”

Hump shook his head. It felt odd to speak of his spellbook out loud, especially to people he didn’t know. “I don’t think so.”

“How can you be sure this devil did not tell him?” Eileen asked, a scowl on her face. “This is foolishness. When a devil is in the mix, nothing goes according to expectation.”

“It would be illogical to reveal one’s prey to another,” Aldric said with a shrug. “Karlac will want this prize to himself.”

“Even if it is only Karlac that hunts him, he will draw attention to us,” Starick said. “A greater demon we can handle, but an army of them…”

“It could be our undoing,” Eileen cut in. “Aldric asks us to risk all for this boy, but our mission lies elsewhere. The library must be protected.”

“We could take the book,” Melissa said. “It is unwise to let such a valuable artifact leave the manor.”

And there it was. The threat.

“Enough, Melissa,” Charles snapped. “We are no thieves.”

“I hate to say it, but she has a point,” Torrin said. “If he’s too weak to protect himself, it seems reckless to let him leave. We would be handing the book to the enemy.”

“You will not make me your prisoner,” Hump said. “I came here to meet you and because I thought we might be allies, but I am a wizard in my own right, and a citizen of Alveron. You cannot force me to stay.”

Melissa raised her brow. “You fancy your chances against us?” She chuckled. “What kind of alliance could we possibly desire from a child?”

“Yes,” Eileen said, the woman glaring at him with scorn, green eyes flickering within her hood. “You are too young to join our ranks. What use are you to us? Aldric, you have wasted our time. I will remember this.”

Hump looked between the two women, forcing his face to remain indifferent and doing his best to maintain an aura of calm.

No. He’d had enough.

“Where were you when the warlocks lay siege to Sheercliff City?” Hump said, a little of his irritation slipping into his voice. “Where were you when Anthony destroyed the Seal of Osidium? And where were you when the other seals of Alveron fell? I am in this fight against the warlocks as much as anyone.”

“You dare?” Eileen spat. “Our Order has its own task. These petty battles are of no interest to us. You know not of the true peril in this world.”

“Yet Anthony was a member of the Three Eyes, was he not?” Hump snapped. “His actions are at the core of everything that happened. You ask what use I am to you. It is obvious! I am part of the expedition searching for warlocks in the Remnant Realm. I can help you find the warlock you let loose on Alveron.”

“And in exchange we must protect you from everything that would do you harm.” Eileen scoffed. “You overvalue yourself.”

Her aura rose, essence stirring in the room for the first time. The air around her turned to one of deep, dark green, like the fumes of the Dead Land marshes. It pressed in on Hump like a smog, making the air heavy and sour in his nose. Darkness filled her hood, but for the green of her eyes that only grew brighter. Her power was great—greater than any wizard that had ever weighed their soul against his—but she was still only a wizard.

Hump did not turn away from her glare. “I have stopped the servant of a god, killed a lich queen, and fought and killed greater demons. I come here seeking allies—not teachers, masters, or guardians. If you cannot see that, then it is best we stop this discussion here. I will take no more disrespect.”

Finally, the master of the Three Eyes spoke. “Withdrew your soul, Eileen.” Master Dorn’s voice was slow and heavy with effort. “You are being rude to our guest.”