Gideon essentially arrived at his foster parents’ home in time for the winter holidays. The season’s decorations were on the houses and winter was in full swing in New York with people wearing thick coats and hats to keep the chill out. Gideon walked down the street in a coat even though the temperature did not affect him that much, likely due to his Alor lineage. He had arrived a few days earlier and had a tearful reunion with his foster parents. After that, he showed them some of his abilities and swore them to secrecy. They had both read fiction in the past and were unsettled when he told them but sobered up shortly. Today, they were having a holiday party and had invited several family friends and relatives.
He knew he was being watched when he sensed, then saw, one of Faiella’s sons one day and, today, he saw Ragan watching him. Ragan blended in well enough dressed in his red robes, almost like some European St. Nick, and without a white beard. After all, Ragan enjoyed wearing red clothes. It helped him to blend in even though he was over seven feet tall, strongly built, with piercing blue eyes; it was also good that Ragan had a belly laugh and found people amusing. Gideon invited him to his foster parents’ party and his size made everyone there feel like a child in some ways. Ragan spent only two days on Earth and was replaced by another watcher. Gideon learned there was more than one person discretely watching him at any given time. Gideon also explained his recent adventures to two close friends of his. He told them what really happened and even got them to keep quiet as long as they got to write or chronicle some of Gideon’s tales later.
During the holiday party, Gideon spoke with Ragan.
“I’m glad you were able to visit; it will allow you some closure,” Ragan said, as he poured himself some eggnog to try.
“Yes, I needed to talk with my foster parents, and finish a project or two; at least I was able to finish my writing and it allowed me time to submit my archaeology dissertation project. I still enjoy archaeology,” Gideon replied.
“It is good you have diverse interests, Finelen,” Ragan replied. “But be cautious whom you tell about your new life.”
“I am, and I will be cautious,” Gideon promised. “Now when it’s time to return to Illúmaril in a few weeks, do I just use the crystal and someone will contact me for transport?”
“Yes, you will need someone familiar with this region for translocation or weaving of gateways,” Ragan replied. “Kara has many alternate dimensions and is different from the stabilized Illúmaril Key World zone that has few alternates. Just let your contact know ahead of time if possible when you want to return.”
“I will. Now I think they’ll be serving dinner, so let’s head to the table, Ragan,” Gideon said, as he led the way to the dining room.
A few weeks later, when he was in his room asleep, Gideon awakened to a voice and a floating face in the air. He recognized the face as Tauri grandmaster Nimmeral.
“Someone has attempted to locate the Sword of Order. Since they could not locate you, then they tried for the device instead,” Nimmeral said. “I realize you will be back in the next few days, but I don’t think this is something to wait on.”
“OK, ahh...let me get dressed and say my good-byes. If someone can provide a gateway then that would be great,” Gideon replied anxiously as he got up. He thought, Could the Valharri have tried to locate the Sword of Order to find me, a weapon only an heir of Lith-Gilad can wield?
“One of the Tauri, Wynn the Green, shall bring you back by a circuitous route,” Nimmeral said. “You will have to pass through other waypoints, such as Eidelon, or possibly Seytheyr, as the direct passage may provide clues to those monitoring direct gateway formations to Tyl.” The image faded and Gideon rushed to gather his belongings and pack additional clothes.
Gideon thought, Well I got to pick up some of my personal things. But more importantly, I explained some things to my foster parents and my closest friends about my absence, and a little about who I really am without being too revealing. At least now, no one will worry about me that much. When it’s safer, I will come back for another visit. Gideon was saying his good-byes to his foster parents when a tall, beautiful woman in a green robe knocked on the door.
As she was let inside, she said, “I am Wynn the Green; it is time, Finelen. We must travel,” after which she began sketching a series of symbols in the air and a portal appeared. His foster parents’ surprised faces were illuminated as the gateway formed, looking something like a glowing water surface, only horizontal to the floor and it contained by the symbols at its edges. Gideon gave a final hug to his foster parents and went through the gateway followed closely by Tauri Wynn.
Eventually, they returned to Illúmaril after stopping at a few locations, first, to confuse any potential gateway observers. Wynn placed him in the custody of senior master Glade Gilding, a friend and traveling companion whom Gideon was relieved to see.
“Greetings, Glade, it’s good to see you,” Gideon said.
“And good to see you too, my friend,” Glade said. “It seems also that the Sword of Order was moved, but not from your room.” Glade was dressed as flamboyantly as usual in clothes halfway between armor and robes. His golden hair was held back by a silver cord and his bright blue eyes still held that glimmer of mischief.
“It was moved? That should have triggered my alarm, and the talisman told me itself that it would remain silent,” Gideon replied.
“From what we now know, it seems that it was not a hostile action, but we believe that someone, likely a Valharri or an Urshkaar lord, may have attempted to locate the Sword of Order directly within a similar time frame of this event,” Glade said.
“I guess some Valharri or other Darkspawn are looking for me,” Gideon said.
“Yes, they’re looking for the wielder of the Sword of Order,” Glade replied. “There are many types of anti-scrying spellweaves here, and that would be extremely difficult for even a Valharri. I and my group were able to infiltrate and locally scry some dark elves while you were attending classes, and we found out that they have little useful information about you.”
“That’s good, but how did you infiltrate them, Glade?” Gideon asked.
“I used a transformation and, for a short time, traveled among the dark Alor looking as they do. It’s easy enough with my skills,” Glade replied.
“Can’t they do that as well, look like any of us?” Gideon asked.
“They could transform, but most have an overall superiority complex and less than usual patience with subordinates; most would just not desire to,” Glade explained. “Others just end up getting caught trying, because they make mistakes, perhaps by getting angry where one of us would not.”
As they walked toward Gideon’s quarters at the Academy of Spellweaving Arts, they were joined by Ragan the Red who was at Tyl University for a short teaching session. “I have checked the place where you put the talisman.” Seeing Gideon’s expression, he added, “The Sword is safe, but your wards were disturbed and some are dissolved.”
“What does that mean? Who would dissolve the wards?” Gideon asked. They had reached the quarters complex that was actually adjacent and at one time was part of the main Academy until it was converted to additional senior apprentice student housing. Upon entering Gideon’s room, they found Tauri Arda the Green and Mordak the Orange already there. The Tauri grandmasters appeared resplendent in their academic robes.