Mark of the Fool

Chapter 727: The Hole Left Behind

Claygon, at this point in his young life, couldnt be considered ancient, old, or even aged, and as ridiculous as it sounded, he was still only a toddler, technically speaking. But, in his short life, the young golem had seen and experienced things that would inspire mortal legends for generations.

Hed seen battles that had changed the face of realms.

Hed seen magic and miracles.

Hed seen life, death, and the very fires of the Hells.

Hed even seen a soul pass through the gates of death, and return to help her friends in the world of the living.

Yet, none of these profound events could have prepared him for the sight now before him. Three people were at a long tablethree powerful people with vastly different talentssitting where hed never expected to be a guest.

An astonishing sight he wished his father could see.

Toraka Shales drawing rooma place of wonderwas vast, far bigger than the Roth familys entire apartment.

The dining table, covered in glass and crafted of white jade inlaid with platinum frescoes of scores of golems, stood in the centre of the room. Some frescoes were images of golems fighting hordes of ravening monsters, beating them down with only their immense fists. While in others, constructs accompanied masters, conveying entire carriages high above their heads. The largest fresco was of an enormous metropolis being carried on the massive shoulders of a dozen fierce looking golems.

Art covered Torakas walls, each piece a moving, living object; trees with leaves of varied shapes and sizes fluttered in a breeze, people sipped glasses of red wine, laughing soundlessly, while animals groomed their fur beneath sunny summer skies. A huge painting, stretching across a south facing wall, depicted a dragon of polished iron breathing flame, incinerating a golden landscape as a soldier crafted of steel stood within the inferno, holding his sword aloft, his expression defiant.

Wooden furniture was inlaid with gold, while comfortable chairs were covered with shimmering silks.

Steam curled above three cups of piping hot tea placed before each woman at the table.

Toraka Shale sat at its head, of course, her hair still damp from her morning bath. To her right was Professor Jules, blinking owlishly in the early morning light. Professor Mangal was across from her, looking as fresh and bright as a spring blossom. Claygon had heard Jules mumbling about youth and morning people earlier.

Her crusty comments had abruptly endedthe minute he and Theresawho was beside him with Brutus and Selinahad revealed why theyd urgently requested a meeting with the powerful trio.

It's still early, so maybe I'm not hearing right. Toraka took a long, guzzling drink of tea, almost draining the cup. If the heat bothered her, she gave no sign. But, did you just tell me that Alex is gone?

I can assure you, you havent misheard what was said, Toraka. Professor Jules buried her face in her hands. This sort of madness is quite common with Mr. Roth.

I don't understand this, we were doing great work together, he and I, Professor Mangal jumped in. Why would he leave so suddenly, especially without a goodbye? I could see a sabbatical, but-

Wait, wait, wait, I don't care about any of that. Shale put the tea cup on the table with a trembling hand. He can go wherever he likes, I just want to know when he'll be back. We do have a business to run, and a surge of new clients to satisfy.

Father does notknow when he'll be back Claygon admitted.

Well, that's simply unacceptable, he has commitments. He and I have a contracta very lucrative contract that I would normally never sign with anyone, I might addthat is taking advantage of what might be a very limited window of opportunity to make an enormous amount of profit. Word is spreading of these golems, and demand is up. I need him in the factory now more than ever.

Alex left so I'd be safe, Selina said, her voice small.

Just where did Mr. Roth go? Professor Jules said, dread already apparent on her face.

Claygon reached across his link with his father who was far north of Generasi, asking him what to say, and telling him how the two professors and the business woman were reacting.

Alexs words reached Claygon from the Empire.

Are you sure, fatherdo I tell them that much?

They're being dragged more and more into this, Alex replied. They deserve to know what we're dealing with.

Are you alrightfather?

Im okay, Claygon.

The golem looked down at Theresa, Selina and Professor Jules, speaking softly. Father saidwe can tell Professor Mangal and Toraka Shaleeverything thats happened

If he thinks we should, then we will, Theresa said.

I would suggest being careful with whats said about a certain deceased individual, Professor Jules voice was low.

She likely means Uldar, the golem thought.

Other than the dead fellow, and because the situation has escalated, Professor Mangal and Toraka should be brought up to speed. Jules finished.

Then we willtell the story Claygon said.

The golem and huntress told of what had happened in the north, the search for Keldas sanctum, of the need to revert the Mark, and the situation with the hidden church, though no mention of Uldar being dead was made.

if this goes wellthen the Ravener will be destroyedforeverbut our enemies are tracking father, somehowand if he had stayed heremany people would have suffered if they had attacked him in Generasi Claygon finished.

Professor Jules groaned. So his solution was to trap himself in a hostile Empire while marauders hunt him down? Is that right? She made a sound of disgust. I would find it unbelievable if I didn't know Mr. Roth so well.

This is a conspiracy of the highest order. Professor Mangals hands were over her mouth. A secret cult hunting studentsby the gods.

Toraka's mouth was a flat line. Her brow creased. This does seem to be an emergency. One that's very, very poorly timed. Your plan is to move your family out to a villa in the countryside?

Yes, where no one else would get hurt if something happens, Selina said.

We wanted to buy golems from you to help with security, Theresa said. Alex left us access to his accounts so we could

Toraka raised her hand. Don't even talk to me about coin; I'm not some shortsighted woman whod slit the throat of her golden sheep. Or let random wolves rip it out.

Selina winced at those words.

And I'm not going to let the sheep's family come to harm either. The golem crafter smiled at Theresa, Selina and Claygon. I was there when you opened your bakery, I was there when Alex bought that building and turned it into something worthy. I'll be here for you now. Im going to lend you four iron golems for your use at the villa, each one was built with advanced sensory magical items implanted in their eyes. They're equipped for war, of course. Now, they won't be as impressive as you, Claygon, but they'll still be more than a match for most warriors of flesh and bone.

Thank you. Theresa lowered her head. "My family and I are going to feel much safer having them there. I owe you.

Toraka waved a hand dismissively. Alex is my business partner; of course I'm going to protect his family, if I can. Besides, you're nice people. Anyway, I'll feel much better when I know when Alex will be back."

She frowned. I'm doing some mental mathsand he did build a fairly extensive supply of our advanced dungeon core-infused golems well before the situation he currently finds himself in occurred; thank the gods hes someone who appreciates the value of contingencies. Hmmm, another question I have, though, is will our supply be enough to meet demand?

The golem crafter ran the tip of her finger along the tabletop as though making a note. So, with how they're sellingwe should have enough golems to last about a yearunless Oh! Oh!

She snapped her fingers. If this Ravener gets destroyed, the supply of dungeon core essence will dry up sooner or later. Lets say a rumour gets out that these Thameish Heroes are getting closer to defeating ita rumour that'll be supported by Alex's absencethat would create a perception of scarcity; thered be a rush to buy, in which case, our supply could be depleted a lot faster. Claygon, would you tell Alex that?

The golem relayed Shales words and listened to his father's reply.

Father saysthat he could try and think of a wayto craft golems in the Empire Claygon said. He asks that you contact Luciato arrange for supplies Tell her to come and talk to me

The golem crafter raised an eyebrow. He has a workshop in the frozen wilderness? I doubt it, somehow, and I don't want him making promises he can't keep.

He'll think of something. Trust me, he always thinks of something, Theresa said.

Well, there's another problem well have to resolve. What about the dungeon core essence? If you and Claygon are going to be here protecting little Selina, then who's going to harvest dungeon cores?

Surely Thundar or Kybas can't go alone, Professor Jules said.

The huntress paled.

I didn't think of that, she admitted.

Shale shrugged. Even if we could get most of the supplies to himas well as the equipment, if he finds a proper workshopwe will still need dungeon core essence to make the advanced golems with. Without that key ingredient, the entire venture is lost.

I think there's more important things going on here, Toraka, Professor Jules said archly. Such as the safety of our students.

Theyre your students, Vernia, and I have a lot of employees, and a lot of families that need to be paid. This is still important. So. Toraka looked at Theresa. What will you do?

The huntress bit her lip. I Her face washed from pale to red. We need that essence, and we need to keep killing dungeon cores.

You should go, Selina said. Those priests are taking everything away from us, I don't want them to take this away too.

Are you sureSelina? Claygon asked, relaying the question both he and Alex had.

Yes. She nodded, her eyes sparking like green fire. I'm positive.

The young wizards words came through his and Claygons link, and the golem then said aloud. Father is not completely comfortable with thisbut he saysthe church is tracking himif Theresaor Igo to Thameland to destroy dungeon coresthen it should be alrightas long as he's distracting them

Well, thats a huge relief, Shale sighed. You know what? I do believe Ill be sending you a fifth golem for your protection.

Ill have a word with the accessibility department at the junior school, Professor Jules said. We can send someone out to make sure you can keep up with your education, Selina. I wont see a young mind being robbed of what it needs because of filth.

Thank you. Selina bowed her head. That means a lot to me.

I simply wish that there was more I could do, unfortunately, this is a little beyond me. Unless Perhaps, I can help. I am in relation with certain contracted spirits Professor Mangal said. I could ask some to attendyour new home in the countrysideand help guard it, and I can also request for others to come to the material world and try to locate these hunters wherever it is that they might be hiding.

You are doinga lot Claygon said.

Mangal sniffed. I like to think of myself as a kind woman, but my motives are not a hundred percent pure. Alex has the makings of one of the greatest summoners of this generation. That Mark does help him, but his personality and proclivities give him a unique talent for the art that few share; I would not have the summoning arts robbed of such a brilliant practitioner.

I don't really care what your motives are, I just care that you're helping us, Theresa said. This would be a lot harder without you.

The three women looked at each other, quickly taking long sips from their tea cups.

A blush crept up Professor Jules cheeks. Yes, well, on another note, it looks like I'm going to have an especially busy day ahead of me. The danger has clearly escalated, so the ruling council should be informed of this new development immediately. Ill have to speak to Councillor Kartika.

AndThat's what they said Father" Claygons voice came through their link.

Alex floated above a bluff, his cloak pulled tightly around him, surveying the land below. Good, thank the Traveller we've got so many people that want to help us.

He looked over his shoulder. Any sign of the church?

Thankfully, no, Birger said, as he and Bjorgrund flew beside an ice-locked cliff.

The frozen mountain peaks rose far above the young wizard and the two giants.

Any sign of the sanctum? Bjorgrund called.

Nothing yet, the young wizard called back. Come on, this is only the second location of four. We've got a lot of mountain crags to look at before we leave.

Together the trio continued combing the mountains.

In the back of his mind, Alex wondered how the city council would react to Jules' news.

He hoped that they'd be calm.