THE THIRD MAGE 28 Comeback

But the alliance is well under way, courtesy of the prowess of Denaire's mother, Aria. Her charm-speaking is so wonderful. Although she said she had never used her power, her way of speaking and her choice of words enabled her to take everyone who hears it to her side.

But I know she does this for her family. Denaire and her family met only briefly at Oniro, during the rescue. She was the only one who managed to join the first caravan. The rest were in the ma.s.sacre, but their bodies were never found. So Aria firmly believed that they were taken as prisoners. "It is better to think that they were taken than thinking they are already dead," she said.

So many lives were lost that day, and it still haunts Dranx's dreams every night. General Luther talked him out of it, but it still wouldn't disappear. If only.

"Head Councilor," someone on his left said. "The meeting would start soon."

"I'll be going over in a bit Councilor Lia," Dranx said emptily.

As soon as he arrived at the meeting place, he saw Aria stand in front of the crowd, the Councilors at her back. A sense of nostalgia hit him. This was always the case with Denaire. She was always in front while the rest of them stand at the back.

He smiled. If only Denaire was here. "Okay. Let's start."

Aria smiled and nodded. "Okay. So you all know I have been going to Perifaenia these past few weeks. Aaaaand, I brought some good news! Perifaenia is willing to help us! Yes, they are not to fight yet when not engaged. But in case we are, they would help. Also, they pledged to provide us here with supplies as long as we could help them in their problems." At this, Aria frowned.

Dranx then asked her, "What sort of problems are these?"

"Uh you see they have seen our communication b.a.l.l.s. All these technology we have, they want to have it too, or rather, use it. The machines we have been using to lessen the workload, they want in on it. But," Aria stopped talking, seemingly lost in thought.

General Luther finished the sentence, "But Denaire isn't here with us."

Aria snapped back to his senses and nodded vigorously. "Yes yes. I did try to explain it to them. I did try to persuade them into rescuing them so that Denaire could come back and make it for them. But they don't want to become enemies with Exosha just because of that."

Councilor Theo remarked, "But we are all enemies of Exosha!"

Aria smiled painfully. "To them, they are still not enemies because Exosha never did march up to them. If none of the Exoshans attack, then they are still indifferent countries. They don't want to get on the Exoshans' bad side yet."

"So, how do we solve that problem?"

"The Queen of Perifaenia suggested something. She said she wants the no-mage of her country be trained too. And that she a.s.signs us to do the training. She says the training would suffice for now. But, she wished that we could provide them of their wishes soon."

"Well," General Luther said. "Training isn't that hard. But that technology they are looking for is a little bit tricky. How on earth would we do that if Denaire isn't here?"

Councilor Granny then spoke up, "Or maybe, the no-mages of Perifaenia possessed a Life magician. If that's the case, then we could provide the Queen with what she needed."

"Won't that be exploiting their resources?" Councilor Theo asked.

"No," Aria replied. "We only have to say that we trained him/her how to do it. It's up to her citizen if he/she will provide it to them."

Granny smiled a toothy smile. "A great plan indeed. So, let's hope they have a Life magician in their ranks."

Just then, Dranx's remaining communication ball let out a wail. He immediately took it out. And then Denaire's haggard face appeared, shocking the whole a.s.sembly.

"Dranx, please lead them all out of the island. They used mind control in almost all of us; someone might have divulged the whereabouts of the island. You are all in danger."

"But Denaire, where should we go? And most importantly, are you alright?"

Denaire forced a smile. "I'm alright. But I have no time, I just sneaked out and I might get caught. Please, move away from the island."

"But where? We don't have any place to go."

"I made a moving island somewhere there. Look for Squeaky, I entrusted the island to him. Good luck. I'm going to see you all soon."

And the ball shattered – a sign that it cannot be used anymore.

"She's alive! I knew it!" Aria broke the silence.

"Yes, and she managed to warn us ahead of time." Granny added.

"Now, all we have to do is look for Squeaky. By the way, who is this Squeaky?"

"The Great General of all mice," a voice replied from the center of the crowd.

All looked at the source, and it was Queen Iris who recognized the man.

"Amon!"