Cadderly explained, "a reserve plan in case my friends and I cannot accomplish what we set out to do." "You are mad!" Thobicus growled. Hardly.
Thobicus began to argue back - until he realized that Cadderly had not spoken the word. The dean's eyes narrowed and then popped wide as he came to realize that something was touching him - inside his mind!
"What are you about?" he demanded frantically.
You need not speak, Cadderly telepathically assured him.
"This is..." the Dean began.
"... preposterous, an insult to my position," Cadderly verbally finished for him, sensing and perfectly revealing the words before Thobicus ever spoke them.
The dean fell back in his chair. Do you realize the consequences of your actions'? he mentally asked.
Do you realize that I could shatter your mind? Cadderly responded with all confidence. Do you further realize that my powers are bestowed by Deneir?
The dean's faced screwed up in confusion and disbelief. What was this young upstart hinting at?
Cadderly held no love for this ugly game, but he had little time to handle things the way the proper procedures of the Edificant Library demanded. He mentally commanded the dean to stand, then to stand on the desk. Before he knew what had happened, Thobicus found himself looking down at the young priest from a high perch.
Cadderly looked to the window, and Thobicus telepathically sensed the young priest privately musing that he could quite easily persuade the dean to jump out of it - and suddenly Thobicus believed that Cadderly could! Without warning, Cadderly released Thobicus from the mental grip, and the dean slumped down from the oaken desk and slid back into his chair.
"I take no pleasure in dominating you so," Cadderly explained sincerely, understanding that the best results might be gained by restoring the defeated man's pride. "I am allowed the power by the god that we both recognize. This is Deneir's way of explaining to you that I am correct in these matters. It is a signal to us both, nothing more. All that I ask - "
"I will have you branded!" Thobicus exploded. "I will see that you are escorted from the library in chains, tormented every step of the way as you leave this region!"
His words stung Cadderly profoundly as he continued his tirade, promising every conceivable punishment allowable by the Deneirian sect Cadderly had been raised under those rules of order, under the precept that the dean's word was absolute rule in the library, and it was truly terrifying to the young priest to cast aside convention, even in light of the greater truth playing within the notes of the Deneirian song. Cadderly focused his thoughts on Pertelope at that terrible moment, remembering her call for courage and conviction.
He heard the harmony of the song playing in his mind, entered its alluring flow and found again those channels of energy that would allow him into the private realm of Dean Thobicus's mind.
Cadderly and the dean exited the library a few minutes later, to find Danica and Shayleigh; the giant Vander (who was using his innate magical abilities to appear as a huge, red-bearded man); and the two dwarves, stocky, yellow-bearded Ivan, and round-shouldered Pikel, his beard dyed green and pulled up over his ears, braided with his long hair halfway down his back, waiting for them. The smiling dean wished Cadderly and his five companions the best of fortunes on their most important mission, and waved a fond farewell as they walked off into the Snowflakes.
Chapter Three
Justifying the Means
Aballister leaned in close over Dorigen's shoulder, making the woman somewhat uncomfortable. Dorigen let her focus drift away from the images in the crystal ball and shook her head vigorously, purposely letting fly her long salt-and-pepper hair so that it smacked nosy Aballister in the face.
The older wizard backed up a step and pulled a strand of hair from his lips, glowering at Dorigen.
"I did not realize that you were so close," Dorigen weakly apologized.
"Of course," replied Aballister in similarly feigned tones. Dorigen clearly recognized his anger, but understood that he would accept her insult without too much complaint. Aballister had broken his own scrying device, a magical mirror, and the experience had left him fearful of any more attempts at clairvoyance. He needed Dorigen now, for she was quite skilled at the art "I should have announced my
presence and waited for you to complete your search," Aballister said, which was as close to an apology as Dorigen had ever heard from the man.