Visio: The Messenger Series, #6

By C Amon Trant

Teacher and all the books are clear: never move the Visio. The lucky ones died quickly.

So where is it?

• Language: English
• Publisher: C Amon Trant
• Release date: Dec 12, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201009540

C Amon Trant

C. Amon Trant is a retired physician, son, brother, husband, and -as his granddaughter so eloquently puts it- "GaGa." 

Book preview

Part I

I

Toby had the most fantastic dream.

Sarah was there. A little picnic behind the high school, under the bleachers.

No teachers, parents, or Amulets

But Toby hadn’t been back to school, or Earth, in well over a year. He hadn’t spoken to Sarah in over a week, and that conversation wasn’t exactly loving.

But in the dream, the warm afternoon sun shone from her hair, deep brown eyes, and the hint of gloss on her lips.

Do ye see that? Sarah said, looking over his shoulder.

He followed her gaze.

A picture containing sky, outdoor Description automatically generated

Why is that floating in the sky? In Florence?

She gasped.

A black, hand-like cloud appeared, enveloped the Visio, turned on itself, and disappeared with a crack.  

Toby sat up so fast; he nearly threw himself off the bed, an actual mattress, not that hay-filled trough he’d used for years.

He closed his eyes.

Drifting back to-

Someone banged on his door.

Open up, said Fratus, the young captain of the Castle Guard.

Toby staggered to the door.

Vaiden has ordered you to the Council Chamber.

What time is it?

Fratus glanced at the deep red eastern horizon.

Toby grabbed the cleanest tunic, pulled it over his head, and bumped into a young guard.

Sorry, Toby said, then looked for his boots.

Wide-eyed, the guard went for the hilt of his sword.

Whoa. I said sorry.

Toby didn’t want to stun the kid, but if that idiot started swinging a broadsword in this tiny room, someone could get hurt.

The sword was halfway out when Fratus said, Stand down!

Toby was about to object, except Fratus was looking at the Guard.

Fratus pointed toward the door. Please.

Surrounded by guards on all sides, like a felon going to the gallows, they led Toby through the cold, damp, narrow corridors of Dúnbarnaugh Castle like all those times before. Except he wasn’t in chains.

Winter hung on this year, punctuated by a late blizzard just last week. A bitter wind blew down from the north and through the mountain pass that gave Dúnbarnaugh her name.

Despite tying down all the tapestries covering the north-facing windows, the biting wind found every gap.

Toby and his escort walked through the maze of empty corridors. The smaller number of citizens meant Toby had to face fewer worried or accusatory gazes, depending on whether the gazer was in the pro-Toby or anti-Toby camp.

It seemed about running about 50-50 this morning.

The Guard’s collection of swords and chain mail rattled and clanked.

A pair of guards stationed outside the huge Council Chamber pulled open the large, creaking doors just in time for Toby and company to pass without breaking stride.

And exactly like every time, the Guards deposited him in the witness box and set up flanks on either side.

Council Leader Vaiden was arguing with another councilor. Other Councilors were engaged in equally animated discussions.

The newly elected Councilor Strunk sat to Vaiden’s left. She gave Toby one of her patented winks, and, for that second, everything was right with the multiverse.

Toby looked at Vaiden, who looked at everything and everyone in the room except Toby.

Toby made eye contact with each of the other six councilors, whose expressions announced their team affiliation: the pro-Toby, anti-Toby, or independent (for the moment). With the recent elections, Toby enjoyed a one-seat majority that never included Council Leader Vaiden.

The massive council door creaked; Raymond, the Tester of the Realm, and his wife Samantha, the Keeper of the Realm, came into the Chamber.

Both shrugged when they saw Toby.

And bringing up the rear was Quinn, the probable next Keeper and the most talented arbalist in the Realm. Toby’s mind went to their first meeting: she nailed him despite the distance, several tree branches, and a nasty crosswind.

Luckily, they were only training, and she shot him with a practice bolt, but his cracked rib was genuine.

The door opened again. Teacher limped in, was aiming his ‘I have special devices for people like you’ face at Vaiden.

Vaiden put on his glasses and started reading some parchments -as if Teacher’s scared face no longer had any effect- but that shake of the hand said it all.

Do they know? Teacher said to Vaiden, who ignored everyone.

Know what?

Madame Strunk said, Vaiden, and caused every mouth to shut and every eye to turn in her direction.

Tell them.

Vaiden’s mouth instantly opened, and just before the words came spilling out, Vaiden seemed to regain control of his cerebral functions.

He cleared his throat and stared daggers at Madame Strunk.

She responded with her best grandmotherly smile.

Vaiden visibly shivered and said, Please be seated.

Uh oh. This must be bad: Fratus and Vaiden said, please.

Toby glanced at Teacher, who was busy giving Vaiden his best ‘I trust you as far as I can throw this castle’ face.

Vaiden waited until he had all eyes trained on him, The Visio is missing.

"What? Toby was on his feet before he knew he was trying to stand. When?" said Samantha.

Last night.

Who? Raymond said.

Vaiden turned his gaze on Fratus, who said, We are investigating.

Toby waited for Vaiden to elaborate, but he just stood there.

Let me get this straight, Toby said. We think someone stole the Visio from under our noses, and you are calm?

Unlike you, I have every confidence in the Guard.

By reflex, just like every other conversation with Vaiden, Toby almost objected to the gratuitous insults when the Sergeant of Arms stepped in and boomed, His Majesty, the King Karl of Lisanair.

Everyone stood up out of respect for his office.

Welcome, Vaiden said. This is a surprise.

Behind the King limped Golec, who didn’t have the quickest walk in this room but probably had the quickest mind. Behind them was a small squad of men whose demeanor screamed ‘lawyer.’

Vaiden pointed to the front row and said, Please, take a seat.

Toby’s mouth went dry. Part of him wanted to see Sarah, but not now, not with things so different.

Toby leaned toward Teacher and said, Is Sarah here?

She shifted them in and then went back.

How did they know so fast?

I called them, Vaiden said.

You... With what?

And it was Vaiden’s turn to display his ‘I don’t answer stupid questions’ face.

The King sat down. Anything new?

I was just filling in our team. Please tell them what you told me.

King Karl looked at Toby. We have some - malcontents - who have been stirring up trouble since the Barrier came down. They demand I reclaim their property.

Theirs? Toby said.

Well, Golec said, technically–

No, Vaiden said. The Visio — is ours.

Agree to disagree.

Highness, Toby said, do you think they have the resources to pull this off?

Yesterday, I would have said no. He shrugged.

Toby looked at Fratus. Any clues?

He shook his head. It’s like they shifted it out of there.

Which many have tried, with the same charred results.

II

Fratus escorted Toby and Golec to the scene of the crime, Teacher’s room.

Toby stepped around piles of books and over stacks of scrolls arranged in Teacher’s unique filing system. In the Visio’s alcove, there was nothing but that wobbly old stool and a dust-free square.

No one heard anything?

Or saw anything, Fratus said.

Toby went to the closest window, which he knew overlooked a grass and scrub slope. The narrow window was at least 20 meters high, atop a sheer stone wall, and the ground was a smooth layer of snow.

Since shifting wasn’t a choice, nor was carrying it through the corridors and out the main gate. How could they get it out of that window without getting electrocuted and/or sliced to ribbons?

To get across the grounds and over the curtain wall unseen meant every guard on Castle Patrol, Grounds Patrol, and Curtain Patrol was asleep on duty or part of the scheme. At the same time.

Toby pointed down below. Did you look...

Fratus nodded. No footprints, hoofprints. Not a pebble out of place.

I don’t get it. Maybe it’s still here?

But, Teacher said, someone would have seen them in the main corridor.

Golec stepped toward Teacher’s desk and accidentally knocked over a pile of books.

Sorry, Golec said. You must teach me your filing system.

Teacher wore his you won’t like me when I’m angry face

The two men held their gaze for several seconds too long.

And you still don’t trust me, Golec said.

I’m waiting for something to trust, Teacher said.

Father, Raymond said in a whisper, you asked me to point out your tone–

"Fine. What can we do for our most honored guest?"

Raymond cleared his throat.

To his credit, Teacher seemed to try. Do you have any ideas?

Golec said, I do, he looked at Toby, but before we go any farther, are you and Sarah still involved?

Toby’s mouth went dry, and he could almost feel the weight of Teacher’s gaze on the back of his neck.

Well, we haven’t seen each other in weeks.

Yes, or no?

I’m not sure.

You know the danger.

Agreed, Teacher said.

We work well together, Toby said.

No one is questioning your results, Golec said.

You know the law, Teacher said,

Now wait, Toby said. That law only covers Messengers and Keepers.

Dúnbarnaugh law is not the issue, Golec said. Before I will let Sarah go on another mission with you, I need to hear it is over.

Me, too, Teacher said.

How could he answer when he didn’t know?

Well? Golec said.

It’s not that simple.

Golec opened his mouth, anger touching the edges of his expression. But he stopped. Tobias, what do you want me to say?

That this is our business.

Your safety is our business.

Have you talked to Sarah?

Golec took a moment like he was trying to read Toby’s face. Aye.

And what did she say?

I believe she said it’s not that simple.

After a pregnant pause, Well, Golec said, We have some information, back in Lisanair.

III

Toby shifted Teacher and Golec to Golec’s room in Lisanair Castle; King Karl was already there.

Teacher seemed to notice the identical layout of Golec’s room to his own, except where Teacher’s organizational style centered on chaos theory, obsessive-compulsive guided Golec’s choices.

Majesty? Golec said.

Hey, Toby whispered to Sarah, standing by the door.

She just nodded.

Oh, said the King. Messenger, may I introduce my new Paladin, Tertius.

He was about 25 years old, with dark hair like most people from Lisanair, and was a good head and shoulders taller than Toby.

Toby extended his hand.

Tertius looked at Toby like he was contagious, then gave a wilted handshake.

And before you ask, said the King, Jason pursued his education.

"Good for him. Tertius, welcome.

The word Thanks seemed more of a rumble than a word.

The King looked at Sarah. Any fresh developments?

She glanced toward Toby.

You may speak freely, said the King. I had not intended to involve our friends with our problems, but our problems appear to have involved them.

She nodded. We rounded up several suspects but, frankly, all of them seemed surprised. Happy, but surprised.

Happy? Toby said.

Well, depriving you of the Visio is nearly as sweet as having it themselves.

Wow. May I ask something? Toby said to the King.

Please.

Could it be the Markerts again?

The King’s wrinkled brow furrowed deeper. As far as we know, there are no surviving members of that clan in this realm.

The King lowered himself, with only one grunt, into a chair and continued. We have troublemakers who are always complaining about something, like a new tax they claim will ruin the economy. The King gave Golec a sidelong glance.

When, Golec said, they demanded the new bridges and–

Thank you, my friend, said the King with a smile. But do you think they are behind all this?

Golec shook his head. No, your Majesty. The various factions are more interested in fighting each other.

Highness? Tertius said, standing even taller, which forced every eye in his direction. The sudden attention scrambled his thoughts. Your, um, most royal Majesty.

The King held up a hand. He smiled. Take a breath.

Tertius did.

Now, just talk to me like you would Golec.

The young man’s eyes widened.

The King chuckled and gave Golec a wink.

Tertius acted like he wore burlap underwear.

Relax.

Tension seemed to melt from Tertius’s shoulders. First, I heard some rumors about some movements to the east of Trevik.

Go on.

Could it be the Glan?

The smile evaporated from the King’s face.

Who are they? Toby said.

The King just shook his head and looked at Golec.

Golec took a breath and rubbed his jaw with his spotted right hand. Now, there is a question. He motioned for everyone to find a seat.

Just before the One started his reign of terror across your part of the continent, Lisanair and Trevik had their fair share of trouble. Do you know the story of King Lollipop?

Toby almost laughed, but the King’s expression was anything but joking.

Toby faked a cough and said, No. No, sir.

The King continued the story. My grandfather, King Charles, nearly died from a fever in the fourth year of his reign. He was never the same, though my uncles said he was always - eccentric. But more to the point, he renamed himself King Lollipop and eviscerated three Prime Ministers who refused to perform the renaming ceremony. The fourth Prime Minister agreed and then wisely retired from public service to parts unknown. The King looked at Golec and signaled him to continue.

Which brings us to the Glan. Some say they formed in a village east of Trevik, somewhere up in the mountains. While they are very secretive about their religious texts, beliefs, or rituals, we’ve heard of their sorrow.

Sorrow? Toby said.

For anyone who has not found The Way.

What?

The one way to salvation.

What religion are they?

"We aren’t allowed to know, but they are looking for converts. But more to the point, we