1 Prelude

In a remote part of the galaxy, a wooden gavel wrapped upon a large oaken desk. "Order, I will have order now" the diminutive figure said in a booming voice that undoubtedly belayed her size. Still the room did not come to order.

This was not the first time this figure had wrapped her gavel on that particular desk, and she was hoping it would not be the last. However, the matter before the Council of Minlas Prime during this meeting was dire indeed.

Again, Counselor Czelak wrapped the gavel, but this time set her voice to way past her boom level, a neat little trick her species, the Plutarians could do. The voice echoed throughout the chambers, Now maybe it was the marble floors that caused the echoing of her voice throughout the large rectangular chamber, or maybe it was the sparsity of furniture and clutter. Either way the Councilwoman's voice reverberated and loudly shaking the nerve of most within the chamber.

The twelve individuals cramped into councils' chambers became eerily quiet quite fast. The Council Leader continued, "I understand we are all, very anxious about the foreboding, but let us not forget our Council etiquette," she said almost smiling at the cleverness of her tone and vernacular in this situation.

Counselor Czelak's people were the Plutarians. They were extremely intelligent which served to help make up for their somewhat less than impressive stature. For you see the counselor only stood about four feet tall, which was normal for her people. They had a bluish almost purplish colored skin and she like the rest of her race was petite in stature. Its true they were not a very imposing force to look at them, but most races that lived in Minlas and certainly all within the confines of the council's chambers, knew that her race was and more to the point, the council leader herself was not one to be trifled. She was the leader of the Plutarian people and she was someone an intelligent person did not cross.

The Plutarians lived in the Mountains of Dinora on the planet of Minlas, deep in the heart of the Kator (Kay-tor) galaxy. They have resided in those mountains for several thousands of years, but it is rumored that it was not always so. It is believed they came from a different planet; it was named Pluto. That galaxies' planetary sun was going supernova and when it did it was believed that that it would shoot debris into what was to remain of the neighboring galaxy.

These are rumors and speculation of course and I only mention this as the galaxy in which Pluto now resides is the same as another planet that is very dear to this story and that is Earth. Earth is to play a very important part of this story and the possible saving of the planet of Minlas, but I get ahead of myself as it is not yet time to tell that tale.

The room was deathly quiet now, the council leader stared down her compatriots reiterating with her gaze the importance of this meeting. They heeded the warning much more quickly this time, so Counselor Czelak began to speak. "So please tell us Syrus why have you called this special meeting of the council on this the tenth day of Konak year 2473."

Syrus was well-known and mostly liked by the council. He was an extremely competent wizard and he always carried with him the aura of honesty and integrity. The council leader knew he would have to exude these traits now if this plan was to have the slightest chance of any success.

The wizard stood and walked to the podium from his guest spot at the council table, as Syrus was not himself a member of the council. However, since he was the one to uncover the recent events, Counselor Czelak felt he was the one that needed to deliver the news to the council, a responsibility that he simply did not relish.

The council leader the brilliant strategist that she is had already walked Syrus through multiple scenarios on how this was most likely to play out and the only ones that had half a chance of success were the ones where Syrus delivered the news, and Czelak stayed the course of appearing to be a non-biased party.

While Syrus did not particularly like the council leader's decision he did fully agree her rational behind it, so graciously accepted her "offer".

As he stood at the podium surveying his audience Syrus thought to himself and not for the first time, about what had he gotten himself into. After taking a few calming breathes he decided that for humanities sake he needed to make the best of this situation and get on with it already.

Clearing his throat, he began. "Friends, Plutarian's and other members of the council" he smiled as he got a few giggles. Of course, those folks, that were the other members and not the friends and they knew who they were, did not find him very funny but Syrus knew their vote was already lost so why not play to those whose votes could be persuaded to his view.

So, he continued, "I am afraid I have dire news and I have come to ask the council for a proclamation to help us combat the situation." Not bad so far, he thought to himself, taking a drink of water he continued. "Three days ago, the intrusionary spell I had placed on one of our island magical administration facilities went off."

He paused a second, looking around at the concerned looks of those around him. Hints and murmurs of disbelief began to reverberate throughout the council room. Again, the gavel banged on the large oaken desk and again it was Council Leader Czelak that called for attention she was not overly concerned at the noise as it only served to heighten the foreboding that was to be brought to everyone's attention momentarily, however she must maintain having the appearance of being a non-biased participant in what was to come.

Syrus nodded his appreciation and continued, "I am afraid that the Magical Administrations Facility on Antigua Island was most probably burglarized this past Monday the 7th day of Konak."

The murmurs heightened with "what did he mean by probably" and "what was taken" and, "are you sure it wasn't just your spell that failed" being the most rampant among them.

Ignoring the chatter Syrus continued, "The initial alert to the problem seemed like only a momentary glitch but given the status of things and the foreboding last month by the Elven High Queen, I felt it prudent for further investigation. My review of the situation found that Shyler Benton had entered the grounds. Using his security crystal, he went to the compounds illumination box." Conversation among the members increased within the council but Syrus was destined to finish so he ambled on, "I searched the facilities' main chambers, and it turns out there was indeed an item stolen."

Several of the council members gasped as nearly all in the room new the vast relics of power that were housed in this facility. The councilwoman from the Planes of Tiberius banged her gavel twice and raised her hand indicating that she wanted to speak.

"The floor recognizes the Councilwoman from Tiberius," Syrus said in the manner that Czelak had coached him earlier.

The councilwoman rose. "First off, I would like to thank you Syrus for your intuitiveness and wherewithal to take the initiative on a matter that might have well been overlooked by everyone else. You should be commended" Syrus smiled and nodded his appreciation to the councilwoman.

She then continued, "now if I understand you correctly", she paused as she looked around gathering in her audience, also exactly how she coached by the council leader. "Someone who is believed to be dead", the councilwoman said referring to Shyler Benton, "entered a secure building that is not even known to exist by most of the people inhabiting this planet and proceeded to open a chamber that can only exist with the use of a crystal that was made by the Great Wizard Merlin, Seer of Magic himself. Does that sound about right to you?" she posed these requests as a question even though she was certain of the answer she would receive.

Syrus nodded indicating that he concurred with her recount of the situation.

"Might we know what was stolen from the Illusory Room", the councilwoman questioned.

"Excellent question," Syrus said as he looked at Czelak who gave a slight nod. "Regrettably someone has made off with the Book of Ancient Text."

And pandemonium ensued.