13 CHAPTER 13:Survey and plan?

The next morning, Raymond and Canute met Chaol at the city square. Canute looked up the dull gray sky. The sun shyly gazed through a curtain of grey clouds down on the snow-covered land.

Canute groaned with disappointment. Raymond and Chaol seem to discuss the link between the towers around the city.

"The southeastern tower is closest from here. We will reach there within twenty to twenty-five minutes on foot." Chaol claimed.

"If I recall that this tower is the place where you work?" Raymond asked.

Chaol nodded his head earnestly then waved his hand in the air. With a simple gesture, the fog contracted taking the form of a mirror. Canute raised a brow.

"Illusion magic? No probably a projection.."

The map on the fake screen appeared slowly.

"This i~ss... a map?"

"Yes, it is the map of the city," Raymond answered.

"Chaol, mark those towers around the city."

"Aye!" In an instant, he marked the sub towers around the city.

"Impossible!" Canute gaped with astonishment.

All the towers were built on specific locations forming the arcane symbol. A star was formed with the main tower as the center that connects them.

"Right now we are in the south of Elysia," Raymond said pointing on the red dot.

"Let's go."

It took fifteen minutes to reach the tower on the horses.

The tower was notably smaller than the main tower in Central city.

It had six floors.

Chaol lead them into the tower. The atmosphere here was surprisingly different and warmer compared to the central tower.

The mages were quite hospitable. They surveyed the tower by noon. Chaol seems to have adjusted here-Raymond thought smiling faintly.

By evening, they had surveyed the five towers around the city.

Canute displayed the overall outcome of the conditions of the towers.

"Poor. I say."Canute frowned crossing his arms.

" Only towers in better condition are two in the south including the central tower."

"So, what are you going to do?"

Raymond took off his overcoat neatly putting it on the chair next to him.

"First thing's first. We have to gather mages of the city in one place. That would be the central tower. Only then I can devise a plan."

"How about asking that Jason guy? He works there, doesn't he?"

"Not a bad idea. But I'll have to pass on to this."

Raymond couldn't understand why Canute disagreed with the idea.

"Why not?"

"He isn't suited for this job. Remember how his reaction was when we asked him to show around the tower. Moreover, I find that person quite suspicious."Canute replied out of concern.

Raymond buried his face in his arms on the table. He didn't say anything more about it. He did have a clue that Canute was suspicious of Jason since the tour. But couldn't figure out the reason behind it.

He closed his eyes for a split second but was interrupted by the archmage's voice.

" I shall ask Chaol instead. He will be useful in my strategy. And I need the help of the Elysian Knights."

"What for?"Raymond asked straightening up.

" To protect the mages of course. My plan needs the cooperation of both sides."

"Fine, I get it.I'll notify Johannes, to begin the preparations."

"And there is one more thing I need to discuss with you and Chaol."

Canute said finally sitting on a chair massaging his legs that begged for rest after a long day of labor.

"Something else you need?"

Canute shook his head.

"It's about Jason. And the tower."

"Bob cut?" Raymond's eyes widened.