126 Chapter 126

On a distant part of the western continent, where a few would dare venture stood eight mages. None of them young anymore, but they would put a fear in any mages's heart. The air surrounding them seemed to ripple with power. These eight represented the elite of the mages on the continent. They represented one of the strongest mages if not the strongest mage in their respective arts.

If Theodore was here, he would be quaking in front of them, for these eight were what people called the high council of the mages. The elusive high council which a general mage might not even see in their lifetime.

And for eight of them to be together outside, it was practically unheard of.

They stood surrounding a corpse. If it was the corpse of a mage or any living organism in the planet, it would not worry them in the least.

Even if the dead belonged to one of the high council elders, it wouldnt be as shocking to the elders present there. Because none of them would want to face the consequences the said corpse would bring.

" So, that wasn't our best of moments. " Said one of the mages.

" That doesn't even warrant a reply Victor."

" Like you have much to say Evans? " replied Victor to his associate.

The light bantering was a result of the nervousness the mages had. They had no idea how to face what was to come.

" Never in my life did I think that we would have to face them in my lifetime. I had always believed it to be more of a myth than reality. " Said the oldest of the lot.

" You wouldnt be alone in that Callum." Said Evans. For all her preferences to a good banter, she could be sensible when time demanded it of her.

" Let's face the facts. What are the chances it would happen? It could just be a coincidence he came here? Maybe we are worrying for nothing? " said Ramson.

" Scared are you now? " said Victor with a smirk.

" It would be best you start acting your age. We have a lot upon our hands. " Callum quickly reprimanded Victor. He knew both Victor's tendency to try and get reactions out of people and Ramson's nature to hope that everything will turn out to be good by itself. The ever optimist.

" And you heard him before he died. They will be here. Its just a matter of time. "

And that was the core question. When.

" How much time do you think we have Regulus?" the old man Regulus was a time mage. He could glimpse into the future. What he saw wasn't always true, but a mere possibility.

He opened his eyes hearing his name. For the nervousness around, he seemed to be a quite, serene place. He gave a detached feeling. Like he was somewhere else or in some other time.

" I give us near about five years. After that the future is too chaotic to tell. I assume our visitors might be responsible for that. " He once again closed his eyes and his presence seemed to diminish.

" Thats not nearly enough time. " Said Callum.

" Hector, what do you think? How are our chances against the enemy? You have faced one of them now. What do you make of it?"

Hecktor was perhaps the best battle mage amongst them. He was youngest of those present here with more black in his hair than white. What made Hector the best wasn't his raw power. There were mages stronger than him in terms of raw power. It was his ability to read the situation and his opponent which gave him the tag of the best.

" To be honest. As of right now, we don't stand a chance, until unless they are too few in numbers. Yes, we took him down easily, but how many are there in our level of power? How many hold the black badge? Too few in my account. "

" Our forces are weak and they have the ability to resist magical attacks. Yes, mage stones grant us advantages, but to what extent? Our forefathers had the element of surprise, we don't? They would know about magestones. And our we are far too weak than the battle hardened forefathers. "

" Most of it isn't our fault. We are merely continuing the tradition we were handed. Initially the mage association was found to keep the mages on their toes. To train them and keep them equiped. But the peace we had earned had dulled that edge. Yes, there were battles amongst the kingdoms. But to what scale? There was never a full out conflict between the mages for long. Mages have turned into politicians. They want luxury more than a fight. "

" And the power distribution amongst the family have further weakened our society."

" Wait Evans. Let me complete. " Hector stopped Evans who represented a family and was about to counter Hector.

"As I was saying, families had weakened our society. I am the symbolic head of a family, but I know that it's what it is. Symbolic. I can't make absolute decisions for it. And I imagine it is the same for you."

Evans made no reply towards it.

" I am not saying having the families was a bad thing. It suited the purpose in the time of peace. But in such a time, it will be more of a hindrance. "

" What do you suggest Hector?" said the black skinned woman who had been quiet till now. Emma was the ex matriach of the Mitr family. She perhaps held considerably more sway on her family than the others.

" Pleasure to have you on board Emma. " Hector gave a small smile. He knew what Emma meant. She would support Hector henceforth.

" We don't have many options. Our forces are scattered and ill trained. Most of them think magic as something of a privilege. They are unaware of the burden it brings. "

" I suggest we, the representatives of the families talk to our heads and inform of the threat we face. We need to convince them to support our endeavor. "

" And what Endeavor is that?" said the last of the gathered mage. An old scoot by the name of Ora. The ex head of the xia Family. A man of few words. But when he spoke, people listened.

" I suggest a mass recruitment. Under whatever guise. I am open to suggestions for that. Plus, increase the production of battle artifacts. I would ask the Oberisk family to do. I may not have been a head, but I still have a sway in things there. "

" My concern lies in coordination. What makes you think that the families will trust each other or the mage association for a fact? Even convincing them of the fact that the threat is real would be difficult enough. " Said Ora

" I agree with Ora for once." Said Evans. She represented the Jhonson family and had always been at odds with the Xia family. So her agreeing with the ex head of the Xia family just showed the gravity of the situation.

Ora gave one his rare smiles to Evans and continued.

" There is too much of bad blood between the families. Too many loved ones lost and too much hatred. I for one was the one who have personally planned a few underhanded tactics in my time. To get past all that isn't easy. They don't have the time we had in researching the archives. Nor do had the chance to be in such pleasant company. " Ora once again looked at Evans.

" I don't think I can stand all this flirting old man. " Said Victor.

" Technically, you are older than me Victor. " Said Ora.

" Since when do you banter? Aren't you the one who takes everything quietly?" enquired Victor.

" Times change. As you can see?" He pointed to the corpse. That broke off the mood.

" If you are done, Hector might continue. " Said Callum. But he had a small smile of his own. It might not be the best moment. But getting over old emnity felt good.

" I know about the bad blood. But that just increases our responsibility. I think our families have forgotten about our power. A gentle reminder may go a long way. "

" I am not saying everyone will start cooperating from day one. But we need to use the necessary force to atleast convince them to at least try. "

" Maybe three years isn't too long, but it is enough time to gain enough cooperation. "

" What of the mage association? How should it proceed?" asked Evans.

" Well, the lower council has been running riots for years. There is too much corruption there. I know Callum has been trying to make it better, but we have delegated too much power to them. Only thing stopping them from overthrowing us is the power difference. They know they won't stand a chance. And attacking us in numbers means our families will get involved. "

" I will talk to Theodore and Matthew. They hold the power in the lower council. Rest are more or less puppets of those two. It is time those two pick the responsibility they have been ignoring. "

Said Callum.

" Another concern is the anti mage association. " Said Hector

" Isn't that just a bunch of weaklings? I think they don't posses any threat?" Asked Vicktor.

" That just shows how disconnected we have become from the world." Replied Hector.

" I have from trusted sources that the anti mage association have revived under a new leader. They are stronger than ever. I dont know what there end goal is, but for sure it's not what they say. "

" Are you sure about this Hecktor?"

" As sure as I can be Emma. Do you know they have recruited a new variant of mages we have never even seen? Or the fact they robbed the a lot of people of high standings. Some reported and I am sure most went unreported. Or the fact the said leader is nearly as strong as us if the reports are to be believed? "

" Surely you jest Hector?" said Evans.

" No he doesn't. Most of what he said is true. Theodore has actually entered an agreement with the said leader to stop the robbings. About his strength though, I am not sure. " Said Callum.

" How could you let them get so strong Callum? Don't you remember what happened last time? That man was making connections and had almost unearthed the secret we were vowed to protect. He would have leaked everything to the world. Everyone, the families included pitched in to remove that threat." Said Evans. Gone was the pleasant tone from before.

" Maybe it would have been for the better if that happened. Maybe we would have been more prepared. " Said Callum.

" No. Our predecessors weren't wrong in their decision then. Maybe people wouldn't have even believed it then. That would have decreased our credibility. And if people had believed him then, it would have resulted in chaos and we would be in a worse situation than now. " Hector said.

Hecktor was perhaps the best tactician. He could see what the others couldn't. He easily showed how the anti mage association was threat if they had achieved their goals. Even if the intention behind their doings weren't wrong.

" I suggest we tackle the threat of the anti mage association as it appears. They haven't caused any harm yet. Their purpose would be revealed sooner or later. But it wouldnt hurt to keep an ear out for any news regarding them. Once again coordination among our faction will be needed. I am pretty sure they are using the holes we provide due to the strife amongst ourselves. "

" I have a theory that they use the gates kf the families and the association. They would pretend to be rich people and no one would bat an eye to them using it. It's not like we inspect what they are carrying or they are mages. " Said Ramson.

" He speaks?" Said Victor.

" Enough Victor." Said Callum.

" I agree with Hector and Ramson. They are indeed using our own channels to fight against us. We need to think of a way to stop it. "

" Why don't we stop regular people from using the gates?" said Victor.

" Atleast Ramson doesn't sprout nonsense. " said Evans with a snicker.

" Watch what you say Evans. " Growled Victor.

" Can we stop bickering amongst ourselves? It's not like we are short of enemies here?" said Emma.

" Emma is right. And no Victor, we can't stop regular people from using the gates. It would only increase dissent and play into anti mage association's hand. And we need the support of the regular people if we are to survive. " Said Callum.

" How so?" enquired Victor.

" When the mages will fight, who will provide the supplies? Who will take care of the wounded? Who will be on the watchout? They may not be as strong as the mages, but we will need any help we can get. " Hector answered this time.

" I see. I never thought of that. " Said Victor.

" And that's just shows what we lack. We maybe experienced mages, but we lack experience in terms of fighting a war. We can force through a battle or two. But war is different. I am sorry to disappoint all of you, but I don't think anyone of us is ready to lead an army in a war. "

There was prolonged silence after that statement.

" I think what Hector just said stresses the point which we were discussing earlier. Coordination. We will need all inputs we can get. We need the families and the association to work together. "

" Alright. I will talk to that stubborn fool of a head. " Said Evans in her usual tone.

" So will I. " Said Emma.

"I will do the same. " Said Hector.

Ora just gave a nod.

" I think this corpse would go a long way into convincing people of the facts. " Said Ramson.

" I agree. I think we need the family heads to see this. " Said Callum.

" I also think the heads of the kingdoms need to be informed as well. They will need the time to prepare refuges and safe zones. We can't let them die for nothing. " Said Hector.

" Alright. Me and Ramson will speak with the heads of the more important kingdoms. We will also form a small team to talk with the other kingdoms. We need to bring in more people in the know how as well. This is too big for us to handle by ourselves. " Said Callum.

" Do you think this is the right move? " Asked a skeptical Emma.

" It is. It not only concerns our life, but every life in this planet. If we don't start preparing now, it will be too late. " Said Callum.

" I only wish that we could have captured this guy alive. He might have been able to tell us a few things. " Said Victor.

" It's in their blood. They won't ever be captured alive. They would go down fighting or kill themselves. It's what the archives say. " Said Callum

" I know that. I have read the same records as you. I am just saying it would have been better. " Said Victor

" Yes. It would have been. But we need to work with what we have. " Said Hecktor.

" You know, the inter mage tournament is about to start. Maybe we could pick a few young recruits from there. A little training would go a long way with them. The older ones are too set in their ways. " Said Ramson.

" I agree. The young are easier to train. We could pick a few of them to personally train. Maybe we could get ourselves decent fighters. " Said Hecktor.

" You mean to say that all other mages, the winners from previous years are of no use? I don't believe that?" said Evans.

" I think you are jealous because the last time winner was from your family. " Victor said with a grin.

" No. It's not that. You know the top participants usually belong to the families and the association or are recruited into it. They either live the good life or train in the way they are shown. "

" This year would bring fresh faces, young who could be worked upon easily. And if you want to chose others to mentor, you could. That is your wish. " Said Hector.

" I will keep an eye on the tournament." Said the silent Regulus.

" He was here all the time. I am sure I failed to notice him. " Murmured Victor under his breath.

Regulus had that effect on people. His presence was sometimes hard to detect.

" Do you see something Regulus?" enquired Callum.

" Nothing concrete yet. " Said Regulus.

"Anyways keep an eye on things. I will let you handle it. " Said Callum with a finality.

" Can we leave this place? Standing in the middle of a forest with a corpse doesnt really appeal to me. "

" Yes. We better leave. " Said Ramson.

" Regulus, will you place the body in a stasis field so that it doesn't rot?" asked Callum.

" Yes. " Replied Regulus and brought out a small artifact from his robes.

It took him less than a minute to the put the required enchantment on the artifact and place it on the body.

" Ramson, please lead us away from here. Send me to the head quarters and others wherever they need to go. "

" Sure Callum. "

With that the council left the forest with more trouble in hand than they could bear.