“Just remember, deep in the water, you feel yourself slipping away, slipping away.” Juan awoke with a song he’d never heard playing in his mind, with fear he rarely experienced. He found the rhythm of his breath and calmed himself.
Looking out the window of the tower, the first rays of daylight made Anwyn light up in gold and amber hues. He washed his face and went to the kitchen, where he brewed...
The ceremony was complete with the placement of the Gemini crown on Juan's brow by the regal Aquarius. "Now and forever, you join us as our Gemini, with all rights and responsibilities attendant to that role. You also ascend to the rank of Magus, no longer a Magister. We welcome you."
Applause rang out from the round table, each zodiac sign at its place. Libra beamed at him and he felt embarrasse...
Bucephalus stepped gently through the portal and surveyed the room, including the unconscious pillars. "I never thought I'd be in the tower of Anwyn. Is this part of the Revolving Castle?"
Libra stared at him, wide eyed. "Oh, of course you know about the Revolving Castle, extraordinary." She laughed and introduced herself. They shook hands.
Juan asked, "what's the Revolving Castle?"
Libra explai...
Libra opened her hands, and the scales behind her switched their positions. "So I wasn't lying when I said this planet is dying. We tapped the planet's core generations ago to provide ourselves with an endless energy source, converting the minerals at the core into electricity and heat. But now, so much of the ore at the center of the planet has been transferred that the earth's rotation is slowin...
Juan stood at the center, with Boaz on one side of him and Jachin on the other. Libra called out: "FIGHT!"
The twins lunged toward him simultaneously, Jachin aiming a high kick and Boaz attempting to push Juan into Jachin's foot. Juan spun himself sideways and grabbed onto Boaz's collar.
Boaz landed a massive blow to Juan's jaw. Juan's vision went black, but his hand kept its grip on Boaz's shirt...
"Why does Jachin think he's lying?" Libra asked calmly.
Boaz explained: "the two of us are a lie detector. I engaged Mr. X on subjects I knew were emotionally charged for him, such as his father's prison sentence, and asked questions where he'd be forced to lie or admit to treasonous intentions. Jachin watched his facial expressions, and the ones he used to lie about how he felt about his father...
It was evening when their carriage rolled through the gates of Anwyn. Warm light suffused the garden, sparkling with the light of fairies. The three men disembarked and stood admiring the green. Even with their purpose driving them forward, the sight was breathtaking.
"Millions of years, each species vying for survival, and we've never been able to improve on nature. This is where we should be, no...
"You know, Mr. X" said Boaz, "it wasn't right what happened to your father. Orlando X was a visionary, and he didn't deserve to be treated how the guild did."
Juan softened. "I appreciate you saying that, Boaz. That's how I feel too."
"Have you been to see him?"
"He's not allowed any visitors. They've kept him incommunicado this entire time." Orlando had been sentenced to life at the prison betwe...
Juan was interrupted from his conversation with Bucephalus. He'd been sitting beside the crater, projecting his astral form into the sanctum. A rude shake on his shoulder and brought him back to his physical body.
Standing in front of him with a two guild enforcers, called Boaz and Jachin. They were stocky, identical bearded men in matching uniforms. They carried wands outstretched, the mark of a...
Juan began. “The guild’s center of power is a fortress called Anwyn. There are three aspects to it. The visible Anwyn is a garden beneath a sphere in Golgonozza. Portals within Anwyn give way to Anwyn in the Air and Anwyn Undersea.
“The garden of Anwyn on land is a meeting place for humans, gnomes, centaurs, fairies, and elves.
“Anwyn in the Air is an aerie in the Bacatete mountains. Humans can s...
