THE DARK GATE - PART FOUR - PREPARATIONS

  Thirty - Seven

  For the first time in the history of the convocation more than seven chairs sat at the table. Fifteen now sat edge to edge taking up every inch of table circumference. For the first time the apprentices sat beside their mentors and teachers. Even the familiars were present. Minutes ago Edgar Goodman called them all together. Edgar, at Evan’s insistence, urged someone to return home and get their familiar.

  “As you all know, this is Evan Cooper and his true Other, Valarie Williams. The creature with its head on the table is not a dog, although we would all agree to the resemblance. It is a true watcher that has devoted its life at the moment to Evan. They have named it “Giant”. We know of at least a half dozen humans that it’s breatharian have killed since this started. Now I’m going to turn this over to Evan.”

  “I’m Evan Cooper and Edgar wanted me to take his place as the head of the Convocation as the Guardian of the Seventh Gate. The Lord and Lady of the Seventh Gate has informed me that I was the Chosen One, and it is by that right alone that I claim a seat at this table. I would like to go around the table and introduce yourself. Please tell me your name, age, how long you’ve been studying magic, and how you met your apprentice. I’m thirty-six and have been studying for twenty years, after I saw a sideshow magician. I just had to know how and within two years I was asking is that all there is? I met my Other, Valarie over four years ago at a fast food lunch. She saw me but didn’t recognize the attraction to me as I did to her. Less than a month ago I made myself apparent to her, and what we meant to each other. After introductions are finished, I’ll address the problem we all face and we’ll talk about solutions.” Evan finished and said to Valarie in her mind, ’Just be honest.’

  “I’m Valarie Williams. I’m twenty-eight and I found out about magic less than a month ago, the night of the big storm. I was hijacked into a two day dream that was not a dream. I have been learning about reality for less than a month, so please excuse me if I ask or say something stupid.”

  “Saanvi Gupta from Jaipur, India. I’m two hundred forty-six years and have been learning about the universe since I was twenty. Aanan is my sixth Other. India is a dangerous place without magic, snakes, tigers, elephants, disease. I am the Guardian of the First Gate and have been for over a century and a half. She’s a Peregrine falcon named Pearl.”

  “I’m Aanan Chatterjee. I’m thirty-six and have been a student of Saanvi for seventeen years. We met in a dance club, and we still go at least once a month.”

  “Elijah Merridew, and Guardian of the Second Gate. I’m one hundred and forty-one and have settled for ranching in Mandan, North Dakota, in this iteration of my life. I found out about magic from a medicine man and have really been studying it seriously for one hundred eighteen years. Until I met Vargus Mc Daniels I knew nothing of the Path of Light, but I had traveled extensively learning what local culture allowed to be known. Our familiar is a Great Grey Wolf we call Silver.”

  “My name is Lucas Whitlock and I met Eli when I applied to be a ranch hand nine years ago. I won’t say it was love at first sight, but I do love him now and would lay down my life for him. I notice some odd things going on, on the ranch. I finally got an honest explanation and decided that I wanted to know what Eli knew, about seven years ago now. I’ve only been to the Third Gate.”

  “Li Zhang to serve you Sir. I am the Guardian of the Third Gate. I am the oldest of the current Guardians at seven hundred fifty-two. The Master took me from the small village where I was born when I had just turned thirteen. Biyu is my eighth apprentice and is from my lineage. She has developed remarkable skills. Our current familiar which completes our little family is a Chinese Chongqing called Chang. He is a member of the mastiff branch of dogs. I have traveled to all of the Gates many times in the past, and hope to continue in the future.”

  “Grandfather claimed me in my twelfth year. I am currently in my sixty-third year, and love what I do. I am willing to protect it with my life, if necessary. We live a quiet life in Nan-ling Flachau province in China. I have earned the right to travel to the first six gates by myself, and I have seen a large portion of our world to see how others live and believe. I am honored to be seated at this table and to serve the Chosen One, just command.”

  “My name is Carlos Borges, Guardian to the Fourth Gate. I’m three hundred and forty-two years old . I came late to my introduction of magic, having gotten lost in a cave I was searching for gold. Jaun DeForgas found me almost dead in the caves and restored me to health in those caves which were his home. I was forty-two when I saw him create fire without flint or a match, and was hooked. I spent the next two years in those caves with Jaun. My family and friends thought I had died in the caves. I came out of the caves with a large bag of gold and Jaun. I filed my claim on the caves and took Jaun home with me as my mentor.”

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  “I’m Tomas Sousa, seventy-six. I’ve been Carlos’ pupil for the past four decades, and as far as I know, I’m his only apprentice that he’s ever had. Jaun passed fairly soon after he moved into the hacienda. Sure that Carlos would not be alone, Juan passed quietly and Carlos became the Master. Our family is complete with our Brazilian Ocelot, Spotty. We have a beautiful hectare of land with our large hacienda on the edges of the slums of Rio de Janeiro. We get no problems from the gangs, as they know that we stay neutral and rumors abound how Carlos can kill with a look or from the comforts of his hacienda.”

  “You all know me as Elizabeth Bailey, and I’ve been around for very close to three centuries. My Uncle Ruffus took me in when my parents died in the plague and he probably started my training right then and there at five. I never remember a time when magic was not in my life. I’ve had two husbands, and six children, three boys, three girls. After ninety years I died the first time and moved to America for eighty years. Then on to India for another lifetime of fifty years. Finally I was able to return to my beloved England and the family home in Sheffield. Katelynn joined me since she is genetically from my bloodline about three decades ago. She has shared with me in being the Guardian of the Fifth Gate.”

  “To reintroduce myself, I’m Katelynn Pomeroy. Forty-nine years old, I’ve only traveled to the Fourth Gate on my own, but have visited Five and Six. The only other thing of interest at this time is our Maine Coon cat, Lady. For some reason she loves to walk on people’s feet, and at her size, you tend to notice.”

  “Jabari Khumalo is my current invention of my life. I’ve lived for five hundred eighteen years and for the first one hundred and forty years I was king of an area bigger than the northern portion of Nigeria. Our tribal medical man began my training in magic, but it wasn’t until I met his Master on my hundredth birthday that I learned of the Path of Light. I have seen and been involved in the darker side of humanity, and how it played out over the African continent. I detested myself for a while in accepting my participation, and acceptance of the excuse, well this is how it has always been. It was painful growth but necessary for the Path of Light.”

  “I am Akwasi Dlaminiand. I was sold by my parent when I was thirteen. My Master has told me that my aura indicated, I was the one to train. I have a gift for magic, and magic will have a gift for me, if I listened. The past sixteen years have been the best years of my life so far. I have been to the first two gates by myself and look forward to progressing up the Ladder of Lights. I look after our friend Watcher, an African Hawk-Eagle.”

  “Thank you all. That was very informative and helpful. We have only one task set before this group and that is to make certain the Dark Gate does not open in ten days. Any ideas, view points and comments are desired from each and everyone of you to air.

  There are three vantage points I have for keeping the gate closed. My recurring dreams have convinced me that this is the location from which the gate will be opened. I have drawn the image, in as great of detail as I am capable. There is a tower floating high above a large house sitting on the edge of a rocky coastline. On this paper is the house as I recall it and the tower itself.” He then passes out the papers with the drawings.

  “We know from informants in Las Vegas that Devlin flew out of New York to Phoenix. It makes sense then to search the eastern coastline from 200 miles south to north up in Canada. We’ll use Pearl and Watcher and by any other means this council would feel effective.

  The second front from which I am hoping to keep the Gate closed is currently being built at my house. In addition to a couple rooms, a dodecagon hall is also being constructed. On seven walls the Gates of Light will be fashioned, side by side in ascending order. I will set the appropriate stone for each Gate. It will be each of your responsibilities to make certain the gateways are inscribed to perfection. They will all face across the hall to the Dark Gate which I will inscribe, having been there.”

  Carlos asked, “How could you have been there? Nobody comes back from the Dark Gate.”

  “I didn’t cross through the gate. I just went to it and spoke to the Keeper.”, Evan explained. “On the night of the alignment you will each open your gate in the great hall and ask the Lords and or Ladies to step forward and help hold the dark gate closed, with all of their great power. They are not allowed to step into our world, but with the Gates wide open they will have unfettered access to the Dark Gate.”

  “Ingenious”, said Li.

  “Thirdly, Saanvi, you must accompany me to India, the Padmanabhasway Temple to be precise . I have been informed that I am the current heir to the Temple, and I need some things from the Granda Mantra vault.”

  “You’re going to have a tough time convincing the Temple’s governing board that the vault belongs to you. After so many centuries of enjoying the treasures of the other vaults, they will not give up their status easily,” Saanvi said.

  “I will prove myself by doing what no one else has been able to do, open the vault. If that is not sufficient then they place their lives and personal fortunes and family on the line. I will not be denied what is mine nor be trifled with by the council.”

  “What is it that you are expecting to find in that vault,”Aanan asked.

  “Brahmastra,” Evan said flatly.

  “The bow and arrows of the god Brahma. That is only a legend,” Aanan said his voice filled with wonder.

  “We are all only legends and folktales,” Ethan said softly. “Will you need me to accompany you?”

  “No, I need you to make the Seventh Gate and supervise the other Gates, and you my beautiful Other, I need you to remain and play hostess.”