"Ox understand," the warrior said. "Everything be as wizard Faegan say."

"Good," Faegan answered. "Go now, and may the Afterlife watch over you."

After a quick click of his heels, Ox left.

"A good man…" Faegan said, his voice fading away as he became lost in his thoughts.

"Faegan!" Celeste called. "We're waiting!"

"Uh, er, yes-yes, of course," the wizard said. He turned his chair back to face the room. His grim look returned.

"Very well," he began. "I will start by telling you what I have already expressed to Wigg, just before he and Tristan left." He paused for a moment, as if not really knowing where to begin.

"If what Wigg and I believe is true, then we are facing a calamity of epic proportions," he said. "What we witnessed tonight may be just the beginning…"

In measured tones, the wizard began to explain his theories. As he did, the people before him turned to one another, aghast. Several of those with endowed blood wept openly. Those without did the best they could to comfort the others.

The wizard's talk lasted hours.

CHAPTER VI

By the time Tristan, Wigg, and the minion phalanx saw the cause of the terrible destruction, the village of Brook Hollow was already in flames. Wigg ordered the Minions to take the litter as close as they dared.

The terrible noise shot like daggers through Tristan's ears, a plaintive screeching howl. He watched, dumbstruck, as the thing continued on its path of annihilation across the land. Then he lowered his head, as if by doing so he might somehow make the whole scene disappear.

All the death and chaos originated from the same revered phenomenon that sustained the benevolent side of the craft: the Orb of the Vigors.