“I have succeeded where others have failed, Father,” Lady Mystic said softly into the air tunnel.

A look of surprise illuminated the Emperor’s face. He grinned broadly and nodded. “Approach, Lady Mystic,” he said loudly.

Lady Mystic grinned and felt a shiver of victory course through her body. The others in the room stared in confusion as they wondered what was happening. Lady Mystic marched up and stood before her father.

“Teach me,” the Emperor instructed. “I want to know how it is done.”

Lady Mystic gladly instructed the Emperor in the creation of the air tunnel. He nodded his understanding and experimented with it. First he aimed one at Clarvoy, the head spy for Motanga.

“Now we have something we can use against them,” whispered the Emperor. “We must discuss the implications of this discover. Stay when the others are dismissed.”

Across the room, the head spy merely nodded. Next, the Emperor directed an air tunnel at one of the mages in the rear of the room. He instructed the man to leave the room. While no one else had heard the utterance, the mage nodded and walked out the doors.

“This is wonderful,” announced the Emperor. “How did you learn this magic?”

“I watched Aakuta use it,” grinned Lady Mystic. “Surely you can have no doubts about my loyalty now. He would die if he knew that I was instructing you in its use.”

“He would not die,” frowned the Emperor. “I have not allowed it yet. Why didn’t you bring this knowledge to me before? Why have you waited until now?”

“I just learned it,” answered Lady Mystic. “I brought the knowledge to you as soon as I learned it.”

“Do not lie to me,” shouted Vand. “The insane do not go around casting spells.”

“I am not lying,” frowned Lady Mystic. “I do not understand it, but Aakuta still has the ability to reason. I made up a potion to ease his pain, and he became quite lucid. The first thing he did was to run to the beach and create an air tunnel. I followed him and spied on him. I came here as soon as I learned his secret.”