Ways of Power 1: Power Rises Read Online Free PDF Page B

simple fare, it was a superb breakfast.
    "Thank you, Sahrisa, that was wonderful," Rancoth said as he stood to go.
    Sahrisa smiled and, with a soft, short giggle, said, "You're welcome. I'll see you later for the mid-day meal I hope." 
    Rancoth leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "You can count on it." She blushed slightly, as Rancoth left.
    Since the sun had not quite cleared the horizon, the tower was still relatively empty. Rancoth wandered from the private dining room down the stairs and into the main audience hall.
    The room was huge, and circular in shape; it took up almost the entire area of the tower base, for at least the first four stories of the building. There were tall arched windows that opened to the east and west, spanning floor to ceiling. On the northern wall there was a raised dais, where Grecrum spent a large portion of his day sitting in a beautifully crafted white and gold chair, listening to the concerns and requests of the Light Magi people.
    On the wall above Grecrum's chair was a large hand- painted map of the Light Magi territory, which Rancoth would often study at length when the hall was empty. Tower City stood in the center and was marked by the tower symbol. Just to the northeast of Tower City were the Ocean's Children. Five inland seas clustered together and connected by a river that eventually led to the Mother Ocean far to the East.
    Quite a distance to the west of Tower City was the Dragon's Spine, a huge continent-splitting mountain range, which divided the Light Magi territory from that of the Dark Magi; supposedly further west was the Father Ocean which was said to be twice the size of the Mother Ocean.
    North of the Ocean's Children was the Great Northern Forest, an endless sea of broad-leafed trees, that bled into a mass of needle-leafed ones. It stretched across the top of the continent and surrounded the Mother's Fist, a huge northern sea in the shape of a fist, surrounded by land on three sides.
    In the deep southern territory, there were vast beaches that surrounded what was known as the Mother's Boot. Similar to the Fist, this was a southern sea surrounded by land on three sides in the shape of a boot.
    Further south, but not on the map was another continent. The territory of the Ray'Deeants tribe of Elfkin, long time allies of the Light Magi people.
    Done daydreaming about far off lands, Rancoth turned from the map to gaze around the rest of the hall. Far above him, the white ceiling was embossed with a huge golden starburst, around which, in intricate gold lettering was inscribed, Only when the smallest voice is fairly heard, can the path to righteousness be paved . On the floor directly beneath the starburst sat two giant crescent-shaped white oak tables. These were used when the High Council was in session; each school of magic had a seat, and was given the opportunity to voice their opinion on any subject that was brought forth.
    Knowing that the hall would soon be filled with the hustle and bustle of the day-to-day exercise of government, Rancoth followed the gold fringed carpet through the foyer and out the door.
    "Good morning, Rancoth." Rancoth turned to see Ferrigin, still standing in the same place as the fateful night when he’d first come to the Tower. Ferrigan’s fiery hair was now streaked with gray, and he was not quite as slender as he had been that long-ago night.
    "Good morning to you, Ferrigin, and to you as well, Baluder." Neither man had managed to advance from night watch since failing to ascertain the gravity of the situation when Adroman had approached them. Baluder simply grunted and nodded his greeting. Both men were obviously tired, and due to end their watch in an hour or so.
    There was already a small gathering of people on the terrace, and a few more waiting on the stairs. It looked like it was going to be a busy day for Grecrum. Rancoth sighed. He was not particularly fond of large groups of people, especially those that were familiar with