To the Defense of Azhure’en

The Silvergrey Sea

Part Three: Conspiracies and Secret Orders

To the Defense of Azhure’en

* * *

Time to think.

One of the advantages of the Albedo’s current predicament, he told himself.

The first problem: getting off this island and back to the Mother Lodge.

The second problem: what to do once he got there.

It all came down to trust. Whom could he trust if the Red Elect had fallen in with the Meraculus Mercurius?

No way to know. So, whom should he risk himself by trusting?

Only one name made any sense, that of the Hermetist who was apparently seeking answers to the same mystery.

Holding the silver sword point down, hilt at heart level, he called to Abram Hermit.

The latter answered almost immediately. “Albedo, hold a minute.” There was a splashing noise and what sounded like shouting voices. The connection was severed.

Somewhat taken aback, the Albedo waited for Abram to make contact.

It took almost half an hour. “Albedo, this is Abram. Profuse apologies for the last call, sir. I was being harried by some rather unfriendly folk.”

“What is it you’re doing?”

“Trying to find a friend on Hyborea.” Abram briefed the Albedo on what he had been doing.

“You think Drago went to Azhure’en?” asked the Albedo.

“Hard to know for sure, but I can’t see any other destination making sense. He has great reason to desire a reckoning with the Order.”

“Agreed. Abram, I need help. I’ve been marooned in the Evanescents.” The Albedo, in his turn, explained his recent adventures.

“So, we have another one like Drago to worry about, now?”

“Seems that way. Like your friend’s client, I’m almost certain this one will head for Azhure’en as well. I have a sinking feeling the new one wants the dragons.”

“Why?” Abram sounded frightened. The dragons of Azhure’en were its ultimate line of defense. Without them, The Mountain City was vulnerable.

Time to take a chance on trust. “The dragons are Aer Elementals. They were taken from the Silvergrey Sea, just as Drago and this other one was. I think Erthe Woman’s mission is to bring them back to the Silvergrey.” That was where trust had to stop, for now. The purpose for bringing the dragons back to the place of their birth had to be kept secret, unless the Albedo could learn to trust Abram a lot more. Trust Abram he must, but the White Elect was not about to give away the one advantage he had, should his fellow Hermetist be another traitor to the Order. Though he strongly doubted any in the Meraculus Mercurius would actually work to bring the Templars back, he wasn’t certain. If Abram were M. M., and any of the latter were agents of the Sea God, making the Superior of Noir Chapterhouse believe he was in the dark about the Sea God’s plan was his best hope of staying alive long enough to do something about it.

“That was not something I was educated about.”

“No one was. There is good reason for secrecy, I assure you.” And there was. The dragons guarding Azhure’en had been made for the Rite of Manifestation, the great magick that had created the Templars long ago. That ritual had been conducted right where he was standing, and someone was trying to perform it again. “I know you’re in hot pursuit of your friend, but this must take precedence.”

“Agreed. I’ve confirmed Tranker’s alive, at least. I’ll be there as soon as possible.”

Abram signed off.

The White Elect waited.

* * *

It was almost three days UT before the ship Abram piloted arrived.

The journey to Azhure’en passed in relative silence. The Albedo had provisionally reassured himself of Abram’s loyalty, something that greatly comforted him. The betrayal of the Kokkinos to the Hermetic Order had shaken him more than he could admit to himself.

They conferred about the best way to proceed once they arrived. With the Kokkinos knowing the Albedo would likely return seeking a redress of his grievances, the former would have taken steps to assure that he (the White Elect) would never have the chance. A covert entry to the city seemed the most prudent option.

That wouldn’t be easy. Anyone entering Azhure’en via Mercurius would be known the moment they crossed the barrier, whether overland or through the Silvergrey Sea to the massive harbour beneath the Mountain City.

Fortunately, the Albedo knew of a back door that was unguarded.

— Gideon Jagged
Innsmouth, September 2026

© Gideon Jagged
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