Dragons of a New Age

11 Ghostly Tidings

Again the ghostly image of the woman appeared, though this time it was to hover above the top of a long, dark table in a room high in the Tower of Wayreth. The sun was setting and the orange glow that spilled into the room created a soft halo about the translucent woman.

The apparition glided toward Palin, who sat alone and unaware at the head of the table. Stacks of parchment were carefully arranged in front of him, and he was staring at one curled and yellowed page that was covered with notes written in a near-incomprehensible scrawl. The page fluttered in the breeze created by the phantom, and he glanced up.

Palin’s lips edged upward into a slight smile. “You have good news, I hope,” he said.

The apparition drifted until her fair, blue eyes were even with Palin’s. She stretched out an insubstantial hand, and he extended his own, until solid and incorporeal fingers touched in a sort of greeting.

“It is not as good as I had hoped,” the female image replied. “But it is a start. I’ve called out to many suitable warriors, though only one so far seems to be a likely prospect. He makes his way toward Schallsea as we speak.”

Palin shook his head. “Only one?”

“There will be others,” the apparition said. “Remember, I was alone at the beginning, in the time of the War of the Lance. But your father joined me, and your uncle. And then more were added to our ranks. I will continue calling to people at the tomb. More will answer. It might just take more time than expected.”

“I haven’t given up hope,” Palin said softly.

“I know. And neither have I.”

“This one who comes to you,” Palin began, “if he is willing...”

“I will send him to the Lonely Refuge, in the Northern Wastes near Palanthas.”

“The handle is there.”

“Waiting for the pennant,” the ghostly image added. She nodded and disappeared.