“Shadows hide deeper shadows. There is a void from which no light emerges, and into which none may see. Those who seek to destroy all you love lurk within.” A deep sigh came from the massive figure and the Oracle said, “Seek more knowledge before you act, for once begun, this conflict can only end in complete victory or utter defeat.”

Magnus said, “Not the first time we’ve been faced with that option.”

The Oracle said, “Wave after wave, young magician, that you must realize. This struggle started before you were born, before your father was born, before even I was born. It is not apparent, but all is connected. Be cautious, be wise, seek more intelligence before acting is my counsel.”

The massive dragon head slowly lowered to the floor and the men and women who had been standing in the shadows—the Oracle’s companions—moved forward to meet any need she might have.

Pug nodded to his son and suddenly they were back in his study.

Magnus asked, “Father, did that help?”

“Somewhat,” answered Pug. “I think before we run down to Kesh to look at Sandreena’s big hole in the ground, we need to backtrack the elven brothers’ route, and find that lost castle.”

“What do we seek there?”

“As always. Knowledge. There are dwarf, human, and elven prisoners there, so we should free them. And there’s a room full of books I wish to bring here.”

“Books?” said Magnus. “What sort of books?”

“We won’t know until we fetch them.”

“Why are they important?”

With a wry grin, Pug said, “Because it appears this is another small den that had been at one time occupied by your grandfather.”

Magnus visibly sagged. “Macros.”

Pug reached over and pulled a book off the shelf, handing it to his son. “Look at the mark on the first page.”

Magnus opened the volume and looked. “It’s grandfather’s glyph, if I read it right.”

For a painful moment, Pug looked lost and he said, “I just wish I knew what your mother would say right now.”

“Something scathing,” said Magnus and he laughed.

Suddenly Pug laughed, too. “No doubt.” It was the first time either of them had been able to laugh since Miranda’s death and they looked at each other. They needed to put the past behind, for the coming struggle was approaching faster than either would welcome, and they needed to be at their best. Pug pushed aside a rising fear: is this where I lose my son? Ignoring that stab of near panic, he resigned himself to the fact the gods were exacting a price for returning him to this struggle, and it was a bitter price, watching all he loved die before him. But that didn’t mean it would be now, or even soon.

“I think we need to find Gulamendis and start back-tracking to that world with the volcanoes.”

“Who else?”