“Amirantha and Sandreena, because we need all the demon knowledge we can bring to this, and Brandos, because we could use a good sword and he’s faced his share of demons, too.”

Magnus said, “When do we leave?”

“As soon as you gather them all here. No time like the present.”

Magnus nodded and hurried out of the tower, and Pug sat in his chair, lost in his thoughts. Fear over his last child’s fate threatened to rise up and instead of succumbing to it, he forced his mind to dissect the Oracle’s riddle. The hidden wave. An enemy hiding in a lightless void. He could feel his mind almost comprehending something, but with the Oracle the mix of simple fact and metaphor often confused things.

He turned his attention to her predictions and waited for the others.

It had taken some time, but eventually they discovered the source of the brothers’ last rift. Pug had spent the better part of an hour in the clearing where they had arrived, using his powers to seek out any lingering effects of the magic rift, and finding it after a tedious search. It was a faint trail, but there was enough of it that with calculations and patience he finally decided he could reach the point of origin.

“Everyone, stand back,” he instructed. “Magnus, be ready to get us out of here if needed.” Rifts could be very unstable and destructive and while no man living knew more of them and their nature than Pug, still he was cautious when constructing a new one to a previously unknown location.

Pug closed his eyes a moment, then with a quick incantation formed a rift.

Pug was pulled forward a step, as if seized by a massive invisible hand, then fell back, as if that same hand pushed him away. Brandos stepped forward and steadied Pug, keeping the sorcerer from falling on his backside.

“That was unexpected,” said Pug.

“What, Father?”

He looked at Magnus and said, “That rift formed with a great deal more energy than I intended. It was as if someone was helping me form it.” He turned to the others and said, “Best be ready for anything when we step through.”

Pug led the way and stepped through. When the others came through they found him examining the gate used by the elven brothers. Brandos and Sandreena both coughed, as the air was thick with smoke and an acrid bite stung their eyes and noses. “Must have had an eruption recently,” observed Gulamendis. “It wasn’t this bad when we left.”

Magnus came to stand beside his father and instantly understood what had his father’s attention. “I’ve not seen its like.”

“Neither have I. Look at this.” He pointed to the impressions where fingers were to be placed.

Magnus put his fingers there, closed his eyes, then opened them wide as if he had been surprised. “Those controls…”