In concise terms, Coralis told Randall the essence of everything that had transpired in the past few weeks. Randall then reciprocated with his side of the story. When he got to the point of his capture, he could sense tension and worry. When he told of the night in the cabin, he could sense the old man’s fear. And when he detailed what he knew of Dai She’s evil plan, he felt Coralis recoil in horror.

“What I don’t know is how they plan to do it.”

“And what of Henry’s father?” Coralis asked.

“I’d say he’s a very willing accomplice. But there are indications they don’t see eye to eye. There’s somewhat of a power struggle between them. And I sense something else about him. Something beneath the surface that is extremely powerful. If indeed he is Henry’s father, he is much more than he seems to be.”

“Randall, I hate to ask this of you, but—”

“No need to ask,” Randall interrupted. “I got myself into this mess and I plan to get myself out of it.”

There was no reply from Coralis for several minutes, until finally: “I’m sorry, Randall. Sorry I didn’t listen to you. Sorry I … ”

Randall could sense the connection weakening. “It’s okay.” Proving the old man wrong should have given him some measure of satisfaction. But it didn’t. And the apology was just making him uncomfortable. “Whatever is going to happen, it’s going to be soon. I’ll do my best to find out. Keep in touch, sir.”

“Unfortunately, this is a one-time arrangement. The distance between us is great, and I have used the last of my crystals to make this link. It’s already starting to fade.”

A long gap followed. The connection was gone … almost.

“Be safe, my son.”

The pressure eased in Randall’s mind. The connection had been broken. And now he was more focused than ever. There was a plan for mass destruction, and he was the only one in place to find out all the details.

But there were also plans for him. He didn’t know what they were, but he knew they couldn’t be good.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“Epifanio Corsini was not only an exceptional Wand Master, he was also an intuitive cartographer—a mapmaker, and a very good one. He was able to draw a map of the entire world in such detail and precision that it puts today’s maps to shame. And this at a time when most thought the world was flat! But what really made his map special was that it was alive. Everything he used to make this map, from the trees used for the papyrus to the water from which the ink was made, was highly specialized and seasoned with the expertise of a Wand Master.