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Tall, slim, and clad in an elegant robe of midnight blue, he made for quite a sight, even to other wizards.
Rhonin hardly appeared recalcitrant, even though his last mission had cost the lives of five good men. He
stood straight and eyed the murk, waiting to see from which direction the other wizard would speak to
him.
“You summoned. I've waited,” the crimson-tressed spellcaster whispered, not without some impatience.
“It could not be helped. I myself had to wait until the matter was brought up by someone else.” A tall
cloaked and hooded figure half-emerged from the gloom—the sixth member of the Kirin Tor inner
council. “It was.”
For the first time, some eagerness shone in the eyes of Rhonin. “And my penance? Is my probation
over?”
“Yes. You have been granted your return to our ranks . . . under the provision that you accede to taking
on a task of import immediately.”
“They've that much faith left in me?” Bitterness returned to the young mage's voice. “After the others
died?”
“You are the only one they have left.”
“That sounds more realistic. I should've known.”
“Take these.” The shadowy wizard held out a slim, gloved hand, palm up. Above the hand there
suddenly flashed into existence two glittering objects—a tiny sphere of emerald and a ring of gold with a
single black jewel.
Rhonin held out his own hand in the same manner . . . and the two items appeared above it. He seized
both and inspected them. “I recognize the sphere of seeing, but not this other. It feels powerful, but not,
I'm guessing, in an aggressive manner.”
“You are astute, which is why I took up your cause in the first place, Rhonin. The sphere's purpose you
know; the ring will serve as protection. You go into a realm where orc warlocks still exist. This ring will
help shield you from their own devices of detection. Regrettably, it will also make it difficult for us to
monitor you.”
“So I'll be on my own.” Rhonin gave his sponsor a sardonic smile. “Less chance of me causing any extra
deaths, anyway. . . .”
“In that regard, you will not be alone, at least as far as the journey to the port. A ranger will escort you.”
Rhonin nodded, although he clearly did not care for any escort, especially a ranger. Rhonin and elves did
not get along well together. “You've not told me my mission.”
The shadowed wizard propped back, as if sitting in an immense chair the younger spellcaster could not
see. Gloved hands steepled as the figure seemed to consider the proper choice of words. “They have not
been easy on you, Rhonin. Some in the council even considered forever dismissing you from our ranks.
You must earn your way back, and to do that, you will have to fulfill this mission to the letter.”
“You make it sound like no easy task.”