Chapter 22: Secrets in the Chamber

  The Rest Residence, a stately manor nestled in the heart of Varsovia, stood as a silent testament to the enduring strength and influence of House Rest. Its walls, reinforced with protective arrays and layered enchantments, exuded a quiet, unassuming power that mirrored the family it represented. While the upper levels served as living quarters and gathering spaces for the family, it was the lower levels—hidden beneath layers of stone and spells—where the true heart of the manor lay.

  Robert descended the winding staircase that led to the message chamber, his footsteps echoing softly in the dimly lit corridor. The walls were lined with runic inscriptions, each one humming faintly with latent energy. It was said that the arrays here were some of the most complex in the Commonwealth, designed not just for protection, but also for communication.

  At the bottom of the stairs, a heavy iron door marked the entrance to the chamber. The door itself was inscribed with layers upon layers of defensive wards, ensuring that no one could enter—or leave—without the explicit permission of House Rest. It was a place of secrets, a place where the head of the house could express his will without fear of eavesdropping or interception.

  Robert paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts before pushing the door open. The room beyond was circular, its walls lined with shelves filled with magical artifacts and scrolls. In the center of the chamber stood a large circular table, its surface engraved with an intricate array of runes that pulsed softly with a gentle, bluish light.

  Standing beside the table was a tall man with broad shoulders and an air of quiet authority. His hair was streaked with silver, and his eyes, sharp and piercing, seemed to take in every detail of the room at once. He wore the dark blue and silver robes of a mage, the insignia of House Rest emblazoned on his chest.

  “Lord Rest,” the man greeted, his voice low and even. “I trust you are well?”

  “Master Janusz,” Robert replied, inclining his head respectfully. “I am. Thank you.”

  Janusz Lipsk, a 7th Circle mage and one of House Rest’s most trusted retainers, was the guardian of the message chamber. His mastery over arrays and his proficiency in the School of Thunder and Lightning made him the perfect custodian for a place that required both power and precision. He had served House Rest for decades, his loyalty and discretion unquestioned.

  “Your father has already briefed me on the situation,” Janusz said, gesturing to the array. “He believes it is time for you to learn how to use the summon-call system. It’s a delicate process, one that requires a steady hand and a deep understanding of magical resonance.”

  Robert nodded, his gaze drifting to the array. The lines of runes seemed to shift and ripple, responding to the faintest fluctuations in the ambient MP. It was a beautiful, almost hypnotic sight—one that hinted at the complexity of the magic at work.

  “I’m ready to learn,” Robert said quietly.

  Janusz’s lips twitched in what might have been a smile. “Good. Then let us begin.”

  He stepped forward, his hand hovering over the center of the array. With a subtle movement, he activated a series of runes, each one lighting up in a sequence that formed a coherent pattern. The air around them hummed with energy, and Robert felt a faint tingling sensation on his skin—a sign of the array tuning itself to their presence.

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  “Summon-calls are different from conventional magical messages,” Janusz explained, his voice steady and calm. “They do not rely on words or images. Instead, they transmit pure magical energy, encoded with a unique frequency that corresponds to the individual’s MP signature. The receiver must then decode the message using the same frequency. It’s a highly secure method, as only the intended recipient can interpret the message.”

  He gestured for Robert to step closer. “Place your hand over the center of the array. Feel the flow of energy—let it guide you.”

  Robert obeyed, extending his hand slowly. As his fingers brushed against the cool surface of the array, he felt a surge of energy rush through him, the runes flaring briefly in response to his touch. He took a deep breath, focusing his mind on the sensation. It was like standing at the edge of a vast, invisible network, each thread of energy connected to a distant point somewhere in the world.

  “Good,” Janusz murmured. “Now, focus on your MP. Imagine it as a thread, intertwining with the energy of the array. You need to establish a link, a conduit through which the message can travel.”

  Robert closed his eyes, concentrating. He felt his MP resonate with the array, a faint vibration that grew stronger as he poured more of his energy into the spell. The runes shifted, rearranging themselves into a new pattern. A soft, almost imperceptible hum filled the air, and Robert knew that the array was ready to receive.

  “Who… who is the message from?” Robert asked softly, his voice barely audible over the hum of magic.

  Janusz’s gaze was inscrutable as he replied. “It’s from a Sejm member—Count Lysek of House Branis. He’s been an ally of your father’s for many years, though his support has always been… cautious.”

  Robert nodded, his mind racing. House Branis was a minor noble house, known more for its strategic alliances than for any particular military or magical strength. The Count’s support could prove invaluable, especially in the face of growing tension with rival houses like Crima and Mighthaves.

  “Is it… safe to read?” Robert asked hesitantly.

  “Perfectly safe,” Janusz assured him. “The message has been verified and decoded. It’s a standard inquiry, expressing concern over recent events and requesting your father’s opinion on a proposed amendment to the Jadai trade laws.”

  Robert exhaled slowly, relief washing over him. For a moment, he had feared that the message might contain something far more dangerous—something that could upend the delicate balance of power within the Sejm. But an inquiry about trade laws? That was manageable.

  “Let’s proceed, then,” Robert said, steeling himself. “I’ll respond as my father would expect.”

  Janusz nodded approvingly, stepping back to give Robert space. “Very well. Align your MP with the array and focus on your response. Remember, the key is to keep your message concise and clear. The more complex the encoding, the greater the strain on both sender and receiver.”

  Robert took a deep breath, letting the energy of the array flow through him. He pictured his message in his mind—careful, diplomatic words that conveyed concern and reassurance without committing to any particular stance. Slowly, he infused his thoughts with his MP, sending them out through the array.

  The runes glowed brighter, the air crackling with energy as the array began to process the message. Robert felt a faint tug, as if something was pulling at his very essence, drawing his energy into the array. It was a strange sensation—exhilarating and draining all at once.

  Finally, the runes dimmed, the energy dissipating into the air like mist. The message had been sent.

  “Well done, Lord Rest,” Janusz said quietly. “You handled the summon-call with skill and precision. Your father will be pleased.”

  Robert nodded, though he still felt a lingering sense of unease. It wasn’t the process itself that troubled him, but the implications. If summon-calls like these were being used for something as mundane as trade law inquiries, what else might they be used for? What other secrets were being exchanged through this arcane network, hidden from all but a select few?

  “Thank you, Master Janusz,” Robert said softly. “I appreciate your guidance.”

  Janusz inclined his head, his expression thoughtful. “It is my duty, Lord Rest. And if I may offer a piece of advice… trust in your instincts. You are far more capable than you realize.”

  Robert managed a small smile. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  As he turned to leave, his mind still buzzing with the aftereffects of the summon-call, Janusz’s voice stopped him.

  “Lord Rest… I would suggest you prepare yourself for tomorrow’s session in the Sejm,” Janusz said carefully. “The Jadai Trade Laws will be put to a vote, and if the proposal is approved, it will severely restrict Jadai merchants from trading within the Commonwealth. There are… those who believe it will force Jadai into a corner—push them towards open conflict.”

  Robert turned back, his heart skipping a beat. “You think this will lead to war?”

  Janusz’s gaze was steady, his expression grim. “I think it is a distinct possibility. The proposal is being backed by several influential houses, and if it passes… well, it could be the spark that ignites something far larger.”

  As he left the chamber, the thought of the impending vote and its potential repercussions lingered in his mind. Tomorrow, the Sejm would decide the fate of the Jadai Trade Laws—a decision that could set the stage for war in the future.