Jeff Inlo - Chain of Bargains

Jure, however, looked beyond obtaining the remaining answers and confronting the draevols. In a flash of cognizance, he followed the course of events that were most likely playing out even as they spoke.

"That's not quite what I meant. As far as the prophecy goes, what we let happen is irrelevant. If greater powers are at work, then the proper outcome will occur whether we let it or not, but we do have another problem we have to address, and it can't wait."

"The dwarves?" Ryson wondered, also seeing the larger elements involved. He understood the danger of the separatists in charge of Sterling, but he did not quite take the threat as far as Jure. The delver focused on Sterling while the wizard looked to the valleys as a whole.

"What the dwarves have caused…" Jure stated, "…the goblins. You said Strog was close to the final phase of his plan. He will eventually discover that you and Holli escaped. He will assume you returned to Connel to warn Enin, and…"

"He will order the goblins to attack the humans," Holli acknowledged. She thought of the goblin horde. She thought of Huntston again, and the suffering that would follow.

"We can't allow that to happen," Jure noted.

Ryson looked to Enin.

"Can you stop it?"

Enin considered the question fully. It was not a simple request. He did not know how many goblins had infiltrated the valleys, but he knew the number had to be colossal. He also considered the distance involved. The valleys stretched across vast sections of land. If it were just Ashlan and Huntston, he could have handled the situation, but the problem extended over countless farms and towns.

To combat the goblins, he would have to seek them out, create one battlefield after another. Once the conflict started, hordes would form across the region. The goblins would lash out against everything in their path. He had the power to fight them, even defeat them, but it would take time and energy.

The magnitude of such a war would be immense. With goblins already entrenched in cities and towns, they would seek refuge and utilize hostages. Damage and casualties would be beyond extensive. The Great Valleys would become a wasteland of ruin and anguish… a monumental graveyard.

The wizard made no attempt to gloss over the pain that would extend over the valleys as he explained the situation in full.

"I believe I can, but it will not be easy, and it will be destructive to the entire region. The dwarves have led the goblins to believe that the valleys are theirs for the taking. They will not be so willing to give up such a prize. Many will run, but they will also converge together as several great hordes. They will rise up against the very same humans that they tolerated-for too long in their minds. The reprisals will be vicious. So while I can stop the goblins from taking over the valleys, I won't be able to stop them from causing vast destruction."

"Doesn't that go against the prophecy?" Ryson pointed out. "The valleys are supposed to be spared."

"They will be spared from goblin infestation. I will not allow the region to be conquered by draevols, but I don't see how to defeat them without facing them in battle. They will not simply go back to the dark realm where they belong."

In that simple statement, Jure saw an answer. It took mere moments to form, but he could not dismiss the clarity and the potential of the plan that came to mind. He saw it all, the benefits and the risks. He knew what it would mean to himself and to Heteera, but without a doubt, it was the solution he hoped he would find.

"Maybe that is the way," Jure announced. "Rather than fight the goblins, send them back. No battles, no confrontation on this plane of existence. Use the magic to take hold of each creature, open portals across the valleys, and toss them back into the dark lands where they belong. If done with the proper spells, they could not resist. No fighting, no casualties, no war."

"Impossible," Enin replied almost immediately. "The energy it would take to accomplish such a deed is unfathomable."

"No, it's not. It's all right here."

Jure turned and looked back at Heteera. He knew it was not only the best way to deal with the goblins, but also a chance for the sorceress. He would use the magic within her as he had done before, but this time the great swell would be used in one cataclysmic wave of spells.

Enin understood, and just as Jure saw the full extent of the goblin dilemma, Enin realized what Jure's plan would mean.

"Do you know what might happen if you open yourself to that much energy?"

"I can do it," Jure replied, not with confidence, but with an acceptance of responsibility. "She's the way she is because of me. I put the barrier in her consciousness."

"But she's the one who took hold of it, used it to escape."

"Doesn't matter. I'm still responsible. I'm also the only one who can connect with the magic within her…" He looked over at Holli and knew that the elf could connect as well, but he made the difference clear. "…and utilize it to do what needs to be done."

"I don't doubt your abilities, but this is more than releasing a great surge of power into the air. You have to maintain control over the energy to give it absolute purpose. That much power will race through your being like fire upon parched fields."

"But I know what needs to be done. The spells are energy intensive, but not difficult to control-seek spells to find the goblins, hold spells to bind them, dimensional gateways to open the portals, and force spells to send them back. You know these aren't extremely complicated. I can manage them all. It's just the energy flow that would be a restriction, but not if I'm connected to Heteera when I begin casting them. The energy will flow right through me and across every valley. You know how much magic is within her. It can work."

Enin looked to Heteera, still lying on her bed staring up into nothingness. Yes, the power was within her, and Jure's idea could potentially solve two dilemmas at once, if handled properly. Unfortunately, there remained possible consequences.

"She will eventually notice the reduction in power within her. The barrier will begin to break. She might fight you."

"If she does, she won't be able to stop me. She doesn't have the strength to offset my will."

"That is true, but once the connection is made, she could decide to destroy you with the magic. That would not be a matter of will. It would just be her decision to make."

"She would only be able to do that after my spells have been cast. She could not interrupt them, and the goblins will be defeated. I also don't believe she would want to hurt me once she understands what I'm doing. She never wanted to cause harm."

"Still, you have to understand that if you do this, you're putting your life in her hands."

"No… I'm not. I'm doing what's right. That goes beyond her hands."

Enin furrowed his brow. He almost shook his head, but he could not find it within him to dismiss the idea completely. Still, he was not ready to move forward with such a monumental decision.

"Let us all go see Prilgrat," Enin finally suggested. "Let us find out what we can and then make our decision."

"I won't go without her," Jure announced as he nodded towards Heteera.

"Very well, can you carry her on your own?"

"Yes."

"Then let us prepare. I will teleport us all to the home of the regional steward and hope that none of this is necessary."

Enin guided them to Ashlan-across space compressed by magic-and delivered them directly in front of Prilgrat's home in mere moments. The sun was setting, but it was still very warm, almost as if the bright rays of midday were still baking the streets. While the sky remained blue overhead and there remained plenty of light across the city, there was little to see. The road in front of Prilgrat's large home was empty. Neither human nor goblin walked in sight, and it seemed as if that one small portion of Ashlan had been deserted.