In The Beginning Gail Daley (best books to read all time TXT) 📖

a scrub unicorn out of the remuda to replace the one Andre had killed, and using the Keep entrance from Caramel's pleasure garden, brought them to the Gate located deep under Ironlyn.

The Gate itself was hidden in plain sight; it looked like just another of several decorated arches along the tunnel. Unless you knew, it was impossible to tell the designs around it were actual runes, not just painted decorations.

"You're sure this is it?" Andre studied it curiously.

"Yes. Watch this." Rebecca laid her hand against one of the runes, and spoke the words she had found in the old journal. At first nothing happened, but gradually the arch showed colors and soon they could see an alien landscape through it. The scene was quite different from Rulari. In the distance, they could see tall spires could be a city, and up in the sky, strange vehicles floated. The four of them stared in awe.

"Is that where we will send them?" asked Selene in a hushed voice.

"Well, this was one of the three best options for getting rid of troublesome Magi mentioned in the journal," Rebecca said. She reached up with her other hand and tapped a second rune. The scene changed to a wilder country without cities or flying vehicles. Dawn was just breaking here. Lush red grasses flowed away from them in an endless vista. In the distance, they could see strange looking animals feeding on it.

"Is there a gate like this one on the other side?" Andre asked. "Could they open this one the way we just did?"

"There wasn't a lot in the diary about the other end of the Gates. I think some Gates may have a set up like this one on the other side. However, none of those recommended for getting rid of unwanted Magi have a Gate set up on the other end."

"Those animals look like unicorns, but they don't have a horn," Selene said.

"They're fatter too," Catrin remarked. "They look kind of squatty compared to ours."

"What does the third option look like?" Andre asked.

Rebecca obliged by tapping another rune. This landscape looked much like their own world. The Gate opened onto a clearing in a forest of tall blue trees.

"This one, I think," Andre said. "If it looks familiar, I think we will have less trouble getting them to go through it."

"Alright," Rebecca agreed. "Catrin, come and place your hand where mine is to hold the gate open. Selene, you watch the animals. Andre and I will go and get our Travelers."

Simon McTavish looked up warily when they opened the cell door. Andre had drawn the Defender's sword, and Rebecca stood behind him. They found Oscar on his feet. He had recovered enough to walk on his own, supported by his mother and sister. McTavish eyed the sword and them. "What happens now?" he asked.

"Now you go on a journey," Andre told him. "Come with us."

The McTavishes said nothing as they were led deeper into Ironlyn. When they arrived at the Gate, they stopped.

"What—what is that?" Sophia whispered.

"Is it a Gate?" asked Jeribella in awe.

"I said you were going on a journey," Andre told them. "Your new world awaits you. Take your animals and go."

"And if we don't?" it was Simon who asked the question.

"I gave you quarter when you yielded, so I would prefer not to kill you," Andre said. "But since we don't want you running back to the Proctor, we are giving you a choice and a chance at a new life. I suggest you take this option offered; it will allow you and your family to live."

McTavish took a deep breath. "You are generous, Drake. A choice to start over on a new world is more than I would have given to you. Come, Sophia."

He took the reins of his unicorn from Selene and started through the Portal. His wife did the same. While Jeribella supported Oscar, Geoffrey took the leads of the remaining animals and followed his family.

There was a blurring as each of them entered the gate, before the entire clan popped into the clearing.

"Pull your hand away, Catrin," Rebecca instructed. They could still see the McTavishes, but it seemed as if a glass pane was between them.

"Can they get back through?" Andre asked.

She shook her head. "No. Not unless one of us is holding the gate open. We can see them and they can see us now, but they can't get back through and once the gate closes they won't be able to re-open it." She reached up and tapped the runes again, and the image gradually darkened and faded until only the wall was left.

The next day, Mort persuaded Serle to come with him to visit Lewys in the infirmary. "We owe our host a visit as a courtesy," he told his Grandson. "I know your pride was hurt when Rebecca chose that Merc over you and you wanted to teach her a lesson yesterday. Perfectly understandable, but it didn't work, and it is time to move on. A surly attitude will give a poor impression, Serle. Since your plan to make Rebecca turn to you during the battle failed, you need to set aside your resentment and start paying attention to your duties as a teacher. We must stay here where it's safe."

"You keep saying that, but you didn't tell me what you are so afraid of."

Mort took a deep breath. "I have known for some time our Magi network has been infiltrated by the Proctors agents. McTavish was showing far too much interest in you Serle, and it wasn't as a husband for his daughter. You are the dearest thing in the world to me son, I didn't want to lose you if he turned you in to the Proctors. I jumped at the chance to come here when Lewys invited us."

"You realize if we stay here, sooner or later that Merc will be deciding our fate?"

His grandfather looked thoughtful. "Perhaps it need not be permanent; I do still have some contacts overseas.