Another thought occurred to Tristan. "Why can't we simply beat him to it?" he asked hopefully.

"I don't understand," Wigg said, his expression skeptical. "What are you talking about?"

"You believe that the scroll in our possession contains the calculations for the destruction of the Orb of the Vagaries, correct?"

"Yes."

"Then why can't we destroy the Orb of the Vagaries first, and render Wulfgar powerless? That would solve all of our problems, would it not?"

Wigg sighed. "We thought of that, and it is a very tempting proposition. But it wouldn't be wise. Assuming, of course, that such a situation is even possible."

"How so?"

"You're forgetting something," Wigg explained. "The Tome states that it shall be your mission, and then the mission of your sister should you either fail or perish in your attempt, to combine the two sides of the craft for the good of all humankind. If we purposely destroy the Orb of the Vagaries and thereby allow only the Vigors to exist, you will never be able to fulfill the destiny that the Tome says you must." Wigg gave a small sigh and looked down at his hands.

"Perplexing, isn't it?" he continued a moment later. "It seems we have been placed in the unwelcome position of having to preserve both sides of the craft, no matter how repellent we find the Vagaries. While Wulfgar, on the other hand, is left completely unbridled, and quite untroubled by such a conflict of interest. In many respects, his task is far easier than ours."

"How will it happen?" Geldon asked.

"How will what happen?" Wigg responded.

"When Wulfgar employs the Forestallment to destroy the orb, I mean," Geldon answered. "What will actually happen?"

Wigg laced his long fingers together. "That is impossible to say," he replied. "The Scroll of the Vigors provides the calculations, but does not actually describe the unfolding of the event. It does, however, make mention of something called the 'Isthmus.' "

"What is that?" the dwarf asked.

"We're not sure. Perhaps more research will tell us. But for now we believe it to be a manifestation of the craft that somehow allows the partial joining of the orbs, without the two of them actually touching each other. And we believe this Isthmus may be an inherent part of what Wulfgar has planned. But there is one advantage we do have over Wulfgar in all of this."

"And what is that?" Tristan asked, eager to hear a scrap of good news.

"Over the centuries, it has been our experience that the two orbs reside only over the landmass of Eutracia," Wigg answered. "Although they exist within the fabric of the craft, and we believe the craft to exist everywhere, every attempt to move the orbs either out over the Sea of Whispers or over the heights of the Tolenka Mountains has always failed. We never discovered why, but it seems quite impossible to do. The only reason we could ever discern was that the Tome stated that Tristan and his sister would one day arrive in Eutracia, and for the Chosen Ones to fulfill their destinies, eons ago the orbs were somehow enchanted to remain imprisoned here, in our homeland, thereby helping to ensure Tristan's or Shailiha's success. But that is still only a theory; as with so many things of the craft, no one can be absolutely sure. But this is why Wulfgar cannot simply call the Orb of the Vigors to the Citadel and destroy it there."

Traax's strong, commanding voice rang out. "We will beat him back, I swear it," the Minion said sternly. "No fighting force on earth can overcome our warriors. We will give him a reception he shall never forget."

Tristan looked over at him. "Forgive me, my friend," he said with concern, "but that may not be the case. I have seen the demonslavers fight. While they do not have the gift of flight, they are nonetheless ferocious adversaries, and they care absolutely nothing for their own safety. Our forces were drastically weakened during the battle with Nicholas' flying creatures over the fields of Farplain. Even worse, the demonslavers will have a full-fledged wizard of Morganna's blood leading them." Thinking to himself for a moment, he looked out over the balcony, then back to Faegan and Wigg.

"If the Minions cannot keep Wulfgar from reaching the coast, can your combined gifts beat him back?" he asked them bluntly. "Is there any way we can win this?"

"There will be no way of knowing that until it happens," Wigg answered grimly as he placed his hands into the opposite sleeves of his robe. "The powers of the Enseterat will be great, indeed."

Tristan narrowed his eyes. "What are you talking about?" he asked. "What is the Enseterat?"

"Enseterat is a word found in the scroll, and is the title by which Wulfgar will no doubt wish to be known. It is Old Eutracian for 'lord of the Vagaries.' The scroll says that once the Chosen Ones finally mature, and their blood has been gifted with Forestallments, then they are to be known by such names."

Tristan looked over at his sister. "So what are Shailiha and I supposed to be called?" he asked softly.

Wigg looked carefully first at Tristan, then Shailiha. "Tristan, you are to be known in the craft as the Jin'Sai, or 'The Combiner of the Arts'. And Shailiha is to be known as the Jin'Saiou, the feminine version of the same phrase.

"We first heard these words spoken by the watchwoman of the floating gardens," Wigg said. "But when she realized that we were unfamiliar with them, she would tell us no more. Now we know. Or should I say, at least we know more than we did."

"But why?" Shailiha asked. "Why would the Ones give us such names?"

"As is the case with so many things of magic, we do not know," Faegan answered. "We have theorized that it may be so that future beings of the craft you encounter in your struggles to join the two sides shall know you for who you now are, and therefore willingly accept your aegis over them. Or there may well be deeper, even more meaningful reasons for this. Only time will tell. And time is the one thing we don't have."

Despite all that Tristan had heard, the thought that had been going through his mind since he had sat down needed to be addressed before anything else was done. Wulfgar and his fleet could be there at any time, and they had to be as ready for him as they could.

"We must deploy the fleet," he said sternly. "And we need to set up a system of warning, should they see Wulfgar and his slavers approaching."

"Our thoughts exactly," Wigg said. "What do you suggest?"

Tristan turned back to Traax. "What you must do is to keep the fleet concentrated in strength, so that it can be ordered to move as a unified force at a moment's notice. I want the fleet maneuverable, without having our backs up against the coastline. Sail east from the delta, but venture no farther from Tammerland than your best warriors can fly without stopping to rest. Hold your position there. Then order a small contingent of scout vessels farther east, but again no farther than the warriors can safely fly back to the main body of the fleet. Send warriors flying out from the decks of the scout vessels to scour the sea as far to the east as they can. When the slavers are finally sighted, send a message to me at once. If we can destroy his fleet and keep him from reaching the coast, we may be able to save the orb."

Tristan looked over at the wizards. "Agreed?" he asked. They both nodded.

Tristan thought to himself for a moment, then looked back over at Traax. "Do you remember the officer named K'jarr?" he asked. "His intelligence and bravery impressed me during the sea battle with the pirates."

"Of course," Traax answered with a smile. "He is one of my best. Still a bit young and impetuous, but very capable."

"Good," Tristan answered thoughtfully. "When you return to the fleet, find him and keep him by your side. He is not to participate in any of the flying search parties. When I finally join you I may have a special use for him, and I want him available. I may also want a special litter built. I will tell you about it later."