Free Invoking Darkness by Babylon 5 Page A

say.
    "The power of the Circle cannot be allowed to fall to only two, or one."
    Blaylock's sharp gaze turned toward him. But Herazade waved his comment away.
    "That will not happen. We three have done well in leading the mages through a difficult time. I see no reason we cannot continue to do so."
    Blaylock gave him a short nod. Blaylock understood.
    "Elric is correct that the situation becomes dangerous when the Circle has less than three. But let us wait until that time comes before any election is held."
    Elric gathered himself, exerted voice control.
    "Many times have I been outvoted by this body, on issues of grave importance. Never, though, on an issue more important than this. Our behavior now will determine how the final chapter of the mages is written. Our order is losing its best, leaving those younger without guidance. In the absence of a clear purpose, some have deteriorated to the most petty, undisciplined behaviors. They know, as do we, that in coming here we abandoned our commitment to good. With one part of the Code lost, the others become simply a matter of personal choice. If we also allow the Circle to be discarded as an artifact of the past, the mages will have nothing to hold back chaos. I have not done all I have done..."
    A sliver of pain pierced his eye and slipped directly into his brain. He forced himself to continue.
    "I have not helped to lead the mages to this place so that they can turn upon one another. With two members, the Circle could easily be split asunder.
    "If you will not agree to hold elections now, then let us make a private pact that if ever the Circle falls to two, elections will be undertaken immediately."
    Blaylock's dark eyes were fixed on him.
    "I will make such a pact."
    Herazade's index finger rubbed back and forth on the tabletop, calculating. At last she spoke.
    "I would dispute much of what you said about our current condition, Elric. My assessment is much more positive than yours. But your point about a Circle of only two is well taken. I concur with your proposal."
    Elric bowed his head. He had accomplished that, at least.
    "Galen has arrived," Blaylock said.
    They agreed to hear his report, and the door opened to admit him. Elric knew that something was wrong the moment he saw Galen. Over the months, Galen had grown increasingly cold and distant, his face more unrevealing, his voice more perfectly controlled. This was not the vacancy he had shown when he was younger, as at his parents' deaths. It was a hard wall of determination behind which he would not let anyone pass, not Elric, most especially not himself.
    This morning Elric had threatened that wall, and Galen had quickly retreated. Now, Elric could see, the wall was cracking, and Galen was struggling to hold it together. As he stopped before them, his face was carefully composed, his large blue eyes wary.
    He wore gloves, which he never did, and as Elric studied Galen further, he realized that Galen had changed clothes from earlier in the day. The black sweater, pants, and coat were similar enough that Galen might hope no one would notice. He had injured himself seriously this time.
    Elric had been ashamed that he'd needed to hear of Galen's practice from Blaylock. He'd been so preoccupied with the wages' problems that he hadn't known of it until Blaylock and Galen's return from the rim. By that point, Galen would not hear any advice Elric might give. There were many ways to deal with the difficulty of control. He need not hurt himself. Striking at himself, however, was Galen's instinctive response.
    He punished himself, falling back, in his time of stress, to a feeling instilled in him when he was very young, a feeling that he deserved punishment.
    "You have a report to make," Blaylock said.
    Galen gave a single nod. Since his return from the rim, he had not bowed to the Circle, just as he had not worn the robe of a mage.
    "I apologize for the delay. I have dire news. The Shadows have struck again."
    His eyes