That pricked Lindon’s ears, and he looked up. “You have Penance arrows in here?”
“Arrowheads, and they’re prototypes. Even with my assistance, they may not be easy to retrieve, either. I meant them to be studied, not used. They aren’t finished.”
Lindon wondered exactly how long it would take to excavate those arrowheads. The complete Penance was a Monarch-killing weapon, so even if the prototypes didn’t live up to those standards, they were exactly what he needed.
Ozmanthus chuckled. “As I said, nothing terribly exciting. They carry a great will of destruction, but not the absolute decree of death I sought to create. I can’t say they would do nothing against Monarchs or Dreadgods, but they will not solve your problem.”
That was disappointing, but Lindon suspected Reigan Shen had gotten some of the other prototype arrowheads, so maybe it was for the best.
“I’m sure the most practical use of the labyrinth, now that you’re the new owner, is its transportation ability.”
That was Lindon’s second-favorite aspect of the place. “I look forward to unraveling its potential, but I will admit that I am more excited about the treasures hidden here.”
“Ah, but your vision is too small!” Ozmanthus spread his arms widely and gave him a broad smile that resembled Eithan so much that it stabbed Lindon’s heart. “Your access to the labyrinth may grant you the treasures hidden here, but such transportation authority can grant you access to the treasures hidden everywhere else.”
Lindon gave a pained smile. “Apologies, but I do wish it was that easy. The Monarchs will have the labyrinth branches under surveillance, especially now.”
“Will they? Follow that branch to Rosegold.”
Ozmanthus was tracing Lindon’s spiritual perception, so Lindon kept moving along one particular branch of the labyrinth. The trick to its transport ability was beyond Lindon’s skill, but it was simple enough to understand; conceptually, the branches of the labyrinth were all considered the same place. No matter where in the world they were.
So instead of requiring great power and authority to move across the world, it took no more than moving a mile or two. The more people you were transporting at once, the more of an advantage that was.
Lindon’s awareness flew down a branch and then skipped over to the Rosegold continent. To territory he suspected belonged to House Shen. Since his perception couldn’t stretch across continents, he could only feel vaguely around the labyrinth.
There were buildings above the labyrinth, which Lindon had expected. These would be structures like the Ancestor’s Tomb, added later to seal and control the exits. Then he sensed the places the labyrinth butted directly against the new construction, and his eyes went wide.
The labyrinth ruins weren’t sealed. The buildings above weren’t placed at the entrance, but around it. As though no one knew the ruins were connected to something greater below.
“It’s hard to be correct all the time,” Ozmanthus said. “Almost as hard as it is to be so handsome. You may praise me again.”
Dross chuckled in the back of his head as Lindon’s thoughts moved like lightning. “We can pop up in Reigan Shen’s back yard. We can rob him blind. Some of his vaults are in pocket spaces, but some of them have to be on the ground, and even if we can’t…”
He trailed off as bleaker applications occurred to him. Robbing the Monarchs was one thing, but if they really refused to advance, Lindon realized he could take hostages.
They couldn’t protect their homes from him.
Ozmanthus folded his arms and nodded. “If you can’t take over the world when you have your enemies’ weaknesses in your grip, then you’re not worthy of calling yourself my apprentice.”
In the distance, Dross laughed wildly.
Lindon’s arm trembled, but he clenched his fist. “There are dark uses for this. Darker than I’m willing to consider.”
“You don’t have to kill Golds, if you’re squeamish. You just have to make the Monarchs think you will.”
“I’m not trying to—”
Lindon was cut off by a shout from Dross. [She speaks into my mind! Her voice echoes through the worlds and the halls of the mind! Will you hear the words of the Queen of Living Dreams?]
Without his insight into Dross’ thoughts, Lindon wasn’t sure he could have unraveled that statement. But since Lindon could feel the mind-spirit’s intentions, he thought he understood.
“Emriss Silentborn is trying to contact us?”