Crystal Throne (Book 1) by D.W. Jackson

gathered up their belongings. Within moments, they were once again on the road marching toward the palace.
    While they walked, Thad moved up to the front of the group next to Bren. “Son, do you mind if I see your sword?” Thad asked with a hint of hesitation in his voice.
    Bren shrugged his shoulders and pulled the sword free of its scabbard and handed it to his father. Thad took the sword and carefully looked it over. It wasn’t hard to tell that it was made of some kind of glass, but what kind he had no idea. “Where did you come across this weapon?” Thad asked as he handed the blade back to Bren.
    “Crusher made it for me,” Bren replied, his voice sounding somewhat distant. “At the time I was having trouble with the mage tower and needed something that could match steel as well as magic.”
    Thad had watched his son during that time in his life, but most of it has passed from his memory. He had been so focused on his son that much of what had been going on around him passed his attention. “I see,” Thad said his mind working furiously. Bidding his son farewell, Thad slowed his pace and let himself fall to the back of the group.
    “I know that look,” Humanius said, moving up beside him. “I have seen it many times when I watched you during your youth. Have you thought of something? If so, I would suggest you talk with me about it, I might just be able to help you.”
    Thad stopped where he was and turned his head to look at the god. “Do you think you could make more of those white swords? If they worked as well against the scions as it did against magical creatures from our own world we might stand a chance.”
    “Wouldn’t work,” Humanius said within the space of a heartbeat. “The swords were a channel to me, and while I can hold a vast amount of magical energy, it is nothing compared to what I would have to hold if it was used against a scion. Fighting the scions are not our main problem; their ability to find us is the real problem.”
    “How do you think they do it?” Thad asked as the wheels in his mind began to turn.
    “It is hard to say,” Humanius replied. “There is any number of ways that we might be tracked, my best guess would be that we are like a black spot on whatever it is this voice sees.”
    “If you can give me a few days I think I can solve the problem,” Thad said after a few moments as ideas already shot though his mind.
    “In a few days the scions will already be on us,” Humanius replied.
    “Even if we reach the palace, how long do you think it will take us to find your book,” Thad replied. “Once we are there we will not be able to leave until we find our answers. If the scions know where we are then our job will be made that much harder.”
    Humanius did stop in his tracks as he looked up to the palace that was growing ever closer. “Everyone stop,” Humanius yelled after a few moments.
    “What is it now dear brother?” Belaroan asked tapping her foot in irritation.
    “Thad thinks he knows of a way to hide us from the scions and has made a good point in, let us say, delaying our journey until he can do such a thing. I am in a mind to agree with him.”
    “I see no harm in waiting a few days,” Bren agreed. “If we can keep the scions off our backs, I think it is well worth the delay.”
    Belaroan looked to the others then back to the palace. “A few days and no more. I have been working my whole life to get back here, but now that I am home I want nothing more than to leave it behind me.”
    “I have to agree with that,” Thad said as he unconsciously looked at his gloved hand, a movement that wasn’t lost on Humanius. “We will need to stay in one place for a time and I will need metal, gems are plenty enough, other than that all I will need is time.”
    “I know of a place,” Belaroan said after a few moments. “The council building was large and defensible and might even hold a few records of what happened while we were gone dear