This chapter is a bit shorter but not lacking for content and information. I appreciate all of you who are still following this tale. Anyone who is reading who has any questions or feedback please comment. If you want to send a PM you can register on the Forum and do so as well. I am enjoying the writing and letting the tale unfold and hope you are enjoying it as well. Thank you as always for taking the time to read my strange tale.
There we were, Marcus and I, out in the middle of the desert and mountains outside of Las Vegas. I had survived my Seeking; I still didn’t know what I gained from it other than knowledge. Sitting there; in the middle of a protective ring of Magick looking at an entire pack of Werewolves circling right outside the barrier. Now these weren’t the monsters of Hollywood movies and literature. I knew only a little about Were-creatures; the main point being that despite what the myths said, you were either born into a bloodline of were-creatures or not. Surviving as attack was pure chance and you didn’t become a were creature because of it. Second difference was they could shift forms at will, hence the 9’8” monster standing there looking at us at sunrise. Marcus turned and looked at me, “Trying for the understatement of the century Andrew?”
“It’s worse than you think, I’m too exhausted to focus on Magick and the power infused into the crystals is going to run out before I’m ready to help.” I wasn’t joking either; I couldn’t even pull enough Magick to refresh my mind and body enough to move normally. The thing about Magick is that while you are powerful, using too much at once takes its toll on the body.
The look Marcus gave me spoke volumes about his opinion of that, “I’ve never done a ritual like this circle for anything. If I was planning to do anything as dangerous as what you did, I went to one of my Sanctums. How long do we have?”
“I don’t know. You think they’ll have the patience to wait us out?”
“They started arriving right after you cast your spell last night and went into meditation for the Seeking. The first few just trotted out of the desert, sat down and starting howling. After that, several more arrived just appearing like a Mage using Correspondence. I didn’t sense any Magick in use; however there are spirits all over them and this place now. What exactly did this ritual of yours do?”
I had the decency to look chagrined when I sat up and looked at Marcus to explain. “In addition to the protective aspects that I told you about it weakened the barrier between planes. I figured it would make communicating with my Avatar for the Seeking easier.”
For the second time in a few minutes Marcus looked at me like I was insane, “You weakened the barrier between Planes?! How in the hell did you even come up with an idea like that let alone find the power to do it?!?! And what the fuck made you think it was a good idea to do so?!?!?!?!” Marcus voice increased in tone and volume as he yelled those questions at me.
“For one, you taught me that the only limits to what could be done with Magick were imagination and knowledge. I’ve been doing some reading on theoretical physics. You know we can get into this later, we have bigger things to worry about right now.” I said as I pointed out the situation that started this conversation in the first place. Leave it to Mages to lose sight of the immediate problem and focus on the minor issues.
Marcus looked around us thoroughly assessing the situation we were in. While we both knew either of us could simply move us away instantly through Correspondence, after his describing the arrival of our….friends, we didn’t know if that would help. There was the distinct possibility of them being able to follow us through the traveling. I stood and looked at the big Werewolf, what were wolves doing in the desert around Las Vegas anyway, and looked him in the eyes. Right after I made eye contact he looked a lot angrier than he already had been. I broke eye contact; that calmed him only a little. I thought back to what I knew about wild wolves and canines in general and realized that I had presented what could have been seen as a challenge to a 9 foot tall being that could palm my chest in one hand. “Marcus, don’t look them in the eyes. Wolves see that as a challenge and I think it would make them angrier.”
“Could you have remembered that before you pissed off the big one Andrew?” Marcus’s tone was one of pure sarcasm, no way to mistake his meaning. The strangest thing happened next, and I realize just how strange that has to be when you consider the reality I live in, the wolves surrounding us let out low barking yips. And I swear on all that I care for and believe, the large werewolf actually laughed at us. I wasn’t comforted by the reaction. Marcus however was a little faster with an idea than I was, in my defense, I was still exhausted. Marcus turned toward the big werewolf and looked him squarely in the chest, not making eye contact and said, “If you’re willing we’d like to talk and resolve this with as little bloodshed, ours as much as yours, as we possibly can.”
I was impressed by his quick thinking and glad he was here with me, otherwise I don’t think I’d have gotten through this. The wolves spread out, moving a little distance away from the barrier and lay down in the sand. This gave us a better view of the larger wolf, there was a scar running from the right hip across the chest to the left shoulder. It was about 4 to 6 inches wide as it crossed the intestines and stomach area, that wide of a scar also meant deep. That wound would have killed almost anything, yet he stood there daunting in all his glory, the stories about werewolves regenerating injuries quickly must have been true. That was another point against us if this came to a fight. The strangest thing I noticed was the weapon; a huge jagged, ruggedly forged blade that was attached to his side looked to be made of silver. That made no sense to me so I assumed it was some kind of highly polished steel. My energy was returning slowly as we waited to see what would happen when the barrier failed, I touched the matter sphere to sense the blade. When my probe stopped before getting to the werewolf I thought they could use counter magic of some kind. A few seconds later I remembered that my ritual designed to keep us safe also kept Magick in, my brain just didn’t want to get into gear this morning. As I was berating myself for being so slow today three people and 4 more of those large bipedal wolves stepped out of nowhere into the space the others had cleared. Marcus jumped in surprise as he saw this and turned to me, “I didn’t sense anything this time either Andrew. What’s going on here?”
I managed a brief laugh, at least I had realized one thing faster than Marcus for a change. “The barrier keeps what’s inside in and out there from entering, that was the intent. A Mage could cause a tempest as we watched and we wouldn’t feel anything.”
The new Werewolves varied in size, though they were all well above 8 feet, I think one of them topped 10. Of the 3 people who arrived with them, they varied in age and appearance. One of them stepped up to the barrier and spoke, “You asked to speak with us, what are you doing here Mage?”
My fault Marcus was here, my mess to clean up. I stepped up the barrier in front of the one who spoke. She appeared to be around 35 to 40, long dark hair braided, blue eyes so dark they were almost black. She was dressed simply in a peasant skirt and tank top. I asked her, “Who are you and how do you know I’m a Mage?”
She smiled, while beautiful, it somehow didn’t set me at ease. “I am Seeker of Truth of the Desert Moon Pack, since you are wanting introductions, who are you?”
“I am Andrew Graves and my companion is Marcus. I ask again, how do you know I’m a Mage?” I kept my face impassive, trying not to betray me feelings when dealing with an unknown.
Seeker of Truth simply waved her hand pointing at the barrier and sigils etched into the sand, “This barrier I have never encountered before but the Spirits tell me they cannot enter the circle, nor can those inside with you leave. This is not the gifts of my people doing this. I can hear your hearts beat and smell the scents from your bodies meaning you are alive. I know some of the Sigils in the ground represent the Magick of mages as I’ve seen them before. And you spoke of Magick with your companion, as my companions have told me.”
Score several points for her, I couldn’t exactly deny what she had said and I needed to be honest if I was going to try and get us out of here alive. “Fair enough, you are right about all of that. I was here to perform a Seeking, communicating with a Spirit of Magick from another plane. The spell is dangerous to the Mage and if things go wrong to those around them. I chose to come out here into the desert and cast the protection ritual to reduce the risk to other. Marcus came along to aid in protecting me from the Seeking itself. If we are trespassing on your land I apologize, the protection spell will leave no trace that we were ever here once we leave.” I spoke as though I was sure we were leaving peacefully as that is what I wanted. I didn’t posture or threaten.
She laughed at the, but it was friendly not threatening. “You are so sure you’re walking out of here, but not acting as though we are helpless before the powers of a Mage. We may actually be able to be friends. We too seek knowledge from Spirits and wish to know why the barrier between planes was suddenly weak here. If you can help us with this you may leave in peace, we may be able to arrange a way for you to become a friend of our Pack in time, but let us start this slowly. Can you, or will you tell me how the veil became weaker here than anywhere else in the area?”
I chose to continue the honesty, if we could become friends and possibly allies it was important for me to make this happen. I wasn’t sure what she meant by the veil, but I guessed she meant the barrier between plains. “The ritual that I performed to for the protective barrier had other effects as part of it. First was the protection, keep my Magick within and anything else outside of the circle. Second was weakening the barrier between the planes to make communication with the Spirit I sought easier. I bound all my knowledge of Magick into the spell to focus my mind and power into the Seeking, maintaining my body and life while I was not conscious of either. I can drop the barrier at any time from within, however the effect of the spell will also disappear when the Magick stored in the objects I used runs out.” As the last word came out of my mouth the barrier dropped, the glass etchings in the sand turned back into dust and blended with the rest of the sand. “Just like that,” I said, keeping the worry out of my voice.
“Can you repeat the process of weakening the veil, or does that only work with this ritual?” Seeker of Truth asked with some excitement in her voice.
“I can do so most of the time; right now as your companions have no doubt informed you I am tired and unable to focus on Magick. I will give you the information needed to contact me and discuss this further if we can go so that I may rest.” I was just about to fall over and lie down in the sand if this took much longer. I slowly reached into my pocket and pulled out my wallet. I pulled out a card with my numbers on it and handed it to her, “Have someone contact me when you wish to speak more and I’ll work on a way to assist you with the barrier and we can go from there, it that is acceptable to everyone.”
Seeker of Truth stepped back from me holding the card, turning to face the other two people that arrived with her. The first was man about 25, dressed like a ranch hand. He has a deep tan as you would expect from someone who worked outdoors, was around 6’3” and 190 pounds. After a brief conversation between them that we couldn’t hear she turned to the other, a young lady no older than 19. She was beautiful, bronze tanned skin with long legs. She stood about 5’11” with a swimmers build. Dirty blonde hair halfway down her back, and cool blue eyes flecked with grey completed the look. She was wearing tight denim shorts and another denim blouse over her tank top. They spent several minutes talking when Seeker handed the young woman my card and walked back over to us.
“You and your companion are free to leave these lands. Do not return here unless invited to do so. My granddaughter Kyra,” she pointed at the young woman she was speaking to, “will contact you soon to arrange a meeting between us. Kyra is a student in Las Vegas so it will be easier for her to call you. I am very interested in discussing how we may be able to work together in the future. Go in peace.” After she finished speaking they all took a step and disappeared. When I say all of them I mean the wolves, bipedal werewolves and even the people. Now with the barrier down I felt the working of spirits in their travel.
Marcus and I headed back to where the car was parked, and though he looked about 15 I handed my keys to him as I was in no condition to drive back into the city. Marcus and I discussed the events of the previous evening with me explaining everything I learned of the Ascension War and Stasis as well as the fact that I warned myself of the attack on the night of my awakening. I felt sorry for anyone trying to figure out that Time Travel Paradox and remaining a shred of their sanity. As with all Magick I accepted that it happened and didn’t try to explain why it was or wasn’t possible. I told him that the warning I got the other night may have been from another version of myself on another timeline or Plane letting me know something else was coming and soon. We couldn’t figure out if it was luck or fate that let us survive the encounter with Werewolves and just agreed it was both. I went to sleep right after this as he drove us all the way back to Sindee’s house. He woke me once we pulled into the driveway. I took him inside with me and made a brunch for three waking Sindee for the day to start he weekend. She was getting more and more beautiful every day I spent with her. I decided that Marcus and I were going to attempt the awakening this weekend. Now I just had to be prepared to lose her because she couldn’t deal with the reality of what I was or the world I live in……

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Another chapter for all of the people who have been enjoying the story. Sorry about taking so long to get it posted but I do have to take care of things in my life and can’t write full time yet. Enjoy the reading and please leave constructive feedback if you have any.
Sindee and I were sitting and enjoying the atmosphere of the Existence while we waited for Arthur to come back. The place was filled with a fascinatingly eclectic clientele. Though I didn’t recognize every type of being in that I saw, there were a few I did. Among those I knew were of course vampires and a few of the shape-shifters. There were a few other Mages; however we were definitely the minority among the patrons. There were also a few fallen among the patrons though they seemed to be relaxing like everyone else so there were no worries. For all that was going on in this place everyone seemed to be relaxed which I attributed to Arthur and his staff. This place is the truest Elysium I’d ever heard of let alone been in to.
We had just finished our meal when he came back to join us with a vampire in tow. The Vampire looked to have been in his mid to late fifties at the time he was turned. He had gray hair and dark eyes. He was dressed in a suit or a more modern cut, but the ring he was wearing had a distinct similarity to the seal on the letter. Arthur sat to the side of the table allowing the gentleman with him to sit across from Sindee and myself. The Vampire made a short half bow to us prior to sitting down, “My name is Alexander Angeletti; Arthur says you wish to speak with me about a,” he paused for a moment to think, “Misunderstanding, I believe that’s the right word?”
I nodded, “That is about as accurate as word as I can think of.” I reached inside my jacket and pulled out the letter placing on the table between us. “The incident describes within was not one I had sought out. I was visiting the Strip for the first time since I had just arrived in town. When I spotted the young woman and realized what she was, I grabbed a cab to get out of the area. She had tried to affect my mind to keep me there, however she was not successful. Somehow she managed to find me where I was staying and followed me there. She had tried to attack me in my sleep; it was luck or chance that I woke up when I did. In the ensuing fight I was forced to destroy her to defend myself. For me it ended there, I’m not here to hunt your people or to start a fight and wish to resolve things. Unfortunately someone else saw the fight and decided I was a threat to your people. I hadn’t opened the letter to read it at that point due to other things in my life I’d forgotten about it until someone came at me in daylight with the intent of killing me and mine. I won’t apologize for his loss as again I was defending my people. I opened the note and decided to look for information to meet someone of high enough status to find a way to end this without further bloodshed.”
Alexander picked up the note to read it, “I was aware of neither the two incidents you speak of, nor of this letter. I do however know this seal and I’ll handle this issue with the owner. As for any further issues between our houses; I will not allow anyone to seek retribution for the past and in the future I suggest we meet here before starting anything. While I know my people have the numbers, you have twice now survived attacks so you have certain skills that protect you. Maybe in the future we can find a way to benefit each other. If the individual continues to press the issue despite the warning he is going to receive, he forfeits any protection from us. Is this an acceptable agreement?”
I looked over at Sindee and she nodded, “More than acceptable. Perhaps we can work together is our interest ever coincide in the future. Thank you.”
Arthur as well as Alexander looked pleased with the result of our conversation as they got up to leave the table. I looked over to Sindee after they moved away, “That went better than I expected. I won’t say it’s over as he stated that he wasn’t guaranteeing the letter writers behavior. The good news is that if we are attacked again we can defend ourselves without fear of retribution from the entire clan.”
“I’m glad that your mind is at ease. Now why am I sitting here with my fiancé looking hot in this dress instead of out on the dance floor with his arms around me?” She smiled, grabbed my hand and dragged me out to the dance floor which I was all too happy to follow her on to. We spent the rest of the night dancing and having fun together. It was shortly before sunrise that the club even thinned out. It was around 9 am that we finally left and went to get breakfast before heading home. We finally got home and crawled into bed around 11:30. Both of us were unable to keep our eyes open and were out cold within seconds of our heads hitting the pillows.
I opened my eyes and knew immediately that I wasn’t awake; however what I was experiencing was no mere dream. I was standing in an open field, scrub grass and tumbleweed all around me. The moon was high and full, what has been called a harvest or hunter’s moon. The sky was filled with stars, but the constellations I’d known all my life weren’t there. That could mean far into the past or future or the possibility of an alternate plane or timeline all together. While I’ve had visions in the past, they usually weren’t this real to me, usually just a feeling or quick flash of something that guided my decisions like the one that brought me to Las Vegas and Sindee. I didn’t know where this field was, but it was a real landscape not just something created for the vision. I scanned the area around me and spotted two significant things. The first was a ruined cityscape in the distance; silhouettes of crumbled towers and destroyed houses standing visible against the starlit horizon. The second was the being standing between this city and where I stood. Who or what this figure was I didn’t know. I felt power radiating from them as well as a sense of malevolence. Power I was used to feeling, and this being radiated more than I could face on my own at this time. The feeling of evil was new to me, I’ve never been empathic and wasn’t sure how to interpret what was happening here. While facing this being it hit me that I’d seen the crumbled city before. I saw it in my seeking; this is what happened when the ascension war moved from the shadows into the prime material plane. I shifted my attention the figure across the way. I reached out to sense the mind using Magick and hit a wall stronger than any I had faced. The strange thing about the wall was it seen to have two separate signatures to the resonance. I switched tactics and cast Mage sight for the Spirit, Prime and Correspondence spheres. I chose those three in order to get specific information. The first thing I saw should have been the worst part of this situation, he had no Avatar yet his power was Primal Magick. This was disturbing because it meant that this being was what we called a Nephandi. Nephandi are the worst kind of mage and evil all rolled into one. A Nephandi is a Mage who chose to sacrifice their avatar to Infernal Beings for the pure greed of more power. While most mages fight with the goal of Ascension whether for themselves or all beings in the Tellurian the Nephandi aren’t interested in Ascension. They are trying to destroy the Tellurian which is the whole of reality. In the Ascension war while most are fighting for ascension or stasis the Nephandi fight for the Descent and fall of all existence. They have only one goal, to spread destruction and evil into the world. The only thing that saves them from being the worst thing that we have to face is that they suffer backlashes like any other mage. What made this being the worst I’ve ever seen is the plane his infernal benefactor came from. I had only heard the horror stories of the place as it actually wasn’t truly a normal place. It was Todash Space, better describes as the eternal darkness between planes, the space between spaces and only the greatest horrors of Cthulhian mythos dwelt there.
If I was to try and find this here and now I knew I was outmatched and outclassed in the Magick department. The Nephandi stared me down across the distance; I knew visions like this could be as deadly as the reality we lived in if it came to a fight in here. I had to get all the information I could from this before we started fighting or the vision ended. There was no ambient light from the cityscape, no lights at all that could be seen in the city. I pulled the Magick into a detection spell, spreading out using the Life and Mind Spheres to try and find out if there were any people left there. I was unable to find anyone but it could have been as simple as being too far away or counter magick from the figure. I tried one more thing, I used the Time sphere to locate when I was in this vision and that was the worst of the discoveries. This vision existed inside of a Mobius strip in whatever plane and timeline that had existed. This timeline had fractured and folded in upon itself.
That was the moment that all hell decided to break loose. The figure started to move toward me pulling a glowing sword as her did so. I drew magick into the time and life spheres to enhance my physical endurance and to alter the flow of time around me allowing me to move and more importantly perceive actions faster than normal. This saved my life right there as I managed to move out from under his blade as it sliced through my coat. For a change I didn’t lose any blood this time. As I wasn’t armed in the traditional sense I decided to attempt a rote I’d been working on, one inspired by Star Wars and some anime that I’d seen. I drew on the Forces and Prime sphere, using them to form the energy into a set of swords made of pure magick and charges with gravity, electricity and fire so that they would cause wounds that would heal human slow. Wounds caused by magick can be healed by magick like most other, but there are some types that even Mages have to heal normally or through extensive use of ritual magick that takes a lot of time. I came to my feet facing him with my weapons held at guard.
We started to circle each other, moving to keep the other in sight. You may wonder why neither of us was throwing spells all over the place and trying to rip each other apart with destructive magick. The short answer is that while spells alone are effective, combining them with more traditional combat makes counter spells less useful. I stepped in swinging low with my right hand trying to bisect his knee. His sword intercepted my swing as he reach forward with his left throwing a burst of electricity form forces. I managed to catch the burst on my left side blade, my arm burnt by the electricity flowing through me but less damage than I would have taken from it hitting me directly. I responded by bringing the right hand weapon slashing upward as a distraction while stabbing forward with my left. I got lucky as he caught right handed slash the left blade sunk into his shoulder. The smell of burning flesh filled the air with his scream. I felt a burst of Kinetic energy from him as I was thrown back across the landscape. I flung my arms wide in an attempt to keep my own weapons from cutting into me as I landed. As soon as I was down I accelerated myself to twice the speed I was moving for a moment, I was going to pay for this move for days. I charged the figure getting a friction burn on all exposed skin as I ran. He dropped into a guard position which is what I wanted him to do. I pulled on matter and the ground rose up around him forming a cage as I leapt, swinging both blades together at his neck. I was millimeters from him when the dream snapped and I was once again looking at my own ceiling. My arm was numb from the electrical burns and my entire body was screaming from the friction burn. Destruction was coming for this world and its harbinger wanted me dead before I could fight to stop it.
I tried to get out of bed, managing only to fall to the floor knocking a lamp over. The noise waking Sindee as I tried move into the bathroom, I tasted copper on my tongue. Sindee came around the bed and saw my abused body, “What happened to you?”
I swallowed a mouthful of blood before responding, “I was fighting with a Nephandi is a vision or sorts. It was more real than any vision I’d heard of. I know there are legends of Dreams where they are as real as the rest of reality and therefore just a dangerous.” I winced in pain, biting down tightly as she helped me to my feet. I stumbled into the bathroom with her support before continuing. “I don’t know who the being was, but they know me and wanted me gone before they put whatever plan they have into action. There is something or someone coming to town and they aren’t going to be friendly when they arrive.” I spit another mouthful of blood into the trashcan. I attempted to draw on magick to heal but wasn’t even able to focus enough numb the pain I was in.
Sindee grabbed a washcloth and wet it to wipe the sweat and little bit of blood from my face and body. She pulled on her own magick, managing to heal the electrical burns and the internal damage. “I was able to heal the more severe damage, but the burn to your skin is resisting the healing spells.”
I laughed at myself more than the situation, “I figured that would be the case as I did it to myself but moving too fast through air. There are more particles in the air than people realize and more so in a field of sand, scrub grass and tumbleweeds.” I gave as mischievous a smile that I could muster and jokingly continues, “Would you want to rub lotion on my burns Doctor Grey?” I’ll admit I wasn’t feeling up for anything other than healing but wanted to lighten the mood as I was feeling concerned about the coming dangers.
Sindee laughed then slapped my arm lightly, “You would think of sex with your dying breath.” I winced in pain from where the slap landed, “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” Sindee dragged me to the bed making me lay down as she started to rub a lotion from her bag into my burns. Whatever she was using was great as it soothed the flesh quickly, not to mention how good her hands felt running all over my body. I was still going to be laid up for at least a few days before I was anywhere near back to normal.

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Wedding problems: chapter 4
The Duke had murdered more than the priestess who had come before him. He and his men had went to the Temple of Aphrodite and killed all there. Even the youngest acolyte was murdered, and no one to officiate our wedding ceremony. No wonder he had angered the gods so greatly, to show such cruelty even unto a child.
That left us with a major problem, if we could not get all we needed in time, we would die on the setting of the next full moon. I did not fear for myself, but Isabel I could not see suffer.
It was true that we had our carpet, and the two of us along with a small party could easily travel to the next Temple, a journey of four days by foot. Only four hours by our carpet, but tradition dictated that Isabel and I could no longer travel together, once the dowry presented to her father.
Jeremiah could refuse the dowry that would force me into providing another of greater value. The first given to Isabel and I can use none of it as part of the second dowry. Moreover, I had yet to think of something greater in value, but I am sure it will come to my mind. I hope that the gods would grant me yet another of greater value.
If Isabel and I were, a part for more than a full day of our life surely would end. That gave us a mere four days to reach the next city that had a temple, and far too many people to carry on our one carpet. Even taking multiple trips, it would be very close and I doubt the clan could be packed and ready to move quickly enough.
Depending on how far they left to be safe from the justice sought by the gods we may lose more time yet today. The time that they have to return has just begun, I know not when all will be present for Jeremiah’s decision, and the entire clan must be present.
Isabel pulls on me, and we walked through the vacant city back to her father’s tent. Once inside, re-retrieve our carpet, in the open area at front of his tent I unfurl our magic carpet. I help Isabel on and step up my invisible stairs. Once both of us aboard, we lift begin our search for her father and the clan. The carpet seems to know what we need, moving of its own accord the terrain below us moves by at amazing speeds.
Over a hill and into the valley east of the city we find what seems to be most of the inhabitants of the city and the clan. They had managed to bring one large tent in many have crowded into it, not clan only. Fires burn on the outskirts of the camp, and many cook to feed the multitude.
As the carpet lowers, a great cheer rises to meet us. We land at the edge of the encampment, the Captain of the guard, Michael along with a many of the guards loyal to him clear a path for Chieftain Jeremiah and Master Justin. Children seem to move quickly through the crowds, and I recognize many faces from the children yesterday.
The Captain is the first to speak and he asks, “What happened to the Duke and his court?”
I say, “They are no more, the gods’ justice found them wanting.”
The three bowing their heads for a moment giving their respect to the gods, raising back to meet our gaze they say, “Gods’ will be done.”
Jeremiah walks to his daughter and surrounds her in his arms. He gently asks, “My daughter are you unharmed?”
Isabel replies, “Yes my father, I am unharmed. Julius I feared for his life when they brought him before me, he had been beaten and whipped so severely I thought he would never regain his feet once they threw him before the Duke.”
Justin spends me about seeing my shredded robes but no mark where the whip had struck my skin, even many of my old scars have vanished. He takes in a deep breath and asks, “How can this be, no magic before could heal him of his scars.”
Isabel continues, “All that I know I will tell. We were bound, me to the chair so they could force me to watch. Justin had the magical shackles about his wrist, chains around his ankles. When he said we should be prisoners no longer our bonds left us, we were free and moved together into a kiss. I remember nothing after that point, except for the Lady this morning. She caressed our faces, we broke our kiss and kneeled before her, she placed our hands together and we kissed, after that, she was gone.” I shake my head yes, because that is all I truly know.
I add, “The city has no one left alive within the walls. Only we two, protected by the goddess remained this morning at sunrise.”
The captain asks, “Did you see any ships on the horizon? Raiders have scouted for weaknesses for the last few weeks. An empty city would be a very tempting target.”
I shake my head no, but Isabel speaks, “I believe I did as we lifted high above the city.”
The Captain with concerned to his voice says, “The guard must get back to the city as quickly as possible, perhaps upon your carpet?”
I shake my head yes then ask hopefully, “Did any of the priestesses survive, are they any here?”
Captain Michael shakes his head no and says, “Once he finished with a one who come to inform him that Isabel cannot marry his brat, the Duke went to the temple and murdered every priestess, acolyte and even the few people there to worship.”
The Captain is signaling to his guards, he leaves most, along with most of the strong man from the clan to guard the civilians on their way back to the city. Twenty guards climb aboard the carpet, when I attempt to leave without Isabel the carpet will not move. Once Isabel is aboard, along with her father and six men from the clan we speed away back to the city.
The Raiders’ ship easily seen several miles off out to see and headed towards the city. Several rowboats tied alongside, and men stand ready to board the rowboats. The captain pointing says, they will come to within a mile of shore under sail, then they will drop anchor and all will come ashore. They have more than a hundred men to our twenty-six.
Isabel asks, “Did you forget Master Justin and Julius? Will they have any mages that could stand against them?”
The Captain says, “They do not trust mages, I doubt they will have a wizard in their party.”
I cause the carpet to lower down, if they have not spotted us yet, we would use the walls of the city to hide our approach. On our way back Jeremiah turns to me and says, “Justin and I have discussed this, and it pains me to say I must refuse your dowry. Justin has assured me that you should be able to gather one larger.”
Isabel laughs, “You did say it was merely dust, my love.”
Holding Isabel I say, “Compared to you it is. Jeremiah I understand and accept your challenge, I will provide a more suitable dowry.”
Jeremiah chuckles and says, “That is good, the one before would merely slow my people down. If we had a fleet of these carpets” He stomps his foot twice, “my clan can move much quicker and much safer. That would be more than twice the treasure that is now my daughters to do with what she wishes.”
I shake my head yes, before I can do anything else, Isabel asks, “Does Uncle Benjamin have enough rugs, I know I cannot give any part of the first dowry back to my betrothed, but I can buy him rugs.”
Jeremiah chuckles at his daughter’s brightness and says, “According to Justin he has but a few that could be of use, and they are fairly small, not as large as even this.”
Captain Michael chuckles and says, “Young wizard do not forget all that was in the keep is now yours. They are many rugs of this quality within the Dukes chambers. Moreover, that huge one in the audience chamber, I would dare say half of all the clan could ride upon that one by itself.”
Isabel squeezes my hand as the carpet slows near the wall. I look into her face and she says, “Remember I do not wish to be royalty.”
We drop two men above the East gate, all which remained of the guards there are their uniforms, and their coin purses. The two guards throw me the dead guards’ coins purses. It is tradition that to the victor goes the spoils; it will help with my dowry.
As we leave, the two close the gates and bar them, they can reopened once our people arrive. We dropped the men of the clan and they gather weapons arming themselves. We fly now just above the rooftops until we reach the West wall, it overlooks a small bluff and a wide sandy beach. There is a gate in the north wall near the northwest corner of the wall. That leads to a wide road running down to the docks. A tower is in the very corner with a wide deck allows archers with crossbow, or longbows to rain arrows down on the road and beach.
Jeremiah remains with us, as we traveled back for more of the clan’s strongmen. We should be able to make one more trip, and reinforce the men on the wall and at the gates before the Raiders even make anchor. I plan to meet them at sea, it would be much easier stopping them in the rowboats offshore, then allowing them to make landfall in force.
On the way back to the encampment, I look to Jeremiah and say, “Could I get you to assist myself and your daughter, if we can meet them at sea I may be able to prevent them from even making landfall. The problem is the carpet will not move without Isabel. I would need someone to protect her while I battled the Pirates. I will do that from his great of distance as I can manage, but that will be within crossbow range.”
Isabel squeezes my hand tightly, and I look at her and say, “We will use men with shields to protect us, you will fly the carpet, and I will attack.”
Jeremiah starts to protest, “Isabel I will not allow you to be in…”
Isabel cutting him off says, “Father it would not matter, if I stayed on the shore and Julius was struck down I would surely die with him. This way at least I can help, and together we are much more powerful.”
Justin returns with us, along with twenty strongmen of the clan, we drop them at the encampment in the arm themselves with crossbows and head towards the tower. Jeremiah has four men with shields, and armored, he grabs his armor and begins putting it on as he walks back to the carpet. Looking at me sternly he says, “I will command, Isabel you move the carpet as I direct, young mage I will direct your targets and make sure Isabel has you in range, do not hesitate to attack as deadly as you can manage.”
Isabel and I shake our heads yes, accepting the battle hardened veterans orders. As chieftain of the clan, he has led his men into more than one scrimmage, but probably not like this. Nevertheless, judging from the look in his eye, and how his Clan’s men accept his orders, he has some skill at leadership and that might proof more valuable than strength.
As we reach the West wall, we see the rowboats had already departed and are a hundred yards away from the ship approaching shore. The men in the boats appear to wear heavy armor. If we can catch them, still in deep water I merely have to sink the boats to end the battle. Although some were no armor, most do, if the boats sank they would surely die before they could remove their armor.
Jeremiah must have the same idea as he directs Isabel to move to the far left boat at all speed; he warns that if crossbows fired, he wants her to dodge to the left. I ready my spell, bringing the lightning bolt into existence holding it in my hands I can since how strong it is, far stronger than I have ever managed before. The carpet move so quickly, I am not even sure if the Pirates realized the danger. At the maximum range, Jeremiah orders me to release the spell. The man in front of the boat is my chosen target, the lightning bolt covers the distance between us and he transforms into bright light for an instant before him and the front quarter of the boat are gone. The rest sink below the waves quickly as water rushed into the remainder of the overburdened boat.
At the speed were moving I cannot even ready another spell as we pass the remaining three boats. Jeremiah orders Isabel to continue on outward before turning back onto the far left boat once again. Again, he orders Isabel to veer to the left on his command. We are coming in at the same speed before and I have another lightning bolt ready this time my target is the men at the Stern, he wears full armor too.
At the maximum range Jeremiah orders me to fire once more, as the man vanishes along with the Stern Jeremiah orders Isabel to veer off to the left. Crossbow bolts fall into the water along the path we would have taken. Men attempt to jump from the boat, which only results in it capsizing.
Again, we line up and speed towards the boats this time broadside, once in range, I hit the man in the center of the boat, men jump from either end but the boat cut in half and sinks quickly. Now the last boat attempts to turn heading back towards the ship.
Jeremiah has Isabel stop just outside of crossbow range. He shouts down at the boat, orders them to surrender, the result is them firing crossbow bolts in our direction. When none reaches us, they began to cock their crossbows once again. Again, Jeremiah calls for their surrender as they begin to load their bolts Jeremiah has us dive into range, and I again fire the lightning bolt I had prepared. Another raider vanishes in bright light along with the section of the boat where he stood. We move quickly out of range as the boat disappears under the water.
Only a few of the Raiders not in heavy armor swim back towards the ship. Jeremiah has us fly to the anchored ship. The ship seems to be deserted; no one left on board all were in the raiding party. Jeremiah has Isabel land at the stern of the ship. He and a Clan’s men jump aboard the ship called the Andrea by the name painted on the Stern.
He orders Isabel and me to go get a dozen guardsmen along with the Captain of the guard.
Speeding overhead we head towards the West wall of the city, as we near we hear the men there cheering. From our vantage point, we can see that the East Gates are now open and people are beginning to pour through on their way home. Justin joins the Captain and ten guardsmen, along with six clan’s men.
We fly back to the now captured ship, reaching it just as the first of the surviving Pirates reach the ship. We land on deck, and allow the carpet to rest fully on the deck, the reinforcements along with the Captain, Justin, Isabel and myself step onto the rolling deck of the ship.
I came to Camarillo on just such a ship, so I expect the holds to have prisoners, one of the other kingdoms would accept slaves from Raiders, a practice I would stop given the opportunity. Justin feels just as strongly about that practice. If the ship’s hold does contained slaves I expect the Pirates will have a short life, perhaps it would been better if they wore heavy armor and dragged to the bottom along with their comrades.
Jeremiah smiles and says, “You did well young wizard.”
The Captain and Justin agree, and I look to Isabel before I turn to her father and say, “Your leadership is what made the victory so one-sided my chieftain.”
Jeremiah shrugs and says, “I thought it was those lightning bolts, only four and not a single miss.”
Justin and the Captain just laughs. Isabel says, “It was a team thing, all work together perfectly.”
Two of the clan’s men have begun searching the ship, and the captain’s cabin they found to young women both badly beaten. Below deck, a room filled with a dozen more, across the hall another room holding young boys from the age of six to fourteen years. Yet another room held a dozen young girls. More than thirty-nine prisoners the Raiders had taken, two more clan’s men returned with a large chest, and say there is four more below deck.
Jeremiah says, “You are the one who defeated the Pirates, the spoil should go to you.”
Isabel elbows me, and then says, “It would make a fine dowry.”
Jeremiah chuckles at his daughter and says, “I think I would rather have carpets.”
Thinking I say, “Perhaps, two carpets with the ship and its treasure.”
Jeremiah looks to the children, “What of them?”
I say, “If it is possible, we should bring them back to their homeland and any family they have.”
Justin taking a deep breath says, “Raiders seldom leave anyone for them to return them to after the raid. Perhaps we should just adopt them out to the good people of the city.”
The captain looks at me says, “Duke Julius, it is your decision.”
Jeremiah laughs and repeats himself, “Welcome to my life young wizard.”
Justin chuckles and says, “That is what heroes get either dead or wish they were.”
The guard has taken the last of the surviving Raiders aboard, they held at sword point. One of the Clan’s men has lowered their standards, now the ship has several flags and he chooses the one that belongs to Camarillo. As the flag raised, I noticed several rowboats coming out from shore.
As they reach the ship several minutes later, the Captain nods to each of the semen and he says, “Duke Julius these men are excellent seaman and they will bring the ship to the docks you need not wait here any longer.”
Justin says, “We need to begin on the rugs, if we will have enough time to bring the clan to the nearest temple before the full moon.”
I look to the Captain and say, “The command of the ship is yours, sir. Bring the children into the keep, find rooms for them, if they know of any family that remain send messages, and we will arrange for their return. If orphaned, we will begin the task of finding them new families.”
Chuckling he says, “Yes my Duke, you are wise, and goodhearted you will make a fine leader.”
Isabel slaps me on the ass and says, “I thought I said I did not want to be royalty.”
Jeremiah laughs at his daughter’s actions and says, “Sometimes you just cannot get out of destiny.”
Justin says, “Perhaps the gods know that the city needs a good man, and a good woman to keep him in line.”
Justin, Jeremiah, Isabel and I travel back on the carpet. Placing it all the way on the ground, the Clan’s men had placed the chest on the carpet. Jeremiah says, “Use the money from the chest to purchase the carpets, the ship and the carpets are more than enough for the dowry.”
Isabel’s mother and little sister Rebecca among the children and adults run to greet us. Rebecca asks, “Is it true, have Pirates come to raid the city?”
Jeremiah chuckles and he answers his daughter by saying, “They made the mistake of showing up on Duke Julius’ doorstep uninvited. The few survivors are under guard and should arrive at the docks shortly.”
A murmur runs through the crowd, the new Duke has saved the city is repeated until it becomes a cheer. When the crowd goes to the knee before me, Isabel nearly strikes me again. Getting back upon the carpet I rise in the air, I state to the gathered crowd, “I will act as your new Duke, until the King can appoint another, I am not a royal no need to take a knee before me. Please rise, I was born the son of a farmer, taking in by Master Justin then trained as a mage. I only do what good I can to repay all the good given to me.”
The crowd slowly stands, and then someone shouts, “You have freed us from slavery as a child, now you free us from oppression. You should be Duke.”
Justin chuckles, raising his hands he shouts once the crowd has gone silent, “Born the son of a farmer he may have been. I know of no one nobler, he is royal of heart. We should ask the king to give him the Duchy.” The crowds cheer drowns out all other sounds.
The thing of it is, the nearest city with a temple is the Kings capital. Fate had us to travel there before the full moon; we would have to be there faster than many runners could, or died before the journey completed.
Wonder if fate has set me on this path. What deed could have been so great that earned me all this. First, there is Isabel, a beauty that none shall ever match, and our blessing from the goddess.
Now I am to be Duke of the city. I am not sure, but to me that means I serve the city and its people. Perhaps that is the difference between a good ruler and the poor one. The good serve the many ensuring their well-being, the poor ruler selfish and unjust serve only themselves with no concern for the well-being of those entrusted to them.
I take Isabel back into my arms and we hold each other before the crowd. I still wear the shredded and bloodstained robes, and a merchant brings forth a new finally made set, places them at my feet. He shouts above the crowd, “a gift for the Duke.”
I bowed to the merchant, not trusting that my words heard over the crowd. I accept the gift in the spirit given. I would never demand such a thing, and truth be told I would prefer simpler adornments. Nevertheless, I need to give a good impression for the city when I come before the king. The people of the city must feel the same way, a cobbler brings forth the note saying, come to my shop and I will make fine shoes for you and your lady.
A new shout goes through the crowd, “We must make ready for our new Duke and Duchess to present them to the King. Bring the best cloth in the city, the finest leather we must adorn them so the king knows that we love them. That way the King will allow them to be our Duke and Duchess.”
Now that the crowd has a purpose, they move quickly to gather all that they would present to the King as tokens of love for us. Look to my father in law to be and ask, “How can I tell them it is not necessary?”
Chuckling he says, “You cannot without breaking their hearts, they do it out of their love and gratitude to you. You have done much, much more than you realize. You have given them back hope, something the city has lacked for nearly half a decade.”
A priest walks forth; his robes mark him a priest of Mars. His hands curl about his staff, which he leans heavily on for support. His voice is gentle not what you expect the priest of the God of combat, but most do not realize that a soldier only battles to win the peace. Therefore, Mars is not only god of war but also the bringer of peace.
The priest begins, “Young Duke Julius, I have just returned unto the city. I bring word from the Gods. They would know your heart, why do you wish to be Duke.”
I search my heart in mind and only find more questions, as my habit I only say what is in my heart, “I would not if someone greater could take my place. If someone more suited could serve the people of the city, I would gladly support them. I know of no one to do so. Please wise priest, do you know of anyone to take this burden from me?”
The priest laughs, after a moment he clears his throat and says, “The gods deny any other are more suited. You will serve the people of the city with honor, bravery and loyalty. Your example will serve the kingdom well. Your King is well pleased with his new Duke.”
To Isabel and I is words ring true, we cannot help but move together and kiss. Those that remain of the crowd, the priest and many others gasp at the site of us glowing. The priest finally chuckles and says, “It is true that the gods have chosen you.”
He slips the robe off his head and shoulders, and the crowd instantly goes to their knees, in shock Isabel and I sink to ours. Before us stands King Patrick ruler of the land of Cowan stretching from the sea all the way to the mountains, some fifty duchies altogether. A half-dozen of his Knights stand at his back.
Cowan was named for first high King Cowan the wise. King Cowan gathered all the duchies; stop the warring on each other, and made a treaty with the dwarfs of the mountains. Later he made peace with the elves, to the south of the mountains, across the narrow sea. Cowan now trades with both, the dwarves have excellent skill with metal and the elves grow rare herbs, and produce some of the finest artwork.
The Kings capital known as New Cowan, the old capital burnt to the ground by Orc Raiders nearly one hundred and fifty years ago. Rebuilt in a more defensible position, with higher walls and much better defense the city has not fallen again. The planners of the city had recognized the need for expansion, and the outer walls originally built far beyond what was necessary, but the city now is crowded within those walls.
In a clear powerful voice he commands, “Rise, Young Duke and Duchess, rise all who gather here. I your King Patrick order you stand and witness that this young couple is noble.”
Someone in the crowd shouts, “Long live the King. Long live his loyal Duke.” The rest of the crowd repeats the shout as they come to their feet.
The King extends his hand to me, and I take it gratefully. He smiles and says, “Young Duke, I understand you need to get to the temple in New Cowan, along with your betrothed’s clan. A priestess of Aphrodite came to me and explained what was occurring here. I was outraged hearing of the Duke’s crimes. The priestess said worry not justice has come for him. Tell me what has occurred.”
I say, “Yes, my King. Yesterday we entered the city, and a great multitude saw us descend and land outside of the city gates on our carpet. We were early enough that the clan prepared a feast in our honor. Before that, a priestess of Aphrodite witnessed us kissing, and proclaimed that we are chosen by the Goddess for each other. She went to inform the Duke, doing so the Duke murdered her, in front of the city guard Captain. Before the city guard could arrest him and bring him to you for trial, he had taken the family of the Captain as hostages. He arrested us at the end of the feast, taking Isabel and I back to the keep. I was take into the dungeons beaten, tortured and whipped. Just before sunset, I was taken in front of the Duke.
King Patrick asks, “What crime were you guilty of to be treated so?”
Justin is quick to say, “Love sire, his love for Isabel was the only offense the Duke cared about.”
Jeremiah says, “The Duke wished Isabel to marry his son, even though the boy was four years her junior. When the priestess informed him that it cannot happen, I believe he murdered her then.”
Michael the Captain of the guards has arrived, he kneels before the King and as the King gestures him to rise. He asked, “Sire may, I inform you what occurred? I was witness to the murder.” The king simply shakes his head yes and signals for him to continue. “The priestess approached the Duke with great humility, showing the proper respect to the Duke. She informed him that a marriage could not occur with his son and Isabel. He demanded to know why, when she informed him, Aphrodite chose Julius and Isabel for each other. He flew into a rage and killed the priestess. He then went to the temple of Aphrodite, and demanded the priestess there performed the ceremony between his son and Isabel, when they refused he ordered the entire temple to be cleared. He killed every person within the temple walls.”
The Captain is actually shaking he says, “Forgive me Goddess, he forced me to kill saying if I did not he would kill me on the spot, then enjoy my wife and daughters.” He can no longer hold back his tears and they fall upon his cheeks. His voice shakes now as he continues, “He forced me to arrest Duke Julius, for the young mages part he agreed not to struggle to save my family. I knew the magical restraints placed upon him did not truly hold him, his word did. The Duke chained him to his carriage, even in that moment he sought to protect the innocent of the city. He warned us that justice of the gods would come at sunset.
The Duke was going to have a trial, already decided Julius guilty, and his death would come on the next full moon. Isabel given to his son for his first, once he was through with her the Duke was going to use her. During the few last years, he is quietly been taking girls for his pleasure. Even I did not know of this, I only knew a girl would disappear once in a great while. I sent a runner to you yesterday morning once I learned of the Duke’s crimes, only to find a runner dead a short way into the countryside yesterday afternoon.”
The King nods his head, and I moved to the Captain side, place my hand upon his shoulder I turn to the King and request, “Given the circumstances my King, I wish the Captain of the guard pardoned of any crime committed under the order of the former Duke.”
King Patrick turns to me focus solely on my face he asks, “Why would you wish his pardon? He killed innocents at the order of the former Duke.”
Again, I say what is in my heart choosing to follow it, “If it was not for the Duke holding the Captain’s wife and children I believe he would struck the Duke down for his crimes, only his love and fear held him back. He knew if the Duke died in the attempt, the Duke’s sons was as wicked as his father was. Even the justice of the gods found him not guilty; he walked out of the city along with all the righteous. He is done what he could to defend them.”
The King begins laughing, for some reason I did not fear his reaction. The Captain on the other hand I can feel shake under my hand. The King raises his hand and says, “Not only have I found a new Duke for this duchy, but a wise advisor. You speak with much wisdom for a young man. You are pardon my Captain serve your Duke well.”
Some of the clan’s men have returned with three rugs, not quite the size of our rug, but large enough for a family, with tents and some cargo to ride upon. The rugs could easily cover a normal wagon bed. I think to myself, possibly, we can use the crates of holding. Crates of holding look like a normal freight container on the outside, to foot-wide, two foot high and four foot long, however the interior of the crate once enchanted is twenty foot wide by twenty’ high, by forty foot long. Even three or four this crates could carry most of the clan’s goods.
Isabel moves close, and I could feel that she wishes to attempt the enchantment on one of the rugs; it is not something beginning apprentices should be capable of achieving. However, sometimes those lessons best found out, than explained. Justin has the book of enchantments, and he is explaining it to Isabel.
Taking my leave of the King I walk over to my betrothed. I ask, “Isabel do you wish to try to enchant a carpet? Remember it is not an easy thing to do, I failed that in my first three attempts, and only with the strength you granted me was able.”
Isabel shakes her head and says, “We will not be ready to leave until tomorrow, now the clan packs for our trip with all haste. They will continue into the night, come the rising sun we will be ready to leave if we have enough carpets.”
I shake my head yes, Isabel continues, “I wish to attempt the enchantment, but I understand I will have to learn much before I do. Perhaps I can afford carpets once we reach our destination to attempt the enchantment upon later.”
I pull her into a hug and whisper into her ear, “I am in so much trouble, because you are smarter than I am. I destroyed the first rug I attempted the enchantment on because I did not see that I was not ready.” Isabel giggles, and gives me a kiss on the cheek. That does not cause us to light up but I love the feeling.
When she finally looks into my face she says, “Do not forget that I love you, when I become frustrated because I am somewhat smarter than you are.”
With a chuckle I return, “Do not forget that I love you too, even if I do frustrate you a little.”
I had not noticed that the King had stepped closer, overhearing he chuckles, “Truly a wise man, my young Duke.”
Justin chuckles and says, “I do not know about wise your Majesty, anytime there is trouble he keeps running straight into it.”
I blush but Isabel giggles, “He would not have saved me if not. Perhaps there is some wisdom in his bravery it has made in blessed by the gods.”
The King says, “The gods do love heroes. Also, be cautious young Duke. There are forces in this world that would seek your death just because the gods favor you.”
I say, “I will remember that my King. Now that I have something that I would fear my failure would harm, Isabel is more precious to me than my own life. If I fail, I endanger the city and that is unacceptable.”
Isabel states, “Just remember if either of us fall in battle, we both die.”
Looking into Isabel’s beautiful eyes I say, “I know, and if there is any other way, we should avoid fighting.”
King Patrick says, “That is wisdom that takes many years to learn for most. Many see combat as a quick way to power, glory and wealth.”
Justin chuckles, “Apparently, Julius has found all that in the arms of his betrothed. Even a journeyman mage that he is, he now has more power than many masters do with Isabel at his side. As for glory he never cared for such foolishness, wealth well if you would see his dowries, you would know he does not worry for such.”
As Justin and the King talk, I pull Isabel over and we begin enchanting the three carpets we have. It does not take very long to enchant the smaller carpets. Apparently, the King had stopped to watch along with many others. Justin checks each carpet once we finished smiling brightly he says, “The enchantments on these are even stronger, I doubt they will ever fade.”
Isabel smiles and says, “They will follow father’s directions, and if he appoints another they will follow their directions.”
Jeremiah smiles and ask, “If I wish, them to follow me, they will?”
I say, “They will, if you say to them follow, if you say to them obey the one I give you to, they will obey that person’s commands. The clan can use them to ship anything they desire; the capital should be a four-hour trip upon the rug. It would be possible for someone to take cargo from here and return with new cargo within the same day.”
Jeremiah smiles, “Perhaps I will make this place home, now that the clan need not move altogether to buy and sell our goods. However, those rugs could not carry so much, no more than a single wagon could.”
I say, “I was thinking of that. Perhaps some enchanted crates, one that would hold nearly a barn within it.”
Jeremiah’s eyes widened, “Are such things possible?”
King Patrick chuckles, “Only unto very few wizards, but yes I have a small box enchanted by a friend a long time ago. It holds my entire wardrobe when I travel.”
Justin chuckles and says, “You still have that old box I made for you so many years ago?”
King Patrick slaps Justin on the shoulder and says, “Yes my old friend I do, and it still works just the way you made it. Perhaps you can make a few for the trip, I do not think this large of a group could travel through the gates your old master created. I fear their magic is beginning to wane after all these years.”
Justin asks, “How is that old scoundrel, is he still up to mischief?”
King Patrick chuckles, “Worse than ever, the last thing he has been trying to accomplish is a ship that flies. Without magic on top of that, using something called technology.” Justin shakes his head in disbelief.
The Captain has sent runners, he knew of our need for the carpets. Several of the servants from the keep bring a wagon holding several carpets. They carry the top one from the wagon, about the same size as ours looking at a closely I decide to reject it. The servants bring the next, which is suitable, slightly larger than ours is, at twelve paces wide and twenty-four paces long and must have come from one of the larger rooms. Isabel and I begin the enchantment, and it too creates a suitable and permanent magic carpet.
There is another carpet the same size, before we enchant it Isabel and I need some time to rest, the four rugs we have enchanted so far seem to taken a toll along with this morning. I find myself very fatigued and perhaps a short nap would be in order. Taking the new robes Isabel and I go to the tent of her father. Her mother meets us at the entrance, pulls us back to a table and orders us to eat.
The food is good although Isabel is not very impressed, she asks, “Is it Christina’s time to cook?” I later found out Chris was short for Christina Isabel’s younger sister.
Isabel’s mother giggles and says, “Yes, I made sure Chris followed the recipes. I did not let her add any more of those weird spices.”
Isabel giggles, “That explains why is rather bland, the spices she adds is not the problem, the problem is she does not know the proper amount to add.”
A young girl much like Isabel, the same blue eyes and black hair finally comes to the table. Setting across from her sister, she questions, “Then sister are you going to teach me how to do it properly?”
Isabel says a little smugly, “I do not know if I will have time, Chris. What with be in a duchess, and having to learn magic.”
The girl of possibly ten sticks her tongue out at her older sister, causing Rebecca to giggle. Rebecca says, “Did you see Isabel can glow?”
Christina looks at her sister and says, “Of course she can glow. She has outshined everybody around here for years.”
Isabel simply leans into me and we kiss, of course, we light up the tent. Now taken aback Christina says, “You really do glow.”
I chuckle and say, “Christina, cooking takes practice, magic takes practice, with patients and practice you will be a great cook, you already outshine your uncle Justin.” Isabel giggles and shakes her head yes, he may be a great wizard but is cooking needs a little something. “Magic and cooking have something in common they are both arts that need to be precise. In cooking, you must measure the spices, or you will have too little or too much. The result is the food will not taste right, and magic if you make an error and measure incorrectly the results can be disastrous. Practice cooking; learn from it how to measure how to be very precise to make sure the food taste exactly right.”
Their mother giggles and says, “I had no idea magic and cooking had anything in common.”
I smile and say, “A great meal can give you strength for days, much better than a simple spell that gives you strength for an hour. A potion mixed perfectly, is like a soufflé, both requiring patients, practice and precise measuring. Sometimes both fall short just because.”
The women giggle, both Isabel and I stretch and yon both of us needing sleep. Christina opens her mouth and begins to tease, but her Uncle Justin cuts her off saying, “Unlike cooking magic wears down one strength, the rugs you have created today are as good as your first if not better. It is no wonder the two of you need a short rest, and you should for at least two and a half hours, I will wake you when it is time.”
Isabel’s mother leads us to a bed, and Justin follows has Isabel and I lay down again we wrap each other in a hug this time facing each other, Isabel has her head on my shoulder. I am asleep even before I realize Justin has done another spell.
Justin chuckles to Isabel’s mother, “They are so tired the spell is unnecessary, but it will prevent them from being awaken and giving into their hearts desires.”
Much like two days before Justin awakes us, we stretch feeling rested. After going to the restroom, Isabel and I need to go to gather wood. Us two, along with her father and the Captain of the guard moves along the coast on the flying carpet. Isabel’s father comes along as chaperone, the Captain of the guard insist on coming as my protector. Not just dead wood from the forced, but Driftwood would be much better, the salt has preserved the wood, and what is above the high tide will have dried out nicely ready for our use.
I have taught Isabel the gathering spell, is simple enough and will not affect anything adversely. I can since Isabel wishing to help, and her father’s eyes go large as we fly a crossed the beaches lifting logs into a larger and larger ball as the wood merges. The ball floats along behind our carpet and imperfections fall out of the ball, such as rocks, sand, and insects.
After having more than enough with we return, I will need to read the enchantment spell as Isabel’s flies us back home. It looks like we pursued by a huge round ball of solid wood as we return. The Captain of the guards waves to stunned guardsmen as they patrolled the walls and catch sight of us. As we flew across the top of the wall he shouts down, “Get back to your patrols this is a site you probably will see again.”
Stunned faces look skyward as we crossed the city, landing outside of the Plaza I leave the ball fifty feet in the air. It hangs there like a mini moon, as adults and children alike stare and point at it. Justin asks, “Did you bring all the Driftwood from the entire coast?”
I chuckle and say, “No about ten miles up the coast was a deserted beach with a great deal of wood. No one was near that section of beach; no one travels that far too get the Driftwood.”
The King chuckles and asks, “I believe that must be far more than enough for a few crates, what would you do with the rest?”
I bow to the King and ask, “I am uncertain sire, I am sure if someone has a need we may be able to accomplish some good.”
The King suggests, “How about some park benches, my poor feet are beginning to swell. I have not stood this long in a decade.”
I pull off a piece of the wood, it forms into a tiny ball compared to the original, and it swirls around until it begins to come into the shape of a chair. Grass from distant fields flies overhead merges, become cushioning, spider webs transforming into silk, and cover the chair. The silk takes the color of Isabel’s eyes but the center of the back has the Royal crest. The chair comes to rest in front of King Patrick who grins as he sets down. A sigh escapes his lips, as a smile covers his face. He turns the chair to watch us. Isabel is a quick study, and she has created an ottoman matching the chair it floats down and slides in front of the King. The king quickly puts his feet up onto the ottoman.
I pull up additional would and create two more benches; I set them down on either side of the King. One of the Knights request that I place of barrier behind the chair to protect the King. Justin ways me away saying, “You get back to the crates. I will make something to protect the King’s backside.”
Isabel and I set about the task of creating the crates, in the air, we form huge boxes, and the amount of wood slightly depleted with each box. After the boxes fully formed, we began the enchanting process, the box dissents as it begins to shrink in size. With a box comes to rest it is that artfully carved, with four handles so that two men can easily carry it. No matter what you place in it, it will always waive the same about five stones. The boxes closed and on the top of the lid is the symbol for house Morgan.
Jeremiah is at his daughter shoulder and ask, “Did it work?” Other than the delicate carving, you would never expect this to be anything more than a shipping crate, with the symbol of house Morgan carved as a relief on its lid.
I say, “Let us find out. Jeremiah, if you would touch the symbol for house Morgan to open the crate, we may check.”
Like the dowry box, no seam or joint is visible until activating the lock. As Jeremiah lays his hand flat on the carving, the box lid slides back and then tilts up revealing an open box that appears deeper and wider than what it possibly could be. I had fished out a copper coin from the coin purse thrown to me earlier. I dropped the coin in. It seemed to take an impossibly long time to cover the short distance to the bottom of the box. By the time it does reach the bottom, it appears impossibly small.
I tell Jeremiah, be sure to use ropes to lower each item down to the bottom, men can climb down the ropes to move cargo around inside the box. However, this is very important; do not allow anyone to remain in the box once the lid is closed. Nothing inside the box will age once the lid is in place. The tome that describes the enchantment, warns not to place any living thing in a closed box, to do so will stop it from aging, resulting in its death. So be very careful, even closing the lid for an instant will result in death to anyone or anything within the box.
Jeremiah shakes his head yes, understanding my warning he asked, “How may I close the box?”
I tell him, “By placing your hand on the lid in the same way. Only the person who opened the box may close it. It would be a good idea for the person who opened the box be the first in and the last out of the box before the lid is closed. That would prevent any accidental closing of the lid. Other than that, anyone who is a member of house Morgan can open the lid and close it.”
Isabel warns, “Daddy be very careful about Rebecca and some of the other children, you know how they love to hide. If they hide in a box that gets placed inside of one of the crates, it would surely mean they would die.”
Jeremiah in a serious voice says, “I will definitely have to warn them, that from now on during the packing process they are not the hide in any box or crate. I will ensure that each box and crates are inspected prior their placement in this thing.”
After a moment’s reflection Jeremiah asked, “You mean if I place hot bread inside the box, and opened it a week later the bread still be hot and fresh.”
I say, “From the writings in the book, it would not matter how long. Whenever you open the crate, the bread would be hot fresh and ready to eat just as you had placed it inside the crate. Anything not living will be in the same condition unchanged from the instant the lid closed.”
The King asks, “You mean wheat from years when we have far more than enough with keep for decades until we have years of famine.”
Shaking my head yes I say, “Even until the magic within the box is fully expired, at that point the box would simply fall apart and anything within would spilled outward unchanged, if that was a year or a thousand. The only problem would be if you had it in a room too small to hold whatever was inside the crate, without sufficient room it would break down the walls taken up as much room as it originally took up in this world.”
The King thinks for a moment and asks, “Could I have a dozen? I understand their drawbacks. However, I see the use of such a wonderful creation. We could store up a few years of grain, then during times of need feed the people.”
Jeremiah says, “Additionally, with the carpets, the grain can be quickly taken to whichever duchy that has the need.”
King Patrick says, “Even in some good years for most of the duchies some have shortages, sometimes because a crop fails from a storm, with the carpets in your help my good friend, house Morgan I will hire you to distribute food, enough to fill the granary of the affected duchy.”
Jeremiah bowing says to the King, “It would be the honor of house Morgan to assist the King.”
The King being a wise man himself knows how to negotiate. “I am sure with a couple of these crates and the carpets Duke Julius and Duchess Isabel has created, you would find more than enough room for any shipment I would require of you, plus any for your business my friend.”
Jeremiah did not get to be a rich merchant by just giving favors away, but he knows the value of having the King in debt to you for a favor. Jeremiah says, “During any true emergency, the King may call upon house Morgan, and we will be at his disposal. Because it would be so inexpensive to move cargo, I would only require the cost for packing and unpacking at the place of delivery.”
The King smiles and extends his hand, as they shake the King says, “Done, when we return to the capital I will have the finalized contracts made up. I will try not to keep you too busy my friend.”
Isabel and I go back to creating another box, Isabel contributes her strength to me and again we create another two boxes for house Morgan. When we finish we are too exhausted to continue. Justin had enchanted one more rug, after we take break and getting something to eat Isabel and I have the rug from the main hall unfurled. It still possesses the bloodstains from the priestess and myself, Justin begins the spell to clean away the stains. The blood vanishes leaving the carpet unharmed. Isabel again lends me her strength, I begin the enchantment for this large rug, unlike the others this seems to take forever, and by the time we are finished we know that we can do no more enchanting this day.
After our breakfast, I had changed into the new robes given to me by the merchant. With the exertions of the day, a new set of robes would be in order, especially for my wedding tomorrow evening. A couple of the guards come by, they hand me several large purses, smiling they say this is your spoils from the guards that fell last night. I weigh the purses in my hand, then hand two back saying, “Give five gold pieces unto any widow who lost her husband last night, see me if it is not enough.”
The guards smile and the Lieutenant says, “Yes my Duke.” They depart on their way to assist the citizens of Isabel’s and my new home.
Isabel and I have to make a few errands, now that we are no longer busy enchanting crates and carpets, having enough for the clan to move tomorrow, anything we plan not to take can remain in the keep until the clan returns in a few days.
Justin asks, “Did you to forget something?” As he pointing at the now, six foot round spear of wood still floating in the air.
It probably does not have enough wood to create another box, at least not as large as the three we have created so far. However, it is something that we could use later, but I have so little magic left that to do anything other than to allow it to dissent gently to the ground would be too great of an effort to accomplish. I slowly allow it to settle to earth, causing it to flatten on one side so it will not roll and possibly hurt someone. It is then that I realized how much effort has gone into levitating it. We sigh at the reduce effort. That is something we will have to remember, it takes less effort to work with a block once set on the ground.
First, we go to the cobbler with Rebecca coming along as chaperone again. The cobbler measures both our feet checking on the fine leather he has in the styles he shows to Isabel, when she decides on a shoe he shows a matching version for me, I am rather easy when it comes to shoes they just have to protect my feet. The cobbler begins his work and tells us to come back in an hour so he can check to see if the fitting will be correct then finish the shoes by tomorrow morning.
Arriving at the dressmaker shop, which is next door to the men’s apparel shop, Isabel and I separate, I give Isabel one of the coin purses, her and Rebecca going to dress shop and me going to the men’s apparel.
The tailor has me wash in a small bathing room he has, and I quickly cleaned myself of the stresses from today. I did not realize how awful I smelled until I was clean. Once finished, the tailor did not even allow me to dress before he began measuring me for my new clothing. He said he would work through the night to have them finished for tomorrow. He had some previous finished clothing that would work for tonight. Something I preferred anyway it was a bit more informal.
Arriving on the street, the Captain of the guard is there with an attractive woman and two lovely young girls. The two girls come to me and hug me saying, “You are the Duke who saved Daddy. Thank you.”
I chuckle and say, “Michael’s good heart had already saved him. I just simply pointed out the fact, it was a decision the King had already come to on his own. It is only now that I realize he was testing me.”
The Captain of the guard says, “He may have been testing you, he may have decided I was innocent, but it was you who asked for my pardon. You stood up for me. It is not something I will ever forget.”
Michael thinks he owes me for what I did today, but I need to remind him of what he done in the past. I say, “Remember when you were younger, and a scared young boy leaned on you, I took strength in your calm hand on my shoulder. If you had not, I probably would not have the strength to identify those who murdered my father and mother. I did no less for you, than you had done for me. I will never forget your kindness to a young slave.”
Juliet Michael’s wife says, “That was the day I fell in love with him, it took me a while to get his attention and then to finally let him catch me. I knew what a good father he would be from the way he treated you.”
Michael smiles and pulls his wife close, his two daughters turned back to me and ask, “Can we really go on your carpet, Daddy said you promised us a ride.”
Michael chuckles still holding his wife he asks, “My Duke, it would be traditional if the Captain of the guard joined you on any visit to the Capital. I doubt we would need any other than the strong man from house Morgan for your protection, but I do wish to go to stand at your side.”
I say, “Well I guess if you pack by the morning, we should find a place for four more.”
The girls squealing causes Isabel and Rebecca to laugh as they return from the dress shop, Isabel is wearing a new dress it accents her figure beautifully. I do realize what a lucky man I am, for at that moment, her beauty stunned me yet again. I moved to her and take her into my arms smiling as I look into her eyes. Rebecca holds two other dresses, one obviously longer than what she can wear.
The Captain clearing his throat reminds us that we are in the public eye, and we should behave ourselves accordingly. Having our attention he says, “I understand you have an appointment with Edmund the cobbler, he will need to see you before he can finish your new shoes.”
I say, “It would be rude of me to keep Edmund waiting, especially because he has refused payment.” The seven of us walked back to the cobbler’s shop, and I sent the Captain and his family on to pack for the trip, the clan is not so large that with the crates that we should not find seating for the Captain and his family.
The cobbler makes quick work of the shoes and I wonder at how fast the man’s hands can actually work. He has the soles on the shoes completed in a matter of minutes. Isabel and I walk out with new stockings and new shoes that fit like gloves.
On reentering the tent of house Morgan I am ushered to a divided section, a small bed is set up against the curtain; I could hear Isabel’s voice on the other side. Isabel saying, “We are bonded and cannot be separated, to do so would be death for the both of us.”
Her mother says, “He is just on the other side of the curtain, surely that is not enough separation to affect your bonding.”
There is a slit in the curtain and I reach my hand through finding Isabel’s hand as she sets on the bed. I think we both shivered at making contact. Our fingers laced together, and I can feel Isabel’s lips on the back of my hand as she lifts it to her lips. Her mother says, “There, we even thought of that. The tradition says you do not get to see him on your wedding day. We will bend that just enough for you to see his hand and hold it.”
This is going to be a longest night of my life, followed by the longest day.

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Another chapter down; enjoy it and please keep the feedback coming. If you like it let me know, if you have questions I’ll try to answer them, just register on the Forums and send me a PM or leave them in the comments. Thank you for reading the story.
After Sindee left for her meeting I had to get started on my day. First thing I did was call Marcus and arrange to pick him up after I finished at the Architect’s office. We went over the plans and finalized most of the design aspects. There were still a few details that had to be worked out and some additions that I might be adding before we started the process of finding the builders. I left the architect’s office feeling good about how the design was coming along and headed for the campus.
I pulled up to Marcus’s dorm to find him on the steps waiting, flirting with the freshmen girls shamelessly. I smiled and laughed as I spotted a couple of them following him with their eyes, only Marcus could get the attention of College women when he looked like a high school freshman. He jumped in the car smiling as he waved back at the women he was talking to as pulled out of the parking lot. “So you going to tell me what happened to you, or do you want me to guess?” I asked filling my tone with humor.
“The short answer is I screwed up Andrew.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at that statement, “what’s the long answer? Details please.”
Marcus took a deep breath before starting. “I guess it all began right after we parted ways. I’m sure you remember Jackson and what he said about knowing what I am. When I stunned him with the spell, I took the time to heal the damage and make him forget he found me. I couldn’t remove the knowledge he had of me being a Mage as he had related to the rest of his family as he said. The information would have come flooding back the first time one of them explained it to him unless I wiped all of his memory. I wasn’t willing to do that kind of damage to the child of my oldest friends, so placed the suggestion that he had found a clue to my whereabouts down in Florida. I let him think I was after the Fountain of Youth; figured when he didn’t find me he might waste time looking for it. I kept on the move for 6 month following that. At the end of the 6 months I found myself up outside of Seattle hanging with a Cabal, learning from them and teaching them how to work without Foci. Two of them were exceptionally talented with Time and taught me a few new tricks.” He paused here, took a breath like he was gathering his thoughts or bracing for something coming, “You remember when I told you to never try a complex spell unless you were sure you knew what you were altering?”
I nodded and kept my expression neutral, “yeah, so what did do that caused this?”
“I told you once before that every Mage finds a way on their own for extending their life span. Mine worked well enough, except there were a few things that weren’t as effectively repaired as I had hoped. Life Magick can repair the damage that is done and keep you healthy, slow the aging process but you still do age. I combined a few other Spheres into my method; however I had never learned or understood Time Magick as well as I would have preferred to incorporate it. I thought I had learned and understood enough so I altered the spell I use for myself. The spell didn’t backfire so much as I didn’t have complete control over it due to a lack of understanding the nature of Time Magicks. I ended up at 13 years old, so I called in a favor, got an ID and even school transcripts. Jackson and his family won’t be looking for a kid so I figured I’d be safe for a while. I found a state home up there to get me into the foster system and went back to school. I decided I would graduate early as it was easier to be a genius then it was to hide my intellect. I was looking for a school up there when you called the cut out. The number you left was 702, so I knew it was NV, and took a chance it was somewhere in Vegas. Once I got here I traced you through Correspondence. Sindee’s house showed up as the place you spent most of your time. So I decided to wait there. That’s the whole long story.”
“Well Marcus, the only thing I can so to the Magick disaster is you need to learn to follow your own advice. However, you’re probably right that Jackson and his family won’t be looking for a kid. Any other side effects to you powers or anything else?” I asked.
“None thankfully. Now you called me, so I’m guessing you needed help with something. After meeting Sindee and seeing the two of you together, I can guess what you need but I want the whole story as well. Details please.” Marcus’s expression show he was considering what I was about to say carefully.
I took the deep breath this time, settling my thoughts. “We’ve already told you how Sindee and I met originally, and how we came back together. I initially assumed it was just a crush or physical attraction on my part. I’ve never been both happier and scared to have been wrong about something. I’m happy as spending time with her feels right, scared because right now we live in two different realities, and mine puts her life in danger. I called you originally to ask for your advice and possibly aid in attempting to awaken her safely. If you aid me, we can focus the spell through me. I’ll add an additional effect using prime to draw any backlash to me.” I stopped by a drive in and grabbed us lunch. A suggestion for having conversations that you want no one else to hear is to take a drive. “What I need to talk to you about right now however happened last night. First this is that right after we dropped you off, I had a feeling like the one that woke me up the night my family was attacked. It wasn’t identical but very close and it stayed with me to the point where I dreamed of the attack in full vivid detail. The second happened early this morning. I gave Sindee one of my Foci that I don’t use, the Infinity Loop I used for Correspondence when I was doing something complicated. After I put it on her and while we kissed I felt something from my Avatar.” I spoke many times before now of the connection to Magick a Mage has but never gave any detail. The Avatar is the source of that connection. Get any idea of cartoons or online Identities or large blue skinned aliens out of your head. A Mage’s Avatar is a Spirit connecting that exists on another plane. I’ll explain more about the Avatar later. “I’d like your advice and assistance with a Seeking.”
Marcus’s looked me surprised than I had ever seen anyone, then raised his voice as he practically yelled at me, “I’d ask you if you were fucking insane, but I already know the answer is yes.” He calmed down a little after yelling. I drove in silence for a few minutes before he started to speak again. “I’ll assist with the awakening, I like Sindee and think she’s strong willed enough to handle it. The Seeking is another story. You realize that most Mages never attempt one because of the inherent dangers involved. Of the Mages that make the attempt few succeed, some have even completely lost the ability to touch Magick. I know I can’t stop you from trying it so I’ll answer your questions. Convince me of the necessity of doing this Seeking and I’ll assist.”
That was more than I expected and less than I was hoping for but a good start. Marcus started to explain more about the nature of Seekings and Avatars in more detail than before. “What makes a Seeking so Dangerous is that a Mage is trying to communicate directly with their Avatar. As I said the Avatar is a Spirit, not to be confused with ghosts and other restless dead. There are Spirits for everything on this plane from forests and animals to constructs like your cell phone and house, they are everywhere. The old gods from mythology were such spirits in some cases. As powerful as those old gods and spirits are they are part of this plane of existence. The plane of Magick isn’t accessible directly to any except the Spirits that inhabit it. Those spirits while varying in form and power take two form when they come to our plane. Avatars and Familiars, we’ll speak of familiars another time. As you already, Avatars are the source of power and knowledge that a Mage draws upon to use Magick. While the Mage gets the ability to use Magick, the Avatars get a connection to our world and also gain power and knowledge, a very symbiotic relationship. A Mage and their Avatar rarely if ever speak or interact with each other beyond the passing of power and wisdom back and forth. A Seeking allows a Mage to communicate directly with their Avatar. The danger involved come from a few areas, first Avatars don’t actually speak so the communication is in the mind which has to be open between the Mage and the Avatar. No hiding portions of it, no shields because in effect the Mage and Avatar become one being on a journey through planes together. The second area of danger is that the primary purpose of a seeking is to make the bond between them stronger granting the ability to drawn upon and use more Magick at a given time, the Seeking forces the duo to fight and earn the power they gain. This journey and fight differ for every Mage. The fight doesn’t have to be combat, it has been reported by some Mages as a conquering of their inner demons, and others spoke of surmounting their weaknesses of character. Combat both physical and with Magick have been reported as well. Failing a Seeking has resulted in everything from Death to the worse punishment, from a Mages perspective, losing the ability to touch Magick entirely. I don’t know how long you’ll be in the seeking, but while you’re in that state you’ll be vulnerable anyone who wants to take a shot at you so you’ll need a secure place to do this.” He stopped explaining what happened during a seeking. “Now convince me why you have to do this if you want me to help you do it.”
I drove in silence for a few more minutes, gathering my thoughts on how to convince Marcus to help me with the Seeking. “The first reason I need to do this has to do with my arrival in Vegas. After running into Sindee again I looked back along my path here using Time and Entropy Spheres. I found that while no other Mage had influenced me into coming here, I had been guided by the Magick itself. The second reason is because the feeling I got last night, I think it was some kind of warning from the Magick or quite possibly my Avatar. I only suggest this because on the night of my Awakening I was woken from a sound sleep, alerted to the danger before it got to my. Later the same evening after the evil bastard had picked me up by my throat; I heard a voice telling me to accept what I was seeing and fight. The warning from last night may have been about any of us, Sindee, you or even me again.” I paused here for a few minutes to let what I said so far sink in. I continued driving us around town. After about ten minutes I gave Marcus one more reason, “The last reason is the most important one. I love Sindee more than I can put into words and this Seeking may be the only way to get the information or power I need to protect her and anyone else from what I fear is coming.” I drove on in silence, focusing on the road and motion to keep my mind busy.
A half an hour passed as we continued driving, I had taken around the city on the highway while we spoke. I decided to drive towards the land I purchased for my house while I waited for him to come to his decision. Marcus finally broke the silence buy clearing his throat before responding, “When and where do you want to do this?”
I pulled over and turned to face him, “First, are you sure you want to do this?”
“Andrew, I don’t want to do this at all, but you convinced me that it must be done and I’d rather help you than lose a friend because I didn’t do what I could to help. You said first so I’m assuming there’s a second….” He looked at me expectantly.
“Second is simple, thank you. If you ever need my aid in anything tell me and I’ll be there. As for when and where, one night this week out in the middle of nowhere to make sure no one else is around to put us in danger or be endangered. I need a day or two to get some supplies together; I’m going to try a ritual I’ve been working on to possibly aid in the Seeking. The supplies will aid me in focusing the intent of the Magick I put into the Ritual.”
A small look of concern passed across Marcus’s face as he asked, “You’re sure you want to use untested ritual Magick in conjunction with a seeking? I’m just asking as you can see what happened to me when I used untested powers.”
“The ritual itself is untested; however I’ve been developing it for quite some time. I have my intent for how the Magick will work fully set in my mind and it uses Spheres for which I have a talent.” I reassured Marcus. I should tell you now the second secret I learned about using Magick. Intent, most spells that go out of control are because the intent of the Mage isn’t focused. Magick can be used just as any tool; in the hands of an amateur who doesn’t know exactly what they’re doing it’s like a sledgehammer, effective but not precise. In the hands of someone who knows exactly what they intend to do with the spells it’s like a scalpel in a master surgeons hand. Always firmly set in your mind what you intend to do with a spell before casting it. Even in the head of combat, more so, especially in the heat of combat know what you intend or be prepared to die by your own Magick because something went wrong. A focused intent will not guarantee success but it does greatly reduce the chances of a spell backfiring on the caster.
I took Marcus back to the campus so he could continue his flirting and handle his preparations. I went to one of the local occult shops and purchased some supplies. Some of the items Mages and hedge wizards use overlap; the difference comes in how they are used. For a hedge wizards, these items must be used in specific ways and specific amount for their spells to have a chance of succeeding. For a Mage, the items act as temporary Foci for desired effects. Could I have performed the ritual or spells without them, yes. Using them to focus my intent however makes casting the spell easier as well as gives me something transfer power into for maintaining the spell allowing me to concentrate on what I’m doing. Another thing about Foci and Mages is that a Mage can use almost anything to act as a focus; the items chosen usually reflect their training. Fortunately my training at Marcus’s hand taught me that Foci, while not needed, can be useful and need only apply to the Sphere or spell from my perspective. I put the supplies into the trunk of my car and headed toward Sindee’s.
I arrived back home in the early afternoon just as Sindee got back from her meeting. I told her that Marcus and I were taking an overnight camping trip this week while she was working. Sindee made lunch for the two of us and we spoke of how the morning went. Sindee told me that at she would be off of graveyard shifts in a couple of months as she had finished her residency for emergency medicine. This was great news as it would allow us to spend so much more time with each other. I had so much I wanted to tell her and even more I wanted to ask, but until she was awakened I couldn’t do so. After we finished we laid down together so that she could get some sleep for work that night. I waited until she had fallen asleep before getting out of the bed. She looked perfect lying there sleeping so peacefully, I would hate myself if she were to be hurt in any way by my actions. I sat there watching her sleep thinking about everything that has happened in the two months. Things have been getting better and simpler; I should have expected the other shoe to drop before now. I knew that the Seeking could kill me, but I couldn’t tell Sindee that I may just disappear from the face of the earth if things went that way.
I left Sindee to sleep after about an hour and went to my car. I brought the items for the ritual into the house and started to infuse them with Magick to allow them to continue the spell once cast. This was only a temporary process; infusing Magick into objects for one shot spells is easy. Creating a permanently enchanted Talisman was one of the most difficult things a Mage can do. These Magick infused objects allow even normal mortals to use the spells stored inside. After I prepared the objects for the ritual and stored them I went back into the bedroom and lay back down with Sindee. I placed my arm over her side taking the Infinity Loop into my hand. I focused the intent of my Magick and drew power from several Spheres infusing a spell into the pendant. If all went well while I was doing the Seeking the Charm would do nothing at all and I’d remove the spell the next time we were together. If she was put into mortal danger while I was away the Charm would save her through several different means. If she suffered a fatal injury it would heal the damage allowing her to survive and seek medical attention, I also infused a bit of counter magick into it so if a caster threw a spell at her it would fail, unless it was more powerful than the counter spell I put inside. In that event the final measure I put into the Charm would take effect, Sindee would instantly traverse the distance between us appearing at my side. This last effect would create a severe backlash, but to save her life I would accept it. The only downside to that last measure as it would alter Sindee’s perception of reality causing her mind to awaken to the greater reality. We already discussed the possible end results to this which is why I hoped it wouldn’t be needed so Marcus and I could guide her to the awakening. I released the pendant and pulled her close to me, wrapping her small frame in my arms just resting peacefully with her.
After Sindee left for work I set about adding some security to the house. Marcus reminded me that Mages can track people through Magick in a variety of ways; I figured he tracked the signature of my castings. When a Mage alters reality they leave an echo of their power in the area. This echo or resonance can be used to identify an individual Mage if you’ve seen their castings before, and since he trained me, Marcus knew my signature as I did his. The more coincidental the Magick the less of a resonance it leaves behind. In order to make it more difficult for anyone else who may have been looking for my resonance I placed wards around the items I had altered. Wards didn’t change and alter reality as much as bend Magick around them. They left no resonance and were almost impossible to detect even if you knew to look for them. The ones I placed here would only be temporary but should hold up until whatever I felt coming was over and I was able to complete my Sanctum. That evening passed quickly as did the following day.
On the second evening after Sindee left for work I drove to pick Marcus up from the dorm. When I arrived I used sensory magick to look for any trace of mages other than Marcus here on the campus. I didn’t see much and none of the resonance I could see showed a destructive nature to the casters spells. I waited for a few minutes and when Marcus hadn’t come out to meet me as we arranged I sent a text letting him know I was waiting. When Marcus came out it was with one of the freshmen I saw him flirting with a couple days before, both of their clothes looked rumpled. Marcus waved and jumped into the passenger seat smiling. I drove out of town heading for the fastest route out of town. We drove a couple hours into the empty desert so I didn’t have to worry about any sleepers wandering by. I parked the car at the end of a service road and grabbed my supplies from the trunk. Marcus and I walked out into the desert for about a half hour until we were in an area with no other signs of human life.
I stared of by using the Life Sphere to extend my senses and make sure there was nothing else alive out here. I found plenty of plants and insects like scorpions and snakes. I also felt some kind of canine, I figured it was a coyote out this far. I decided this was a good enough area and started to spread the crystals infused with magic into a circle around the area I intended to use for the Seeking. I placed nine to form a ring and a tenth at the very center of the ring and sent my magick into the last one. Immediately a line of sand stretched from the center crystal to each of the outer ring turning the sand into glass as it did so. The crystals in the ring spread a connecting line forming a physical circle in the sand that turned to glass like the lines connecting to the center. Once the circle was fully manifested I stopped the flow of magick for the time being. In each wedge formed but the glass I etched into the sand a glyph representing each of the Spheres infusing magick from each into the matching representation. I finished the preparations for my spell and looked to Marcus who was standing outside the ring, “Last chance to change your mind,” I called to him.
Marcus stepped forward into the circle and replied, “Too late for me, you can still change your mind thought.” I gave him a withering look at that and he continued speaking, “I figured that would be the response. You convinced me this was needed and I agreed to help, you can’t get rid of me now.”
I let my face show how much his aid meant to me, “As this is a seeking and the ritual spell will contain the Magick used within ward against outside Magick, repelling some absorbing the rest, I’ll activate the protection and start the seeking from the Spirit Sphere’s Wedge. After I start the seeking if you need to break the protection of the ritual remove the center crystal. Thank you again for being here.” I sat facing the glyph representing spirit magic. Closing my eyes activated the protection of the ritual, all around us a shield appeared blurring reality. All around the circle and within the fabric of reality that separated the planes would be lowered making communication and travel easier. I dropped all the shields I kept around my mind and drew upon the Spirit Magick to bridge the gap between this plane and my Avatar.
I continued to relax my mind letting the raw power of Magick fill me doing nothing to alter or direct the flow. I felt a pull from my Avatar, no longer sensing the world around me I opened my eyes. The desert and Marcus were gone; the landscape I was seeing made no sense to me at all. I was floating in the sky miles above a cityscape. Looking around there was nothing but gray stone buildings from horizon to horizon; every one of them identical to the rest. This caused a feeling of foreboding that flowed within me. I heard again that voice from years ago, “Stasis, the end of Magick in the world. Without Magick change stops, reality decays.” We were still floating as time seemed to pass backward below in the world. The building began to disappear and life could be seen, animals, plants and people moving around the world. Then the view changed again as time seemed to flow forward again. The world began to speed up, wars started. And the destruction mounted Mages started popping up everywhere fighting with Magick openly, no backlashes keeping this destruction in check, stopping people from changing the world at will. Soon the world was covered in ashes and craters, cities gone, all life extinct and the voice came again, “Chaos, Magick out of control in too many hands, a Mage war fought in the open, all life destroyed, Stasis comes again.” These images faded as I was shown the world again, wars and battles being fought in secret, Mages and other supernatural creatures hiding their wars from the rest of humanity. I was shown this war for centuries in our world, battles won and lost by both sides, neither gaining ground to quickly until the last century as cities and buildings taking over landscape, creatures of mythology disappearing as though they never existed, belief in unknown going away, Stasis taking over. The Voice came again, “Stasis is the end result of the war if either side succeeds in their goals. The point of the war is not to win but to bring Ascension to all people, not to impose the beliefs of one side over the other. Fight for Humanity as you have been empowered to do so, not to gain for yourself,” the voice cut off as abruptly as it started. The idea of Ascension was important to all Mages. As I understood it, a Mage who gained enough knowledge and power could ultimately become a higher being, a god of sorts. There were many theories from as many different sources as to what that meant for the Mage in question. The two most popular being that they did in fact ascend to become th God or Creator of a new plain, controlling the paradigm of that reality, and the second was that they ultimately became Avatars or Familiars for future mages. If the knowledge I just received was any indication; Ascension was not limited to Mages but to all creatures whether Human or other Supernatural.
The world in front of me changed as well as my perspective of it. I was now back in the mountains watching as the man I remembered approached a cabin. I followed him as he closed with the building remaining in the shadows, unseen and unheard by those inside. I knew what I was seeing, the night of my Awakening. I felt the desire to stop this man from going in, using the power I have now to stop him. I started to move silently towards him when I stopped. I knew that Mages have lost their powers during a Seeking and that what happened in here could manifest itself in the world outside this vision. If I stopped him I could save my family before anything happened, I’d most likely never Awaken if I did. The ultimate question of Paradox, can a man invent a time machine, go back and kill himself before he invented it. This situation was a little different, if I killed this man before he entered the cabin and caused my Awakening I would save my family, but with the knowledge I’ve been given since starting this Seeking would be lost. I reached out with Magick sensing those in the Cabin and realized that I was sound asleep with no sign of stirring. I reach into the back of my younger mind, into the primal portions of it and pressed Magick into the danger sense. I pulled back as soon as the mind snapped into consciousness, knowing now where that first warning came from. That more than anything else so far in this journey made me worry as the feeling I had the other night was similar and I had no idea where it came from.
Suddenly the world shifted around me again and I was standing alone in an open field surrounded by trees. Across from me stood another man, the power coming from his was dark and palpable. His face was hooded, and the clothing was covered in blood and gore. His eyes hidden within the hood glowed green in the twilight as we faced each other. He pointed at me and a bolt of energy leapt across the gap between us, by sheer reflex I managed to throw counter magick to stop the spell. “You are the cause of my pain, you failed to protect them all.” A gravelly voice shouted as another bolt of energy flew at me. I stayed quiet, focusing on my defense as the being in front of me was powerful and knew his spells by Rote so he could cast them at will. I dove to the side, going into s shoulder roll as I cast the Rote activating my sensory magick that combine all sphere so I would know what he was using to attack. I felt electricity gathering in the air and threw up my most power counter spell using forces as lightning struck down from the sky repeatedly striking the spot I was standing. I felt every strike as it hit my shield and the last penetrated my defense. I was in pure agony as the raw power traveled though my body burning tissue and nerves as it did so. I dropped to my knees barely able to take a breath with the pain I was in. The man crossed the field to stand over me and pulled back the hood. The face was marked with scars and age. The expression of anger twisted features that I couldn’t have recognized for the years on them, but the eyes I knew. They showed an eternity of pain and knowledge in them, but I knew them, I saw them every time I looked into a mirror. The man continued to yell, “You could have given up the power and saved our family. You chose magick over them. You will make choices in the future that I can no longer live with. I am going to erase us both from existence to stop you here and now.” I hear the insanity in the voice and words and felt him pull upon all the Spheres at once, drawing into himself more power than I any mage could wield. That was when I sensed something that nearly froze me in place, the power wasn’t from an Avatar but a malevolent being feeding on the rage. I reacted by pure reflex and wrapped the consciousness of my Avatar into my own and opened myself as a conduit for Magick itself drawing in any power thrown at me and sending it through us into the Plane of Magick. This would either work or I would die, but I knew killing myself in a seeking was not an option. The power was thrown in its raw for with the only intention of destroying us both. As the power hit and was pulled in I could feel every cell of my body, it was like each cell had an infinite number of nerves each only capable of feeling pain. While a normal nerve could only feel so much before numbing this felt like it went on forever. When the being assisting my other self tried to stop the flow of power I reached out through the pain and continued to drain the power just letting it flow through me. When the power stopped the man before me had no Magick and the being supporting him was gone. The older version of me stood and faced me as I lay there on the ground exhausted from the pain, “Protect her no matter what else happens or you will again become what you saw before you.” As he spoke the last word the world around me went black.
When I came to the sky was starting to brighten, I took a deep breath feeling like I had been on fire and coughed. Marcus’s voice came from my right, “About time you woke up, I think we’re in trouble.”
I sat up, my body protesting the movement and looked around me to see the source of Marcus’s concern. Around us, outside of the circle was a pack of wolves circling. My first thought was to reach out with mind magic and chase them off. I realized immediately that wasn’t an option as I was exhausted mentally and emotionally from the Seeking. The next thing I realized was the large bi-pedal wolf standing behind the others. The next thought to come to mind also came out of my mouth, “We’re fucked…..”

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