Also, it has the added benefit of being re-read later upon which I have the opportunity to purge any awful ideas I might have been working with.

This Friday’s story is something of a postscript to Master of the House.  It follows Katrina into the start of a new life and sets the stage for either the forth or fifth book in this series (haven’t decided the order yet…)

As this story is more of a vignette than I typically put up here, it may be worth clicking the links as you go for additional information on the characters and places.  Enjoy.

Prodigal Daughter

Alexander coughed into a handkerchief and went through the painful motions as his body wretched with spasms. This was nothing new for the young man. His body had been afflicted with a terrible condition since his youth that had left him frail. Unlike others who were afflicted with the “Consumption”, Alexander had lived a surprisingly long life by comparison. Despite this, he would never go so far as to call himself “fortunate”.

Though his body bent to appease the cough, his eyes kept forward. This particular coughing spell was a simple lie. For his part, this one particular instance was merely a distraction.

Something was happening.

The Council of Bishops was in an uproar. Things were happening and they were happening quickly in response to an issue that he had not been informed of.

Most unusual, he thought to himself.

With his father, the renown Warrior Priest Alexander the 1^st sitting at the head of the Council of Bishops, the son had become accustom to having every bit of his father’s information in his hands before it was public knowledge. Despite his considerable frailty, the junior Alexander was a devastatingly clever statesman and though he could not wear the sword and shield himself, he was a brilliant tactician.

These things gave him great favor in his father’s court and to now be left out of whatever events were transpiring told the younger Alexander that something serious was afoot. He could see the Paladin taking notice of his coughing spell and then motion for several more elite Paladin troops to move towards the building’s roof.

It was more than being left out of what was going on.

He was being shut out.

There was no clearer sign to him that this matter needed his attention.

Katrina looked to where Kimberly sat opposite of her in the ‘Copter. Tin’s younger siblings, Annie and David were curled up against Kimberly. For her own part, Kimberly was trying not to fall asleep too.

Katrina smiled at this. It was as though Kimberly was meant to have children around her, something Katrina never really saw in her own future.

To her right, Alex sat with her kneels pulled up against her chest. She was focused intently on sharpening the various blades that were kept on her person. This girl had grown up in the wild parts of Britania. Despite her age, she had known nothing other than civil war and strife. The short time she had been allowed to live freely in Seaside prior to its burning was probably the most normal her life had ever been.

Now Katrina was going to deliver her to The Order. That hard upbringing would be put to good use. She would grow up strong and secure for it. Nothing in Alex’s future would be easy going forward but she was used to that. It would be for the best.

Katrina almost smiled; perhaps she was more motherly than she was willing to admit.

For her own part, Katrina looked out the ‘Copter window to see the approaching sight of New Raj.

The Shining City.

Her home.

It was the source of all her strength, her training, and ultimately her doubts.

She left in shame and would now return as a herald of ill omen. Just the same, this omen was something that New Raj had been preparing for. They had been given a thousand years to steel themselves against it and no great city state was as well prepared for the words she was bringing to bear.

Words of death, of calamity, of a dark past come calling for its due.

These words would be the very thing that opened their arms to her once again. Hearing her speak and seeing the knife Dori gave her…it would be enough to reclaim her place among them.

She hoped.

She had to hope; at this point it was all she could do. Feeling helpless in front of these people was something that she swore would never befall her again. Her resolve would need to be unshakable in this endeavor.

Returning home seemed so simple when she made the decision in Seaside. Now faced with the realities of her choices and the lives now in her care, the weight of her choices pressed down on Katrina and gave rise to fear unlike any she had ever known.

It was not fear of combat. For her, that did not exist. It was not fear of the unknown, for that was pointless and needless in times like these. It was something that she had not ever truly encountered, even when faced with her exile. That had been a matter of self-loathing.

This was doubt. Pure, unadulterated self-doubt. For a Paladin, this should not exist.

Alex poked her in the arm. While getting lost in thought, Katrina had failed to notice that the girl went towards the window and was now paying great attention to the City State looming in the distance.

“It’s pretty.” Alex said earnestly. “Britania looks like a real shit-hole by comparison.”

Katrina smirked and then a wicked grin came to her face.

“They will not let you speak as such within the Order.”

“I bet I know swear words that they don’t even know are swear words though. I’ll be fine.”

Katrina realized that she had no doubts about that. Perhaps her other doubts were misplaced as well.

As the ‘Copter began its decent into New Raj, Katrina’s self-doubt was replaced with a sense of righteousness. It was not vanity or pride that stirred these emotions. She knew in her heart that she alone had taken the hardest path to bear and was now returning to face her past, her demons, and her mistakes. This was everything her faith had stressed as its core teachings. Righteousness was hers to claim because for Katrina, she could do so without delusion.

The ‘Copter blades began to slow. The vessel began its descent.

Where there had been doubt, there was now only duty.

They would know her authority by the strength of her word.

Alexander saw the approaching ‘Copter and followed the Paladins to the roof in secret to discover what was garnering so much attention. It was true that flights were not routinely permitted to land in Capitol Square but it was not uncommon. At the very least, it was not an event worthy of such a large scale response.

A contingent of twenty Paladins awaited the flight as the rickety machine touched down. The downward force of the wind from its blades pressed heavily on Alexander and his frailty was openly shown to him yet again. The Paladins stood resolved with stone cold faces awaiting the passenger of the flight. Another time and place might have left him cursing his condition, instead he found himself asking a simple question.

Who could be drawing this much attention?

To Alexander’s surprise, it was not an elder statesman nor was it a group of visiting dignitaries. The person who exited the ‘Copter did not wear the symbol of Britania’s Governor. To his great surprise, it was one of their own. A female Paladin emerged.

Her armor was old and perhaps less polished than he was accustom to seeing but there was a battle-weariness to her that Alexander rarely saw in those who currently served. Her hair was cut short in contrast to the Paladin maidens who kept their hair long as a point of pride in their order.

Something was amiss. Without understanding why he spoke the words to himself, Alexander quietly muttered an old phrase in the Origin language.

“Vou volver da guerra, o pelo rapado e cicatrices da batalla será gravado nos meus ollos.”

In a city built on faith, Alexander had treated his studies as a matter of academics rather than spiritual growth. Memorization, historical accounts, dates and names all worked together to build his understanding of his city’s soul. Something about this day and this arrival gnawed at him. He repeated the old phrase, this time in Common, hoping that he might better hear the meaning.

“I will return from war, my hair shorn and the scars of battle shall be etched into my eyes.”

It was the tale of the fallen warrior, who left a people and returned with their salvation. Alexander knew now that his event was as important as it seemed. Why he should be excluded from it or why his father was not here now, these questions distracted him long enough for events to take their own reigns.

The Paladin in charge of the gathering spoke to the woman. Alexander knew him as Robert but as for his exact title, Alexander always had difficulty remembering those damnably long claims.

“You are no longer welcome here. Return from whence you came and you shall see no trouble today. Refuse and we will be forced to act as members of the Holy Order.”

The female Paladin seemed to ignore the words of threat. Instead, she turned back into the ‘Copter and helped a younger girl disembark. Patiently, the female Paladin instructed the younger woman to hand over her sword and sheild. It was as though she were training a squire as she spoke, patiently correcting the way in which the younger woman held the weaponry and then in how she offered them over.

The Paladins of the Order did not take kindly to being ignored. Alexander could not help but snigger quietly to himself at the scene. Robert took a step forward before beginning to repeat himself.

The female Paladin cut him off with a resounding response.

“I heard you the first time. You will address me as Lady Katrina. Now, be silent while I attend to our guests.”

Her voice carried weight and power to it. Those who stood opposed to her were physically taken back by the stern nature of her anwer.

Robert could not and would not attempt to hide his disgust.

“You have no title. You have no claim…”

Katrina spun on her heel and confronted the man with a glare that invited reprisal. She was outnumbered here but still managing to act as though it were those around her who were in danger.

“Title? Claim? I am a Glorious Paladin of the Shining Rajian Order in Service of the One True God. You have not the will to stand in my way. The guiding stars have fallen beyond the horizon and I come bearing word from the south. I will not be…dismissed no matter what previous transgressions I am guilty of.”

She paused, allowing those words in particular to have their intended effect on those standing around her.

“The time of trial is at hand. The land is about to break. All your titles and all of your claims will be called into question should you not heed my words of warning.”

Several of the more faithful Paladins who were well versed in the old texts began to look about nervously. They were beginning to come to similar lines of thought that Alexander had arrived at. This was more than they had been led to believe it was. The man who spoke for them, the Paladin known as Robert, stayed true to his duties. He would not be deceived.

“You have been cast out and down from our Order. You have not the authority to speak of such things.”

“Oh, but I have.” A different voice called out from its hidden place.

Alexander would not allow this moment to pass without hearing the woman’s story. Stepping out of the shadows, Alexander walked through the ranks of the Paladins to stand next to the one now confronting Lady Katrina.

“I do not know why or by whos authority I was left out of these matters, but I would hear these words.”

Alexander strolled between the conflicting forces and spoke with an ease that belied his frail form. When addressing people in public, his bouts of coughing were rare. It was as though being in front of people gave him a clearity of mind and body that triumphed over even his fundamental frailties.

“Clearly this is a matter of some importance else I would not be left out of it and you my friends would not have been asked to so forcefully remove someone who’s grand crimes amounted to…fraternization.”

Alexander looked sternly at Katrina, “Yes, I even know of you though we have not met. There is little of the Order that I do not know hence my current curiosity.”

He turned back to face the gathered Paladins, “Now, if her claims are true and we fail to hear the warnings sent to us by means we would never suspect…then you, I, and all those who serve would be remiss in our duty. Would you not agree Master Paladin?”

The Paladin in command, Robert looked as though he were about to apologize. Alexander’s status as a prominent statesman had immediately stolen command of the situation. The waiting Paladins were now clearly under his authority and were sheathing their blades in compliance with his wishes.

Their commander gritted his teeth and cast a glane downward before apologizing.

“I..am sorry Sire. However, my orders still stand.”

To the surprise of everyone and especially Alexander, the man charged Katrina. His blade posed for death, he had sacrificed his honor at this very moment to see through an order. Katrina could hardly fault him for it.

She could however fault him for his catestrophically clumsy attack and the poor maner in which he charged her with a lazy guard. Katrina slipped by his blade and drove her elbow up into his shoulder joint making any further movement of his sword nearly impossible. She then spun with a savage fury and struck the man’s face with her gauntlet, driving him to the ground in a heap.

It had been far easier to dispatch this Paladin than…

At once Katrina realized that the Paladin who attacked her did so out of duty but at the same time, he had purposely thrown the fight to allow her the opportunity to speak in front of Alexander. The man could not be dishonored for doing his duty. It was quite clever really.

The young woman accompanying Katrina rushed over and kicked the felled Paladin on the ground before drawing her knife.

“That’s what you get stupid!”

She kicked him again before Katrina called her back.

She was loyal and that was more important for now than her inability to see through the situation. For now, she would have to be called down.

“Alex, back away. See to Kimberly and the children. Tell them that things are alright and not to worry.”

Alex looked at Katrina’s felled opponent and kicked him once more for good measure.

“Idiot. Don’t ever draw a blade against her again.”

She backed up from the Paladin before doing as she was told.

Katrina stepped toward her fallen opponent and offered him a hand up. The Paladin hesitated only briefly before accepting and then stepping back. He left his sword where it had fallen on the ground and Katrina’s eyes fixed to him until he was far enough away from it for her liking.

It was then that Katrina drew a long knife. She appeared to weigh it in her hands for a moment before offering it to her defeated opponent. Robert took the blade after Katrina pushed it again in his direction.

“Black steel, forged ages ago to fight against an evil that you have known all your lives. Those of you that follow the passing of the stars at night know that something is changing. I have seen this threat first hand. Even now it festers in Seaside, readying itself for a war too long delayed. Envy, Queen of Jealousy, Breaker of the Word, Scourge of Life…she amasses an army in Seaside. The actions…the very lives of people I love have been given to hinder her in this endeavor. It falls to New Raj to ready the armies of man in response to this threat. This blade is proof of my claim.”

Robert looked the blade over, its steely finish seemed to crawl with shadows beneath the surface. Memories that were not his own offered to seep into his blood. The anguish and rage of one particular foe called out with a hate that the Paladin had never before understood.

“Elven in origin and infused with powerful magics, the Herald will seek this blade out. It had wounded Envy once. All your priests must do is examine it and there will be no doubt…”

Katrina’s defeated opponent, his face once framed only with duty began to feel the oppressive weight of the burden in his hands. He turned to Alexander with eyes watering, the shame of his words and actions were overcoming his better senses.

Alexander watched the curious event. The Paladins of New Raj has been trained with their duty to the City State and to their fellow citizens as the framework for their entire lives. There was only one thing that could move them beyond that. Wisely inserted into their training since the founding of the Order, simple faith was the cornerstone of their lives. Pluck at that string, shift that stone, and the whole house rocks at its foundation.

Robert took a knee before Katrina and offered the blade back to her.

“By your order, Sidar.”

The other Paladins began to sink to their knees before Katrina as well. She did not refuse them and she did not shirk back in embarrassment. Alexander knew there was honor to be had here but he could see that this was yet another burden the woman was taking on.

What was impressed upon Alexander at this very moment was the peculiar title the Paladin had addressed Katrina with.

Sidar.

In the old language, it was a title that meant “Defender of the Faith”. The Britanians used it all too casually to refer to their head Templar. This title was bestowed once a generation in New Raj…if that. Alexander pondered the scene a moment longer. Robert, despite his rank, had no authority to grant such a title. As Sidar, Katrina could rightfully take command of the entire Order. If she so chose, New Raj would bend to her will.

There was no doubt that if this elite group of loyal Paladins could find favor in this fallen warrior, then others would surely seek her banner out as well. At once it was clear as to why she was to be denied entrance into the city.

Alexander watched at a distance as Lady Katrina approached the other Paladins one by one and beckoned them to stand up. He saw inspired devotion beginning to form on their faces. He saw an easy leadership in this supposed Sidar. He saw no reason to deny her either.

That created the real problem in his mind. Alexander saw and believed the words and warnings brought about by this woman. There was no doubt in his mind that this accedental coup would harden the hearts of his father and anyone else who stood to lose privilage and status as a result of her arrival.

His father was an honorable man after all but the jealousy that such an event might inspire in a man of privilage…

All at once, Alexander understood. It was all so crystal clear. If her story had any ring of truth to it…then it was not so difficult to think that Envy might have…

Alexander approached the group.

“Lady Katrina…Lord Robert…I would start by suggesting caution. This incident here was clearly staged in one form or another. Even if Lady Katrina is presented as the genuine article before the Order, the politics of the thing will ensure that she is never heard.”

Katrina eyed him with a hint of a smile forming, “What do you suggest?”

“Subtlety. This Herald of yours is coming soon, yes?”

Katrina nodded.

“If that is what is important, then there can be no more of this Sidar business for now. You will require an alliance with my father to be heard by the Council of Bishops. Claiming that title will only put you at odds with him.”

Alexander expected the other Paladins to refute him but they turned to Katrina. This…would be difficult.

Katrina only grinned.

“You’re clever. You remind me of a friend I left behind in Seaside. Alexander was it?”

He nodded.

Katrina knelt before him.

“Then I return to New Raj Lord Alexander, seeking absolution and to reclaim my place among your order.”

Alexander grasped her by the collar and pulled her up from the ground.

“Rise up prodigal daughter and reclaim your birthright. We have much to discuss…Sidar.”

]]> http://legacyofshadow.com/?feed=rss2&p=480 0 http://legacyofshadow.com/?p=474&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=weekend-edition-part-8-those-characters-that-stick-with-you http://legacyofshadow.com/?p=474#comments Sun, 22 Jul 2012 16:35:44 +0000 Counterpunch http://legacyofshadow.com/?p=474 Continue reading →]]> I read some comics during my youth.  I never really got into them on account of the cost and the fact that I was one of those kids who did not really get an “allowance”.  The reason I mention this is because I think a lot of people who find interest in the fantasy fiction genre kind of get their start with comic books.

For me, it was something else entirely.  Right around the time High School began for me a collectible card game called Legend of the Five Rings came about.  It’s a game about samurai and feudal civil war with a strong mix of the fantastic thrown in.  Players take on the various factions and the decisions the players make over the course of the game’s life have ramifications on the characters within.

With some urging from a friend of mine, I took up the Crane Clan, a group based on politics and art…in a game where brutal military force was the best option early on.  Well, the champion of this faction was a character named Doji Hoturi.  He was a samurai of refinement, arrogance, culture, and ultimately…a force for good.

Because the majority of other players disliked the Crane and especially Hoturi, the game itself turned on him.  Hoturi was cast down, vilified, and hunted.  Those who represented the Crane knew that Hoturi was a character who was getting a bad shake.

For three years we watched and waited.  The story and the game played out and still we waited.  In that time we learned the reasons why this plot had been hatchet against him and it made the character and story all the more tragic.  The truth of the matter was that he had been made to suffer for inadvertently killing his own son, whom he was entirely unaware of.

The end of Hoturi’s story results in his death, but not before accounts are settled, relationships reconciled, and his story is concluded.

Conclusion.

It’s the difference for me.  It’s the finalized story.  The punctuation that makes the character relevant.  I mentioned comics at the beginning of this.  I actually loved the X-Men cartoon during middle school and later on during college I would eventually read all those comics I missed out on.  In some ways they were very relevant still.

The difference is that those stories never really end.  They drag on.  They re-boot.  They find a way to continue with the status quo and in doing so, nothing you read really has any lasting impact.

Hoturi’s story mattered to me.  It stuck with me far longer than any other exploit of a character because it was final, real, and the time invested reading and following mattered for something.

I think this has been something of a guiding principal for me over the course of writing and creating my own characters and story.  There has to be a willingness to let characters go, to fail, to die because that’s what makes them stay in your mind after they’re story is gone or done.

I took the perspective of an outside storyteller here who tells things from their perspective with a bit of motivated self interest involved.  So, the narrative details will later be different but it’s interesting to know some of the characters presented and to see where it all moves to.

Without any further wordiness, I present:  History Lesson

Dell sat out on the porch overlooking the farmland. It stretched out further than his old eyes could see and beyond that point the sun was setting off on the horizon. He held a wrinkled hand out as if to push the heavenly body down further but the burning mark of the sky disobeyed him yet again.

Dell’s wife approached him and placed a hand on his shoulder. Even after all this time she still caught him off-guard. He wondered if she still practiced her soft footfalls or if it was so ingrained that it was merely habit now.

“The grandchildren were asking when we would leave for the parade. You promised them Dell.”

“I know. I know… I wouldn’t miss it. Fifty years, can you believe it Jacki? She has reigned for fifty years and tomorrow is the end of it. We were there. You remember don’t you?”

She smiled but Dell did not see it. “I remember.”

“And the way you used to dress! Those days… It’s hard to imagine…” he looked back over his shoulder to see Jacki’s smile turn crooked with embarrassment.

From inside the house a powerful gust of wind threw open the door and a child blew out of the entryway, laughing all the while. The gust of wind literally lifted the boy up and out of the building. It was quite graceful the way in which the boy bent with the blast of air up until the child met with his landing. He fell unceremoniously to the porch and rolled off the short series of stairs to the ground below. Behind him, two young girls gave chase on foot.

The first one reached out and touched the other on the arm. A burst of energy was shared between the two and then at once the older girl leaped a distance of ten feet or more to finally grasp the boy and retake a doll that had been stolen in jest.

Dell looked on with amusement. His wife, their grandmother, was far less tolerant.

“How many times have I told you that you will NOT use your powers in my house or on my porch?”

The children stopped their game of chase at once and shared a collective look of guilt.

“We are sorry Grandmother.” the older girl began.

“Just passing some time until we go out to the parade. It’s so quiet here in the countryside…”

The boy plead his case.

Dell looked to Jacki with a knowing smile, “Do you remember the time when there was no one who would complain of such a thing.”

His wife laughed, “They are young and…it’s been a long time since the wall was taken down.”

Dell nodded at this. He asked the children, “Do you know why they are celebrating the Governess and her fifty years of rule?”

“Because she’s not dead?” the boy hopefully responded.

“That’s… not a bad answer.” Jacki grinned at Dell.

Dell chuckled and began a story, “There was a time when people who lived in Britania did not have the luxury to live in the countryside you know. There was a time when all of our people lived behind a massive wall that protected us from the outside world. The Governess was one of the heroes who helped to cast Envy out of this world.”

When he said those words, the children made a motion over their hearts as if to ward off the evil that had been mentioned.

“We know all that Grandad…they teach it in school.”

The girls shook their heads in agreement and the little one added, “It’s booorinnngg…”

Dell laughed out loud and even Jacki could not help but to reveal a smile at this.

“Do you know the story about when Britania went dark? Do you know about the Long Night?”

Again the children shook their heads.

“It’s something that they won’t tell you about in school until you are much older. Even then they may not tell you what really happened the night that Governess Wellington took over the whole City State.”

Jacki nodded her agreement, “There aren’t even many who remember much less know the whole story. There may be a handful of us still alive…”

“What…what happened?” It was the younger smaller girl who finally asked.

Dell picked his youngest granddaughter up onto his lap, “Well, when your grandad was a boy, they used to require special little children like you to join up with the Elemental Guild.”

He let his words have a hint of playful mirth to them despite the serious nature of what he was telling the child.

“Special children with special talents had to do their part and serve the State.”

“I wouldn’t like that…” the girl admitted.

Dell had to look to his wife and smile at that.

“There were some people back then who did not like it either. People who could hear the dance of the elements, who could see the magic in the world around us…were very rare in those days. They were so rare that the State got to pluck you right out of your home so that you would be helpful to everyone else…even if you did not want to be helpful to everyone else. Families that did not do their duty, they were put in a place called Southwall and kept away from everyone else.”

The other two children sat down and began to listen.

“Back then there was a boy who had control over wind, much like you do boy. He taught the people in Southwall who would listen and prepared them for a time when they might be free to live as you do now. That boy was named Vavian. It was he and the would-be Governess who brought freedom to everyone in Britania by showing how far the Guild had fallen and how corrupt the Elemental Master of Fire had become…”

**********

50 Years Ago…

“That confirms it. We have to act now. Tonight.”

Vavian looked at the young mage who was tied down to the table with regret. He knew this boy. The child was named Joshua. He was a water mage of reasonably potent abilities. Vavian had helped the boy awaken to and control his powers. Now the child was writhing in agony and shouting as though possessed. The Guild had captured him in a recent raid and awakened something inside him that drove his powers to the brink of insanity.

The twins, a boy and his sister approached both Vavian and the captured boy. It was the male twin who voiced his concern first.

“What does this mean for us Vavian? It was bad enough that the Guild was rounding us up, that they had actually brought the Templars into Southwall…but this? What the hell is this?”

Vavian had no answer for him. He turned back to see the gathered mass of people who had sided with he and Sarai in Southwall. There were the free-wielding magi, they were in the most danger if this boy was an example of things to come. There were Jacki and Sarai’s Black Cats, they were in this out of loyalty. There was probably more to it than simply that. Jacki was clever. She and Sarai had probably come to realize that if the Guild was hunting down free-wielding magi, they were probably at risk too.

He did not have to answer to the question. Sarai knew what needed to be said.

“Vavian’s right. We move tonight. We take the State House by force. Our girls will provide the chaos that will allow enough of Vavian’s free-wielders to escape into the streets. We move to the State House and remove that filthy Master of Fire from office by throwing him into the street…from the fourth floor window.”

The girl twin objected immediately, “And just whom will be left in charge when you’ve gone and done this thing hrm? You? Will it be you Governor’s daughter? I would not fear leaving Vavian in charge of the Guild but that’s not what you’re planning is it?”

Sarai frowned. The wind mage was too smart for her own damn good.

“Yes, I plan to take my father’s place as the executive of the city. Removing Richter is only a single step on this path. Despite his villainy, there are many on the Senate who agree with what he has been doing. In their eyes, Southwall is a problem to be fixed, not a people to be saved…”

Vavian moved to quickly smooth over tensions. He could see some of Sarai’s girls moving around to the girl’s back-side in the event this turned into a forceful argument.

“Whoa. Whoa. Hold on Sarai, you’re scaring them.”

Vavian turned to the collection of young magi who hung on his every word. He closed his eyes and tried to center himself.

“There are things transpiring that are even worse than the conditions we find ourselves in here. The fact that the Guild is now actively hunting our kind down is no coincidence. We only need to look at Joshua here to know what kind of future awaits us.”

All eyes moved towards Joshua who was raging at something or someone and struggling against the bindings that kept him from injuring himself. Vavian nodded towards one of the twins who cautiously approached the boy and used his powers to tune Joshua out of his elemental powers. The effort nearly exhausted the young water mage but the effect of being separated from his power actually seemed to help Joshua.

Vavian continued despite the distraction, “Many of you have come to know Sarai. I know there are some of you who have families so injured by the State and the Guild that you will never trust those in positions of power. The choice we all face now is clear. We move together tonight, with the promise of a better future when Sarai takes her father’s place in the State House or we surely face death tomorrow when the Templars come back. Every confrontation with them means that more of our kind end up like Joshua there. You know well that life and its choices are never easy. Everyone here has the power to create change. I’m asking you to have faith in me one more time.”

A quiet murmur ran through the collected young magi. The girl stepped back and stood next to her brother. She had relented. If Vavian’s words could reach her, there was hope for the rest too. After a few moments where no one spoke or made a move to leave, one of the twins spoke.

“Then what would you have us do? How will you take the State House?”

Vavian’s faith in his own words was restored as his friends rallied around him now.

“We attack the power grid.”

That got their attention. The pride of Britania was the complex integration of magic into its city buildings. All throughout the City-State a complex series of delivery systems were set up to provide magical current that brought light to the citizen. It was a living testament to Guild power and influence. Where Britania hailed itself as the light of the civilized world, there was literal truth to that claim.

Even Sarai blinked her eyes at this proposal, “You’re serious aren’t you Vavian? How?”

Vavian nodded, “One free-wielder per sector. They find the Guild Station in the area and tune-out the elemental power reserves. They’ve all trained in it. It should be simple actually. The difficulty is in getting them out into public to do it. That’s where you come in Jacki.”

The young girl, clad in black with the bored expression on her face finally found something to be interested in.

“Let’s hear the plan Mr. Magic Man.”

The other Black Cats began to giggle. Mischief was soon to be in their hands. The gravity of the situation no longer mattered. It would be fun.

Vavian returned their enthusiasm.

“I think it’s been far too long since your girls were sent out into the city-proper to play. I’d like you all to go out and have a good time. The only rule is that everyone needs to come home when you’re done. That means working in pairs and keeping an eye out for one another.”

Going out to play meant that Jacki and the Black Cats would be let loose on Britania to vandalize, steal, and generally cause havoc. The girls often used play time as a means to distract the authorities while a select number of them went about acquiring food and supplies. The order and prosperity that Vavian and Sarai had helped bring to Southwall had all but put an end to the need for such activities. The girls grinned with anticipation to finally cut loose once again.

“Make a show of it ladies. Stir up the bee’s nest. That’s the only way that the free-wielders will make it to their targets unhindered.”

“Oh, it’ll be a show alright daddy…”

Jackie winked and pointed at Vavian. He was glad it was dark enough in the building to hide his embarrassment.

It was the male twin, the one with control over water came to understand something that the others had not put together yet.

“Vavian…how will you and Sarai gain entry into the State House? Some chaos in the streets will only go so far. The House Guards aren’t going to leave their posts and I know that you can both fight but…”

“I was hoping that you and your sister would come with actually. Some borrowed skills would be most useful. I hesitate to bring anyone with fire based abilities…I think somehow Richter can affect them.”

The twins looked at one another as though they knew somehow that the conversation would end up this way.

“We’re with you but…the four of us still isn’t what I would consider a threat to a Guild Master.”

Sarai stepped forward, leaving behind what little shadow was obscuring her features. She moved towards the magi and the Black Cats all at once ceased their idle chatter.

“I’ve got that covered Actually.”

Sarai snapped her fingers and from the shadows she left behind a slender vision of death and darkness slipped down from the ceiling above. It was a woman, clad entirely in black with a pair of swords strapped to her back, and a wild look about her. Her hair was unkempt and somewhat dirty but that only served to make her appearance even more threatening.

Sarai smiled, “This is LeKitaoli. I call her Kit. Her job is to protect me…no matter what.”

LeKitaoli took a knee next to Sarai and as she did, every one of the Black Cats with the exception of Jacki did the same.

“By your will Mistress.”

“Kit, we’re going to storm the State House. A man is waiting for us there who intends to hurt my friends and kill me if given the opportunity.”

Kit pulled her hair back behind her head into a single strand and pinned it into place on her head with a small sheathed dagger.

“This man will never lay a hand on you.”

The others could now see that Kit was not human. Her elven features were revealed to everyone, even the Black Cats who had suspected but never confirmed this were in awe.

Sarai approached the twins and offered them her hand.

“I promise. With the help of you and the others, we will change this place. The Curtain Wall will come down and your families will be free to live as they like. I can make no other promises to you other than the chance to fight for your own future.”

Vavian nodded at her words. Whether Sarai knew it or not, a chance at something better was all these young people had ever wanted.

**********

Vavian and Sarai followed Kit up the steps to the grand State House. Vavian knew what Kit was, he knew what she was capable of. The two younger magi that followed in their wake found that they were unprepared for the brutal savagery that the dark elf engaged combat with.

Sarai had been explicitly clear with Kit. Unless our lives are a breath away from death, you will under no circumstances kill these men and women who are merely doing their job.

Kill, she did not.

With the need for death removed, Kit let all of her effort fall into other forms of victory. She shattered swords, hamstrung those slower than her, and delivered injuries that made continued combat nearly impossible.

As Vavian and Sarai approached the grand door to the State House, they found themselves standing next to a blood drenched and wordless Kit. At her feet were two unconscious Templars and just beyond them were another two, still conscious but crippled never the less.

One of the more dedicated Templars attempted a last ditch attempt at preventing these intruders from gaining entry into the building. His reward was a prompt kick to the chest that stole the breath from his lungs.

Sarai looked concerned but did not utter a word of complaint over the way Kit was handling things. There would be time for apologies and recompense later. Too many people were making sacrifices now for her resolve to weaken at the sight of pain. These men were alive and that would be good enough.

The twins did not object to seeing Templars finally get rewarded for the brutal way in which they had persecuted those in Southwall however, they were still essentially children at this point in their lives and the bloody truth of combat did nothing to relieve the sickened sensation in their stomachs.

Vavian had a better vantage point at the top of the entryway to evaluate how things were progressing out in the open city. He opened up his connection with wind and allowed the sounds of the city to come to him. Chaos was indeed being strewn through out. The streets were beginning to take on widespread panic. Forces had been dispatched to deal with the civil unrest that Sarai’s Black Cats were creating. Everything was moving according to plan.

“I need you.” He waved the water mage to come forward. “Lend me your strength.”

“You got it Vavian.”

The water mage reached out and grasped the hand Vavian offered to him. A flash of light came forth and both men staggered back slightly.

“What is this?” Kit quietly asked of Sarai.

“Human elemental magic can be shared, offered to another. It confers onto the one who receives the power enhanced abilities according to the element. Water for strength, Fire for precision, Air for reflexes.”

“Strength then?”

“Strength.” Sarai nodded knowingly.

Vavian approached the grand door and placed his hands into the seam of the two great wooden panels. With a considered effort and after a few seconds of prying, Vavian threw the doors off their hinges. The sound of cracking wood and tearing metal made an awful sound that caused the others to clutch at their ears.

Vavian fell to a knee panting. He had used up the entire boost of power in one tremendous effort. The twins quickly moved to his aid and lifted Vavian up to continue on.

The interior of the State House was luxurious and fully lit with numerous lumen devices integrated into the room. It was somewhere that Sarai was all too familiar with. Vavian had been here once before and the return now felt far more ominous than his first daring adventure into the seat of Britania’s power. The twins never imagined they would be in such a place. Seeing the splendor and wealth that was revealed in every corner was almost too much for young people who grew up in squalor and filth.

Sarai held up a hand to stop the group from moving forward.

“Guardian, ready yourself.”

The dark elf drew her second sword and moved several bloody strands of hair from her face. The room slowly found itself populated by Templars and guards who quietly and efficiently surrounded the group. They entered from any and every available door and another group stood ready at the top of the stairs that would deliver them to the second of the four flights they would need to ascend.

The Templar at the top of the stair spoke for the rest.

“Sarai? You? We did not believe Richter when he assured us that you were somehow behind these attacks. We had…faith in you my lady. I am saddened that it has come to this. I am Sidar Malachi. I am sorry to say it, but you will go no further Ms. Wellington.”

“Things are about to change Templar. You are not the true Sidar. You do not bear the ring and you do not…well… Enough of that. Stand down. Escort me to my father and to Richter. It is time for a reckoning.”

Malachi shook his head reluctantly, “I am sorry for this my lady. Guards, arrest the young governess. You may dispatch of the others as necessary.”

“Wrong move.”

Sarai looked to the twins and asked the wind mage, “The lights if you’d please.”

From her pockets, Sarai produced two handfuls of small rocks and pebbles. She threw them up into the air and as she did, the girl immediately understood what she was getting at.

Centering her powers, the girl twin grasped the element of air and created multiple currents of wind to separate the stones before flinging them about the room. The tiny clouds of projectiles danced on her gusts of wind and shattered the lumen containers. Darkness began to spread through the chamber. Like a conductor before a symphony, she waved her hands about and the stones swam through the currents, shattering the remaining sources of light as they went. Only the lights that lit Sarai’s path remained in place.

Sarai began walking forward, unconcerned about the armed Templars waiting for her. All around them the room began to fill with the anguished cries of injured men. The water mage caught glimpses of Kit moving with superhuman speed through the shadows, winning fights against men who had neither the training or capacity to fight within the darkness as the Elf of Deep Shadow had.

The Templars still standing beside Malachi recoiled slightly. It was the first time Malachi could ever remember seeing his men move in fear of something. He began to consider that Sarai was correct in her assertion that he had made a mistake. Moving now before him with a deadly purpose, the cries of his men ringing out amidst the darkness, and this girl walked forward still. Unconcerned with the possibility of injury or death, her determined eyes locked onto his while her followers made embarrassingly short work of his trained soldiers.

With only several yards separating Sarai and her companions from Malachi and his men, the young woman stopped. The darkly clad warrior appeared before her as if she had melted out of the shadows surround them.

Malachi did not understand why he was hesitating to engage them now except for the nagging suspicion in the back of his mind that any attempt to do so would be futile at this point. He watched as the dark woman knelt before Sarai and quietly spoke.

“Your way is clear. Shall I remove the others?”

Sarai shook her head, “No. They must bear witness.”

Looking past her servant, Sarai calmly and evenly addressed the Templar who claimed to be Britania’s Sidar.

“You can’t stop what will happen here. Take me to Richter. I have instructed my Guardian to spare the lives of your men. They are…injured but they will live. In return, do as I ask now and take me to the Master of Fire. That bastard has to answer for his crimes. And if you still feel the need to fight us, you can then do so with his support. I think that’s a fair compropmise when the only other option I offer you is defeat.”

As if in response to Sarai’s words, the dark servant turned and growled at the Templar.

It would be as Sarai demanded. Malachi relented, regrouped his men, and began to lead them to where the Master of Fire held council with Britania’s Senate.

**********

The door to the fourth floor meeting chambers of the Senate was kicked in and as it slammed open against the old stone walls of the State House, every one of Britania’s nine Senators recoiled at the site they saw before them.

Kit held the Master of Fire aloft by what remained of his robes. Richter hung without moving in her grasp. She threw the powerful mage on to the table where the Senators had gathered to discuss the civil unrest that was brewing like a storm outside their window in the city below.

Kit’s flesh was bruised and cut. Her hair had been singed such that most of it was gone now. The stench of burning hair was pungent in the otherwise clean and sterile room.

Sarai stepped out in front of her Guardian. Vavian accompanied her and his two magi followed behind with great trepidation. In the hallway behind them, Malachi and his Templars stood waiting. The memory of what they had seen only moments before had burned a loyalty into their blood that reminded them of the true meaning of duty and honor. They watched the scene play out with pride.

One of the Senators rose up from his seat to protest the brash intrusion. He had not moved half way out of his seat when Vavian stepped forward and commanded him to sit back down.

“No. There is not going to be any discussion this time. You’ve kept generations of families in a pen of your own design. Silenced their voices and crushed their dreams. You’ve done this all while shaking a finger of rebuke at them, shaming them for refusing to give up their children to State interests…to the Guild.”

Vavian moved forward and stood up on the table where Richter’s body lay unmoving.

“You accepted the rule of a mad man out of fear. You joined with him to persecute a people who have never even raised a hand in their own defense. You never even knew what it was you sided with…”

Vavian reached down and tore off the rest of the cloak and mask that hid Richter’s face. To the shock and horror of the Senators present, they found that the mage had been dead for some time. His skin had rotted and hardened against his bone. A great wound could be seen on his neck where a blade had severed his head at some point in his previous life. What Britania had feared they encountered when LeLayhilani had entered their realm, had been welcomed with open arms in the form of Richter.

The Senators sat silently disappointed in their own failing. Vavian was not done rebuking them yet though.

“In your blind greed and lust for power, you saw fit to remove the one man from office who actually had some inclination that things were not right. Siding with Richter you arrested Governor Wellington and locked him away in the very dungeon where his daughter had been held just months before. Right now, each and every one of you is trying to figure out a way in which you walk out of this room alive. Well, do not fear. Though you are stupid and clumsy, the lady Sarai has no intention of either killing you or removing you from office. Oh no…you are going to bear witness to what is to come. Just like the Templars waiting in the hall, you will understand by the end of this night…”

Vavian was a frighteningly effective public speaker in spite of his youth. Seeing him face the Senate now without fear or regret made the twins proud that they had followed him all this time.

Sarai gently took Kit’s hand into her own.

“Thank you. You have gone beyond what your duties require of you. It is time for me to go beyond my own.”

Kit nodded her understanding and watched as the child she knew to be a hero of legend took Britania into her own hands.

“The Guild is dead.” she proclaimed.

Taking Richter’s body from the table, Sarai cleaved its head off and threw the bloody stump out of the window overlooking Britania. She heaved the remainder of his body out with it seconds later. Glass and thick corrupted blood outlined the shattered glass.

“What ever experiment was planned for Southwall, it ends tonight. Join me in observing how our path forward will be lit not out of fear but out of hope for our own greatness.”

She beckoned them to stand and watch, then requested Vavian to send out the first signal.

Vavian approached the window but not before bringing the twins along with him to bear witness.

“You have just as much right as anyone you know…”

They smiled and took one another’s hand.

Vavian stepped out onto the balcony and lifted his hands to the sky. A single but expansive burst of heat lightning appeared over the Capitol Building. Seconds later, as if in response to the flash of light, Britania began to go dark. Its man-made lights, powered by Guild magic, fueled by fear and tradition…all began to go dark. Within a moment, the city was almost completely without the magical power that was the central pride of its existence.

“This is the darkness you have left your own kind in for hundreds of years. Bask in the fear and terror that comes with it just as those families have done for generations.”

Vavian’s condemnation of Britania’s social structure was damning.

One of the Senators turned to Vavian and laughed.

“This…this is your grand justice? You would condemn us all to the same fate as those unfortunate souls in Southwall? You would destroy everything we have built to ease your sense of social justice? Boy you are no better than the creature you threw before us tonight. And as for you Ms. Sarai Wellington, you are not fit to stand in your father’s house…”

“I will decide who is welcome in my home and who is not.”

The resounding voice of Virgil Wellington caught them all by surprise. He was escorted and slightly supported by one of Malachi’s Templars. The man was in poor physcial shape but still carried himself with as much dignity as his injuries could afford.

“Father?!?” Sarai pushed her way through to see the man.

He shook his head, “Finish what you started girl. You promised me that you would prove your worth. So show them.”

Sarai nodded.

“Vavian…please.”

Vavian smiled, “Of course.”

Lifting his hands yet again to the night sky, he let loose another volley of heat lightning into the air. It was a signal yet again.

This time the signal was to those still residing in South Wall. All at once the quarter of the city became alive with light and magic. Free-wielding magi from all corners of the slum worked to illuminate their homes, light their furnaces, and cast fire into the night sky. It was a spectacular display.

“Each one of them, a human in control of his gifts. Every one of them a point of light in the city. All of them offer hope for a future that may be frightening but also holding the gift of potential in all of us.”

Sarai’s voice softened.

“They hold no malice. This is not a victory. There are no sides. There is only us…US. A people united for once in our miserable existence. There is worse yet coming than what we saw in Richter. My Guardian warns me that an army is being raised in secret in the south. We must be ready. We must be whole and it must begin now.”

To her amazement, a few of the Senators took to a knee before her. The one who protested so openly to her but a moment before was the first. As his old knees sank uncomfortably to the floor, the man looked to Virgil.

“You were right my old friend…you were right.”

Virgil looked down. Being right did not change the fact that the truth was more frightening than any of them truly knew yet. As the fifth Senator took a knee to acknowledge Sarai’s ascendance to the executive office of the city, it was confirmed. Sarai would lead the great City-State of Britania. There was much to explain and far more to do but a revolution had ended here without true bloodshed and the city would unite as one.

Sarai looked about and wondered where it would all go next. She caught sight of Vavian, and the twins taking a knee before her as well.

It was sudden anger that made her words sound fearsome in this company. She pointed at the twins and commanded them.

“Never! You will never kneel before me.”

She grasped Vavian and pulled him up, firmly holding his hand in hers.

“You especially. We…I, owe you all a debt that will never and can never be repaid. You and anyone else who has shown me kindness over the past two years will never be anything other than equals in this house.”

Years of her training in politic and governance were shining through now, polished by experience and colored by love, Sarai made no attempt to hide her emotions. They looked out together at the changing scene of night in Britania.

“It is just as you said once…a thousand points of light, a thousand chances for a future.”

**********

Present Time…

Dell had become so wrapped up in telling the story that he had failed to notice how late it was getting. They would have to hurry now to make it into the city in time for the celebration.

If his grandchildren noticed they were in risk of missing out on the parade, they made no sign of it. To his surprise, they were full of questions about the two magi who accompanied Vavian and Sarai into the State House that night.

Dell could not help but smile at this. It was something that went without discussion in his family. There would be time to tell them later.

Jacki had gone into the house and come out again with a glass of water. She knew Dell would be parched from the long story but in her own sly way she was giving him an opportunity to reveal the truth to the children. Dell just sipped the water and returned the sly glance to Jacki.

With the story concluded, the children rose up, began their back and forth fussing at one another again, and ran towards the house to gather their things.

Dell pulled Jacki close to him. The story brought back a lot of memories for them both.

“You spared them the worse of it.” Jacki said quietly.

“That’s because the victor gets to decide how competent the opposition was in hindsight.”

“You left me out entirely.” she chided him.

“It would not do well for our grandchildren to hear how their grandmother went about slitting throats and using foul language.”

“Oh…I don’t know about that. The girls could use a role model.”

They laughed but Jacki’s hand instinctively moved to her side where the Guild Master’s fire had left a permanent reminder of that night.

Dell saw it and straightened her hair to move her attention away from the wound.

Their embrace was interrupted when they heard one of their grandchildren running back through the house and again bursting out of the door. It was controlled this time. The boy stopped in front of his grandfather and pointed a finger at him.

“It was you! You were the water mage!”

Dell grinned and flung what remained of his glass of water at his grandchild.

The little boy shrieked in surprise but when the liquid stopped mid flight and returned into the glass as the old man righted it in his hand, the shriek turned to laughter.

The little boy turned and ran back to his sisters bragging that he was right.

Jacki gave Dell a smirk, “If you get to show off to them, I should be allowed to swear around them.”

Dell laughed and together they prepared to join the celebration of a revolution that history would not remember their parts in.

Check it out if you’re looking for a quick read or two.

The Trial of Rearden Black Part 2

The magi who accompanied Jayden moved into their places. Thomas Frasier took the spot of the water mage, his wife Jennifer took the spot of the fire mage, and the yet unnamed apprentice took the place of the wind mage. As was the custom, the position of an earth mage remained vacant. Instead, a vessel containing the cleanest soil and salt possible was in its place.

Rearden took a hard gaze at Jayden but did not voice any objections to the continued contest. Something interesting was at play here and curiosity was overriding his desire for an assured victory. Just as the council president prepared to stop Jayden from attempting activation of the now lifeless automation, Rearden held up a hand to pause him.

“If I am to win, I will win outright. There will be no question of it. Allow Mr. Dagny the time he needs. I do not want any lingering questions if I am to be Headmaster of this honored organization.”

The council president relented with a considered nod of respect to Rearden Black.

It was fortunate that Rearden phrased his request as he did because Jayden was certainly not in any kind of rush to completion. While the magi began meditating and preparing themselves in a far more serious way than Rearden’s magi had done, Jayden had taken a seat and brought forth a bottle of pale green liquid.

He began to prepare two glasses of the stuff. Resting a spoon atop the first and slowly filtering in a sugar cube as he poured, the pale green liquid took on a slightly cloudy appearance. Realizing at once that Jayden was preparing to drink a potent alcoholic concoction, the council objected all the more.

“Mr. Dagny! In no way will you…”

“Shut up. Don’t bother me.”

“That will be quite enough. This hearing is over…” The council president’s voice took on a deadly serious tone and he rose up from his seat. Rearden looked on the whole thing with great amusement.

“You seek the secrets of creation. You want a sinister solution to the precarious problems that face our people. The answers you want are not the answers you’ll get. The solution is equal parts technological terror and esoteric essence. Alcohol…is the little death that puts man near enough to grasp the intangible.” Jayden consumed the two glasses quickly. Something that should have taken an hour to drink properly was gone in an instant. He sat there considering the empty glasses while the room remained quiet. His words had created a sense of uneasiness that now paralyzed the gathering.

Rearden had never particularly liked Jayden Dagny. The man irritated him in ways that no one ever had before. To make matters worse, he was hiding something. Rearden had suspected as much from the first time they met but never had an inclination of which way to look for that weakness. Jayden’s ability with machinery had never been in question though. Even prior to this contest, Jayden had beaten him out on at least one occasion where government funding was on the line. Despite being dismissive of him at first, Rearden knew that the younger man held a hint of genius. Seeing the flaunted display that was happening before him, Rearden knew now that somehow he was going to lose this contest.

Jayden steadied himself and stood up. The potent liquor taken in dangerous quantities made him stagger and knock the chair over as he moved towards the gathered magi. As Jayden approached the lifeless body of the automation the whole atmosphere of the room began to change. The pressure dropped and there was a subtle coolness in the air as the few peaceful moments before a powerful storm takes hold.

With uncertain and shaking hands, Jayden climbed atop the table where the automation awaited its spark of life. Unsteady at best, Jayden teetered about before holding out both arms and declaring, “Ready.”

The magi at once began channeling their power. Thomas and Jennifer drew in far stronger currents of magic than Rearden’s were capable of doing but they were indeed limited by the apprentice mage whose powers were significantly weaker. Unlike the ritual that Rearden’s magi performed, these magi began focusing their elemental powers through Jayden instead of the Life Crux.

Being infused with elemental energy caused Jayden’s body to stiffen and his head to tilt back. He looked as though he were wracked with pain but after a few brief moments of channeled power, Jayden regained control over his body and knelt down atop the automation. Grasping the Life Crux at the center, he focused the entire torrent of energy down into the contraption. A focused intense burst of light emerged between his hands and the Life Crux and just as quickly as it had began, it was over.

Jayden’s body went limp and fell from the table. Thomas caught him before any real damage could be done. Setting the small man down carefully, he allowed Jayden to regain both his footing and sense of awareness before letting go.

Distracted by Jayden’s theatrics, there was a collective gasp when the automation laid out on the table sat up and looked about its new surroundings with the curiosity of a small child. Unlike the creature that Rearden’s magi sparked life within, there was an immediate hint of intelligent action from Jayden’s creation. It held its own hands up in front of its face and gave them marked consideration before turning to those around it with a thoughtful tilt of the head.

The council rose from their seats at once. Rearden knew defeat when he saw it. He closed his eyes and allowed the frustration to pass. Something incredible had occurred here. Anger would not teach him anything for now. He could only watch and observe.

The council approached Jayden and his magi. They were cautious and their eyes were locked on to his now living machine in both fear and awe. The president voiced what they were all wondering, “Jayden…what have you done?”

The automation reached out and touched Jayden’s face. It then asked a question that confirmed all the hopes and fears that the Society of New Engineers had been harboring since their failure with Automation Zero.

Deftly manipulating the sand-like mixture of material that resided under its face plate, the new life form crafted words, “You are different. Why?”

Jayden was too drunk at this point to answer it properly. He just smiled and took the creature by the hand, smiling at his work and feeling relieved that the process had once again worked. His body was exhausted and though they did not show it, the strain on his magi had been considerable as well.

The council president stepped to Jayden’s side, “How have you done this? Show us what your creation is capable of…order it to, order it to do…something. Have it fetch us a drink of that liquor of yours while you explain what you have done.”

Jayden was about to object when to his pleasant surprise, the automation objected for him.

“I will do no such thing.” the automation stated in no uncertain terms.

Rearden approached the group despite the objections of his magi. The refusal of this creation was intriguing.

The council president turned with shock to the automation, “You would refuse an order of your master?”

The automation returned the council president’s shock with feigned indignation, “You would ignore my question and then presume to order me around?”

Jayden began laughing. “Wonderful!” He grasped the new lifeform by the shoulders and smiled. “You tell him! You tell him! That’s right!” Turning back to the council president, Jayden sniggered, “If indeed you wanted proof that your failure with Automation Zero has been resolved, look no further. This creature has self-awareness, it questions, it has an identity of its own.” Shaking his head triumphantly at the newly living thing, Jayden answered its question. “You are different because you are a living machine and not a human. It is as simple as that. We are all stronger when we are different. The fact that you are here now, is a cause for celebration.”

The creature nodded at Jayden’s words. “I know things that you know. I know things that they know.” It pointed at the magi who helped fuel its existence. “Is this because you played a part in my creation?”

Jayden nodded sagely, “You are in someway, a product of our collective minds.”

“I require a name.”

“That you do.” Jayden nodded his agreement. “Edward. I always liked the name Eddie, so that will be your name.”

The faceplate filled with fine sand shifted and the automation formed a smile within it. It repeated its new name, “Eddie. Yes, this is a suitable name.”

The council approached all the closer to observe Eddie. Their questions came to the creature fast and without pause.

“You recognize your own existence?”
“Yes. I am here because Jayden and these magi have awakened me.”
“What do you want?”
“I do not know. What do you want?”
“Do you require food, fuel, sleep?
“I do not think so. I think perhaps I would enjoy sleeping though.”
“What is your purpose?”

The last question did not receive an immediate answer from Eddie. He hesitated

The council president repeated the question, “Eddie, what is your purpose?”

Jayden was as interested as the others to learn this as well. He gave a reassuring nod to Eddie, “Just…tell them what’s in your heart.”

“My purpose? Are people born with a purpose?”

The council looked amongst themselves with a mix of fear and excitement. They were close to the answers they had been seeking for so long now. They said nothing. The new life must answer for itself.

“Answer the question Eddie. This is important and no one can help you to answer it.” Jayden replied indirectly to him.

“My purpose is to find a purpose in life. Since I know nothing of the world yet, I must work to find meaning. Ask me this question again after some time has passed. I will provide a proper response then.” Eddie sounded almost apologetic as he replied. To his surprise, the men surrounding him were all smiling and nodding their heads in approval.

“That was the correct answer Edward. That is the answer that any living, thinking thing must start with. The ultimate answer is unimportant to anyone other than yourself.” The council president stepped back from both Jayden and Rearden. “In light of what we have seen here today, I am prepared to make a ruling on behalf of the council.”

There was to be no formal discussion on the matter. The president had decided to use his executive powers to make an immediate ruling. Rearden knew this was not going to end well for him.

“Rearden Black. In the matter of the accusations levied against you, this council finds you to be innocent. The charges are dismissed.”

“What?!?” Jayden angrily objected.

The council president continued despite the interruption. “My determination in these matter is complex, so you would be well advised to pay attention Mr. Dagny. Jayden Dagny, despite Mr. Black’s considerable advancements in the technology of living machinery, you have shown us something here today that goes beyond our scope of understanding. It would be irresponsible of the Society of New Engineers to deny you a place within our ranks. If you would have it, we would like you to take the chair of our Headmaster. We would learn from your advancements if you would teach us.”

“Damn straight you would…” Jayden teetered as the liquor once again held sway on the thin man. “I accept.”

“There is a condition though. Your creation, what we have seen here is remarkable, however your very success is also a point of contention. Mr. Black has created a thinking machine that can be controlled. This is also something that we have need for. If you are to become Headmaster of this society, your first action must be to appoint Mr. Black as the Director of Development. His production facilities are to be immediately put to use in creating the civilian police force we so desperately need.”

It took a moment for Rearden to realize that his efforts had not yet been wasted. Jayden’s creation Eddie was superb in its achievement but it was actually too good for what the Society was looking for. It had refused orders…something his creations would not do. He had created something of practical value. Even in failing here there was success.

Jayden despised the idea outright. “Never.”

“Then it will fall to Mr. Black. Mr. Dagny, while we are enamored with what you have done and your success, we must be mindful of the needs of the people. Lux is becoming a dangerous place and a mechanized policing force is unfortunately a necessity with the growing use of firearms…”

Eddie spoke to Jayden, “Would it not be better to oversee these things?”

Jayden sighed heavily and relented, “Yes…yes it would. I will accept the duties of Headmaster and I will accept Rearden’s automations as part of that.”

The council president smiled, “Splendid. Then we will reconvene tomorrow and Mr. Dagny will be brought in formally…”

There were other words spoken, however Jayden did not hear them. Exhausted from the ritual, his body finally gave out without warning. He collapsed amidst the others. Thomas and Jennifer explained that it was merely a matter of fatigue from the awakening of Edward and the meeting was called to an abrupt conclusion.

Rearden gathered up his magi and the automation they had awakened and quickly left the proceedings. His magi were surprised to find Rearden not overblown with anger.

Kiana could sense something was at play, “What now Rearden? All things considered, this was successful. You did not gain the title but your company has secured profits and a massive contract with the State. Surely this is cause to celebrate.”

Rearden snapped back at her, “No girl. It is not. What we saw today was something of great importance. We must work to find out what that boy did differently and how they came to know of such techniques. The ability to infuse life is not to be trifled with. Did you listen to what that boy said? We would learn why the Life Crux was originally referred to as Pandora’s Crux. What has been done here today…began here today can not be undone now. We must understand this thing before that irresponsible little man brings about the disaster that the original name for that device implies.”

“Of course Rearden…of course.” Kiana knew too much about Jayden, the Life Crux, and about how the stolen plans had come into Rearden’s hands without him knowing to say anything more. Caught in the grip of two dangerous geniuses, the young mage began to wish she had never left her home at all.

The two small updates on the site are for the characters Eric Sturgg and LeLayhilani.  I have yet to really nail a format down for these pages so they may evolve over time to something I am more content with.  For now they serve as a brief bio and introduction with a little of what went into the process for creating/designing the character.

I’m sure this sort of thing will be looked at more carefully when and if I manage to get these books out to market.  ^_^”

In preparing Master of the House for digital publishing, I am beginning to look at what a reasonable price for an e-book would be.  I figure that my potential audience for this sort of thing would be the best place to pose the question.

So, there are a few options for this and a few things to consider.

This particular book is done in two distinct parts.  As a consumer, would you rather…

1. Pay a small amount, $3 to $5 for Part 1 and then later $5 to $7 for Part 2.
2. Pay a set amount, like $5 to $6 per portion of the complete work.
3. Pay upfront for the entire thing at $8-12.

Each option has its merits.

Option #1 allows you to explore the world and perhaps decide that this story is not for you at a low over all cost.  The higher price of Part 2 would compensate for that.

Option #2 allows the buyer to avoid feeling like they were put into a “gotcha” kind of situation.  You’re paying for what you get outright but you may pay a little bit more overall if you decide to stop after Part 1.

Option #3 is more the “support the artist”, “I liked the concept so I’m all in” kind of purchase.  You may end up saving a dollar or two in this instance.

Please leave comments and opinions below.  Thanks!

This story is about the rise of one genius and the fall of another.  It sets up the central conflict for my third book.  Lux is a place where magic and science have blended into one fantastic and dangerous combination.  What this means for its citizens and for what this world defines as life will have further reaching implications as the story moves forward.

Thanks for reading and as always, comments, criticism, and compliments are always welcome but not necessarily in that order.  ^_^

The Trial of Rearden Black Part 1

Rearden Black was furious.

The stately gentleman and lynchpin of industry in Lux was shaking. His cane rattled against the old wooden floor of the sitting room. He and his magi had been summoned to the council chambers of the Society of New Engineers only one day prior to his ascension to Headmaster of the entire organization.

When the courier arrived at his estate this morning, Rearden had greeted the man warmly in expectation that further good news was at hand. When the young man from the Society sullenly shook his head that the implications of his summons were far more serious, Rearden Black’s countenance darkened. He was being recalled and his newly acquired position was being called into question.

Called into question on account of fraud…the very insinuation of such a claim made Rearden’s blood boil. Heads would roll, men would be dismissed, they would learn tomorrow the steep cost of questioning his honor today.

After all, it was Rearden’s Black Gears company that provided nearly all of Lux with the production facilities necessary for the cogs, gears, and drive-shafts that powered almost everything in the technological wonder city of Lux. He had been the one to organize production, to create the first assembly line, and even the first to implement automated machinery that insured measurements were consistently precise.

How dare they accuse him of fraud?

As Rearden paced about the small sitting room, his three magi stayed carefully out of his way. The trio knew enough about their master to know that even a kind word of encouragement would see his rage explode on them. Kiana knew that where encouragement would fail, instigation would succeed.

Kiana Craule’ was Rearden Black’s water mage. Hailing originally from Britania, she and the other two magi in Rearden’s service were Guild refugees who held more ambition in their hearts than good sense in their heads. During one of his visits to Britania, Rearden happened upon the small group as they were evading Guild pursuit. Kiana had been clever enough to recognize opportunity when she saw it and promptly offered their services to the wealthy industrialist in exchange for aid in escaping the city.

Rearden was far too shrewd to allow such an opportunity to pass him by. He had come to Britania to negotiate with the Guild for use of their magi anyway. Now these services would be gained instead by trading food and shelter which by his account was far more affordable than the standard Guild fee. Rearden also found their resolve in pursuing a destiny beyond what life had set out for them to be admirable. It was a fated pairing.

Kiana stepped forward. “We know that the process is not fraudulent Mr. Black. It is slow going and that was unexpected but when they see what we can do with metal and magic, these doubters will be shamed back into their place. No doubt there are people playing a political game against you on account of your position within Lux. People oppose you everyday due to your success. Much like those rats, these cowards will scurry away when the light of our success is shined on them.” She made her words harsh and condemning. Kiana was always attempting to say exactly what she believed Rearden wanted to hear.

Kiana’s fellow magi looked at one another nervously. Brett Syd and Chadwick Rii had been friends of Kiana since they were indoctrinated into the Guild as children. Each of the three were slightly more powerful in their respective elements than other children their age. Brett was gifted in the elemental magic of wind and Chadwick held sway over fire. As a result of this, these three had been placed into a special training program meant to investigate how various mixtures of elemental magic could be harnessed. It that very training program that permitted them the leverage to escape the Guild.

Rearden eyed Kiana with annoyance. “I full well know that. It’s the audacity! This trumped up event! It sits on my nerve. Something is amiss. There is some bit of…something that has been, held back from me and by holy hell I will find out what it is.”

Despite his penchant for bluster, Rearden Black was no fool. When he resolved himself towards a course of action, it was only a matter of time until success was at hand. Where some men find their way barred by fiscal constraints, Rearden had none. Where other men lacked the willpower to do what needed to be done, Rearden was uncompromising. As Rearden swore to find the answers to this puzzle, his magi once again looked at one another with worry.

Kiana gave the other two a hard stare that demanded their mouths stay shut.

Encountering the magi had been a stroke of immense luck for Rearden. He had been in possession of plans for the Life Crux for some time before meeting them. It all timed very conspicuously with the Society’s announcement that their next Headmaster would be chosen through a public challenge. The challenge was stated simply enough: Resolve the Society of New Engineer’s greatest failing.

Rearden knew immediately upon hearing it that they were referring to the living automation project, a project that had spelled disaster for Lux some thirty years ago. The Society had sought to produce life through elemental fusion and had succeeded. Their success created a monster that could not be reasoned with and as a result, the greatest magi Lux had to offer were killed. The plans in his possession were the catalyst for that doomed experiment. He had examined them thoroughly and found no real flaws in the design; the plans themselves were sound. Rearden had to assume that their manner of production and methodology was flawed.

Correcting production related issues and purging methodological flaws was something Rearden excelled at. Acquiring the magi were the key to finishing this project. Everything had fallen into place. Once the magi began experimenting with the Life Crux which had been retooled with Rearden’s precise machinery, it had only been a matter of time until he was able to replicate the living automation project. Fortunately, his ambitious water mage had found ways to improve on the design and stabilize the Life Crux that Rearden was able to implement into full-scale mass production of the unit. The improvement that Kiana had suggested quadrupled the permissible variance range on the measurements and that had allowed Rearden to construct nearly two-hundred bodies that were merely waiting their spark of life with the magi.

Everything had been going so well. The mass produced automations would make up a new policing force to counter the growing firearm violence that had plagued Lux of late. Rearden Black had solved two looming problems, one social and the other experimental with a single stroke of brilliance.

The fact that the Society was potentially risking his alliance with this tribunal told him that something indeed was very wrong.

The doors to the sitting room finally opened and a young apprentice politely requested that Mr. Black and his magi accompany him into the council chambers.

Rearden did not say a word to the nervous man who was sent to retrieve them. He was reserving his bluster for this ridiculous hearing. His magi followed along behind him with trepidation.

The scene that awaited their arrival was not what Rearden could have expected. Parts from his factory, pieces of his mass produced automation were hung up on racks by the dozen. A selection of arms, legs, torsos, heads, and even the valuable Life crux were all set out before the council and its guests like some kind of peddler’s market for body parts.

Rearden had no intention of waiting for an explanation, he would demand one.

“How dare this council seize my property! What in the bloody hell is going on here?”

The council president raised a hand to quiet him in response.

“Mr. Black, despite your numerous and lofty contributions to the great City State of Lux we are forced to entertain this methodological evaluation as the charge of industrial espionage has been brought against you. Though this council is embarrassed to put you through such a trial, in the interest of determining its Headmaster, we are obliged. Rest assured our contractual obligations shall remain in place regardless of the outcome…”

The council president was interrupted by powerful voice that dripped of youthful arrogance and rose above the civil discourse at hand.

“Treacherous techno thief! You thought to steal my design work and pass it off as your own? It seems that the copious coin your burgeoning business has brought about has misdirected your moral compass.”

Rearden looked incredulously at the thin man with slight features and hair that hung too long for a respectable man to wear in this day. He knew this Jayden Dagny as one of the more promising engineers to make a name for himself in the past few years. Though their encounters had been few, Jayden had made a name for himself and even managed to draw Rearden’s attention on a few occasions. He was an upstart to be certain, however, something had always bothered Rearden about this man though he had never been able to properly identify the issue.

“Dagny. Who are you to challenge my work boy? What standing do you have that would even permit you to lick the dirt from my boots? I will not…I will NOT stand here and be accused by this limp-wristed little dandy of a man.” Rearden turned his back on the council and on Jayden, preparing to walk out of the proceedings without another thought.

The council president called back to Rearden, “Mr. Black, if you leave before we have seen the results for ourselves, we will be forced to rule against you.”

Kiana quietly whispered to him, “Rearden, there is nothing to fear. We should put both the council and this brat in their place.”

Rearden snapped at the water mage and slapped his cane against her arm. He did not speak in hushed tones as he condemned her words. “You will refer to me by title girl and I do not need you nor anyone else to tell me what there is and is not to fear.” He spun back on the council and pointed his cane in their direction. “By what accountability am I called forth here? Who will risk their reputation should I be vindicated? Surely the presumptuous boy challenging me here has no authority to demand such a trial.”

The council president nodded his agreement with that statement. “Quite right Mr. Black. Quite right… We would have never entertained this issue but for…”

Again the younger man cut the council president off and began speaking quite loudly over the council’s objection.

“Oh but Mr. Black, when you have fantastically famous friends long thought lost, it seems everyone is more than willing to listen to you. Assisting me in today’s trial will be none other than the infamous Mr. and Mrs. Frasier.” Jayden stepped aside and directed a hand in the direction of an unassuming husband and wife pair who were sitting off to the side of where the council dais was located. “Oh yes Mr. Black, your ears did not deceive you, Thomas and Jennifer Frasier, two of the original magi to work on the living automation project have found cause to assist me in my work. So in response to your question, it will be their reputation on the line.”

For the first time in as long as Rearden Black could remember, he had nothing to say on the matter. There was no denying the identities of the pair of magi. The fact that they were still alive was a miraculous revelation in of itself only spoiled by the fact that they now sat in opposition to him for a reason he still did not understand.

The council picked up where Rearden could not.

“The number of living automations within Lux has increased every year. The Society of New Engineers has never truly relented on the project. Automated servants with limited capacity for thought and direction are almost commonplace now. However, as you know Mr. Black, the project was created to give rise to fully functioning and thinking machines. When we issued our challenge, we never specified exactly what it was we were searching for. Both you and Mr. Dagny arrived at a similar conclusion and to that end you were both correct.”

Rearden found his voice again, “Then I fail to see the need for all of…this. My solution to the problem has provided a full production run of ready to use bodies. I have resolved the stability issues of the Life Crux and we have a ten percent success rate in activation of the units. We suspect that there is a further ten percent chance that the automation will achieve full sentience upon activation. I have brought you results and a methodology that is…”

Jayden interrupted him, “Complete crap is what it is. A one percent chance that the unit will fully awaken? Pathetic. I guarantee success not with one percent but rather with one hundred percents.” He grinned at his own mocking mispronunciation.

Rearden stammered, “Balderdash!”

The council president finally slammed a gavel into the dais to restore order, “Indeed. Just as you have stated Mr. Black, we can hardly believe this either. You asked for a reason as to why you have been called to question here? It is to reaffirm your claim to the position of Headmaster, to dismiss Mr. Dagny’s wild assertion, and we are doing all of this because Mr. and Mrs. Frasier assure us that we must.”

Rearden was beginning to understand. He observed the parts that had been brought before them. “Then this is to be a test? Our practices shall be observed?”

The council president nodded.

Jayden interjected again, “The sinister side effect will be to show off how you stole my design for the Life Crux. You don’t even know what you have here and I’m going to prove it. I know that you intend to weaponize these automations. If you had any idea of what you have stolen from me, you never would have gone through with it, you’d know that the intent of this is to further our understanding of life not to build some disposable police force. You have no idea what you’re playing at old man and I am going to prove that today.” This time Jayden spoke with outright anger in his voice. The way he had been carefully constructing his words fell away with that anger and his magi stood up behind him as if to reinforce the things he now said.

Rearden was still confused by the idea that anything had been stolen. Their work had been entirely their own. He had truly made no move to intercept, steal, or otherwise spy on the gifted but obnoxious engineer who now confronted him. Arguing the point was useless for now.

“We will see how this plays out boy. We will see.” Turning to the council, Rearden asked, “So I take it we are to construct and animate one creation apiece? We do this in full view of the council and then compare the results? I will agree to this. I have nothing to hide however, I believe it to be unfair that Mr. Dagny is employing the use of free-wielding magi. There is a discrepancy of power here that should be addressed.”

One of the Frasiers stepped forward. It was Thomas who now spoke to Rearden, “Mr. Black, as a principal matter of animating the units, the magi are limited by the weakest link in the collective. We will be using a novice wind mage on our side of things in order to achieve the balance of power you so rightfully pointed out. The abilities of my wife and myself shall not be a factor in the proceedings.”

The council president waited for Rearden to respond.

A moment of silence hung in the air before Rearden finally relented. “Fine. I can accept this. Let’s get on with it then.”

Rearden and Jayden were moved to opposite sides of the chambers and given the opportunity to select parts of their own choosing from the offerings at hand. The council and its observers kept careful watch as the two teams began their assembly of the automations.

Rearden and his magi assembled the automation with ease. In under an hour they had aligned the various limbs, tested the connections, and were beginning to install the Life Crux into the creature’s chest. This was the most dangerous part of the whole assembly as the Life Crux itself was constructed entirely of glass. While the complex design was not particularly fragile, it was not entirely stable until activated. Care was required to ensure that the contraption was not thrown off balance before it could be energized.

No mistakes were made by Rearden or his magi. Their process was efficient and their understanding of the mechanics were thorough. On the other side of the room, Jayden was having considerable difficulties aligning anything on the unit he was attempting to construct. Rearden looked on with amusement as his opponent struggled again and again, doing half of what his team accomplished in twice the time.

Rearden’s magi prepared for their next tasked. Each one of them took their place at one of the corners of the Life Crux that was installed into the automation. With great care, Rearden assisted them by filling the forth chamber of the Life Crux with a mixture of purified soil and salt. The forth element, earth, was always the challenge for those who engaged in this mix of technology and magic. Too much and the automation would be brought to life more as an animal than as a being, too little and the process would fail entirely.

Filling the forth chamber with purified soil and salt was the best any engineer could do. Rearden had heard rumors that the Society was beginning to experiment in ways to recapture the power of the earth element but for now the corrupted element was too far out of even his reach. Seeing that Jayden was only employing three magi as well, Rearden had to suspect that his opponent suffered the same limitation.

Before his opponent had even finished assembly of the unit, Rearden’s magi were preparing the ritual that would bring life to the automation. He stepped back to allow them room to work. Each one in turn placed a hand on the Life Crux and then grasped one of the other magi by the arm. As their elemental infusion began, magic circled the area in which they were working. The lifeless body that sat stretched out under them on a table began to tremble as their powers coursed through it.

The difficulty for the magi as they worked was to maintain an open and fluid channel of power, never too much or too little. They were forced to work by feel alone, watching for the tipping point where their forces were in perfect balance so that they might disengage all at once. Only by working wordlessly with a great degree of sympathetic energies were they able to identify this sublime elemental balance that was the very spark of life.

Even with their best efforts, success was measured in rare quantities. Nine times out of ten they miscalculated. The balance of life was a peculiar thing, like trying to calm a pail of water while walking with it. Failure was the norm.

However, today would see success.

Kiana, Chadford, and Brett stepped back from their work. Their elemental powers faded away and the automated life form sat up from the table. Its blank face turned about to look at its new masters with curiosity. Eyes lit up by some unknown power cautiously examined their surroundings and Rearden beamed with pride at the creation.

“Success.” He turned with smug satisfaction to the council. “Observe, even in its infancy this creature takes commands, understands language, and has the ability for rational thought.” Rearden directed the automation. “Stand up. Confirm that you are in working order.”

The automation stood up on the table it had been situated on. It was not the ideal interpretation of the command but Rearden ignored this. The automation began systematically moving each of its joints until it had displayed its superhuman range of motion. The council was duly impressed.

“Step down from the table. Greet the council members and shake their hands.” Rearden further directed the automation. It responded by jumping down from its perch and raising a hand to wave to the council. The living assembly of metal and magic then approached the council’s dais and without warning or waiting, reached out and took both hands of the president shaking them harshly.

Rearden was forced to tell the thing when to stop. “Of course it is only moments old. Learning takes time but is certainly achievable. As we improve the process the rate of successful activations will rise and our ability to install command sequences into the automations, a process I prefer to think of a verbal gearing, will follow easily enough. Ladies and Gentlemen of the council, as you can plainly see, we are in complete control of this process and have done nothing to betray Mr. Dagny’s confidence. Perhaps a simple instance of parallel and convergent ideas occurred and Mr. Dagny made the incorrect assumption about my intentions. I assure you, no crime has been committed here. Black Gears Corporation serves Lux with integrity and honor. We always have and always will.”

The council president looked over to see Jayden struggling to position the Life Crux in the yet unmoving body of his automation. He frowned with disappointment at the sight. “Mr. Black. It appears that this council, Mr. Dagny, and I personally owe you an apology for all of this. When matters that would shake our scientific resolve come about, it is the duty of the Society of New Engineers to call those matters into question regardless of the ugliness that might be found either in the question or the answer. Rest assured that tomorrow we will continue forward with our plans to appoint you as the new Headmaster of the Society.”

Rearden Black smiled. Vindication was his. This matter may have been degrading to him personally, but it was conducted in a private fashion and despite the implications that were thrown his way, he had once again come out on top.

Jayden spoiled Rearden’s moment of triumph. “Would you mind waiting just a few moments longer before coming to such sudden and ill advised conclusions?” He looked back down to his work and finally nestled the Life Crux into his own automation before regarding the others once again.

“Your assertion was that Mr. Black stole your technology and would not be able to properly activate the device. Your assertion was clearly wrong Mr. Dagny. There is nothing further to discuss.” The council president was about to make a final ruling.

Jayden exploded, “LIKE HELL THERE ISN’T! I don’t remember a time frame being set for this experiment and I would hardly call that preposterous puppet a successful solution to the living automation project. If you really insist that Lux needs a mechanized military force on its streets, fine. Make whatever deals and contracts you wish with Mr. Black. Your clever little challenge was to solve your greatest failure. While Rearden has resolved the matter of mass production, with my technology I might add, the real issue was one of life and everything that intangible element holds. The truth behind your challenge was to recreate Automation Zero and have it not go berserk.”

The others looked on with confusion as Jayden’s words began to reveal a hint of madness.

“I’ll show you who is truly fit to be Headmaster of this Society. Stand back. Observe while I reveal to you why the original craftsmen of the Life Crux referred to it with another name. Let’s learn why they knew this device as Pandora’s Crux…”

The story begins here.

This week saw the culmination of a project began earlier this year.  My follow up work to Master of the House finished its initial draft.  Initially the book was to be titled “Children of the New Potential”.  I’ve decided to change that and use the series title along with a shorten version of that tentative title. That being said, I am happy to announce Legacy of Shadow: The New Potential (TNP) is complete and ready to face the challenges of the market.

So, how do I explain this book?  TNP is the story of a group of characters who make a similar decision to walk away from the lives they are leading into the unknown.  Each of the characters does this for a different reason but as they end up on the same path, together they are given a warning that the answers each of them seeks rest at the top of a frozen mountainous wasteland at the top of the world.  Over the course of a week these characters fight against the forces pursuing them, against their own fears, and against the fear of passing the point of no return.

Laylani is an Elf of Deep Shadow who has taken up a burden that was not her own.  Her arrival in Britania spells doom for its people and spreads fear that the City State is under attack from the undead forces at its door.  She has come seeking refuge after her failures in the northern lands.  Laylani finds no refuge in Britania but manages to regain control of her destiny and perhaps the friends who will see her through it.

Eric is a Templar in the service of Britania.  He is smart, skillful, and has a promising career ahead of him however a nagging sense of worthlessness and isolation leave the warrior feeling as if there should be something more.  When he comes face to face with Laylani and senses something familiar and kindred in the supposed threat to his homeland, it becomes the catalyst that will either ruin his life or save his soul.

Vavian is a free-wielding mage who works and lives outside the control of Britania’s Magi Guild.  He is a sought after criminal.  He is a threat to the social order.  He knows what the Guild has in store for the downtrodden of Britania.  Using the chaos around Laylani’s arrival to move on his own plans, he becomes hopelessly wrapped up in a struggle that he could have never imagined.

Dempsy is a wealthy ‘Copter pilot with a keen eye and a strong distaste for the law.  He plans to help Vavian escape Britania and life a life of comfort, ease, and coin but when his friend returns to him and reveals that their plans have changed, Dempsy has a choice to make.

I never could have imagined how difficult writing this book would be.  It was not that the actual writing, typing, and plotting were hard, overcoming doubt was the challenge.  Master of the House lent itself to an ever tightening plotline and left plenty of room for character evolution.  TNP is a lead off book, meant to spark a whole series but still be self contained.

I had to capture a world, introduce new characters, justify motivation…  Of course every book does this.  I’m not complaining, not at all.  What I wish to express here is that this book is the first step in a bigger story.  This overall story is something I have captured in my mind and now had to find a way to condense the important parts into an opening act.

I was not even sure I liked my own characters as I wrote the book.  That’s a hard pill to swallow.  (Rest assured they ARE awesome and the book turned out great.)  It’s simply that when you are inside a story, crafting it and setting the stage for later, you know who these characters WILL be.  As you write them, you see them only as they are on the first page or first chapter and it feels wrong.

The further along I traveled in this book, the better it felt.  Not only were my own fears unjustified but many of them were incorrect too.

I plan to do some site expansion and add information about these characters in the coming weeks.  I will also post my query that I will send out for this book for anyone to see and comment on.

I should really take a lesson from Dempsy.  He pretty much nailed it:

 “You can never bake the same cake twice. That’s a life lesson. Don’t forget it.”