“You’ll have to excuse the colonel, he is very dedicated to his duties,” the Admiral apologised as the next course was served. Fortunately, after the commotion the colonel had caused, no one seemed interested in conversation with me. I kept one eye on the clock while I used my cutlery to chase food around my plate with little interest in consuming it.
“Are you not eating?” a soft voice cut into my reverie.
I looked up from my plate. Emily Perry. I thought the compulsion wouldn’t have allowed her to address me directly.
“No, ma’am,” I replied, placing my napkin on the plate. “My appetite isn’t what it used to be.”
“I can imagine.” Emily grimaced as she took a quick glance at the colonel’s now empty seat.
I nodded briefly and hoped she would take the hint and not pursue further conversation. I should have just refused the invitation for this damned dinner. I gestured towards the wait staff to replenish my wine glass once again.
“So you’ve just returned from active fighting?” Emily continued, oblivious to my surprise.
Something must have gone wrong with the compulsion effect. No one should have been able to shake off the compulsion that quickly. Was she a mage? She didn’t appear to be. Unless her skills at suppressing her powers were far better than anyone I had ever seen. Surely either Glave or I would have spotted a suppressed Mana user no matter how good their skills in concealment.
So, if she wasn’t a mage then perhaps I failed at the compulsion spell. But she had definitely been under when I had completed the spell in the corridor. She had seemed befuddled and it certainly didn’t look like she remembered our previous encounter. I remembered clearly the expression on her face as she had wandered off after the compulsion had ended. No, the effect had been completed successfully, of that I was sure.
“Uhh, excuse me…” Emily trailed off. I quickly realised I had been staring at her for some time. From her nervous expression it was obvious I had made her uncomfortable.
“Your eyes are quite distracting,” she stammered, blood rushing to her cheeks. “Do they ever contract?”
“No.” I coughed as I brought myself back under control. “Not while I’m using Mana.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re using Mana right now?”
I nodded. “I have spinal damage. I use the Mana to keep myself mobile.”
“How horrid,” she murmured sympathetically.
“It could be worse.” I shrugged.
“How were you injured?” Emily continued.
“An enemy mage used a telekinetic grip to crush me. It broke my back in three places, shattered my ribs and shoulders, fractured my skull, and caused massive damage to my internal organs.”
Emily sucked her breath in as I listed my injuries. “You’re lucky to have survived.”
“Luck had nothing to do with it,” I grunted, keeping my fists clenched to avoid a tremor. “This mage knew what he was doing. I can only conclude that he intended for me to survive.”
“Why?”
“I have no idea,” I replied honestly. I unclenched my fists. The tremor had passed. The last thing I needed now was a panic attack at the Admiral’s table.
“Did you know this mage before the war? The one who hurt you?”
“This happened before the war,” I corrected her, “and he was my former master.”
Emily’s eyes widened in shock. “Your master?”
I nodded. “One of them at least.” It seemed strange to acknowledge Renee as a master, but in a way she was more of a teacher to me than Victor had ever been. She had begun my training. She had overseen my initial introduction into the world of Mana. She had taught me, because she thought it best that I learn, not because she wanted something from me.
“Why were you fighting your former master?” Emily pressed.
“I was trying to avenge my sister’s death.”
“Your master killed her?”
“No,” I was forced to admit.
Victor hadn’t been responsible for her death, but he had been responsible for putting her on the path to death. If I was really honest with myself, the man most responsible for her death was me. I hadn’t pulled the trigger that had ended her life, but I had certainly made it possible for a common gun to end her life – I was the one who had nullified her powers to allow it happen. Any way you looked at it, the responsibility was mine.
“It’s complicated,”
The arrival of the main course disrupted our conversation. I found myself curiously disappointed by this, despite not wanting to engage in conversation in the first place. I glanced over at the reporter with curiosity. She was pretty enough, though not particularly attractive in a conventional sense. It was obvious from the way she had dressed and held herself that she had no interest in being attractive. Despite this being a formal dinner, she had opted to attend in military fatigues rather than something dressier.
Her long blond hair trailed down her slender neck and hung across her shoulders like a cloak. She seemed so small and vulnerable until you looked at her eyes - they betrayed her true nature. They glittered with determination and strength of character. She wasn’t the small vulnerable woman she appeared to be. I had to remind myself that there was a reason she was aboard this ship. She was probably a war correspondent or something and had seen things that would have destroyed those of a tender disposition. She had strength of character that you could see; it was almost a tangible element as obvious as the nose on her face.
“Tell me about yourself,” I ordered as I finished off my glass once again. The waiter didn’t even need to wait for me to nod before refilling it.
“There’s not much to say really,” Emily replied. “I was a journalist before the war. I was stationed in the Middle East during the last conflict.”
My assessment had been correct.
“That seems like a dangerous place to be stationed,” I commented.
“Yeah,” Emily said, smiling, “it was one hell of an experience. It was dangerous and I was involved in several fire fights, but I wouldn’t have been anywhere else for any amount of money.”
“Fire fights?”
“Small skirmishes or police actions mostly,” Emily clarified. “The whole region was unstable. It wasn’t uncommon for fights to break out between various factions.”
“You were stationed with the military?”
“For the most part,” Emily confirmed. “though occasionally not. I had a security detachment responsible for my safety. We didn’t take chances. We knew where the hotspots were and where there was acceptable risk.”
Her mouth twitched slightly at the phrase ‘acceptable risk’.
“It’s not like that anymore, though We have no way of predicting where the fighting will be.”
“Not true,” I disagreed. “It’s usually fairly predictable where insurgent action is likely to occur.”
Emily’s mouth twisted in distaste. “Insurgent action? I’m referring to the real war that’s going on – the one between your kind.”
I nodded noncommittally.
“I’ve seen the video clips and security footage,” Emily continued. “But I’ve never seen it in real life.”
“Perhaps you should ask Master Glave for a demonstration?” I grinned, gesturing towards the intractable man at the other end of the table.
A small snort escaped Emily’s lips before she contained herself. “I don’t see much chance of that happening.”
“No, me either,” I replied with a shared covert glance in Glave’s direction.
“I was actually hoping to interview you if you give me the chance,” Emily said. “I’m writing a book.”
Well, that settled it - The compulsion hadn’t worked. The only question was to what degree it had failed. My eyes narrowed as I considered the possibilities. Was she playing with me? She shouldn’t have been able to even talk to me, let alone directly ask me about an interview. I was intrigued, I couldn’t help but be. What had just happened was supposed
to be impossible.
“You know, it’s funny,” she murmured. “You ever get déjà vu? I feel like I’ve asked you this before.”
My jaw gritted as I glanced at the young woman before me. Had she somehow subverted the compulsion without breaking it? I knew it was possible - I had done it the last time Victor had used a compulsion on me. But I had assumed it was because I was a mage and my powers had assisted me. Emily appeared to have no such assistance. She seemed to be nothing more than a normal human woman. Had my sorcery failed, or had I seriously underestimated her?
“Interview?” she queried, prompting me to realise that I had again been staring at her without speaking for some time.
“No,” I announced finally. “No, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?” Emily snapped. “I’d love to get the perspective of a mage in all this.”
“I am sure you would,” I replied, attempting to finish the conversation. “Unfortunately I don’t think anyone would find my story very entertaining.”
“I’m sure that’s not the case,” Emily shot back. “I’m sure it would make a thrilling story – perhaps in a four-book series?”
She was obviously being sarcastic, but her words sent a shiver down my spine. A four-book series suggested there wouldn’t be a fifth book. I’ve never believed in psychics or fortune tellers, but I knew with certainty that my time was running out. I didn’t know how I knew, but I could feel it over me like a dark cloud.
“There are so many questions we have about your kind,” Emily continued.
“What makes you think that I can answer them?”
“I’m sure you have more answers than we know now,” Emily said curtly.
“Let me rephrase.” I sighed. “What makes you think I want to answer them?”
“You don’t feel the need to explain yourself?” Emily asked softly. “There has been so much death and destruction.”
“I make no apologies for my actions,” I replied darkly.
“And what about your people?” Emily pressed.
“My people will be held accountable for their own actions, as will everyone else.”
“But surely, you must realise that history won’t view your kind well.”
“I know,” I whispered. “History is written by the winners.”
Fortunately dessert was served before she could continue her questioning. I managed to engage myself in a conversation with Marcellus and an officer to the left of me that allowed me to ignore Emily’s further attempts at engaging me. It wasn’t long before the Admiral thanked us for attending his dinner and excused himself. The junior officers were now allowed to leave the dining room, many of whom immediately took the opportunity to do so.
As I rose, I could see Emily eyeing me off speculatively, but she too was embroiled in a conversation that she couldn’t extricate herself from. I nodded to her as I left the room with Marcellus in tow. I had thought that was it, but she caught up to me in the hallway outside the dining room.
“Master Wills?” she called out down the corridor. I thought briefly about just ignoring her, but she would only persist. I nodded to Marcellus to indicate that he should continue on without me, then turned to face the reporter.
“Miss Perry,” I greeted as she caught up with me.
“Miss? That’s very formal,” she commented, placing her hand on my shoulder.
“No more so than Master Wills,” I quipped.
“I thought that was your title?” Emily replied quickly. She still hadn’t removed her hand.
“I don’t care much for it, to be honest. Simply call me Devon.”
“Devon?” she repeated as if trying the name on for size. “It seems like such a normal name.”
“Normal? How do you figure?”
“I don’t know,” she continued. “The only other mages I’ve heard of are Master Glave and Master Kristoff.”
“Assumed names.” I nodded. “The only mage other than me to use his real name is Bator.”
“Bator?” Emily murmured, confused. “I’ve never heard of a Master Ba…”
“I wouldn’t finish that sentence if I were you,” I replied with a grin, turning to leave.
Emily rolled her eyes as she realised what she had almost just said. “Wait! Devon, Why do mages use assumed names?”
I shrugged. “I guess that most mages don’t want people snooping into their backgrounds.”
“And you don’t care about that?”
“Nothing to find really.” I chuckled. “My most visible achievement would have been finishing high school - hardly newsworthy. I discovered that I was a mage in my final year, and that would be about all you’d find.”
“How old were you?”
“I had just turned eighteen.”
“Is that normal?” Emily asked tentatively. I could almost see her taking notes in her head.
“No, not as such. I’m a late bloomer for my kind.” I laughed.
“I’m sorry,” Emily interjected. “Discovered you were a mage? Weren’t you always aware that you were different?”
“No,” I mused. “Well, yes, but not in the way you’re talking about. I didn’t become a mage until I met Renee.”
I involuntarily flinched as I said her name, but fortunately Emily didn’t seem to pick up on it. She was too busy taking mental notes in her head.
“She began my training.”
“I thought you said that your master was a he?”
“Victor finished my training,” I corrected her. “Renee started it. This isn’t the place to be discussing such things anyway. Would you care to join me for a drink?”
If I was honest with myself, I would have to admit that I invited her because, despite all my concerns and her aggressive interview techniques, I enjoyed her company and that was a something I hadn’t been able to do in a very long time. There was another reason I had done so, too. There was something about her that didn’t fit and it was like a thorn in my side. It would drive me nuts if I didn’t figure it out.
“I’d love to,” Emily said. “But I think the mess hall is closed.”
“That’s not a problem.” I grinned. “I know a place.”
My head spun slightly as I swung around, sending out a teleportation thread to collect two bottles of champagne. Emily jumped slightly at the noise the teleporting alcohol made.
“Where did you get those?” Emily inquired as she glanced about, thinking that I had procured them from a nearly shelf or something.
“The kitchens.” I grinned. “It’s the same stuff we were drinking at dinner.”
“Oh, okay,” she murmured, a little unsure of herself now.
“Do we need glasses?” I had heard it was considered uncouth to drink straight from the bottle.
“I don’t if you don’t,” Emily returned with a smile.
“We certainly are classy people.” I chuckled as I passed her one of the bottles.
“Where are we headed?”
“Topside.”
“Is that allowed?” Emily gasped.
“Who’s going to stop us?” I replied with a smirk.
The view from the deck of an aircraft carrier in the Pacific Ocean is amazing. The stars seemed to shine so much brighter once you got away from the lights of the control tower. It reminded me of the evenings I used to spend in Omeo when I was younger. The stars seemed so much more real when you removed yourself from the city and its bright lights. It was possible in those moments to realise you are standing on a ball of rock spinning in an infinite galaxy of stars. You can see the curvature of the horizon in all directions and you know yourself for what you truly are – insignificant. All my power, all my strength, and I was nothing next to the grandeur of the night sky. I wasn’t too far gone to admit that, but there were those amongst my kind who would dispute it. I was no longer among that number, but had I not been humbled and broken I probably would have been first amongst them. I had been an arrogant child.
“What are you looking at whe
n you stare into the horizon like that?” Emily murmured, her voice only slightly slurred by the alcohol. I hadn’t realised she’d drunk so much, but she had consumed quite a bit at the dinner also.
“I dunno,” I lied. “Maybe a life after this – after my kind are gone.”
“Is that what you’re fighting for?”
I nodded. “I guess. I don’t really know why I’m fighting anymore.”
“Surely you’re fighting to make the world a safer place?” Emily interjected. I could tell from her tone she didn’t believe what she was saying.
“Heh.” I chuckled. “Even you don’t believe the propaganda. There is no safer place after this. At its cor,e this is a war much like any other. The only difference is that the people in power didn’t initiate this one and that’s why everyone is screaming foul.”
“But the mages… the destruction…” Emily said.
“It’s no more than could be achieved with conventional weapons.”
“No,” Emily disagreed. “Fourteen cities left in ruins, untold destruction, the complete loss of infrastructure. The world will not recover from this.”
“You Americans,” I scoffed derisively. “Fourteen American cities have been destroyed. Mankind will recover. How many cities were left in ruins after the Second World War? How many after the First? You just see this as different because it’s on your home soil.”
That stopped her for a second as she pondered this new idea.
“There are places untouched by this war,” I continued.
It pains me now to admit how naive I had been. Civilisation would not recover from this in its current form. The problem was that everything was now interconnected. Globalisation had happened on a massive scale and linked everyone together. Each country still thought itself independent, all the while wilfully ignoring the ties that bound them to their neighbours. It only takes a catalyst to begin the line of destruction, and sadly my kind had been that catalyst.
I hadn’t intended or planned it, but my actions had begun the chain of events that had led to this uprising. First was the discovery of my powers – powers that were unchecked and restrained. I hadn’t grown up in the mage community and my only guidance towards my powers was another recluse – someone actively hiding from the community. I embraced my role as outcast and actively ignored the edicts of those in positions who should have known better. The Primea should have killed me when I had first stood before her. She had talked to me of just such a thing, and at the time I had foolishly ignored her. She had warned me of what results my actions might lead to. Yes, she should have killed me.
Mage Emergence Page 11
