Broken Bonds (Mortal Intervention Book 1)

by Loftis, Nick

  They walked in silence. It took nearly forty five minutes to get out of Duthane Pass and onto the mountain road that led into the town. From there, about a mile down the road, they took an old path that was being overgrown by plants to a field that was surrounded by mountains on three sides that effectively blocked them from anyone who may be watching from the town. The field was beautiful, unnaturally green and full of life. It was almost bursting with plant life.

  Winter passed Wil his bag. “When I change we try to keep it as secret as possible,” he explained. “The elderly know what I am, but with this cult of the True God moving around and expanding, we decided it was time to keep it quiet. Everyone here who knows has agreed not to share it with anyone new. Only two or three people have learned about it in the last fourteen to fifteen years.”

  “We need to backup,” Gwen said, tugging on Wil’s wrist.

  “What for?” He didn’t resist her pull and followed her about a hundred feet away from Winter. “He used to change right next to us; what changed?”

  “His size. When he was smaller he only needed a couple of feet between us,” she answered. “Now, with the surge of power that releases with his transformation, he needs a lot more space. That’s why we cleared this field and laid some enchantments over it to keep people out.”

  Wil would be lying if he said he wasn’t the least bit confused. “What do you mean ‘power surge’?”

  “Just watch.”

  Winter’s transformation was fast. He became an amorphous blob that expanded slightly, before imploding on itself, and exploding outward into a dragon. An icy wind blasted away from him in all directions, dropping the temperature in the immediate area and leaving anything hit by it covered in frost; including Will and Gwen. Where Winter had stood in human form, now stood a gigantic snowy white dragon with silver spikes that ran from the base of its head and tapered off at the end of its tail.

  “Wow,” was all Wil could say and think at first. He looked down at the frost on his arms. After several seconds he said, “You weren’t kidding by power surge. That is very impressive.” He didn't feel sleepy any more. “Can it kill?”

  Winter chuckled in his new form. It was gravelly, sounding like it came from the bottom of his throat. His voice sounded the same way, his massive head was only about a dozen feet or so from the others now. “I’m happy to hear you say that. You’re a hard one to impress.” He had turned his head so he could look at them with his right eye. It was the same color blue as it was in human form. “Shall we get going? The flight won't be long at all.” He lowered his right wing so they could climb up.

  “We aren't sure if it can kill, but we haven't wanted to risk it with anyone,” Gwen explained. “He encased a deer in an inch of ice the first time it happened, but we don't know if it died. This clearing,” she gestured with her arms as they walked toward Winter,” was completely barren before he started using it.”

  “So maybe it isn't just elemental magic being blown out by him,” Wil answered, the gears in his head churning. He began to think out loud. “It could be sparks of life; like a fire spreading. A dragon's immortality could resemble a phoenix's.” Wil rubbed his hands together, trying to keep pace with his mind. “The transformation from a human avatar to his true form could act as a rebirth. The icy blow-back may be how it manifests on a physical plane.”

  Gwen snickered. “You haven't changed in the least.”

  “It is something to be explored after this ordeal,” Winter rumbled when they were next to him.

  Wil smiled. “It sure is. So how do we do this?”

  “Winter lowered his wing. “Climb up. Be mindful of the membrane however. It won't tear, but it is sensitive.”

  Getting on his friends back was strange to Wil. He had done it a lot when they were younger, but that was a struggle to get even three of them on his neck because there was only so much room. Now a dozen people could probably fit on him comfortably with all of their luggage.

  When both of them were on, Winter took off. Despite the force required to get him off the ground the other two didn’t feel anything.

  “Which one of you is using magic to keep us on?” He put the two bags he had down in front of him. Still standing, he took his jacket off. “Put your bag here,” he ordered Gwen.

  She did as he said, watching curiously. “He is.”

  He covered the bags with his jacket and then yanked it up. The bags had disappeared and he put his jacket back on. “It makes traveling a little easier when you don’t actually have to carry anything. It’s all still there,” he added hastily at her skeptical look. The last time she had seen him use a spell like that, he had lost all their belongings because they had been teleported by accident.

  “They’re just in one of the back pockets now. I fixed the little hitch in the spell a long time ago. I’ll take them out as soon as I know where we’re staying.” He pointed at her crossbow to change the subject. “Why do you still use that?”

  She rolled her eyes but took the bait. “How many other people have you seen with a gun?”

  Wil thought about it. He had only seen a handful of them for sale over the years, but he had figured that was just because of how popular they were and how difficult they were to make. “Just Brax and I that I can recall; but there has to be more.”

  “I swear,” she said shaking her head in disbelief, “as smart as you are you can be pretty dumb. There’s only been a dozen or so cases documented- of varying degrees of success- of having them actually work; most end up killing themselves. The amount of magic required to hold them together when they fire is insane.”

  Wil was definitely confused now. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. The only time mine requires any type of magic is when I'm crafting rounds for it.” He drew his revolver and pointed out several bolt heads and then a couple of runes barely visible. “See, just normal hardware and then a few runes I added to enhance the effects of the bullets.” He popped out the cylinder and dropped twelve, twig thin bullets out. The bodies were clear with brass tops and bottoms. Half looked like they had fires roiling inside their small confines, the other half looked empty. “The red ones cause an explosion and the clear ones, well, they essentially increase in size and force. Depending on how far they travel, it could be like taking a fist at high speeds or something as big as Winter,” he patted the dragon’s back as he said it. “Each one is just a stored spell. The runes allow me to manipulate the spells on the fly, changing the intensity and size of the effect.” He reloaded his gun and cocked it, holding it out for Gwen to take. “Try it,” he offered.

  She looked at him with big eyes but didn’t move. “What if it blows up?”

  “Do you think I would offer it to you if I thought that was going to happen?”

  She took it gingerly. It was heavier than she thought, making her decide to use two hands instead of one. She didn’t aim at anything in particular, firing over Winter’s right wing at an upward angle. The barrel jolted upward, yanking her arm with it. “How can you kill anything with this? It isn't very accurate if it moves around like that.” She handed the gun back to him.

  Wil put it away. “You learn. Mine is probably too big for you. Do you want me to make you one? I might have everything in my office. It would only take a few hours.”

  Gwen shook her head. “I don’t like it; I’ll stick with my repeater crossbow thank you very much.” She walked over to Winter’s shoulder, looking down below. “We’re over the additions of the College.”

  “Already?” Wil asked, edging as far as he could down Winter's side to look. Parts of the forest where the College was located had been cleared away for more buildings. They sped by underneath them and Wil looked up to see the original tower getting much closer.

  Winter started his winding descent toward an open field near the old portion of the campus. A crowd began to form around the field as Winter’s massive shadow blotted out the light.

  “Jump,” Gwen ordered when they were about twenty f
eet above the grass.

  Wil didn’t hesitate to follow the order. There was a grumble from Winter and his two riders drifted to the ground safely. Winter’s dragon form disappeared in a rush of cold wind and a silver mass, giving shape to the man Wil had met in Duthane Pass.” Gwen and Winter had landed more or less on either side of Wil to cheers from the crowd.

  Two elves and a gnome, all dressed in dark red robes approached the newcomers, which caused a big chunk of the crowd to disperse and silence to fall.

  “Would you come with us please?” the gnome asked sternly, making it sound more like a demand than a request.

  “Something tells me we’re not going to have a choice,” Wil answered with a cold smile. He rested his hand on his revolver’s grip.

  The tallest elf snapped her fingers and a young man in black apprentice robes ran across the field. “Yes, Tutor?” he huffed with his hands on his knees.

  “Relieve them of their weapons and follow us,” she ordered snobbishly, watching Wil for a violent reaction.

  Wil didn’t break eye contact, but unholstered his revolver for the man to take. Gwen held out her crossbow and rune-etched dagger while Winter just held up his hands.

  They both looked at Wil, waiting to see what he would do. He shook his head slightly. He'd do as the College Heads wished as long as they didn't do anything unruly.

  “Sorry about that,” the gnome said slowly, giving the elf a dirty look. “Just precautions. Please, follow me to our private study; you’re just in time for lunch.”

  Wil looked at the gnome and waved his hand to indicate for the gnome to lead the way. He spun and walked through the two elves and led the group across the campus to the opalescent tower that dominated the school.

  “You may leave their things on me desk, Bawfin,” the gnome said once they reached the study. “Can I interest you in any food or something to drink?”

  “I’ll take some fairy brew if you have some on hand,” Wil piped up, pulling off his gloves. He was determined to enjoy a glass without interruptions. “How about you two?” He turned his attention to Winter and Gwen.

  “The same,” Gwen said hesitantly.

  “Some meat would be great,” Winter added.

  “Of course,” Bawfin rushed. “I’ll be right back.” He hurried out of the room.

  “Good kid,” Wil commented listlessly. He took off his duster and laid it over the back of a chair neatly. Everyone watched him fold his sleeves over his elbows, revealing his metal arm and the wand embedded in it.

  “I knew it!” hissed the elf who had ordered their weapons to be taken away, reaching for a sky-blue wood staff leaning against the wall next to her. “We should have restrained them!”

  The other elf burst out laughing. “Please, Alana, what could we do against a dragon?” He gestured to a group of chairs around a small table in the corner. “Excuse our counterpart’s attitude, but her homeland was destroyed by a dragon a couple of centuries ago. Please, have a seat.”

  Wil chose his seat last, sitting closest to Alana. He smiled at her and tapped his metal fingers against her staff, making runes burst into light along its shaft. She sneered and yanked it away, setting it on her other side.

  “I’m sorry if we’ve seemed hostile,” the gnome apologized solemnly. “We’ve received word that a small army of men is heading towards the school.”

  “And you weren’t sure who we were. Did you think we were leading it?” Wil teased sarcastically. “What would you have done against a dragon?”

  “Blow it up with us,” Alana answered acidly. “What else could you do against the abhorrent creatures?”

  Wil caught Winter’s amused gaze. “Quite a bit actually. Do you know who is attacking you?”

  “And why,” Gwen asked as well.

  “The cult of the True God,” the gnome answered.

  Bawfin reappeared at that moment with a tray of bottles, glasses, plates, a large ham, and two loaves of bread floating tightly around him. His face was almost purple with concentration.

  “Don’t sit any of it down just yet,” Wil said, standing up. He strode toward Bawfin and took out his wand. “Try this,” he said, forcing it into the boy’s hand.

  Bawfin’s eyes widened as the power he sought to control found a conduit. His face drained back to it’s original color and he looked up at Wil in awe. Everything landed gently on the table and arranged itself according to where everyone was sitting.

  “Why aren’t you using an instrument?” Wil asked.

  “I can’t afford it,” he answered morosely, handing Wil’s wand back to him.

  Wil turned to look at the group. “Why haven’t you provided him with the necessary tools? It’s ridiculous to try and channel magic without a buffer. Not to mention insanely dangerous with his kind of raw power.”

  “We can’t afford it,” the gnome answered.

  “Since when? We could when I taught here,” Wil said incredulously. “How many more students are missing instruments?”

  “Most of them. The school hasn’t been able to afford to supply students with anything for almost four-hundred years. How long ago were you here?”

  “Forget it. I'll fix it next,” Wil dismissed. “Can we get back to what we came here for?”

  "What was that by the way?" Alana asked rudely.

  “Trying to get into my old office. Are the lower levels still accessible?” He took a glass Gwen held out out to him.

  “They’re off limits to everyone except for senior staff,” the gnome answered. “The structural integrity has come under fire recently.

  “Shouldn’t be an issue for me then,” Wil smiled, picking up his revolver. He was beginning to get agitated. He wanted to get to his office already. “Here you go Gwen,” he threw her dagger and crossbow over.

  “I think you should-” Alana began, standing up.

  “You’re welcome to come along Alana,” Wil invited, ignoring he attitude and cutting her off. “You can as well... I don’t think we ever got your names.” He stopped at the door.

  “I’m Brib,” the gnome finally introduced herself. “Alana will stay here. The students and teachers need someone to bring concerns to at all times.”

  Alana didn't say anything else, but walked over to a desk at the opposite side of the room and sat down behind it.

  “I’m Gail; shall we get going?” the other elf said standing. “I'm set to fill in for the Enchanter soon.” He led them back out of the office and to the bottom of the tower.

  “Sorry about her,” Gail apologized on their way down. She doesn’t really like new people. And she really hates not having control of a situation.”

  “I can’t really say I care too much, “Wil said with a single shoulder shrug. “People have always responded to my friends and I that way; I learned to dismiss those people as a lost cause and focus on the ones that actually matter.”

  “And how do you decide who matters?” Brib asked.

  “Depends on my mood and who I’m working for,” Wil said simply.

  “Who are you working for?”

  Wil was going to answer 'The Silver Daughter' but instead said, “The Pantheon.”

  “The whole Pantheon?” Gail asked incredulously.

  “Everyone except Crell,” Wil confirmed.

  “You’re a magic user- a strong one- and you’re forsaking the god of magic,” Brib stated.

  “That’s all Crell’s fault,” Winter said from the back of the group.

  “None of us has any respect for him,” Gwen added.

  Wil stopped in front of a blank wall on the first subfloor of the tower. “It’s right around here somewhere,” he announced. He began tapping stones with his mechanical index finger. The third stone lit up with a small clang of a bell and electric blue light outlined the shape of a door in front of Wil. “I told you it was still here,” Wil gloated, pushing the door inward.

  His office was as tidy as the day he had left it, although it smelled a little musty and the various cages only held
the dried bones of their inhabitants. The room was large- almost twice the size of the library they had just come from- with bookshelves crammed against every inch of wall and several desks and tables scattered around the floor space.

  “This is massive,” Gail commented, awed. “How did you manage to get an office this large to yourself?”

  “There wasn’t too much more than the tower and courtyard at the time,” Wil answered, strolling inside. “I never had more than a dozen students at a time. Bawfins, check the drawers in the big desk over there; I should have extra wands and rods in there.” He walked the opposite way, stopping in front of a locked glass cabinet with yellowed scrolls and massive tomes with blank leather bindings and just stood there.

  “Are you going to open it?” Gwen asked after several awkward minutes of everyone watching him.

  “I’m trying to remember the incantation to open it.”

  “Why not just smash the doors?” Gail offered.

  “You can’t,” Brib answered, joining Wil. “It isn’t actually glass; it’s a blend of diamond and dragon ice that gnomes used to encase their dead in.” She ran his fingers over it. “Where did you get this? My people stopped making it during the Purge Wars; the recipes and enchantments used were lost when our homeland was destroyed.” Injured pride and awe fought over her expression.

  “The Last King gave it to me as a gift for saving the gnomes who were enslaved by the elves in Drow’s Den.”

  “But that was,” she paused to count, “almost seven-hundred and thirty years ago- you’re human!”

  “Wait, if that was you, it means you’re the same man that killed the god Death,” Bawfins stated slowly in realization.

  His face blushed quickly. “Um- uh- I’ve always liked history,” he stuttered when everyone turned to look at him. “Especially when it’s so mixed up with legends and mythology.”

  “Humans always surprise me,” Winter said into the stunned room.

  Gwen smacked his arm hard. “Don’t be rude,” she scolded him.

  Winter yelped. “I wasn’t,” he tried to explain. “He hasn’t lived twenty-five years yet and he’s able to make connections between events that are centuries apart; it’s impressive.”