Void Wyrm: The Magitech Chronicles Book 2
Page 25
“We successfully saved the dims, and apparently Aran is now some sort of local hero.” Nara pointed at the drifters frantically gathering shayawood.
Voria followed Nara’s finger. She smiled, then began to laugh. She laughed until tears streamed from her eyes.
“What do you find so funny?” Ree asked frostily, finally approaching their little group. “These little pikeys are going to be running around on every branch now, causing chaos.”
“That,” Voria wheezed, “is why I’m laughing.” She finally brought the laughter under control. “The nobility have tried so hard to keep them out, and the only way they’ve been able to do that is by keeping them at the edge of poverty. Now the drifters have money. Instead of causing a class war, Nebiat has ensured there won’t be one.”
“Major, I don’t want to interrupt, but Eros is still bound. I don’t know how to remove the spell.” Nara nodded at his unconscious body. “Is there anything you can do?”
“This, at least, I can fix.” The major moved to Eros and knelt at his side. She inspected him carefully, then looked up at Nara. “Watch closely, Nara. You’ll want to learn this. Nullification is difficult, but worth knowing.”
Voria began to sketch, and Nara studied the sigils, memorizing each one. The major blended void, earth, and spirit together. She applied the collected energies to a latticework of dark energy covering Eros’s chest and head. The energy dissolved, clumps falling away like ash from burnt wood.
“There, that’s the last of it. He wasn’t too far gone. I doubt Nebiat had much time to sink her hooks in.” She rose to her feet and dusted off her hands. “I’m no life mage though. I don’t know when he’ll wake.”
“I can wake him,” Ree offered dubiously. “I’ve only been waiting because he was a threat. He has a mild concussion, but that’s easily repaired.” Ree knelt and placed her hands on Eros’s head. A warm white glow passed from her hands into his scalp, and the master’s eyes fluttered open.
“We’re…alive?” He sat up, blinking up at the sun. Eros shot to his feet. “Where is Nebiat?”
“Long gone.” Voria ground her teeth. “I wounded her, but she accomplished what she set out to do. Aurelia is dead.”
“By the goddess.” Eros stared at the ground, his shoulders slumped. He looked back up a moment later. “You were with her. Who did she name as successor? Please not Ducius.”
“She named you.” Voria folded her arms. “The head archivist witnessed the missive.”
“You’re going to be the Tender?” Nara Blinked at Eros.
“You think that’s amusing?” Eros narrowed his eyes at her.
“Of course not.” Nara’s eyes dropped to the muddy ground.
Eros arched an eyebrow. “You are still an apprentice, and I am in a position to make your life hells. And now that you’re back from your little jaunt into the Umbral Depths, that’s precisely what I intend to do.” He rose to his feet, futilely dusting off his burnt robe.
“As long as you’re teaching me more about magic.” Nara wrapped an arm around Aran’s waist. “And as long as you allow me a little time to visit friends.”
“Speaking of, what happens now, Major?” Aran asked. He stared up at the smoking burl, high above them.
“Well, we hope Confederate command listens to the Tender’s dying wish, and reinstates me,” Voria said. “Aurelia asked them to do that, and I expect they’ll honor it. If they do, they’ll refit the Hunter. That’s going to take months though.”
“Good,” Ree snapped. She stabbed Aran hard in the chest. “Because Mongrel here will need every bit of that time. He has a great deal of training to do.”
“So does this one.” Eros nodded in her direction.
Voria licked her lips. “We all do. Make good use of the time. Nebiat is still out there, and she won here today. We lost the Tender, at a time when we most need our unity. We are without a Guardian.”
Aran’s face hardened, and he shifted his attention to Voria. “The Krox assault is coming. If we’re going to resist them the Hunter isn’t going to cut it. We need to go after the spellship Ikadra told you about. We all know the hammer is going to fall, and we’re not strong enough to stop them. The gods left us a weapon. We need to find it. We just need to know where to look.”
“Ikadra has already informed me.” Voria met Aran’s gaze, and something significant passed between them. “The ship is located somewhere on Virkon.”
EPILOGUE
Frit rushed into her room, but her excited words died as she exhaled a wispy puff of smoke. She looked from Nara to the stuffed pack on the bed. “You’re leaving.”
Nara looked up, blinking. Exhaustion painted dark circles under her eyes, but she smiled affectionately as she sat on the bed next to the pack. “I know, I know, I just got back. But Eros has asked me to move into the Tender’s Palace now that he’s, you know, Tender.”
“Are you…sleeping with him?” Frit ventured. She hadn’t come into the room yet, not fully. Somehow she knew if she entered, it was over. Her one brief friendship would be taken away, and she’d once again be alone, and ignored.
“What?” Nara cringed. “Gods, no. There’s no way I’d ever sleep with that self-important blowhard. But he can teach me destruction magic, and I’m going to need that. This war is just beginning.”
Frit entered the room. She walked slowly to her bed, and sank down onto it, across from Nara. Just like on the first day they’d really become friends. She took a deep breath, burning the oxygen and exhaling smoke.
“I understand.” She finally managed. It hurt, but Nara was her friend, and she should want what’s best for her. “And you have to leave right now?”
“I’m afraid so.” Nara bit her lip. She rose from the bed and opened her arms toward Frit. “Give me a hug at least.”
“But your clothes…” Frit rose, but didn’t cross the space between them.
“Will be fine. Neith was a fire Catalyst. I’m resistant now.” Nara walked forward and embraced Frit. Frit tensed, then relaxed into the hug. It was the first time anyone had ever hugged her and it felt…amazing.
Hot, flaming tears sizzled down her cheeks. “I’m going to miss you, Nara. But I know you have to do this. If you can, maybe convince Eros to let me come along, too?”
Nara disengaged and took a big step back. She smiled broadly, and Frit realized she was crying, too.“I will pester him relentlessly, you have my word. I doubt it will take much. He likes you more than you realize. This time tomorrow, I bet he orders you up to the palace.”
“I’ll hold you to that. You’d better get moving.” Frit sat back on the bed and smiled. This time she didn’t have to force it.
Nara picked up her pack. She hesitated a moment, then took a deep breath and headed for the door. She gave Frit a brief little wave, and Frit shot one back. She hoped Nara was able to convince Eros to bring her up to the palace. Then, maybe she’d have her friend back.
She moved to the window, gazing up a the twinkling structure high above. Once again, she’d been forgotten by the people who’d enslaved her. Frit blinked when a tiny dragon landed on the ledge just outside the window. It couldn’t be more than half a meter long, from snout to tail.
The creature’s midnight scales glittered in the sun, and it gazed up at her with ancient eyes. Frit moved to the window, and sketched a rune before it. The window dissolved, allowing a gust of fresh air into the room. Frit’s skin smoldered, drinking in the oxygen.
“Who, or what, are you?” She asked, peering at the little creature. She’d never seen a Wyrm this small. It wasn’t an illusion, she was certain of that.
The little Wyrm preened its scales, just outside the line of glowing wards along the window sill. If the creature mistakenly touched them, it would be incinerated instantly. Perhaps that was what had happened to its missing tail.
“Before I divulge that,” the creature whispered, craning its long neck in her direction, “I will tell you why I’ve come. Tell me, little Frit, do yo
u know who and what your people really are?”
“I know we come from the Blazing Heart,” she ventured. “I also know I shouldn’t be talking to you. This could get me in a great deal of trouble.”
“Yes, it certainly could. Your masters are indeed harsh,” the little dragon said. It shook its head sadly. “You have my sympathy, cousin. The collar you wear is one of many injustices perpetrated by the Confederacy.”
Frit’s hand rose to her neck, touching the glowing sigils. Direct contact hurt, but she ignored the pain. For a moment at least. Then she lowered her hand. “You called me cousin. Why?”
“Because it is an accurate term. You come from the Blazing Heart, but your people have been kept ignorant.” The little dragon sat on its haunches, and folded its forelegs before it, like a cat. “The Catalyst’s true name is the Blazing Heart of Krox.”
Frit took a step backward. “You’re a dreadlord, aren’t you? I’m going to get help.”
“Help? I am not the one who snatched you from the bliss of basking in the light of Krox. I did not force you into a pattern inducer, and make you into a beautiful toy, to be broken and discarded at will.” The dragon eyed her soberly. “The Confederacy has enslaved you. And they have kept a secret from you, from all your people. You, like me, are children of Krox. And very soon you will need to ask yourself an unavoidable question. Which side of this war has enslaved you and uses your kind as fodder? Which one seeks to return you to the Catalyst that birthed you, so you can be reunited with your god?”
“I won’t betray…the Confederacy.” She’d been about to say she wouldn’t betray Nara, but she had a feeling that giving the name of her only friend to a dreadlord was a quick way to remove that friend forever.
“I’m not asking you to. I’m not asking you to do anything. I merely came to offer my sympathy. We are family, Frit. Consider that. And consider your future. What is best for you, and your people? Slavery? Or Freedom?” The little dragon leapt suddenly into the air, winging away from the window and up into the sky.
Frit sat on the bed. She had a great deal to consider.
CHARACTER SHEETS
The Magitech Chronicles grew out of years of pen & paper roleplaying sessions, tossing dice around a table. As such, I’ve made character sheets for each of the major characters.
These list things like spells known and abilities for various magic items they possess. I’ve included them here for those people who are as geeky as me. =D
If you’d like to see more lore, stories, artwork, and even videos please join us at magitechchronicles.com!
-Chris
Aran
Class: War Mage
Equipment
Mark V Inuran Spellrifle
Max Catalizations: 1
Abilities:
Frost Boost- Once per day the caster may enhance a spell with additional frost damage. This ability may be manually recharged by expending a single spell point.
Feathersteel Spellblade
Max Catalizations: 3
Abilities:
Pierce Ward- The blade has been void-enhanced to unravel magic, and ignores the first 5 points of spell resistance when discharging a spell.
Mark XI Inuran Spellarmor
Max Catalizations: 3
Bonuses: +4 Strength, +4 Constitution, +4 Dexterity
Abilities:
Ice Block- Once per day the user may cover the armor in a thick sheet of ice. This supernaturally hard ice is impenetrable to most attacks, and offers some resistance against magic. The block may be dispelled or destroyed, and the subject cannot move or cast so long as they are encased in ice.
Spells Known
1st Level
Crackling Touch (Air)
Ice Shield (Water)
2nd Level
Void Lightning (Air/Void)
Air Tendrils (Air)
Voria
Class: True Mage
Equipment
Unknown
Spells Known
1st Level
Void Bolt (Void)
Fire Bolt (Fire)
Acid Bolt (Earth)
Ice Bolt (Water)
Dream Bolt (Dream)
Lesser Counterspell (Spirit)
2nd Level
Lesser Scrying (Fire + Dream)
Counterspell (Spirit + Aspect)
3rd Level
Fissure (Void)
Gravity Sphere (Void + Earth)
Greater Counterspell (Spirit + Void + Aspect)
Scry-Portal (Fire + Dream)
Nara
Class: True Mage
Equipment
Mark VI Inuran Spellpistol
Max Catalizations: 1
Abilities:
Frost Boost- Once per day the caster may enhance a spell with additional frost damage. This ability may be manually recharged by expending a single spell point.
Mark V Inuran Spellarmor
Max Catalizations: 1
Abilities:
Ice Block- Once per day the user may cover the armor in a thick sheet of ice. This supernaturally hard ice is impenetrable to most attacks, and offers some resistance against magic. The block may be dispelled or destroyed, and the subject cannot move or cast so long as they are encased in ice.
Spells Known
1st Level
Shift (Void)
Icy Armor (Water)
Sleep (Dream)
Void Bolt (Void)
Sleep (Dream)
Lesser Counterspell (Spirit)
2nd Level
Instant Growth (Earth)
Paralyze (Spirit)
Invisibility (Air + Dream)
Counterspell (Spirit + Aspect)
Sergeant Crewes
Class: Tech Mage
Equipment
Mark VI Inuran Spellcannon
Max Catalizations: 2
Abilities:
Flame Boost- Once per day the caster may enhance a spell with additional fire damage. This ability may be manually recharged by expending a single spell point
Enhanced Accuracy- Spells fired from this weapon are more likely to hit, and more difficult to counterspell.
Mark VI Inuran Spellarmor
Max Catalizations: 2
Bonuses: +2 Strength, +2 Constitution, +2 Dexterity
Abilities:
Spells Known
1st Level
Fire Bolt (Fire)
Water Bolt (Water)
2nd Level
Magma Ball (Fire)
Corporal Kezia
Class: Tech Mage
Equipment
Mark V Inuran Spellhammer
Max Catalizations: 1
Abilities:
Enhanced Strength- The hammer increased the wielder’s strength by 2. This stacks with any bonuses from spellarmor.
Mark V Inuran Spellarmor
Max Catalizations: 1
Bonuses: +2 Strength, +2 Constitution, +2 Dexterity
Abilities:
Passive Healing- The user regenerates one hit point each round, to a maximum of 20 points in a day. This ability may be recharged by expending a 2 spell points. Only life points may be spent.
Spells Known
1st Level
Life bolt (Life)
Specialist Bord
Class: Tech Mage
Equipment
Mark V Inuran Spellgauntlet
Max Catalizations: 1
Abilities:
Enhanced Life Magic- All life spells channeled through these gauntlets are considered one level higher than normal.
Mark V Inuran Spellarmor
Max Catalizations: 1
Bonuses: +2 Strength, +2 Constitution, +2 Dexterity
Abilities:
Endless Healing- The suit provides a pool of ten spell points that may be spent on life spells. This pool recharges each day.
Spells Known
1st Level
Treat Wound (Life)
Ease Pain (Life)
Erect Spell Ward (Life)
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Table of Contents
Copyright
Dedication
Table of Contents
Mailing List Signup
Previously On
Prologue
1. The End
2. Politics
3. Mongrel
4. Outrider
5. The Temple of Enlightenment
6. The Hearing
7. For Good or Ill
8. The Sentencing
9. Spellfigher
10. Ice and Rock
11. Honesty
12. Wheels Within Wheels
13. Frit
14. Duel
15. Darkness
16. What's a Texas?
17. Equals
18. Uh Oh
19. Chose Wisely
20. Posturing
21. Choices
22. Goodbyes
23. Hellos
24. Worst Hangover Ever
25. Eyes
26. Desperation
27. Repairs
28. The Spinner of Darkness
29. Shit Meet Fan
30. Any Landing You Can Walk Away From
31. Mini-Drakkon
32. Deadly Messenger
33. Too Easy
34. Custodian
35. Powerless
36. Neith
37. Reshaped
38. Answers
39. Smarter
40. Ain't Half Bad
41. All or Nothing
42. The Talon
43. Vanish
44. Final Prep
45. Khalahk
46. Into the Tree
47. New Friends
48. Improvisation
49. That's It?
50. Kay
51. Pirate Girl
52. Hells Yeah
53. Icy Storm of Death
54. The Cost
55. Fooled You
56. Big Damned Heroes
Epilogue
Character Sheets