Gun Mage 3: Surviving a Post Apocalyptic Magic Earth
Page 27
“Yes, I know the island you speak of,” Artemis mused. “It was the inspiration for my own sanctuary, though I tend to welcome animals rather than humans.”
“You took in mages that were exiled by Michael,” I pointed out.
“Those I could find,” Artemis agreed. “But Michael did not send all of them into the woods.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I said regretfully. “I think that most of the Amish are good people and they didn’t understand what Michael was or what he was doing.”
“That is a fair assessment,” Artemis agreed as she looked at the two teenagers. “Michael took credit for many things that were not his doing in order to convince the people of Pastor of his divine nature. It will be interesting to see what they decide to do from now on.”
As if we had all been prompted by the same cue, every human in the glen peered in the direction of the Amish town, though even the great plume of smoke that had hung over Pastor couldn’t be seen this deep in the forest.
“What will happen to them?” Freya asked. “The Magesterium knows where they are now, and it won’t take the mutants long to figure out that Michael is dead.”
“They still know how to defend themselves,” Sorcha replied, though she didn’t look like she really believed in her own assertion.
“They are not unprotected,” Artemis stated. “They never were, even before Michael found his way to their town. We safeguard all life in the forest.”
“But …” Darwin protested. “You let the mages in just now, and you let Michael in as well.”
Artemis gave him a sly smile as she turned to face us again.
“True, but the Magesterium isn’t the only one who has access to a seer,” the portal mage replied. “Michael’s time as the town’s angel and today’s arrival of the mages were necessary to achieve future goals. Like the journey of the mage who may yet free us all.”
“Oh, right,” I fumbled as I tried not to look at Freya, who I knew would have a smirk on her face, or Sorcha, who would have one of those hard to read looks that she got whenever she studied me.
“Tell me, are you genuinely sorry for hurting Big George?” Artemis asked in an abrupt change of topic and tone.
“We are,” I assured her quickly, glad for the diversion.
Freya and Sorcha agreed as well, and even Darwin finally managed to look sad for a moment.
“Some more than others,” Artemis noted with a trace of humor. “Very well, then, I shall not punish you for your transgression since Big George suffered only minor injuries, but you must leave the forest and never return.”
“We can do that,” I replied gratefully.
“And I will not have you moving through my sanctuary with those weapons,” Artemis continued. “Therefore, I will open a portal to take you to the edge of the forest, and from there you must find your own way to your destination.”
“That… would be acceptable,” I agreed as I looked at Sorcha.
“Good,” Artemis declared. “And there is one more requirement.”
“I knew it,” Darwin muttered as Freya jabbed him in the arm.
“Normally, I welcome all animals, but I believe this one would be better served by remaining with you,” Artemis continued.
The mage whistled, and a moment later a familiar silver form bounded through the trees and ran straight for our group.
“Barnaby!” I cried out joyfully as the Weimaraner barked in reply.
Artemis stepped back as the big dog skidded ungracefully to a stop and then stood up on his back legs to lick my face. My three companions, even Freya, wrapped the dog in hugs of their own, and even the horses seemed to nod in approval.
“If you agree to these terms,” Artemis declared when Barnaby was reasonably calm again, “then I will send you to the edge of the forest. Do you agree?”
“We agree,” I said before anyone else could say anything.
Artemis nodded and turned toward a large oak that shaded nearly half of the glen. She closed her eyes, then slowly began the intricate weave that the portal mages used to summon the gateways. A moment later, a ring of light appeared in front of the tree, and then images began to flicker past. Some I recognized, like one of the farms outside Pastor and the gaseteria where we had sought shelter, but most were unfamiliar.
The image finally froze in place, and we found ourselves looking at a snowy field and the stone walls of a large city just beyond that. A pre-magic highway sign stood nearby and welcomed us to Scranton, Pennsylvania.
“That should put you far enough away from this forest that you don’t accidentally wander back in,” Artemis declared as she opened her eyes and nodded in approval at the spot she had selected.
“Thank you,” I replied as I smiled at the mage. “You have no idea how much you’ve helped us.”
“What help?” she asked innocently as she pointed us toward the portal. “I’ve banished you from my forest.”
With a whoop, I led the way to the portal and crossed through to the field on the other side. Barnaby bounded past me as I stopped to study the scene, and then Sorcha stepped through, followed by Freya with the horses, and finally Darwin, who looked slightly less grumpy. Once we were all through, the portal winked out, and we were left alone in a snowy field with the buildings of Scranton just ahead.
“Let’s go find a train,” I declared as I strode after Barnaby. “I never did get to ride the one at Grand Central.”
End of book 3
End Notes
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Copyright © 2020 by Logan Jacobs