Magi Legend

by Andrew Dobell

  “You know of the Scroll?”

  “Of course, it is a legendary Artifact, any good Magi scholar would know of it. It’s powerful beyond measure and dangerous in the hands of the wrong people.”

  “People like Yasmin, you mean.”

  “Of course. If she has the Scroll, she certainly plans to use it.”

  “Use it? How?” Amanda asked.

  “It has many powers, but Yasmin is most assuredly interested in using it to increase her own Magical potency.” Amanda had suspected that this had been her mission and nodded as Koschei continued. “We all want to grow in strength, of course, but for Yasmin, it’s more than that. I am unsure why, however.”

  Amanda nodded. She had suspected that Yasmin was focused on increasing her power, it was a common feature of Magi Nomads, but the speed in which she had become so powerful was surprising. However, she’d not thought about it too much until now.

  As for why she wanted that power, there could be many reasons, but there was one that felt obvious to Amanda. It also felt a little egotistical, but she couldn’t help but wonder if it might be true.

  She was the one Magus who had power over Yasmin, and it was not because of her superior Magi rank or ability, although, those were part of it. No, Amanda also had a hold over Yasmin through the circumstances of their relationship. Yasmin could not hurt or kill Amanda for decades to come, lest she risk her own life in the process, and this had probably been gnawing at the edges of Yasmin’s mind for centuries now. She had to wait before attacking Amanda.

  For a Nomad like her, this was probably torture, and yet, she also knew how powerful Amanda was, and how powerful she had to become to stand against her.

  She was preparing herself, Amanda realised. She was getting ready for the day that Amanda’s younger-self was taken back in time because from that point onwards, it would be open season on Amanda, and Yasmin wanted her revenge.

  This was probably also the reason for Yasmin’s manipulation of her younger-self. Yasmin knew her well, and it would be a simple matter for such a person to manipulate an impressionable young Magus to get what she wanted. Getting close to her younger-self might also tell Yasmin when she was taken by the Weaver. She would notice her absence.

  It dawned on her that Yasmin manipulated her to regain the Lazarus Scroll, which meant that she must lose it at some point between now and then. But what was it about the Scroll that was so important to Yasmin?

  “Does the Scroll grant such power?”

  “In a way, yes. It has many effects woven into it, not least of which is the power to syphon Magical power from a victim, allowing the user to take that power as their own.”

  “She wants to learn how to use the Scroll to steal the Magic from others? To increase her own Magical strength?”

  “That is my assumption,” Koschei said.

  Amanda could almost feel the weight of this knowledge coming to rest on her shoulders, and she did not like it at all.

  1311AD – Earth

  Settling the Arkady into a geosynchronous orbit high above Europe, Amanda powered down the Displacement Drive after returning from her first interstellar trip to Proxima Centauri.

  She couldn’t help the huge grin that seemed stuck to her face. Seeing the Red City at Proxima and the incredible feats of Magic and engineering, she felt excited to explore more of the cosmos and meet more of the people out there.

  She’d stopped off at Sol Prime, the station just outside of the Sol System on her way back, as well.

  Now, she was back in range of her Mental Link with the Legacy and she sent a pulse through to Israel.

  “Get down here,” Israel said, opening the Link immediately. He sounded stressed.

  “Um, okay, sure,” Amanda said, confused at Israel’s harsh tone. Had she done something wrong?

  Working her magic, she Ported down from the Arkady, appearing in the front hallway of the Legacy House. Israel was waiting for her, looking concerned.

  “Everything okay?” she asked.

  “Not really,” Israel answered.

  Luxana Nix stormed up the corridor. “I’m going to find him and destroy him, that’s what I’m going to do,” she fumed.

  “Cyrac had a confrontation with the Nomad, Kade in the city. Cyrac’s dead, Kade killed him,” Israel explained.

  “Shite,” Amanda cursed. “Where is Kade now?”

  “Not on Earth, as far as we know,” Israel said.

  “He won’t stay hidden for long, I’ll find him,” Lux said.

  Amanda took hold of Lux’s arm, stopping her from pacing back and forth and looked her in the eyes. “I’ll help,” she said.

  Raven

  1833 AD

  Rising up through the water, Amanda broke the surface and wiped her face with her hand, smoothing her hair back. Looking over to the edge of the freshwater pool, she spotted the figure of a man sitting on a rock, watching her.

  “What are you doing, following me?” the man asked.

  Amanda smiled. The man was tall, fit, and looked every bit the part of a Native American Shaman with his long dark hair, swarthy skin, and strong nose. He had all kinds of feathers, animal bones, and other decorative items hanging from his clothes and belts. Amanda enjoyed hearing his voice. It had been so long since she’d spoken to him.

  “I was trying to find you,” she answered. “But it looks like you found me instead.”

  “You were not difficult to find, white woman.”

  “The name’s Amanda, and you’re Raven,” she stated. She noticed the brief look of surprise on Raven’s face. “Care to join me?” She bobbed slightly up and down, showing off her bare shoulders and the rise of her breasts before sinking lower again.

  “I’m happy here,” he answered.

  “Shame,” Amanda answered. “I could do with warming up.”

  “You’re trying to seduce me, white woman?”

  “Maybe,” she said with a cheeky grin. She shook her head. This wasn’t how she wanted this to go, so she decided to change her approach. “Sorry. Look, I happened to see you in town the other day and, well, I wanted to meet you.”

  “In town? So, you saw the fight I got into?”

  “They weren’t Magi, so they didn’t really stand a chance, did they?”

  “No…,” he said. “So, you followed me?”

  “As much as possible. I spoke to some of the locals and they knew you lived around here somewhere.”

  “And now you’ve found me,” Raven said.

  “Actually, you found me, I think. Tell me, did you watch me undress and get in here?”

  The raised eyebrow and a slight smile playing over his lips gave her the answer she needed.

  “So, why did you want to talk to me?”

  Amanda sank back in the water, moving her arms and legs to keep afloat. “You live out here alone, right?”

  “I do, yes.”

  “How are you finding that?”

  “I am content,” he said.

  “Out here, all alone?”

  “It wasn’t exactly my choice.”

  “What happened?” she asked. She’d heard talk of what had happened to Raven and his people, but she wasn’t sure what was hearsay and rumour, and what was the truth. She wanted to hear it from Raven himself.

  “You’ve talked to people. You’ve been following me. Someone must have related the tale to you.”

  “I’ve heard a few things. Some say you’re a thief, others think you’re dangerous, that you scalp people. Still, others say you’re out here alone, the last of your group.”

  “People will believe whatever they want,” he said, clearly finding her comment amusing.

  “That’s for sure. These kinds of tales always get embellished and blown out of proportion,” she said. “I’m sure it’s no different for you.”

  “What else do the people say about me?”

  “They say you’re a Shaman, a Magic man. They say you’re immortal, or very long-lived, at least. They say that people come to
you when they need help sometimes, bringing you offerings, food, supplies in return for advice or other, Magical help,” she said, eyeing him as she spoke to see what got a reaction from him.

  “Some of them do come to me. I help when I can.”

  “I bet it’s difficult though, knowing that some people would happily kill you.”

  “They don’t ever find me if their intentions are not honourable. Unless I want to scare them, of course,” he said with a knowing grin.

  “Are you alone?” Amanda asked, throwing the question out there, hoping he might open up.

  He looked at her. “My people are dead, killed by the white man years ago. I am the last of my tribe. I live here, where my people lived for generations before the white man came.”

  “I’m sorry,” she said.

  “You didn’t do it. Most of the people who live here now didn’t do it. I don’t blame the innocent for the crimes of the guilty.”

  “They killed your family?”

  “In a way, yes. But my wife and children, no, they did not. I outlived them and saw my grandchildren and great-grandchildren live, grow up, and die. Such is the gift and the curse of the Shaman.”

  “I understand.”

  “You’ve lived a long time as well?”

  “I’ve out-lived loved ones. Some died naturally, and others were killed. I’ve known both kinds of pain.”

  “Then you understand.”

  “I have an idea, sure, but each of our experiences is unique.”

  Raven nodded. “Am I what you expected?”

  “Pretty close, to be sure. My history is, well, it’s complicated. I’ll explain it to you sometime if you like?”

  “I’d like that. Are you planning on staying locally?”

  “Not really, which is why I wanted to speak to you. I’m here to offer you a place in my coven.”

  “You want me to leave here?”

  “I want you to consider it and come to a choice in your own time. Living alone out here in the shadow of the past cannot be good for you.” Floating on her back, she enjoyed the cool water against her skin as opposed to the burning heat from the noonday sun. Of course, the sunlight didn’t actually bother her anymore, thanks to her Magic, but even so, cooling down the old fashioned way had a charm all it’s own. When she’d found this inviting freshwater pool, she just couldn’t resist taking a dip and letting the bracing water bring her temperature back down in a much more natural way.

  Riding through the frontier on horseback, enjoying the scenery, soaking up the atmosphere, wearing the clothes, it was all part of the same thing. Remaining grounded. She could have Ported around, extracting the information from the heads of the people she wanted, but where was the fun in that?

  “And why would you do that for me?”

  “Why? Because I like you, I suppose.”

  “You’ve only just met me.”

  “And yet, it feels like I’ve known you for years.”

  “Do you need an answer now?”

  “No. Right now, I want to enjoy my swim,” she stated.

  “How’s the water?”

  “Fresh and cool. Perfect, really.”

  “It’s been a while since my last wash,” he admitted.

  “I shall resist the urge to make a joke about that and instead invite you in,” she grinned.

  “You want me to undress right here?”

  Amanda smiled and moved closer to the edge. Finding the ground under her feet she took a few steps out until the water was just above her knees. “I did,” she said with a cheeky grin and her hands on her hips, showing him everything.

  Raven looked her up and down before shedding his clothes until he was as naked as she was. He stepped into the water and hopped about at first as the cold made him gasp. Amanda giggled and threw herself back into the water with a splash. Her body had long since adjusted to the temperature of the pool, and now it was merely cool and enjoyable. Looking up, Raven was in up to his waist when he quickly crouched and submerged himself entirely. Breaking the surface once more, he wiped the water from his eyes as she swam in closer to him so that she was right there before him when he opened his eyes.

  “Hi,” she said.

  “You’re right, it’s certainly refreshing in here,” he said.

  “Want me to warm you up?”

  “You’re a very forward woman,” he commented.

  “I don’t believe in wasting time for no good reason.”

  “Life is short, for most.”

  “Even for us Magi, time can be fleeting.” She reached out and touching his chest. “I like you, Raven.”

  He smiled and reached for her. She felt his fingers gently caress her sides and reach around to pull her in. She let him, and moved her arms around his neck, keeping her eyes fixed on his. She pressed into him and he glanced down seeming to enjoy the view of her boobs squished up against him.

  “I never expected…” he said, looking up.

  “I know. I want this,” she said.

  “You do?”

  “I do,” she answered, feeling his arousal grow beneath her as she wrapped her legs around him.

  “I accept your offer,” he said.

  “My what?”

  “I’ll join the Legacy, your coven, if the invitation is still there. There’s little for me here anymore, anyway. I should join the Magi community, with you.”

  “We’ll be glad to have you,” she said as she leaned her head closer to him, their noses brushing.

  “You want me?”

  “I want you,” she agreed and kissed him.

  1311 AD – 26,483 Light Years from Earth

  “We’re a long way from Sol,” Amanda said, looking at the holographic map of the galaxy on the display before her. It was the furthest the Arkady had ever flown. “You’re sure Kade’s here?”

  “He’s here,” Luxana replied, looking down at the small planet below them. Apart from the shape of the continents, it was very Earth-like and the sensors showed a similar medieval society to what Earth currently had. There wasn’t any electricity in general use down there, and from her investigations, she could see the level of sophistication was comparable to Earth.

  “I thought all the planets out here would be scientifically advanced,” Amanda said.

  “The galaxy is vast, and there are countless lost civilisations out there. Planets where people were stranded or abandoned. Or maybe they were fed up with the society around them and wanted to start fresh. There are whole sectors of the galaxy that have societies which are quite different to Earth or the Nexus Arcadia society.”

  “Amazing. Okay, so how do we find Kade?” Amanda asked, looking down at the planet. They’d been following leads and looking for Kade for months, moving between stations and colonies, hunting down known associates, Magi and Riven alike. Through it all, Lux had remained focused on the task at hand, determined that they would find him. Before they left the Nexus to come here, they had informed Astrid where they were heading. She was on her way, but Lux was clearly keen to head down to the planet as soon as she could.

  “Easy,” Lux said and worked the console. The ship scanned the surface for Magic and energy signatures, and within moments found several, although one stood out. It was deep below the ocean and seemed to be within something metallic that gave off a range of electromagnetic energy signatures. Amanda sensed Lux reach out with her Magic. Moments later, she cancelled the effect and looking up. “It’s him. I’d recognise that energy signature anywhere. I’m going down there now.”

  “But, what about Astrid?” Amanda asked.

  “She can join us when she gets here. Are you coming?”

  Resistance

  1944 AD

  The flare of Magic died away, leaving Amanda standing on a rise with Raven, Maria, and Balor close by, looking out over a small town in the French countryside. It had seen better days, she was sure of that. The buildings were pockmarked with bullet holes, or partially demolished from artillery fire. Whole sides of some of t
hem were missing, revealing living rooms, hallways, and bedrooms inside. Sometimes, the furniture was still standing, seemingly untouched by the firestorms that had beset the streets.

  Fire burnt and smoke rose into the ashen sky above. The staccato pop of gunfire could be heard from where Amanda stood on the hill. Below, a column of troops moved up the roadway alongside a tank, advancing on the town.

  They were on the leading edge of the Allied invasion as it swept through France, engaging the Germans and pushing them back.

  It was dirty, unforgiving work.

  “She’s down there?” Raven asked.

  “Everything we’ve found has led here,” Amanda said. “Yasmin is in that town or the Concentration Camp beyond.” It had been a long road to find Yasmin and the Lazarus Scroll. Amanda was determined to retrieve it from her, and the intelligence she and the Legacy had gathered all pointed here. They had hunted down several of Yasmin’s coven and other associated covens who had embedded themselves in the Nazi war machine, using the war, fighting, and death as cover for their own slaughter. Amanda felt fairly sure that Yasmin would be in the camp on the far side of the town, but she wanted to be sure. No stone would be left unturned, and with Allied troops entering the area, she wanted to minimise their casualties at the hands of Yasmin’s coven.

  “Think we’ll get the Lazarus Scroll this time?” Maria asked.

  Amanda frowned. She’d already had a few encounters with Yasmin during the war effort, but thus far she’d been unsuccessful in retrieving the Scroll. Theirs was a curious relationship. Neither she nor Yasmin wanted to really hurt the other, leading them to struggle against each other endlessly.

  Amanda knew Yasmin wanted power, and she had been very successful at getting it. She was now a formidable Magus and could stand her ground against Amanda without much trouble. Amanda felt sure she was stronger if it really came down to it, but the power gap between them was narrowing. The Lazarus Scroll was one of the ways she was building her personal Magical strength, and Amanda had a suspicion how she was using it.