Magi Legend

by Andrew Dobell

  Forest nodded. “That’s correct, Councillor. The group who attacked our compound is well represented in this room, and it’s concerning to us that this conspiracy runs all the way up to the current chair of the Council. The Magi who threatened us were Trevelyan, Stephen Bathory, Count Saint-Germain, Israel Roth, and the white-haired lady standing behind Trevelyan today,” Forest said, pointing to her.

  Amanda kept her face neutral as she was pointed out. She wondered how this might play out, as when the events were described, they did sound bad.

  “Do you have any proof of this?” asked Bran, an Irish Magus from the Fianna Coven.

  “Very little. Trevelyan and his gang were thorough in their eradication of the evidence,” Forest said.

  “Then, why should we believe you?” Victoria asked.

  “We’re not totally without evidence,” Saxon answered, and waved towards a man standing a little way back behind them. He stepped forward and handed over a tablet to Saxon. “Luckily, we take our security seriously and have several redundant systems in place for situations like this. So, we do have some evidence that this did actually happen.” He tapped the tablet screen.

  A video played, showing Amanda’s rescue from a few different angles. As she watched, Amanda’s stomach started to sink. It looked like, at the very least, they could be placed at the scene. They thought they had been so careful and found all the video cameras in the place, but clearly, they’d underestimated the Legion.

  The video played and eventually came to an end. There was little in the way of sound, but a few bits could be made out, not least of which being Trevelyan’s little chat with Forest.

  Saxon smiled to himself as he placed the tablet on the bench before him. “Do you deny it?” he asked Trevelyan.

  The Arch Master seemed calm, despite the evidence against him and the other Council members.

  “All you have proven so far is that you kidnapped Amanda and her friends and that we saved them. This doesn’t prove that she, or any of us, are working with the Nomads. Our records are impeccable. We have all served the Arcadian cause faithfully. Is it a surprise that we should want to step in if a fellow Arcadian is falsely imprisoned?”

  “Amanda is in league with the Nomads,” Forest cut in. “We saw her engage in sexual relations with Yasmin. She’s compromised. So, either she’s successfully deluded you, or you’re in league with her. She is the one who should be on trial, and yet, she’s not even here. Where is she? You assured me you would bring her here.”

  “All in due course,” Trevelyan said.

  “You’re protecting her.”

  “I can’t speak for her—” Trevelyan began.

  “No, but I can speak for myself,” Amanda said aloud and started to walk around the desk towards the middle of the chamber.

  ~Amanda, you don’t have to…~ Trevelyan said through the Link.

  She smiled at Trevelyan as she stepped into the central area, her body transforming as she worked her Magic and reverting back to her true appearance. ~But I do. This is on me. This is my mistake, and I will deal with it.~

  Trevelyan nodded at her and sat back in his chair. Amanda turned and looked over at Forest with a smile.

  He wore a look of confusion as he looked at her, trying to somehow put the pieces together in his mind. He was no doubt wondering who the white-haired woman was who had been at his compound that day, and who was clearly visible on the video he’d just shown.

  “Forest is right,” Amanda began. “I did indulge in sexual relations with the Nomad known as Yasmin. I was young, and she seduced me. Tricked me. She played me over several years, sowing seeds of confusion and doubt in who I thought she was. She protected me, saved my life on several occasions of her own initiative. And, not just my life, but the lives of my friends and allies as well. She took her time and built up a level of doubt in the stories I’d heard of her, and when the time was right and she needed something from me, she used that doubt. She used it against me to get what she wanted.”

  “This is crap,” Forest said.

  “You will give Miss Page the courtesy of allowing her to tell her side of the story, Mr Ward, just as she and all of us did for you,” Kai admonished him. Forest sat back in his chair, looking grumpy. “Please, continue,” Kai said to her.

  Amanda nodded. “Yasmin played the long game with me. Yasmin wants power and as much of it as she can get. I had come into possession of the Lazarus Scroll, which I had then lost on the atoll during a confrontation there that I have spoken to you about before. Yasmin wanted to know the whereabouts of that Artifact but knew it was not something I would readily tell her. So, she seduced me, and when my guard was down, she asked the question. I answered without thinking, and she promptly disappeared. Porting away, no doubt to follow the lead I had inadvertently just given her. It is my guess that Yasmin now has, or is close to obtaining, the Lazarus Scroll once again.”

  “Lies,” Forest blurted out into the silence. “The level of deception here is incredible. I take it you knew that Amanda was in the room?” Forest said to Trevelyan.

  “I did. But as you wanted her here, I fail to see a problem.” he answered.

  “You fail to see a problem? The problem is that she was in disguise and this was clearly a stunt to try and take us off guard and make us look foolish. Who was the woman with the white hair that came to the compound with you that day anyway? Yasmin, perhaps?”

  “No, that was me,” Amanda said.

  Confusion passed over Forest’s face again. “No, you were with us. You were the one we captured.”

  “That’s right, and I was also the white-haired Magi, as well,” Amanda said flatly.

  “So, she was what? A clone of you? An illusion?”

  “No. The girl you kidnapped was me, but a much younger version of me. Yasmin’s seduction and your kidnapping happened a long time ago.”

  “What are you talking about? It happened a few weeks ago.”

  “To you, it did, yes. But to me, it was over a thousand years ago.”

  “What are you talking about?” Forest asked, frowning at Amanda’s nonsensical statements. “Kai, I’m not sure I understand what’s going on here, but I believe this has been set up to discredit us. Amanda seems to be talking in riddles, and I have no idea what she’s trying to do.”

  “I think you should listen to her,” Kai said.

  “I’m sorry, what?” Forest asked.

  “I’m not here to discredit you,” Amanda stated. “You’re just not in possession of all the facts. The day after I was saved from your compound, while on a mission against the Inquisition, I was taken by a Weaver back in time to the year 750AD and left there. I then lived back through to the modern era, eventually catching up with myself a few weeks ago,” Amanda explained.

  Forest looked at her and blinked a few times. “You’ve gone mad.”

  “Actually, quite the opposite,” Amanda said. “Several people within this room can attest to the veracity of my claims. I did travel back in time, and I will happily allow you, and anyone else in this room, to read my memories for proof.”

  “You’re aware of how this sounds?” Abra-Melin of the Order of Araki Coven said.

  Amanda nodded to him. “Quite aware. But I will do as needed to prove the point. And to that effect, please, read my memories,” she said and dropped her Aegis.

  Abra-Melin shrugged. “As you wish.” Moments later, Magic surged through the room, including from Forest and the other Legion members as they all reached into her mind to read her memories. Amanda was careful what she gave them access to, and was careful to monitor who was doing what, but there were others in the room watching for any Magic that shouldn’t be happening. The Magi all watched each other, ensuring no one tried anything funny. Moments later, their Magic withdrew, and Amanda raised her Aegis once more.

  “That proves nothing,” Forest said. “Those memories could have been implanted to fool us, or control her,” he said, pointing to Amanda. “She can give whatever e
xcuse she likes, but the fact that she slept with a Nomad, especially Yasmin, casts doubt and suspicion on her. Why can’t you see this?”

  “We can. We see your point of view,” Neuri from the Arrow of Scythia Coven said in her Russian accent. “Forest could be right. This could be some kind of elaborate ruse.”

  “I have known Amanda for over three hundred years, and I feel that I know her well enough to know that she was an innocent victim in this. She was in her early twenties at the time and was taken advantage of by a centuries-old Arch Master. She stood little chance, really,” Trevelyan said.

  “So, why didn’t Yasmin kill her? She clearly had the opportunity. If she is as hostile to Amanda as she is to all Arcadians, why didn’t she kill her?” Forest demanded.

  “Because she couldn’t,” Amanda said. “I saved her life over a thousand years ago, and by doing that, I ensured that she could not then kill the younger version of me until the Weaver took me back.”

  “Why didn’t you kill her while she was an apprentice? Hmmm? You could have saved hundreds, maybe thousands of lives,” Saxon asked.

  “Because she’d saved the life of my younger-self, as well. We were tied to each other, neither of us able to kill the other lest we kill ourselves in the process,” Amanda explained.

  “Two lives in exchange for hundreds? Do you think that much of yourself? That’s disgusting…” Saxon accused her.

  “Actually, it was hundreds as opposed to billions. Had I killed her as an apprentice, it would have created a paradox, and possibly wiped out the human race or destroyed the universe.”

  “Bullshit,” Forest spat. “All this talk of Weavers and Paradox. It’s all crap, it’s all nonsense, and I don’t believe a word of it. Where’s the proof…”

  A hole in reality opened in the centre of the chamber and Temporal Magic flooded out of it. Amanda was used to it by now, but the incredible outpouring of power apparently took everyone else by surprise. Forest, being the closest, stumbled back, tripping up, and hitting the floor as the hole of blackness grew until it was around seven-foot high and hovering about a foot above the chamber floor. As she watched, the familiar underlit face appeared in the darkness and regarded the room.

  Essentia flared around the room as several Magi attempted to call on their powers, but failed. The Essentia they called on was blown away by the Weaver’s own power, like candles in a gale.

  “Perhaps, if you were to hear it from me?” the Weaver asked, its strange, deep voice with its curious modulation effect filled the room.

  Amanda remained standing in place and looked up at the Weaver. She smiled at it. “I was wondering if you might show up.”

  The entity regarded her, its face neutral, before inclining its head in acknowledgement.

  “You’re… You’re….” Stella was muttering from beside Forest, who was staring up at the Weaver in awe.

  “It’s a Weaver,” Trevelyan said. Amanda couldn’t help a slight smile at the hint of enjoyment Trevelyan was getting out of this.

  “But it… they’re not…” Stella stuttered.

  “How is this possible?” Forest asked.

  “Surely, you’ve heard the stories?” Amanda asked.

  “Well, yes, but…” Forest started to protest, but it died on his lips.

  “I understand. It’s somewhat overwhelming to meet one for the first time,” Amanda said.

  Forest looked back and forth between her and the Weaver, as the slow realisation of the truth seemed to form in his head. The Weaver could not be denied. They were incredible creatures to behold and their exotic nature, which was always self-evident to the Magi and their enhanced senses, were unique and impossible for a Magus to reproduce.

  “What Amanda has told you is true,” the Weaver explained, its voice powerful and undeniable. “I took her back, and she lived through to today.”

  “It’s the final sign,” Neuri whispered, referring to the signs listed in the Prophecy of Helene. Amanda remembered them well. The colour of her Aura, the marks on her body, her ability to pass into the Abyss, and now, finally, the Weaver.

  “End your petty squabbles,” the Weaver intoned. “These disagreements only aid the enemy. You must unite if you are to stand against what is to come. The Archon’s stir in their prison. You have been warned,” the Weaver finished and, with a look around the room, its body shrunk to nothing and disappeared.

  The room fell silent as everyone just stared at the empty space where the Weaver had been only seconds before. Having met it before, Trevelyan seemed less affected, but the others all appeared to be in a mild state of shock, even the Legion members were quiet.

  “Have you anything further to add?” Trevelyan asked from his seat.

  Forest looked up. He looked back at Stella, who shook her head in resignation before he looked at Trevelyan. “No, I’ve nothing further to say, we withdraw our accusations,” he said.

  “What?” Saxon hissed through gritted teeth. “What do you mean we have nothing—”

  “We’re done here, Saxon. This is over.”

  “But we were—”

  “No! Did you not see what just happened? This is petty and small. We’re out of our depth here. We’re done, it’s finished.”

  “But she’s—”

  “She is the one spoken of in the Prophecy of Helene. Now drop it, we’re leaving,” he ordered and turned to the room and Amanda. He looked at her for a moment and then offered his hand. Amanda looked at it and then up at him before she reached out and took it in hers. “Good luck,” he said.

  “Thanks,” she answered.

  He nodded once and turned to leave. Stella glanced at her, her expression unreadable. But Saxon’s angry scowl was clear to see. She watched them walk out of the Council chamber, and as they left, Liz scooted past them, coming the other way, followed by Sabine and Howie. Liz ran up to Amanda and hugged her briefly.

  “I thought they had you there,” Liz said.

  “Me? Never.” Amanda smiled back.

  “Good work,” Howie added, nodding to her.

  “Thanks, man.”

  Liz pulled back from her and looked at her seriously. “So, that was a… You know, one of those things?”

  “A Weaver, yes,” Amanda answered.

  “Holy crap,” Liz said, looking into the middle-distance.

  “Amanda,” said Trevelyan. She turned to face him, and he smiled at her briefly. “I think I speak on behalf of the Council when I say, should you or your coven need anything, you need only ask.”

  Nods and mummers of agreement came from around the table with varying degrees of enthusiasm, but the sentiment was unanimous.

  “Thank you,” Amanda said. “If the need arises, we will remember.”

  Trevelyan nodded. “You’re free to go.”

  Moments later, they were outside the chamber and making their way back through the corridors of the vast castle. Little was said. Little needed to be said, really. But as they approached the archway that led out to the Arkady where it rested on the landing pad beyond, Liz stepped up beside her.

  “Is that what you meant when you said that this meeting will change things?” Liz asked. “Did you mean the Weaver or the Legion?”

  “That’s part of it, but there’s more to it than that,” Amanda said. “News of this revelation will not stay hidden for long. Soon enough, Yasmin will find out what happened here today and when she does… Well, I don’t know what will happen, but I suspect nothing good.”

  “So, what are you going to do?”

  “I’m going to take control. I’m not going to sit around and wait for Yasmin to knock on my door. She needs to be stopped.”

  “You’re talking about the Lazarus Scroll?” Liz guessed.

  “It’s part of her plan. Yasmin wants power, the Lazarus Scroll allows her to steal that power from Magi and others, and she wants to use that power to hurt me.”

  “Can she do that? Can she get that kind of power?”

  “Possibly, yes,” Amanda
mused “I’ve seen her use the Scroll to syphon power from the Avatar of an Archon. At least, I think that’s what it was. So, knowing it can do that, well that worries me. All I know is that I need that Scroll back.”

  “She can steal the power of an Archon?”

  “I think so… I don’t know, maybe. Whatever the case, I don’t like it. So I need to find her.”

  “Do you know where to start?”

  “I have an idea.”

  - Somewhere in the Middle East

  Lillia looked up at the colossal edifice before her. Clearly an important building, it towered above all the others. It was also more richly decorated and was covered in detailed carvings of figures, faces, and abstract patterns.

  There was a kind of Gothic feel to the building as well, with its spiked turrets and wicked-looking spires.

  If she was honest, the place gave her the creeps.

  Before her, the other three members of the team were clustered around the massive main door. This, the one and only entrance to the building, had been sealed up and it was proving difficult to open.

  Taking a deep breath, Lillia walked over to the entrance and stepped up beside Kennedy, who had just stepped back from the door.

  “Are we any closer to getting in?” she asked.

  “We can get in. It’s just going to take a little while. The doors have been sealed with, well, it’s not concrete, but it might as well be. Byrn thinks he can get through, but it will take some time with the limited tools we have.”

  “It’s late anyway. I say we set up camp and get some rest,” Sandy suggested, joining the conversation.

  “Good idea, I could do with something to eat,” Kennedy said, as he and Sandy moved a short distance away from the entrance, to where they’d left their backpacks.

  Lillia didn’t like the idea of staying the night, but she also knew her team didn’t want to hear any more about her nervousness, so she kept it to herself and walked over to her pack and pulled out her sleeping bag.

  Breadcrumbs

  New York

  “Thanks for coming along, guys,” Amanda said to Liz, Howie, and Sabine as they moved through the ship towards the Portal back to her Null Realm.