The Iron Seal

by J. M. Briggs

  “I am, but I’m not aromatic,” Bran said. He sat down in one of the armchairs, his body suddenly a little tense. “There’s a difference.” Smiling at Nicki, he added, “I can appreciate romance.”

  “Seriously,” Nicki said. “That’s a nice idea. It provides a topic to talk about, but it is also romantic and something different. I like it.” Vibrating in her chair, Nicki’s whole-body language changed and the last traces of her blush were gone. “I’ll- I’ll ask if she’d like to after I do some reviewing of the constellations,” Nicki said. “Should I be clear it’s a date or just play it as friends?” She looked between all of them eagerly. “Bran?”

  “I’d say be honest,” Bran said. “But I’m not exactly an expert.”

  “I’m with Bran,” Aiden agreed. “We can’t afford misunderstandings among us.”

  Nicki looked a bit nervous again, but Alex nodded in agreement with Aiden and Bran. She hoped that this went well for Nicki. The front door opened with a soft squeak that no one was in a hurry to fix. It served as an alert that someone had come in. Cheerful voices rolled over Alex, and she relaxed as she recognized them as Avani and Jenny. The pair appeared a moment later carrying bags from their shopping trip.

  “Oh,” Jenny said. “Hello, sorry if we interrupted.”

  “You didn’t,” Nicki said. “We were just hanging out.” She smiled at Avani, managing somehow to keep her blush at bay. “Did you two have fun?”

  “We had a nice afternoon,” Avani said. “Jenny did her best to give me a tour of campus before we went shopping.”

  “I know only a few of the buildings.” Jenny looked a bit put out. “So I wasn’t much help.”

  “It’s a very nice campus,” Avani said. “I love all the open green space and trees.”

  “So, how is your master’s set up going? Everything squared away?” Nicki asked. “Are you excited for classes?”

  “Yes,” Avani said. She smiled warmly at Nicki, causing the redhead to blush a little. Walking further into the living room, she set her bag down next to a wall and then took a seat next to Jenny. “I’ve got my schedule and I think everything is sorted. I’m also a little nervous. I’m comfortable learning in English, but I haven’t written a great deal in the language. The essay focus of some of my classes is a little concerning.”

  “Don’t worry,” Bran said. “You speak English beautifully. I’m sure that you’ll write without a problem, and we’ll be glad to proofread for you.”

  Everyone nodded in agreement and Avani looked touched. “Thank you.”

  “I’m just sorry that you’ve had to adjust your schooling to be here,” Bran said. “I’m sure it isn’t what you had planned.”

  “No,” Avani agreed. She nodded a little but didn’t seem concerned. “But I don’t have to even take classes, after all. I could have just come over, and I would have been glad to help. Taking classes, even part-time, is just a good way for me to blend in. Besides, while the class offerings aren’t as diverse as I would have had in Mumbai, I do not doubt that Professor Cornwall’s history classes will be interesting.”

  “They will be,” Alex said. She exchanged a glance with Jenny and smiled. “Morgana can be a bit… intense. She’ll try to scare all the students in the first class.”

  “Well, she doesn’t have time for people to act up,” Avani said. “Being a college professor and a mage must be difficult.”

  “Thankfully, most of the nasties in Ravenslake attack at night,” Bran said. “And the professors avoid scheduling any classes after three just to be on the safe side during winter.”

  “Most,” Avani said. “Not all. Merlin told me about those Shadows.” Everyone shivered, and Jenny curled closer to Lance on the sofa. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset all of you.”

  “Chernobog was a difficult opponent,” Aiden said. “But… honestly, it’s everything that happened around him that puts us all on edge.”

  “Arthur.” Avani nodded in understanding. “Yes, I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be,” Alex said. “It happened. You didn’t cause it, and now that you’re here, you need to understand what happened with him.” She straightened up and took a deep breath. “This is overdue, but do you have any questions for us? About him? About what happened?”

  The others were looking at her. Bran’s worry was most obvious, but Jenny was picking nervously at her nails. Alex pushed down the wash of grief and guilt that was trying to rise in her chest. This was necessary, and Avani deserved a chance to learn what she felt she needed.

  “I-I… what was he like? I mean, what did he pretend to be like? It is difficult to understand how he fooled the Grand Mages.” Alex thought she heard the ‘and you’ at the end of the question.

  “He was… charming,” Alex said. “Seemed brave and understanding. When all the magic stuff started happening, Arthur comforted me when I was upset. I had a crush on him even though he was dating Jenny.”

  “He looked the part,” Aiden added. “Tall, broad shoulders, and charismatic. If you were looking for a reincarnated hero, it made sense to look at someone like that.”

  It was Jenny who spoke next, her voice surprisingly strong given the topic. “Arthur was smart,” she said. “We started dating in high school. That meant that when he and I came here, he was involved with the girl that Merlin and Morgana recognized as Arto’s reincarnated wife.”

  “He’s a planner,” Bran said. “Though, it’s hard to say for sure how much was him and how much was his mother. But he was able to play a part for over a year, and we were all fooled. Looking back now, there were moments where there were hints, but nothing that gave him away. Even if he wasn’t the mastermind behind the scheme, he made it happen, and he was willing to live that lie to get what he wanted. We can’t lose sight of that.”

  “So, he’s intelligent,” Avani said. “Driven, manipulative, and has magical powers.”

  “That sums it up,” Alex said. “He dropped the act when I- I handed him Cathanáil. Cyrridven had thrown it to me, and I used it to kill Chernobog, but even then, I still thought that he was the Iron Soul.” Shaking her head, Alex met Avani’s eyes. “I’m sorry. That was what led to the sword opening the portal near Mumbai and causing all that trouble.”

  “That’s not your fault.” Avani’s voice was softer now. “We can’t see the results of our actions. You did what you thought was best based on what you knew to be true. Now you know the truth and can act accordingly.” Then she smiled more brightly and clapped her hands together. “Since all the mages are here, why don’t we get back to work on those spells! I know I’ll sleep better once we have them in place.”

  Avani’s sudden shift made Alex blink, but then she smiled. Lokpal’s affection bloomed along with a rush of pride. Breathing a little easier, Alex nodded in agreement. In the corner of her eye she saw Nicki grin. Maybe this new situation could work out. Bran was right. She didn’t have her brothers anymore, but she wasn’t alone. She just had to remember that.

  12

  Letting Them In

  Podlasie Province, Poland 983 C.E.

  These strangers were impossible. Upon meeting their eyes, he saw strange things. Not frightening in and of themselves, but his sight was taken from him and the familiar fell away. Every instinct urged him to flee, to hide from them and shelter his son. And yet they’d held back those Shadows. Those things had been a thorn in his side, in everyone’s side, and the very idea that someone could fight them made something unknot in his chest. Then again, the sterner side of himself reminded him that they hadn’t killed the things.

  Panting softly, Dobiemir looked behind them. There was no sign of the creatures. Birds were singing in the nearby trees and the sun was warm on his skin. It was too good to be true, but he grabbed onto the peace. The strangers were watching him in silence, giving him time to gather his thoughts. Turning to look at them both properly, he fought back the urge to not to meet their eyes. But he did. Nothing happened. There weren’t more visions, and he breathed
out a sigh of relief.

  The man had slight wrinkles, especially around the eyes and mouth, which was reassuring. His curly hair was a bit sweaty. Dressed in a tunic, pants and a cloak, he had a pack slung over his shoulder and looked very normal. The woman was much the same but with intense green eyes, long dark hair and only few wrinkles. She was clearly younger than her companion, but it was hard to know by how much. Something about them didn’t belong, but Dobiemir wasn’t sure what it was. Perhaps it was just based on what he had seen.

  “Are you gods?” he asked softly. His knees trembled. Surely he should bow, but he feared falling over. “Have you come to punish us?”

  The woman, Morgana, scoffed. Her lips curled down disdainfully and her nose wrinkled up at his suggestion. The man, Merlin, was calmer and offered him a gentle smile.

  “No, we are not gods,” Merlin said. “And we have come to help. Those creatures are magical in nature, and we were drawn to them. We are here to protect you and your village.”

  “Oh.” It wasn’t what he wanted to say, but it was the word that escaped him. Relief set in followed by worry. If beings such as this had come here then what were those Shadows capable of? “I- thank you.”

  “What is your name?” Merlin asked.

  “Dobiemir.”

  “It is a pleasure to meet you, Dobiemir,” Merlin said. “I am Merlin, and this is my companion, Morgana. As you no doubt noticed, we have magical abilities.” Dobiemir nodded, unsure of how else to respond to that. “And you had visions when you met our eyes, did you not?” Again, he nodded, but it was more hesitant this time, and Merlin’s smile widened. “That means that you are a mage as well.”

  “A mage?”

  “A person with magical abilities,” Morgana said. Her tone wasn’t as sharp as he’d been expecting. “You have the power to call on the natural magical energy of our world and are charged with defending it.”

  “Defending-” He started to shake his head and looked back at his small home. “I can’t. I can’t be involved in this. My son is ill; my wife is gone. He needs me. I can’t be fighting Shadow creatures. Normally they leave us alone. I mean, yes, they kill the harvest and frighten the animals, but they don’t usually attack.”

  “Usually?” Merlin asked. His brown eyes were old, very old, and having those eyes focusing on him made Dobiemir nervous. “How do you mean?”

  “They… one attacked me, but it was only once. I climbed a tree, and it lost interest.”

  “Scouts,” Morgana said. “That one must have sensed your magic. You’re a potential threat.”

  “But-”

  “Maybe,” Merlin said. He gave Morgana a stern look. “We don’t know enough about them to be sure, but they are a threat to your village.”

  “Do- do you know what they are?”

  “We’ve never seen anything like them before,” Merlin confessed. “We sensed a rise in magic in this area and came to investigate. We’ve come across them in the area before today, but I fear we know little more than you.”

  “Fire and light don’t work on them,” Morgana snapped. “Creatures of bound shadow and ice, and fire and light don’t work!”

  “We’ll figure it out,” Merlin said. He placed a hand on Morgana’s shoulder. “Just be patient, old friend.”

  Morgana looked at Merlin with a hint of disapproval, but she did seem calmer. They both turned their attention back to him. Dobiemir swallowed, unsure of what came next. His eyes jumped back to the road, and then he looked over at his house. It still looked in order. The animals in the yard were calm and paying them no mind.

  “I need… my son.” He gestured back towards the house. “Uh, I need to check on him.”

  “Of course,” Merlin said. He smiled softly and nodded in understanding.

  Dobiemir hesitated to let them come into the house but knew there was nothing he could truly do to stop them. Merin was watching him with an almost kind and patient smile. Morgana’s gaze was far from gentle, but there was a hint of understanding and maybe even approval in her eyes. He didn’t understand it. He didn’t understand any of this, but he wanted to check on his son.

  “Come in,” he said. “Uh, if you like. It’s small but warm. And safe. So far the creatures have never entered a home.”

  “That’s interesting,” Morgana said. She raised an eyebrow thoughtfully. “I wonder why? Some aversion or just luck on the part of the locals?”

  “Or perhaps whatever has created them has no interest in the day to day lives of the people,” Merlin offered. Dobiemir didn’t like any of the suggestions.

  Despite his reservations, he led them into the small house. It was dark with the window covered by a thick blanket. The whole space was warm but musty, as he’d hesitated to let any cold air in. Everything was still tidy, the shelves filled with the wrapped and stored food that he’d been collecting. A row of earthen pots and jars held roasted seeds, roots, and jerky. Baskets along the walls held long grasses that were drying out for the animals come winter.

  Slavko was lying in bed. His eyes were closed and he was mostly under a blanket. Still, some of his dark hair was visible. For a moment, Dobiemir stared at his son’s chest. It didn’t seem to be moving. Then, thankfully, there was a soft rise, and Dobiemir’s shoulders slumped with relief. Creeping forward, he forgot about the strangers behind him and sat on the edge of the bed. He carefully felt his son’s forehead. It was too hot once again.

  “How long has he been ill?” Morgana asked. Her voice was soft and gentle. “The boy?”

  “Over a season,” Dobiemir replied. “His mother and brother passed… not long ago. It’s just us now.”

  “Poor child,” Morgana said. She moved closer to them, not bothered at all by the mess. “If you’ll allow me, I might be able to help.”

  “What?” Dobiemir blinked at her in confusion. “I don’t understand.”

  “Magic exists to protect this realm,” Morgana explained. She took a small step closer, minding the baskets and jars along the wooden wall. “But it can also be used for other things. Including healing. I may be able to ease his illness.”

  “I… alright.”

  Standing up, Dobiemir moved away to give Morgana room. She sat down on the edge of the bed and carefully drew back the blanket. Slavko didn’t move and just kept sleeping. His breathing was shallow. This was a stranger, a woman he didn’t know, and yet he was letting her near his son. Dobiemir couldn’t explain his actions. He’d seen what she could do, and if she could help his son, then he would happily take it. The woman’s hands moved slowly, and she kept looking at him. Maybe she understood his hesitation.

  Morgana’s hands glowed as she touched his son’s forehead. The man Merlin, put a hand on Dobiemir’s shoulder. A frown marred Morgana’s elegant features, and the silver glow brightened further. Slavko’s eyes were still closed and he was huddling under the blankets. Then his skin began to darken, the pale shade fading into something stronger. Dobiemir swallowed a gasp and Merlin’s hand on his shoulder tightened.

  “Morgana is very capable,” Merlin said. “She’s always been better at healing than I.” The older man almost sounded irritated about that. “Not sure why, but every mage has different strengths.” Merlin smiled gently. “She has a soft spot for children. Morgana knows how difficult life can be for them.”

  There was more to it than that, but Dobiemir’s focus was on his son. The glow faded into his son’s skin, and Morgana smiled. Slowly, she eased back from the boy and made room for Dobiemir to see him. Moving forward, he almost tripped on a half-woven basket. His son was breathing better. His forehead wasn’t as hot, and as he was checking the boy shifted closer to him, shrugging away some of the blankets. Everything stopped. Dobiemir breathed in deeply, almost faint at the sudden rush of air. His eyes closed. Too many emotions were rising and mixing in his chest. It wasn’t safe. But happiness and relief were strongest — a lump formed in his throat. Dobiemir struggled for a moment.

  This couldn’t be real. Yet it se
emed to be. But he’d probably wake up from a strange dream and it would be morning. There would still be those strange Shadows and a failing harvest. Slavko would still be ill. But maybe it wasn’t just a dream. He opened his eyes. Morgana was watching them with a sad little smile.

  “Thank you,” he said softly. The words weren’t enough. “I- I don’t understand, but thank you.”

  “The boy isn’t completely healthy,” Morgana cautioned. Her tone was gentler now. “I’m unsure of the source of his illness, but I was able to give him strength. It should help.”

  “It’s nice to have a chance to help in a small way,” Merlin said. He was smiling brightly at Morgana, and even she seemed to be struggling not to look pleased. “I know that today has been a shock, Dobiemir, but as you can see, magic has its uses. You have the potential to be a mage, and there are never many of us. You know the area and the people. If we are to discover the source of these strange beings, then we will need your help.”