The Magic Thieves
Page 1
* * *
Total-e-bound
www.total-e-bound.com
Copyright ©2010 by Serena Yates
First published in 2010
* * *
NOTICE: This work is copyrighted. It is licensed only for use by the original purchaser. Making copies of this work or distributing it to any unauthorized person by any means, including without limit email, floppy disk, file transfer, paper print out, or any other method constitutes a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines or imprisonment.
* * *
CONTENTS
Scrolls of Vengeance
Dedication
Glossary
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
About the Author
Total-E-Bound Publishing
* * * *
A Total-E-Bound Publication
* * * *
* * * *
www.total-e-bound.com
* * * *
The Magic Thieves
ISBN #978-0-85715-375-3
(C)Copyright Serena Yates 2010
Cover Art by Lyn Taylor (C)Copyright December 2010
Edited by Delaney Sullivan
Total-E-Bound Publishing
This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author's imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Total-E-Bound Publishing.
Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Total-E-Bound Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.
The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.
Published in 2010 by Total-E-Bound Publishing, Think Tank, Ruston Way, Lincoln, LN6 7FL, United Kingdom.
* * * *
Warning: This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has been rated total-e-burning.
Scrolls of Vengeance
MAGIC THIEVES
* * * *
Serena Yates
* * * *
[Back to Table of Contents]
Dedication
* * * *
To all the honest people who spend some of their hard-earned money on books
so that authors can write the stories they need to write.
Thank you!
* * * *
[Back to Table of Contents]
Glossary
Algor city
Bak'omir family name (linked to lightning)
cam thief
Dok'lal family name (linked to water)
Fifthday Friday
Firstday Monday
Fourthday Thursday
Ged'opek family name (linked to air)
kas strong
loyd force
loyst wipe, destroy
muyd magic
muyd'cam magic thieves
Muyd'omir family name (linked to lightning)
Muyd'Othar Magic Shield
Muyd'pol magic test, usually given to five-year olds
Muyd'Zel Magic Key
nut world
odiz earth
olal water
omir lightning
opek air
othar shield
ozaz fire
Pak'odiz family name (linked to earth)
payd council
pol test
rah mind
Rah'Loyst re-programming procedure, destroys memories
reyd assembly
Secondday Tuesday
Seventhday Sunday
Sixthsday Saturday
Tah God
Tah'Algor name of the capital city of Tah'Nut
Tah'Loyd Law Forces
Tah'Muyd temple in the magical realm
Tah'Nut name of the planet
Tah'Payd Magic Council
Tah'Reyd Ruling Assembly
Ten'lasam family name
Thirdday Wednesday
urr loyal
Vs'urr family name
Xoh'kas family name, current rulers
zel key
* * * *
"It has been said that history is written by the victor. The Scrolls of Vengeance will record all of history—so that none of its lessons are forgotten."
From the opening paragraphs of the Tah'Nutian Scrolls of Vengeance, Tah'Nut, year 0.
"A thief thinks everyone steals."
Edward W. Howe, Late 19th to early 20th Earth centuries.
From the opening paragraphs of the Terran Scrolls of Vengeance, Earth, year 2015.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter One
* * * *
Everything changed on the day true magic came to Earth.
At first, most humans were shocked to discover that inter-dimensional gateways were real rather than the stuff of science fiction and fantasy. A few courageous scientists were sent to explore the phenomenon, accompanied by military protectors. When the first people emerged from the swirling colours of the gateway, everyone was relieved that the ‘aliens’ looked so human. They identified themselves as diplomats from the planet of Tah'Nut and conveyed a message of peace and an offer of help with humanity's problems.
After a week of adjusting to a new world order, the human consensus was gratitude. Magic may not have been what most had expected from a different dimension, but there was hope that it might help avert many of the global threats that were about to overwhelm humanity's ability to deal with them. Everyone thought the gateway's appearance and the Tah'Nutian offer of help was a serendipitous miracle.
Elryk Muyd'omir knew better.
The Tah'Nutian government had no intention of selflessly helping the humans save their planet. The price of total subjugation to their will hadn't been mentioned yet, but it would become obvious soon enough. The cruelty of the current government was the only reason Elryk had left his home planet. He'd refused to work with the illegally ruling Xoh'kas family. As a consequence, they'd declared him an enemy of the law, making him a wanted man.
His only choice had been to find a suitable planet outside the magical realm, one that was unknown to the Xoh'kas or anyone else on Tah'Nut. He wanted to make it as difficult as possible for them to find him, so he looked for a planet with no magic at all. When he'd found Earth, he'd used the gateway to briefly connect the two planets. Three years ago almost to the day he'd finally escaped, closing the gateway down from Earth's end as soon as he'd made it through.
Earth had become his home, and even though he'd had to do without his magic, he'd been mostly happy here. He'd never had many friends on Tah'Nut, so he didn't miss them. He'd made a few new friends on Earth, and wasn't looking forward to leaving them behind.
Unfortunately, he hadn't succeeded in hiding his whereabouts well enough, nor in closing down the gateway permanently. He knew that its appearance wasn't a lucky coincidence, miraculous or otherwise. It was the result of a concerted effort to track him down.
Now that the Tah'Nutian Law Forces had locat
ed his refuge, he needed to make a decision—accept his punishment or fight.
Elryk stood on the white sands of his favourite beach and stared out over the stillness of the blue-green ocean waves. The sun was high in the sky, creating an almost oppressive heat. There wasn't even a breath of wind in the physical world. The magical realm was another matter. Now that the gateway gave him access again, he could feel its energies expanding outward. As soon as they touched him, the Law Forces would be able to pinpoint his location. Hiding wasn't an option much longer.
"You're going to leave, aren't you?” Parker Stokes was his best friend, sharing his beach house with him and keeping Elryk company when not working as a physicist.
"I'm sorry.” Elryk saw no other way. Even though the gateway had opened on the other side of the planet, the energy would eventually envelop this entire planet, just like it surrounded Tah'Nut. “When the gateway energies reach me, there'll be no escape. The Law Forces will come for me, and if they find out that you helped me hide, your punishment will be as severe as mine. I can't risk that."
"You've always said this might happen.” Parker smiled, showing the dimples so at odds with his serious demeanour. “I wish there was something I could do to help. For the first time in my life, I wish I was a wizard, not a scientist."
"I'm glad you're a scientist.” Elryk smiled. “We may not have science on Tah'Nut because we never needed it to help us. Magic was always a much easier solution. But having seen what science can do if used correctly, I can't help but think that it may come in handy at some point."
"You'll know where to find me when that happens.” Parker patted Elryk's arm. “I may not be able to help you fight them in a magical battle, but I'd love to support you in some other way. My fingers are itching with the need to do something useful. To help you stop them."
"I can't fight them, not yet.” He sighed. “I'd hoped that my magic would return more quickly now that the gateway is open. But it seems that I need more time to recharge than I thought. I can do a few spells, the simple ones they teach kids, but the ones requiring more power are still beyond me."
"So it's like a muscle that hasn't been used for a while?” Parker looked thoughtful.
"Something like that.” Elryk nodded.
Leave it to Parker to find a way of translating what was happening into scientific terms he could understand.
"But when it does come back fully, you will fight them, right?” Parker's green eyes shone with the force of his conviction. “You can't let those Xoh'kas ‘re-programme’ you and make you a mindless zombie."
Elryk had told Parker the whole story of his useless resistance against the dictatorial rulers and its consequences when they'd caught him. The Xoh'kas had spent the last two hundred years since they'd come to power via a coup refining, not just their level of control over the population, but the punishments that were used when someone didn't do what they wanted.
His friend had sworn to never tell another soul. While Parker had been disgusted with the political situation, he'd been fascinated that magic existed in another dimension. The physicist in him had unsuccessfully tried to develop an explanation. With the gateway open, he was sure that Parker was going to be studying the phenomenon until he was satisfied he could explain it in terms any physicist could understand and relate to.
"Yes, I'll fight.” Elryk snorted.
The Law Forces were sure to hand him over to the Xoh'kas. He wouldn't really have a choice but to fight unless he was ready to accept losing his personality.
The Rah'loyst procedure was a cruel mind invasion technique developed and refined by wizards working for the Xoh'kas. It was designed to wipe the victim's memory and personality, then neutralise his magic. Permanently. The ruling Xoh'kas family may have wanted more docile citizens, but Elryk shuddered at the thought of losing his personality. Anything was better than that.
"Good!” Parker slapped him on the back. The man's lean frame was deceptive, and his strength was tangible in his touch. “They don't deserve to control your Ruling Assembly."
"I never thought they did.” Elryk sighed. “I just wasn't ready to step up and face them three years ago. I'm not a fighter, you know?"
"I know.” Parker nodded, his black hair bobbing around his patrician face. “But you can't let them take over Earth as well. We've got so many problems of our own, we can't even agree on which is the most urgent. And I don't just mean the unprecedented levels of pollution."
"Right.” Elryk grimaced. “You've certainly managed to make life difficult for yourselves. You do realise that magic isn't going to solve everything, don't you?"
"Obviously.” Parker grinned. “Science is going to play a role."
Elryk nodded.
"Goodbye, my friend.” Parker smiled and stepped away.
"Thank you for everything.” Elryk smiled and turned back towards the ocean for one last look.
It was time. He had to return to Tah'Nut to try and fight the oppressors more effectively than he had done previously. The gateway was the only way back. It was heavily guarded, so he had no hope of sneaking through without getting caught. Giving himself up would be faster, less painful, and would hopefully mean they'd leave him conscious. Every scrap of control was important.
Once through the gateway, his magic would hopefully come back fully and more quickly than if he stayed on Earth. He'd somehow have to find a way to escape the Law Forces before they erased his memory. Whether that was before they imprisoned him or after remained to be seen.
He took one last breath of the salty ocean air. Mentally reaching out to the currents emanating from the gateway to increase his power, he wove the spell that would transport him straight into the Tah'Nutian Law Forces Commander's temporary office on Earth. There was no point in dealing with anyone but the very tip of the command structure.
Nothing happened for a few seconds. Then the pain stabbed into the very centre of his brain. It was harsh, blinding and incapacitating. He sank to his knees, uselessly gasping for breath. He squeezed his eyes shut against the suddenly hurtful intensity of the sunshine.
Shit. This wasn't supposed to hurt. And why was he still on the beach?
"Are you okay?” Parker's voice sounded as if his friend were speaking through a layer of cotton.
"I have no idea.” He opened his eyes slowly enough to allow them to get used to the light. “This isn't what's supposed to happen."
"I guess not.” Parker came closer and reached out a hand to help him get up. “Do you have any idea what went wrong?"
"Not really.” The pain slowly ebbed away as he stood on the sand, trying to get his balance back. “There was a blinding flash of pain instead of the usual slight discomfort when using a transportation spell, and I'm dizzy."
"It almost sounds like you strained the ‘magic centre’ in your brain.” Parker shook his head and grinned. “I can't believe I just said that. We don't even know if that's how it works."
"It's as good an explanation as any.” He rubbed his temples to try and chase away the pain. It stubbornly remained almost as intense as it had been right after he'd attempted the spell. “The question is how to fix it?"
"Well, with a ‘normal’ strain it depends on the severity. You'd let the muscle rest, ice it if it's swollen and then do stretching exercises to rebuild strength.” Parker frowned. “These strains often happen when there's been no proper warm-up of the muscle. Maybe that's what happened here?"
"You mean that I went into it without proper preparation?” Elryk grinned. “That actually does make sense."
"It does?” Parker's eyes widened.
"Considering the fact that I haven't done any magic in three years, yeah. If you're right and there is a ‘magic centre’ in my brain, it's probably atrophied by now.” He couldn't believe he hadn't thought of that. “And all I've done for the last few days is some minor experimenting to see how much of my ability had returned. So it's no wonder a transportation spell, as simple as it would have been for me to do under �
��normal’ circumstances, was too much."
"I can see how it happened.” Parker's grin revealed perfectly straight white teeth. “You're not used to thinking like that. From what you told me your magic has always been with you, as long as you can remember."
"That's it.” He nodded. “Now I know what to do. I need to run through the preparatory exercises we teach children when they first discover their magic. Like with any skill, doing magic requires practice. We don't let them jump into their first spell unprepared, so I shouldn't have tried that either."
Once he'd settled into the familiar rhythm, running through increasingly difficult exercises, he quickly became more confident. After less than an hour, he was ready and nodded at Parker one last time.
When he tried the spell again, it worked as expected.
* * * *
Kaythan Vs'urr looked up from the magic-based three-dimensional map of Earth that he'd been studying. His teams had already searched more than half the planet. He knew it would be much easier to find the criminal once the gateway's energies expanded far enough to touch him, but Kaythan wanted no help for this. He was a trained member of the Law Forces, and he preferred not to have to rely on magic to do his job anymore than absolutely necessary.
But time was fast running out. The gateway's energies expanded more each day and would soon envelop the entire planet.
He wasn't sure what had interrupted him. There'd been a jolt of power, a crackling sizzle in the air. Almost like an attempted transportation spell. He frowned, irritated by the unexpected disturbance. It was highly irregular for anyone to transport straight into an office, even if this one had been hastily built and was only temporary. He'd probably imagined the whole thing. Who could possibly be attempting to transport into his office?
He went back to staring at the maps and quickly lost track of time as he developed new ideas and instructions for his search teams. A bright flash pulled him back into reality. This time he was sure it was a full transportation spell, the yellow flash accompanied by the distinct rumble undeniable signs.
He looked up and froze in place.
Smouldering black eyes stared at him. They belonged to a tall, muscular man with long black hair, a classically chiselled face with a high forehead and a strong, beardless chin and jaw. His skin was white, almost translucent. His lips were the deep red of winter roses just before spring. In short, Kaythan was looking at the wanted criminal he'd been sent to Earth to capture. The man—no, wizard—stood in the middle of the room, hands relaxed at his sides, acting as if he'd been invited over for some social occasion.