Peter of the Wind (War of Contractia)

by Dixon, TJ

  “The stars gave me an idea the other night. Find it for me and then both port back home. I’ll deal with it.” I say with a smile.

  “I don’t like that plan.” Rin says worriedly and Hermes nods.

  “If it goes badly I’ll port back before I get too badly hurt, but I think I can handle it.”

  “Don’t get hurt at all!” Hermes cries out.

  “I don’t plan to.” I answer.

  “Make sure you don’t. And most importantly remember your promise.” Rin says.

  “I will, but remember yours too.” I tell her.

  “Ugh.” Rin mutters but then sighs. “Fine… That’s the plan. Hermes, please use the earth element to find a cave or hole where the wolf may be hiding. I’ll port us repeatedly until we find it. Once we do, Hermes, you port both of us back and we’ll leave Peter to finish the job with his full power. If we find any other enemies first though, Hermes and I will deal with them, so Peter, don’t use your power until we find what we’re looking for.”

  “That sounds like a plan, even if I am useless for most of it.” I say.

  “Yours is the most important job.” Rin says seriously.

  “If we don’t find it I won’t have done anything.” I say.

  “And me and Hermes will have failed too if that happens, but the most important part is coming back alive. If you use your power now you may need it later.” Rin reminds me.

  “It should be a quick kill if it works. If not though, I may need my power as you say.” I admit.

  So we spend the morning and afternoon searching the plain without luck. I am thankful for Rin’s water ability which refreshes our parched lips many times. Both Rin and Hermes port away on their own briefly a couple of times without saying why, but I can guess. I just port the contents of my bladder away a couple times without mentioning it. They are ported away for a third time when I sense something in the air. I jump into the air and then dodge a leaping wolf. Giant hardly describes it. It is as long as one of the ancient trees outside the academy is tall and as thick as they are too. The claws could tear apart stone like paper and the fangs are even sharper and larger. Landing it leaps again and I dodge but it twists in mid-air and forces me to fly higher quickly.

  Suddenly Rin and Hermes port back and it jumps towards them too quickly for them to react. I was planning on striking its heart with a small lightning attack from the inside by combining porting magic with wind magic. I doubt it would even notice a small strike though, so I form a massive lighting strike away from it and port it inside the creature. The creature writhes in agony but howling it jumps again right at the girls. They port away just in time.

  I form a second lightning strike but barely noticing it in time I dodge a second wolf and the lightning is wasted. This one is flying! I barely dodge its second attack as well and unable to dodge the third attack I port even higher. It races up at me and I strike again with lightning that this time I am able to port inside it. It ignores my attack and continues on unhurt. My attacks were intense so, even this few, they are starting to drain me. I port even higher and use the same tactic again but to no more effect. I port back down to the ground and strike with lightning again but before I can port it there are wolves all around me. Instead as a jaw closes on me I port myself back to Rin’s home.

  “Sorry, I failed.” I say breathing heavily. “You never said they could fly!”

  “Fly? Don’t be ridiculous. How could a wolf fly?” Rin retorts.

  “It must have used magic.” I answer shrugging. “Either way it almost got me. Then the rest of the pack arrived.”

  “Giant wolves don’t have packs.” Rin says frowning.

  “Well whatever you want to call the dozen or so of them that almost ate me.”

  “First that awful thing in the swamp and now a pack of lone wolves that can fly. Why do we get these impossible things?”

  “I only saw one fly, the rest were on the ground, so I don’t know for certain the whole pack could fly. Regardless though, perhaps something bigger is going on and we are just seeing a small part of it.”

  “If these things are small I’d hate to see what big is!” Hermes exclaims.

  “Where’s your mother?” I ask Rin not sensing her around.

  “She’s probably in the lab or the workshop.”

  “She’s not.”

  “Then she’s out shopping.”

  “Isn’t today a busy day for an alchemist?”

  “Yes, with the academy and the government office closed it is generally fairly busy. Maybe she needed something urgent though. Probably for the job Claire hired her for. It’s pissing me off, because I can’t stand that bitch.”

  “I told you not to insult the customers.” Rin’s mother says porting back just in time to hear the swear word.

  “How do you even know I was talking about her?”

  “Who else would you be talking about? Or do you swear about everyone when I’m not around?”

  “Of course not, and yes I was talking about her but…”

  “No buts, and no swearing.”

  “Yes mother.”

  “And don’t sigh like that.”

  “Anyway we failed, so how soon do you need that hide?” Rin says and her mother frowns.

  “I’ll have to cancel the job. Don’t worry about it.”

  “When did you need it?” I ask.

  “By midweek, but this is the only rest day you had so it’s not going to work.”

  “How much power do you both have left?” I ask Rin and Hermes but they shake their heads. “Well that’s not going to work then. I’ll see whether Claire can wait a bit longer. If not she’ll have to find another alchemist or the materials you need. I’ll see you both in class tomorrow.”

  I port back to my tent and Claire saves me the trouble of finding her. Surprised I ask. “What are you doing here?”

  “I see you failed.”

  “How do you know?”

  “It’s written on your face.”

  “Where?” I ask putting a hand to my face.

  “Not literally you dumb little boy.”

  “So can you give us more time?”

  “No. If the job is not completed in time then the old woman dies.” She answers to which my heart skips a beat.

  “You are joking, right?”

  “No. I am quite serious. For a little alchemist to fail such an important job there can be no mercy. The law exists to be hated.”

  “You sound like our teacher.” I say cold and angry.

  “That fool was the law. I am the law.” She says and goes silent for a moment. “To hell with that petty little fool.”

  “I didn’t think our teacher was small. Are you talking about someone else?”

  “No.” She lies but her aura tells me the truth. I consider who she could be talking about. Who is small that she might hold a grudge against? The only small person I can think of is Hermes but that doesn’t sound right.

  “Is it Hermes?”

  “No! I just told you it was the teacher.” The first part is true but the second part is only a half truth.

  “Do you know anyone who has been to the Labyrinth of Lost Lambs?”

  “Yes, I have.” She says much to my surprise. “Do you want me to port you there?”

  “Refill my power and port me there. I’ll get the wolf hide.”

  “You want to kiss me?” She says faking embarrassment.

  “Last thing I want, but I don’t have a choice and if you want the job done then neither do you.”

  “Fine, but that’s all I’m doing. After that you’re on your own.” She says faking reluctance and leaning down kisses me. I feel her power flowing into me and unlike with Rin I have no control over it. Mouths still locked she ports us somewhere dark and then disappears.

  I feel the air all around and it is damp. I am in a huge underground tunnel built for something much larger than humans. Presumably for the wolves. Perhaps they once had intelligence to build something like this, or
perhaps they just dug a simple tunnel like moles. Or maybe something else built it to keep them away.

  I pray that I meet just one. I can beat one as long as it is like the first one I met and not the second. Guided by the air I walk deeper. The ground is rough and uneven so it is slow going but I am definitely getting deeper. Ahead I notice a sudden drop so I float gently down. I cannot sense the end of the drop at first, but after a while I sense it. Finally I am almost at the bottom but then I sense an attack. I dodge but am thrown against the wall by air pressure.

  Dizzy I drop like a stone. My head hurts and my sense is dimmed. Cursing I light a flame and fly desperately to dodge the wolf’s next attack. I strike with lightning and try to port it inside the wolf but my aim is off and I hit the wall instead.

  “So how much is the queen paying you to betray your gender?” The wolf asks.

  “You can talk?!” I ask stunned.

  “Obviously.” It snarls.

  “What are you talking about? Betray my gender?”

  “I’m not so old as to forget the smell of another male, and you are working for the queen or you wouldn’t be here.” It says and transforms into the form of a giant man with sharp claws and teeth.

  “I was just here to get a wolf hide. I don’t know who wants it or what for. I certainly didn’t know you could talk.”

  “An excuse. The queen sent you here to kill me.”

  “No. The queen you must be talking about is dead.”

  “I smell truth in your words.” It says and then lets out a howl that deafens me. After my hearing returns it snarls at me. “Leave.”

  “Who are you?”

  “I am the King of Contractia. Now leave!”

  “Do you plan to retake Contractia?” I ask shocked by his claim.

  “No. I plan to devour it. Every last woman and girl.”

  “That I cannot allow.”

  “Then you have truly betrayed your gender. Die.” It says and as a wolf again it lunges at me. I send half of my remaining power into lightning and port it inside. Standing still this time I do not try to dodge and I do not miss. It writhes in agony striking me with its tail. Flying through the air I put my remaining power into another lightning strike ported inside the wolf. I hit my head against the wall and pain blinds me. Either way my flame is gone and I have no power to port away or relight my flame. Falling against the wall I moan in pain before losing consciousness.

  Chapter 7 (Hermes)

  Depressed by our failure I port home to our living room. I call out, “Mother!” As expected there is no answer. I check her room but she is not there. I check my room and as expected she is not there either. In other words she is not home so I walk outside and knock on our neighbour’s door. I am relieved but I must make sure she is not coming back today.

  “Hermes. Your mother said she was going to be away for a few days. An important job came up.” The man from next door tells me. Except there is no important job. That’s just her way of saying that she’s off with some woman she likes the look of.

  “Thank you.” I say politely and bow before leaving. He knows the truth but I am grateful he is being discreet. If word of my mother were to get to the academy my place could be taken away from me. Some people get needlessly worked up about a woman loving another woman, but unlike with a man who loves another man there is no law against it. Worse though, there is no love in my mother’s relationships and they are far too common. It may not be illegal but it would certainly cause a scandal at the very least.

  My mother never loved my father or me, and certainly doesn’t care about the feelings of her ‘lover’. I envy Rin. Perhaps it’s even jealousy. She may argue with her mother but it’s only because there is real love. What of Peter? He doesn’t even know who his parents are, but even that would be better than knowing you are hated.

  I have to report to my mother each week to prove that it is worth staying at the academy. I am only allowed to attend because I will be able to make more money for her if I become a mage. If my mother was an official mage I would have to study as a mage’s daughter but that is not the case. Even the money from my job with Peter and Rin almost all goes to my mother. The one time I splurged on food to celebrate my promotion I was punished. I shiver as I recall my frozen limbs and face. My mother isn’t officially a mage but her power is more than equal to most professionals. If I ran away I would be killed, or at least made to wish that I had been.

  Grateful she is not going to be here I port back to the academy. I check Peter’s tent but he is not there. I port outside Rin’s room and knock.

  “Who is it?” She calls out.

  “It’s me.” I answer.

  “What do you want?”

  “Just to talk.”

  “Sorry but I’m not in the mood.” Rin answers sounding annoyed.

  “Ok.” I say as my hopes are dashed. I look around for Peter at all his usual places but can’t find him. Depressed I go back to my room and lie on my bed brooding. Eventually I get to sleep.

  The next day Peter isn’t in class and the teacher shows her emotions for the first time. Pure joy. Rubbing her hands she says, “Absent without notice. He’ll be expelled for sure.” I look at Rin who looks back with equal worry. I hope he has a good cause, but not too good a one.

  It is lunchtime and finally we can talk in private. I say what we are both thinking. “He went back alone didn’t he? To the plains?”

  “It sounds like it. He must have waited for his power to return and headed back there today.”

  “No. He was gone yesterday.”

  “What?!”

  “I went to his tent before I knocked on your door. He wasn’t there. I couldn’t find him anywhere else either.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?!”

  “You weren’t in the mood to talk. I figured he’d gone into town for a drink or something.”

  “Not a chance. He doesn’t spend money like that.”

  “But it doesn’t look good. If he’s been gone all night he could be in trouble.”

  “Maybe he’s just being really stubborn?” Rin says but even she doesn’t believe it.

  “He was going to tell Claire that we couldn’t do the job. Was that just a lie or did she say something that changed his mind?”

  “I guess we need to ask that bitch.”

  “You know calling me a bitch is a bit rude Rinny.” Claire laughs.

  “Where did you pop up from?” Rin asks irritated.

  “I was here the whole time. You just lack observational skills.”

  “You know, eaves dropping is rude too, Clairy.” Rin retaliates.

  “Are you sure it’s a good idea to insult the only person who knows where that boy went?”

  “So where is he?” I ask as Rin grinds her teeth.

  “Not where you think. He went when I told him the consequences of your mother’s failure.”

  “If not the plains then that leaves the labyrinth of lost something or other.” I think aloud.

  “If he went there it would be really bad.” Rin says going pale, but then looks relieved. “He wouldn’t be able to get there without someone to port him though, so that’s impossible.”

  “I ported him since he asked so nicely. He even kissed me goodbye. On the lips.” Claire says and disappears.

  “That bitch!” Rin shouts punching the air.

  “What consequences of failure?” I ask worriedly.

  “How should I know?” Rin asks angrily but she is clearly worried about this too.

  “We should ask Silmarion for a leave of absence. We have to go after Peter.”

  “If he really went there he’s already dead.” Rin says and I can see tears in her eyes.

  “He’s good though. He wouldn’t die that easily.” I reassure her but she shakes her head.

  “That place is impossible. The ones that live there are far more powerful than what we fought. He may as well have entered a lair full of dragons.”

  “They can’t be that bad.”<
br />
  “Even the queen wouldn’t go there. They say her sister was killed there and she was too scared to get revenge.”

  “You don’t know it’s true though. They say all sorts of things. Rumours are just that.”

  “I’m sorry but I need to ask my mother what the consequences of failure are.” Rin says and ports away.

  I port to class and stun Silmarion. “What are you doing here?”

  “I need a leave of absence. I believe that Peter is in great danger.”

  “Either way he’s gone from this academy so forget about him.”

  “Claire tried to get him killed.”

  “That brat... You have proof?”

  “Not yet but if you let me search for him I may find it.”

  “That’s fine. Just make sure you come back with something good enough to get her expelled, or better yet executed.” Silmarion says sounding the happiest I have ever heard her.

  “I’ll do my best.” I answer with a gulp but a small smile. I don’t really want anyone to get killed but if it was Claire… Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. Expelled would certainly be good. Then my smile fades as I consider that Peter may be dead already.

  I port home first and to my surprise the person I am looking for is there. “Mother.”

  “Are you a masochist?” She asks. Unlike Claire I can’t answer that I am a sadist and wouldn’t want to.

  “I need a favour.”

  “And you’re asking me?” She laughs.

  “It’s for a cute boy.”

  “I don’t do boys. If it was a girl though…”

  “He has the power to command a company one day. He even has the favour of the queen.” I exaggerate a little.

  “This is enough to get him truly in my debt?”

  “Yes. His life is at stake.”

  “Who would dare threaten one the queen favours? Smells fishy.”

  “A traitor.”

  “You have proof.”

  “Not yet.”