"It started as an altercation between two men at a restaurant, but it's grown into a full blown brawl." He opened a view screen.
A cluster of thirty to forty men fought in the street. Hundreds more joined the circle to watch. Fists pummeled faces and bodies as the struggle progressed. And then she saw it.
A flash of light blossomed. Men flew backward.
"Magic! Someone's fighting with magic?" she shrieked.
The pilot mumbled, "Playing dirty."
Landry and his men moved into the skirmish. Onlookers scattered. One of the mages sent a blue wave of energy toward the Royalists. The weak pulse caused men to stumble, but it didn't stop them. She spotted her husband moving toward the mage. Another man took him by surprise, punching him in the face.
Talia jumped up. "I've got to help."
The pilot grabbed her by the arm. "The Colonel said to stay here."
"He needs me!"
"He's the best we've got at hand-to-hand."
"This isn't a game." She pointed at the viewscreen.
"Watch." The pilot leaned back in his chair, every muscle relaxed. "This crowd is a quarter the size of the one that surrounded you."
Talia shivered at the comparison. Gazing down on this crowd had her reliving her experience. Learning that mob was larger than this one drove home how desperate her situation had been.
The Royalists worked their way through the crowd. Men fought. Talia lost sight of Landry then found him again. He traded punches with a guy who couldn't decide between his fists and electrical pulses.
"Can you zoom in?" she asked the pilot. "Why didn't they use the CC2?"
"They try not to use it if they can contain a situation without it. Plus, the Colonel likes a good fight."
The screen drew closer. Sure enough, her husband grinned as he swapped punch for punch. He landed more hits than he took.
"See, he's playing with the guy." The pilot started a running commentary. "That's his signature. Right, right, left, wait for it. Oh, he didn't get to finish."
The guy shot a wave of magic, but Landry absorbed the wave and sent it back.
"Maybe having a Colonel with magic is a good thing after all." He sounded surprised.
Landry and his men worked well as a team. It didn't take long to contain the situation. They did it without the CC2. Her thoughts returned to her mob. He didn't hesitate to use the crowd control weapon that day. Another transport arrived and loaded the prisoners before Landry returned to her with a busted lip.
She waited for him, twisting her hands. Waves of energy rolled off him and raised the hairs on her arms. She trembled at the idea he enjoyed a good fight.
"I should leave that lip to heal on its own," she chastised him.
He grabbed her around the waist and dragged her into the private compartment. Once the door shut, he backed her up against it.
"You could, but I can do this." He bit her lower lip before capturing her mouth and using her magic to heal his lip as well as a bruised rib she hadn't seen.
"I don't understand you." Even her mental voice sounded breathless.
"But you love me anyway."
"You're not getting off so easy. Several of those men were mages. Is that why they fought?" Talia moved away from him.
Landry sighed. "Probably. People don't trust the mages, and this started as retaliation for the attack on you." He pulled her toward the bench seat. "Every one of the mages looks to you as their leader. They've waited long enough to find out what we're going to do to help them fit back into society. This is our priority now."
"Agreed."
"I planned on telling you before the alarm, but I talked to Stefan about the Council. I'll present the full idea to him, his advisors, and a group of Royalists tomorrow."
"Now, that deserves a kiss."
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Landry sat at the table with King Stefan and several other Royalist officers. He considered the relatively young men. Too many of the older and wiser officers had been lost in the failed counter-assault against the Dragumon. How would these men learn without the examples he had enjoyed?
"Suggestions on how to relieve the tension between the general public and the mages?" King Stefan opened the discussion.
One of the new officers spoke up, "Why don't the mages stop using magic? They didn't use it before the Dragumon threat, so why can't they return to normal?"
Landry sighed. It was an innocent enough question, but it clearly indicated the lack of understanding in the general public. "There are a few who would prefer to do that. However, once you've felt the energy of the planet flowing through your veins it's hard to give up."
Several men gawked at him, others studied the wood grain in the table. The silence grew heavier by the moment until someone spoke what ran through everyone's mind.
"That will make the mage element dangerous. How do we protect ourselves against something we don't comprehend?"
"We learn to understand. Jaron, the alien who helped us destroy the Dragumon, came from a society with greater scientific technology than ours. They successfully combined science with a magical society. They worked together in harmony. We can too."
"Landry," Stefan leaned forward, "I heard Jaron died before the unbinding."
"He did, but he's the one that taught us the spell."
"If he's dead, who's going to teach us how his world worked?" another officer asked.
Stefan nodded and Landry understood he needed to lay all the cards on the table. "We must travel to his planet. Search for records to show us how they did it. It will take a lot of preparation. Today I wanted to present a way to ensure the new mages stay loyal to Algodova and the monarchy while we're gone. This plan should also give the general public a sense of greater security."
"Let's hear it." Stefan leaned back in his chair.
"After the unbinding, there were varying emotions among the mages, but everyone respected Talia. We all knew she possessed the real power. We helped with the spell casting, but without her it would have failed." Landry paused and glanced at each man around the table before returning his gaze to Stefan. "She showed us what it meant to be a descendant of the mages."
"What do you mean?" Major Terrell asked.
"We watched her do the impossible. She did it with grace and humility, allowing herself to feel and understand the consequences of her actions. The mages will follow her lead. With your permission, we would like to form a council and develop a code of ethics for them. A mage law of sorts. As part of the council, Talia will share with them how Jaron's people lived in harmony with magic and science and ask that we pledge our allegiance to the crown."
"How will this help ease the tension in the city?" one of the King's advisors asked.
"We let everyone know the mages have a code to live by. Confirm that we understand the consequences of unregulated magic. Once people realize no one has changed, and that the mages are working to make our empire better, things should return to normal."
Another Major raised his hand and awkwardly lowered it before asking his question. "It sounds like this is Talia's plan. Why isn't she here to put it forward to us?"
"We developed this plan together. However, we decided it would be better received if it came from one of you instead of a stranger and a civilian."
"You're not really one of us anymore, Sir." The young Major stared at his hands.
Terrell shot to his feet, glaring at the man who had spoken. "Colonel Sutton is first and foremost a Royalist. He has dedicated his life to sustaining the monarchy and keeping peace in Algodova. You should count it a blessing that he also happens to possess gifts that allow him to be part of the new group of mages."
Stefan smiled and waved Terrell back to his seat. "We are grateful, and I for one know where the Colonel's loyalties lie. That has never been questioned and we will not discuss it here. What I want to know is why the mages will agree to your council?"
"They're good people. They want peace to live their lives like everyone else. They'll also supp
ort it because of what Talia and I have to offer."
"And that is?"
"The trip to Orek will allow us to gather training information. The mages want to learn about their talents and how to use them. Jaron's home world can provide us with the way to do that."
"And you think the Council will keep them under control while you're gone?" Stefan leaned forward in his seat.
"I believe so. Right now, we have the majority on our side. We're not sure how long the trip will take, but even with Jaron's ship more time will pass on Sendek than it will for us. The longer we wait the greater the chance we'll lose that majority. Your Highness, we have to do this now. "
Stefan stood before the men. "We'll talk about this planned trip in private, but I give you permission to hold your Mage Council. I'd like to be there when it takes place."
"Of course." Landry stood too.
"Very well, we'll announce it on the nets at twelve rising. Plan it quickly and let's bring peace back to our streets." Stefan paused at the door. "Colonel, I'll see you and your wife in an hour."
Talia paced the length of the small balcony. Her fingers traced the line on her necklace where the amethyst met the sapphire. The first sun had been up for thirty minutes, but the second one wouldn't clear the horizon for another ten.
"Talia?" Landry joined her on the patio.
"How did it go?" She stepped into his embrace, closed her eyes, and entered the space they shared inside their minds. After a month of practice, the images were crisp and as real as the world they lived in on a daily basis. They had learned to furnish the room from their memories. Landry now sat in her home in Gneledar.
He beckoned, and in a blink she curled up in his arms. It was a strange sensation. Talia could feel his arms around her physical body, but she could also feel the soft fabric of the imaginary couch.
"Stefan agreed to the mage council. It'll be announced at twelve rising today."
"Thank goodness."
"You shouldn't have worried. Stefan knew we needed the council the first time we talked about it. Today was a formality."
"I know, but now it's real. Do you think it will help ease the strain between the mages and non-mages?"
Landry severed the mental connection. Talia gazed at the palace gardens and the busy skylanes beyond the protective barrier. The energy shield blurred the city looming around them, but it still pressed close. Too close.
"Landry?"
"I'm not sure." He sighed and moved to stand by the wall. "Under normal circumstances I think it should, but things are progressing much too fast."
"What do you mean?"
"People can usually control their tempers better. Talk things out. We skipped the protest stage and moved straight to riots."
Talia stepped close and rested her chin on the back of his shoulder. "The introduction of magic beat at the very foundation of our society. Maybe that's why this is harder?"
"No, I think something else is going on. I sensed someone using magic at three of the last incidents. A mage is pushing people's emotions past the breaking point."
Talia gasped. "Why would they do that?"
"I don't know. It makes it hard to know what to do. How do I keep you and everyone else safe?"
They both stared at the sky as the second sun appeared above the city skyline. A moment later Landry placed his hand over hers. She could feel the pressure that held him in a tight grip.
"Landry, you can't save everyone. Let us take care of ourselves."
"I know you can take care of yourself, but I want to make sure you don't have to. That's my job now."
"That sweet. And archaic. It's probably because of the dreams about Jaron's family. He lost everything and those emotions are clouding your judgment."
"Maybe."
Talia turned him until she could grasp his face with both hands. He hesitated a moment before slipping his arms around her waist. She kissed him until the tension in his body shifted from worry to something else.
She leaned back to smile at him. "Let's get this council set up. Maybe my leaving the planet will help as well. They won't have a central target to focus on."
Landry rested his head on her forehead. "Do you realize how hard this is going to be? Not everyone wants magic to stick around, even if it did save lives."
"We're prepared. All we have to do is convince people magic and science can coexist in harmony. Jaron's world did it, and we can too, but it's going to take time."
"That's what worries me. We don't have a lot of time."
"Shh, think positive. I can do this. We can do this." Talia kissed his nose and pulled away. "Especially now that we're working together."
He sighed and Talia knew she'd won.
"How are you doing with the mental exercises we talked about?"
"Okay. There hasn't been a lot of time to work on it." He sighed and changed the subject. "We need to speed up plans for the trip to Orek. Do you have any idea on the time it will take to get there and back? Stefan wants to meet with us in an hour."
"Not really. We can guess, but we haven't been able to test the ship or the warp bubble. Jaron wasn't exactly forthcoming with his age or details of his travels. It makes it hard to use him as a baseline."
"Then we have two priorities. The Mage council and the mission to Orek." Landry ran his hands through his hair, his shoulder tensing.
"Let's get to work then. After we speak to Stefan, we'll go to Jaron's ship. Since we won't have months to test and prepare, I need to pick your brain and Jaron's memories about how the ship works."
CHAPTER TWELVE
Jewel had never helped the dragons create a new world. At first it held her attention. She followed directions. Didn't cause trouble. She enjoyed being with her husband while they helped gather stardust and asteroids to build a moon.
The solar system's single sun wasn't as large or as bright as those that shone down on other dragon realms, but it contained powerful magic. The sun's strength radiated outward with enough energy to reach its farthest satellites. The dragons harnessed that power to form the core of the new planet.
As it took shape, Jewel's thoughts wandered to Sendek. It tugged at her. She could feel it in the pit of her stomach. One thought and she could be there.
"Jewel?" Elvin floated above the barren moon, highlighted by the orange glow of the sun.
"Yes?"
"You're far away."
"Thinking of home."
"This is home now."
Jewel met his gaze. "It'll never be home."
Elvin sighed. His wings twitched even though he didn't need them in space. His sides heaved in and out, and Jewel wondered if he'd spit fire in spite of the lack of oxygen.
"When can I return? I want to check in on our descendants." She refused to back down.
"Soon, but not yet. Humor Jenska a while longer. Finish the moon."
Stefan paced the floor of the living room, his brow wrinkled, hands clasped behind his back. Landry sat beside Talia.
"So you can't be sure how much time will pass on Sendek while you're gone?" Stefan paused in front of them.
"Not really. We can make guesses, but we haven't taken Jaron's ship into the warp to test it." Talia reached for Landry's hand.
"Cousin, we don't have time to analyze everything. Talia's helped me search Jaron's memories. We know how to do this, and we know it's safe." Landry wished he knew how to help ease Stefan's anxiety.
"How long do you think you'll be gone?" Stefan sat on the edge of a chair.
"It should take six months for us to reach Orek. Once we reach the planet time will resume a normalized pace. It'll be the same as here on Sendek." Talia took over the discussion. "It should take a few days planet-side to find what we need. Then another six months to travel home. It's during the space travel that time will move differently."
"Okay. How long?" Stefan's knee bounced. "Fifty years? A hundred?"
"Not that long. The SEF team estimates somewhere between ten and fifteen years."
Stefan sighed and visibly relaxed. "That's not so bad. I should still be around when you come home."
"If it had been fifty to a hundred years the trip wouldn't be worth it." Landry's emotions leveled out as his cousin's did.
"You know, it still needs a name." Stefan stood again.
"What?" Talia asked.
"The ship still needs a name. We can't have you flying off without a name." Stefan poured three drinks. "My father put a lot of weight on naming things. He always said the right name could make the difference between success or failure."
"Jaron called it The Revenge, but I don't think that fits anymore." The name popped instantly into Landry's memory.
"We should keep it simple. For Sendek, or Sendek." Talia suggested. "Or the Keeta?"
"That's surprisingly sentimental of you." Landry relaxed when her emotions didn't dip into the sadness usually associated with her lost pet.
"Why not Algodova then?" Stefan passed out the drinks.
Talia declined. "This is for more than Algodova. The knowledge we bring back will affect the entire planet."
"Of course, but it will be dispersed by the Algodovan Empire." Stefan stood by and countered.
"No. It should be a name that reflects the goal. Something about hope or knowledge." Talia stood too. Landry knew she wouldn't back down.
Stefan returned her stare with equal stubbornness. "Something cheesy like Hope's Endeavor? What about Forager?"
"What's wrong with Hope's Endeavor? I like that one." Her chin tilted up as she tried to stand taller than Stefan.
"Come on," Landry soothed. "We won't have many chances to sit and visit for the next twenty years. The name isn't that important."
"The name is everything." Stefan rubbed at the stubble on his chin and returned to his chair. "I know it sounds silly, but it's considered bad luck if you don't christen a vessel. We are repurposing the ship so it needs a new birth of its own. What if we called it the Clarity or Dreamchaser?"
"Stefan's right. We all need a fresh start now the Dragumon are gone." Talia furrowed her brow. "I like Clarity, but is that a good name for a ship?"
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