The Iron Realm (The Iron Soul Book 1)

by J. M. Briggs

  “And all of these worlds are in different… realities?” Bran questioned he studied the tree intently.

  “No,” Morgana told him, “In many cases the worlds on the same branches are in the same reality, separated by space, but metaphysically linked by the Tree of Reality due to the presence of sentient life.”

  “So is this all the worlds with life?” Alex asked, looking at Earth which was alone.

  “I don't know,” Morgana told her, earning a startled expression from Alex. The usually elegant teacher simply shrugged and continued to explain, “We don't know everything. Our knowledge extends to the thirty-nine worlds that make up the tree, but why those worlds and if there are any beyond it is something we have no answer to.”

  “That would take the fun out of being alive,” Merlin added with a chuckle, lightening the mood a tiny bit. “My personal theory is that the Tree of Reality is an energy system to ensure the continuation of the universe in some form. It links different realities, perhaps to keep them connected for the next Big Bang.”

  Bran grinned at the idea and Merlin gave him a quick wink while Morgana huffed and shook her head.

  “Regardless,” Morgana began again, “These are the worlds that have the potential to affect and even end life on Earth. Due to Earth's position at the base of all branches it is a crossroads in the tree of reality.”

  “Do you have a theory?” Bran asked, his eyes still locked on the tree.

  Morgana sighed, but answered, “I favor the idea that someone with too much magical power got bored one day and thought it would be fun to link a bunch of worlds together that shouldn't have ever met in order to see what would happen.” Her crisp tone made them all freeze uncomfortably and Morgana turned her attention back to the tree.

  She moved around the tree calmly and pointed at a pulsing point near the one Merlin had indicated was Earth. “And this is Sídhean,” she announced before shifting her hand and gesturing to the branch that the Sídhean world was on. Looking at the branch, Alex noticed it split into another branch near the Sídhe world with three more glowing lights on one side and four on the other branch.

  “Sídhean is a cross road world much like Earth,” Merlin explained, “It sits at the split of two branches and shares traits with both. Earth is not the first world that Sídhe have sought control over. The sad fact is that those seven worlds and their peoples are already under the power of the Sídhe.”

  “All of them?” Nicki repeated in shock. “Seriously, seven whole worlds.”

  “The branch that Sídhe naturally sits on joins those who have certain traits in common, mainly a weakness to iron. To answer your question about the different mythological kinds of fairies, this is the reason for the variety of creatures and their shared weakness. All the different types of faery folk are members of peoples who have been conquered by the Sídhe. As you can see they can go no further in their quest without first taking Earth.”

  “And then they'll have access to all the other branches,” Nicki murmured as worry settled on her face. “That does answer my mythology question.”

  “And because Earth is in the way, none of the other worlds can fight the Sídhe.”

  “Like Earth, many of these worlds have their own problems,” Merlin told them, shaking his head. “There are those who don't worry about the Sídhe and many worlds just like Earth are largely unaware of the Tree of Reality that links them to potential hostile peoples.”

  “And others assume that the Sídhe weakness to iron means that they can go no further,” Morgana added with a look at the branches. She waved her hand and the small glowing balls of light that marked the worlds around Sídhean all turned blood red. Shuddering slightly, Alex dropped her eyes and looked at her hands, aware of the silence that had settled into the room. “Sadly,” Morgana continued a moment later, “The protections that were created on Earth will fail soon and humanity has forgotten much.”

  “Plus plastic has taken over,” Aiden sighed, leaning on his hand. Alex snorted softly despite herself and looked up at the tree.

  “That doesn't help,” Merlin agreed while watching Morgana for a long moment as she stared at the glowing red worlds. Then he waved his hand and the tree vanished in a shimmer of gold, blue and red. “Now it is time to turn your attention back to learning your magic.”

  “But-” Nicki began to protest.

  “Nicole,” Merlin said firmly, stopping her. “I appreciate your curiosity, but Morgana and I are thousands of years old. We could never tell you everything and knowing it is not what will save you when the Hounds return. I suggest we return our focus to your magic lessons.”

  23

  Of Dreams and Visions

  Staring up at Hatfield Hall from the parking lot, Alex tried to prepare herself for the return to school after Thanksgiving break. While at home, she'd found it frighteningly easy to forget about the Sídhe and magic. It had been simple to hug her parents when she arrived home, tease her younger brother Eddy and be teased in return by her older brother Matt. Mom had spoiled them all with home cooked meals and doing the laundry. Sighing softly, Alex hoisted on her backpack and picked up the folding laundry basket that was now filled with clean and folded clothing.

  She closed the door of her car with her foot and headed for the building, trying to remember which pocket of her backpack she'd hidden her dagger. The realization that she wasn't certain made Alex inwardly flinch at her own negligence while another little voice inside of her pointed out that nothing had happened in a month. December started the next day and the only magical event in November had been Nicki gaining control of her powers. Alex huffed, that wasn't true anymore. Aiden had apparently succeeded in lighting a candle with his powers during mediation the day after Thanksgiving according to Nicki's excited phone call yesterday.

  Alex had no doubt that Morgana would be testing him at Monday's session. And Bran had already had magical visions for years even if he couldn't control them. She swiped her key card with more force than was necessary and set down her laundry long enough to pull the door open with a hard jerk.

  If Aiden had gained control then she was falling behind the others. Shaking her head, Alex stepped into the elevator and took a breath to calm down. Her hand dropped to the top of her laundry basket where Galahad was placed for safe keeping and she pet the plush fur to calm down. She was being silly and worrying too much. There were people milling about all through the hallways as students said hello and unpacked their things. Alex greeted Mary and Tiana through their open doorway as she headed for her own room.

  Setting her laundry down and shrugging off her backpack, Alex closed and locked her door with a grateful sigh. After the drive from Spokane, her back hurt and she was sure that she must have been gritting her teeth through the flurry outside of Portland. Rubbing the back of her neck, Alex toed out of her shoes and sat down to pull on a pair of fuzzy socks. She ignored her clean laundry in favor of unpacking her laptop and tablet, taking a moment to call her mother to let her know she'd arrived safely. On her phone was a text from Jenny letting her know that a travel delay would result in her getting home late, but that everything was fine.

  Soon Alex was more relaxed, her laundry was put away and she was considering doing some mediation exercises, hoping that if they helped Aiden she'd have some luck with them too. A knock on her door grabbed her attention and Alex opened it to find Bran standing in the hall.

  “Bran?” Alex half greeted, half asked, “Hi,” she quickly amended. “It's good to see you.”

  “Welcome back,” Bran greeted her with small smile before gesturing into her room with his free hand. “Can I come in?”

  Pushing down the urge to sigh or roll her eyes, Alex stepped to the side and made room for Bran to walk into the room. His cane tapped loudly against the tiles as he moved to Jenny's bed and sat down. He huffed slightly and set his cane to the side making Alex wonder if the cold made things harder for him. She considered asking, but Bran looked up at her with a strange expression,
his green eyes almost calculating.

  “So?” Alex questioned, “What's up?” Chuckling, Alex tilted her head and added, “I have a feeling that you didn't show up just to welcome me back.”

  “No I didn't,” Bran admitted with a nod. “Nicki called you right?”

  “Aiden has control over his powers, yeah she called me,” Alex assured him.

  Bran snorted and at her surprised expression explained, “Control is saying a bit too much. He lit a candle during mediation and then yesterday he set a blanket on fire. Luckily Nicki was there and put the fire out.”

  Eyes widening, Alex couldn't help but smile as the scene played in her head. She had no doubt that Nicki was going to be lording that over Aiden for at least a week.

  “I guess it's good that she found her magic first,” Alex offered and was pleased when Bran's lips twitched into a real smile. They were quiet for a moment and Alex noted Bran pulling at a thread on his jacket cuff. “So, what else do you want to talk about?”

  Bran raised his green eyes to Alex's and acknowledged her with a tilt of his head. “Nicki said you've been having the nightmares,” Bran informed Alex, “Aiden had it a few times too. The dark tunnel and the strange voices in the distance.”

  “It's not surprising,” Alex remarked with a quick shrug, trying to sound calm at the sudden focus of the conversation. “We've all been told that the fate of world is depending on us gaining control of our magic and the Sídhe use special magical tunnels to enter our world.”

  “But all of us having the same nightmare?” Bran pressed.

  Sighing, Alex sank onto her bed, grateful that Jenny wasn't due back for another few hours since their flight out of San Francisco was delayed. She didn't want to risk anyone walking in on this conversation.

  “Maybe it's just about the Connection we formed,” Alex offered, rolling her shoulders which suddenly felt very tense and uncomfortable.

  “Maybe,” Bran conceded with a small sigh. “I'll go with that explanation, but has your dream differed at all from the dark tunnel and the voices?”

  “Differed….” Alex said slowly, her mind instantly jumping back to the child she heard scream and cry. “Nothing major, but…”

  “But?” Bran pressed, leaning forward a little bit. “But what?”

  “In the last two weeks,” Alex stumbled, biting her lip before she forced herself to continue. “I get to the end of the tunnel.”

  “You get to the end?” Bran asked in surprise, “Nicki and Aiden said they never made it to the end.”

  “Yeah,” Alex mumbled, “But then I hear a little kid scream and cry so I turn around and go back into the tunnel. I usually wake up around then, but I can see the stars and I turn back.”

  Bran was studying her with a slight frown, but he nodded slowly. “My dream differs too,” he confessed. “Except I don't find the exit, but a path that leads further down. I heard metal hammering so I follow the sound even through it takes me deeper.”

  “And?” Alex questioned, “What do you find?”

  “I wake up just as I'm coming around a corner, every time. I can see this bright light that illuminates the cave walls in front of me, I can smell smoke and feel the heat of a fire, but I haven't been able to turn that last corner,” Bran told her, his eyes distant. Alex didn't' have to wonder what he was seeing.

  “And you think it means something?” Alex asked him softly, tucking her feet under her as she felt the chill of the tunnels settle over her skin. Her mind went back to when she'd first met Arthur. A fire wasn't so unusual, but the metal clanging was a shared detail that made her heart beat faster.

  “Yes,” Bran answered shortly, “I think it is very important. My theory is that it is the magic of Earth trying to warn us.” As he spoke, Bran was toying with a paperclip that he'd drawn out of his pocket.

  “Of what?” Alex asked in a quiet voice that sounded weaker than she wanted. “We already know that the Sídhe are getting stronger. The dreams might be useful if they allowed us to map out the tunnels,” Alex argued before frowning as she considered the idea. “But then again the tunnels don't really turn much.”

  “No they don't,” Bran agreed, looking a little amused despite the serious expression on his face. “But I just can't shake the feeling that the dreams are important. We're supposed to learn something from them.”

  “Have you talked with Cornwall and Yates?” Alex asked, shifting on her bed and tapping her fingers against her knee.

  “I tried,” Bran replied with a shrug. “They did that evading thing they're so good at.”

  “I've noticed that,” Alex muttered before adding, “Perhaps they don't know either.”

  “They said that it isn't unusual for mages to have vivid dreams and remember them,” Bran explained, but the worry lines between his eyes didn't ease.

  “Maybe that is all it is,” Alex suggested, playing with her hands before fisting them in her comforter to stop, not wanting to show her nervousness to Bran.

  “Maybe,” Bran sighed, “Anyway, welcome back.”

  Bran climbed to his feet with the aid of his cane and headed for the door surprising Alex more than a little.

  “Uh okay,” Alex stumbled, “I'll see you tomorrow.”

  “See you tomorrow,” Bran answered as he reached for the doorknob. He paused and turned back to Alex and added, “Will you tell me if your dream changes again?”

  Alex hesitated, but nodded. “Sure,” she promised. “If you really think it's important?”

  “I think everything is important now,” Bran informed Alex with a small shrug and he took another step through the doorway. “I'm sorry to spring this on you, but I wanted to talk you about it since I've had a chance to talk with the others already. I just…” Bran paused and sighed, “I saw you out my window and just I had a feeling that I needed to talk to you.” He started to move again out the door.

  “Bran, wait a second,” Alex called, reaching a hand out towards Bran for a moment before she started fiddling with them in front of her. “I think there is something else.”

  Turning back to Alex, Bran nodded and closed the dorm door. He didn't move back to the bed, but leaned on his cane as he watched her try to collect her thoughts.

  “My friend Arthur,” Alex started to say slowly, “Arthur Pendred, when I first met him I had a vision just like when I met you and the others,” Alex told him in a rush.

  “Are you sure?” Bran questioned, his face twisting with worry and a hint of doubt. “Really sure?”

  “Yes,” Alex assured him. “There was this metal banging sound and I could smell smoke and feel the fire. Like-”

  “Like my dream of the tunnels,” Bran finished with a strange expression. “Does he have classes with Cornwall or Yates?”

  “No,” Alex answered with a shake of her head. “But none of you guys felt anything or reacted to him.”

  “That's true,” Bran muttered, tapping a finger against the head of his cane. He gave Alex a searching look. “Why haven't you mentioned this before?”

  Shrugging, Alex tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and fought the urge to lower her eyes. “I thought… I don't know, but since no one else got anything from Arthur I thought that it was just me or that I'd imagined it.”

  She was getting really tired of the way that Bran was studying her until he chuckled. “You've got a crush on him haven't you.” She didn't respond and Bran rubbed his forehead. “But if you're right… then there could be something really big happening here too.”

  “Like what?” Alex pressed, crossing her arms over her chest defensively. “What could this have to do with Arthur? Why would the vision I had when I met him be like your dream.”

  “Question,” Bran interrupted, stopping Alex from building up a good rant. “In the vision did you see him or was it just the smoke and fire.”

  “I could smell smoke, see fire and hear the metal pounding,” Alex answered, “But no I didn't see him. When I learned about the connection I was really surprised t
hat Arthur wasn't one of us.”

  “I have a hard time believing that Morgana and Merlin didn't find him if he is a mage,” Bran told her thoughtfully, “But what else could it be?”

  “I told Merlin and Morgana about him last month,” Alex told him, “After you guys had left, but Morgana said that they'd check on him.”

  “And she hasn't said anything since?” Bran asked, almost urgently.

  “No,” Alex replied, shaking her head. “Morgana said that there were other possibilities, but didn't elaborate. I put it out of my mind,” Alex admitted with a sheepish shrug.

  “That's strange,” Bran muttered, biting at his bottom lip for a moment. “I hate to speculate when there is so much that we don't know. But I have a hard time thinking this is a coincidence.”