She took the arm of the first guard to enter and swept away like a lady in her own manor house.
3
Good grief, the girl is strong. Reva sent the thought to Donna’s mind directly, hiding the exchange from the other members of the New Dawn, and from the mystic guard escorting them to one of the visitors rooms. If she keeps pushing like that tomorrow, I don’t know if we can hold her off.
Don’t be ridiculous, Donna sent, her thoughts laced with irritated exhaustion. Julianne was strong, but they had the advantage… for now. All we have to do is keep that shield up. We’ve practiced this. She doesn’t know our methods, or our strength.
Reva bit her tongue. Their ‘strength’ was nothing but a parlour trick that enhanced their mental shield, and it relied on everyone in their group staying strong. Sure, they’d had a ton of practice… but never against anything like Julianne.
Stop it, Donna warned. We were sent here to do one of two things. As long as our shield stays up, we are safe.
And if it doesn’t? Reva thought timidly.
Back in the dining hall, the door banged shut, leaving the room in silence. One by one, minds unshielded to reveal an overwhelming current of unrest.
A thread of calm wove through, and Julianne traced it back to Margit, one of the older mystics present. Grateful for the prompt, Julianne copied the soothing waves, touching the minds of the most afraid first and moving on when that person had calmed. Despite Donna's absence, Julianne kept her thoughts locked down.
“You’re all worried,” she called out when the room had begun to settle. “Despite our recent discussions, I know we all feel the same way. People are not chattel. Everyone, no matter their status or whether they can use magic, deserves a good and fair life.”
“With wine and women and laughter,” Danil added with a grin. The room ignored him.
“We have disagreed on my choice to involve myself in the fight with Adrien, and I respect that. I know that even those who wish I’d stayed behind are just worried about our own safety, that none of you think another human should be controlled or enslaved just because of how or where they were born.”
“She didn’t mean it, though. Did she?” A younger man looked around for confirmation from his peers. “She doesn’t want to rule the world, just…” He trailed off at the glowering faces beside him.
“What do we do? Surely, you don’t agree with her?” a voice called out.
“Nor do we want to start a war with another faction of our own!” came a reply. Julianne recognized both as the speakers from earlier in the night.
“Or submit ourselves to such awful taste in robes.” Danil’s gripe caused a ripple of light chuckles in the nearby crowd this time. Leaning back, Danil had a satisfied smile on his face.
“Right now, we will do nothing,” Julianne assured them. “We will let Donna and her people plead their case in the morning. Maybe it’s just a case of mixed messages. Then, a meeting of the seniors will be called, and we will figure this out together.” She ran her eyes over the pale faces before her. “I promise, nothing will be decided by one person alone. Not this time.”
Tentatively, she reached out to gauge the mood in the room. She was surprised to feel, amongst the worry and fear, a sense of pride and security at her words. They respected her as their Master, she knew that. But proud of her? She had to fight to keep the color from her cheeks and was glad she’d left her mental shield up when the guests had left the room.
“Go and rest. Our visitors will be watched through the night and in the morning, we will see what they have to say.”
Julianne sat back down and took a long swallow of elixir, then pressed the chilled glass to her forehead.
J, you need to do something about those headaches, Danil sent.
What? The sudden mental intrusion took Julianne by surprise. It’s fine, just a little worried about the newcomers.
He’s right, Margit chimed in. You’re overexerting yourself. You might be stronger than the rest of us, but that doesn’t mean you’re smarter. Listen to Danil. He at least has a brain in his head.
Me? Brain? I reject that accusation, Danil retorted.
Margit was a mother figure to many of those who’d come to the mystics at a young age. Though her talent for magic was average, her sharp mind and firm manner made her perfect to address the needs of the children.
She helped with their schooling a little, teaching them history and politics, but also made sure their teeth were clean and clothes tidy, that they took to their beds at a reasonable time and made them up in the morning.
I’m fine. Julianne sent the words with confidence. She had been pushing herself harder, but she was getting stronger for it. A little pain was worth the extra power, and Julianne had a feeling she’d need every bit of it.
Very well, Margit sent. The door to the great hall creaked shut as the last of the mystics left, leaving Julianne with Danil, Margit, and Zoe. “But don’t come crying to me when you burn yourself out.” She enveloped Julianne in a tight hug.
“I won’t, Margit.” Julianne gestured for Zoe to come sit at the head table with them. “Do you think I did the right thing?”
Margit raised an eyebrow. “You want to know what I’d have done?”
Julianne laughed. “Turned them over your knee and spanked them, probably. They should be safe enough, but what about tomorrow? I can’t just let them run around the countryside if they truly do pose a threat, but how can I stop them without alienating half the people who live here? If I start imprisoning people on a gut feeling, I’m no better than Adrien.”
“This threat is a lot closer to home than Adrien was,” Margit pushed. “Those tree-hugging peace lovers will realize their options resemble a choice between a used chamber pot and a bucket of shit. They’ll come around.”
Zoe’s thoughts were loud enough that she didn’t need to voice them.
“No, Zoe,” Julianne said before anyone else could speak. “I won’t delay my trip. In fact, this makes it even more pressing.”
In two days, Julianne had planned a private pilgrimage. An old mystic named Artemis, one with an odd manner and not much talent but an obsession with learning, was recently seen across the Madlands. Though travelers from that direction were rare, the rumor had instantly piqued Julianne’s curiosity.
“You’re heading off on nothing but a rumor, and leaving us alone with that cult stalking the Heights?” Zoe asked.
“It’s more than just a story. I’ve spoken to four people who remember him—Margit included.” Julianne nodded at the older woman.
“I do remember Artemis, but damned if I know how you think you’ll find him. The man never was happy amongst people and could go days without being seen even here in the Heights.” Margit’s face softened fondly as she remembered him.
Zoe screwed up her face. “I still don’t think it’s safe. Not for you, or for us. Who knows how many more of those New Dawn people are roaming the countryside?”
“Zoe’s right. We need to discuss where to go from here.” Danil spoke slowly, but Julianne could feel his mind racing. “Tomorrow’s agenda, other than this mess?” he asked, knowing the others would have read his thoughts.
Danil wanted to begin training the younger residents basic self-defense skills and to re-examine the security measures put in place since the events of Arcadia.
Julianne nodded. “I think we need to discuss it, at least. I don’t want to scare anyone more than we already have.” With a deep sigh, she stood. “I miss the days when all we did was talk philosophy and drink elixir. I need sleep first, though.” Julianne stood and the others followed.
“My dear girl, would you mind helping me up to my room? These old joints need more than a bit of elixir to loosen them.” Julianne nodded in response to Margit’s request. Margit waved away Danil’s offer to help, then eyed the cup still loosely grasped in his hand. “You going to drink that?”
He snorted a laugh and handed it over. Margit leaned on Julianne’s arm,
holding her cup out so it didn’t spill as they left the room.
“I expect you’ve led me away to offer some kind of sage advice?” Julianne murmured as they reached the stairs.
“Advice? I just wanted help so I didn’t spill my drink.” As if to emphasize her point, she stopped and took a mouthful. “Sometimes I wish this stuff had a little more kick, like that mead they drink down at Craigston.”
“If it did, the entire mystic community would be stumbling around drunk every day,” Julianne said wryly. The elixir had been crafted to soothe the mind of magic users without the side effects of alcohol.
“Most of those fools wouldn’t know the difference.” Margit handed Julianne the now empty glass, dropping the girl’s arm in favor of the stair railing. “Of course, if you want advice, I’m happy to oblige.”
Julianne rolled her eyes and dropped Margit’s arm.
“Last time you gave me advice, it was to find a hot young stud to train up as my assistant. What was it you said? ‘Why do it yourself when someone can do it for you, all while they’re doing you, too?’”
The woman smiled and paused at the top of the stairs. “You are the master of this domain, Julianne. Selah left you in charge for a reason.”
“Because I was the strongest,” Julianne said, knowing it was her magical strength that had gained her the position.
“Oh, don’t be ridiculous. You think he’d have left an idiot in charge, or a warmonger?”
Julianne had to admit it as unlikely. Selah had been an idealist, and a kind man. He had to have some level of trust in Julianne above her technical ability to give her the title of Master when he was gone.
“Selah always knew you’d be our next leader. Not because you’re strong, but because you kicked a rearick boy in the nuts for threatening his girl.” The old woman paused, watching Julianne’s reaction. “Oh, I see you remember that.”
“Margit, that was a terrible thing to do! I couldn’t face Selah for days after.”
“And when you did?” Margit waited expectantly.
Julianne sighed. “He told me my spirit would get me in trouble, but he couldn’t fault my reasoning.”
“You are kind, girl.” Margit reached a hand up to touch Julianne’s cheek. “And you are strong, and fierce, and you will keep our people safe. Not just our skins, worthless as they are, but our souls. You’ll lead us into a fight we were too scared to start, one we need to start if we are to live with ourselves when the sun goes down.”
Tears pricked at Julianne’s eyes as she hugged Margit goodnight. “Thank you,” she whispered to the old woman. And thank you, too, Selah, she thought, wishing she could tell her mentor one last time.
4
The next morning, Julianne sat at her place at the head table, mind tightly shielded as she watched the newcomers prepare to speak.
“I imagine the tradition of storytelling still persists?” Donna asked, bowing to Julianne.
Julianne nodded slowly. “Naturally.”
“Then with your permission, I will take the floor.”
Donna stepped forward into the center of the room, and Julianne settled in to watch the display.
Donna waited patiently until the room was silent before launching into her story. She projected her own images, eyes white as her magic worked.
“The New Dawn have isolated ourselves too long, hoping for the day we can rise to take our true place. Imagine our joy when news came that a girl had toppled the weak leaders of our kind. We knew she would be the one to lead us into a new dawn.”
An image formed of a girl. She had no face but wore Julianne’s long, chestnut hair. She stood tall, sunlight radiating behind her as she raised a staff and struck down a frail old man. Sickened fury clouded Julianne’s vision, almost choking her magic off and shattering her mental shield. She gritted her teeth and forced slow breaths as she regained control. A hand touched her arm and she gave Danil a grateful look.
“This girl seized her destiny, and pushed on to defeat the bigger threat—the evil of mankind. She stormed the gates of Arcadia, wiping the area clean of the vermin, smiting those who lived in squalor, stealing and gambling their lives away.”
Julianne seethed silently as the illusion showed the girl storming the city gates, waving the golden staff over people who cowered at her feet. Magic flowed from her in shimmering waves, and the people on the ground turned their eyes up. Fear and anger on their faces melted, replaced with the kind of vacant adoration that could only come from strong mental magic.
“She fought on, defeating those with inferior magic.” Now, it showed fireballs flying towards the girl, dissipating as they got close. “She cut out the rot within the city, right through its very core. When she finished, those who lacked the empathy and wisdom of the mystics were cowed.
“She mastered them, drove them to their knees. Then, she taught them to love. This love drowned the base urges they were cursed with, urges that can only be conquered by those who can read the thoughts of another.”
The girl in the image sat, a gilded throne appearing beneath her as she did. Swarms of people clustered around her feet, kissing them and staring up with love-struck eyes. The girl ignored them, staring ahead as the image swooped out to show her stare resting on the tree-covered lands around her.
“We, the New Dawn, wish to help. We will provide trained fighters to stand by your side as you bring the mystics of Irth into their rightful place, as we have in our own lands.”
Narrowing back into the girl again, this time the image had changed. Behind her stood five robed figures, faces dark inside their hoods. Instead of a staff of gnarled wood, she now held one of iron, topped with the strange sun symbol the New Dawn wore on their cuffs.
That was enough. Julianne shot to her feet, heedless of Danil’s warning tug on her arm. “You said a ruler can’t be fit unless they can read minds, feel true empathy. How in the hell can you walk past the pity and desperation in the streets of Arcadia and think those poor people need to be beaten and flogged more than they have? And then what? You mind control them into loving you?”
“You know,” Danil said, standing beside her. “If you can’t find a man the usual way, it’s easier to drop a bit of coin. I know of a brothel in—”
“Poor people?” Donna ignored Danil, cutting him off. “I have seen inside their minds, just as you have, great leader.” She spat the words like venom. “Those people lie and cheat and steal from their betters. Their betters kill and rape and abuse the power they were given by the gods. How—”
“The gods?” Julianne barked a laugh. “What gods? The Bitch and the Bastard are long gone, and any power they left should be employed to protect. Not enslave. We know our history—If Bethany Anne came back and saw what you’re planning, she’d kick your ass. So will I, if you don’t back down.”
Julianne lashed out with her mental power, anger fueling her usually calm casting. Rather than slip away, this time it pierced the protective barrier just long enough for Julianne to glimpse inside the other woman’s mind.
Darkness. Glory. A mind that was so bent, so warped, that Julianne couldn’t make sense of it before she was shoved out. Despite that, Julianne saw what she needed to. Donna’s mind had never been pure, but it had been twisted by a mystic, and a strong one at that.
“Out.” Everyone in the room jumped at Julianne’s sudden command. “Everyone, get the hell out.” This time, she shoved a thread of compulsion through the words.
Her eyes scanned the room, pushing the command to everyone but the woman who stood alone in the center of the room. As people hurried to leave Julianne and Donna alone, facing each other across the heavy wooden table, minds brushed each other. Julianne reached out with her mental magic and grabbed at three familiar thought patterns.
Danil was easiest to link to, due to their close relationship. Zoe, too, quickly formed a mind bond with the mystic leader. Margit was harder. Julianne probed the upper levels until she found the sleeping woman and mentally jostled h
er awake. After a moment’s reflection, she also reached out to pull Aldred in.
Watch, Julianne sent, then released her magic. The others stayed in her mind, safe behind Julianne’s protective shields as they watched through her eyes.
5
The hall door slammed shut and Julianne looked up, eyes blazing with anger.
Donna opened her mouth to speak, but Julianne cut her off.
“Drop the bullshit. You’re not doing this for the benefit of society’s dregs; you’re doing it for your leader. What kind of hold does he have over you?”
“He showed me the truth. These people aren’t worth saving, but they can be of use.” Donna smirked, but a slight hesitance in her expression showed Julianne she’d thrown her off balance. “Don’t be so precious, warrior-queen. I doubt your motives for going into battle were half as pure as you claim.”
Julianne bared her teeth in anger. “Let me make this perfectly clear. You and your kind are not welcome here. Not in the Heights, not in Arcadia, not on this side of the Madlands.”
In a flash of anger, she lashed out at Donna’s shields again, and again, she pushed past. A figure formed before her eyes. A man, strong and beautiful, along with a feeling of pure desire. Not lust, but a desire to please, to perform like a marionette on strings for the man.
“My kind?” Donna’s voice was deadly smooth, but the interruption was jarring.
Julianne blinked, then focused back on the conversation. “The mystics of the Heights fight for equality for all. Anyone who thinks they can put themselves above the common people and use them, restrict their magic or work them like slaves, or just pretend they’re more entitled, is wrong. We’ll fight to the death to prevent that.” A slight smile formed on her lips. “And we’ll win.”
Donna took a step back. “You don’t know who you’re dealing with, child.”
Welcome To The Age of Magic Page 94