04 - Rule of Magic
Throughout this book there are quite a few minor characters that play unimportant roles in the story. Many of these characters are listed in the section “Groups”, so that their names will be recorded somewhere, for possible future reference.
THE STAKEOUT
Contents
Chapter 1
Leira, Hagan and Correk, on the trail of the necklace, had a tip from an old witch that there would be a meeting of the Rhazdon group. The three went on stake-out, hoping to identify and trace who was there, with what. At first, an invitation spell was put on the house (bright- it’s here!) and when a participant showed up, Leira made the mistake of trying to enter his mind to read his intentions. He slammed the Mustang, and all of its occupants, with an energy pulse that would have killed them if Correk had not managed to divert it around the car.
Chapter 3
I’m still going to go back and read the trail he left behind to see where they were headed. He will certainly have left traps in his wake specifically designed for someone with your power. The Light Elves (stuff in the gnome’s vaults) stored the power to be used for good. The intention was always different. The energy held in the necklace is different. with a similar ending. Positive energy. It’s the damned unintended consequences that bite you in the ass.” When Leira left, Correk opened a portal and went to Oriceran.
THE NEW MAGIC
Chapter2
Magic. You can call it whatever you want but most do call it magic. Bending the laws of physics from within the biology of the practitioner in new ways to alter the environment. The artifact Langston Rogers had brought to Charlie Monaghan demonstrated that perfectly, as Langston showed Charlie how a portal to Oriceran could be opened mechanically with the use of a Peruvian wheel he had found in his searches.
This is going to change everything we know about our lives but unlike past inventions or discoveries, at a much faster pace. Charlie vows to get ahead of his competition.
Chapter 4
There are seven pages here, minutely detailing Charlie’s meeting with all of the investors/world leaders. EXCELLENT reading, too long to put in here. Sets tone for all of Monaghan’s dealings throughout book.
NEW CASE
Chapter 3
A murder. Basement in the upscale neighborhood of Travis Heights behind South Congress Avenue. The young man on the ground had been dead for days and was puffed up to almost twice his size from all the moisture in the basement. Third one we’ve found like this. Some kind of symbol cut into his neck. Other than that, the killer leaves no clues. I don’t believe we were meant to find the three bodies, either. Makes me wonder how many we haven’t noticed. The brass insisted we bring in the Feds and I thought of you two.” “That carving was done after the guy died. Just a signature. I’m betting this is human shenanigans. Not magical.” No magical trail. But here’s a weird twist . “He has to be two hundred pounds easy. We’d be talking about someone treading on a step with at least four hundred pounds. The wood would have cracked easily. Then there’s how neatly that kid is laid out. No bruising on him. Nothing’s broken. That would take a linebacker. He had help. They carried him down lengthwise distributing the weight. And he’s not from here. Look at those Timberland shoes. That’s expensive cold weather gear and they’re worn on the bottom. No one in Austin would invest in boots like that or get the chance to use them.” Leira pulled up energy from the wet ground, She watched the movement of the energy left behind, snaking back and forth and felt the thin thread of darkness woven through the stream. She shut her eyes and sent her energy out ahead of her, letting it follow the trail, feeling it in the center of her being as the two streams traveled across town to an old church that was turned into a restaurant. More streams appeared. “This dead guy definitely isn’t from Austin.” This was done as a ritual. Humans trying to play at being magical. That made up symbol is a sign of their cult. They think they’re creating zombies.” I think I have their meeting place. It’ll be the best chance to catch most of them.” Make your call. We need someone on that building pronto.”
Chapter 4
Leira called the general and told him everything she knew. A special ops team surrounded the restaurant in under an hour and took five people into custody with enough evidence on their laptops to charge them with several counts of murder.
THE PROPHETS
Chapter 5
All gathered in front of Book of Prophecies, in glass case. “It’s time. We can’t keep putting this off. The gates will start to open soon and the human beings are already racing each other to find the artifacts and relics we left behind. Our world will be ending and we will need to make Earth our new home. We need to prepare our people.” “The humans will never fully accept us.” We’ve already been over this.” “We need to find a way to get them on our side. We tried before, and failed miserably (Prince Rolim thing). What do you propose, Gnome? We’ll open a portal to Earth and stage an accident to someone they all notice, a celebrity. An accident that leaves her briefly at death’s door until one of us magically brings her back to complete health. Send a witch and the Wood Elf. I’m not sure how I feel about harming anyone, a pixie said. It’s a celebrity. Imagine the publicity this will get them. They’ll be set for life.” Always nice when a plan comes together. Not much longer and I can shed this skin, thought the Gnome, thought the Gnome.
Also, see The First Public Contact, Chapter 13
THE PDF
Chapter 5
Leira, Hagan, Patsy and Lois
Leira and Hagan watch Patsy and Lois, in the new office. Lois gives off a stronger pulse than she lets on. They are both hiding in plain sight. Flying Twinkies in, to snack on. Suddenly, alarms start ringing! Something as big as Chicago is happening, somewhere. TV screen lights up, as does Leira’s body, arms. Humans, witches, and local government- Necklace has disappeared again. Discovered that Leira can’t read the symbols. Translated for her- (May Sage wounded -etc.). They’re the energy talking to you, looking to guide you. You’re your own virtual screen. These will only appear when you summon them, giving you information about the magic you’re tuning into. Like a heads up.” You need a mentor who can teach you the basics.
Chapter 6
The Meeting - The New Race
Anderson in hush meeting with Black-Ops, discussing Latvia thing, and the necklace. Am I to understand that’s not the only artifact but in fact there are thousands of these things littering the world?” Correct as well and a poorly kept secret at this point. Different sites in older parts of the world are being ransacked as foreign governments search for artifacts they can stockpile. Some friendly to us, some not at all. An arms race but with magic! That is about the size of it. There are rumors that large corporations are getting into the business but they can’t be confirmed. So we can’t shut them down “Well, hell, I suppose we’re about to engage in some kind of new age battle in plain sight. Your request for funding is approved. You have your directive. See that we win this race and soon.
CORREK ON ORICERAN
Chapter 6
Talks with Perrom. Notices Louie, and powerful artifacts he has to sell. Asks about rumors or Rhazdon’s followers, and hears that there are rumors about the old Gnome. Whoever the leader is, they’re almost as powerful as Rhazdon was in his day. Correk asks Perrom if he thinks Rhazdon still lives. Do you think it’s possible? If Rhazdon survived that fire then yes, he could still be alive. Don’t let that be so.” Stay vigilant! Perrom promises to tell Correk if he hears anything, even if he has to open a portal to do so.
THE MOVES
Chapter 7
Eireka and Mara find a two-bedroom apartment, close by. Moving out. Will make everyone more comfortable, including Eireka!
Yumfuck can really talk whole sentences very well. Correk did not know. Most people on Oriceran manage to avoid bonding with them. Yumfuck has been an entirely new adventure for me. It’s like he has a plan and we’re all in it.”
Leira asks Correk about the symbols on her arm. How long have you known that the symbols on my arm read like a ticker tape? I knew it would come up but you weren’t ready to know all the information spilling out of the symbols.
My symbols are more immediate. They tell me about danger directly to me. Normal and average for a Light Elf. Your symbols on the other hand tell about dangers near and far. They roll out onto your skin and change so fast I can’t read them.
I want a mentor. If there’s anyone who knows about the reach of your magic it would be Turner Underwood. Do you know why they call him the Fixer? He doesn’t fix problems as much as he reconstitutes people. Magical people. Helps them master their magic to the point where they’re maximizing their potential. Seems to be able to feel how much more someone can do. How do I find him? Put the word out in the magical community. Call Toni. There is a very good chance he’s been waiting for your call.
Chapter 8
“Ramanna” opened a portal to Oriceran for her, and she stepped through into the Royal Gardens, then went into town.
Charlie had been visited by the Crystal (Prophet) and one of the witches, wanting to make a deal with him, discus the oncoming portals, technology, etc., sets a meeting with his group, and they would be there. A portal opened, and a delegation of five prophets stepped through, all in their blue, earth-constellation robes. The Crystal, the Kilomea, the Light Elf, the Gnome, and the witch. Witch cast a disinterested spell at the door (others would stay away). There to make a deal. Will offer them knowledge about magic and how it works. Artifacts are good. As gates open magic and its use will increase. Will tell you the rules. In return, we want assistance helping Oricerans to migrate to this world. Knowledge will go a long way for your side, and a basket of muffins and a smile will help our people. Charlie requested a list of the areas in which they were interested, and the number of people expecting to migrate. Left them with a pile of papers on how to use artifacts without turning yourself into ashes, and a list of areas of interest. Also, a present – the co-ordinates of a gift from them to Charlie’s group. The PDF van had listened to it all, and decided to tell Leira before it grew much bigger.
