You really have stopped stalling and started writing haven't you? Is there some other writing you are avoiding or are you trying to give me a heart attack by doing something productive?
Both!
Chapter 3
May, 17, 1949, the portal chamber Kelia Brilsion.
Jarro tugged surreptitiously at the tight collar of his dress jacket, why the heck did fancy clothes have to be so uncomfortable? He missed his old orange jacket already, it went down to his knees and worn in nicely. His idly wondering eyes traced the intricate metal designs which flowed around the portal chamber. The walls themselves shone iridescent like hundreds of coloured lights lit it from behind. Something about the motifs was suppose to attract the incoming portal but it was far to intricate for him to grasp. Retin was watching the proceedings with interest, he suspected that she know how it worked, magical devises fascinated her, even it only ever puzzled him.
On the marble floor a series of crystals in metal frames marked out a circle, and in the corner of the room three mages wearing their long blue-black robes and a string of pale gems around their neck stood drinking coffee and gossiping. The stones varied from mage to mage he knew, the crystals where like a focusing tool for their magic. The more stones the more magic a mage could channel, and more reliable the spell, but stones were no good unless you had the spark to use them. The youngest one was the most ornamental, a fan of little gems around a main one. He was the Magious, for spells that required a lot of power, ie that of more then one mage he would gather all their power together and work the spell with it. He looked rather young but he knew that you never judge a mage by his appearance, it rarely had anything to do with what they could do.
Jarro sighed and tried to scratch his back. Then a noise, like someone hitting every note on a piano all at once rang echoing throughout the chamber. Jarro winced and rubbed his ears, few others in the chamber reacted to the noise, but the chatter died on their lips, and eyes turned to the detailed metal circle on the central floor of the chamber.
A young mage glanced at his watch before tucking it back in his pocket, then nodded at his fellow magi. On the far wall of the chamber a crystal hung on the wall, while previously clear it was now glowing pale pink, then increased in brightness till it was red, red was fading to orange, then through yellow. The two magi stood with palms facing toward the circle of crystals, waiting and watching. Their unofficial leader stood in the middle, slight hands folded, eyes shut, and dark hair falling over his eyes. Another crash of sounds echoed, and yellow changed to green. Brilliant light fill the room blinding Jarro momentary, he blinked rapidly, eyes watering. The source of the light was twelve streams of magic, from the men then through the crystals, all aimed at the youth at the centre. The light was now at the pain level, but stubborn till the end Jarro kept his eye cracked open. The centre mage reminded him of an eye of a storm, peace among chaos. Gathering the radiant light into a ball then releasing it into the walls evenly as if was painting it on. Two figures were starting to form on either side of the circle, tiny specks of light making the outline of a human.
A voice in his head whispered, ”Closing of the eyes at this point would be advisable.” after a seconds shock he complied, squeezing them tightly shut. A quiet laugh echoed, then his eye lids went white.
It was a minute after that before his sight returned, now there were two more people in the room, Emgran stepping forward to greet them. The young mage had gone back to his coffee, but was watching him with a smile on his lips. Jarro inclined his head slightly toward him, a gesture of thanks then turned to the newly materialised guests.
From their uniforms he knew they were Seirions, a group of changers who were the power behind their people. Skilled fighters, and trained for any sort of politics, they ruled in word if not name. They travelled in pairs, master and apprentice. The master was a small woman who's jet black hair was tinted with with grey, but vibrant green eyes glowed. The younger apprentice appeared similar in age to him, with long silver green hair, and yellow eyes. He stood a hand or two taller then the minister. Emgran welcomed them formally, Lady Kayle Nicro of the panther clan and Lucuse Berch of snake. Both wore the uniform of their sect, a black suit, a silver strip around the right sleeve.
Introductions took far too long in his opinion, and the food at the reception was well deserved. He met with the old panther briefly at the food table, her vivid green eye staring though his head for one very disconcerting moment. Then she moved on, quiet and menacingly, leaving Jarro staring after her.
“Sshe doess have quite an effect of people firsst time meeting them.” The third minister turned his head, lounging against the table the silver haired snake was observing him with interest.
“She is very striking lady. But I get the feeling she would like to tear my throat out.”
Lucuse threw back his head and laughed, “ Sshe wouldn't do that unlesss you really upsset her. You are Third Minisster Jarro, yes?”
Jarro grinned widely,”Famous am I? And you are Lucuse the Sekiller?”
“At your sservess.” Lucuse gave a slight incline of his head,”Alass your fame has not sspread that far, the lady there ordered me to learn the facess of all the leading politician in every major nation.” The snake changer made a face, “Sshe alwayss over doess thiss ssort of thing in my humble opinion.”
Jarro nodded with sympathy,”My secretary is like that, I may pay her wages but at the end of the day she is the one who makes the distinctions, or so it seems to me. At least you can claim the fact she is your master.”
Lucuse gave his funny hissing laugh again and raised his glass in a salute,”To the woman who order uss about!”
Jarro shook his head, but echoed him all the same, then took a sip of wine, it was fruity and the after taste was pleasantly warm.
”Wine is a mocker, drink it in your own time not mine.” Lady kayle growled a hairs berths from Lucuses ear, he started, then coughed, a little wine spurting from his nose. Jarro snorted himself from laughter at him.
“Yess ssir, won't happen again.” Lucuse regained his composer and after wiping his nose gave a sarcastic salute.
Lady Nicro gave one of her vindictive stares, “Good, then come with me.”
Lucuse threw a apologetic look over his shoulder, and hurried after Kayle as she stalked like a cat among the throng, people parting before her and closing after her.
Bored again Jarro turned his attention back to his dinner. He was awaiting the completion of the last few preparation along with the rest of the delegation, before they left for the coastal city of Cantil. From there a boat would take them to a border town in the Ignatumlands. At first light they would be off.
Jarro picked up his glass again and grinned to himself; this was one trip he was looking forward to.
No comments:
Post a Comment