“What just happened?”
Marcus accepted Hanna’s help getting up, then looked around at the unfamiliar horizon. For one thing, the mountains were on the wrong side of the city. They were also nearly on the coast, the sound of the never-ending storm easily heard to the south.
“I’d say we just teleported, though the amount of power needed to teleport the entity city, settlement, thousands of occupants, and the surrounding land… that’s insane. The closest thing I’ve heard of was Feron’s tower, and that was only a single building!”
Hanna nodded with a frown, no doubt thinking of the failed attempt to kill that mage. “So the big question is, who did it?”
Marcus nodded. “Exactly. Given the geometry, the spell had to originate in the city. Let’s head there and see what we can learn.”
***
They met up with several groups heading the same way. Some Marcus knew, though most he did not. The Shadow Dancers were a comfort to see. Those two had been heavily involved with relations between the city and settlement.
The enlarged group was intercepted at the gates by two familiar Panthras. Bageera stepped up to the mage contingent. “Khan Shaka is waiting for you at the origin site. Theron will guide you. The rest can join me at a meeting with Khan Xhere. We’ll be discussing our new situation.”
There was some grumbling from the assembly, but the group parted, the mages following the silent Panthra. Everyone seemed content to keep the silence.
Soon they reached a building with the cloaked Khan standing outside. She raised a hand in greeting. “Waiting within is the one who is a hero to us all.” With that said, she led them inside.
The first thing Marucs saw was the huge red crystalline structure in the center of the floor. Second was the silver inlaid spellwork on the floor. Stepping closer, he saw something in the crystal.
“Typhonus!”
Kneeling within the crystal was what appeared to be his best friend, eyes closed, long hair in disarray, and hands clasping a sphere in his lap.
Marcus rested a hand on the crystal and turned to face the Khan. Around the room the other mages stood silent, a mixture of emotions on their faces.
“What happened?
Khan Shaka bowed her head slightly. “I do not have all the details, only those he shared with us. That he intended the shield to empower the teleportation spell. That it would save us all. And that it would most likely cost him his life.”
“Oh Ty… what couldn’t we have worked together on this?”
Marcus sank to his knees. He felt Hanna’s arms wrap around him and lean on his back.
Khan Shaka rested her paw on the crystal. “He gave his life for all of us. He shall forever be remembered for that. Thank you.”
The rest of the mages leaned in to touch the crystal, whispering their thanks.
Hanna lifted a hand from around Marcus, kissed her fingertips, then pressed them to the crystal. “Thank you.”
There was a pulse of energy from the crystal. Marcus’s eyes went wide. Leaning in closer, he concentrated. “Oh you magnificent mage.” Turning to Hanna, he smiled. “He left us a present. It’s a teleportation crystal for a new node!
***
“Though our location is new, our situation remains unchanged.”
Palcon sat at the large table, along with the members of the Settlement Council, his parents, Duke Becosea and his son, and Raze. Khan Xhere had made introductions all around, including a female Lyonin named Sasha who was standing in for Khan Kubla.
“The Empire of Man still seeks our destruction, as well as the forced annexation of all human settlements. While we were within their reach our survival looked bleak. Now we have been given an invaluable gift.
“Time.”
Dallon spoke up. “It won’t take the Empire long to cross the mountains, especially with how motivated they are likely to be. Either they’ll finally force the Valley, or they’ll go through the mountains, which is the direction I’m betting they’ll favor.”
Duke Becosea nodded. “Up until we left the estate, I’d been hearing rumors of an expanded iron mine up north. Supposedly there were tunnels and caverns that go all the way through.”
Khan Xhere tapped the table with a claw. “The Ra’shan also have a path from their swamps that goes through the mountains. We are waiting for the Lyonin warriors to return before flooding those tunnels.” The Tigra nodded to Sasha, who returned the barest of nods. He continued, saying, “That gives us months to organize a true resistance to the Empire. There are several other peoples we can recruit on this side of the Silverspine Mountains, including the Groka and Treefolk who crossed the Valley when attacked by the Empire.”
Annamarie perked up. “The Treefolk would be an amazing resource. I’ve seen what they can do against the northern giants.”
Palcon and Dallon nodded together, as did several of the council members. Leon spoke up. “The human settlements here won’t have heard of the Speakers of their blaming of the Majestix for The Sundering. They may still blame mages though.”
Khan Xhere took the conversation back over, leaning forward and steepling his paws on the table. “We have new potential allies, untapped resources, and time. Over the coming weeks we invite all to bring their ideas and plans to the council. We also wish to discuss greater relations between our peoples.
“The city is already home to the Majestix, Shartha, and Ra’shan. With the loss of Central, it is the most diverse city in the known world, save for The Jewel of the North. We would welcome the humans as our equals, to one day see the city grow to encompass the settlement.”
The Tigra looked around the table at the assembled representatives. “We propose to finally give the city a name, in honor of our united struggle, and as a hope for a brighter future.
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“We want to call it Harmony.”
For a moment there was silence in the council chamber. Slowly, Palcon reached out and placed his fist on the table. “I am all for Harmony.”
There was a chorus of agreements, and more fists joined his on the table.
The last was the Lyonin, Sasha, who gave Palcon a look he couldn’t read before her paw joined those on the table.
“Together in Harmony.”
***
“You were not defeated, my friend. Your foe fled. You must go easier on yourself over this.”
Brightheart sighed, looking down at the mask in his hands. He didn’t usually take it off but felt that Xius deserved to see his true face and not just the one he presented to the world.
“I was unsuccessful in my task. It seems to have become a trend of late, save only that I didn’t lose a limb this time. Xius, I failed. I failed the Empire and I failed you.”
Xius shook his head and gripped Brightheart’s upper arm. “You have not failed me. You are looking at this the wrong way. Instead, think of the new reality. We now have complete control of this side of the Silverspine Mountains. Everything is ours, from the land to the resources. Now there is nothing to stand in the way of us changing the land as we wish.
“Think of it! Those roads I promised all those years ago can finally be built. The improvements that have been pushed aside in favor of building the armor.
“Even the army will have a greater purpose! We can finally make our land safe from monsters. People will be able to walk the land without fear of attack. Not to mention all that land to the south previously under Majestix control. The buffalo herds! So much to be thankful for.”
Brightheart finally gave his friend a gentle smile, so different from the beaming grin he usually showed people. “You’re right, dear Xius. I suppose it just galls me to know that so many people opposed to our dream are still out there. Who knows what they could be up to in the meantime?”
Xius grinned, released Brightheart’s arm and gave it a friendly slap. “Never fear, my friend. I won’t let them forget us. My advisors tell me we’re only a couple months away from cracking through the mountains. I intend to fortify the eastern end and use it to harass our friends on the other side. We won’t confront them directly until we’re ready and can make sure they don’t run again. That is what I’ve tasked Feron with. He was not happy to be taken away from his hybrid projects, but he obeyed.”
Xius smiled, excitement shimmering in his eyes. “Our dream of a united human world is another step closer. And speaking of a united world, you still me a bride. Let’s get some drinks and look back over that list.”
***
“How tempted were you to leave Kubla behind and have the tunnel flooded sooner?”
Khan Xhere regarded Khan Shaka with a level look over his steepled paws. “Not at all.”
“Oh? And why is that?”
“Because his mate, Sasha, would have burned down the city.”
“Ah. Fair enough.”
***
10 AS
Rain soaked Marcus’s robes as he stood with the gathered people on the coast of Eastern Ryode, just south of Harmony. The Leyline Storm lashed at the land, lightning stabbing into the frothing waves.
Stepping slightly apart, he turned to face the group. “Ten years ago, our world was torn asunder. Countless lives were lost. An entire continent sunk into the sea. Friends and family ripped apart. Today, we remember the fallen. We remember the goal of Central, the dream reborn in Harmony.”
Marcus cupped his hands together, a mage globe growing to life. All throughout the group, other mages ignited their own mage globes. Each was sent aloft, drifting through the rain.
“May these lights carry our dreams and wishes to the sky, so that one day our world may be reunited in peace.”
Bowing his head, Marcus let the rain carry away his worries, his cares, and his fears.
Suddenly, the world fell silent, the sound of the rain and storm fading away. Tilting his head up, he felt the warmth of the sun as it burned through the clouds.
“Marcus, look!”
Marcus turned to look at Hanna, then followed her pointing fingers.
The storm around them had dissipated, rays of sunshine spilling through clouds that were already beginning to disperse. Yet even that wasn’t what caught his attention.
Rising from the gentle waves were a group of snake people, the Sha’rii, denizens of the deep, rules of the seas, separated these ten years from the land by the storms. One carried what appeared to be a massive pearl, mounted in a stone cradle.
Marcus bowed his head as the Sha’rii neared. To a one they settled their coils, hands clasped together at their waists. Elaborate coral head pieces adorned the brow of two of them, one who held the pearl, the other slimmer of figure.
“Greetings, Land Dwellers, I am Larissa, Priestess of the Goddess of the Depths. She has guided my people as we endured the storm that wracks the world. She has guided my people as we survived the storm. And now, She has guided us in how to tame the storm.
“In Her name, we the Shar’rii bring that guidance to you, that together we may heal this world.
“It is time to Tame the Storm.”