Broken Read online

  “Wow,” was the only response he could muster. It did not seem to do this news justice.

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  “Wow indeed young Mr. Jacoby. Wow indeed,” Billie agreed.

  Colin glanced at Catrina. She, however, did not look as astonished at this information as he did. She must have already known this, like everyone else.

  “It could literally be any child!” Billie then told him. “Even a child that’s been deemed something else, like your sister being a Firemancer. Not that it’s her of course, just an example,” Billie said with more of her normal vigor. “The signs start coming on stronger in the teen years.”

  “What kind of signs?” Colin asked.

  “It can be different for each child, but in general, their nature will start to change. The nicest person will suddenly become mean, cunning or vengeful. There will be an increase of magical accidents. Unexplainable happenings.”

  “Like the devastation in the meadow?” he asked.

  “Perhaps, although, I feel not likely. The devastation in the meadow has a more physical cause behind it.”

  Colin let out a long sigh.

  “Chances are that this child doesn’t even know what they are. If what the Stripers say is true, though, and they did track a real Projector’s magic here…” Billie did not finish and her stare gazed over to the trunk she had dragged in from the meadow.

  “I can’t imagine,” Colin started then stopped. “I can’t imagine what it would be like, to find out you are that child. Finding out you have no future. No chance. Or that if you lived you would destroy everything or anyone you cared about.”

  “It is a terrible fate,” fretted Catrina, looking away.

  She turned her head to hide the tears falling down her cheeks. He wanted to comfort her, but could not with Billie in the room.

  “A horrendous tragedy for any family,” Billie added. “There are tales of families going on the run, trying to protect their child, blind to the horrors to come, only to fall prey to the uncontrollable magic, or to be killed alongside the child.” They sat in silence for a while.

  Colin tried to picture the faces of the children he had gone to school with in Grimble, or seen walking around the camp. Was it one of them? More likely than not, the child belonged to the missing caravan.

  Had that child unknowingly caused the devastation? If so, what had happened to all those Svoda? Were they dead? Lost? Or had some other tragedy befallen them? Could the Stripers themselves have had something to do with their disappearance?

  Catrina sniffled.

  Glass Coffin. Left behind in a sleep she wasn’t meant to awaken from. Could she…

  Colin blocked those thoughts, infuriated that he even dared think it.

  He arose in a huff and entered his room.

  He held open the door long after he was through.

  This time Billie noticed.

  He had not been careful.

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  He let the canvas door fall shut, hoping she would not think too much of it.

  ##

  Meghan arrived alongside Juliska at her tent. The Viancourt, along with Pantin Hollee, were already seated at the table, awaiting the Banon’s arrival.

  “Please feel free to wait for me in my room. I will be along shortly,” Juliska told Meghan.

  Meghan, having no desire to be in the same room as Garner Sadorus or mothball lady, obliged without question. Nona joined Meghan moments later.

  “I guess we can still hear what goes on outside this room,” she said.

  “Hadn’t thought of that,” Meghan whispered. “Guess I don’t need to whisper, seeing as they cannot hear us. Still, it just seems strange that we can hear them, just a few feet away, and yet if I were to shout, they would not hear it.”

  “Lets not test that theory right now,” suggested Nona, tuning into the conversation now beginning in the front room.

  “Sounds heated,” Meghan added.

  They heard the voice of Darius Hadrian.

  “I fear the Striper speaks the truth. Nevertheless, history proves they cannot be trusted.

  There may well be a Projector, but I doubt they are telling us everything.”

  “If there is indeed a Projector, we must find out what the Stripers’ plans are once they locate this child,” insisted Garner. “Ending the life of this Projector should at least be done mercifully. If they capture this child, it would no doubt suffer greatly.” Meghan had difficulty believing that the compassionate words she was hearing were coming from Garner Sadorus. Then, as with so many things in this new life, her attitude changed as she questioned the use of the word compassionate, as they still spoke of ending a child’s life.

  “Idiots have tried to harness a Projector’s power before,” added Tanzea, her voice sounding aged and tired. “Sure enough, they’ll try again.”

  “Which we all know is a terrible mistake,” Juliska spoke. “But I agree, with all your points.

  We do not know the entire story. The child will suffer at their hands. And yet, its fate is predetermined. It must die.”

  “If I may,” said Garner. “We should focus on discovering more about the Striper’s plans.

  Who hired them, for starters?”

  “How do you propose we do such a thing?” asked Tanzea.

  “Yes, how is the real question,” agreed Juliska. “We are in unfamiliar territory. And for some unexplained reason, our magic is greatly weakened here.”

  “And diminishing more each day,” added Hollee.

  “Surely your visions are not, though,” said Hadrian.

  “No. They are fine,” lied Juliska with ease. “Unfortunately, none of them are being…

  helpful at the moment. Besides, Darius, you know they don’t work like that.” 52

  “Of course, Banon. My apologies. These circumstances are complicated. I certainly do not wish to add to that complication.”

  “If I see anything of value or understanding, you know the court will be the first to know.” Meghan began to understand just how important Juliska’s visions were to the safety of her people.

  Nona put a paw on her leg, comforting her.

  “I still have so much to learn, Nona.”

  “Then I will help you study.”

  Meghan nodded and read aloud to Nona, hoping to retain as much knowledge as possible.

  9

  Sebastien Jendaya arrived home in the Northern Maine woods. He stood in front of two ancient white pine trees. From where he stood, the thick forest continued as far as his eyes could see. However, upon stepping through the two white pines, he stepped into a different world. A bustling village nestled amongst the trees.

  This village had been his home since his parents had been banished, nearly thirteen years prior, from the Svoda Island off the northern Maine shores.

  Sebastien hustled down a pathway and then climbed a staircase, which then lead to a bridge high above the ground, connecting from tree to tree. He stopped in front of a door but stopped himself before entering. He felt nervous being home. He took a deep breath and entered.

  “Sebastien! You’re home!” his father, Milo, exclaimed. “Kay,” he shouted, while hugging his son. Kay Jendaya’s small frame emerged from another room. She rushed forward to hold her son close.

  “You have been gone for so long,” his mother cried.

  “Oh, don’t cry, Mom. I’m fine. Everything is going perfect!” he insisted.

  “I just worry so,” she mumbled.

  “We’re your parents, it’s what we do,” Milo winked. “It’s nice to have you home, Son.

  C’mon in and sit. Rest. I’m sure you have lots to tell.”

  “Yes. Sit. Relax. I’ll make a bite to eat,” said Kay, darting into the kitchen.

  Sebastien grimaced. He knew he would have to keep most of his actions secret. If not his work for Amelia, then his visit with Meghan’s very much alive mother.

  “I’ll send a leaf to Amelia,” Milo then said. “She’ll want to know you’re home.” H
is mother exited the kitchen with a tall stack of sandwiches.

  “Sorry, this is all I could whip up quickly.”

  Sebastien licked his lips and grabbed two.

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  “I sure do miss home cooked food,” he said, grabbing a third.

  “Well, we’ll have some time now. I’ll cook you all the real food you can eat,” his mother said.

  Sebastien dropped the third sandwich, looking guilty.

  “You’re not staying long? Are you?” asked Milo.

  Sebastien’s eyes answered their question.

  “We’ll just have to make due with the time we have, then,” his mother insisted, trying to sound happy. “You know how proud we are of you, right?”

  “Yeah, I know, Mom.”

  “We could not have asked for a better, more loyal son. We are so very proud of the work you’re doing.”

  “I still worry, though,” his mother added. “I just cannot help it. You’re still just my little boy,” she said, her eyes getting teary. “We all have our jobs to do. I just wish yours would keep you a little closer to home.”

  “Whatever your next job is, just be careful. Okay, Son?” Milo ordered.

  “Sure, dad. Always!” he replied.

  He really wanted to burst. To shout his news that Meghan’s mother was still alive. To tell them everything he had been up to. But he bit his lip and kept quiet. They could not know.

  And neither could Amelia.

  “Father!” said Colby, startled. “I was expecting the new teacher.”

  “Little fact I forgot to mention,” he informed his son. “I am your new teacher.” Colby twisted in his seat with anticipation. Lessons with his father were always the best ones.

  “What kind of magic are we going to learn today?” Colby asked him eagerly.

  Jurekai’s gaunt smile lifted to one corner.

  “No magic today,” he answered. He saw his son’s heart sink. “Today, my son, I have decided it is time for you to know where we came from. How we became to be. For as you know, we were not always the Grosvenor.”

  Colby’s sinking heart leapt. This is a story he had always wanted to hear, but his father always refused to tell. Colby’s desk then vanished and the room began to darken. The walls began to lighten, their stained glass windows shimmering to life with color and movement.

  “Mother,” Fazendiin then called out.

  The silhouette of his mother appeared in the stained glass.

  “Would you mind, please, to tell the story?” he asked her kindly.

  “So it shall be, my son,” she replied.

  The picture in the stained glass shifted as she began to speak. Beams of light emanated and danced around the room, throwing shadows.

  54

  “In the beginning of the earth, magic flowed as naturally as breathing, through all living things.”

  The scene changed to a field, with plants, trees, animals and humans all living together.

  “But as with any world,” she continued, “there were periods of conflict and war. One such war changed the landscape of the world, forever.”

  The picture of a man materialized in the stained glass, standing alongside what appeared to be a large cow.

  “The man you see here is named Babiin Balick, in his day, a known fool of a farmer. Today, he is remembered for an accidental discovery which forever changed the world of magic.” The scene then turned gruesome, as it showed Babiin slaughtering the cow-like animal, and then reaching into the dying creature’s body, extracting something.

  “The Mazuruk: A beast relative to the modern day cow. In its day, this beast was used much as it is today, for milk, meat and clothing. One day, upon slaughtering a Mazaruk, while it was yet alive, a stone fell out of its third stomach. Babiin picked up the glass-like stone and put it in his pocket, never giving it a second thought.” Colby watched the stained glass intently, not wanting to miss any part. With each new part his Grandmother spoke, the colors in the stained glass shifted, creating a new picture.

  “As the days passed, Babiin noticed a change. He was stronger. His magical powers were growing. At the same time, concerns in his village arose, as other peoples magic weakened.

  Nothing like this had ever occurred before. Weeks after he had taken the Mazaruk’s stone, it dawned on Babiin that his increase of power had begun after he had put the stone in his pocket. He tested his theory, by burying the stone far away from his home. Almost instantly, the further away he got from the stone, the more weakened he became. He dug up the stone and just as instantly, grew stronger.”

  Colby sat on the edge of his seat while listening intently. His father had only recently mentioned the subject of something called a Mazy Stone. But had not told him any more. He kept his attention on the story.

  “What Babiin did not realize, was that the increase in his power was not only aided by the stone, but that the stone increased his power by stealing magical energy from the living things nearby, weakening other’s magic. For months, he researched and tested the Stone’s powers. The most important discovery, beyond weakening other’s magical powers, is that the magic could be transferred out of the stone and into a living person, thus permanently making this person stronger.”

  Stronger? He knew his father was strong, and old, but now, he wondered just how old. It was something they had never discussed. His father’s skin was leather-like, gaunt and thin.

  Yet his mind was sharp. Perhaps he was finally about to find out just how old his father truly was.

  “Pay attention, Colby,” his father scolded, seeing Colby’s attention wander. He missed nothing. Fazediin’s mother continued her story.

  “After learning everything he could about the Stones, Babiin’s hunger grew. Not just for more power, but for money. He realized that his discovery would be worth a lot, to the right 55

  buyer. Babiin also worried that the damage he had caused in his own village would be found out, so he fled. But not before slaughtering every last Mazuruk he owned, and seizing the stones from their dying bodies.”

  The stained glass picture now morphed into a map, and then it focused on a part of the map noted as Shogharne Territory. As the territory came into better view, it stopped in a village set near the edge of a vast mountain.

  “Babiin traveled to the Shogharne Territory seeking out a clan he had heard rumor of…

  one that was infamous for their unending search for immortality. They were called Vetala: Energy Vampires. Their ability to extract and consume the life force from living things allowed them extended life. But not the immortality they desired, as the results were not permanent, and the ability declined with age.”

  Colby’s thoughts reeled with this information. Father told me once he was descended from a Vetala clan. Does this mean I am a vampire, like in the story? Or am I an immortal, like my father? Or am I some kind of hybrid? My mother is just a human… from a magical bloodline, but just human…

  Colby had always wanted to know the answers to these questions; however, his father had repeatedly told him that this knowledge was something he would learn at the appropriate time. Did his father think now was the appropriate time?

  “Babiin approached the clan leader,” the story went on, “asking him what he would be willing to pay for limitless magic. This clan leader scoffed at Babiin’s claims. This leader knew there could be no such thing, as his clan had been searching for hundreds of years already. If there had been such a thing, they would have discovered it themselves.

  “To prove what he said, Babiin left one Stone in the hands of the clan leader, insisting he test the Stone’s ability. Babiin then told the leader where they could locate him, once his claim was proven true. The leader, in return, told Babiin that if the Stone did not do as promised, he would not step off Shogharne Territory, alive.

  “Babiin had nothing to fear. Within a day, the clan leader realized the power of Babiin’s Stone and sought him out. However, the clan leader had no intention of buying the Stones.
<
br />   “The clan leader forced Babiin to tell him everything he knew about the Stones, or face instant death. He surrendered all knowledge without hesitation, and for this, the clan leader spared his life.”

  The stained glass morphed again, this time, unraveling a horrific scene: A bloody and terrifying massacre.

  “In the weeks that followed, the clan leader ordered the slaughter of every Mazaruk in the surrounding villages, for each single Stone had a limit on how much magical energy it could contain. Therefore, the more Stones one possessed, the stronger one could become.

  Thousands of Stones were collected from these beasts, and with them, the Vetala collected power. More power than they had ever thought possible.

  “Unknowing villagers suspected nothing. The Vetala appeared as travelers, just passing through. It was at first feared that some terrible plague was to blame, as village after village 56

  discovered their magic was weakened, and then one day, completely gone. The Stones left everything in their wake alive, but powerless and magic-less.

  “This is when the Vetala clan made a disastrous error. They grew arrogant, allowing someone to discover their secret. The news spread like wild fire, and soon, any village that still retained their magical powers began executing Mazuruk, in hopes of defending themselves in the battle that would inevitably follow.”

  Colby had a thousand questions he wanted to shout, but knew his father would not approve. His eyes never left the stained glass, where the pictures continued to shift and change.

  “Over the months that followed, this news spread across the magical world like a disease.

  At the height of this massacre, nearly every Mazaruk had been exterminated, and you had either lost your magical powers to someone possessing a Stone, or possessed enough Stones to steal other people’s powers.

  “Wars broke out all over the world, village against village, clan against clan. Those with the Stones, kept the power. The Shogharne clan still possessed the largest number of these Stones.”

  She stopped for a moment as the stained glass darkened and then lightened again, once more displaying a scene with Babiin Balick.