Prologue893Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58ZC5qivfj
Storm stood silently in the centre of a large, domed room. Light was flickering from torches which lined the walls. He had his eyes to the ground, the eyes of the Magic Council on him, scrutinising him. He had an overwhelming feeling of being on trial.
A sigh escaped the lips of one of the older members of the council as he looked up from a parchment in front of him, a droplet of ink from his quill falling onto the corner, "You're one of the best field agents we have, yet you fail to do exactly as you're told," Master Frances said exasperatedly, stroking his white beard from his seat overlooking Storm, "You always feel like you have to help everyone," he added hastily.
Storm almost smiled at this, knowing he couldn't disagree with this point, but he couldn't help that he had a strong sense of justice. The strong protecting the weak is how life should work, but the way he felt never did sit well with the Magic Council. They had so many rules about staying within the guidelines of the assignment at hand.
Storm looking up from the ground to find Councillor Zathta nodding in agreement with this statement, "Yes, exactly. Your last assignment for example. All you had to do was recruit a young magician. Am I correct?" he asked, looking at him over his half-moon glasses from where he was standing at his podium.
Storm found himself nodding numbly, remembering exactly what happened in his last assignment.
"So why did you feel it was necessary to take down an entire political system?" he asked, his tone becoming annoyed. Storm opened his mouth to defend himself, but Zathta was already continuing, "This was not your job to do!" he finished, sitting back down from speaking. Zathta had a habit of standing up when he was wanting to make a serious point. Storm had never really found out the reason why this was, nor did it faze him. He had more pressing matters to deal with.
Stepping forward, Storm began to answer Zathta, but was cut off by Master Frances, "You need more discipline, Storm, before we allow you to take on the same responsibilities your brother has been bestowed."
Storm felt the familiar deflating feeling he felt every time the Magic Council hauled him in here. They always somehow ended up mentioning his brother. He realised then he had not heard from his brother, Dameos, in quite some time. Although this was not an unusual practice, it bothered Storm at times. Dameos had been granted the highest level of honours a magician could hope of gaining from the council without actually being a council member, and this in itself was rare.
Storm smiled inwardly, "Lets just involve my brother," he thought, "that'll make things interesting."
Storm had always been in his brother's shadow, the honours just out of his grasp. All he wanted was to prove to himself that he was just as good a magician as Dameos, if not better than him.
Storm snapped back to his surroundings upon hearing Master Frances, "Speaking of your brother," he said, his face becoming sad, "Your next assignment."
Storm stepped forward, reaching out to take the envelope which materialised in front of. Looking down, he ran a finger across the wax seal holding the envelope shut. It was the seal of the magic council; a staff, a wand, and an orb, side by side forming a triangle. Holding it in both hands, Storm started becoming increasingly worried about his brother.
"What has this got to do with Dameos?" Storm asked slowly, looking up at Master Frances.
Shaking his head, he answered, "He's not reported back to us for some time. All the details are in the envelope," he paused, gesturing to the envelope before continuing, "Your assignment is to find him, and make contact with him. Ascertain why he has not reported in or made contact with us since he embarked on his last assignment. Once you have found out any information regarding his whereabouts, you will report back to us immediately. Do you understand?" he said, his tone firm and commanding.
Storm ignored the order, asking instead, "What was his assignment?" he was trying not to let the worry show in his voice, but it was impossible. This was his brother, he was entitled to be worried about what was happening where he was concerned.
The only reply he received was his own voice echoing throughout the room as the torches blew out, the domed room becoming empty of life, and reverting back to the metal shell of the conference room.
Ignoring the darkness around him, Storm's fingers tightened, denting the envelope, "What happened to him?" he whispered, his heart sinking.
Staring into the darkness, Storm reached up, clicking his fingers at a candle on the table next to him, and it sprang to life, its flame dancing in an invisible breeze.
Walking over to it, he ripped open the letter, hoping there would be more useful information within.893Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wkOnaAMvu
Storm,893Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkPHrQViUE
Your assignment is to travel to Dameos' last known location, and search for any clues which may tell us what has happened. Once you have any information which we glean is useful, you are to scry us at the earliest possible chance.893Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7aSNpWFx2
The last time he checked in with us was when he was in Loens Gate. We will arrange for a carriage to take you there if you need it.893Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43ixuvqWYS
We would advise caution, Storm, as this is not a city to be taken lightly. Magic has been made illegal there. Do not draw too much attention to yourself this time.893Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLN2W7EtgyP
Master Frances893Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPIvxiLSRt
Head Councillor893Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvVqPEvy7D
Magic Council
Frowning, Storm glanced over the letter again, before looking into the candle, its light making his eyes look as though they were glowing. Tilting his head, he sighed, "Loens Gate," he said quietly to himself, "I've never even heard of this city, and they have outlawed magic?"893Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19hBHGxUFp
His mind wandering as he stared into the candle, Storm began remembering when his big brother turned 18 years old, beginning to have control over magic. The jealousy he had felt that day, knowing he still had to wait 3 long years before he would be able to control magic as well. Nearly a decade had passed since then. By the time he had turned 18 years old himself, Dameos was already becoming a well-known agent within the council, and Storm was only just managing not to blow up his small house. Dameos had looked after him until he joined the council, and then they provided them both with a place to stay as they had no parents to look after Storm while Dameos was away on his assignments.
Snapping out of his reflections, Storm growled low in his throat, "I swear if anything has happened to him, I will make whoever is responsible pay," he said angrily.
Turning and storming out of the room, Storm headed outside towards where the carriages were kept, waiting to go where they were requested.
Reaching up to the handle, Storm ran a hand through his black hair for a moment, his eyes darkening with the anger he felt. He pulled the door to the carriage open forcefully, and got into the seat. The driver turned to him, "Where to?" he asked, not noticing that his passenger was in an ill-tempered mood.
Storm looked up, his frown deepening as he thought of his brother, and spoke softly, "To Loens Gate, then," and with a brief nod to this statement, the driver yanked gently on the horse's reigns, and they left the council hall, making their way hastily to Loens Gate.
ns 15.158.61.48da2
