"Magic" drabbles by Jeff Taylor

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The Grey World

Magic #175

If there were any magic users nearby, this was going to look like a beacon flare, but it was the fastest way.

It would also cost. A lot.

She chose the shadow of an ancient oak that was nearby. Shadow step was not to be trifled with, and she hated using it at the best of times. This was an extended travel.

Pulling on the strands that bound the world, she gathered her strength and then stepped into the shadow. And through.

The shadow lands were dangerous to the living. But distances were very different here in the grey world.

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Time to Go

Magic #174

She backed out of the bramble bush, brushing aside the thorns. Dropping down into the drainage ditch behind the bush, she brushed herself down and sat her hat back onto her head.

There was nothing to save here. But one city did not make a kingdom, and the capitol was a good few weeks' ride away by horse. She didn't have weeks. So, she was going to have to do something drastic and about as dangerous as you could get.

She had briefly used it against the world snake earlier, but now this was going to take much more effort.

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All Gone

Magic #173

Hitching up her skirt to make it easier to crawl, she peered through the brambles. Her hat sat on her shoulders.

It was all gone. The city was an inferno. The wooden buildings around the central castle sat in ruins. But the castle itself was broken too. The walls had been smashed open. Eggshells sprang to mind, as a tear sprang to her eye.

As a War Witch, and the coven's focus, she could wield this kind of power. And she had. But similar power had never been used against her. She'd always managed to do it first.

All gone.

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A Bird to Borrow

Magic #172

As the couple and their donkey disappeared farther into the woods, Minerva looked up and found a bird to borrow.

The sparrow flew close along the treetops, avoiding predators from above but high enough to show her that she was a lot closer to the city of Hammords Reach than she'd originally thought.

It was in flames.

She let go of the sparrow. She was only half an hour away from the ridge and she had to see it with her own eyes. Smell it herself. Her coven was gone, now the reason she'd fought for had gone as well.

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A Battle Won, a War Lost?

Magic #172

Minerva rolled her eyes and stood up. She patted down her thick dress and straightened her Witches hat.

"Damn. I was hoping to report in about the battle of Colonnade pass."

"Did'ja win missy?" Asked the man.

"Yes. Yes, we won the battle. But now I'm thinking we lost the war."

"Ere!? Donal' if we can't go int't mountains, where're we goin'?"

The man looked downcast. "I don't know Lillybet'. Along't coast I suppose?" He looked at Minerva. "You could come wit' missy?"

She shook her head. "I think I need to see the damage first. I will catch up."

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Covered in Mud and Grime

Magic #171

She rubbed her eyes. There was a man in front of her. Covered in mud and grime. Behind him was a cart with a woman and a very tired looking Donkey.

"No, no. I'm fine. You're not headed into the mountains I hope?"

"Yerp! That's where'we're headin'. Don't want'a be anywh're near thar city. Tis'been overrun it'as."

That woke her up.

"What do you mean overrun?"

"Well, missy. There were these monsters ever'where. Big'uns and little'uns. We saw it from't farm, load'd up ol' Bessy'ere and done us a runn'r" said the woman on the cart. "City'll be're gonner surely."

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She's jus' Sleepin'

Magic #170

"Ere! Don't'chu goin pokin'er now!"

Minerva was groggy from the display of power the night before, so the words floated in the dark.

"I ain'tnt goin ta be pokin' anybody Lizzybeth. Poor lass is jus'asleep is all."

"She lookin' deader'n dead I be finkin'"

"Oh shaddap woman! She's jus' sleepin' I tells ya!"

"She's one'a them there witchin's the queen has in'er army. Look'it all the dead stuff'ere! There's bit's'a snake all over. Not to mention all the trees from 'ere to tut'road!"

Sleepily, Minerva slowly opened her eyes.

"Ere? Are you a'right missy? Anyfin' we can do fer ya?"

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Foot Long Fangs

Magic #169

The snake catapulted is bulk across the clearing. It's speed belied its size as it flashed through the intervening space.

Foot long fangs bared it cannoned into the tree with a loud thwack.

There was no witch.

Reeling from the impact, confused, it shook its head. Then turned, the witch was behind it somehow and it was pointing the stick it was holding. There was a bright white flash.

Minerva collapsed onto the ground. Around her the forest blazed, but at least the thing was dead now.

Maybe now she could take a proper moment to rest. Time for sleep.

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Longer by Foot than Hoof

Magic #168

Three days south was a lot longer on foot than hoof. On the evening of the third day, the thing that had followed her out of the valley caught up with her.

It was one, from many. It was hurt and exhausted. It was hungry and remembered.

The world serpent, slithered noiselessly through the loam. Leaves rustled quietly against its body as its tongue tasted the air.

The witch was close.

It spied her. Tucked into the crook of an ancient oak. Keeping its head still, it gathered the rest of its long body in order to strike. Silently... Deadly...

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Making Good Time

Magic #167

She hoped she was making good time. While her entire unit had been killed in the onslaught, the kingdom she was defending was only three days south of the Valley. They'd chosen there because it was a perfect choke point and presented them with an easily defended position. Or so they had thought.

She moved easily down the animal paths, staying away from the main road for fear of being seen by the enemy. She checked it every now and again, but there was no sign. Her paranoia, however, got the better of her. So, she stayed well, well away.

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No Rest for the Wicked

Magic #166

Through the Kite's eyes she could see that she'd made it a decent way into the forest. To the south, there was the faintest glimmer of the ocean. To the north were still clouds of smoke and ash from the valley.

She let go of the bird and turned south. It hadn't looked like she'd been followed, but she couldn't be sure. Just as she couldn't be sure that she had been the last one to leave the battle. The last Witch standing.

She needed to move on, and quickly. No rest for the wicked here, she thought to herself.

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Early Afternoon Sun

Magic #165

It was the early afternoon sunlight that woke her. Her cloak was steaming as the bright sunshine warmed her through. She squinted as she lifted her head. Smiling, she gently grabbed the thread of a spider from the brim of her hat and deposited it onto a nearby fern.

"Sorry madam, but I'm not a good structure to build your web around. But I appreciate the sentiment."

She stood, stretched and heard her back crack loudly. "Eurgh! Sleeping at the base of a tree is not good for my back." She mumbled to herself. "I need to get my bearings."

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There is Only so Far You Can Go...

Magic #164

The air of the forest was cool and damp, fragrant with moss, pine and clean wet earth. Minerva, exhausted, carried on. The foxfire, that rippled and spat, at the tip of her staff was not the usual steady light it should be. She was pushing it too far but being as far away from the valley this night was best right now. There could still be leftovers from the enemy forces that might track her.

But there was only so far, she could go.

She pulled her cloak about her in the crook of a tree, tipping her hat down.

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A Sigh of Relief

Magic #163

As the sun set behind the mountains the shadows, already long by then, deepened to a sullen flicker; lit by the fires of the battle as they guttered out to angry embers.

Gently, she wove a healing spell around the deep gash in her side. Hissing in pain from both the weaving, and the healing of her torn flesh.

It took too long; she was tired and weak, and the spell took its own toll. But she sighed with relief when it was finished. Straightening her wide brimmed hat, and picking up her staff, she made leave of the battlefield.

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Valley of red

Magic #162

Minerva knelt in the ash and mud. Driving her gauntlet into the earth as fires raged around her.

A tear ran down her cheek, carving itself a clear path across her face.

She was the last of the battlegroup. The rest were gone, but at least she'd managed to take the last of them down.

Blood-soaked mud squished between her fingers. Pain wracked her frame as she slowly stood, leaning against the ruined wall of the church.

She looked out across the shattered battlefield. The evening sun was just setting behind the valley walls, drowning the valley in red.

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The Augury of Destiny

Magic #161

Tellerick examined the shell-shocked cadaver. Most of his rotten finery had been removed by Tamryn when they'd captured him. All that remained were grave-stained shirt and long pants tucked into loose boots.

"Marakel, do you remember me?"

The Lich looked up. "Yes. She... I am fate-bound with nothing more than a word."

Tellerick nodded. "Yes, yes she did." He sighed. "Never cross a Dragon."

"What happens now?"

"Well... William is the Augury of Destiny. Now we wait. The weapons of war will come for him. We must be ready to advise them and defend ourselves and Will."

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He'd still be Evil

Magic #160

The Dragon curled up, wrapping her tail around her. "Wake me up when my ingredients arrive. I've done too much today and must sleep." And with that she closed her eyes, tilted her head and opened her mouth so she could breath properly.

Tellerick and Tamryn rounded on Marakel.

"I should put him back in the ground Tellerick." Growled Tamryn, his book of the White Saints held firmly in his paw.

"I don't think you can anymore. Amethyst has wrapped him in fate and destiny. It's thick around him."

"You could dip him in chocolate sauce, he'd still be evil."

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A Guardian now

Magic #159

Marakel flinched as Kralla moved in behind him menacingly.

"Let go of the boy."

Immediately he let Will go. The parchment paper skin of his face was now a mask of horror. "What have you done?" He whispered, over and over as he just stood there.

Amethyst turned a bleary eye towards Will. "You are a very exhausting to be around boy. The Lich is as much a guardian now as your friend Kralla and master Tellerick. But beware. He is not your friend. Trust is earned, never bought or coerced. He may be undead, but he will help you."

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What? What have you done!?

Magic #158

"What? What have you done!" Marakel dropped Will to the floor. "No! No! What have you done!?"

"You are bound, lich." Hissed the dragon. "You make one move against William, or those who are entwined with his fate, and the magic that binds your spirit to your form will be broken." Amethyst pulled her wings back. "And now I'm going to throw up..." She span around and promptly emptied her stomach into the woods, melting a large patch of ground and turning it into an evil smelling pool of steaming, bubbling, fluids.

"I hate being ill." She said, collapsing slightly.

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Your Fate

Magic #157

Amethyst landed heavily behind Marakel. Her wings cupped around, plunged the tableau into darkness except for the infernal, purple glow coming from the dragons eyes and mouth. The clawed tips of her wings dug deep into the ground around them, ensuring no easy means of escape.

"LIIICH!" She hissed and drooled. The latter sending up acidic whisps of smoke as it burned into the ground.

Marakel span around, holding Will up as a shield. "He's mine dragon!"

"NO." Burbled Amethyst. "MY WORD IS MAGIC. I BIND YOU LICH. I BIND YOU TO THE BOY. YOUR FATE BELONGS TO HIM NOW."