Black Warrior

By Jolie Jaquinta

Winter is the child of Devonshire, the High Mage of the Scioni Institute of Magic. His birth father was Othr, the last god of a destroyed people, killed by his mother shortly after his conception. After birth, his Mother also killed the daughter of the sea god Atlantica and was forced to give up Winter to fostership with him in recompense. Now on the cusp of adulthood, Winter finds his loyalties pulled between those of his mother’s people, and his foster people. If that wasn’t hard enough, he’s also plagued by mysterious dreams he can only conclude come from the long dead people of his father.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jolie Jaquinta
• Release date: Feb 4, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370638673

Jolie Jaquinta

I enjoy pondering the complex web that binds all of us together and the complicated decisions we have to make to navigate that web. Whether science fiction or fantasy, my writings try to speak to that complexity in narrative form.

Book preview

Chapter 1 – Coronation

The sea-god Atlantica lowered his pearl studded crown onto the head of Winter and proclaimed, With this I crown you Surge of the Northern Seas. Winter stood as tall as his young frame would allow, but even so he only came up to the broad chest of Atlantica. His black hair floated in a nimbus around his head, swaying with the motion of ocean currents around him. Complementing this he wore a simple black cape, affixed magically to his shoulders, and brief black shorts, with subtle silver highlights. The rest of his body was exposed, as clothing and ornamentation was uncommon under the seas.

As bearer of this crown, responded Winter, I promise to uphold the duty it embodies: to protect, represent, and dignify those under its domain, until such a time as one whose birthright it is may bear it. So, I swear to you, the new Lord of All Waters. He bowed his head and spread his arms but did not go on his knees before Atlantica. When he finished his obsequence, their eyes met and locked.

There was no love lost between them. Winter's mother had killed Atlantica's eldest child. He, in turn, had demanded Winter be fostered in the court of the Northern Seas to replace his lost child, and also as guarantor that no similar incident be repeated. His life amongst them had been made miserable by Atlantica's surviving bully of a child, Balanoptera. The tensions between Winter's people, and Atlantica's rose to the point where Balanoptera was sent as a pawn in a distracting assassination attempt against Devonshire, Winter's mother, precipitating the war between the gods and Romitu.

Romitu was powerful, and with the aid of an ancient battle machine, was able to subdue the gods of the Romitu homeland. However, this was too much of an affront and the normally fractious gods of all peoples rallied to this indignity and prepared to put these people back in their place.

But an unexpected thing happened. The battle machine, when faced with obliteration, consumed the Soul of its controller, and developed a life of its own. More than a giant simulacrum of a human being, it became one, but with immensely magnified power, strength, and tenacity. With vicious brutality, it hunted down every single one of the originally spawned gods that took to the field that day and consumed them. It then fell silent again and hadn't stirred since.

An armistice was declared and terms for peace were quickly agreed. Both sides were in shock over what had happened. The remaining lesser gods stepped into a more active role helping their living followers, working hand in hand with Romitu on projects that they saw in their common interest. Each side went through great pains to foster this cooperation and to ensure that their powers were used to everyone's benefit, and not for further animosity.

Winter was now caught up in one of the 'grand bargains' of those times. The Water Bearer had been one of the principles of the Romitu pantheon. The natural successor was Atlantica, but his son's complicity in starting the war made this awkward. So, in return for Romitu not objecting to his elevation, he agreed to fostering his son to Devonshire, for an education in tolerance of surface dwellers and to guarantor his good behavior. His only remaining progeny was his foster son, Winter, who would ascend the throne he was vacating.

It was an excellent diplomatic solution. This meant that all involved felt uncomfortable.

The moment passed and cheers erupted from the assembled court. Winter raised his arms and surveyed his new subjects. Those who had looked disdainfully on him for his entire childhood clapped politely. Anyone who had any influence was being taken with Atlantica to his new court in Lake Larius beneath the Mountain of the Gods. Those who had just flowed with the current of the court were happy enough to flow in the new direction it was going. Many who feared reprisals from Romitu were actually pleased that someone so highly connected was to be their leader. It was a clear indication that they felt the Northern Sea was important.

The Tritons, however, were genuinely pleased. They cavorted and cheered and waved in honest delight. Winter had shown a genuine interest in their history. He had ushered in academics from the surface to explore and restore the extensive ruins built by their people. Since the fall of the gods, rumors were rife of him being romantically involved with one of their own. Certainly, with him at the helm, their lot could only improve.

And then there was the small delegation from the surface, to give their approval and blessing to the transfer for power. First and foremost, stood his mother, beaming at him proudly and clapping the strongest. She dressed in her Elfin finest, with no thought to underwater custom. She had a path of space around her, as her reputation as a god-killer was well known in court and only bolstered by recent events. Penelope, the teacher at the prestigious Scioni Academy of Magic who had shown the most interest in local history, mingled with the rest. She dressed in local attire which looked quite odd on her Orcish frame. She had even convinced her mother, an Underground antiquarian, to attend. His Triton history teacher, Charonia, had hit it off with her quite well and the two were inseparable.

The clapping broke off into general celebration as the crowds began to mingle and the feast was revealed. To his surprise, Winter felt Atlantica's hand on his shoulder. He turned to look up into his eyes and, not being the center of attention anymore, both of their gazes had softened.

I love these people, said Winter, haltingly. I will do my best by them.

I love them too, said Atlantica. No matter how far away my court, you can count on my unquestioned aid for them when needed.

Winter returned his clasp and the two parted.

With a pointed glance, Winter offered his arm to Cindarina. She glided up, a bit hesitantly, but slipped her arm in his anyway. It wasn't an Underwater custom, as the people here rarely touched, but he was happy to break with tradition in this regard. He turned with her and began to circulate.

I'm not sure the time is right for a statement like this, said Cindarina in hushed tones. We don't have to be secret, but the crown is now yours and I have no official position in court.

Get used to it, said Winter, from the side of his mouth. I have no clue what I'm doing. He bowed formally to a pair of passing Tritons who tittered as they moved on. You know the names and lineages of everyone here. I need your help to pull this off.

Well, she said, pursing her lips, you should be able to handle this one.

They had come up to his mother. She looked at him, proudly, but always a little sad. She had birthed him, but his father had been a battle god from a destroyed land. The General she served had uncovered references in old books of a great Kingdom to the North. Several of the 144 who arose to godhood after banishing the New Magic from the land came from there. He sent her with an expedition there only to find desolation, ruins, and Othr, wandering aimlessly alone. When they had banished the magic that had brought about the first cataclysm and ascended to godhood, they also banished their ability to remember things for more than a hundred years or so. She had bedded him and then, at his insistence, battled him the next day and gave him the peace of death in combat. Only later had she found she was pregnant, and magical examination revealed that Winter contained the reincarnated Soul of that god. It seemed he inherited his physiology as well. He had grown up as quick as a human. Entirely as a human. Not Elven or one of the rare Half-Elves. As such his mother was never quite prepared for the age he was.

Well done, my son. Well done, she said. Her normally gruff voice was even rougher than usual. He suspected she was choked up over the whole thing.

He bowed to her. I probably have you to thank more than my own merits, he said, lightly.

Not at all, she said, and poked him forcefully in the shoulder. You stood by my shoulder and fought against the gods. You raised the alarm of the attack and foiled the assassination attempt on my own life. She turned and bowed deeply to his companion. Don't worry, Lady Cindarina, she said in a stage whisper. I am not forgetting your own pivotal role in all that. I'm just trying to bolster the lad's confidence!

Thank you, Cindarina replied in kind. I've been trying all morning and could use the help.

Hey! said Winter, miming being upset at their collaboration.

Don't mind me. You two go circulate, said Devonshire, waving them off. I'll be at the bar with Greywind.

Is Greywind here? said Winter, eagerly looking around. Where is that miscreant?

Probably in a corner somewhere testing out how well his loaded dice work underwater, Devonshire said, shaking her head. I'll chase him up and send him to pay his respects. She moved off after a quick hug.

I told you Mom likes you, said Winter. She wouldn't gang up with you against me if she didn't.

When it comes to your surface friends, I have no clue what I am doing, said Cindarina, laughing.

Well, then, this should be good, said Winter, as Penelope approached with her grandmother and Charonia in tow. Penny! he greeted her fondly. I'm so glad you could come.

Penelope executed an intricate gesture that sent a swirl of currents over him. Her grandmother followed suit, and after a pause and with a pleasantly surprised grin so did Charonia. She then addressed Winter in a series of resonant sounds and clicks.

Winter squinted his eyes in concentration. He knew enough to recognize the language as Triton. Normally he could passably understand it, but, knowing Penelope, he guessed that she was using either a formal or archaic mode that was quite beyond him. He racked his brains and replied with what he hoped was You honor me in the vernacular mode.

Penelope continued, without a pause, and appeared to be introducing her grandmother. The one word that was clearly not in Triton was 'Roxanne', which he took to be her name. Roxanne made a much longer statement without a hitch. He had heard many rumors of Penelope's grandmother. Most of them were about her being infinitely scarier and more skilled than her daughter. Right now, Winter believed every single one of them, given how completely he was outmaneuvered by them.

But Cindarina came to his aid, responding to them. He recognized much of what she said from common Triton, but she did seem to have some grasp of the honorific bound mode they were speaking. They continued back and forth for some time and Winter was beginning to feel left out when Charonia caught his eye and gave him a quick wink. Obviously, they were all having fun. And, since it didn't appear to be at his expense, there was no reason not to let it continue.

He stopped trying to follow the conversation and looked more widely around the room. There was an immediate circle of Tritons watching the exchange with approval. In another corner was Atlantica, patiently receiving the tearful farewells of those who favored him, but he did not favor enough to take with him. Most of the rest mingled in their usual couplings exchanging the usual gossip. The unprecedented occasion did not perturb the usual interactions of the court.

Cindarina nudged him and his attention returned to their expectant faces. You honor me he repeated, smiling widely, and bowing deeply. See, he said to Cindarina as they moved off, I couldn't have done it without you.

Chapter 2 – Dreams

Many hours later Winter sat, exhausted, in his personal chambers. He had not yet moved into the royal apartments. He wasn't sure he was going to. His own quarters had always been perfectly adequate, and being a foster son, were in the royal quarter already. He removed the heavy crown from his head and placed it, gently, on a nearby table. It was already overflowing with gifts from well-wishers and the addition of the crown caused a small cascade to float down from it.

You handled that very well, said Devonshire. She sat in his guest chair, the tighter buttons and ties from her formal gear loosened and her hair no longer magically bound. She took a swig from a wineskin and then passed it to him. I thought you might like a drink after all that. I don't think I'd ever get used to the lack of drink down here.

Winter accepted it and shrugged. No grapes. No sun. No fermentation. He drank a polite amount and passed it back. Not that they aren't without their vices here. Instead of drinking them, they eat borderline poisonous fish and clams that cause similar intoxication with fun hallucinations and worse hangovers thrown in for good measure.

I don't look forward to dealing with that, said Devonshire. She gave Winter's bed a kick and there was an incoherent grunt and ramble from a shape curled up under the covers.

Greywind? asked Winter.

Greywind, said Devonshire. They both laughed softly.

Devonshire drank again. I always expected great things of you, son. She omitted that she had expected them to take longer to come to fruition. But I didn't think you would arise to godhood so quickly!

Winter sputtered. Hardly. I'm really just keeping the seat warm. It's more of a ceremonial position.

Devonshire shrugged. Well, growing up they taught us in Religious Education about the Surge of the North Seas, the festivals, and placatory rights. If you ask the northern fishing villages, they'll say you're a god. They'll worship you, and mana will flow in your direction.

I wouldn't know what to do with it, said Winter. And, if I remember my lessons correctly, the definition of a god, as distinct from a mage, is a creature who can work magic powered by mana received from worship.

That is the textbook definition, ceded Devonshire. But I've always wondered what would happen if a mage was put in that position.

I'm not a mage either, said Winter. I've never had the time to learn it. And I'm pretty sure I don't have the aptitude. He watched her closely to see if that either disappointed or enraged her.

Devonshire sighed deeply. As the head mage of the Scioni Academy of Magic, she had the whole world of things magical to offer to her son. But this fostership had kept him away, and the events of the day had robbed her of the time to lay the right foundation. And, who he had grown into was good, and worthy of respect. She had come to terms with the choices he had made and made the decision to support them, and not try to change them. Well, you certainly have the aptitude for delegation! And, she shook her finger at him, I'm not being sarcastic. Too few people do. Most either dump things they don't want on other people, or cling to things because their ego gets in the way of giving it to someone who is better at it. Don't think I wasn't watching you tonight. You did an excellent job.

Winter smiled, despite himself. He had always counted the hours until he got leave to see his mother while growing up. But by the end of the visit things always turned confrontational. Something had changed though. The slaughter of the gods had sobered everyone up a lot. Maybe that was part of it. But she treated him as an equal as often as not, now, which, surprisingly, made it easier for him to treat her as his mother.

I'll just have to see how long I can keep it up for, said Winter. How long are you going to bust Balanoptera's balls for?

Devonshire laughed. Oh, I'd really like to beat a lot of lessons into that pile of blubber. But I don't trust myself. She took another swig of wine. If I made him as miserable as you have been it would be justice, not to mention cathartic, but would hardly demonstrate our moral superiority.

No mandatory history lessons with Penny? asked Winter, disappointed.

Devonshire pointed a finger at him and smiled. No. I like her too much. I racked my brains for something that might actually stand a chance of improving his personality.

Some of Lilly's forced Will experiments? Winter asked hopefully.

Devonshire snorted. No. I signed him up for a tour of duty with the army.

Huh, said Winter. Digging ditches?

Canals actually, said Devonshire. I think he'll actually be good at it.

Once he gets over the fact that he actually has to do work, instead of getting someone else to do it, said Winter.

Yes. That's the character forming part, said Devonshire. But to actually do something he's good at, receive praise for actual work rather than position, and see the benefits that his labor brings to others. That'll prepare him to sit on the seat you're keeping warm.

Devious, said Winter, rolling the scenario around in his head. Well, I know who I'll be delegating my serious discipline problems to!

Devonshire laughed and the two sat in silence for a while.

Winter's smile faded as the minutes passed. He reached out and stroked the pearls of the crown. Mom, he said into the silence. I'm scared.

She turned, surprised, looking at him. You've got this, she said, placating. I saw how you handled things. This is totally...

No, interrupted Winter, forcefully. It's not that. He fell silent again. Devonshire watched closely but didn't prompt him. It's the god thing he said eventually.

Well, said Devonshire carefully. I'm not sure that it is all that different. If the mana comes, and you find you can use it, I'm pretty sure you will use it wisely. If it doesn't... we'll work things out. I know you take your responsibilities seriously. You don't want to see prayers unanswered. If it comes to that, the Academy will step in to work a few miracles where you need them.

Thanks said Winter distractedly. I hadn't even thought of that.

What then? said Devonshire in confusion.

He looked up at her, his eyes wide. He pointed to his chest. Dad's in here, he said. "Somewhere. He knows how to use mana. What if this pulls him out? You said he was very strong willed."

Devonshire placed the wineskin to one side. She leaned forward and grasped his hand. "That's not going to happen, she said, emphatically. He was bloody minded and obstinate. That's different from your metaphysical Will. It doesn't work the same. He's neatly packaged under a nice layer in your Soul. It's a barrier he can't cross. Not of his own free will."

What if I summon him? asked Winter.

Why would you do that? asked Devonshire, alarmed.

I don't know, said Winter. Given what's happened it isn't outside the realm of reason that there might be a situation where I could really use the abilities of a battle god that can use mana.

Devonshire took a deep breath. I don't have an answer to that, she said. I'm not going to lie to you. We really don't know an awful lot about this. We've only ever seen one ruptured past life barrier.

Lilly? asked Winter. Devonshire nodded. Mom, he said again, very seriously. I've been having dreams again.

Devonshire stiffened. What sort of dreams? Is he talking to you?

No, said Winter. Not exactly. Mostly I see windswept ocean, or a storm lashed shore. Occasionally a high mountain with lightning coming from its peak. It could be nothing, but it feels like him. It feels like what I think he would feel like.

Hmm, said Devonshire. This is new territory. You're right. It might be nothing. But it might not be.

What should I do, said Winter.

Well, you are now your own master, she waved around his surroundings. No one can tell you that you can't come or go. Settle into your routine, then come and visit the academy. There's nothing to stop you now. I'll brief Lilly and ask her to talk with you. She knows more than anyone else. She can work out if this is significant or not.

OK, said Winter, but didn't let go of her hand.

Chapter 3 – Checkup

Winter emerged from the household teleporter with a start. The casual way they took magical transitions always took him by surprise. And, although dry land was his natural habitat, it was not the one he was used to. At least he remembered this time to wear more clothes than was his habit and he wasn't chilled to the bone on top of it all.

Lilly's lab was the same layout as his mothers. It occupied a floor in the same tower as hers, but a few levels lower. Unlike hers, it was neat and orderly. Both had the inner wall filled floor to ceiling with arcane jars. These contained the souls rescued when Romitu invaded the demon realm. They had yet to find a practical way to return them to life and sanity.

The echo of the door chime had barely faded when Lilly herself appeared. Good morning, Winter, she said. Winter knew that her absence of pigment, which left her with very pale hair and skin, and red eyes, unnerved most people. But, given the wide variety of life under the sea, this was far less disconcerting than her general lack of expression on her face and in her voice.

Strong currents with you, he said, reflexively. She raised an eyebrow and he corrected himself. Good morning.

Your mother said you thought you might be experiencing symptoms of past life leakage, prompted Lilly after a pause.

Yes, said Winter, standing there awkwardly. He really didn't know what to do or say. He usually fell back reflexively on his mother's training in the Elfin art of reading body language while on the surface. But Lilly's stance was as blank as her face.

When the silence dragged on a bit more, Lilly blinked a few times as if remembering something. Please come this way. I have some seats you may be more comfortable sitting on. She moved to one corner of the room near the window. There were a few bookshelves there and a pair of chairs.

Winter sat