Witch-Born

By A.J. Maguire

Smash witchcraft and steampunk technology together and you get the world of Magnellum, where Witches are nobility and the populace depends on Magic to keep the Wild at bay. Witch-Born is a Fantasy with steampunk tendencies revolving around the lives of Elsie Delgora and Saldorian Feverrette. Fate literally thrusts these two together when Saldorian stumbles over the seditious plot Elsie has been conducting for 23 years. As the two struggle to find an accord the House Lands of Delgora begin to crumble under the tyranny of Vicaress Reonne, whose hidden pet known as the Dellidus slowly eats at the Magic keeping the Wild away.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fiction4All
• Release date: Sep 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005083014

A.J. Maguire

A.J. (Aimee Jean) Maguire is a science fiction junky and an outdoors enthusiast. She loves stories in all shapes and sizes; which means she reads a lot, watches a great deal of movies, and allows herself to be consumed by select television shows. A devoted parent, she believes her son is the greatest gift of her life and enjoys sharing all of her geekery with him. She graduated with honors from Northwest Nazarene University with her BA in Christian Ministries. Maguire has been weaving stories since she was very young and even confesses to having carried 3x5 cards in her cargo pockets while in the military just in case inspiration hit her away from the computer. Her writing runs the gamut from historical fiction to science fiction and she fully intends to be telling stories long into her old age.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

The ceramic mug shattered before he'd gotten it halfway to his mouth. Hot mocha exploded with the impact of bullet to mug and the once pleasant teem of quiet conversation made an abrupt switch to startled screams. In the dizzy moment before he took action Dorian had one thought; he was going to die over a cup of coffee. Spurring his movements with his Witch-Born magic he slid to the left. The magic took immediate effect, quickening the whole of his body so that he appeared like a blur to the general public. Jacket, skin and undershirt flayed open as the bullet grazed his left arm and Dorian hissed in pain.

Only another Witch-Born could have hit him at the speed he'd been going. He tried to catch the trajectory of the bullet as people scrambled out of the way, deserting the cafe porch with gasps and screams, but there was no time. As soon as he had evaded the bullet he heard the tell-tale whoosh of a dart gun somewhere to his right. With a panted curse he kicked his table over and dove behind it, shielding his body from the succession of darts that sunk into the wood.

Thirteen years on the run, hunting the Bedim Assassins, dodging through the more squalid ditches and byways of Magnellum and he was caught by surprise. For coffee, he thought again.

Dorian hunkered behind the table and squinted at the cafe porch. His manservant Gremor was leaning up against the cafe bar, terror and distress contorting his saggy features in an almost comical way. The poor, useless man quivered and waved one of his ridiculous handkerchiefs in front of his face. It was mildly baffling that Gremor had proven so loyal, insisting on accompanying Dorian on his mad quest against the Bedim Knights. The most the old man had managed to do was make sure he had a bed to sleep in when one was available.

Dorian turned his attention to his weapons, sliding down until he was almost prone as the assassin shot at the table again. It seemed a bit excessive given the fact that both he and the assassin knew the table was sufficient cover. His hand touched his rapier hilt and he determined that the Bedim had to be new, perhaps not even a full Bedim Knight yet. A full Bedim wouldn't waste the gunpowder or bullets; they would just lie in wait for Dorian to pop his head up again.

Which Dorian would have to do if he wanted to get out of the cafe.

He had six daggers strapped diagonal against his chest, disguised in his waistcoat as mere decoration. At his belt was a portion of gunpowder, several bullets and his pistol. Dorian took his pistol and began to load, his eyes roving over the terrain while he tried to formulate a plan. Most of the knot-worked steel chairs had been tossed over on their sides in the jumble of moments after the first bullet. Partially cooled coffee streamed through the curvatures of the wooden porch until it encountered his left leg. Dorian ignored the seep of liquid through his pants and pulled his Talent to his vision, dragging the world around him into sharp focus.

The cobbled street beyond the little cafe's porch was empty save for a fine wisp of steam as it snaked from a nearby sewer grate. Daylight was nearly done and the temperature was changing; tall buildings fell into shadow with the dying light, casting near everything in sight with a golden-sepia tint. Dorian shifted against the table and rolled his neck, feeling the strain of too many days without sleep bunch in his shoulders. If he had his calculations right there would be a moment of glare when the sun hit the horizon. It would reflect off the copper water tower that stood at the end of the street and blind the Bedim long enough for him to move.

Not that he knew where the Bedim was hiding to know which way to go, but Dorian figured he could address that problem when he got there.

My Lord! Gremor called from behind the cafe bar.

Dorian ignored him and took another steadying breath, praying to the Fates that he survived the next few moments.

But My Lord!

There was a stress in the old man's voice that made Dorian look his way. Gremor hid one hand behind his handkerchief and pointed southwest. Dorian nodded to his servant and frowned. If Gremor had managed to spot the assassin then he was right about the boys training. He was almost insulted by that. He wasn't just any contract target. He was the Lord Saldorian Feverrette, the only man who could boast three contracts out against his life and still manage to keep from dying for over thirteen years.

Someone should have warned the boy not to come after him until he was better trained.

The sun hit the water tower and Dorian made his move; everything around him distorted in the wake of his magic, elongating and pulling in such a way that it almost resembled the reflection off a soapy bubble. He was bending time, slowing things around him while he pushed his magic to make his own body move faster. It was a dangerous strategy given the number of unknown elements surrounding him but Dorian figured crashing into the Bedim mid-time-bend was preferable to getting shot.

He rose to his feet and aimed his pistol southwest, shoving himself to the left and toward the cover of the bar. The Bedim shot again and Dorian was able to locate him - a half a block away, huddled behind a stack of wooden crates. Focusing on his aim Dorian pulled the trigger. Only when he was certain of the trajectory did he release time. His body hit the ground and he rolled behind the bar, smacking hard into Gremor. The old man made a grunt of effort to stay upright as the world around them settled back to normal.

Making friends again, I see, Gremor sniffed in a haughty manner that made Dorian smile.

I'm irresistible, Gremor. You know that. Dorian peered around the bar and squinted southwest. His gamble had worked. The Bedim had been too blinded by the sun to aim correctly.

Did you hit him? Gremor asked.

I'm fairly certain, yes.

Then why are we still crouched down here like a pack of animals? Gremor went to stand up and Dorian grabbed his arm, pulling him back down.

Because 'fairly' is not 'absolutely'.

Glancing around the bar again Dorian spotted two men in white tabards as they made their way to the scene. The Warders in the city of Basten were faster than in many other towns Dorian had visited. They were also professionals. While one veered to the southwest, heading for the Bedim Knight, the other moved to the center of the cafe, unsheathed his sword and struck it once, hard, into the ground. The sword sunk three inches through the porch and stayed there, a bright red color streaming from the hilt and making an umbrella over the scene.

Dorian felt his magic recess into his core and stood up. Even if the Bedim wasn't already dead the protection of the Warders was in place. A moment later his suspicions were confirmed as one of the Warders began to drag the Bedim into the center of the cafe. Taking an interest in the man who had just tried to kill him, Dorian moved to meet them. The Warder was respectful enough to lower the Bedim's body, arranging arms and feet in the quiet reverence of lost life.

He was garbed in the traditional Bedim way, swarthy pants that would have been baggy were they not cinched around his legs with various belts and scabbards. Belted boots that rose to his knees, both containing at least one form of weaponry and a half-mask that covered nose and mouth while a pair of thick goggles spanned his eyes. Dorian exhaled through his teeth, recognizing just how young the man was before the Warder began to strip him of his mask.

You are lucky, the first Warder said, Not many survive an attack by the Bedim.

Dorian grunted his response as the Warder stood and outstretched a hand of greeting, Targus apt Basten.

As their hands met in formal greeting Dorian could feel the smallest measure of Talent in the Warder before him. He wasn't surprised by this, since most commoners who found they had an inkling of magic wound up in the Warders. It aided them in protecting the Civil Laws, and made them powerful allies to the Great Houses of Magnellum. Their hands parted again, and though Targus had undoubtedly been able to feel the measure of Dorian's own talent, the Warder did nothing but nod down to the Bedim.

I imagine you were expecting him?

No, Dorian rubbed the back of his neck. This time I was not. Were he a full Bedim Knight I would not be standing here to talk to you.

Targus whistled lowly, The Fates must have something special planned for you, then.

Dorian ignored the comment.

There was an angry, purplish-blue hole directly to the left of the Bedim's eyebrow. It was the only flaw on the boy’s face. Dorian grunted to himself, calculating by the smooth, baby-fine features that the Bedim had been fourteen at best.

Dorian felt his neck hair stand on end, Too lucky.

Targus stood, steely eyes casting out at the surrounding buildings. You think there are more?

Dorian glanced at the Warding Sword just to be certain it was still in place. Red mist created a bubble around the scene, negating all weaponry save fists and feet. Beyond the mist he could see the brass and copper rooftops making a sporadic, jagged line across the horizon. The puzzle began to make more sense.

Bedim Knights traveled alone, worked alone, fought alone. There was no particular style to their fighting because of this. It was unheard of for them to join forces, and yet he could almost remember the trajectory of the darts that had missed him. Even if the boy had the discipline to bend time he could not have moved fast enough to make that shot.

There had to be a second assassin.

Targus took a step to the left, crossing just in front of Dorian. Two small, muffled thumps sounded and the Warder staggered back. Dorian managed to catch the man as he tumbled, limp and gone before Dorian could breathe his surprise. At Targus' chest protruded two small, thin darts.

Gremor gasped somewhere at his right and Dorian cursed the Warder's sword for hindering his Talent. Not bothering with formality he dropped Targus and leapt for the edge of the protective barrier. Taking the offensive was the only way he would find any answers, let alone stay alive.

There was an unpleasant electric shock that passed through his body as he crossed, and then his Talent was alive. Every instinct tingled while he searched for his assailant, his muscles coiled and ready for the next attack.

It came in short order.

Another shot made a cacophony against the empty street, signifying the use of a pistol, and Dorian spotted the general position of the Bedim. Spurring himself forward he dodged the bullet with a quick swivel of his body. The Bedim shot again and grazed the right side of his ribcage, but Dorian kept running. He could see the Knight clearly now, positioned behind the large, three-meshed statue of the Fates at the top of the Median Temple. The temple was five buildings away from the cafe, giving the Bedim just enough time to drop his weapons and start a quick retreat.

Dorian ran, feet pounding on the cobbled street, lungs burning, and magic pushing him to be faster even as the Bedim spurred their own Talent to get away. The world around him made copper streaks in his peripheral vision, smearing with the speed of the chase. The distance between them began to close and he noticed that the Bedim was female. There was a fancy sort of bodice cinched tight around her waist, accenting the curve of hip and body. He swiped a hand at her back, missing by an inch or so.

Her left hand opened and several small objects clinked to the ground, chiming out a warning that he could not heed. He was too close to her to avoid the caltrops. His left foot slammed onto three of them, their points piercing through the sole of his boot. Dorian let loose a stream of curses and pushed himself so that his right foot missed the serrated objects but the damage was done. He came to an abrupt stop, keeping his left foot from touching the ground. Torn between the need to remove the caltrops and the desire to see the Bedim he hesitated, watching as she crossed the railroad at the end of the street. She disappeared behind the depot at the same moment that Gremor reached his side.

My Lord! the old man wheezed, doubling over to support himself on his knees.

Dorian grimaced and hobbled to the closest building. Resting one shoulder against the wall he began to pick the caltrops out of his foot. Each of them was an inch long and they hurt like hell. He tossed them aside with another curse and focused his Talent on healing.

Did you ... Gremor panted, coughed and straightened himself. Did you get a ... look at him?

Her, Dorian frowned, fighting away the pain in his foot. Muscles fixed themselves, the several holes that had pierced into his skin mended with an alacrity that belied time. He'd always wondered why this part of Magic had to be painful. Bending time didn't hurt. Spurring his body to move faster, harder, and longer than normal men never hurt either. That was the trick he supposed. One could struggle through being wounded and allow the injury to heal naturally or one could seek out the attentions of a male Witch-Born to have the wound taken away. The latter came with a monetary price as well as a physical one, as though the body itself wanted to take the time to heal.

Her?

She was wearing a bodice, Dorian moved back into the street and began to collect the caltrops.

My, my, Gremor squinted out at the depot. Rather clever of her, I suppose. Using a decoy, I mean. I've not seen a Bedim do that before.

Dorian crouched and began to inspect one of the caltrops, That's because they don't. The only common denominator among the Bedim is the Archives where they can find their contracts. They never work together.

The spindly, irritating caltrop was forged brass with three points. There was no distinguishing mark on the item, so he could not determine the maker. Dorian hissed and pushed himself to his feet again. Gremor looked about to argue something when the surviving Warder made his way to them. Far younger than Targus, the boy's anxious face was drawn with struggle, knowing that he had a duty to fulfill and needing solitude to mourn his partner.

We will ... he paused, his mouth contorting a bit as he corrected himself, I will need formal statements.

Absolutely, Dorian clapped a hand on Gremor's shoulder. Gremor here will have them to you in short order. You will have our utmost cooperation. The boy nodded his appreciation and started back for the cafe. Dorian waited until he was a safe distance away before making his final orders to Gremor. Find a way to steal one of those darts. I want a well-trained alchemist to have a look.

Gremor gave a dramatic and resigned sigh.

CHAPTER TWO

A warm breeze played through the overly-large leaves indigenous to the island of Delgora. It came with a sticky kind of moisture, laying her braided hair limp on her back as she continued her trek through the jungle. Under normal circumstances Elsie would not have noticed the annoyance - living in the tropics made the body grow accustomed to the heat - but her circumstances were not normal, on two accounts: one, she was carrying a satchel full of rocks, as per her newest training regimen and two, she was being hunted.

Her Talent made every inch of her skin aware of the unwelcome visitor, pulled her vision of the world around her into such clarity that she could see the slow drip of moisture beading over a leaf three feet away. The fact that she had not spotted her hunter yet told her that the person was both Witch-born and a Bedim. This concerned her a bit since she had not contacted anyone at the Sanctuary for quite some time. Three years, in fact. Either Artimus - her former trainer - had grown to miss her company or Vicaress Reonne had somehow discovered her existence.

Elsie ducked through the branches of a mangrove tree and stole a glance behind her. They were getting closer, she could feel it.

While she could handle Artimus Berkuska, she could not handle the entire Bedim Society trying to make good on a contract against her life. And they would try to kill her, it didn't matter that she was a Bedim herself. Elsie pulled a dagger from her thigh sheath and set it against the satchels strap. If there was a contract against her, she would not be able to fight while hindered by a bag of rocks.

Her feet kept a steady pace, moving over brush and fallen branches, leading her down the animal path she had chosen for her evening workout. For caution's sake, she always let her feet guide her when she set out for practice. This kept the chances of an ambush at a minimum, but it seemed like a foolish decision now, given that she was being pursued. The Warding Pillars that kept the Wild at bay were not far off. If there was a chase they might end up shaking the Pillars with the use of magic. The Wild would creep into their realm the moment it felt weakness, and if she lost the fight no one would know to replace the Pillars. Fates only knew what horrible creatures could over-run the populace of Delgora.

Elsie cut through the strap and let the satchel fall. She dove to the right at the same moment, rolling amid bushes and moist ground, until she came to a crouch, hiding in the foliage. Dragging her magic into focus, she scanned the jungle, searching for the Bedim, gripping the hilt of her dagger to remind herself that it was there.

A deep, refined chuckle filtered from the treetops and Artimus dropped to the path. His lean form blotted out the moonlight for a moment, the darkness of his clothes making him appear like a touchable shadow. Elsie stood again, brushing leaves and debris from her sleeves as she moved back onto the path.

Don't look so sour, Nessie, he said by way of greeting.

The bastardized nickname he'd created for her only put her more on edge. She'd always thought he was poking fun at her choice to stay hidden, living the lie that she was Nessa Gelgova, seamstress and not Elsie Delgora, Heir Apparent.

Fates! He was irritating, smiling that silky, I-know-more-than-you smile, his smooth features begging for her to trust him again. There was a look to his eyes that raked across her skin, as though he were trying to shove her back into a state of liminality rather than stand on equal ground. Elsie avoided the mauve gaze he sent her way, fighting against the memory of their first meeting. She'd thought his eyes the most spectacular color back then. He could have convinced her that he was Magic Himself and she would have believed him.

What do you want, Artimus? Elsie gave him her flattest tone, letting him know that she would not be tricked again.

His smile never faltered, Come now. You would think there had been no affection between us.

You made it plain that there never was. What do you want?

He stepped closer to her, and trailed a hand down her arm. She flexed her fingers to keep from reacting and watched his face. For a moment he looked broken, hurt, but this was Artimus and she knew better. His features cleared of the emotion, and his rabbit-like mouth twitched down at one side.

There was a time you would have given the House Seat for a hint of attraction from me, he murmured.

Elsie smirked in spite of herself. He was grossly over-estimating himself if he thought she would have given up her birthright to be with him.

That time is gone, she said.

Is there no way to get it back? His voice dropped low, coming out husky and dangerous, and her magic rose in warning.

She'd heard him speak like that before. Memories flaunted across the backdrop of her mind, drifted between them and around them, until she felt she might suffocate if she stayed next to the man any longer. She didn't need an Archive present to review the memory. It was ever-present, like the low beat of a drum amid music; dangerous, and painful, and never forgotten. There was the bite of iron claws against her back, and her own voice sounding strange as it cried out in pain. Elsie suppressed a shudder and fought herself back into the present.

Yes, she lied. If you destroy the contract you tortured from me, I might be persuaded to look at you in a different light.

He barked a humorless laugh and stepped away from her. Three years later and the grudge still lingers, his voice was flippant now, betraying the real character of the man before her. I think I'll keep that contract for now. But the real reason I am here is on behalf of the Triad.

Elsie turned away and moved to gather her fallen satchel. The Bedim leaders haven't needed me for three years, Artimus. Not since I walked away, remember?

In their opinion you walked away from me, as per the natural state of a Bedim Trainee becoming a Knight, he began to follow her down the path. You've even taken a contract or two, as I recall.

Why you would concern yourself with my movements is beyond my comprehension, Artimus. She dumped the rocks from her satchel, flicking the item once, before folding it again. Just to contradict anything you might think of me, they were strategic executions to further my own cause. The money was just a bonus.

For some of us the money is always a bonus, he grabbed her elbow again. She stopped and looked at his hand until he removed the physical contact. Nessa. They want some more of those fancy darts you make.

I take it they found them to be just as lucrative as I'd promised.

He nodded, They're willing to pay you double this time.

She cocked an eyebrow at him.

And they want a larger amount. Three crates this time.

Elsie shook her head, No. One crate is dangerous enough. It's only a matter of time before someone figures out where the ingredients are coming from.

They believe it's worth the risk.

Then tell them to reconsider, she snapped. The other Houses could send investigators and risk exposing the Sanctuary. The very existence of the Triad could become public knowledge, and they would have no refuge from the Bedim Hunter.

Something flashed in Artimus's eyes. Something violent and she tensed as he made another derisive laugh. They do not fear the Hunter.

Elsie touched her temple in annoyance and tried to convince her head not to start aching as she turned away from him. Well I do. The Bedim Hunter on Delgora grounds would only interfere with my plans.

Ah yes, now we come to it. Why not just put a contract against Vicaress Reonne and be done with it? You could be Heir Apparent again, become House Witch and then the Bedim would have nothing to fear. I would do it myself, for free if you asked.

You know why.

He snorted, You still believe there's a Dellidus? How many years has it been, Nessa? Ten? Twelve? Artimus shook his head. There is no Dellidus. I doubt there ever was. Reonne has used that fear to further her stance with the people, nothing more.

Elsie kept her mouth shut, stepping over a fallen branch, and continuing her trek through the jungle. He was wrong. Elsie knew exactly where the Dellidus was. She knew its hiding place, its constant hunger, its indiscriminate apt for killing. She'd debated several times over showing Artimus the truth. He was Witch-Born, after all. Though she didn't know the details of his past, she knew that there was a common enemy between the Bedim and the Noble Houses of Magnellum, and that enemy was the Wild. It didn't seem too much of a stretch to ask a truce between the assassins and the Nobles for long enough to take down an errant Dellidus.

In the end, however, she could not push past the hatred she felt for the man. The only reason she had not taken a contract against his life was the existence of one carefully hidden piece of paper that bound her to him. So long as he kept the original copy, every Archive in Magnellum would have record of it.

A thought came to her, and she stopped. He paused as well, one dark eyebrow shooting up in question.

Perhaps she could not trust Artimus with the truth of the Dellidus, but there was a chance she could parlay with the Triad. They were ruthless mercenaries in their own right but they had to see the danger that the Dellidus presented. It would not be a full trust between them, she thought with a frown, but it would be more than what she could expect from Artimus.

Tell the Triad that I will speak with them, she said at last.

Artimus gave her a vagrant wink, I knew there had to be something you wanted. What's got into your pretty little head now, Nessa?

None of your concern, she turned, and walked away from him.

She made her way through the jungle, sliding down small ravines, half-climbing felled trees. Artimus did not follow, and she hadn't expected him to. He had gotten what he'd come for, and knew her well enough to understand the insufferable hatred she had for him now. After a while she picked up speed, charging down the twisted path back to Delgora Proper. The familiar burn of exertion made her focus on her movements and ignore the growl of anxiety that sounded in the back of her mind. There was nothing else, just the duck and weave of her body as she avoided vines and trees. Her Talent came alive, swelling in her core the closer she got to Delgora Manor.

Stopping just short of the town Elsie took a moment to breathe. Pinpricks of starlight glistened in the sky, subdued now that she was close to the glow of lamplight curling through the streets of Delgora. There was a constant and low thrum reverberating through the ground, reminding everyone of the technology that kept the night at bay. Elsie let go of a sigh, restless at the sound and sight before her. She was a creature of magic. The gadgets and such that the Untalented managed to tinker into life felt wrong to her. Though, of course, there were some inventions that had become such a part of daily life that she couldn't imagine a time without them.

Plumbing, for instance; she didn't think she would have liked living without the water pump. But with the plumbing came noisy lights that took away the peace of the night. Compromise, she thought with an unhappy frown, just as most of the people of Delgora had settled into a content sort of ignorance, pretending that the House Witch Tibelda and her Consort had never existed. They could keep their livelihoods, homes, families as long as they forgot their roots. They could live in peace as long as they allowed Vicaress Reonne to disease Delgora to death.

Elsie's fists curled. What she wouldn't give if she could just kill the blasted woman and be done with it.

CHAPTER THREE

They had to take a carriage from the train station to Delgora Proper. Dorian shifted in the over-plush seat, trying to dislodge the copious amount of stuffing from the small of his back as he did so. While Dorian understood that the curve and flow of the landscape prevented the train from extending all the way to Delgora Proper, a four hour carriage ride seemed a bit excessive. Gremor sat across from him, blissfully snoring, with his head crammed into the corner of the carriage, his mouth slightly agape so that Dorian could see the blunt line of his molars.

Expelling a stressed and discontented breath, he leaned over to view out of the little carriage window. The mountainous jungles of Delgora created dramatic peaks that threw the only road into a constant shadow. Splashes of yellow, orange, and pink flowers peppered against the deep greens of the jungle, mingling a sweet scent with the sea air. Were it not for the humid press of the tropics he might have enjoyed the sight. It was a far cry from his home in the Feverrette Lands, where desert and mountain wilderness battled for dominion.

Opawa Ayaatee, Dorian whispered, his Talent all too happy to oblige the vision spell. Magic and reality overlapped, allowing him to see beyond the surface of Delgora. Lining the road on either side stood the Warding Pillars, shimmering with the glow of salt, arching high above them to keep out the Wild. He caught sight of three or four black spots in the Pillars and frowned. The magic was fraying here. Not enough to be alarming but enough to warrant the attention of the House Witch. He would have to mention something.

That was not going to go over well.

He hadn't fully worked out his plan yet, but he knew upsetting the noble family of Delgora would not help him. Dorian needed their cooperation and discretion if he was going to find the Bedim hiding here. And there had to be a Bedim here, the cursed darts that had nearly killed him had been made of a poison called Fervarium, which came from the Fervarium plant -- which only grew in the heart of Delogra.

A long-eared rabbit crossed through the pillars