Disclaimer: I own nothing that Tamora Pierce owns, except for a copy of each of her books. I also don't own any of Juliet Marillier's characters, places, or ideas. I own nothing you recognize at all, except for the plot, which is hopefully original.
Prologue
Gather round, children, and I shall tell a story of a place called Earth, in the year 2005. First, though, you need to know something about this planet's history. You know it already, you say? Well, I must disagree with you there. Now, listen.
Many, many years ago, there was another world, and on it there were many miraculous things – griffins, and dragons, knights and ladies, monsters and magic. Sounds like a wonderful place, no? It was, until the peace created during the reign of King Jonathan the IV and his Queen, Thayet the Peerless was broken.
It happened about one hundred years after the death of King Jonathan and his faithful knights and advisors. In this time of pain, a magical war began between mages of the greatest kingdoms in that world – Tortall, Carthak, Scanra, Tusaine, the Copper Islands, and the Yamani Islands. Though some old loyalties were kept, treachery was practiced on all sides, and it was each person for him- or herself.
During this war of magic, nearly the whole world was decimated. Whole islands were sunken, whole continents made infertile. Peoples were wiped out, and it wasn't until nearly the whole world had been killed that a treaty was made. However, the land was no longer inhabitable.
So, the remaining mages, in penance for the destruction they'd caused used nearly all of their life-force to transport the few hundred survivors to another world; a new world. This world they named Earth.
The people living on Earth realized that it was magic and the power it brought that had created their downfall, so they swore to forsake it forever more. For a while, they lived on as they had. However, in adapting to their new home, most of their old life was forgotten. The people of the Old World became little more than savages, hunting and scavenging, haven forgotten even the simplest elements of farming from their long years of war and hardship.
For a while, they kept pieces of their heritage alive in cave painting, but soon they forgot even those aspects of their former lives. Over time, they adjusted to the new planet and became a bit more civilized. However, it seemed they had completely forgotten about magic.
As time passed, the people became more highly evolved, yet still seemed oblivious to the magic running through their blood. Sure, once in a while, a mage discovered his or her power. How do you think the Olmec or the Easter Island heads came about? The Great Pyramids of Egypt and South America? Stonehenge and the Nazca Drawings? Aliens? No, it was the magic of the people. However, humans forget what they don't wish to remember, and they did not want to acknowledge the presence of magic.
Problems for the few magic users of the world increased with the creation of monotheism. It was long ago that they'd stopped the worship of the old Pantheon, with Mithros, the Goddess, and such, but many other religions had similar figures, and most respected magic. However, monotheism meant doom for those who truly knew their magic, such as the Druids. Witches became hunted, and magic was once more crushed.
Magic was shunned, and pushed aside by either religion or science, until it was just a fantasy, an unattainable dream for almost all. However, magic still ran strong in the blood of a few.
Now, the world faces destruction once more, not by magic, but by the science of atom bombs and nuclear warheads. The old gods become restless – their faith that the people will return to them wanes, as does their patience.
Mithros calls a meeting of the Old Pantheon. All come, from the greatest gods of the sentient beings to the most minute of the animal gods. What else do they have to do? Mithros calls order, and gets his silence.
"It has been too long, my brethren. Though our children no longer believe in us, I for one cannot just stand by while they destroy themselves once more. The time has come to act."
There were murmurs from the other gods. It was true, it would hurt to see them destroy themselves again, but should the unfaithful be helped?
When the Goddess cleared her throat, the other gods quieted. "I for one will help. And not only because I do still have some faithful. In some of these new people, the old bloodlines run strong. We shall make ourselves known to them once more. If we do nothing, Chaos will win once more, as she'd done so many years ago. We barely survived that battle. Do we really want to risk everything once more by not intervening again? It is time."
With the end of the Goddess's speech, the other gods only had to pause for a second before throwing in their lot with her. Mithros banged a gavel for silence. "It is decided then."
As the gods dispersed to make plans, the Goddess turned to Mithros. "We must tell the Watcher. She will be a valuable tool." Mithros nodded, and the two left the meeting place as well.
Pauline: Glad you liked it, hope you'll read more. Yes, I was referring to cavemen, and I will introduce people in the next chapter.
Rivin: Thankees, Riv! Glad you liked, and now I actually have a plot to go on!