The Winter Knight
You're definitely never bored when your name is Harry Dresden and working under A Faerie Queen. Especially one that's the rules the winter court. Ten years ago, my first job under her was to kill her daughter. No easy feat considering the daughter in question was immortal. My next job after that consisted of what amounted to a super natural heist. I, along with a team of super natural baddies were to break into the vault of a greek god of the under world and retrieve the holy grail. I did a little better at that job. Retrieved weapons to fight outsiders, got to screw over one of my archenemies and finally performed my job as a custodian of a holy sword and handed it to a someone worthy.
I definitely knew I was in one hell of a ride when I performed those first two missions and the subsequent jobs after that got wilder. So, compared to hunting outsiders and battling the near godlike enemies of the winter court; My newest task now: Establishing a school to rehabilitate Warlocks; Should be really simple. It should be cake right?
Who am I kidding, Even when I was a private investigator, the most simple of jobs I've taken tend to go south really really fast. When I was playing body guard for a porn star director, I ended up getting drawn into a vampire conspiracy leading to a confrontation with my mother's killer and a group of porn star sorceress. (Funny enough, there was a positive end to that particular case. I got a dog and a half-brother out of the deal.) Lets not forget the murder cases I've had to look into. A lot of which have escalated pretty damn quickly. One murder case I was looking into led me to riding a zombified T-Rex down the streets of chicago to do battle with a group of a psychotic necromancers.
I digress though. This latest job or quest as my fairy godmother would put it: Establishing a new school may be more daunting then I've initially thought. The fact that I have to do it, shows how desperate both the Winter court and White Council are. More and more, Outsiders (Otherworldly beings from outside this universe) have begone infiltrating this universe and bringing forth chaos. Erratic weather patterns, increase in bizarre disappearances; Murders so bizarre and strange that even the local news has a hard time just playing it off as some urban legend. None of this helped at all by the fact that more and more people with magic potential had been awakening . With more magic users comes more warlocks just waiting to wreak havoc. A solution had to be reached and establishing a place to convert warlocks and turn them away from their dark arts was one of few viable options we had.
The White Council of wizards would not have even considered such a notion but then again there wasn't much of a white council left these days. Even with the destruction of the red court, the council found themselves fighting another war shortly afterwards. It also didn't help that a huge number of member seceding from the council itself. At this juncture any short term solution would be desirable.
With the near genocide of the Red Court Vampires, they left something of a power vacuum in their wake. All of the sudden you have all these super natural baddies coming in and getting the scraps and pies left by the vampires. Most prominent of them were the Fomer. A bunch of monsters from the sea that have kept mostly to themselves.
Seeing an opportunity from the red court's fall, they decided to throw in their cards and play the game. Since starting this second war, they've captured nearly every city in the U.S, save for Chicago, the place I've sworn to protect. The White Council had their hands full fighting them and such a fight has cost them many a good warden.
With such desperate times, desperate measures had to be called. The Winter Court needed more allies in the mortal world in order to combat outsiders that made their way there as well as to stop the growing number of warlocks from calling them. The White Council needed more wizards in their ranks in order to help fight the growing threat of the outsiders that escaped and caused destruction as well as defend against the Fomor. Inevitably, they ended up helping the other out in order to combat the ongoing outsider threat. The solution they came up with was either really brilliant or really stupid. However, they had two big problems with the plan they came up with. One: they needed an ideal location to train and re-habilitate Warlocks and two: they needed a stronger idea on how to turn a Warlock towards the straight an narrow. All eyes were directed at me because I was one: Owner of an island that served as a prison for the most horrific abominations known to man. The Island, ever since I took control had developed even sturdier defenses in place to keep out invaders as well as keep anybody inside from escaping. Two: I am wizard who once broke the laws of magic but have managed for the most part to keep my corruption to an all time low. Although, to this day I still have several detractors in the council in that regard. Lucky for me, most of those detractors defected or died during the War with the Fomor.
Naturally, they all looked to me to help establish such an institution and naturally I did everything in my power to decline. I already have a hard enough time defending Chicago from the worst of the super natural baddies. What makes them think I can establish a school to re-habilitate warlocks. My previous apprentice Molly didn't exactly benefit from my training. My faerie God Mother did way better then me in that regard. But considering how often and how close the world was to an apocalypse these days, it really didn't take them much effort to make me agree to both the council and the Queen's plans.
Of course, before I can establish 'Hogwarts School for Delinquent Witches and Wizards, I had to first get out of this really really tricky situation I've found myself walking into. You see, this current job Mab is having me do is to hunt down a human infected with nemesis (A virus which outsiders can use to infect any living being and turn that being for their own purposes.) While any other servant of hers could do that; This particular infected human managed to humiliate Mab in such a way that she personally asked me, The Winter Knight to kill him. I'd normally refuse out of spite and habit, but if somebody infected with Nemesis is running around and causing havoc in my city, then of course it naturally falls to me to serve as its protector. I think thats why Mab came to me in the first place to handle this hunt. She knew I wouldn't stand around while chicago comes to harm. It was really a simple job though and it shouldn't be a problem. Go in and come back in time to see both council's arrival and the winter fae finish construction of the new school
As I said before though; Nothing is ever so simple. Mab gave me the building address her target was in and soon after, I arrived at that location equipped with my staff and duster. My shield bracelet is all charged and I was completely rested. It was night time, and I've grown adept enough at my veils that I should be able to hide and track my target until he reaches the ideal location to corner and capture him.
So there I was, waiting and stalking like a predator in the night, hiding right in front of my target's nest. The eyes of the giant mouse on the sign of the building staring down at me like a chick guarding its hens. He came out of the building then, all pimply, ginger, and skinny wearing that red Chucke E Cheese uniform. There he was, ready to be taken out and captured. I followed him carefully, making sure that the target himself wasn't leading me into an ambush.
Now, one might be asking how could a skinny teenager wearing that ridiculous uniform humiliate The Winter Queen much less gain her attention. The better question at the moment would be why would the queen ask me a Wizard of great combat experience to deal with him. Let me tell you: When you deal with the super natural nothing is ever what it seems.
Case in point, the Chuck E Cheese employee led me right into a dark alley. The moment he entered the dark alley, I already knew what was coming and I didn't bother keeping up my veil. I dispelled it immediately.
"Cute. Real cute." I called out. The Chucke E Cheese employee wasn't even trying that hard to lead me into an ambush. After all, The moment we entered I already sensed that there were two people in alley, both of them with veils. Veils which were pretty flimsy actually. The red head turned around and grinned at me causing me to grunt in annoyance.
"So you're The Winter Bitch's attack dog." The young man spoke, his voice smug.
"And you must be the one that pissed off said bitch..."
"Tell me, did she like my parting gift?"
I shrugged "Are the outsider's so desperate they infect a kid who sounds like he hasn't hit puberty?" I sniped back. I gathered as much energy as I could into my staff, carefully staring at the nerdy looking kid in front of me. He looked way to relaxed for somebody that's being confronted by the winter Knight. Not just The Winter Knight, but a Wizard who's dealt with more threats then most wizards did when they reached their hundreds. Not to sound too arrogant but I'm kind of a big deal.
"Alright kid." I spoke, my tone neutral yet pleading. "I'm only going to ask you once, that thing that's clouded your mind; If you come with me we can clean it out. Get you all healed up."
"And why would I do that. 'It' has offered me so much more then anybody else in my life." The red head responded. "Power, prestige, and respect. Something nobody else has ever given me. It's willing to give me more, once I take your head star born."
I let out a tired sigh in response. I've hunted many mortals that were infected with Nemesis, a lot of those people could not be talked into being purified.
There is a way to cure this viral adversary. However it could only be applied to people willing to be purified. People who had the strength to choose to be cured. My Faerie godmother was infected and she managed purge the virus from her body. Then again, she was a Faerie and most likely had better resistance against this kind of thing. Most of the infected mortals coldly refused my offer of help causing me to try to capture and seal them in Demon Reach with a future hope that they can be talked into being cured. Capturing them was the hardest as every person nemesis had infected always came equipped with some super natural power. Most of those cases ended with me placing a bullet to an infected mortals head or a fire spell to the face of some none-mortal.
"I have friends Harry Dresden. Friends who are loyal to me and the greater cause. I have nothing to fear. You do though. I think its you that should surrender to me!" The kid spoke. I rolled my eyes. Hells Bells, this kid in ever sense of the word. Instead of withstanding any more of this talk I pointed my staff at the kid's so called allies and worded lazily. "Infriga!"
The temperature in the alley froze unexpectedly and my spell struck two men standing right behind the kid. Ice coated the mens bodies, with expressions of plain shock on their faces. Is coated around the surrounding areas.
"You mean those friends?" I mocked. I pointed my oak staff at him and before I incanted my spell another fire ball struck me from behind. Lucky, my duster with all of its enchantments gave me all the its protection. It also helps that I have shield bracelet equipped and managed to turn and block most of the oncoming fire.
"Infriga" I replied pointing my staff reflexively at my attackers. The other half of the alley was soon covered in ice.
"You missed Dres-" Before the red head could even finish, I quickly casted another spell. I pointed my staff, aiming at the ice.
"Fuego." I bellowed, Silvery fire erupted from the end of my blasting rod. The result: ice melted so fast and so rapidly that it caused steam and fog to flood the alley. At this point time seemed to have stopped as I activated the power within me: Winter's Mantle
Winter's mantle. A power given to all Winter knights. It augments the physical abilities of the wielder in exchange for awakening their raw instincts and predatory nature. All this time I was fortunate to keep the mantle and its side effects under full control. The thought of my own daughters reactions if I failed helped greatly whenever I had this power active.
The moment I had tapped into the Winter Mantle's full power my awareness of the world around me increased to the highest degree. I can hear every sound; Cars several miles away. I even heard the ice melting from my use of fire. More importantly, my sense of smell was heightened. Amongst the putrid scent of gravel and sewage I picked of two magic users who attacked me. I let out a savage smile as I propelled my body forward, moving at the pace of lion. With one punch, I knocked out one attacker and with a swift grab to the other magic user I throw him to the ground pinned him with my knees and broke his arm. The man's scream pierced the night air. My attention then turned to the last of my prey. The little bastard no longer had any friends to count on. He was mine for the kill.
He was like a dear in head lights when the fog cleared up and he saw two of my other attackers down.
"You should have run when you had the chance kid. Your little ambush failed. Miserably." I grunted. Slowly, I walked towards him, savoring the fear of my prey. The kid just stepped back, doing as much as he can to look brave. The moment I was several feet away from him, the kid smiled which caused me to stop in my tracks. My mind quickly reasserted its control over my predator nature and I gripped my staff aiming it at the kid. A force spell should be enough to knock him out. Before I could do anything, the kid threw out his hand and muttered some incomprehensible pseudo latin. Lightening protruded from his finger tips and I ended up raising my shield spells to their maximum. I managed to throw myself to the side. The lightening had dissipated the kid darted passed me. Grunting, I gathered more energy and focused on my target.
"Fozare!" I muttered. The force spell knocked the kid on his feet. Gathering energy once more I muttered "Infriga!" Freezing the kid's arm's and legs insuring that he doesn't get away from me.
"Kill me if you want. It makes no difference. There are others like me." The red head head groaned. I shook my head.
"Tell me something I don't know." I replied annoyance clear in my tone. I went to check on my other attackers. I didn't really get a good look at them what it being dark and all but once I did, my eyes widened in shock as I came into the realization of the identity of the other attackers.
"Stars and Stones! You're former White Council!"
I had to call up the Wardens to help sort out this mess. They came in and took the four into custody. The four magic users that attacked me were part of the group that left the Council. Through careful prodding and interrogation it turned out that these four were enthralled by the kid. The Gate Keeper as well as the available medical wizards, did all they could to ensure that whatever influence the kid had on the four wizards; That it would be purged. However, they would never be the same and may spend a majority of their lives recovering from psychic manipulation. As for , I brought him to demon reach and sealed him in a crystal cell in a block of the underground prison dedicated to sealing a way those infected by nemesis and similar viruses.
"You know; Her highness did order you to kill him, did she not?" A voice called out form behind me as I finished sealing him up. I turned my head, and found myself looking at a women of pale blue skin and crimson hair.
"The Queen knows how I work godmother" I grunted. "I don't kill those infected unless I'm absolutely sure they can't be saved."
"Did not all of the previous victims of the adversary prove otherwise?"
"Yes, but there is always hope." I responded. Lenan Sidhe simply sighed.
"You've been spending to much time with that former Knight Of Cross." She replied. I chuckled in response. Micheal was a good man and good company whenever my wife and daughter leave town. He along with his wife Charity took care of my daughter when I couldn't have during the darker moments in my life.
"Since you're here, I take it you're almost finished building it."
"Just a few more touches and it will be ready to accept the first of your students and teachers."
"Right. Students..." I said. From what I gleamed at the building plans, it seemed like another prison rather then a school for wizards. It makes a little sense though considering the students coming in were going to be talents who once delved into the dark arts. I beckoned my godmother to follow me out of the cave
"I take it you have something you need to tell me."
"Yes, but not until we reach the school." She said.
The school was huge! It didn't even look like a school. It was enormous castle that toward over the entire island. 'Hogwarts School for Delinquent Witch's and Wizards' indeed. The inner halls were lined with red carpets. There was enchanted knights armor in ever corridor. There was even a giant dining hall similar to the movies.
"Geez, We don't even have that many students to begin with."
"Don't be so sure of that." My godmother said. "More budding wizards such as that old apprentice of yours are coming into the world like weeds. While the wizards of your council will get new apprentices to train, you're more likely to get even more warlocks to convert. We're just making sure you have enough space to fit them all in just in case.
I nodded as we travelled through several flights of stairs and several wide hallways. It took about fifteen minutes but we finally reached my room and office, which was located on the very top floor. Out of all of the hallways the one where my office and room was located it was the most furnished with shiny mahogany floors wooden benches placed between the door ways between rooms and some pretty will crafted windows.
We entered my office which also doubled as my own room, with a large desk, a type writer at the center and two torches dimly lighting the room. I assumed a seat on rather comfy and cusht chair behind the desk.
"Enjoying the office." My Godmother commented.
"Just breaking it in." I replied.
"Wait until you see your apartment." She smiled
"I really hope you do-"
"Relax. It looks almost identical to that old apartment. Only, its much larger and it has an extra room for your daughter to sleep in when she visits. Nothings changed." She said.
I nodded and decided to get to the point of this meeting. "So, what did you want to talk to me about."
"Mab will be inactive for a time." She replied. I frowned at that statement.
"Why is that?"
"That red head you captured. Do you know how he humiliated her?"
"She wasn't really specific. All I know was that she was pissed enough to have one of her servants speak on her behalf. Similar to when she found out that Maeve was infected." My godmother nodded and continued on.
"Through remarkable circumstances, your newest prisoner managed to infect our queen with the adversary."
My expression twisted into horror. "Hells Bells" I whispered. "I can't believe it" Nemesis actually got to the Winter Queen herself? It was actually strong enough to put her down.
"How long? And how did you even manage to subdue to her long enough for Molly to work her magic?" I immediately asked.
"The Winter Lady is currently working on purging it as we speak. She'll be out for a couple of weeks. As for how? Well, Your former apprentice managed to detect the infection before my queen can even make her move. She has managed to catch her off guard in just the right moment. You should be proud Sir Knight. She's turned out to such a powerful Lady of Winter."
"Ummm thanks." I said not quite knowing how to feel about that. "Molls is good like that. She'll have her cured even quicker then you think." I frowned then. "The Winter court will be without its leader for what could be a crucial time though." My godmother nodded.
"Very true. Expect to be on call. Currently, we've managed to keep this information out of enemy ears but if anybody gets wind of this..."
"Destruction of the balance. World goes boom."
"Not quite how I would put it but yes. I must confess Godson, I thought you'd take this bit of new hard."
"Are you kidding? Do you know how any times the world has nearly ended? It's a little depressing to say but I've grown used to it." I said. "So I guess this all amounts to me being on stand by."
"Yes. You won't be undertaking any quests but still; Remain vigilant. I have to warn you of one more thing."
"What's that?"
"Lately there has been an anomaly. A mysterious energy from outside this universe thats been echoing through not only this world but the entire Nevernever. Something that's been making outer gates unstable and causing even the most fierce demons to cower in fear. None that I spoke to can identity what it is. Be prepared."
"I always am."
Lenan sidhe nodded and turned away and left through my office door, leaving me to me and my thoughts. Hell of day and with the arrival of the teachers and their warlock apprentices tomorrow; It could be even worse. It was one in the morning and I'm going to need all the sleep I could get.
I was having such a nice dream. It consisted of sheep and farms and learning magic for the first time. It was great until I felt a cold water splash on my face.
"What the Hell?" I called out. Standing over me with a glass of cold water was a skinny blond, woman with wearing jeans and a jacket.
"Finally awake now Harry?" The woman said.
"Geez Karrin, there are better ways to wake me up you know."
Karrin Murphy Dresden. My wife of several years and a current Knight of the Cross. When I met her she was a cop who moved up the ranks and became head of Special Investigations. During my P.I days, she'd call me up to consult and give information on some of the more colorful cases that graced her desks. Things have changed between us since I've met her. From getting fired to her job to working with a mobster to protect the city until finally being chosen by a holy sword to do battle with the fallen; We've both experienced a lot together. We've had our arguments and there were certain points where we almost ended our relationship. I'm surprised that through the bloodshed and the secret wars we fought, we ended up eloping. Then again, the chosen wielder of Ammorachius would know better then to give up on a chance to embrace and hold on to love.
"Whatever, the Winter Queen had you do last night must have been exhausting." She had said. "I've tried yelling in your ear and you wouldn't wake up. What happened last night?"
"I had to hunt someone down." I explained. "Well that hunt turned into something a little more complicated. Not really tiring so much as annoying to be honest. White Council had to get involved and everything."
"Surprise. Surprise." Karrin said sardonically. "Nothing is ever that simple with you is it Harry?"
"You married a wizard who also happens to be The Winter Knight. I hardly think you should expect any less." I quipped. "What time is it by the way?"
"Seven in the morning. I ran into Ebenezer on the way here. Said he needed to talk to you about which apprentices you're taking in."
"When did you get back?" I asked getting up and heading to the kitchen. Karin followed soon after.
"A couple of minutes ago."
"How was Hawaii?"
Upon hearing the question, Karin kissed me lightly in the lips "Not the same without you of course. Which reminds me: I think all four of us need a vacation soon. "
"If only we had the time. With things stirring in the winter court and you being called away to to missions and Maggie's apprenticeship to Luccio. Its a wonder that we even get moments like these to talk." I complained. "How's Lash?"
"Why don't you ask her yourself." Murphy smiled. She went over to one of her bags and pulled out a wooden skull. The eyes on the skull glowed and peered over at me.
"Papa!" The skull said.
"How've you been princess." I said walking over to Lash, and taking her in my arms.
"Hawaii was amazing, I got to go out and see..." The spirit of air and intellect ranted at me about her trip and how she helped Murphy hunt down a Fallen. Lash here is my daughter and I know what you're going to say. How could I be the father go a spirit of intellect.
Well, long story short: Her mother: The shadow of a Fallen Angel Lasciel, was a housed in my head for the longest time. During a lethal psychic attack, she gave her life in that attack so that I may live. Since it was an act of love and an act of love is an act of creation; I became for want of a better phrase, impregnated with my second daughter. Before you ask; Yes. I was pregnant. Although the pregnancy was mostly in my head. It's complicated. Really really complicated. Don't bother wrapping you're mind around it. I still have trouble making heads or tails about my youngest daughter's existence. I still love her all the same though.
As my daughter finished her rant, there was another knock on the door.
"Come in, I called out."
An older man, wearing white shirt and overalls, and holding a staff in one hand, and a really large brown paper bag in the other.
"Hoss." Ebenezer McCoy said quietly.
"Sir." I responded.
"You eat yet?"
"No."
"Figured that was the case. Here." He replied. He opened the brown bag, the warm refreshing smell of food filling the apartment air.
"Steak and eggs from McAnally thank you!" I cheered.
"Its a big day today. A new beginning Hoss. You'll need all the energy you can muster." My mentor and grandfather replied as he opened to bag to unveil an assortment of food. Karrin who looked as hungry as I was went over to the cabinets to get plates and set the table.
Once the Table was set, another knock on the door came. Feeling a little bit puzzled, I went over to open it. Behind the door was a girl in her teens sporting brown, brown eyes long features a full mouth and an elegant nose..
"Dad!" She let out cheerfully. She threw her arms around me in a tight hug. The force of which surprised me very slightly. Margaret Dresden, was a bundle of energy with an inquisitive mind and a personality very much resembling her mothers.
"Maggie!" I replied warmly, hugging her back. "What are you doing here? I thought you wouldn't be visiting until this weekend."
"Luccio insisted that I come here today and watch the orientation of the recruits." She replied. At this bit news, I frowned. The lecture I've had plan with these warlocks wasn't exactly something I wanted Maggie to hear. In fact, now that she was here I was seriously considering modifying my speech.
However, from Luccio's reports, she was progressing along in her training at steady pace. She had been apprenticed with my commanding officer for a year and during that time she had mastered the basics of magic. Anastasia Luccio is a veteran warden of the White Council and one of the most skilled fighters I have ever come to know. Considering she was the one to have trained Donald Morgan, The White Council's dearly departed executioner and most esteemed warden before his supposed betrayal (Also a general grade A Asshole), I think I can trust her judgement about Maggie.
"Grab a seat." I told her. "We're just about to eat." My daughter nodded and greeted the rest of her family amicably. She gave Karin a hug. Greeted Ebenezer politely by shaking his hand and eagerly talked to Lash about what she went through. Lash chatted back with the same amount of energy. If it weren't for the fact that Lash wasn't a spirit and sealed inside a skull, you'd think that they'd be interacting like normal sisters. This family though was far from normal. But hey. It was family all the same.
Breakfast began once the table was set and everybody was settled Breakfast was an lively affair. The entire family talking about their day. Well, it was mostly Maggie talking about her day. With the jobs that the adults at the table held, the lively atmosphere would immediately be killed if any one of us went into the gritty details of what we did. I did regale her with tales of my times under Ebenezer. Ebenezer in return told her stories about my most embarrassing mishaps while learning under him.
The atmosphere was light yet there was a feeling that someone was missing from this family get together. The elephant in the room if you will. I told Maggie not to mention it whenever my grandfather was around. The topic of said elephant would come up once Ebenezer and I were discussing my apprentices.
While the girls were cleaning up the table, my grandfather entered and took a seat in my office.
"So." I said "Who am I playing mentor to? I take it you finally found the right apprentices for me to train?"
"Truth be told Hoss, Lots of students would work well under your tutelage. With your reputation, all of them would hang on to every word you say. That being said, I decided to give you two apprentices that would benefit the most from your training."
"I still don't really understand why I have to take apprentices in though. The council knows how busy I am dealing with Outsider activity. I don't even have enough time helping with operations concerning the Fomor."
"The Winter Queen did agree to lighten your work load once the school has properly opened."
"You do realize she won't do that without a catch. Hells Bells, we've already made several bargains with her, bargins I know you and the rest of the council are already going to regret when the time comes to pay."
"We know. Which is why she provided me her personal list of apprentices to choose from. She told me I could ignore that list and choose someone of my own but she implied that she would send you on more suicide missions if I didn't agree to her demands."
I raised my eyebrows at this revelation. She probably wanted another set of wizards working under her once they finished her apprenticeship under me. Knowing her royal bitchiness, the talents she had in mind were nothing short of powerful. My mind worked furiously, wondering how I can help these would be converts away from the machinations of Mab. There were also other speculations I had about her purpose behind those.
"I take it that these apprentices have connections with the Fae?"
"When I did my research, these were the only two on the list that have no connection to the to anybody from Winter. However, they have had contact with summer." My mentor responded.
"Agents of Summer maybe? Maybe she wants use them against the Summer Queen?" I speculated. "Considering these two are the only ones connected to summer on Mab's list it could mean she most likely wants me to take on those apprentices and have them learn under me. Maybe she wants to turn one of them into the next Winter Knight?"
"Potential Winter Ladies you mean. Right now, with you're capabilities as a Star born, you're far to valuable of a piece to throw away. I think she has another angle." My teacher pulled out a vanilla envelope and set it on the table. I took it and opened it up.
"Hmmm. So she maybe wants to bump off Molly instead?" I commented. Not surprising. Molly wasn't exactly her first choice as a Winter Lady. Her daughter Sarissa was. Unfortunately, Sarissa became the Lady of Summer during my first mission for the court. Mab probably wanted to cut off my most powerful and trusted ally in the court and have more control over my actions.
"You've spent the most time with the Winter Court. You'd understand their motivations better then I." He replied. Great. Another mind game with Mab. Although, maybe it wasn't
"I'm curious; When did she send you this list?" I asked
"Right when the council agreed to align with the court." He said.
Damn. So it was before she was infected with Nemesis. It would be so much simplifier if she was. Then I could chalk up her need to have me train these apprentices up to some virus. So I was left mull my mind over another game. A game in which I've grown sick of playing. The name of that game: Just what grand scheme does Mab have in mind today? The first question in this soon to growing list of questions: What could she want with these two Talents?
I browsed the profiles of the Talents to find any answers. The first one I looked at was a girl named Aoi Kazuya. The picture on her profile showed her to be asian with shoulder length black hair and brown eyes. According to her profile she was daughter of a very rich and well off family in Japan. Because she was the youngest child in the family, she would be married off to another man to solidify an alliance the current head of family made. The girl in question wasn't too fond of the man she'd would be forced to spend the rest of her life with. She'd known the man since she was was a child. The man in question was a womanizing and abusive dick. On the night of their honeymoon, he had gotten drunk and nearly beaten her to death. That was the night things changed for her. Her powers had awoken then and when that happened she used all her will and rage to set the bastard on fire. It was lucky the Warden's found her soon afterwords because from what this profile was telling me, she would have gone after her father for forcing her to suffer.
The girl reminded me a lot of a warlock that I've fought in the past. Her name was Hannah. The girl defended herself from getting raped by three men by using her magic. During the time that happened the White Council was still strict on its rules on black magic. Naturally she was hunted by wardens and she was talented enough to stay away from those Wardens for years and years. She ended up falling with the wrong crowd though. Took up the coin of a Fallen Angel (Lash's mother of all Fallen!) and ended up dying because of her. I'll be sure to watch Aoi carefully. From her profile, she wasn't completely gone. Just very bitter and angry. Heh. Just like I was at that age. I think I can set her straight.
The second apprentice in the folder was a girl from Europe. Luvigelita Edefelt. Luvia for short. Complete opposite of Aoi in terms of background. While Aoi came from a refined wealthy family. Luvia emerged from several generations of Jewel thieves. Both her parents were caught and sent to prison leaving both she and her sister to fend for themselves. The only means they had to even look after themselves was the knowledge and criminal connections they inherited from their parents. Luvia ended up taking up the family business and was a moderately successful jewel theif on par with perhaps Ann Valmont. Would have been a successful criminal had she not ended breaking a law of magic.
She awakened to her powers during a heist on a well known gangster. While escaping with her younger sister she ended using a force spell strong enough to blow one of her pursuers brains out. I can' only hope she's stable enough for me to work on.
As for other skills of note were the fact that she was a skilled mix martial artist with a high preference for grappling. Prior to awakening, she preferred using her skills to snap her enemy's neck rather then using a conventional weapons during her heists.
She would be someone I'll have to watch even more closely then Aoi. Her psyche profile describes her as completely arrogant and boastful. She has a tendency to look down on those weaker then herself. With the black magic in her system, she would also be willing to kill anybody that got in her way. The only redeeming feature so far, is the fact that she loves her sister to death and would do everything in her power to protect her. Getting through to her will be incredibly difficult.
"Would have really preferred to apprentice males." I said after glancing through the profiles.
"Figures, you and I know that raising girls can be pretty tough hoss. We all can't get what we want." My grandfather replied.
"I'll see what I can do to help them." I said and then let out a harsh groan. " This is gonna suck isn't it?" My mentor chuckled and nodded in agreement and moved to get up.
"I know you can do it. Since where done here, I have to check up on things at Edinburgh. Isn't there anything else you need before we go?"
"One more thing actually."
"Oh?"
"Have you spoken to Thomas yet?"
When I changed to that particular subject, Ebenezer shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Last year, during a huge misunderstanding with the white court, my Grandfather discovered that he had another grandson. That misunderstanding led to him him almost killing my half-brother Thomas and had I not stepped in and explained the entire situation to him our relationship may have gone straight to shit.
It was really hard to convince him too. He absolutely refused to believe that my mother had a child with a White Court vampire. Like me, it took Ebenezer soul gazing Thomas to confirm the truth.
"Well?" I asked. He still remained silent. Right at that moment he had this very conflicted expression on his face. Part of me couldn't blame him. He had spent half his life fighting monsters like the white court vampires and when you're a wizard as old as my grandfather, you tend to get very set in your ways. "It would be nice to have the whole family united."
"I know Hoss, but you have to know, its all a little hard to take in. I'm mean your brother he's a mon-"
"Monster, like I am." I finished for him, trying to keep the frustration out of my voice. "Bare in mind that if I succumb to the winter mantle, I'll be more of a danger to the world then he and the rest of the White Court are. You've seen what he's really like sir, you know how much he struggles."
"I know Hoss its just that..." He frowned, " I don't really know how to approach him."
"Good thing you have me to mediate. Listen, after this orientation is done, I'll invite him to dinner at Mcanallys and you can join us. We'll all talk and settle things there." He was still hesitant. However I could sense that he was coming around. Before I could make the final push something went wrong.
I felt a sudden chaotic wave of energy. My instincts flared and I stood up. Ebenezer did the same.
"You felt that?"
"Kind of hard not to."
I closed my eyes and accessed my connection to the spirit of demon reach. With my connection, I found out the cause of this energy.
"Lets go..." I said. Quickly, I grabbed by dusters and blasting rod and staff. Just my rotten luck. First day of orientation, and already we have something's going to happen. Hopefully I can get this matter cleared up before the students arrive.
Author's Note
((Welcome to my newest fic! Defiance of Fate. A little late for the introductions I know but here it is! I of course look forward to hearing your commentary and critiques after reading.
For those following me and expecting an update to my other cross fic "The Fool of Kuoh Academy." I'm currently working on a new chapter. Progress is slow and I haven't had much inspiration to really grind out a new chapter. To be honest I don't know when I'll have it out. Reason, why I have this written is because of that spark of inspiration that really pushed into writing this fic.
Anyway. On to my thoughts for this fic. This idea came about when I was reading up on different message boards about Kariya receiving some kind of advantage to be able to compete on the same playing field as some of the other masters in Fate Zero. The idea that I came up with was having Kariya develop the ability to use Dresdenverse magic. I decided to expand on the idea even further and have Kariya travel to the dresdenverse and meet The In(famous) wizard himself. Apprentice under him if you will. I think there is a lots of possibilities for developing Kariya's character in a different direction and hopefully give him a happier ending then what he received during the canon story. He will have to work for it though.
After this prologue arc, The story will be structured like this: As indicated by this chapter it will be told from two perspectives. One perspective will be centered on Kariya and his trials during the 4th Holy Grail War. However, Dresden part of the story will be giant time jump backwards. It will focus on Dresden training Kariya and his other apprentices as well as trying to figure out how to send him back to his own universe as well as deal with typical Dresdenespue conflicts. You'll be getting insights on how Kariya develops into a Dresdenverse wizard and it will of course been shown in how uses what he learns during his apprenticeship in the Holy Grail War.
Some of you might be confused about Aoi and Luvia presence in the Dresdenverse. To clarify, these aren't the characters you know from the Nasuverse. They did not travel from the Nasuverse to live in the Dresdenverse. These are the alternate selves to the Nasuverse versions of Aoi and Luvia. Identical appearances and similar personalities however widely different backstories.
You'll most likely be seeing Dresdenverse alternates of Nasuverse characters during Dresden's part in the overall story. These Alternates will of course effect the way Kariya's character develops as well as setting up for some interesting situations once he returns back to his own world.
So enjoy this ride! Read and review. I'll see you next chapter.