of Sand and Storm

by Barcha

Wizards have always been a rare and mysterious breed but recent events have led Merlin to make the controversial decision to send some of his students to distant worlds as agents of a agenda known only to him and his Council of Light. Follow the adventures of the Guardian of Krokotopia and his run ins with the Watcher of Marleybone.

4. of Mailing and Meeting

0BOOM

CRACK

BANG

"HIT THE DECK!"

As the sparks flew through the air Jenna called a warning as she ducked behind a table as her latest creation went up in smoke.

"Alright Jenna's Log Entry #200 experimenting with using my own generated bolts to power up a clockwork golem prototype has caused an overload and caused an explosion. Due to the estimated minimal power needed power output will be the same however further planning will need to be done for insulating the power.

Putting the debris off into a bin, Jenna looked around her workshop. Scarps of iron from experiments dotted the floor, along with scorch marks from her more eventful experiments. The power meters were on the fritz and she knew she would have to retune them if she wanted to get any more work done. The room was full of tables dedicated to different tasks such as chemicals, mechanical tinkering, potions, and even a section for metallurgy. Her golem creation assistants were already working to sweep the burned remains into the disposal bins. Taking off her goggles Jenna found repressed a sigh as she left the workshop having decided that ten instances of explosions were enough for one sitting.

"Bloody hell what am I missing I've studied Clockwork Golems, I've built Iron Golems, I've reverse-engineered gearheads, and took apart clockwork spiders, but why can't I recreate an Armada Clockwork Soldier," Jenna muttered as she entered her personal room.

Similar to her workshop her room was cluttered but as opposed to being overflown with tables, meters, and projects this area was full of decorations on one wall posters were hung on ranging from the periodic table to a picture of a group of Dogs playing cards to a banner of the Storm School. On the other rows of items whether it was wands and staffs on a lighting bolt pedestal to an ancient-looking sword. Scattered around the floor were newspaper clippings, singed spell books, and even old empty cartons of milk seeing them Jenna thought to herself she really needs to set her creations to auto-clean.

"Maybe I oughta get myself one of them chimney sweepers here to do the job?" Jenna joked aloud aware her only company were the non-sentient golems as well as the few stray pets she's taken in that were off roaming the other parts of the manor.

Jenna was brought out her musing by the repeated chimes of her grandfather clock. Seeing the late hour the diviner would let out a panicked yelp and would rush to the door. As she ran towards the door she would grab her feathered hat, her beautiful dagger, and a purple backpack covered in blue lighting bolts in a manner that should never be repeated unless one is both very skilled and has access to powerful healing magic. As the reckless wizard landed on her feet she would call out to the automatons and pets of her manor right before she disappeared in a flash of lightning.

"Momma's heading out for a bit dearies play nice with each other!"

If you asked a random wizard about the process of teleportation most would humor you with a brief explanation, others more in thought with their inner scholar will lecture about its history and present-day use. Meanwhile, if you asked Jenna all she would say is that it is a priceless gift for performers for its potential in dramatic entrances is unlimited.

If you asked Henry Wellingbrook then they would say it was the bane of their existence owing to how they have been terrorized by how often a powerful if eccentric wizard appeared out of nowhere with an explosion of light and sound. The first few times nearly had the palace guard attack the girl before he realized it was her. At this point the guard would not even flich when a burst of bolts appeared with a cloud of smoke in front of him. The wind would blow strong enough to risk his hat flying away but the guard made no move to secure it.

"Greetings and Salutations fine people of Marleybone." A whimsical voice called out from the smoke.

"It's just me here hearing you young wizard." The guard said with a sigh.

"Doesn't matter the size of the audience love I must always give a good show," Jenna said as he sent the smoke away with a wave of a spell. Dressed in her noble regalia she looked every bit a proper noble lady and not a semi-sane inventor with an internal measuring system for explosive failures.

"Always with the energy." Henry good naturally grumbled to himself as he eyed the wizard over inspecting her.

"Come now you didn't complain about that energy when I was running all over playing matchmaker for ya."

Henry's ears flattened as he remembered that shameful incident and all the trouble he got into just because he didn't think to check which letters were going to which lady. His reputation is still recovering from the resulting scandal.

"Now then whatcha got for me today old chap some ruffians sneaking about, someone trying to sneak into the place, a hunt for some books to read." Jenna eagerly asked.

"Nothing to report lass things been real quiet around here no ne'er-do-wells lurking about." Henry said in his usual withdrawn drawl seeing the wizard in front visibly deflate in disappointment would strickle the heart of the usually dour guard.

"You could try Mr. Holmes, or perhaps some of that neighborhood watch needs some help."

"Good call dearie I'll head on out."

With a half-serious half playful bow, Jenna went on her way.

Jenna was moving through the busy streets wishing her mechanical wings prototype would finish recharging so she could take to the skies in the interest of speed. Soaring through the sky was an experience that Jenna fell in love with as she developed her powers. The feeling of the wind in her face, the exhilaration of sudden drops but most of all nothing could beat the majesty of being so close to the storms in the sky. Walking through city streets on the other hand was a drag with all the pedastrains, low lighting, and dodging all the carriages.

Making her way to the center of Regent's Square the diviner spotted a female Dog standing calmly near a fountain. Repressing a shudder at the memory of the sheer volume of requests Abigail had sent her on for the Policemen's ball Jenna made her way to the busybody.

"Good Day to you Abigail I trust all is well ." Jenna inquired politely.

Please let there be something wrong please! I need something to do before I go bonkers

"Oh Good Day to you dearie things have been pretty calm on the home front no troublemakers around not even a Fox or a Cat if this keeps up the Policemen's Ball will be a breeze."

Repressing a roll of the eyes at yet another mention of the always-looming ball Jenna wondered if she was bored enough to follow through with her idea.

"Oh, the ball will be the talk of the town for ages for sure speaking of which is there anything else you could need help with for it?" Jenna asked her face a mask of politeness as she felt her eyebrow twitch at the thought of running all over the city doing thankless tasks yet again.

"Oh, now that you refreshed me mind dearie there is something you could do ."

Here it comes Jenna thought to herself.

"If it's not too much trouble sweetie could you go and check in on the postmaster fine gentlemen they are but there's been quite the backlog in the orders no doubt due to all those troublemakers running around." Abigal said with a shake of her head in distaste of all inconveniences and shortages that have been building up.

"You can count on me to deliver them." With a tip of her hat, the diviner raced off into the distance. Walking through the city streets Jenna found herself wondering how even in daylight the city had a dark and downtrodden atmosphere to it. With how the empire was dealing with enemies within and without her borders things have been pushed to their brink and tensions between the people have risen. With how much focus the crown has put on securing the borders and fending off rival empires' claims regarding land such as the battle with Monquista over Kroktopia. Despite being accepted by the city very well and dressing the part in truth Jenna felt that she was still a Wizard City native at heart though everyone from the Dogs to the Cats to the Rats to the Foxes considers her a part of Marleybone she still felt a sense of disconnection to the city despite how long she has been stationed here. Part of it was due to being the only human around as well as having issues with many aspects of the culture like the empire building and how many Dogs treat the other races. With how radicalized the other species were getting and how many of Dogs began to double down on their beliefs a civil war was on the horizon and Jenna had no idea what to do about any of it.

Putting aside her anxious thoughts aside Jenna looked up as she arrived at the mail office. The building was built in the typical Marleybonian fashion rich red bricks on the entrance, dull red bricks making up the rest of the structure, and a sullen grey concrete sidewalk.

Pushing open the door Jenna heard the telltale sound of a bell ringing as she entered.

Normally the wizard would have come in with a puff of smoke, with a flash of light, burst through and strike a pose, or fly in with her wings but when it came to entering here like that it would have been downright rude for her to do so in a place of business would have downright rude and inconsiderate of her. She may disapprove of much but manners are paramount to any situation. Entering the room she saw that the room was filled with packages to the point there was a spillover to the point the front desk was flanked by a stacked column of boxes on each side. Standing at the front was a light grey-furred Dog with a green hat, glasses, high-collared white work uniform, and blue-green pants with a harried expression.

"Top of the mornin' to ya Floyd."

"Oh Jenna you have come just in time the mail has slowed to the crawl. Those radical foxes have been making a real nuisance of themselves lately raiding mailboxes, stealing the post, and intercepting supplies to the front. It's gotten to the point where I need to have guards for my carriers."

"Oh my things must have slow'd to crawl have they not."

"Indeed my lady they have and that's why I need your help. There's a shipment I need to send to the troops at Kroktopia but the Royal Navy won't be able to send a supply ship for a while and these are already long overdue. I know it's a lot to ask for but could you escort them yourself?"

"It would be my pleasure my good man I shall make haste and bring the crates there."

Knowing what would come Floyred enacted his Standard Eccentric Wizard Agreeing to Help Protocol.

"Just as you and your order use your iron will to make your deliveries I will use my will on iron to shoulder this burden on your behalf.

Back a couple of feet away from the counter as she starts her spell.

Grab onto your hat and glasses as the wind begins to move the boxes into the air

Crouch to the floor to ensure there are no accidents

Give a good cheer once she's had her fun.

Try not to look scared at her clockwork helpers

True to form when Floyd looked over the counter once the wind died down he saw four golems made up of wood for their bodies with metal gears and lining coursing through the body. Each of the golems had a visor with goggles for a face that stared blankly at Floyd in a way that had the poor Dog repressing a whine out of fear. Sparks of energy would occasionally fly from the gears.

"What. Are. Your. Orders. Master."

"Good show Madame Storm but must you use those metal golems of you they send a shiver down my spine."

"I assure you PostMaster my creations are noble and diligent workers."

"Suggest. We. Begin. So. We. Finish. Soon."

Hearing Jenna mutter to herself about rebellious phases did little to soothe the mailman.

"Come now dearest Clockwork keep a stiff upper lip about these things. Now then everyone grab a crate and let's be on our way to the Spiral Door."

Watching the wizard and her machines leave, Floyd began to wonder how much of the budget would be paying for her aid. Jenna never asks for pay but by Jove she will be given the reward she was due. Floyd's reputation for honorable deals and fair stewardship of the mail will be brought into question. Sighing to himself Floyd went to balance the books and determine a fair price for the errand as the independent hires left.

"I hate those ghastly things."

If walking through the streets by herself walking with a crew of golems behind her was worse. She saw people from all sorts of life flinch at Clockwork and crew muttering to themselves about haywire creations and machine uprisings. The creations of Dr. Von Katzenstein, the incident at Kensington Park, and what happened to Valancia because of the Clockwork Armada have made many members of Marylebone look at the machine men in suspension.

"It would not be the first time that some tried to rise up against the Dogs this month. First the Foxes revolutionaries, then the Cat Gangs, and next came the Clockwork Golems, wonder how long until there is the next one. I would have thought the Dog Nobles would have seen the pattern by now." Jenna mused out loud to herself knowing that to say such things would have at the very least highly scandalous for another member of high society to say. Though much of the nobles and upper class she had met have proven to be friendly towards her they were often blind to the realities faced by the so-called lesser members of society both in the Great Cities and the scattered colonies in Skull Island, Darkmoor, Krokotopia, and Zafaria. Spotting the familiar sight of Westminster Abbey in the distance Jenna hurried her assistants along.

"Come now my creations double time the first point of interest is here."

"The. Only. Point. Of. Interest. I. Care. About. Is. The. End."

"Must you be so off-hostile about anything and everything?"

"I. . Hostile. To. Being. Paid. For. Doing. Nothing."

With a sigh, Jenna opened the grand doors to the abbey \. Iiddily she wondered why the building had the spiral door placed there. Opening the door with a firm grip Jenna said the magic words necessary to travel between words.

"OPEN SESAME SAYS I"

"To Kroktopia we go!"

Once the chant was completed the door fully opened revealing a swirl of colors moving and shifting through the width of the door with outlines of worlds started like the stars themselves. Each world was increased by a circle looking in an effect similar to that of a snow globe. Eventually, one circle containing an ancient pyramid began to glow a vibrant purple and increased in size until it was taken up the entity of the door. Looking in Jenna could see miles and miles of sand as far as the eye could see. In the distance, she could see figures milling about around the pyramid too far to see any resemblance. Taking a step through the portal Jenna immediately felt the changes from the temperate air of the building to the scorching heat of the desert solid flooring replaced by shifting sands, and the sudden feeling of wind in her face. Using her hat to protect her eyes Jenna gestured for the rest of her companions to cross over.

"You. Will. Have. Us. Cleaned. After. This. Correct?"

"You wound me dearest clockwork. I'll be sure to have you cleaned up when we get back home."

"Suggest. You. Fix. My. Voice. Box. When. We. Return."

Instead of verbally responding Jenna reached into one of the pockets of her coat and took out a small dark grey box decorated with a single purple lightning bolt. She then pressed a button on the side.

"Testing Testting Wildsong's auto recorder alright sounds good. Now dearest Clockwork here am I going on record to say this. While I do not know how to fix the issues with your voice box or recreate how you gained your personality and voice to my other golems. Once I have figured out my accidental success I will let you know and then I will finish your upgrades."

After having reached the end Jenna would turn the recorder off and place the device back into her pocket. Tipping her hat to her sole speaking golem Jenna continued marching forward. The golems having been never told to stop had been walking throughout the conversation and had left their free will counterpart and creator behind.

"Once we get back we will be finding sand all over the place." Jenna mumbled to herself right before a partially strong wind blew her hat off her head. Grumbling to herself Jenna went over to pick it back up.

As soon as the hat was on her head once again the sound of a harsh boom and bang was heard from behind her. Sighing to herself Jenna turned around to address her creations.

"Remind me to upgrade your filtration systemsss" Jenna trailed off as she took in the sight before her.

One of her creations was lying broken on the floor gears spinning while the weight of the crate that had landed on the machine had caused it to start sinking slowly into the head. Meanwhile, a band of skeleton pirates were charging straight at Jenna and the golems. The skeletons were each very tall with a large snout and had a massive bone tail trailing after them. Each warrior was carrying a golden khopesh blade in one of their hands while in the other hand was a board shield with the icon of a purple and gold crocodilian head wearing an impressive headdress. Standing behind the skeletons was what appeared a living counterpart to the skeletons dressed in an ebony cloak with embroidered ivory bones. On their head was the skull of some beast, and they carried a golden scepter in one hand and a shepherd's staff in the other.

"Death has come for you Wizard! Only Krokopatra may rule by divine decree.

"Mistress. Wildsong. Help. Me." Despite the urgency of the situation the primitive voicebox only allowed Clockwork to speak in an emotionless even monotone.

Biting back an unlady lack curse Jenna readied her dagger and used it to trace a lighting bolt symbol into the air and tapped it before a single blue cobra with a gold tip hood appeared.

Hissssss

Sending a mental command for the snake to attack the closet skeleton once it got in range Jenna turned her attention to her golems.

"Golems to me!."

Gritting her teeth Jenna analyzed the situation. While she was not trained as a warrior she was still a powerful and experienced wizard. She may perform better when she is the one taking the initiative but she has been ambushed before and walked away the victor. She was alone against at least 8 skeletons and a living Krok mage maybe a necromancer or a witchdoctor. Her knowledge of other schools of magic was relatively lacking so she could not figure out what she was facing only making an educated guess. She knew that the warriors would fall to some basic spells as long as she does not let them close the distance. However, their leader was a different story and she doubted he would be equal to her in spell casting. Wincing she watched the Krok mage send a blast of dark magical energy at her. Once the spell hit she felt weaker as if instead of just damaging her the spell robbed her of her very energy. Knowing that if she stepped out of the circle of power she would lose the pips she has gathered Jenna decided to stand her ground. Casting the lighting strike spell to boost her chances of successfully casting a spell. As the undead pirates Jenna noticed how they were converging on her and couldn't resisit the smirk as she realized the mage was kind enough to make them an easy target.

"Death comes for the wizard only our rule is eternal."

Biting back a retort about his dramatic cries Jenna took a breath to brace herself as the mage sent another blast of black magic towards her. Shaking off the sense of wrongness the blast gave off Jenna returned to drawing the spell symbol however before she could finish a strong wind would send a blast of sand towards her face blinding her for a moment. Spitting out sand Jenna did her best to not hear the mocking tones of her entourage.

"Ha. Feeble. Organic. Eyes."

"You are clever Krok I grant you that but such tricks will not save you." Jenna cried as her eyesight returned to her unconsciously reverting to her stage persona as she did so.

However, when she turned to the mage she saw that the Krok was panicking his troops continued their charge but their leader was sending blasts at random into the dunes. Dodging another sandblast Jenna saw that the winds were merely the precursor to the true danger. Instead of an attack the wind was just the byproduct of a huge tornado made of sand coming towards them and there was no time for her to escape calling to her crew desperately Jenna attempted to brace herself.

"HIT THE DECK"

"Retreat. Natural. Sandstorm. Will. Bury. Us. Wait. Look."

Taking a cautious look Jenna saw that the storm was only heading towards the pirates and the mage somehow avoiding her and the golems. Letting out a jubilant cry Jenna launched her own storm into the mix.

"TEMPEST"

The combination of sand and water would crash into skeletons first stopping them in their tracks in the sand while the water would then push them over and send them crashing into the ground. The skeletons would still be falling to the ground while a figure would walk out of the shifting sands carrying an old wooden staff. The living krok who had been out of the range of the sandstorm but not the tempest was glaring at the new arrival in distaste. Gesturing towards his minions the mage would cast a spell sending purple energy that raced to the skeletons causing them to rise up seemingly rejuvenated.

"Bring me his HEAD."

As one the mob of skeletons charged to follow their master's command Jenna seemingly forgotten in their rush to kill.

"Now now it's not polite to ignore someone seems you lot need to be taught proper manners." Jenna mocking lectured as she prepared to take advantage of the changed circumstances of battle.