Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Madison: The Lost Tra'lapp ❯ Tra'ayne Tanwen Spencer ( Chapter 7 )

Chapter 7/?

  The planet Tra is a world filled with magic, just beyond the veil of reality. The vast majority of its inhabitants are human, and an estimated 93% of these humans wield magic. Other citizens of Tra are various magical creatures, beings that are literally born (hatched, spawned, reborn, etc) made partially of magic. Most of these magical beings are intelligent, and are now treated fairly due to the Level Playing Field act passed by the First Tra during their forty-third year of rule. Tra is now a place where prejudice is no longer accepted by society, though it does exist in small pockets. Technology and magic flow seamlessly, and all four countries, Amme, Lapp, Aener and Ayne, boast a stable economy and content among the people. Tra is a wonderful place, but it was not always so.

The history of Tra is one written in blood, triumphs, violent uprisings and magic.   Over six thousand years ago, the countries on Tra began a fairly predictable cycle of conflict, peace, and more conflict. There are creatures on Tra more likely, though not guaranteed to turn toward evil due to personal events, family traits (the Wister werewolf family is famous for eating their neighbors' pets), diet, or cultural prejudices. Soon, the popular opinion was that every “dark” creature was evil and disgusting. Equally, “pure” beings were expected to set a shining example for others, leaving these “Light” creatures no room for personal exploration or usual growing-up mistakes, leading to resentment. Prejudices formed on both sides and various acts of violence worsened simmering anger. The continent was at the time an unstable composition of nobles and regional-kings who thought genocide was the answer to the conflict. Many leaders on both sides disregarded their people and families to use every weapon at their disposal. Alliances were made and broken. Villages were built and later destroyed in battle. Bandits, gangs, and orphans were never in short supply. There was constant war, betrayal, and fear in everyone, due to sudden attacks and constant land grabs. These years are called The Dark Centuries.

 

            ; Four individuals with a message of continental peace eventually became a group known as The Tra. These four, now known as The First Tra, sought to end the constant conflict when they rose to power. They, through a series of treaties over time and quite a few assassinations of more hateful influential individuals, divided the single huge continent on the planet Tra into four separate countries, each with an affinity for one of the four Forces; earth, wind, fire, and water. The four nations, Ayne the Fire Country, Aener the Wind Country, Amme the Earth Country, and Lapp the Water Country, slowly evolved into a place where every intelligent being had individual rights and tolerance became the norm. The First Tra, through popular votes, instated a legal system that regulates the four countries yet allows for growth and revision. The vast majority of the Shimmering Sea is considered by various laws and treaties to be neutral, and owned specifically by no country. This was a relief to many of the various creatures who inhabit the Shimmering Sea who live a nomadic lifestyle, or prefer to keep to themselves. Towards the middle of the Shimmering Sea is a tiny series of six islands known collectively as Sprinkled.

 

            ; Three of the four Tra were to meet today in Serious Business, a huge castle which was built purely for the purpose of its name one Number Five of the neutral islands of Sprinkled. It was built by a general who came to the conclusion (after a lifetime of watching nobles be killed over an information leak) that there needed to be a secure place where nobility, wealthy families, and even the Tra could discuss important matters with utmost secrecy. The modest sized castle was built purely to facilitate conversation and provide a place where all parties can have their say, without fear of censure, belittlement, or discovery. The largest and most heavily guarded room is always reserved for the four Tra. Serious Business has been in business for over one thousands two hundred years, and there have only been one beach in its long history. The perpetrator was caught by the dragon security guard disguised as a wood nymph as he made his escape through the back gardens and was messily eaten next to the tulips. This end is actually quite lucky for the thief, because one of the magical barriers he had broken through had the side effect of caused flesh-eating lady bugs to grow in human skin around the anus.

Recovered pieces of the villain who made it all the way into Serious Business and nearly back out again are displayed prominently on a wall under a sign that says “We suggest you think twice. You may not be smarter than this guy.”

Even without magic-spotting eye enhancements, the impressively tall cream outer walls of Serious Business shone with wards of protection, danger alert, and privacy. The building, for all its sunny outward appearance, is a fortress. Serious Business provided a safe, neutral place (and plenty of tourism for the islands, to the small island's delight) for matters could be settled. It was exactly what Tanwen wanted, and it had taken no small amount of convincing to coerce her fellow leaders to accept her invitation.

            ; The Tra'ayne Tanwen Spencer, ruler of the fire nation of Ayne, deliberately arrived early for the midnight negotiations she had called. The room reserved specifically for all the Tra, called The Living Room, was the most informal of all available rooms in Serious Business. It was filled with furniture that was deliberately unattractive, but extremely comfortable, as is expected in a living room. Its crowing glory was one wall sporting bay windows with a beautiful view of the gardens and the flower spirits who often play there. At the moment it was thirteen minutes before midnight, and the windows showed the nearly full moon. She walked softly across the darkened room and perched lightly in a comfortable armchair near a bright floor lamp to briefly peruse a copy of the points she wanted to thoroughly cover.

Tanwen, as a fairy, had the usual characteristics of her species; deceptively delicate looking gossamer wings, silvery blonde hair she wore short to give her the appearance of age, and her five foot nothing frame was slender and lightly muscled. Tanwen knew that her delicate features and youth worked against her, but she was no fool. Behind her silver eyes lay a mind that missed nothing, and she had decided it was well past time to decisively deal with the errant Tra, who was unfortunately in a position to cause hell in the lives of literally thousands of people. She was a Hag, and Tanwen refused to refer to the insane ruler as anything else.

Three minutes before midnight, Tanwen straightened attentively as a prickling of immense magical energy prickled her senses. She briskly straightened her papers and laid them aside as she stood to properly greet the fox spirit that had entered The Living Room through the door that faced east. The fox spirit was Tra'amme Theodore Red, of the Earth Country. She had met him only once before in person, just after her Fire Trails when she had won the right to be Tra'ayne against all odds and to the shock of the crowd. Her assessment of him then, when he had grinned broadly at her on his way to his own trials and drawled “Fairy, your will is taller than you!” had been that he was open minded, and could likely become a dear friend. Subsequent meetings during the course of their rule had solidified that the older male was indeed an ally she could count on. Tra'amme Theodore was covered in downy red fur and sported a fox tail and ears. He was intelligent, powerful, and was known for his pranks on his peers and kindness to young children of any species.

“Tra'amme Theodore, your equal greets you,” Tanwen said smoothly, nodding as she laid her hand on a lightly furred shoulder in welcome.

Theodore granted her a wide smile, and in a teasing tenor replied “Tra'ayne Tanwen, your equal returns your salutations. Still so formal, Tanwen! We have worked together long enough to loosen formality a bit, I think.” He took her hand in his broader ones, careful of his claws, and led her to sit next to him on a very ugly plaid couch that felt like heaven. The Living Room was filled with ugly

“Yes,” Tanwen sighed as she settled next to him, “but matters to which we will be discussing tonight weigh heavily.”

Theodore regarded her with intelligent eyes peering from a face that gave a strong impression of a fox considering its next act of thievery. “You are referring to the Hag.” It was not a question.

“Yes. Something must be done.” Tanwen wanted to say more, but at that moment she felt a magical signature she had felt only twice before. She didn't bother to inform Theodore, he was well aware of who was coming through the door as magical chimes signaled that it was precisely midnight. The negotiations have officially begun.

The last participant of the meeting glided into the room, staying in the shadows as was customary of his kind. Vampire Prince Tra'aener James of Wind Country had shocked the world when he had emerged from the Wind Trials fifty years ago, and being announced as the winner. Old traditional families had protested, saying that he was a Prince of a dark species, and that he would be the ruin of Earth Country. Nonetheless, he was granted his position as Tra'aener and since then had ruled despite opposition. He was quiet, somber, and firm in his convictions. Tanwen knew that he would be the one she needed to persuade, while she was confident that Theodore would be on her side.

 

“Tra'ayne Tanwen, Tra'amme Theodore, your equal greets you. I thank you for your consideration in holding this meeting at midnight.” Tra'aener James' voice was barely above a whisper, but each word was said clearly. His voice carried no inflection, and the parts of his face he could see in the shadows didn't reveal what he was thinking. Tanwen considered herself an excellent judge of character, but the vampire gave nothing away as he settled himself in a peach love seat facing Tanwen and Theodore.

“And we greet you, Tra'aener James. It was no problem meeting at midnight; I myself am usually more active during the night. I pray you don't mind if I skip past small talk of your journey and get directly into the meat of things?” Tanwen said directly, looking steadily into James' red eyes.

James face was smooth as marble, with no lines to indicate his six-hundred or more years of life, as was common of his species. He laced his long fingers and peered at her over black claws. “Please do. Formalities bore me.”

Tanwen afforded herself only a deep breath before saying what she knew had been coming to a head for over a century.

“The Hag must be dealt with. She cannot be allowed to continue to stay in power over Water Country. She terrorizes her citizens, her soldiers are naught more than slaves. Nearly ever newly emerged being who discovers they have an affinity for water decides to hide or practice alone. We are well aware of how dangerous untrained magic is, but is it more or less dangerous than going to Liquid Academy and putting themselves under the Hag's jurisdiction?” she paused briefly to asses her audience. Theodore's green eyes were narrowed, and she could feel his focus. James was a statue, he hadn't moved once since she began.

Tanwen continued, saying firmly “Where is she getting her power?” she laid several correspondences on the table. “My sources tell me that she may be siphoning it from Mattyu Acreage, who was supposed to take on duties as Tra'lapp decades ago. She disputed his appointment, saying that he was an ineligible candidate due to his personal stance and his families influence. Before this could be discussed in a trial, he vanished, and has been seen again. The Hag refused the proposal of a new Water Trail, and therefore we cannot find anyone new to put in her place. As you well know, because neither of you are stupid and you have not been living in a black hole, Mattyu's entire family has since disappeared, including his wife, or joined the ranks of the Hags army, meaning they may as well have died.”

Tanwen took a sip of fresh spring water as Theodore and James perused the papers she had offered them, taking in their looks of contemplation.

Theodore spoke first, saying gravely “You are gathering evidence, digging up information, and my people tell me that your army has been increasing drills and patrols for some time now. What are you planning, Tra'ayne?”

It did not escape Tanwen that Theodore had used her official title, distancing himself from her in a way she found slightly alarming. Before she could answer, Tra'aener James bared a single pointed fang in a gesture that immediately sharpened her attention toward him. He didn't look away from her as he addressed Theodore, saying simply “She's proposing war, fox. You need not worry if Wind Country will support you, Tra'ayne. My clan and people have been targeted by the Hag for some time. She needs to be disposed of, and her position given to a worthy successor.”

Tanwen felt relief, and graced the vampire with a grateful nod, before turning to Theodore. His face, usually full of good humor, held an expression she had never seen on him before. Confusion and disbelief gripped her as Theodore shook his head slowly, before saying “No, Tra'ayne. I refuse your request for aide. Earth Country will not go to war.”

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Demetrius' bright blue eyes widened in shock as Madison bodily lifted a swearing dwarf and threw him out of window of the first floor guest room she had been given at the Flow.

“I told you that I wasn't going to take this crap, and I meant it! Next time you want to call me a `magically stupid little girl' or anything else, I'll drag you up a few stories before I throw you out the window!”

Madison gave the still swearing dwarf the finger and slammed the window shut. Wild magic, leaking from Madison due to her strong emotion, caused the room to feel slightly damp and formed condensation on the furniture. Demetrius could only gape, unable to decide if he felt sorry for the dwarf, amused at what Madison had done, or worried that Madison would accidentally summon enough water to turn him back into a merman in the middle of the hallway outside her guest room. Roxie ran in, nearly knocking over Demetrius in her hurry to get to Madison looking around widely and said “I heard yelling! What's going on?”

Madison could only snarl something unintelligible before stomping out of the room past Roxie and Demetrius and out of the compound. Roxie blinked owlishly and gave Demetrius a questioning look. The merman shrugged, and said “Cabin fever, perhaps?” Roxie frowned with worry, looking in the direction her best friend had gone.

Madison walked aimlessly, dodging the inhabitants of Flow as she allowed her anger to ebb, leaving her feeling hollow and tired. It had been a day since her arrival at the Flow, and she felt as though no headway had been gained. She had explained her situation to various agents of the Flow, who promised to give the information to the apparent leader of the flow, someone named Lady Bette Second Chance. She had demanded to speak with this person, but apparently she wasn't set to return from wherever she was until later tonight. She had bullied her way into seeing her as soon as Bette was available.

Madison walked until she came to a secluded area, tucked between two large boulders and cushioned with plants that smelled nice, though she didn't recognize the species. Probably something that'll jump up and strangle me, she though darkly as she settled down. Madison suddenly fought the urge to cry as she stared up at the ceiling of the huge cavern and couldn't see stars. She was in a strange place, where magic existed and did things she didn't understand. Her father, long thought dead by the world, was alive and being held captive by someone with armies at her disposal, and much more knowledge of this world. Her mother was likely captive but the same person, if not dead. No, not dead! Madison thought fiercely. I would know if she were dead. I'd feel it. I always knew in my heart that dad was alive, and I know in my heart that my mother is alive as well.

“Whatever it takes,” she whispered to herself. “I'll do it.”

She sat in silence, hugging her knees and allowing herself to slowly calm. She sighed, rolling her shoulders as stiffness began to make itself known. Time to make her way back to the guest room she was staying in, and form a plan. First, she needed to gain an understanding of the magic that existed around and in her. She was beginning to see signs of her own magic, in that she always knew where the nearest body of water was, and sometimes in manifested itself when she was very angry, or depressed. Like now, she thought dryly, seeing water trickle down the boulders on either side of her. She stood, dusting off her pants and prepared herself to find her way back to her room. She was half way there when a humanoid creature who appeared to have a lion's tail, a thin sheen of fur and sported a patch over one eye stopped her and asked in a growling voice “You are Madison Acreage?”

“Yes,” replied Madison, startled.

“Lady Second Chance has returned, and will see you now. I will take you to her.”

“Oh, that's great! First I need to go to my room and get my friends-“

“No,” Lion-Man said, interrupting her. “Just you, alone.”

Madison frowned and studied him, but he only looked back, waiting patiently for her answer. She came to a decision, and nodded once.

“Lead the way!”

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CSI Hernandez liked puzzles. He loved how clues and facts fit together to form a coherent whole. It was a fascination that had manifested itself when he was a child, and had drawn him to his career. But, he thought wirily, what happens when you stumble across a puzzle with no pieces you can solve?

Hernandez had been working this case for three days, and so far he had come up with squat. The only identifiable fingerprints in the house were that of Terra Acreage, her daughter Madison Acreage, and a set believed to belong to Roxanna Maxwell. The unknown army in blue was still a mystery. Not one of the recovered bodies had any identifying symbols or writing, and it was assumed that they belonged to a cult of some sort. Hernandez hated assumptions. He added a drop of liquid to the analyzer and waited for the computer to beak it down into its component parts. This test would identify what was in one of the Blue Soldiers stomach, and maybe give clues about where they came from.

Detective Williams strode into lab and spotted Hernandez bent over a microscope.

“Well? What have we got on the analysis?”

“This…doesn't make any sense! The computer says that the substance is some sort of organic plant…but it doesn't know what type. It can't even give a scientific family for it.”

Detective Williams frowned, and demanded “What's that supposed to mean, Hernandez? The damn computer doesn't know what they eat?”

CSI Hernandez shook his head and said “This computer is hooked up into a vast database. If it says that it doesn't know what this plant they were eating is, it means it hasn't been discovered yet…or that it doesn't exist.”

Williams was getting that sinking feeling in his stomach that only occurs when a case was sinking from bad to worse. “What about genetic engineering or mutation? Can it be something like that?” he asked.

CSI Hernandez shook his head helplessly. “No, because even that we would be able to narrow it down to a type of plant, if not a specific species. The computer doesn't even know what to make of this.”

“Keep looking, Hernandez. We need something to go on. Get some people together and go back to the Acreage house, then the Maxwell house, or what's left of it. I'm going to send a team of people to put together what these three suspects do in their lives. I want to know everything they did. I want to know when they eat, sleep, go to work, wipe their ass, everything.”

“I'm on it!” Hernandez answered quickly, as the detective left the lab. He turned back to the computer screen, frowning thoughtfully at the blinking “Unknown” on the screen. He liked puzzles, and he was determined to put this one together in a picture that made sense.

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Yep, this chapter took me awhile to pump out, so I made it longer then usual to appease the three people who read this. Hope you like where this is going! Looks like Tra'ayne Tanwen and Tra'aener James are ready to prepare to war against the Hag, but what's with Tra'amme Theodore dragging his fuzzy feet about it? Next chapter we get to meet the leader of the Vale, Lady Better Second Chance. I think it's time to really get this show on the road, don't you? Tune in next time, folks!

Asaka Sama