1.

Ramsey       

The Siren and the Knight        

"Everybody, at one time, thinks they have life figured out until life shows them that they, in fact, do not. I'm telling you this because its happened to me and for as great as you think you are, it can happen to you, too." my mentor, Director Valencia Vaughn said to me a few months ago.

I reminisce about those words as I sit behind her desk taking a break from the countless reports in front of me needing my review. It was the ceremonial start of the new year at the MageCorp organization where new promotions, positions and unit formations are formally recognized and implemented.

I was originally suppose to take on the rank of Captain in our organization but I informed Director Vaughn that I would not be doing so. I know it disappointed her but accepting that position would mean that the already limited amount of time I see in the field as a Lieutenant would decrease to practically nothing. Instead of actively interacting and helping the citizens of my hometown, Asale-Jolo, I would be locked away in offices dealing with the paperwork and politics. None of these things are of interest to me. 

Yet here I find myself currently. Locked in a office, buried under paperwork and dealing with politics as I manage the wants, needs, and sometimes even egos of the members of our organization while my mentor and boss is away.

In the wake of the assassination of members from the Altrissa Peace Party, Director Vaughn was called north of the Devil's Spine mountain range to the capitol of Altrissa where she is being be briefed on how to deal with the fallout from the attack while the Captains of our branch were summoned to assist our sister, Afoji-Idabo, MageCorp's branch.

Along with calling Director Vaughn back to Altrissa, so were the ranking leaders of MageCorp-Afoji. Except they would not be receiving a briefing. They were called to answer for allowing such a high profile attack to take place on their watch and in their territory. Everybody from the Captains and Lieutenants, up to the Executive Officer and Director of MageCorp-Afoji have been placed on administrative leave and face further possible punishment. 

The attack on the Peace Party has uprooted any semblance of normalcy across the world. The Altrissian Empire, composed of multiple conquered nations, spans across 40% of the planet Gaea. When Altrissa feels threatened, the entire world shakes with fear at the consequences. Altrissa will not let an attack against them go unanswered and Altrissa's favorite response to such actions is usually forceful violence. What makes this a delicate situation, however, is who the perpetrator of the attack is believed to be, according to early reports.

While Director Valencia is away at the capitol, I am the acting Executive Officer of the MageCorp branch for my city, Asale-Jolo. Her actual Executive Officer, who was made acting director, is a lazy bum who would rather scheme on how to advance in Altrissian society than to do any actual work; so effectively, I am the one running the day to day operations here. The work is boring and monotonous but it has to be done and I'm honored that she trusts me so much to do it. Plus, she gave me access to her luxurious office while she's away so its not all bad.

 Val's office sits at the top of MageCorp Headquarters seven stories on second highest mesa and is surrounded by multiple walls of transparent glass. From almost any angle I can see the view of the star-filled sky and waning summer moon. This office is the reward of a woman who has given over 20 years of her life to this organization and Altrissa itself. As I sit behind Val's desk, I take a more focused look around my surroundings despite having seen them numerous times before. I've always been impressed by the layout of the office. Lavender is the theme here, a contrast to the muted neutral colors MageCorp operatives are relegated to for our service clothes.

To my left is a series of sliding glass doors leading out to a balcony with a breathtaking view of the city below. Connected further down from the balcony is a small airfield used for any aircraft Val charters for quick means of travel or for any guests authorized to use the landing area.

Currently all air traffic in Altrissa and its territories has been halted due to the Peace Party assassinations. When Val does return, it will be the by the same way she left, land transport.

To my right is a wall of memories that tell of her storied career spanning more than two decades. At the top of the wall and centered is her fabled weapon of choice, Truthseeker. A elegant recurve bow crafted from the greyish-brown wood of a Jacaranda Tree. Below and framing either side of the wall are multiple degrees across various fields of study along with awards and plaques she's gathered for her service to Altrissa. Moving inward to the center of the wall are pictures showcasing her personal life. Pictures of her with adoptive father throughout the years. A single picture of her and her adoptive sister. Another is a group picture taken the previous year of all MageCorp-Asale's personnel, but its another group picture that I always focus on.

A framed picture of the very first class of Magisters, the title for our organizations operatives, that comprised MageCorp all those years ago. Valencia was an original member. In the photo she's young, around the my current age, happy and vibrant. Also in the photo is my father.  

I don't know much about my father; he passed away while my twin brother and I were infants. From the few pictures that exist of him, it is clear that I am his daughter. Just as I tower over most of my peers, including my brother, so did my father as he is head and shoulders above all but two other people in the photo. We have the same light brown eyes and even lighter brown skin. We both have silver hair though he wore his short and in accordance with the Altrissan military dress code, I wear my long hair tied into a ponytail. Originally, I was born with black hair but as I started to manifest my Soul's Gift, a connection to the moon in the sky, my hair would gain its same silver hue.

Since the death of my father and the disappearance of my mother prior, my brother Rajah, and I were raised by my father's sister in our early years outside of Asale-Jolo. When recruiters came looking for developing Magic Users to fill the needs of Altrissa, I was taken from my aunt and brother at the age of eight and raised in Altrissa for the following eight years. It was during that time that I met Valencia and she began to look after me and my development, though she says she had been looking over my brother and I even earlier than that out of respect for my father whom she served with.

Valencia has been an incredible mentor to me. She wishes me to follow in her footsteps and one day lead MageCorp just as she does now. Its why she picked me to effectively run the branch in her absence.

There is a part of me that wants to be just like her, yet another part...

I move the stack of reports in front of me off to the side, rotate my chair to my left where on another section of the desk sits Val's computer screen which my credentials are already plugged in so that I may have access to the machine. Details on the Peace Party assassination are scarce but I search our database to see if anything new has been shared to the public or with our organization. Nothing. The details that we do have at the moment, however, are chilling.

There are a number of ways one can take down an aircraft. A discretely placed explosive, anti-air weaponry whether concussive or energy based would also do, even certain magic spells could get the job done. If the reports are to be believed, it was a magic user that blew the air-shuttle to pieces mid-flight.

The use of magic is common place across Gaea. I, myself, am capable of "magic" through my Soul's Gift which allows me to utilize what is known as 'Ase', the life force behind all living things in the world. When directed with specific intent, it is the ability to 'make things happen'.

Like my father, my use of Ase is tied to and manifested through my relationship with the moon, Selene. For my brother, Rajah, his Soul's Gift is solar-based and influenced by the sun, Nova.

On my best night under the brightest full moon when I'm at my absolute strongest, I might be able to destroy a stationary air-shuttle with a little bit of time and effort; but what kind of monster is capable of striking down an aircraft speeding through the sky in such a timely manner? Just thinking about it unnerves me.

This is why suspicion has fallen upon the Kingdom of Corphye. Magic is highly regulated within Altrissa. Certain spells, techniques, and entire magical arts are forbidden within the nation while anyone capable of magic usage is documented and tracked. There are few magic users in Altrissa who are capable of the destruction that caused the Peace Party Assassinations, and those that are most likely work for MageCorp.

These restrictions do not exist in Corphye. Magic usage in Altrissa has historically been seen as dirty and foul; an affront to the religion of the land, The Will of Man. In the Kingdom of Corphye, magic is a way of life. The spells and arts forbidden to us come second nature to them. Exceptional magic users in Altrissa are rare and when discovered are highly surveilled. Remarkable magic users with diverse Gifts of the Soul in Corphye are the rule, not the exception. We have no idea how many are within their kingdom, nor have a full idea of what they are capable of. If a magic user took down that aircraft, logic points to that person being from Corphye.

 I look over my shoulder to the wall holding the picture of MageCorp's First Class and stare at my father. His face is somber in the picture, melancholy. I was only a baby when this picture was taken. What was going through your mind that day, father? Why do you look so sad?

I close out the article detailing the Peace Party assassinations and search the archives for my father's personnel file.

'Rahbyn Symone': Profile Classified

I knew access to his file would be classified under my credentials. I've searched him 1000 times. I've asked Val about him just as many times. Each time she gives me the same typical responses of how good of a man he was and how much he loved me; things of that nature. Why is it though that any information about him is treated as classified?

Perhaps with enhanced credentials I could get past this obstacle. This almost makes me regret turning down the Captain position a few months ago... but then I look over at the tower of unfinished reports that still need my attention and groan.

"Almost." I say to myself. 

For as little as I know about my father, I know even less about my mother. I at least know my father's name and face. My mother is a complete mystery. My aunt who raised me refuses to talk about her. I can hear the hatred in her voice whenever she is forced to talk about her. Val says she's unfamiliar with who she was. The only thing I know for certain is that she was a Corphyian woman. My brother and I were born in Asale-Jolo shortly before it was annexed by Altrissa and we do not have national birth records on file with Altrissa. This would not be the case had both of our parents been Altrissian citizens. Technically, this would make Rajah and I Corphyian by birth, though the annexation of the twin cities would shift us over into Altrissian citizenship where we would be raised as such.  

I lean back in Val's cozy office chair, close my eyes and start to wonder. What did my mother look like? Who was she? Why did she disappear?

Lost in my thoughts, I'm not sure how much time passes before I hear rumblings from the elevator at the front of the room. Someone is coming up to the office.

I log out of the archives and put Valencia's computer to rest. I shoot up from my chair and make my way to the front of the desk as the elevator bell dings and the doors open. Out walks Director Vaughn, graceful and commanding as always, followed by two other individuals. A tall brunette man with warm blue eyes to her right and a woman with dark chocolate skin and short, wavy, black hair to her left. Both wear the royal blue military jacket of Altrissian Officers.

The woman accompanying Val is a familiar face, Jaqueline Adams. A year behind my Magister class, Jaqueline was a former member of MageCorp-Asale who was scheduled to take the position of Squad Leader at the ceremonial start of the year when she was unexpectedly given an offer to join the military's communications unit instead. Its was surprising because Jaqueline wasn't a remarkable Magister from what I recall. She is the shortest amongst the three of them, giving up several inches to Valencia who isn't a tall woman herself.

Val crosses the room to stand before me, I come to a position of attention looking straight ahead over top of her and give her a formal greeting.

"Welcome back, Director Vaughn. I hope everything went well in your travels to the capitol." I say. 

"As well as can be, given the circumstances." She responds. "Relax, Ramsey".

She walks around her desk and falls into her chair as if the weight of the world were on top of her. She then leans back and massages the bridge of her nose with her thumb and fore-finger and lets out a deep breath.

"Introductions are in order, I suppose," she says. "Ramsey, these are our guests for the foreseeable future. The gentleman in front of you is a member of the Atrissian Marshals, Eston Marquise. Eston, this is my star pupil and the person you'll be working the closest while you're here, Lieutenant Ramsey Symone," Val says.

Slightly taller than me, rigid and stiff, Eston looks me in my eyes as we shake hands and exchange pleasantries. Upon closer examination, he is clean shaven and handsome. Not my type, but handsome. He's clearly Trueborn Altrissian straight from the mainland, his skin is as fair as the climate from which he came. I wonder to myself how someone like him will hold up out in the desert environment of Asale-Jolo. 

"And you're familiar with our former colleague, Jaqueline Adams", Valencia continues.

The reason I remember Jaqueline so well is because of her smile. Her smug, conceited smile. Whether through luck or by other means, things always seemed to work out in her favor. She worked off the basis that anything she wanted she could get and rarely was she wrong. It seems that is still true to this day as she was able to parlay her time in MageCorp to a commission into the Altrissian Military. 

In no way a small feat, going from MageCorp to the military is reserved for the strongest Magisters as strength is the only thing that the military values. Yet Jaqueline was by no means ever considered to be 'strong'. Competent? Sure. Strong? No.

"Lieutenant Ramsey, good seeing you again." she says as she looks up and shakes my hand, smirking. I conceal any negativity and greet her back. 

"With that out of the way, lets get down to business," says Valencia. "Eston and Jaqueline are here to lend their services to us on behalf of the military as we sort through this situation we find ourselves in. As you all can guess, Altrissa wants retribution for the Peace Party assassinations. Even if it comes at the cost of the 20 year armistice we've had with Corphye. Initial investigations into the assassinations lead us to believe that it was a magic user from their Kingdom who is responsible. Communications with Corphye reveal that they also believe this theory but state that this was not an action authorized on their behalf.

In order to avoid a war from starting, Corphye has asked to be given the chance to look into the matter and find out who is responsible. Altrissa has partially agreed. They wont send the full force of the military in at this time but they want to investigate the assassinations as well and they made it clear that it would be through a military presence. This was non-negotiable. Over time we'll be visited by more members of the military but for now it was agreed that Eston Marquise of the Marshal Division would take lead on the matter. Jaqueline is here to support him as she is most familiar with life beneath the Devil's Spine.

Ramsey, We will be conducting our own investigation into the assassinations in juncture to Eston's."

The Military sent one person to do their investigation. He must be impressive for them to trust him with such a mission. The Marshal Division of the military are an elite unit, 13 members in total. They're tough soldiers in their own right but what makes them elite are the battle suits they use in combat called Stryke Armor. When wearing the armor, they become walking weapons of destruction.

Valencia continues, "With the Leadership at MageCorp-Afoji compromised, I've been given jurisdiction as Director of both branches until adjustments can be made. On top of that, I'll also be serving as the intermediate between Corphye and Altrissa while these investigations are conducted.

My first act is to make sure all parties involved are familiar with one another and on the same page. Joining us shortly will be a representative from Corphye, 'Iyalode' Umi, the Chieftain of the Corphyian city of Avadelia."

The stiff Eston perks up at the mention of the representative's name.

Though I've never seen her in person, 'Iyalode', or Honored Lady, Umi is well known throughout Gaea. Today she is a revered figure in her Kingdom and beyond but in a time before I was born she was known as a fearsome warrior and went by another title, 'Iyami Aje' or 'Feared Woman'.

Val sees the change in Eston's demeanor. "I know that Altrissa never forgets a slight committed against it, but am I safe to assume that her presence here wont be an issue, Marshal Eston?" She asks, cutting her eyes at him. She isn't asking out of actual curiosity. She is telling Eston that this will not be a problem whether he wants it to or not.

Eston clears his throat and recomposes himself before speaking. "Although she is still technically a War Criminal wanted by Altrissa, I'm not here for her or her past actions. From my understanding, she vowed to never commit another act of violence after killing those soldiers in Afoji-Ibado all those years ago. Her vow of peace doesn't absolve her of what she did but I have no issue with her being here."

As if he had a choice in the matter.

According to historical accounts, Iyalode Umi lost her daughter who was defending the Twin Cities from Altrissian annexation 22 years ago. In response, her and a handful of Corphyian magic users would slaughter a battalion of Altrissian soldiers occupying Afoji-Idabo and forcing the units occupying Asale-Jolo to retreat unless they meet the same fate.

Despite that awesome show of power, Corphye would be unsuccessful in keeping the Twin Cities as their territories. Altrissa would annex the cities shortly after, not by force but instead by winning over the citizens of each city. The citizens of the Twin Cities had felt neglected by Corphye long before those battles ever took place and when the opportunity presented itself, the people chose to allow themselves to be absorbed into the Altrissa Empire.

"Between all of our resources, I see no reason why we should not be able to find the perpetrator of this attack and their motives behind it. When the Corphyian representative arrives, make sure to use her proper title when referring to her; 'Iyalode' Umi. Titles are important to Corphyians. Something as simple as omitting a cherished title of a esteemed figure is enough to cause hostility and I did not spend the last two days convincing Altrissa Leadership not to wage war only for it to start anyways over perceived disrespect." says Valencia.

"When will she arrive?" asks Jaqueline. She does nothing to hide the excitement in her voice as if she's about to meet a celebrity rather than a foreign dignitary. Again, Iyalode Umi is a popular figure but we're here to solve an assassination, not seek autographs.

Jaqueline's smirk hasn't disappeared since she's arrived. Its so annoying. Eston has been on edge the entire time, trying his best not to let the weight of his task overwhelm him. Val won't show it but I know she's running on fumes with the schedule she's had to undergo the last few days. Yet here's Jaqueline, not a care in the world despite being part of an investigation that can decide whether or not we will see all-out war in our near future. Like always with her, its as if she knows something that everybody else doesn't.

"You'll know it when she does. Corphyians love spectacle. She will surely make her presence known when she approaches." Val says. She leans back into her chair and points to the sliding glass doors leading to the airfield outside of her office. "In fact, take a look for yourself. She's already here."

The three of us walk over to the glass doors and see what she's talking about. There, floating through the night sky and coming our way is a mid-sized airship of wood and steel resembling a winged sea-ship with hunter green sails with a golden tree sigil emblazed on each of them. 

"What the..." Eston says, surprised at what he's seeing. "All air traffic in Altrissian territories has been suspended since the attack on the Peace Party. She's violating national orders and she's putting herself in danger! How do we know the perpetrators still aren't out there waiting for an opportunity like this?"

"We don't and I think that's the point," Val replies. "That slow crawling speed they're moving at is intentional. She's daring to be attacked, though it wouldn't do any good. She might be far from her prime, but Iyalode Umi is still powerful enough to protect herself from any attack whether it comes from Corphye or Altrissa. If you want to tell her about the no-flying edict Altrissa has in place, you're more than welcome to but I wouldn't recommend it."

Over the years, I've heard all about the feats of Umi under both of her monikers, 'Honored Lady' and 'Feared Woman', but seeing her flat out shrug off orders from Altrissa and stroll through the skies daring to be attacked is the boldest thing I've seen in recent memory. 

Just like Jaqueline, I find myself being overtaken with intrigue. For the first time in days I feel excitement and anxiousness instead of boredom and monotony.  I have no clue what Iyalode Umi's arrival will bring but I do know I want to meet this storied woman and I welcome any adventure that follows.