[ IP ] Clockwork

`` We can not let this *thing* live!'' Archmagister Kellum voice echoed through the council chamber, his deep baritone lending even more force to his statement. 
 
 `` This *thing*, as you call it, is the only way to win this war.'' Archmagister Jurnt's voice was higher and more nasally than Kellum's, conveying less authority and force, but no less gravitas. 
 
 `` We can win the war without relying on their twisted technologies. They have never set foot on Argentian soil, so why are you desperate, Alec?'' Jurnt flinched at that. Even among mages of similar rank, it was protocol to use their title. Using his first name smacked of disrespect. 
 
 `` Their Pantheon teams push ever deeper into the neutral band, and their... Titans, have proven a match for even trained Elementalists.'' He shuddered involuntarily as he said the word Titans, feeling the distaste on his mouth. 
 
 `` Ha, even their toys are no match for the Elementals we command. I say this is madness! You go beyond yourself, Archmagister Jurnt.'' Kellum's voice grew in fervor, and Jurnt looked around to see the other Archmagisters nodding and avoiding his gaze. Fools. 
 
 `` This argument is pointless. I put this matter to vote before the Council. My prototype is combat ready and can take the field immediately. I ask that you grant me the authority to deploy her.'' Jurnt needed to get his vote soon, before Kellum turned more to his cause, antiquated and foolish as it was. 
 
 `` Fine, let the record show that Archmagister Jurnt has called for a vote on this matter. All in favor?'' A small showing of hands, far less than the majority Jurnt needed. 
 
 `` Those opposed?'' The majority of hands went up then, following Kellum's commanding lead. `` Let the record show that this council has voted against granted Archmagister Jurnt the authority to deploy his'prototype.' Furthermore, I put the vote to this council that the abomination he has created be destroyed immediately, along with all of the research that created it.'' Jurnt took an involuntary step back. Surely it was enough to keep it in the lab, but now, to destroy it? 
 
 `` I object! There is no grounds for this!'' Jurnt's voice rose to a shout. 
 
 `` Let the record show that I have put a vote before this Council. All in favor?'' Kellum overrode Jurnt's protest, and his followers, the majority of the Council, voted with him. `` Let the record show that the majority of this council votes to destroy the abomination and destroy the research that led to it.'' 
 
 Jurnt turned and stormed out, casting a spell of flight on himself as soon as he was outside. Flying at nearly mach three, he reached his lab in minutes and deactivated the guard runes, reactivating them as he passed through. He made his way up the tower he had crafted, coming to a large iron door, emblazoned with runes of power. With a wave and a word, he deactivated them, and the doors sprung open before him. As he entered the room, he saw a young woman sitting in the chair at his desk, a book in her hands.'The Creation of Man: 3rd edition, by Archmagister Alec Jurnt.' How ironic that she would be reading the book that had spurred her creation. As he stormed into the room, she looked up from the text. 
 
 `` Archmagister, hello.'' Her voice was high and musical, expressing joy at the sight of the Archmagister. 
 
 `` There's no time for chitchat, Alexia. The council is coming to destroy you. You must flee.'' The girl looked at him in confusion, tilting her head sideways, causing her silver hair to fall across her face. 
 
 `` I do not understand, Archmagister. Why would the council wish to destroy me?'' Jurnt's heart nearly broke then. He had found the girl when she was only four, the last survivor of a brutal assault by the hated Pantheon teams of the enemy. He had taken her into his house, and at her insistence, allowed her to aid his research. 
 
 `` Because they are fools, Alexia. They do not understand you or your powers and abilities, and it frightens them. I will do what I can to delay them, but you must flee. Head into the Band. It is wide and deep and you can hide there until I can come for you. Go. Now.'' Jurnt's voice was stern, but Alexia had known him for years and knew the look of pain on his face. She did n't fully understand the danger, but she knew that Jurnt would not send her away unless it was important. 
 
 `` As you wish, Archmagister.'' She hurriedly packed what few clothes she had, and some food. It took her ten minutes or so to pack, and by the time she was ready, standing in the teleportation circle, there was a pounding from below. She looked at Jurnt, who was sweating from concentration. He nodded at her, and began to cast the spell. The runes sprang from his hands and enveloped the circle, mana flowing up the tower and concentrating here. There were more crashes from below and Alexia's enhanced sense could hear the roar of Elementals and the explosions of runes. 
 
 `` Archmagister...'' She started to ask him a question, but he shook his head at her, cutting her off. As the spell neared completion, he pulled a small stone from the pouch at his waist and threw it to her. As she caught it, there was an explosion as the doors blew inward, and she saw Archmagister Kellum, flanked by lightning elementals and council members. He pointed at Jurnt and the elementals surged forward. 
 
 As Alexia reached a hand out to help him, there was a flash and suddenly she was in a dense forest, sunlight streaming through the treetops. She had been teleported to the neutral band, unsure what had happened to Jurnt. Suddenly the stone in her hands grew hot. She cast a spell of cooling on it, and it sprang to life. Jurnt's voice was in her head. 
 
 `` Alexia, if this stone is hot, it means I am dead, my stone activated by your spell. I have enchanted the stone to carry a part of my memory and thoughts, to serve as a guide for you. You are my greatest creation and my beloved daughter. Live Alexia, and together we shall change the world.'' Jurnt's voice was calm and collected, the voice he used when teaching her a difficult subject. It was the voice of her father. Dropping to her knees Alexia looked up through the trees into the sky, an artificial tear falling from her eyes. She saw a bird circling overhead and she willed herself to focus on it, feeling the twitching as the servomotors in her eyes zoomed in. A golden eagle, the symbol of House Jurnt, wheeled overhead, enhanced to be seen in perfect clarity by the augmentations and magic of Alexia's eye. Taking it as a sign, Alexia Jurnt, last of House Jurnt, and the first and only Mage Forged, rose and set out into the woods. 
 

