Meeting Edward

As everyone filed out of the stable, Kira grabbed the arm of the translator. 'Sorry, I didn’t catch your name?'

'It’s Rosna Solfridson.'

'Rosna, your English is excellent, no doubts about that. There are just some things that come with experience like talking to someone who is under a lot of stress.’ Kira explained. ‘Can you stay behind? I could really use your help.’

Rosna looked to Alderman Atlestan who was just outside the stall. He gave a short nod. ‘It would be my honour.’ Rosna replied.

Good, Kira thought. She could use the help. There’s so much she doesn’t know and the only way she is going to get answers is by asking the summoned himself. Unfortunately, the man was unconscious and would be under the effects of the potions for some time.

And what happens when he does wake? From the snippets of details that she had received already, the man was confused as though he had no idea of where he was or how he got there. That shouldn’t have happened. Kira wasn’t aware of a single summoned who wasn't fully aware beforehand. The Guardians always make that clear before crossing the bridge.

Worse was the reports he used magic. Summoned being able to use magic as soon they arrive is unheard of.

‘Rosna, we are going to need to keep things as quiet as possible. Any noise could make this man even more anxious. I want you to wait outside and keep as quiet as possible while I talk to him. Do you understand?’

‘I’ll do my best. What happened here captain?’

‘I’m a guardsman,’ Kira replied automatically. ‘That’s what we need to find out. Could you ask a guard to bring a large jug of water and a few bits of food.’

The stable was empty now other than Kira and the summoned. She had asked someone to remove the chains and empty potion phials. It was quieter too, but some guards were still chatting in the distance. Rosna was already rushing up to them and asking them to be quiet.

The girl is a quick learner, Kira thought. The only task left to do was to read through the written accounts of the summoning ceremony while waiting for him to wake up. The notes made for uncomfortable reading. Not only did he use magic within minutes of being summoned, but he also used enough to incapacitate Gate Guards, some of the most disciplined and experienced soldiers in the capital. Kira could have some trouble without the magic suppressing manacles, but then again, she would have trouble with them as well.

After some time, the man began to stir. Kira took off her vambraces, truncheon, boots and even her leather jerkin, putting them outside. She sat on the floor opposite in nothing but her trousers and coarse tunic. She relaxed her shoulders and rested her hands on her thighs, palms up.

He slowly opened his eyes and look around. When he saw Kira, he grew alert and made to stand. His legs shook and buckled under his own weight. He slipped back down, resting his back against the wall of the stall. Kira was the first to speak.

‘Hello, my name is Kira. You’re probably feeling a little groggy still. There is no need to rush or stand. Can you tell me your name?’ Her tone was low, and she spoke slowly and deliberately.

‘I’m Edward. Where am I?’ He replied hoarsely.

‘Right now, you are in a stable. Here.’ Kira handed over the water and food. ‘You should try to drink something. You have lost a lot of fluid. Do you remember what happened to you?’

Edward drained the water from his jug. ‘I’m not sure. There are flashes of images in my head, but they don’t make sense. I remember it being very dark and very cold. What happened to me? Why do I feel so drained?’

This would be the tricky part. How do you explain to someone from a world without magic that he has been summoned? Kira never had to deal with this before. No one did. The Guardians always arranged the summoning part. Supporters just had to explain this world to the summoned, get them up to speed with magic, translate and, well, support the summoned. That had been her job just a few months ago, but it wasn’t anymore. She shouldn’t even be here now.

‘When you arrived, you were very disorientated and agitated. To make sure you weren’t a danger to yourself and others, they had to restrain you. You were brought to this stable because it is quiet and out of the way.’

He tensed the muscles and clenched his fists. Something Kira had said had put him guard. Kira tried to judge if he was likely to get violent. The potions would make it harder to use magic, but not impossible.

Edward eyed Kira suspiciously before saying: ‘Who are you? Your clothes are strange. I’ve never seen anyone dressed like you.’

Got to be careful, if I talk about magic or summoning I’m going to lose him. ‘I’m a guard here. I’m talking to you because I happen to speak English.’

‘English? Am I not in England?’ Edward tried to push himself up with his arms, but his legs weren’t playing along. He slipped down again.

Kira tried to calm him down, but she was feeling out of her depth. ‘Please calm down. You are perfectly safe. Please stay seated.’

‘I am calm. I am bloody zen. Can’t you tell.’ He shouted at her. ‘Stupid legs, just work!’

Kira could see his body temperature raising, especially in his face. She could hear his heart pounding faster. She knew she had messed up but couldn’t see a way out. She gave up being careful.

‘Look, you’re not in England anymore. You’re not even on Earth. You’re now in Urda, a world of magic, and in its largest city of Halvesdon.’ She said as she cast a simple spell. Water rose from her jug and spun in the air in front of her.

Edward stopped for a moment, his face relaxed. Kira thought this was her best opportunity and carried on.

‘You have been summoned to another world. It’s very different to your own, but I am sure you will come to understand more in time.’

'Don’t try to fool me with this magic trick crap. It’s a projection or something. Tell me where I really am now. Tell me who the hell you are.' He shouted.

Edward managed to stand up unsteadily and move towards Kira. She could handle him easily if he tried anything. Except, in the air black circles were growing. Not just the shadows, but flames as well.

Those weren’t in the report. ‘I see you’re mad, but please just look around you. Those flames and shadows, you’re causing them. Do you remember earlier? The same shadows. You caused those as well.’

Edward stopped and looked at the growing shapes around him. Kira watched him as he backed away, hugging the wall behind. The spheres faded before popping out of existence with a bright flash of light.

‘Are you telling me magic is real? Am I really in another world?’ Edward’s voice sounded far away as though he was trying to distance himself from them and what they meant. ‘But what about my Children?’

Children? Oh crap.