- Amelia the Wizard -
Amelia Langston was sitting in the corner of what was known as the 1844 room in Buckingham Palace. This room was decorated with gold pillars and gaudy furniture and was most often used for official appointments by the King, such as the Prime Ministers and other official business. The King was not here today, instead the room was filled with dozens of representatives from Mi5, Mi6, the Defense Intelligence, and members of parliament. Oddly, the subject of interest today was not her or her peers with unique abilities. Though several of them were in the room as well, hovering near whatever agency had recruited them.
Today the conversation piece sat in the center of the assembly room. A pedestal of white marble and ornate carvings. A hefty gentleman in a fine tailored suit likely as expensive as Amelia’s car was circling the pedestal and giving an intelligence briefing on their findings.
“When one places one’s hand upon the pedestal, it proclaims itself the Pedestal of Governance. It recognizes one’s position in government as if it possesses a perfect record of our representatives – and even our agents. Rather unsettling, I grant you, but we’ve no reason to suspect the other pedestals are doling out our secrets.”
“Other pedestals, you say?” A gentleman from the front row asked.
“Indeed. Actually the seem an unfortunately common fixture, appearing in every major district across the world. Of note, the one here at Buckingham is grander than those in the outer reaches – a pattern mirrored in every nation’s capital.”
“Do we assume the Demi-human lands have one?”
“We are not entirely certain, but we are aware of one in the few cohabited regions, like in Mekland, Oklahoma.”
“Mekland.. why does that ring a bell?”
The hefty gentleman responded, “It’s where Congo has those blasted fantasy creatures working.” He shook his head. “The blooming insanity of it all’s enough to send me packing off to my country estate and spend my remaining days with my wretched little grandchildren.”
Everyone chuckled at the man’s mock despair.
Orcs, now that would be a sight to see. I might take a holiday to this Mekland, supposing they ever let me. Maybe I should just run away so I can get back to studying. Studying abroad sounds fun. Amelia thought.
“Miss Langston, would you do us the honor?” The man addressed her.
“Pardon?” She asked in a mousey voice.
She heard a few stifled chuckles about the room. She had missed some part of the conversation it appeared.
“We were just wondering if a Wizard would have a rather different interaction with the pedestal from the rest of us.” The man asked patiently.
“Well of course, it would be my pleasure.” She stood brushing out her long patterned skirt.
Walking up the rows of people she felt uncomfortable. She never much liked being at the center of attention. She had answered the call of her King however, if she was anything she was a patriot for her nation.
As she neared the Home Secretary he towered over her at six feet tall to her modest frame of five and two inches.
She removed her glove and without fanfare placed her hand on the pedestal.
You have found a Capitals Pedestal of Governance
Would you like to take control of the Nation of England?
Amelia maintained perfect composure, her hands didn’t shake and she purposefully breathed slowly. Inwardly she giggled like a little school girl. These pompous asses had no clue what to do with her and had bumbled around her for the past few weeks. They either treated her like a hired hand or body guard.
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“Well?” The Secretary asked.
“It’s asked if I’d care to seize control of England. Didn’t specify, but I rather doubt it’s contemplating a parliamentary arrangement.” She said as she carefully put her glove back.
An uproar went around the room as the Home Secretary tried to calm everyone down.
“Does this mean those three missing Pedestals were claimed by another Wizard?” Spouted someone who likely wasn’t meant to spew classified information.
“That is quite the leap in logic. There is nothing to say that’s the case.”
“All hail Lady Amelia,” a boy of sixteen whispered as Amelia passed by close enough to hear.
It was a a relative of one of the parliamentarians who had an ability to use a bow and arrow to do as much damage as a high caliber weapon. They had fought together to save London from the goblin horde. It took five days to weed them all out, leaving nearly a quarter of the city in a burned out ruin.
She smiled at the boy and returned an eye roll at the whole little fit the room was throwing. The two of them had nearly two months to adjust to the oddities of the supernatural now. The rest of the room seemed to still need convincing on occasion.
The group eventually calmed down and planned their next steps before dismissing.
Amelia left immediately as always, not bothering to socialize. She noticed a lot more wary faces as she left the assembly. They would be reassessing her role in these affairs to be certain.
She walked through the hallways of the adjacent resident wing for respected guests of the crown. Historical images and paintings displaying the struggles and triumphs of the last few centuries. She was pleasantly greeted by young Lord Theodore. A handsome gentleman who had gained the ability to wield a great sword as easily as a toy stick.
“Ms Amelia, I do hope you will grace us at the soirée this evening. You have yet to attend one when you would be a most esteemed presence.”
He referred to a small party of those with abilities. She couldn’t tell if he was simply a sociable fellow or trying to move politically. If it was the latter he certainly was convincing of the former.
“You flatter me, Lord Theodore, but I daresay you’ll hear whispers of a rather... awkward wrinkle to my status from today’s briefing. Best let the dust settle before I show my face.”
“A shame. I think you present a delightful picture for the new participants in governance.”
“And what picture would that be?” Amelia inquired raising an eyebrow.
“Quiet, dignified authority.” He smiled. “Much like our late Queen.”
“You mean this as a compliment, and I take it as such – but do pip the Queen bit if you’re repeating it in public. You may step into that issue I just discussed a touch earlier than the rest.”
His baffled expression at her hints was fun to watch as she moved to her room.
“You are a hero Amelia.”
She paused before he continued.
“I know you paid dearly for your bravery. I know it likely will haunt you having to see what you did, but you did save the heart and soul of England.”
She turned and nodded at Theodore gratefully as she walked into her room before she could shed any tears.
She composed herself on the other side of the door for a moment before she felt a chill in the air. It seemed the turn down service was running late again as all of her lights were off as she entered and she saw a window left open. She fumbled about for a bit before managing to find the light switch.
As the lights flicked on they revealed a hand reaching out to grab her neck and choke her. Her worst nightmare, that one of the intelligence agencies decided she was too great a risk came to mind. It was quickly thrown out as she realized the hand choking her was attached to a disembodied arm! The whole appendage exuded a black smoke, she could feel a sickly darkness seeping into her as she struggled to say a single word. A word that would torch the arm into a charred husk.
Her eyes began to fill with an inky blackness, it made her feel as if she was drowning. Then she went still.
A minute passed and Amelia opened her eyes.
“This… this is much better.” The voice said with Amelia’s mouth as her arm lifted into the air, admiring the strong connection.
“Status.”
^
Amelia Langton - Human - Wizard (novice) - Level 5
Level progression: 47%
HP: 29/37
MP: 46/46
Strength: 8
Endurance: 9
Dexterity: 8
Intelligence: 18
Wisdom: 14
Charisma: 11
Luck: 7
“Ahh, weak but I see I am lucky once again… You haven’t chosen a path have you? A cautious one.”
^
Choose an Arcane Path
Points Available: 4
Path of the Elementalist - Path of the Conjurer - Path of the Enchanter - Path of the Diviner
“Let me help you, help me.”
A red screen appeared overlapping the the first.
Option override: Choose Path of the Mentalist?
“Yes.”
After the dark voice selected a few more options they sat on the floor and adjusted the morbid necktie that was their arm, then crossed their legs in meditation falling completely still. They sifted Amelia’s mind for her recent memories.
“A party? Convenient timing.” They chuckled. “What? A pedestal just down the hall? Hmm. Do I want to cause a fuss or stalk through the weeds? Hmm, hmm, hmm… Well more resources are always more fun… and this world has gone far more backwards than I would have thought possible.”
Standing up they looked around the room and grabbed some balls of yarn and juggled them one handed. “But first, its been a long time since I’ve attended a party.”
