“Your mother’s gifts were intended as a blessing to her village. While we control the magic in this mountain, we have limited influence over naturally occurring talent in bloodlines. Over generations, we have tried, but to survive, we require humans too.” The being waved a hand in Piers’ direction. “Such as now, to accomplish a specific task.”
A specific task? This couldn’t bode well. But wait a minute! “Even though my mother and others harmed you?”
The image of Uncle Lee nodded. “We do not blame all of your kind for the actions of a few. The woman who birthed you used us for her own means. But she’s not alone. Over the seasons, the mages and sorcerers forgot what we are. They, too, used us, though many not as harshly.”
Oh, shit. And here Piers was throwing around magic every chance he could. What did the ability to do magical things cost someone else?
“Do not worry, Pieravor. The magic living within you is a gift directly from us. We could not defend ourselves, so we chose champions, sensing in them, even before birth, an inherent goodness.”
What? Some kind of superhero? “You? You’ve been helping me. The wish magic?”
The being nodded again. “Although we have limited influence in the human realm, the many other creatures, the ones who valued us, took parts of us with them when they fled this realm. Those pieces sustained you.”
“Until I met Wycke.” Wycke, who also possessed magic.
“Yes. We waited until you were ready to send him, to show you what you are.”
“You sent him?”
“Not directly, but we influenced his sister’s decisions. She is sensitive to us even though she doesn’t possess her brother’s talent. We also encouraged her to keep your mate’s abilities secret until the right time. Many of your kind cannot be trusted and would have used one or both of you for evil intent.”
“And what am I?” All his life, Piers wanted to know the answer. Who he was. What he was. His purpose.
“One of our champions.”
Nah. What kind of champion dropped a light fixture on an ally? “Are there others?” Please let there be others. Many others. Highly competent others.
“There is one.”
An image appeared in Piers’ mind: Wycke.Fuck. We’re doomed!
The being continued, “What lives in the two of you are pieces of us, sent to guide you, protect you.”
How am I calm enough to even have this conversation?“What is my purpose?”
“To teach the mages and sorcerers we are a living being and to not hurt us. Many will fight you. They crave power. Others will embrace you. We have tried in the past, with what others called compatible magic, but as time passed, champions never formed. We now take a more direct approach. In the man you call Wycke, we gave you a partner, support for your endeavors. Our power dies as more and more magical creatures escape this realm. Our survival depends on you, and your survival depends on us.”
Someone’s survival depended on Piers? A lowly bartender? Lord help them all! “What do you mean?”
“There are other realms, other creatures, who’d come here and exploit what the gods created. Without us to keep them out, this entire realm would fall. You mustn’t let that happen.” The being wearing Uncle Lee’s face showed no expression and spoke in monotone. The calm demeanor belied the seriousness of the conversation.
Piers stared at the much-loved features of the man who’d been a father to him, something cringing inside when he saw differences and not the welcome smiles.
“But I am the son of an evil sorceress.”
Laughter sounded in his mind, like millions of tinkling bells, though the being showed no outward emotion. “Who better? We never intended you to be taken but thought we could keep you safe. Then the castle fell, and you would have been killed. We were forced to shut ourselves down, shackling Nyanda’s magic as much as possible. We made one exception.”
“What?”
“We helped the man you see before you now escape to the human realm. In the battle recently fought, in which Nyanda tried to reclaim what she thought of as hers, once more, we summoned the strength to shut down for a time. We cannot directly defend ourselves, but we can passively interfere when needed.”
Way too much to deal with right now. Piers needed a drink or four. “What am I supposed to do?”
The being cupped Piers’ cheek. “Go with the knowledge of who we really are, though you may not remember all of this conversation when you wake. It will come back. Do not state our true nature to those you do not trust. Humankind as a whole cannot know.”
“You told me.”
“You are a part of us. Wherever there are magical beings of this realm, or in the one you know best, you are needed. And to ensure cooperation, we created two matching halves of a whole: one from the powerful Bertillian legacy, the other from Hanaran. You are magically linked for all time.”