CRITICAL POINT/ THE BLACK KING (MAGIC CHRONICLES #1)

Chapter 6:

Monday, 8:54 p.m.

In a rocky canyon

Commerce City, Colorado, U.S.A.

            The silence in the evening gathering was palpable. It was a feat in itself, considering the sheer size of the crowd. All were unassuming, all strangers to each other. All of them had nothing in common with each other. Even though all of them were magicians, they were all of different systems and styles. The only thing that tied them together was a delicately beautiful young woman with flowing blond hair. All of them were silently waiting for her.

            “…”

            Right now, this very woman was sitting on top of a large boulder, her head bowed low. She was tightly gripping a small tablet computer in one hand. Due to the force she was exerting, the device broke into two. It was clear to all that she was seething.

            “Bloody disaster,” Sheila growled.

            “Your Highness,” one of the visitors ventured respectfully, “What is it that ails you?”

            Sheila glared at the man, who quickly backed away in terror. Seeing the reaction of her audience, she sighed tiredly and stood up.

            “My dear followers,” Sheila began, “Tonight, if it is not too much, may I ask you all to mourn with me? It is just for a moment of silence.”

            All of those gathered in the meeting respectfully bowed their heads. Moments later, they all raised faces to the woman leading them.

            “You may have not heard of this,” Sheila said, “But I just received word now of a tragic accident at sea. A large ferry sank off the coast of South Korea, drowning its crew and more than three hundred passengers. Almost all of them were children going on a school trip.”

            Many of the listeners fidgeted uncomfortably, unaware that such tragedy occurred. Tears began to roll down Sheila’s face as she continued.

            “Some of you may say that tragedies such as these occur all the time,” she said, “that is true. But what many of you should know that this could have been easily prevented. The ferry was still afloat for half an hour, but strong winds, huge waves, and ice cold waters kept the people from evacuating. It did not even help that no other ship was in sight to provide succor to the victims. They all died, not knowing that help could have been offered.”

            Sheila stamped her foot in rage.

            “What really made me so angry was that the Fourth Cohort of Legio IX Hispana was actually stationed there! This cohort is famous for their naval exploits in the open seas, and something like a ferry sinking was a simple problem for them to solve. Yet they did nothing at all, all because two people ordered the cohort to stand down.”

            Sheila looked around, pleased to see that she had their full attention.