Bane: A Mortal Instruments Fanfiction

Bane: Chapter 1

Bane

A Mortal Instruments fan-fiction Chapter One.

It was a dark and stormy evening when the Warlock council convened its court. There was something astir in the Downworlder community, and they could sense it. The Warlocks who attended, those over the age of eighteen and of the higher class families, were on edge. Magnus Bane followed the others inside the dim and black room that accommodated these occasions. He looked around uneasily, sensing the nervous mood of the council. It was not often that the court was convened, only if there was a matter of great importance. Though Magnus was not of a higher class family, being the High Warlock of Brooklyn, he had to attend. His spiky black hair was arranged in its normal crown, his eyes covered in a dark shade of liner, but Magnus was not wearing any glitter. It was said amoungst the Warlocks that if Magnus Bane wasn’t wearing any glitter, then something must be astir.   Maverick Jiggs, a friend of Magnus’ sat beside him and he, too, searched the room for even a thread of stability in anyone's face. They found none however, and contented themselves with surveying the others who walked through the door. All of the faces were solemn. It was Maverick who spoke first, noticing his friend’s gloom.

“Well, you’re not your perky self today, are you Magnus?” Maverick said, trying to lighten the mood.   “I have no reason to be perky today, Jiggs. I was rudely awoken this morning by Josiah Krowl, who knocked on my door at the un-timely hour of 6pm, and was asked to attend today’s meeting. I had hardly enough time to cancel my appointments and figure our just what clothes were appropriate for this sort of thing. I’m sure you can sense my annoyance.” It was true, Magnus’ voice dripped with annoyance. An uneasy silence passed between the two as more and more Warlocks flooded through the doors: many more than a usual council meeting. The majority of those who passed through the doors looked tired and weary, as if they had all been called out of bed, as Magnus had.

"Magnus, do you know why they called us here?" He whispered, and several Warlocks turned their ears in his direction to hear the answer.

"Friend, if I knew, I would have told you already." Magnus answered in a solemn voice seldom heard from his mouth. "It must be bad, though. They've called in the novices." He made a gesture at the young Warlocks who entered the room now. There was a tone of worry in his voice, though none knew the reason for it. 

Above them, in the dais, sat the council itself. There was a loud noise from above and the room was quieted instantly. 

Josiah Krowl, the supreme head of the council, rose to his feet and announced the beginning of the session. A woman, Helga Dimmof,  stood and addressed the room with a powerful, accented voice.

"I thank you all for coming here tonight on such short notice." She began, and her tail flicked back and forth. "I'm sure you are all wondering why we have summoned you. I am also sure that there are rumours floating around the room as well. I can assure you, as our secrets are kept well, that no one apart from the council knows this session's true significance." She paused and mentioned to Josiah to continue.

"Warlocks, we are faced with a difficult situation. The Nephillim have come to our doorstep and ask for our aid." His voice was hard, serious. A flicker of laughter went through the crowd. "Yes, I understand your laughter, but their motives are sound and apply to the Downworlder community. Here to explain their problem is Shadow-hunter Eliza Bennett. With a gesture of his taloned hands, Krowl brought forth a cloaked figure. The figure removed her hood and faced the room with courage.

"My name is Eliza Bennett. I am Nephillim and a member of the Clave. It is known to all Shadow-hunter and Warlock alike that our two races have had a rough relationship. But we humbly ask for your aid. In the past few months, we have witnessed a startling number of demons appearing in the streets of New York. We Nephillim are doing our best to keep control over the situation, but strange things are happening. These demon risings are growing, and even more disturbing is the way they are acting. Some demons are not attacking, but warning the Nephillim of something darker, more dangerous. This is behaviour is unheard of. We are beginning to believe them." Her voice wavered and grew small. "We fear that these demons are being truthful and are genuinely scared." Murmurs broke out amongst the Warlocks. A voice called, "What could they possibly be afraid of?" Magnus hmmpfed and slouched in his seat. Maverick shot an amused expression at him, but he was genuinely confused. The Nephillim would never come to the Warlocks for anything. They must be telling the truth, he thought.