Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Legacies	By : Frostbite Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male Views: 14308 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 10
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and I make no money from writing this story. All orignal characters are my own creations.

Chapter List
- 4
- 5
- 6
Here is the next chapter!
Chapter 5
When the cart came to a stop it was at the end of the rail, situated between two doors. Harry was led through the smaller door on the right into a small unfinished preparation room. The room was filled with steam and was hot and muggy. To one side was what appeared to be a hot water spring and the other was a row of chests against the wall and a bench a couple of feet in front of them. Walking farther into the room Harry was given length of cloth and was told to remove his clothes and wash in the hot springs before wrapping the clothe around his waist.
Harry nodded and placed the wrap on the bench before removing his clothes and gingerly stepping into the hot water, which proved to be just short of too hot. Spotting some soap on the edge of the spring Harry quickly but thoroughly cleaned himself from head to toe. After rinsing off Harry stepped out of the water and back over to the bench where he picked up the wrap and studied it. Thankfully it was a simple design and Harry quickly got it tied.
Nagnok walked in just as he was finishing and motioned for him to follow him out into the second much larger chamber. Entering Harry glazed around and marveled at the natural beauty of the room. The walls were covered in crystal formations that caught the torch light and glowed. It was the banging of the doors closing behind him that broke him from his amazement. Nagnok came up to him and steered him towards the center of the room where there were large symbols painted on the stone floor. The main symbol was a triangle, circle, and crossed double pointed arrows overlapped. The cross was on the bottom and the arms were of equal length pointing in the compass directions. The circle was next and it was just a bit smaller then the cross, so only the arrow heads were not contained in the circle. Then there was the triangle on top, its top point ended right under the arrow head of the north pointing arrow. The second and third points landed in the southeast and southwest quadrants of the cross and both stuck out of the circle a good deal while the top point barely exited the circle. Around the main symbol was situated three smaller symbols of the sun, crescent moon, and what looked like earth but Harry was told was the world, all of existence. The sun was located to the north west of the larger symbol and the crescent moon was located to the north east, while the world was located directly below the southern arrow.
Nagnok told Harry that all the symbols had a meaning and a reason to be included in the ritual. He went on to explain that the crossed double ended arrows represented not only the compass points north, east, south, west but they also represented the elements because each compass point is associated with an element. Earth is north, air is east, south is fire, and west is water. After the cross the circle represents magic both personal magic and magic that exists in the world its-self. While the triangle's three points represented the the spirit, mind, and body, the three parts that make you you. The three smaller symbols represented the power of the sun, moon, and world around us. As Nagnok finished explaining another goblin came over with a small bowl and a paint brush. In side the bowl harry caught a familiar silvery sheen that had Harry taking a step back. Nagnok notice his reaction and motioned for the bowl and brush.
“Unicorn blood fresh, freely given is a very strongly magical liquid and carries no ill effect. Now I need to use it to paint some of the symbols on your chest so hold still.” Harry glanced at the blood worriedly but nodded and stood still as the still warm blood was applied. Nagnok stepped back to look over his work and grunted. “Now come this way Harry and stand at the center and face the north point as we bless the quarters and call the elements.”
Nagnok went on to explain what Harry was to do at each step of the ritual and what the goblin would be doing. Harry repeated what he had been told and then the ritual started. Once again it wasn't Nagnok who preformed the ritual but an older goblin shaman, though not Bloodseer. The shaman stepped forward to the east point and looked in that direction and in a strong voice called out for element of Air to come into the chamber and bless the working of the ritual, as he did so a wind raced into the room and condensed into a small dust devil on the east arrow point. Next he turned to the south and called out again to ask Fire enter the camber and to bless the working of the ritual and a column of fire burst forth from the south point. Water was called next and showed itself as a orb of water over the west arrow. Then last but not least the shaman turned to the north and called to the earth. The earth's answer was spectacular as right before their eyes a green crystal the sized of a boulder grew from the northern point of the cross.
The shaman turned to face Harry and indicated for him to move into his next position. Harry slowly went to his knees then leaned forward and placed his forehead to the northern arm of the cross. He closed his eyes and rested his hands against his thighs as he waited for the goblin to continue. With Harry ready the shaman raised his hands toward the ceiling and began the prayer to the Goddess.
“Hear us, our Goddess, mother of all things. We call on you this day to watch over this boy who has chosen to step from the life he has known into one he has no knowledge to guide him in. He wishes to gain the gifts you planned for him that were locked away to protect him. He is now of age and has decided to know who you meant for him to be.” The shaman moved around to the fire in the southern quarter and threw in a bundle of herbs and woods that he had pulled from his robes. The scented smoke filled the air and the shaman continued the prayer. “Our Goddess grant this boy your protection and blessing as he unleashes his true self and comes to know the world you created. Guide this working and, as always, let your will be done.”
The shaman left the area inside the symbol as Harry sat up on his knees. The shaman took his place and the gathered goblins began to chant in their native language. As their voices rose and fell in a hypnotic rhythm Harry could feel the first stirring of power in the room. It rose with the intensity of the chanting and filled the room to the point it ran over Harry's skin making him shiver and his muscles twitch. The power continued to grow until it felt like you were breathing power and the stronger it grew the more uncomfortable Harry became. Just as the sensation started to become painful the triangle, both on the floor and on Harry's chest, began to glow a brilliant white. The light it gave of was so bright Harry could not see beyond it. It was like he was trapped in a white room, he could see nothing but the three sides of the triangle. Then suddenly the triangle on the floor rose into the air as it passed Harry's head he felt a subtle tug at his body. The tug came again as the triangle headed toward the ceiling and this time Harry was pulled into the air as well. He was levitated until he was once again at the center of the symbol, then he and the triangle stopped their upward movement.
Harry only had a moment to flounder around before it began, the power gathered inside the white room and then surged into him. Harry gritted his teeth and fought back a scream, it felt like he had been struck by lightening. He body was forced to bow backwards as the power raced into it and a horrible, bone deep pain set in. Trying to fight the pain Harry drew himself into a ball and hoped that it would be over soon. But that hope was dashed when he felt the power begin its work. It started with his bones and began to reshape him into his new form. It was then he began to scream.
Time was meaningless to Harry, there was only pain as his bones were forced to grow, some times right out of his skin, by the magic surging around in his body. As they grew they tore the muscles and ligament attached to them and ripped open the flesh around them when they had no more room. His blood rained down to the floor as it poured from the wounds opened by the growth, but the magic was healing the wounds almost as fast as they were being made which was all that saved his life. Harry had no way of knowing how long it went on for, but it seemed a life time before his bones stopped growing and his flesh healed. It was then the pain centered around his insides and it felt like liquid fire had been poured into his abdomen as the power did its work. Thankfully it took less time to finish with his organs then his bones and the pain moved on. It broke into five balls of heat and traveled to both his hands and feet, as well as his head. The pain was less in his extremities and quickly died away, but the pain in his head lasted longer and caused him to go blind for a moment before it to ended and faded away.
Lost in his pain and panting for breath Harry didn't see the triangle dim and began its decent back to the ground taking him along with it. He was deposited in a pool of his own blood as the triangle faded away. Harry lay there trying to catch his breath and listening to the continued chanting when he slowly realized that he hadn't been able to hear it during the time the triangle had been glowing. With that thought Harry lifted his head and glanced around at the goblins situated on the edge of the room, none of them were watching him, they all had their eyes closed as they chanted. Harry was glad, he really didn't want people to see him lying there weak and covered in his own blood.
Harry got his hands under himself and pushed until he had reached a sitting position. It was as he removed his hands that he saw that the blood that had rained down from his body before was slowly being absorbed by the stone of the floor. The puddle that he had been laying in was shrinking and soon it had completely disappeared into the stone. No sooner then the last drop of blood had disappeared then the circles,both on the floor and his chest, began to glow a deep blood red and once again Harry was alone, only this time the room was circular and red. The circle did not rise from the floor, instead the light extended up into a cylinder and when the magic came it did not come from the air around him but from the depths of the earth itself.
The magic flowed into him like water into a glass and it felt like liquid fire, burning him from the inside out. It flowed like rivers through his body and where there were no river beds it seared new pathways until it reached his magical core, an orb that contained Harry's magic and everything that made him a wizard. The power pooled in his core filling it until the magic pressed against the bonds that held the core and shattered them. The pain was unimaginable and Harry shrieked until his voice gave out and he couldn't make a sound. As the core shattered the power contained inside burst out in all directions before freezing in place forming a new core three times as big and an entirely new shape. The power filled the new core before the extra power drained from Harry leaving him once again panting for breath and in pain.
The circle's glow dimmed and the circle vanished leaving Harry sitting on the cross wondering what would happen next. He didn't wonder long because the goblin chanting reached a new fever pitch as the last three symbols began to glow. The sun glowed a warm sunny yellow, the crescent moon silver, and the world glowed green. Then the sun's light lifted up to form a ball which shot strait for Harry's chest and he braced for more pain, but it never came. Instead Harry got a wave of feelings, of lying on the sun warmed grass as the sun shown down on you and a cool breeze gently played with your hair. Harry felt his muscles relax for the first time since the ritual started, or maybe ever really, and he just basked in the warmth and peace that this power brought with it, but soon it to began to fade. The moon had already formed its sphere by the time the last of the sun's power faded away and Harry didn't even have time to draw a breath between the ending of the sun and when the moon's powers slammed into him.
The power of the moon was a cool swim on a hot day, it brought to mind the peace one could have while walking at night. But there was more to it then that, there was a wealth of emotion that came along with the sensation of cool water. The power was filled with pride and satisfaction, and most of all it was filled with love, and Harry realized that these feelings weren't from the goblins or any one he knew, but from a being that knew him. This being saw him as himself, Harry Potter, and was proud of him, of what he was doing and that he was doing it for himself and the fact that he wanted to know himself. This connection did not fade as the power faded, but instead settled down in a spot next to his heart and made itself at home, it would be with him for the duration of his life.
Harry was still processing this last revelation when the World's power slammed into his back and brought with it a mental overload of sensations. It was the straw that broke the camel's back, Harry gasped and everything went black as he lost consciousness. But he didn't fall, instead he started giving of a soft glow. The glow grew stronger and brighter and as it did so Harry once again began to levitate off the ground. The light soon grew to strong to look at directly then the air grew heavy and everything seem to be drawn in toward Harry. The pressure grew and grew, until it snapped and the power rushed out of Harry in a ripple like wave in all directions. The wave sped off faster then the eye could follow and it left in its wake a feeling as if the air itself was alive. In the moments after the power left no one noticed the scar on Harry's forehead flash a deep angry red before a dark mist rose from the mark and dissipated in the air. Then with the power gone Harry was dropped to the ground, luckily he wasn't that high and wasn't harmed.
Harry did not see the closing prayer or the end of the ritual, the next thing he knew was that he was being gently shaken and some one was calling his name. “Harry? Harry, wake up the ritual is over. We need to document the event and get you cleaned up.” Harry moaned as he recognized Nagnok's voice as he ordered him to wake up.
“Are you sure I'm even alive? I feel like I was ran over by a herd of hippogrifs.” Harry rasped out, his voice not yet recovered from all the screaming.
Nagnok laughed, “The dead don't feel pain, so you have to be alive. Now get up and lets get the recording done so you can wash up.”
Harry opened one eye to glare up at the smirking goblin. “Bloody hell. What do you mean record? You didn't do anything abnormal did you? Like experiment with a new set up?”
Nagnok gave Harry a wide eyed look before laughing heartily. “That ritual hasn't changed in over a thousand years, but no two rituals ever go the same. The potential of the one going through the ritual changes how the powers react and that changes the ritual. But we record how the ritual went and the Gifts that have been bestowed on them. We also record their experiences during the ritual if they care to share, though most don't. It seems to be quite personal to some.”
Harry thought about it and decided that it he would not be telling his experiences. The gut searing pain and heart wrenching wonder that he went through was not something that he wanted others to know. It was a life changing event, and not only because of the physical changes. Harry felt that there might have been a deeper change that took place, but that would take time and some deep reflection to figure out. Unfortunately he didn't have time for that at the moment, there were so many things to do still and he didn't even know what time it was.
“Nagnok, what time is it?” Harry asked as he moved to sit up despite the dull ache that filled his whole body. Harry looked down at his body and saw that though covered in his own blood he was not injured nor was there any new scars that he could see. He also saw that he had managed to keep the fabric that covered his privates where it belonged though it seemed smaller then he remembered. It was when he went to rub his face that he realized that he no longer had his glasses and yet he could see better then he ever had with them, his eyes seem to have been fixed during the ritual. “And no I wont be telling my experiences during the ritual.”
“Its just after 3 pm and that's no problem. We are mainly interested in the physical changes so that they can be added to your family's Legacy record. We have already recorded the ones visible from the outside, we are interested things like hearing, sight, smell, or a sixth sense.”
Harry shot a glance at Nagnok. “Any chance there is a mirror around here so that I can see these changes for my self?”
“Of course my Lord! I can't believe I forgot to offer its use first. My apologies. It is set up over in the other room.”
“That is okay.” Harry forced his body to stand despite its protesting the movement. Nagnok was leading the way toward the door way when Harry remembered something important. “Nagnok I have given it some thought and have decided to hold true to Fae traditions and beliefs.”
Before Nagnok could even nod there was a flash of magic and a puff of smoke that cleared to reveal a rolled piece of parchment held closed with the Ministry of Magic's seal. Harry picked it up and broke the seal to read the document. When he opened it a card fell out into Harry's hand. Looking at it showed that it had his name, age, date of birth, race, and a place for him to place his picture. Turning to the letter he began to read.
Dear Lord Potter-Black,
We have received notice of your wish to up hold your Family's Fae traditions and beliefs. We wish to congratulate you on making this life decision. When you announced the choice it was recorded in our records and your ID was generated. Due to the fact that you are sixteen and chose to follow the Fae tradition you are now considered an adult in the eyes of your race and tradition, and because the Ministry of Magic recognizes these traditions you are now an adult in the eyes of the wizarding world. The ID is to let anyone who needs proof that you are an adult know that you are, indeed, of age. To validate your ID you need to hold it in-front of your face and swipe your finger over the place for your picture. This will activate the one time use picture taking spell and will place your picture on the card. Once that is done you can go about your day as an adult and make use of your magic as you wish due to the trace being removed from your wand.
If you have any questions or have trouble with your ID please feel free to Floo the Department of Identification and Registration. Have a nice day and good luck with the rest of your life.
Yours truly,
Stella Dimpleton
Department of Identification and Registration
Harry closed the letter with a smile and turned his attention to Nagnok. “Well that takes care of one of my bigger problems.”
“Good news then?” Nagnok asked.
“Yes. It is the letter informing me that they registered my decision to follow Fae traditions and that I am now a legal adult and that the trace is off my wand.”Harry replied, but before he could continue a sound caught his attention. It almost sounded like the sound you hear when you place your ear to a sea shell. The sound started off soft, so soft Harry wasn't sure he even heard it with his ears, but it didn't stay that way. The sound rose in volume and force and Harry could tell that it wasn't the sound of waves in a shell, but instead the sound of howls and voices raised in a joint cry.
“What the Hell is that?” Nagnok shouted to the other goblins who were milling about on the other side of the room. They only shook their heads and shrugged their shoulders. But Harry wasn't listening, he was caught up in the sound that had started to shake the very cavern.
Harry closed his eyes and let the sound travel through him, he didn't know how but it was like he could almost understand what it was about. It was full of emotion and it both made his heart soar and break at the same time. There was elation and celebration for their awakening and freedom of movement, but there was also the sadness for those still sleeping and how many may never wake again. Harry felt tears run down his face as the sound rose to a fever pitch. Then with a resounding boom the chamber doors exploded inward and a mass of magic and magic creatures burst into the room. They were a mess of horse-like, and dog-like creatures mixed in with naked human appearing females, men who were half goat, and multitudes of unique creatures that were impossible to describe beyond terrifying. They ran, danced, and jumped in and around each other in a fluid movement, as if they were multiple parts of a single entity, with a single goal. The mass circled the room and formed a running ring around Harry and Nagnok circling them all the while continuing the cry from before. The hounds raised their muzzles to the sky and howled, the horses whinnied and neighed, and those with human voices sang out in jubilee.
Listening to the cry Harry felt something start to well up in him. It was a feeling of power and a rush of adrenaline, of sheer joy and fierce satisfaction. It was a need to let loose and join in the chase. The feeling rose stronger and fiercer every moment until lost in the heat of the moment and not knowing why Harry threw back his head and let out his own howling cry. It rose and fell and circled around the sound already being produced creating a haunting counterpoint. As he called the mass shifted and the front creatures turn at Harry and rushed strait on. The first of them struck Harry and though it knocked him back it didn't knock him over or out of the way. Instead they appeared to be absorbed into Harry's body and it caused searing pain to spread throughout the areas the creatures touched. Over the next ten minutes Harry gritted his teeth as the entire group rushed at him in a long line following those before them. Then it was over and Harry dropped to one knee as he tried to slow his heart beat and regain his breath.
“What the hell was that?!” Harry managed to gasp out. Harry decided that he need to wrap things up and get out of the bank before anything else could happen. “Where did they all come from and where did they go?”
Closing his mouth Nagnok coughed and spoke in a scratchy and wheezing voice. “I believe, my Lord, that that may have been the wild hunt. There is a legend that the bank was built to protect the sleeping survivors of the war between wizards and the Wild Magic folk of old, so I would say it either came from a vault or farther underground. As to what happened to them I can only guess, but you now have a rather large tattoo of a storm cloud that is situated from your right shoulder to your left hip and if you watch it for a while you will see a horse or dog show itself before disappearing again. My guess is this is how they will remain with you until you call for them.”
Harry sighed and but could not change it now. “You know, I am ready to stop being in pain and being hurt. Lets get to the other room, I want to see the changes and make use of the bath once more if that is okay. Then I think I need to get out of this bank before anything else can happen!”
No sooner had Harry spoken then something flashed through the broken doorway and smashed him in the side of his head. It hit with such force it knocked him off his feet and he landed hard on his shoulder. Moaning Harry flopped on his back wondering what the hell hit him, but his head hurt to much to ask. He grabbed his head with his hands and ran his fingers through his hair to try to find the lump. In doing so he found out two things. One his once unruly hair was now literally a mane of unruly hair, most of which seemed to be sticking up in spikes, and two he had horns. Well, judging by the multiple points he could feel branching off of them, they were more likely antlers, though he wouldn't know for sure until he actually saw them. It was as he was contemplating the additions to his head that a round object made itself known by landing with a thump in his lap.
Harry shifted enough to glare down at the object that he was almost certain was to blame for his most resent head ache. The round sphere was roughly the size of a small dinner plate and colored with a swirled mixture of blues and greens with a shine like the inside of a sea shell. Sitting up care fully Harry reached out a hand to gently pick the sphere up and get a closer look, but the moment that his hand touched it it pulsed with power before settling with added weight in his hand.
“What is this thing, and why did it try to kill me?”
There was a snorting laugh, but it didn't come from Nagnok or any of the goblins in the room who were now watching Harry most avidly, almost as if waiting to see what sort of trick he would do next. The sound came from outside the ruined door. Harry glanced at it warily and took a moment to wonder if he would have to pay for the damages. But that moment was all he got before two black streaks flashed into the room and over to Harry who was able to determine they were medium sized dogs before they were on him. They knocked him back over in their eagerness to get to him and say hello, and say hello they did.
“Hello! Hello! Hi!”
“Oh, no! Your hurt! That silly flying ball hurt you!”
The voices caused Harry to reevaluate the age of the dogs to that of puppies. The two of them, one male and one female, continued on in this fashion for a couple of moments as Harry desperately tried to hold onto the sphere and keep from being licked to death. It was then that the snort was heard again followed by a new voice.
“If you don't let him breath you may find yourselves without a bond mate before you have even introduced yourselves. Back off and let him up!” Some muttering followed as the speaker finally showed himself through the door. This last speaker was a large pitch black stallion with unusual green eyes. He picked his way over the debris and made his way to Harry's side where he gently pushed the two puppies off the very tired young man. With the puppies out of the way the horse took one look at Harry and stated plainly, “To many more blessings and you'll die from all the attention.”
Harry looked at Nagnok who was watching wide eyed. “Can you understand them?”
“No. Are you saying you can?” Nagnok pulled a quill and a piece of parchment from his robe pocket. “It must be one of your gifts, I'll write it down and we can research it later.”
“Tell the goblin the gift is called Beast Tongue. You will understand all creatures, both normal and magical that speak to you.” Harry relaid the message and the horse continued. “My name is Sheridan I am your bonded steed it is my job to carry you in battle and on journeys. My strength is always at your beck and call, and should I have any knowledge you can use it to is at your service.”
“Bonded? What do you mean by that?” Harry was not sure he liked the sound of it.
“When you went through your awakening your soul called out to any that would serve you. This included any who fell under your authority as a Fae Lord.” Sheridan snorted softly into Harry's hair when he saw the look in his eyes. “Do not make such a face. You are meant for great things Harry, that can not be changed, but now you will make your own path and decide what great things you will be known for. You have taken the reins of your future into your own hands and that is something few have the power or the courage to do.”
Sheridan would have continued on if the male puppy hadn't interrupted. “Hey! I want to tell him my name too! Hi Harry my name is Daray and I am one of your bonded hounds, the first and alpha male of our pack.”
Shoving Daray over and out of the way the female spoke up. “Hello Harry I am Saoirse and I am one of your bonded hounds, I will be the alpha female to our pack. I will hunt by your side and guard your resting place, then when the time comes I will birth puppies of my own to increase our pack.”
There was a snarl as Daray righted himself and launched himself at Saoirse. Moments later there was a snarling and snapping black ball of fur rolling around the cavern. Harry made to get up and stop them but Sheridan spoke up, “Leave them, they have been asleep a long time and could use the exercise. They will not cause each other to much harm, it is mostly play and practice.”
Harry who had no real experience with dogs other than Fang, Hagrid's dog, decided to take his word for it and leave them be. Instead he turned his attention to the sphere that he managed to keep safe during his mauling. “Do you know what this is and why it hit me in my head?”
Sheridan nodded, “It is an egg Harry. My guess is that it contains your familiar, though what species or breed it is I do not know. It ran into you because the magic pulled it to you when you called and it had to stop some how. It probably did not mean to hurt you.”
“All right then, let me see if I have this all strait.” Harry spoke slowly as he tried to sort it all out in his mind. “During my ritual I sent out a call to those who either are bound to me or I have authority over. And by doing so I ended up with the Wild Hunt, a War horse, and two hound puppies. Is that right?”
“Yes. Though others may awaken and join you as you grow into your powers.”
Harry sighed, “Okay, lets do this, I need to check out the changes I went through and to get cleaned up. To do that we need to move to the next room, so lets go over there and somebody can explain to just what the hell the Wild Hunt is and what I'm suppose to do with it!”
Putting action to his words Harry stood up while cradling the egg and moved off to the other room with goblin, horse, and puppies in tow. Upon entering the room it was the full size mirror that drew his attention and he got his first look at himself. Forgetting everything else Harry walked up to the mirror and took it all in. His hair was a thick spiky mane that shaded from black to green and fell down to his lower back, the front was slicked back with dried blood but Harry thought it would be long enough to partially cover his eyes when clean. Then rising from his hair were two antlers about a foot long and slanted back over his head. Each antler sported two small points at the the bottom and two longer points at top. They were light brown and smooth to the touch, but not cool like he expected them to be, instead they were warm against his finger tips. Moving on Harry pushed back his hair to get a look at his ears which came up to definite delicate points. It was while he was looking at his ears that he noticed his nails which came to a sharp points and that led him to take a look at his teeth which seemed mostly normal except his canines which did seem sharper then they should be.
Stepping back Harry took in the whole image and had to say that it wasn't that bad, he had grown about a foot so he was around six feet now and the hair and antlers seemed to fit him. His eyes seemed to almost glow on their own and his skin had a healthy sun-kissed glow that living in the cupboard had denied him. The only problem that he saw was that the antlers would cause him to stick out more then he wanted to.
“I look pretty good, but I will have to see about an illusion to cover the antlers in public as they might cause me some problems.” Harry told the others as he pulled his hair over his shoulder so he could turn around and get a look at his back. It was then he got his first look at his tattoo of the Wild Hunt, it looked like a huge storm front with lightening flashing across it and down from it, but you could also see other shapes in the clouds. They would form from wisps of cloud and race down the length of the tattoo before being swallowed up once more. “It's gorgeous.”
“Indeed Harry, most impressive. Though it doesn't really do the sheer power of the Hunt justice.” Sheridan replied. “As for your antlers they may hide away if you concentrate on the wish for them to do so.”
“Really?” Harry closed his eyes and thought of his antlers hiding safe away for the time being. He felt a gentle movement and when he opened his eyes the antlers were gone. “I'll let them out when I've settled for the night. Until then it is good for them to stay hidden. Now Sheridan before I get clean does this egg need some hot sand or an incubator to keep it at a certain temperature?”
“No, the egg has bonded with you and it will use your magic to keep itself at the best conditions for a safe hatching. Just keep it close to you so it can have easy access to your magic.” He answered from the corner where he had chosen to stand. The puppies Daray and Saoirse were asleep in a pile under him, they had apparently worn themselves out with their play.
Harry nodded and moved over to the bench to grab his shirt and then headed over to the hot springs. Hey bunched the shirt up and used it as a nest for the egg on the edge of the pool before striping of the blood soaked cloth and stepping into the water. Diving under he quickly soaked his hair through before surfacing and turning to Nagnok who had been quietly watching the whole scene.
“Tell me what you can of the Wild Hunt, and what was that about a Wizard and Wild Magic folk war?” Harry asked as he reached for some shampoo left on the edge and started lathering up his hair.
Nagnok nodded and thought for a moment, “I should start at the beginning I suppose, though I must warn you that most of this is legends and myths. You may have a better resource in your family library, but I will tell you what I have heard.” He took a deep breath and started the tale. “In the beginning there was only the Wild Magic folk, they lived in harmony with the land, though they sometimes they fought between the different groups there had never been a true war. Then one day there came into being a creature that wasn't of the wild magic, in fact it had little to no magic of its own. The wild magic folk took the new beings under their wings and taught them how to survive and live off the land. For a while they lived just like that, then one day a young Fae taught a magically inclined human friend how to do some minor magic tricks and it opened a whole new area of learning for the humans. They lept at the chance to learn and though slightly wary the wild magic folk taught them the craft. It went well for a while until a wizard, as the magic using humans came to be called, found out that the Wild Magic High priest had magic that he refused to teach him. The magic had no everyday use, it was old religious knowledge that was kept by the High priest. It is said that the spells the wizard wanted were used in the creation of the world or something equally important and really didn't need to be known by anyone but the High priest. Hell most of the Wild magic folk hadn't even heard of the spells and the ones who had knew that it wasn't for them to know. But the wizard was incensed over not being allowed the knowledge and he spread the word that the Wild folk were keeping secrets. It caused trouble between the races and before to long the wizards started to think that they were better then the Wild folk. It wasn't long after that that the event that will lead to the War took place.
You see there were potions that required ingredients from living magic creatures and as long as the harvesting didn't kill or harm the creature they usually agreed to donate the ingredient to the wizard, all they had to do was ask. Well one day a wizard approached a unicorn for some scrapings from his horn, normally it wouldn't have been a problem but it was mating season and to find his mate he needed an intact horn. So it was that the unicorn regretfully refused the wizard, but promised that if he could only wait a couple of weeks until the mating season was over he would give him the shavings he needed. But the wizard was furious that the beast would dare to refuse him what he wanted, after all it was an animal and he was a wizard. The creature should gladly leap to do as he asked. So it was the man lost his temper and attacked and killed the young unicorn before taking what he had came for.
When the body was found hounds were brought in to track the culprit to bring justice for the murder. And track him they did, right to his home where he was boasting about his achievement. They moved to administer punishment, but the murderers friends interfered and demanded what right did they have to demand the life of a human over a dead beast. A fight ensued and to bring justice to the murderer they were forced to cut their way through his friends before they could cut him down. Unfortunately that was the event that brought about the war. This was when the Wild Hunt was born, it was created to hunt down the evil doers of the world and played a big part in the war, but even with its help the end of the war was almost certain.
In the last battle the wizards made it into the first sanctuary, the home of the Goddess tree. The Goddess tree was said to have been the first living thing and from it all things came, at the very least it was a door way for the wild magic. The wizards invaded the Goddess tree's sanctuary and destroyed it. The tree fell and the Goddess screamed! She screamed and the sky darkened and the land shook. Volcanoes erupted as the seas roared and rose against the land. In the middle of the chaos a chamber was created deep in the earth for the surviving wild folk, for the Goddess knew that the death of her tree would effect the levels of Wild magic and that some would not survive the lower levels. While most of the wild folk fled to the sanctuary created for them some chose to stay out in the world to keep the knowledge alive and so that they would not be forgotten. The whole goblin race was among those who chose to stay above ground, in fact we were given the honor of guarding the resting place of the others.
As for the wizards, the decimation caused by the Goddess's grief was so great it destroyed all sense of civilization and their society was broken back to the hunting and gathering stage of development. To this day wizard numbers have never again reached what they once were. Now don't get me wrong, not all wizards took part in the war, and not all the ones who fought did so against the Wild folk, but it has left us with poor outlook towards wizard kind.”
Harry nodded as he climbed out of the hot spring and headed for the bench to pull on his pants and shoes, the pants were a little short but would work until he could buy new ones. Then turning he sent the goblin a hard look, “So I am to use them to hunt the evil doer and to pass judgment on others? Who am I to decide that someone should die?”
“It is often said that the one who does not wish such a job is the best one for it.” Sheridan spoke up for the first time since the story started. When the glare was directed at him Sheridan quickly continued. “You do not have to kill those you hunt, but there is a chance you would save lives if you did. You could also give the Wild Hunt another purpose, lead it to another path, just like you found yourself a new path. You are the Hunter, as the leader of the hunt it is your job to lead it, but where you lead it is up to you.”
“I'm tired and there is still so much that needs to be done, I will think on it and see what I come up with.” Harry gathered up the egg and gently slid it into the second pocket of his bag and closed it up tight before pulling on his shirt and slipping the bag's strap over his head and across his chest. He turned to the goblin and thanked him for all his help. “So Nagnok any idea how I get a horse out of here? I don't think he is up for the ride up to the surface.”
Nagnok turned thoughtful eyes to the war horse. “Can't say that I have one. He may be able to follow the tracks but it would be dangerous as there is not always rungs for him to step on.”
“Or I could revert into a tattoo like the wild hunt and let you carry me to the surface. I think it might be easier.” Sheridan snorted at Harry.
“You can do that? Will it hurt like the Wild Hunt did?”
“It will only hurt the first time for both me and the Hunt. The puppies will be able to learn to do it soon as well, it makes it easier for us to stay with you.” Sheridan walked up to Harry and stretched out his nose and waited. Harry sighed and placed his hand on the horse's muzzle. There was the familiar burning pain that caused Harry to gasp and clench his hands, but is soon passed and when it did there was a life like tattoo of Sheridan on Harry's forearm. Harry turn once more to the bench to grab his money pouch and wand, slipping each into a different pants pocket. That is when he found the ID and remembered that he still had to add his picture. Glancing in the mirror to see if he was presentable Harry noticed that his hair had already dried. Deciding that he looked good enough he held up the card at face level and swiped his finger over it to take the picture. There was a flash and when it cleared a small picture of himself was waving up at him. Harry slipped the ID into his pocket before walking over and scooping up a puppy in each arm.
“Nagnok if you would be so kind as to show us up to the lobby I would appreciate it immensely.” Harry bowed slightly.
“It would be my pleasure, Lord Harry Potter-Black Leader of the Hunt.” Nagnok gave a much deeper bow and led the young Lord to the cart to start the trip to the surface.
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Legacies