The Pandora Trigger

Notes: Well for my first trick I will share an idea I had coming out of Borders last night. I have no frickin idea where this one is headed but it seemed to be to be pulling me towards:

1. Guns as a form of magic
2. A female protagonist (I get these a lot, I like women what can I say)
3. Quasi-Historical Earth
4. The Catholic Church as shady friend or foe
5. The Thirty Years War

I guess we shall see if it goes anywhere. Until then I offer to you, an excerpt of Chapter Three of The Pandora Trigger: Previously General von Mansfeld and his protestant army had enlisted the daughter of Gustav Friedric, Amelia Friedric as a Mistress of the Gun. This was done partially because his opponent, Count Tilly and his Catholic army would never allow a female to be Gun Master. Now a mysterious blind Hungarian has arrived, seeking her audience.

Amelia stood surrounded by the Protestant soldiers who had placed their bodies between her and the mysterious man. In war there are many awful odors and as girl growing up in a city, she had experienced more foul smells than she had sweet ones. The odor flowing off of this man was terrific however; it acted almost like a strong wind, repelling everyone and driving them before a storm. Her green eyes felt the sting of tears and her stomach threatened to unload the burden of her breakfast. The wretch was dressed in noble clothing however, and barely had a speck of dust on his rich black riding boots. No sweat stains marred the picture of beauty of the finely tailored clothes.

The man himself was far too pale and his hair stringy and haphazardly placed upon his spotted skull. He bore no other facial hair nor were any angry wisps trying to escape the clothes around his chest. To Amelia, the man seemed like a horrible goblin wearing the skin of a man he had killed.

“How do you know me and my father, Herr Bardok.” She asked, folding her hands together tighter to stop them from trembling.

The man smiles. “Fraulein Amelia, everyone who dabbles in the esoteric intricacies of the Arquebus has heard of Herr Friedric and his apprenticed daughter. So shocking it is to the established order to have a woman handle the mysteries of the gun, let alone one who does so with such skill. My people have heard of you. Both of you.”

At that Amelia shivered and looked to the soldiers around her. A voice inside of her told her to order them to attack but something about the man both frightened and intrigued her. His voice was smooth and melodious, the kind of voice that soothe a mind to sleep. Indeed her guards seemed dazed and she herself suppressed the urge to yawn. She was also sure that the man, despite his frail appearance, would be too dangerous even for three experienced soldiers. Amelia felt naked without her own gun at hand and none of the soldiers carried them.

“Who are your people, if I may ask?”

He smiled. “Oh you may and I shall answer. We are a tribe of wanderers who have served both Christian and Muslim lords. Now we wish to serve the Protestant cause, through serving you.”

'There is danger here.' Amelia thinks to herself but the rest of the army is busy with the preparations of battle and seem to be ignoring her. Her own guards seem enspelled and her mind feels slow, cold, and clouded. She and her guards are in no position to counter this man's magics.