March Forth (The Woodford Chronicles Book 1) by Deirdre S. Hopton Read Free Book Online

Steven became a student. 
    He learned, over the next two years, that magic was incredibly responsive to belief. The actual molecular energy would transmutate in reaction to certain beliefs, or lack of belief.  Therefore, someone who didn’t believe in magic would never actually see magic, in its raw state.  The organization, in containing the energy and using it as a tool of sorts – a fuel for their technological tools, really – had found ways to keep it “sanitized,” unaffected by belief.
    He learned that the color black attracted natural energy, and that energy could be used to boost the magical energy that powered their technological instruments.  For that reason, all of the organization’s uniforms were black. 
    He learned that many magic-powered tools had been invented and developed by the organization for which he now worked.  Specifically, they had been invented by Chief Admiral David Carver.  The man had apparently started out as an old-school practitioner of magic, engaged in occult dealings and elaborate rituals.  Somehow, over time, he had figured out how to isolate the magical energy and use it to power technological devices that made it accessible to the common man.  He had enlisted the help of others, of inventors and soldiers and anyone else he could find.  They had tweaked, streamlined, and upgraded the devices as new technologies were developed.  Eventually, the government began subsidizing the development. 
    It started as a small group.  Carver hand selected a few people to help him bring his ideas to life.  Then, as their budget grew and the government’s interest in their work heightened, they started bringing in more experts and using their inventions to serve the greater good of their country.   They set up shop in Maine, and enlisted people from various branches of the military. The organization was formed.
    Many of the original devices invented by Carver were still used by the organization, and Steven learned to use them well. One such instrument, sardonically called “the Wand,” was standard issue for all operatives.  It had the power to alter molecules and transform existing reality and even to track individual molecules, among other things.  If one wished it, they could use their Wand (which was actually a small, rectangular device that looked not unlike a smart phone) to make someone invisible; they could then use the Wand to find the invisible person, wherever they might be.
    Another instrument, given the witty moniker “the Broom,” allowed agents to travel hundreds of miles within seconds just by pushing a button.
    Steven learned to use such devices with skill, and how to live as an operative in such a secret organization.  He learned the importance of secrecy, and of dedication to furthering the cause of using accessible magic to support the greater good. 
    Mostly, though, he learned a lot about Chief Admiral David Carver.
    Carver, as Steven would learn, had deserted his post eighteen years earlier.  He had gotten the organization up and running, invented the basic tools they used and inspired them to continue the work, and then he had simply, inexplicably disappeared.   It was said that he had become more and more withdrawn in his last few years before deserting, isolating himself completely from his fellow operatives.  His behavior became odd and erratic.  He would disappear for long lengths of time, and come back… changed .   He would never tell any of his operatives details about where he went during these disappearances, only saying he was gathering data. 
    His eyes told a different story though, as they grew more haunted and more distant with each disappearance.  He seemed to be slipping into a dark, lonely world, and no one knew how to reach out to him and bring him back to their reality.  Some pontificated that all of his work with the magical energy was backfiring, and the energy was somehow taking him over.  He did not share what went on in