by Vance Huxley
“Would you like to come into the garden? It’s really pretty, and there are daffodils further inside.” Kelis didn’t hide her distaste. “Though you would probably want your apprentice to come in first.” Abel assumed she’d either worked out what the sorcerer had done, or maybe just didn’t like his manner.
“That is one reason for having apprentices, to go into suspicious places first. My main concern is my monopoly in Stourton. Elrond told me you are a charity.” The magnificent sneer and glance at Elrond meant he didn’t believe it.
“It’s a new approach, since none of you sorcerers seemed interested in helping Brinsford.” Abel tried for nonchalance. “So far, so good, though as yet we’ve concentrated on the villages.”
Pendragon waved a negligent hand. “There’s no money out here. The witches were supposed to deal with it.” He glanced at the house. “Though a sorcerer claimed this village and the nearby area. Nobody has heard of him in over a hundred years, but that doesn’t really prove anything. You being in his garden does. You can have all the villages if you give me access to the house and gardens.”
“No!”
Abel didn’t need Ferryl to tell him that was a bad idea. “No. You don’t want the villages anyway, and the garden alone will kill you.” He skipped around the house part. “We want to carry out charity work in Stourton in any area that isn’t protected, especially where our trainees live. Since we won’t charge, it isn’t affecting your income.”
“That will not be acceptable. Once word spreads, my customers will flock to get free protection and will then want you to carry out other work. I paid a substantial sum to get the Stourton monopoly because of the business park, and will not let that go.” Pendragon braced himself. “I will take all of you as apprentices? Judging by your performance to date,” he cast a withering glance at Elrond, “senior apprentices. That is a very good offer for anyone your age. You will be provided with a good income for not too much work and will progress to be a sorcerer or sorceress.” His eyes swept the group. “The competition would sharpen up my current apprentices.”
“You missed a bit. The magical tether.” Ferryl/Jenny pointed, no doubt straight at where it came from. “We’ve just seen how that works.”
Pendragon’s eyes narrowed, then he gave a short laugh. “Very good. You really can see through the seeming, can’t you?” Elrond looked startled when his boss shimmered and became a shorter, stouter man with brown eyes, wearing jeans and a casual jacket. “You are right of course, this is more comfortable. Now I really am interested in having you as apprentices, enough to make your income very tempting. I’d like to know how you did that without using a glyph, and I’d love to meet that hunter.”
“He would not! I could black his eye now his shield has gone.”
“No, Zephyr. We are safe in here and don’t want to make an enemy.” Abel answered Pendragon with a shake of the head. “No thanks, because you’ll still want a tether.”
“Are none of your trainees tethered?” Abel shook his head. “So they could join me?”
“Providing you explain the tether first, you can approach any of the Taverners. You must tell them exactly what it does.” Abel looked at Elrond to make his point. He would be ringing around to warn the entire Tavern as soon as this bloke left.
“Don’t try to snatch any or trick them. There are a lot of us, and not just around here.” From his voice, Abel could picture how Rob had gripped his bat. “It would be expensive if we nipped down to the industrial estate to make a few free offers, like hexes for instance. You’d never have enough watchers to stop us all.”
“Though if you leave us be, we promise not to poach.” Abel thought he’d better take some of the threat out of that.
“You really do need training. I can’t snatch the trainees, as you put it, without their agreement. Well I can, but forcing a tether past a ward might kill them or drive them insane. I tested that new hex of yours very carefully, the one some of them wear as a ward, and it is surprisingly efficient. How you did that is another question I’d like answered. It’s not as good as the true wards the others have, but it would be troublesome.” Pendragon seemed genuinely puzzled. “How did you learn to see the tether and about seemings, and tame that hunter, without knowing the basics? I really would like to meet your teacher.”
“You might have. He or she might be here, now.” She was, stood right next to Abel.
Pendragon looked from one to the other. “No, you are all too young and it isn’t a seeming. My apprentices watched you at school, and a seeming would have shown with all the physical contact. Not only that, but a sorcerer or sorceress isn’t going to spend all day attending lessons. Very well, until I know more you may carry out your charity work providing you do not impact my business. I will be making enquiries. One day we may have a very different conversation, one where you had better hope your mentor is present.” With that he turned on his heel and headed back to the car!
Elrond glared at Abel then followed, quickly overtaking his master. Once they reached the boundary Abel found out why, Pendragon swerved and reached out a hand to grab a boundary post. “Hey!” Even as Abel called out a Ferryl glyph flew from Jenny’s hand, growing and becoming more solid as it sped across the gap. Elrond must have been waiting for it, immediately sending a glyph to intercept.
Even as Abel raised his hand, Ferryl/Jenny’s glyph split into four pieces and swerved around Elrond’s. His glyph hit one piece, producing smoke or steam, but the other three recombined and knocked a startled Pendragon’s hand aside. Meanwhile Kelis reached past Abel and released her glyph, though she missed Elrond. Elrond raised a hand, then sneered as he saw the glyph flying wide, assuming that Kelis must be barely trained. It passed him at knee height, then his eyes widened and he staggered as his leg buckled. Kelis had reversed the wind, yanking it back behind his knee. “Gotcha, sucker.” At least Kelis only murmured that though Elrond raised his hand again, face twisted in anger and embarrassment.
Pendragon inspected the hand Ferryl had hit, raising the other to stop Elrond. The growing glyph disappeared. The sorcerer raised both hands, backs towards Abel to demonstrate he wasn’t threatening, though as he did Zephyr murmured, “His shield is back.”
“My apologies. I only wanted to tempt you into showing your hunter. Instead I learned that you are both capable and very restrained.” Pendragon looked from one to another. “You’ve just confirmed my initial assessment. You all have too much knowledge and skill for your age. Worse, none of you are under control. I really will investigate and might even take it to the Council, though I would rather recruit you all?”
“No thanks, but after that attempt we have to expect more. We will take away one business in Stourton for every boundary post you or yours remove.” Abel suddenly wondered if the sorcerer pulled up the others, at school. “From anywhere.”
“I would not be so petty.” He bent to put a card on the ground. “My business card, if you change your minds. Once you report to your teacher, he or she might agree to see me.” Once again the sorcerer turned and walked away, but this time he got into his Bentley and his two watchers followed. Elrond trotted off down the road towards his BMW.
“I may take it to the Council.” Kelis hadn’t got the tone quite right, but near enough. “What Council? The County Council? They haven’t even fixed the road properly since the Shade ripped it up last year.” She turned to Ferryl/Jenny. “Any ideas?”
“Maybe. There is a Magical Council, though without a leader it hasn’t really had any authority for hundreds of years. Not unless a very strong sorcerer seized power while I was imprisoned.” Ferryl/Jenny sounded quite cheerful. “Pendragon will be really annoyed at not getting to see Zephyr. Could you ask her to make sure the cars and watchers have left, please?”
A thought sent the sprite winging upwards, but only far enough to hide in the treetops. “They are driving away. There are no watchers, or any others trying to break the boundary.” Zephyr swooped, then flew back up to snatc
h a fae. As usual it bubbled and disappeared when she closed around it.
“She is feeding well, and growing faster than expected. It must be all the flying and hunting.”
“Maybe she can split in two or have babies if she gets too big, then I could raise one?” Rob laughed at everyone’s expressions. “Hey, I can dream. I also dream of a proper seeming now. I’d really like to do that, stay in my jeans instead of bothering with school uniform.” The rest started teasing him about wanting a pointy beard, before settling down to discuss the sorcerer. He might not be the one testing the defences, because Pendragon seemed to think he could come to a business agreement with whoever was in charge.
“Another car is coming. It has different magic, like that around Shannon’s and Mark’s crosses.”
“Hide in your tattoo when it gets near, Zephyr. If this is Vicar Creepio, he is very dangerous.” A car bearing church magic made Abel wary. “Why would he visit now?” Nobody had any idea, but nobody thought it would be good.
Though when the car drew up and the Vicar, as he preferred being called, strolled over, he seemed to be in a good mood. “So Pendragon didn’t recruit you? Quelle surprise. Though I half expected a cloud of smoke or something unpleasant rampaging across the countryside. Sorcerers do not take rejection very well.”
Kelis laughed, possibly in relief because the other man, the magical bodyguard, stayed in the car this time. “He’s even agreed we can carry out charity work in Stourton.”
“Really? Impressive. Did your shy friend persuade him?” The Vicar meant Ferryl, who he’d never seen though he really wanted to.
“No.” Abel smiled happily. “He did a trick, we did one, and he left.”
“Did you take my name in vain again?” Mysterio didn’t seem quite as happy now. “I dislike sorcerers poking their noses into my business. As I understand it someone used me as a threat.”
“No, we just said an Archbishop knew about the charity work.”
Rob interrupted Abel. “Shannon said you would be unhappy if he attacked a member of the church, one who went to a church school.”
“I would be, and that is another worry. You are tempting possible clergy away from mother church. Though I am both intrigued and reassured that your new hex does not seem to find the church a threat. I spoke to a young man who wore both a cross and a wooden plaque.” The Vicar frowned, looking at Abel’s arm and then briefly inspecting the rest of them. “He is very confused about how magic and faith can exist together.”
“I’ll bet he’s called Mark. When we first found out about magic, some of the new users were churchgoers so we found out a cross and a hex on wood do the same job. Since we aren’t anti-church, the church-goers kept playing the game though Mark is really worried. I’m pleased someone from the church finally listened to him. He’s been trying to get his local priest to discuss magic but keeps being told to pray creatures out of existence.” Kelis leant forward. “Did you reassure him? He still believes in your God and wants to know if he’s sinning.”
“The priests usually report someone who keeps complaining of strange visions, and that works its way up to clergy with more knowledge. Then a Bishop will arrange to meet the young man.” Creepio smiled a little wryly. “Or woman now, in some cases, since we have relaxed the criteria a little. They are offered counselling and eventually a position in the church, in a branch that handles magic. Someone suitable will speak to Mark now I have alerted them. I do not recruit, I investigate problems.”
“Are we a problem?” Abel knew Castle House interested the church, but the sorcerer seemed more worried about trainees running around without control.
“Oddly enough, no. Or not yet. When Pendragon came to see you I half expected to be forced to step in, then you would have owed me a favour. Now I find myself in the strange position of having to ask for your help without any leverage.” Vicar Mysterio actually looked a little embarrassed.
“From us?” All four voices answered in unison, which made him smile.
“Yes, I know, it is a change of pace from threatening God’s SAS. I looked into this game, Bonny’s Tavern, because Mark really seemed taken by it. When I first met you, I mentioned how the old compact betwixt believer and unbeliever, magic and faith, had been forgotten?” He looked enquiringly at Abel and Kelis.
“God wars and all that, and gaps in the magical protection of the countryside. We’ve noticed gaps in town as well.” Abel didn’t hide his distaste. “Where they can’t afford you or a sorcerer.”
“I wish it were otherwise, but God wars are expensive. Your game may help but your storyline is a little loose. Players just choose a character and head off on a quest for no real reason.”
Now all four of them really were lost. “That’s how most games are. There’s some sort of vague background as an excuse, or an overall campaign to save humanity or become the king, but the quests or missions are the gameplay.” Abel shrugged. “The quests build up skills and expertise, with special weapons or prizes at the end which are why the characters choose them. Why else would a bunch of misfits and rivals meeting in a tavern join together to risk their lives?”
“Because the ancient pact betwixt magic and faith has broken down? The poor peasants are being preyed upon while the sorcerers and churchmen sit in their castles, fat and happy.” Creepio chuckled. “That really is true about the sorcerers, and too many churchmen for my peace of mind. A storyline like that could be used to embarrass a few into trying harder.”
“Seriously? You want us to take the… Er, make fun of the church?” Rob floundered for a moment. “Won’t God’s SAS be upset?”
“Not really. They have a sense of humour, allegedly. I’m reliably informed some of them find your nickname for them amusing. The real reason I am asking is that just having the truth out there, even disguised as a story, may help. Education these days, as far as that bit of history is concerned, really is falling down very badly. I don’t mean in schools because it isn’t their job. Priests and witches used to deal with anyone magically inclined, helping and training them.” Creepio looked from one to the other, his expression totally serious. “Now, as you can see, there is a real problem. Witches are dying out, and we are taking away all the magically inclined members of the clergy for God wars. The lay preachers or priests have no idea what is happening when dealing with magical awakening.” His usual attitude had disappeared; right now the Archbishop seemed to be just a man with a problem.
Abel looked at the other three. Ferryl/Jenny didn’t look keen, but Ferryl hated the church anyway. “It wouldn’t be a problem, and won’t even alter the gameplay much. We could have more quests to rescue villagers from something or other, including grasping sorcerers and Bishops? Others would appeal to rogues and thieves, like robbing cathedrals instead of just castles.”
“We could even put in the charitable bit, maybe quests setting up or supporting some type of food and shelter for the victims of wars, plagues or high taxes. Saint Georgeous would go for that.” Abel saw the Vicar’s lip twitch when Kelis mentioned the beautiful but androgynous paladin. “Most players would still go for the grab, bash and battle options, but others might fancy a truly noble quest.”
The vicar switched to Ferryl/Jenny, curious about her obvious reluctance. “You don’t seem keen. Are you a new recruit?” Mysterio seemed to be back on balance, with a slightly mocking glance at where she held Abel’s hand.
“A recent one. Abel used magic to help me after an accident and suddenly I could see a very different world.” Ferryl/Jenny smiled sweetly, “And a whole new Abel.”
“Though we’ve got players discovering magic in other places as well, without being told or shown. Some are a bit too far away for us to help them easily.” Abel hesitated about mentioning Kieran by name, then decided against it for now.
“If they are church members, let your local Bishop know. He will make sure someone goes to help them. You may lose a recruit?” Now Mysterio had gone back to being cautious.
“Bu
t they won’t think they’ve gone crazy. We’ll call if necessary.” Kelis seemed happy with the idea, as was Abel. “We aren’t deliberately recruiting, and have never asked anyone to choose us over the church. Nor do we use tethers.”
A smile broke over the Vicar’s face. “Your skill and knowledge grows, but you all still have morals. This gets more and more interesting. I hope you and your refreshingly new outlook survive contact with real life.” He looked up and down the road, then up at the house with a small frown. “Speaking of surviving contact, the house still seems to be firmly locked down. I half expected you to be tempted into trying to get inside. Have you made any progress?” If Abel hadn’t been paying close attention, he’d have missed the slight edge to the last question.
“Not without a key. We are definitely not breaking in.”
“Very wise.” Creepio’s manner became more brisk, business-like. “If you could adjust that game, I really would be grateful. Even if only a couple of hundred young people ever see it, that would help the four or five who might need guidance.”
“Grateful enough to give us a chance to sort out a problem, rather than bring in the big guns? We don’t want Brinsford included in the collateral if something gets out of the house.” It had to be worth trying, because in the past the vicar hadn’t seemed too worried about dead unbelievers. He’d more or less promised total war if something nasty escaped from Castle House.
Vicar Mysterio really thought about it before answering. “I cannot make promises, but if you can help the church by spreading knowledge of the old compact I will try. I will stress that it would be in the best interests of Mother Church to carefully consider any possible damage to innocents in this area, especially before unleashing our less controllable and more violent assets. That is the best I can promise.”
The careful wording persuaded Abel, the Vicar meant it. “We will seriously consider adding to the back story behind Bonny’s Tavern. We will not send the result for church approval, nor will we be kind to the church. From where we see it, the church is just as greedy as the sorcerers.”