by Terry Schott
"Never mind." Leo slapped the other man on the shoulder. "Lead me to this Magus. I am eager to learn more."
***
Stick finished his breakfast, took a sip of xai, and pushed his plate away. He looked around the coffeehouse to see if he recognized anyone, but didn’t. The door to the establishment opened and Lenidas entered. He stopped at a table near the front door, leaning down to converse with a large man who was smiling up at him. The two laughed and Lenidas patted the man on the back. Then he looked around, saw Stick, and waved as he moved towards him.
"Morning, Stick."
"Leo."
"I thought Mouse was coming today?"
"He had to deal with an emergency. Slight problem with one of his agents."
Lenidas frowned. "Which one?"
"A young agent keeping tabs on a Council of Law member. He was breaking into the man’s house to see what he could find and the wife came back early."
"She caught him?"
Stick nodded. "Things got a bit hysterical from the woman’s point of view. She started screaming and the agent knocked her out."
"Damn."
Stick shrugged. "Not a huge deal. The agent panicked and got word to Mouse. He’s over there now making sure the authorities think it was just an alley thug robbing the house. You get me instead."
Lenidas chuckled and signalled to the waitress. She saw him and nodded before going to the front counter where they prepared the drinks. "I’ve been here too long. I want to come back home."
"It’s been a month since we found you, and you were only here for a couple of months before that. Doesn’t seem like a terrible amount of time."
"Easy for you to say. You aren’t secluded and away from the action."
"It’s not safe yet. Three months isn’t enough time for the king to forget what you did. Come back and he will have you in chains the first day."
"I told you I had a plan for that."
"But you didn’t tell any of us what it is."
"The time wasn’t right." Lenidas stopped speaking and looked up with a smile as the waitress arrived with his cup of xai. She left and he reached for the honey on the table.
Stick watched the other man pour a spoonful of honey into his cup, stir it, and then raise it to his lips and take a sip. "Am I to guess that the time is right now?"
"It is."
"What’s your plan then?"
"I’m surprised you haven’t guessed."
"I think I have."
"Really?"
"There’s only one solution to the problem."
"There are a few."
"One simple solution."
Lenidas set his cup down on the table. "None are simple. What is my plan?"
Stick looked around to make sure no one was listening, and then leaned forward to whisper. "The only way for you to return is if King Adam dies."
Lenidas nodded.
"But you don’t want to do that. He’s your friend."
"He accused me of killing his father."
Stick shrugged "Yes."
"What do you mean‘yes’?"
Stick watched Lenidas for a moment and then laughed. "Oh. You mean you didn’t?"
"Of course not."
"Ah. Okay. Well that’s interesting."
"Let me get this straight: you all believed that I actually murdered the king?"
"Of course."
"Why would I do that? And why wouldn’t any of you ask me about it?"
"We follow you and trust your judgement. The act made sense, the only confusing part was doing it yourself and getting caught by the prince, but we thought that was just bad luck."
"I can assure you that it wasn’t me. My best guess is that Adam had his father killed and decided to blame it on me."
Stick considered the idea and nodded. "That could be the way it went." He chuckled. "It also explains why you aren’t too upset about the prospect of killing Adam."
"With him dead, I can come back."
"The Council of Law will arrest you."
"We own enough of the Council to be certain I will not be harmed by them. They may arrest me, but I will go free soon enough."
"Adam’s death will leave the kingdom with no ruler. Chaos will result."
"You say that as if it’s a bad thing."
"We will use the confusion to capitalize and grow?"
Lenidas smiled.
Stick finished his xai and stood. "Then it looks like we have a royal assassination to plan."
"Bring the others back so that we may finalize the plan."
Stick nodded and exited the coffeehouse.
Lenidas leaned back, sipped his xai, and smiled.
64
Ricin led Leo below deck and down a small, narrow hallway. At the end was a door, which the warrior rapped three times with his knuckle.
They heard a muffled voice tell them to come in, and Ricin opened the door and entered.
The room was much bigger than the dimensions of the ship should have allowed. A dull grey light allowed Leo to see the entire room. Furs of varying colours, shapes, and sizes adorned the walls and seating area. Books, crystals, different-sized bowls, and a myriad of other interesting items lay scattered across small tables and the floor. A thin haze of blue smoke floated throughout but seemed denser near the couches where the Magus sat on cushions, a long, thin wooden pipe sticking out the side of his mouth as he looked down at a leather-bound book resting in his lap. The two men approached and he continued to read, puffing on the pipe and releasing blue smoke as his eyes moved from one word to another. Moments passed and Leo could tell the old man had reached the bottom of the page. At that point, the Magus nodded and closed the book, looking up as the tome snapped shut. He dropped the volume on the couch beside him and stood, smiling.
"Here he is." The Magus walked toward them, one hand extended with the palm facing forward. "The mysterious man who rejected my gift of lightning. Welcome aboard." He stopped an arm’s length from Leo and moved his palm first down and then up, closing his eyes and chanting a strange word.
Leo looked at Ricin, who raised his eyebrows and shrugged.
The chanting stopped. The Magus opened his eyes, and a fine black fog materialized around Leo for an instant before shimmering and vanishing.
"Interesting." The older man nodded and stroked his long, silver beard. "You do not appear to be a threat. Magically, at least. It looks as if I am able to invite you to sit with me, if you would like."
"After you going to all the trouble of bringing me onboard, it would be rude not to join you. Thank you for the invitation. I am honoured."
The Magus went back to the couch. He sat and indicated empty spots for the other two men. "Ricin, you may stay as well."
When they were all sitting, the Magus chuckled and ran a hand through his wild hair. Leo smiled as the wiry mess flattened, then sprang back up as the old man’s hand receded. "It was no trouble bringing you here," the Magus said. "A simple spell to push the wood of the ship through the water was the only thing required of me."
"But Ricin encouraged me to hurry. He said you could not hold the spell for long."
"I had been holding the spell for hours by the time we reached you. The spell was not difficult to conjure, but it was a bit of a bear to maintain." He looked at Ricin and winked. "Even still, I could have maintained it for much longer. I just told our death priest that to make certain he did not stay too long on your boat and send any poor souls on to the afterlife who did not need to visit that land just yet."
Ricin frowned. "I would not have done so, Magus."
"And how would I know that? I’ve seen pleasant days turned into blood-soaked hells once or twice in my life. once or twice during my life. The worst of those days seemed to occur when your kind was nearby."
"I am the only one of my kind, old one."
"For this generation." The Magus shrugged. "There have been times when Death decides to build an entire army of servants to roam the land." He reached for his pipe and stuck it into
his mouth again. "Those are times best read about in history, let me tell you. Living them is a struggle."
"You have lived so long?" Leo asked.
"Perhaps. Or it might be that I simply read about such things in history books."
"I would like to read such books."
"I imagine you would." The Magus lit his pipe, puffed on it a few times, then leaned back with a sigh. "So, what brings you to the ocean, Leo?"
"The same thing that brings all men. Desire for adventure."
The Magus chuckled. "I am pleased to know that you are not here to wield magic upon the water."
"I am not capable of casting magic. I told Ricin that already."
"You’re right. You can’t cast magic. I agree."
"You do?"
"Of course."
"Then why bring me here?"
He waved his palm at Leo. "The little ritual I performed when you entered this room told me all I need to know about your magic abilities, or lack thereof."
"What was the black haze that surrounded me?"
"Someone has placed wards upon you."
"Wards?"
"Aye. An aura of magic to protect you from other spells. That is how you resisted my lightning. When it got close to you, the protective spell triggered and saved you and those nearby." He shook his head. "A shame you were standing near the captain at the time. If I’d been able to fry him, we could have easily taken that ship."
"He’s a friend."
"Then you’re likely glad he’s still alive."
Leo nodded.
"You’re not a mage, but you are still someone very important."
"I’m not."
The Magus chuckled. "You are acquainted with Ricin here, and there is someone in your life powerful enough to place a protective spell on you. It is a very strong spell, one that recharges as you use it. These types of friendships do not develop between common people, Leo."
Leo stared at the Magus, keeping his expression blank.
"Not interested in telling me?"
"I would, but there is nothing to tell. I’m a man who runs a business in a small kingdom. There is not more to my life than that."
"Yet."
"I beg your pardon?"
"I see you, Leo Wrathson."
Leo frowned. "I see you too, Magus."
Ricin and the Magus laughed.
"What’s so funny?" Leo asked.
"He does not mean that he simply sees you," Ricin explained. "His words are an ancient phrase."
"Meaning what?"
"Meaning"—the Magus reached into a small pouch and removed some dried leaves, which he stuffed into the bowl of his pipe—"that you are a person of importance and I recognize that."
"It is more than that," Ricin said. "Seeing you has triggered a vision in which he sees you through time, both your past and, more importantly, your future."
"You’re a fortune-teller?"
"Of a sort." The Magus tamped the contents of the pipe bowl and reached for a long match. "I can tell that your fate and the future of this world is tied to you." He flicked the match with his fingertip and it hissed as flame appeared. "Your presence will affect the workings of both this world and the people who live in it."
"In a significant way?" Leo sniffed as the old man lit his pipe. The smell was familiar to him, but he could not quite place it.
"In a very powerful way, or ways." Ricin nodded.
"Tell me what you see."
"That is not permitted." The Magus' cheeks puffed twice as he stared at Leo. "But I think that I will tell you some small part anyway."
Ricin’s eyes widened and he shook his head. "There are serious penalties for that, Magus."
"They are mine to pay, not yours, priest." He grinned and took the pipe from his mouth. "Leave if you wish no part in this, but I will share a few words with Leo."
Ricin’s expression looked as if he had just eaten something sour. "I will stay and hear what you tell him."
The Magus laughed. "I thought so." He sat forward and placed one hand on Leo’s knee. "I see many things when I look at you, Leo. I will break the rules of the universe in order to share two of the secrets I glimpse with you."
"Which secrets, Magus?"
The old man’s eyes seemed to sparkle. "Those of time." He paused. "And agriculture."
65
Doc Johnston scribbled a note into his journal and then looked at his patient. "My measurements agree with your intuition."
Syntha smiled and placed a hand on her swollen belly. "You think it’s going to be a boy as well?"
"I do."
"Leo will be pleased."
The doctor frowned and looked back at his journal. "He certainly would be."
"I’m sorry, Doc. Sometimes I feel as if he’s still alive—"
"That’s okay, dear. It feels that way to all of us from time to time." He dropped his pen onto the journal and removed his glasses. "I want you to know that all of us are here for you."
Syntha nodded and smiled.
"And for the baby. You will not be alone in raising him."
"Thank you, Doc. I am fortunate to have you, Mouse, Oak, and Stick looking out for me. Life will be good." She paused. "As good as it can be, considering."
"It is said that a person dies twice. Once, the day they draw their last breath, and again as their name passes over a living person’s lips for the last time." The doctor reached out to pat Syntha’s shoulder. "If that is the way of things, then Leo will not die a second time. Your son will hear of his father often."
Syntha wiped a tear from her eye and nodded.
***
Leo stood at the ship’s railing and looked down at the pier. He was the only man still aboard. The majority of the crew stood on the dock, forming a friendly circle around a sailor dressed in a bright red silk shirt and expensive leather boots and pants. A sailor left the circle and approached the man, giving him a hand-sized leather bag and exchanging a hug before returning to the circle. A stack of leather bags was beginning to pile up beside the man in the middle.
"Quite the spectacle, wouldn’t you agree?"
Leo glanced at Ricin as the warrior priest approached. "It is, indeed." He looked back towards the group. "Each bag contains gold?"
"Mmhmm." Ricin leaned against the railing. "When a man becomes a pirate, a ledger is created in his name. Every scrap of plunder acquired during that man’s time as a crew member is accounted for and divided fairly between everyone. When the time comes to retire, the pirate chooses his port and they drop him off." Ricin nodded at the silk-clad man below. "Arn has been with this crew for years. He leaves the sea with a substantial fortune to his name."
"Sailors on regular ships spend their entire lives on the water and retire with little to no money."
"That is so."
"The pirate system seems to be beneficial to everyone involved."
Ricin laughed and nodded. "I’m glad you like it, Leo. When the captain comes aboard, he will offer you Arn’s vacant spot on the roster."
"Really?"
Ricin nodded.
"That is very kind of him."
"Kindness has nothing to do with it. The Magus and I have both spoken on your behalf. Being accepted onto a pirate ship is a very honourable thing."
Leo laughed but stopped when Ricin did not join him. "You’re serious?"
"Yes."
"You speak of honour amongst pirates."
"You find that amusing because you only know the stories told by non-pirates." Ricin nodded at the group below. "These men are the best at what they do. Each position is carefully considered and filled, based not on wealth or birth, but on an individual’s ability to do what is needed for the betterment of the crew."
"I continue to be fascinated by the reality of this group."
"Stay with us and learn even more."
"I am honoured to be offered a chance." Leo turned to look at the warrior. "But I must return home as soon as possible."
"Of course.
The Magus assured you that would happen if you desired it."
"Thank you."
"It will take two months to arrive in Castanell."
"Two months for me to learn more about you pirates."
Ricin laughed and slapped Leo on the back. "I suppose that I am a pirate, but will only be so for a short while longer."
"How long?"
"Apparently, about two months."
"Then what will you do?"
"Join you, if you will allow it."
Leo smiled and bowed. "Now you honour me."
Ricin returned the bow.
66
Lenidas exited his manor and disappeared down the street. Five minutes later, a tall man dressed in a black hooded robe crossed the street, approached the front door, and knocked.
The door opened and a young man answered. "May I help you?"
"I would speak with your master," the Chronicler said.
"He is not here."
"Then I will wait for him to return."
The young man hesitated. "Would you consider returning in two hours? He will be gone until then and visitors are not allowed to wait inside the manor."
"Two hours?"
"Yes."
"I won’t return later."
"As you wish." The servant began to shut the door but the Chronicler placed one hand to stop him. "I will leave him a note."
"That would be acceptable."
"Well then, let me in."
"Sir." The servant’s expression was uncomfortable. "I am not allowed to do so."
The Chronicler glared at the servant. "Young man, one of two things is about to happen." He held up one finger. "I will enter this house for a brief moment and write a note for your master." He shook his head and held up a second finger. "Or I will stand here for two hours and speak with the owner of this house when he does return." He looked the servant up and down, folding his arms.
The servant fidgeted. "If he asks, tell him that you wrote the note outside and did not come into the house."
"That is exactly what I will tell him."
The door opened wider. "Come with me, then."
The servant led the way down a hall. "I will take you to the library, but please be quick about writing the note. I worry that the master is testing me and I am headed for trouble."