by Vance Huxley
“No, I dropped my bag when Pendragon came out, and it laid on the footpath through the whole thing.” Abel opened it up. “Even our phones survived, which will save some trouble at home, though explaining our clothes will be bad enough.”
“Except my phone.” Rob pointed to a blackened lump on the floor next to him. “My next costume won’t have pockets, then it can stay safely hidden in a backpack like the rest. Though I haven’t really got any pockets now.” Several Taverners smiled as he pulled at his rags to demonstrate.
“My cue.” Shannon stood up, zipping up her borrowed hoody. “You know how I feel. If I think I can go with whatever you come up with, I’m in. If it tends too much towards the dark side, I’m out. My preference is towards the Saint Georgeous end of the spectrum but not too saintly.” She raised a hand to touch a couple of bald patches. “I want to let my hair down now and then, once it grows again. If I can borrow the taxi fare I’ll deal with the shopping.”
“I’ll go with whatever you agree, as long as this place remains a refuge.” Frederick smiled up at Shannon. “Since Abel is going to be generous and buy the clothes from the loot, I’ll raid the petty cash for taxi fares.” Three others announced they would go with whatever the rest came up with, and filed out.
∼∼
An awkward silence followed, until Kelis raised her glass of cola in a mock salute to Abel. “To the master of Castle House. I suppose we’d better explain that bit first.”
The ice giant nodded slowly. “Since that means you administer High and Low Justice in Stourton. I’m definitely nervous because I remember what that means, from my history lessons, and I’m fairly sure it was abolished long ago.” Several faces, Abel’s among them, looked shocked as they remembered what Rob said. “I’m really curious how that works because I’m sure the police think it’s their job.”
“I don’t know exactly what it means in the Accord, but I’ve got an appointment with Woods and Green at 4:30 so I’ll ask them. For anyone who doesn’t know, the Woods and Green in the game is a real magical solicitor and they pay for the advert.” At least that brought a few chuckles. “For now we do exactly what we intended, set out rules for Taverners. Some will only be advisory for non-magical players, for if they want to earn extra health bonuses in the game. After today, I think we can all agree that anyone wanting to stay in the Tavern once they have magic has to obey another set. They’ll be the same as the game rules, loosely speaking, but not voluntary.”
“Call them Taverners, while the non-magical are Tavern players, a nice innocuous name for when we are in public. If there’ll be rules, that means setting penalties because some will realise just how much power this magic gives them.” Justin hesitated, then pushed on. “Natalie was like that, but Effy was worse. She deliberately joined us, spied on us and betrayed us.”
“Effy had a special tether, one that made her a different sort of slave, but she must have accepted it voluntarily. She lived a complete lie to get our confidence and tell Pendragon all about us, well beyond blind obedience. Though how guilty she was doesn’t matter now. We have to decide on a penalty for the survivor, Zephyr’s prisoner.” Everyone’s eyes glanced briefly upwards to the room holding Ginny before Jenny carried on. “She imprisoned and then injured Taverners, and being on a tether isn’t an excuse. She accepted that voluntarily, to get training and become another Pendragon in time.”
“Let me ask Woods and Green. There has to be a recognised way of dealing with her.” Abel had a sinking feeling that tethering, binding, killing or stunting more or less covered it. Ferryl’s hand crept into his and confirmed it. “First we set our rules, then we all swear to them, and then I’ll go and see about the rest.”
“When we agree to the rules, that means we agree with the mission. Um, sorry, the aims of the Tavern.” Rachel looked embarrassed, but determined. “I’ve got to try and explain that to some of the younger ones, the less adept who weren’t invited today. That it’s just a set of ideals, so we haven’t got to get too carried away.” For once she didn’t seem to mind a hug from her big brother.
“Though we can still stop abuse and pilfering at school, that sort of thing. We just have to accept the whole town can’t be cleaned up.” Kelis passed around some of the notes. “These don’t really cover it, because we didn’t know we’d suddenly become the Stourton super-cops. I reckon that means we manage the magical side, stop nasties from bothering people in the areas where we have enough magical Tavern members. Regardless of this High and Low Justice thing, law and order has to be down to the cops, more or less. If one of us wants to stop something non-magical, it has to be approved, no vigilantes.”
“Unless someone tries to mug me.” Grim smiles and nods greeted Petra’s amendment. The Taverners gathered into small groups so they could share the printed sheets, and started working out just what other amendments they’d need.
∼∼
Oddly enough, setting out the basic rules wasn’t that difficult because they’d already been working that way. Help people in trouble and deter the bad guys, but quietly, without attracting public attention and preferably without seriously injuring anyone. Petra summed it up. As each new member joined, they’d found the rest acted in a certain way. As the first unexpected recruit, she’d accepted what Abel, Kelis and Rob, and Abel’s tattoo of course, told her was the right way to use magic. The first group of betas were all geeks, not the most aggressive kids in the school, and they’d set a tone.
A good few had suffered verbal abuse from Seraph, or something stronger from Henry and the like, so they had a natural aversion to that sort of thing. Abel had set the bar when it came to payback, because once Seraph and Henry were dealt with he’d left them alone. He’d even given Henry some Tavern hexes so he could sleep creature-free. When the charity bit went into the game rules, the magical members were already trying to clean up their neighbourhood and the school. Doing so as the Tavern had attracted the rescued victims, minorities and misfits, to start playing the game. Any of those who had discovered magic became willing recruits when Rachel announced her mission. According to some of those present just being accepted by the other players, then the Taverners, had made a huge difference to their lives.
Gradually the sixteen of them decided on what was practical, back up to twenty-four by the end as the shoppers and some of the injured came back. The result wasn’t a firm set of rules, but the Taverners came up with a rough framework they could all agree with. Abel insisted he wanted a full meeting to decide on the final version, all sixty-one local Taverners, including the very latest leaf-flutterer. The eleven other magically aware players, those living elsewhere who had learned about the Tavern through relatives, could be consulted by phone.
In the meantime Kelis took a deep breath and phoned her mum, explaining that the minibus had been hit but the other driver’s insurance was taking care of it. She’d be home later, in a hire vehicle provided by the other bloke’s insurance firm. That would be another bill for Pendragon’s gold to hopefully pay for. Abel, Rob and Jenny phoned home at the same time, assuring their parents it was just cuts and bruises and they’d been treated. Jenny had the most trouble, her dad insisting on collecting her immediately until she played the “don’t embarrass me in front of my friends” card.
By four-twenty only fifteen Taverners remained, three of them residents. Eric promised to stop overnight, to help Shawn guard Ginny until Abel decided her fate. She’d be drained into lead bars again this evening so she’d only have whatever magic she absorbed, leaving her almost helpless. The two thick gold armbands she wore were also emptied. Pendragon had locked those into place, magically, and so far nobody had figured out how to remove them. The ones on the bodies had been melted off before Creepio took them away, extra loot to pay for medics and clothes.
Despite the precautions, Frederick looked more cheerful when two others arranged to stay overnight to take shifts on guard. Pendragon had tethered him even though he couldn’t shield, then hurt Frederick until Un
a agreed to a tether.
Una, Petra, Justin, Warren and Rachel wanted to come to Woods and Green with Abel, though they agreed to wait in the entrance lobby. Justin still looked pale after Pendragon’s torture, but a magic-spiked drink from the medics and an invisible glyph drawn on his head had helped and he wanted to keep an eye on his little sister. All five of them were worried there might be more apprentices or someone like Redwolf lurking to attack Abel. From what Creepio had said, taking Abel out would give another sorcerer control of Stourton. Abel wasn’t too worried because he’d got Kelis, Jenny, Rob, Ferryl and Zephyr, and with the orchard dryads willing to trade for honey, everyone’s gold belts and diamonds had been filled up.
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Claiming the Gryphon
Abel felt conspicuous trooping into Woods and Green with nine others. The entrance lobby had enough seats, but the receptionist definitely looked wary. He relaxed when Terese Green came in and smiled at Abel, though her smile wavered as she took in the rest. “Are they all coming with us?”
“Coming? Where?” That sinking feeling started. Abel looked around at the rest. “They’re worried about another attack.”
“That’s unlikely, but we can bring them if I organise extra transport. It would be best if you travel with me.” A little smile crossed her face as several people tensed. “With Kelis, Rob, Jenny and Fay, I assume? The rest will be right behind us.”
Abel worried all over again when two cabs pulled up outside and Terese led him towards one. He wanted to know what was going on, but he couldn’t talk in front of the driver. At least they were hackney cabs so all five could get in the back, with Terese taking one of the seats facing backwards so she could talk to Abel face to face. She gave the driver an address, then tapped a small glyph on the partition between him and the passengers. “We are now in a bubble, as it were. The driver can’t hear a word we say. The company in question have no idea magic exists, but know we want our destinations and clients to remain discreet. It is a lucrative contract.”
“Where are we going?” Kelis sat back and gestured towards Abel. “Sorry.”
Terese answered her anyway. “To take over Pendragon Enterprises, of course. I thought that’s what you intended?” Abel nodded. Creepio had told him he had to take over to stop any others, although the name came as a surprise. “To do that we must go to one of his business addresses, and you must claim it.”
“Take over? Will that mean a fight?” Rob looked alarmed, understandably so. All five of them were wearing jeans, blouses or shirts and jumpers or jackets because their costumes had been ruined. All of them looked battered, and had more bandages, plasters, ointments, lumps and bumps under their clothes. Despite wearing leather, even Ferryl had needed new clothing.
“Perhaps, though it won’t be much. If some junior apprentice hasn’t realised Pendragon’s tether has failed, he or she may try to defend the place. If another sorceress is trying to take over, I will serve notice on her.” A smug smile appeared, briefly. “That usually settles the issue. Redwolf has been notified and asked if he will be making a claim, as he is the only other sorcerer with a residence in Stourton. I explained the extent of Pendragon’s failure, and he has declined.”
“Where will we be going?” Jenny glanced at her watch, remembered it was now scrap, and leant over to look at Ferryl’s. That had only survived because Ferryl dropped it before going towards Pendragon, because she’d known her arm would be catching fire. “I can’t be too late or Dad will start up again. We were supposed to be back by six.”
“That is cutting it fine. This first visit will only take minutes, but the second location is thirty miles away. We can have you home by seven, or I’ll leave you here after the first visit. My apologies, parents aren’t usually a consideration.” Mutterings filled the cab, and Abel quickly texted Petra in the other cab to tell the rest. Nobody wanted to be left out so despite it taking some frantic phoning, everyone arranged to be home a little later. By that time the cabs had pulled up outside an empty, boarded-up shop, allegedly for rent. Glowing glyphs on the boarding spelling out Pendragon Enterprises for the magically sighted.
∼∼
Terese marched up to the door set back into the shop front, and placed her hand on it. A veil shimmered as it opened, preventing the non-magical from seeing inside. “Follow me. You must each place your hand on the door to open it, to tell the staff who is coming in.”
Abel went first, until Ferryl pushed in front. “Guard and trainer, remember. You don’t wander into strange magical premises first.” She placed her hand as Terese had and the door swung open.
“There are magic flows, but just reading her hand. It may gauge the strength of whoever enters.” Zephyr sounded amused. “It will not read Ferryl Shayde, only her host.”
“Will it recognise you?”
“Perhaps, but just as a bound spirit. It will not be able to assess my strength while I am in my tattoo.” Zephyr definitely sounded happy. “So if you need an ogre?”
“Naughty. We are hoping to avoid a fight.”
“Ffod is ready.” Abel placed his hand on the door and went inside, still wondering if that meant Zephyr wanted a fight or was just being reassuring. The inside resembled the foyer of Woods and Green, though not quite as large or luxurious. The receptionist looked worried as the rest of the Taverners trooped in, but before he could speak Terese flourished papers at him. By the time she’d finished he looked completely baffled and even more worried.
A door at the rear opened and a young woman paused before coming in, her eyes widening. “I’m afraid the proprietor isn’t here at the moment. Would you like to make an appointment?”
Terese flourished the papers again and nodded towards Abel. “This gentleman is the new owner. Please take us to the gryphon.” The woman hesitated so Terese pointed towards the rear of the shop. “Please check. The gryphon’s claws may be red. Do you understand?” As the woman and the receptionist exchanged baffled looks, Terese Green abandoned her officious manner. “I’m sorry. Who is usually in charge here?”
“Mr Celeborn is usually in charge, but Mr Paragon took over for the day. Three hours ago he told me I was in charge and left. The manager doesn’t usually leave during opening hours.” The woman rallied, straightening up and sounding more formal. “I only answer the phone and deal with some typing and data entry, so I can’t help with contracts or a new owner. I didn’t even know the business was up for sale.”
“But you’ve seen the gryphon, possibly called a griffin. A creature that is part-eagle, part lion?”
The woman nodded, glancing at the receptionist for confirmation but he just shrugged. “It’s on the manager’s desk.”
“This gentleman”—Terese indicated Abel—“wishes to see it.” She laid a hand gently on the woman’s arm. “Will that be allowed?”
From the blank look that settled over the woman’s face and the monotone “Yes,” Abel thought she’d probably agree to anything right now. He decided against shaking hands with Terese, ever.
Ferryl took his hand, briefly. “I can see it in your face, but don’t worry. It is suggestion, not control. If the secretary was vehement about stopping us going in there, she could still say no.” Ferryl looked and sounded puzzled when she spoke aloud. “I thought gryphons were extinct.”
“This way please.” Abel shrugged and started to follow Terese, but Kelis, Jenny and Ferryl got in front of him with the rest following behind. When the secretary showed them into a large, luxurious office Abel felt a little let down. The brass gryphon on the desk only stood about thirty centimetres high. Maybe not just brass, the eagle’s talons on the front legs were crimson. Terese looked at the woman and hesitated, but Ferryl reached out to tap her.
“Sleep.” She caught the woman as she slumped. “I presume we need privacy.”
“It helps, because she obviously doesn’t know the first thing about the real business here. She’s not even magically aware.” Terese wave
d Abel forward and pointed at the gryphon. “Claim it, by blood and power.”
“Don’t sorcerers ever sign a document, or stamp a wax seal? That sounds the same as the inheriting thing.” Abel eyed up the statuette, wondering if it was looking back.
“You are inheriting. Celtchar died and you inherited by blood. You defeated Pendragon and he died, so you inherit his wealth and business by power.” Terese pointed. “Use the point on the end of the beak.”
“What for?” Abel rolled his eyes. “Blood again?” Nobody answered so he put his finger up to the hook on the eagle’s beak. It must have been very sharp because he barely touched it before it stung and a drop of crimson spilled out. A second later it had gone, absorbed into the beak. “By blood and power, I claim it.” The red disappeared from all the talons bar one. “Is that it?”
“No, there is another claimant. A minor one, but whoever it is will be waiting for us.” She tapped the gryphon’s talons. “Whoever made the claim is not related, and was not in the vicinity when Pendragon died. The sorcerer or sorceress has claimed from another place of business, and is not officially allied if they only have one-eighth of a claim. That might even be an ambitious apprentice.” She turned towards the door. “We will put the claim to Pendragon’s gryphon.”
“Zephyr, please ask Ferryl what is going on?” The spooky-phone connected.
Ferryl touched the woman on the floor, then cast a tiny glyph as she began to stir. Her hand caught hold of Abel’s. “I’ve mazzled her a little. I’ve no idea what happens next. This taking over of a business is all new to me. I think it might be recent, to cater for the modern world. Normally if a sorcerer killed another he just marched into the castle or whatever and sat in the biggest chair.”
“What about the gryphon toes?”
“I’ve no idea. From what Terese said there might be a real one, linked to the gold statuette.” Ferryl didn’t sound too sure about that. “They should be extinct.”