by Vance Huxley
Abel almost rolled his eyes, of course the statuette was gold. He had to stop assuming things were brass, around sorcerers at least. On the way out Terese suggested the receptionist shut up for the day, and told him a representative of the new owner would arrive tomorrow.
∼∼
Once in the cab, Abel asked what representative Terese meant. She explained that a junior apprentice should run each branch of the business, though if Pendragon only had a few then he might give senior apprentices the job and income. She started to speak again, then paused. “Ah, of course. You have no apprentices so who will run your business? Their presence might be needed at any time, so schoolchildren aren’t suitable.”
“Eric and Shawn for starters, providing there’s a decent wage involved. Maybe Frederick?” Jenny smirked at the realisation dawning on three other faces. “We wondered how to support a few Taverners so they were always available. Eric has a minimum wage job stacking shelves at the supermarket. Shawn works at fitting lawn mowers together and rides a beat-up scooter so anything above minimum wage has to be an improvement.”
“Whoever takes care of the branch must be loyal because they’ll know enough to sell out, join another sorceress and help her steal business.” Terese looked from one to the other. “Loyal personally, through a tether at least because Pendragon Enterprises is now Abel Bernard Conroy’s personal property. He just claimed it.” She passed across a signet ring, one with a blank face. “Put that in your pocket and produce it when I tell you. A priest dropped it off earlier.”
“So Ferryl could have done the same, claimed the business?” Abel cursed silently, because that would have meant she was financially independent and even if he was killed, the Tavern would have some income.
“Not with the same certainty. As the master of Castle House you would have had a quarter claim based on power alone even if Pendragon left an heir. Mz Shayde might have a quarter claim if you declined and gave her that ring, because she helped to defeat Pendragon, but she has no power base to fall back on. If that ring isn’t what I think it is, her chances would be even less. We can’t be sure until we get to Sheffield.” Terese’s little smile had some mischief in it. “As we represent both of you, I hope there’ll be no dispute?”
“None. Abel claims everything and I will help him keep it.” Ferryl’s tone closed the subject.
“Can the Tavern claim it, Pendragon’s business? Not Bonny’s Tavern the game, but the magical Tavern.” Abel turned to Jenny, hoping to get this away from personal loyalties and tethers. “You do all that business stuff, so how would it work?”
Jenny had barely started explaining before Terese pointed out magical businesses didn’t work that way. No shares, no shareholders or dividends, and no vice-presidents. Everything, every tree, contract, house and car belong to the sorcerer, personally, linked together by his gryphon. Not a real one, a talisman of some kind linked to the smaller gold gryphons at each major location. Once Abel satisfied Pendragon’s gryphon that he had the strongest claim, he would take possession of everything.
“You mean more woods and houses and stuff?” Rob looked over at Kelis with a little smirk. “You should have stuck with Abel, he could have given you a house.” Abel opened his mouth to offer one but Terese beat him to it.
“There may be very few of either because Pendragon wasn’t a strong sorcerer. He paid for his monopoly in Stourton, which means he bribed other sorcerers rather than challenged them. Pendragon may have only had one house and a few small clumps of trees, though I’m sure he claimed the public park in Stourton. Until we have settled Abel’s claim, we can’t even find out who dealt with his legal affairs.” That wicked little smile came and went. “Someone cheap, no doubt.”
Unfortunately Terese couldn’t answer most questions, but one thing could be organised. A phone call to Eric confirmed he would be happy to take up a job which included increased wages. His first job was to look for the cars that brought Pendragon’s apprentices to the fight, because according to Terese they now belonged to Abel. The batlins spread out and reported vehicles parked nearby on waste ground, under a veil. When Eric checked there were three BMWs, a Volvo and a Mercedes, all with the keys in the ignition but guarded by wards.
Abel asked Eric to bribe the batlins or goblins to stand guard. If the gryphon accepted him, Abel would own the cars and Eric would get one as his company car. A very happy Eric promised nobody would get near.
∼∼
The head offices of Pendragon Enterprises were in a well-maintained, elaborately carved stone building in a leafy lane bordering a park. Both Ferryl and Zephyr told Abel the park had been claimed by someone, they could see the boundary magic. That didn’t mean Pendragon had access. According to Terese there were four trees for every single person living in Sheffield, which made it popular among the magical community. Many of the most powerful sorcerers, including the master of Castle House, owned a house in Sheffield and claimed one of the numerous public parks. Abel buried the impulse to go and look, concentrating on the building they’d come to visit. One glance at the carving confirmed that Pendragon had taken his name seriously, dragons crawled or perched all over the front.
A group of four adults stood by the entrance, closely inspecting everyone in sight and especially the two cabs that had just stopped. Terese held out a hand to stop Ferryl opening her door. “That is either the other claimant, or someone hoping to ambush the claimant and take over. Word must have spread quickly. Stay in here while I investigate. There’ll be no magical attack because these vehicles, their drivers and their owners are non-magical so an attack would be public and break the Accord. That’s why we use them.” She opened the door of the cab and got out.
Kelis’s “Sneaky” followed the lawyer out of the cab. Meanwhile Rob called Warren in the other cab, explaining they should stay inside for now and why. Terese spoke to one of the waiting women, who looked a little alarmed at first but then laughed. After exchanging a few words Terese beckoned so Abel got out, although Ferryl insisted on being first. She seemed very protective today.
“Can I fly?”
“Not yet, Zephyr. We might need a surprise.” As Abel walked forward he heard the doors on the other cab open.
The woman looked startled then caught herself, smiling nervously and looking from Ferryl to Abel. She kept glancing past Abel to the five from the other taxi, while her apprentices spread out a little. “She has shielded, and so have her apprentices. All three are on tethers.”
Abel glanced back, realising the woman would be wondering about the game costumes the other five still wore. “Shields, everyone.” Eight of the Taverners spaced themselves out while Ferryl caught hold of his hand and a lemon tinge told Abel he was protected.
The woman narrowed her eyes. “This is just a test, and invisible to the non-magical. It will not harm the unshielded.” She cast a small glyph upwards where it burst into fine sparks that drifted down. As they touched the shields, including her own, each one glowed a bright electric blue but quickly faded. “Eight shielded apprentices?” She looked towards the offices with a big happy smile. “I’d love to see Boudicca’s face when you walk in, especially the way some of you are dressed. She’s here to claim Pendragon’s little enterprise, because according to her you’ll have nothing left to stop her.” Her smile faded a little as she inspected Abel’s group. “Though you’ve upset my plan. I intended offering you an alliance in return for a couple of morsels.”
“Tell her it’s still possible. You need allies, someone out in the sorceress community.” Ferryl noticed the sorceress glancing down at their held hands and smiled brightly. “I am Ferryl Shayde, sorceress and personal bodyguard to Abel, master of Castle House and Pendragon Enterprises.”
“Sorceress Verenestra, which is allegedly the name of a fairy. I doubt my master knew for certain. I am intrigued by a sorceress being a bodyguard, sorcerers usually use apprentices.” The slim, black-haired woman bowed slightly to both Abel and Ferryl. “Greetings, Abel. That is
an ancient name. Was your master called Adam?” She had a lovely smile, which Abel wasn’t trusting an inch.
“I’ve never had a master or mistress, and neither have my companions. Abel is the name my parents chose, which I’m told is unusual.” Abel tried out one of those little bows. “Since I’m new to all this, and I’m still sorting out Celtchar’s holdings, there may be a morsel or two for anyone helping me.” He really wanted to talk to Terese about keeping this sorceress here, but daren’t risk letting Zephyr connect.
Though the lawyer must be psychic. “If you allow Verenestra to accompany us inside, she could witness your claim.” She turned towards the doors, missing the huge smile from the sorceress. “I will go in ahead of you, so there are no unfortunate misunderstandings.”
As Terese Green went inside, both Kelis and Rob spoke up. “We’ll go in first, Abel.”
“At least two of us should go in as well, just in case. We don’t know how many are in there.” Warren eyed up the door. “I don’t really trust sorcerers. Sorry Veren, but we’ve had a bad day.” He must have caught the look on the sorceress’s face. “Sorry but I can’t remember your full name. It all seems a bit silly to us. I’m Warren.” The rest called out their names.
“After all those very ordinary names, I suppose I can live with Veren if only for the novelty.” Her eyes drifted over them, noting the signs of combat. “How many did you lose?”
“None, or two, depending on how you count. We found two traitors. One is dead and one is on a church tether, along with half a dozen security men.” Rachel’s scowl meant she wasn’t totally reconciled to Natalie’s fate, not yet. “Pendragon got some of us tethered before Abel turned up, but Zephyr disconnected them before anyone had been badly hurt. Once they were loose, we helped Ferryl clean up the rest of the apprentices and then Pendragon.” She saw the look on Ferryl’s face and shut up.
“Who is Zephyr, and how did he or she break a tether?” Veren looked them over, definitely interested. “Were any of you among those tethered by Pendragon?” Petra, Warren, Justin and Una all nodded. “May I check one of you, please? My apprentices will drop their shields while I do?”
“Why?” Warren backed up a step, as did Justin.
“If a tether breaks when a sorcerer dies, rather than being deliberately removed, it leaves a remnant. The weakness makes it easier for someone else to attach another tether. There are sorcerers who specialise in removing the trace, though they charge huge fees. The sort of fees most newly-freed sorceresses can’t afford.” Veren hesitated for long moments. “If your Zephyr disconnected someone’s tether while the sorcerer still lived that sounds as if it might have been done properly, in which case I’ll be asking what your rates are.”
“Your sorcerer died?” Inside Abel’s head a smug voice assured him Zephyr had done the job properly. She didn’t break the tether, she unravelled it.
“Mine and Boudicca’s, the same man.” A glance at the office showed a bit of venom. “I could offer some help just for that, to have the weakness removed?”
“If Zephyr can do that, Abel, I’ll volunteer to be inspected. If Veren manages to tether me, get Zephyr to break it again and we’ll know how to deal with her.” Una turned to Veren with a wry smile and a hand on her sword. Abel almost asked her to put it back in the cab, but Terese didn’t seem worried. “No offence, but I’m not really very trusting either.”
“You’ll have to be, just enough for me to touch the place it was attached. Where was it?” Una touched her shoulder, then stood very still as Veren approached. The sorceress paused, looking over Una’s Robin D’Ritche outfit. “That’s an old style of dress but you carry it off very well. Most apprentices who can shield are too old to get away with those boots.” She reached out to rest her fingers on the same spot for a few seconds, then stepped back with a smile. “Nothing, not a sign. Can we deal?”
“Yes, after this is sorted out.” Abel hesitated, then gestured. “Go in front of me, with an apprentice, so you get the full benefit of Boudicca’s expression. Your other two apprentices come in last.” Veren nodded and waited until Rob, Kelis, Justin and Rachel had gone through the door before following. Jenny pushed in to follow her, while Warren, Una and Petra closed in behind Abel. He felt like one of those VIPs with all the bodyguards, especially when the lemon tint around him tightened to let him and Ferryl through the doors together without losing the shield.
Inside he didn’t need an introduction. Veren’s smug smile and the murderous look from the woman facing her identified Boudicca. “Why are you in here? You refused to deal with Pendragon so you have no claim.” She turned to Abel. “I’m told you have a seven-eighths claim, but you still have to make it stick. Pendragon Enterprises owes me for one apprentice, lost in combat while under loan. I want a quarter share or a senior apprentice and cash.” Her face fell as more and more people followed Abel, then she recovered. “Is this all you have left, children?”
Abel hesitated, but Terese seemed more interested in showing paperwork to the woman at the desk. Ferryl said sorceresses did the threat thing before talking, though Veren hadn’t. Abel tried to hit a balance, not too aggressive but no pushover. “These are all I thought I’d need. The rest are back in Stourton, sweeping up after Pendragon and your apprentice.”
“There can’t be many left if these are the best. Did you raid a fancy dress party because all your real apprentices died?” Boudicca pointed at Rachel. “How old is Red Riding Hood? She can’t have been aware for long.” One glance at Rachel’s face and Abel got in before the fiery fourteen-year-old started a fight over her sorceress costume.
“Please be a little more polite. Depending on who your apprentice was, Rachel might be the one who burned him by locking shields.” Abel was quite proud of that because it told the sorceress Rachel had a strong shield without claiming any particular level of skill. From the assessing look, it worked. “Pendragon attacked in the middle of our fancy dress party, but some of us had to change afterwards.”
“Don’t go by their ages, because all of them have shields. They let me check, outside.” Veren’s smug smile had grown to a wide grin. “You should ask who his bodyguard is.” The sorceress pointed at Ferryl Shayde.
“Ferryl Shayde, sorceress and bodyguard to the master of Castle House, prime claimant to Pendragon Enterprises.” Ferryl looked the sorceress up and down in a way that implied a sneer without altering her expression. “A real sorceress, not an apprentice who had a careless master and found herself free. I have never been tethered.” Abel smiled to himself. Ferryl really seemed to have a knack for put-downs.
“Excuse me, are you the sorceress Boudicca, claiming a portion of Pendragon Enterprises on the grounds that you are owed for a lost apprentice?” All eyes turned to Terese Green.
“Yes. I want…”
Terese cut Boudicca off without even raising her voice. “Do you wish to pursue your claim by duel or will you accept the decision of the gryphon?”
“What? Duel?”
“An option laid down in magical law, though the method is rarely used. There is a duelling chamber in Sheffield. Each contestant brings whoever is currently accompanying them, or arranges a later date and brings reinforcements. There is the option of personal combat against the master’s bodyguard, Ferryl Shayde?” Terese’s smile could have cut steel. “To help you decide, I am willing to swear under oath that my client will bring forty apprentices who can wield wind adequately, thirty-two of whom are proficient with fire. Or you can fight now, at odds of almost three to one.”
“Four to one.” Veren might be smiling, but her voice snarled. Behind Boudicca her three apprentices looked decidedly nervous.
“I’ve never heard of this duelling chamber, and nobody is allowed to have that many apprentices. I’ll settle now for a quarter, or the trees or the big house, or a senior apprentice and financial compensation. After all, nobody can be sure how the gryphon will decide.” Boudicca looked rattled, but still seemed to think Abel would settle.
> “True. Gryphons can be fickle, but possibly not this time.” Terese Green turned to Abel. “If you would show the ring please?” He took it out and the blank face now showed an ornate medieval dragon’s face with a large P on its forehead. “There wasn’t much left of Pendragon, so this might have been just a ring and the talisman might have been lost.” The barest flicker of Terese’s smile drove it home better than a triumphant fist pump and a lap of honour. “The gryphon is unlikely to choose anyone but the bearer.”
Boudicca’s shoulders admitted defeat, or not quite. “What about my car? It doesn’t belong to the apprentice.”
“What was it?” Una wore a tiny smile and she’d put her hand on her sword hilt again.
“A Volvo. Did it survive?” Boudicca seemed to perk up a bit. Abel began to realise that he’d got the wrong impression of sorcerer wealth. Pendragon wasn’t anything like as rich as Celtchar had been, and this woman had even less if she wanted to haggle over a car.
Before he could tell her to take the Volvo, Una answered. “Sorry, finders keepers. I claimed it as my part of the loot.” She smiled happily and gestured at the others. “Most of these can’t drive, so it was a no-brainer.”
“Taken in battle is a legal claim, sorceress. Do you wish to contest it? If so, there is the question of your liability for damage to the house known as the Stourton Tavern.” Now Terese Green looked downright predatory, poised to pounce. “Your apprentice contributed to the damage.”
Boudicca looked from Abel to Ferryl to Terese to Una’s smiling face, and didn’t answer directly. “Come on, we’re done here.” Though as she passed Veren she added, “For now.” Her apprentices didn’t meet anyone’s eyes, they seemed pleased to get out in one piece.
Abel watched the door close behind the last one and turned to Una. “Loot?”
“Robin D’Ritche, at your service.” Una produced a big flamboyant bow, then sniggered. “Not the same without the hat but it wouldn’t fit in the car. Hey, I just won a Volvo! If you let me keep it I can run people about without borrowing mum’s car.” Her face fell and she sighed, her shoulders slumping. “No I can’t, because the insurance for a Volvo will be crippling. Tarnation and gadzooks. Robin Hood never had this trouble.”