Unsuspecting Mage

by Brian S. Pratt

  “I won’t be but a moment,” he tells the bard. The only reply Perrilin gives is a nod.

  Moving as unobtrusively as possible, he walks in through the back door and quickly makes his way to the stairs and then up to his room.

  Opening the door, he finds Miko lying atop one of the beds fast asleep. Coming over to him, James shakes his shoulder. “Wake up, I need your help.”

  Startled to wakefulness, the boy bolts upright only to relax when he sees James standing over him. “I was getting worried about you,” he says.

  “Sorry about that,” James replies. “I found Perrilin and he’s downstairs.” Holding up a finger he says, “No time for questions, I need your help getting him up here. He’s pretty badly hurt.” As he leads Miko from the room he adds, “We need to get him up here without letting anyone know that he’s here.”

  “How are we to do that?” Miko asks.

  “Just follow my lead,” James tells him.

  Miko gives him an affirmative nod and then follows him down the stairs and through the back door. James is relieved to find the bard where he left him. He and Miko manage to get Perrilin to a standing position, and with an arm around each of their necks, help him to and then through the back door.

  As they enter, Miss Gilena just happens to walk by. She stops when she spies them, her face turning into a frown. Wearing a disapproving look, she moves toward them and asks, “What is going on?” Her expression seems to indicate suspicion that they are up to something.

  “Just a friend who got the tar beat out of him is all,” James explains.

  She turns her gaze first onto James, them Miko. When her eyes turned on the man between them, her expression changed from one of suspicion to that of shock. “Is that…?” Having been discovered, James can only nod. She looks around and finding nobody nearby says, “Hurry and get him to your room. I’ll be up in a few minutes with some food and water.”

  “Thank you,” he says.

  She only nods in reply then hurries to the kitchen. They help Perrilin up the stairs and into their room, laying him in the bed furthest from the door. Miko lights the candle on the table giving the room a little light. They pull the covers to his chin to better hide him should someone come in unexpectedly. They were just finishing with Perrilin when a single knock sounded on the door followed right after by Miss Gilena entering the room. Bearing a tray of food and a pitcher of water, along with several towels tucked under one arm, she snags the door closed with the heel of her foot.

  “What happened to him?” she asks as she comes to where he lies. Handing Miko the tray of food, she then pours some of the water into a nearby basin and wets the end of a towel. Coming to sit on the bed next to Perrilin, she uses the damp towel to begin cleaning the dried blood off his face.

  “I found him being held in a farmhouse several miles out of town,” James explains. “They were beating him up pretty good and were about to begin using a hot poker. That’s when I came along and managed to get him out of there.”

  “I thought he was arrested by the city watch?” she asks.

  “Apparently not,” he explains. “I went by the jail first, but they said he was never brought in.”

  They both turn their gaze toward the sleeping bard. James wonders what Perrilin has gotten himself into.

  After cleaning him up fairly well she says, “You will need to get him out of those dirty clothes and clean the rest of him as well. In the morning, I will bring clean clothes for him.” Getting up off the bed she says, “If he wakes, try to get him to eat and drink, at least drink if nothing else. I need to be downstairs and if you should require anything, send the boy down to me,” she emphasizes by pointing to herself, “and I shall get you what you need. Understand?”

  “Yes ma’am,” James replies.

  “Good. Now I’ll leave you to it,” Miss Gilena states as she returns to the door and leaves the room.

  “What now?” Miko asks after the door closes behind her.

  “I guess we better get his clothes off and get him cleaned up like she said,” James answers as he proceeds to remove Perrilin’s shirt.

  “No, I mean about gaining access to the Royal Archives,” clarifies Miko.

  When he removes the shirt, he looks with anger at the many shallow cuts and bruises dotting the bard’s chest and back. The cuts are obviously the source of the blood staining his shirt.

  “They sure did a number on him, didn’t they?” Miko asks as he too examines the extent of his injuries.

  “Yes they did,” agrees James. He takes another of the towels and dips it into the basin. Being careful so as not to reopen the wounds which have already begun to heal, he gingerly works to remove the rest of the blood and dirt.

  “I think we will need to wait until he wakes before we do anything further about the Archives,” James says. “We’ll lay low until tomorrow and then when he awakens see if he can help us. Hopefully he will be awake by then.” Once he’s finished cleaning the wounds, James lays him back into the bed and places the covers once more up to his chin. Then he comes over and sits with Miko at the table.

  Miko looks longingly at the food piled upon the tray and James says, “We may as well eat it, though let’s leave some for him should he awaken.”

  As they eat, James asks Miko if he found out anything about Lord Colerain’s business in Cardri.

  “It seems not much is known around here about Lord Colerain,” he explains between bites of food. “However, I did find out some things about a Lord Kindering.” Seeing the lack of understanding on James’ face he explains, “Lord Kindering is who Lord Colerain is staying with while he’s in town. I did find out that much.”

  “Ah, okay,” James says understandingly, “go on.”

  “Apparently, Lord Kindering is very wealthy. He has many different trading concerns all over Cardri and some even extending into the various kingdoms neighboring us.” Looking at James he says, “He even has businesses inside the Empire, or so it’s said.”

  “Interesting. Did you find out what his connection with Lord Colerain is?” James asks.

  “No, nobody seems to know much about that,” Miko answers. “However, some that I talked with seem to think that this Lord Kindering is on the shady side. Rumors are surfacing about dealings he’s had with slavers and smugglers.”

  “Oh?” prompts James as he finishes the last of his share of the meal.

  “Couldn’t find out the particulars, but it seems he is not one you would wish to cross,” he warns.

  “Sounds that way,” James concludes. Seeing that Miko is done with his dinner, he says, “Why don’t you take the other bed, I’m going to be up for a while.”

  Miko doesn’t argue, just goes over and plops down on the bed. As he lies there, he watches James as he takes the traveling case with the writing material in it and places it on the table. “What are ya gonna do?” he asks.

  Opening the case, James removes a piece of paper, an inkwell, and one of the finely pointed quills. “I’m going to jot down some notes about what’s going on and different things. Just go to sleep and don’t worry about it.”

  “No problem there,” he says sleepily. He lies there awhile watching James until finally drifting off to sleep.

  James opens the inkwell and places it near his paper. Grabbing the quill he dips it into the inkwell and then brings it to the paper to begin writing. When the quill touches the paper, a big glob of ink flows off the quill and onto the paper making a great big mess.

  This may be harder than I thought, he thinks. He dips the quill into the ink again, this time scraping the excess off before bringing it over to the paper. This time when he tries to write, he takes his time and manages to do a fair job of it. Though the letters are a bit smudged and fatter than they should be, he’s able to make out what is written. He spends a little more time practicing making various letters and shapes until he’s satisfied that he has the gist of it.

  He then takes his practice sheet and puts it to the side
. Taking out a fresh sheet, he proceeds to make notes on magic and the various spells he has tried along with their effects. How the magic made him feel, the effect it had on him, etc.

  …It would seem that I don’t really need to use rhyme and meter to produce magical effects. I simply need to have a mental picture and a willingness to do magic, and then it happens. Perhaps the words are simply to help the novice practitioner maintain the mental picture as you do magic. Then once you grow in ability…

  …the spells that continue in their effect, like the orb, seem to need a continual draw of energy from the castor in order to maintain the effect. Once you stop the flow, it ends. I have also noted that if you cast a continually active spell, yet don’t want the continual draw or the required mental concentration to maintain it, then the power used is much greater, and much more physically draining than the others. I believe this is due because it draws all the magic required for the duration of the spell at the time you initially cast it. Need to find a way to lessen the impact of those types…

  When his eyes begin to droop and the yawns come with greater frequency, he sets the quill down. He inspects his writing and is satisfied even though it’s uneven and the letters are not formed properly. At least it’s legible. With more practice, he is sure to get better. More yawns escape him while he closes the inkwell, cleans his quills, and lays out his manuscripts to dry. He then comes over to the bed that Miko is lying upon and settles down beside him, nudging him to move him further over onto the other side of the bed. When he at last has enough room, he reaches over to the table, snuffs out the candle and quickly succumbs to sleep.

  Chapter Thirteen

  _______________________

  James is the first one awake despite having been the last one to bed. Miko’s snoring two inches from his ear was too much for him to take and once it grew light enough, decided to get up. At the table he takes one of the notes he made the night before and inspects his handiwork. Aside from a few globular letters his inexperience with ink and quill had produced, he is quite satisfied. A tentative touch reveals the ink has fully dried and so gathers the rest of his notes. He places them back into the traveling case along with the rest of the writing materials he used last night. Letting both Miko and Perrilin continue to sleep, he goes down to the common room where he finds one of the serving girls and arranges for their breakfast to be sent to their room. He then returns upstairs and enters quietly so as not to awaken the others.

  Crossing the room to the bed, he moves to Perrilin’s side and lowers himself gently to sit next to the bard. Despite his best efforts, the motion of his sitting upon the bed awakens Perrilin. “Good morning,” James says. “How are you feeling this morning?”

  Perrilin looks around the room, a little disoriented, unsure as to where exactly he is. Not sensing any immediate threat, he considers James’ question. “I’m alive,” he replies. “Other than that, not too good.”

  “They did quite a number on you last night,” James informs him. “You are lucky I came along when I did.” Lifting the blankets to inspect the bard’s injuries, he finds some in the process of healing properly while others are a little red and inflamed. Using a clean towel and some water from the basin, he gently begins to wipe away the little bit of blood that has oozed overnight from several of the cuts.

  “I’m glad you did,” he says, flinching slightly in pain as James ministers to his wounds. “How did you happen to be there?”

  “I was looking for you,” he explains. “When I was told you had been arrested, I went to the jail only to be told you had never been brought in. Did some looking around and wound up where you were being held.”

  Perrilin digested that for a moment then asked, “How did you find out where I was?”

  “Well, let’s just say that lately I’ve been fairly good at finding people when I need to,” he replies, avoiding all mention of magic.

  From the look on Perrilin’s face, he can tell the bard is not entirely satisfied with his response but seems to be willing to accept it at face value for now. “What did they want with you anyway?” James asks. “It looked as if they were interrogating you and were even going to begin using torture to get what they wanted.” Once the dried blood has been removed from around the wounds, he uses a dry towel and gingerly dries him off before pulling the blanket back up to cover his chest and neck.

  “I think you will be okay,” he assures Perrilin. “May need a few days rest to heal properly.”

  Perrilin looks at him for a second before asking, “Why did you need to find me?”

  “I was hoping you could help me with something,” James says as he gets up and places the towels and basin back on the table.

  “Like what?” he asks.

  “I was hoping you could help me gain access to the Royal Archives,” he explains.

  Surprised, Perrilin asks, “Why?”

  Pulling the medallion out from beneath his shirt, he shows the design to Perrilin. “I want to discover if there is any significance to this design,” he explains. “I have been led to believe that it may be important in some way. I don’t suppose you recognize it?” Taking it from around his neck, he hands the medallion to Perrilin.

  Holding it close, Perrilin takes a good look at the design before handing it back to James. Shaking his head no, he replies, “I’m sorry, no. I don’t recognize it.”

  James replaces the medallion back around his neck and tucks it inside his shirt. Just then someone knocks on the door, which startles Miko awake. James glances over to him as he sits up in bed, rubbing his eyes. Coming to his feet, he walks over to the door, opening it just a crack to find two serving girls, one bearing a tray with several plates of food, and the other carrying a pitcher and two mugs.

  He tells them to remain in the hall as he first takes the tray and places it on the table, then returns for the pitcher and mugs, setting them on the table beside the tray. He then returns once more to the door and gives them each a copper for their help. “Thank you,” he says as they turn to leave. As their footsteps disappear toward the head of the stairs, he closes the door.

  Turning from the door, he finds Perrilin sitting up in bed and Miko already sitting at the table heaping a plate full of food. “I hope that’s for him.” he says to his young companion, gesturing over to Perrilin with a stern look on his face.

  “Uh, of course it is,” he replies a little embarrassed. Getting up from the table he walks over and hands the heaping plate to Perrilin. Casting James a sheepish look, he goes back to the table and begins to fill another for himself.

  James comes to the table and sits down, then starts piling food on his plate.

  Perrilin takes several bites and then says, “As to whether or not I can help you gain access to the Royal Archives, I am sure I can help you with that. You see, the Archive Custodian is a friend of mine and I am sure that if I request it, he will permit you to research that design. He may even help you if he’s not otherwise occupied. After all, I do owe you my life and I always repay my debts.”

  Looking intrigued, James asks, “How would we go about it?”

  “I shall write a letter of introduction explaining what you wish to do,” he explains then gestures over to Miko. “Your young friend there would then need to run it to the gate leading into the castle area.” To Miko he says, “Tell the guards that you have a letter for the Archive Custodian and then either they will escort you to him, or more likely have you wait while they send someone to the Archives with the letter. Then it would be up to Ellinwyrd, that is my friend, to decide whether or not to grant you access.”

  Excited at the prospect of possibly being granted access to ancient tomes, he quickly finishes his breakfast and clears a spot on the table where he places his travel case. Opening it up, he removes a piece of paper, quill and an inkwell, then closes the case once more and sets it aside.

  He waits as patiently as he can while Perrilin finishes his meal, then removes his plate once he’s finished. James then brings ov
er the traveling case to act as a lap table and the writing materials so Perrilin can write the letter to his friend.

  He sits and waits as Perrilin writes out the letter, anxious to get this going. When Perrilin finishes, he requests some wax with which to seal the letter. James lights the candle on the table and brings it over to him. Taking the candle, Perrilin holds it at an angle so the melting wax will drip onto the letter. When he has applied the desired amount he gives the candle back to James. He then takes one of his rings and makes an imprint of it in the wax.

  Handing it to James, he says, “Here you go.” Then to Miko he says, “Make sure you do not break the seal. Once you reach the gates, do whatever the guards tell you to do.”

  “I understand,” Miko says as he takes the letter from James.

  “Be careful,” James says to him.

  Nodding understanding, Miko leaves the room and shuts the door behind him.

  The door hadn’t been shut for two seconds before they hear a knock which is immediately followed by the door swinging open to admit Miss Gilena. It doesn’t seem she feels the need to await the okay to enter.

  Bustling into the room, her eyes zero in on the bed wherein Perrilin lays and with concern in her voice asks, “How are you feeling?” Then she makes her way to his bedside, the promised clothes tucked under one arm.

  Smiling a reassuring smile as she approaches, he says, “I will live, though I’m sore from head to toe. James has been very helpful.”

  Turning to James, she says, “Thank you for rescuing him last night.” Then hands him Perrilin’s clothes.