Magic & Mayhem

by Susan Conley

  “Thanks for the heads-up, they say forewarned is forearmed.”

  “I only hope you feel that way after you meet her.”

  If she couldn’t ask Cart about Warders and their wards, and if he might shift to evil maybe she could ask his mother. Right, she could see that conversation with a woman already predisposed to not liking her. Do you think your son could turn into evil incarnate? She was better off asking Cart.

  Surprisingly few impediments sprang up, and they made excellent time, arriving well before Nic and Tania. As soon as they turned into the drive, Cart pulled over to the berm.

  “We’ve got a ways to go yet. A good a quarter mile,” Mona said.

  “I figured as much. I want my team to carefully examine the ground, given what you ran into, and that’s easier to do on foot.”

  A very good point.

  They bundled up and got out of the car. The day looked to be warming up nicely. Still cold, but sunny enough that the ice clinging to the trees would occasionally snap and fall.

  The group spread out making notes and comments to each other over what they saw and found. Mona tagged along, walking behind them. The tracks and shapes were getting distorted as the sharp edges blurred and softened as the top layer of snow melted into the one below.

  Before long, Nic pulled up behind the two cars. Cart and Mona headed back while the rest of the crew kept their slow pace forward. Nic didn’t wait for Tania to get out of the car. He strode over to where the group was examining something. Dressed like a commando with a tech fetish, he had gadgets, rope, and gee-gaws hanging from a utility belt around his waist and banding his chest. Mona hoped they if they needed them they would work around magic. Electronics could be finicky.

  Tania came up to Mona and Cart, and deliberately turned her back to the group. As if they needed another hint that she and Nic had argued.

  “So, what’s the plan?” Tania asked Cart.

  “Don’t know. Yo, Lombard, you got a plan?” he called out.

  Funny how Cart’s accent got stronger when he was around his cousin. Tania’s finger tapped out a rapid staccato on her crossed arms, as she was forced to look over at Nic too.

  “Figured we’d get closer and see how bad the damage is before we make one,” Nic called over from the group. “That enough to start?”

  “Sounds good. Everyone’s here, let’s go.”

  On the walk up the drive Cart started asking more detailed questions on the complex and its buildings. He seemed a bit tiffed that Mona didn’t know much about the construction and composition. Oddly, the information had not been included in the bits Smythe passed along.

  “Cart?” Tania asked.

  “What’s up?”

  “Is there anything in your training that might help Mona learn her job? Usually a Warder directly trains his or her successor, but since Abner isn’t around. . .”

  “Got it covered.”

  That was the first Mona had heard of it. Mona looked at Cart and started to ask him about it, but was forestalled by an infinitesimal shake of his head.

  “My mother, Titania Margaret, that is, Aunt Meg,” he turned back to Tania, “is due to arrive later. She’ll probably have something of use.”

  “Oh?” Tania sounded disbelieving of her aunt’s helpfulness.

  Cart actually laughed. “Hard to believe, huh? But I bet she’ll know something about who Abner was guarding and why. If only the gossip. And Mona can see Mom’s magic, so we can start to narrow down who in the family might have helped build the compound.”

  “Hopefully if it was mother or grandmother, Aunt Meg will know,” Tania said.

  “It couldn’t have been your father?” Nic asked. Mona wasn’t sure when he’d sidled up, but there he was, pacing along side Tania.

  “It might have been,” Tania said, frowning. “I guess it would depend on when it was built. He died shortly after my mother and, as far as I know, rare as it is, I’m his only offspring. We should probably ask Aunt Meg that too.”

  Reaching the curve in the drive that lead to the entry gates, they stopped, along with the crew.

  The gray stones looked like knocked over dominoes, all leaning askew and slanting, mostly, in the same direction.

  Everyone stared at the huge pile of rubble beyond. The castle-like home was in shambles as was the converted stables. The only building left looking mostly intact, was the library. One of the team made to go forward.

  “Wait.” Nic’s command had them all looking at him. “The only thing left standing, more or less, is this front gate. Given what I have heard of the destruction of this place, there’s a chance it’s still booby trapped—remember, Tiff? Mona, can you check to see what spells are still there? I can check for non-Folk methods if needed.”

  Mona turned and examined the gates, stepping close to see clearly. Odd, very odd; the spell was set more on the inside of the gate.

  “I’m not sure, there is still trace magic there, and I can see a bit of the spell but it’s unclear if the spell is to keep us out or something in.”

  “Is there another way in?” Nic asked. “A side entrance or emergency gate?”

  “He did mention one, but I don’t know where it is.”

  “I do.” Tania supplied. “He showed it to me when I first became Maven. It was a while ago, though, so I’m not exactly certain.”

  She cocked her head and looked at the gate. The she turned her back and moved her hands in front of her, like she was placing imaginary objects. Shaking her head, she turned back.

  “I’ll have to pull up the memory I made,” she said as she sent out a tendril of magic.

  “Wait! You’re not doing a spell, are you?” Nic’s tone was laced with annoyance.

  “Yes, you do want to know where the other entrance is don’t you?” Tania replied, having halted her actions when he shouted.

  “I do, but I don’t think doing a spell is the way to do it,” Nic said rather tersely.

  “Do you have a better idea?” Despite her calm voice it was clear she was annoyed. She didn’t realize, Mona suspected, that his worry wasn’t over the magic, but over what might happen to her if there was an offensive spell.

  “Nic, the spell’s a passive one,” Cart said. “The magic never builds enough, or goes far enough, to be detected.”

  “And I don’t see any traces of magic this far out from the gates, bro,” Mona said, trying to calm him down. “Seems like a safe risk.”

  Nic looked at them for a long minute. “Fine, do it.”

  Immediately Tania sent the faintest thread of magic out again and said the words to start the spell.

  “My memory of my first meeting with Warder Abner Smythe begins thus: We exited the library out onto the front circle. Let’s see, to our right sat the residence for him and his ward.”

  As she spoke she gestured, and faint images of each building sprung up. The library, the tallest building in the complex, reached up to Tania’s shoulders.

  “To my immediate left was a large stone archway leading back to a small garden, and, then, along the left wall, what’d been stables and a carriage house but was now a garage and workshop. The middle of the circular drive was grass with a shade tree and a fountain.”

  Tania looked everything over, then waved her hand again. The scene all morphed into more substantial images, still not solid, but much more clearly defined, except the wall, which they could still see through.

  Mona was amazed—she had never seen anything like this before. Given the gasps around her, she wasn’t the only one.

  Tania walked through the images and stood, relative to the miniature complex she made, in the same spot they now were.

  “My recorded memory of my first meeting with Warder Abner Smythe, starting after we exited the library, went thusly. . .”

  The buildings became a scale set, and miniature versions of Tania and Abner appeared in front of the library. Tania’s voice spoke in the still air around them. Tania was in a long, semiformal day gown, stiff with e
mbroidery. Their walk had a slow measured beat likely due to the formalness of the occasion: Smythe showing the new Maven his stronghold. It wasn’t until Mona looked over to see how Nic was dealing with this that she realized Tania wasn’t talking, the spell had recorded her voice.

  Nic, like the rest of the protectors, watched with an air of awe and concentration.

  “Have you had any call to train another Warder, Warder Abner?” the memory Tania was saying, her voice full sized despite the diminutive appearance. “I’m sure a new Warder would have much to learn from you.”

  They all saw Abner preen from the compliment, standing taller and squaring his shoulders.

  “Maven, I haven’t yet. Which, in all, is a good thing. Warders only arise when there is need.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes, indeed, Maven. That a Warder hasn’t come forth to be trained is beneficial, since having one would mean there is a Folk out there who needs containment.”

  “And is that what Warders do? Come forth? You don’t go seek them?”

  “Traditionally, those who will become Warders come to the attention of the current Warder through their own actions. My fellow Warders say this is still the case, so I see no reason to go seeking anyone.”

  Mona knew Abner well enough to realize he was being blustery, as if he knew she had a good suggestion, but clung to reasons not to.

  “I apologize, Abner, it is simply my curiosity that makes me ask, having known from a young age I would be Maven. Where are we going?”

  The two were on the walk heading around the side of the library. There, hidden by the angles of the buildings, plantings, and two feet of false façade, was a small path between the residence and the library. The entry was entirely blocked from view unless you were on top of it.

  “As part of the tour I wanted to show you the traitor’s gate. Rather, that is what they used to call it. I think the current term is emergency exit. If something should happen and you need to get in without me, you should come this way. The entrance is under the crenellation with three missing bricks. Once keyed, if you put your hand on the wall where it is, the entry will appear. I’ll need a token so an imp can set it up for you.”

  “Thank you for your foresight,” Tania said as she undid the ribbon holding her hair. “Let us hope we never need it.”

  She handed him the strip and he bowed over her extended hand, before taking it and tucking it into his vest pocket.

  “End the memory here,” Tania intoned.

  Her and Smythe’s miniatures disappeared and the buildings began to fade away.

  A slow beat of silence held everyone.

  Mona knew she looked in awe as Tania waved her hand through the wisps of the reenactment still hanging in the air. With each pass of her hand the strands of the energy sank into the Maven. She then stood, straight and stiff, clearly uncomfortable and unwilling to say anything first.

  Nic stared at her for a moment before nodding. “Right, then, the traitor’s gate. Everyone ready?”

  Cart gestured grandly to Nic. “Protector, I assume you have a plan.”

  Mona didn’t doubt that Cart had one too, but for some reason he wanted Nic to lead this part.

  “We’ll split up, and check each side for evidence on who did this. Tania and I’ll go counter=clockwise with you two.” He picked a pair out of the group. “Two more of you go with Cart and Mona clockwise. Stay in the trees as much as possible. The other two stay here and guard our backs. If we need your help we’ll find a way to contact you.”

  He held up his hands to forestall questions. “I suspect there are traps specifically set for large groups that we want to avoid. Plus, smaller groups can move faster. But no one should continue on by themselves. If the choice is go on alone or turn back, turn back.”

  Cart nodded his agreement as Nic spoke. Tania glared at his back.

  “To make sure we all head for the same spot, see where there are two tall white pines, right next each other?” Nic continued, pointing at the tops that rose above the devastation. Everyone gave an affirmative sound. “We’ll meet up there before heading in.”

  “Sounds good, but don’t wait too long for the next group, as they may have all turned back,” Cart said. “I’d suggest calling an imp to tell the other you’ve made it, but that strikes me as a bad idea.”

  Everyone nodded in agreement. Cart looked at the jumble of rocks and forest that we’d need to get through, then at Mona. “You up to this?”

  “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be,” she replied.

  “How about you, cuz?” Cart’s concerned gaze captured Tania’s. He was giving her an out if she didn’t want to go with Nic, Mona realized.

  Tania’s response was to shoot him an annoyed look and walk away, leaving Nic and the others to catch up.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Walking proved difficult on their side. Beneath the melting snow was a layer of leaves, not to mention fallen branches, making the ground very slippery. Then there were occasional low, rocky outcroppings. They detoured were they could, but sometimes it was just faster to climb over.

  At the third such climb, they lost one of their team members to a severely twisted ankle. Cart sent her and their fourth back, telling them not to send anyone else along after them.

  “I’d rather have the gate guarded.”

  Once they were safely on their way Cart turned to Mona. “You see any magic?”

  “Nope,” she replied. “I can’t help if there are any other types of traps, but magic I’ll spot.”

  “We can’t risk another injury. Let’s stick to just inside the edge of the forest. It’ll be faster and less likely that either of us will get hurt.” Cart took her hand and started forward. “Even with all the parks in the city, I miss forests.”

  “When were you in a forest?” she asked, deciding not to pull her hand away.

  “Scouts. Went to camp every summer from the time I was seven until I graduated from college. By then I was an assistant division director. Lots of the Were packs in the city had their own Scout dens.” They both smiled at the play on words.

  He held up his hand and she stopped.

  “There’s something.” He slowly spun around. “Black bear I think. You talk and keep going, I want to make sure it’s not a shifter.”

  Moving silently toward the trees he beckoned her to keep walking forward.

  “You talk,” he said, moving silently toward the trees and beckoning her to keep walking forward.

  “What? I can’t just come up with a monologue on demand.”

  “Here’s a topic to set you babbling: I sent in my notice to the force.”

  His pronouncement had the desired affect. Shit, this was bad.

  “You what? I can’t believe you did that. Why? I mean, no, well, why is what I mean, but I am not going to go there now. What are you going to do? Not that I don’t think you’d find something to do. If nothing else, Nic can put in a word for you at the agency. That is, um, assuming you are staying in Buffalo. You are staying in Buffalo, right? I don’t want to assume you are, but then you were the one talking about fates and destinies. Which, you know, might be an issue.”

  No, no, not going there, not going to say she was worried about what her relationship with her ward might be. “What if I end up someplace else? There’s no reason to assume Buffalo is where I’m going to end up. Particularly with your cousin here, she can do the warding stuff as well, actually, probably better than I can—”

  He came running back and grabbed her arm, forcing her to keep up.

  “Not a shifter but a sow, let’s get out of her path.”

  Without waiting for her reply he let go her arm and Mona followed him on a crisscrossing path through the woods.

  Finally, at a slow jog now, Cart lead them back toward the complex, angling far away from where they’d come in. Once they got to the edge, the White Pines Nic had designated were in sight. Cart slowed his pace, aiming them for the other side of the trees, away from the complex. They
caromed around the corner, to find Nic in a defensive pose and Tania seated and serenely watching the direction they came from. Their companions were nowhere in sight.

  Mona sank down to sit on a log near where Tania sat, in a beam of sunshine. The split trunk of the pine stood between them and the complex, hiding it from view. Later, she’d talk to Cart about his decision.

  “You loose your escort too?” Tania asked.

  “Larissa twisted an ankle not that far in and we sent her back with Tyrene,” Cart replied. “As Nic said, having a smaller group made it easier to avoid any traps. Where are Frank and Lytel?”

  “They found something they wanted to check out. I’m sure you’ll get the details when we get back,” Nic said pacing in front of them. “I want to go take a look at the wall. We’ve found the spot with the missing bricks.”

  Mona and Cart waved him along; he was clearly antsy and ready to do something. Tania joined him as he rounded the tree and disappeared out of sight.

  “Did you really send in your notice?” Mona had to ask.

  “Not yet, although I do have it written up.” He stood and peeked around the tree. “And it’s not really a notice, it’s asking for a sabbatical while we figure out where it is you are going to end up. Then we’ll figure out if I want to transfer to a local place or arrange for something else.”

  “Were you going to discuss this with me?” she said.

  He stuck his head back behind the tree. “We are discussing it.”

  “No, we’re not. You’re listing your plan of action and telling me about it.” Mona held up his hand to forestall his sputtering. “Although I agree that is better than your having sent the notice off before telling me.”

  Cart leaned against the tree, all six foot plus of him. A study in nonchalance, so he must be worried. “Do you object?”

  That wasn’t the point.

  “No,” she said. “I don’t. But, there are complications—”

  Tania’s and Nic’s voices raised in disagreement rang through the air. Cart stuck his head back around the tree.

  “What’s he doing? Is that—” He bounded off before she could tell him her concerns.