by Mark Hayden
Morton was more brutal: ‘You are not coming in my car with that dog, no matter how well behaved he is normally.’
‘He is cute, though,’ said Elaine. ‘Those funny eyes look right through you.’
‘He’s a proper working dog, isn’t he?’ said Morton. ‘I grew up with them at Rooksnest Farm, and they have a leaner look to them than most border collies.’
I gave the manic mutt a scratch. ‘He is. Keeping him exercised is almost a full time job.’
We left the restaurant shortly after that, and I was tempted to blow a week’s allowance on a taxi back to Middlebarrow. It was only the thought of arguing about Scout that made me limp back to Piccadilly Station and submit myself to one of those “Pacer” trains. If this was the standard of public transport in Lancashire, no wonder Manchester has so much vehicle traffic and pollution.
It was Evie who collected us from Mouldsworth, and she told me that she would be out for the evening. I Skyped Mina and brought her up to date.
‘How were things between you and Tom?’ she asked.
‘I can tell he thinks there’s unfinished business. I think he can live with it, but I’m not expecting a Christmas card. Scout might get one, but not us. It helps that Elaine wasn’t directly involved in the Jigsaw affair.’
I didn’t mention Morton’s warning about keeping clear of Lucy. As I said, I don’t tell Mina who to associate with.
She had worn a saree to work for some reason, and kept fiddling with the pin that holds it all together. ‘How do you feel about the case?’ she said.
‘I’m not happy about it, that’s for certain. Tara Doyle was adamant that the Count had not Entangled Fae Klass, or not yet. I think it’s possible she’d worked it out for herself. That and the cash, plus things she might have stolen. I don’t know. I really don’t.’
We moved on, and she told me that the date for the Flint Hoard case had been put back, so she wouldn’t have any problem getting away on Friday morning.
‘That’s why I wore the saree,’ she said. ‘Practice for meeting the Northern Mages.’
Mina’s clothing choices follow a code that is sometimes beyond me. I know that she doesn’t often wear sarees, and usually does so to project a more Indian vibe. I also know that she changes the spelling of saree / sari at will.
‘I’m glad you’re going to be there. Let me know the train.’
When we’d finished, it really hit home to me that I was on my own. For the first time in months, I had nothing to do and no one to do it with. That left me with no option but to light the fire, stretch out on the couch and turn on the television. Sometimes, doing nothing is exactly what you need, a point I made to Scout.
He stood on the rug, turned round a few times and then curled up with his head on his paws. I think he was agreeing with me.
Next morning, Karina Kent messaged me with an arrival time in Middlebarrow, and I caught up on some paperwork until my leg hurt and Scout had started sniffing an armchair with a gleam in his eye that said he fancied some canine woodworking. ‘Come on, let’s go for a long walk.’
‘Arff.’
This time I went further south, towards yet another Stamford Bridge (that’s four I know of in England), and the village of Tarvin. On a whim, I called Karina and told her to meet me at the pub in Great Barrow instead of at the Haven.
Scout and I got to the White Horse, and I took a pint outside to the bench. I reckoned that Karina would be here in about ten minutes, so it was time to refresh my memory. I took out the printed sheets from her file and cast my mind back to the Foresters Hall near Henley in Arden where I’d met her for the first and only time.
Karina Kent had belonged to the same Circle of Mages as Erin, and had followed Erin in being Handmaiden to the Circle’s leader, Oma Bridget. Karina had been with the Arden Foresters since the age of thirteen, and she was now twenty-one, even younger than Saffron. The file from Hannah told me nothing I didn’t know already, with one exception: Karina had listed her strengths as offensive magick, tracking and concealment. And that’s it. No wonder she wanted to join the Watch.
I was slowly sharing a packet of pork scratchings with Scout (after washing off the salt from his share), when a black Mini Countryman came uncertainly round the corner and looked for a parking space. I brushed my hands and stood up.
Karina had dressed down for the drive and was sporting what the experts call athletic lounge wear. I would have called it a tracksuit if I’d been allowed an opinion, which when it comes to fashion, I’m not. She looked both ways before crossing the country lane and sprang over to join me.
I use the verb sprang with care. The most noticeable thing about Karina is not her long mousy hair (tied into a Goddess braid), nor her thin face, nor her slight frame. All of those make her pretty anonymous when she’s sitting down. What really makes Karina into Karina is her innate grace and poise. I haven’t been to the ballet often (twice – an ex made me), and even the prima ballerina was no lighter on her feet or faster than Karina. When she’d reached my station, she stopped and saluted.
I returned the salute, and she said, ‘Did I get that right, sir?’
I shook her hand. ‘You salute better than Vicky ever does. Have you been practising?’
‘The Constable said I had to salute you once and then never again unless you’re in uniform. I wanted to get it right.’
‘We call her the Boss or Hannah amongst ourselves. What can I get you to drink?’
She looked at the pub and at the table. She was going to say no, I think, but something made her change her mind. ‘I’ll have a coffee, please.’
‘I’ll leave you to get to know Scout. Here.’ I passed her a dog treat and went back to the bar. There was an ache inside Karina that was so strong I could smell it: an ache to fit in and do the right thing. Not a problem in itself, but something to note.
I put the coffee down and tipped another half of beer into my pint glass. ‘Cheers.’
‘Thanks.’
She carefully lifted the sugar packet and milk carton off her saucer and placed them in the middle of the table. I decided to push her buttons a little.
‘How does it feel to be a Witchfinder?’
She flinched back. Amongst the Circles, the King’s Watch does not have a good reputation, and I’ve been called a Witchfinder more often than I can remember, even in my short career.
She shrugged, a tiny movement with minimal effort and no grace. ‘’Salright,’ she said with a mumble before taking a sip of coffee.
Oh dear. I felt a rush of sympathy for Hannah.
‘Did you have a good journey? Warwick, wasn’t it?’
‘Yes.’
This time I said nothing to see how she reacted. Instead of fidgeting, she went still. Totally motionless, with her eyes on a point to my left. Then she started to blink rapidly. With an audible rush, she took a breath and said, ‘Quite bad. The traffic was quite bad. Took me a lot longer than I thought. I really like your dog, sir. He’s got loads of personality.’
He’s got a load more personality than you was my first and cruellest thought. I forced myself to give her the benefit of the doubt and remember that I can be a bit intimidating. ‘Karina, I’ve got a question for you. I want you to think about it while I have a smoke. Why do you think the Boss put you with me as your training officer?’
I stood up and moved away from her. She frowned for a second and answered me before I’d got my lighter to work.
‘I was a bit disappointed, to be honest. I thought she’d put me with one of the female officers. I was hoping for Vicky. Sorry, I meant Captain Robson.’
‘There is only one female Watch Captain at the moment, and Vicky’s got her hands full with Xavi and Saffron.’
She blinked again and spoke rapidly. ‘I’m really sorry, sir, that must have sounded like I was disappointed. I’m not. I’m really looking forward to working with you because you have the most interesting cases.’
‘That’s one way of putting it, Karina.’
I looked away and frowned. ‘It’s not just about you. What about me?’
She chewed it over. ‘I’m sorry. I don’t understand.’
‘Why have I had a trainee throughout my whole time as a Watch Captain and now Deputy Constable?’
She blushed and looked at her cold coffee. ‘Because your magickal talents are differently developed. Is that what I’m supposed to say?’
‘No. It’s too politically correct to say they’re different. I simply don’t have them. You have to be my magickal eyes and ears, especially the ears. Helicopters are very noisy. Got that?’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘And I’m relying on you to speak up on all matters magickal. I need you to do that, Karina. Both our lives could be at risk if you don’t. OK?’
She nodded and tried to smile. ‘OK.’
‘Good.’ I drained my pint and put the glass down. ‘Scout and I are going to walk back to Middlebarrow and I’ll see you at the Lodge. Saskia is expecting you and has a token to get you through the Wards. If you could take the empties back inside, I’ll see you shortly. And from now on, it’s Conrad, okay?’
‘Right.’
It was a five minute walk back to Middlebarrow. As soon as we’d left the pub, I said to Scout, ‘What do you make of her then, eh?’
It was a good question (for me, not for him. He knew he liked her). I had a few alarm bells ringing in my head. They weren’t as loud as the Alarms that Warded the Haven, thank the gods, but they were definitely there. Was it just shyness, or was there something else? Genuine dislike of men? Genuine dislike of me, for some reason? But who could dislike me? Don’t answer that question.
Karina had overtaken me and was actually talking to Saskia. There was also pointing and directions being given. Benji the spaniel saw Scout coming and retreated behind the Lodge gate.
Karina turned to me. ‘Conrad, I didn’t know you had an altar here. Saskia’s been telling me all about it. Is it okay if I use it?’
‘I’ve warned her about ramblers,’ said Saskia.
‘Of course,’ I said. ‘Whenever you want if you’re not on duty.’
‘Thanks.’
‘I’ll leave you to it, then,’ said Saskia. ‘See you at dinner, Karina, Conrad.’
When Saskia (and Benji) had returned to the Lodge, Karina’s nervousness/shyness/awkwardness returned. ‘What do we do about food here?’
‘That’s subject to negotiation. Evie will get you a bite when we get to the Haven, and we’re eating together tonight. Saskia has generously agreed to join us. It’s in your honour, not mine.’
She chewed her lip. ‘About that. I only eat naturally.’
‘I guessed. You’re not the first natural eater to visit here. Just don’t mention beef when Mina’s in residence and you’ll be fine.’
‘Mina. That’s your fiancée, right?’
‘She. Mina is a she not a that. Come on, let’s get you settled in. You should be able to drive through the Wards now, and if you park round the back, I’ll give you a hand with the luggage. Scout and I are going to take a shortcut through the gardens.’
She nodded and got into her car. When I’d pulled her up about the use of pronouns, you’d think I’d slapped her. I looked up at the clearing sky and decided that Karina would probably feel more at home outside than in.
After they’d eaten, while Karina was upstairs putting her things away, I helped Evie tidy the kitchen. ‘She’s very quiet,’ said Evie. ‘I had to work really hard to get her to talk at all.’
‘Oh?’ I said. ‘What floats her boat?’
‘Hunting. And the Foresters, which is weird, because from what I can tell, they weren’t very nice to her all the time. And even weirder was that she spent ten minutes asking questions about the food before I figured out what was really bugging her. I don’t think she’s ever eaten a meal in company when she wasn’t wearing her robes as a Forrester and she wanted to know what our dress code was.’
‘I hope you told her that we always dress for dinner and that tiaras should be worn.’
‘No, because that would be cruel. Is she really twenty-one, not seventeen?’
‘You went to a mundane school, didn’t you?’
‘No need to rub it in.’
‘Don’t knock it, Evie. Sometimes lifelong Mages are at a real handicap. While we’ve got a minute, can I ask you about Piers Wetherill?’
Evie stopped putting things away and turned to face me. ‘What do you want to know? I didn’t see much of him. It’s Mum you should ask.’
‘What were his interests, and did he leave anything personal behind?’
She may not be much of a Mage, but Evie is anything but slow. ‘You’re trying to find him. How do you know he’s not at home in Shrewsbury?’
‘Because it’s listed with a lettings agency. No Mage does that unless they’ve taken all the magick off their house.’
‘What will you do if you find him?’
‘Ask him some questions. If I’m not happy with the answers, I’ll lock him in a small room with Mina, and she’ll ask him again.’
‘Ha ha.’ She saw my face. ‘Oh. Right.’ She thought for a moment. ‘You’re not going to hurt him? Promise?’
‘If he’s done something wrong, he’ll answer to the Cloister Court.’
She shrugged. If I had to guess, I’d say that Piers wasn’t the most obliging lodger. ‘He left nothing behind except the stuff from the last election. Mundane election. He campaigned for the Liberal Democrats. A load of leaflets. I put them in the recycling.’
It wasn’t much, but it was a start. I heard a door close in the hall, and Karina appeared in her new combat uniform, complete with second lieutenant tab. She didn’t look happy.
‘Is this the right size? It’s baggy in all the wrong places. Do I have to wear it?’
‘Not today. I can get Saffron to give you the number of her seamstress if you like, but when we’re on an op, it’s uniform orders, I’m afraid.’
She looked disappointed. ‘What are we doing now?’
‘Going for a long walk. Get changed and I’ll meet you by the kennel. I’ll fill the flasks.’
She found me ten minutes later, putting my phone away. ‘I’ve just heard from Sheriff Morton. They’ve struck gold. We’re on for tomorrow.’
She brightened up considerably. ‘Great. What are we doing?’
‘Let’s go to Nimue’s spring, and I’ll tell you all about it.’
Karina was disappointed when I told her we were on the hunt for a drag queen and not a Dragon, and she was even more disappointed when Nimue didn’t make an appearance at the spring. After that, we walked and talked. I went through my magickal cases with her, pausing at the places where I’d had to make decisions to see what she thought. Short of organising the Watch to run combat simulations, it was the best I could do.
We trespassed on to the thirteenth green of a golf club and I told her that we were stopping for tea and a test.
‘What test?’
‘We’ll get in serious trouble if the golfers see us. I want you to use magick to stop them. I’ll pour the tea.’
There was a mound at one side of the green, and Karina pointed to it. ‘We’ll sit there. Give me a minute.’
Scout and I settled on the mound, and in the distance I could see a foursome gathering on the tee. Tom Morton is a rugby fan, which was disappointing, but we do share a mutual loathing for golf. Another plus point for the Sheriff. I must find out where he got that nickname.
Karina jogged back from the woods carrying a tree branch. I could spend all day watching her move – her feet barely seemed to touch the ground. When she got closer, I could see that she’d cut the branch from a living tree. If that sounds like vandalism, most Mages and all Witches are careful to harvest from Mother Nature only what can be spared. If that wood had been coppiced and well maintained, she’d have come back empty handed.
She cut the branch to a point and drove it into the mound. Scout lifted his head to take an interest,
then dropped it when she started performing magick. He may have kept his ability to detect non-humans from when he was a Familiar, but he can’t sense magick anymore.
‘Look away,’ she said. ‘Much easier if I don’t have an audience to amaze.’
That’s the old sense of a-maze: to put someone in a maze, or befuddle them. I turned away and felt the tingle of Lux being applied. Then I heard a curse. More Lux. More cursing. I had to fight the urge to turn round.
She was breathing heavily when Scout barked and she announced that she was done. ‘Just your peripheral vision, if you can.’
I focused on a tree in the distance, and instead of the branch and dog, I saw a state-of-the-art bag of golf clubs on a motorised trolley, and a pile of discarded waterproofs. ‘You’d better stay still for a bit, boy,’ I said to Scout, then, ‘Well done, Karina.’ I had more to say, but I wanted to hear her self-appraisal first.
‘Sorry it took so long. I wanted to include Scout, and I had to work around him. If we’re in the field and he’s with us, he’s pretty distinctive. I can do it much faster without him.’
‘Good. I’ll bear that in mind. What about us?’
‘From a distance, we look the part. There’s a golf course on the Forest of Arden, so I’ve seen plenty of golfers from a distance.’
‘Good work, though if you take pictures of me in a Pringle sweater, even a magickal Pringle sweater, I may have to kill you.’
That was the cue for a joke. She passed.
The Forest of Arden is a Fae realm that exists in the same physical space as a piece of the Warwickshire countryside, but on a different plane of energy. The sacred grove of the Arden Foresters is at the northern end of the invisible wood, and Karina spent a lot of time there. She made some bad choices recently, and her mention of the Forest allowed me to bring them up.
I passed her a mug of tea and said, ‘You deserve that. Do you know how Colwyn is getting on?’
Colwyn is her half-brother by the same father. Unusually for a Witch, Karina was brought up by her father; her file said that her mother died when she was very small. Colwyn and Karina had been drawn into a plot by the Foresters’ Mother (that’s a title, not a biological descriptor), and Erin’s close friend, Ioan, had been killed. Another reason to keep Karina away from Clerkswell.