Wrath of the Iron Warlock

by Patrick Cassidy

  “He’s going to be expecting me, I better call him out.” They got into position outside the jail. Ben signaled for Crow to bring the Warlock outside of the wagon as the werewolf patrols started to circle us. Once they saw the Warlock they stood their waiting on what to do. “Good boys”, Ben said. “I see you’re not going to try anything with us holding the Warlock hostage. Tell Archie Wolfgang and Crix Tyrell to come on out of there.”

  “Archie isn’t here, he’s leading the others on the highways, and checking up on some of his territory and other vested interests.”

  “I’ll bet”, Ben said. “I know Tyrell didn’t go with him, Crix Tyrell if you can here me step outside.” The tall wizard with the painted face stepped out with his two chaos scepters in hand. Before he could say anything Ben got right to the point. “We got your boss. If you don’t wish for anything to happen to him you do exactly what we say. You don’t believe we won’t finish the job, perhaps you would like to here it from him personally.”

  “Tyrell, do exactly what they tell you. Don’t be stupid, remember you won’t have a share in the treasure without me.”

  “You hear him Tyrell”, Michael growled.

  “I here him”, Tyrell hissed. “Name your terms.”

  “Get your whole gang out of that jail house”, Ben said. “And not just your gang, what’s left of Archie’s as well. I want that jail house to be rid of the darkness that you have overshadowed out here.” Tyrell signaled for his gang to come out. The Werewolves were already transformed, but they stayed reserved. “Very good, now weapons down on the ground. You know, staffs, wands, daggers, etc.”

  “I don’t leave my staffs unless if conquered”, Tyrell hissed.

  “You really want to take the attitude of a rattlesnake right now”, Crow called out. “I got my staff pointed at the Warlock’s back. You might get us in the long run, but at least I won’t have to worry about him tearing up my property to find the witch’s spoils.”

  “I wouldn’t hesitate on the matter Tyrell”, Ben told him. “Crow would take great pleasure in ridding the world of the Iron Warlock real fast. If I were you, I’d drop those scepters, you can pick them up later. You can wait a little while longer to satisfy your revenge.” Tyrell gave Ben a sharp stern look. Then along with the rest, he dropped his staffs down. As they started to move in Michael told them to move to the hotel as he and Crow escorted the Warlock into the jail house. Ben unhitched Talon, and told him to go find Bistro.

  “I’ll get his report later on, but we might need him to help back our play”, he told the griffin.

  “I know what to do”, Talon said with a nod of encouragement. “Good luck.” He took off and soared into the night. Ben turned as he kicked the chaos scepters out of his way. Tyrell looked at him. Ben could see the hate in his eyes.

  “If you don’t like the treatment now, wait till we have real magical law enforcement here. You and the Warlock may not be able to get your hands on that treasure after all. I still strongly advise you don’t try our patience here.”

  “I knew you weren’t with any circus”, Tyrell hissed. “You better pray you last the night, the first chance I get, I’m coming after you.”

  “You will try”, Ben growled back. “Lord knows your master did. My advice to you is don’t even think about it. You may find yourself meeting the same fate as he did.”

  <><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

  “Someone in your office to see you Boss. He says he’s an old friend of yours”, the secretary said as Maximillian came up to his penthouse.

  “Did you make sure he was a friend and not an enemy”, Maximillian told her. “Got to be sure these days. I don’t just let anyone in my penthouse you know.”

  “A Professor James Pallando”, she said. Maximillian smiled and entered the penthouse. I was inside waiting for him. I had entered in through one of the open windows. Michael’s magic carpet provided the stealth approach I needed. I knew this was the first place to look. I didn’t find anything. Plus I had to stop my search and make sure everything was back in its rightful place when his secretary walked in. I felt it best to face Maximillian right then and there. As the saying goes, friends must be dealt with in a friendly yet business like manner. I was hoping to keep this as friendly as I could since I knew how sensitive Maximillian was, of course knowing my association with Ben, something told me I was going to learn an awful truth about my friend Maximillian the genie of Vegas. I didn’t want to admit it, but I could feel it nagging at me like a mosquito.

  “This is a pleasant surprise to find you here Jim”, Maximillian said as I shook his hand. “What brings you out here? Did you solve another case?”

  “Let’s just say Ben and I are getting to the wrap up of our current one. You ever been to El Draco?” He looked at me as if he had seen a ghost when I had mentioned the name of the town that Ben and I got called into. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

  “I never been there, but I’ve heard about it. I also know of that tyrant the Warlock.”

  “So you know him”, I asked. “It would seem according to his Owlnet, you and he are in constant contact with each other. I’m going to take a wild guess and say he’s a friend of yours.”

  “Now Jim, let me explain.”

  “I wish you would.”

  “Easy with that remark.”

  “Be honest with me, are you in league with him or not? I got to know Max, it’s my job now.”

  “You’ve heard of the strategy keep your friends close and your enemies closer”, he started to say. I nodded. “Well, let’s just say I had my eyes on the Warlock for a long time. I learned he’s got family ties that have abused the privileges of my kind. Of course, not knowing who he really is, I had to plan on offering my assistance.”

  “You realize what you have done?”

  “Now don’t pass judgment on me Jim, it was all part of the plan, I would’ve seen that El Draco was compensated once the Warlock was brought to justice. In order to gain his trust though, I had to play the part in order to keep stringing him along. He eventually gave me the deeds for safe keeping, at least unitl he got the one for Crow’s Nest. The treasure of Crisis is underneath the entire town, but the mother load is underneath Crow’s Nest.”

  “How do you know all this”, I asked. “Surely he didn’t confide all of this to you. Ben, his brother, Crow, and I fought the Warlock and managed to disarm him. He’s tough, and he doesn’t seem to be the type who would let you know this information unless if you really earned his trust.”

  “You wizards keep forgetting that we genies not only have the wisdom of centuries, but we also retain ancient knowledge that helps us see the future. A combination that gives us the ability to know all even before others do. For instance, disarming the Warlock and bringing him in to trade for Tuskora may have been a good idea on your friend Ben’s part, but while their guarding him, he is already plotting his revenge. He won’t sit still for long. Right now he’s just biding his time.”

  “Where are the deeds now”, I asked. Maximillian hesitated and motioned a chair to pull up behind me. “I don’t have time to sit down. If what you’re telling me is true, give those deeds to me, I’ll see to it that they get back to the right people.”

  “Forgive me my friend”, Maximillian said, before I could ask, I felt something strike me on the back of the head. I staggered a bit, but was out like a light once I fell back into the chair.

  <><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

  “You didn’t have to hit him that hard you half crazy wolf”, Maximillian hissed as Archie Wolfgang stepped out from behind a curtain near one of the windows.

  “I had a hunch he’d be hear”, he growled. “I saw the magic carpet coming in. I took care of that though. My boys and I will take him back to El Draco, just as the Warlock planned.”

  “Just don’t kill him, he is a friend of mine after all”, Maximillian told him.
<
br />   “But the Alatar brothers aren’t”, Archie said as he signaled for two of his boys to come up to help carry an unconscious wizard. They were transformed into werewolves, but thanks to those amulets and Archie’s leadership their mannerisms were in complete control. “By the way, tell Shearfire, I’m in whenever he wants to get together.”

  <><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

  I had no idea how long I was out, but when I came two I was flat on my back lying on a bed in some kind of cellar. I moved my hand to feel my head. I had a bandage on it, but I realized I was now taken prisoner. I had a pair of spell binders on my wrists, and another strapped to my ankles. I knew what that meant, only simple spells and none that could set me free unless if my captors saw fit. I smelled cigar smoke as I sat up.

  “You better leave that bandage alone, unless if you want to start bleeding again. I was only hoping to knock you out without doing any serious injury, but in my defense, my paws don’t have a good grip on my shot gun. At least not in this form.” I looked at him as I made myself a little more comfortable. I was face to face with the one eyed werewolf leader of the bike gang. At this point I couldn’t decide if he was uglier as a werewolf, or as a human.

  “What tipped you off”, I asked.

  “The Warlock himself”, Archie said. “I knew at least one of you would make the trip to Vegas, and considering how Vegas is part of my territory as per an agreement with Maximillian naturally I had to sniff you out. Don’t worry, my boys and I kept you alive. You’re no good to us dead, plus Maximillian wouldn’t forgive me if I let anything happen to his inside man at Blue Wizard Detectives.”

  “So Ben was right about him after all”, I growled. “I’m no agent of Maximillian’s.”

  “I didn’t think you were, at least not that you knew. Then again I don’t care much one way or another as long as I get my cut. Anyway, you just rest here until morning, I’ll see to it that you’re fed and taken care of. We got to make sure we get the Warlock back in the trade.”

  “Don’t think Ben will trade that tyrant for me”, I said. “He’ll destroy him first.”

  “Not until he finds out we have you, you should be a little more greatful. Tyrell is here. If it were up to him, you never would have woken up. We learned what happened to Draco.”

  “Some of your boys were in that mess to”, I reminded him.

  “Yes, but unlike the Legion of Chaos, my gang knows what they’ve signed up for. Besides they were under my orders to go with Draco to fetch Crystal Swansong. I do have to applaud you on your circus disguise. Bravo an exquisite performance, but now this show is just starting to get on the road.”

  <><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

  Back at the jail house in El Draco, Ben and Crystal freed Travis Tuskora. His Uncle took the spell binders off him once he was out of the cell, and made them bind the Warlock instead.

  “Alright, get in there”, Crow sneered as he ushered the Warlock into the cell. “Travis, you better help lock the place down, I’ll stay back here and keep an eye on our friend.”

  “Keep it up old man”, the Warlock growled. “You’ll be the first one I get once Tyrell sets me free.”

  “I’m glad to be out of there”, Travis said. “I hope you guys have more help coming.”

  “Help is on the way”, Ben told him. “We need to fort up though in the meantime. If all goes well, Archie, Tyrell, and the Warlock won’t be a threat to your town anymore.”

  “It’s too bad we don’t know what happened to those deeds he took.”

  “I already got a man on the job”, Ben said.

  “Hey in the jail house, its Dr. Chester Cats, I brought some food for you.”

  “It’s alright Doc, come in”, Travis called out. He opened one of the windows, and the Cheseaur Cat dentist floated in carrying a cooler. Cleo and Mike started laughing.

  “So it was true”, Cleo said. “The dentist is actually a Cheseaur Cat.”

  “Good to see you Doc, I hear you are the only dentist on record who managed to finally get my kid brother worried about the inside of his mouth, really gave him the cats me-ouch from what I understand”, Mike laughed out.

  “Shut up”, Ben grumbled. He couldn’t help but laugh himself, but he didn’t want to show it. “It’s not like I don’t go to the dentist, and I can assure you I don’t need root canal.”

  “It’s good to finally see you with out the clown get up”, the Cheseaur grinned. “Anyway, for what you’re trying to do for us I managed to catch some cat fish. I got enough here for dinner, and in the morning, cat fish and eggs.”

  “Cat fish and eggs”, Mike said. “I still can’t get over that combination.”

  “It’s not bad brother, you should try it.”

  “Why not introduce them to that famous cat fish stew of yours Doc”, Crow said as he rested his staff on the wall next to him. Before we knew it, a banjo appeared in his hand and he was playing while Dr. Cats was doing the cooking.

  Travis asked about how Ben knew what was going on about things in El Draco, and he and Crystal told him the story of how Drexel Draco was killed. Crystal told him about what happened to Clair, but Mike assured him that as long as she was with Kate, she was in a safe place.

  “I just hope she’s careful when the moon is out”, Travis said.

  “According to Ben, she’ll be well with in her own control either way”, Crystal said. “How he knows this is beyond me.” She watched as Ben kept checking the windows and pacing back and fourth to see if the Warlock was going to try anything. “He must be good at what he does I have to admit I’ve been impressed by some of his methods so far.”

  “If he helps us rid this town of Tyrell and the Warlock that will be all fine and dandy with me”, Travis said. He looked down and examined his hand. “I still got a score to settle with that one eyed shotgun toting werewolf.”

  “You both do your old man credit”, Crow told Mike as Dr. Cats handed him a bowl of catfish stew. “I know Joseph would be proud of his sons.”

  “Ben is more like him these days”, Mike said. “I rarely take cases anymore unless if called in. Plus I’m trying to protect my wife knowing how this Shearfire is flying around out there somewhere.”

  “Yes, I could see how that would drive you into semiretirement”, Crow said. “If you would like I have connections who know about Shearfire, I might be able to provide a lead. I do owe Joe that much.”

  “You must have struck up quite a friendship with him”, Mike said.

  “As I told you”, Crow said as he set down the bowl and began to strum his banjo again. “Your old man and I go way back.”

  “Well, any lead we can get we’d appreciate”, Mike said. “Don’t promise anything now, we’re not out of the woods yet.”

  The next morning, Dr. Cats set everyone up with plates of catfish and scrambled eggs for breakfast. So far there was no news from Tiger.

  “He’s on his way at least that was the last time I checked”, Kate told Mike through the mirror. “I guess even in our world, the red tape of jurisdiction takes time.”

  “Even when there is a legitimate cause to cut right through it”, Travis protested.

  “I don’t like it any better than you do”, Ben said. “Red tape is hard to avoid at times. We’ll keep doing what we’re doing. I don’t know why Jim hasn’t tried to reach out yet. Maximillian is probably stalling him. If we don’t here from him by nightfall, I’m going to head up to Vegas myself and find out what’s taking so long.”

  “Right now strength in numbers is our best play”, Mike said. “You, me, Crystal, Crow, and Travis holding the Warlock in custody keeps Tyrell and the rest off our backs.”

  “Do you want Clair and me to come by? We can bring you all dinner.”

  “That’s not a good idea”, Ben said.

  “They could be a big help, like your brother said. Strength in numbers”,
Crystal insisted.

  “Kate and Clair our doing more for us where they are. As much as I would love to have Kate here, she is safer where she is keeping a link between us and Tiger. Not to mention keeping us informed on anything else that might be at stake. Strength in numbers yes, but we got to be careful how we use those numbers.”

  “Can I at least speak with Clair, I want to make sure she’s alright”, Travis asked. Mike looked in the mirror and then looked back. After a quick nod of acknowledgement, he handed it to Travis, so that he could talk to his girl. He walked over to Ben who was watching the front door.

  “So, when is there going to be someone special in your life.”

  “I’m not over Monica yet”, Ben told Mike.

  “You got to stop blaming yourself for that. Her death was not your fault. I keep telling you there was nothing you could’ve done. You’re a good wizard Ben and an ace detective, but you’re not that powerful, and you most certainly can’t be in two places at once, especially since you didn’t know where and when they were meeting.”

  “But I knew she was working for Professor Salazar”, Ben told him. “She told me that herself. I didn’t take her warning to me seriously then.”

  “Can’t change the past brother, you can only learn from it. I just don’t want you torturing yourself like when I lost my eye and hand to Tyrell. You and I both knew what we were signing up for when we took the family business.”

  “There is something else to consider. Now that we know who murdered Dad, we need to know what he’s been up to, at the very least where to find him. I just hope Bistro has managed to turn something up. If anyone knows dragons, it’s him.”

  “I’m just saying little brother, if you do find that someone special, don’t wait too long. I don’t want you to end up alone. I care about you too much. I know you can take care of yourself, but you’re a good man. You owe it to yourself to find some happiness in your life.”

  “I shall take your advice into consideration big brother”, Ben said. “Don’t worry, when the time is right,” He took a deep breathe before he spoke again. “Someday I hope to have what you and Kate have.”