Marcius waved a hand in dismissal. "That's far up north and none of our concern. If they want to kill each other, let them."
"I hope it never becomes our concern, Marc," Jared said with a serious expression on his face. "Who knows where the Morlians will stop when they get started."
All further talk was halted due to the steaming platters of food that the barmaid delivered and they quickly dug in, both happy for an excuse to think about their problems. When they were finished, they paid and promptly left, feeling a bit better with full stomachs. It was dark as they emerged from the restaurant, and a bright full moon could be seen in the distance like a watchful shepherd.
They walked aimlessly a bit, content in the silence of each other's company. It was amazing what could be said when one shed the clumsiness of words. Jared was the first to break the peace. "Y'know Marc, do you think I could visit you sometime? Would get boring being here all by myself, and I would rather accompany you than those uptight nobles." His words came out in a rush, as if they were embarrassing to say.
"Well, I will ask Antaigne. I don't see why not. Do you know the way?" Marcius asked, thinking of the manner Antaigne would receive the eccentric swordsman. It was a bit difficult to not laugh at the thought, so he bit his lip instead.
"Not really, but I've always been good at directions, just tell me the way." So Marcius outlined the route, detailing all the traps to look for along the way, which Jared took in with rapt attention. When he was done, Jared nodded and tapped his head. "I got it, expect to see me whenever I can come up with a valid excuse for the Mutt," he said, referring to his own more derogatory nickname for his father.
"Aye, okay then, Jared. Got to go home and get some rest. Tomorrow is when I have to head up."
Jared nodded and went his own way with a final wave and goodbye to Marcius.
With the lack of his friend nearby, his thoughts returned to his situation. Tomorrow would be the day he would get his familiar and become an official apprentice. His familiar! Marcius just remembered and felt excited at the surge of hope the little creature inspired. The dragon-like animal stood out in his mind and he couldn't wait to see him. He went back to where he had tethered Ruby, receiving a slight nudge of welcome from the auburn horse.
He went the way home at a half gallop, the hooves a rhythmic beat on the hardened stones, excitement was tempered with caution; there was no point in injuring oneself because the darkened streets hid some unseen obstacle after all. The pale moon continued to watch over him as he rode.
Chapter 06
It was a darkened room, the only light source being a faintly lit candle that lingered on a musty aged table. Around the table sat three robed figures, their features indiscernible under the hoods that concealed them. They didn't stir, as if waiting for someone to make the first move.
The largest of the group, his robe a deep azure color in the flickering candlelight, shifted a bit and then spoke. "Greetings, I have called this meeting to update everyone on the progress." His voice was raspy, but deep. He waved his hands, etched with the lines of age, over the candle. There was a slight shimmer, then a sleeping form appeared like a mirage, bending which each sputter of the candle.
"Our pawn has done well," the blue robed man continued, "The scroll has made its way into the wizard's apprentice's hands. After that w-"
"If I may express my concerns. . . " the smallest of the three interrupted, "I'm uneasy with the way we are doing this. Why do we need all of this secrecy? We are wizards! We should just crush them!" He made a fist and slammed it on the table, making the candle jump and splattering warm wax dangerously close to the other two, a fact that the wizard seemed to realize, his bravado fading as fast as the light emanating from the candle.
"Think about it, instead of acting like an impertinent first year apprentice for once!" the first snapped back. With another wave of his hand the spilt wax disappeared. The way the other two cowered at the reprimand did much to indicate where the power lay amongst the three of them. "Wizards we may be, but what can we do versus the likes of a united Faelon? It wouldn't be hard to figure out who is behind it if we just went around blowing up everything in our way. . . at least not yet. . . "
"I agree with you." The last member of the trio, who had remained silent during the exchange, finally decided the time was right to speak. A very sensual female voice came from the green hooded depths; calm, collected, and above all, dangerous. A flicker of deep red hair could be seen as she moved. "I have not come here to discuss the merits of the current plan. I'm here to be updated."
The blue wizard nodded as the small wizard sunk back. "As I was saying, our pawn has performed admirably well. She managed to cast the tracking spell she was tasked with, so our plan is going according to schedule." His hands intertwined in front of his cloaked face. A large ornate crimson jeweled ring could be seen on one finger.
"Would the rogue wizard not detect the spell she placed upon his apprentice? It would undermine our entire plan. He is reputed to be fairly powerful after all. He could very well be waiting for us when we come." The smaller wizard once again chimed in, searching for a way to save face.
"Aye he would, but not if she removes it right before the apprentice reaches the master. . . "
"Wouldn't that mean. . . physically following him to find out when he reaches where the dwarf lives? That would place her in danger, if she was caught. . . " The small wizard seemed horrified at the idea, his voice managing to reach an even higher tone.
The big wizard shrugged. "She is well aware of the dangers. Due to the natures of the enchantments the wizard placed on the boy, anybody with ill intent is unable to follow him, and if questioned, he "forgets" the location of the dwarf's whereabouts unless he's a willing participant. It can't be dispelled either, so if we would just remove it, the dwarf would sense it and react accordingly." He allowed himself a brief chuckle. "Luckily our own rather naive protégé believes she is helping him to keep the dwarf out of trouble. She knows enough to hopefully dodge the protection Antaigne most likely places en route to his place, but she is not wise enough to see our motives. A perfect pawn: obedient but stupid."
The news seemed to pacify the other wizard. He leaned contently back in his chair. "The Inquisitors you requested will take a while to gather. One squad could be covertly gotten, but two squads? That'll take a bit to sneak discreetly out of the Academy's watchful eye. Denician's eye in particular." He clicked his tongue, as if all this secrecy was beneath him.
"How long? I want no room for errors, Elrik."
"Two to three months minimum," Elrik stated bluntly, arms open in a gesture of helplessness. "I have to do a lot of shuffling."
"Good, when Antaigne is out of the way, that leaves just three more rogue wizards we need to deal with to continue our plans." The blue hooded wizard stood up and started pacing. "I want you two to oversee the attack on Antaigne. I have a loose end I must tie up once the dwarf is dead."
"I do hope you won't let revenge cloud your judgment, Erinaeus," The female said, sounding amused.
Erinaeus's malicious smile was obvious despite the hood as he stopped to regard the two wizards watching him. The figure above the candle stirred, causing the light to shift and thrash erratically over his blue robes. "Oh, I am well aware, my dear Dahna, I know the importance of getting rid of those out of our control, but do please allow me some fun. Not often do these weary bones feel excitement akin to this anymore," he said, patting his side lightly at the last statement.
The light was struggling to stay lit, almost dead now; there was not much of the candle left. The three wizards were reduced to barely visible shapes in the dim light. The image Erinaeus conjured of Alicia was nothing but an echo that seemed to have caught Elrik's attention. "Erinaeus, what about the apprentice and the pawn? They are no further use to you. It would be such of waste of two perfectly good specimens. . . " The diminutive wizard rubbed his hands together, barely able to contain his mounting excitement at the prospect.
"If the apprentice survives the initial assault, you can have him. Let the Mage alone though, that might catch Denician's attention as well. He fancies her, after all."
Dahna gave an audible noise of disgust as the candle gave one final violent flicker before losing its downhill battle, bathing the meeting in darkness, the image winking out of existence simultaneously. "Well, it would seem appropriate to call the meeting to an end," the scratchy low voice of Erinaeus penetrated the silence, "We will meet back here in two months to prepare. Remember, each step is important, no matter how small. Tread carefully. Do not do anything to jeopardize the plans we have labored so many years on. I do not believe the council would approve of our failing. Goodbye." At that ominous warning, there was a whip-like crack followed by silence.
"I hate that bastard."
"Me too."
The final sound the room heard was the creaky opening and eventual shutting of a door.
❧ ❧ ❧
"So what be yer favorite spell ter cast?" A familiar eye could be seen staring from the crack of a slightly ajar door.