A Spell Misplaced, page 13
part #4 of Gags & Pepper: Protection Agents Series
Dyre took a deep breath. “You went inside?”
“We did. Ann had touched the scepter long ago and got the opportunity again today. I didn’t find the lock much of a problem, but it looks like it has stopped others.”
“The door is only a few weeks old. The lock hasn’t been compromised all this time,” Dyre said.
“I guess it likes magicians. The scepter does, too. Did you know the golden ball glows if you apply a little magic to it?”
Dyre stopped in his tracks with an astonished look on his face and then continued to walk. “You found that out, too?”
“Lucian can’t make it glow. If you know anything about magic, you will find that not everyone can do the same things in the same way. I can’t throw a lightning bolt more than a few paces, whereas Lucian can cast one five times as far. He can heal much better than I can.”
“Magically heal?”
Gags nodded. “Magic doesn’t raise the dead if that is what you are thinking. It helps make people heal faster, but it is painful to the patient.”
“What can you do?”
Gags shrugged. “I can pick up spells faster than others. I suppose that is a talent. I can light up the scepter. Magicians have their strengths and weakness just like soldiers.”
“I didn’t know,” Dyre said. “What about wizards? Aren’t they special?”
“They have more power than others. Practice is one way to increase one’s power.”
“You sound like you are a wizard,” Dyre said.
Gags laughed. “Not me. I have some spells at my command that are as strong, but I’ve never spent the time researching spells as a wizard does. It isn’t just being a powerful magician.”
“We’ve lost some knowledge in Baxter,” Dyre said.
“On purpose. My stepmother was like the country of Baxter. She threw away all the magic books at my father’s manors because she hated magicians. In the end, she allied with sorcerers against me. Sorcerers are magicians with evil intentions. There are good and evil wizards, but they don’t have different names.”
“That is a little confusing,” Dyre said.
“It’s something you don’t need to know in Baxter,” Gags said. “I suggest we put a phony under Queen Beryl, hide one visibly enough so that the king’s enemies will think it has been moved, and I’ll find another safe place for the real one.”
“Do you still plan on keeping it secret from King David?” Dyre asked.
“Maybe not. Perhaps the king should decide,” Gags said.
They exited the gardens, and Dyre bowed to Ann and wished Gags and Lucian a good day.
“I’m so excited,” Ann said.
“Keep your excitement to yourself. I did not tell Grant Dyre that you could make the scepter glow,” Gags said.
“A secret between the three of us?”
“That’s the idea. If anyone knows, it could affect your stipend and your father’s,” Lucian said.
“Oh! In that case, my lips are sealed.”
“I hope not forever,” Lucian said with a smirk as they approached the carriage.
Ray was reading a novel inside while waiting for them to return. “You took your time.”
“Captain Dyre escorted us out,” Ann said.
Ray’s eyes went to Gags. “No issues with the royal guard?”
“None that I could tell,” Gags said.
~
Dyre showed up two days later with a wooden box and presented it to Gags.
“You know what to do with this?”
“I do,” Gags said as he took the box from Dyre at the doorway.
Dyre saluted and climbed back into his carriage.
Ann was picking up new clothes for the retreat and would join them for dinner. She confirmed that Valerie would travel with them to Count Browning’s estate.
“We have some work to do?” Lucian asked. “Time for a little basement visit?”
Gags nodded. They opened the box and looked at two scepters. Gags had expected a crude copy, but he couldn’t tell the difference. He infused magic in both, and only one lit up. He took the real scepter downstairs. The basement was only used for storage. Hiding the scepter between the stone floor wasn’t practical since anyone could tell they lifted the stones.
Gags had anticipated that and found a back room with a wood plank wall. Lucian removed the nails, and Gags pulled off a plank, slipping the scepter between the wall studs.
“You will pick up the nails,” Lucian said imperiously.
“Yes, Sir Prince,” Gags said, already on his knees, finding the old nails.
Lucian replaced the nails in the wood as he tacked the plank back on the wall. They surveyed their work and couldn’t see anything that would lead someone to the hiding place. They stood outside the room as Gags created a tiny whirlwind to redistribute the dust. It looked like no one had walked in the room for a long, long time.
They spent the rest of the day carrying the wooden box around Baxterton, with Ray driving, giving any observers clues that the scepter could have been hidden anywhere. They drove into the southern woods, not quite as far out as Admiral West’s hunting estate, and then headed south into the mountains where Ray had identified a likely hiding area.
Gags and Lucian walked into the woods with the box, shovel, and pick. They found an outcropping of rocks that had lots of hiding places. Lucian sealed the box with a touch of magic to preserve the fake. In a likely spot, they dug a small hole and tamped it down, then Gags airwalked over a meadow to another outcropping in sight of the first and hid the box in a place Lucian didn’t even know.
He airwalked back. “Time to head back,” Gags said.
Lucian laughed. “Do I have the ability to find it?”
“Probably,” Gags said. “It’s not far from where I entered those rocks,” Gags pointed across the meadow.
“Good. Are we through working? I’m hungry. Well, I’m really thirsty, but hungry sounds better,” Lucian said, grinning.
“Then let us have Ray be our guide.”
Ray was reading the same novel he had started waiting for them at the Palace Auxiliary.
“Is there a different way back to Baxterton?”
“Of course,” Ray said. “Do you think anyone is following us?”
“Of course,” Gags said. “I’m sure there have been many eyes on us while we’ve been out. I don’t think they followed us into the woods from here, but I’d be surprised if someone isn’t watching us right now.”
Ray shivered. “I can’t fault you for being thorough.”
“All for the greater glory of King David,” Lucian said.
“And the rest of us royalists,” Lord Raymond said.
“Pearton, General Victory, and Grant Dyre are royalists, too?”
Ray nodded. “It’s no secret about the general and Lord Pearton, but I believe Dyre is unaligned. The sub-factions make for uneasy partnerships.”
“With Cecily?” Lucian asked.
“I’m not immune to a little unease,” Ray admitted as he climbed up into the driver’s box, and they drove west until they found a broader road that led them to the same rest stop they visited with Flora.
“Country cooking,” Gags said with a grin.
“My treat,” Ray said.
“I’m sure the last time we ate here, it was Flora’s treat.”
The food was excellent and plentiful. Ray took them home and left them.
Lucian looked at Gags. “Do you think we had visitors?”
“I suspect so,” Gags said.
The house had been gone through. Furniture was misplaced, and drawers were upset. Gags was concerned about his weapons, but nothing was taken. They finally descended into the basement and found new footsteps in the dust. The closet holding the scepter showed a single set of shoes barely entering and leaving.
“Mission accomplished,” Gags said as he sat in the sitting room.
Lucian disappeared and returned with two large goblets of the fruit wine Gags liked. “We deserve a reward for our labors today,” Lucian said.
“Now we can look forward to the retreat,” Gags said. “I can’t say I’m not nervous.”
“I’m taking all my weapons,” Lucian said. “I expect an attack on you anytime, and I’m not going to let you fight alone this time.”
“Concentrate on protecting Ann,” Gags said.
“What about Valerie?” Lucian asked.
Gags frowned. “I expect her to join in on the assassination attempt.”
Chapter Thirteen
~
T he following day, Gags took advantage of Ray not showing up with somewhere to go and Ann taking Lucian to an extended lunch with her father to leave the townhouse and take a walk. Gags had a message to send, and the wharf in any city was always interesting, so he headed toward the ocean.
Prepared for anything, Gags wore his sword and had a pocketful of the smaller crossbow bolts.
Gags smelled deep, and then coughed. The wind was coming off the ocean at low tide, and the smell was less than desirable. He headed toward the Royal Inn to leave a note with the groom named Hank. It was time to prepare a departure to Peria.
Footsteps were coming up behind Gags. He put a hand on his sword as he turned around and looked into the eyes of Eliza Farris. Gags removed his hand and gave the woman a bow. “I didn’t expect you in a dress,” Gags said.
“Is that a compliment or an insult?” Eliza said.
“A compliment, of course,” Gags said. “I was going to find Hank and leave a message with him.”
“What does it say, your message?” Eliza said. She took his arm, and they continued walking.
“It is a request to meet and send these letters to Peria.” Gags gave her the letters and the message.
“What do you want to meet about?” Eliza said.
“My mission in Baxterton is close to ending, and I want to secure passage back to Peria. I was hoping you could help.”
“I’ve smuggled people out of Baxterton before. It is expensive.”
Gags nodded. “I expected it to be.”
“When do you intend to leave?”
“During the Noble’s Retreat.”
“Going to take a ship when everyone else is at Count Paul’s estate?”
Gags pursed his lips. She used the term Browning’s friends did. “Something like that.” Gags didn’t know if that was intentional or not.
“I need two weeks to set something up,” Eliza said, “but my fee includes room and board while waiting for the proper ship to dock. I won’t be able to help you during the retreat, but I can after. I can’t guarantee these letters will arrive in Peria before you do.”
Gags sighed. “Send them anyway in case I’m delayed, then. I’ll let you know when I need to go into hiding,” Gags said. “Do you require a deposit?”
“No. You have an excellent reputation,” Eliza said. “By the way, Hank no longer works at the Royal Inn, so walk along the wharf and up this street when you want to see me. Little that happens in Baxterton from here to the ocean escapes me.”
Gags nodded.
“How many are sailing? Two? Three?”
“I’m not sure. I’m keeping my plans secret until it is time,” Gags said, “which could be a couple of days or weeks.
“I’ll begin keeping my eyes open for a suitable vessel. It might not be appropriate for a duke,” she said.
“As long as it floats to Peria, I won’t be picky.”
“Then, until next time,” Eliza said.
“One more question,” Gags said. “Are you a member of one of the factions?”
“Me?” Eliza laughed. “Not at all. Instability is never good for business.”
Gags didn’t know if he could believe her or not. He bowed again and turned down the next street to walk back to the townhouse. Having her call Browning by his first name gave Gags a scare. Perhaps he had made a big mistake, but he didn’t have the knowledge or the time to do otherwise.
He sat down on the settee in the sitting room and closed his eyes for a few moments before fixing his lunch. Gags couldn’t help but regret asking the criminal chief for help. He didn’t know if Seppius’s favor would be enough for her to help him if she could sell Gags to his enemies.
Gags shook his head and retreated into the kitchen. He looked around, and something felt off about the place. He drew his sword and began inspecting the rooms until he heard sounds coming from below.
He grabbed a bolt as he stood at the top of the stairs. The sounds were louder. He opened the door, and the sounds stopped. Gags used his air-walking technique to descend the stairs without making the steps creak.
Three men were methodically tearing the basement apart. They used gloves and blankets to keep everything quiet, but it wasn’t good enough.
“Are you going to put everything back together again?” Gags asked from the third step.
All three men jumped as one. “You aren’t supposed to be here,” one of the men said.
“And where am I supposed to be?” Gags asked.
He took a step down, and the men backed up a step.
“I asked a question,” Gags said in his best Pophius impression.
“You were supposed to be distracted.”
“An assassination kind of a distraction?” Gags asked.
“No,” one of the men said as he threw a hammer at Gags.
Gags leaned to the left and let his magic push the hammer out of his way.
“You can sit down where you are, or you’ll have to fight me,” Gags said. “Did any of you see me at the exhibition?”
None of them sat. “Commoners don’t go to such things,” another said.
“Do you want a taste of what my opponents got?” Gags asked.
One man sat, and the others followed. “Now, what do we do?”
“Who sent you?” Gags said, sitting on the steps.
“We aren’t allowed to say,” one of the men said.
Gags tried to smile as menacingly as Pophius. “You’ll pay for that question with pain.”
“Whose pain?” one of the men said as he stood.
Gags moved the crossbow bolt into the man’s thigh. The intruder fell on his back.
“I didn’t say you could stand,” Gags said. “My question?”
The men looked at each other. “One of Prince Kenneth’s men hired us. It will go badly for us if we don’t return the scepter to him.”
“And who is Prince Kenneth?” Gags asked.
“The queen’s cousin. Prince Kenneth Ralch.”
“And who is he aligned with?”
“Probably the Manxists, but we don’t know for sure. The nobles live differently than we do. They pay us money; we do their dirty work.”
The door opened upstairs.
“Lord Gags?” It was Ray.
“In the basement,” Gags yelled.
Ray took a few steps down the stairs.
“Can I leave to see a healer now?” the injured burglar asked.
“Injured? What,” Ray suddenly saw the mess. “Looking for something?” he said to the intruders.
“Someone told them the scepter might be in my basement,” Gags said. “Obviously, they didn’t find anything. We’ve been having a little chat. “
“He’s a magician,” one of the men said. “Should be arrested.”
Gags almost laughed out loud at the man’s cheek.
“Everyone knows,” Ray said.
“Someone should have told us,” one of the still-sitting burglars said. “I wouldn’t have taken the job.”
“Me, neither,” another said.
“Please get a healer,” the third said.
Gags twisted his head to look at Ray. “They said Prince Kenneth hired them. I’m not sure I believe them.”
“We should tie them up and pile them into the carriage. I’ll take them to a guard station,” Ray said.
“Go ahead. I’ll keep watch. I’m sure there is some rope down here.”
When Ray tied the men up, Lucian and Ann poked their heads through the door leading to the basement.
“Having a party?” Lucian asked.
“There is a burglar that you need to look at,” Gags said.
Lucian made sure that Ann didn’t walk past Gags. “A puncture wound. Did you shoot your invisible crossbow again?”
Gags smiled. “I did indeed.”
Lucian ran back up into the kitchen and brought down a few towels. One was dripping. He cleaned the wound and then used his magic to pull out the bolt. The burglar screamed, and Lucian put the man to sleep.
“He must have fainted from the pain.”
“You a magician, too?” one of the burglars asked.
“Are you?” Lucian asked the man.
“No, of course not.”
“There’s your answer then,” Lucian said.
“I won’t ask again,” the burglars said.
“Wonderful!”
Gags thought it was a good line and bit his tongue to keep from laughing, but he could hear Ann trying to suppress a giggle behind him.
Lucian was a bit more aggressive with his healing now that the injured man was out. He rewashed the wound and dabbed at the man’s bloody pants.
“Now what?” Lucian said.
“We take them upstairs, and then Ray will transport them to the nearest guard station,” Gags said. “Right, Ray?”
Ray nodded and then shook his head. “Stay here. I don’t think our conversation is over.”
Gags sheathed his sword and grabbed the sleeping burglar, and took him upstairs after hitting the intruder’s head on the doorframe as he went through. Everyone winced when he did it, except for the injured thief.
He returned and ended up taking all three upstairs. No one else wanted to lift the would-be thieves. Ray opened the door to his carriage, and Gags was tasked to put them all in the carriage
Lucian handed him a note while they stood watching the carriage leave. “This was left in the door.”
Gags unfolded the note closed with a wax seal. “It says, ‘We watched your back today. No need to thank us. Signed EF.’ I thought the thieves were joking about their surprise that I made it home,” Gags said.
“Maybe we should go in and discuss it,” Lucian said.
Ann had brought a tray with three wine goblets and a carafe into the sitting room, waiting for Gags and Lucian to return.
