A Spell Misplaced, page 8
part #4 of Gags & Pepper: Protection Agents Series
The rest described the levels of nobility and court procedures.
“What will we do in our positions as ambassadors?” Lucian asked.
“You get a court vote. They come up from time to time. You don’t have to show up every day. Once a week to once a month will suffice,” Flora said. “You do have to wear court clothes which may seem a little strange to you. They are being made up as we speak.”
“And the rest of the time?”
“Enjoy your life; enjoy your spouse.”
“Will we ever be permitted to return to our homes?”
“After one year,” Flora said. “When you are married in the spring, you may begin to write home.”
“But I have a business and a fief to run,” Gags said.
“I’m sure others will handle your affairs until your return,” Flora said.
Lucian laughed. “I don’t have affairs, but we are members of the Perian army. We have obligations.”
“Did have obligations,” Flora said.
Gags sighed. “I have heard of Baxterton before. There must be nobles who aren’t required to live here.”
“Only the best, young nobles are invited to stay. You two qualify. The king and his late father, the previous monarch, have always maintained the need for new blood in our country’s noble lineages. The stipend is in place to make sure everyone agrees. I’m sure if you think of it that way, contributing your legacy to Baxter's well-being, you understand.”
“Just like Count Browning’s conservatory? Something to be bred and propagated?” Gags asked.
“You are so insightful, Gags,” Flora said. “That is exactly what we are doing. Other nobles came to Baxter. My father, for example,” Flora said.
“And how does he feel about all this?” Lucian asked.
Flora darkened. “He is no longer with us, but he loved me.”
Lucian had intruded on a question too far. Gags needed to guide the discussion away from Flora.
“How are new nobles and their offspring treated by the established ones?” Gags asked.
“We have our factions. Non-native nobles gravitate toward the Order of the Manx, but there are other minor factions, as we have discussed before.” She looked at them with glistening eyes. “If you must know, my old relationship with Duke Browning was tainted by my father’s heritage. I won’t speak of it again.”
“Picnics!” Lucian said. “What are the rules on picnics?”
Flora took a deep breath and rubbed a tear away. “Chaperoned. If you look at your approved list of suppliers, some can provide picnic baskets, including the Royal Inn, until you are married.”
The dreariness continued. Lunch was served in the room, and while the three ate, Gags asked for details about the Noble Retreat at Browning’s estate.
“With the factions, how does everyone get along?” Gags asked.
“Some do, and some don’t. These people work together. All the noble factions have positions filled in the Auxiliary,” Flora said. “The two major factions, the Order of Manx and the Golden Shield, sleep in different areas of Paul’s estate.”
“So if I want to know who is allied with whom, I can find out at the retreat?” Lucian asked.
“More or less, although there are nobles who have crossed the gap from one to the other.”
“You mean I can become a Golden Shield?” Gags asked.
“You can, since Valerie is of royal blood, once you are married,” Flora said.
“And you?” Lucian asked.
Flora smiled. “I’m more like Gags. My mother was of royal lineage, but my father was an outside noble, not of royal blood. I could join either if I were a man.”
“If you were to marry Count Browning, for example?”
“Then, I suppose I would have joined the Manxists,” Flora admitted. “I don’t have to worry since I realized that Paul wasn’t a good candidate long ago.”
“What do you do at the retreat? What will we do?” Lucian asked.
Flora sighed. “I’m sure Paul will give you a tour of his conservatory and zoo. They are his passion.”
She blushed. She wasn’t Browning’s passion. That story wasn’t meant for Gags or Lucian to hear. Flora was attractive enough, but Gags wondered what kept her from finding a mate if she even wanted one. He didn’t want to pry anymore.
“What else do we have to do?” Gags said, looking at the stack of manuals.
“A tour of the Auxiliary and the palace, then you can return to the Royal Inn.”
Gags kept the conversation going asking about the city of Baxterton and the harbor's operation. Flora might not be the best person to ask, but Gags learned as much as he wanted to.
They took the tour. Gags endured many bows on both sides as they walked the corridors of Baxterian power. Gags didn’t see anything he hadn’t seen before, except it was interesting that those Flora introduced to them were exclusively nobles. The ordinary people appeared to have little to do with the Baxterian government.
The tour was over, and Gags now knew how to find the king’s court and where the washing-up facilities were. He didn’t think he needed to learn more. Ray picked them up in the carriage, and soon Gags was sitting in the Royal Inn’s version of a common room, sipping on an ale. Baxterians didn’t know how to make palatable ale, but they had some unique snacks that Gags finished.
Chapter Eight
~
T he following day, after an idle afternoon and evening that Gags spent memorizing more of the actual maps, Ray informed them that Valerie and Ann invited them to a luncheon at one of the restaurants on the approved list.
This time, Ray sped off in the carriage to eat lunch at home with Cecily. They waited for half an hour before the two young women entered the restaurant.
“Do you eat here often?” Lucian asked Ann.
She looked around and shook her head. “Here? No. We eat most of our meals at home.”
“We do, too,” Valerie said. “Most of those who have meals here are single men or lower-ranking nobles. I’ve never been here before.” She looked at Ann with a tiny bit of disdain in her voice. “Have you, Ann?”
“A few times with my father,” Ann said. “If my mother were still alive, I wouldn’t.” She shrugged.
Gags wondered what that story was. Ann seemed cheerful enough and strong enough to handle life’s buffetings, but Gags had been surprised often enough by people’s internal strength.
A server brought menus. There wasn’t much to choose from, but Gags was about to order when Valerie grabbed the menu out of Gags’s hand.
“I’ll do the ordering.”
“But you don’t know what’s good here,” Gags said.
Valerie blushed. “I don’t, do I?” She abruptly pushed the menu back at Gags. “I’ll have whatever you have.”
Lucian laughed. “I’m sure that would be a mistake,” Lucian said. “Gags is a man with a bottomless pit for a stomach.”
Ann giggled. “Perhaps have a small portion of whatever Gags orders,” Ann said.
“I’ll do that, although the turkey soup with basil cream is good,” Valerie said.
“That isn’t on the menu for today,” the server said.
She pursed her lips, looking angry. “Whatever you decide, Duke Vingus.”
“Duke Vingus?” the server said, staring at Gags.
“I’ll have the soup made especially for the lady.” Gags added another entree to his order of the same soup and let the server bring some suitable wine. Ann ordered a bacon salad, and Lucian said he’d have the same thing, but perhaps with an extra order or two of bacon on the top.
“What can we talk about?” Lucian said. “What should we know about the monarchy?”
“There is always Beryl’s scepter,” Ann said.
“King David has a few scepters. My uncle has one, although it isn’t Beryl’s, whoever she may be,” Lucian said.
“Was,” Valerie said. “Queen Beryl was the first Baxterian monarch, even though our country wasn’t called Baxter back then. She had a scepter made for her regency, the ultimate symbol of the king or queen’s power.”
“Other than being old, what makes it special?” Gags asked.
“It is said that some people can feel Beryl’s power coursing through the thing,” Ann said.
“Have you ever held it?” Lucian asked Ann.
She giggled again. “I did when I was a little girl. I thought I could feel the power, but no one believed me except my mother. It is as long as my forearm,” Ann stuck her arm out. “It has a silvery fluted handle with a bluestone encased in a gold frame.”
“There is a picture of it in the Baxterton City Library?” Gags asked.
Valerie shrugged. “I suppose so.”
“We have access to the library, so I’ll look it up,” Gags said.
“Why do you want to know?” Valerie asked.
“Because Gags is bored and needs things to do. Unfortunately, we can’t spend all our time with you,” Lucian said.
“A lady needs a lot of time for herself,” Valerie said.
Ann looked slightly annoyed. “I’d like to help you, but Valerie and I can’t meet with you alone yet.” She smiled and squeezed Lucian’s arm.
Lunch continued, and Ann asked Valerie about the recent fashions. Valerie came alive as she talked about dresses, ribbons, hairstyles, and ornaments. Lucian joined in, mocking them very subtly, but his antics kept Gags interested in the conversation.
When they were about finished, Ray entered the restaurant, caught Gags’s attention, and sat on a chair by the door.
“It looks like our time is up. You ladies can find your way home?”
“We have a little shopping planned, and our little talk today has made me hungry for more hair ornaments,” Valerie said.
Lucian and Gags rose. “Then we will see you another time. I’m going to ask Lord Raymond if we might all go on a picnic,” Lucian said.
“I know just the place!” Valerie said. “Very secluded.”
Gags thought Ray would surely join them if the location were secluded. They walked out onto the sidewalk, and the two young women extended their hands. Lucian kissed Ann’s, making her giggle. Gags did the same thing with Valerie and earned a growl.
They quickly walked away. Ann turned and gave Lucian a little wave.
“Inside,” Raymond said, opening the carriage door.
“Have you heard about Beryl’s scepter?” Lucian asked Ray.
“Of course. It is the symbol of Baxterian power. The king has it secured in the palace. He rarely brings it out.”
“You have seen it?”
Ray shrugged. “I’ve held it a few times under Lord Pearton’s watchful eye,” he said, smiling.
“A foot and a half long, made out of silver with a golden ball at the end,” Gags said.
“That’s right. The gold ball encases a large blue jewel. Did the scepter come up during lunch?” Ray asked.
“We asked what we should know about the monarchy,” Gags said.
“And the girls came up with something shiny, eh? Cecily would think of something else, but then she is more educated.”
“How does a woman get educated in Baxter?”
“Those two noblewomen had tutors. There is a small college in Baxterton. Cecily’s family isn’t as distinguished as theirs, and she attended. The education gave her analytical skills. I can talk politics with her.”
“And one can’t with Valerie or Ann?” Gags asked.
“Not in the same depth. But what Cecily has is a good mind. Those two, at least Valerie, make up for it with their social graces,” Ray said. “I don’t care much for social graces.”
“I’m with you,” Gags said.
Ray grimaced for an eyeblink. “Your intended will cure you of that. We don’t have anything else scheduled for today. Can we go somewhere? The wharf? The market?”
“The library,” Gags said. “I’d like to research the scepter a little more. Ancient artifacts are a passion of mine.”
“Oh, do you have a collection?”
“Of sorts,” Gags said, “although I don’t know when I will see them again.”
“Maybe sooner than you think,” Ray said, but Gags didn’t think his minder meant anything by the statement.
The library was on the edge of permissible travel within the city. Ray joined them inside after taking care of the carriage.
Gags walked over to an information counter. “I’d like to learn about Beryl’s scepter,”
The attendant looked at Ray and then back at Gags. “Certainly, my lord. You can go to this section. Do you need someone to assist you?”
“I can help them,” Ray said, taking the directions.
Gags looked around the library. It was good-sized, but there were plenty of empty shelves.
“Where are all the books?” Gags asked.
“Gone to other places,” Ray said as he perused the spines of the books. “Here are a few to get started.”
“I can take others back to the inn,” Gags said as he sat down and began to flip pages.
“Baxterian libraries don’t allow removal,” Ray said.
“Why is that? Is it related to the lack of books?” Lucian asked.
“It is related,” Ray said without elaborating.
“Were the shelves full at one time?” Gags asked.
“At one time,” Ray said.
Gags wondered which king ruled when censorship was imposed upon the country. He suddenly felt claustrophobic. Baxter was not a nice place to live, and Gags wouldn’t last long in the country, even if he had to steal a rowboat and use oars to get him across the sea to Peria. Hardcastle had been headed in Baxter’s direction as a model of repression, but Baxter didn’t even need an evil wizard running things.
He found a picture of the scepter. “Does it really look like this?”
Ray took the book. “It isn’t as large as shown. Queen Beryl must have been a small woman. Everything else is about right. Perhaps you should ask your friend, King David, to show you.”
That was quite a sarcastic remark coming from Ray. “You don’t like the king, or you don’t like the scepter?”
“The scepter,” Ray said quickly. “It brings back some unhappy memories.” He went silent for a moment.
“Let’s see what the description gives us,” Lucian said, furrowing his brow and motioning toward Ray. The look meant not to intrude any further.
Gags didn’t read anything different until he found a passage in the third book about a scepter myth that the others didn’t mention. He read it to himself and found that the scepter had special powers. Some thought it to be magic, but other authorities said there was no magic in the scepter.
“This myth,” Gags said. “Is it true?”
“How would I know? I’m no magician,” Ray said, “but you are. Don’t get any ideas. Magic is mostly forbidden in Baxter.”
As other things were, Gags said to himself. “If I get the opportunity, I will ask to see it, but I don’t need a scepter to do magic. You do understand that, don’t you?” Gags said to Ray.
“I think I do. There are no magic books in this library, and haven’t been for generations,” Ray said. “I think we have seen enough here.”
Gags and Lucian walked to the counter. The book that had the passage about the myth was given to the man at the counter, and Ray whispered a few words in the attendant’s ears.
“Reminds me of old Hardcastle,” Lucian said to Gags as quietly as he could.
Gags nodded and said under his breath, “The thought crossed my mind.”
They returned to the inn, where Ray wished them a good night. Gags watched the carriage move down the street. It didn’t stop, and Ray didn’t get out to stand in the shadows opposite the place.
Gags decided a little lie-down before dinner would be in order to put his thoughts in order. He stared at the ceiling of his sitting room, stretched out on the couch, wondering if Baxterton was a mistake. He didn’t like the distractions from saving Miria, who languished in a zoo thirty miles away.
Would Lucian want to stay after finding a woman who appealed to him? His parents and his uncle, the king, would be thrilled and probably elevate him on the spot to Crown Prince. Perhaps that would be enough to keep him in Baxter.
Gags had so much unfinished business in Yearsend Vale that all this was almost too much of a distraction. He looked out and stepped to the windowsill, looking down at the stableyard, ignoring his view of the palace.
He opened the window and leaned over. It would be an easy leap down to the cobbled stableyard below. After dinner, he thought. He had to get out of his prison.
Lucian rapped on the connecting door. “Dinner?”
Gags nodded. Gags leaned over the dinner table and said softly, “I’m going to take a walk when it’s dark. I’d like you to come into my room and have a conversation with yourself. Don’t try to be me. I’ll supposedly turn in early. Nothing long. Just something in case there is a listener on duty.”
Lucian nodded. “I wish I needed something that you could bring back for me.”
“Aren’t I sufficient?” Gags said in a normal tone.
“A week ago, I’d probably say yes, but now?” Lucian looked at the ceiling. “Lovely Ann.”
“What is it about her?” Gags asked.
“Smart, but not arrogant. Witty, but not obnoxious like me. I suspect there is magic that adds to her figure. She might not be the prettiest woman I’ve ever wooed, but she is the best package. Besides, there is an attraction I can’t deny.”
“She isn’t enchanting you?”
“Bring on the enchantment,” Lucian said. “What are you going to do about Valerie?”
“We will be out of here before any kind of wedding,” Gags said softly. “You don’t have to return with me.”
“But I must,” much softer, “I intend on bring Ann with us.”
“You don’t know if she will want to go.”
Lucian smiled. “She will if she is the person I think she is.”
Gags shook his head. How would they escape with two women, one with no magic and no offense and a magical woman who would be utterly bewildered to be back among humans? Gags didn’t see a choice. They would be on the run as soon as Gags liberated Miria from Browning.
