The Blade Mage

by Phillip Drayer Duncan

  “Then there’s the Hammer, or Ax Mage, who basically represents the ferocity and iron will of the order. Some like to refer to them as the Mage of War or War Mage.

  “Opposite the War Mage, there’s the Defender, who carries the shield, and represents the order’s promise to defend people from supernatural threats.

  “And then there’s the Blade Mage,” I said, pausing to take a drink from my soda. “The Blade Mage carries the Sword and is supposed to be second only to the Archmage, and in many ways, is considered the most important role. Where the Arcane Seers provide wisdom and leadership, the Blade Mage is the Vanguard of the order. The lantern bearer in the darkness. The Blade Mage hunts dark wizards. In warfare, they’re the one who’s supposed to lead the charge. When there is corruption within, it is the Blade Mage who must root it out. When the Solemn Covenant has been broken, they act as inquisitor, arbitrator, and if necessary, executioner. The other Arcane Paladins are meant to surround the Blade Mage. The Hammer is his right hand, the Defender is his left, and the Hunter his rear guard.”

  I paused to make sure Faith was keeping up.

  “What’s the Solemn Covenant?” she asked.

  “In a nutshell, it’s our law. Basically, it says that if you use magic for evil, then your life is forfeit. That’s why very few mages in the Cabal’s territory, even those who aren’t card carrying members of the Cabal, would risk using dark magic to harm people. It’s the Cabal’s job to strike them down.”

  “That makes sense,” she said, nodding. “Okay, so if they chose you to be the Blade Mage, then why can’t we go to them for help?”

  “That’s the thing,” I said, popping another fry in my mouth. “The orders don’t choose who gets assigned the roles. The artifacts choose.”

  “Wait,” she said, cocking an eyebrow at me. “Are you messing with me? You’re saying the sword chose you to be Blade Mage?”

  I put up my hands defensively and said, “I wouldn’t have been my first choice either. In fact, I wasn’t the first choice of anyone in the Cabal. Well, except for Axel, maybe.”

  “They wanted someone else to be the Blade Mage,” she said. I could see the realization hit her face as it all sank in. “They don’t trust you.”

  “Bingo,” I said. “My father was the Blade Mage before me. He was the Blade Mage. He was everything the role was meant to be. When he died… Well, someone else should’ve been chosen. That’s one thing I agree with most of the Cabal on.”

  “Why would you say that?” she asked. Her brow furrowed. “If the sword chose you, then you must be the right person for it.”

  I shook my head. “I was planning on leaving the Cabal when the sword chose me. No one was more surprised than I was. I think something went wrong.”

  “So, you don’t want to be Blade Mage.”

  I paused, staring at her for a moment. “I guess I never really thought about it in those terms. Even if I did want to fulfill my role, the Cabal doesn’t want me to. They want me to stay hidden away in my cabin in the hills.”

  “Apparently they wanted you for this.”

  “Only because things have been bad. They want to show the supernatural world they still have a Blade Mage. They want to use me to prove a point.”

  “Which is why you’re hesitant.”

  I shook my head. “No. And it’s not because Axel’s my oldest friend either. I want to make sure I do the right thing. My father carried this sword for years. In most people’s minds, I’m a stain on his reputation, but I know I’m not. Not yet. He’d investigate this. He’d want to make sure he had it right before he put the blade to someone’s neck. I’m just trying to do what he would do.”

  The conversation lulled for a moment, then Faith said, “Well, I don’t care what the jackasses in the Cabal think. From what I’ve seen so far, you’re a good man.”

  I nodded but didn’t manage a reply.

  After a few moments she said, “Okay, wait, if the other Arcane Paladins are supposed to have your back, where the hell are they?”

  “Oh, right,” I said, setting down my burger. “So, over time some of the artifacts were lost, or broken, and some didn’t choose a new wielder. And, as civilization spread, many of the orders separated into new groups, splitting up their Arcane Guardians. Back when the druids gifted us these weapons, the United States didn’t exist. There isn’t a single order left in the world that has all of its Arcane Guardians. Our Cabal has more than most. We have all four of our Arcane Seers, but I’m the only Arcane Paladin. In fact, I’m one of only three Blade Mages in the United States.”

  “How many orders are in the U.S.?”

  “Seven. Ours, the Southern Circle, The Rocky Mountain Chantry, The Colonial Coven, The Western Temperment, The Great Lakes Coterie, and the Appalachian Argument. Each of us have a few of our Arcane Guardians, but none have all.”

  “And do all the orders get along?”

  “For the most part,” I said, shrugging. “They’re all different. All of our groups are pretty old, and broken off from other guilds around the world. Some are a bit stranger than others. The witches in the Colonial Coven aren’t big on networking, I can tell you that.”

  “Witches?” she asked, her mouth hanging open. “You don’t think they have anything to do with the one who took my sister?”

  I shook my head. “No. It’s possible your witch left the order and went rogue, but again, the witches of the Colonial Coven are bound to uphold the Solemn Covenant. Pretty sure kidnapping children is a no no. And the word ‘witch’ is used a bit loosely, anyway.”

  Faith chuckled and shook her head. “It’s a lot to take in.”

  “Yup,” I said. “Welcome to the big nasty world of the supernatural.”

  “To think,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m just a college dropout who serves coffee for a living… Well, served, I guess. I’m sure I’ve been fired by now.”

  “Sorry,” I said, noticing the sad look that stretched across her face. No doubt she was thinking about her sister. “Why don’t we get back to work?”

  Chapter 14

  “What are we doing?” Faith asked as she bounced her foot restlessly.

  “The boring part of the job,” I replied.

  We were sitting in the parking lot of a theater above the Broken Guitar. I’d run out of contacts in the Branson area, but I still had one idea left to try before I’d decide whether to send Faith in alone or go myself.

  From where we sat, the alley leading into the entryway I’d used the night before was visible. There were other entrances of course, but as far as I knew, this one was the most commonly used. The sun had just a set a few minutes earlier, which meant people would begin making their way in soon. My hope was that I could catch Bacon on the way to his restaurant. It was a long shot, but I was willing to try.

  Instead, I saw another familiar face. Actually, several faces. Their face paint and hoodies were unmistakable.

  I glanced over at Faith and grinned. “Wait here.”

  “Where are you going?” she asked as I exited the car.

  “Just wait here,” I replied. “I need to visit with my merry band of indentured miscreants.”

  “What?” she asked, but I ignored her and closed the door behind me.

  I pulled my own hood down over my eyes in hopes they wouldn’t recognize me as I approached.

  I crossed the street just as they headed into the alleyway. They didn’t seem like they were in any big hurry. Can’t imagine why.

  Moving quietly, I caught up just as they headed for the underground doorway.

  “Good evening, gentlemen,” I said.

  They spun, each of them reaching for weapons. The call to arms came to a drastic halt when they recognized me.

  “You,” the leader said, snarling.

  “Hi there,” I replied, offering them a little wave. “How did your evenings turn out? Are you headed back into Bacon’s?”

  “We are,” the leader said and spat on the pavement. “We’re doing w
hat you told us.”

  “And you seem very happy about it. I sure hope you’re displaying a friendlier attitude toward Bacon’s customers.”

  “Man, fuck off,” the leader said, shaking his head.

  One of the guys beside him slapped him on the shoulder, and in a concerned voice said, “Dude.”

  “Get off me,” the leader said, turning to glare at his buddy. Slowly, he turned his gaze back to me. “What do you want?”

  “I need some information.”

  “Read a book,” he replied. “Or Google that shit.”

  “Listen, Grumpy--and I hope you don’t mind if I call you that--lose your attitude or I will turn you into a fucking toad. Understand?”

  “You can’t do that,” he said, but he didn’t seem too confident.

  “You sure?” I asked.

  He crossed his arms.

  “Okay, fine, I can’t,” I said, and began reaching over my shoulder. “But I do have a really sharp magical sword that was created for the purpose of killing supernatural scum bags. Say, you fellas wouldn’t fall into that category, would you?”

  “You don’t even know what we are,” the leader said, but a little of his bravado had waned.

  “True,” I replied. “And I don’t really care. Now, are you going to be a good little helper, or do I have to get angry?”

  “Fine. What do you want to know?”

  “Ever heard of a gang called the Marauders?”

  “No,” Grumpy replied a little too quickly, and two of his friends gave each other a worried glance.

  “Let’s try that again,” I said, stepping a little closer. “Only this time, if you lie to me it’s going to hurt.”

  “All right, all right. Shit, man.” Grumpy put up his hands and took a few steps back. “All we’ve heard are rumors. Supposed to be some badass gang with magic players. I don’t know, man.”

  “That all?” I asked. “Surely you’ve heard more than that.”

  “They were recruiting recently. Trying to get some new muscle.” He paused and turned his head from me. “We thought about trying to join up, but they sounded pretty serious. They got a lot of folks worked up.”

  “In what way?”

  “I don’t know, man. They’re just scary. I don’t know why the Cabal hasn’t taken them out yet.”

  “Are they new to the area?”

  “As far as I know,” he replied, shrugging. “That’s about all we know.”

  “Any idea where they hangout?” I asked. “Any place I might be able to find them?”

  Grumpy licked his lips, thinking it over. “I’m not sure I should say. They’re dangerous.”

  I fixed him with my best evil grin. “And I’m not?”

  He thought it over for a second and his buddy nudged him. “Tell him, Eric.”

  “Eric?” I asked with a laugh. “That’s your name? I like ‘Grumpy’ more.”

  Eric scowled at his friend again and said, “There’s an abandoned warehouse out by Table Rock Lake. Some people say they hang out there at night. I don’t know what they’re into, or what they do out there, but word is they don’t like uninvited guests.”

  “You have an address?”

  “Do I look like Google to you?”

  “You look like a punk ass kid and a moron,” I said, glaring at all of them. “I don’t know what possessed you to start acting hard, and you’re right, I don’t know what manner of supernatural you are, if any, but keep working at Bacon’s and keep your heads down. You’ll keep them longer that way.”

  “Yeah, whatever, man,” Eric said, and turned and led his friends underground.

  I turned and started back out of the alley.

  “They’re Rakshasas,” Parker Grimm’s voice said, and a moment later he stepped out of the shadows just ahead of me.

  “No shit?” I replied. “I didn’t know there were any of those around.”

  “Not many,” he said, watching me carefully. “And they aren’t purebred, that’s for sure. But they still have a measure of the abilities.”

  We stared at each other.

  This wasn’t good. In fact, it was the very reason I didn’t want to return to the Broken Guitar. I just didn’t expect for Parker to be waiting for me outside the entrance. I should’ve seen it coming. He was a high-ranking Shamus, after all.

  “Did you hear the whole conversation?” I asked.

  He nodded. “I like that you put them to work for Bacon. Might be the only thing that ends up saving their lives.”

  “Was their information good?”

  He nodded again. “We aren’t sure what they’re using the warehouse for, either. Probably drug running. The Marauders are up to something, we just don’t know what.”

  “Okay,” I said and glanced over my shoulder. I expected to find a few of his fellow Shamuses sneaking up behind me, but we were alone. “So, is this where you arrest me?”

  “I should,” he replied, pointing at me. “You’re reckless and stupid. You’ll almost certainly cause unnecessary trouble.”

  “But?” I asked.

  “But, I’ve been thinking about what you said,” he replied, crossing his arms. “I’m not totally convinced, but you made a good point about Axel and the Abasy. If it was really enthralled to your friend, he would’ve made it say some stupid Southpark reference or dress up like Gandalf. Secondly, what I’ve found suggests that Abasy aren’t of the enthralled variety. They’re intelligent.”

  “Abasy,” I repeated. “So, you’ve identified it?”

  He nodded.

  “Is it a demon?”

  “Something like that,” he said, shrugging. “We still don’t know all the secrets of the other realms, and there isn’t a ton of information on the specific one we saw. Still not sure we even pegged the right creature, but the point is I don’t believe Axel enthralled or befriended that monster.”

  “So, you think there might be more to this whole thing?”

  “I don’t know,” he replied. “But you’re the only one trying to find out, and you don’t have a lot of time, so against my better judgment, I’m going to pretend I didn’t see you.”

  “Thanks, Parker,” I said, moving past him. “I won’t cause any problems.”

  “Bullshit,” Parker said, putting up his hand to stop me.

  He pulled a small notepad and a pen out of his suit coat and scribbled something down. When he was done, he tore the page free and handed it to me. It was directions to the warehouse.

  “Thank you,” I replied, pocketing it. “I’ll let you know what I find.”

  “Just try not to make too much noise,” he said. “I don’t want to regret this.”

  I smiled at him. “Something tells me you already do.”

  Chapter 15

  We parked behind an abandoned house just up the road from the warehouse. There was a patch of forest I’d have to ease my way through to get there, but it’d give me a chance to sneak in.

  I stripped off my hoodie and tossed it in the passenger seat of Faith’s car. I wouldn’t be trying to blend into a crowd. This time I’d be trying to sneak into an old warehouse with potential hostiles, so I opted for my all black combat clothes.

  “What’s the plan?” Faith asked, moving around the car to stand beside me as I checked my gear.

  “I’m going to try to sneak in close,” I said, shrugging. “Hopefully I can hear or see something that will give us an idea where your sister is, or some evidence of Axel’s innocence. If that doesn’t pan out, I’ll see if I can have a chat with these clowns.”

  “I’m coming with you,” she said, crossing her arms.

  “No, you’re not,” I replied.

  “What?” she asked, eyes narrowing. “I didn’t take you for a sexist, chauvinistic type. You really going to try to treat me like a damsel in distress?”

  “No,” I said, meeting her gaze. “But, if what we’ve learned is true, these thugs have mages, and they’re not likely to be friendly. Do you happen to know any magical defense sp
ells?”

  She glared at me.

  “Do you know any magical attack spells?” I asked, still holding her fierce gaze. “Or perhaps you’ve been trained in the art of subterfuge? Maybe have some Navy Seal training you haven’t mentioned?”

  “I’m not going to wait in the car,” she said.

  “Then stand outside and enjoy the nice autumn air.” I threw up my hands in frustration. “I don’t care what you do, so long as you don’t follow me into that warehouse.”

  “Wyatt, my sister is missing.”

  “Which is why it would be stupid for you to get killed before we’ve rescued her.”

  She turned to look away, rubbing her shoulders as though it was cold.

  “Let me do this part alone,” I said. I wasn’t above pleading just a little. “I’m going to try to go in unseen. I have training for this type of thing, and you don’t. If you go with me, my chances of getting close without getting caught are reduced significantly. And if we do get caught and have to fight our way out, there won’t be much you can do help. What I really need you to do is to keep the car ready in case we have to make a fast get away.”

  “You mean…” She turned back toward me.

  “I mean, if your sister is in there I’m going to see if there’s a way I can get her out.” I moved closer until I was sure her gaze was locked with mine. “And if it plays out that way, we may be in a hurry on the way out.”

  “And if she’s in there, but you can’t get to her?”

  “Then I notify the Cabal and let them send in a whole team of ass-kicking mages.”

  Faith nodded.

  We held each other’s gaze for a moment longer, then I sighed. “Why do I get the feeling you’re going to try to follow me anyway?”

  She shrugged.

  I stared at her for a moment, then asked, “Do you happen to have any rope?”

  “You wouldn’t,” she said, squinting at me. “And no, I don’t.”

  She was wrong. I would. Without question. But, if there wasn’t any rope, then tying her up wasn’t an option.