by J. A. Areces
The Salem Concord
Book 1
Interview for a Wizard
by
J. A. Areces
Edited by
The Editing Wizard Co.
The Salem Concord
Book 1
Interview for a Wizard
J. A. Areces
Published by J. A. Areces
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
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All Rights Reserved. Copyright © 2014, by J. A. Areces.
Miami, Florida USA
February 1778
February, 1778, heavy military boots plowed through the dense snow that covered everything. The grey sky reflected General George Washington’s feelings. Valley Forge was more disheartening then anything he could have imagined. He moved the Continental Army into winter quarters on the Schuylkill River as winter approached. However, hunger lead to disease and inevitable despair. The good general was running out of time -- food was scarce; wartime training was sorely needed; men were deserting; death tolls kept increasing; and approximately 12,000 men were expecting him to lead them to victory. The tide was turning against him but desperate times called for desperate measures.
General Washington finally stopped. He could see the encampment at the bottom of the hill. Small fires that failed to keep the soldiers warm littered the area. Valley Forge was purposely selected for the high ground and position making it easily defendable, but that wasn’t enough to make the general feel secure. Somehow the British were always one step ahead, it seemed they always knew and were prepared for his next move. Something about the war just wasn’t right and it caused Washington to resort to the unimaginable. Making certain that no one followed, he retrieved a magnificent quilt pen from his heavy cloak. The sun was slowly dropping out of sight and the grey sky drew darker as he pierced his palm with the end of the pen until he bled.
The small clearing was engulfed with a golden hue that filled Washington with wonder, but it only lasted a brief moment. He returned to his senses by a large, brown, spotted owl that looked down upon him from a nearby tree. It hooted twice never removing its gaze from the general.
The snow fell heavy around him as Washington waited. Not far ahead, he noticed a shift between the trees as if a teardrop caused a ripple. The general stiffened. Before him stood a tall, slim man dressed in a long, blue cloak and holding a long staff in his right hand.
They said nothing to each other.
The owl hooted again, gaining the wizard’s attention.
“Right, where are my manners? General Washington, I presume?”
George Washington glanced at his palm as the wound miraculously healed before his eyes. He slowly returned the pen to its hiding place before addressing the man before him.
“I am he, sir, and how shall I address you?”
“You may call me, friend, sir.”
Washington paused. “I do not accustom calling a stranger, friend, sir.”
“Understood and well said. Permit me to introduce myself, sir, I am the voice of my people, and I stand before you to serve.” The wizard bowed respectfully.
“You are not the King of the Witches?”
The wizard smiled, “Is that how you refer to the Secretary of Magic?”
“Secretary?”
“We have no king, general. We are a free people that choose our leader through an elective process.” The wizard informed.
“Interesting concept, sir, I wish to learn more.”
The wizard smiled. It was the only part of his face that General Washington could see. The man that stood before him wore a large, blue, pointy hat with a wide brim that dropped over his eyes covering most of his face. Washington removed his hat hoping the wizard would do the same.
The owl hooted at the wizard, reprimanding him.
“Where are my manners? I do so apologize.” The wizard removed his hat and grinned. Long, grey hair dropped over his shoulders but his face was clean-shaven and that of a young man’s.
Washington felt less intimidated.
“The Secretary of Magic apologizes and sends his regrets, but he felt that I was a better choice for the first encounter between our two peoples since the signing of the Salem Concord. He felt that I would be better at the Divulgence. Therefore, General Washington, how can we be of assistance?”
The General took a deep breath as he gathered his thoughts. “My men are starving, disease is spreading and supplies are low.” He softly said, more to himself, like a passing thought.
The wizard turned to the owl, “Send word that the Continental Army needs our assistance. They are in need of food, supplies and clothing.”
The owl hooted once before taking flight.
“In one month’s time, expect a delivery accompanied by Brigadier General Anthony Wayne. He will be traveling from New Jersey.” The wizard turned back to the general who stood silent. He waited, allowing the general to speak. “What of your soldiers, sir, how prepared are they to confront the British in battle?”
“Sir, I will not speak to you about my men.”
“General,” the wizard drew closer, “do you know why we accepted this encounter after almost 100 years of silence between our two peoples? “
Washington didn’t answer.
“The British, sir, are also our enemies. Our ancestors fled England in the first ships that sailed to the New World evading persecution. We sought freedom, sir, as you are presently. We both share the same enemy.”
The general stood tall, almost at attention. “How can I trust a witch?”
“With all due respect, general, I am not a witch.”
Washington squinted.
“I am a wizard. A witch is a female, of which, sir, I do not share the same attributes.”
“My sincere apologies, sir, for my ignorance.” Washington bowed respectfully. “My unfamiliarity in these matters betrays me.”
“Apology accepted. Now, sir, how prepared are your men for battle?”
Washington didn’t answer.
“Very well then, I will assume by our silence that they lack the proper military training to defeat our common foe. Therefore, sir, in three day’s time expect Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben. He is a former member of the Prussian General Staff. Receive him well and he will be a great asset to your army. Be advised that he speaks no English. Let that not be an impediment. I promise you that he will deliver the results you desire.”
Washington accepted the offer graciously. The snow fell heavier covering his shoulders.
“If I may, general, what of the French alliance?” The wizard asked.
Washington raised a surprised eyebrow.
“Master Franklin will be contacted by one of our advisors to assist. I am confident that she will be persuasive. Her beauty is irresistible.” The wizard winked.
George Washington was fascinated, but never expressed it. He studied the w
izard carefully; scrutinizing every move and gesture.
“However, that is not why you requested this meeting?” The wizard asked. “Something much more pressing brings you before me? Pray tell, general, what troubles you that causes a man of your stature to sneak into this hidden place to consult with me?”
“Sir, I fear that I have made a grave mistake.”
The wizard was taken by surprise.
“I have entered a realm completely foreign to myself. I was a fool to think that I possess the courage to face one such as yourself, a wizard. My pride has taken the best of me. I now do not know if you are a demon or an angel. I do not trust my better judgment. I regret that I have taken your time.”
The wizard feared the opportunity to assist the general’s cause slipping away and reacted by slowly drawing even closer to Washington. “General, sir, your reputation as an honest man does not do you justice. It is my humble pleasure to have the chance to meet you, and the loss of time is mine, sir, if I do not at the very least try to aid you in what causes you a heavy heart. Please grant me that one favor, and if I am unsuccessful, I will take my leave and I promise you, sir, that you will not remember me nor this encounter.”
Night overtook Valley Forge and the two men were nothing more than shadows in the snow covered clearing. Washington reached into his coat and retrieved a wrinkled, folded paper that he held out to the wizard. Slowly, the wizard approached and took the paper.
“May I read it?”
The general nodded.
The wizard let the staff stand on its own as he waved his hand over the tip. A soft, blue light filled the clearing causing Washington to gasp. The wizard paid no attention as he carefully unfolded the paper.
Then he paused taken aback.
“Our spies discovered these weapons in the possession of our enemy. They were smuggled in through New York and are now scattered throughout the thirteen colonies.” Washington paused as the wizard glanced back at the paper.
A rough, pencil sketch revealed a large crystal ball suspended by seven malevolent dragonheads.
“It appears that these enchanted objects are a sort of messaging weapon. It was, I believe, how General William Howe defeated us in Philadelphia and Germantown. They know our every move. As long as the British have these weapons, we will never win the Revolution.”
“Are these crystal balls manipulated by Wizardry?” The wizard asked.
“Witches.”
“How many?”
“We only found seven.” The general quickly responded. “Their locations are written below. I lost two good men trying to retrieve this information.”
The wizard folded the paper. “May I keep it?”
The general nodded. “Do you know what they are, sir?”
The wizard took his staff. “Your assumption is correct, sir. They are weapons and in the British hands our Revolution is lost. Do not worry, sir, we will retrieve all seven and return them to you.”
“I rather you did not.” Washington interjected. “It goes against the terms of the Salem Concord. Alas, that kind of power in the hands of the men is dangerous.”
The wizard withdrew from the general as he returned his hat to his head. “When our mission is complete, I will send my owl. Know then that the time to strike is at hand.”
Washington replaced his hat looking more authoritative than before. “Sir, it was an honor making your acquaintance.”
“The honor was mine.”
“Godspeed, friend,” Washington added.
The wizard smiled underneath his hat. Then tapped his staff on the snow covered ground and the space around him shifted.
The wizard was gone.
