The Warded Box

by Guy Antibes

Jack produced the box and handed it to the woman.

  “This? It is a box for pen and ink.”

  “It is warded. Can’t you feel the spell?”

  She looked up at Jack. “Not all of us are wizards.”

  An older wizard walked by. “Is this a warded box?” she asked the man.

  “Let me see.” He touched Fasher’s box and nodded. “It has been imbued.”

  “This boy,” she pointed to Jack as she spoke derisively, “said that this is from a wizard named Fasher Tempest and is for the grand wizard.”

  “So? Why are you asking me that?” The man looked at Jack and raised his eyebrows. “Are those all objects of power? A sword, your wrist bands, and a wand?”

  Jack said, “I am a wizard’s helper.”

  “My, my. The grand wizard is due back from his summer estate in two days. He will see you then.”

  Helen walked into the lobby. “I didn’t expect you to be in the lobby. Here is where we are staying,” She gave a note to Jack.

  “Wait a minute. I will be joining you,” Jack said.

  The woman at the counter looked at the Tesorian wizard and back at Jack. “Your name?”

  “Jack Winder from Raker Falls in Corand. I will be staying at,” he looked at the paper, “Hennis Inn.”

  “A decent place to stay,” the wizard said. He looked at the woman. “Make sure he is on the grand wizard’s calendar first thing. The boy is more than he seems.”

  “Thank you,” Jack said.

  “I am happy to meet you. Helpers are rare in Tesoria. Let me walk with you to your inn. It isn’t far.” He put out his hand. “I am Whelham Waterford.”

  “You are noble?”

  “I am the king’s brother. Something prompted me to come to the guild today. Maybe Eldora is at work. You have heard of our goddess?”

  “I’ve heard. Are you a Loyalist or have you joined a faction?”

  “Me? My faction is the guild, but my next loyalty is to my brother.”

  Jack looked at Whelham’s fingers. They were clean of all blackness, although that wasn’t a sure indicator that he wasn’t a Black Finger. Jack expected the society to have infiltrated every part of Tesorian wizardry.

  “Then come with me and give me a bit of history of Wilton. It has its own feel,” Jack said.

  Helen sighed but followed behind the two wizards on their way outside.

  Whelham gave Jack a three-minute history. Wilton was protected by more than its proximity to Gameton. One of the Wizards Guild buildings housed training facilities for battle wizards. Jack thought back to the Panderites. They were probably educated in Wilton, and now they fought to tear it down. He expressed the sentiment to Whelham.

  “A sad situation, but Wilton would not be a target.”

  Jack didn’t believe it from what he had seen in Yellowbird. “We came from Yellowbird, and everyone told us it was a free city and now it is a battleground. I’d hate to see the same happen to Wilton.”

  “Yellowbird destroyed?” Whelham said. Jack didn’t think he feigned the expression on his face.

  “Not destroyed, but the fighting began just before we left,” Helen said. “I wouldn’t be too complacent, Wizard.”

  “Maybe not. Would you tell me more? Word hasn’t reached Wilton yet.”

  “Baron Overvale has his army plunked in the middle of the road between Yellowbird and Gameton. Maybe he isn’t letting anyone through with the news,” Jack said.

  “Overvale? The mask has finally come off. You should go to Gameton as soon as you deliver your message to the grand wizard.”

  “We heard that getting into Gameton might be a challenge.”

  “It is? I should imagine it will be no problem if you come with me,” Whelham said.

  “I have a few other things to do in Gameton before I return to Raker Falls,” Jack said.

  They stood in front of the inn. Jack paused, wondering if he should invite Whelham in to meet his niece and nephew, but he didn’t have to make the decision. Ralinn came out.

  “Uncle, it is so good to see a friendly face after so long,” she said embracing the wizard.

  “Aralinn. I thought you had gone to the north with Larkin.”

  “Only to return. You have met Jack and Helen?”

  “You know these people?”

  “We traveled from Underville in Corand with them. It has been a harrowing experience, but quite thrilling, as well.”

  “You are staying at this inn?” Whelham made a face as he looked at the place.

  “For now. We are going to Gameton when Jack has finished his task.”

  “Come to the capital with me,” Whelham said. “Jack Winder has said he needed to get in. I can do that. I imagined you thought you’d have to sneak in after what happened.”

  “What happened?” Ralinn said.

  “Your two older brothers. They were killed, of course.”

  “Of course! How can you say that so dispassionately? When?” Ralinn asked, tears beginning to well in her eyes.

  “There was an ambush. They were riding in the city a few days ago when someone killed them along with their guards. It was tragic, really.”

  “Tragic? Is that all you can say?” Ralinn said, hugging herself. The tears had started to fall. “They were my brothers.”

  “Your father has gone into seclusion. I just returned to Wilton after the funerals. Larkin is now the crown prince.”

  “I don’t care about Larkin’s elevation. I only care about my brothers. I see my father was more affected than you.”

  Whelham sighed. “You may be right. Kaleen was not happy to see you go and this is why.”

  “There was a reason we left. Jack will find out when he meets with the grand wizard.”

  “Do you know what the message is?” Jack asked.

  “I have no idea, only that the grand wizard is to receive a message from your master. Fasher Tempest has kept quiet on the why. We can talk about it later.” She looked at her uncle then at him with meaningful eyes, but Jack couldn’t catch the meaning. “It is good to see you. Perhaps we can catch up when we are on the way to Gameton, Uncle. I would like more details.”

  “I will leave you to it. I have business in Wilton this afternoon. Perhaps we can talk again tonight.”

  “We will be here,” Ralinn said.

  Ralinn, Helen, and Jack watched Whelham Waterford walk away and turn down a street toward the guild.

  Ralinn sighed. “Come in.” She let out a sob. “Why them, why now?” she said to herself.

  They walked inside. Ralinn sat down in the little lobby of the inn.

  “Are you all right?”

  She nodded. “I sat here looking out the window. I have always loved Wilton. I have good memories here.” She sighed. “Uncle Whelham has not been the best influence on my father. I can’t talk about it here. If I hadn’t gone out to see him, I wouldn’t have known about the deaths of my brothers. It is devastating.”

  “Then perhaps we should talk. Let’s get everyone together,” Helen said.

  In a few minutes, they all gathered in the garden at the back of the inn. Jack could see how Wilton was a little different from other towns and cities. Even this modest inn was a beautiful refuge. They sat on a few benches gathered in an alcove.

  “This is too pretty,” Ralinn said, looking around and sighed, “but we have to talk about my uncle.”

  Lark slouched, looking miserable, next to Ralinn, who sat next to Corina. On the facing bench, the Corandians all leaned forward interested in what the princess had to say.

  “Fasher Tempest and Uncle Whelham are rivals. Our father,” Ralinn looked at Lark, “might be under the spell of Uncle Whelham and that is not a good thing. We have long suspected him of being a member of the Black Finger Society. His dispassionate description of my brothers’ deaths is more evidence of that,” she wiped her eyes, “but we can’t let their deaths keep us from our plans. It only means the enemies of Tesoria are more in the open.”

  “Is he al
lied with Baron Overvale?” Jack asked. “If he is, then he must have had someone monitoring the guild.”

  “I would think so,” Lark said. “The grand wizard and Fasher Tempest have communicated for some time. The grand wizard asked us both to leave Gameton and journey to Underville. We were specifically told not to reveal our departure to our father or our uncle.”

  “Whelham offered to take us to Gameton. I suppose we should reject that?” Jack asked.

  Lark pursed his lips. “It might be inadvisable. I don’t trust his motives.”

  “I agree,” Tanner said. “You disappeared and traveled in secret for weeks. You show up in Wilton in disguise.” He tugged on Jack’s veil. “Most of us are disguised.” Tanner shook his head. He let his disapproval of the veils show. “I wonder if we should leave for Gameton right now.”

  “No,” Jack said. “But perhaps we can go to the grand wizard first before he comes to Wilton and then head directly to Gameton?” He looked at Lark. “Do either of you know where the summer estate is?”

  “I do,” Ralinn said. “We can leave now. It is less than two hours to the south.”

  “Then let’s go,” Tanner said getting up. “We can get there and be back in time for dinner.”

  They left the inn within half an hour. Jack wore all his armor. Ralinn and Tanner found the roads to take to the summer house. Just when he thought they had an ally, the episode with Whelham Waterford spoiled the little rest that Jack wanted to take.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  ~

  T he ride took them less than two hours. They all trotted down the little lane that was part of the grand wizard’s estate. Tanner stopped them. There were two carriages, and the hitching posts were full of horses.

  “The grand wizard is having a meeting,” Lark said. “Or worse.”

  “Let’s assume it is worse,” Tanner said. “Jack, you go to the door, and the rest of us will back you up from the outside.”

  “What does the grand wizard look like?” Jack asked.

  “He is a bit older than Fasher with dark hair with a streak of gray coming out of his right temple. He is short but spare,” Lark said.

  “And light blue eyes. They pierce you if he stares at you.” Ralinn said.

  “Got it. We will place ourselves around outside of the house. Hopefully, the grand wizard is entertaining guests.”

  A carriage driving up the lane passed Jack as he made his way up the drive. Jack looked back, but he couldn’t see any of his friends. Whelham Waterford stepped out of the carriage. His face wasn’t so friendly.

  “You arrived before me. Perhaps we can walk in together.” The man didn’t look very surprised to see Jack at the grand wizard’s house.

  “Yes, let us do that,” Jack said. He looked at the gloved hands of Ralinn’s uncle. He was definitely a Black Finger. He didn’t hesitate to pound on the door. He tried to keep his face smooth, which was easy since he wore a veil. Whelham didn’t. In fact, Jack didn’t remember any Black Finger Society members wearing veils.

  A woman answered the door.

  “I am here to see the grand wizard,” Jack said.

  She looked at Whelham Waterford. “You are expected, Lord Waterford.”

  “The great wizard expects me too. Tell him Fasher Tempest’s servant is here from Corand.”

  The woman looked Jack up and down. “Are you here to kill him?”

  Jack smiled. “I should say not. I had to fight my way here all the way from Raker Falls to see him.”

  “He is probably right,” Whelham said. “Let him in. He will be among friends.”

  Jack wondered whose friends as he followed Ralinn’s uncle in the house. They walked into a large dining room filled with Black Finger Society members. No wonder Fasher had him come. The grand wizard needed saving.

  “I have a message for the grand wizard.”

  “Me?” a man arose from the table. His hands were ungloved and his fingers unmarked. “I am the grand wizard. Where is your message?”

  The man was nearly as tall as Jack with long hair gone almost totally white. Jack sighed. He was looking at an imposter, or the Black Finger Society had fully taken over the Tesorian Wizards Guild.

  “You aren’t the man described to me. I need to see the man, not whoever holds the title.”

  “Grab him,” Whelham said.

  “Stay where you are!” Jack shouted. “I will kill anyone who tries to stop me.”

  “Even me?” said a voice behind him.

  Jack turned around and looked down into the light-blue eyes of the real grand wizard. “You are the grand wizard?”

  “And I am the one to whom you are to deliver your message. Give it here.”

  “Why the imposter?” Jack asked.

  “Not my idea. These men like to play their tricks.” The grand wizard narrowed his eyes and looked at Whelham. “I am a prisoner in my own home. The message?”

  Jack pulled the pen box from his bag and held it out for the wizard.

  “Don’t touch it!” one of the Black Fingers said.

  “How could a box harm me?” the grand wizard said.

  He grabbed onto the other end. Jack could feel the ward dissipate, replaced by a spell that sucked the power out of him. Jack staggered back against the wall. The grand wizard still held onto the box, but it was now a folded scroll. His eyes bulged before he crumpled to the ground.

  Jack helped the man to his feet, but he noticed that all the wizards had fainted.

  “We have to leave immediately,” The grand wizard said. “These men have all but taken over the guild. I can read that later.

  Jack helped the grand wizard out of his house. The woman who answered the door held out a wand to stop them. Jack called out, “Ice!” and froze her arm. The woman screamed and fell on her bottom.

  “I’ve never seen that one before,” the wizard said. “Let’s go.”

  Jack ran to where he left his friends. They were running from the house.

  “Is everyone here?” he said.

  “Everyone. We were looking through a window ready to burst inside.” Lark said.

  It is nice to see you, my pupils,” the grand wizard said to Lark and Ralinn. “I have tragic news.”

  “Whelham already had the pleasure of telling us,” Lark said.

  “Follow me,” the grand wizard said from the princess’s mount. Ralinn sat behind her brother on his horse.

  “Is this a faster way to Wilton?” Tanner asked when the grand wizard took them down a different side road.

  “We are heading straight to Gameton.”

  “Our things are at our inn,” Corina said.

  “Whatever you don’t have you can get in the capital,” the grand wizard said. “It still won’t be easy getting inside.”

  “Waterford said he could get us in.”

  “He probably could, and you would end up in the clutches of the Black Finger Society. I know a place where we can stop up ahead. I want to read what Fasher sent me.”

  ~

  Once at a tiny inn, they crowded around the grand wizard who pulled out the folded scroll. He unfolded it into a long length of black lacquered cardboard. A white surface with Fasher’s characteristic scrawl was on the other side.

  The grand wizard read it first and then gave it to Jack, who read it aloud.

  Jorey,

  If you are reading this, my warded box will have done its work of ridding you from the Black Finger spell that you have fought off for the last six months. Our last communication confirmed to me that you were captured.

  The messenger, Jack Winder, is a trusty young man and happens to be my wizard’s helper, in the truest sense of the word. The power of the warded box came from him. It was the only way I could free you without traveling to Wilton myself. Treat him well, but I am afraid there will be enough peril for you both before he can leave Tesoria to return to me.

  Your friend, Fasher Tempest.

  The grand wizard looked at Jack. “Shake my hand,” he said. Th
e man held onto Jack for some time. “Amazing. You really are a helper.” He let go. “I needed a boost in power. Now I can communicate directly with my friend. You can call me by my given name, Jorey Balcon. I’m not sure who will recognize my guild position at this point.”

  Jorey walked off for a bit. It looked like he was talking to himself, but he eventually came back. “Your errand to me is finished, but I ask you to continue on to Gameton. Fasher thinks you will, but if you leave for Raker Falls, I won’t think worse of you. He says that Penny isn’t exactly pining for your return. I suppose that has meaning?”

  Jack smiled. “It does.” He looked over at Ralinn, who had heard every word.

  “Is Penny a dog?” she asked.

  Jack was glad he had a veil on. “Fasher’s apprentice. I wish she were a dog.” He looked at Jorey. “I have another errand to fulfill in Gameton before I can go home,” Jack said. He lowered his veil revealing his bruises.

  “Those are real? From the goddess?”

  “As is mine.” Corina showed him her arm.

  “I have heard of the marks called Eldora’s kiss, but I have never seen one, much less two people carrying evidence of the goddess paying attention to the affairs of this world.”

  “Corina and I have been asked to do something in Gameton. I thought it would be polite to Eldora for us to at least give it a try.”

  Jorey whistled. “Try at the least. Introduce me to your friends, and then we should be off.

  Jack introduced Jorey to Corina, Tanner, and Helen.

  “A formidable group. Now we fly. I know a secure way into the city.”

  “If it is the same one we know, Uncle Whelham will have already told the Black Fingers.”

  “As if they needed it. King Kaleen, your father, is under the control of the Black Fingers, you know.”

  Lark grunted. “I suspected. Baron Overvale is allied with them as well.”

  Jorey looked worried. “Your time spent in the city may be longer than I suspect, but I am not without resources—resources that I resisted blabbing to the society, as it turns out. I wasn’t totally consumed by their spell, but it took every bit of my willpower to resist their attempts at conversion.”