by TR Cameron
She asked, “Hosting other visitors?”
He shook his head. “No, I have this feeling that things will be busy for a while, and wanted to be sure everything was in its place.”
“I can totally understand that. I did it at the start of the semester in my lab at school. And every break, now that I think about it. Compared to you though, my work area was chaos.”
He laughed. “After the first decade, you start to get a sense of where you need things to be. You’ll get there, don’t worry. Now, you were quite mysterious on the phone about what you needed.” He raised his hand and wiggled his fingers as if to illustrate the mystery. “What can I do for you?”
Ruby had been thinking hard about how much to tell him. She figured her connection to him wasn’t well enough known to put him in danger, which would make it easier to share more of the truth. Still, this was new territory, and she was decidedly paranoid about sharing. On the other hand, he was more knowledgeable about both magical and mundane technology than she was, and if given the bigger picture, might come up with ideas she wouldn’t. She waited a moment to see if her mental voice would chime in with a warning, and when it didn’t, gave a little nod. “Okay. Here’s the thing. I’m not sure if you’re aware, but there’s a lot of bad stuff going on in Ely.”
He sat up straighter and crossed his arms, narrowing his gaze at her. “Yeah, I’ve heard. Coincidentally, it seemed to start when you got back to town, right?”
She shook her head. “That’s what I thought, too. Turns out there’s been a bunch of questionable things happening all along that I never saw. It doesn’t make the papers, but the rumor mill is full of information about it. Con artists, gangs, a black market in magic items. Plus all the incidents you’ve heard about.”
He gave a low whistle. “So, that’s some deep trouble you’ve gotten into the middle of. What’s it have to do with me?”
“I’m not going to stay on the sidelines. I need some magic tech, or even standard tech, to help me along.”
He frowned. “What are you planning to do?”
She shrugged. “Whatever I can. I was in the building when those explosions killed people who didn’t deserve to die. I can’t let that go, and I have the ability to maybe help make a change.”
He shook his head, perhaps unconsciously. “Sounds dangerous, Ruby. We have police and stuff for that kind of thing.”
She barked a laugh. “The Magic City PD is spread too thin, and that’s assuming they’re not on the take, or whatever it’s called on the cop shows. Sheriff Alejo is good people, but she has hardly any support. Plus, it appears magicals are involved, and Ely is way too small to have the sort of authorities required to defeat strong spellcasters.”
“You think you can make a difference?” She heard his worry in the question.
“I’m sure I can. Plus, I’m sure I can do it in a way that there’s only moderate danger to me and none to those I care about. However, I’m going to need every edge I can get.”
Margrave sighed. “Well, Red,” he used the nickname that he’d applied to her in high school, “I know you well enough to know you’ll do it regardless of whether I agree. So, if the choice is watching you go it alone or figuring out how to help you, of course I’ll help. What do you need?”
She pushed down the surge of emotion that threatened her composure. “Thank you. Seriously.” They talked about her potential needs for the next hour. Then they worked together for two more, building the items out of components he had in his shop. The simplest thing was a periscope, expandable and flexible so she could look around corners and over edges without a problem.
Next up was locators. He had created similar items for other clients and had the parts lying around. Much like the systems that allowed people to find their keys with their smartphones, these would send out a small ping at intervals to show where they were. He gave her five mundane versions and a receiver. Then, in case she needed to track someone where technology wouldn’t work, like in the kemana, he provided a handful that radiated a certain kind of magic signal. It was sound-based, at a low frequency most beings wouldn’t hear, human or magical. They practiced until she could find it with her magic, a process of attunement that took only a short time.
For communication, he offered encrypted walkie-talkies with earpieces, consumer-grade technology that he promised to upgrade with magic components if she found she needed it. He handed over her shield pendant, which he’d arranged to have recharged by one of his contacts. He said, “Okay, two more things, both more defensive than strictly useful. First, do you have access to potions?”
“I have a few stockpiled that I’ve gotten from Keshalla in the past. I can get more from her, I’m sure.”
“If you need someone on this planet to provide them, I could probably set that up for you. Let me know.”
She nodded. “Will do. What’s the other thing?”
He went to the shelves and took down a small wooden box and placed it on the table before her. Opening the lid revealed four glass bulbs, each resembling an hourglass in the way it was divided into two separate parts, top and bottom. He said, “This is for escape, at need. When it meets the air, the chemical in the top will turn into smoke, quite a lot of it. The bottom contains glitter essentially, but a special kind of glitter that disrupts magic. Anyone trying to use magical senses to see through the smoke will find this blocks their ability to do so.”
“Wow, really? What spell is that based on?”
“A blend of magic detection and illusion. Basically, it senses incoming magic and sends it back in reverse. It’s not powerful enough to counteract an aggressive spell, like force or electricity. But the more subtle ones, like sensing, or tracking, it should work fine. We’ve only tested it a little.”
“Who are you making it for?”
He chuckled. “That would be telling, and you know I can’t do that. Suffice to say that it’s for people with some authority.”
“Speaking of which, I met someone with some authority recently. An agent with some government group. She seemed pretty sharp.”
Margrave grinned. “Always good to have friends. Maybe you can get me a government contract.” He rubbed his hands together. “That’s where the real money is.”
She laughed. “Thank you, Margrave. Seriously. You’re a literal lifesaver.”
He nodded. “I’m happy to help. Now, I’m sure you have better things to do than hang out with an old man, and I do have some work to complete for actual paying clients.” It was a joke between them, and they were both fully aware that his only concerns about money were that he had enough to live on and continue his work.
She stood and collected the stuff. “If you think of any more clever ideas, I can put them to good use.”
He rose to escort her out. “Just make sure you stay safe and healthy so that you can.”
“Promise.” If anyone’s going to wind up hurt, it’s gonna be the bastards playing games in my city.
Chapter Seventeen
Her next destination was the Drow’s shop in the kemana. She stepped cautiously through the door and stopped inside, nodding respectfully to the proprietor. “Greetings, Shentia.”
The Drow nodded. She wore a simple dress today, in black, and her ashen hair was woven into a complicated braid that hung down over her shoulder. “Same to you. Have you decided to take me up on my invitation to examine my inventory?”
Ruby shook her head. “As much as I wish that was my reason for visiting today, I’m afraid it isn’t. Instead, I’m hoping for some specific items. Back room kinds of items.”
The other woman lifted an eyebrow questioningly. “Are you? I see. Well then, let’s take a wander into the back.” She led the way, and Ruby followed her into the rear of the shop. The Drow stopped in the middle and turned to her. “So, specifically, what are your needs?”
“I’m looking for weapons that work against magic defenses and things I can use to defend against magic attacks.”
“Indeed
.” She stared for several uncomfortable seconds, as if trying to judge why Ruby might need such things, then gave a brisk nod. “I happen to have three items that may help.” She turned to the corner that held blades in individual racks. One of them displayed a pair of throwing knives: thin, sharp, and shining in silver with etchings all along them. Shentia lifted them from their holders and set them on her palm, then extended them for Ruby to examine.
“They’re gorgeous. Drow-made?”
She nodded. “Indeed. Most people don’t recognize such things right away.”
Ruby chuckled. “My mentor Keshalla considers Drow weapons to be among the best.”
“Intelligent person, then. They’re exceedingly high quality. More than that though, they’re imbued with magic that allows them to pierce magical defenses.”
Ruby felt her eyes widen in surprise. “Like, go through a force shield?”
“Exactly.”
“Wow. I’ve never heard of such a thing. Wonderful.”
The Drow nodded and set them aside to pick up a short dagger. The pommel was no bigger than her fist, and the blade about half again that size. “This isn’t an artifact weapon, but nonetheless has one of the properties of artifact weapons, in that you can cast magic through it.”
Ruby had read a great deal about artifact weapons in her studies at the university. One of those would be virtually priceless. This dagger would allow her to use it for physical defense while not compromising her ability to cast spells, which would be amazing. “Excellent. I would love to have that, as well.”
The Drow nodded. “Very good.” She moved to the opposite side of the room, where mannequin pieces held worn items. A pair of arms stuck up from the shelf, each with a bracer attached to it. They were in the form of thick black tooled leather cuffs. Each had three rings of a silver metal running around it, with different etching than the trio of blades had.
Ruby wasn’t sure if these were of Drow manufacture or not, so she kept her mouth shut about their provenance. “What do they do?”
“Striking them together will create a magic shield that will sustain itself for fifteen seconds or so. They have three charges, represented by the bands, but afterward must be fully replenished before you can use them again.”
Ruby knew a great deal about the need to store power into magic items that spent it, a problem shared by all magic tech items and most magical items other than artifacts and artifact weapons. “I’ll take those as well.”
The other woman smiled. “There is the matter of payment.”
Ruby replied, “Of course. How much?” The Drow named a number that left her speechless with shock. If she drained all her accounts, she would have enough to pay for it but no money to start her business. While she could borrow from her family, she had no desire to put herself in that situation.
Shentia chuckled. “That is more often than not the reaction I get when I mention how much magical items cost. Usually, I deal with the representatives of collectors, though, and they go back and talk to their principals, and eventually they come to a number at least close to the one I suggest. However, in your case, I have a different idea. I would be willing to lend these items to you free of charge, in exchange for a favor at a later date.”
Ruby remembered Diana’s caution and was well aware that the Drow was deliberately putting her in her debt. There’s not much I can do about it unless I want to give up all my money, and these are too important not to have. “I accept, but I won’t do anything against my principles. That must be part of the agreement.”
The Drow shrugged. “I’m sure we can find something appropriate.”
Ruby replied, “Done.”
Shentia nodded. “Done.” She paused, then continued, “I would hesitate to assume anything, but based upon your selections, one imagines that whatever you require these for might also necessitate a disguise.”
In for a penny, in for a pound. “Two of them.”
Her host gestured toward a third section of the room, where mannequin heads wore various pieces of jewelry and ornamental masks. “These are magic items that will change according to the user’s will once donned. Should the magic be penetrated, the physical covering still protects the wearer’s identity.”
They looked vaguely like kabuki masks, white porcelain with no particular expression. The object covered the entire face except for the mouth and swept back to cover the ears and latch behind the head. She touched one and discovered it was a pliant material, rather than something resistant, despite its looks. They would be perfect, at least for the near term.
Ruby asked, “These can be part of our current arrangement?”
Shentia nodded but clarified, “Since you’re likely going into danger, we must make a further agreement that if any item is destroyed or lost, additional compensation will be required.”
“Of course. That’s only fair.”
For the first time during the visit, the Drow broke into a full smile. “Very good. I look forward to a long and fruitful partnership, Ruby Achera.”
Ruby walked the short distance back to her family’s house, pondering the decisions she’d made. Everything seemed to be going more or less smoothly, although she feared to think what the favor she owed the Drow might turn out to be. Ultimately, though, that didn’t matter. She’d continue to do what she must to protect the people in her city. As soon as she was inside, her sister intercepted her. “Did you hear?”
“Hear what?”
“About the attack. Well, actually, attacks.”
Ruby’s anxiety surged at the question. “No, I haven’t. What’s going on?”
Morrigan replied, “How about some tea?” It was old code for finding a private place to talk, which often turned out to be the small table in the kitchen, as long as the staff wasn’t using it. They waved to the cook as they entered, and he pointed them to the table without them needing to ask. A pot of tea and a plate of cookies appeared a few moments later as if by magic, although actually by the efforts of another staff member, and Ruby nibbled one as her sister launched into an explanation.
“So, all the casino owners have been talking about the latest one. Somebody broke into Deep Woods and killed Lachsan. They tried to kill Enelle but only injured her. She’s in the hospital. Tryn knocked the attacker out a window while the intruder was focused on trying to kill his mother.”
Ruby shivered from her neck down to her toes. “That’s horrible. Did they catch whoever did it?”
Morrigan shook her head. “He got away. At least they presume it was a he. The intruder disabled the cameras on the way to the secure area, and the staff on those floors only saw a person in a mask. Everyone’s saying they moved like a man, although how they know exactly how a man moves, I have no idea.”
“I think people who spend their lives fighting, martial artists and such, get some intuition about that. Maybe that’s how. What’s the other?”
Her sister replied, “I heard about this one from one of our security people, who was discussing it with another one.”
Ruby gave a fake frown. “Eavesdropping again?”
“I prefer the term information gathering. In any case, he said there was an attack on another security company.”
She kept her voice steady as she asked, “Like the other one, some kind of break-in?”
Her sister shook her head. “From the sound of it, it was a full-on attack. They killed people, and they burned down the building.”
“Ouch.” She drummed her fingers, thinking. “Any idea of a motive? Any connections?”
Morrigan shrugged. “They didn’t say. I looked the company up on the Internet before I came back down and found out they were the ones in charge of security for the Kraken and The Hunt.”
Ruby frowned. “So, that’s two attacks on the Atlanteans. And a kid involved in both the Atlantean one and the Wood Elf one. Still, nothing really connects the one at Mist or the one at the Ebon Dragon.” Except, of course, Aces Security was behind the kidnapping attempt and th
e move on the Dragon. I wonder if they had anything to do with either of these others.
Morrigan nodded. “It’s frustrating, not knowing what’s going on. Speaking of which, what exactly are you up to?”
Ruby’s mind went into lockdown for a moment, surprised by the question. Then she shook her head and replied, “It’s best if no one knows. That way no one’s in danger.”
“So there is something. I knew it. You’ll need help.”
She chuckled. “Oh, trust me, I have all the help I need.”
Her sister looked confused. “What do you mean?”
Ruby waved a hand. “Can’t explain. Would if I could. Now, I think I need to find out more about what’s going on.”
Morrigan touched her hand. “Promise me something.”
Her seriousness stopped Ruby halfway out of her chair, and she sat again. “If I can.”
“I get that you think some things have to be secret. Tell me whatever you can. Share information. I might see patterns or connections that you don’t since I know and talk to different people. I don’t have to seek news the way you might because it’s constantly flowing around me. Still, I won’t know what matters unless you keep me in the loop.”
She considered the request. Truly, what her sister said was correct, and sharing some things wouldn’t bring her into any extra danger. “Okay. Done.”
She headed to her room for a quick shower and a change of clothes, then portaled up to the garage near her surface house. She wandered inside, greeted her roommates, then knocked on Demetrius’s door. He called, “Come in,” and she did. He was in his usual spot, seated at his keyboard with three curved monitors in a semi-circle before him. She never understood most of what she saw on those displays; it was a blend of technology and magic that seemed almost alive in the way that it was constantly moving. The technologist inside her was interested, but she had other things demanding her attention.
