by Daniel Ruth
“Have you been checking every day?” He smirked pretentiously. “Ah, you have surveillance on the house.”
“Well? You going to follow through with your promises?”
“Didn’t I say it would take some time?”
“You’ve had weeks. Can you deliver?”
I tapped my foot in thought. I hadn’t expected to be under such time constraints. I hadn’t learned about the vampire meltdown or even had a plan when I had talked to Kingston. By examining Sulayman’s resurrection circle I had an excellent chance to replicate it with just a few weeks of research.
It wasn’t that I didn’t want to do it. I think it would be fascinating and very rewarding to work it out. Not having to worry so much about my people dropping dead would be a huge load off my mind. I simply hadn’t had the time. I suppose I could put off studying the spells in the Preparation classes I had gathered. However, if I did that then I might not be ready when Beth needed training in them. I checked my estimation on when Beth would be ready. I probably had at least two weeks before she would be ready for the basic spells the academy taught.
“Well?”
I sighed. “Bring the corpse by in a casket that will fit in my rickshaw. I’ll arrange things.”
“I can drive.”
“Not where I’m going.” I had decided to ask Sulayman for a favor. I still wanted to spend the time to research the new circle but despite technically having time I didn’t really have room to research circles. I had already used most of the free space in the living area by inscribing the regeneration circle and the protection circle next to it.
“I’ll be back in thirty minutes,” he grunted as he backed away.
“By the way, aren’t you worried about bursting into flame?”
‘Very funny,” Hardy replied sourly. “I found out that it only works on vampires.”
“Well, maybe the next one will work on you,” I said with a friendly smile. He left with a little more pep in his walk.
He came back in a Hurst. The antique may have been worth as much as one of my houses. I watch him manhandle the cask into my rickshaw. He didn’t ask for help, just maneuvered it until it somehow fit. I watched it with a smile as he grunted with the effort. He was actually pretty strong for a human.
“Okay, I’ll be back soon,” I nodded to him as I climbed onto the bicycle portion.
“I’ll know.”
I grimaced slightly as he pointed out that he was watching my house. It made me want to squish him like a bug. Putting him out of my mind I started pedaling my way to purgatory. There was a lot more foot traffic in the city. The motorized traffic was much lighter. It was just as well since the traffic buoys that were repaired weren’t acting completely reliable. I noticed packs of shifters roaming the streets in their animal form. Contrary to causing a panic these packs received waves and smiles from the pedestrians.
About thirty minutes into my ride I felt the dimensional fabric shift and saw a portal open two blocks down. Three brontosaurs barreled through in a panicked state, bellowing and causing the people to dodge out of the way and take cover. I was about to ride over and pick up dinner when I heard howls of beasts and ten werewolves raced past me, easily threading through the light crowd and pouncing on the poor creatures.
Dinosaurs are strong but they aren’t supernatural. They were torn apart within seconds. I pouted as the shifters changed back to human form in order to properly butcher the creatures. The crowds around the still active portal backed away but scattered clapping could be heard from them. The pack had just finished preparing the carcasses when an old repaired station wagon followed by several trucks made their way over and the pack loaded the meat into the rear. It was all very practiced and smooth as if they had done this many times.
I pouted as I passed the glowing portal. No more free lunches for me. If all the packs were out patrolling the city, they weren’t going to allow delicious wild animals to roam free. A few blocks more and a different set of shifters were seen roaming the streets. Panthers this time. Generally, they were not pack animals but if they wanted to hold territory they had to work together.
I had to say that it was sheer genius, whoever came up with this idea. Great PR, free food and they could probably sell the extra meat to the people of the city, who were probably not so happy with their rationing.
Another hour and I made my way to more and more deserted streets. These were all new buildings. The pedestrians here were mostly shifters of one sort or another. Vampires were notably missing. Turning the corner I saw the pageantry that was the center of Purgatory. It wasn’t nearly as busy as the first time I had been there, but it was most certainly more active that the last time. Also a lot fewer comatose bodies in the street. The ones I saw now were more drunk than anything else. I suppose that’s progress for you.
I parked my rickshaw in front of the entrance. Not surprising, no one came up to valet my vehicle. I doubt it would be towed either. The guards were awake this time but they simply waved me by. Ignoring the flashing lights and displays I made my way inside, up the stairs, to the table I had become acquainted with.
“Hey Sulayman,” I said with a smile. “Place looks good.”
“As good as it gets until the issue with the undead gets worked out,” the dusky skinned man replied gloomily.
“I came by for two things. I would like to use your circle,” I began. “I would also like to ask you about Durmont Sembling and Baron Kerns.”
“Ah, you’ve been to lovely Gildorn,” he sighed as he took on an introspective look. “I sometimes miss it.”
“Well, it’s not nearly as far as it used to be,” I stated. “I’ve met them and I have some questions.”
“Of course,” he said as his gaze turned to his companions. “I apologize my friends but I need to discuss some private business. Largo, could you arrange to have the Professor’s package...”
“It’s a casket in the rickshaw out front,” I interjected.
“The casket moved to the forbidden room. Just drop it off outside.”
“We settled in at the table. Since there was so much bread and various appetizers just sitting there abandoned I couldn’t resist grazing.
“Ah Professor, still the same. What would you like to know?”
“I believe Baron Kerna was the one known as Baron Samedi.”
“I had heard there was a zombie master on the loose. He had quite a reputation just before I bought up the land. I am most fortunate he was forced out when he was or I would have had an awkward time of it.”
“He does seem more than your average gangster.”
“He is very much beyond average,” he nodded in confirmation while sipping wine. “He is a well-known necromancer. While I had not known him personally, he had an infamous penchant for zombies. It is well within his capacities. He was also known to command spirits and borrow the abilities and knowledge of the dead.”
“How was he related to the principal?”
“He along with Sembling were close allies with him.”
“Do you think they knew that the principal was the demon lord Vatapi?”
“That’s hard to say. They either knew and served him or was under some sort of influence. Now that you have told me the truth, it is even less likely the council would not realize that the plan to drain the magic was nonsense.”
“So what else do you know about him?”
“He was a supporter of Vatapi for over a century...”
“Wait a minute, a century? Is he human?”
“As far as I know. He’s a necromancer. They have a dozen ways to prolong their lives. Usually at the cost of someone else’s. He is last in a long line of mages. Also the last Baron. He was rumored to have questionable hobbies and unsavory connections. Considering his first attempt at blending in involved a thug, the rumors are likely to be true.”
I suppose if you serve a demon, there really isn’t anything that is off limits.”
“Dermont Sembling has a much better rep
utation,” Sulayman continued. “He is the face of the Royal Academy and hasn’t been involved in any scandals I know of. There have been rumors that the Baron dealt with any unfortunate necessities. However, except for proximity, there is no proof of involvement.”
“I hear he is a circle master. The portal that the Baron used to escape seemed to have been inscribed by another.”
“Likely Dermont,” he agreed. “He is in his fifties. He has undergone the war wizard conditioning which is...”
“I am aware of it. Has the Baron?”
“I don’t know,” the fellow paused for a moment. “Probably. It’s almost a requirement in a city that is constantly under siege by demons.”
“Not anymore.”
“Ah, I had thought that may happen,” Sulayman chuckled. “Imagine, protected by the schemes of demons.”
“Yeah, wouldn’t want any demons not loyal to you to be able to move around. So, we still have no idea if they are dupes, slaves or willing accomplishes. Do you know where the demon’s lair is?”
Suleyman stared at me flatly. “If you mean his house, let me think a moment.” He fell silent in momentary contemplation. “I believe he had a house on the academy grounds. This might be the ‘lair’ you wish to find.”
“I’ll give it a shot,” I looked at the time and shoved a roll of bread in my mouth. “Okay, let's resurrect that guy. Thanks for letting me borrow the circle.”
“I owe you my life. Such favors aren’t even worth mentioning. Any friend of yours is a friend of mine.”
I decided against explaining that I didn’t actually know who the corpse was and grabbed a final piece of bread, while I headed back to the circle room. The coffin was sitting in front of the room. Sulayman went in first to lower the defenses. I picked up the coffin and followed. The coffin wasn’t heavy but it was still a bit awkward. I set it down next to the resurrection circle and pulled out the slightly withered, but mostly preserved corpse of a young man.
I casually it dropped in into the center of the circle and gestured to Sulayman. He reached into his pocket and brought out an amulet, placed it on the corpse’s neck, then fed energy into the circle and activated it with a few mnemonics. The withered figure instantly filled out, a pink cast flushing its face and a moment later the person was gasping for breath.
“Welcome back!”
The young man looked at us, at the room he was in and then the circle in which he was laying. A look of pure horror crossed his face and he started screaming in terror. Sulayman and I looked at one another. I shrugged and waited.
A full minute of screaming later I was getting a bit annoyed. I attempted to say something several times only to have it drowned out by the terrified screams. Finally, when it looked like he wouldn’t be stopping until he had screamed himself hoarse, I formed a psychic blade at the tip of my finger and plunged the construct into his forehead.
“That seems pretty extreme,” Sulayman stated.
“Yes, it was. I have no idea why he was like that,” I shrugged. I didn’t really care. He was alive and would wake up in a week.
“No, I mean the psionic attack.”
“Oh, he’ll wake up. He won’t even remember being scared. It’s really the best thing that could happen to him.”
When I got home, I called Beth from my home terminal. The picture wasn’t really any clearer than the military grade wrist terminal but it was larger and didn’t leave me feeling I was talking to dolls.
“Where are you?” she asked shrilly.
“Home,” I responded blankly. “Where else would I be?”
“How the hell would I know,” she spat out. “You said ‘bye’ and vanished in some kind of bloody implosion. We were all almost knocked out!”
“You mean you were almost knocked out,” I corrected thoughtfully. “Stella is made up of sterner...” I paused as I saw her glaring at me. “That is... I am dreadfully sorry, I had no idea that would happen.” I didn’t realize there would be a backlash. Usually, teleportation is a fairly gentle process, a bit of displaced air but never quite that violent. I wasn’t sure if I needed to manage the transition better or it would always be that rough. Considering how much it actually hurt, I was hoping it got better with experience.
“Fine,” she nodded shortly. “Just warn us next time. Also, why didn’t you call sooner?”
“Why didn’t you?”
“I didn’t think of it,” she admitted. “I’m on my terminal every night and but I still forget I can use it to call out.”
“Me too,” I agreed. “Also, I didn’t have a working terminal of any kind for well over a year. I still forget about it. Anyway, I have a ton of boxes over here. I assume they are rocket parts. Exactly how are we going to get it together and launch it?”
Beth’s face scrunched up in concentration. “I kinda thought Jeremy would do it but he’s not going to move from Paris until I get back. Can you bring it here?”
I looked at the boxes and then at my enchanted bag. “They would fit inside but they are too large to get in the opening.”
“This could be tricky. We can’t send it to Jeremy, the parcel service is still emergency priority only.”
“My tech contacts are you and Jeremy,” I said, tapping my fingers on the couch’s armrest. “Mei told me that Jin had a hacker working for him but that doesn’t really help us.”
“Um, that gives me an idea, though,” Beth said slowly and began typing on her holographic interface. “Although I have been distracted trying to hack the satellite, before that I was pretty involved in helping the world net pull itself together. It’s been mostly anonymous but I do have a pretty good reputation. Maybe I could call in a favor from someone in the area.”
“What are the chances someone lives around here?”
“Arch is one of the biggest cities in the world. It was why it got tagged with a social experiment no one else wanted.”
“Shifters and vampires.”
“Yeah, they mentioned it in class,” she said as she finished tapping away. “Okay, I put some feelers out. Mei will have to let them in, though.”
“Oh,” I squirmed a bit uncomfortably. I loathed strangers in my home. “Fine.”
“Did the gems come? I have the delivery receipt in my account but considering the state of the world...”
“I didn’t check,” I got off the couch and moved around to the big pile of boxes. “Who is it from?”
“Jerell’s Gemstones,” she waved her hand at the display a moment. “Looks like the code on the big blue box is it. You can have your terminal show you. I’ll do it for you this time.” I blinked as floating titles appeared on top of all my boxes. The living room holographic display could tag and identify things. Neat. Sort of. My living room now looked like a dumping ground for leftover ad campaigns.
“Thanks.” I grabbed my box and immediately pawed through the terminals menus to turn the option off.
“So you’ll be back tomorrow?” she asked as I tore open a corner and literally poured the gems into my bag. I didn’t bother examining them. Since they were all artificial they lacked the appeal natural ones held.
“Yeah,” I replied hesitantly. The memory of the pain of the transition was seared into my brain. Supernaturals and magical creatures have a remarkable resistance to pain but I almost wanted to cry like a little girl just thinking about it. “Sure.”
“Great, I need you for the war wizard class, don’t forget,” she looked pretty uncomfortable. “The other kids that don’t have my pain suppression thing... they scream pretty loud. It's um, kind of scary.”
“I’ll be there,” I said encouragingly. “By the way, can you have Stella pick up my robe?”
“The coat of many colors?”
“Eh? It just two,” I replied in confusion. “Though, I guess if you include all the shades...”
“Never mind. I’ll let her know.”
I had just gotten off the call with Beth when the doorbell rang. I hadn’t really thought of adventuring as
a chance to get out of the house in order to find a nice quiet spot to study and research, but I was starting to get used to the idea. I trudged over to the door.
Standing on my porch was Hardy. Next to him was Ryder from AEGIS. Two of my favorite people.
“He’s in the rickshaw,” I told him before he could say anything. Hardy looked over at the rickshaw parked out from and the coffin in the back. His face turned red and he opened his mouth to speak, looked at the AEGIS officer next to him and shut his mouth. He did this several times. It looked distinctly like a fish.
“Is he... why is he...” Hardy started. After he stuttered for almost a minute, obviously wanting to ask me questions but equally obvious, not in from of an officer.
“You go pick up your package. If you have any questions, write me a note.” I turned to Ryder, “Come inside, you obviously have something you want to talk about.”
I closed the door on the still sputtering hoodlum and led Ryder into the living room. “Have a seat.” I hurriedly added, “Not on the boxes!”
“Thanks for letting me in,” he began, somewhat embarrassed. “I know I’m not your favorite person.”
“True. To be honest, your probably number four on my list of people I don’t like.”
“Who is the lucky one through three,” he asked wryly.
“They are three people who I still wouldn’t want to talk to, just a bit more so than you. Seriously, what do you want? I want to get it out of the way before one of them decides they want to bring me a tray of cookies.”
“All right, I can respect that. Two things. I wanted to ask you if there was a way to, um, not explode when I take this thing off,” he gestured to his helmet, and more relevantly the bowl with the magic suppression ward he wore under it. “The other thing involves Jin as well.”
“Probably,” I told him as I stared at him indifferently.
“Would you be willing to share this?”
“You kidnapped Jeremy. Why on earth would I care if you blew up?”
