“Oh I wouldn’t worry about that, I doubt this will take very long.”
Carin paused. “I will give you five minutes. Any longer than that and I will have to go.”
Waldo nodded without turning in her direction. “That should be enough.”
Carin hurried over to the bar, clearly eager to not get involved in whatever business two White Mages might have.
XXX
“Is she a friend of yours?” Tyrone asked.
Alice was standing rigid behind the bar. She had felt a sudden sharp spike of fear coming through the bond. Alice had wondered what Carin could possibly have said to him to cause that. When the door to the Inn had opened it was suddenly obvious what the cause was.
“No,” Alice replied. “Definitely not a friend.”
XXX
The woman had spotted him immediately of course. It was rather hard to be inconspicuous wearing snow white robes. She began to deliberately walk across the room to him, steps slow and certain. Her attention was directed entirely on him, she did not bother to so much as glance at the bar or any other part of the common room. Her wand was still not pointed at him. The fact the commoners were all so calm with a mage holding a wand was proof of just how ignorant they were about magic.
Waldo took his own wand out and held it beneath the table. He was tempted to send a gout of fire at her while she was still across the room. He held off because it was almost certain she had protective wards cast. If he could not take her in the first strike he had little hope in a protracted battle. She was unlikely to be as strong as his grandfather, but it was well known that only capable mages were sent out from Avalon. Waldo knew he was nowhere near skilled enough in combat magic to defeat a properly trained White Mage. There was also the inconvenient fact that if he openly attacked her he and Alice would have to immediately flee the city.
The only chance to salvage the situation was to try and talk his way through this.
He didn’t like his odds very much.
As she drew closer Waldo noted she was very pretty, though clearly older than him by some years. With high cheek bones, a fair complexion, and hair the color of gold.
Her eyes are like mine.
She came to a halt just five feet from his table, her wand still held to the side. Waldo was surprised by her temerity. At this range protective wards would not be enough to blunt a lethal spell.
“You are Waldo Rabbit.”
His eyebrows rose, and despite the situation he couldn’t keep a pleased smile from his lips. “You’ve heard of me? I had no idea my reputation had already spread.”
“Don’t sound so proud. What I know about you is shameful. I recently spoke to Master Roger of Bittford.”
“Oh, well that would explain it.”
The woman frowned. “You seem to be taking this rather lightly.”
“Why wouldn’t I? Roger is nothing but a backwoods hedgewizard. He is an independent. Why would he matter to a couple of White Mages like us?”
Waldo felt a little relieved. Upon her arrival with wand in hand, he had assumed she knew he was a fake. If instead she was here about the incident with Roger, Waldo was sure they could work something out.
He quickly changed his mind about that when she at last pointed her wand directly at his face.
“You think you can bring shame to the Order and not pay the penalty?”
Waldo tilted his chair back, his tone casual, "The penalty would be?"
“Death,” she said voice as hard and unforgiving as iron. “I intend to execute you, but first you will give me the property that was stolen.”
“You plan to kill me for robbing some half trained spell caster from the boonies?”
Her grip on her wand tightened. “Even as a deserter could you truly have fallen so far as to forget our sacred cause? Everything that we do is to protect and serve the Order and The One We Follow. How dare you disgrace them? That you should abandon our hallowed cause and yet still wear the robes… have you no shame?”
“No actually, none at all.” He saw her eyes widen at his unexpected answer. “You do realize I have a wand pointed at you beneath the table?”
She gave a curt nod. “I have protective wards.”
“So do I, but at this range they won’t matter.”
“Perhaps, what is most important is that you be brought to justice and not allowed to do any further harm to the Order.”
Waldo studied her for a long moment.
“You mean it,” he said in plain disbelief. “You are actually willing to die over this.”
“Of course, we are always ready to die for the sake of the cause.”
Fanatic, Waldo thought. There were things he was willing to die for too, but a theft from some third rate wizard was not one of them.
“I do not know why or for how long you have you have been a traitor, but I would hope you still have some sense of honor. I would prefer not to cause any further rumor or scandal. Surrender yourself, return what you have stolen, and I will grant you a quick, clean death. It is a chance for you to restore a little of your honor before you die.”
“Sorry, I have about as much honor as I do shame. And tempting as your offer is I will have to decline it.”
“Is that why you deserted?”
She believes I’m a White Mage, but one who abandoned the cause. “You say you don’t want to bring any embarrassment to the Order. I think even the mundanes will begin to notice if you keep standing there with your wand pointed at me.” With his free hand he motioned to the seat across from him. “I would be honored if you would join me, Mistress…?
“I am the Archmage Melissa Cornwall,” she paused. “I don’t suppose you would tell me your name? Your real name I mean.”
“Waldo Rabbit is real enough.” He again waved at the chair. “Please.”
Moving cautiously she sat down. Both of them held their wands beneath the table where others in the room could not see them.
“I don’t suppose you’d care for a drink?
“I don’t drink with criminals.”
“Of course not,” he sighed.
“I want you to surrender yourself and leave with me quietly.”
“Well I hope you can forgive me, but I don’t intend to let you kill me out of politeness.”
“You cannot hope to escape me. Surrender peacefully and return the stolen items and I promise you a quick clean death.”
“Your aura is immense, I can sense just how strong you are, but our wands are practically touching. If I cast you will not survive.”
“Nor will you.”
“Which leaves us in a very troublesome predicament.”
“Not really,” she shook her head ever so slightly. “I was very lucky to track you down as quickly as I did. Some soldiers I ran into just happened to know that you and your wife were staying here. I was determined to deal with you before you could get away. Your wife I will deal with later for her part in the crime.”
She hasn’t noticed Alice yet. “Why don’t we try and negotiate? Maybe I could give you something in exchange for my life? That way we could both walk out of here alive. I mean is Roger really worth dying for?”
“Roger is not what is important. What truly matters is that you have committed a crime while pretending to still be a White Mage. That cannot be forgiven. Abandoning the Order is also punishable by death. I will not let you escape justice.”
“You know you are the second woman who hasn’t wanted to bargain with me today. I suppose I am not very charming.”
“Tell me something Master Waldo. Why did you run away?”
He snorted a laugh. “Maybe I just wasn’t enough of a fanatic.”
“Fanatic? That is what our enemies call us. Are you saying you lacked faith in our sacred cause? Was your will weak?”
“I don’t lack faith or will,” he told her firmly. “But what I believe in is myself and my family. I like to think I have too much common sense to go around spouting about, ‘Unity, Justice, and Peace.�
�� Those are meaningless concepts. Why would anyone with any intelligence waste their life following them?” He stopped and gave her a slight grin. “No offense.”
“I would expect more deference for our beliefs.”
“I don’t care about imaginary causes.” He raised his hand. “Waitress, you can clear the table.” He leaned forward slightly. “All that matters in this world is power, once you have it you can do whatever you want with it. Living your life for the sake of some ridiculous ideal is simply a waste.”
Her body locked in raw indignation. Her next words were spoken, as someone passing judgment. “If you were not obviously from Avalon I would think you an imposter. You sound like a Dark Mage.”
“Thank you.”
Her lips thinned. “Tell me, who is The One We Follow? Speak his name to me.”
Is that what they call their strongest god? “Why would you ask me that?”
“It’s a name that only those in the Order would know, now speak it.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Then despite your eyes you are something even worse than a deserter or thief, you are an imposter. If that is the case I will ring out the truth before I end you. I will learn your name and why you did this. You will suffer and regret ever putting on those robes.”
“You really need a drink.” He nodded to the waitress standing behind her. “The lady would like some wine.”
“Yes.”
Not bothering to turn her face Melissa spoke. “No, I don’t want…”
Alice snatched the goblet off the table, and in one smooth motion tossed its contents into Melissa’s face.
Startled Melissa choked and spat as she jumped to her feet knocking over the chair.
Waldo jumped up as well and took a couple steps back, all while keeping his wand at the ready.
Alice stood there, fists cocked ready to fight.
Everyone else was suddenly looking at them wondering what was happening.
Melissa wiped the wine from her face, looking furiously at Waldo and then at the waitress. “How dare you! Do you know…” Melissa stopped as she finally paid attention to the barmaid. “You’re Alice the wife!” She aimed her wand at Alice’s head.
He rushed to get between Melissa and Alice. “Don’t do anything rash!” Waldo warned.
Melissa switched back to Waldo’s head. She looked absolutely murderous. “Is this some sort of game to you? You're...mocking me! Us! Our...no, My Order! Do you enjoy insulting White Mages? I will make you beg for death! I will… will…” Her eyes blinked, and there was a slight tremble to her arm.
Waldo took a deep breath. “Feeling all right?”
Her mouth opened, panting, she wanted to say something, but there was conflict. Her mouth twisted and her arm shook, for a second Waldo thought her about to attack him. Then, slowly, she appeared to relax.
Melissa lowered her wand. “Yes, yes I feel… wonderful. Do you know you have the most beautiful eyes?”
“I am very glad you think so.” Waldo replied as he did the same. “If it’s not too much trouble would you mind handing me your wand? Oh and I’ll take your purse too while I’m at it.”
“Whatever you want,” Melissa cooed.
Only when Waldo had her wand did he completely relax. Apparently not only had the recipe he’d come up with worked, it was rather potent. That or Melissa was naturally susceptible. Inspecting Melissa’s wand he was not surprised to find it was made of soulwood. Three words of power were carved into it.
Unity. Justice. Peace.
“Is there anything else I can do for you my sweetheart?” She wrapped herself around his right and began to snuggle.
Startled Waldo instinctively tried to pull free. He didn’t want to be this close to someone who would kill him if not for the effects of a temporary and untried potion.
Alice’s mouth opened at the shameless display.
Melissa took his hand and tried to lead him towards the stairs. "Do you have a room? I'm not too good at these things, but I'll do my best."
Really potent recipe. I will have to make more whenever I get Alice to cry again.
“I am sorry, but I can’t right now. There is something else you could do for me though.”
“Anything.”
“Could you get your spellbook as well as any spell components and meet me at Baden Hill? I will be there shortly so you need to really run to meet me before I depart.”
“I am happy to my love!” She planted a quick kiss on his cheek before bolting from the Inn.
Alice watched her go before turning a sharp eye Waldo’s way.
“She isn’t coming with us is she?”
“No, definitely not.”
“Good!”
It was then that Waldo noticed everyone in the room staring.
“Old lover,” Waldo told them. “She wasn’t happy that I’m taken now.”
Heads bobbed up and down.
Alice put a hand to her face and muttered.
Opening Melissa’s purse he emptied its contents on the table. A number of copper and silver coins spilled out, as well as nineteen gold guilders.
XXX
“Twelve gold coins, your asking price. I trust there’s no issue with them being guilders instead of ducats?”
Carin took the money from him. She inspected them to make sure they were not shaved or damaged. Putting one to her mouth she bit down, when her teeth sank into the soft metal she nodded and made all twelve disappear. “They’ll do. You still want to get the ogre right now?”
“Yes, absolutely,” he turned to Alice. “Get our things from upstairs, we are leaving now.”
“Right darling.”
Tyrone and the customers wept when Alice told them they were going. Still, after a few quick goodbyes they were all rushing to get to Baden Hill. Carin did not much like being hurried along, but was willing to put up with it for the sake of business. When they got to the hill Carin told her guards to find the ogre and bring him out. As they waited Waldo kept looking at the setting ball of fire.
At last he was brought out, clinking at every step. A dozen guards were waiting along with Carin, Waldo, and Alice. Most of the guards had their weapons in hand.
The eight foot tall ogre looked about. “Gronk no do it. No know what it is but Gronk no do.”
“Remove his chains,” Carin ordered.
The guards all looked at one another, none of them eager.
“You heard her,” the sergeant snapped. “Get on with it.”
A couple men finally stepped forward and unlocked the manacles on the ogre’s wrists, ankles, and about his waist.
“I have sold you ogre.” Carin told him nodding to Waldo. “He is your new owner, you belong to him now.”
The ogre rubbed his wrists. “Gronk happy to belong to little man.”
“From now on you will refer to me as master.”
The ogre gave a tusked grin. “Yes master.”
Waldo turned to send Alice a triumphant look. “See? That’s how you were supposed to be!”
She just sighed and shook her head.
“If there is nothing else Master Waldo I take it our business is concluded.” Carin was clearly eager to see the last of him.
“Yes, we’re done.” Waldo agreed. “Gronk, carry our packs, we are going to the west gate right now and leaving.”
The ogre easily took both packs in one hand. “Yes master.”
Waldo was smiling from ear to ear.
Alice fought the urge to smack him.
Melissa arrived shortly afterwards. She had in her hand a spellbook as well as a sack containing various components. She handed them over to him without complaint.
“Thank you Mistress Melissa. You can go now.”
“What? Without you?”
“I am sorry, but I am leaving the city.”
“I’ll come with you then. I can teach you about the philosophy of the Order. I am sure once you understand the truth you will want to give your life over to the cause.”<
br />
“I really, really doubt that.”
“But you need to be saved.” Melissa told him. “If you go on the way you do you’ll only die a horrible death.”
“I will take my chances, please go now.”
She crossed her hands over her heart. “I will go because you ask me to, but there is something you should know. I realize you gave me a love potion.”
The (sort of) Dark Mage (Waldo Rabbit) Page 42
