A Royal Game

by Antoine Henderson

  A wave of emotion flowed through Avrice as he stared at his uncle in disbelief. “Sorrel? You linked your six-year-old son with an Avatar?”

  “I did.” Andrades answered plainly. “In fact, my wife Narcissa and my daughter are linked with Avatars. And they’re all under my control. But I wonder, why do you look so surprised?”

  “I didn’t think you would put your own family at risk! If those Avatars die before their contracts fulfillment—your family will die with them. You know this, yet you linked them anyway? What end could justify such means?”

  “I see. Do you liken me to the likes of you? Know this, boy. I am not like you. I would not sacrifice myself, but I am willing to sacrifice any and everyone around me to achieve my goal of entering Mage Society. That includes my family. So I don’t care for your judgment, Avrice. You’re the one who would sacrifice his own life for a witch who betrayed her own blood.”

  Andrades could see the conflicted expression that plagued Avrice’s face. On one hand, he was willing to up his life to achieve his goal. But on the other, he couldn’t bring himself so far as to even consider sacrificing others. Or could he?

  “I’m going to make this simple. Izuul will prepare you for the war. If you’re still alive by the end of the night, then I will accept you as my pawn. Do you understand?”

  “Yes.”

  Andrades turned toward Izuul, who was still grinning from ear to ear as he looked upon Avrice in his supine position on the floor.

  “Do what you must,” Andrades demanded. He walked past the fiend and to the door, opening it and stepped outside. He looked on as Avrice tried to muster the strength to stand. “We’ll see what you’re willing to sacrifice to achieve your goal.”

  The fiend turned and grabbed the door. “Don’t worry Lord Andrades; I’ll take good care of him.” He closed the door as Andrades watched Avrice’s face turn to horror contrasting the grin of the fiend. The door slammed shut, and the bolt latched, locking it from the other side. There were two possible outcomes: He would be alive or dead and Andrades believed the latter.

  3. Truth

  The bookcase separated as Andrades arrived inside his study from the elevator hidden behind it. It closed behind him before he sat in the chair behind his desk and leaned his cane on it. He sat quietly thinking of what he was going to say when Magnus arrived.

  Andrades’ nose twitched as a faint and foul smell wafted passed him. “Salamandra, I know you’re here.” Andrades looked to the chair in front of his desk. An old woman materialized in the corner, coming fully into view. She was covered in tattered brown robes and furs. Her pale skin sagged and moles dotted her features. They surrounded dark empty eyes, and a charred skull sat upon her head as a crown. She held a dark wooden staff that was decorated with feathers and jewels in one hand and a black crystal ball at its top.

  “How did you know?” Her raspy voice muttered.

  “You may be able to hide from sight, but you should remember to hide your stench too.”

  She cast a hiss at Andrades before withdrawing. “I do so wish to kill you. Unfortunately, you added a clause in the contract stating I couldn’t harm you or your family. I wonder, if the contract is nullified, and I severed the link with your daughter… would I be able to harm you then?”

  “You can try, but you’re too smart to do such a foolish thing. Aren’t you?”

  “I suppose,” she grimaced. “But remember this, Andrades there are many ways that I can indirectly cause harm. You’ll be careful as to how you address me and hold up your end of our arrangement. My freedom if I helped you achieve your goals.”

  “Noted,” said Andrades devoid of emotion. The idea of Salamandra betraying him was no cause for concern. He was the only person that could free her from her service as an Avatar, existing inside an orb, summoned by mages to do their bidding. It was her fate, and to her, it was a prison. As long as she feared that, she was no threat to him. “Tell me, what information did you learn?”

  “I already informed your servant Edgar, per your instructions. I followed him everywhere he went. He’s a pig, and I wanted so badly to kill him, ever since I laid eyes on him. He visited lots of fancy places to stuff his face even though his stomach begged him to stop—”

  “What did you find out? He’ll be here momentarily and I need to be prepared.” Andrades snapped.

  Salamandra shot him a quick glance before digging inside an inner pocket of her robe. She removed a rotten apple from the bag and bit into it rabidly. “Oh yeah, I almost forgot,” she said as pieces of chewed apples and saliva dribbled from the sides of her mouth. “He and the others… They’re going to kill you.”

  Andrades’ eyes widened. The sudden rush of emotion caused him to rise from his chair in a fury. He slammed his hands on the table. “What are you saying? Are you speaking in the prophetic sense or is that their plan?” He questioned feverishly. “Speak plainly!”

  “What if it’s both?”

  “Salamandra!”

  “Fine, alright,” she said before tossing the apple into a silver garbage can on the side of the desk. “I’ll tell you. I followed the Fat Man for the last couple of weeks were boring. Until one day he received an urgent call from someone named Lyberia Lafayette. He left his home immediately and of course, I followed. We arrived at a mansion where Magnus and Lyberia and others were meeting—”

  “Who else? Who else was there?”

  “… I don’t recall.”

  “Don’t play games with me Salamandra! I need to know—”

  “I don’t recall because I was too busy listening in on what they were talking about. Apparently, Lyberia has been meeting with a MANA Agent in secret. The Agent in question has been investigating a case involving a murder of a royal family. Lyberia pointed to you as a possible suspect and has been bringing other members of your court to help her. But they have no intention of turning you in it seems. They plan to place the murder on your lap and then kill you, based on what I gather. In truth, I stopped following the Fat Man and focused my attention on her. She’s been meeting with a lot of people. Someone named Victor, a man named Wiley—I like him especially, he knows a lot about—” Salamandra stopped talking when she looked at Andrades' expression. He was shaking, something she never saw him do. “It’s odd though, you look guilty. What is this murder they speak of?”

  Andrades didn’t answer her immediately. He only stared into the dark brown oak that was his desk. He couldn’t hear her calling his name because his mind was racing a mile a minute. Why would Lyberia be meeting with a MANA Agent? The Mages Assembly for National Authority was the foremost authority when it came to magic. They were created to police those who practiced magic around the world. And now an Agent is investigating him for a murder? It didn’t make sense and Andrades didn’t have all the pieces to the puzzle. His best course of action was to interrogate Magnus without causing suspicion.

  “Is there anything else, Salamandra?”

  “Oh, you’re back to reality now? I thought I lost you there for a second,” Salamandra quipped. “That’s it, I came directly here. Though, I did stop along the way to pluck a few delicious treats from a few houses. Parakeets always taste better when they flutter about—”

  “Enough! You can go now. Just be sure to return upon Magnus’ arrival.”

  “Fine, I’ll go entertain myself watching Izuul torture the kid. Seeing the fear in your eyes was fun while it lasted. Pity.” she hissed. “But, I’ll be here as you demanded.” She then walked toward a wall and stepped through it disappearing in an instant.

  Andrades slumped to his seat and leaned back in his chair. He buried his face in his hands. His anger grew with each passing second. He drew a deep breath before slamming his fist onto his desk, knocking over several items. The royal court that his father founded was planning a coup against him. This threatened everything he’d worked so hard to achieve. The people he considered his equal were now his enemies. He would find out the truth an
d when he did, everyone involved would know his wrath.

  4. Pressure

  “Master Archibald, I’m so sorry to disturb you.”

  “Yes, Edgar?”

  “Lord Rathbone is here to speak with you,” said the butler behind the closed door. “Shall I see him to your library?”

  “No, send him in, Edgar. Thank you.”

  The door to the study swung open. Edgar entered first, stepping aside to make way for Andrades’ guest: Magnus Rathbone. A burly man who was much taller and wider than his host entered the room. Magnus sported a bald head and wore a gray pinstripe suit. His thick fingers had several large silver and gold rings attached to them. The tap of a silver cane matched his every step as the sweat that fell from his head reflected the sunlight coming through the windows.

  Magnus lumbered directly toward Andrades extending his hand. “Andrades Archibald, it’s been a while,” he said with a smile.

  Andrades shook his hand firmly. In actuality, he wanted to squeeze it until the blood vessels burst, but he relented. “It has, Magnus. Here, have a seat.” He gestured at the chair behind him and returned to his position behind the desk.

  “Don’t mind if I do.”

  They took their seats, but there was silence as they waited for the other to speak. Although both men were members of the court, their relationship was far from good. Andrades hated Magnus for lack of a spine when it counted and Magnus hated Andrades because of his arrogance. But they played nice for the sake of their business and for the court. But with Magnus’s betrayal, any form of reconciliation was out the window. Andrades wanted retribution, but it would have to wait until after he understood the depths of their coup.

  “So, Magnus,” said Andrades, holding back the contempt in his tone. “What was so urgent that you needed to tell me that couldn’t have been handled with a phone call?”

  “I know I haven’t gotten back to you, but there’s a good reason. That’s why I am here, to give you this.”

  Andrades narrowed his eyes as Magnus reached into the pocket of his jacket. He fought the urge to reach for his conduit that sat beside him. The thought of Magnus attempting to assassinate him crossed his mind in a split second. A reckless, but worthwhile action he concluded. But he thought better of it. Not only did Andrades have the edge, but he’d never seen Magnus so much as use magecraft in any form, let alone for combat. He usually had others do his dirty work. Another reason Andrades despised him.

  “What is it?”

  “Lyberia wanted me to give you these,” he said. He removed two envelopes and placed them on Andrades' desk. “They’re invitations to her gala tonight. She was hoping you and your wife would attend. Speaking of Narcissa, how is she?”

  “She’s fine,” said Andrades picking up the envelopes, reading their names on the front of them before tossing them aside. His attention went back to Magnus. “Magnus, there’s something I don’t quite understand. I don’t hear from you, Lyberia or any other members of the royal court for months. Then, you send a message through your butler that you want to speak with me. And the topic you so urgently needed to talk to me about? A fucking gala. Any of that seem strange to you?”

  “Not necessarily. You’re a hard person to like, Andrades,” he said plainly. “And don’t pretend like you’re a social butterfly. Your misanthropic personality doesn’t court you any favor inside or outside the court by any means. But I get your point. This is why it’s important that you do intend Lyberia’s gala this evening. We will convene tonight at the gala where all of your questions and concerns will be answered.”

  “I’ll pardon your sarcasm for now—”

  “Excuse me?”

  “No, excuse me! What do you mean by convene tonight? I am supposed to hold the next court here at my estate! What is the meaning of this?”

  “Things have changed,” said Magnus confidently. “You’ll know what we know when you arrive tonight. That’s all I’m at liberty to say. If you have a problem with it, you can take it up with Lyberia and the other court members. I voted for it too, of course. And before I forget, the password is: owl feather.”

  His smug expression touched a nerve in Andrades. He held back the urge to leap over the table and slice his throat. Before Andrades could muster up any words that didn’t involve cursing Magnus, a knock at the door drew their attention.

  A young woman stepped inside, her head held low. “Master Archibald, my deepest apologies, but you have a guest here to see you,” she spoke in a soft tone. Her skin was pale, and she wore a maiden’s uniform—a light blue dress with a white apron and white headdress. Her auburn hair was styled in a bun and it contrasted her soft blue eyes.

  “Thank you, Elle, I’ll be with them soon,” said Andrades, trying to hurry her away so he could finish questioning Magnus and maybe get something else out of him. She bowed and shut the door.

  “I’ll take that as my cue to leave,” said Magnus. “You enjoy your day,” he remarked. “Knowing you, that involves sitting in a dark room and brooding. Until tonight then?”

  Andrades bit his tongue so hard he drew a small speck of blood. He closed his eyes and exhaled; wanting to press Magnus more, but doing so would only raise suspicion. He just couldn’t help but believe that he was being lured into a trap. But he did have an edge. The court didn’t know that he was aware of their plans for betrayal, so his actions had to be succinct.

  “Tonight then,” said Andrades through gritted teeth.

  Elle led Magnus out of the study and into the hall. Andrades rose and followed him. They didn’t utter a word staying at a safe distance from each other as not to cause any further tension. Only the sound of a faint wheezing from the blubber surrounding Magnus’s throat was heard. Their footsteps grabbed the attention of a woman standing in the distance near the front door. She was five foot eight, slender, and wore a black dress and heels. Loose black gloves covered her hands and a wide brown holster holding two silver pistols—one in front of her waist and one on the back—sitting neatly around her waist. Her hair was blonde and fell neatly over her shoulders. A hollow silver circular badge was pinned on her left breast. Inside the circle was star-burst, each of its points connecting in the circle with a blue M engraved in the center. Her hand rested on her hip as she admired the lobby.

  “Good morning. I’m surprised to see you here, Magnus,” said the woman.

  “Agent Mauthe, it’s a pleasure seeing you again,” said Magnus before extending his hand.

  She returned the favor, and they shook hands. “You too, Lord Rathbone,” she said with a smile.

  Agent Mauthe… so that’s your name.

  “And you must be Lord Archibald?” Agent Mauthe asked. “I must say, you have a beautiful home. I’m Agent Nyre Mauthe—Division of Order—an executive department of MANA. It is a pleasure to meet you, sir.”

  They exchanged a handshake as Magnus passed by, taking only a moment to shoot Andrades a ghastly grin. “I’ll see you at Lyberia’s gala tonight, Andrades. Take care, Agent Mauthe.” The burly man passed the threshold of the front door closing it behind him.

  “How can I help you, Miss Mauthe?”

  “Is there anywhere else we can speak privately?” said Agent Mauthe while glancing at Elle.

  Without a word, she bowed and retired up the winding stairs and disappeared down a hall out of their view. “Right this way,” said Andrades. He turned on his heel and led her toward his study.

  5. MANA

  They entered the study and Andrades offered her the seat Magnus was in as he sat in his chair behind the desk. She sat and crossed her legs, adjusting her holster so she could get comfortable.

  There was an elegance about her that was hard to ignore. In the few words she spoke, Andrades could sense her pragmatic and ambitious nature that had the potential to even subdue the most arrogant and disillusioned members of the court. He understood why they were so willing to cooperate with her. There was no buying her off or fooling her. Her cha
rm was undeniable, but she was no politician; she was a witch with a badge and nothing more.

  “I know I’m a stunning woman, but I didn’t think you’d be stunned to silence, Lord Archibald.”

  Andrades cleared his throat, unsure of how to respond. He had to be careful with how he spoke to her. His usual response would have him curse her for speaking to him in that way.

  “You royal elite types need to lighten up a bit! It was a joke Andrades,” she laughed.

  “Oh,” Andrades laughed. He had an empty pit in his stomach and he tried to avoid her gaze. “Miss M—”

  “Misses,” she corrected. “But I prefer, Agent Mauthe, if you don’t mind?”

  Andrades bit his lip before speaking again. “Agent Mauthe, my apologies. It’s just that I was raised to show respect to those we meet for the first time,” he sniped with a smile. “And since you are a guest, an uninvited one at that, I’m sure that even you can respect that. Also, you can address me as Andrades.”

  “I’m sure I can,” Agent Mauthe said. Her voice was plain and emotionless.

  “So, to what do I owe the rare visit of a MANA Agent?” said Andrades. “Do you mind?” He asked before removing a cigar from the left drawer of the desk.

  “If you must, Andrades. After all, they are your lungs, sir,” she quipped with a shrug.

  “Indeed.” He lit the cigar using a matchbox from the same drawer. He shook the flame out and placed the match on a silver plate. He inhaled and then exhaled.

  “Mister Archibald, if you do not mind I’ll shoot straight with you.”

  “I don’t.”

  “I find it strange.”