“I hadn’t heard back from my parents so I called and told them I was taking a job with a magic engineering company. The company was really impressed with what we did on the engine and offered me a good salary. It’s so exciting. I may even have a chance to work on golems there.”
“Congratulations. What did your parents say?” Conryu guided her toward the food. He’d skipped lunch and was eager to eat.
“They were disappointed, of course, but they said if that was what I really wanted to do it was okay and if it didn’t work out I could always come work at the factory later.”
“That’s about the best you could have hoped for.”
Sonja nodded and hugged him again. “I never would have had the guts to tell them if you hadn’t encouraged me. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
He gave her a pat on the head. It was good to see Sonja excited.
“Oh, there’s Crystal. I haven’t told her yet since I wanted to let you know first. Later.”
And she rushed off again. Sonja was a lot like a tornado. She appeared and disappeared quickly, but left an impression.
Conryu examined the nearest table and only recognized half the offerings on it. He settled on a deviled egg. The moment he popped it in his mouth Dean Blane approached.
“How would you rate your first year at the academy?”
He swallowed the half-chewed egg. “I lived through it. If the next three are anything like the first, I’ll be the first student to graduate with a combat citation.”
She laughed. “Next year won’t be anywhere near as bad as this one. With the sorority gone and the worst offenders removed you should be safe.”
“Emphasis on should.”
She shrugged. “There are no guarantees in life. You’ve come a long ways, I can’t wait to see what you accomplish next year.”
He spotted Kelsie approaching as Dean Blane left. How was he ever going to get something to eat? She stopped in front of him and hung her head. “Mom found out I was planning to visit you and said I couldn’t go.”
“And?”
She blinked. “What do you mean?”
“I mean you’re an adult, right? It’s your decision not hers. What do you want to do?”
She looked away then back. “I want to go with you.”
“Then do it. When the train stops in Central tomorrow stay onboard. Show her you have a will of your own.”
“Mom’ll be furious.” Kelsie offered a little smile. “Let’s do it.”
13
Almost Time
Conryu stepped out of his suite and set his bag beside the door, gently so he didn’t shake up Prime. After a moment of indignation the scholomantic had agreed to hide amidst his laundry, all clean, thank you very much. He’d come to the conclusion that he’d introduce Prime next year as his familiar since sophomores were allowed to have one, but for now he’d keep it a secret.
Several upperclassmen rushed past him on their way to the train. They still had an hour before departure so Conryu had decided to wait and walk with Kelsie. Maria was supposed to meet them in the lounge upstairs. She still wasn’t thrilled that Kelsie would be spending two weeks camped out on his couch, but she wasn’t scowling at him all the time at least.
A little ways down the hall Mrs. Lenore’s door opened and she stepped out into the hall. Conryu waved. She had on her black robe instead of the pink pajamas.
She smiled and crossed the hall. “Looking forward to your vacation?”
“You know it. What about you, any plans?”
“I’m visiting my family on the west coast. We’ll hang out at the beach, surf, fish, all that sort of stuff.”
He grinned. The idea of Mrs. Lenore as a surfer chick never crossed his mind. “Sounds fun. I’ve never been surfing. The beaches in Sentinel City aren’t the cleanest. There are a few stretches you shouldn’t even walk on without boots.”
“That sounds awful. Two blocks from my parents’ house is the most beautiful white sand beach you’ve ever seen. We live in a little town so far off the beaten track hardly any tourists come to visit so we often have it all to ourselves.”
“Cool. I have to ask. Why was there a teapot in your bathroom?”
She blushed and looked away. “Students aren’t allowed to cook in their rooms so the teachers don’t either. Sometimes at night I like a cup of tea and I don’t want to go to the cafeteria so I made a little stove with a fire spirit. I keep it in my bathroom so no one will see it.”
“That doesn’t strike me as a big deal, but rest assured your secret is safe with me.” Kelsie emerged from the group room and headed their way. She had on a simple blue dress and black shoes and carried a bag in each hand. “Until next year.”
“Have a nice summer.”
Conryu left his bag and went to help Kelsie. “Can I carry those for you?”
“No need.”
“Are you sure?” If she had as much stuff as Maria those bags had to weigh a ton.
She held one out to him. “See for yourself.”
He took the bag and found it weighed next to nothing. “How?”
“Magic. These are Kincade Carryalls. You can put whatever you want in them and they never weigh more than two pounds.”
“Now I know what I’m getting Maria for her birthday. How much are they?”
“Ten grand each.”
He winced. “Jesus. On second thought I’ll just buy her those hair clips she’s been hinting around for since April. You ready to go?”
“Yup, all set.”
Together they went upstairs. The lounge was almost empty so he had no trouble spotting Maria. After so many days of seeing her in the white robes it almost came as a shock to find her in a black sundress and wearing her favorite silver jewelry. Her bags sat on the floor beside her and she rose as they approached.
Conryu kissed her on the cheek. “You look gorgeous.”
“Thanks.” She nodded to Kelsie. “Shall we head out? It would be a shame to miss the train.”
“You got that right.” He hefted her bags in his right hand and groaned. “Are these heavier than when we arrived?”
“They might be. The librarian said I could take a few books home with me. I found three that Mom doesn’t have in her collection.”
“What are they printed on, slate?” Conryu led the way through the doors and down to the train platform.
Hundreds of girls stood waiting. The babble of voices almost immediately made him long for the quiet of their cabin. The glint of silver caught his eye a moment before the train eased up to the platform.
He glanced back at the school. He wouldn’t miss the place, but on the other hand his first year of school hadn’t been quite as bad as he’d feared. Close, but meeting Sonja and Kelsie had helped balance out the repeated murder attempts.
He found he was curious to discover what next year would bring.
Lady Raven stood in the light of one of the two windows in her redoubt and watched the floating island drift ever closer. The edge of the shadow was touching the city now. In a couple more days it would be in place and the Le Fay Society would put the Alliance on its knees begging them to spare Sentinel City.
Maybe they would. If the world’s leaders met the Society’s demands the island could continue on its way and no one would be worse off for the little scare they’d receive. And if the leaders gave in this time, when next year rolled around the Society would make new demands. It would continue on until the artifacts were found or the trick stopped working.
She smiled. A large piece of Lady Raven hoped the powers that be refused to yield to their demands. How many lives could her shadow beasts take before they were destroyed? It would be exciting to find out. Either way she would have completed her mission. The Hierarchs would have to recognize her efforts and promote her. It was a win-win situation and those were her favorites.
She stretched, enjoying the warmth. Not much longer now.
Lady Raven could hardly wait.
Author Notes
Nothing like fighting a giant three-headed monster to ruin your day. And if you think that was bad, just wait until the next book. Things show no sign of improving for our unlucky hero. I hope you enjoyed The Chimera Jar and will stick with me for The Raven’s Shadow. If you’d like to sign up for my newsletter you can do that at www.jamesewisher.com
As always, thanks for reading.
James
Also by James E Wisher
The Aegis of Merlin:
The Impossible Wizard
The Awakening
The Chimera Jar
The Raven’s Shadow
Disciples of the Horned One Trilogy:
Darkness Rising
Raging Sea and Trembling Earth
Harvest of Souls
Death and Honor Omnibus
The Squire
About the Author
James E. Wisher is a writer of science fiction and Fantasy novels. He’s been writing since high school and reading everything he could get his hands on for as long as he can remember. This is his twelfth novel.
@jamesewisher
www.jamesewisher.com
[email protected]
The Chimera Jar: The Aegis of Merlin Book 3 Page 19
