Wizard's Alley

by James Haddock

  I followed him. He went straight to the moneychanger's house and was let inside. I went into the wall of the house and into the moneychanger's office. The moneychanger was working on his ledgers.

  “Well?” he asked as the would-be thief entered.

  “He has no more money; he invested everything with the moneychangers,” the thief answered.

  “Pity, I could have used the extra gold.” He tossed the thief a silver coin. “I'll let you know when I need you again.”

  The thief bowed and left the office. I viewed upstairs; his wife was asleep. I watched the thief to make sure he left the house.

  “Sleep.” The moneychanger fell asleep, face first on his desk. I stepped out of the wall and made sure he was out soundly.

  I looked at the ledgers: “Give me your knowledge.” This guy was cheating everyone!

  “View.” His vault was in the basement and had wards on its door. I ported into the vault. There was gold, jewelry, gems, and other items of value stored there. Most of which were stolen from those he was supposed to represent.

  “Move to my hide.” And with that, it all vanished.

  I ported back up to his office and took his ledgers. He was still asleep and would probably be out all night. I stepped into the wall, out into the alley, and headed back to my alley by way of the Moneychanger's Guild House.

  When I got to the Moneychanger's Guild House, I viewed into the master's office; it was clear. I removed the pages from the ledgers that said how much money he kept in his vault and ported them onto the master's desk for him to find in the morning. I'm sure he'd figure out he was being cheated. After all, he was the Master of the Moneychanger's Guild.

  I continued to do business with the moneychangers, adding gold to my accounts. I never saw that particular moneychanger again. I increased my property holdings and sponsored more cargo ships, caravans, and short-term business loans. I opened a chamber under my hide like a vault and made it stone lined with no entrance or exit. I would be the only one who could enter it. I sent all my valuables down there for safekeeping. I didn't want to carry everything in my bag. That way I wouldn't lose everything if I ever lost It.

  ***

  When I felt I was ready, I viewed into the Priest's Temple Library; it was empty, so I ported in. It was fascinating and multi-faceted. There were books on many fighting styles, spying, thieving, assassinations, meditation, magic users, magic using, and healing. Their library contained everything in one place.

  I read from this library for quite a while. In the end, all my gained knowledge changed my fighting style, dancing style, and meditation. I think it also changed the way I looked at things, as they wrote it from a different point of view. The priests had a different history from ours. They were originally from a foreign land and still visited there from time to time.

  Life was its normal self, with its normal difficulties. No one was trying to kill me, and my investments were making money—well, mostly. There were the occasional caravan losses, but nothing out of the ordinary.

  “Master Wizard, you have a message,” one of my wards handed me a sealed letter.

  I opened it and read. It was from Master Bloom, the moneychanger I’d invested with. He asked me to come see him on an urgent business matter. It must be urgent for him to ask to see me.

  I took a bath and went to their guild house. I was shown right in to see Master Bloom.

  “Sir Wizard,” he greeted me, came around his desk, and shook my hand.

  “Master, I came as soon as I received your message.”

  “Thank you for doing so. Please sit; I'll have refreshments brought.” We sat down, and a servant brought in a tray of food and drinks. “I'll get right to the point,” he said. “One of the larger merchant houses has contacted us. Their last caravan was raided, and they took the head of their house hostage. They have received a ransom letter for the return of the family member.”

  “Can they pay it?” I asked, taking a swallow of my drink.

  “They can and will. However, they have mortgaged everything they own, and it will probably ruin them. But they will pay to get their patriarch back.”

  “A sad affair to be sure, but why am I here?”

  “They know of you. You are one of our only clients that’s a wizard. They have asked to meet with you.”

  “To what end?”

  “I'm uncertain, but I can guess.” I nodded for him to continue. “They are unsure of whom to trust. They'll want you to deliver the ransom, and it will be no secret that they are sending it. Every cutthroat in the country will itch to get their hands on it. They'll want you to protect it and see to their father's safe return.”

  “A reasonable assumption,” I said. I took another swallow of my drink, thinking. “I'll meet with them,” I said, nodding.

  “Good, if you'll come with me, they are waiting in our conference room,” he said, standing.

  I stood. “They are waiting?”

  “They are; they're eager to get this done.” I followed him down the hall. He led the way into the conference room. “What name would you like me to use when I introduce you?” he asked.

  “Master Gray will do.” He nodded.

  We entered the conference room, and there were three people sitting at a large table. They stood to greet us.

  “Master Gray, allow me to introduce the Rooma Family, of the Rooma Trading House. Master Ben, Mistress Rose, and her son Master Jacob.” I nodded to each as they were introduced, and they returned my sentiment.

  “Use this room for as long as you need. There will be a servant outside the door if you need anything. Don't worry about your conversations being overheard; the room is warded.”

  “Thank you, Master Bloom,” Master Ben said. Master Bloom bowed and left, closing the doors behind him. “Please sit, Master Gray.” I sat down in the offered chair.

  “Thank you for meeting with us.”

  “Of course,” I said.

  “How much did Master Bloom tell you?”

  “Not a lot. You have received a ransom demand and want to talk to me.”

  Ben nodded. “True as far as it goes. We have been losing more than average shipment. My brother went on the last one himself. We suspect we have someone within our house that is passing information. Now we suspect everyone. The ransom they have demanded will probably ruin our house, but we will pay. Family is more important than money, but we will do everything we can to keep our money and free my brother.” My eyebrows raised.

  “If I may?” I said. He nodded. “It's hard to keep caravans secret. There are hundreds of people who know the when, where, and what of them.” He nodded. “What is curious to me is why ruin a trading house? That's like killing the chickens you are getting eggs from.”

  “We came to the same conclusion. We feel another house is behind this, and the bandits are working for them,” he said.

  “Do you know which house is behind it?”

  “No, well, nothing we can act on. However, my nephew Jacob has a theory.” I looked at Jacob; we were roughly the same age.

  “I think it's a trading house from South Landing,” Jacob said.

  I frowned. “Have you made enemies in South Landing?”

  “I don't think it's a matter of enemies, but one of manufactured takeover. I think someone wants to gain a trading house here in our city without appearing to do so.”

  “Why? What would that accomplish?” I asked.

  “I think they intend to take over our house and leave us in charge in name only, but working for them.”

  “Again, to what end?”

  “That I cannot say. Perhaps it's the cost of buying or opening a trading house like anyone else.”

  “If your theory is correct, that would eliminate trading houses in our city. Are you satisfied no local trading house is behind this?” I asked, looking at Ben.

  “As well as we can, yes. Oh, we have competitors who would deal cutthroat but only on business deals. None would go after family like this,” h
e answered.

  I nodded, thinking. “And what would you have me do?”

  “You are outside our business circle. We have kept this meeting as secret as possible. We would like you to deliver the ransom money, and if possible, find out who is behind this.”

  “What's stopping me from taking your gold and disappearing?” I pressed.

  “Your wards,” Mistress Rose said. “We know about the children you care for in your alley. Anyone who does that, cares for family. I feel in my heart that if you take the job, you will not steal from us. The only question is, will you take the job?”

  I cocked my head, looking at her, thinking. No one said anything, letting me consider the problem. “Do you have a plan to get the ransom to the thieves?”

  “We want you to travel with the caravan as a wizard guard. Jacob will also be with the caravan on a normal run. You will act as if you don't know each other. They will meet the caravan to make the trade. Jacob will give them the gold, and my brother comes home. You will follow the gold to whoever is behind this.” I nodded.

  “Master Gray, you have not asked what we will pay you.” They were all looking at me.

  I shrugged. “What are you offering?”

  “Do you have armor and weapons?”

  “No armor. I have my staff and knife. I've needed nothing else.”

  “We will arm and armor you. It won't be the best, but at least you won't have to pay for it. We'll pay you fifty golds for taking the job. If you get my brother and the money back, you get ten percent of the ransom.”

  “And if your brother is dead?” I asked.

  “Bring the money back, and you get another fifty golds.”

  I nodded. “I also want preferred trading status with your trading house—win, lose, or draw.”

  They looked at each other. Deciding, they nodded to each other. They looked back at me: “Will you take the job, Master Gray?”

  I looked at each of them, nodding, “When do we leave?”

  “We leave from the caravan yards in three days,” Ben said. “You need to be there in two days to see the Caravan Master. He will hire you on. He knows nothing of you working for us, so there will be no help from him.” I nodded. “Go to the market quarter where there is an armor shop called Armored Anvil. Show him this." He gave me a signet ring. “He will give you the best he has.” He slid a purse across the table. I picked it up and put it in my bag without counting it.

  “Is there anything else I should know?” I asked.

  “Trust no one. With this much gold being sent, everyone will want it.”

  “Then I'll see you in three days.” I bowed and left the room. As soon as I was alone, I stepped into the wall and went back to the conference room.

  “Do you trust him?” Jacob asked.

  “We trust no one, but we'll give him enough trust for him to do his job.”

  They left the conference room, and I followed along in the wall. Once outside, I went higher in the walls of the building and kept pace with them.

  If, as they said, there was enough gold to attract everyone, I wanted to see if they were being followed. Within a block, I spotted their tail. They were indeed being watched. I continued to watch the tail, as I was sure there were others. They usually worked in twos or threes.

  We reached the Rooma Trading House, where the Roomas went inside. I went down in the wall to where the watcher was standing. Another joined him there.

  “Well? They left with no one, I'm not sure what they were doing at the Money House. Maybe getting more loans.”

  The other nodded: “So nothing new.” The first one shook his head.

  I could kill them both, but that would cause more suspicion than them reporting to their bosses that nothing new was happening. No one had seen me with the Roomas, so I was still unknown to them.

  I left them watching the house; I needed to go see an armorer.

  Chapter 8

  I went to the market quarter and found the Armored Anvil. The outside of the shop wasn't much to look at, but I'd learned looks can be deceiving. I went inside.

  “Good afternoon, Sir Wizard. How may we serve?”

  “I need to speak with the Master Armor.” I gave the apprentice a copper. He took it, of course.

  “A moment,” he said, bowing. Then he left the room.

  The front room had weapons of all types on display, both used and new. There was also an area that had armor on display. Shortly, the apprentice returned with an older man; I assumed he was the master.

  “How may I serve, Sir Wizard?” he asked.

  “A private word if you please, Master Armor.” He waved his apprentice off. Once we were alone, I handed him the signet ring. He took it and looked at it. He glanced back at me, putting the ring in his pouch. “This way, Sir Wizard.”

  I followed him toward the back of his shop where his forge was. He stopped at a door and unlocked it. Then he lit torches and led me inside, closing and locking the door behind us.

  “These are the finest weapons and armor my shop has to offer,” he said.

  I walked around the room looking at his offerings. There was nothing magic here, but they were quality items. Something seemed amiss.

  “Tell me what I want to know.” I turned back to face him.

  “Where is the really good stuff?” I asked.

  “Down in my vault,” he answered in a flat voice.

  “Take me there.”

  Without a word, he turned and opened a panel in the wall. A stairway led down. I followed him as he led the way, and I closed the panel behind us. There was another locked door at the foot of the stairs; they had warded this one. The master unlocked the door and led me inside. This was where he kept his gold, best weapons, and armor.

  “Why didn't you bring me down here first?” I asked.

  “I was trying to save as much as I could while paying a debt I owe to House Rooma,” he answered in the same flat voice.

  I nodded. That made sense and was good business.

  I looked around the vault. There were a few magic items here, and everything seemed a higher quality than upstairs. I took a set of bracers that covered my arm from wrist to elbow, including the back of my hand. I put them on. I took the best he had: a hooded chain mail shirt that was enchanted to weigh less, a padded vest, a pair of high leather boots, greaves, a metal back leather chest piece, a metal and leather skirt, a dagger, and a knife. I didn't need a sword; I had my staff. I put everything on.

  “Fit to me.” Everything now fit me perfectly.

  “Do you have any other magical items?” I asked. He pointed to a chest, which was warded. “Open it.” He unlocked and opened the chest and stepped back. I looked inside. There was a ring and small book. “What are those?”

  “The ring is a guise ring. The book is a book of spells that belonged to a Red Battle Wizard.”

  I didn't trust putting my hands inside a warded chest. “Hand them to me.” He picked them up and handed them to me.

  I put the Red Battle Wizard's spell book in my bag, along with my other books. I put the guise ring on, and it shrank to fit. I concentrated on the guise ring and made myself look as I did with no armor. I looked down at myself and was satisfied with the illusion. I didn't really need it, as I could change my appearance whenever I wanted to. I took it off and put it in my bag. I appeared in my common clothes, showing no armor. I had what I needed.

  “You will remember offering me these things and freely giving them to me. Lock your vault and let's go back upstairs.” He locked up, and we went back upstairs.

  “Thank you, Master Armor,” I said.

  “Thank you, Sir Wizard.” As he turned around, I dropped through the floor into the earth. I watched him as he looked back for me. “Sir Wizard?” He waited a moment, shrugged, and when back to work.

  ***

  I went to the crossroads inn for dinner. As usual, Cross stopped by the table to speak to me. “How's business?” he asked.

  “Not bad, but I've got to go
on a business trip. Can you get me fourteen days of food supplies for two people and camp cooking gear?”

  “All cooking, or some iron rations?” he asked.

  “Half of each,” I replied.

  “No problem, how soon do you need it?”

  “Will tomorrow afternoon give you enough time to gather it?” He nodded. “If you’ll have it delivered to your storeroom, I’ll pick it up here.”

  “It will be ready when you are.”

  I pushed a small purse to him. “For your expenses.” He took the purse, nodding, and left me to my meal.

  When I left, I turned into the alley and ported to my hide. I found Mrs. Mimms and Scribe White in the dining hall.

  “I will be gone for a while; do you have enough money to operate for a month?”

  She nodded: “We do.”

  I handed her a large purse. “Just in case, take this.” She nodded and took it.

  “I'll see you in a month then.”

  They nodded. “Yes, Master Wizard.”

  I stopped by the weapons cabinet, got a quiver of crossbow bolts, and fastened it to my belt. I didn't need a crossbow because I could launch the bolts with magic. I stepped out on the practice floor and practiced for a while. I wanted to make sure my new armor did not bind anywhere. Everything fit and move nicely, so I retired to my hide to get a good night's rest.

  I was up early the next morning, studying the Red Battle Wizard's spell book. Because of the Red Wizard's memories, I absorbed the spells quickly. I recognized a lot of the spells from other books I had read from the Magic User's Guild Library. This one had some that were not listed in those other books. I especially like the one called “Shadow Wraith.” When you cast it, and stayed in the shadows, you were virtually invisible. When you were in the light, you appeared as a ghost, or wraith.

  After lunch, I headed for the crossroads inn. When Cross noticed me at the back door, he took me to the storage room.

  “You have people coming to help you?” I just smiled. “Yeah, I forgot…magic.” I shrugged. “Well, safe journey then.” He left, closing the door.

  I took a card from my bag and held it to my supplies.