Wizard's Alley

by James Haddock

  I took control of the rudder and steered my ship toward the other ship. When we were alongside, the other crew threw grapple ropes over and tied the ships together to render aide.

  I could now feel both ships and had control of them. I felt down into the ballast of the second one.

  “Bellum canis.” War dogs formed again.

  “Kill everyone on the ship.” They attacked in the same manner the others had.

  I kept the ships sailing straight and waited for the war dogs to finish their grizzly task. I had no sympathy for the pirates. I had known their type all my life. They took what they wanted by whatever means. Others’ lives meant nothing to them, and their lives meant nothing to me.

  Once all the pirates were dead, I sent the dogs back to the ballast. The ship still needed their weight. I concentrated on the fires.

  “Extinguish.” The fires went out.

  I turned the ships and headed for shallower waters. It took us a few hours to arrive. Once there, I furled the sails.

  “Drop anchor.” I stepped out of the wall onto the deck and cut down their “Jolly Roger,” and let it fall into the sea.

  The captain had been right; there were almost two hundred men per ship. There were too many bodies for one man to clean up, so I'd wait for the Beagle to arrive. The plan, if successful, called for the Beagle to return at dawn if she was not being chased. It was now just after midnight, so I had some time on my hands.

  I took a lantern and walked through the holds. There was cargo, but it was a mixed bag. All of it, I'm sure, had been stolen from other ships. There was some gold, but not the pirate hoard you always hear about. I'd wait for the Beagle and let the men help collect it and share in the spoils. They had fought, and if this had turned out differently, they would have died.

  I realized I was now the owner of two ships. I might as well restore them to sell or put them to work hauling cargo. I went back up on deck and looked at the damage. Our cannon shot had not been kind; one mast was down. I felt down into the ship I was on; it was the one that had taken all the damage.

  “Restore.” Her wood grew in places where it was missing and repaired where there was still wood. I levitated the mast back in place, and it grew back together.

  I concentrated on both ships. “Restore and make new.” I felt the ships start to be restored and made new once again.

  When it was finished, I had to rest. I had used a lot of energy. I sank down through the ship and water into the seabed. I slept until I felt another ship approaching. I rose back up through the ship and went out onto the deck. It was the Beagle, returning as agreed.

  I waved at them from the railing, and a cheer went up. I'm not sure if they were glad to see me or that they would not have to fight. I smiled.

  The Beagle dropped anchor and lowered her longboat. I waited for them to arrive. I caught the line and made it fast.

  Captain Akin was the first one up. “Permission to come aboard, sir,” he said, smiling.

  “Granted, and glad to see you.” We gripped wrists.

  More men came aboard, all of them looking around at the carnage. But they said nothing.

  “Go back to the Beagle, and bring more men; we need to clean this mess up before we can leave,” the captain said. The long boat left to carry out their orders. “You've already repaired the damage,” he said, looking around.

  “I got bored.”

  “Cargo?” he asked.

  “Some, but not a great haul. I think they were saving room for us.” I handed him the lantern. “Let's take a look.” He took the lantern, and we went below to do a walkthrough of both ships.

  “It can all be sold, but the biggest prizes are the ships. What are you going to do with them?”

  “We took them, so we share in the spoils, including the crew,” I said.

  “They'll be glad to hear that.”

  “Let's talk it over with the Roomas and see what they think about forming a partnership. Perhaps we can put these ships to work hauling cargo.”

  He nodded. “Agreed.”

  When we came back on deck, men were already at work searching the bodies for spoils, and then throwing them overboard. It didn't take long for the sharks to arrive to clean up the mess.

  They gathered all the spoils on the main deck for everyone to see. For the sailors, it was a tidy sum. Word had already spread that we would share the spoils out.

  The Roomas had come over to the captured ships and were looking around too. The captain and I met them on the quarterdeck.

  “I have a proposition,” I said.

  “Say on,” Master Rooma replied.

  “The four of us partner in these ships and put them to work hauling cargo. We'll offer to either buy out the men's share, or they can own a share in the company we form. They would own a share in the profits, as we all would, after expenses.”

  “Some men will want coin now,” the captain said.

  “I'm thinking about half of them will, and that's fine. We'll buy them out. The others will want to own shares, but I think I can convince most of the crew to take a share in the company.”

  “The Rooma Trading House is for it,” Master Rooma said. Jacob was nodding.

  “Me as well,” said the captain.

  “Good, now let's go make the sales pitch to the crew,” I said.

  The captain gathered the crew that was on board to hear what I had to say.

  “Well done, men, we've made a bit of coin this night, ah?” I said. A cheer went up, with laughing and backslapping.

  “And we have two fine ships that we've already sold, so there will be more money coming from that.” More cheers went up.

  “But before we sell, we wanted to put a question to you.” They all became quiet. “You see these merchants here that have travelled with us?” They looked at the Roomas. “They either own or rent ships to haul their cargo, and they make a good living doing it. It has taken them generations to build their trading house to what it now is. Few of us could ever do such a thing. We'll work our lives away, hand to mouth, through lean years and hopefully some fat years.”

  I paused to let them think a minute. “But we have an opportunity laid before us with these ships we've won. They are our ships; we each own shares in them. What if we put these ships to work ourselves? Then we'd be the owners, and we'd get a share of the profits. But what do most of us know about trade other that storing cargo?” That got a chuckle.

  “The thing is, we don't have to. We partner with the Rooma Trading House. That way we all make money. They do all the work, keep the books, and once the expenses are paid, we all share in the profits. If they don't make money, we don't make money. But when was the last time you saw a starving merchant? They will make us money. Now, don't go planning your retirement just yet, this won't make us rich, but with some luck, it will keep us fed in those lean years.”

  I had to make the same speech on the Beagle, but in the end, everyone became shareholders in the AGR (Akin, Gray, Rooma) Shipping Company.

  Master Rooma spent most of the evening doing the paperwork for everyone to sign, and to make sure they were all accounted for to get their share. They brought grog out to celebrate. We had a happy ship, at least for tonight.

  All three ships were at minimum manning, but we had enough men to do the job. Our three ships set sail at dawn the next morning. We made a quick passage, having fair winds the rest of the way home.

  Chapter 15

  When we made port, Master Rooma bought the cargo of the pirate ships. Captain Akin paid the crew their share of the spoils, and I left my share and the money I made from the Roomas on account with them. The Rooma Trading House would handle all the business of crewing the ships. They would also handle all the business of buying and selling the cargos.

  “Just let my profits roll back into my accounts to keep making money,” I said, smiling.

  “Mine as well,” Captain Akins said.

  “Very well, gentlemen. Your account will be available for your inspe
ction anytime you wish it,” Master Rooma said.

  “If you need to contact me, send a message to Wizard's Alley. I'll get it. Fair sailing, Captain, Master Rooma, Jacob.” We all clasped wrists.

  I left the ship, cutting through an alley. Once out of sight, I dropped into the earth, and Master Gray faded into anonymity…for now.

  I had been gone a little longer than I had expected, so I headed straight for home to check on my wards. I stopped under the alley and looked around to make sure all was well. My recent adventures had taught me to be more cautious.

  Nothing seemed amiss, so I came up in my hide, and then walked out into my alley. The children flocked to me; it was good to be home.

  Mrs. Mimms and Master White came out to meet me.

  “All is well?” I asked them.

  They both nodded. “It is,” they said, which brought a smile to my face.

  ***

  My life soon got back to normal; well, normal for here. I rose early, practiced my dances, and studied my magic. I started taking some of my meals along the waterfront to keep abreast of news from the incoming ships. I went in a different guise, not Gray or Hue. I was just another merchant having a meal. Still, everyone left me to myself. I guess a guise can't hide everything.

  The biggest news of late was the taking of two pirate ships. The Beagle had already left port with a new cargo heading somewhere.

  I made a few small investments, but let the trading houses and money changers handle most of my investments. I wanted to know more about the city, so I started going further afield—visiting different shops, inns, and areas.

  I heard there was a large library in the King's castle. I had never seen the King's castle, so I went there to see if I might want to stop in for a look. As I neared the castle, I sensed a drawing, or a compulsion. It was no threat to me. I resisted it easily but could tell it was there. The closer I got to the castle, the more aware I become of the drawing.

  “View.” I looked over the castle to see where the compulsion was coming from. They had set aside the whole upper area of the south battlement as a Wizard's Sanctum, but it was a trap. I studied it for a while, but saw nothing that could affect me. The castle was in disrepair from years of neglect.

  I walked into an alley where no one could see me and ported into the most remote area of the Wizard's Sanctum. Wards immediately attacked me, and my magic shield sprang to life. The wards were compelling me to go to the main room of the sanctum and don the Royal Wizard's robes.

  I brushed the wards aside and walked toward the main room. As I entered, I tripped a major ward. "You will don Royal Wizard's robes and serve the King."

  My purple hand brushed aside the enchantment.

  “Give me your knowledge.” I now understood. He was a talented wizard—kind and loyal to his King. The whole sanctum was a prison. Once a wizard donned the Royal Wizard's robes, it bonded him to this place. You would then serve the King until your death. There had not been a Royal Wizard in ten years, and the last one had been very weak.

  I drew all the compulsion, wards, spells, and charms to me.

  “Dissolve,” and there were no more compulsions.

  "I guess that means you will not serve,” an apparition of an old wizard said.

  "I'll not be forced to serve," I replied.

  "Good, I knew when I warded this place, eventually someone would come who could ignore the wards and destroy them."

  "Then why did you build it in the first place?"

  "The King, at the time, worried that his children and grandchildren would not have the benefit of a wizard loyal to them. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but in hindsight, not so much. It created tyrants and bullies."

  I looked at the Royal Wizard's robes: "That's full of wards too."

  "Naturally, I wouldn't have been very good if I hadn't done that, would I?"

  "I suppose not." I dissolved those wards as well. "So, was this your sanctum originally?"

  He nodded. “It was; I helped build most of the castle. It's full of secret passages and warrens, but none of them come up here. You must be at least a midlevel wizard to port into here."

  "May I use this place and read your scrolls?" I inquired.

  He nodded, smiling, "You may, and thank you for asking."

  "What becomes of you now?"

  "I'm not sure. I made this enchantment from a small piece of myself, as a kind of informational helper to those who found themselves trapped here. Most just ranted and raved at me for building the place. A few talked to me, and some I helped to grow their talents. So, I suppose I'll be around if you want to talk." He then faded from view.

  I looked at the Royal Wizard's robes and smiled. I put the illusion of the Royal Wizard's robes over my clothes, including the mask. Perhaps it will come in handy. Who knows?

  There were wards to keep the sanctum cleaned and supplied with everything a wizard would need, except freedom. I ported down to the secret passages and began strolling around the castle. I found very little of interest and wondered on a bit.

  There was someone in pain up ahead. I continued along the passage. There were spy holes along the way, and I looked through them. This one must have been one of the Royal rooms; it was far too nice to be anything but. There was a young woman lying in bed; she was the one in pain. She gave no outward sign of it and seemed to be asleep.

  “View.” I looked the room over to be sure she was alone, and then walked through the wall into her room. I looked into her body. She was being poisoned, and her liver was failing.

  I looked at her liver. “Restore.” Her liver was healed instantly.

  “Thank you," she said. I almost jumped. I would have to be more alert in the future; I never realized she was awake. "The pain is gone."

  “You are welcome, my lady. I have healed your liver.”

  “Someone is poisoning me, aren’t they?”

  "Yes, my lady, they are."

  I focused on my vault. “Ring.” I ported the ring I wanted into my bag, took it, and slipped it on her finger.

  "This ring will neutralize any poisons that touch your body." I waved my hand over the ring. "And now no one but you and I can see it."

  "Are you the King's Wizard?"

  I thought a moment, "I'm the Castle's Wizard."

  "What's the difference?" she continued.

  "I serve the Kingdom and what's best for it, not the King and what's best for him."

  "Have you met the King?"

  "Not yet."

  "He will not be happy."

  "Being unhappy won't hurt him,” I said.

  "No, but It may hurt you."

  "I somehow doubt that."

  "I hope you are right, Sir Wizard.”

  "Rest, my lady, you've no need to fear any poisons now. Regain your strength." I bowed and ported to the other side of her wall.

  "Do come again, Sir Wizard," she whispered.

  I smiled. "I shall my lady," I whispered back. She smiled and went to sleep, and I looked down at the bowl of food I’d brought out with me.

  “Give me the knowledge I want.” I now knew who had poisoned the lady's food. It was a serving girl who had been ordered to add the potion.

  The next question was who gave her the potion and the order to do so.

  I wondered the passages for a while, stopping to listen to this or that. Nothing useful came from any of it, until I found the Major Domo. He was alone in his little cubby of an office.

  “Freeze.” He sat unmoving. I sealed the door and ported in.

  His eyes grew. “Give me all your knowledge I need, and then forget you ever saw me.” His eyes glazed over; I got what I needed, and ported out.

  I unsealed the door and waited to see what effects my commands had on him. He sat still for a moment, and then shook his head. Looking around, he shrugged and went back to work.

  I now knew who was sleeping with whom, who wanted to sleep with whom, who hated whom, who was stealing and skimming from the Royal treasury, and who was
blackmailing who. But the most important tidbit I got was who and where the Royal Henchman was. He was the man I needed to see, and he was in the stables.

  I dropped down into the earth and went to the stables. The Royal Henchman was not alone. There were several groomsmen working with the horses. He was, however, over by himself and working alone.

  “Freeze, and give me all the knowledge I want, and then forget you heard me.” I then knew all the treachery he had been involved in, and who had set his tasks. He shook his head, looked around, shrugged, and went back to work.

  He was an evil man who enjoyed hurting people. I shrugged my shoulders. I might as well pay some long overdue retribution. His list of assassinations was impressive. I looked inside him at his heart.

  “Stop.” His heart stopped. As far as anyone could tell, he’d had a heart attack. And it happened in front of witnesses, as if I cared.

  It seemed the present King had assassinated his way to the throne. In his defense, his father had done the same thing. His father had assassinated the previous king, married his widow, and had her assassinated as well. Junior got into the family business by assassinating his father to become the present King. Now, King Junior was having his stepsister poisoned so no heirs from any royal line survived but him.

  I ported back into the castle and headed for the throne room. Staying in the passages, I circled the throne room, seeing the six hidden crossbowmen that watched over the King.

  “View.” I watched the proceedings.

  The King was hearing the petitions of his subjects. This one had been cheated by a noble and was seeking justice, but found none. Another wanted to take the land without paying for it because no one was using it. The crown sold him the land and kept the money. Two noble families wanted to wed, to form an alliance, and asked the King's permission. He gave it after they paid for the privilege.

  “Give me all of your knowledge I want.” I had all I needed. He was already planning to kill the wife he wanted to marry from an allied Kingdom, and then take over that kingdom. I'd seen and heard enough; I looked at his heart.