Wardens of Avalon chapter 16 and 17

Chapter 16

Bailey York

1. I caught myself pacing when Marshal came into the room. He had that huge book under his arm.

2. “You called?” He said closing the door behind him. On the way he saw Rachel sitting in the corner. “Hello?”

3. “Rachel.” She stood, “We meet a couple of days ago.”

4. “I know.” He said.

5. “Linda should be on her way.” I said turning to him.

6. Things seemed to be falling into place. That scared me. Closing a case can be like quenching a sword. Everything can look great until something goes wrong and then you might as well start all over.

7. Linda showed a few minutes after Marshall. She was clean but something was different about her. She seemed worn, weathered. Reginald looked at her with a quiet watchfulness and stayed with me instead of greeting her.

8. “Everyone's here.” I said. “I think I might have an idea who took the Questing Beast.”

9. “Really?” Marshall asked. “Who?”

10. “I'll get there.” I said, raising my hand to him in a “one minuet” gesture. “First I must explain why I think we have been looking in the wrong direction.” I looked out the window. “I don't think the beast was taken by a Sidhe.”

11. “But I thought you said...” Marshall asked.

12. “That Lupis said that it might be an Elf or Sidhe or whatever they are.” I interrupted. “He did. He said “might”. He never said it was.”

13. “Oh.” Marshall exhaled.

14. “Who has been at the center of this whole investigation? Lupis.” I said, “This whole thing has been investigating him while we looked for someone else.”

15. “What do you expect us to do?” Martial asked. “We don't know much about him, but we do know he's a big fish.” He paused. “We little minnows shouldn't look for big fish.”

16. “First we go and ask him politely.” I said, feeling silly for saying such things but you never know. “Curtsey and manners might be enough for a confession and location. If that doesn't work, we have other means.”

17. “I would like to know about these 'other means' before I get involved with a suicide mission.” Marshall asked.

18. I turned to Linda.

19. “Before that. Linda, do you think you could grab Lupis with a summoning?”

20. Linda nodded affirmative. “We'd have to go down to the mortal realm to do it.” She noted looking around. “The filtering spells would complicated trying to bring something like him up. He'd be fighting coming as well. Those together, I doubt I could pull it off.”

21. “Alright.” Rachel stood. “Then let's do it.”

22. “Hold on.” Marshall jumped up. “You said there would be a contingency plan.”

23. “Contingency plan?” I asked. “I don't think I said anything about a contingency plan?” I looked to Rachel. “Do you?”

24. “Who needs a contingency plan when you're us?” she answered checking her gun holster.

Rachel Katsaros

1. They never send me to England. Bailey goes there all the time, but he's a Floater. They send him all over creation. I think it’s because they think Bailey is a home body and he hates it.

2. I sat next to Bailey on the bus down. He held my hand and tried to keep his eyes forward. In the profile I saw the man on the hill from the “dream” I had few nights ago. I tried not to think about it. The monster that angels said he would become.

3. I felt Reginald graze my leg as he lay under our bench seat. I felt his breath on my foot. I still don't know what Bailey was thinking getting him. He's never home and I can't imagine he needs the extra tracking talents of a dog.

4. “I could use him to keep the Masquerade up.” he said picking up the like muddy gray puppy. Little thing wiggle with excitement. “Say he's the one who's leading me and the normals will be none the wiser as I follow the track.”

5. 'Face it, Bailey.' I thought to myself then and now, 'you just want a Dog.'

6. I scratched the wire noggin of the pouch as he poked out from between Bailey and my legs.

7. Marshal and Linda sat up front. The Beast-Masters dwarfed the Acolyte considerably, making it look like a Father taking his daughter to school.

8. It was a dreary day where we got off. I stepped down from the buss into a soggy dirt road. I was now glad that I was warned to wear rubber boots. I pulled a thick rubber band from my coat pocket and tied my hair back quickly as the rest of the team climbed down.

9. After a short walk through the forest we stopped. Bailey was not kidding when he said the air was odd there. It sort of felt like a thousand flashes of magic instead of just one or a stream of movement. They were dots of energy.

10. Over those was one huge blast of power that felt like an explosion. It was powerful and weighted.

11. And there was something else.

12. Linda drew the circle in the grass. The old circle was still somewhat there in tiny flacks of stray paint that had yet to wash away in the rains. Linda seemed to be tracing the old one out to make the new.

13. “Bailey.” I called out. The tall blond looked to me. There was little affection in his eyes, only the focus I had just broken. It was a little quirk I learned about Bailey through the years. When he was on a case, he wasn't my Fiancée Bailey, he was Floater Agent York. When Bailey is like this he's significantly less silly and borderline asexual.

14. Bailey came to me with a curious face. Reginald followed.

15. “Yes, Rachel?” He asked.

16. “How many signatures do you sense?” I asked.

17. “Oh, about a hundred.” he answered. “Maybe more.”

18. “I mean, unique signatures?” I asked. He closed his eyes and breathed in.

19. “Two?” He hesitated. “No.” he opened his eyes. “Three.” his brown lifted in his 'that's odd' face.

20. “I agree.” I said.

21. “Reginald.” he turned to the Dog. “How many scents?”

22. Reginald bark three times.

23. “What are the moods?”

24. Reginald growled and took an aggressive stance.

25. “Fighting.” Bailey nodded. He looked to me.

26. “So there was a fight here.” I said and I also thought 'So there is a reason you got Reginald.'

27. “About what?” He asked. “Maybe...”

28. “We're ready.” Linda interrupted.

29. “I suppose we can ask him.” I said. We walked over to the circle.

30. “Lupis, Lord of the Dark Forest, We call upon you to inquire the truth.” Linda called out in an impressively demanding voice. “Come to us so we might conclude our trials and leave ye be.”

31. The wind swirled and roared in the circle and then it came to sudden quiet. In the circle stood a three or so meter tall red Wolf in green tailed coat and with a maroon top hat. His aura was like being hit in the chest by a brick.

32. “I like the last part.” He said gesturing with a gnarled walking stick. “The whole leaving me alone thing.”

33. “We do not wish to waste your time, Lord of the Forest.” Linda said.

34. “Time is no matter to me, Child.”

35. “I'm in my twenties.” Linda said, shocking most of us. Lupis was unimpressed.

36. “Call me when you pass a hundred. I might consider being respectful.” he said. “What do you want to know this time?”

37. “We want to know if you took The Questing-Beast.” Bailey answered. Lupis turned to look at him with arms crossed.

38. “And why would I admit that if I had? To you of all creatures?”

39. There was a pause.

40. “Have I done something to offend you?” Bailey asked cocking his head to the side.

41. Lupis laughed and turned his head to every one present.

42. “Do you not know?” He chuckled in a low voice. He Lupis pointed to me. “Do you, of all people, not know what he is?”

43. I stood for a moment, not sure what to say.

44. “He is Bailey York.”

45. “Yes.” Lupis pulled his finger back. “Bailey York. Youngest of the line of York’s. Blood of the Fae king and the Great witch.” Bailey maintained a face of determination towards Lupis as all eyes turned to him. “Do you deny it, Boy?” Lupis asked accusingly.

46. “I can't, nor can I confirm it.” Bailey said. “I know nothing of it either way.” Bailey lifted a finger to Lupis. “I only know you are dodging the question. Did you take the Questing Beast?”

47. “I did.” Lupis said. “But I will not tell you.”

48. “Why?” I asked.

49. “Because he is Blood of the Fae King.”

50. “No.” I said. “Why did you move it?”

51. “The Fae seeks it.”

52. “Which explains why he's reluctant to tell me.” Bailey said to the rest of the group.

53. “Nor will I tell any of you where it is.” Lupis said spinning around. “You would only go and tell him.”

54. “Would it help you to know that I'm not fan of the Fae myself?” Bailey asked

55. “No.” Lupis said.

56. “Why do you care?” Marshall asked.

57. “Huh?” Lupis sprung in his direction.

58. “Why do you care that the Fae seek the Questing beast?”

59. “Seeks.” Lupis said. “And I care because it is one of the beasts of this world.” He said. “It is a beast under my care and it wanted to be left in peace.”

60. “So you took it out of its home forest?” Marshall asked.

61. “No,” Lupis popped his lapel. “I gave it a new one.” He said. “This forest used to cover scores of miles. Now it is barely large enough to sustain a deer population. The same with the Chimera.” Lupis lifted his head and peered down his nose at Marshall. “I would think I did the Beast-Masters a favor.” He laughed and turned to Bailey. “I have changed my mind. I think I shall tell you all where the Beast has gone.”

62. “Yes.” Marshall pleaded.

63. “It's in a snowy part of Siberia.” Lupis laughed. We all, one by one, either slapped or covered our faces. All but Marshall.

64. “How?” Marshall asked his face balled up in a confused expression. “All the research we have done showed your lands went no gatherer eat that modern France.”

65. “Oh, little human.” He said to Marshall, who seemed confused at being called “little. “What research was that? Done by the Elves millennial ago? When those reports were written, man was only recently learning to form bronze. If the ever so logical mortal realm has change so, how much more then has the shifting spirit realm?” Lupis laughed to himself and he began to fade out like a blown piled of sand.

66. Linda took a step back like something had kicked her in the gut and she hit her knees

67. “Linda!” Marshall shouted and jumped to her. Before he reached Linda, Lupis was gone.

68. “Holy.” Linda gasped and held her stomach. “That... that should not...” she fought. “I'm sorry, I didn't realize.” She coughed. “Ow.”

69. “Are you okay?” I ran to her.

70. “Yeah,” She coughed again. “He just sort of kicked me in the teeth.” She stood with Marshall’s help. “Never met a being able to banish themselves.” We all looked at the empty circle. “Lord of the Forest indeed,” she said. Linda looked up at Marshall who stood beside her. “Marshall, we really need to find out more about those things.”

71. “Agreed.” he nodded. We all stood for a moment. Then Marshall broke the silence. “So, we sort of know where it is.” He sighed. “I'll have to call the Other Beast-masters and see what to do.” He rubbed his eyes and we all turned to go back to the road.

72. “He said “Seeks”.” Linda noted. I stopped and looked at her.

73. “What do you mean?” I asked Bailey slowed down to listen.

74. “Lupis said “the Fae seeks” instead of “the Fae seek.” She explained. “'Seeks' is a singular verb. He was saying a singular member of the Fae was looking for it.”

75. “Quiet apt of you, dear.” said a voice down the path. From behind the tree waltzed out a tall figure, skin color far to pink with a long nose and knife ears. “Very apt.”

Linda Yeoman

1. Bailey launched into action almost immediately. He had a gun in his hand and shot from the hip before I could finish with my stunned expression. The bullet crashed into the Fae's chest with sparks. It knocked the Fae on his ass. I felt the heat flash over my face and sound of nearby thunder hit hard, knocking the wind out of me.

2. Rachel spun and got cover in the form of a sizable tree before Marshall and I could even get the idea to hit the ground. I had ducked and covered by the time she leaned out from her cover with a pistol in her hand. The handgun barked out three times and, if the sudden jerking he did was any indication, she got him at least twice.

3. Reginald pounced at the Faerie. He jumped over Marshall and cut a path through the mist.

4. At this point the Faerie seemed to have had enough. He back handed Reginald to the side as the dog was mid-air, causing the hound to spin uncontrolled into the darkness and mud. Next he turned to Rachel and she left the ground as it an invisible force had taken her up but the throat. Bailey followed soon after and they both were slammed against the nearest tree with the wind knocked clear out of them.

5. “That was rude.” The Faerie said with genuine irritation. “Has all of humanity lost its manors?” The Faerie seethed through his teeth. “I must make a point to show the error in this.” Without so much as a twitch of a muscle, Bailey and Rachel were pulled down, slammed against the ground, then pulled back and driven once again into the trees with enough force to cause bits of bark to fall off and fall to the forest floor.

6. Marshall stayed prone on the ground. He kept his head down.

7. From direction we came from, came hopped a tiny, green man. I thought the Sidhe had big ears but this guy had ears so large they cut into his hair line. He wore little overalls and fur boots. He seemed very pleased with himself.

8. “I heard it all boss.” the Goblin said. “Heard it all.”

9. “Where is the Beast?” the Sidhe asked turning his attention to the little thing.

10. “Siberia, the wolf man say.” the Goblin continued his approach. “Boss smart to choose me. I heard it all.” Heard it all his might have, but in his glee, I doubt his saw “boss” face palm.

11. “Siberia?” The Sidhe asked. He cleared his throat and whipped his nose. “Do you know how big of an area Siberia is?”

12. “Um?” The green man stood and touched his lips. “Bigger that Wessex?”

13. “Yes.” The Sidhe growled. “Much bigger then Wessex.” In a flash the Sidhe picked up the Goblin by its ears and punted him over the trees. The little guy screamed all the way up and out until it faded behind the sound of the trees. “Useless!”

14. “What do you want the Questing Beast for?” York Asked.

15. “Nostalgia mostly.” The Sidhe answered plainly with his hands on his hips. “You have a dog, York, you should know how frustrating it would be to leave a pet with a friend only for them to refuse to return the beast when you want it back.” He walked around Baileys tree “that and Pooky was always the best way to find a burning city for some violin practice.”

16. “So you are its creator?” Marshall asked. “You’re the one who made it.”

17. “I was part of the breeding committee, yes.” He said to Marshall. “By the time everyone was calling it quits on the thing, I had grown fond of the thing nature never intended. Such as no one else was interested, they let me keep it.” He spun around to see all of us. Marshal and I on the ground, York and Rachel in the tree. “Now, what to do with you four?”

18. I got a sinking feeling. The Faerie turned his eyes up to York and Rachel in the trees.

19. “I probably should kill you.” He walked to being just below Bailey. “People like you cause nothing but trouble for people like me.”

20. Bailey growled at him.

21. I heard some rustling in the forest. I looked over to see Reginald running up with eyes burning with anger.

22. Bailey and Rachel dropped the twelve feet to the ground and landed face first.

23. “But you know.” He laughed. “Since when has a faery done what they should?”

24. The Faerie grabbed the tails of his robe and pulled up, disappearing from behind his own cloak. Bailey charge to tackle. Reginald moved to do the same Bailey caught ninety pound of furry fury to the face.

25. “NO!” He shouted. Bailey jumped to his feet and stomped around to see if he could find the Sidhe.

26. Marshall stood up. I followed his lead. Something in his face tasted of shame brought by a lack of options.

27. “Be glade.” He said weakly. “Not like any of us was able to do anything to stop him. He took three slugs to the chest and treated them like a mild discomfort.”

28. Rachel stood up by herself. Bailey continued to look around.

29. “He never lets a case go.” She said. “Especially ones no one gave him.”

Chapter 17

Bailey York

1. I stood at the door. All I had to do was knock and he'd come. But I wasn't sure I should. He was more than likely busy. A grand total of a thousand things must already be on his mind. Who was I to add to the list? Not like he could do anything about it.

2. Then again. I didn't need him to do anything about it. I just needed someone to listen. Someone who I trusted to give me a straight answer because they cared enough to give it.

3. I lifted my hand and put it down. Now a thousand things went through my mind. What if I was right? What if I was wrong? What if the knife eared thing in my room really knew what he was talking about? My God, what if he was telling the truth?

4. I would laugh my ass off, that's what. Shortly after crying of course.

5. I lifted my hand and knocked. No answer. No indication that I was being ignored. No matter how reasonable, I always feel a little silly after knocking on a door to an empty room.

6. From behind me I heard a mumbled humming. The kind done when you don't think anyone is listening and you have a song stuck in your head. If my experience watching musicals with my mother was any indication, it was “Shall We Dance” from the “King and I”.

7. A round man rounded to corner. He was short by normal people standard and a dwarf for a warden. The gut he toted around was as big as he was tall. A horseshoe of a mustache hung from his upper lip man made him look like a sheriff from an old western movie. He wore a middle blue wool shirt with a collar like what was used in uniforms during the US civil war ad pants to match.

8. “Bailey.” He said in a high nasally voice. He looked up at me. Way up. A wide toothy smile crossed his face. “What brings you by, my boy?”

9. “Uncle Bob. I...” He stopped trying to sum up all that I wanted to talk about. I came to the conclusion that even a summery would be a long talk. “I have a lot on my mind.”

10. “I can see that.” He purser his lips and his mustache followed, the hanging tips flapping a little. He nodded. “Come in. I have some of Travis’s brew in the mini fridge.”

11. “Thanks but no thanks.” I said. “I have decided to turn teetotaler.” He reached into his pocket and produced a chain of keys rings and sorted through them by feel.

12. “More for me then I suppose.” He said in an approving tone. “Got some sodas too if you want them.” He shook his head as he produced the key he was looking for. As the latch clicked he mumbled “You look like you need a cold one of some kind.”

13. He unlocked the door to his office. We walked in without word. He slammed himself in a wide seated office chair. I place myself in a chair opposite him. On the desk was a small brass plaque saying 'Robert Maylander, Commandant of the Wrath Core'

14. “How can your uncle Bob help you?” He said weaving his fingers and resting them on his gut.

15. “What do you know about my last case?”

16. “I know it through Schneider into a bit of a tizzy.” He said with a closed lipped smile of contentment.

17. “Long story short, a Lord of the Dark Forest stole an Arthurian beast because a Sidhe wanted it.” Uncle Bob nodded.

18. “And?”

19. “And he, the Sidhe, made a stop by my room.” Uncle Bob's mouth slowly hung open in deep concern. “And he said some things.” I went on. I paused, not sure how to say why I was so flustered. I tried to explain. “He said that I was 'something that hadn't happened naturally' for a very long time.”

20. His face returned to a neutral listening expression as he said. “And?” with a nod.

21. “And later Lupis, the Thief of the Arthurian Beast, said I was “blood of the Fae King”.” I tried to explain, getting up and walking to the mini fridge and pulling out a soda, something brown and name brand.

22. “And?” he asked blank faced.

23. “And what?” I turned. “Last time I check, Mom is descended from the Yaga Line, not the Fae Kings.” I waved with the bottle.

24. “That was my understanding as well.” He said, I handed him an unmarked brown bottle and he opened it with his teeth. I briefly cringed in my mind and thought 'that can't be good for your dental bills” but I went on with the topic at hand. “But what do I know? You should ask Commandant Balder about this. Or better yet, ask your Father about this. He has the files on the Yaga line somewhere. He was the one over them before they married.” He drank a sip from the bottle and let out a satisfied “ah”.

25. I didn't say anything. The air grew heavy.

26. “When was the last time you went home?” He asked in a concerned tone, putting the bottle down on his desk.

27. “Longer then I intended.” I said. I took a sip from the soda and set it atop the fridge. “Saw Mom a few days ago but going back now would cause a scene.”

28. “Waiting longer won't make it any better, Bailey.” He said in a much lower voice. One that sounded like the voice of a Commandant. “Did something happen?” He asked.

29. “No.” I answered before taking a sip from my own bottle. “Not really.”

30. “Not really usually means something happened.” Maylander smirked and likely thought himself clever.

31. “I just got busy. Forgot to call a few times I should have.” I said. “Times scarce for me at the moment. I spend just as much time trying to find it as I do using it.”

32. “We always find the time for things that matter.” He remarked tilting the brown bottle back yet keeping eye contact.



33. I stood at the door. It was a familiar door. In more ways than one. I knocked

34. There was scuffle inside and a Tall man with a long narrow face answered. His hair was a light brown and he wore it long. It sort of feathered at the end and scooped up.

35. He hugged me before anything was said. I think being a huger skipped a generation.

36. “Bailey!” He screamed in a voice I knew better than my own. “What brings you home?”

37. “A giant wolf told me that I was “blood of the Fae King”.” I answered. He stood and looked at me. “I thought it was worth a trip home and a conversation.”

38. Maylander and Dad had been friends since their days in the Academy. Dad went into the blades and Maylander became a Wrath Pilot. They shared a lot of mannerisms.

39. “And?”

40. “And would you know anything about that?” I asked. He sighed and motioned me inside. I sighed and followed his lead. “Dad, do you know anything about this?”

41. “First time I've heard it.” He answered.

42. “What does that even mean?” I asked

43. “Well.” He paused and turned to me. “My guess is that one of our female ancestors brought relations with the Faerie to a different level.”

44. I scoffed. “Not what I was asking.”

45. “I guess it would mean somewhere between jack and squat.” He said leading me into his office. “Not like there would be much left by you. I can voice that both of my grandparents were very human.” He pulled his keys out and unlocked a steel file cabinet. “And the York line is clean straight back beyond the War of the roses.”

46. “Officially.” I said. He looked at me. “As far as the husbands knew.”

47. He smiled devilishly. “I suppose that's a point.” He produced a full four inch three ring binder. Along the spin was written “York Family Patents.” He tossed it and it landed on his desk with a roar. Next he pulled out a smaller binder, only two inch, with “Yaga Line” on it and he placed it on top of the last. “I've been through both of those Bailey. Unless there is an inaccuracy...”

48. “I know.” I said. “I've looked through them too.” I agreed. “I just thought I might ask.” I sat in a chair near the door.

49. Dad cross his arms and glared at me. “So, Grandpa called a few days ago talking about seeing you and Rachel gliding through the alleys and you looking, and I quote, “Mischievous”. Anything else you want to tell me?” He asked. I could hear the leading.

50. “Oh, I wanted to ask if Rachel and I Could have dinner with you and Mom.” I said. “There's some stuff we need to talk about.”

51. Dad smiled and nodded. “Short notice but I'm sure Mom can squeeze you two in.”

Linda Yeoman

1. I walked through the long halls of the Main Library in the north tower. I held a small book close to my chest. I looked left and right. No one around. Slowly I slid into the Fae section.

2. I could smell the shift in the air as it moved around. I cautiously moved into an opening in the shelves where an old table stood with some chair around it.

3. “I believe it is safe.” Marshall said from the other side.

4. “I do too.” I agreed.

5. A force swooped down and caught ups some of the dust from the floor and shelves. The dust wiped around and condensed into a rough Humanoid Bust the size of a toddler's.

6. “SOFiK.” I said to the dust. “Good to see you doing well.” I walked over to the table and put the book down. It was a cheap black journal with my name written on masking tape along the spine. Not all grimoire are all embossing and gold leaf. I'm on an acolyte's budget.

7. “I have collected some of the Information you requested.” It said in a whisper. “It was not easy to find in book from.” He said. “When you are ready, I may take you to them.”

8. “Thank you, SOFiK.” I said. “In a moment.” I turned to Marshall. “Any luck on your end?”

9. “Not really.” He said. “From what the Beast-Masters have said, what little Information we have on the Lord of the Dark Forest is likely out of date and has been for more than a Millennium.” He sighed. “Nothing I have has said anything about power levels or abilities. It seems even the Elves had little knowledge on the Lords and what they were capable of. All I can see is that they are not a single species so much as the most powerful beings in the area. You have Water Elemental, Hunter Spirits, and a few especially powerful trees.”

10. “Take me to the books SOFiK.” I said. I went through what seemed half the library, dodging students and Professors. I collected the books and put them in my Bag, Eight in total.

11. When I returned, I walked quietly up to the table. Placing the Bag on it, I pulled the book out one by one. “The Spirit World, by Sven Kristophson”, “Seven Faces of Reality by Ellen Donnel”, “Kinds And Kynds, By Kyle Kicler ”, “Climbing the World Tree, by Bjorn Senguerd”, “Summoning and Sending, Jorum Akahinda”, “Yonder Places and how to get they, by El Aletear” and “Crossing the Realms and Getting Back, collections of Oberon.”. I placed the first seven down on the table. Closing the flap of my bag before he could see.

12. “Do you really want to do this?” Marshall asked. His eyes seemed pleading, begging me to come to reason for both of us.

13. “No.” I took a big breath. “But I think we have to. Someone has to.” I said. “Did you get permission?”

14. He lifted the book and opened to the Back Page. I walked up and spun it around to read.

15. In a somewhat messy but legible handwriting.

16. “Beast Master Norman Marshall has submitted a request to peruse Inquiry into the Spirit realm. The aim is to learn the status and members of the Mysterious leadership of the Dark forest, the Lords and Ladies. Marshall will be assisted in this by Linda Yeoman, an acolyte specialized in matters of spirits. Given the strides they were able to make to locate the Questing Beast in spite of circumstances including our lacking of knowledge in this very subject. I believe they are capable of handling the situation as a team. However, due to the hazardous nature of this mission and chance of causing incident in the Spiritual Realm, I, Professor Buchanan, Grand Master of the Beast Masters, seek to submit this to a vote of the Masters.

17. “Will the masters report Yay, Or Nay”

18. And Bellow they wrote.

19. “Grand Master Buchanan, Book I, Yay. I believe in him”

20. “Master Michel Folly, Book VI, Yay. So do I.”

21. “Mistress Sandra MacEris, Book III, Nay. To dangerous.”

22. “Master Donald King, Book IX, Nay. I agree with MacEris.”

23. “Master Richard McKay, Book VII, Yay. Given the amount of information he has already turned up? Of all of us, I think He's the one who knows the risks the best.” Marshall wrote next to it “Thanks, Rich.”

24. “Mistress Wo Yolanda, Book XIII, Nay. This would be foolish. What if he causes an incident?”

25. “Master Kinson Lee, Book V, Nay. I hate to agree with Wu, but we have to be careful. The risks out way the possible benefits here.”

26. “Master Orlando Gomez, book X Yay. Lee, I disagree.”

27. “Master Norman Marshall, Book II, Yay.

28. “Mistress Natasha Kalashnikov, Book XII, Yay. Someone has to. If they Boy's brave enough, I say we let him.”

29. “Master Hector Dracul, XI, Yay.”

30. “Master Carlton Black, Book IV, Nay. Refer to Wo and Lee.”

31. “Madam Wanda Jones, Book VII, Yay, Go get 'um Narshall”

32. I Read them over, but my eyes stuck on one, wedged under Norman's.

33. “Book XIIII, Nay, The boy cannot know what he is getting into.” someone circled it and wrote “Oh, shit!” in Red.

34. “Do they count that one?” I asked.

35. “Of course not.” Martial answered, but I could hear the hesitance in his voice. He paused for a moment and touched his finger to his lip. “One, two, three, four five six, seven, eight. Even if it was counted. It's eight out of fourteen. It passes. I have permission.” He sighed.

36. I sat next to him.

37. “Scary.” I said looking at the massive Cryptome on the table, with the page of votes still out. “Getting what you want.”

38. “I don't want to do this.” he exhaled and stood. “Like you said, I feel the need to. As Kalashnikov said, someone has to and I'm the only one with the immaturity to do it.”

39. “Does knowing your immature mean you're mature?” I asked with a chuckle.

40. “Probably.” He scoffed. We walked over to the open space in the floor. I drew the circle, following the directions and note left behind in old grimoire and collections. “How hard is this going to be?”

41. Perfect circle, drawn with an aid

42. Seven Pointed star with pieces of two points exactly one quarter longer than the rest

43. Pieces of faith and Knowledge, the books, placed at the points. This was to help us keep our minds.

44. Objects bound to my heart and life here: My personal grimoire, a page of my family tree, a piece of my first acolyte’s robes, a hair from each of my room mates heads, My copy of Jane Eyre, a splinter of the first wand I had which blew up, and a page of paper with my favorite panting printed on it; placed in between. Marshall placed seven pieces of his life in the spaces as well: a page from his favorite book, a bag of hair from the Marshall family Dog, a clip from an old text book, a page from his notebook, a spent pen cartage, a print of his favorite panting, and a chip of paint from his home. These would anchor us and help us get back.

45. “How hard is this going to be?” He asked.

46. “All the books I pulled out are from people comforted to be Full Magesters, minus the collection of things written by King Oberon, the old kind when it was a secret and supper exclusive society.” I said double checking the circle. “And we can't find any books by anything less.” I turned to him. “My guess? This is going to be crazy hard.”

47. I sat between the longest points and concentrated. I collected my thoughts and consolidated my energy. I couldn't feel the energy directly any more than one knows how many pounds of force they are an applying. Through practice and seeing results, I learned to get an estimate of how much power I was exerting.

48. I could however feel the air change. The way it moved from still to swirling around the circle. The way the smell changed from dusty to ozone.

49. I breathed heavy forcing deep breaths and focusing on maintain control. My lungs felt like they were on fire. My head began to hurt and I started seeing stars.

50. I felt a pop and then everything dropped. It was like trying to grab something with a hook and just when I thought I had it, the handle broke.

51. My face felt hot. I began to cough and my through felt rough. My ears rang from over exertion of pressure.

52. “It didn't work.” I felt back. “Figures.” I coughed. Marshall said nothing for a while.

53. “Wow that must have been intense.” He said a bit bug eyed. “At the last there I almost stared feeling my warden Sense.”

54. “Aw really?” I asked.

55. “Yeah, really throwing a lot of power around there.” He said reaching out to help me up. I got up and looked at the circle. The paper object had been burnt due to feedback and the chalk had been charge black. Burning chalk with magic is not something done lightly.

56. “I didn't know I could get that much kicked up.” I said. “And yet it still wasn't enough.” He laid a big hand on my shoulder.

57. “Don't worry.” He smiled at me. “You'll get it next time.