Hamilton Swoop, Wizard of Green Ridge (12 page)

"So, my advertising rates are 10 royals for a quarter page. Had to drop my rates as subscribership has been dropping off. So. What're you selling? Potions, charms, amulets?"

"I'm not selling anything, Mr. Corey. What do you take me for?"

"I'll hold my response to that until you tell me why you are here. I don't have any truck with magic, especially as all the Guild does is promise crap they can't deliver. My business is going to hell in a hundred royal carriage and..."

Hamilton snapped his fingers and, although Corey's mouth continued to move, no words came out. He stopped with a look of incredulity on his face.

"That's enough.” Hamilton rose to his feet. “I am not some huckster selling fake charms. I have brought you information that can protect citizens from Thermite. There is no price attached, but if you're not interested ... Let's go, Thalia. This man's a fool.” He offered his hand to Thalia who took it and stood.

Corey jumped to his feet and started waving his arms.

"Do you have something ... civil ... to say?"

Corey's head bobbed up and down.

"Very well.” Hamilton snapped his fingers.

"Please. Please, be seated. I apologize for my, rudeness, Citrine, was it?"

Hamilton and Thalia resumed their seats. “Master Citrine."

"Yes. Yes, of course. Master Citrine. What can I do for you?” Beads of sweat appeared on the editor's forehead.

"I have discovered that Thermite is being lured to its targets by a rogue wizard named Topaz. Here is a description of what the lure looks like as well as what this wizard looks like and what to do if either is found.” Hamilton handed Corey the reward notice he had written. “I would recommend that you publish this as soon as possible. Of course, if you would prefer to keep losing subscribers..."

Corey read the paper. “I'll print this immediately. Perhaps, I could interview you as well?"

"I think not. Come, Thalia. We're done here.” Again he offered his arm and the two left the office.

Corey followed them out, shouting at Stanley to stop the press.

Once outside the paper Thalia looked at Hamilton. “I can't believe how some people treat Guild wizards. Especially as all you were doing was trying to help. He should be punished for his insolence."

"No. It wasn't so much insolence as fear. Everyone in this town's afraid, apparently with good reason. Besides, there isn't anything special about wizards save for the fact that they have a talent. I suspect that Master Diamond, in better times, has demonstrated a bit too much arrogance and now it's coming back to haunt us all. Don't ever let it get into your head that you are better than anyone else because of your talent. Believe me, arrogance breeds stupidity that can easily lead to one's downfall."

"But should we not stand up for ourselves when the Guild is defamed?"

"Defamed? Thalia, a wise man picks his battles. The Guild is a concept. It is not a person. It represents a group of people. Some members are better than others. Cursing the Guild makes as much sense as cursing the weather. Now, where's the local police station?"

The snow, which had been melting on contact, was now remaining on the ground as the temperature continued to fall. In addition, the wind had picked up. After hiking twenty minutes, Hamilton suspected that they were lost. The weather and Thermite had driven most folks from the streets as the two plodded onward looking for the street names that Roscoe had mentioned. Frustrated and cold, Hamilton discovered a bakery that was open and held the door for Thalia as they entered.

The warm aroma of fresh baked good flooded their nostrils. The glass displays held breads in various shapes and sizes and buns covered in fruits, nuts and sweet toppings. A head popped up from behind the counter. “Help ya?” the young man asked.

"I was looking for the police station.” Hamilton unbuttoned his coat to let the warmth in.

The man's smile slipped away. “Oh. Two blocks to the left, turn right on Turrin and it's about four blocks up from there."

"Thanks. Er, as long as we're here, maybe we'll grab a bite and warm up a bit. What's good?"

"Everything's good, mister. Couldn't stay in business long were it otherwise."

"Of course, I didn't mean to imply ... Perhaps I should have asked ‘What would you recommend?"

"Well, the crossies and the pebble cakes are still warm from the oven. Though I personally favor the lemon quandries. Pretty much a matter of taste, though."

"Then give me two of each. Mind if we stay a bit? Just to chase the cold from our bones?"

"Don't make no nevermind to me. I got some hot coffee if you're interested."

"Oh, yes, please.” Thalia smiled.

The man returned the smile and then went to the back and returned with three steaming mugs of coffee. He offered sugar after placing the mugs on the counter. Then he got a brown sack and loaded it with the pastries. Thalia removed a pebble cake from the sack and took a bite. “Ummmm. This
is
good."

The man smiled again. “Something about being warm from the oven. Like eating fruit that you've just picked."

Hamilton selected a lemon quandry and ate it between sips of the dark sweet coffee. “This is good as well. It's both sweet and tart at the same time. Where do you find lemons this time of year?"

"I get them during the summer and preserve them in sugar syrup. Um, that'll be three royals. Coffee's free."

"Here's five. It's worth it."

"Thanks, mister. I appreciate that, what with business being down and all. I don't think I've seen you in here before and I know I haven't seen you, miss. I never forget a pretty face."

Thalia blushed. Hamilton frowned. “Are you implying that my face isn't pretty?” The frown became a grin. “But you're right; we're new to this part of town."

"New, huh?” Then you're the first new people here ‘round these parts in weeks. Aren't you afraid of the dragon?"

"Not really. As a matter of fact, that's why we're here. We're from the Guild."

"Wizards Guild?"

Hamilton nodded.

"Finally! That's great. Been hopin’ someone would show up from there. That Diamond guy said they would take care of Thermite, but it's been a while and people keep leavin'. Name's Beaumont, William Beaumont."

"Citrine, Master Wizard and this is Thalia, my assistant."

"Thalia. Thalia Sprite. Pleased to meet you, Mr. Beaumont.” She blushed.

Beaumont gazed at Thalia and flashed a thousand candlepower smile. “Call me Will, Miss Sprite. Are you a wizard too?"

"I'm an acolyte now, but I am studying to be a wizard."

"A lady wizard, huh? I'm impressed.” Then to Hamilton, “So how do you plan to kill Thermite? I don't imagine that it will be easy."

Hamilton put down the quandry he'd been eating and licked his fingers. “To be honest, I don't know yet. This isn't going to be one of those times where the wizard snaps his fingers and the dragon disappears. Right now I am studying the enemy. Trying to understand it, and find its vulnerable points."

"Find any?"

"No, but I've just begun."

Beaumont took a sip of his own coffee. “Maybe I can help."

Thalia looked up at him. “Are you a wizard too?"

"Far from it, Miss Sprite, but up until a few years ago, I was a weaponeer in His Majesty's Guard."

Hamilton's eyebrows raised, “I'm sorry, but I'm not familiar with that term. Weaponeer? What's that?"

"Well, before he died, my father was a carpenter and he taught me the trade. After he died, I joined up. The guard said that they needed someone to design and build large weapons so I volunteered. It beat the heck out of the infantry."

"So you made big swords?” asked Thalia who looked confused.

"Big swords?” laughed Beaumont. “No, I made some catapults and siege towers. I was proud of my work, but before we could use them, the brown plague struck and though it killed many here, it devastated the Elders. The war was over before it could even get started."

"The King allowed many of us to cash out of the army. I took my money and bought this place. Got the business going pretty good until the dragon showed up. So, like I said, if I can help..."

"A most generous offer, Mr. Beaumont."

"More like self-preservation. I'll be out of business soon unless someone can kill Thermite. You just let me know."

"Well, no matter what your motivation, I will keep your offer in mind. Thank you for allowing us to share the warmth of your shop and for the coffee, but now, before the storm outside gets worse, we must leave."

Minutes later, with coats re-buttoned and collars up to block the wind, Hamilton and Thalia were back on the street and headed in the right direction. Visibility had gotten much worse and Hamilton began to question the wisdom of continuing. Fortunately, after they made the turn on Turrin, the wind was at their backs. It blew them along the empty streets until the police station appeared out of the white haze ahead.

They climbed the steps and entered. The Norkon Constabulary was not much larger that the police station in Green Ridge, but it was opulent by comparison. The temperature inside was only marginally warmer than outside. “At least,” thought Hamilton, “there isn't any wind in here."

A uniformed officer, a wide man with ample gut spilling over his belt, glanced at them as they entered. “You here to report a crime?” He put down his hammer after tacking a wanted poster to a wall, picked up a notepad and pen from the desk and frowned.

"No,” Hamilton said.

The officer dropped the pad. “Good ‘cause we're a bit short staffed right now. Besides, the weather's not conducive to investigatin'."

Hamilton wondered what the relationship was between investigatin’ and the weather, but let it go. “We're here about Thermite."

"He burn down yer house or something?” The officer plopped down into a desk chair which, based on the creaking sound it made, could probably only withstand a few more plops.

"No. Nothing like that. I'm Citrine, a Master Wizard from the Guild. This is Thalia, my assistant."

The officer looked at Thalia a bit too long. “Guild, huh? So what cha doin’ around here? Guild ain't even in our jurisdiction."

"We are here looking for help in taking out the dragon."

"And you want us to help?” The policeman laughed out loud. “You nuts er somethin'? Look, if you think that we're gonna go up against a dragon, you're crazy. Why do you think half the force is on sick leave? You want help, try the army."

"No, Officer..."

"Largebottom—Sergeant Largebottom. No cracks now if you know what's good for you."

"Well, Sergeant, we do not expect Norkon's police to fight the dragon. It would be unwise to risk losing the only force that stands between the law and chaos. However, we have discovered a few things which we believe, as good citizens, mind you, may allow you and your men to stop this scourge without a single swing of a club."

Mollified, the Sergeant rose from his chair, “Well, then, that's dif'ernt. Why don't you two sit down and you kin tell me what you got in mind."

Hamilton and Thalia sat on a hard wood bench facing the desk. As the Sergeant went to sit again, Hamilton could almost hear his chair scream in anticipation, but it again survived the impact.

"The Guild is of a mind that Thermite is being controlled by a wizard named Topaz. I've written out a description of him. Here.” Hamilton handed a sheet of paper to Largebottom, who squinted at it.

"He is recognizable by his dark cloak and yellowish eyes and skin. If we can stop him, we can stop Thermite. Also, we believe that he has been planting lures to attract the dragon. Should anyone find one of these cylinders—there's a description of them on the paper—they should move it to a place free from buildings and people, and notify the Guild immediately. You'll note that there is a 50 royal reward for such; however, the cylinder must be from an undamaged residence. A cylinder from a dragon damaged building is useless and of no value."

"No reward for it, huh? How can you tell the dif'ernce?"

"It's quite simple, Sergeant. If the cylinder glows with a blue light, I will reward the finder. If it glows with a green light or shows no light, it is worthless."

"Oh."

"One other thing..."

"Huh?"

"There's a 1000 royal reward for capturing Topaz."

"A thousand royals!” The Sergeant salivated.

"Yes, but I should remind you that he
is
a Master Wizard and will not want to come peacefully."

"Aw, rabbit poop.” Largebottom sighed as his enthusiasm bubble burst.

The trip back to the inn was more direct thanks to a scrawled map provided by the Sergeant. It was not pleasant though as the density of the snow fall and the wind had both increased. By the time they got back, the two were shivering, their boots were soaked, and there was almost two inches of snow on the ground. Hamilton panted from the exertion.

When they entered their room Whiskers looked up from the chair cushion she was lying on.
Well, you two took your time. And you left me with nothing to eat.

Hamilton scowled at the cat. “Have you looked outside? It's snowing pretty hard right now."

Hmmmm. Let's see. It's winter and it's snowing. I should contact the newspaper. I don't know how they could have missed this. Wow. Snow in winter. Incredible.

"Yes. Snow in winter. Perhaps you would like to experience it first hand? I'm certain I could arrange it.” Hamilton picked up the cat.

Whoa, Old Man. I was kidding, kidding. Jeez, you're getting grumpy in your old age.

"My old age, huh? You're pushing your luck, pussy cat.” Hamilton dropped Whiskers onto the floor and flopped down in the vacated chair. “My old age,” he mumbled to himself. Then he looked down at the cat and smiled.

Whiskers looked up at Hamilton
What? What are you thinking? I'm sorry. OK? I was just getting, er, lonely.

Hamilton's smile broadened. “Relax, cat. I wasn't thinking about you. I was thinking about me. I
am
an old man and my age is not an asset, but up until last week, there wasn't anything I could do about it."

Thalia returned from the bedroom. She had pulled her hair back and tied it with a green ribbon. She was dressed in fawn colored breeches and a forest green tunic. “You're not old, Hamilton. In fact, you are the youngest Master Wizard in the Guild, except for Master Diamond.” She sat down on the couch and Whiskers joined her.