Hamilton Swoop, Wizard of Green Ridge (19 page)

Thalia looked at Hamilton. “Kittens?"

Early that afternoon, Hamilton summoned the messenger. Roscoe accompanied Amil Quinn to Hamilton's room. “He insisted on seeing you, Master Citrine."

"Thanks, Roscoe. It's OK, he's expected, but thanks for your vigilance.” Roscoe left. Quinn remained at the door.

"This is the first time I've ever gotten a summons that just materialized in front of me. You wouldn't consider some part time work, would you?” asked Quinn.

Hamilton grinned. “Sorry, Amil, but I can only do that with people I have met and the range is very limited."

"Then I don't suppose that you could teach me how to do it? I know just about everyone in town."

Hamilton shook his head. “Not unless you're a fifth level Guild wizard, but come in. I have a job for you. Over here."

"Any work is good work.” Quinn followed Hamilton to the table where two brown envelopes leaned against an empty beer mug. Hamilton selected the largest one and gave it to the messenger. “Where would this be going?” asked Quinn.

"This one goes to Runemaster Argus at the Wizard's Guild in Center City. Wait for a reply. It may take a while as Argus is not the most focused person in the world. You'll have to work a bit to keep him on track."

"Argus, huh? I met him ten years ago when the Guild did a bash in Norkon. He seemed to think that everything was remarkable."

"That's him, but don't mistake his lack of focus for foolishness, though. As soon as he finishes the reply, bring it straight back to me."

"What about the other envelope? Another message to be delivered?” asked Quinn eying the second envelope hopefully.

"Yes, but that one will be delivered by Thalia."

"I'm to be a messenger?” Thalia asked from the couch.

"Yes.” Hamilton smiled at Thalia, then turned back to Quinn. “It is important that I get Argus’ reply today, if possible. Here's a ten royal note, will that be enough?"

"More than enough.” He glanced at the envelope. “Well, I'd best be off."

Hamilton escorted Quinn to the door. “One other thing, Amil."

"Yes?"

"No one, but Argus is to see this message and you are to bring it back with the reply. Also, please tell Argus that this is confidential and that he should tell no one of the message or response."

"I don't think that that should be a problem. I'd guess that he'll forget your message before I'm out of the Guild's door."

"Perhaps, but tell him anyway.” Quinn trotted off down the hall. Hamilton closed and locked the door behind him.

"So where am I to take the second message?” Thalia asked.

"To Guild Central."

"But that's in Drayene. It will take me two days, round trip. Why couldn't you just send the messenger?” She got up from the couch and hurried to Hamilton who had remained by the door. “What happened to ‘never leave me'?"

Hamilton put his hand on her shoulder and steered her back to the couch. He sat next to her. “First, the Guild would never release the information I am requesting to Quinn. Second, it is very important that I get this information. And third, with a contract on my head, I would feel much better if you were safely away from here."

"If I may ask, what are you requesting?"

"I want to find out everything they know about Topaz. Their records cover just about everyone with talent born in the kingdom, whether they're a wizard or not."

Thalia scrunched her face in confusion. “But didn't Master Diamond say that he had requested that information already?"

"That's what he said,” answered Hamilton.

"But then why send me?” asked Thalia still looking confused.

"Because, my sweet, I don't trust Diamond. Someone at the Guild is communicating with Topaz. I'm not even certain Topaz took out that contract on me. Maybe it was Diamond. From what you said, he didn't want me here at all."

"But I don't want to leave you alone.” A tear formed at the corner of her eye. Hamilton brushed it away with his finger.

"And I don't want to send you away.” He bent over and kissed her on the cheek. “But I can't risk losing you either. I can take care of myself for two days.” He ran his hand through her hair.

Thalia still frowned. “Well, it doesn't seem fair, but I guess that it makes sense.” Then she added in a whisper, “Ah, before I have to leave, do you think we could, well, you know..."

Hamilton was confused until a light came on in his head. “Oh. You mean..."

Thalia nodded.

Hamilton grinned and unbuttoned his shirt.

Several hours later, Hamilton put Thalia on the Drayene coach and wished her a safe trip. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she waved from the window while it pulled out. He watched the four-horse coach rumble down the road until it disappeared in the distance. Then he stood there a few more moments, almost regretting his decision to send Thalia away. He sighed and reentered the inn. Thackeray stood behind his counter and nodded to him as Hamilton headed for the stairs. As he started to climb another guest was descending. “Hiram. I thought you'd be back in Green Ridge by now."

Hiram stopped on the stair by Hamilton. “So did I. Seems it were harder than I thought ta get a cart ta take the beer back. Managed ta buy one yesterday."

Then he looked closer at Hamilton. “Damn, ya look even younger then the last time I seed ya."

"Shaved my beard. Where you headed?"

"I was about to follow Izzy. He rode out with the beer last night. Seems yer dragin don't like the dark. I'll catch up with Izzy at the Mid-Post. What's keepin’ you busy?"

"Not much right now. I'm waiting for a few things to happen. Buy you a drink before you leave?"

"Never argued with a free drink in ma life. Too late ta start now. Where do you want to go?"

"Place called Scrawny's Libations."

"I know it. On the edge of town, right?” Hiram asked.

"That's the one."

Hiram and Hamilton got their horses from the stable and rode to the pub. It turned out that Hiram knew the owner and so the drinks turned out to be free. The two were well into their third beers when Hamilton's snooper spell sounded an ominous note in his ear.

Hamilton's gaze darted about the bar. Aside from the bartender, Hiram, and himself, the place was empty.

Hiram noticed the change and asked, “Somethin’ wrong? Ya look like someone jest stepped on yer grave."

"I suppose I should have told you. Someone took out a contract on me."

"Who'd you rub the wrong way?"

"That's the problem. I don't know, but it's a silver contract."

Hiram whistled. “Man, that's bad news. Any idea who's got the contract? Maybe ya can buy ‘im off."

"Silver contract, Hiram. You can't buy your way out of that. As far as who's got the job. Ever hear of someone named Zip Cardin?"

Hiram, in mid-gulp, erupted in a geyser of beer. “Zip Cardin? Man, yer dead. I hear he's about the best there ever was.” He wiped his face with his sleeve while Scrawny, frowning, went to fetch a mop.

"So I hear, but then he's got to be pretty old by now."

"Young or old, you've gotta
big
problem. Maybe ah should just leave now. No hard feelin's er nothin', but it ain't real smart to be around ya. ‘Sides, I gotta leave for Mid-Post, anyway. Izzy'll be wundrin’ where I yam."

"I understand. Just be careful when you leave. He's somewhere nearby."

"How do ya know that?” looking even more worried.

"I'm a wizard, Hiram."

"Really? And you live in Green Ridge?"

"I lost my powers 40 years ago. I just got them back."

"Well, good luck.” Hiram said good-bye to Scrawny as well and then left. Hamilton made a small gesture at Hiram's back as he passed through the door and then focused his concentration. A second later he was seeing the world through Hiram's eyes. Outside, the sun had set, but the dusky gray sky still provided light. Hiram glanced about as he untied and mounted his horse. A couple walked down the other side of the street and an old man stood by the alley way that ran next to the bar. The old man who was bundled in too much clothing had a newspaper tucked under his arm and seemed oblivious to the world. The vision faded as Hiram's horse carried him beyond the range of the spell.

Hamilton opened his eyes. Scrawny was looking at him. “I know that you're a wizard ‘n’ all but, well, I'd really appreciate it if, well, if you'd leave. From what I hear, Zip specializes in accidents and I can't afford to get my bar burnt down. No offense meant."

"You heard us talking?"

"I can hear a rat fart in the cellar. But bartenders know how to keep their lips zipped."

Hamilton took the last swallow of his beer, put the empty mug down on the bar. “No offense taken, Scrawny. If I was in your shoes, I'd think the same way. This place have a back door?"

"There's a one in the storage room. Leads to the alley."

Wonderful. If the old guy is Cardin, he's got all the doors covered. And if he isn't then who or what tripped the snooper? A snooper spell, Hamilton knew, could detect negative mental energy, mostly in the form of emotions, directed at him. The spell was already picking up a shade from the bartender, but there was a more persuasive source outside. Then he had a thought.
Bethesda
, he called.

What?

"Can you untie yourself from the post?"

Nope, but I can break the tie if you want. We going for a run?

"That's the idea. When I tell you, make a ruckus, break the tie and go about fifty yards down the street to your right."

What's a ruckus?

"A lot of noise."

What's a yard?

"Never mind. When I tell you, just make a lot of noise, break the tie, and slowly go in the direction of the sunset. I'll catch up."

Ready when you are, boss.

"Like I said, no offense, but I'd like you to leave. Please?” Scrawny's forehead was damp with sweat.

"Show me the back door."

Scrawny, relieved, ushered him to a dark store room filled with barrels and cases of bottles. He unlocked the door to the alley. Hamilton turned to him. “Close the door as soon as I leave. Do it very quietly. You wouldn't want to attract attention.” Then he whispered to Bethesda,
Now, horse!

Bethesda whinnied, stomped, snorted, reared up and ripped the tie free. During the commotion, Hamilton made a magical pass at his own body and then slipped out the door.

He headed down the alley toward the main street approaching the old man as he went. As he shuffled past, he made a tiny gesture with his index finger towards the man with the paper. He looked at the stranger as well and noticed a thin bladed dagger in his belt. He was dressed in a dark ill-fitting jerkin and black trousers. Black sole-less suede boots covered his feet. They were the kind of boots that make nary a sound as the wearer moves about. He looked to be as old as some of the senior wizards, but his eyes were clear, dark and hard.

The old man on the corner nodded briefly at Hamilton. And then went back to not watching the bar. Hamilton wasn't surprised that he was not recognized. The spell he had cast on himself made him appear as an aged crone complete with long stringy gray hair and a hooked nose.

Hamilton spotted Bethesda a block down the street and told the horse to turn off onto a side alley and stop. Then he continued to shuffle in the direction Bethesda had taken.

Once he rounded the corner, he shed his disguise with a snap of his fingers and grabbed the end of Bethesda's shortened tether.
Good job, horse.

Instead of leaving, though, he placed two fingers and a thumb on his forehead and concentrated. Although telepathy was possible for some wizards, mind reading was not except for the forebrain thoughts. Those thoughts, because of the spell he had placed on the old man, he could read. Unfortunately, people don't tend to think in nice neat sentences; especially when they are not talking to someone else. Rather, their thoughts come through as a mass of impressions. All Hamilton could read at this distance was, “Late, come out soon? Bar's going to close, where? Where? Come out. Go in, no, stupid, wait. Wait, too long, too long. Horse gone, pune, tomorrow. Tomorrow morning early, early. Get him. Damn.” The thoughts faded as the spell wore off. Hamilton had hoped to get a clue as to who had paid for the contract or what Cardin intended to do, but a pick spell only gave you what was there.

He mounted Bethesda and took a path back to the Inn which avoided passing in front of Scrawny's. As the last light of the evening faded from the sky, Hamilton sat in one of the big chairs in his room reviewing offensive and defensive spells.

Whiskers wandered in from the bedroom.
So, you got rid of the girl, huh?

"In a manner of speaking. She's safe on her way to Guild Central."

And now you're pining after her, right?

"Hardly.” Hamilton unconsciously went to tug at his beard and then stopped when he his hand encountered his naked chin. He made a sour expression as he looked at the cat. “Don't bother me. I ran into the assassin today. He didn't recognize me, but he intends to try again tomorrow morning."

Well, I'm packed. Where are we going?

"Running away won't work. I've got too much to do here. Besides, there isn't anywhere to run to."

How about the Guild? They can protect us, can't they?

Hamilton reached for his missing beard again and then put his hand down in mid-gesture. “No. For all I know, someone at the Guild is responsible for the contract in the first place. I've been thinking about it and if this Topaz is a Master then assassins are beneath him. On the other hand, Diamond is pretty much a Master in name only."

The cat jumped up into Hamilton's lap, made several revolutions and then, finding the perfect spot, lay down. A claw bit into Hamilton's thigh, but he ignored it.
Why didn't you kill the assassin when you had the chance?

"Because I wasn't sure it was him until I was out of range. They frown on killing old men for nothing around here, I understand. Besides, I'm not big on killing people anyway.” Hamilton scratched the cat behind her ears.