Hamilton Swoop, Wizard of Green Ridge (8 page)

I thought you said that this inn was heaven.
Hamilton looked down at the cat.

Even heaven can be boring.

OK. You can come along, but try to keep silent as I...

Don't worry; I won't interfere with you and ... her.
Whiskers jumped from the couch to Hamilton's shoulder. Hamilton winced as the cat's claws penetrated his coat. Whiskers steadied herself. He also noted that the claws went just a bit deeper that what he'd become accustomed to.

The two returned to the main room and Hamilton offered his arm to Thalia. Soon, Hamilton, Thalia, and Whiskers were seated in the Guild's carriage.

"What is your cat's name?” asked Thalia.

"Whiskers."

"May I pet her?"

Will you let Thalia pet you?

Yes—but I won't like it.

"Sure, but be careful not to touch her hind quarters. She doesn't like that."

Thalia reached out and scratched Whiskers behind the ears. Then, using her knuckles, she rubbed the cat's head. This continued for several minutes. Whiskers moved her head up and down to maximize the effect.
You know, this girl may have no talent for magic ... but she gives the best head rub I've had in a long time.
Whiskers’ purr grew louder.

Hamilton, feeling a bit jealous, remained silent.

They arrived at the Guild hall thirty minutes later. Thalia ushered him into Diamond's office and left after sharing only the briefest of smiles with Hamilton. The scent of sandalwood lingered. On the way Hamilton whispered to Whiskers,
Be silent while we're inside the office. I don't want any interruptions.

"Please be comfortable.” Diamond gestured toward the chair, but remained seated at his desk. Hamilton sat in the chair opposite the wizard. Whiskers sat on Hamilton's shoulder.

The Guildmaster glanced at the cat but said nothing about it. “We have, we believe, some good news. One of our apprentices has located the key to the lock spell."

Hamilton looked up at Diamond whose chair was higher than his own. “I am pleased."

The silence grew, threatening to swallow them both as Hamilton waited for Diamond to continue. The quiet drew out until Hamilton asked, “Is there a problem?"

Diamond fidgeted in his chair a moment longer. “Not exactly a problem. More of a technicality."

"And what might this technicality be?"

Diamond retrieved a sheet of paper from a desk drawer and passed them over to Hamilton.

"What's this?"

"It's a standard Guild contract. You must sign this before we can remove the spell. It states that you will owe your allegiance to the Guild and that you will agree to abide by all Guild decisions."

Hamilton pushed his chair back from the desk as he dropped the paper on the floor. He took a deep breath in an attempt to quell his growing anger. He stood and said in as calm a voice as he could summon, “A standard contract, huh? Binding me to the Guild? I think I'll pass.” He turned his back on the Guildmaster and started for the door.

Diamond leapt to his feet. “What? No. Please. Wait. Wait!” He rushed around his desk and put a hand on Hamilton's shoulder.

Whiskers hissed. Hamilton spun at the touch and glared at the Guildmaster, “Why should I? I refused to sign that thing 40 years ago. I am just a citizen now, Guildmaster. Neither you nor the Guild has any power over me. I have no intention of giving up my freedom.” He turned again for the door.

"But the dragon..."

"Is your problem."

"Stop! Please. Perhaps we could alter the document—so as to be more acceptable to you?"

Hamilton released the door knob and turned to face Diamond. “No. I don't feel like signing anything. Listen, Guildmaster. Here's the deal. You return my power—without any limits—and I will try—I said try—no guarantees—to help you solve your dragon problem. If that isn't acceptable, I'll take my leave and you can try setting Argus or perhaps Thalia on the beast. Or maybe take a shot at it yourself. Perhaps you can amuse it to death with your legendary magic tricks."

Diamond could not control his anger as well as Hamilton had and the internal conflict he faced was etched on his face. His cheeks turned red and sweat beaded on his forehead. “Why you..."

"Careful what you say, Guildmaster. Now, do I stay or do I go? And let me assure you, if I go, I won't be back."

Diamond stared at Hamilton. After a moment's silence, he managed to whisper, “You win."

"What?"

"I said you win, damn it! You win."

"Interesting. I was sure that you would refuse. Perhaps there is hope for you yet."

The spell breaking ceremony was somewhat less officious than the one that put the spell on Hamilton. For the original incident, the entire Guild council was present and it took place in the Guild Hall. For this ceremony, only Diamond and an apprentice named Rupert attended and it was held in Diamond's office.

"Rupert,” began the Guildmaster as he gestured at the boy, “is the apprentice who located the key in the archives.” Diamond moved back behind his desk and sat down.

Hamilton looked at the freckle-faced lad. “How old are you, Rupert?"

"I'll be 20 next week, Master Citrine."

"What magic level have you achieved?” Hamilton sat on the chair opposite the Guildmaster.

"I have completed the fourth level, Sir.” Rupert's eyes dropped to his twining fingers. The kid would snap his own knuckles at any moment.

"Then the next step is to full wizardry, is it not?"

"Yes, Sir.” The boy's voice quivered.

"Relax, Rupert. This isn't a test. I'm just curious. What must you do to gain the next level?"

"I-I must be able to perform five spells from the Trilogy flawlessly. I practice several hours a day."

"Just five spells?"

Rupert lifted his head, meeting Hamilton's gaze. “Oh no, Sir. Fifteen spells, five from each of the books."

Hamilton shook his head and then looked at the Guildmaster. “Lowered the standards a bit, haven't you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Fifteen spells? Is that all you require now?"

"It has always been so. Even before you did your apprenticeship. It is written in the Guild bylaws and they have never been changed. How many of the spells were you required to master?"

"All of them."

"But there are thousands of..."

"Three thousand two hundred and eighteen to be precise."

"And you learned them all?” Diamond had to push his jaws closed.

"Obsidian told me it was required. I always knew that old wizard was cruel, but I never thought that he would lie to me."

Rupert chimed in, amazed, “Master Citrine, truly, did you learn all of the spells in the Trilogy?"

"Yeah, kid. Every last one of them and a few that weren't in the books though I've probably forgotten most of them."

The Guildmaster spoke, “You know that's not possible. That's why the Guild put the lock spell on you. They did it for their own protection. They couldn't afford to have a rogue wizard on the loose. Now I can see why. My Gods, man. All of the spells!"

"So who said I would turn rogue?"

"No one, specifically. It's just, well, according to the records, they didn't trust you."

"I suppose that it doesn't matter now. Shall we get started?"

The Guildmaster nodded to the junior wizard, “Rupert, if you please."

Rupert lit a taper and cleared his throat. Flame curled up from its tip changing in color from red to blue to green. Rupert intoned,

"The sands do run as the taper b-burns,

With these words, thyn p-power returns."

Hamilton looked from Rupert to Diamond. “That's it? No flash of light? No rumble of thunder. Just two lines?"

"It was thought that it would suffice."

"Well.” Hamilton laughed. “At least it rhymed.” He then raised his right hand. When it was level with the top of the desk, he snapped his fingers. There was a loud pop and a globe of light about six inches across appeared above Hamilton's hand. He glanced at Rupert. “Good job, boy. Looks like it worked.” Another snap of his fingers and the globe vanished.

"T-Thank you, Master Citrine. It was an honor to assist. M-may I leave now?"

Diamond gestured to the door. “Go, boy.” Rupert raced for the exit.

Hamilton watched the boy leave, stood and turned back to face Diamond. “So now you want me to go kill the dragon, correct?"

"As quickly as possible."

"Sorry, but this task will take a while. I can't just attack a dragon blindly. I have to know more about it. Arrange for a Guild meeting tomorrow. I want all of the wizards there. Apprentices too."

"Just how am I supposed to gather them all on such short notice?” Diamond clenched his teeth, his lips pressed together.

"That would be
your
problem. Maybe you should try a little magic. Try book 2-837. Mid-afternoon should do. Send your carriage for me."

"Will there be anything else?” Sarcasm coated his words.

"As a matter of fact, there is. I believe that I will need an assistant."

"How about Rupert? He's quite a bright lad."

"Rupert, huh? No. Too young. I believe that girl—Thalia, yes, Thalia will do. She mentioned that you said that she had the talent. Is that not so?"

It was plain that Diamond was reluctant to relinquish the girl, but he was trumped by his own words. “Very well, I will inform her. She will pick you up tomorrow and escort you here.” He pulled his summoning cord then added, “You had better pull this off, Citrine."

"I believe that is Master Citrine now, is it not?"

"Have it your way. You had better not fail,
Master
Citrine."

Arriving back at Hamilton's suite, Whiskers jumped to the floor.
So, you got your magic back. What are you going to do with it?

Hamilton dropped his coat on the floor and collapsed into a chair in his main room at the inn. “I have no idea."

I'm sure that will impress all those wizards.

"Think so? Listen, magic is mostly for protection and doing, well, good deeds and such. Unfortunately, the number of spells in the Trilogy that can be considered as weapons, actual offensive spells, is very small."

Whiskers climbed into Hamilton's lap and curled up.
I don't suppose that I can go with you again tomorrow?

"As a matter of fact, I want you to come. I'll need all the leverage I can muster. I'm going to have to impress them before I can get their full cooperation. There's just one thing I've got to do first."

What's that?

"Trim your damn claws."

[Back to Table of Contents]

A cold hard rain blasting against the suite's windows awakened Hamilton the next morning. He arose from the bed and watched the sheets of water flowing down over the panes obscuring the view. He stood there for a few moments contemplating the day to come.

Not a very auspicious beginning, huh?
Whiskers purred from the foot of the bed.

"What?"

For the day. Not a good beginning.

"Maybe it will get better.” Hamilton glanced at the clock. It was two hours past dawn, but the sky was still dark. He shook his head and then got dressed. As he finished pulling on his boots a discreet knock sounded at the door. He headed out into the main room and admitted Roscoe with another cart of food.

He tipped the boy and Roscoe departed. Hamilton looked at the huge amount of food with less enthusiasm than he had in the past. It all looked good, but his appetite had evaporated. He put the bowl of fish on the floor and Whiskers attacked it. After a few moments, Whiskers looked up from her meal.
You're not eating?

"Guess I'm just not that hungry.” Hamilton poured himself a cup of coffee, sat in one of the large chairs, and sipped the dark liquid.

Better eat something. You're going to need all the energy you can get. Right?

"I suppose so.” He took a slice of crusty bread and spread some butter and honey on it. He ate a bite and put the remainder down on the table.

So. What's the plan, Old Man?

"To tell the truth, I don't have one. At least not one that is complete. I'm going to have to impress the wizards if I want their cooperation. That's a given, but as far as how I'm going to kill their dragon...” His voice trailed off into an uncomfortable silence.

Shouldn't be a problem. This won't be the first time that you've had to wing it. How do you expect to impress the Guild?

Hamilton took another bite of the bread. “I guess that I'll use that stuff that Obsidian left. The cloak, his old wand, and the Orb. Although I have my doubts about the Orb."

Doubts?

"Yes. Unless Argus can translate those runes, it's useless. It could take out the dragon, but it's just as likely that it will take out the entire city. Without the key, it's too dangerous to use. Even with the key..."

The cat finished eating and started cleaning her face.
Well, at least you have magic to work with now. That should be a big plus.

"It should be, but the Guild's elder wizards must have tried magic. They can't all be as lame as Diamond."

Didn't that girl tell you that all the elder Guild wizards died?

"That's what she said, but if Argus is two hundred and ... well, over two hundred, there must be some talent left in their pool.” Hamilton took a final bite and then dropped the piece of bread back on the table. He got up and moved to the window. The black sky had given way to dark gray, but the rain still lashed the glass unabated in its fury.

Hamilton's slow descent into depression was interrupted by a knock on the door. “Perhaps Thalia” he thought as he went to the door and opened it.

Amil Quinn, dripping, stood at the door. “You must be good for business. I have a message for you.” He reached within his case and withdrew a dark brown envelope.

Hamilton accepted it, noting the Guild seal. Then he looked up at Quinn. “It's good to see you, Amil. The inn's staff is trying to fatten me up for the slaughter. If you're not in a rush, perhaps you'd like a bite to eat?"