Jake's Quest - Wizards V (4 page)

6.
  
Family

I hadn’t brought my key with me so I unlocked the front door with a little magic.

“Morning, Mr. Morrissey,” a female voice said behind me.

I turned to find Mrs. Blevins waving enthusiastically at me.

“Have you been out early then?” she asked.

“Just for a walk, Mrs. Blevins.”

“Our Gareth says you move like a ghost. He never sees you leave the house. I told him that you learned how to do that when all those English reporters were chasing you. Always asking us what you were up to, they did. Not that we would ever tell them. It wouldn’t be right, and you a married man with a wife and child to look after.”

I smiled. It was as difficult to get angry with Mrs. Blevins as it was to get away from her, or get a word in edgeways.

“Are Jenny and Merlin keeping well?”

I nodded. It was possible to have a whole conversation with Mrs. Blevins just by nodding, but I didn’t have the time for that right now.

“Jenny is waiting for me,” I got in quickly when she paused for breath.

“I’ll just let you get on then. If you need Gareth to help with anything you only have to call. We’re always in since Gareth retired and the vicar decided he didn’t need so many people to help out with chapel.”

I waved goodbye and closed the door just as she was telling me they had a surfeit of raspberries and we could have some if we wanted. I leaned against the door and magically locked it. Not that I thought mere locks could protect against the power of Mrs. Blevins if she was determined to get in.

“Is that you, Jake?”

The dulcet tones of my one true love echoed down the passage from the downstairs kitchen. This was a house where two of everything was the bare minimum. It has been build when servants were mandatory for the middle classes.

“Yes, I’ll be there in a minute.”

I set off at speed for the kitchen.

Jenny was icing a birthday cake. I did a quick check against my internal list. No it wasn’t mine, hers, or Esmeralda’s. She laughed as she looked up and saw my face.

“Not one of ours. This is for Gwydion. It’s his first tomorrow. You will come, won’t you?”

I stepped forward and tried to kiss her on the cheek, but she was on to me and turned her head so I ended up kissing her mouth. An infinite time later I was allowed up for air. There was something we’d been talking about and it took me a few seconds to remember what.

“Gwydion is one already? It seems like he was only born yesterday.”

“You will come? Daniel and Jean will be upset it you don’t.”

Gwydion was Mr. and Mrs. Griffith’s son. The one conceived after my meddling. I thought it had worked out quite well though I knew Jenny still disapproved that I hadn’t told them first. Mr. Griffith was my boss at the woodyard before I’d become a man of independent means. I still helped him out when they got a lot of work in. I’m a dab hand with a forklift.

“I’ll try. I’ve been accepted by the Balmack. I go on Friday.”

To my surprise, Jenny laughed with relief. “That’s why Retnor was so upset with you last night. It’s been worrying me.”

“We nearly got killed visiting the dragons.”

Jenny made a dismissive sound. “I knew you were both safe. That sort of thing gets transmitted so clear I could practically see Galator sorting out those fools.”

“And you’re not bothered by the Balmack thing?”

She touched my nose and icing sugar flew across my eyes. “I’ve had over a year to get used to it. And you always come back.”

I stood staring at this wonderful creature I’d been fortunate enough to marry.

“You will come back? Don’t you dare not come back,” she asked, suddenly looking a little flustered.

I picked her up and swung her round, causing icing to fill the air in a fine mist. “I promise.”

“Then put me down and go upstairs to the play room. Your children are up there with Esmeralda and Lord knows what she’s doing with then. She turned on the gas the other day because she thought it was some kind of piped in scent.”

“Is Urda here?”

Jenny shook her head. “It was Anna that brought them, and she had to go for training with her sister.”

The mothers of my children have a magic all their own, but to travel between Wales and Salice they needed a wizard. Salice is a kingdom on another world. I’m a Lord there and Esmeralda is heir to the throne.

I could have hopped, but this was my house and I liked to walk through it. Then I remembered something.

“Mrs. Blevins caught me at the door. She has surplus raspberries.”

“When I have an afternoon to spare, I’ll go over and see them. Gareth and Moira are nice, but they’re very lonely and it’s difficult to get away.”

I waved goodbye and made for the stairs. Jenny was on first name terms with the whole neighborhood, but Mr. and Mrs. Blevins were the only ones I could put names too.

I paused outside the door to the playroom. Much as I love my children, they kind of frighten me. That might sound stupid, but they do.

When I opened the door, they were standing just beyond its swing, staring and much too tightly controlled for their age.

“Daddy,” they said in unison and sprang for my legs, seizing one each.

Esmeralda sat by the fireplace with some sponge letter bricks. “They knew you were coming, Lord Wizard. They stopped playing two minutes ago to stand and wait for you.”

My kids were attempting to climb up my legs and Morgana was doing quite a good job.

“Helicopter,” Morgana exclaimed, immediately echoed by Merlin.

I resigned myself to the inevitable.

“Okay, but only one go each. Morgana first.”

I lifted Merlin off me and Morgana slid down to the floor so I could pick her up properly. Esmeralda pursed her lips in disapproval as I lifted Morgana over my head so she was horizontal with my hand on her tummy. I used magic help me lift her and spin her rapidly around the palm of my hand. Morgana cried in delight as the speed increased.

When I had her going fast enough to make her a blur of motion my magic lifted her into the air and then dropped her gently onto the carpet, slowing the spin as she dropped. This was an old house with a high ceiling, so she was perfectly safe.

She giggled as she stopped and jumped to her feet. A normal child would have been dizzy or sick, but my kids use magic casually to protect themselves.

Merlin pawed at me. “Me, Daddy, me.”

I lifted him up and repeated the process. Delighted laughter bounced off the walls. Esmeralda was sitting on the floor so was unable to tap her foot, but I could see it moving rhythmically. I was not impressing my Salice wife.

“Again, Again,” Morgana cried, lifting her arms into the air.

“Later. I have to speak to mummy.”

The kids accepted that without any argument and went to opposite ends of the room where they began to play with letter blocks. I could see the link between them so they didn’t fool me. Though they didn’t look at each other I knew they were in silent and continuous contact

Esmeralda stood as I approached her and allowed me to kiss her cheek. I thought about telling her that Jenny had done more, but decided now was not the time to restart that particular war.

“Did the Lord Wizard forget that the King’s Council met yesterday?”

I had, but then I wasn’t a big fan. “I’m sure you could manage perfectly well without me.”

“You are the King’s Wizard and he requires your presence.” Her foot was tapping and I stepped out of range of Esmeralda’s fists. She has been known to punch.

“I had an unexpected call from the Valhallans. I go to Balmack on Friday.”

That knocked the wind out of her sails and she sat back on the floor. I sat on the chair behind me and waited for the next attack.

“You are leaving so soon?”

“It’s been nearly two years.”

Esmeralda pouted. “And neither of your wives with child. You are neglecting your duties, Lord Wizard.”

Where did that one come from? She wanted to be pregnant again? Morgana’s birth had nearly killed her.

Merlin had lined up five blocks. They spelled IDIOT. As soon as I’d seen them he scattered them across the floor.

“We err, do it all the time. I can’t be expected…” It didn’t seem right, talking about this in front of the children, and my words came to a halt.

Esmeralda’s face went through a variety of expressions as if she couldn’t believe what I’d said. She settled for exasperated.

“You are a wizard. If you wanted us pregnant, we would be.”

“But after last time I thought…” Again words failed me, or at least the ability to finish a complete sentence with them.

Esmeralda’s expression softened. “You and Urda put me back as good as new. Urda says I am now better suited to childbirth than before.”

Morgana was pointing at two rows of bricks. The upper ones read SILLY the bottom ones DADDY. Jenny opened the door and the bricks blew apart, flying across the room before she could see them.

Esmeralda had a triumphant look on her face.

“Tell Jake we want to be pregnant.”

Jenny looked from side to side taking in the scene. “What right now? In front of the children?”

Esmeralda’s face flushed and for a second she looked lost. Jenny had folded her arms and a finger tapped her lower lip in contemplation.

“Well okay. Do you want to toss a coin for who gets him first?”

For a second I thought she was serious and then she started laughing.

“Before he leaves for Balmack.” Esmeralda looked as though she might burst a blood vessel, her face was so red. But this was her in determined mode and she would force an answer out of us.

Jenny sobered up. “That sounds like a good idea. He can stay with you tonight and I’ll have him tomorrow. That means I can make sure he gets to Gwydion’s birthday party.”

Esmeralda nodded. “I’ll send him over tomorrow afternoon. We have an important delegation arriving tomorrow and Jake should be there for that.”

“We do?” It was news to me.

Esmeralda smiled sweetly, dangerously sweetly.

“You remember you arranged a treaty with the Malevon without consulting with the King?”

Oh good God. Please don’t tell me that Alisandra is coming to visit.

“Queen Alisandra, Ambassador to the Malevon Federation is arriving on a state visit tomorrow morning.”

“The bitch who raped you?” Jenny cried out. She looked ready to kill.

Merlin and Morgana started crying at the top of their voices bringing the conversation to a stop.

Five minutes later, as I bounced Morgana on my knee, she gave me a broad wink and stopped crying. At the same instant, Merlin stopped his crying in his mother’s arms. Their mothers hadn’t noticed the planning. They never do.

Esmeralda, who had been a bit of a spare wheel during the sobbing baby phase, gave me a speculative look.

“I’m looking forward to meeting Queen Alisandra. Once Jenny has told me all she knows about her.”

Oh boy.

7.
  
Salice

Esmeralda kissed Morgana as she lay in her cot and took the time to frown at me.

“Do not try hopping away, Lord Husband. We have much to talk about and you have a task ahead of you.”

My wives, having decided I should be put out to stud were keen to get me on the job as soon as possible, as it were. Esmeralda swept out of the room as only a Princess and heir to the throne can manage.

Morgana was smiling. I kissed her lightly on her forehead and her arms came over my head to hold me down.

“Daddy make Mummy happy,” she whispered.

“Do you want another brother or sister?” She should be too young to understand that, but I was sure she would.

“Not now.”

I gently moved her arms and stood up.

“You may not have a choice.”

She began to giggle. “Silly Daddy.”

Okay, it was just a toddler laughing as I left the room, but it worried me all the same. Who knew what my kids were capable of doing?

I found Esmeralda waiting in our bedroom. She had changed into a nightdress that left little to the imagination. Blood rushed from my head to the place it was needed.

“Do you like it, Lord Wizard? Jenny bought it for me from a place called Internet.”

I didn’t answer, but unless she had gone blind she really didn’t need one.

She sat on the bed and I sat beside her. She pushed my arm away, so I knew sex wasn’t immediately on her mind, though it wasn’t far away as she’d chosen that nightdress.

“Tell me of Alisandra, Queen of the Tridon Zone. What is a Zone?”

I don’t know that much about Malevon. My visits there had always been brief if in no way forgettable. But what I knew I was willing to share.

“Only the women are capable of magic and many of them are wizards. They rule their worlds and the men are subservient. I think a Zone is one or more worlds.”

Esmeralda looked thoughtful. She had a mind like a steel trap with one subject always uppermost, protecting Salice.

“Women rulers make good sense. But why do their men put up with it?”

“Sex magic seems to be their women’s number one skill.”

“And yet she took you against your will at the Conference?”

“I resisted, but it was more like a dream than reality. The Conference was a mix of magic and technology and our bodies were stored elsewhere.”

She placed her hand on my groin and touched my hardness.

“Did all of you resist?”

“Alisandra can be very persuasive.”

Esmeralda squeezed a little too hard for comfort.

“And later you sealed the alliance with Malevon with sex?”

Her grip tightened. How had she known? I was sure Jenny didn’t have a clue.

“It’s their way. The alliance is important.” My voice rose to a squeak at the end.

Esmeralda let go and I tried not to gasp with relief. I was more than a little deflated. At this rate, there would be little chance of pregnancy tonight.

She kissed me on the cheek. “It is always good to start negotiations from a position of advantage. Now I have two things to use against her.”

She’d lost me. “Alisandra isn’t coming to negotiate. The deal is done. They want to be on my side when the war starts. Though don’t ask me what war.”

Esmeralda kissed me on the mouth, putting her arms around me so we fell over across the bed. I suddenly discovered that I would be able to perform after all. The next few seconds were a frenzy to rid me of my jeans. Her nightdress had pushed up to her waist as we rushed to consummate the act.

I didn’t take us long to climax. As I collapsed to her side she gave a little laugh. “Alisandra is not coming to negotiate? You do say the funniest things.”

My mind was inside her body and I hardly heard. Esmeralda wanted to be pregnant again and I would not deny her. Before she finished speaking the deed was done.

She rolled over to face me.

“Do not think that ‘a quickie’ as Jenny calls them will satisfy me, Lord Wizard. Though I will give you a little time to recover your ardor. A wife should always be considerate in bed.”

She snuggled up to me and I stifled a sigh. A husband’s job is never done. Let me tell you, life can be hard for a wizard at times.

 
“Queen Alisandra,” Esmeralda said sweetly as she curtsied. Both women wore smiles that never reached their eyes.

“Princess Esmeralda. Please call me Alisandra. I would not stand on ceremony given our common interests.”

She was staring straight at me as she spoke. I sensed a stiffening from Queen Janti at her words. I don’t know how much Esmeralda had told her parents, but I suspected they knew most of it. Esmeralda would have told them anything that might affect the safety of the realm.

The King indicated we should leave the Ballroom and we made our way to the conference room, Alisandra with her retinue of short kilted male guards, each carrying one of those damnable magic pistols, and the Royal Family, Sir Danth Yard, Bishop Danedi and Captain Assad. When I looked at Treva he grinned at me and I couldn’t help grinning back. Though I still missed Captain Cari, Treva had become a good friend.

“What brings you here?” Esmeralda asked as soon as we were seated. The Heir spoke for the King in these situations. The King appeared to have fallen asleep but I knew he was listening intently.

Alisandra had either been well briefed or was quick on the uptake because she did not hesitate.

“Allies should meet occasionally, don’t you think?”

“You have had two years, why now?”

“Things have changed. The Diamond Worlds have severed links with us.”

No loss in my opinion.

“Is that because I destroyed the Knights of Justice?” I asked. I’ve had a few tussles with the Diamond Worlds.

Alisandra looked me in the eyes. “Did you tell them of our alliance?”

“No, did you?”

A tiny shake of the head. “We think they are being influenced. But there is no sign of magic being used.”

“And what has this to do with Salice?” Esmeralda asked.

“We understand you have an alliance with a hedge-wizard world. We want them to send spies to the Diamond Worlds that cannot be traced back to us.”

“Wizards aren’t welcome on the Diamond Worlds,” Me again. Though they had a few magic users who they didn’t think of as wizards, anyone Bronwyn sent would be risking their lives.

Alisandra’s eyes burned into me.

“But their ability to catch them is minimal since someone wiped out the Knights of Justice.”

After a moment’s thought, I decided not to answer her. They had attacked me first, but nobody ever took that into account. They may have been regarded as good guys, but they hunted wizards and dragons.

The King opened his eyes and leaned forward. “We will consult with Queen Bronwyn to see if she will help you. Is that all we have to discuss?”

Alisandra stood and her guards huddled close to her. “It is.”

She hopped, taking her retinue with her.

“How rude,” Janti said. “And we have a banquet planned for this evening.”

“But now we can have an excellent time,” Sir Danth said and slapped his thighs. “There’s nothing like a banquet without a guest of honor.”

“Especially without that one,” Esmeralda muttered. “What a bitch.”

The King tutted at his daughter’s language, but I could tell his heart wasn’t really in it.

“Bronwyn is attending school in Wales,” the King said as he looked at me. “Will you talk to her?”

I had been avoiding Bronwyn and hadn’t seen her for over a year. But it would have to be me. I nodded reluctantly.