Hamilton Swoop, Wizard of Green Ridge (31 page)

"Someone robbed his crypt about two months ago. They stole his body as well as a bunch of things that were interred with it. So you ended up with it?” but before Hamilton could answer, Cobalt asked, “Did you say a Sorenson's Orb?"

"Yes. And I understand that it is targeted to post organic matter. Sound's like Devil's Blood doesn't it?"

"But this is wonderful. Looks like Obsidian planned well for the future. I'd guess the fools that left it in the trunk had no idea what it was. All we have to do is place the Orb at your coordinates in this Greasy Pit and then trigger it.” He looked at Hamilton who remained silent.

After an uncomfortable silence, Hamilton asked, “Trigger it?"

"Of course. Every orb has a trigger spell. Don't you know it?"

"Er, no."

Cobalt looked worried again and then his faced relaxed. “Well, that shouldn't be too much of a problem. Contact the Argus at the Guild. I'm sure he can locate the trigger spell."

Hamilton looked away from Cobalt. “I'm afraid we still have a small problem."

"Problem?"

"Yes. Argus is dead."

"Dead? But I saw him only last week and he was fine. What happened?” asked Cobalt, visibly shaken.

"We found his body in Diamond's office. He'd been murdered with this.” Hamilton withdrew the dagger from his belt and held it up for Cobalt to examine.

He gave it a cursory glance. “So, you think Diamond did it?"

"I'd like to because I don't trust him, but I doubt it. His office had been searched and not in a neat way, but I did find a note in the Alchemist's office that implicates Hardension."

"That's bad news. Hardension is one of the more powerful wizards in the Guild. Maybe the strongest. I was surprised that he didn't challenge Diamond when he took over the Guild after the plague. Are you sure?"

"It was in his handwriting. It implied that whoever he was writing to had found a way around the nullifying effects of the burning oil."

"Who was he writing to?"

Hamilton shrugged. “There wasn't a name. Maybe Topaz, but I do know that this isn't a one man operation. Thalia was kidnapped and the kidnappers’ intention was to draw me in and then kill us both. Fortunately..."

Cobalt shook his head. “I'm glad you survived, but this is not good news.” Then he glanced at Hamilton and his eyes widened a bit. “Are you getting younger?"

"Huh?"

"Yes, you look younger than you did ten minutes ago."

Hamilton looked down at his hands. The skin was once again smooth. “Looks like the effects of the smoke in the Guild have worn off."

"What are you talking about?"

"Someone burned a pot of that Devil's Blood in the ventilation system of the Guild building. The place had been evacuated when we were there. Had to work by lamp light because all the torches were out."

"The whole Guild? Who would do such a thing?"

"All I know is that whoever did it has big feet. Guessing, I'd say it was an inside job. No non-Guild person could get past the wards that protect that place.” Hamilton stood and helped Thalia to her feet. “We've got to be going. I've got to stop these people before they loose that greasy disaster on the world again."

"How do you intend to do that?” asked Cobalt rising as well.

"There's a cave, in the cliffs above the swamp. One of the acolytes found it. There's a good chance that Topaz has set up residence in there."

"What about the orb? Someone's got to put it in the pit you spoke of. Once you discover the trigger, just recite it within a thousand feet from the orb."

Hamilton stroked his beard. “Unfortunately, we can't."

"Why not?"

"Well, we're sort of persona non grata in Norkon. You see, there was this dragon that we brought down. When it died, it took a bunch of drunken villagers with it. The survivors blame us for the deaths. We were chased out of town by a mob who wanted to kill us."

"You killed Thermite?"

"Yes, but I had help."

Cobalt looked at Hamilton. “I'm impressed. It shouldn't be a problem. I can place the orb in the pit, but I can't trigger it. If Obsidian left it for you then it's probably attuned to you. Give it to me. I can leave for Norkon within the hour."

Hamilton was hesitant to give the orb to anyone but, at least he knew Cobalt. True, it had been from a long time ago, but his memories were of a fair and honest man. Cobalt's dislike of Diamond sealed the deal. “It's tied to my saddle. I'll get it.” He walked over to Bethesda and discovered that the only thing now attached to the saddle was a rawhide thong. His mouth opened, but nothing came out.

It's still here. I can feel its weight.

Hamilton grinned in relief. “Of course it is. Thanks, horse.” Hamilton untied the invisible sack. Supporting the weight in both hands, he returned to Cobalt. Cobalt looked confused until Hamilton explained, “It's in a Finley sack."

"Excellent. That will make it easy to conceal in the pit.” He took the sack. “I'll leave now, but Master Citrine..."

"Yes?"

"You don't have much time. Remember. If someone just drops a torch in the pit ... you'd have an instant blaze that can't be extinguished with water, and, well, the orb won't work either, and very shortly, all magic in that part of town will become impossible. Maybe worse, depending on how much of the stuff burns."

"Thanks for the pressure,” Hamilton thought, but said, “Then I guess I'd better hurry."

"Just how do you expect to overcome this Topaz?"

Hamilton didn't have an immediate reply. He stroked his stubble hoping for inspiration. “I haven't decided. I don't have enough information yet. Usually, I let the situation dictate the plan."

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Instead of heading for the swamp, Hamilton directed Bethesda back to the Guild. When they arrived, he told Thalia, “Hop down."

"But why? I thought I was coming with you."

"Too dangerous. Besides, I need you to try and find that letter Argus got from that envelope I found with the Drayene Guild seal on it. With luck, it's got the trigger for the orb. Argus said he was expecting more information. Hopefully, that's what he was talking about."

"What if it doesn't or I can't find it?"

"Then we're in big trouble. Round up some of the other acolytes to help you search. And try to make sure Hardension doesn't hear about it. If the building is still dark, you should be safe as the other wizards won't go near it."

Thalia looked disappointed. “You're sure?"

"Yeah. When you find the trigger, mind-shout it to me."

"OK."

Hamilton bent back and kissed her on the cheek. “For luck."

Thalia kissed him back. Hamilton saw a tear on her face. He brushed it away with his finger. “Don't worry. I'll be fine. Go now, and be careful."

Thalia produced a tiny smile and dismounted.

Some time later Hamilton, aboard his energized horse, entered the swamp. The sun sat low on the western horizon. Though the water was cold and full of small biting things Hamilton's magic kept the creatures at bay. Dusk was deepening when he arrived at the base of the cliff. The cave opening loomed a hundred feet above them. Hamilton studied the steep climb. “Well, boy,” he said to Bethesda after they dismounted. “Looks like you're going to have to wait here."

S'okay by me. I'll be over in that stand of new grass when you come back.
Bethesda headed off for a snack.

"How ‘bout you, cat? You want to stay with the horse?"

Oh, joy. To sit in the grass in the dark with Bethesda. Of course not.
She leapt and Hamilton once more endured her claws as Whiskers planted herself on his shoulder.

The climb up the cliff proved easier then he had expected. Even in the growing dark, it was evident that there was already a trodden path leading up the cliff. When he got to a spot twenty feet beneath the huge cave mouth, he stopped.

Getting cold feet?

"Shut up, cat.” Hamilton took out his wand, pointed it toward the cave mouth and closed his eyes. His brow knitted in concentration. “There's only a single ward in place and it's just a level 3. I can get us past that. Come on."

At fifteen feet from the mouth of the cave, and then again at ten, Hamilton paused and used his wand. The results didn't change. Flickering light illuminated the mouth of the cave and smoke drifted from the top to be carried away by the wind.

He sniffed the air, fearful that the smoke was the same as what he had encountered in the Guild. But the smoke smelled of wood. Relieved, he advanced again until he was on a precipice only five feet beneath the gaping opening above. Hamilton once more held his wand high and concentrated. Even in his youthful body, his forehead showed deep creases. He took a deep breath and exhaled trying to calm his racing pulse. He returned the wand to his belt. Routing evil wizards had never been on his resume. But then neither was slaying dragons or saving fair maidens. He glanced at his cat who stared back at him.

Now or nothing, boss.

Hamilton considered a quick prayer for the ‘nothing', but a surge of adrenalin breathed some warmth and courage into his shaking body. “There're three men in there that I can sense. Only one of them has the gift. Unless Topaz is employing shields and wards I've never heard of, he's not here right now. Let's move up to the lip and I'll take a peak inside.” Hamilton put a finger to his lips and then pointed to the cave mouth. Then they began the final climb. A few moments later they arrived. The cave mouth gaped, the top, at lease twenty yards above their heads.

Hamilton took a deep breath and then holding it, raised his wand over the lip of the entrance, and then lowered it.

Well?

"Two of the three in there are Melvin and Duck from Drayene. They're the two men that snatched Thalia. I don't recognize the other man, but his gift doesn't seem to be all that strong.” He took a breath and then added, “Well, here goes."

He started to stand, but Whiskers stopped him saying,
Don't be stupid, old man. Let me go in and take a look around. I'm a lot better at stealth than you'll ever be.

Hamilton looked at Whiskers who had hopped down from his shoulder. “You're right, cat. Sometimes I forget you're there."

No punkies, old man. And when we get out of here, you owe me a fish. A big fish.

"You've got it. Try to be quiet."

A very big fish
, added the cat as she entered the cave.

Hamilton listened for sounds from within. He held his wand by his head, amazed at the amplification it produced in his mind. From inside the cave he heard Duck say, “Quit yer bitchin'. After that screw-up in Drayene, we're lucky that the boss didn't kill us. He sure was pissed."

"Yeah, but this place is worst than a prison. No women, no booze, and food that isn't fit to eat."

"Shut up, you pathetic excuses for human beings. I'm tryin’ to sleep and you two are yackin’ like a couple'a school girls."

"Pune you, Tummin.” came Melvin's voice.

"What did you say?"

"I said, er, ‘It's true, Tummin.’”

"Like hell you did. You lyin’ sack of rat crap. Go check on the new bug. Now!"

There was a rustling sound of someone moving. The sound decreased as Melvin moved into the depths of the cave.

"And you, Quack, throw another log on the fire."

Something brushed at Hamilton's leg. Hamilton looked down at the cat. “Well?"

They don't have any fish.

Hamilton stared at the cat saying nothing but his expression spoke volumes.

And they've got another dragon only this one's little. It's in the back of the cave and they have a big net up to keep it from getting out.

"Anything else?"

Beyond where the bug is, there're a couple of tables with stuff like we saw in Hardension's office. There're also a couple buckets of that black stuff and some horse masks on the floor next to the buckets.

"Horse masks?"

Yeah, well they look like masks. They've got little glass windows for the eyes and large snouts and leather straps to secure them with. There were also bunch of those shiny cylinder things like the one you found stacked in a corner.

"Any weapons?"

The man on a cot has a wand. The other two don't look like they're carrying anything, but there's some clubs, knives, and a hunting bow near the front of the cave.

"Anything else?"

Did I mention the lack of fish?

"Cat!"

Well, once you get past the entrance, there aren't a lot of places you could hide. There's a fire burning that lights the whole front section. The back is lit with torch light.

"How deep is the cave?"

I don't know. It goes back quite a bit beyond where they have their stuff, but it looked unused. What do you want to do?

The first response that popped into his mind was to return to Green Ridge. With regret, he dismissed that option. “When in doubt, do nothing until a solution presents itself."

Huh?

"It's something Obsidian taught me. We'll wait here until they go to sleep."

And then?

"I decide what to do when they're asleep."

Brilliant plan.

Hamilton ignored the cat's sarcasm.

Three hours of shivering passed. When Hamilton was sure that those in the cave were sound asleep, he climbed over the lip of the entrance. The fire had burned down, but the flickering light still lit the floor in the front of the cave.

A quick gesture allowed him to pass the ward without tripping it. Hamilton crept inside pausing to absorb some of the warmer air. Hugging the wall, he moved past the campfire. Peaking over a stack of barrels, he soon spotted Melvin and Duck sleeping on blankets by the opposite wall. He spotted Tummin, who turned out to be a pear shaped man, sleeping on a cot. His gut hung over the edge of the cot.

Hamilton moved deeper into the cave. The new dragon, which was grounded on a small rock within its enclosure watched him, but made no sound. Hamilton looked at the beast. Unlike its predecessor, this one was only about six feet long.

He moved beyond the enclosure glancing briefly at the alchemic materials scattered about on several large tables. On the floor, he saw a dozen open barrels of the Devil's Blood and the masks that Whiskers had described. He took one of the six masks and examined it. It seemed obvious that it was some kind of filter.
So
, thought Hamilton after closer examination,
this is how they avoid the effects of the smoke
. He put it in his sack. He picked up the others one by one and, using his dagger, poked a hole in the snouts. Then he put the other five back where he had found them.