Spellcaster series #1: The Neophyte

The Worldly Realm

TRISTAN

The mansion was newly-repainted but otherwise it looked exactly as I remembered. The gardener was mowing the lawn as I passed the gates. He looked up and waved.

"Young Mister Embers! It has been a year!" He greeted and hugged me.

"It's great to see you again, Robert. You look healthy as always. The flora is flourishing, might I add."

"Thank you. Last week, Mrs Ryans dropped by. She invited your mother into her book club. And there were a few mailmen who delivered some parcels, nothing more. Your father has been very busy working from his office. His construction firm seems to be successful. Just a contractor, engineer and an architect that came by for meetings."

"How often?" I asked.

"Bi-weekly. Them folks always have them in the conference room where your father conducts them. Sometimes I can see them through the window when I trim the hedges near the gates."

"I hope my parents are well?"

Robert grinned, "Healthy as horses, aside from the event from last night."

"Was Mrs Ryans involved?"

"I believe she was the culprit, or at least it mimicked her. Just a week before her visit, she came over to the house looking for your mother. Said her daughter just had a baby and wanted to invite your mother to her home but your mother turned her down wisely."

"Daughter?" I asked, quizzical. "Did she mean Delilah? As far as I'm concerned, I thought she lives alone."

"Yes. She may only be in her forties but her mind is in the gutter, sadly."

I glanced at the house next door. "Is she all right? Where is she now?"

"There is a nurse that comes by fortnightly to check on her. Your mother worries but she keeps her distance."

I nodded, mentally keeping note. "Thank you, Robert."

"You're most welcome, dear Mr Embers. Your father is in his office," he said, pointing to the third storey. "Would you like me to ring him first?"

"No need," I smiled. My presence was to be a surprise.

Robert nodded and led me to the door. With a pair of gardening pliers in one hand, he rang the doorbell with the other. I straightened my coat and looked around. The cameras I placed a year before were still intact and functioning. Robert had been cleverly identifying all the comings and goings of the guests and my parents.

The door opened. My mother's olive-green eyes bore on me, her mouth agape. Without further hesitation, she pulled me into her arms and we embraced. A year was too long for my dear mother.

"My boy," she uttered into my hair. "I've been worried."

"I'm here, mama. Are you all right?"

"I'm all right, my love." She pulled away and held my gaze, "Would you like something to eat? How long are you planning to stay?"

"A week, if you and father don't mind."

"More than happy," she hugged again. She led me in and Robert closed the door.

"Robert deserves a raise," I said, removing my coat and hanging it on the rack. My mother was already halfway to the kitchen.

"We've doubled his salary after what happened this last night."

I followed her. "Walk me through it."

She poured hot tea into a mug. "Mrs Ryans came by to ask me to join her book club. I said no but she insisted. We thought that was normal, considering her, you know, waning mind."