Axel Light Trilogy: Wands and Shield

Chapter 23-A

'This is a serious breach in the MaxPol system,' said Rowen edgily, 'A delaying spell...'

Linden raised his wand and quickly casted Tacitus in his room – surrounding Rowen and himself in the spell. Rowen looked at him, surprised and embarrassed at the same time.

'Sorry...' muttered Rowen.

'We still do not know who the mole is,' said Linden agitatedly.

'Someone highly skilled or very close to Axel,' said Rowen worriedly, 'Someone who knows all the plans and details.'

'I chose my most trusted MaxPol to have direct access to Axel,' said Linden grimly, 'Maybe I have made a wrong judgement...'

'A mole who had continuously outsmarted our system cannot be taken lightly,' said Rowen thoughtfully, 'A highly skill Magical and an equally skilled MaxPol, who knows us very well. Hmm... Are you very sure about... Stanley?'

'I trust Stanley with my life!' sniggered Linden, 'And he took the vow!'

'Calm down,' said Rowen, raising both his hands up, 'I know our quote very well. 'Trust everyone, and trust no one'. I am the one who taught you that,' he chuckled, 'For that matter, I trust Stanley too, with my life. I'm not so sure about the rest.'

'Do you have a name?' asked Linden bluntly.

Rowen must have suspected someone, else he would not have asked for an urgent meeting with him.

'Inner circle, someone with direct contact with Axel Light,' said Rowen calmly, 'I don't have a name. I had gone through all the records with Monsford, whom, by the way, is clear...'

Linden raised a brow.

'He had taken the vow, willingly,' said Rowen, with a smile, 'We are down to... seven MaxPol.'

Linden recited their names in his head, and he gave Rowen a nod.

'I trust you and Monsford will handle this well, Rowen,' said Linden, and he sighed, 'I had made too many mistakes in this Operation.'

'Benjamin, you make good judgements,' said Rowen warmly, 'You had done that for many, many years and you will continue to do so. That is why you are seated at that seat, and not anyone else,' he pointed at the chair Linden was sitting on, 'The Commissioner of MaxPol's seat.'

Linden looked at Rowen's gentle face, 'But I still make mistakes.'

'Of course!' Rowen clasped his hands in front of him, 'You are only human,' he chuckled, 'But I have to say, you have shown exceptional warmth towards this boy, more than to anyone we know. Axel Light. He is special, isn't he?'

Linden knew what Rowen was going to say next. He knew that it was in everyone's mind, ever since Operation Lumen began. Nobody dared to voice out. Nobody dared to ask. Except Rowen. The only person who could ask him.

Linden's unusual attention and affection towards Axel Light.

Linden looked at Rowen thoughtfully. The only person Linden could be totally honest with too.

'I had never known Axel Light in my life. I had never even known his parents personally,' started Linden, 'But...'

He paused. Rowen waited patiently.

'There is something about the boy. I just have this feeling that I must help him,' said Linden softly, 'And he depended on it. It is not that he will be dead if I don't help him. It is something... else. Like the existence of our lives depended on him. If I don't help him, none of us will exist.'

Rowen looked at Linden, stunned.

'I don't know how to explain it,' said Linden embarrassedly, 'I just...'

'I know how you feel,' said Rowen gently, 'That was how I felt like... with you. Many years ago.'

Linden stared at Rowen, surprised.

'Remember how I had begged with you to get out of Medic and join Crime instead? Because I felt that I needed to help you, to show you the path. I felt that I owed it to everyone if you did not become the Commissioner of MaxPol,' said Rowen warmly, 'I guess, it must be the same feeling.'

'Did... did you?' stuttered Linden, astonished.

Rowen nodded eagerly, 'Maybe you are destined to look after him. You know how people said, there is always a mentor for everyone. Well, at least, in the Magical world. But whether you found that person, is another matter.'

Linden was still stunned beyond words. Beyond surprise that Rowen had felt that way about him. He had never known. He knew that Rowen treated him very well and was a great mentor, but Linden had never viewed it in this perception.

'I am grateful,' said Linden as he bowed his head at Rowen, 'Forever grateful to you.'

Rowen beamed at him, 'I am just doing my part. Like you are now with Axel Light. I am sure he will be grateful to you one day. Even though, I heard that he hated you a lot right now. Hmmm...'

'I just wanted to keep him safe,' said Linden bitterly, 'He shouldn't be in Xeliq at all. Getting so close to the enemy. His risk has just increased exponentially. Especially with the mole so close to him.'

'I know, anyone can just grab him and bring him to Cyrus Veldor now. They just need to Translocate,' said Rowen grimly, 'Not good at all. We will work hard to trace all seven of them. If they make any unusual movement, we will let you know immediately. You should give all your attention on Axel Light and Cyrus Veldor.'

'Can you handle all seven of them?' asked Linden worriedly.

'Well, Finlay is at Stirling, I think it is safe to rule him out,' said Rowen, 'Three of us will trace two each. We will try our best.'

'Three?'

'Well, as I had said earlier, I trust Stanley with my life as well,' smiled Rowen.

Linden nodded grimly. He could no longer handle this case on his own. He had to admit, he needed help. Rowen came to help him. And Monsford. Not forgetting Stanley.

'Thank you,' said Linden gratefully.

'That's what we do, Commissioner Linden,' smiled Rowen, 'At your service.'