Walking Mage

Good start to a bad day Ch3

Lynn thought about the lady Flower for long after the viper of a women left. Her Mage sense told her that the lead women of the House was somehow involved in the Master's accident.

It had not even crossed Lynn's mind till she had run into the Key Man.  He was the one who had told her that she was safe in the Tusk. 

He asked her, "Pardon me Mage but I have a concern that maybe you can help me with?  The barrel that nearly killed the Master, fell in such a way that I wonder if it was an accident." It was said in a way to imply that it was NOT an accident.

Lynn had no ideas herself since she knew nothing about life outside the Mage House but she did know drama and power struggles.  Mages were full of intrigue and cliques.

"The Master is getting older but he had never been as strong. Now he and the Lady Flower have been openly disagreeing on the management of the Tusk.  She is a women that likes to get her way, if ya know what I'm saying, Mage?"

Lynn thought he was being extremely blunt and she liked him more for it.
"Pardon me Mage, but can I ask you a question?"  The Key Man asked while not looking at her.

Lynn nodded but when she realized he was looking away nervously, she told him to ask away.

"The Master and I discussed it and we would like you to stay on here for a season.  I assume that your on a Long Walk and that makes you available, right?"

Lynn was taken aback. She had not expected an offer to stay. The Key Man took her silence the wrong way and began to stammer out.  "I mean not as a Host, but as a protection for the House and the Master himself.  As I said, there is a storm abrewing here and I worry for the Tusk and the Master Awl."

Lynn would have to think hard about it. She also did not know if she was allowed to stay in the city. Of course others have done things not allowed and are now are Mage masters.

"I will have to consider your request. To be frank myself, I don't know if it's allowed by the Mage council.  If Lady Flower is behind the attacks she is evil enough to contact the Mages and report me."

She did not need to add that she could have, and would not afford to have the council against her.

"I know a way you could find out."  He boldly said.

"How?"

With a sly grin he motioned her to follow him.

#####

After a winding trip into the very walls of the House he led her to a secret room that had a dark glass floor. She had no idea that glass could hold a person but in this room it could.

"This is known as the See All room.  From here we can see into the four reception rooms below. Do you see who is in the pink room?"  He said with the light from the room below barely lighting his face.

Looking Lynn found High Mage Corla, a teacher at the academy.  She gave the Key Man a quick glance to be sure this was not a joke or trick of some kind.

"She is using a false name but of course I know who she is."

"Is she here to drink....or something else?"  Lynn was not sure that she wanted the answer. It also made her very nervous to have any such knowledge of one of the High Mages.

"It's better to not know, my lady. I will say that she has no liking for Lady Flower."

"Why not just send the vile creature away?"  Lynn asked in a whisper.  She did not want the High Mage to hear her. "If she's property of the house."