It is so very strange having information and facts in my mind that I have never learned or read or even heard. It is simply there, like an instinct from birth. Unfortunately, of all the knowledge I obtained, there is nothing to help me with healing Lorelle. I still have to complete this task for the council. At least I now know what the cause of the spread is. It is only a matter of time now.
I’m certain Kislingbury and his men will be surprised. They have guessed everything from Jews, to Magicians, to divine punishment, but the real answer to the spread of the disease is so much smaller, much more common but equally as terrifying. I wonder how they will react. Will they even believe me? Even I am beginning to doubt the possibility of this “core”. It seems so ridiculous and implausible. But spells almost never lie and the information on the “core” came from many different sources. Thousands, in fact. It would not be wise to question it.
-----------------------
“Why have you called this meeting?” Kislingbury barked. “Have you completed the task already?”
Eugene took a deep breath before answering. The men did not seem very enthused to have been called here. Most of them simply glared at him, but the hatred in their eyes was nothing compared to their leader’s. Kislingbury leaned forward in his throne-like chair, teeth bared. Even so, Eugene managed to tune out the whispers and glares.
“No.”
“Then why on earth would you --who have absolutely no authority here-- call us, the council of the city out of our last hours with loved ones to this meeting?”
“You say I have no authority, and yet by answering my request for a meeting and by being here, you are disproving you own words.”
Kislingbury’s fists clenched tightly on the arms of his chair, his knuckles fading into white. Pushing himself up onto his feet, he whipped his robes behind him, freeing his legs. He took a deep breath and it seemed to all in the room that he would simply walk out.
“But such things are not important,” Eugene quickly added. There was no time for quarreling. “I used my unconventional methods and learned something that I believe would be of some use and interest to you. You might want to make yourself comfortable.” He motioned back to Kislingbury’s chair. When the mayor did not make a move to return to his previous position, he added: “You asked me to help you in your attempt to save your people. I am helping. And now, I am giving you a chance to do the same. Do not let your pride come between us and the completion of the task. You say you care for your people. Now, show it.”
The mayor growled, a deep and throaty sound that sounded more animalistic than human. But after a few moments, he sat down.
Folding his hands and taking great care to calm his voice, he said, “I take it the man we sent you was beneficial to this discovery you wish to share with us?”
“No. He was useless. He died only minutes after arriving.”
“You killed him?” The room grew deathly quiet and Kislingbury glanced at the door behind Eugene, as if cursing himself for not escaping when he could and for letting the magician stand --or sit-- between the council and the only way to safety.
Eugene snorted and crossed his arms. “Don't flatter me. I am no murderer.”
A collective breath of relief was let out through the room, but no one truly relaxed. Their backs were still stick straight and they all leaned up on their chairs, as if ready to make a run for it. No man dared to let his eyes wander away from the magician.
“What is this discovery?” Kislingbury asked.
“It is quite strange actually... It appears that it is the rats that are causing the spread of the disease.”
YOU ARE READING
The Magician's Vow: A Retelling of The Pied Piper of Hamelin
FantasíaThe year is 1350 and the Black Death rages in Europe. With his young wife on the verge of death, Eugene knows that the only way to save her is to save the entirety of London. Striking a deal with the city's council, he makes an enchanted flute to lu...
