Walking Mage

All Coming Together:CH13

The maid girl returned with drinks. Master Awl called here Bell, but that seemed a nickname. She was important to him but Lynn could not get the connection so let it go.

Talking about plans to get the Master back into the workings of the House, everyone gave ideas. Vance asked Master Awl about trade deals that could help secure Awl's strength.

Runner came back and a excited Roar flew in behind her. The tube with the map was clasped in Runner's arms.

Coming up behind the two was Starla.
Lynn immediately went to the handmaid and blocked her view, "I did not request you!"

"I saw the child running off with something from the rooms and thought I'd better see what she's about." Starla said trying to peer around Lynn into the Master's suite.

The Master himself walked right up to Starla, "First of all child, you will address your mistress by title in My House. Second thing is you know that the girl belongs to Mage Lynn and is allowed to come and go at will. Lastly, you have not been summoned and came because your far too nosy for one of my maids. Go straight to the kitchen and report to Cook Anna."

Fleeing the suite the young handmaid tried to take a second peek behind her. Corla had already put up a illusions wall but saw the girl trying to glance over her shoulder.

A light flashed in Starla's eyes bright enough to blind her and cause her to fall. Sending Bell to Starla the Master said, "Now, not only have you been blinded, your going to get a double punishment from Anna. See that it's done, Bell."

After both girls had left Lynn and Corla cast a powerful silence spell. Having Jan hold the map Lynn took Roar and held the dragite before the map.

Like before the dragite went very still and focused on the map. Blasting hot steam and smoke at the map, Roar became lively once more, wanting to get up on Lynn's shoulder.

"What was that about?" Corla asked as she came closer to the map. "These are ancient runes from an age when Mages had just formed the schools. The magic was wild and knowledge was only passed from a master to around three students."

"Should the rest of us be seeing this?" Vance asked with apprehension.

"No." Was Corla and Lynn's response at once.

Lynn added, "I have to trust this inner circle. This is bigger and potentially more dangerous than a single House. Mages are behind this. Mage's who want this House because it sits on a very large Connection of Lay Lines."

Corla let out a whistle. Where House Boar's Tusk was, seven Lines came together and made a purple square. Two symboles stood out in faint red inside the purple box.

"Before you ask," Master Awl began, "The top symbol is of this House. The bottom is new to me."

"Not to me." Jan said. "It is the symbol given by Head men or women to show the status of a House. Ten in all, each from very robust to nearly dead."

"You judge House's worth by health?" Dragonfly asked.

"The health of a House will depend on the type of Head to send in." Jan added with some trepidation. "A Head is responsible for the overall condition of a House. The Master is there to run things and pay for it all."

"So it's true then?" Corla was smiling again. "Each thinks that the other has no idea what the other is doing. While both are trying to make and keep a House great."

"It's a razors edge. Work well together and the House does well. Fight each other and the House will fall." The Master began to scan each of the numerous House's in Farth. "Odd, some of the bigger Houses have three symbols. Why is that do you think?"