Walking Mage

Revealed:ch15

Mage Alton sat in front of his Home and drank coffee with a shot of cream and honey. The coffee had been a gift from his love and he had grown to love it nearly as much as her. It was expensive, but a High Mage had the coin for such lavishness

She was gone again this day but would return for dinner. They planned to go to Boar's Tusk to eat and to see how Lynn was making out there. He thought about the young Mage and wondered if she had any idea of the trouble that was swirling all around her. He knew that she had caught the attention of some very powerful Mages.

"Got nothing better to do than sit around and sip coffee like a Noble!?" Shouted a voice from behind him.

Raising whatever barriers that he could, Alton stood and faced the male voice. Sauntering up to him was High Mage Gaul Ter. A handsome and tall man who was liked by the ladies, and he knew it. An Elite son, Gaul was as confident and self absorbed as they came.

It was what Alton liked about his old friend, that at the end of the day he cared about magic never being used to hurt non-mages even though he had the power and influence to do so.

The two had gone on their Long Walk together and for some reason the Elite son took a strong liking to Alton as well and they had been close ever since. "Hail, Gaul! The almighty son of the richest merchants in the city of Rock Island!" Alton said with a friendly smirk. "Decided to see how the poor commoners live?"

"Naw, I just needed a laugh and I  remembered that you're the Farth fool." Gaul came up and hugged Alton hard.

This was an indication to Alton that something was amiss. They hugged but usually in a friendly way. 

"What brings you to my simple shop, old friend." Alton was not sure he wanted to know.

"Thinking I might need some anti-love potions!" Gaul said and gave Alton a very serious look.

The two had spent nearly three cycles walking together and had worked out codes and a language all their own. Wanting anti-love potion's was a signal that one had gotten into some deep water and needed help out. It also would mean that he was being followed by that same trouble.

"I got just the thing, but it'll cost ya." Alton was still grinning from ear to ear, but his eyes had begun scanning the surroundings. Two Patrolmen and a Guardsmen walked out of a darkened side way.  They were clustered together and by their stance had a familiar way with each other.

"I would give my soul for it." Gaul said aloud. In a whisper he added, "They found me right?"

"Let's get inside and get you some coffee and I'll brew up those potions, and maybe some moon ointment so you can get rid of the three ladies after ya!"

Nodding Gaul followed Alton inside without looking back. As soon as the door closed Alton triggered a spell to lock the door. It belonged to Mari but was for him to use if trouble came calling.

"Just what have you been up to?" Alton asked after knowing the spell was set.

Sitting down at Alton's desk, Gaul laid his head in his hands, "All I did was go to a different House for a friend's bachelor party. Next day I'm being followed by the triplets out there."

"So, what did you say or do to get such attention?" Alton asked with a grin. He intended every word but wanted it to be a light rebuke.

"I was just being me, Al. I can't be anyone else. You've certainly pointed that out enough!" Then he laughed a weak laugh. "Only thing I can think of is that I got into an argument over use of magic with a Mage who was visiting the House there."

Peering out the curtained little window in the door, Alton tried to see the three goons. Instead he was surprised to see High Mage Corla walking toward his front porch area. She had a map case on her shoulder and a young girl in tow.