Walking Mage

Tired Lies:Ch18

Headman Jan watched the parade of party goers go in and out of the main rooms.  He thought it strange at first that Lynn had requested such an event, now he thought he might be understanding.

The more people that came into the Tusk, the more energy the four Mages  used to heal Lady Mage Corla.  Mage Alton's lady showed up after a message had been sent for her.  Jan did not know her name and decided that it really did not matter, until Mage Corla was healed.

Lynn had done a slended job of nearly removing all the evil black mist from her friend, but it was an creation designed to kill.  It would not give up easily.

Mage Alton called Lynn's work masterful.  Even Mage Gual was speechless in the face of Lynn's resolve.  The other female Mage called it dumb luck but seemed to be just as pleased as the males.

Every Lady of the House was entertaining in the various rooms throughout the Tusk.  Some played music and some danced but all were enjoying the revelry for the night.  Even Flower was more joyful than normal.

Jan watched her the most, and only was surprised once when Lynn's own maid had come near to Flower to say something.  The girl had been shooed away, but Jan noticed just the same.

Master Awl passed into each and every area to personally welcome each and every person that night.  The Tusk had gained in the past few moon turns, but this was a party to be talked about for cycles to come.

That it was all to power the Lay Lines so that Lynn, Gual, and Alton could work on keeping Corla alive was beyond Jan.  He understood the basics but after that he was lost.

Runner seemed to be the only one that was in tune with all the needs of the three Mages while they worked.  She had taken up a place near them and made sure that water and food was always near.

No one else had been allowed up into the view room since Corla had been brought in.  Jan had personally made sure of that.  Starla had tried once and even inquired about Lynn, but was reminded sternly that nosy maids had no place in the Boar's Tusk.

Jan did not like the girl.  She was too helpful and too friendly.  Not a good mix in Common people, who were normally trying to vanish into the woodwork.

#####

For Runner these past several moons had been the worst of her young life.  The three Mages had set up a rotation on healing on the Lady Mage Corla.  Leaving runner to watch the door to be sure that they had all the food and drink they needed.

Mage Gual was nice, but the strong mead he drank smelled and the young Runner hated serving him it.  From time to time Head man Jan or Lady Dragonfly would releave her so she could sleep.

By her side was Roar and the two would help each other stay awake.  Roar would hover over the Mages as they worked on keeping Corla alive.  Runner did not understand most of it but it seemed that the evil mist was winning.

Mage Lynn said that to save Lady Mage Corla the three Mages would have to trick the evil mist into thinking that it was dead.  It just confused Runner for how could a mist not be dead.

#####

Jan watched the ebb and flow of the party.  At the least it was keeping Flower very busy.  She did have a beautiful voice and was one of the best cymbal dancers in Farth.

She danced on the stage and sang a song of the old world.  The small cymbals on her fingers would ring out when she made a point or reached a climax in the song-tail.

It was this he liked about the Houses.  The other things he could have removed, but it was not he's say.  The private times did come at a high coin for most, but he also knew that the Tusk was a high House.  There were lower Houses that had no issue with how the Ladies performed.  Coin was coin many thought.

An old man entered the main hall, and began to look around as if he owned the place.  Jan went to him quickly.

"Can I be of assistance, elder?"  Jan asked plaisantly.

Turning his pale grayish blue eyes on Jan the old man said, "Yes, Head man, you can help me by taking me to the four fools who think they can blow up a way and then vanish into thin air."

That this man was a powerful Mage was plain to Jan now.  His name and title was his secret for now, for Jan knew better than to annoy this one further.  Power radiated from him so strongly that Jan could feel as static electricity making his arm hairs stand up.

"The Lay Lines are strong here."  The old Mage said looking around.  "I've not felt this strong since I was twenty cycles old.  Now to the four, if you please."

#####

The Master of the Tusk visited with the most influential of the guests that night.

One in particular caught his eye.  The Madam Luna had taken up a quiet booth far from the main stage.  Two other women sat with her but Master Awl could clearly see that they were guards of some sort.

After being caught up with several lower ranked officials, he excused himself and slowly approached her booth.

"Good eve to you, Master Johan Awl."  Luna said with her easy drawl and feminine voice.  "Your very popular as of late."

Looking around tiredly he locked back on her, "I see that you have the pulse of the City in your vanes."

It was an old flirtatious phrase from when they were young.  Madam Luna's eyes grew twice thier size and a reddish glow filled her cheeks.

Pressing his luck further he said, "Would you grace my floor with your beautiful continence?"

Without a word she moved out of the booth and went to Johan.  The female guard moved out of the way hastily and stood in a position to watch everything.

"These are sad times, Johan, that a women can't go to a party and not feel like death is around every corner."

"When you come here your flirting with the right hand of death herself."  Johan added in her ear.

Back into his ear she whispered, "Maybe I could just live in the mansion and let you deal with things here?"

The comment nearly stopped his dancing.  Her boldness was new, and he was not used to it, but he found he liked it.

"The Tusk needs a strong women to help me lead.  The young Ladies here have nearly forgotten thier place."  Awl said with a serious tone.

"Rid a flower from the garden and the bees will return, my Johan."

"Will you make the arrangements, Dear Luna."  Johan said in a nearly inaudible whisper.  "I fear I've forgotten how?"

"It would be proper, that is, after you announce it openly, my Johan."

Tears dropped onto his neck, and Johan feared that maybe they had gone too fast.  Then she brushed the same spot with a tender kiss.  He knew that he had made the right choice.

Another long space between.  I say many apologies and thanks for waiting.  Much going on outwardly, and inwardly, so slow on the go.

Things are drawing closer to the end for this part of Lynn's Walk.  There will be more to come and many adventures for her and Runner to stumble into.