Free Magic (complete)

Chapter 8

"Anders!" A muffled voice brought him to his surroundings. Anders had been focusing on his work and wasn't paying attention. He swept all of the reference books and the stolen journal under his bed and opened the door.

"Ghilda, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Anders noted that dawn light was coming through the windows at the end of the corridor. Jak still wasn't back yet.

"Gossip! Gossip and breakfast. I know you don't keep with these things but I thought you'd like to hear this one." Ghilda swept into the room, pushing Anders out. "Let's get you some breakfast and we can talk over food."

"Oh, Ghilda I don't need-"

"Nonsense boy, this is why you look like a tree with arms." She continued to pull him down the hall and to the stairs. "Food. Then gossip. It's so exciting! They caught the thief!"

"They, what?" Anders eyes widened. Jak wasn't back, but did they catch him or the other thief?

"Yes, one of the kitchen boys was found with most of the stolen items." The knot Anders didnt' know he had in his belly relaxed. "They think he already sold some of them in town because not all of the reported things were found, but he did have a good amount of money on him. What an adventure! I'll bet they want you to identify him, since you ran into him that night." Ghilda gushed on with excitement in her eyes.

"I bet they will." Anders murmured. They had already reached the main level where the smell of bread enticed Anders's growling stomach. They waited in line to receive a large honey roll and a crisp yellow apple.

"So the Council was working with the guards on the case, since of course they soldiers wouldn't know what those components might be used for. But everything was a pile of random things that would never perform together in any magical capacity. It would seem he simply raided stores of components to sell in Cliffside." Ghilda bit into her roll dramatically. "And when was the last time I had a honeyed roll?"

"Yes," Anders was stuffing his mouth as fast as he could. "Delicious, I'm going to get more and report to the guards then." Before Ghilda could blink he was out of his chair and getting another roll.

Anders practically sprinted back to his rooms. Jak was nowhere to be found. He set the roll on his desk, after all they had been working all night and Jak hadn't eaten either. Anders then crawled under his bed to pull out all the books he hurriedly stuffed there.

"It's gone!" Anders flipped through the pile of scrolls and books several times before deciding that the journal really was gone.

"Stupid!" Anders kicked his door, which he hadn't zapped before leaving. That book could be anywhere, and where was Jak? Exasperated, Anders flopped down on his chair. Glancing around his room for anything else missing, he spotted clumsy writing added to the bottom of his parchment.

A,

Out of time. Had to leave. Be back later.

-J

A corner of the parchment was also torn off. Anders read the note twice, eating the roll he had brought for Jak. He gathered up his reference books to return, and made sure to secure his door. By the time Jak got back, he wanted to be prepared. Jak had quite the interesting book on his hands, and whoever wanted it stolen probably didn't want it to set on a table for decoration.

It took Jak twice as long to get down the cliffs with his injured arm. The skin was too tender for much interaction with the rough rocks. When the lightning jolted through the dagger and up his arm, his fingertips were spared and he could still hold the rock face with them. His muscles burned by the time he planted his feet on flat ground.

Walking back, he made it to the appointed address just before the meeting time. Selstad was a very militant country, the houses all looked much the same and the higher your rank in society, the more likely you were to run a strict house.

Jak approached the stark white townhouse with certain expectations. The lawn was trim, the garden was neat, and it was covered in painted wooden shingles. Buildings in Selstad were either stone, or covered in shingles that were easy to replace when damaged in the harsh winter winds. When Jak had received written correspondence from a currier they were written nicely on clean paper. When Jak knocked on the side door as instructed, he was taken aback at the interior.

The maid lead him to a sitting room that had more piles of books than places to sit. Odd artifacts lined the shelves and ancient swords hung on the walls. He may as well have stayed in Whitethorn if he was going to sit in a pile of books and history.

"Ale sir?" The young woman with a neat braid and plump hips bowed her head and awaited an answer. As tempting as she was, Jak didn't mix business with pleasure.

"No, thank you." Jak enjoyed watching her leave, and a moment later a well dressed man with a hooked nose entered.

"You must be the man with the book. Our mutual contact informed us you were both prompt in your work and always successful. It is very good to meet you." The man bowed low.

"I assume you aren't Hughes then." Jak narrowed his eyes.

"Unfortunately the master could not arrive from Raastad as intended in time to speak with you. I have prepared the agreed upon fee for your services however, upon collection of the journal in question." A door opened and the maid brought in a tray with an ornately carved wooden box. She opened the lid to reveal a pile of silver and gold for a moment before closing it once more.

"Yeah, I've got your book." Jak tossed it at the manservant who fumbled a bit as he caught it. Jak stood casually inspecting the shelves in the room while the man delicately flipped through the pages.

"Very good work. We thank you on behalf of the master. Please accept my thanks as well along with your payment." In a moment, Jak was given the box of coin, and was escorted back outside. It was over so quickly he almost didn't register the transaction.

"The master ain't even in town huh?" Jak pulled his cloak over his eyes and headed towards his lodgings. "Looks like we have a little time yet."