Mark of the Fool

Chapter 718: Honour Among Red Mice

Things had not gone as they were supposed to.

The plan had abruptly changed when Mouse, Crow and Fox had stepped through the portal first, supposedly to tell Warder that they had returned and that Alexs group was going to accompany them to the safehouse.

Time had passed, then Crow came back, speaking to Rat quickly in their secret tongue before scurrying back to the portal.

The lone thief looked stricken, then turned to Alex and the others.

Erm, Im sorrybut, Warder said we cant bring you to the safehouse. Rat shifted his weight from one foot to the other. His eyes darted above his cowl, refusing to meet Alex, Theresa, Claygon or even Brutus. In his hand, he clutched a bottle of potato wine and three small, silver cups. Uh, would you, uh, like to have that drink here?

Theresa watched Alex, his jaw clenched, looking like steel. What did he say?

Oh, uh, sorry, Rat apologised, switching to common. I meant to say that Warderwould like to meet you all here instead of you coming to the safehouse.

Whats going on? Alex asked, suspicion growing. His eyes flicked to the walls and door, looking for signs of movement or anything else he might have missed. Was this a trap? One minute you tell us that were supposed to come with youthen your three friends He counted off Mouse, Crow and Fox on his fingers. go into the portal, disappear for ten minutes and now you tell us that we cant come with you? I dont like the way this is looking. Warders going to give me what he owes, right?

He is, he is, Rat promised. Its just thatwell, you can go anywhere with Keldas ability, right? So, you could come back to our safehouse anytime you wanted, and we wouldnt be able to stop you. So he only wants to take precautions. Here, here, we should be drinking, not arguing.

Alex watched the Guild member closely, reading his body language. There was nervousness there; by the shifting of his weight, the twitches of discomfort in his face and a light trembling in his hands. The young wizard looked at the glasses closely, watching the man pour.

Before the thief could offer him or Theresa a glass, he reached out and took two, one for himself and one for his partner, watching Rats reaction all the while. The mans demeanour didnt change.

You want me to drink first? Rat asked, taking a long sip from his glass. See? No poison.

Alex took a small sip, watching the thiefs body language

The liquor burned the tongue.

Harsh stuff, Theresa said.

A smilehidden behind Rats cowl but visible in his eyessprang up on Rats face. See, its like I said, you saved us, so I wanted to share a drink with you. Enjoy it, its good stuff! Its harsh because it gets you good and drunk, which is what liquor is supposed to do, not

The portal flared below.

An image of Warder leaving the doorway flashed into Alexs mind.

Your boss is here, the young wizard drained his drink.

Rats nervousness instantly spiked.

Alex leaned to the side, casually reaching for the aeld staff as Warder appeared in the secret passageway.

Hello, Theresas voice was flat

Hello, Warder said, clutching a folded sheet of parchment under his arm. You did well.

Indeed we did, boss, Rat said.

Warders head tilted toward the direction of Brightfire, seeming to be listening to the sound of alarms going off. You were not seen? Nor discovered?

No, Rat assured him. They didnt see us at all.

They got us with dust that outlines your form, Alex said. But we never broke invisibility. Theyll have no idea who any of you arenor any of us.

Excellent, Warder said. And did you kill any of their guardians?

No, Alex said. Some of them are going to have a long, tough journey back to the city, but no one died.

It was a bloodless operation, Rat confirmed.

Warder nodded. The Founder would be proud. He grinned behind his mask, his gem-eyes gleaming. She was not one for unnecessary bloodshed, not only for herselfforobvious reasons, He looked pointedly at Alex. but for the members of the Guild as well; she thought that killing made things messier.

He chuckled darkly. I tend to have a different view. Killings might make things messy in the short term, but they also have a way of closing loops and tying loose ends. A dead enemy is one that can never come looking for you, after all.

And a dead ally is one you never have to pay, Alex thought, keeping his face a mask of neutrality. Is that what youre about to try to pull? With Claygon standing here?

As Warder reached down to his belt, Alex began drawing on the aeld staffs power. Just in case.

The red-eyed man opened a pouch tied to his belt

producing a single, copper and zinc coin with a red mouse stamped on its face.

As agreed, I hereby award you the Coin of Silent Friends, the thief said, Making you a friend to the Guild. Congratulations.

Alex slowly took the coin, turning it over between his fingers. It looked authentic.

Thank you. The Thameish wizard showed Warder the coin. I take it you have an idea of what Ill be asking for?

Warder bowed, his grin growing. Of course, and I am eager to oblige. He turned, unfolding the parchment, sticking it to the back wall as he had done with the one of Sorkovo and Brightfire. This map was larger and much more detailed, showing the entire Irtyshenan country.

Four circles, drawn in red ink, outlined four separate areas.

The first was somewhere in a forest near Kymiland.

The next was in a range of southern mountains.

Another lay in the tundra to the north.

The last was a spot on an island off the eastern coast of the Empire.

Whats this? Theresa asked. Four circles?

Yes, the Founders sanctum is in one of those four locations. Warder bowed. I must apologise for not being able to give you more precise directions, but the Guild of the Red Mouse was never granted the exact location. Members who lived in her time were aware that it does lie in one of these areasbut they never visited on their own accord since it was simpler for her to teleport them there.

Alexs insides curdled.

Is thisa trickfather? Claygon asked. I thoughtthey would have specific informationaboutwhere her sanctum was

The young wizard watched Warders body language closely, looking for any sign of treachery. He found none. The masked thief seemed to be sincere, almost apologetic.

So we went through robbing the library just to have things narrowed down tofour locations? Alex thought. somethings not right here. I think hes telling the truth, but I dont like the way this feels. His eyes scanned the four areas on the map circled in red, This gives us an idea of where to search, butwhy four places? Why would Kelda not tell her own Guild the exact location, why give them four different places where her sanctum could be. I think we need to talk to Birger about this.

Are you satisfied? Warder asked. This map is a copy; you can take it with you when you leave the city.

Thanks, I suppose Alex said, cautiously. And you have no other information?

I wish the Founder had been less secretive with the early members of the Guild, Warder said. But Im afraid this is the best that can be done.

Alex watched him for a long moment, then smiled, filling the smile with sinceritythough it did not touch his heart. Thank you for the map Warder, it should help us.

Youre most welcome, the gem-eyed thief said. I only hope youre able to find the Founders sanctum; it would be a boon to us all.

Alexs smile remained fixed. Im sure it will. Well, lets get going. Weve got a sanctum to find. He said to Claygon, Theresa and Brutus.

###

A fire crackled in Birgers hearth.

It cast long, flickering light across the cottages walls, extending the shadows of those sitting around the table.

Birgers was long, bent and writhing as the old firbolg hunched over the table, his hands clasped before him.

Bjorgrunds and Claygons were imposing, filling the end of the cottage with ominous shadows.

Brutus looked threatening, all three heads grew and shrank like the forms of some possessed beast.

Alexs and Theresas seemed to hesitate, wavering back and forth like two turbulent souls, matching the emotions stirring inside them.

Spread across the table was the map that Warder hadgivenAlex, the four locations marked for all to see.

Why? Alex asked Birger. Why wouldnt Kelda just tell them exactly where her sanctum was? It doesnt feel right to me.

Youd think shed tell the people she trusted, Bjorgrund said.

Silence gripped the room for a moment, until Birger spoke, breaking it, his eyes coming alive in the firelight. She was a woman of secretsbut this seems odd even for her. Why wouldnt she give the Guild only one location? Why four?

Warder didnt seem to be lying, Alex said. And Im damn good at seeing through someones lies.

So was Kelda, so that doesnt surprise me. Birger examined the map. Its odd to methoughunless

Unless what? Theresa asked.

Birger made a sour face. Listen to me, and you listen good. Kelda wasnt some ball of dirt; she was no bandit queen. She put together the Guild to help herself and in return, she could help the memberssure, she flouted the law, and spit on the will of tyrants, which meant there was a nobility to her. He gave Alex and Theresa a grave look. She wanted those noble values infused in the Guild, and that meant members must have the sense of honour, fairplay and restraint that she did. I got no such sense coming off that Warder. Not at all.

So you think he lied? Theresa asked. About where the location is?

I dont know, Birgers eyes were flashing. But theres only one way to find out.

He pointed to the forest near Kymiland. This location isnt that far from here. We could go and have a look around later tonight.

Theresa looked at Alex. We still have time before we have to be back home. What do you think? she asked

The young wizard frowned, deep in thought, considering the situation.

He imagined his little sister, probably sound asleep by now. Even taking the time difference into account, there were still hours before she would have to wake up for school. It might be best to use the time they had as efficiently as possible.

If Warders trying something, Alex said. The longer we wait, the more time he has to do whatever it is hes up to. Maybe we should start looking tonight; if we find her sanctum, well have fantastic news for Selina, Professor Jules and everyone else back in Generasi. I have plenty of energy to teleport us there and backso, yeah, I say we do it.

Might I come with you? Birger asked, gripping his crutch. If we could find Keldas sanctumoh, Id be so grateful to see it again.

Do you think itd be safe leaving your cottage this late? Theresa asked.

With the strength of the ward that we now have around our home, thanks to the wizard you hired, it should be just fine, Birger said. I always knew I was an amateur when it came to warding, but its stillits actually humbling seeing how he worked, and how much better this new one is compared to my old one.

Alright, then its settled, well go to that first location on the map, search for a few hours and if we dont find the sanctum, we can bring you back then head home.

Sounds exciting, Bjorgrund said.

Indeed, I cannot wait to find her sanctum, Birger said.

If we find it, Theresa said.

Alright, then lets get ready. Alex stood up. Ill put flight magic on us, then teleport us ther

He paused.

Wavering shadows played over a crossbeam running along the ceiling.

For a moment, he thought hed seen something move. He stayed completely still, looking up, squinting at every inch of the crossbeam, finding nothing but flickering shadows cast by sprigs of herbs hanging from the rafters.

###

The forest was similar to Kymilands.

Within thosewoods, tree trunks were thick, gnarled and oldbut here, instead of leafless, bare canopies, most of the trees were of fir and cedar, tall, and dense with needles, some carpeting the snow beneath them.

Alex and his companions silently floated through the evergreen forest, the young wizard watched the map. They kept close to the ground, flying at a slow, steady pace, all eyes constantly scanning their surroundings, searching for any hint of Keldas sanctum.

Though theyd been carefully looking for hours, theyd found nothing, no caves, or hidden doors.

Does any of this look familiar, father? Bjorgrund asked.

No, none of it does, son. Birger shook his head. I have not travelled much this way even in all my wanderings, and what little I remember of this place has changed.

I wishWarderhad been more helpful Claygon said.

Me too, Theresa agreed, looking at Alex. Youre frowning. Something on your mind? You look a little lost in thought.

The young wizard shook his head. I just keep getting the feeling that were missing something. Why would there be four locations? Did she have more than one sanctum and just not tell anyone? If so, why would she have lied? Theres something odd here

Suddenly, Brutus six ears perked up as his heads began looking in every direction, growling.

What is it? Theresa asked. What is it boy?

The cerberus barked, then floated to the ground, paws crunching snow. He pressed his noses to the ground sniffing and whining.

Looks like he smells something! Theresa said excitedly, floating down beside him. She took in the spot he was sniffing. I think hes definitely found something. Look at the snow hereits been disturbed.

Her head turned, eyes scanning. Yesits definitely been moved, it almost looks likewere in some sort of curve or maybe a circle?

A circle? Alex frowned, checking the map. Careful, if its been recently disturbed, it might be something that Warder didbut that couldnt be, how would he get here so fast?

The sound of digging grew faster as Brutus sniffed the earth, digging frantically.

Well, this is strange, Theresa said.

What? Alex asked.

The snow should be deep around herebut where Brutus is digging its shallow, maybe a few inchesand the dirt underneath it isnt frozen. Its loose and visible. Like someone dumped a bunch of soil here then used snow to cover itmaybe someone buried a body here Tension grew in her voice. What in all hells is goingWait? Does anybody hear that? Somethings moving behind ushold on

Theresa whirled. In front of us! All around us!

Brutus snarled, baring his fangs.

What? Alex looked around. Something was moving between worlds, but what

In the name of our god, I sanctify this circle! a voice he would never forget cut through the trees.

Alexs blood turned ice cold.

He reached for the Travellers power.

In the name of Uldar: the power of the Traveller is null in his area of sanctity, another foul voice cried.

There came an impact with no sound.

And what felt like a blacksmiths hammer slammed into the Fool of Thamelands chest.