The Defender Chronicles: Volume 2

By Robert Collins

Allan began life poor, and knowing that magic was the stuff of ancient legends. One day he discovers that the magic never went away, and that he has the gift of using magic.

He decides to fight injustice as The Defender, and fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. His wife Nancy joins him as The Moon Spirit. Although she can’t cast spells, she can fight and use the enchanted equipment Allan crafts.

This volume contains Defender stories 11 to 20. The students of the Defender and the Moon Spirit are becoming Defenders in their own right. They’re using magic to protect the innocent and bring down the guilty, however powerful the guilty might be.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert Collins
• Release date: Apr 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310495090

Robert Collins

Two people with different cultural backgrounds and ethnicities met at a European and Balkan music and dance ensemble named Koroyar and their lives became intertwined, combining their gifts to continue exploring life as an avenue of creative expression. Robert Collins has a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, and has been an educator in the Los Angeles area for thirty years. He studied writing with Joan Oppenheimer in San Diego, with Cork Millner privately, and also in the Santa Barbara Writer's Conferences. Elizabeth Herrera Sabido, at the age of sixteen years, began working as a secretary at the Secretaria de Industria y Comercio in Mexico City where she was born, then she was an educator for twenty-six years, and a teacher of international dance for The Los Angeles Unified School District. She has also studied Traditional Chinese Medicine, and is a Reiki Master Teacher. Attracted by the Unknown, the Forces of the Universe, and the human psyche, during their lives they have studied several different philosophies. Elizabeth has been involved with various religions, Asian studies, and Gnosticism with SamaelAun Weor, and Robert has explored spiritual healing practices in Mexico, and studied with Carlos Castaneda's Cleargreen and Tensegrity. Elizabeth and Robert start their day at four-thirty in the morning. They enjoy playing volleyball and tennis, and in the afternoons play music, alternating between seven different instruments each. Their philosophy of Personal Evolution has led them to explore over 110 countries between the two of them such as Japan, Nepal, Egypt, Bosnia- Herzegovina, the Philippines, Turkey,Russia, etc.

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the second ebook collection of Defender tales; included are numbers eleven to twenty. These stories range from short-novel to novella length. If you haven’t yet read about the mysterious mage known as The Defender, read on!

The ebook edition of first book in the series is still free, in case a reader prefers to dip their toe into the adventures of The Defender, rather than leap in all at once. Whether you’re dipping your toe in, or taking the plunge, I hope you enjoy these tales, and you’ll want to keep reading more.

And yes, there are more. There’s the first collection, and the third will also be coming out in 2017. There might also be a fourth collection. There are two stories set before the first Defender story, and other stories with other characters as well.

Thanks for your support!

Robert Collins

THE DEFENDER

NUMBER ELEVEN: THE RIGHT MAN

ONE

Have you heard? That ‘Right Man’ fellow struck again.

Charles tried to listen to the chatter between the laborers as he worked. He wanted to know more about this Right Man that the folk of Bay Port were talking about.

He’d moved to Bay Port several days earlier. Since he’d grown up in East Port, he had some familiarity with the jobs a young man could get in a port city. Allan and Nancy had therefore decided that Charles would carry out his duties as The Defender in Bay Port.

He had been on patrol as the Defender since he’d arrived. He hadn’t seen any great trouble, but nor had he seen this other man who was acting as a masked vigilante. What Charles wanted to know was if this Right Man was merely fighting crime as the Defender had elsewhere, or if he was also claiming to be a mage like the Defender.

Or, for that matter, Charles added, if he is a mage.

There was a brawl outside The Full Sail, one man said to another.

When isn’t there a brawl there? a second man replied.

Never you mind that. That Right Man broke it up.

How?

Don’t know. Just heard that he did.

Charles looked at the men for a moment. They were big, burly men, several years older than he. Their worn skin and rough hands marked them as long-time dock laborers. They weren’t the sort of fellows who’s associate with a younger man with papers and parchments like himself.

Not that he didn’t have muscle of his own. Being a mage taxed your brain, but being the Defender taxed your body as well. A man needed to be strong to fight criminals. A man needed a stout body to handle using magic. Charles had never been skinny or sickly. He wasn’t a young man who couldn’t handle physical effort.

However, his job wasn’t to load barrels and sacks onto ships or wagons. It was to make certain the right amount of sacks, boxes, and barrels were being moved from one to the other. His job was to make the work of the laborers easier, by making sure nothing was moved more than it had to be. Because of that, the hard-working men of the docks, like the two who chatted about this Right Man, were willing to accept Charles’ presence. Beyond that, they wanted him to keep out of their way.

That meant Charles was unlikely to have any luck talking to the men to get more information. They might know more about this vigilante, or they might not. If they didn’t, they’d resent his intrusion, even if it gave them a break from lifting and carrying. If they did, they could still be bothered, and either they’d be unhappy with the distraction, or their boss would be. If he wanted to know more about this mysterious fellow, he’d have to keep his ears open, not his mouth. Charles decided to get back to his work.

Growing up, he knew his letters and numbers, and a bit of reading, but that was all. Studying magic under Allan and Nancy required him to learn to read and write much better than what he already did. Aside from magic, Charles wasn’t sure if those skills would help him. After all, he was learning to be a mage. Learning to read and write would help in noting down spells, but there was no way to earn a living from being a mage. How would reading and writing help him when he wasn’t acting as the Defender?

Reading and writing open jobs to you that won’t tire you out, Allan had told him. You’ll need your strength. Trust me, I know.

When Charles arrived in Bay Port, he went directly to one of the warehouses near the docks. He met with the owner. The older man looked Charles up and down, and was about to dismiss him. When the man asked him if he had any other skills, Charles admitted to knowing how to read and write.

I can’t hire you, the man had said, but I know who can.

He sent Charles to a small shop just past the docks. The shop was called Clerks of Bay Port. The shop was run by a wiry man named Reginald. His trade was keeping records for all the warehouses in the city.

There’s not so much trade that the warehouses can hire men to keep their own records themselves, Reginald noted, but not so little that the owners can keep everything straight in their heads.

Reginald hired Charles on the spot. He needed help sorting through the old records, help visiting the warehouses, and help with a hundred other tasks. It was dull work, Reginald had warned him, and young men who remained in the trade were few and far between.

Charles didn’t mind the work one bit. He had a steady source of coins. He got to move around without tiring himself. Best of all, he got to hang around the docks and the warehouses, listening to the gossip.

Since the first conversation was too brief to gather much information, Charles kept his ears open to find out if the subject of this Right Man came up again. It did an hour or so later, at the last warehouse Charles visited.

That brawl had just started, a bulky man told a small crowd around him, when up runs the Right Man. He took to those drunken sailors with a club, so my friend told me. Brought those louts down without taking even one punch himself.

Did he have a magic club? one the crowd asked.

Since a handful of men had gathered, Charles decided to join in. He’d just be one more man in the group. Furthermore, he saw the opportunity to spread more tales about the Defender. It was part of his duty, after all. The more folk that heard about the Defender, the easier it was for him to use those tales to his advantage, whether with outlaws or with noblemen.

I hear the Defender can knock out a man just by touching him with his club, he said. I’ll bet that’s what happened.

The bulky man shook his head. Wasn’t no magic involved, young man. That Right Man just waded in and pummeled those louts. Left them moaning in the street for the guard to carry off.

He didn’t summon the guard? Charles asked.

Don’t know. Someone did, for guards showed up a few moments later.

Charles nodded to the man, then moved away. He wasn’t able to ponder what he’d heard until he was walking back to Reginald’s place.

Allan taught us to be careful using force, he mused. That’s why we cast stun spells into our clubs. Better to touch a foe and put him to sleep than to try to beat him down. Better to control your anger, than let the excitement of a fight cause you to really hurt a fellow.

I suppose that means this Right Man could be taking some inspiration from the Defender, but doesn’t quite know the truth. He stopped a brawl before it spread too far, or before any of the brawlers really hurt each other. That, to Allan, would be a good thing. But he stopped it by beating the men senseless, and left them for the guards. That’s not such a good thing.

He finished his work day at Reginald’s, then went to the small room he had above a respectable tavern far from the section of the city close to the ocean. He ate a quiet supper, then after the sun had set, he put on his armor and mask, and took to the sky over Bay Port.

That night’s patrol was uneventful, which was both good and bad. It was good in that there was no trouble for the Defender to deal with. It was bad in that there was also no sign that this mysterious Right Man was walking the streets.

Does he know to patrol the city? Does he wait for trouble to happen, and then come running? Was he lucky at the Full Sail, or does he know the city well enough to watch out there?

Something tells me there will have to be more trouble in Bay Port before I’ll have the chance to meet this Right Man and speak to him.

TWO

For the next two nights the streets of Bay Port were quiet. There were no brawls near taverns. If there was other crime, it happened in the shadows, out of Charles’ range of vision.

To some extent, that was good for him. The Defender’s cause was to help ordinary folk. Part of that cause was to prevent crime and catch criminals. Brawling in the street was a crime everywhere, and at times innocent men could get caught up in a brawl. Brawling, however, wasn’t as harmful as theft, or being cheated, or murder. The Defender couldn’t stop every criminal act. Sometimes that meant letting some crimes, like brawling, to happen without intervening.

On the other hand, Charles was untested as the Defender. He’d cast plenty of spells while in Crown’s Hold, and practiced fighting. Now he was away from the Royal Academy. He’d been watching over the city for a couple of weeks, and nothing had happened. He was eager to throw his mind and his body into this new adventure. Quiet days and nights put off the moment when he’d see what he was made of.

On the third night, after making a circuit of the city, Charles landed on the roof of the barracks of the local guard. Since folk would go for the guard if there was trouble, it was a good place to stay and rest for a short time. It was also a safe spot to rest; no one would harm anyone near the barracks, and the guard rarely looked up at any time.

Charles was startled into alertness when he heard a voice calling for guards. A man pleaded for guards to follow him. A neighbor of his had just been robbed.

Charles waited for the commotion to subside before taking to the air. He followed the man and a quartet of guards through the center of the city. The man led the four soldiers to a house in the best neighborhood in the city.

His instruction in Crown’s Hold in matters such as these was to land immediately and assist the guard. There was a chance that he could get descriptions of the criminals, take to the air, and capture them. Charles followed the advice and touched down in the street in front of the four guards.

Who are you? the oldest of the four demanded.

I’m the Defender, Charles replied.

I thought you lived elsewhere.

There are more of us. We’re where we need to be. What happened?

The man who’d led the guards stepped into Charles’ sight. He had graying hair, and wore a simple white shirt and dark leggings. It’s my neighbor, Master David, the man stammered. Someone broke into his house. I think he’s been robbed.

Let’s go in and see, Charles said.

He didn’t wait for approval from the guard leader. Allan had instructed all of his students that being the Defender meant being in command, even if no one had placed the Defender in command of anything. The name, the mask, and the reputation were all the authority the students would need once they were in their new cities and new lives. Charles decided that was his moment to assert the authority Allan and Nancy had given him.

The house had two stories and was well furnished. In the main room, a man perhaps a decade older than Charles was lying on the couch. His head was in the lap of a woman close to his age. Both wore dressing gowns. The man was holding a wet cloth to his head, but he didn’t appear wounded otherwise.

Are you Master David? Charles asked.

Yes, the man on the couch whispered. Who are you?

I’m the Defender. I’d like to help the guard find the man who broke into your home.

It wasn’t one man, it was two.

What did they look like?

Tall. Strong. I think they had beards.

Do you know what they took?

Papers, I think.

Papers? What sort of papers?

My husband owns the Bay Port Overland Shipping Company, the woman said. The thieves were in the study when David heard them.

Do you know what papers are missing?

David shook his head.

You heard them in your study. You came downstairs?

David nodded.

Were you armed?

I had a dagger.

What did they do to you?

One struck me in the head, twice. They ran around me. They left through the window, there David waved at one of the windows in the room. It was still open.

Charles needed a moment to think of the next question to ask. What did the man hit you with?

What?

Did he use a club? His hands?

His hands, I think.

Does that matter? the lead guard asked.

Charles turned to the guard. It does. I’d guess the men were after papers. They weren’t here to harm Master David or his family. They weren’t here to steal jewels or coins. They were to come in, take the papers, and leave. If they’d been after something else, or intending harm, they’d have been armed. He looked back at David. You’d have worse than a bump or two on your head.

The instant the words were out of his mouth, Charles found himself surprised. He wasn’t sure if he had the brains to be the Defender. Yet the answer to each question suggested the next question to him. The answers came together to paint a picture. True, he’d been taught to look for the sorts of pictures that information could make. Still, he was happy to discover that he’d been able to figure out the situation without taking much time to ponder everything.

Charles looked at the guard again. I’m going outside to the window. I’m going to see if the men left a trail. If they did, perhaps I can catch them before they disappear into the night.

What should we do?

Search Master David’s room. See if you can learn what papers were stolen.

How did you know to come here?

Charles put a smile on his masked face, as Allan had taught him. I’m the Defender, he replied, and left the house.

Outside he saw boot prints and tracks under the window. However, the ground was dry. There were no other marks or prints to be seen nearby. It seemed to him that the thieves had either come from or left in the direction leading away from the center of the city and the sea. He took out his flying wand and took to the air.

The streets around the neighborhood were absent of any activity. Beyond the neighborhood there were folk around at that hour, but there were no pair of bearded men to be seen. That meant one of two possibilities: either the men were hiding, knowing that the guard might be after them; or that they’d already returned to the place they’d started from.

What does that tell me? Charles asked himself once he touched down back on the ground to think.

It tells me that those two men are likely to be experienced thieves. They’d know the ways to elude pursuit, even from the Defender.

Wait. Experienced thieves aren’t going to break into a home and steal papers. They’d be after jewels, rings, coins, and the like. Yet they weren’t armed as thieves usually are. It does seem that all they wanted from Master David were business papers.

Now, what can I learn from that?

From what I know growing up, and from what I was taught in Crown’s Hold, the shipping trade is one that can be fraught with trouble. Goods can be stolen from wagons and boats on the river. Owners can be enemies with one another. There are times when owners, either by choice or by accident, end up dealing with criminals.

One of those has to be the reason why Master David was attacked in his home. It might be best if I return tomorrow night. The man might confess to the Defender what he wouldn’t to the guard. At least, that’s what Allan told us.

Charles took out his flying wand. Before he rose from the ground, he paused.

I was supposed to be looking for this Right Man fellow.

True, but this is more important. A crime has happened. This Right Man seems to want to do good, but appears to not know how. I can find him and give him lessons once this crime is dealt with. The Defender uses magic to help others, not teach others how to do his duty.

He let out a laugh. Well, except for Allan and Nancy, of course.

THREE

The next night Charles returned to the home of Master David of the shipping company. He almost landed on the street, by the front of the house. At the last instant he realized he was about to make a mistake.

He’d almost certainly be seen landing in the street. If one of the neighbors saw him, they’d either come out, and want to know what was going on, or they’d fear that something bad was about to happen. If Master David saw him, he might have the same reaction his neighbors had. In addition, if he wasn’t an honest fellow, seeing the Defender might cause him to flee. That would mean a chase, then using magic to convince the man to tell Charles what he needed to know.

Surprise, he’d been told, was one of the greatest advantages he’d have as the Defender. Folk could be impressed by the sudden appearance of the masked hero. Criminals could be intimidated by coming face-to-face with him. The nobility had to respect a man who came and went at will.

All that meant Charles couldn’t land in front of David’s house. Had had to slow himself down. Once his speed was in check, he turned in his flight path so that his feet touched the ground of the alley behind the residence.

Before he could take a step towards the back door, he thought he heard someone move. He clapped his hand to his stun club and glanced around. Seeing no one, and hearing nothing else, he went to the door and knocked.

The door opened a few moments later. David’s wife stood past the doorway. Her eyes widened, and she gasped upon seeing Charles.

I’m the Defender, Charles said. I was here last night with the guards.

Yes?

I wonder if your husband is well enough for me to ask him a few questions.

I don’t know.

Is he at home?

Yes.

Would you ask?

She closed the door. He heard her footsteps on the floor of the house. Moments later the door opened again. Come in, the woman said.

Charles nodded to her and went into the house. He was led through the kitchen and the dining room to the main sitting room. In passing, he noted that, before Prince George had found him and his unique ability, he’d never entered a house with so many rooms. At least, not without being paid to do so, one way or the other.

Master David was on the couch again. This night, he was sitting up straight. He was dressed as well, in a pale yellow shirt and green leggings. His wife sat down next to him.

Are you doing all right, Master David? Charles asked.

Well enough, Defender. What would you like to ask me? I told the guards all I knew.

Men don’t always tell His Lordship’s guards everything.

David tensed. Meaning what?

Meaning, as my first question, do you have any powerful rivals? Men of influence here in Bay Port who mean to harm you or your trade?

The other man’s body relaxed. He clasped his wife’s hand. No, no one in the city, or in the dukedom.

Outside the dukedom?

There is a fellow in Knife’s Port that seems to want to expand his trade. He’s in overland shipping, like I am. David shook his head. I’ve heard about the fellow, but I don’t think I’ve even met the man, much less exchanged angry words with him.

All right. Have you been approached by men to ship boxes or goods, men who didn’t want you questioning their requests?

Criminals, you mean? Every now and again, some unsavory fellow comes by, asking about hiring a wagon. I tell them the same thing every time they ask. I run an honest company. If they don’t want an honest company, and an honest owner asking questions, they may take their business elsewhere.

Not everyone would be so obvious in their approach, Master David.

No. I inherited the company from my father. He ran an honest trade. Dishonest men who heard about Father knew not to ask him such things, nor involve him in their criminal dealings. I’m keeping up his reputation, Defender. There are men who are willing to sell their reputation for a handful of coins. I let them have the criminal trade.

I see. Are you in debt to anyone?

Indeed not.

Have you argued with anyone of late?

No.

Is there no one in this city who might want to harm you?

David shrugged. I wooed my wife away from a few other fellows. He looked at her for an instant and smiled. She’s not a woman a good man wants to let go. He turned back to Charles. I suppose the men who lost her might be jealous, but I can’t imagine they’d hire thieves, not after half a decade.

No rivals within your family, or your wife’s?

My brothers work for me. They’re happy to have steady work. Steady work isn’t easy to come by in a port city, you know.

I see. And your wife?

Only has a sister, and she only just got married.

To a farmer’s son, the woman added.

Fair enough, Master David. Madam. I will keep watch over the neighborhood the next few nights. If anyone breaks into your home again, open a window and call for help. Don’t confront them.

David frowned. And why not?

They might be armed next time. You were lucky, Master David. They could have beaten you senseless, or harmed your wife. Charles started to turn to leave, then stopped himself. He looked at David. Tell me, what papers did the men steal?

A handful of company documents. A few bills of lading, shipping receipts, a few other such papers. Why?

Was there any connection to what was taken? A customer in particular? An item shipped? A destination?

Nothing of the sort. They seemed to have gone through two of my boxes of papers and parchments, and took what they could get their hands on.

Would the loss hurt your company?

It’s an inconvenience, to be sure. I’ll have to trust others to recall what I shipped, or where and when the shipments departed. So far no one I deal with has asked about what happened.

That sparked a small fire in Charles’ brain. What if they found out?

They might be a bit more demanding of me. An extra hireling to watch the wagons. An extra piece of paper to be filled out and signed. But as long as it only happened once, it shouldn’t be a problem. Why do you ask?

It’s important to know everything, Master David. I won’t trouble you or your wife any longer. As I said, I’ll keep watch, in case those thieves decide to come back.

He nodded once to Master David. He didn’t wait for him or his wife to see him out. He walked back through the house the way he came.

Once outside, he saw something in motion to his left. He took a step to his left, then remembered that he could fly, rather than chase after whoever had run off. He pulled out his flying wand and lifted himself over the house.

Several paces above the house, he saw a man dressed in black all but hugging a nearby tree. The man looked around for a moment, then turned so he could watch Master David’s house while the tree hid him from the street.

I’m not sure the fellow is dressed like a thief, Charles mused, and there is only one of him, not two. Still, might be best to knock him out and turn him over to the guard.

He needed a bit of time to figure out how to surprise the man from the air. He flew as quickly as he could, and eased himself down to the street as quietly as he could. His boots did make noise as he dashed at the man, but he was at him before the man could get more than a step away from the tree. He hit the man in his back with his club. He made sure the man was snoring before flying away.

He landed in front of the barracks. He tried not to smile as the guard on duty in front of the entrance snapped to attention. Guard!

Are you the Defender?

I am. Tell the sergeant on duty that I knocked out a fellow near Master David’s house. He should know what and where I mean.

You didn’t bring him with you?

No. Tell him he may take credit for the arrest to His Lordship. I’ll fly back, and make sure no others are near the house.

Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.

***

The next night Charles left as soon as he could. He raced to the Lord’s Manor to speak to His Lordship. He needed to ask for a favor.

He hovered next to a bedroom window where he saw a lamp was still lit. He tapped on the window. A man, older than even his father, opened the window. The man’s frown immediately disappeared when he saw the masked man floating in the air outside the manor.

The Defender? the man asked.

Indeed, My Lord, Charles said.

I’d heard you’d returned.

May we speak, My Lord?

Yes. Next window to your left. My study.

Charles drifted to the window and waited for Lord Henry to open the window. He had to wait a few moments, and not just for the man to go from room to room. One of the things he had to wait for was for Lord Henry to light the lamp in that room. Another inconvenience was that he had to take care entering the opened window, as the manor had no balcony. Once inside, he noticed that His Lordship had put a robe on over his nightclothes.

Up close, Charles saw that Lord Henry was indeed an old man. His hair was thin and gray. His face was worn with wrinkles. His upper arms, legs, and belly were padded with fat. He moved slowly but not at all deliberately.

Lord Henry held the lamp close to Charles’ masked face. His bushy eyebrows furrowed down. You don’t look like the Defender who was with His Highness, for that voyage to the Witch Lands.

I’m not him, My Lord. There are more of us now.

More, you say? How?

The students of the Royal School of Magery.

I see. Well, then, young man, what’s on your mind?

The young man I found near Master David’s house last night.

Lord Henry let out a laugh. Concerned about the competition?

No, My Lord.

Word had spread throughout the city during the day that the Right Man had been caught. The young man Charles had stunned and turned over to the guard was claiming that he was in a mask and dark clothes because he was the Right Man. Other than that, and saying that his real name was James, the news around the city was that the youth had nothing to say.

You think the boy was involved in what happened to Master David?

Charles almost asked if the young man was a boy. He held off asking when he realized that, to Lord Henry, everyone younger than his eldest son was probably a boy to him.

"I don’t, My Lord. Two men attacked Master David. They went for his business papers, not any valuables. They had enough experience to disappear once they left Master David’s house.

This young man, if he is the Right Man, chose a poor hiding spot. I found him next to a tree. He could hide from the street, but not from anyone in the nearby homes who might have looked out their window. I heard him moving around. Then there’s the tales of the Right Man himself. He used too much force to break up the brawls he’s credited with stopping. It sounded to me like a youth who wanted to do good, but had no training or experience.

I see. What do you want with him, then?

I’d like to speak to him, My Lord.

You think his lips would loosen if the Defender was questioning him, not my guards?

If he truly is this Right Man, I think so, My Lord.

May I ask what you’d want from him?

Why was he near Master David’s house, My Lord? Was he trying to help find the thieves? Did he see something? If he is this Right Man, perhaps some words of advice can make him a better hero.

That’s all well and good, Defender, but what about these thieves who attacked Master David?

That I can’t say, My Lord. Your guards are patrolling the neighborhood more. I’ve flown over the neighborhood the last few nights. I believe the thieves got what they wanted.

Papers? The papers of an honest merchant? Who would want that?

Master David told me those papers were of some importance to his business, My Lord. Their loss will be something of a bother to him. That suggests to me that the robbery was meant to harm Master David’s company.

Who would wish to harm such a good company, eh?

Charles needed a moment to consider the answer. Someone wanting to expand their company to Bay Port, My Lord.

Who?

A rival shipping company owner in another dukedom, I would guess.

Lord Henry shook his head. Guesses. Hah! What about those two outlaws?

Charles paused again. What they took was an inconvenience to Master David, but not anything more serious, My Lord. If stealing papers was meant to really harm the company, they’d want more than a few.

Lord Henry pointed at Charles. Go on.

They might try to steal more.

So, go watch over Master David. Let this young man sit in a cell in my jail for a few days. He’s not important.

I still think I should speak to him sometime, My Lord.

You may when these thieves can replace that boy. Good night, young man.

Charles bowed his head to Lord Henry. He took out his flying wand, slipped halfway through the window, then took to the air.

His patrol over the city in general, and the neighborhood in particular, yielded nothing but a few naps. He decided to return home to think, but instead fell asleep the instant he climbed into bed. It wasn’t until the middle of the following day that an idea came to him.

FOUR

The next night Charles landed on the street in front of the barracks like he had a few nights before. Once again he asked the guard on duty to summon the sergeant. The sergeant came out as before. This time, though, he put his hands on his hips.

What is it this time, fellow? he asked.

James, the young man claiming to be this Right Man, Charles said. Do you or anyone in the guard know where he lives?

Indeed. Small cottage on Dolphin Street, past King William Street. Brown on white. Fourth from the intersection, on the right. Why?

Have the guards searched his home for proof of who he claims to be?

The sergeant shook his head. He’s not been charged, yet. No crime, no reason to search. Why?

I’d like to know if his claim is true or not.

What do you expect to find?

Something helpful. Thanks for your time, sergeant.

Charles took to the air without another word. He flew across the length of the city. He passed over Master David’s neighborhood, just to be on the safe side. It led to a less direct route, but he felt better for taking the time.

Not completely better, though.

The only problem with moving to this new city was that Charles had no idea where anything was. He was having to learn entirely new street names, where the streets ran, and how they crossed each other. He didn’t think Allan and Nancy had given that matter any thought when the first students were asked to go to their new homes.

It was possible that the problem had never entered their minds. It was, after all, easy to find or find out where the important men of a city lived. The Lords lived in the Lord’s Manor. The Captains of the Lord’s Guard didn’t keep where they resided secret, so that folk could find them if they needed help. Merchants either lived at or near where they worked, or had the best homes in the city.

But finding the home of a poor young man? That required effort. First you had to get the streets straight. You needed a description of the place, which side of the street it was on, and how far it was from the nearest intersection. Complicating things for Charles was that he had to do this in a city he was just getting to know. He decided that, once the trouble at hand had been sorted out, he’d fly back to Crown’s Hold and tell Allan and Nancy about it. If they knew his trouble, they might think of a way to solve it for all the Defenders.

The young man’s house was indeed small, not much wider that the room Charles had. Even so, Charles wondered how the young man had been able to acquire any sort of house. It could have been an inheritance, which made sense, considering no one had come forward to say if they were a close relation to the youth. On the other hand, it could have been paid for with coins taken from the men this Right Man subdued. Charles chose not to consider that option.

Instead, he proceeded to search the exterior of the cottage. Just past the front door, on the right side of the house, he found a window that was open. The other two windows weren’t open. Rather than try the door, Charles decided to go inside through the window.

Once he was through he heard his foot step on a paper. An instant later he remembered that he should have checked for traps first. He let out a sigh, cast a spell to create a small ball of light, then bent down to get the paper.

A quick glance at it revealed that it was one of the papers stolen from Master David’s house. A reading indicated that detailed the shipment of barrels of smoked fish from Bay Port to Twin Hills from a month or so ago. Charles saw nothing in code, nothing crossed out or added, and nothing to suggest it was anything more than a shipping record.

Could this be proof that James was one of the thieves?

Charles shook his head. If it was, wouldn’t there be more papers around?

He looked around the interior of the cottage. There were just two rooms, a bedroom and a cooking and dining room. He examined the stove, the cupboard, the bed, and a small box at the foot of the bed. He checked the floor for hidden storage spaces. The one piece of paper he’d found was all there was tying James to the attack on Master David.

Strange. If he was one of the thieves, either he’d have all the papers they took, or none of them. And where would his partner sleep? Why isn’t his partner here?

He must not be either of the two thieves. But why would this paper be in his home?

Wait. The window. Someone must have opened it and tossed the paper in here. One of the thieves? Most likely. Word around the city is that this Right Man was caught near Master David’s home. Sooner or later the guard would come here to search. They’d find this piece of paper, and assume James was one of the thieves.

To what end? To throw suspicion off of them, obviously. But why would they have to?

It must be as I said to His Lordship. They intend to steal more papers. If James is charged and convicted of being one of the two that attacked Master David, the guard will have to ease their vigilance. So might I. They could make a second attempt, get as much as they can take, then flee the city. If they weren’t interrupted on that second attempt, they’d be outside the city before anyone would know to look for them.

One question remains, though. How would they know that the young man who lives here is the man locked up in His Lordship’s jail?

I’ll have to try again to persuade His Lordship to let me speak to this young man. He has to know more than about this matter. That this paper is here can’t be a coincidence.

***

Charles returned to the Lord’s Manor the night following his discovery at the young man’s home. It didn’t take much effort on his part to get Lord Henry to grant him permission to speak to the young man. Once he had it, in writing, he flew to the barracks. He presented his permission to the guard, then to the sergeant.

The sergeant led Charles down the stairs to the jail cells. That night the young man was the only occupant of any of the cells. He was asleep when the sergeant opened the door and ordered him awake.

The young man was still wearing the worn black leggings, scuffed black boots, and the new black shirt that Charles, as the Defender, had found him in. Charles guessed from the youth’s face that he was about the age Charles had been when His Highness had used his gift to determine that Charles could use magic. The youth had wild dark hair, a slender build, and modest stubble on his cheeks.

That must have been what I looked like, when I was brought to Crown’s Hold.

His eyes widened when he saw Charles standing next to the sergeant. You’re the Defender, he said in a crackling voice.

I am, Charles replied. I’d like to ask you a few questions.

James’ eyes narrowed. Am I under arrest?

You might be. I found a paper belonging to Master David in your home.

I didn’t steal anything.

No? What were you doing at Master David’s house when I caught and stunned you?

Looking.

For what?

James sighed. Footprints, all right? I was looking for footprints. I was trying to find the men who attacked Master David.

What made you think you’d find any?

What?

Boots and shoes only make prints in soft ground. The boots and shoes of most folk are exactly the same. Don’t you know that?

No.

Did you also know that you don’t have to beat men senseless to stop them from brawling?

No.

Charles, despite the fact that he wasn’t more than half a decade older than this young man, clearly saw the yawning gap between them. He’d been educated in magic. He’d been educated in how to act as the Defender. He’d learned common sense. He’d learned to think before taking action. He’d been taught the hard work required to be the sort of man who would devote his life to helping others.

You have a great deal to learn, young man, he said to James.

Why am I still here? James said to the sergeant.

You’re here because he wants you here, the sergeant answered, jerking a thumb at Charles.

Let’s get back to the matter of the paper I found in your home, Charles said. The night I knocked you out, did you see anything?

The youth shook his head. I did hear something.

What?

Voices, I thought. Whispers.

Near Master David’s house?

One or two houses away, in the alley between all the houses.

Have you told anyone about your actions as this Right Man?

Not a soul.

Had you ever been to Master David’s house before?

I looked around it the night before you got me.

Charles sucked in a breath. Did you hear anyone that night?

I don’t think so. Why?

The thieves must have seen you. That’s the only explanation.

What is?

How the paper ended up in your cottage. They must have been watching Master David’s house, seeing if they could get back in. They saw you, in your mask and dark clothes, and followed you to your cottage. They may have been waiting for you to get caught, so they could toss the paper inside.

Why?

Charles gave the best dark look he could, considering that he had a mask covering his face. They want you to be charged as one of the men who attacked and robbed Master David, young man. Once you’re charged and convicted, the watch over his house would ease. They could return, take what else they want, and be out of the city before anyone knows what they’d done.

James shook his head. That’s so clever. He smiled. So, that means you’ll let me go, right?

I’m afraid not, Charles said. These men aren’t common thieves after jewels or coins. They were hired, and for more than a simple theft.

I can’t stay in jail. I already lost my job.

These men have to be caught, James. You have to do your part to help catch them?

By staying in jail?

Just another few days. If you do as I ask, and that helps me catch these men, I’ll make certain everyone knows who helped the Defender. You put on a mask to fight for justice like me, isn’t that so?

Yes.

Then this is how you fight, in this circumstance, young man. This is how you’ll help the Defender. This is how you can be the Defender.

You’re already in some trouble, lad, the sergeant said. Help us, as the Defender asks, and I’m sure His Lordship could be persuaded to overlook what you did before you ended up here.

Don’t I have a choice? James asked.

No, Charles answered. If you want to fight for what’s right, you have to do what’s asked of you. You chose to put on a mask and fight crime without thinking about how to go about it properly. You chose to put on that mask without magic, or training, or experience. One way or the other, James, you’re going to learn to do it right. You can be a willing student, or an unwilling student.

Charles swallowed to keep from choking on the words he said. It doesn’t matter to me if you’re willing or unwilling. I intend to catch those men and find out what they’re up to. You’re going to help me. Either you choose to help, or I force you to help.

If I help you, what then?

If you help, maybe I can teach you to be this better man you seem to want to be.

I suppose that’s fair, Defender. But I’ll hold you to that promise.

FIVE

Charles was surprised to see the men approach Master David’s house. It had only been that morning that James had been charged as one of the thieves that had attacked the merchant. He was certain they’d wait a night or two before attempting to finish what they started.

Either they’re not as clever as I thought, Charles noted, or the man paying them is impatient with his hirelings.

The pair approached the house from the rear alley. Charles moved from his perch well up in the air to the roof of Master David’s residence. The taller of the two was able to pick the lock on the back door. The shorter of the two was the first to enter the home.

From the roof, Charles heard nothing from inside. The men had waited until long after dark. He remembered the night of their attack. They’d entered much earlier in the night.

That didn’t mean the pair knew their trade as thieves. No doubt their experience was in entering a home quickly, stealing a few valuables, and leaving just as fast. This was probably the first time they’d been hired to steal papers. It was also likely that they had little ability to read. If that was so, they were bound to take longer to get documents their employer wanted.

Moments passed, but still no sounds came from the house. Finally the back door opened. The two thieves emerged, each with a sack slung over their back. The short man nodded to the tall man, and they made their way down the alley.

Charles drew his stun club with his left hand, then took out his flying wand. He leapt into the air and dashed at the thieves. He came down in front of the short man. He jabbed with his left hand. The short man fell in an instant.

The tall man let go of the sack. He had a large knife out before Charles could shift the wand and the club. Charles used the club to parry two strikes from the man. He let a third strike hit his armor and bounce off. While his opponent was briefly confused, he struck with the club. The man fell backward to the ground.

Charles secured the club to his belt. Good thing I came prepared. He took two short lengths of rope from the back of his belt. He bound both men’s wrists behind their back. He carried the short man to James’ house. He entered through the window that the men had opened. He placed the man on the floor of the main room. He returned for the tall man. He allowed the second man to fall to the floor with more of a thump.

The pain roused the man from his magic-induced slumber. Charles kicked his partner to wake him up. Both men’s eyes widened when they saw who was standing over them.

Yes, it’s the Defender, Charles said. You’re in quite a bit of trouble.

It wasn’t our idea, the tall man said quickly.

Quiet, Cal, the short man hissed.

Charles pointed at the tall man. So, your name is Cal. He pointed at the other. What’s your name?

I won’t talk.

Won’t you?

Allan had taught him, and the other students, that because magic was rare, any use of it, however modest, could get at those who ran afoul of the Defender. Allan had recounted