The Defender Chronicles: Volume 3

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 21 to 30. More Defenders are joining the fight for justice. They’re also fighting ignorance, and rediscovering the knowledge that was lost when magic disappeared centuries ago.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert Collins
• Release date: Mar 1, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370723775

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 third ebook collection of Defender tales; included are numbers twenty-one to thirty. 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 story 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 two collections, and there might also be a fourth collection. There are two stories set long before the first Defender story, and other stories with other characters as well.

Thanks for your support!

Robert Collins

Spring 2017

THE DEFENDER

NUMBER TWENTY-ONE: LADY STEPHANIE

ONE

Good morning, Master Bradley, Lady Cecilia said, bowing her head.

Bradley bowed his own head in response. Lady Cecilia.

Cecilia leaned to her right. Guard, tell the maid that my guest has arrived, and we’re ready for breakfast.

Yes, My Lady. The guard gave her a curt nod then closed the door.

Cecilia waved at the chair facing hers. Sit.

He sat down. He reached across the table and clasped her hands. Good to see you.

She smiled. And you. She leaned back, and put on a mock-serious face. So, have you had any luck finding a position or an opportunity?

I fear not, Lady Cecilia, he replied in a tone to match her face, then exchanged a laugh with her.

It was something of a joke, but it wasn’t a matter that either of them took all that lightly. Bradley had managed to persuade Allan and Nancy to allow him to court Cecilia. As a mage with no means of support, he shouldn’t have any business trying to win the hand of the ruler of the dukedom of Hill’s Hall. However, since Cecilia knew he was one of the masked mages known as the Defender, a relationship needed to be given a chance, if for no other reason than to make certain Cecilia didn’t reveal what she knew about Bradley, by accident or on purpose.

Queen Elspeth was willing to led some assistance, on a temporary basis. She gave Bradley a fat purse of coins, funds from the Royal Treasury set aside for special needs. Bradley could then relocate to Hill’s Hall from Crown’s Hold. His disguise was that of a wealthy merchant’s son, looking for an opportunity to get rich, and to get married.

When Bradley had first come to Hill’s Hall, looking into the deaths of members of Cecilia’s family, he’d had to move her to ancient ruins of a mage’s manor, to keep her safe. They’d been alone for the better part of a day, and had plenty of time to talk. She learned about his humble origins, among other things. He was pleased that it amused her to see him come around in his disguise. At the end of his first week permanently back in the city, she’d said to him, You play the role almost as well as you do your other role. He declined to ask her which other role she meant, rich Bradley or the Defender.

A knock on the door brought them out of their amusement. Cecilia called out for whoever had knocked to enter. A woman old enough to be both their mothers stuck her head through the open doorway. Breakfast, My Lady.

Bradley stood up. Let me help you.

Thank you, Master Bradley.

While Bradley had to be seen as a wealthy young man, he couldn’t act too much like other wealthy young men did. After all, he had to be pleasant enough that, if he and Cecilia did become engaged, her subjects wouldn’t express concerns about the union. It wasn’t enough that he had to appear to have enough status to court her. He also had to make those subjects feel that their ruler wasn’t going to marry an usurper, or a man who would prove a wicked Lord if something happened to her. That was a role Bradley was much more comfortable in.

He walked to the door, and held it open while Cecilia’s maid picked up a tray with two plates and two mugs on it. When the maid brought the tray to the table, Bradley handed Cecilia’s plate to her, then took his own. He allowed the maid to hand them their mugs of apple juice. The maid accepted thanks from the pair, bowed, and left the room.

Looks good, Bradley said after they both said their blessings.

Nothing but the best bacon and eggs for Lady Cecilia, she replied.

And the bread?

A day old, I fear. But toasted quite nice, I think.

He raised his mug of juice. She raised hers, they tapped mugs, took a sip, then started eating. They both ate a few bites before Cecilia resumed the conversation.

You were late getting here this morning.

Not more than a few moments.

More than a few, Bradley. Almost a quarter of an hour. Business?

Urgent business. A messenger rode into Crown’s Hold yesterday evening. There’s been a robbery near New Port. A few chests of copper ore were taken from a wagon passing through there on the way to Crown’s Hold.

Cecilia put down her fork. By the Gods! Who could have done such a thing?

No one seems to know. There aren’t any known outlaws around that side of the Great Lake.

I doubt an outlaw could ever be that lucky. I trust all the usual precautions were in place?

Naturally.

She shook her head. Then Lord Wallace, or someone close to him, must have had a hand in this robbery.

That’s the consensus in Crown’s Hold.

One of the differences between he and she was that this was a concern she’d been raised to understand, while this was something he’d needed to learn at the Royal Academy of Magery. Copper, silver, and gold ore was sent in its raw form to Crown’s Hold from the mines around the Kingdom, where the ore would be refined and turned into bars for coinage. The reason for this was simple control: if the Lords had no means to refine such minerals, they wouldn’t be able to mint coins to raise an army to challenge the Crown.

To assure the safety of these shipments, they tended to move at differing times, and with only one of the three precious metals in a shipment. Wagons and river boats would be used. Guards would be a mix of Royal Guards and the guards of various Lords. Records of each shipment had to be kept, in every dukedom along the way, and the Crown had the right to inspect those records and dole out harsh punishment if ore was held back.

What do you know of Lord Wallace? Bradley asked.

Cecilia shrugged. I’ve never met the man. I do know that he’s on his third marriage.

Third?

Yes. His first wife bore him two girls, then fell ill and died. He second wife produced another daughter, then died bearing a stillborn son.

What do you know about this third wife?

I hear that Lady Stephanie is attractive, but is from a common family. Only a mother, or a sister, something like that. I want to say that she came from elsewhere, too. She shook her head. I overhead Father talking about her when the marriage happened over the winter. I take it the marriage was something of a scandal among the nobility.

Because of who this third wife is?

That, yes, but also that Lord Wallace isn’t a young man. I believe his eldest daughter is about my age, give or take half a year. I suppose he ought to be finding a good husband for her to follow him, not still trying to have a son to take over when he dies.

Says Lady Cecilia, he replied flatly.

Yes, yes, I know. What I meant was, I’d hate to wager on Lord Wallace living long enough to see his son, if he finally has one, become a man before Lord Wallace dies. Either his eldest daughter should be ready to rule in his stead, or her husband should. I sympathize with his plight, to some extent, but his pain and disappointment aren’t reasons to be chasing the dream of having a male heir.

She let out a breath to calm herself. What’s Her Majesty going to do about the robbery?

The Defender and the Moon Spirit, and Her Majesty, have asked me to investigate.

You? Why you?

The punishment I thought of for myself for, well, you know.

I know. What punishment? Loss of your duties?

Exactly. They think that a young man, turning up in New Port, who’s been booted from the Academy, might attract whoever is close to Lord Wallace who took part in this robbery.

She glanced away for a moment, then nodded to him. The robbers must be getting help from someone inside the Lord’s Manor. A young man tossed out of the Academy would want that same sort of help. That’s not a bad way to find out who that someone is.

That’s the idea.

Why you?

I don’t have a job that I’d have to explain being absent from. There aren’t any students at the Academy at the present time, so there’s no one else to send.

Not that girl from the Witch Lands?

S’Lora? No, she’s aiding in the search for new students.

You haven’t even been here two whole months yet.

I know.

When do you leave?

Tomorrow. He paused. No other protests?

She shook her head. I have to expect this of you, if we’re going to turn this into a more than a friendship, Bradley. We have to expect these things of each other. I don’t like it, but the robbery of copper ore is indeed urgent. Criminals could make forged coins and do all sorts of damage. Lord Wallace could be plotting something, or someone close to him could be plotting his demise. She put down her fork and took his hand in hers. I don’t have to like it.

I’ll come back as quickly as I can.

You’d better, my sweet, or you’ll have to buy me an awfully expensive ring.

Wedding ring?

She grinned. No. Just a ring.

TWO

The Inn of the New Port wasn’t an inn that Bradley would have chosen for himself, and that was precisely why he approached it.

The inn, unlike the other two in New Port he’d passed by, was located in the business district of the city, not far from the lake docks. It was a two-story structure shoved into a block of buildings. The street on which it sat was also home to a tavern, a pawn shop, a weapon-smith, a bakery offering cheap bread, and a few other shops that looked only slightly successful. It wasn’t the sort of place that common sailors would stay in; from his modest experience, they preferred taverns, their boats, or brothels. It also wasn’t the sort of place that a merchant from beyond New Port would take a room in; too lower class for the likes of them. It did appear to be the sort of place, from outside and from its neighbors, that a struggling young man might choose. That’s why he approached the front door of the Inn of the New Port and went inside.

The interior was like any inn Bradley was familiar with. There were tables and chairs for the guests and their guests to sit and eat or drink. The left wall was dominated by a stairway leading up to the rooms. The rear was where the kitchen was. Bradley headed for the counter that divided the kitchen and the dining area.

Just as he reached the counter, a fat man with dark and greasy hair turned from his pots and pans. Looking for a room, young man?

If you have one, Bradley replied.

The man looked at one of the two skinny girls who appeared to be helping him cook. Keep an eye on that. He stomped up to the kitchen side of the counter. A silver and two coppers a night.

What about for longer than a night?

The man frowned. The boats and wagons went out this morning. Got hardly anyone staying here, so deals this week, lad.

I see. Bradley dug into his coin purse. He put three silver coins and six copper coins on the counter. Three nights, for now.

The man gave him a gap-toothed smile. For now? You looking to make a home here, lad?

I don’t know. Should I?

Should you? The man laughed. We’re not West Port or Goldport, but a lad like you could do worse. Head up the river to the mines around Silver Falls if you want a hard life, young man.

Fair enough. Bradley stuck out his right hand. Bryan.

Randolph. The man gave him a perfunctory shake.

What can you tell me about His Lordship, Randolph?

What for? You think His Lordship would take you on?

I have no intention of working for His Lordship. I just would like to know if he’s tough on his subjects. I hear he’s getting on in years.

He’s getting on, to be sure, but he’s not bad. Better than his father, that’s for sure. And he’s not a bad fellow since getting married.

Married? First wife?

Third, if you can believe it.

Third wife? What, has His Lordship been cursed with deaths of his children?

Perhaps both cursed and blessed, young man. His first two wives gave him three girls. The first died of sickness a few years after the second girl was born. The second wife died trying to give him a son. Poor baby was stillborn, too. So His Lordship is trying one more time for an heir.

Where have these wives come from?

Why?

Bradley shrugged. I’m trying to be careful about who I run into.

And you’re worried about his first two wives?

No, but should I worry about their relatives?

Not unless you’ve lived around here and no one’s seen you.

What about this third wife?

Lady Stephanie? She’s from East Port.

Bradley made certain to act relieved. Well, not much worry for me, then. That’s far away from where I’m from.

Lucky for you, I suppose.

I hope so. As long as she isn’t related to any of the Lords on the coast.

What did you do, lad?

I disappointed my parents, good sir. I didn’t work as hard as I should, and lost my position. Since my parents had some means, my situation became city gossip. As it happens, among the gossipers was the niece of one of the Lords there. That’s why I came this way, instead of heading for either coast.

It was an odd sort of lie, and Bradley knew it was. It didn’t say much of anything about what might have happened to the young man he was pretending to be. At the same time, though, the lie contained enough hints to make it interesting. What son of a family of means would lose his position? Why would that loss become gossip? These were questions no one would ask him about, but would cause them to think of their own answers.

And, just perhaps, he mused, help me later on in this mission.

I see, the innkeeper said after a moment’s reflection. Well, I doubt you have anything to worry about from Lady Stephanie. She and her mother arrived from East Port a year ago. Her mother runs a shop on Catfish Street, a few blocks over, selling dresses to women.

Dresses?

Seems to be the new fashion, among the nobility. Spend your coins giving your wives and daughters more than a couple of nice dresses, or cloaks, or what have you.

You said His Lordship has three daughters?

The eldest is about seventeen or so, and the second just a few years younger. They’re starting to take an interest in how they look, like girls of their age do.

It take it that’s how His Lordship met his third wife?

That’s right. One day he took them to the shop to buy them dresses. He came out smitten with Stephanie, who married him this past winter.

Pretty, is she?

Quite the looker, I have to say, but tall, though. I wonder if she might be as tall as you.

I’m not that tall.

No, but she’s tall for a young lady.

So, you say His Lordship isn’t a hard man.

Not at all.

Not even after Her Majesty’s wagon was robbed?

The innkeeper put his hand to his lips and shook his head. Don’t be speaking about that too much, young man.

But there’s notices around the city. They say any man caught with copper ore will be severely punished. The robbery is news on the road.

Still, don’t talk about it too much. Folk are trying not to talk about it. Life is good here, what with His Lordship all happy in his bed again, and not thinking the Gods have cursed him. Best not to talk about it, and certainly best not to go playing the Defender and poking into it.

Bradley smiled to the innkeeper. Well, I’m certainly not going to do that, my good man.

***

Bradley decided that, with his room at the inn taken care of, he’d go straight to this shop that was owned by the mother of Lord Wallace’s current wife. It was still the middle of the afternoon, and he explained away his departure as a walk around the city to see what there is for me. That seemed to satisfy the innkeeper, so back outside he went.

Bradley noticed a change in the business district the closer he got to the street the shop was on. The inn was a couple of streets away from the lake docks. Warehouses, taverns, and other trade that catered to boats and sailors were along the street running along the shore. The next street was dominated by butchers, bakers, fish shops, and the like. Then there was the street the inn was on. The next one over was bookended by a clerking firm and an armorer, and centered by a better quality of inn. That street also led to the river, which didn’t have docks, but did look to have stables and blacksmiths. Finally there was the street the dress shop was on. It’s neighbors included a jeweler, a kept-up pawn shop, and a dining establishment that appeared to appeal to the city’s more respectable citizens.

Selene’s Dress Shop was in the middle of the block, on Bradley’s right as he turned the corner. It was in a two-story building, which seemed odd to him. As he got in sight of the front windows, he saw two dresses hanging in front of each. One was deep red, with yellow stripes on the side, and white lace strings for tying it up. The other was a light shade of blue, but above the waist only covered the front and back torso. Hanging with it to complete the ensemble was a medium green blouse with white strings.

Bradley opened the front door. A bell rang at once. He stepped inside. To either side of him at the front of the shop were an array of dresses and blouses. From his experience with Cecilia, he understood that most were the sort of dresses that a woman would normally wear. Mixed in with those were dresses made in multiple colors that were meant to be worn on special occasions, and white wedding dresses. He noticed, but tried not to notice too much, that towards the back of the shop were stockings and ladies’ underwear.

A woman came around from behind a dress in the middle of the shop. She was tall, about as tall as he was. She had fair hair and brown eyes. She wore a yellow dress that gave her figure something of a matronly shape. She approached Bradley with deliberate steps.

May I help you, young man? she asked.

I hope so, Bradley replied. I’m looking for a dress for my girl.

Really? The woman looked him up and down. My dresses are a bit too much for common young ladies, I fear.

Do I look that poor?

Not poor, no. Your shirt is clean but obviously worn, as are your leggings. Your cloak looks rather dusty, as if you’ve traveled. You don’t look like a sailor, yet you do seem to have traveled.

Perhaps I traveled here because a friend suggested I make the journey.

She smiled, but it wasn’t a pleasant smile. What? For a dress? I have work to do, young man. Either state what you really want, or leave.

That’s not very friendly.

As I said, I don’t have time to chat.

I take it your daughter keeps you busy.

What do you mean?

She’s married to His Lordship, so I hear. That must make her quite visible. I’m sure that visibility is helpful to your shop.

So it is. You’re not as common as you appear, are you?

I’m not common at all. My name is Bryan.

Madam Selene. She gave him a slight bow of her head. What brings you to New Port, young Bryan?

I’m looking for opportunity.

What? You wish to learn to make dresses?

He shook his head. I’m not looking for that sort of opportunity. I’m looking for the chance to ply some of my skills, quietly.

What skills would those be?

He let out a breath. Let’s say that I had a disagreement with my instructors at the Academy in Crown’s Hold.

What academy? An instant later her back stiffened. Not the Royal Academy?

I believe you’ve guessed right, Madam Selene.

I see.

My disagreement wasn’t as bad as some might think. However, I was asked to leave all the same. I don’t know if anyone has said anything about that disagreement, but I was hoping to say something before word of the matter arrived here.

Why would word of the matter come here?

Why wouldn’t it? I’m the first student asked to leave before his education was complete. It’s bound to be gossip, if nothing else.

Indeed. Why come to New Port? Why not go farther on?

I’m heading in the direction that I came from. I heard that your daughter was the third wife of His Lordship. I was surprised to find out, when I took at room at one of the inns here, that you had a shop of your own. I thought I ought to take the chance to make my side of the story clear, so here I am.

I see. Is there something in particular you want?

Only to make myself useful.

You might not be allowed to practice your particular skills, young man.

I have other skills, in addition to those I was taught. As long as I can earn a good living, I’ll be happy.

How good a living?

I don’t want to be a common man, if that’s what you mean. He glanced around for a moment. I’d like to have a young woman, so I can buy her one of these lovely dresses.

That’s good, then. I could always use more happy customers. She pointed at him. I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I’ll see Stephanie tonight, at dinner at the Lord’s Manor. She’s supposed to come here a nine tomorrow morning, to help me around the shop for an hour or so. Come back here at ten tomorrow morning. If she’s willing to speak to you, I’ll give you an introduction, and you can tell her whatever you wish.

He bowed his head. That’s most kind of you, Madam Selene.

Thank you. Now, I suggest you look around the city. I believe Master Arnold’s clerking firm could use some help, as could a few other shops. Just in case.

Thank you for the advice. Good day. Bradley turned and walked out of the shop.

Well, that seed is planted. With luck, that letter from Her Majesty to Lord Wallace arrived just ahead of me. Let’s see if that makes me attractive to Lady Stephanie, so I can make some progress towards my assignment.

THREE

Bradley had no trouble returning to the shop at the proper time the following morning. He made certain he was at the front door before ten. He entered the store, and waited for someone to appear.

When the chimes of the various bells sounded the hour of ten a few moments later, Selene emerged from a door in the back. She glided through the displays of clothing towards him, this time stopping a pace away from where he stood. She gave him a curt nod, and asked him to follow her.

He focused on her to keep his mind from wandering. She led the way to a pair of doors. She opened the one on the left; it led down to a cellar. She didn’t wait for him to go through first. Instead, she started down, holding the door just long enough for him to grab it.

The stone stairs went down half a floor, turned, then led into the cellar. Four lanterns hung from the the ceiling, lighting up the four corners of the room. In the center was a wide table, like a fine dining table, but there were no chairs around the table. Rolls of fabrics of all types and colors stuck out from crates on the floor. A woman was around the other end of the table, bent down over it. She was using a pair of scissors to cut a piece of red cloth.

He’s here, Stephanie, the older woman said.

Thank you, Mother, the woman replied without looking up. Her voice was firm but on the soft side.

Selene looked at Bradley. She waved her right arm in the direction of the younger woman. Bradley nodded to her. She nodded back, then went back up the stairs. He walked towards the table. As he got about halfway to the table, the young woman put down the scissors. She came around the table.

He saw that she was tall, like her mother, almost to his exact height. She had fair hair, a small face, and in the modest light of the cellar her eyes appeared to be light brown. She had slender arms and legs, but not quite a slender figure. The dress she was wearing, blue tinged with white accents, accentuated the curves of her breasts and hips. She moved with confidence, but not with the practiced grace that Cecilia always did.

She was certainly attractive, of that Bradley had no doubt. If he was being honest, he wouldn’t have described her as the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, but if he was honest, he’d admit to being biased. Yet in spite of her height, she was a woman who could turn heads. He had no trouble imagining how any man, young or old, might be struck by her appearance and want, at the very least, a kiss and a warm embrace from this young woman.

I am Lady Stephanie, she said when he was a pace from her. You are the young man Mother said visited yesterday, yes?

He bowed. My name is Bryan, My Lady.

Bryan, formerly of Crown’s Hold, I take it?

Your mother told you about me?

Mother, and Her Majesty. My husband received a letter from the Queen the day before yesterday. Something about a young man being asked to leave the Royal Academy of Magery. Would that be you?

He opted for caution. I suppose that depends on the nature of the letter, My Lady.

The letter warned my husband, and any Lord, not to employ the talents of this young man named Bryan. It seems he wanted to use magic more to help himself than to help others.

A disagreement over the definition of the word ‘help,’ My Lady.

How do you define it?

If I use magic to dispatch a foe, would I not be helping society?

That would depend on the foe, wouldn’t it?

It would, My Lady.

Tell me, did you learn anything in Crown’s Hold? Or were you too stubborn to take instruction on anything?

I didn’t learn to be stubborn until I learned quite a bit about magic, and about the world in general.

You wouldn’t care to show me what you learned?

I would be happy to, My Lady.

He raised his right hand. He concentrated on casting a light spell. In moments a ball of light appeared in front of his hand. He opened his eyes and smiled at her.

A pleasant trick, she said.

Perhaps you need to see the matter in a new light, My Lady. He concentrated more. He made the light move from in front of his hand to over her head and in front of her face. You look pretty in that light. He moved the light back behind her head. Now you positively glow. He made the ball disappear.

Interesting. What else can you move around?

How about your hair, My Lady? It took a bit of effort, but he was able to create a narrow breeze that blew he hair back, revealing her long curls.

Very nice. What of something stronger?

He glanced around. I’d cast a fire spell, My Lady, but with all this fabric lying around, and the table, I’d rather not. I could put you to sleep, but I doubt you’d appreciate that.

She raised her right hand. Fair enough. I believe you.

Am I forbidden to use my skills in New Port, My Lady?

The letter from the Queen suggested that you not be hired by my husband. I take it all the Lords of the Kingdom were given the same instruction. They were also told to report you, should you practice your special skills without their approval.

I see. I can’t hire myself out to any Lord, but if I hire myself out to a man who would pay, I’d be in trouble all the same.

She gave him a slight smile. So long as you hire yourself out to a man, or a woman, who can keep your work a secret, you’d have nothing to worry about.

Her statement gave him an instant’s pause. Am I to understand that you wish to hire me, My Lady?

I might wish to hire you. I have friends who might be in need of your help. I would be willing to pay you well and, perhaps, offer other rewards for your assistance. I will keep your work hidden from my husband, as long as you’re discrete.

The letter from Her Majesty suggests discretion, My Lady.

So it does. Where are you staying?

The Inn of the New Port.

What, there?

It’s all I can afford, My Lady.

She shook her head. That won’t do. I can’t meet you there.

Meet me?

Yes. I’ll have something to show you. That will be your next test.

Only the innkeeper is about early in the afternoon. The place should be quiet until it’s time for them to cook dinner, and at present, there’s just two of us staying there.

Very well. I’ll return home, change into a plainer dress, and wear a light cloak. It will still be warm, though.

I suppose if that’s what you must do, My Lady.

It is. Your name is Bryan, yes?

Yes, My Lady.

Well, Bryan, I shall be there around two this afternoon. Be waiting for me in your room, not in the dining area. Depending on how you pass your next test, I should have work for you.

Thank you, My Lady.

She gave him a quick nod. He turned and went up the stairs, then out of the shop.

He chose not to think about whether or not the young woman might be involved with the matter he was investigating. He could see it being both possible and impossible. Instead he busied himself with checking the city for job prospects. He was back at his room at the inn around a quarter to two. Sure enough, moments after the hour arrived, there was a knock on his door. He let Stephanie in. She was now dressed in a simple tan dress with no accents, and a yellow cloak.

I’m going to show you something, Bryan, she said. If you keep your head, you’ll pass this next test. If you don’t, you’re going to be in a great deal of trouble.

Very well, My Lady.

She reached into a coin purse on her belt. What she took out caught Bradley by surprise. In her pale hand was a rock, a rock all but tinged with copper.

That’s not what I think it is, is it? he asked.

She grinned. It is.

How did you get your hands on a piece of copper ore?

A friend gave it to me.

Your husband?

Not at all.

I heard there was a theft of chests of copper ore.

I heard the same story. Perhaps my friend isn’t trustworthy.

I should say not.

What have you to say for yourself?

I can hardly take copper ore as payment, My Lady. A man could spend a long time in jail if he was found with it.

Indeed he could. Perhaps you could make this into coins?

He shook his head. I can’t do that.

Why not? Are you afraid?

Afraid, My Lady? Somewhat, yes. But there’s a practical consideration as well.

Which is?

To change that into one coin or several would require a transmutation spell. Such spells were lost when the Great Mages disappeared. As yet no knows how to create such a spell, or even if it’s possible to do such a thing.

I see. She put the rock back into her coin purse.

However, it would be possible to create a very hot fire, and melt that piece of ore down. At that point, it should be easy to cast into coins.

Can you create a fire that hot?

Indeed.

Very well. Tomorrow morning, no later than nine, go to the Lewis Pawn Shop. It’s not far from here. As for Lewis, and tell him that Lady Stephanie sent you to him.

To what end, My Lady?

She grinned again. You’ll see. Good day. She nodded to him, then let herself out of the room.

So, he mused, either she’s involved in this matter, or she’s helping whoever is involved.

Well, I shouldn't go at once. No doubt she said tomorrow morning so she could tell them I’m coming. I’d also wager that the time between now and then is another test. Do I run to His Lordship, or do I do ask she asks?

I’m going to pass this test as well. I’ll see what I find at the pawn shop in the morning.

FOUR

Bradley was at the pawn shop the next morning at half past eight. Inside was an average fellow about a decade older than him. He asked the man if his name was Lewis. When the man said that it might be, Bradley told him that Lady Stephanie had sent him.

The man came from behind the store counter. He walked to a cabinet against the back wall of the shop. The cabinet was wood, taller than the tallest man Bradley had ever seen, and wide enough for two men to fit in it comfortably. The cabinet was closed, with a hand-lettered sign on one of the two doors saying, Items to Repair.

The man unlocked the cabinet and opened the doors. There were no items inside. There was instead a spiral stairway leading down to the cellar. The man told Bradley to go down. Bradley shrugged then did as he was asked.

Halfway down the stairway, the cellar came into view. It was as long as the shop. A table sat near the stairway and against the wall. There were items on the table; as he got closer to the floor, he identified them as coin stamps. At the bottom of the stairway he saw three chests filled with the same pieces of copper ore that Stephanie had showed him the day before.

Also coming into his view were two men. Neither was particularly tall, but both had muscular arms and legs. Both had brown hair and brown eyes. They bore little resemblance to Stephanie or her mother, but their hair and eye color were close enough to make Bradley wonder if they were cousins of Stephanie’s.

I’m Tom, one said. They both appeared to be around Bradley’s age. Tom appeared to be the older of the two. He jerked his head at the other man. This is Vince.

Bryan, Bradley replied.

Stephanie tells us you’re a mage.

Not formally, no, but I know plenty of magic.

Tom waved at the chests. What can you do with that?

I should be able to melt the ore. I take it we’re making coins?

That’s right.

How pure is the ore?

It’s all copper.

No, I mean, has it been refined? There’s bound to be impurities, other minerals, if it hasn’t been refined.

Tom shook his head. Doesn’t matter.

Says who?

Says Stephanie. The first few don’t need to be brand new. Melt one of the rocks, and we’ll see what the first coins struck look like.

It was then that Bradley noticed metal tubs and buckets lying against the far wall. He guessed that those were to be what he’d melt the pieces of ore in. Also nearby was a small anvil. It appeared to be the sort armorers used to make the links in chainmail, not one the larger ones that weapon-smiths used for swords and the like, or that blacksmiths used for tools and horseshoes. Bradley went to one of the chests, took out the smallest piece of ore he saw, and carried it to one of the buckets. While he did that, he noticed that the two other young men put on gloves and picked up the implements for casting coins.

Bradley brought the bucket to the center of the cellar. There was light from two lanterns hanging from the ceiling near that spot. He squatted down next to the bucket, then got down on his knees. He concentrated on the rock. It took time to make it warm, and more time to make hot. After what seemed like half an hour of on-and-off casting, the piece began to melt. Finally it had melted enough to make coins.

Vince used something that looked like a metal spoon to scoop out a bit of the melted ore. He poured the ore into one end of one of the coin stamps that Tom held. Tom snapped the other end shut, and took the stamp to the anvil. Both young men took turns striking the stamp with hammers. When they were done striking, Tom unsealed the stamp, and forced the still-hot coin into another metal tub.

For what felt like another half an hour to an hour, they kept at work stamping coins. Bradley had to keep casting spells to prevent the copper from cooling. When they were done with the first piece of ore, they inspected the coins they’d made. The coins looked copper enough in the rough light of the cellar. As it happened, they also had a worn appearance. Bradley guessed that was due to the impurities of the copper ore.

They might pass a casual glance, he observed, but I doubt they’d pass if someone had proper copper coins to check them against.

They’ll do, Tom replied.

The time it took to strike the coins, and the fact that Bradley only had to maintain the very hot fire spell once it was first cast, had kept him from wearing out. For the rest of the day they moved at a slow pace, working on a few single rocks of ore at a time. Tom and Vince took their time striking the stamps to help Bradley keep from exhausting himself. There was a short break for beef, bread, and a mug of beer for lunch. Towards the end of the afternoon, Bradley would hear the cabinet doors open, then Lewis would call down the hour. The work stopped at six; they’d gone through about a third of the ore in one of the chests.

Bradley had hoped to learn more about his new partners, but each time he tried to speak to them, Tom told him to keep quiet. It’s not that we don’t trust you, he told Bradley. Well, not just that. It’s also that talking is distracting and tiring. Bradley took the hint and the advice.

When the three young men stopped working, they went up the stairway. Lewis gave each of them three silver coins. They walked out of the shop, with Lewis behind them.

Where are you all heading? Bradley asked.

Home, Tom replied. Vince nodded.

Home as well, Lewis said. Be back here at eight or so, he told Bradley. With that Tom and Vince crossed the street to go one way, and Lewis walked away in the opposite direction.

The inn was in the direction that Tom and Vince had gone. Bradley followed them, keeping enough distance between them so they wouldn’t think he was trying to get close to chat them up. Bradley had to turn at the first intersection, while they kept going. He shrugged to himself and continued to the inn. He ate dinner, paid for his room for two more nights, then went up to his room to rest.

The next morning he woke up, had breakfast, then returned to the pawn shop. Once again Lewis unlocked the cabinet door for him. This time, though, he’d arrived a moment or two after Tom and Vince had. They three of them went down to the cellar at the same time.

They day was spent making more coins. The results were mixed. Quite a few were identical to proper coins. Most had the same indifferent appearance that most of the batch struck the day before had. They were also quite a few that looked like poor quality metal forgeries of copper coins. The three qualities of coins were placed in separate tubs.

For the next several days that was the routine. Coins were struck in the morning; there was a break for lunch; more were struck in the afternoon; then everyone left the shop with three more silver coins in their purses. Bradley arrived around eight the second and third days, then at half past the fourth day. He told Lewis that he’d overslept. That evening Lewis told him they could come in at nine. That gave Bradley enough rest to be able to arrive at eight on the sixth day. At the end of that day, Tom told Lewis that the work of making copper coins was done. Lewis instructed the three young men that they’d be told what they’d do next.

As it happened, that day was also went a few lake boats returned. A few sailors came to the inn to take rooms. That night, a couple of hours after dinner, Bradley heard a ruckus from downstairs. He changed from his nightshirt into his day clothes and went down to see what was going on. It turned out that it was nothing more than a loud argument between two inebriated sailors.

Bradley was one of the sober men enlisted to escort one of the two outside. A movement out of the corner of his eye distracted him. He turned towards the movement, and thought he saw Tom running down the street.

If it was him, he thought once he returned to his room, it would make sense. Tom, Vince, and Lewis