Tales of A Troubling Mage

JP with Redswords and Cindy

Elizabeth had been discussing the preparations for her parents' arrival with the head cook, when she felt a sudden jolt of magic. Her first thought was on Sung, hoping nothing had happened to him.

She ran to the area that Sung and Timothy had been headed to, to find her mentor sitting on the floor. "Mr. Sung, what happened? Are you alright?"

Timothy was confused, though he was smart enough to know that whoever the mage was that had come through the house had been putting in traps, apparently.

"I am sorry, I had no idea." Timothy said, though really he couldn't have known. Then, as if on cue, a knock could be heard at the front door.

Sung shook his head and groaned some. "Only my pride was hurt, Lady Elizabeth, there was a trap," explained Sung, dropping the cane handle and waving his hand to get the smoke out of his face. He coughs a few times. "That was one of the best traps I have ever encountered," said Sung standing.

"If it were any other user of magic they would not have found it but my KI warned me. Something I think they overlooked when setting the trap." said Sung looking around more carefully now.

Elizabeth offered her hand to help Sung up, as she could hear Timothy open the door. A surprised tone took over the man's voice, "Countess Charbonneau, it is a pleasure to see you."

"Let me see... Timothy, is it?" Why the Countess was there, was a guess to the Butler but not to Elizabeth.

"Yes, Timothy is correct. Oh..please come in." Timothy responded. The door could be heard being closed, then a few moments more, probably to take care of the Countess's hat and the Head of the Mage Guild stepped into the area where Elizabeth and Sung were.

Elizabeth curtsied to the woman. "Countess, you are a welcomed surprise."

The Countess smiled at Elizabeth. "I was walking past and could feel the magical discharge coming from inside this house. I assume this is the new home of your parents, The Duke and Duchess." When Elizabeth confirmed that was the case. The Countess turned to Sung, "Mr. Sung, I am sensing you took the discharge. Are you alright?”

Sung gave a bow. "Countess, forgive my appearance. It looks like I have found a problem with the Duke's residence here. Only my ego was hurt, Countess." Replied Sung with a small smile. "That was one of my favorite canes too. how disappointing," stated Sung picking up a piece of it.

"I am glad you were not injured, but yes I can definitely sense a problem." The Countness seemed to concentrate for a moment. "Clearly, this was done by an Empirical mage. That is disturbing and upsetting." The Countess said. "Timothy, did the mage who put these traps in place give a name?"

"Yes, Countess." Timothy replied. "Went by the name Gibbons "

The Countess blinked, furled her brows. "Well, then the mage was also a liar, or not registered with the guild. There is no Empirical Mage named Gibbons at the Guild. Elizabeth I believe you know the only Gibbons there."

"Yes, he is a boy. Sixteen. Human. I believe his parents are not mages." Elizabeth explained.

"Correct, he could not do a spell like this and he is currently at boarding school." The Countess explained. "Timothy, what did this mage look like?"

Timothy's description matched perfectly the mage Sung, Sasha and Maseo had fought in the tunnels.

The Countess breathed, "I am familiar with that Mage. I have not seen him for several years. His name is Pascal. Francis Pascal.”

Sung sighed "Lady Elizabeth, I will kill him," stated Sung in anger. He was not even sure he could kill that mage by himself. Sung was angered in a way he had not felt in a long time. How dare the mage attack his family. He balled his fist and gritted his teeth. Looking back at Lady Elizabeth brought him back to control himself.

Sung took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Lady Elizabeth, I apologize for my lack of restraint," said Sung with a small bow. "I suggest everyone stay armed with this mage on the loose," said Sung standing back up. " I am speaking out of turn Countess. Can you put a few mages to protect the house?" asked Sung in a respectful and polite tone almost begging something Sung never does.

"Yes, of course, Mr. Sung." The Countess replied, to putting some mages on the house. "However, before that, let me take care of getting rid of the spells and replacing them with better ones. Elizabeth come with me." It was an order, not a suggestion. The reason, for this was not entirely clear but she wanted Elizabeth to watch what she was doing.

To Mr. Sung it was far more of an invitation. "Mr. Sung you are welcome to come as well. Timothy please keep the servants out of the way."

"Yes, Countess." Timothy responded and went off to inform the staff.

The Countess began with the stairs. Removing wards was not particularly difficult, magical traps were far more of a task. If they were set by the same level mage it was time consuming not impossible. A Higher level mage's work made it impossible to for a lower level mage to remove them. Which was why neither Sung nor Liz could have done anything about it.

The Countess took out some lavender oil, said a few words in Latin over the oil and sprinkled it on the stairs, she then said a few more words. The magic on the stairs dissipated both the trap and ward was no longer there. "Shall we proceed upstairs?" The Countess asked.

Sung bowed to the two ladies as they walked by out of respect letting the Countess take the lead. Sung was also interested in what the Countess was doing it was not often you could see a mage of her Empirical level at work. Even in any great city, there might only be one or two Empirical mages in extreme three. You might even never meet one. But to watch one work was a true honor.

There were more traps and wards upstairs, as would be expected. A very strong one around the door to Elizabeth's parents bedroom which took the Countess several minutes to undo. She had to use a good deal of the lavender oil, and a spell so potent it could be felt in the air around the room.

The Countess, making sure the magic on the top floor was gone, continued downstairs. She pulled out another vial of lavender oil. "I hope this is enough. It is my last bottle."

When Elizabeth heard this, she fetched a errand boy to get two vials of lavender oil from her house. With a note, in her handwriting, so there weren't any questions.

The spells downstairs were also very strong, and The Countess ran out of the vial. "Pascal must have been here a while. I have never encountered such strong spells used in a home before.”

"It is possible he wanted revenge or an assassination attempt. I have seen similar things in Japan with Mōri Takachika, my last Daimyō, I served under there. This mage Francis Pascal I hope will not be a problem for Duke Ellington. If I was Francis Pascal I would hide and wait for a weakness to show and exploit it when the Duke is visiting," said Sung in thought.

"Lady Elizabeth, what are your thoughts? Countess, Any advice you can give is much appreciated," stated Sung humbly.

"I believe this may be the same mage we encountered in our investigation." Elizabeth stated.

The Countess raised a brow, "You did not tell me of such an encounter."

"I do apologize, Countess." Elizabeth respectively said. "Everything happened so fast and now my team has been taken off the case."

"I see, well then nothing to be done about that now." The Countess didn't seem angry, more just a reminder to keep her abreast of such situations.

The errand boy returned with the lavender oil. The Countess set back to work. After about an hour the downstairs was cleaned of any magic. Then it was to the outside.

The next thing was to put wards on to the house. The entire process took another thirty minutes,with the Countess explaining she wanted to be thorough.

When everything was done the Countess, who was a now a little worn, sat down in one of the sitting rooms. When asked if she needed anything, by Timothy. "Some tea and a few snacks to replenish my energy."

Timothy went off to fetch those things, the Countess then said to both Elizabeth and Sung. "Come and sit, let us discuss things over tea.”

Sung sat in a chair off to one side. Sung wondered what she was going to say and hoped it would not be a disciple type of talk.

Elizabeth took a seat near the Countess, as they waited on tea.

The Countess didn't start speaking until some tea and food had been served, and she had the opportunity to think things over. "I am not upset over not being told about Pascal. I just want you to remember in the future to inform me if such matters, even if you are taken off a case. This issue might have been avoided altogether." The Countess addressed Elizabeth, but then turned to Sung. "You are also a valued member of the Guild and as such can come to me with any issues."

Elizabeth responded with, "Yes, Countess." She always liked how the older Eldren treated people. Never talking down to them. The Baron could take a few lessons from the woman.

The Countess gently smiled, "Now, let us partake of these refreshments and please fill me in on what happened with the case."

Elizabeth filled the woman in, including everything. As a member of the Order, the Countess could hear everything.

Once the entire tale was over, The Countess gently touched Elizabeth's hand. "Well, I believe the Baron made a mistake taking you and your team off the case but it is not my call." She breathed a laugh. "I wish I had the ability to remotely listen in on the conversation your father, The Duke, will have with the Baron about all of this.”

"Countess, I have a job and I will do it the best I can. I would have come to you If you had not stopped by. This mage that set the traps was a cunning mage and of a higher mastery than I and Lady Elizabeth. As for the Baron, I am sure his Grace will talk to me before or after the meeting. Lady Elizabeth is in an interesting situation. Yes, we function under the Baron but do not fully. I work for His Grace and Lady Elizabeth. You can not serve two lords. That is what I believe and The Baron knows that." Sung explained then sipped his tea.

"As well as you Countess, I respect you and will follow your advice and orders as long as it does not interfere with His Grace or Lady Elizabeth. But I don't think that will ever happen with you Countess.." added Sung with a nod.

"I can with all honesty say, I do not foresee an instance where I would be at odds with the Duke." The Countess said. "So, I do believe you are correct in that assumption Mr. Sung."

The Countess had finished her tea, and began to stand. "While it has been good seeing both of you, again, hopefully these circumstances will not repeat themselves. I must be headed back to the guild."

With the impeccable timing butlers tended to have, Timothy entered the room, and bowed.

"Timothy," the Countess addressed him, "Please remember these names. Philip Monterey and Lance Yearling, those are the mages I will send over for extra security. Philip is an eldern, Lance is a human." She went on to briefly describe the two men. "The house and property are sufficiently warded now. I would just keep an eye out for anyone suspicious."

Elizabeth stood, curtysed to the Countess. "Thank you, Countess, so much for all of your help."

"You are quite welcome. Lady Elizabeth, Mr. Sung I look forward to seeing you both at the Gala. I do hope the rest of your day is more pleasant." The Countess then took her leave.

Sung also stood and gave a bow of respect "Until next time Countess, it is always a pleasure and honor to see you." said Sung with deep respect.

Elizabeth turned to Sung, "It seems like everything is now under control. Perhaps we should return home."

They said their goodbyes to Timothy and departed for the quick work back to Elizabeth's house.

Sung answered Elizabeth with a bow. "Yes Lady Elizabeth. I liked that cane too. now I have to make another one." Sung added with a grin.
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