“If I did, they would probably take it away after tonight,” Snowbeard replied.

They drove to a pavilion in a park along the lakefront and gathered around a battered picnic table for the debriefing. Snowbeard kindled a wizard light in the center, casting a soft illumination over all of the participants.

Linda leaned forward and squinted across the table, then reached out and gently touched Jack's hand. “What happened to your arm?”

They told Snowbeard and Linda about the encounter with Warren Barber.

“Can you do anything for him, Nick?” Linda asked.

Snowbeard studied the injury, then leaned toward Jack and gripped him at the wrist and shoulder, careful not to touch the blistered area. Power rippled between the old wizard's hands, like a cool stream flowing over Jack's skin. The blisters subsided, though the area was still angry red.

Jack released a long breath and managed a grin. “Thanks, Nick. That feels a lot better.”

“Less chance of infection now, Jack, but the area will be very tender for the next few days,” Snowbeard said. He looked at Ellen. “What about you, my dear?”

Ellen had a necklace of purpling bruises around her neck, but she brushed off Snowbeard's question. Seph was getting the impression that she was not the kind of person who enjoyed being rescued.

Jack turned to Snowbeard. “What happened with the other wizards? Where's the Beamer?”

Snowbeard smiled, rolling his staff between his hands. "I managed to bore quite a way into the web with wizard flame and what-not. Then I set off some spectacular fireworks. When the wizards arrived, we raced off in the car. They, of course, assumed it was Linda and Seph.

“They were young and quite enthusiastic. We led them on a merry chase, but we never actually made it into the Sanctuary. So I parked at the mall out by the highway interchange. We went in and lost ourselves among the shoppers. Your car's still there.”

“How'd you get back to town?” Ellen asked.

“We found a kind family willing to drive us,” Snowbeard said blandly. “We told them we'd missed the last bus.”

“We thought we'd have trouble getting through the Weirweb, but it was already down,” Linda added.

“So,” Seph said. “What do you think is going on?”

Linda cleared her throat. “Leicester wants you back. For some reason. Barber is working for a wizard named Gregory Leicester,” she explained to the others. “He was Seph's headmaster at a private school up in Maine.” She slid a glance at Seph and he looked away.

“Leicester is also on the Council of Wizards,” Snowbeard added thoughtfully.

“They can't be sure that Seph is here,” Linda suggested.

“They've seen the Beamer,” Ellen said. “And they've seen you.”

“They haven't seen Seph, though,” Linda pointed out.

Snowbeard said, “It occurs to me that there's nothing to keep them from coming into town for a look around. And, depending on how you read the Rules of Engagement, they might be able to find a way to get you or Seph out of town by trickery or force as long as they don't use magic.”

“But I can use wizardry to defend myself, right? Assuming I can find someone to train me.” Seph shrugged.

“I can teach you,” Snowbeard said, looking from Seph to Linda and back again. “Depending on what you want to learn.”

“Great. Thank you.” Seph turned to Jack. “Um … where did you learn to use a sword like that?”

“My teacher was a wizard named Leander Hastings,” Jack replied. “He specializes in training warriors. He taught me how to fight.”

Hastings. “Does he live in Trinity?” Seph asked.

“No.” Linda answered for Jack.

“I'd love to learn how to fight like that,” Seph said.

Linda put a hand on his arm. “Seph, you're not a warrior, you know.”

“Most wizards can get what they want without fighting anybody,” Jack said. He looked at his watch and shoved back from the table. “I'd better get home. I've got exams tomorrow.”

“What are you two going to do?” Ellen asked.

“We'll stay at Jack's,” Linda said.

“Shouldn't we call first or something?” Seph looked from Linda to Jack.

Jack shook his head. “My mom's used to Aunt Linda showing up unexpectedly. If she didn't show up unannounced, she'd never show up at all.”

“Don't worry, Seph,” Linda said. “Believe me, she won't have a problem.”

When they returned to the car, Jack slid behind the wheel this time, shoving the seat back to accommodate his long legs. Snowbeard sat next to him, and the others climbed in back.

“Snowbeard lives in an apartment over Jack's garage,” Linda explained. “He's kind of a part-time caretaker. He was Jack's wizardry teacher, too. He's been with Jack since he was a baby.”

“If wizards don't need to learn how to fight, what does a warrior need with a wizardry teacher?” Seph asked.

“I guess you could say I'm kind of a mongrel,” Jack said, rolling his eyes. “A wizard with a warrior's stone. Or a warrior with a wizard's body.”

Another long story, apparently.

Jack and Ellen lived two doors apart on Jefferson, a brick street lined with tall shade trees and huge old homes set back on big, informal lawns. They dropped Ellen off first. The Subaru coasted to the curb, and Ellen climbed out and retrieved her sword from the trunk. A shadow detached itself from the darkness on the front porch of the house and came toward them.

“Hey, Will,” Jack called. “Waiting up for Ellen?”

“Hey, Jack.” Will leaned into the passenger window. “When I see Ellen charging out of the house with a big smile on her face, carrying her sword, I know it means trouble.” He was built like a football player, maybe a lineman. He had close-cropped dark hair and wore cutoffs and a tank top.

“Aunt Linda!” Will had spotted her in the backseat. “I should've known. There must be sorcery afoot!”

“Hi, Will,” Linda said.

“This is Seph McCauley,” Linda went on, resting a hand on Seph's shoulder. “He's going to be staying at Jack's this summer.” She said it as if it were a done deal. “Seph, this is Will Childers, a friend of Jack's. I'm not really his aunt. Jack's friends just call me that. Ellen moved in with him and his parents last year after Raven's Ghyll.”

Okay, Seph thought. Maybe that's the way it is in small towns, everyone related to everyone else, living in each other's houses. Maybe Trinity is just one big commune. He would try to relax and go with it.

“Good to meet you, Seph,” Will was saying. “See you tomorrow, Jack. I'll be by around seven.” Will and Ellen walked back toward the house.

They drove past two more houses and pulled into a gravel driveway. Circling around to the back of a hulking Victorian house, they jolted to a stop in front of an old, detached garage. Jack shut off the ignition. Linda turned to Seph.

“Jack's mom—my sister—is Anaweir. She doesn't know anything about this wizard and warrior business. Okay?”

Seph nodded. “Got it.”

Jack retrieved his sword from the trunk. Snowbeard said good night and slowly mounted a staircase to the second floor of the garage. A moment later, a light kindled in the upstairs window. Linda and Seph followed Jack up the wooden steps to the back door of the house, sliding between two overgrown hydrangea bushes.

We must look pretty scary, Seph realized, suddenly self-conscious. Though his arm looked much better than it had, Jack was all muddy and grass stained, and Seph looked like he'd been on the losing side of a fight. His change of clothes was still in the BMW.

A narrow back staircase ascended into darkness just inside the back door. Jack put his finger to his lips and disappeared up the steps, returning empty-handed and without the baldric. Then he called, “Mom! Are you presentable? I brought guests!”

“I'm in the study,” a woman replied. “Is it anyone I know?”

“Yes and no.” Linda and Seph followed Jack into the kitchen. It was huge, with a ceramic tile floor and a large farm-style dining table. Takeout containers crowded the counter next to the sink, unwashed dishes stacked next to them.

A tall, strawberry-blond woman entered the room carrying a coffee mug. It was clear where Jack got his coloring. She wore faded blue jeans and sturdy, hippie sandals, a sweatshirt carrying the slogan bread and roses. Hers was the kind of beauty that pretty turns into: fresh-scrubbed and straightforward.

“Hi, Becka,” Linda said.

“Linda! When did you get to town?” Becka embraced the enchanter, leaning down to deliver a quick, fierce hug. “How long can you stay?”

Linda looked over at Seph. “I'm not sure.”

“Why do I bother asking? That's always your answer.” She turned to Jack. “Jack, where have you been? You know you have exams tomorrow.”

“He was with me,” Linda said. “Sorry.”

Becka finally noticed Seph, still hesitating in the kitchen doorway. “Oh!” she said, her hand flying to her mouth as she took in the evidence of his recent beating. Then she smiled and came toward him, extending her hands. “Hello. I'm Becka Downey.”

“I'm Seph McCauley,” he said. “Pleased to meet you.” He extended his hand, and she took it in both of hers and held on to it for a minute. There was something reassuring about the gesture, as if she were already on his side. And blessedly, she did not ask questions. About his face, at least.

“Have you eaten?” Becka looked over her shoulder at the debris on the counter.

“Oh, yes, plenty,” Seph said, feeling awkward again.

“Then I'll get you something to drink, at least. I have some soda down cellar.”

“I'll go with you,” Linda offered. Both sisters disappeared down the stairs.

*** Copyright: Novel12.Com