The Magician, The Wand IV

--- o The Cup II o ---

   ❝ Ya ‘ere Port Paracelsus got bombed las’ veek? ❞

   Judge unceremoniously scratched his balls as he stared down at the gameboard before him, nodding to himself that he made the correct move. It looked similar to chess, albeit the presence of a deck of cards, and substituting its pieces for small, oddly shaped tokens.

   ❝ Again? ❞ Veld pondered his glass as he quietly assessed the current situation; the only word to come to mind was fucked. Both for the topic at hand, and the poor excuse of a game he found himself in. As with everything, he took his sweet time to decide what to do next. Rather than moving a token, he turned over one of the cards laid out before him, taking a corresponding token and placing it on the card.

   ❝ Do we know who was behind it? ❞ Veld added, though by his tone, he already knew the answer. It wasn’t the first time the region had seen terrorist attacks, but understanding the frequency and intent behind them were still out of reach. If it were Lucidor or Brunellesco, two of the largest port-cities on the continent, then that was all well and good, but Paracelsus was in no way an economic powerhouse. So, why?

   ❝ ‘Parrently twas tat Eleazar fellow, ❞ Judge spoke with no small hint of disdain for the man he spoke of, and not just from business, his spite was personal. Very personal. ❝ Sooner ve get rid’ of tat syphilis-ridden cock’ound ta better. ❞

   ❝ He’s not making business easy, that’s for sure. ❞ Veld furrowed his brow, and reached for another token, shifting it over to check one of Judge’s, adding it to his own pile.

   ❝ I already have enough problems with the civil war in Wyddel making it impossible to transport via the sybilvine. ❞

   ❝ Aye. Tis’ not lookin’ good. Trade route’s tite asa rabbits ass wif Alcofribas an’ Lucidor flirtin’, ❞ Judge ranted as he reached for a cigar Veld held out to him, using a nearby candle to light it. He then sat back against nothing, even crossing one leg over the other. There were seats, even a couch, but he didn’t believe in them.

   ❝ An’now Luria ‘as been jumpin’ in an’ royally fuckin’ about tariffs or sumshite’ ❞

   ❝ Mm, I’ve been looking at alternatives, but you’ll need to make do for now. ❞ Veld sighed, clicking his tongue as he often did when lost in thought as he studied the board further, soon dismissing it with a wave of his hand and an annoyed grunt.

   ❝ Eugh, Ah know, ah know, ❞ Judges splayed his fingers, and  reaching over to fill Veld’s glass with more whiskey, promptly downing the rest of the bottle in one swig. ❝ Bosveen’s been lookin’ fer new routes— ❞

   ❝ It doesn’t help that they have also been snooping around. ❞

   Veld now spoke with a far more serious tone that didn’t quite seem to fit his features. Wiping the blood from his nose left from earlier, he set his own empty glass on the unusually tidy desk. His whole study was spotless, rustic like the rest of his home, yet it held a quiet opulence that only surfaced behind closed doors.

   ❝ Ah fuck, yer’ rite’ ❞ Judges scratched his beard, picking something out of it and promptly eating it. ❝ I saw a group of em’ on mah way ‘ere. Tey’ drop by? ❞

   ❝ Shortly before I left. But if you saw them then they’ve clearly been hanging around. ❞ Veld replied, relieved that they hadn’t turned back the moment he left.

   ❝ I’m worried. Things are happening too quickly. ❞

   Veld sighed, as he spoke once more, but he fell silent as his gaze shifted to the door, which creaked as Iris peered inside, stepping in and closing the door behind her as she regarded the two men.

   ❝ How long— ❞ Iris cut the silence off. ❝ How long have you been letting her run the shop on her own? ❞

   ❝ More than I should, ❞ Veld raised his hand dismissively, his tone sharpening with his gaze. ❝ But not without good reason. ❞

   ❝ What reason would that be? ❞ Her tone and face darkened. She knew exactly what he was getting at, but it did nothing to stay her ire. ❝ You couldn’t get someone to keep an eye on her? ❞

   ❝ And who, pray tell, would I trust enough to do so? ❞ Veld replied with a not-so-subtle hint of irritation in his voice, made even more apparent by the glare Iris gave him.

   ❝ Me’ve been ‘ere many a times, ❞ Jude interjected, pouring himself another glass, another bottle for the collection. ❝ El’s old enuff to look afta ‘erself. ❞

   ❝ And that’s supposed to reassure me? ❞ Iris pointed her ire to Judge. She knew she was being overprotective with Elly, but for good reason. ❝ Need I remind you of the last time? ❞ Her voice was raised somewhat, even if she was trying to keep the noise low so as to not wake Elly.

   She bit her lip to stifle her anger. ❝ If— ❞

   ❝ I know you’re concerned for her safety, but you need to put more trust in her. ❞ Veld cut her off; now, a brief flash of his anger came through. ❝ And don’t forget, it was you who brought her to me, so trust in my judgement. I’d never do something to harm her. ❞

   ❝ Now now, ❞ Judge piped up this time, ❝ Me been lookin’ out fer ‘er, ‘specially round ta’ lab. ❞ He added, swirling his glass with a hint of pride in his eyes.

   ❝ Caut ‘er sneakin’ in once or twice. Went to stop‘er, ❞

   ❝ Didn’t, an’ didn’t need to! ❞ Judge exclaimed, then added, ❝ El’s grown since ye brout‘er here. Girl’s gots a good mind wen’ ya let’er do thin’s on ‘er own. ❞

   ❝ Yup! You know she’s been helping me more around the shop, and she can finally brew without making a mess of things! ❞ Veld chuckled, filling his own glass. His demeanour changed to that of a proud father. ❝ She’s been teaching herself when I’m not around! ❞

   ❝ I know, I just worry for her, ❞ Iris breathed sharply, turning down the offer of whiskey, but not the offer of cigar, one of her few vices. She knew he was right, and she took a moment to catch herself before she made a fool of herself. ❝ Has she—? ❞

   ❝ Not as often, ❞ Veld replied, much calmer now. ❝ It’s proved far more complicated than I anticipated, but we’ve managed to find ways to reduce the symptoms, but I’m afraid we can’t be rid of them. ❞

   ❝ Mm. ❞ Iris sighed, finally subduing her nerves. Not the ideal answer she wanted, but she understood.

   ❝ Iris. ❞ Veld spoke, breaking the moment of awkward silence.

   ❝ Yes? ❞ Iris replied, her tone somewhat uncertain.

   ❝ Is it possible for the Monastery to take her in for a while? ❞ Veld shot her a knowing look, continuing before Iris had a chance to reply. ❝ I have some very important matters to attend to and I can’t say how long I will be gone for this time. ❞

   Iris opened her mouth but did not reply. By the look on Veld’s face, she knew what he meant, and simply nodded, albeit hesitantly. ❝ The war is still ongoing, so it isn’t the best place for her, but it is the safest. The Sisters will look after her, though I don’t know if such an environment would be good for her. ❞

   ❝ It isn’t. But leaving her here has become difficult as of late, and I’ve done my best to be here as often as I can, but that’s not always possible, especially not now. ❞ Veld sighed.

   ❝ Besides, I’ve been teaching Elly about medicine, and she has quite the talent for it. ❞ Veld reassured her, ❝ She’ll be fine. ❞

   ❝ That isn’t my concern. I’ve seen what it’s like there,  ❞ Iris shook her head, pouring herself a glass of whisky, which was rather unusual for her. ❝ Home remedies aren’t the same as tending to wounded soldiers. ❞

   ❝ I’ve been teaching her more than that, ❞ Veld replied curtly,  ❝ Like I said, she’ll be fine. ❞

   ❝ She’ll be elated to tag along for the ride, and it’ll do well for her to make friends. But convincing her to stay there, ❞ Iris continued, ❝ It will be a pain, but I think I can do it. ❞

   ❝ True. ❞ Veld smiled, gesturing over to the door where Elly peered inside. ❝ But why don’t we ask her first? ❞

   ❝ El? ❞ Iris turned to face her; already putting out her cigar in the empty glass beside her. Had she been listening the whole time? ❝ What are you doing up? ❞

   ❝ Can’t sleep. ❞ Nothing new there, ❝ Cn’I come in? ❞ She knew she wasn’t allowed in here, so she hesitated for a moment, but did so when Veld nodded.

   ❝ Were you listening? ❞ Iris asked, unsure of how much she heard.

   ❝ No? ❞ Elly replied, knowing how much Iris hated eavesdropping, though the way she bit her tongue gave Iris her answer. She always does that when she lies.

   ❝ No need to be shy, ❞ Veld smiled and gestured her to come in, which she did. ❝ Come on in’ ❞

   ❝ Do you want to come with me? ❞ Iris asked, not beating around the bush as she knew she already heard everything, especially as she cut her off mid-sentence.

   ❝ Yes. ❞

--- o The Magician o ---