Fractured Magic: Chapter Twenty-One

Fractured Magic is a fantasy webserial about political and personal accountability, ghosts both figurative and literal, and a pair of estranged friends who act like they’ve gone through the world’s messiest divorce.

Leandros watched Ivor, the alfar from the security team, flick a folded triangle of paper across the table at Trin. Without so much as looking Ivor’s way, Trin swept it to the floor.

It was so childish. While Leandros wasn’t leading this meeting, he felt offended on his Coordinator’s behalf. Trin was the only one listening to his logistics report, and now Ivor threatened to disrupt even that.

Granted, Leandros was among those not listening, but he at least made an effort to hide it. He also had good reason. With how the Magistrates overworked him, trying to push him to quit before they even left Gallontea, he rarely had moments where he could sit and fade into the background. On top of that, he’d been up half the night moving hotels, escaping the reporters that somehow kept finding him. He had enemies. His family had enemies. He couldn’t afford to stay somewhere publicly known and accessible, not when Unity had failed to offer him a guard during his stay in their city. He rubbed his tired eyes and bit back a sigh.

As for the rest of the team…Evelyne was in a foul mood, her arm in a sling following the break-in. Gareth frowned at the far wall, tapping his pen against his empty note paper. Cathwright, a large white dragon and the team’s legal adviser, sat in the corner and picked at her claws. The rest of the security team hadn’t even bothered to show up.

Leandros understood why, of course. He knew exactly what they were – had known, since the moment he first saw them. While they were Unity’s most-guarded secret, you couldn’t travel with Egil for any amount of time and not learn about the Enforcers. And if yesterday’s break-in involved the prison, then the Enforcer’s secret barracks were compromised as well. Leandros watched Evelyne thoughtfully, not looking away even when she met his gaze. Five Enforcers, all for what was meant to be a diplomatic mission. What were they planning?

“And that covers meal planning,” Eresh said. Turning to the chalkboard behind him, Leandros’ Unity Coordinator crossed out another item on his agenda – only six of eight, after they’d already been in this cramped room for well over two hours. “If you have questions about anything I’ve covered up to this point, please consult your travel guide. You’ll find emergency protocols at the front and an index at the back. For our route, we’ll be traveling around Lyryma Forest on the western Unity Road, stopping in Lyryma to perform a full investigation before we make contact with Orean.”

“Eresh, c’mon. We already know an orinian did it, we just don’t know which one,” Ivor said, tipping lazily back in his chair. “And that, Illyon won’t tell us. Why waste time poking around there?”

“Because this mission is about rescuing my uncle, not charging into Orean and starting a war,” Leandros said coldly. “If there’s anything to be learned from an investigation, it will be worth it.”

Ivor looked Leandros up and down with his good eye, seeming almost bored. “Then have your investigation, but expect your uncle to be dead before we ever make it to Orean, Your Highness.”

He loved to emphasize Leandros’ title, loved to imply that Leandros was given and had not earned his position on the team. Leandros hummed and leaned down to pick something up. He would not give Ivor the satisfaction of getting angry. “As Ms. Jones has said multiple times, if the king is still alive by the time we reach Illyon, he’ll still be alive when we leave it. I understand struggling with the dense information being presented to you, Mr. Linde, but you seem so fixated on Ms. Jones that I thought you would have at least listened to her. Or maybe your attention span is simply more suited for children’s games?” he asked, holding out the paper Ivor had flicked across the table. “I believe this belongs to you.”

The feet of Ivor’s chair hit the ground with a thud as he reached out to take the paper back. He grinned, and Leandros’ first thought was how unbecoming the expression was on an alfar. His second was chagrin — he had many reasons to dislike Ivor, but escaping Alfheimr’s rigid rules of expression wasn’t one of them. Ivor spun the little triangle of paper on the table and said, “I do love games, but that’s not all my attention span is good for. It’s good for fighting, too. It’s good for violence.”

“How unfortunate, then, that you’ve been assigned to a peaceful mission. Perhaps Ms. Corscia should speak with the Magistrates and have you replaced,” Leandros said.

“You use real pretty words, Your Highness, but we all know you’ll do anything to get your uncle back,” Ivor said, leaning in. “Your Alfheimr mask can’t hide everything; we see it in your eyes. It’s okay, you can admit it. We’re all here to support you, after all. Point and tell us where to strike, and we’ll strike.”

Leandros’ hands clenched into fists beneath the table, where Ivor and Evelyne couldn’t see. Normally, this was where Evelyne intervened – she allowed Ivor his little insults, then pretended to rein him when he went too far. When she kept quiet, Leandros said, “I appreciate the sentiment, Mr. Linde, but that won’t be necessary. You and your peers can support me by referring to me only as captain for the remainder of the journey.”

“Of course. For as long as you’re with us, Captain,” Evelyne agreed. While her tone was polite, her words sent a shiver down Leandros’ spine. Still, he smiled at her.

“Ah, Ms. Corscia, that reminds me – I noticed that McDermott and Thomason are missing today. Are they investigating yesterday’s attack on the island? Haven’t you found the culprits yet?”

Evelyne’s expression darkened. “You – You have some nerve saying that to me, of all people.”

“I don’t follow,” Leandros said. He really didn’t. Why him, of all people?

“Didn’t anyone tell you? McDermott’s dead,” Ivor supplied. “He was killed in yesterday’s attack.”

Gareth tuned into the conversation at that, sucking in a sharp breath. “Killed? Moira only told me he was indisposed, not that he’d bloody died!” It was the most he’d spoken the whole meeting.

While Leandros wondered what that had to do with him, Evelyne stood, slamming her hands on the table as she did. Despite her next words, she looked only at Leandros while she spoke. “This is an excellent time to remind everyone here that if you know anything about yesterday’s attack, it is your duty to report that to Unity. Failure to do so is nothing less than treason.”

Leandros blinked. He thought she’d been upset because he intervened with that Webhon Players actress. She couldn’t really think he knew anything about the attack? About McDermott?

“Really, Evelyne. The Captain was with me almost all day yesterday,” Eresh said, unexpectedly coming to Leandros’ defense. “Certainly well past the time that the break- in occurred.”

“Yes, what exactly are you accusing Captain Nochdvor of, Ms. Corscia?” Trin asked.

Finding all eyes on her, Evelyne paused to take a steadying breath. “Nothing, of course. It was only a reminder.”

“A reminder I dare say none of us needed,” Cathwright rumbled, eyeing not Leandros, but Evelyne and Ivor suspiciously.

“My apologies, then, for repeating useless information,” Evelyne gritted out. “Eresh, are you finished? As Captain Nochdvor pointed out, Mr. Linde and I still have a fugitive to catch.”

Eresh looked back at his chalkboard, which had two agenda items still unchecked. “I – I suppose? If you miss anything important, I’ll catch up with you this evening.”

“Then Ivor and I will be excusing ourselves.”

“Wait! One more thing. Chia – our final team member,” Eresh began. “When are we to expect her?”

Evelyne shrugged. “Soon. When I see her, I’ll tell her to come find you.” And with that, she swept out of the room with Ivor at her heels, neither of them so much as glancing Leandros’ way again.

After Eresh had officially concluded the meeting, Gareth sidled up to Leandros. “I have a complaint, Captain,” he said, waiting until Leandros looked up from packing his bag before adding, “We’re leaving Gallontea in two days and have yet to get those drinks.”

“Ah. That would be because you stood me up at the theater,” Leandros replied.

The joking smile fell from Gareth’s face, his eyes widening almost comically. “Well, I—”

“I’m only joking, Mr. Ranulf,” Leandros said, feeling an unexpected pang of homesickness. Any alfar would have seen the teasing for what it was. “As I told you then, I understand. Plans change.”

“Oh! Yes, I see. You’re too kind,” Gareth said. “I didn’t know they taught you how to do that in Alfheimr. Joke, that is.”

Despite himself, Leandros’ lips twitched up into a smile. The ending of that meeting — and Ivor’s expression as he stormed out behind Evelyne — had significantly lightened his mood. “They don’t, of course. There are laws against humor of all kinds in the capital. Tease the wrong person and you’ll end up on the gallows,” he said. “Fortunately for you, we’re not in the capital. Would you be free for drinks this evening?”

“Not tonight – my wife and I attend the evening service at St. John’s. Tomorrow?”

“I could make the time.” Leandros paused, then, remembering something. “About McDermott – I know he was to be your personal guard. Has your sister mentioned getting you a replacement?”

“She has, in fact. I recommended a friend of mine for the job.”

A friend – did that mean this replacement wouldn’t be an Enforcer? Going from five to four Enforcers on his team would be a significant improvement. Before he could ask any questions, though, Gareth continued, “But speaking of, I could use your advice. This is all theoretical, of course, but if you suspected you did know something about yesterday’s attack, or at least suspected you might know someone involved, what would you do?”

It was the last thing Leandros expected to hear from Gareth Ranulf, brother of a Unity Magistrate. Was this a trick? Had Evelyne put him up to this? Deciding to give Gareth the benefit of the doubt, he asked, “Do I trust this person?”

“Yes,” Gareth said after a moment’s thought. “But when Ms. Corscia said—”

“Do you trust Ms. Corscia?”

“I barely know Ms. Corscia.”

“Then you have your answer. If you say you trust this person, Mr. Ranulf, then trust them.”

After a moment’s consideration, Gareth nodded. “Yes, you might be on to something.”

“I’m sorry to interrupt,” Eresh said, joining them. Looking around, Leandros realized the others had left, only the three of them remaining in the room. “Captain, we have a meeting with the Magistrates in fifteen minutes. We should be on our way if we’re to make it to the courthouse in time.”

“Do you mind if I walk with you?” Gareth asked. “The truth is, Mr. Nochdvor, there’s one other thing I’ve been wanting to ask you about.”

Leandros nodded, gesturing for Eresh to lead the way, and Gareth fell into step beside him. After Eresh’s pestering, the Magistrates had finally granted them a dedicated meeting space on the island, in the bowels of one of the under-used administrative buildings. While it was a step up from Eresh’s home, it still meant a long walk to the courthouse.

“This is a question of a more personal nature, if that’s alright,” Gareth hedged, watching carefully for Leandros’ reaction. When Leandros didn’t give him any, he ventured, “You…knew Egil, didn’t you?”

Ahead of them, Eresh nearly tripped over his own feet. He glanced back, eyes wide, to watch Leandros’ reaction. Gareth was watching, too — did he really seem so volatile? He gave a wry smile. “I was wondering when you’d ask,” he said. Seeing Gareth’s eyes widen, he added, “You’re one of the most prolific folklorists on the continent, Mr. Ranulf; did you really think I wouldn’t know your work? And even if I hadn’t, it’s in the files Mr. Ochoa prepared.”

“I — well, I suppose I had forgotten about that. By ‘know your work’, do you mean to say that you’ve…?”

“Read it?” Leandros finished. “Almost everything you’ve written on the subject of Egil, in fact. My cousin brought one of your early papers to my attention, some decades back, and I’ve been following your career with interest since.”

Gareth’s mouth fell open in surprise. Eventually, he managed, “Oh, how embarrassing. If I’d known you — well, I apologize for any factual inaccuracies; I work mostly with Unity records and secondary sources.”

“I’m not worried about factual inaccuracies, Mr. Ranulf. But, to answer the question I suspect you already know the answer to, yes. I knew him.”

“What was he to you, exactly?” Gareth asked Leandros. Eresh slowed to walk beside them, three to the cobblestone paths of Unity’s island. He didn’t speak, only listened, his notes and folders clutched to his chest like an eager schoolboy.

“I suspect you know this, too, but that’s a difficult question to answer,” Leandros said, ignoring Eresh. “There’s no clean way to summarize, so I’ll say simply this: he was my dearest friend.”

“Then in Histrios, why…?” Gareth asked, trailing off.

Leandros had expected the question, though not so early into the conversation. He felt his mood begin to sour. “I’m sure you’ve heard. He changed,” he answered flatly. It was the same response he’d given anyone who’d asked over the decades.

“I would be interested in hearing the full story from you, if you’ll tell it.”

“Me too!” Eresh chimed in.

Leandros was not his uncle; he was not meant to hold court. That, and he didn’t trust either of these men enough to tell them the truth. “Maybe someday,” he said, in the end. The fall breeze rustled through the late-blooming taurel, making the blue flowers sway along the path. “Not here.”

Though Gareth visibly deflated, he nodded, gracious despite the rejection. “May I ask just one more question? What was he like? Histrios aside, was he everything the stories say?”

It was hardly just one question, and they both knew it. Leandros tipped his head to one side, weighing his response. “No,” he said, finally. “He wasn’t fearless.”

Gareth waited for more, but Leandros had nothing more to say. Silently, they followed Eresh up the steps to the courthouse, Unity’s clock tower looming behind them. When Eresh held the door, Leandros passed through first, stopping just inside before almost colliding with someone. Not just someone — an orinian, standing right in the middle of Unity’s courthouse.

His stop was so abrupt that Gareth nearly ran into his back, and Eresh into Gareth’s.

The last time Leandros collided with an orinian, he hadn’t been able to stop staring. This time was much the same, though for a very different reason: it was her fashion taste, or lack thereof.

Having worn mourning blacks for the better part of eight decades, Leandros paid little mind to the latest styles. He knew the silhouettes that suited him and appreciated the elegance of black-on-black embellishments, but even he knew how démodé this woman was. She wore a threadbare collegiate sweater at least twice her size, pairing it with a long, vibrant green skirt decked in glittering lace, bells, and glass buttons. Her long dark hair was piled atop her head, and jagged birthmarks cut like lightning across her face.

Eresh peered around Gareth and Leandros. When he saw her, he cried, “Chia, you’re back!”

Chia? Then this must be their final teammate, Eftychia O’Neill. Eftychia waved at Eresh, her entire face lighting up, then pushed up her sleeve and extended a small hand toward Leandros. “Pleasure to meet you, Captain Mourning Dove.”

Leandros twitched at the nickname. “Nochdvor,” he corrected as he shook her hand.

“It’s just a game she plays,” Eresh explained – not quietly enough to keep Eftychia from hearing, but at least enough that she could pretend she hadn’t.

“I like nicknames,” Eftychia said with a shrug, stepping aside to let Leandros pass, then following him through the echoing hall. It was busier here; they would have had to fight to get to the stairwell, but Leandros and Eftychia together drew attention, and onlookers were quick to step out of their way. Somewhere nearby, Leandros heard the shutter of a camera. More reporters.

Unnoticing or uncaring, Eftychia continued, “I also like animals! Dear Eresh is just upset because I’ve dubbed him a weasel.” She gave an exaggerated eye roll, then laughed brightly at herself. “I said squirrel first, Eresh, but you didn’t like that either!”

“And I’m a mourning dove?” Leandros asked, frowning.

“No. I was just trying that one out, but it doesn’t fit. You do have a gentle sort of sadness about you, though,” Eftychia said, not noticing Leandros’ frown deepen. “I’ll keep trying. We’ll have plenty of time for it on the journey, after all. There’s no better way to pick people apart and learn what makes them tick than to travel with them over a great distance. Don’t you think?”

Leandros gave her a sidelong look, but her expression remained sweet and open. “I suppose.”

“I’m very sorry to have made you all wait, by the way. I meant to be back last week, but there were complications,” Eftychia said with a gentle smile. If she was an Enforcer, then she had probably been out on a mission. Leandros shuddered to think what those “complications” might have been. “Have you been enjoying Gallontea in the meantime, Captain?”

“I haven’t seen much of it,” Leandros admitted. “My days have been spent here on the island.”

“I was hoping you’d say that! Please, let me show you the city!” Eftychia chirped, the bells on her skirt jingling as she gave a little skip. “I simply can’t let you out of my sight until I’ve figured out your nickname, anyway.”

“You’re going to have to,” Eresh said, checking his watch. “We have a meeting with the Magistrates to get to and you’re not invited.”

Leandros was surprised Eftychia’s offer. Of his teammates, only Gareth had made an effort to spend time with him socially – and if Eftychia was on the security team, she was an Enforcer. Leandros knew she was an Enforcer: behind her cheer, he saw the same hardness in her eyes that he’d seen in the others. This had to be a trap. He couldn’t trust her. But even so, he’d been lonely. It had been too long since he’d been away from his family, too long since he’d traveled alone.

“Tomorrow, perhaps?” he asked. He was awarded with a brilliant smile from Eftychia. But he’d be foolish to go anywhere with an Enforcer alone, so he added, “Mr. Ochoa, Mr. Ranulf, would you like to join?”

“I’d be delighted,” Gareth said, making Leandros breathe a relieved sigh. If it was originally meant to be a trap, Eftychia wouldn’t try anything with the brother of a Magistrate present.

Eresh shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “I’m not so sure.”

“Eresh, you simply must come!” Eftychia said, grabbing Eresh’s arm and hanging off it. She had a willowy frame, and was nearly as tall as the dryad.

“We have no meetings scheduled, for once. I see no reason that you shouldn’t come along,” Leandros pointed out. “Let’s just not meet too early in the morning.”

“Do you not like mornings?” Eftychia asked. “Oh, let me think. What kind of animal doesn’t like mornings?”

“Sloths,” Eresh suggested, smugly.

“Hush, armadillo,” Leandros told him. He stopped at the top of the stairs, where the hallway branched into three, and the others followed his lead.

“Eresh, you’re coming,” Eftychia said, making the decision for him. “Let’s all meet on the bridge at nine o’clock tomorrow morning.”

Eresh rolled his eyes, but smiled. “Very well, but only if you promise to read all of the files I’ve sent over before then. Now, we really must be going.”

“Until tomorrow, then,” Gareth said with a bow.

“Have a good meeting, Eresh! It was a pleasure meeting you, Captain Leopard! I’ll see all three of you tomorrow! Nine o’clock, and don’t you forget!”

“I wouldn’t mind if that one stuck,” Leandros said, even as Eresh started down the tallest of the three hallways, toward Magistrate Malong’s office.

“No, it’s still not right. I’m getting closer, though,” Eftychia said, giving him one more goodbye wave before flouncing away.

“She’s a strange one,” Eresh said when Leandros caught up with him. “A bit childish, at times, but a quick fighter. Don’t worry, Captain, she’ll make an excellent addition to the security team.”

“I wasn’t worried,” Leandros said. Not about that, at least. He turned to watch Eftychia’s dark hair disappear  into the crowd. Above her, over the grand foyer of Unity’s courthouse, hung a wide window. Through it, the dark silhouette of Unity’s prison and barracks sat on the clear horizon.

Woo, Gareth *finally * asking Leandros about Egil! Also, I hope you all like Eftychia - she's probably my favorite Enforcer after Evelyne. And thank you all for reading, as always.

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