Keeper: Chapter 13

Chapter 13

The High Talbot stared at Jamie. He had gone completely still with Jamie’s pronouncement. He looked like a statue. Jamie could not even see the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. Del wheeled in a small cart containing a tea pot with the appropriate gear for two and a plate with a variety of sweet and savory offerings. His appearance broke the High Talbots statue like stance.



“I hope you do not find this too presumptuous Keeper but I believe you are mistaken.”



“No,” Jamie said as Del began to pour the tea. “I don’t believe I am. Someone tried to kill me this morning. Quite early this morning actually.” Jamie looked at Del as he took the offered tea cup. “Thank you.”



“You are serious?” The High Talbot said. Jamie nodded.



“Quite serious.” The High Talbot’s eyes shifted to Del. Del nodded.



“It is true your Lordship. The Keeper isn’t exaggerating. It happened shortly before dawn.”



“Who would do such a thing,” the High Talbot said. By the tone of voice Jamie though the comment was just voicing a thought rather than a question but he answered it anyway.



“I believe it is the same person or people who killed the Keeper before me.” Jamie took a sip of the piping hot tea. It was brewed nearly as strong as coffee. The High Talbot reached for his own cup. He poured a small measure of cream into it and used the tongs to add a sugar cube. Jamie noticed as he moved that his hands were shaking slightly. When the cup was fixed to his satisfaction the High Talbot took a deep sip. It seemed to steady him. He looked at Jamie his blue eyes bright and piercing.



“You believe Keeper Albrecht Fulton was murdered.”



Jamie met his gaze. “I do.” The High Talbot exhaled an impossibly long breath and took another sip.



“This will not do,” he said. Jamie quirked an eyebrow up in surprise. “There are rules.” He told Jamie firmly. “The Keeper maintains the balance. One does not kill the Keeper. It simply won’t do.”



“I appreciate the sentiment,” Jamie said dryly. From his position by the door Del quirked his mouth up in a half smile. He was too polite to do more than that in the presence of such a high personage. Jamie got the impression that he would have retreated out of sight and back to the kitchen quickly if her weren’t needed to confirm earlier events.



“Yes, this is most distressing to you as a person I am sure sir but you are the Keeper. As reprehensible as killing one person may be it is magnified exponentially when your position is taken into account.”



“I see,” Jamie said. “My I ask what would have happened if I had been killed this morning?”



“Chaos,” the man said firmly. “The entire system would be out of balance. It would be utter chaos. Most improper.” Jamie got the distinct impression that the High Talbot did not like things out of order. “May I ask what happened?”



“Last night I fell asleep in the Library,” Jamie began. Somehow he figured telling people where he was sleeping while someone was actively trying to kill him in his sleep was not a good idea. It was the only deception in his tale however and Del had no problem nodding in agreement when the High Talbot looked to him for confirmation.



“You used rubbing alcohol and paint?” The High Talbot asked. Jamie had been proud of his ruse but the tone of the question made him feel a little silly.



“Well I didn’t want to really hurt him,” Jamie replied.



“I see,” The High Talbot said. “In that case it was quite resourceful.”



“Thank you.”



“I believe I may be of assistance. I would like to take a look at the damage upstairs if I may? If, as your housekeeper suspects, a secondary trap exists I may be able to nullify it, possibly determining something of it creator as well.”



“That would indeed be of assistance,” Jamie told him. Del gave him a sharp look. “And I would be deeply grateful.” He added quickly. Apparently the High Talbot did not usually render assistance in person.



“It will be my pleasure.” He stood and Jamie followed suit. He let the way upstairs, the High Talbot following and Del trailing along after. At the closed door to Albe’s room Jamie reached for the door knob. Behind him the High Talbot cleared his throat. Jamie turned to find both of his companions frowning at him.



“If there is an active spell within the room it is most likely keyed to your presence. It would perhaps be best if it remain dormant while we have a look.” Jamie looked slightly puzzled.



“In this case dormant would mean not actively trying to kill you.” Jamie moved his hand away from the door knob as though it were red hot.



“I see,” he said sheepishly. “Sorry, I’m just not used to this whole magic thing and people trying to kill me.” He backed away from the door. Del made a shooing motion and Jamie kept backing up until the brownie was satisfied he was out of harms way. Feeling a little useless Jamie watched as the High Talbot opened the door to Albe’s bedroom. The man lifted an eyebrow as he took in the damage.



“It was perhaps a good thing that you fell asleep in the library,” the High Talbot commented. “And I believe your Housekeeper is correct. There is something still active.”



“Can you remove it?” Jamie asked. The High Talbot opened his mouth to reply but shut it again rapidly. He stared into the room and Jamie wished he could see what was going on.



“That is most distressing,” The High Talbot said.



“That’s an understatement if I ever heard one,” Del said. The High Talbot glanced down at him. “Sir,” he added.



“What is going on?” Jamie asked. He took a step forward. Green smoke started to drift around the High Talbot’s feet. Jamie froze.



“It seems to be activated by your voice so I would appreciate your not speaking.” The High Talbot said. Jamie nodded and clamped his lips down into a thin line. “You will need to back out of the way,” he told Del. Del nodded and moved out of the doorway. He placed himself halfway down the hall, squarely between Jamie and the door. Jamie smiled despite the danger. The smoke tried to move past the High Talbot, pushing into the hallway. Instinctively Jamie backed up a step. The smoke seemed to turn towards him and he decided that moving might be as bad an idea as talking. He pretended to be made of granite.



“I do not think so,” the High Talbot said to the smoke. He spread his hands wide, palms towards the smoke.Jamie thought he saw something like a heat haze directly below the hands. He narrowed his eyes but the haze did not change. The High Talbot appeared to push down and the smoke retreated into the bedroom. It moved slowly, grudgingly Jamie could see the High Talbot’s jaw clench and he realized that whatever was happening took effort. The High Talbot followed the smoke back in the room. Whatever was happening was silent and beyond Jamie’s line of vision. He had the feeling Del would not let him walk over and peek inside. The brownie was doing his own statue imitation and taking up more of the hallway than Jamie thought possible. They waited and Jamie’s breath sounded load to his own ears. He was beginning to wonder if someone should go into the room to check on the High Talbot when a hand gripped the door frame. The High Talbot stepped into the hallway, leaning heavily on the door frame. His hair was askew, his suit rumpled and it looked as though he had bitten through his own lip.



“I believe that has done it,” he said. Jamie relaxed.



“Thank you,” he said.



“Not at all,” he replied. “I don’t suppose you have somewhere I might use to freshen up a bit?” He eyed his rumpled suit with distain.



“Of course,” Jamie said, wondering which of the guest bathrooms would be suitable.



“This way your Lordship,” Del said taking the decision out of his hands and leading the High Talbot away. Jamie followed, glancing into Albe’s bedroom as he passed. The wooden floorboards were scorched in a vaguely circular area about three feet wide. In the center were two hand prints of unburned wood. The air had an acrid smell that snuck into the back of his throat and lodged there like a stone. He coughed, wanting to spit the taste out. Wondering if he should put some water on it to make sure the house didn’t burn down he followed the two people who might know the answer.