Keeper: Chapter 27

Chapter 27

While the wait was not long, to Jamie it felt as though each minute took an eternity. He realized he was nervously eating and stepped away from the tea cart. He walked to the window and looked out over the front yard. Shadows were starting to stretch long fingers across the yard as if the forest was reaching greedily for the house. Jamie shivered a little. Nothing moved in the yard and he wondered if he had finished with visitors for the day. He heard footsteps behind him and turned to see Del helping Burr into the room. The robust architect looked as bad as the High Talbot had after dealing with Albe’s bedroom.



“What happened?” Jamie asked moving to help Del get Burr into a chair. Del poured out a cup of the tea and Jamie was glad the pot had been set on a warming plate as Burr seemed to need the warmth as well as the tea. There were tinges of purply blue on his fingernails and he seemed to be shivering. “I didn’t hear anything.”



“Wasn’t much to hear truth be told,” Del said to him. “Not all magic is showy stuff.”



“Still looks like it was a bit of a scuffle,” Jamie said with a shrug, taking in Burr’s condition. His tie was askew and his formerly white shirt had several dark smudges. His unruly hair had moved more into the unkempt category. It seemed to bother him less than it had the High Talbot.



“That it was,” Burr said. “The tea was a help though. Burr’s voice sounded tired but the shaking was slowly ending.



“What happened?” Jamie asked again, sinking back into his chair.



“What happened was someone was expecting me or someone like me to be called into repair the damage and I went in there expecting all the harm to be aimed towards you.” The tired voice sounded grumpy.



“I’m sorry,” Jamie said, unsure of his response. Burr waved away the apology and took another sip of tea.



“It was a stupid mistake on my part. The disruptor had my name on it. I should have thought before I acted. Would have saved some trouble.” Unsure what the reponse should be Jamie refilled Burr’s cup and then poured his own cup of tea, more to be companionable than for any other reason. Del stood behind Burr’s chair in case his assistance was needed.



“So is the problem fixed?” Jamie asked hesitantly as the silence stretched. Burr let out a short bark of laughter.



“Not exactly,” Burr said. “It will take a bit of work to set it right but there is a temporary block on it for now so nothing nasty will be sneaking in during the night. I’ll be back in the morning to start working on a more permanent sort of fix.” Jamie took in Burr’s worn appearance and Burr snorted. “There’s more life in these old bones of mine, never you fear. I just need a good night’s rest and the proper tools.” Burr’s face hardened. “I don’t appreciate people mucking about with my work.” Burr set his empty coup down on the small table and slowly pushed himself up out of his chair. The arms of the chair protested his weight and Jamie thought they were unused to such an ordeal. Del continued to hover, not wanting to offer assistance that would insult the architect but wanting to be on hand in case he was needed. The trio made it to the front door without incident where Burr made his farewells and promised to return with his complete set of tools in the morning.



“And I’ll also be thinking long and hard over who’d be able to do this nasty bit of work.” Burr said as he turned to go. “While I can think of several who’d not have a problem thinking of something like this, very few of them have the skill. I don’t think it will be a long list.”



“Do you think Terrell San Vojnoen of the House of the Fiery Lily would make that list?” Jamie asked. Burr lifted one bushy eyebrow in surprise.



“I don’t know,” Burr said slowly. “the San Volnoen Clan has always kept to itself. Have you had problems with them?”



“Not really,” Jamie admitted. “But he visited earlier and refused both drink and food while offering help.” Burr sucked in his breath at Jamie’s words.



“Then he should be one to watch,” Burr said. He looked Jamie up and down. “You know most new Keeper’s take a little longer to find trouble.”



“It isn’t like I went looking,” Jamie replied.



“No it isn’t. And that is something.” With those parting words Burr left the porch and walked into the shadows, becoming an indistinct blur faster than Jamie would have thought. Jamie blinked and Burr was gone. He turned to Del.



“Did he just disappear?” Jamie asked. Del smiled.



“No he just left this side of the barrier.”



“This side?”



“You are called the Keeper of the Crossroads,” Del reminded him as Jamie shut the door.



“So the cross roads are where the Fay world and the normal one meet?”



“Yes,” Dell said with a grin. “Although I’d probably not call the human world normal.”



“Fair enough,” Jamie replied with a smile. Del moved into the parlor and cleared the remains of the tea. Jamie decided he needed a short stretch of time to sort out what he knew and decided working on the inventory might be a good idea. Checking items off a list might just help him clear his brain a little and sort through events. With this thought in mind he went back upstairs to the library to retrieve the inventory. He looked at the thick packet of pages and was at a loss as to where to begin. Part of him wanted to return to the hidden rooms but half of him was a little afraid.



“That mirror wasn’t exactly showing me the fairest of the land,” he mused. “Of course the fairest wouldn’t be of much use to me.” He tapped the inventory in thought. “That room seemed to have the artifacts from the destruction of the older house stored there which means it might have more answers than anything.” Calling himself a ‘fraidy cat he picked up the inventory and decided he might want to go there after all. “For a short while anyway.” He set the alarm on his watch for two hours and told Del where he was going.



“Here’s hoping I actually find answers instead of more questions.”

Keeper: Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Jamie scarfed down a few more of the triangle sandwiches, washing them down with more of Del’s peppermint tea. He figured with a few of them in his belly he would at least not have the embarrassment of his stomach rumbling during his tea with Burr Alverson. Del moved around the kitchen preparing for the great man’s arrival. Jamie thought he looked something like a dancer, moving with sure steps between cupboards, pantry, counter and cart. Every movement was precise and calculated.



“May I ask why you served peppermint tea?” Jamie asked hoping his question would not disrupt Del’s movement. To his relief it didn’t. “My first visitor found it amusing.”



“The peppermint was grown in the yard, so technically it qualifies as fruits of your land,” Del shrugged. “I couldn’t think of anything else he would eat that qualified. The peppermint was in his drink as well.” Del paused and fixed Jamie with a hard stare. “You aren’t going to tell me he didn’t drink either?”



“Oh he drank,” Jamie assured him. Del sighed with relief and resumed his domestic dance. “Actually everyone but the last one took something from the tray, whether it was food or beverage.” Jamie nibbled on another sandwich, thinking about the differences between Terrell and the other visitors. “The others also left me with things they either thought I could use or things that they thought paid off a personal debt to Albe.”



“Well the Keeper before you was well liked and very adept at getting people the assistance they needed without making a show of it.” Del said as he placed a small tray of tarts on the tea tray. “In all truth I doubt any but those who directly involved would know of his involvement. There would have been a great deal of gratefulness for that as well as the actual favor. A lot of stock is put by self sufficiency.”



“I can see that,” Jamie said thoughtfully.



“Did the last visitor try to give you anything? The one who didn’t eat?”



“An offer of assistance in my duties as Keeper,” he replied. Del snorted. A knock on the door forestalled any further comment. Jamie rose from his chair only to be frowned at by Del.



“I will get the door,” Del said. “And then come to get you.” Del headed towards the front door before Jamie could comment. While he waited for Del to return he brushed crumbs from his shirt and ran a hand through his hair. Butterflies were dancing in his stomach. With this visit he might actually find out some details of what was going on. Jamie glanced to the cabinet under the sink where the little bit of nasty Del had found was located. “This is going to be interesting.” Del returned to the kitchen and Jamie walked towards the front parlor.



His guest was sitting in one of the red stripped chairs and Jamie could make out a bit of thick curly dark brown hair sitting atop the architect’s head but nothing more. He walked around to the side and got a better view as he approached the chair. Burr Alverson had a thick and unruly mop of brown curls that seemed to extend down to his face in the form facial hair cut in the style Jamie thought was called a mutton chop. His bright blue eyes seemed to glow in the weathered brown setting of his face. At the moment those eyes were looking around the room.



“Good afternoon,” Jamie said. The head swiveled towards Jamie and he nearly felt a physical impact from the weight of those eyes. “I’m so glad you could make it Mr. Alverson especially on such short notice.” The architect slid out of his chair and stood, extending his hand to Jamie.



“The name’s Burr and it is no hardship to be here. Haven’t seen the place since it was finished and I have to admit to a fair amount of curiosity. Seems to be holding its own.” Jamie caught a note of pride in the statement and smiled. He reached out and shook Burr’s hand. The hand was roughly calloused and Burr’s grip was firm. They each took their seats.



“And I am Jamie.” Burr’s eyebrow shot up in surprise for a second and then dropped back down. The man smiled.



“Well then that’s something isn’t it? But I’m guessing you didn’t invite me here for a sightseeing visit.” Del wheeled in the loaded cart.



“You are correct, although I would be more than happy for you to look around.” Jamie sighed and considered his words. “I hope this won’t offend you,” he said. To his surprise Burr laughed. Del looked startled at the outburst and paused near the door.



“I tend to favor the straightforward,” Burr said. “There isn’t an awful lot of that though. Go ahead, I’ll try not to be offended.” Jamie nodded.



“Del if you could fetch the object?”



“Of course Keeper.” Del said. He disappeared into the hallway.



“We’ve had a little problem here of late,” Jamie began. “Someone has tried to kill me.” The smile dropped from Burr’s lips.



“I had heard rumors but didn’t give them much credit.”



“Yesterday a large boulder smashed into the keeper’s bed. Luckily I did not happen to be in it at the time.” Burr’s face darkened.



“In this house?” He demanded.



“Yes,” Jamie replied. Anger sparkled in his visitor’s eyes. “I do not understand much in the way of magic so perhaps Del can help with some of the details. Del walked into to the room holding the cloth wrapped object. Del refused Jamie’s offer of a seat and instead stood by the tea tray. Jamie had the feeling he derived some comfort from the familiar. Del carefully relayed the events of the past day, including the boulder, the false Keeper, the business card and ending with Del’s trip to the basement. When Del finished speaking, Burr’s face looked like a storm cloud with the brilliant blue eyes flashing lightning hot.



“That is what you found?” He asked, gesturing to Del’s hand.



“It is sir.” Came the reply.



“May I see it?” Jamie found the question addressed to him.



“Of course.” Jamie said. Del handed the small bundle over and Burr carefully unwrapped it. When it lay exposed on the cloth Burr narrowed his eyes in study. With his free hand he reached into his pocket and came out with a jeweler’s eye. Burr fitted it into his eye socket and studied the object the way a jeweler would study a diamond. He made odd rumbling noises as he looked. Slowly he turned the object over, careful not to let his skin touch it.



“It is a disruptor,” Burr finally said looking up. One eye was magnified abnormally large by the jeweler’s eye until he slipped it out and it again resumed normal proportions. Burr put the eye away and re wrapped the object. “It is designed to allow for a break in the house’s defenses.” He fixed his eyes on Jamie. “And I did not make it.” Del seemed to relax. “I also resent that my name was used to do so.” Jamie could still see the anger in Burr’s eyes. Burr reached over to the tea cart picked up one of the ham and cheese savories and purposefully took a bite. He finished the treat in two bites and Jamie saw Del’s shoulders loose a little more of their tension. Jamie thought of Del’s comments in the kitchen.



“If you wouldn’t mind I would like to have a look at where you found this. It would give me a bit of an idea of what damage was done and how to begin to repair it. The house of the Keeper is designed to be a secure location.” Burr fixed his gaze on Jamie. “A keeper stands for the balance and should be able to make decisions fairly and without fear of reprisal. That is the Keeper’s job. To interfere with that is not allowed. It was tried once before and that is why this house was built with all of the protections in place.”



“I understand and I am fine with you looking at it.” Jamie replied. “Do you know what happened to the house before this one was built?” Jamie asked.



“It was destroyed,” Burr said. “And the Keeper at the time with it. It was never discovered who was responsible or why it was done as nothing seemed to change. Or nothing noticeable anyway.”



“So nothing happened?” Jamie asked. Burr chuckled.



“Of course something happened. It just wasn’t showy enough to be noticed.”



“I see.” Jamie said. “Well I suppose I had better show you to the basement then.”



“No,” both Del and Burr said in unison. Both men were frowning at him. Jamie sunk back into his chair.



“I’m sure your housekeeper can show me,” Burr said. “I think it best you stay away from the cracks in the house’s defenses as they are where dangers will be more likely to be introduced. And as you seem to be the primary target… well it will just be safer.” Burr tucked the cloth wrapped disrupter into his pocket and indicated that Del was to lead the way. The two men left the parlor. Deciding there was nothing to do but wait, Jamie loaded a plate with the goodies from the cart and waited for their return.