Keeper: Chapter 45

Chapter 45.

Jamie closed the door after escorting the representative of the Gederan out. He sighed heavily and rubbed his forehead. “I take it back,” he muttered. “That was not fun at all.” If anything the representative from the Gederan had been less forthcoming than Terrell had been. “Terrell at least gave me a name to call him.” The Gederan representative merely stated he was the representative of the Gederan. Jamie shook his head and walked back to the kitchen. Del was, for once not present and Jamie could see him doing something in the garden with the few sprigs of green that had yet to die off for winter. Jamie let him be, poured himself a mug of coffee and sat down at the kitchen table to organize his thoughts.



Overall the Gederan had given him the same answers Terrell had given to him. He suggested that both the Gederan and the Federan could share the space. He had a particular memory blank when asked what the power raised during the rite would do and he denied any knowledge of the Brotherhood of Shadows involvement. Jamie had noticed, however that a similar scar marked his cheek, uniting both him and Terrell.



“He also looked extremely nervous and slightly guilty at the mention of the last Keeper’s house.” Jamie sipped his coffee. As the Gederan’s presentation of why they should use the Lustan was nearly identical to Terrell’s, Jamie had asked nearly identical questions. Neither side was happy with him at the moment. “Not that I blame them.” He was meeting with the High Talbot in the morning to give him the final verdict on the use of the Lustan during the Lune Merdos.



“I wonder if anyone will try to kill me tonight?” Jamie asked himself.



“Have you managed to provoke them already?” Del asked from the doorway. Jamie gave a little start, nearly spilling his coffee down the front of his shirt. Del calmly reached back and pulled the door leading to the kitchen garden closed against the wind. In his other hand was held a bundle of fresh herbs. While Jamie couldn’t tell one herb from another, he knew that nothing in the close to winter garden behind the house would produce anything that fresh. He decided not to mention it.



“Well I suspect they each thought me a push over before they got here and are now having to re-evaluate,” Jamie told him. “As they wanted to kill me before they met me on the off chance I wouldn’t be a pushover I suspect the thought to try again may occur to them.”



“I see,” Del’s face darkened with the words.



“I plan to stay inside for the rest of the day and my morning meeting with the High Talbot should settle the matter for good. We will need a tea cart for that meeting.” Jamie maintained a blank face but at the last second his lips twitched up at the corners. While Del’s face didn’t exactly brighten, it did loose some of it’s darker aspects.



“They told me looking after a Keeper was a bit more work than an ordinary household. Stupidly I chalked it up to dealing with highborn guests.”



“We get those too.”



“Yes, yes. We get those too.” Del noticed the time was edging past one and he darted a look to Jamie. “Do you have time for lunch then?”



“I do,” Jamie said realizing the act of feeding him would help settle Del down. Del began putting sandwiches together and Jamie turned his thoughts inwards again as he drank his coffee. He decided looking into the Brotherhood of Shadows was probably a good plan.



“They could have disbanded,” Jamie said, forgetting Del was there.



“Who disbanded?”



“The Brotherhood of Shadows.”



“That lot?” Del snorted. “Not likely. At least not until they achieve their goals.”



“Goals?”



“Well one goal really,” Del said walking a plate filled with a sandwich over and setting it on the table in front of Jamie. Jamie thanked him as he turned and went back for his own plate. Del settled himself across from Jamie. “The Brotherhood wants the fey, High Court of course, to be free to rule the earth with humans more or less as subjugated chattel.”



“Only the High Court want this?” Jamie asked.



“Of course.” Del said firmly. “It wouldn’t do much good for those of us who aren’t high court. As a rule we have a tendency to move to the human side of the crossroads in order to escape the high courts.”



“So the high court can’t really migrate past the crossroads while it is still in tact?”



“Exactly,” Del said. “The crossroads separate the Human world and the Fey world. For the High Court Lords to take over the Human world the crossroads would have to dissolve by mutual agreement.”



“Mutual agreement?”



“Yup,” Del said. He paused to take a bite of his sandwich and gave a look to Jamie that suggested he ought to do the same. Jamie picked up and began eating his sandwich. Del swallowed his bite and washed it down with a swig of tea. “If the High courts didn’t have permission from the Keeper then the power they threw at the cross roads would just bounce back at them. It would sizzle them pretty well. I’d say like sausages on a grill but considering how much power they would need to destroy the crossroads, even with permission it would be more like sizzling the sausages with the assist of an active volcano. Of course that’s assuming they could raise the power in the first place.”



“So they would need my permission,” Jamie said as something deep in his mind clicked.



“Personally I think it’s just spit in the wind,” Del told him.



“Really? Why?”



“Well the high courts have been sequestered like in the lands of the Fey for a long time, with only a few jaunts out to the Keeper’s house now and then. And to be honest, not much changes here. And even the parts that do aren’t the parts they see. They don’t see the kitchens so they don’t see the food made with gas or electric instead of fire. For the most par t they don’t see much ion the way of changes. And since they know that Burr Alverson and his lot helped create this place they would assume anything more advanced than the humans they remember would be the result of that. The high court is pretty convinced of it’s own superiority.”



“That I have noticed,” Jamie thought his mind adding the High Talbot into the mix. Even if he wasn’t of a piece with Terrell, Jamie had the impression that the High Talbot did not consider him an equal.



“The first of the cross roads was established about the time Rome started to rise. Mostly as a means of keeping the Fey from the more densely clustered areas of human settlement. Of course there is some debate about that.”



“Oh, what sort of debate?”



“Well some say that the first of the cross roads were set up in Persia or Egypt but if you want my opinion those were less like the crossroads we have now in the system and a bit more like fences. Kind of as an intended separation, but nothing a horse with a running start couldn’t clear.”



“System?” Jamie asked.



“Of course,” Del said. “As your lot spread out we had to keep building them and anchoring them sort of like a border or the Great Wall of China. The crossroads are the only entry and exit points between the human world and the Fey world. You wouldn’t think we’d depend on just one doorway did you?” Del’s eyes sparked with good natured amusement.



“I suppose I hadn’t really thought it through.” Jamie confessed. “But that does make sense. “I suppose there are other keepers then?”



“I suppose. Never really met any of them. But I suppose there must be.” They sat in silence for a minute, each eating their lunch.



“So before the system was fully up and operational, there was more mingling?”



“I wouldn’t call it mingling but there was more contact.”



“Contact?” Jamie felt slow and somewhat stupid. Hopefully the book of the crossroads would help him fill in more gaps later. Mixed in with the stupidity was a wondering of why this had not been a part of Albe’s lessons. Was the lesson waiting until more urgent lessons were learned?



“The high court liked to go on raiding parties and bring human’s back. Mostly musicians if they could manage it.”



“Why musicians?” Jamie asked, picturing a gang of armed horsemen raiding one of the larger concert venues like the Family Values tour or even some random State Fair’s bandstand and carrying off musicians. The image was both amusing and disturbing.



“Because the music is different. Fey music is lovely but somewhat... limited. Probably because we live so long. The theory is that human mortality gives human music a bit more...vitality to it. Whatever you call it our music lacks it and your music has it. So if you want human music you have to have human musicians.”



“Now they could just go raiding for I-pods. I suppose.”



“For what?” Del asked.



“I can show you later if you’d like,” Jamie told him wanting to follow the threat of thought before it snapped. “So when was the system of crossroads completed?



“Well the system was completed around the same time the Doomsday book was written. Since then it’s just sort of expanded. Like adding links to a chain to make a bracelet into an anklet and then into a necklace.”



“If I remember my highlights of history that would be 1066 right?”



“Sounds about right.”



“So the High Court has not mixed with Humanity since then?”



“Exactly,” Del said proudly, as though his slowest pupil had finally understood that two plus two equals four no matter what time of day the math is done. “And humans have changed a bit since then. You may have a lot less magic, but you have a lot more firepower. And there are a lot more of you. I can’t say for certain who would come out the victor in a fight between the human world and the courts but I know it would make a great big mess if either of you tried.”



“On that we agree,” Jamie told him finishing off his sandwich. “Hopefully it will never come down to it.” Jamie pushed away from the table, thinking that he might want to finish the book about the crossroads before delving into the Brotherhood.



“Thanks for lunch,” he told Del. “I’ll probably be in either the library or study the rest of the day. It seems I have a lot of reading to catch up on.”

Keeper: Chapter 44

Chapter 44.


“Very strange stuff,” Jamie muttered to himself as he walked through the family parlor. He stepped into the hallway and was surprised to see a stack of books waiting on the hall table beside the brass calling card holder. Frowning, he reached for them. He picked up the top one off the stack. The cover was leather but it was showing no signs of age. The leather was smooth satin beneath his fingertips and the bold black letters of the title seemed burned into the leather like a brand rather than something typeset. He recognized the title as being one of the books he ordered. Jamie looked at the next one down on the stack and realized it too was on his list.



“I suppose the books were just delivered,” Jamie said. He wondered if Del had brought them in or if someone else had placed them there. He knew that House whisked calling cards that had been slipped under the door into the brass holder but the books looked a little heavy to do any whisking. “House,” Jamie asked.



“Yes Keeper?”



“How did these books get here?”



“You ordered them.”



“Does all mail come here?” he asked with a frown.



“Yes Keeper.”



“I see. Thank you.” Jamie picked up the stack. Apparently the coat rack and calling card holder was also a large scale mail box. “I wonder if it is on the fed ex approved list or if it is viewed as a post office box,” Jamie mused as he took his stack of books up the stairs and into the study. He placed them on the edge of the desk and sat down. Jamie glanced at the wall clock as he took his notebook out of the drawer. He had about two hours before his meeting with the representative of the Federan. He assumed the representative would be Terrell. Terrell would have one hour to explain his case and then he would leave. The representative of the Gederan would then have one hour to explain his version. He looked at his closed notebook and thought about both his dreams and the vision in the basement. Jamie reached for his journal, opened it to the next blank page and described the event for the record.



“Terrell seemed to be pushing for allowing both the Gederan and the Federan to use the space and the Keeper at the time seemed inclined to think that they had agreed to work together for a common cause.” Jamie wrote. “Having met Terrell, I find myself agreeing with the statement that Terrell would not willingly share power.” Jamie tapped the pen on the page, carefully avoiding the still wet ink. He stopped and drew a line down the center of the page. One side he titled, things I know and the other he titled things I need to know before making a decision.



“I know the Lune Merdos is a rite that raises power.” He added that to the things he knew column. Across from it he began to list questions.



“How much power would be first, I suppose,” he wrote down although he was not really certain he needed to know that. “Even a small lever can move a mountain,” he said aloud, repeating Albe’s favorite phrase. “So I guess I would need to know what the power would be used for and what effect that would have. It would also be nice to know if there were different powers for the daytime version of the rite then there wore for the nighttime one.” Jamie frowned. From Albe’s lessons and what he had learned so far, the job of the Keeper seemed to involve arbitrating disputes. “If one group can conduct the rite at night and one during the day then there is no dispute as they aren’t using it at the same time. Yet they were still trying to get the Keeper to make a decision.” Jamie thought about the scene in the basement. “What agreement was the Keeper talking about?” He wrote down the question. There were other questions but Jamie pushed them away for later. He put his pen down and set the notebook to the side, leaving it open so the ink could dry rather than because he had more notes to add. He reached for the book on top of the new stack and began to search for answers to his questions.

The two hours he had allotted before Terrell’s arrival flew past. Most of the information he gleaned in that time was information he already had but it was nice to have his dreams and random visions verified by a more concrete source. Jamie glanced at the clock and stood up to stretch. The book he was currently looking through actually dealt with the cross roads itself as well as the Keeper and was quite a fascinating read.



“Apparently the crossroads was the result of the agreement between humanity and the fey. I suppose we each have reasons to fear each other.” Jamie felt a small pop in his spine as he straightened. He had ten minutes until Terrell’s arrival and wondered if he should change clothes or head downstairs. Jamie sat back down in his chair, deciding against both options. Let Del show Terrell into the receiving room and wait while Del came to inform him.



“I think Terrell is a little too accustomed to having people jump for him.” Jamie looked at his list of questions. He realized he had actually answered a couple. The agreement was the formation of the crossroads to serve as a bulwark between the realms of the humans and the Fey and the answer to how much power was raised by the rite was a boat load.



“And there are separate strengths from the day and from the night that can be combined to form one giant-mega-super-colossal power. Making the ordinarily boatload look miniscule.” There was a soft knock on the open door and Jamie looked up. Del stood in the door frame.



“Lord Terrell is here to see you.” Del told him.



“Ah,” Jamie said standing. “Right on time.”



“I put him in the front parlor. Would you like me to bring a tea tray?”



“No,” Jamie said. “I think we will skip the hospitality this time.” Del lifted an eyebrow but didn’t comment. Jamie headed down to the parlor to see what the representative of the Federan had to say. He stepped in and smiled politely at Terrell. Terrell looked surprised by Jamie’s appearance.



“Did I come at the wrong time?” Terrell asked letting his eyes take in Jamie’s worn jeans and faded t-shirt.



“No I believe you are on time. Please take a seat,” Jamie said, gesturing to one of the guest chairs. Terrell walked to one and took his seat. He opened his mouth but before he could say anything, Jamie continued.



“The High Talbot explained the situation to you I take it?” Jamie said as he settled himself in his chair. “You have one hour in which to explain your need for the use of the Lustan. The representative from the Gederan will then be allowed one hour to present thier reasoning. Your hour has begun.” As expected, Terrell was somewhat thrown by this approach, expecting an entirely different scenario.



“Should I wait until your housekeeper has served tea?” Terrell asked somewhat stiffly. Jamie noticed his eyes darting around the room somewhat nervously.



“As you neither drank nor ate the last time you visited and I am not in the mood for tea I have asked Del not to bother. You may proceed with your case.” Jamie watched as Terrell blinked hard and he could practically see the gears spinning.



“I see,” Terrell began. “The Federan require the Lustan for the Lune Merdos.” Jamie placed his hands lightly on the arm rests of his chair and leaned back. He said nothing. Terrell shifted. The silence stretched. “It is our right.” Jamie still said nothing. Terrell frowned. “Have you no comment?”



“It is your hour to present your case. It is my place to listen. I will then afford the Gederan the same courtesy. Once I have listened to you both I will then make a determination.” Jamie once again fell silent as though ready and willing to listen to whatever Terrell chose to say.



“You aren’t even taking notes.” Terrell groused.



“I can remember what you say.”



“Well then as I said it is our right to use it. We use it at night. I know the Gederan use the Lustan for a daylight observance. We would be happy to share the space with them as long as they allowed us to conduct our evening ceremony.” Jamie noticed that Terrell avoided using the word rite. Terrell lapsed into silence. Jamie allowed it to drag out and Terrell began shifting in his chair.



“Is that the bulk of your case?” Jamie asked.



“Yes.”



“May I ask a few questions then?” Terrell seemed relieved.



“Of course Keeper. I would be happy to answer any of your questions.”



“When was the last Lune Merdos?”



“The Lune Merdos comes once but every few hundred years.” Terrell seemed at ease with the question as if the conversation had finally gotten back on track.



“And who used it last?”



“Last?” Terrell asked, stumbling over the question.



“Yes during the last Lune Merdos who used the Lustan?”



“Ah it is not a trade off sort of scenario,” Terrell said. “We do not alternate.”



“I did not ask if you alternated. I asked who used it last Lune Merdos.”



“I believe the Gederan used it last Lune Merdos.”



“Too bad it isn’t an alternate sort of situation then,” Jamie said. “It would only serve to benefit you then as you did not. Unless of course you used it after them. You did not share it at all?”



“No we did not share it.”



“Have you ever shared it?”



“You credit my memory too greatly Keeper. I cannot remember every Lune Merdos and the outcome at a moment’s notice.”



“But the last Lune Merdos was about two hundred years ago and the Gederan used it then?”



“Ah, yes Keeper that would be correct.” Jamie noticed that a small line of sweat had formed along Terrell’s hairline.



“And what was the outcome of their use?”



“I do not understand.”



“It is a simple question. What was the outcome of the Gederan’s use of the Lustan during the Lune Merdos?”



“I do not know.”



“The last time the Lune Merdos occurred was the night that the previous house of the keeper was destroyed wasn’t it?” Jamie was watching Terrell closely as he voiced his question and saw the blank look of surprise flit across his features. Somehow Jamie had the feeling that the power from the Lune Merdos rite had gone into the destruction. It seemed to be a recurring thought.



“Was it?” Terrell asked. “I’m afraid I wouldn’t know. I tend not to keep track of things of that nature as I rarely have need to visit the Keeper.”



“But you had visited him shortly before, just after the big ice storm to ask about his decision regarding the Lune Merdos.” Jamie kept it as a flat statement, refusing to make it a question.



“I suppose I must have. Amazing how you forget these things.” Terrell leaned back in his chair as though remembering. “Ah yes, I believe the Keeper at that time was planning to allow us to share the space. He thought it seemed fair that way. He was very much in favor of fair. In that sense he reminds me of you.”



“I am surprised. I thought you spent a great deal of time here.”



“Did you?”



“From the way you spoke of Albe as such a good friend...” Jamie let the sentence trail off.



“Ah you misunderstood me. I would often see Keeper Alberect...Albe as he was conducting his duties.”



“Of course,” Jamie replied with a smile. “What was your planned outcome?”



“Excuse me?”



“For the Lune Merdos. Last time I mean. When the Keeper was planning to allow you and the Gederan to share?”



“I am afraid I don’t remember.”



“So your planned outcome is not the same as last time?”



“I would not be able to say.”



“So what is your planned outcome for this Lune Merdos?” Jamie could see the jaw muscles in Terrell’s face clench. Whatever the Federan had planned, he did not want shared.



“That would be a matter for the priests.”



“I see.” Jamie said. “Is there anything else you feel that I need to know?”



“No, there isn’t.” The words were quite terse.



“Will you be sending a priest to me?”



“Of course not.”



“Then will you return once you have spoken to them about their plans?”



“I do not know if I will have the time.”



“Of course,” Jamie said with a smile. “Then if you have nothing else to add, I should not keep you.”



“Yes, well then,” Terrell said rising. “I shall leave you to your day.” Jamie stood and walked Terrell to the door.



“Oh by the way,” Jamie asked as he opened the door for Terrell. “Are the Brotherhood of Shadows involved directly or just as periphery proponents?” Terrell’s eyes went wide. But he covered quickly.



“I’m certain I have no idea.” Terrell swept out before Jamie could make a further comment.



“Well that was fun,” Jamie said. “I wonder if the Gederan will react the same way?”

Keeper: Chapter 43

Chapter 43

After breakfast Jamie laid out his plan to Del, who agreed to act as Jamie’s living anchor with a bit of amusement showing on his face. Jamie shrugged it off and led Del to the closed basement door. Jamie frowned at it for a moment. It looked exactly as he had left it the night before.



“Could you try opening it again?” Jamie asked Del. Obligingly the small man stepped forward and turned the doorknob. It turned but the door would not open. Del flipped the lock and made certain it was not stuck and then tried again with the same results. He stepped away with a shrug. Jamie, a frown still creasing his forehead, reached forward and turned the door knob. The knob turned and the door swung open. Del’s eyebrows shot up and the amusement that had tinged his features before disappeared.



“I’ll go in first,” Del said, stopping Jamie with a wave of his hand when Jamie tried to start down the stairs. “I’ll be the first down the stairs so if there is a nasty surprise the basement can’t lock me out once you are inside. And on the way back up the stairs you will be the first out with me following behind so that again the door can’t close with me on one side and you on the other.” Jamie nodded admitting that the plan seemed sensible. He didn’t want to become a permanent fixture in the basement. Somehow he didn’t think the house actually planned to eat him, but he had seen enough horror movies that knowing he wouldn’t be the last to leave the basement gave him some measure of comfort.



‘Conditioned by Hollywood,’ Jamie thought as he followed Del down the stairs. ‘Or wherever the B-movie capital of the world is.’ The basement was the same as yesterday. As it contained no movable objects, Jamie couldn’t see how much would change. There was still no dust and the sense of waiting seemed the same. Jamie closed his eyes a moment. It was almost the same. It felt a little more ... excited than it had the day before. As if it had higher expectations than earlier. Jamie frowned and opened his eyes. There was still no sense of menace. Del watched him expectantly.



“It feels the same as yesterday,” Jamie said aloud. “Like it is waiting but without any malice.” The words were no sooner out of his mouth than the basement seemed to change. Jamie stepped away from the center of the room and Del followed. Jamie couldn’t put his finger on exactly what had changed at first. It felt as though someone had taken a deep breath or there was a slight pressure change but nothing dramatic. Del was frowning now and looking around him. There was a light breeze that swirled around the room.



‘Or at least it feels that way,’ Jamie thought realizing he could feel the wind but neither his or Del’s hair or clothes were moving as they would in a wind. The hair on the back of his neck stood up and Jamie rubbed at the goose bumps that had risen on his arms. The light from the flashlight seemed to dim and Jamie realized it was because a window had appeared in the wall and sunlight was streaming into the basement. Slowly Jamie’s eyes scanned the room. The edges of furniture appeared and became more solid as he watched. A shadowy form became a table. The table solidified and Jamie could see bowls such as the ones Del used in the kitchen scattered around. One had a rounded lump rising from the center and was covered with a dish cloth.



‘Bread dough?’ Jamie thought, noticing the scattered bits of flour still on the tabletop. He heard a small scraping and watched as an older man settled himself in a large chair placed before the fire. A man more or less Del’s size stepped from the shadows and seemed to be mixing things in yet another bowl. Jamie recognized him as the brownie, called Robin in his dream. Jamie looked back to the older man and realized that despite the age, he had a similarity to the younger man of his dream and as he saw the chain of the Keeper around his neck he realized it was the same man, only time had passed. A lot of time. His hair had turned snow white and receded , the remaining wisps dancing around an age spotted scalp. Age spots stood out on his hands as well and seemed the emphasize the stiffness of the joints as he moved his fingers. He was about to share this information with Del when the aged Keeper began to speak.



“It is going to be a cold one today, Robin,” The old man said. “Half the trees in the forest are still bent with the force of that ice storm last night blew in. I’ll be surprised if we don’t lose several of them. Most of them hadn’t readied themselves for their winter sleep yet.”



“Definitely a good day to be indoors,” Robin said. He handed the Keeper a large mug with steam curling on the top. Jamie inhaled, even as the old man did and was surprised to be able to smell both Lemon and honey in the air. A knock sounded on the door and Jamie jumped even as the old man and Robin turned their heads towards the sound.



“I don’t know who could be out on a day like this but we best let them in before they freeze to death,” The Keeper said. Robin wiped his hands on a towel dangling from his belt and walked towards the door. A stream of icy air blew in as Robin opened the door and Jamie shivered. A cloaked form stepped in, the hood hiding his features. Snow was melting on his shoulders, leaving dark patches of moisture to match the wet hem that had picked up moisture from the ground.



“A thank you my good man,” the newcomer said as he slipped his cloak from his shoulders and tossed it to Robin. Robin frowned but the newcomer paid no attention. Alerted by the voice, Jamie was not surprised to see Terrell once the cloak was removed. Like Robin he had not aged. The scar on his cheek had healed and it was more like the scar Jamie remembered seeing rather than the raw mark he had worn in Jamie’s dream. Jamie noted that the Keeper, while not being happy with Terrell’s presence, did not seem overly surprised.



“Ah Keeper, So glad I caught you at home.” Terrell said.



“Are you now?” The Keeper asked, with a raised eyebrow. “And why would that be? Or should I guess.” The Keeper’s tone was dry and flat. It was obvious to Jamie that he knew why Terrell had come calling.



“I was wondering if a final ruling had been made. After all the Lune Merdos is approaching and it doesn’t come that often you know.”



“I am aware of that Terrell,” the Keeper said with a sigh as Terrell seated himself in the extra chair by the fire. Robin remained close to the door as if aware this meeting would not take long. “My answer is the same as before. Until you answer my questions I can not make a ruling.”



“But the Lune Merdos only comes once every few hundred years and we need time to prepare...”



“Then it would be beneficial to you to answer the questions quickly rather than try to dissuade me from asking them.” The keeper said firmly. Jamie found himself smiling at the firmness in the old man’s voice even as Terrell’s face darkened in anger.



“It is not your place to question the inner workings of the High Court Houses.” Terrell snapped.



“The Lune Merdos is a ritual that when conducted grants an enormous amount of power to those completing the ritual. Power is not raised for the purpose of watching the pretty little lights,” the keeper said wiggling his fingers in the air as though mimicking fairy lights.. “It is raised for a purpose. Neither The Federan nor the Gederan have told me what purpose they wish to put the power to. How then can I decide who best the power serves?”



“Perhaps then as the Gederan conduct their rites during the day and the Federan by the light of the moon it would be best if we share the space and the power.” Terrell said. Jamie noticed the rather sly look that had come across his features, replacing the dark anger. Jamie noticed the old Keeper caught the change as well. The elderly man smiled; it was not a pleasant expression.



“Perhaps then neither of you should use it.” At the keeper’s words, Terrrell leapt to his feet, sending his chair crashing to the floor.



“Humans have no place meddling in things they don’t understand,” Terrell hissed through clenched teeth.



“Then perhaps you should take up the matter with the High Court Tribunal,” the keeper said, his calm words a counterpoint to Terrell’s anger. “Assuming of course that you could find an advocate to speak for you since the ban on your participation in court affairs is still in place.” Terrell stared at the Keeper, eyes bulging and breath coming hard with his anger. Jamie had the feeling that if looks could kill his predecessor would be an ash stain on the stones. Robin, would you be so good as to see Terrell out? Thank you.”



“Of course Keeper,” Robin answered. He held Terrell’s cloak out to him and ducked as the taller man swung it on to his shoulders. Without another word, Terrell staled out of the door Robin held open for him and disappeared into the cold night. Robin shut the door.



“That’s a bit of a nasty mess,” Robin said shivering a little.



“It is indeed,” the keeper said as Robin returned to his mixing bowls.



“Do you think the two of them could share for the ritual?” Robin asked. “They’ve never been keen on sharing before.”



“Terrell does not share power. Nor do any of his kin, regardless of which House they stand with. If they are willing to share the space it is because they have reached an arrangement, perhaps pooling both sides of the power of the lune merdos rite, giving them the power drawn by light and the power drawn by dark. As neither is willing to say what the power raised will be used for and both Houses fatten the ranks of the Brotherhood of Shadows I am loathe to see either of them in possession of it. I have the feeling it would not bode well for the rest of humanity and would thus violate the agreement.”



As Jamie listened the keepers words began to fade away. When he finished speaking Jamie could see Robin’s mouth moving in comment but could no longer hear the words. The items in the room also seemed less substantial and he realized that this vision, or whatever it was had reached its conclusion and was fading away. The scene began to fuzz around the edges. The light from the window faded. In a blink Jamie was staring at the empty basement illuminated only by the beam of the flashlight. The sense of waiting had vanished with the scene.



The basement was now just a basement. Jamie turned to Del. The smaller man’s eyes were wide and he was breathing fast. Jamie touched his shoulder and Del started as though he had forgotten Jamie’s presence. As Jamie had forgotten him as he watched the scene unfold he figured it was only fair. Jamie tilted his head towards the stairs, not really wanting to say anything just yet. Del nodded and gestured for Jamie to proceed him. Jamie walked up the stairs, Del following. They left the basement with no problems and Del closed the door behind him, turning the lock to secure it.



“That was certainly interesting,” Jamie said. Del looked at him and shook his head.



“Human magic is very strange stuff indeed. I think I need a bit of a sit down after that.” Del said He headed towards the kitchen as if seeking a more familiar realm.