Keeper: chapter 47

Chapter 47.

Del settled himself in one of the chairs by the fire and closed his eyes.  To Jamie’s eyes he looked less like he was planning to sleep and more like he was hyper-focusing and found his eyes a distraction.  Every line in his body was tense and he seemed to be almost carved from stone.  After a few minutes of study, Jamie reminded himself that staring wasn’t exactly helping matters and began to scan the library shelves for books that looked like they might contain information on human magic.

‘I wonder if there will be silver stars and pointy hats in the margins,’ he thought with a smile as he searched. Somehow he couldn’t see Albe wearing a pointy hat and velvet robe while waving a magic wand. He finished searching the shelves in the study.  While many interesting books begged to be taken down and studied, none of them appeared to be magic.

Del hadn’t so much as twitched when Jamie’s search was complete.  Realizing that the library was just as secure as the study, and with the connecting pocket doors wide open it wasn’t very far from Del, Jamie continued his search.  He scanned the lowest shelves of the library first, realizing he would need to climb up and down on the small step ladder to reach the higher shelves.

As there were more books here, his search took much longer, but yielded the same results.  By the time he had finished, Jamie noticed the light in the hallway had changed.  He climbed down from the step ladder and walked over to the doorway, risking a cautious peek. Sunlight was beginning to warm the edges of the window at the end of the corridor.  Jamie returned to the study. 

‘I wonder if the Keeper of any crossroads actually gets to sleep through the night on a regular basis?’ he thought as he moved.  Jamie settled himself behind the desk and once again picked up the book that spoke of the development and maintenance of the crossroads.

‘Apparently communication between Keepers is allowed but it is rare for Keepers to stray too far from their homes,’ Jamie thought sometime later, rubbing his tired eyes and leaning back in his chair.  ‘I wonder if Albe had a way to do that.’ Jamie was startled from his thoughts by a knocking on the front door. Del leapt to his feet, cleaver clutched in his hand.

“Did they break through?  Hose didn’t say anything,” Jamie said.

“I didn’t think so,” Del said.  “At least I didn’t feel the perimeter break.”

“House,” Jamie said quickly.  “Who is at the front door?”

“It is the High Talbot, Keeper.”

“The High Talbot,” Jamie said.  He looked at the small clock placed discretely in the corner. “And apparently right on time too.” Del muttered and raced out of the door, no doubt to escort the High Talbot into the parlor. Even thought Jamie had never heard the language Del had used, he had the feeling they were obscenities. Jamie ran a hand through his hair, trying to settle it.  He retrieved his shoes from under the desk and quickly laced them on.  Jamie headed downstairs and passed Del in the corridor. He was still muttering to himself.

“Good morning High Talbot,” Jamie said, entering the receiving parlor. “My apologies for the delay, we have had a rather interesting night and are running a little behind schedule.  I hope you won’t be offended.”  Unlike Terrell, Jamie had no wish to offer a slight to the High Talbot.

“I see,” the High Talbot returned with a raised eyebrow.  “This would not be the same sort of interesting night you had before the architect was called?”

“Not exactly,” Jamie said settling himself in the available seat. “The House’s defenses remained in tact but were tested throughout the night.”

“And when did these attacks cease?”

“Good question,” Jamie said.  “House, when did the last intruder try to break in.” Jamie ignored the odd look that the High Talbot gave him as he spoke to House.

“Shortly before your housekeeper opened the door to the High Talbot, Keeper. And I sense no more massing of others outside my perimeter.”

“I suppose that means House doesn’t keep track of time the same way we do,” Jamie muttered mostly to himself.  “Apparently the attacks stopped with your arrival and those that were left, have gone.”

“Left?”

“Yes apparently the House tends to permanently eliminate unwanted intruders.”Jamie said.  He kept his voice neutral, but the concept made him very uncomfortable. He realized that those intruders had intended to permanently eliminate him, but he still felt bad about it and intended to see if House could make some adjustments in protocol.

“How interesting,” The High Talbot said studying Jamie with an intense gaze.

“I have the suspicion that they wanted to prevent you from giving me my verdict regarding the use of the Lustan during the Lune Merdos.”

“It was your use of deadly force I found interesting,” The High Talbot corrected.  “I find most modern humans to be a bit...  squeamish regarding final solutions.  At least off of the battlefield. I do agree with the reasons behind the attempted attack though. Sadly predictable actually.”

Jamie could detect no trace of anger or disgust in his visitor’s speech, nothing to denote either approval or condemnation, only the slight lilt of surprise.  Luckily Del saved him from surprise by wheeling in the tea cart.  Jamie offered to pour and soon the two of them were sitting back in their chairs with their respective cups. Jamie made a mental note that the High Talbot spurned cream but added one sugar cube and one slice of lemon to his tea.

“So you have reached a decision regarding the use of the Lustan during the Lune Merdos?” The High Talbot finally asked.

“I have,” Jamie replied.  The High Talbot sipped his tea as Jamie organized his thoughts, seemingly content to wait for an eternity. “It is my belief that the last time the Lune Merdos rite was performed by the Gedran, it raised enough power to destroy the house of the Keeper of that time. It is also my belief that the combined power that could be raised if both the Gedran and the Federan are allowed to use the Lustan for the Lune Merdos could destroy both the house of the Keeper and damage, if not destroy the crossroads themselves. Clearly I cannot allow this.  Therefore my decision is to deny the use of the Lustan during the Lune Merdos by either faction.” For a moment it felt as though the world sighed around him.  He wondered if it was in relief or disappointment.

“This is your final judgment?” The High Talbot asked.

“It is,” Jamie said with a nod.

The High Talbot closed his eyes for a moment and then flashed, as though his entire body gave of one pulse of blue-white light.  The light was gone so fast Jamie almost doubted that he had seen it. The high Talbot opened his eyes and smiled.

“The decision is now officially recorded,” he told Jamie. “And a very complex on for a very new Keeper.” Jamie sipped his tea and remained quiet. When he saw a response was not forthcoming, the High Talbot smiled and continued. “And now that the matter is settled, there are other issues that demand your attention.”

“Of course,” Jamie replied.

“The first would be that small laboratory you found on the property of the Keeper.  I have searched among the goblin tribes and found no such markings. As this poses more of a threat to the human population I leave the matter in your court.”

Jamie caught a note of worry hidden in the smooth lines and realized that the High Talbot had no idea what to do about the problem. He stared at the High Talbot, studying him the way he had studied Jamie.  The High Talbot averted his gaze.

“Is there a way to get copies of the permits for anyone who was doing either similar work or work that required the same ... ingredients?” Jamie asked.  He wasn’t quite sure what went into making a human suit for a faux goblin but he had the suspicion it was more than the components of a basic chemistry set.

“Of course,” The High Talbot said.  Although his voice remained neutral, there was a subtle relaxing of his body that signaled relief.

“Then please send them.  It will be the second matter that I attend to now that the Lune Merdos is settled.”

“Second?” The High Talbot asked.

“Keeper Albrect needs to be buried.  His funeral will be held in the small cemetery to the east on the day after the Lune Merdos.” Jamie felt that while the danger may lessen after his decision had been finalized, it might take a little while for the word to be passed among the many conspirators. Waiting until after the Lune Merdos would help ensure that he did not actually join Albe in the cemetery.

“Funeral.” The High Talbot repeated. “Charming custom of course.”

“I realize this is more of a human rite, but should you know of anyone you feel might wish to attend, please let them know that they are welcome.”

“I will do so, Keeper James.”  The High Talbot stood with Jamie following suit. They walked towards the front door. “I will have the papers with the permits you requested sent over so that they will be waiting for you after your time of ... burial... is complete.”  Somehow Del managed to reach the door before either of them and whisked it open in time for the High Talbot’s exit.  The High Talbot took his coat and hat from the brownie and stepped onto the porch as he settled his overcoat around his shoulders.

“I must say I am pleased by your speedy and tidy resolution to this Lune Merdos business,” The High Talbot said in a voice designed to carry.  “I look forward to working with you for many a year to come.”  With that he turned and walked away. Del shut the door. He seemed relieved.

“Well, there’s that done.” Del said.  “Those that was lurking have now heard directly in case they weren’t attached to the High Court. And with the High Talbot fairly giving you his blessing, well that should cut down on a lot of the potential assassination attempts.”

“Always good to hear,” Jamie said with a smile.  He looked towards the closed front door. As though guessing what Jamie was thinking, Del shook his head.

“Best have a good breakfast first.  Then you can go look at what remains after the House’s perimeter has done it’s job.” Realizing he might not be hungry after the inspection, Jamie followed Del back to the kitchen.

‘At least if I have to see a bunch of dead bodies, I’ll have something in my stomach that I can throw up,’ he thought.