Wizard Dawning (The Battle Wizard Saga, No. 1) (21 page)

Sig looked uncomfortable. "Madeline said that a Dark Mage made her do what she did. I don't think Grampa is the cause of what happened. In fact I think it's a good thing that he showed up when he did or it would have been a lot worse."

"That's good information to have and clarifies the decision. I want to keep you here and safe, but I know that's just the mother bear in me speaking. I can't protect you. Arthur is more capable. If you and Grampa are both gone, I don't expect any more attacks. If there are, Professor Balcescu will be here to help me."

Sig nodded and eagerness flared in his expression. "I would be leaving for college soon anyway and I want to learn about magic—my magic—from the Professor."

"There's no one here who can teach you. As much as I hate to say it, if you feel ready, you should go."

Sig nodded, looking like a large puppy, trying to hide his eagerness to start learning more.

"However, young man, you need to make arrangements with the school to graduate. Without that, you won't be starting college anywhere."

They both stood and hugged fiercely.

She knuckled moisture away that had accumulated on her eyelashes and at the corner of her eyes before she opened the door to leave. Looking back, she smiled. "I expect regular phone calls."

"I love you Mom."

Kicking the baby bird out of the nest was the hardest thing, even if the baby is nine feet tall.

†††

After he heard that Meredith agreed to Sig's departure, on the condition that the high school allows him to graduate in absentia, Arthur delivered a letter of recommendation to the school principle from the Northwestern Physics department. Sig's teachers consented to send assignments necessary to complete his coursework.

Rick helped Sig pack and make a list of necessary items. He also filled him in on college life. Rick's descriptions, made Sig even more eager to arrive at Northwestern.

Sig mentioned that Czar wasn't ever around when Rick was.

"That isn't a surprise," said Rick. "Werewolves and dogs have been in a pissing contest for all of written history―at least back to Sanskrit."

"Why don't dogs and Weres get along?"

"I can't speak for dogs, but Weres don't have a big issue with dogs. It's mostly the other way around. Dog's just don't like us."

"You don't have a
big
issue?"

"OK, I don't like the way they are always fawning over their masters. Adoring eyes, coming when commanded, silly tricks, collars and leashes. . . Issssh. C'mon get your own life!"

"You say dogs don't like you. Why do you think they don't?"

Rick pursed his lips while he thought. "I think we're confusing. We're part master and part them. It doesn't matter what form we take, we still radiate the other aspect. Maybe they think we ate their master. I don't know. Maybe if we could sit down over a beer and talk about it. Oh, that's right, they don't talk. Poor ignorant bastards."

Sig laughed and they went out to tend to Bjørn. They ended up sparring in the arena. Rick's speed and strength made him a match for Sig's martial arts training ― after Sig learned not to let Rick grab him. When he caught Sig, Rick picked him up over his head and threw him into a wall ten feet high.

They didn't spar in their supernatural forms. Both were too deadly. When finished, they had a collection of bruises, a healthy mutual respect, and appetites that demolished the large pan of Chicken, Sausage, and Seafood Paella that Meredith prepared for the evening meal.

†††

Professor Fiona Balcescu cruised into the farmyard the following morning at precisely 10 a.m., as she forecast to Arthur. She arrived in her blue convertible Jaguar XKR. 'R' signified that it had the 510 HP supercharged engine.

Rick opened the car door, handed her out, and then offered to park it for her. Her eyes twinkled as she replied, "Park it for me by way of Omaha, I think you mean. No, I think it will be fine right where it is and I'll know where to find it."

She looked over the convertible top at Sig. He drank in the Jaguar in with his eyes. Flashing a wide smile she said, "You must be Sig. You fit the description, you handsome devil."

Sig blushed as he looked up from the car to the Professor. Her mass of shoulder length dark curls, flashing black eyes, and dusky complexion reminded of a gypsy fortuneteller. An embroidered blue leather vest over a yellow silk blouse and a vibrantly patterned red scarf around her throat heightened the effect. As he walked around the vehicle to shake her hand, he saw that she wore a blue leather split riding skirt and black mid calf boots. Up close, she was his height, with her boots on. She took his hand in both of hers and held it while she looked into his eyes. A tingle like an electric shock traveled up his arm. He almost jerked free. Her eyes widened. Perhaps she felt it too. With a wry smile, she patted his hand before setting him free. "Shall we go meet your mother?"

Sig surprised himself by offering her his arm. She took it as if her due.

Arthur and Meredith were chatting in the kitchen when Sig and Fiona walked in. "Arthur I am so glad you called me. This young man is gorgeous and I feel such potential."

Arthur swung around and spread his arms wide to embrace Fiona. "Good to see you dear. How has your sabbatical been up to now?" Then, with his hands on her shoulders, he held her at arms length and asked, "Dare I ask you—potential for what?"

"In response to your two questions, it's been dreadfully boring, but things are looking up and of course, I meant his magic potential dear. What did you think I meant?" She batted her eyelashes at him.

Arthur chuckled. "Meredith may I present Professor Fiona Balcescu, esteemed professor of Economics at Northwestern and scion of a long line of Romanian and Irish Gypsy fortunetellers. Anything you hear about her predatory practices I am sure all possess at least a modicum of truth."

Fiona elbowed Arthur, none too gently, on the way to greet Meredith. "I am so pleased to meet you." She took Meredith's hand in both of hers and pulled her close for a hug. She stepped back with a measured look and a nod. "Yes, I see what Arthur means."

Meredith's eyes widened while they embraced. A bewildered look crossed her face as she stepped back.

Fiona winked at her, "Girl, we need to talk, but we'll have time for that. I see where Sig got his vivid blue eyes. Do the girls follow him around?"

Recovering slightly, Meredith smiled fondly at Sig. "I don't think he's noticed it yet."

Arthur smiled benignly. Sig glanced at each of them in turn with a perplexed look.

"Have you had breakfast? We held off brunch until you arrived," Meredith said.

"I'm famished. I've heard of your cooking from Arthur. I fasted all morning in preparation."

As if on cue, Rick walked in. "Alright, let's eat."

†††

The next day they packed Grampa Thor motionless body into the back of the gray van and Sig's college paraphernalia in the back of his pickup truck.

Before they left, everyone walked across the road to the abandoned farm on the other side of the road to describe to Fiona what had transpired. Surprisingly, the spider carcasses as well as all traces of the basilisk had vanished. "I guess scavengers finished them off, but I'm surprised there aren't any remains."

Fiona snorted, "No animal would have anything to do with them."

Arthur shook his head. "They returned to the nether world of their existence."

"How could they, if we shut the portal down?" Sig asked.

"They can't exist in this world without a positive force. The portal supplied the initial impetus. Once in this world, their life force kept them here. After that expired, they faded away, perhaps through the spaces between atoms. Maybe they roam the world as ghosts. We don't know. We still have much to learn. Those types of questions are exactly why we study the Physics of Magic."

"Just like I have a lot to learn before I can face evil creatures on my own." His face turned from rueful to serious. "I need to learn before one kills me." His face hardened. "I want to learn everything I can so I can face Dad's murder."

Fiona looked fondly at the Professor. "Arthur will help you if anyone can."

She canted her head. "I can feel that they were here, but gone now. The world is a better place now that you've shut the portal. Meredith and I can deal with this."

The women walked back across the road, arm-in-arm chatting. The men followed.

After lunch, Arthur looked crestfallen to realize it was the last of Meredith's cooking he would be sampling for a long time. He recovered and the men bid a fond adieu to the women, who now behaved like best friends forever. Fiona promised to ride Bjørn for Sig. Meredith and Sig had been pleasantly surprised to find that, although not at their level, Fiona was an experienced equestrian. Meredith immediately offered to trade magic training for dressage training.

By now, she and Sig had said what they needed to each other. Anything left unsaid was communicated in the hug Sig gave his mom while the others gave them time alone. No one remarked about the moisture in their eyes when they parted.

Sig looked forward to learning about his place in the world of magic that he always thought had no room for him. And he had a score to settle with a Dark Mage.

Meredith remained with Fiona to see if that world also had a place for her.

I dedicate this effort to all of the readers of Fantasy who by their participation, encourage writers to keep putting their imaginings into stories that we all can enjoy.

On a personal note, this book is dedicated to my Family—Kjersten, Curt, and Brianna, but most of all to Kris.