Chapter 14: Interrogation
Nestled in the home library, Wicus received an urgent summons from Ozel asking that he come to his personal office. Surprised, Wicus called to Waxine, halting her momentum as she headed out of the room, "Do you want to take a trip to your old stomping ground?"
"Which one?" she asked vaguely. She was floating over the threshold. Plug was doing something unseen by Wicus in the hallway outside.
"Would you fancy seeing the Icelandic landscape?" he hinted.
"What has Marsden done now?" she asked.
"Not Marsden... We're going to see Ozel," Wicus amended, mindful of the jealousy hardening his tone.
"Meet you at the corridor entrance in three minutes," was her cryptic comment before she allowed Plug to pull her away.
Wicus looked disapprovingly at the doorway that Waxine had vacated. What was Plug up to now? He wasn't jealous of her attachment. There were days however when the three-pronged appliance tested his patience.
He closed the magical volume he'd been consulting and it obediently went back to its place on the shelf.
Wicus could easily navigate the amorphous corridor between reality and the tangible himself. He'd spent centuries working for Ozel and knew exactly how to get to his home. Although it did not exist on any map made by man.
The elder Paragon's residence was not actually in Iceland. A portal encompassing the entire back wall of his office was kept open to the country's Pingvellir National Park, a wall-sized portrait of a living landscape.
The council member loved the raw, unspoiled wilderness caused by the continental pull of the tectonic plates, specifically the North American and Eurasian ones. Global friction created cracks and fissures across the region.
Wicus had mixed feelings about the landscape.
It had served as a backdrop for several unpleasant confrontations with his old boss. On the other hand, it had been a favorite haunt of the immortal who once possessed Waxine. Had he not been there in a position to see the magical Luminary in all her shinning brilliance, she might still reside with Marsden.
When Wicus arrived at the entrance to the passageway Waxine was already there.
Plug whipped back and forth eager to begin their journey. The power cord looked at Wicus for the go ahead.
"By all means," he said, extending a hand out, the gesture kicking Plug into action.
The shapeless mass of black space began to take form as Plug responded to Waxine's unspoken commands. A floor, walls and a ceiling illuminated by some unseen florescence beckoned them forward.
Wicus enjoyed allowing Waxine to guide his journeys. It was like letting someone else behind the wheel for a road trip. When his companion felt hemmed in or left behind, as if her freedom was limited in someway, she could get impatient and cranky. Traveling was the true magic to keeping her flames at a safe level, he reasoned.
As they moved along the corridor he let his mind wander.
Ozel had not given him a reason for the urgent meeting.
Wicus respected his former boss too much not to respond quickly. He thought about the rumors he’d heard regarding soul minders retrofitting more candidates than needed. Could the council be taking some kind of action?
Edges of the corridor rushed past as his feet moved forward, barely registering in the corner of his eyes before they were gone. It was good that Waxine directed the passageway, his brain was so deep in thought he could easily slip past their destination without realizing it.
He reflected on his continuing adjustments to Josh and Charlie, one of them would have to make a suitable soul mate for Emily, right? The teaching assistant was coming along but Josh-- Wicus shook his head in dismay.
The young man had become so bleak. Josh had dropped the weight he’d gained stress-eating due to the nightmares. With his now gaunt frame, he looked like a zombie some days.
And there had been another setback with the hallmarks. They were proving more difficult to disentangle than he had bargained for. It was like Josh’s soul was fighting to stay connected to the emotions associated with the memories of his late wife. Not that Wicus was trying to eliminate them. Josh would still have the memories, they just wouldn’t be as painful.
It was taking a toll on the engineer and Wicus too. He was worried. And not just about the adjustments. Of course he had a few lingering doubts about those too. What if his initial assessments about the candidates were incorrect? Would they still produce the required match? He got bogged down in thoughts about his own indecision. Grimacing.
Emily Wren must have a soul mate.
"Wicus... Wicus are you listening to me? We're here." Waxine looked at him oddly as she sometimes did when it was apparent that he was not listening to her.
Plug avoided being part of the potential squabble, wrapping itself around the candelabra's base.
"Oh, sorry Waxine...thanks." Blinking, he focused his attention on the here and now. Ozel’s place.
In keeping with the longhouses that the Norse people built during the Viking Age, there was no front door to Ozel's home. It wasn't needed. An enchantment prevented unannounced visitors from entering until the elder Paragon or one of his acolytes escorted them inside.
A young Paragon that Wicus recognized was waiting in the doorway. Karl had no doubt anticipated his arrival.
A flash of disdain filled Karl’s blue flamed eyes upon seeing the candelabra. Recovering quickly, he smiled a warm greeting before addressing them formally.
"Wicus, Waxine... Ozel is waiting on you in his office... Please follow me,” he pivoted toward the interior.
Wicus noted the change in tone as Karl said his companion’s name.
So apparently did she, "If I'm not wanted I can leave." Eight flames rose alarming high around the top of her head. She was in a snit.
Wicus’ mouth twitched. This should be interesting.
Karl looked horrified. He eyed the impressive display shooting higher above her invisible candles, swallowed once and chose his words very carefully.
"My apologies… dear Luminary... I didn't…truly didn’t…mean to offend," he offered.
Mollified, Waxine breezed past him in the direction of Ozel's office.
Karl rushed to catch up with Waxine.
Wicus quickened his steps.
When the trio entered the office, the elder Paragon was standing on the far side of the room with another fair haired lawmaker. Both council members were examining a floating stack of glowing documents which obstructed their view.
Ozel glanced around them as Waxine, Wicus and Karl crossed the threshold. He held up his index finger indicating he would join them in a moment.
A third figure present was apart from the council members. Dallus was standing by the portal wall, fidgeting. His eyes widened when he saw Wicus, hastily turning his face back to the portal.
"Please have a seat, they're finishing up," Karl said before leaving the office.
Waxine rose to glide about the space instead of sitting on the side table that the acolyte had pointed to.
Wicus understood the Luminary well enough to know that she wouldn’t roost on a table like some garden variety home accessory.
Watching Karl’s exit, his companion became sarcastically philosophical.
"He's an idiot," she whispered to Wicus before floating off.
He was left sitting alone among several empty chairs listening to the council members' discussion.
"Wellmus has done an excellent job," praised one lawmaker while examining a glowing report.
The magical document took its name from the way it presented the findings. It physically displayed the minute changes that had been made in each candidates' soul in an animated diagram, highlighting the details, literally glowing as each change was illustrated.
"The retrofitting is well done, not flawless but nicely crafted," agreed Ozel, "look at how those markers are cleanly defined and the lines on those hallmarks." He traced the glowing diagram with his
finger.
"I've heard that he's dragging his feet a little bit, now that he's close to finishing... Something about being worried his selections won't be good enough for the girl," replied the fair haired legislator.
"Yes, I fear he's fallen for another one, her name is Teresa."
Dallus looked at the lawmakers in between sneaking glances at Wicus. He seemed even more jumpy than normal. The images on his magical cloak responded; in one panel the dragon spat fire at a squire hiding behind a tree. In another panel, the dragon was sleeping, his massive head cradled on it front paws like some obedient pet while the knight and his squire crept up from behind.
The diminutive soul minder turned to the portal briefly and then twisted a little again, giving his attention back to the council members. His posture was definitely that of someone uneasy.
The two elders didn’t seem to notice.
"We will need to address the situation with the European soul minders, the competition between them is getting out of hand... As it stands right now...they will have to retrofit three more souls each to compensate for what they've already done," said the flaxen haired council member.
"Neither uses the chisel or the mallet with much finesse... They might as well be using a cudgel," assessed Ozel as he glanced at a different set of reports.
From where he was seated, Wicus frowned.
The council member’s comments reminded him that Ozel could make retrofitting sound like factory work. These are human souls, he thought grimly, have some compassion.
Across the room the discussion continued.
"Let’s bring it up at the next council meeting," the second lawmaker suggested.
"There seems to be a growing agenda...don't you think?"
The other Paragon nodded.
In his spot near the skimmed view of Iceland, Dallus seemed to have made up his mind about something. A look of determination was on his face. Abandoning his position by the portal he stepped across the space and nodded at Wicus as he took an empty chair.
"Wicus..." he whispered hesitantly, after casting another glance at the council members, "I want you to know that I am sorry about this." His expression was apologetic.
"About what?"
"It took me by surprise...that's all... That's the only reason I even contacted the council. I wanted to get some advice... I didn't know that it would become this inquiry..." he was stopped from saying more by the arrival of Karl who had Al and Aaron in tow.
Suddenly the air in the council member’s office changed from one of calm indifference to unexpectedly charged. The hair on the back of Wicus’ neck stood on end.
The same could almost be said for Waxine. Not that she had hair. There was a sharpness in her gaze. From her expression he could tell that she was acutely aware of the palpable energy.
“Something’s up,” she hissed in a hoarse whisper floating down to his side.
He barely had time to glance at her, narrowing his eyes in acknowledgment. Watchful and wary.
The twin-faced Paragons greeted Wicus warmly, becoming aloof in their cooler recognition of Dallus.
Across the room, the council members seemed to finish their assessment in conjunction with the new arrivals.
"Ah, you're both here, now we can begin," acknowledged Ozel.
He flipped his hand backwards and the remaining glowing reports curled into convenient scrolls and arranged themselves in a neat pile on the corner on the Paragon's desk.
"Sorry for the delay...We've been helping Wellmus... He's back on track," said Aaron.
"Definitely back on track... I wouldn't be surprised if he's done with the retrofitting sooner than you think," reported Al before obviously being distracted by the Luminary and turning his attention to Waxine.
"Oh my dear... Didn't know you'd be here... So very glad to see you... You're looking radiant as ever."
Despite the perceived tension Waxine beamed at the newcomers.
Wicus understood the gesture, at least he had allies in the room.
Ozel and his colleague joined the others as Karl stepped aside from the group and magically prepared a rolling cart filled with drinks, both hot and cold, as well as a light meal consisting of treats, both savory and sweet.
Wicus had a gnawing feeling of unease.
From Dallus' puzzling apology and Waxine’s terse warning -- her intuition was usually good -- he'd derived that this gathering was about him. If he were accused of some infraction, the council could suspend him from his duties. What would happen to Emily if he wasn’t allowed to complete his work? All that magic going to waste, he thought with disgust.
Both council members eyed him with curiosity.
Wicus didn't know why, but he didn't think it was of a beneficial nature. In general he didn't care what other Paragons thought about him, that's why he could be counted on to give his honest opinion in any discussion. That said, he was also intensely private and fiercely guarded his secrets. What did they want with him?
Glancing at each other, the council members took seats opposite of him.
"Shall we begin?" Ozel asked.
Al and Aaron took their places in the chairs next to Wicus which he accepted subconsciously as a sign of support.
"Wicus, is there something you've been keeping from the council? A secret perhaps... about a certain 29-year-old human in your region?" asked one lawmaker enigmatically. A benign expression on his face.
Wicus was genuinely confused.
Apparently not Waxine. High strung as the Luminary naturally was, she was getting visibly upset again, so much so that Plug unfurled from her base, swaying in front of the candelabra protectively. Her flames shot higher. Their color a deep crimson.
The others noticed.
"Calm yourself Waxine," reassured Al, “No one in this room means any harm to your companion.”
The others nodded. It was several tense seconds before his words had the desired effect on the candelabra.
She blew out a breath and lowered her flames slightly. Plug remained uncoiled from her base, defensive. Obviously alert for possible schemes.
"Enough with the innuendos...if you have some kind of accusation... then out with it," challenged Wicus. He was getting angry.
"No one's accusing you of any wrong doing... Consider this a fact finding discussion," coaxed Ozel.
"We're all here trying to understand what's going on... That's all," said Aaron soothingly.
"Yes...we're trying to understand you see... Aaron and I especially," agreed Al, trying to be reassuring.
The benign-faced lawmaker produced a visual aid. Jerking his hand forward, flaxen head tilting to one side as he opened a small portal in front of the group, the magical aperture displayed an image that was as familiar to Wicus as his own face. "Care to explain this?"
"Oh, him," huffed Waxine, rolling her eyes.
"You knew?" chorused Al and Aaron together.
"Of course, I do... and I know it’s not what you think... Tell him Wicus," Waxine encouraged.
Wicus’ mouth quirked as he realized that Waxine wasn’t willing to admit that she herself had only recently found out. She seemed more at ease now that the focus of the inquiry was plain. Her flames lowered a little more.
So the Bowen kid is at the root of this, he mused dryly.
Several faces in the room relaxed. Clearly thinking that perhaps Wicus had a reasonable explanation. But not every set of fiery eyes viewed him with clemency. He set out to clarify the situation.
"His name is David Bowen, yes I am aware of him...NO I am not keeping him a secret as there’s no secret to keep. I noticed the resemblance in his youth. I investigated his ancestry, he has the recessive genes of an immortal. But his blood does not match mine. He is not a Paragon. More importantly he is NOT MY OFFSPRING...SATISFIED?" Wicus spoke bluntly, irritated. Good grief, how long would this kid be a thorn in his side?
"No relation whatsoever?"
"None."
"Thi
s is intriguing," suggested Aaron glancing at Al, his head tilting slightly, an unspoken message in his expression. It was answered just as silently by a brief, almost imperceptible, nod.
"Intriguing yes... it appears that we have a mystery," twittered Al, "up until we learned of your human twin Wicus, we didn't think there were any more like me and Aaron among our race."
"This man is not of our race," replied Wicus somewhat dismissively, gesturing toward the image of David with his hand. Indignation rising.
"You do not like this man?"
"Is he not one of your souls?"
"He’s one of mine. I have reason to be disappointed in him," conceded Wicus.
"He is too hard on the young man," commented Waxine, "Tell them what you told me." She was clearly relaxed now that the cat was out of the bag.
Plug silently coiled around her base.
Wicus obliged, briefly telling those gathered how David had been so tardy for the meeting with his soul mate that all he could do was watch her die.
"It was such a waste," he finished.
"Waxine’s right, you’re being too hard on him," commented Aaron, "It was war."
"That's no excuse," Wicus said bitterly.
"Paragon or not, I think perhaps you hold this human to a higher standard because he looks like you," stated Ozel, who had been silently listening to the discussion.
There were murmurs from the others who agreed.
"Still you should have presented this to the council... If for no other reason than we would have been aware of his existence... Dallus would not have been so shocked to see him," cautioned his colleague. Turning to Dallus he said, "It appears that you were worried for nothing."
The other soul minder looked sheepish. A flush crept across his skin. He glanced sideways at Wicus, before launching into yet another apology. "Council members, Wicus…I am ashamed at myself for jumping to such conclusions. I hope that you can forgive me for wasting your time."
"How did you meet David?" asked Waxine.
Wicus leaned forward, eager to know the answer.
The red-haired Paragon who was now red faced as well, launched into a description of his retrofitting activities the night he encountered the look-a-like. The primary candidate that he’d been making adjustments to was visiting Bowen’s condo. Initially, David had been asleep in another bedroom while the Paragon performed his duty. It was only after David awoke and went to the kitchen that Dallus had gotten a good look at his face. He admitted the encounter freaked him out. At first he’d thought it was Wicus until he’d seen the young man’s eyes.
As Dallus finished the tale of his escapade, Waxine interrupted.
"This could have been avoided if you would have alerted us that you were in Wicus' territory," chided Waxine bluntly. “It’s the simplest of courtesies!”
Dallus nodded in agreement, his fiery eyes cast downward. The room became silent. His admission and omission perhaps making him not the most favorite Paragon in the office.
The warden of Antarctica was the first to break the spell of the hushed atmosphere. Aaron lightened the mood when the noisy rumble of his stomach gave him the perfect cue. "What say we next investigate the delicious concoctions Karl has created for us?" he asked in an ironic tone. His suggestion was greeted with murmurs of approval.
As they all stood, Ozel stepped closer to Wicus.
"Might I have a word?"
He nodded.
Ozel led him to the back wall. Waving a hand, the skim disappeared and his former boss stepped through the portal into the human world. There were no people around in the great expanse of the park, a rainbow was clearly visible arching across the valley, miles away, to the far side of the horizon.
The wind blew in sideways gusts, delivering a damp, mossy fragrance as Ozel and Wicus quietly walked across the landscape, stepping over fissures and cracks in the volcanic soil. Displaced by the breeze, Wicus shoved his hair out of his face as he heard the distinct crackle of Waxine's flames. They seemed quite close, he twisted back to see if she was hovering by the portal.
So did the council member.
She wasn’t.
"Please excuse us my dear," Ozel spoke kindly but with authority. He obviously didn't want her to accompany them.
Waxine's flames shot higher.
Worried about the wind, Wicus shook his head sternly, giving her a look. A plea in his expression, Don’t set the park on fire, he silently begged as one hand pushed at his hair again.
She was miffed at not being allowed to tag along. After giving a dirty look in Ozel’s direction, she turned back to the open gateway reluctantly. Plea heard.
"You know why I love it here?" asked Ozel, turning away from the candelabra, surveying the rugged landscape.
"It’s uninhabited," commented Waxine sarcastically, now hovering by the portal entrance which remained unskimmed. Clearly not happy about having to go back.
The corners of Wicus’ lips twitched. No longer concerned with fighting the wind over his hair, he raised a knuckle to his mouth brushing it under his nose in an effort to conceal a smile.
Ozel chuckled, "She's a spitfire."
He glanced back at her before walking a few more yards forward with Wicus. They reached a large fissure in the earth, it was filled with clear water, the bottom of the basin littered with coins from all of the different countries of the world.
The two stood there, silently contemplating the environment, listening to the wind over the rocks. Wicus had learned a long time ago that Ozel would say what was on his mind when he was ready. Finally he spoke.
"I think this human, what's his name, David Bowen, warrants another look."
Wicus started to protest, but stopped as Ozel continued. "I trust what you say... that you have found out about him...but this human is an unknown quantity... We don't know if his appearance has any significance to our world or not. And we must be certain that we know all that we can."
"I’m not sure where else you want me to look," replied Wicus. He’d exhausted every possible genealogical reference.
"Oh, I am not asking you to do it... I appreciate that you have enough work to do with the retrofitting and your normal duties... I saw your report by the way... one candidate seems to be coming along nicely," he said in a complimentary fashion, “the other needs work.”
Of that Wicus was quite aware, still worried about Josh. At the moment though his attention remained focused on David. "If not me, then who?" he asked.
"I'll get Karl...give the young Paragon a project," said Ozel glancing over his shoulder for a second before returning his gaze to the park. His protege was not by the portal. Rubbing his hands together like he was conspiring in some great plot. He winked at Wicus.
Unable to tell if the elder was cold or going for a dramatic effect with the gesture, Wicus waited. Cautious.
“You may have noticed, he’s very competitive. If he finds out something that you didn’t....it will give him something to crow about, if not...well...no harm done. He’s full of energy...A trifle officious that one is....bit of a know-it-all.”
Wicus knew the type.
"Is there anything else you need from me?"
"In your investigation into David Bowen, did you research his family as well?"
"Of course, I was very thorough." Secretly offended at the inference. Did Ozel think him suddenly incapable of doing his job? Wicus mused. He should know better.
"Good, good, I figured that you were. Tell me, did you happen to find out who his immortal ancestor is?"
Wicus paused before answering, scowling as he thought about the numerous avenues of inquiry he’d tried, without success. That’s the only piece of the puzzle that eluded him.
Immortals were ageless, baring some unforeseen event or conflict, they simply didn't die. In all of his searching he’d not found the one in David’s bloodline responsible for the recessive gene. As much as he hated to admit failure, he had to be honest, "No, I didn't."
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