King Edward’s face had gone white and a fine trickle of stone dust filtered down from the ceiling above. He gripped the arms of his chair as if he were afraid he might fall out of it. Perhaps I hadn’t imagined it. “Very well, we are sympathetic to your plight. If that is your wish so be it, you have our leave to do so.” His tone made it clear that the audience was over, but my magesight could detect the fear he carefully concealed.
I bowed and rose to leave but as we reached the door he called out to me, “Mordecai!”
“Yes your majesty?”
“The trainer, Cyhan is his name, is here. Adam will show you to him when you leave. He will remain with you and Penelope until the training and bond are complete. Do you understand?”
“Of course your majesty,” I bowed again and left, quietly gritting my teeth. Of course I understand, you want a muzzle on the dog before it goes rabid and bites you, I thought.
I left the room with an angry stride while Penny hurried to keep up with me. “You knew this was going to happen… Rose said as much,” she reminded me. “Did you make the earth shake back there?” she added.
“I don’t know exactly. I felt it, but it didn’t feel like I did it... I think. The man just told me he was abandoning our people! It’s not expedient to help them. What sort of king is that?” My tone was full of anger.
Penny looked around, “Keep your voice down!” she hissed. “We’re still inside the royal palace.”
She was right of course, but I was too mad to care. Adam stepped up from beside the doors, “If you’ll follow me my lord I’ll take you to meet the trainer.” He was as quiet as a ghost, were it not for my extra senses he’d have startled me half to death.
“Lead the way,” I replied without turning to look at him.
We followed him down several long corridors and a flight of stairs, till we reached another waiting room. A man waited there. He was big, I’ll give him that. He stood slightly over six foot tall, which meant he was looking me eye to eye, but where I was slender he was... not. He carried muscle on him the way a pig wears mud, meaning there was a lot more than anyone should find necessary. He had dark brown hair and brown skin that went well beyond a casual tan.
“So you’re my handler,” I stated. I was in no mood to mince words. Even as angry as I was I could not help but notice how he carried himself. He gave the impression of a coiled spring, ready to break loose into deadly violence without warning. I couldn’t help but wonder how he would match up against Dorian.
He shrugged, “At least we’re starting out with no illusions. My name is Cyhan.”
I raised an eyebrow, “Just Cyhan?”
“Any other name I had is long dead. If you’d rather call me something else that’s fine,” the man’s face gave away little in expression.
“Cyhan will do. Anything else we need to get out of the way before we get moving? I have a lot to take care of today,” I was impatient to get moving.
“Just one,” he replied. “Before we start you need to understand how things work between us. I’m not your bodyguard. I’m not your man-servant. I’m not your friend. I’m here to do a job, and that job is all I care about. If it looks like something is getting in the way of that job I’ll make sure it doesn’t get in the way for long. You cooperate and we get along fine. You don’t and this will be a short job.” Even as he essentially threatened me, his expression never changed. The effect was altogether chilling, but I’d be damned before I let him see that.
“Is that what you told my father?” I asked.
“Pardon?”
“You heard me. I know you trained my mother, so you must have had a similar conversation with him at some point. I’m curious how he responded to it.”
“He was younger than you are now, but he already knew the necessity, so we never had a conversation such as this one. Besides, we had already begun training the candidates. He merely had to choose,” he answered simply.
Curious, so he had chosen my mother from a set of candidates. “You trained more than one?”
“Back then there were still a number of wizards alive, we kept a small school going so there were always several ready when needed.” He stated it as a simple fact.
My curiosity got the better of me, “What happened to those not chosen?”
“Some became knights, some trained the next generation.”
“Like yourself?”
“Yeah, ‘cept after your father died we didn’t think there would be anymore.”
Something in his eyes made me uncomfortable, but I couldn’t put my finger on it so I pushed the feeling aside, “Alright, let’s go. Daylight’s burning.”
Cyhan picked up a heavy looking pack and we headed outside. As we went I caught Penny giving him an appraising look and a surge of jealousy went through me. Thinking back to the other day I guess I could understand her feelings about me looking at Rose a little better. I still didn’t like it though. The heavyset warrior spoke up, “Where are we headed?”
“The royal bank,” Penny put in.
Cyhan looked her over as if he had just noticed her. His gaze swept slowly up from her feet, taking her in carefully. I didn’t care for it. He looked at her in much the same way a butcher does when he’s sizing up a side of beef. “Pardon my manners, we haven’t been introduced...” he said.
“Penelope Cooper,” she answered quickly, “I’m to be his bond-bearer.” She pointed at me with her thumb.
Cyhan grinned, a big white toothed smile. It was the most expressive I had seen him be so far and it thoroughly unnerved me, “Pleased to meet you Miss Cooper. We’ll have a lot of time to get to know each other after this, but I doubt you’ll be glad of it.”
“What do you mean?” she asked uncertainly.
The big bastard laughed, “Oh you’ll see. No sense spoiling it now.” He clammed up after that and refused to answer her questions although she peppered him with them incessantly as we walked.
I decided to change the subject, “Cyhan, I have a question.”
“Yeah?”
“Do you know the way to the royal bank?” I asked.
As a matter of fact he did know the way. Several turns and a half hour’s walk got us there. A large building with a large stone facade in the front greeted us. “That’s it there,” Cyhan said.
“Ever been in there before?”
“Do I look like I have money?” he asked. I had to admit he had a point.
“How about me, do I look like I have money?” I turned the question around.
“Not really. We’ll see if they let you inside,” he replied.
“They turn people away?” It hadn’t occurred to me that the bank might be hard to get into.
“Banks are for the rich. If you’re not a member of the club they’ll have you locked up faster than you can blink. Why are you here anyway? Not that it’s any of my business,” Cyhan asked.
“I’ve got a war to fight. For that I’ll need all the money I can lay my hands on.”
“We’ll see,” he replied.
I had no plans to go away empty handed. I stepped up to the doors and a uniformed fellow held one open for me. I looked back at Penny and our new ‘friend’, “Come on.” They followed me in. The interior was richly appointed. Vaulted ceilings and dark wood greeted my eyes in every direction. Unsure where to go I walked up to the man at the nearest desk, he seemed very busy with something he was writing, “Excuse me...”
After a long moment he looked up, “Can I help you?” He had the look of someone supremely disinterested in the world around him. Or maybe it was just me.
“Yes, my name is Mordecai Illeniel. I’m here to check into my accounts,” I tried to give the impression of honesty and sincerity as I spoke, not that it mattered.
The fellow looked up at me; his spectacles made his eyes seem twice as large as normal. “I don’t recall seeing you before. Did you bring your account book?”
I was already uncertain, “I don’t have one. I only just arrived in Al
bamarl and I didn’t even know about my inheritance until yesterday, surely someone can help me here?”
“You’ll need to talk to Mister Easley, the account manager. He can help you,” he responded.
“Excellent. Where can I find him?”
“Check in over at the desk there,” he pointed to a desk in one corner where another man was working. I might have said they were twins, but this unfortunate fellow was also bald. I walked over to him.
I addressed him politely, “Excuse me, I’m told I need to see a Mister Easley to discuss the accounts I’ve inherited.”
He glanced at me, “Certainly. Name please...” He held a pen over a blank form.
“Mordecai Illeniel, son of Tyndal Illeniel and current Count di’Cameron. I think I may have more than one account.” I tried to look important and patient at the same time. I probably failed at both.
“Very good sir, how does next Tuesday sound, say around one in the afternoon?” He didn’t bother to look at me as he asked; clearly the assumption was that any time they could fit me in would be good for me.
“No, I’m sorry. I won’t be in the capital then. I need to see someone today.”
“Mister Easley isn’t in today. I’m afraid you’ll have to wait regardless,” he answered. His face gave away nothing but his aura flashed with something I might have called ‘smug self-importance’. Needless to say it didn’t sit well with me.
“Is the bank closed today?” I asked mildly.
“No sir, I think you can see that,” he replied bemused.
“Then people can withdraw money, deposit money, or conduct other business here today?” It was a question but I was really just setting the stage for my next remark. My temper was rising rapidly.
“Of course.” I could almost see his thoughts as he pondered whether I might be unstable. He wasn’t far from the truth there.
“As best as I can ascertain; I have money here, quite likely in more than one account. I need access to it now. Since you are currently open for business I suggest you find someone who can help me,” I tried to keep a calm tone but my tension was seeping out.
“I’ve already told you sir, you’ll have to make an appointment with Mister Easley, and he’s not here today,” the look of indifference on his face was calculated to increase my aggravation.
I leaned over the desk until our faces were barely a foot apart, “Then I suggest you fetch your manager or someone who can handle my business... today.” I kept my tone level but with my mind I carefully applied pressure to the back leg of his chair. Doing magic without using words is more difficult but I had energy to spare and nothing better to do with it today. As the last word passed my lips the leg snapped and he fell unceremoniously to the floor. I looked down on him as he sprawled on the floor, “I think you need to replace your cheap furniture.”
He got up quickly and brushed himself off. Without a word he left, presumably to find someone with more seniority to ‘deal’ with me. I glanced at Penny and I could see worry on her face. Most likely she didn’t approve of my methods. Cyhan’s expression gave away nothing of his thoughts; he might as well have been a statue.
A moment later the weaselly little clerk returned, “If you’ll follow me, Mister Aston has kindly agreed to talk to you today.” He said it as if they were doing me a favor. I became even more determined to knock a few people down a notch. I had a feeling Penny would be very unhappy with me by the time we left today.
He led us past a row of desks and through a door. From there we went up a large staircase until we reached the third floor, the bank was impressively large. By the looks of things the offices of the higher-ups in the bank were on this floor. A gold plate on the outside of the door proclaimed it to be the office of ‘Mister Eagin Aston, Vice-President’. I wasn’t sure what the word ‘president’ meant, but it sounded important, especially if it had a ‘vice’. He opened the door for us and let us in.
Inside a red faced and rather corpulent man sat behind the biggest desk I had ever encountered. It was built of some dark red wood and polished until is shone like glass. He looked up at me, “If you would kindly leave your servants outside perhaps I can help educate you better about your financial situation here at the bank.” Translation, Cyhan scared the crap out of him. I couldn’t blame him for that.
Cyhan walked out without being asked but I could see Penny fuming inside. I might have corrected the man’s misapprehension about her, but I had a feeling I might not want her to see our negotiations. “Please step outside if you will Miss Cooper,” I commanded solemnly. The look in her eyes warned me there would be dire repercussions later, but she went anyway. It was almost funny but I was too irritated with the bankers already to find it humorous. After they left and shut the door I took a seat across the desk from Mister Aston.
“I am told you claim to be the heir of both Tyndal Illeniel and Miles di’Cameron. Is that correct?” his voice held a hint of doubt.
“I am,” I took off both of the signet rings I wore, one of Illeniel and one of the Camerons and placed them on the desk in front of him.
He looked them over carefully then spoke, “These appear genuine, though they do not serve to validate your claim.”
I could tell he was going to be difficult but I held my temper, “As I’m sure you know I gave fealty to King Edward just yesterday. Surely you do not take our sovereign for a fool?”
“No of course not, but I still have to properly verify your credentials. If I simply handed money out to anyone that walked in claiming to be this person or that the bank would hardly be a safe place to keep such things. For example, I will need to know your lineage... so I can be sure there are no other heirs with a better claim to the accounts you wish to access.” He projected an aura of calm assurance.
I took a moment to explain my line of descent from both since I figured he did have at least one valid argument there. It took me a few minutes but eventually I had told him all the pertinent details. He nodded at me sympathetically, “A very interesting tale and I do believe you… honestly I do. However, I will require a personal statement from the Duke of Lancaster regarding your right to inherit Miles di’Cameron’s account. Regarding Tyndal Illeniel’s account I’ll need an affidavit from your adoptive parents corroborating your story and a waiver from the King himself to release those funds. I’m sure you understand all of this will take some time.” He spread his hands as if to show me he was unable to do more.
I leaned back in the chair and put my feet on his desk. I was done being polite. “You understand that my father was a wizard, don’t you?” I asked him.
“Of course, though I’m not sure how that applies...,” he gave me an irritated look and stared pointedly at my boots. “I’d appreciate it if you took your footwear off of my desk; it is a rather expensive piece of furniture.”
I ignored his request, “How many wizards are left in Lothion do you think, Mister Aston?”
“None, besides yourself, and if you leave your dirty boots on my desk any longer you may find yourself waiting considerably longer to access those accounts,” his face had colored and his eyes were narrowed as he looked at me.
“I would think the fact that I am a wizard should be the strongest proof you could have of my line of descent. I would also think you might be a bit more accommodating in light of that fact, rather than making obvious threats concerning my property.” I had my hands together and made a steeple of my fingers while I stared at him, giving the appearance of a man deep in thought. “I have no intention of leaving here today without a full accounting of my wealth, a proper account book, and a sizable withdrawal.”
The fat bastard was almost shaking with rage now, “Lord Cameron, or Illeniel, or whoever the hell you think you are... you really don’t think you’re the first person to come into this place and threaten the bank do you? Do you think a few magic tricks are enough to frighten me? Right now your guard and your Anath’Meridum are outside surrounded by a rather numerous group of bank guards. If
you even think of damaging this facility or harming me you’ll be dead before your pact-bearer’s head can hit the floor.”
That surprised me, I’ll admit it. It never even occurred to me that they might be prepared for a situation like this, or that they would so quickly resort to violence. Worse, while I cared nothing for the giant of a man who had come with me I wasn’t sure if I could protect Penny. A moment’s concentration and I could feel the presence of a large number of men drawing closer from several directions. There would be no easy escape for Penny and Cyhan. I doubted I could get a shield over Penny from the other side of a closed door. He had me dead to rights. But he didn’t have to know it; he’d already made one rather large assumption that was incorrect.
I laughed. I tried to emulate the laugh James Lancaster had used long ago to break the tension after I had beaten Devon Tremont at chess. I laughed long and loud, forcing the sound up from my belly. Finally I stopped, “You’ve made one rather large mistake here my friend. I don’t have an Anath’Meridum yet. I am still unbound and while it would probably annoy me even more if you harm my servants, it won’t do a damn thing to stop me from bringing this bank down around your ears. I wonder how well you could do business sitting in a pile of rubble?”
Let us shake it down!
Great the voice was back again, I thought to myself.
“Now you’re just boasting! What a farce! This building is solid stone and it has stood here for well over four hundred years. You might scorch some of the wood work or damage the furnishings but you don’t really think you could bring it down?” Flecks of spittle flew out of his mouth as he shouted. Clearly Mister Aston didn’t handle stress well.
Even as he was speaking I could feel a giant heart beating in the earth beneath me. I had planned to use my power to do something mildly showy... like breaking his lovely desk, or tossing some papers around, but the voice and that deep rhythmic beat gave me another idea. I let my mind expand; feeling the heartbeat below as if it were my own... then I directed my thoughts outward. Go ahead and shake, I thought at it.