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Part 7: The Grey Spot Adventure
319 Nemosine Black
As they stepped out of the portal, six palace guardsmen jumped to their feet. “Wizard Quin, the High Wizard has ordered you to report for questioning,” one said. Quin heaved a sigh. … As they reached the palace, the lead guardsman said, “You wizardesses will have to wait—” “I am Wizardess Doctor Heilari, the Chief Healer of the College of Healing and Medicine at Inkabar University, and this is Wizardess Doctor Laikni, Doctor of the College Hospital and expert in magical illnesses. We have information the High Wizard will want to hear.” She marched into the palace, forcing everyone else to follow.
320 Jinhao Bluish Violet
“Please announce us, guardsman,” Heilari said when they arrived at the High Wizard’s office. The guardsman looked at her sideways, then entered the High Wizard’s suite. He returned shortly and escorted them in. “You have information for me, Wizardess Doctor?” “We assumed you would want to know we were in Lamyton when a grey spot appeared…” When Heilari and Makhabesh finished their parts of the story, the High Wizard glared at Quin. “How do you explain your presence at both instances?” Quin shrugged. “I can’t. I have no idea who’s doing this or why.” After more questions Quin couldn’t answer, the High Wizard dismissed them.
321 Jinhao Red
The doctors insisted on escorting Quin out of the city, just in case another grey spot appeared. After they’d parted ways, Vika said, You should tell Makhabesh and Essri the truth. The secret would just be a burden, Quin answered. It’s already a burden. To avoid answering. Quin said, “Essri, we promised to help you find a new village, where they wouldn’t make fun of you. There’s no reason to put it off now.” After a short pause, Essri said, “I already found a new village.” Makhabesh’s voice rose an octave. “What?” “Where?” Quin asked. When? Vika added.
322 Jinhao Blue
After Heilari finished her account, the Chief Librarian said, “Hmm,” and sat in silence. “Should we worry?” Laikni finally asked. Zenod looked up and said, “I don’t know. The book says Quin’s staff is from the oldest tree in the grove. It may well be the oldest tree on Earth.” “Surely that’s a good sign,” Heilari said. “Unless the Earth is upset with us,” Zenod said. “The book suggests a staff from this tree can command other staffs.” Heilari and Laikni inhaled sharply. “Whatever else is true, I think it better if Quin joins our efforts.” The doctors nodded vigorously.
323 Pelikan Edelstein Tanzanite
Essri grinned. “You guyth are my new village.” Quin let out an audible breath. That’s a relief, Vika said. “Warn a guy, next time.” “Heh heh heh.” Essri’s laugh sounded almost exactly like a snake shedding its skin. As they turned up the walk to Aiyana’s house, Quin said, “Are you sure, Essri? If the doctors are right, these grey spots may get me into trouble.” “Then you’ll need friendth to help.” “Yeah.” Makhabesh smacked the back of Quin’s head with a wing. “Hey! I guess I’ll do an inventory then. See what we need for another adventure.”
324 Rohrer & Klingner Document Black
Quin set his pack on the bed. He pulled out a simple wood box he had no memory of, then another, much larger box. He pried the top off the first and found waxed paper. Inside the paper, he found his mother’s honey-nut pastries. “Mom,” he whispered. He couldn’t quite manage a smile. He pried open the next box. It was too much. He slid to the floor, head in his hands, eyes burning. They love you. He heard a thump and looked up to see Essri and Makhabesh in the doorway. “Quin?” Essri said. “What’s wrong?” Makhabesh asked. Quin told them everything.
325 Lennon Tool Bar Sesame Oil
After some commiseration, and a few pastries, Makhabesh said, “So what’s in the coffin?” Quin couldn’t manage to laugh, though the description was accurate. The larger box was long, but narrow on two sides to fit in his pack. He removed the lid and named all the magical builders his father had included: walls, bridges, even a tower and a small safe room. They were worth a fortune and must have taken his father over a year to make. “We can help,” Essri announced as he slithered toward Quin’s pack. With Quin outside and Essri and Makhabesh inside, they finished the inventory.
326 Diamine Night Sky
The next morning, the green squirrel showed up at a window, followed shortly by the Chief Librarian at the door. He held up a sack. “I brought breakfast.” While they ate, Quin kept his agreement and told the full details of healing the Source. “Hmm.” The Librarian stared at his half-eaten breakfast for what seemed a long time before finally saying, “Quin, unless you intend to go into hiding in some obscure corner of the Wizardlands, there are things you need to know.” “I’m not going to hide.” Makhabesh smacked a paw against the table. “We’re not going to hide.” “Yeah,” Essri added.
327 KWZ Foggy Green
The Chief Librarian nodded. “Two generations ago, wizards began taking over the Council Magica. They gradually changed it to the Wizards’ Council you know today, pushing out the sorcerers...” The Librarian told a tale of political scheming that led to the less-educated workers of magic being pushed out of power until wizards ruled the land. “I believe the sorcerers have organized to try to take power. If we cannot arrange for a peaceful agreement, we may be facing assassinations, random acts of terror, even a war of magic. I want you to help prevent that.”
328 Stipula Ebony Black
Quin stared at the Chief Librarian, trying to think what to say. “Me? I’m not a diplomat or politician.” “Criminals, all,” Makhabesh whispered loudly enough for all to hear. “We don’t need more politicians,” the Librarian answered. “We need to find out who’s behind the grey spots and convince them to talk to us.” “Who’s us?” Makhabesh asked. “There are several of us who think that we should go back to the old Council Magica, with representatives for the sorcerers as well as the wizards. You wouldn’t have to negotiate, just find them and convince them to talk with us.”
329 KWZ Green #3
After the Librarian left, everyone went to the cellar to consider enchantments. Enchantments related to your natural abilities will be strongest, Vika told them. For Makhabesh: confusion, clarity, air, flying, and speed. For Essri: finding, hiding, silence, and venom or poison. For Quin, everything that doesn’t relate to you two. Complementary enchantments are best. Essri tilted his head to one side, then said, “So, I could get an enchantment to heal someone who got poisoned or envenomated?” Yes. Vika sounded pleased. “Envenomated?” Quin asked. “What? I’m a snek.” Makhabesh jumped to the workbench. “Open that book, Wizard Boy!”
330 Stipula Dark Blue
After picking potential enchantments, they began to plan. “I can’t find who made those grey spots without knowing something about them,” Essri said. Nor can I help without more. “What if we catch them in the act?” Makhabesh suggested. Quin thought a moment. “If they are trying to frame me, then maybe we should spend time in public. As soon as we hear of a grey spot, you can take Essri, and Vika and I can move toward it…” “So we can go back to Yaz’s Ink-pour-ium?” Essri asked. “I think we can afford a pen and a practice book.”
331 KWZ Azure #5
“Ooo, that looks new,” Essri said. “Please.” Yaz handed over the small, black pen. Quin started to uncap it when Vika cried, Put it down! It’s cursed! Quin nearly dropped it. “Just what are you up to, trying to sell us a cursed pen!” Makhabesh growled. “I never—” He may not know. Quin said, “Of course not. And we would never tell people you almost sold us a cursed pen…” After negotiating, they left with a nice ring-top pen, a practice book, and complimentary erasable ink and magical ink eraser.
332 Diamine Winter Miracle
“We can’t just keep wandering,” Quin said on their second day. “Let’s go to that park,” Makhabesh suggested. “We can help Essri practice writing.” Essri grinned. They sat under a tree in a small park near the city wall cheering Essri on as he tried to master controlling the pen held with his tail. “It’th harder than I thought.” You’re making great progress. After half an hour, Essri capped the pen and grabbed his ink eraser. With a grin, he pressed it to the paper and said, “Erase!” He chuckled when the ink vanished. In the distance, someone yelled, “Run!”
333 Tono & Lims Hiiragi
“Go!” Essri said. Makhabesh launched into the air without waiting for his buddy. He climbed above the trees, angling toward the shout. Two men running from a run-down building, He told Vika. Follow them, she answered. Makhabesh circled, then followed the men toward the city wall. A sudden rush of air and a loud boom came from behind Makhabesh. He glanced back and saw what seemed like grey confetti falling around the old building. He wanted to watch, but turned back to his prey, following them down streets and alleys until they turned into a tavern.
334 Rohrer & Klingner Alt-Bordeaux
Quin tossed Essri’s things into his pack while Essri slithered up to Vika’s sphere. “Fast!” Quin commanded. In a moment, he spotted guards in city uniforms run past. Makhabesh is following two men. An instant later Quin heard a loud boom from above him. He jerked to a stop. Grey confetti fell slowly. Wherever it landed, grey circles formed, spreading to various sizes, some overlapping. “Thhhh!” Essri hissed. Quin looked. Essri was grey! “Does it hurt?” “No, but let’th get out of here!” Quin commanded, “Fast!” and ran where Vika directed him. “You guys are grey!” Makhabesh said when they arrived.
335 Tintenlabor Gold / Black
“You guys can’t go in like that,” Makhabesh said. “How do we change back, Vika?” Quin asked. This magic was very powerful. We can’t undo it here. “I’ll take Essri,” Makhabesh said. “You watch the back.” “How do I recognize them?” Send me the memories, Makhabesh. “Whoa,” Essri and Quin said together. Inside, Makhabesh had barely jumped up to the bar when everyone turned to look. Talking turned to whispering. Makhabesh made a point of ignoring the room and keeping his eyes on the bartender. “You sell cheeseburgers?”
336 Tintenlabor Purple / Black
The bartender stared at Makhabesh, then slid his eyes down to where Essri was half poking out of Makhabesh’s Infini-pack. “Sphinx and snakes ain’t welcome here.” “I’m a thnek.” Essri grinned and the barkeep’s eyes went wide. “Them neither!" Makhabesh glanced slowly around the room. “Guess we’ll buy cheeseburgers elsewhere.” He made his way out the door. “They weren’t there!” “Let me try,” Essri said. He concentrated on Makhabesh’s memories. “That way.” He pointed back toward the city center. They collected Quin and Vika and headed back the way they’d come.
337 Tintenlabor Iron Gall Ink 1 Dark Green / Black
Essri led them to the square in front of the Wizards’ Palace. A crowd of mostly grey people milled about. Makhabesh spotted the men he’d seen. “They’re grey,” he whispered. “What better way to hide?” Quin answered. People in the crowd began shouting. “What good are the Wizards if they can’t stop this?” “What’s the High Wizard doing about this?” “Who’s going to turn us back to normal?” As the shouts grew louder, city and palace guards moved between the crowd and the palace. This was their plan, Vika said. “Thoon, nobody will trutht the withardth.”
338 Tintenlabor Iron Gall Ink 1 Violet Blue / Black
When the men who’d triggered the magical confetti left the square, Makhabesh followed. Once they’d entered a building, Makhabesh waited for Quin. I don’t like it, Vika said. “No telling how many there are.” “I’ll go,” Essri said. “No!” Makhabesh replied. “I can do it. I’m quietetht and leatht thuthpithiouth…” After some arguing, Essri headed in. He slithered up one story and down the hall, keeping to the edge where he’d be hard to see. At the door to the room where the men had gone, he listened, relaying what he heard to Vika.
339 Tintenlabor Iron Gall Ink 2 Dark Blue / Black
The voices grew louder. Essri felt the floor vibrate. He threw himself into the corner where the wall met the floor, stretched out, pointed away from the stairs. They’re coming out! He held his breath as the door creaked open. The footsteps paused. The door closed. Below them, Quin said loudly, "Well, this isn’t the right building!” and the entrance door slammed. The men froze, then moved quickly to the stairs. Essri let himself breathe once he heard their footsteps descend, but stayed frozen until the door below opened and closed. Three men left, Vika told him. Essri hurried from the building.
340 Tintenlabor Iron Gall Ink 3 Dark Blue / Black
After Makhabesh learned where the men went, they met up back home to discuss what Essri heard. “It sounds like the guy in charge is named Nick,” Quin said. “And like he’th out of town.” I think they were using message paper— They all froze at a knock at the door. After exchanging glances, Quin took Vika and opened the door. “You’re grey,” the Librarian said. They told him the story. “Hmm. I wonder. It could be Count Nicolas of Grafito.” “That’s it!” Makhabesh shouted. “What?” the others said at once. “I know what the grey spots remind me of!”
341 Noodler's Golden Brown
“Look at yourselves!” Makhabesh continued. “The texture. You look like pencil drawings!” Quin and Essri stared at each other. “I’m blind!” The Librarian exclaimed. “Of course. This must be Grafito. His family invented the pencil and control the graphite mines…” Soon, they had a detailed plan to visit Grafitia and convince Count Nicolas to meet with the Librarian’s people. “How do we change back?” Essri asked. “Well,” the Librarian said, “you can either source some rather expensive ingredients for a potion, or hope that like the previous spells, it fades away in a couple of days.”
342 Diplomat Burgundy
After portalling to Westfall, they booked passage on a ship to Port Grafito. Makhabesh and Essri were enjoying the wind at the top of the mast when Essri, looking out to sea, shouted, “What’s that?” Mahkabesh spotted the blow and yelled, “Whale!” The barrelman repeated the shout. “What’s a whale?” Essri asked. The whale dove, its tail lifting for a moment. “Whoa! It’s a giant fish!” “Not a fish…” Makhabesh explained what he knew, but didn’t mention this was his first whale sighting, too. They watched while more whales surfaced and dove, then joined Quin on the deck.
343 Noodler's Polar Blue
As they walked from the port toward their inn, Essri whispered, “It’s all grey.” The buildings, clothing, streets, everything was grey. The only color came from people’s skin. Quin understood now why the Librarian had told him to bring a dark grey wizard’s robe with lighter grey embroidered decoration. They drew stares as they made their way up from the port. Where are the plants? Vika wondered. Once they were settled, Quin arranged for his letter of introduction to be delivered to Grafito Castle. “If the food’s grey, I’m not eating it,” Makhabesh muttered.
344 Stipula Calamo Musk Green (Verde Muschiato)
While waiting for a reply from the Castle, they discovered that the only plants in the city were hidden in open courtyards at the center of most buildings. Makhabesh took Essri flying, both to scout and to avoid stares, presumably due to their being tan and green, respectively. Quin donned his grey robe and explored the city with Vika. Everyone avoided both speech and eye contact, even with each other. They spent their evenings in the courtyard, where Vika talked to the trees, which were unhappy with their isolated lives. On the third morning, Quin was summoned to the Castle.
345 Tintenlabor New Iron Gall Gold / Black
Vika didn’t have eyes to see, but she could sense far more than eyes could see. She disliked the Castle. Its cut stone distanced her from the living earth, decreasing her strength. She still sensed Count Nicolas well before they entered his receiving room. His magic is strong, she told Quin. Of course, she couldn’t tell whether it was only potential, or if Grafito was also skilled. She sensed no staff with him, nor anywhere near. While Quin presented the gift he’d brought—a fine sculpture in grey marble—Vika tried to sense any dangers from the surrounding rooms.
346 Tintenlabor New Iron Gall Ink 2 Dark Blue / Black
“Did you really catch Marsell single-handed?” Nicolas leaned forward in his chair. “Makhabesh and a few other sphinx helped.” Nicolas fell back as if surprised. Quin thought it an act. “How did you ever gain an alliance with a sphinx pride?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “We were rivals, you know, Marsell and I…” Nicolas went on to explain. “It’s just too bad you let him escape.” “That was after I’d left the Keep.” “Oh, right. Scandalous.” Nicolas grinned. “Perhaps you scared him. No one’s seen him for weeks.” Quin was relieved when they finally got around to the reason for his visit.
347 Tintenlabor New Iron Gall Ink 1 Dark Green / Black
“A group of wizards and sorcerers want to restore the old Council Magica…” Quin made the pitch they’d planned, flattering the Count for his influence and magical skill. He’d barely started when he realized he was passionate about the end goal. “All workers of magic should be represented, even my friends, Makhabesh and Essri.” Nicolas seemed to study him for some time before answering. “Intriguing. What if there is no peaceful way?” “We can worry about that if it comes to it, but I’d rather be optimistic. If enough of us stand united, the Wizards’ Council will have no choice.”
348 Tintenlabor New Iron Gall Ink 2 Dark Green / Black
Makhabesh and Essri were ready to storm the Castle by the time Quin got back - even though Vika had told them there was nothing to worry about. “Well?” Makhabesh demanded. “He’s considering the idea—said he’d send word. But I think he’s interested.” Quin flopped into a chair. “What’th wrong?” “Well, I think I accidentally inserted myself in the middle of this.” “What do you mean?” He discovered he believes in what the Librarian is trying to do. “You two deserve representation, too,” Quin pointed out. “All workers of magic living within the Wizardlands do.”
349 Tintenlabor New Iron Gall Ink 2 Purple / Black
After another day, Quin was summoned back to the Castle. “Two conditions,” Nicolas said. “First, we meet here. I don’t trust that I’m not being betrayed to the High Wizard. Second, I must know what happened to Marsell. I won’t be involved if he’s part of it. I’ve scried and scried. Last I saw, he was collecting the head off a skeleton, and now he’s just gone!” Quin hesitated. You did nothing wrong, Vika said. There’s no reason not to tell him. Quin took a deep breath. “I killed him. Well, me and Essri. Not really sure which.”
350 Aurora Blue Black
Nicolas stared, as if shocked. Then he laughed a little hysterically. When he got control of himself he said, “Really? He’s gone? Dead? Forever?” Quin began to think maybe there was more than a little rivalry between them. “Dead and buried.” Nicolas went on at length about how wonderful it was that Marsell was gone. Then he finally said, “All right, I’m in. Tell your people to come here and I’ll work with them to restore the old Council.” Quin was thrilled to be away from the Castle, until he got the Librarian’s reply by message paper.
351 Koh-I-Noor Document Blue
Wizardess Doctor Laikni and two wizards Quin didn’t know arrived the next morning, suggesting they’d been on the way before Nicolas had agreed to meet. Quin introduced them to Nicolas, and took the next ship back to Westfall. Then they portaled to Inkabar University to meet with Wizardess Doctor Heilari. The Librarian had only said it was urgent. As they crossed the sprawling campus toward the university hospital, Quin said, “Whatever she needs, I’m doing it. You guys don’t have to, but I owe her my father’s life.” “Of course we’re doing it,” Makhabesh said. “Yeah.”
> on to Part 8: The Ice Fields Adventure