Ars Magika -- Chapter 5

Chapter 5 - It Begins

Peggy Durward rapped harshly on the door then released the numerous locks they used to keep him from wandering their precious home at night, while demanding, “BOY! Go start breakfast and hurry. Ralph has to leave at 6:30 he has a very important meeting today. Do not dare burn ANYTHING or you will not eat!”

Kaspian sat up slowly at hearing the harsh voice of his aunt. It was only 5:30am and she’s already being bitchy. The day could only get worse. Then he remembered… today he was going to Vermögens; things were going to get better if he had to take a crowbar and force them to. He pulled on the only set of clothes that even halfway fit him before rushing downstairs to get breakfast on… he didn’t want to be late for his meeting and he only had so much time to prepare.

Ralph entered the room straightening the new tie to his expensive new Gucci suit and addressed Kaspian pompously, “Boy, you will do your chores today and help your Aunt. You will not complain or lay about and there will be none of your abnormality. If I have to feed and house you the least you can do is pay for it in service and proper behavior.”

More than tired of taking his so called Uncle’s crap Kaspian responds in a derisively civil tone, “Sorry Uncle Ralph, I won’t be here today to do the maintenance of your house and grounds as I have to go to Avalon Circle on business. It’s unfortunate that you are too cheap to actually hire a real gardener or handyman. As for earning my keep, I understand from my banker that you receive a stipend for any expenses incurred for taking me in; which includes buying me new clothing, paying for food and other necessities like shampoo, soap, towels and bedding, school supplies and uniforms when I was younger: I’ve been paying for everything at Ars Magika. You’ve never spent a penny of this stipend on me; you’ve only ever given me Dewey’s old worn out clothing and notebooks that he’d messed up and had replaced; and that was only grudgingly and if I was lucky I got one meal a day. You better think long and hard about your treatment of me from here on out Sir as I’ve appointed a new banker to be in charge of that fund it would only take one word from me for it to be reduced or stopped entirely. I know you’ve received 1500 pounds a month for me for 14½ years; maybe you’ve spent 30 a week on me. I suggest you get an accountant or setup a budget; that way you can see where the drain on your finances truly is because you’ve a mountain of money being wasted somewhere.”

 

Ralph Durward started turning red, then headed towards purple before he started speaking, “BOY How DARE YOU!!! This is my house and you only stay here with MY permission. You will get your unnatural things and get OUT. You will not darken my doorstep again!

Kaspian being infinitely polite, “If that is what you want Uncle Ralph, but that means you won’t get this month’s payment of 1500 pounds and there won’t be any more forthcoming either as they will stop the very minute that I leave. The Dwarves use magic you know to keep track of their clients and they’ll know without me even sending them a note. Did I mention that my Banker is a Dwarf? and no I don’t mean those  poor folks born with the genetic disorder that your kind of people call Dwarfism but real true Dwarves.”

Seeing his Aunt go very pale at the mention of Dwarves he asks, “Did you get to see the Dwarves at Vermögens Aunt Peggy when my Mom went to get her supplies? They are a bit scary looking all beard and muscles with those big shiny axes, and they can be quite violent too. We’ve spent the past 3 years studying the Dwarf Wars alone in History of Magic. Did you know that I’ve made friends with a couple of them? Other wizards seem to have a problem with them but I don’t. I think they are a remarkable race of people; a bit possessive and protective of those they favor. They really don’t appreciate their clients being mistreated especially ones that have Dwarven friends.”

Peggy turns to Ralph and states unequivocally, “He stays Ralph! We need that money and we don’t want trouble with those… those things. Lily said…” she had to stop and swallow hard to continue, “Lily said some of them eat their prey. That means they’d eat us Ralph. They’re not human, they have teeth like daggers and they’d rip the flesh from our bones with us still alive. The boy stays and you will leave him alone. He will eat meals when we eat and he will do whatever it is that his kind do during the day. He knows the rules of his kind and he won’t risk losing his place in that society. You and Dewey will act as if he doesn’t exist.”

Ralph knowing there’s no dealing with her when her mind is made up finally agrees, “Very well Pet but if he gives you any trouble, he’s out. No more chances. I’m getting a big promotion today we don’t need his money that bad.”

As soon as Ralph was gone, Dewey went back up to bed; nothing was different in his little world so he didn’t care. Kaspian went back up to his room gathered up his things (robe, hooded cloak, wand, money- pouch and invisibility cloak). Then he closes and locks his trunk then using wandless magic puts a Mundanei repelling ward on it to keep his nosey cousin from getting anywhere near it.

Kaspian heads downstairs after putting on his robe and cloak then steps out into the backyard where he asks softly, “Ready to go Fangs?”

“Yes Kaspian whenever you are,” Seath said as he slid the cloak open so Kaspian could see where he was located. When he felt Kaspian grab hold of his arm he adds quietly, “Hold on tight Kaspian and think only of me you’ll feel the pull, then it will feel like you are being pulled through the head of a needle; whatever you do don’t let go of me!” 

They promptly arrived in Avalon Circle within sight of the doors to Vermögens. Kaspian walked up the stairs and through the doors before taking off his invisibility cloak, Seath right at his heels. The guards on duty swarmed the doors right after his entrance flipping signs and lock-warding the doors before taking up guard positions.

Steelclaw steps forward, “Greetings Mr. Rutherford if you would come this way?”

Kaspian inquired energetically, “Hello Steelclaw. I hope I didn’t cause you too much trouble. How did things go?”

They share small talk as Steelclaw leads Kaspian through the labyrinth of hallways that lead to his manager’s office. Kaspian looks away from Steelclaw to see the names on the door written ornately in gold lettering:

Og’ Talmraz Mythrlclaw
The Ancient House of Myrridyn,
The Exalted  Ancient House of Windemere
The Noble Ancient House of Kinkaide,
The Righteous Ancient House of Rutherford (with Nar’ sinhg Steelclaw)

 “Steelclaw aren’t you my account manager?” Kaspian asked softly?

“Yes Mr. Rutherford; but as I’ve never handled an account of this magnitude I enlisted aide to assure I didn’t make any mistakes. Og’ Talmraz Mythrlclaw only handles the oldest of accounts. He was impressed when I understood the implications of you taking on such an inexperienced manager and offered to tutor me in the old ways. I am very proud to be his apprentice I beat out many applicants acquiring it as it is a much sought after and honored position. He will oversee my handling of your account making sure that you in no way pay for my inexperienced mistakes.”

They step into the office where Steelclaw encourages them to get comfortable in the comfortable chairs. Mythrlclaw enters a few moments after them, he walks over to Kaspian and voices his pleasure, “Mr. Rutherford, I am pleased that you have agreed to my participation in managing your account. Steelclaw assured me that you would have no problems, but I wasn’t so sure. Many sorcerers don’t take well to Dwarven interference in what they consider their business.”

Kaspian assures the Dwarves, “Mr. Mythrlclaw, I am not like most sorcerers. I choose Steelclaw because he was the very first magical being besides Ogilvie that treated me with any respect. If he feels that he needs help on the account and was able to procure the best; who am I to question his wisdom. He knows his limitations better than I.”

Kaspian takes a deep calming breath before continuing, “I can see from the names on the door that you have experience with old and somewhat prestigious accounts so I really have no problem with both of you working on mine. I don’t know what all the Rutherford estate encompasses. I don’t even know the exact amount of money in my trust vault as I’ve never received even one bank statement or in fact even a letter from Vermögens. Van Pelt had my key until Ogilvie picked me up at the start of my first year. Ogilvie handed the key to the Dwarf the first time and the Dwarf gave me the key after he opened the vault. I found out by accident a few weeks ago that there was more to my inheritance than just the trust vault that I’ve been using but couldn’t get any details. Can you please tell me what I’ve inherited and what my responsibilities are?”

Angry on behalf of his new client, this strange young sorcerer that treats everyone with respect, he pulls out a large thick folder and starts, “Mr. Rutherford let’s start with your parents will:

     I, Keldrick Everan Rutherford being of sound mind and body do hereby declare this my last will and testament on this day October 30, 1981. It is with sadness I note that my children were not able to stay together but hope that the separation is in the past and that they can see each other as brother and sister as should have been done from the beginning. In the event that both Dahlia and I die together Kaspian should live with his God-father Caleb Kinkaide. If for some unfortunate reason Caleb is unable to take Kaspian then he should go to Dragorian Windemere, and if he is also unavailable then Kaspian should go to Aslan Leopaldi then to Devid McCrey. Fangs I would have him go to you after Caleb but with the unfair and unreasonable werewolf legislation of the Bureau’s they’d turn you down no matter what I wanted. He is NEVER under any circumstances to be placed with Dahlia’s sister Peggy and Her Husband they hate magic to an extreme degree and would no doubt be abusive to my very magical son.

          The gem vault is to be divided equally between my two children as are the rukab and penit vaults.

     To my much beloved son Kaspian, I leave the title and responsibilities of Mage Lord Rutherford as well as 65,000,000 galleons. You also get all the men’s jewelry, clothing, trunks, weapons, and other accessories not going to your sister. Kaspian please be kind to your sister and let her have a look at the portraits for any that might interest her, as well as some of the furniture and knick-knacks… there’s enough of that stuff in vault storage at Vermögens for 30 houses. I leave you the house in London, the cottage in Hogsmeade, the Manor in Wales, the cottage in Chimera’s Cove and Rutherford Castle in Ireland. There is also a vacation home in Greece that is to be shared between the two of you equally.

Kaspian you receive all the stocks that I have in the following businesses:

• SWN – 52% ownership   (Sorcerer’s Wireless Network for all you music and data needs)
• Avalon Times – 49% ownership
• Glabber’s Rags – 47% ownership
• Madame Gucci’s Clothes for all Occasions – 45% ownership
• Magical Mammal Menagerie – 50% Ownership
• Geri’s Books and More – 92% Ownership
• Gravener’s Trunks and More – 53% Ownership

Please take care of each other and know that I love you both more than words can possibly say.

Keldrick Everan Rutherford

Earl of Solaris

Witnessed by:

Mage~Lord Caleb Kinkaide – Baron of Blackmore

And

Mage~Lord Garak Hammersley

Received and Witnessed by Fangjaw Head of Wills and Inheritance

“Any questions so far Mage Lord Rutherford?”

“No Mythrlclaw please continue.”

Mythrlclaw picks up the next parchment and starts reading:

     I, Dahlia Amanda Diark Rutherford being of sound mind and body do hereby declare this my last will and testament on this 1^st day of October 1981. Kaspian my darling son gets everything of mine.

     Kaspian what most didn’t know was that I was adopted by Charles and Rosalee Diark. My birth name was Dhark though; my parents were Edward Marcus Dhark and Miranthre Dharkstar. He was a sorcerer and she was an elf; they were both killed when I was a small baby in what later became known as a The Massacre of Marrisou Bay- all but 4 people of our village were killed. I was one of those 4 survivors.

     I leave to you my son, the Diark/Dhark vault (which I never touched other than to remove a few personal items) – some 17,000,000 avatiir, 546,000 rukab, and 390,752 penit. Gems valued at 2,000,000 avatiir and some assorted jewelry, artifacts, family treasures and portraits.

    I am sure you’ve learned by now that you have a sister, and I regret being jealous and horrible as to prevent you knowing of her as a baby. Love each other now, and don’t let petty jealousies get in the way of your relationship.

Keldrick is stating our wishes for your guardianship in his will so I won’t repeat them here. Do me a favor though son and take care of my dear friend Seath Draugaran. He is very smart and thoughtful and would be your godfather and guardian if not for his little monthly problem. WE would have him even with the problem but the stupid bureau likes to tell people what they can and can’t do with their lives.

I love you always and forever;

Dahlia Diark Rutherford

Witnessed by:

Hera McDonald

And

Caleb Kinkaide – Baron of Blackmore

Received and Witnessed by Fangjaw Head of Wills and Inheritance

Mythrlclaw gives Kaspian a few moments to absorb the details of the wills then inquires, “Mage Lord Rutherford, do you have any questions of me?”

Kaspian thinks a moment then asks, “What do you know about my sister? Is she still alive? Do you know where she’s located? Can she be brought here?”

Mythrlclaw replies with a grimace, “We don’t have a lot of details about Lady Damia, but she is not dead and she has recently returned to Great Britain. Up until 4 days ago none of our owls could pinpoint her whereabouts but a message was delivered to her just 8 hours ago. It is our hope to meet with her soon about her own inheritances that are as yet unclaimed.

Confused Kaspian asks, “Her inheritances?”

Steelclaw explains, “Mage Lord Rutherford…”

Kaspian frustrated at the continuous use of his title demands, “Stop that! Please just call me Kaspian.”

Steelclaw replies, “Of course Kaspian. Your sister had five fathers of which only one is still living. We’ve been holding her inheritances in hope that she’d come to claim them. Van Pelt also tried to set himself up as her ad litum guardian when she disappeared but was unsuccessful. His attempt was and is totally illegal as her remaining father is fully competent and not housed in Durban Bastile.”

“Good more evidence to use against him when we finally take him to trial. Did you have any problems reclaiming my property?”

“Van Pelt was in here yesterday to return your keys; he made the mistake of thinking he could return part of them and keep the rest. Mythrlclaw set him straight and charged his vault the cost of changing the wards and locks to all your vaults. There was also some difficulty with getting some of the money taken back till the Dwarven Head counsel decided that since he was your guardian Tynan Van Pelt was ultimately responsible for all withdrawals not done by you. We’ve since reclaimed all the funds totaling 220,800 avatiir; which is the primary 192,000 avatiir plus the 15% (percent) interest of 28,800 from his personal vault. Many of those who made the withdrawals like the Witherspoon matriarch, the youngest Witherspoon children, Havana Jonas, and Alistair McDougal to name just a few didn’t have near enough funds to cover what was taken or even in many instances the interest fees. All the items and books were recovered without incident.”

Kaspian so angry his eyes were mere slits but glowing so brightly they were almost blinding states clearly, “Make sure that NO one can get into my vaults but me from this point on. I will not support his little faction of soldiers. If he wants a private army he’ll have to pay for it out of his own pockets. Since my sister isn’t here to say it I will, remove him from her accounts. He is no way her guardian; send a letter to her father explaining what’s happened and what is likely to occur since we’ve removed his access to my funds. Find out if he’s doing this to any other orphans and let the proper authorities know.”

With a very scary grin both Steelclaw and Mythrlclaw enthusiastically agree. When that paperwork was finally out of the way Mythrlclaw holds out a pillow on which sits a signet ring. It’s black and gold, very old the design on it depicting a Griffin supporting a Dragon wearing a crown and holding a unique scepter. Steelclaw states quietly, “The Rutherford family has almost always supported the Royal family and the Crown, Kaspian. It happened so often that the King…”

Mythrlclaw interrupts, “I believe it was King Drakko Aeselon Astarii.”

“Yes Sir, It was King Aeselon as he liked to be called that crafted this ring for his most loyal and supportive follower in the year 253. He wanted it to depict your ancestor’s station. Your ancestor Roberto Rutherford became his grand vizier and was for many years the courts high mage. He was very important to magic society and magical beings. Take your ring Mage Lord Rutherford.”

Kaspian reaches out hesitantly takes the ring in hand; the moment he touches it he feels a tingling rush through his body. When he slides it onto his finger (being unmarried and not seriously involved he chose his left hand ring finger) he is thrown back against the chair so hard by the influx of magic that the chair nearly topples over. His limbs quiver and jerk almost as if he’s under the influence of the Cruciatus curse it stops after a couple minutes. Seath was frantically trying to see what was wrong even almost attempting to pull the ring back off. Kaspian opens his eyes which were a deeper green than before but seemed to glow almost with an inner fire.

Seath demands frantically, “Kaspian… Kaspian are you alright? Speak to me, Please.”

Kaspian tentatively replies as he looks up at his friend eyes shining brightly, “I’m ok Fangs. The ring, it released a lot of magic blocks someone had put on me. The rush of magic flowing without blocks was somewhat unsettling at first. I can feel it getting stronger as we speak. It’s amazing!!”

Mythrlclaw states uncertainly, “You had blocks on your magic?”

Kaspian nods while saying, “Apparently. I didn’t know about them but the ring took offense and blasted through them all.” Scrunching up his face for a minute he adds, “There were 5 of them, one even semi-blocking my core. One was blocking special abilities like animorphing and meta-shapeshifting abilities. Another was blocking memory and comprehension. It’s actually amazing that I’ve gotten as far as I have in my studies with that one on me.”

“Mr., ah Kaspian, we’d planned for you to do the Heir’s Blood Ritual next but with newly broken blocks you need time to acclimate the newly flowing magic into your system before doing it. Let us reschedule it for Monday at 8am. Will that work for you?”

“That will be fine Mythrlclaw. I appreciate your concern. Were you able to ready a house for me?”

Steelclaw answers in disgust, “Unfortunately Kaspian all your homes were left in disrepair. Mr. Van Pelt closed them all and has had no upkeep performed on them for the last 14.5 years. We’ve rounded up your house elves; there were some abandoned at each home, as well as the ones he took to Ars Magika and put them to cleaning up the London House and the one house in Neuhaven for you they will be ready on Monday. They both are already heavily warded and with the added wards we are providing no one can get in unless they are accompanied by you or your head domovoy whose name is Barak. You may take anyone in with you that you like and if you choose key them into the wards but it is advisable to choose very carefully who you give these rights to. The houses are also under velieris specialis. Currently I am your secret keeper but we can change that when you choose to move in OR if you wish it can remain unchanged. As your account manager I am unable to tell your secrets to anyone not with you or authorized by you in person; it is ancient Dwarven magic, one of our strongest spells. Mythrlclaw and I both chose to use this ancient magic to protect you as you’ve already been hurt, even if unknowingly by us Dwarves. This way it will not as it cannot happen again.”