Ars Magica Chapter 7 – Durward and Vermögens

Chapter 7 – Durward and Vermögens

Thursday rolled around nice and bright; Kaspian’s alarm went off at 5:30 so that he could get up and fix a nice breakfast for his ‘Uncle’. He was really hoping to avoid more arguments with them. He figured that Ralph and Peggy would be easy enough to handle so long as they feared him using magic on them and or the loss of their income.

He was setting breakfast on the table when he felt the shudder of the house as his uncle and cousin came downstairs: heaven forbid they actually miss a meal. He put out the platters and was just taking his seat when he heard the mail slot rattle.

Ralph shook out his newspaper as he stated pompously, “Boy get the post.”

Kaspian looks at his Uncle for a moment before carefully stating his position, “I don’t mind helping with the cooking as I like to cook. I don’t mind helping with the gardening as I like doing that as well. Keeping my room clean and helping to clean the kitchen and bathroom again not a problem. I am not your servant and I will not continue doing everything in this house as if I was. Dewey is capable of keeping his own room clean and since you don’t permit me in there I guess it will be up to him or one of you to keep the sitting room clean as well. I will not do upkeep on something I am not permitted to use. I will not take your abuse any more. I will not be referred to in a derogatory manner and will not answer to anything other than Kaspian, Kaspian Rutherford, or Rutherford. My post does not arrive by Mundanei means therefore I will not be errand boy and run to collect it. If you don’t want to get it yourself then I suggest that you have Dewey get it for you.”

As Ralph starts turning purple in his anger Dewey starts cleaning the breakfast platter onto his own plate. Kaspian knowing that if he doesn’t maintain his stand now they will continue walking all over him, raps Dewey on the hand with the spatula while stating clearly, “That platter of food is for everyone! If you insist on eating enough for 5 people then you will start cooking for yourself!”

Shrieking in anger Dewey lurches to his feet nearly knocking the table over while Ralph draws his fist back as if to hit Kaspian and yells, “BOY you will remember your place! You will do as we tell you. You are not the boss in this house. Let Dewey have as much as he wants for breakfast; he needs his energy for kick-boxing practice. Now you will go get the post!”

Peggy remembering Kaspian’s warning from a few days previous intervenes quickly.  Intermittent tremors running through her body, skin pale she orders, “Dewey put half that food back, you are still on the diet from your school. You are allowed two eggs, two pieces of bacon and a slice of toast with a ½ of grapefruit and that is what you will eat. They said if you do not lose at least a stone over the summer then you won’t be allowed to participate in sports next term; that and your weight is extremely unhealthy. You will be dropped from the team and you will also lose your scholarship. Ralph you will cease your torment of Kaspian! Need I remind you that you did not get that promotion or the raise yet and until you do WE need that money?!”

Her voice getting shriller by the second she screeches, “Dewey go get the post NOW!” She shudders with images of Dwarves and the other blue creatures with dagger like teeth torturing and eating their still living, breathing, screaming bodies.

Face turning an even deeper shade of purple Ralph grates out, “Now Pet, we can’t let that monster walk all over us. He is here by our sufferance and he must live by our rules; that’s what the Van Pelty guy said. Give him strict supervision and discipline and that’s what I am doing!”

She rabidly turns on him, “If one of Dewey’s teachers had told you that would you treat him as you have Kaspian? Would you have?? Answer me Ralph! No you wouldn’t have you would have told him where to get off and how fast he could do it. You know what we’ve done to him is and always has been WRONG. Yes he is strange but we’ve abused him. I let it happen, I admit it. I let it happen because I’ve always hated magic. It was strange and made my cousin even more different from me than she already was. She was always different you know. Pretty and well liked by everyone; even when she lost her temper everyone loved her. I… I admit it; I was jealous of her and let that lead to unwarranted hatred and abuse of her child. I will not continue it now. I will not be eaten by Kobolds or used as slave labor by Dwarves and I will no longer use and abuse my little cousin! If you and Dewey can’t understand that then perhaps it’s you who needs supervision and discipline.”

She takes a deep breath and looks over at Kaspian who was staring at her as if she was an alien from Pluto and speaking Klingon, “Kaspian I truly am sorry for my behavior. I hope that the changes I am trying to make help you understand that it was nothing you’ve done that caused it. We …. We just didn’t try to recognize you or your needs.”

Dewey comes slowly and carefully into the kitchen with the post in hand and quickly hands his mother the post then slips around the table making sure he in no way bumped Kaspian before devouring his, to him, meager breakfast.

It was a very silent 10 minutes later Peggy squeals in delight, “Ralph, look we’ve won a 3-day all expenses paid trip to Disney Land! Can you get Friday off? The flight leaves at 11am. I think this is just what we need too. You, Dewey and I can take this little family trip and get our heads on straight. Come to an understanding of this situation and closer as a family; While Kaspian gets caught up on things for the summer here.”

 Ralph his color coming back down into the red range looks over at Kaspian and states carefully, “Boy… uh Kaspian, we will be going on this family trip, you will be staying here in our home: do not burn it down and do not break anything. We will make changes and you will too to accommodate these new feelings of your aunts. Kaspian for today all I want you to do is clean up the two door statues that the delivery man destroyed with his van. May as well throw out the third one too as the set is ruined and mow the grass. Dewey will vacuum the entire downstairs for his mother.”

Kaspian realizing that Ralph was really concerned about Peggy’s outburst, well he was too but wasn’t going to let on, answered politely and with respect, “Ok Uncle Ralph and if it’s ok with you I’ll start on the weeding today too. The weather is supposed to be a little cooler today and tomorrow than over the weekend.”

“That will be fine.”

Dewey finally processes what his father had said and stutters out in indignation, “Vacuum the downstairs… but that’s the freaks job. Why can’t he do it?! Mummy I don’t do housework that’s Kaspian’s job; he’s the servant. Dad you’ve always said he was good for nothing but chores and the work you can get out of him. Make him do it!”

Upon hearing his own words thrown back in his face Ralph realizes what he may have created and hopes that a little firmness will help to rectify the situation. He states unequivocally, “If you wish to have that new game system with all those games then you will do the little chores you are assigned Dewey without whining; be a man about it. That’s my boy and remember we’ll be having that wonderful trip over the weekend with no chores or worries.”

It was hours after Ralph had left for work when Peggy found Kaspian cleaning up the destroyed statuary. She was just about to call him in to talk to him when she noticed him staring in confusion and worry at the broken pieces of marble and plaster. Finally she decided, “Kaspian is there a problem?”

Not knowing how to ask it without mentioning magic Kaspian decided to ask a few questions, “I’m not sure Aunt Peggy. When did you get these statues?”

She thinks for a moment, “We got them not long after we brought Dewey home from the hospital. They were a representation of our family; Why?”

“Well you know that stuff you don’t like talking about?” he asks looking up at her. When she nods he continues, “It’s all over these things Aunt, and it’s not the good kind either. It’s not like the wards; I can feel them they feel almost like a blanket or a nice comfy jacket. The stuff on these makes my skin crawl. I… I think I need to contact someone about this Aunt Peggy, someone that I trust; is that Ok with you?”

She takes a deep breath thinking about what he said and trying not to blame him. She couldn’t figure out why everything always was his fault but something was making her always blame him and while it was convenient it wasn’t right. She decided, “Kaspian write your friend! Dewey has gone to Padrach’s house for the day and Ralph will be gone till late so do it now so there are no problems. I will be going out as well and won’t be back till dinner.”

Kaspian nods as he’s heading inside. He goes up to his room pulls out parchment and his favorite ball point pen:

Fangs,

Something weird is going on here. I need to see you today, as soon as possible and I have Aunt Peggy’s permission so please do hurry. Will explain when you arrive. Keep this between just US!”

As always your Cub,

Kaspian

Helida hops over to the desk waiting for him to attach his message to the cylinder on her leg. She’s a very unusual messenger bird being a snowy white raven and not one of standard messenger pigeons. He whispers urgently to her as he rolls it and drops it into the little cylinder he’d created for carrying messages, “Girl take this too Fangs Ok and don’t let anyone else see it. Try and give it to him while he’s alone if possible.”

She chirps softly and nuzzles his ear before launching herself out the window.

__<>__<>__<>__<>__

Damia Kinkaide and her escort port-keyed into Vermögens; Looking around she spied their escort into the more secure part of the facility and her managers office.  “Mr. Mythrlclaw?” She inquires softly.

The aged Dwarf steps forward a solemn look on his face, “Your Grace, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you! Welcome to Vermögens London, if you would come this way…” He finished by gesturing down the long corridor which was lined with regally dressed and well armed Dwarves standing at attention.

Damia asks hesitantly, “Are you sure you have the right Damia Black?”

Mythrlclaw replies as they traverse the corridor, “Yes Your Grace I am sure that I’ve got the correct Damia Cassiopeia Rutherford-McCrey-Windemere-Leopaldi-Kinkaide

After opening the office door that had written on it:

Og’ Talmraz Mythrlclaw

The Ancient House of Myrridyn,

The Exalted and Ancient House of Windemere

The Noble and Ancient House of Kinkaide,

The Righteous and Ancient House of Rutherford (with Nar’ sinhg Steelclaw)

“Your Grace please have a seat; Lord McCrey you as well please,” Mythrlclaw said as he gestured to two comfortable chairs near his desk. He looks over at Steelclaw and states, “Steelclaw please bring refreshments as this is a rather involved process.”

He looks over at Devid and asks, “Do you wish to include her trust in today’s endeavors?”

Devid thinks then states clearly, “She was to receive her trust on her 16^th birthday, so tell her of it first.”

“Very well.” He shuffles through several files and starts, “These are the actual words of your father Devid McCrey when he created this trust for you 16 years ago.” He sets out a large moonstone and cast start at it:

A ghostly image of a much younger but hardly changed looks her over with pride and smiles sadly as he starts speaking:

“I have been accused of many things the least of which is greed, therefore I am setting this aside for you my beautiful daughter in such a way that once the papers are signed it can never be taken away only added to. I will never be accused of not doing right by my children. You will inherit this upon your 16^th birthday; and I can add additional items until I pass but can never take from it.

     To my precious daughter I leave 167,000,000 avatiir and a title held by my family for over 40 generations but that has sat unclaimed because none have had a daughter to claim it. I leave you the title of Duchess of New Haven and the responsibilities that go with it. The villa and property in New Haven is of course yours as well.  I leave you my interests in the following businesses to assure that even if you spend or lose the money you will have a generous steady income.

          Magical Wireless Network – 45%

          Daily Ledger – 40%

          Mages World Ledger – 67% (think Wall Street Journal of Wizarding World)

          Magical Macy’s - 56%

          Magical Nordrstroms – 47%

          Greenblats Pharmaceutical and Apothecaries - 79%

“Father, what does this mean?” Damia asks confused.

“It means that I love you and that I made sure you were taken care of in case something happened to me.”

Mythrlclaw switches folders and asks, “Shall I continue?”

She solemnly nods the affirmative and swallows convulsively.

Mythrlclaw looks at information from another slim folder, “This is the Rutherford trust. It was left to you in much the same way that the McCrey was with the exception that Keldrick Rutherford’s death was recorded 31 October 1981. With the recording of his death the trust was set to instantly become yours. The Rutherford Trust is as follows:

To my darling daughter Damia, I leave the finances, title and responsibilities of Lady of Rhodes, and the finances, title and responsibility of Lady~Mage Of Rockefeller: you are the first to have these titles in almost 1000 years to have this honor as they must go to a daughter born to the line, not adopted or married into, you must be born. You also receive:

 36,000,000 avatiir, as well as all of the ladies jewelry, clothing, trunks, and accessories left from the many past generations of Rutherford women to include any of the armor and weapons they may have used. I also leave you the Villa in Monaco, the Chalet in Graubundn (Swiss Alps) and the Enchanted Manor in the Black Forest Germany and wilds Scotland (it exists in both places). You also receive all the stocks that I have in the following businesses:

·         Rhodes Wand Wood - 62% owner ship

·         Magical Cores and More Bestiary and Herbalists - 79% ownership

·         Evard’s Owl Emporium – 70% ownership

·         Kinkaide Instruments Music - 37% ownership

·         Bentley Luggage, Bags and Trunks – 57% ownership

·         Crown Books – 82% ownership

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

There is also a vacation home in Greece that is to be shared between the two of you equally.

In shock and surprise Damia asks, “Mr. Mythrlclaw I inherited that when I was a… a… baby?”

Very serious Mythrlclaw replies, “Yes or you would have if we could have gotten mail to you. We sent out letters asking for your presence at any Vermögens branch every day for 3 years; they all returned unopened without fail. So we put your inheritances in a Vermögens trust until such time as you could make a personal appearance to handle matters. The very first letter to get through to you was the one you hold in your hand just 2 days ago. You should also know that the Headmaster at Ars Magika, one Reginald Van Pelt has been trying to get control of your accounts for the last 14 years. We’ve kept control and details away from him, but it hasn’t been easy.”

With an almost wolfish intensity and feral expression he adds, “Of course Mr. Van Pelt helped us along by blocking the reading of the Rutherford and Diark wills right after their deaths. He also stopped the reading of your father Dragorian Windemere’s will too. His misuse of authority and position was noted then as well as many other times he’s made the same assertions to try to gain access to those same accounts. He may be High Vizier of the MAGI-Parliament but that in no way gives him any authority within Vermögens or over things left in our care.”

“Why would Mr. Van Pelt want my property?” She asks confused.

Devid McCrey inserts, “It’s not the property he’s after, he’s after the money and prestige and political power that comes with being your ‘guardian’. He did the same with young Kaspian. He forced magical guardianship of him through the Magi-Congress, sent Kaspian to live with Mundanei relatives that absolutely abhor magic. We recently discovered that they’ve abused him and Van Pelt has always known about it. You are a very important person in the magical world just like Kaspian although for different reasons. He’s famous for surviving a curse that no one has ever survived. He also holds several important titles passed to him from Keldrick Rutherford. You hold several titles left to you by all of us and you are famous for being kidnapped and missing for 14 years. The prestige he would get from being in control of all those positions and ye gads the money alone, well it’s unimaginable. I’d bet this is the reason he’s constantly trying to get anti-Dwarven legislation through the Congress because of their interference in their plans; of course he disguises it as societal improvements.”

She sighs heavily sad that her brother was abused by someone he should have been able to trust. Looking very sad she tells Mythrlclaw, “Please continue.”

“Mr. Dragorian Windemere died the same night at the Rutherford’s; as I previously stated Van Pelt blocked it from being read here but a copy was also activated upon his death on Drakonali. Grand Duke Dragorian’s will is as follows:

My sweet darling daughter if you are hearing this then I am gone. I do so wish things could be different but if wishes were avatiir I’d be the richest man in the world. See I’ve an ability I’ve not told anyone about; I am a seer. I don’t do those flakey trances and strange voices; I get flashes and have learned to put them in a pensive when viewed they tell the future. So far they’ve never been wrong. I’ve recently seen my end and it’s not far away. So I’ve set my affairs in order; that included creating a plan of action: I named my brother in all but blood  temporary ruler while your people waited for you to grow up. You will become Grand Duchess the moment I die, there is no undoing this.  Keegen Kukirani is my right hand and the man I left to take over as Regent till you grow up. I have created a plan in which my strongest adviser will act as regent for you until your 35^th birthday. If you know him; wonderful… if you have yet to meet him do not worry as he has only your best interest at heart. I have made sure of his loyalty thru spell, potion and binding ritual. He is your god-father among other things, hee will be as an older brother to you, forever family even though you share no blood. Know this baby mine – you will be a wonderful leader when the time comes but do not worry as you have a life to live before its ontop of you. Have faith in yourself as I do in you. You’ve ruled my heart since the moment you were conceived; your people will easily follow.

My sweet darling daughter I leave you the rank, title, and responsibility of, as well as the throne, of Drakonali. Hereafter you will be known as Your Serene Highness the Grand Duchess of Drakonali. I am so sorry my little hatchling that I am not there to show you the ropes, or to help you through the transition as is proper.

PERSONAL VAULTS:

·         Avatiir vaults = 147,000,000 avatiir

·         Rukab Vaults = 17,000,000

·         Penit vault = 3,000,000

·         Gems and jewelry vault – 12,000,000 avatiir value

·         Clothing, accessories, Armor and weapons, ancestral wands, and staves, magic artifacts and books

You should note sweet one that there are other vaults as well that belong to our Kingdom which are yours as well. They are in your hands as well but these listed here are for your own personal enjoyment. Spend wisely or spend frivolously it’s your choice. All your needs will be provided through the kingdom.

Personal Homes furnished and livable:

·         Apartment/flat in London

·         Small Villa in/near Paris

·         Small Manor in/near Rome

·         Mansion in Virginia, USA

·         Castle Drakonali found on the Isle of Draknor

Details on these properties and numerous businesses are listed separately in this file.

Mythrlclaw looks at Damia while saying, “Your Grace I have one more will to read to you today; it is for Aslan Leopaldi.” He reached out putting a large star sapphire on the table and activated it with a spell:

A youngish dark haired green eyed man appeared; he eyed those present, nods at Devid and then smiles softly at Damia before starting,

“My sweet daughter it’s been forever since you were taken from us. We’ve never stopped looking for you our lives are so empty without you here. I had hoped to live to see you again but I see that it didn’t happen. My dearest darling Damia, I leave you everything that is mine.  The 4 houses: Wilderness Retreat in Colorado USA, Sunsets Door in Corsica, Hunter Haven in London, Safe Haven in  Portugal --- They have all been heavily warded to allow only those of the blood in; your family ring is the key; 27,000,000 Avatiir, 345,654 rukab, and 256,789 penit  as well as all of the family gems and jewelry.

We have two businesses that we own out right that have supported us through good times and bad – they are:

          Magical Bestiary Preserve – we preserve the animals mundane or magical and use their key parts (feathers, shells, fur, claws, etc) for their many uses (wand cores, potions ingredients, etc.) we also work on breeding and preserving to make sure they don’t go extinct.

          STarZ HomeSec and Warding – think ADT with lots of heavy magic, Wards, magic alarms, etc.

Mythrlclaw states, “We’ve arranged for another to do the Heir’s Blood ritual here on Monday morning and would like to arrange for you to take it at the same time. We would like to precede the ritual with the reading of Sirius Kinkaid’s will. We were waiting for your appearance to resolve that situation. Will you be physically able to undergo such an arduous ritual? We know from previous trials that it is quite taxing and physically challenging.”

Damia raises her head at her implied weakness and states firmly, “I will be healed by then Sir. It will be no problem. I am quite use to challenges and physical damage so it is of no consequence.”

She places the family rings on her fingers, collects the large bundle of papers which Devid puts into a magical briefcase and they take their leave; stopping only for a quick look into the main vaults for each family. She gathered a few items that caught her fancy and they transported back to Slyth Torr where Kiran Ryder waited impatiently for them.

Ars Magica Chapter 6

Chapter 6 - Damia Awakens and Vermögens’ Surprise

Wednesday Night at Slyth Torr:

Heru~Gurtha paces around his study while waiting for his potions master to finally make his appearance; he didn’t have to wait long.

Saxon Stevens knocks lightly on the study door before entering. He quickly notes the impatience in his lord’s mannerisms then speaks quickly, “Milord, I’ve the Memoriam Restorium Draught ready. I made enough for five doses. I also have an interesting bit of information about Van Pelt.”

“Really Saxon, please enlighten me. What’s going on with Van Pelt?”

Saxon states almost happily, “It appears Milord that Van Pelt has been removing things from the Rutherford ancestral vaults without permission. In a surprising move the Dwarves reclaimed everything taken and even charged interest and replacement fees on money and broken artifacts.”

Not to surprised by the act of thievery but interested in how he came by the knowledge Heru~Gurtha inquires, “How did you come by this knowledge Saxon? I can’t believe that Van Pelt would tell you outright that he’d been taking the Savior’s possessions without his permission.”

With a disgusted smirk Stevens replies, “He called Hera and I up to his office late the other night… he’d apparently been perusing a tome on wards that he’d ‘borrowed’ from the vault when it disappeared from between his hands followed by about 20 different magical objects and numerous other books from all around his office. We walked in on him mumbling and stumbling about his office in a near fit. Then one of those scarlet notification letters appeared on his desk telling him that Rutherford had demanded the return of everything taken from his vaults without his permission since the death of his parents. They also demanded the return of all his vault keys. He decided to try and keep a couple back: they charged him the full 1000 avatiir per key and changed them all anyhow. Apparently all the funds he’s had withdrawn whether he did it himself or not, have also been charged to his vaults since most of his lot don’t have two penits to rub together. The Dwarves made sure that Rutherford got everything back that had been taken. Van Pelt has been screeching, screaming and plotting revenge for the last two days. His tantrums made it near impossible to brew the Memoriam Restorium Draught.”

It was then that something truly frightening happened; Kiran Ryder, the Dark Lord Heru~Gurtha whose very name causes fear, started laughing and laughed for a solid five minutes.

He sobered up quickly though and on a very serious note states, “That’s wonderful news Saxon. The more off balance he is the more mistakes he makes; the better for our side. He’s driving Rutherford right into our arms. Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves though Saxon, call Devid in; we’ll have the two of you take a dose of the Draught and move forward from there.

Stevens leaves through the door beside the fireplace that leads to his masters private library and comes back a few moments later accompanied by Devid McCrey; they approach the still somewhat happy Heru~Gurtha with trepidation.

“Ahh… Devid good… good; here is the memoriam draught I had Saxon brew up for us. I want the both of you to take it. Devid let’s start with you because I think you have been tampered with the most.

Devid takes the proffered vial of vomit green liquid, hesitates a moment then knock it back in one gulp; the sudden greenish tint to his face telling them how vile the liquid truly tastes. It was only moments later that he falls to his knees, starts keening softly then tearing at his face in abject horror of what he was remembering. Heru~Gurtha wraps his arms about him pinning his hands to prevent him hurting himself.

Tears running from his distraught eyes he looks up at his master crying softly, “? How could I…? How could I? We… we were soul bonded. How could he remove that memory? How could I forget my mates…? My daughter, he took my daughter and has killed all my mates!”

Saxon dropped to his knees beside his friend, “Devid, it’s not your fault. It’s Van Pelt. He interfered, he played with us like we were chess pieces, and he decided that your mates would be dangerous to his plan. It’s NOT your fault. I don’t know why or how he took your daughter but Devid; he doesn’t have her anymore. She’s here! She’s back with us. She is healing in a bedroom upstairs Devid and she’s going to need you!”

It took quite a while to settle Devid down and into thinking clearly. He was finally realizing that it was Van Pelt’s fault that his parents interfered in his bonding and forced a civil marriage with the bitch from the abyss on him. It was Van Pelt’s fault that everything went wrong in the Pentiad bond (well a lot of that was the bitches fault too but could have been prompted by Van Pelt.) and they ended up living apart. It was Van Pelt’s fault that he forgot about his mates, their bond and his beautiful child.

A soft knock from the door turned all their attention in that direction; Heru~Gurtha states, “Come in!”

The door opens slowly and a young bruised dark haired young woman was standing there somewhat unsteady on her feet holding a royal blue parchment that was edged in gold.

She softly addresses Heru~Gurtha, “Grandfather it appears that I need to go to Vermögens as soon as possible; it seems they’re frantic in trying to contact me.”