Find the Book

“The gifts of the Magi will only be made and understood by the Magi. Any Lawbreakers will be punished and placed on display until Death.”

First Law of the League of Magi

Merket rang a small silver bell outside the door of Guild Master Olufemi, leader of the Fish Merchants. The door was made out of silver, and etched with scales like a fish, the symbol of the guild. Merket barely spared a glance at the opulence of the guild house, as he waited. He had wandered its halls often enough, and he was exhausted from the days events.

After reaching Red Harbour he had been forced to make immediate reports to the Guild Council, and each of the five Guild Master separately. In the short time between those meetings, the books for the Magi had to be prepared for the Magi’s servant. That had included carefully wiping the dust off the books, and sealing them in special cases. If he had not been forced to flee for his life, the books would have been in the cases from the beginning, and it would have been a simple matter of handing them over.

Now all he wanted was to rest. He had done his jobs, and deserved a nights rest with his wife. But his master had called for him, again. So he was now waiting for whatever meeting Master Olufemi was currently having to end. Hopefully before his legs gave out.

The door was finally opened by a man wearing a simple gold lace tunic, with a silver fish piercing on his nose marking him as a slave of the Fish Merchants Guild. A woman, wearing the simple pants and shirt of a commoner, walked out hurriedly fastening a thin veil to a cheap woven head dress. The slave motioned for Merket to enter.

Merket entered, and bowed immediately to the old man seated behind a tall oaken desk. The man was Guild Master Olufemi, one of the richest men in Red Harbour. He also had spies and allies throughout the entire continent and beyond, making him one of the most dangerous men in the city as well. He did not look the part though, wearing a single blue silk shirt with only minor embroidery around the collar, and having but a single piece of silver jewellery, the wedding bracelet attached to his left wrist on his marriage day. But Merket had risen to his current position under the mans’ tutelage. He knew his master considered too much jewellery a hindrance, and disliked vanity unless the situation called for a show of wealth.

“Merket, I am sorry for removing you from your bed after such a long day. Please pour us some whine,” Olufemi told him politely.

Merket poured the wine, and noticed that the slave had left discretely through a side door. He cursed his tiredness for not noticing that they were now alone. The situation must be important. “I am always your humble servant, no matter the trials,” he said placing a wine glass in front of Olufemi.

Olufemi sipped his wine, staring at Merket. Merket began to sweat, the situation must be bad, Olufemi rarely dragged meetings out like this.

“You have worked for me for the last thirty years. You served me well as your father promised when he sold you,” Olufemi said suddenly.

“I have always tried to do my best,” Merket said quietly. His mind raced, what was going on?

“You realize that the Magi are unhappy that you were caught spying while acting as a courier for them?”

Merket nodded.

“Don’t look so grave over that,” the old man told him. “They’ll demand more money for their goods, they do that every chance they get. But with the battle plans you gave us, we won’t need to worry about that.”

Merket cocked his head slightly, wondering what he did have to worry about.

“You do have to worry about the lost book though.”

Merket looked at him, “Lost book, Master?”

“Yes, the Magi seem to be missing a single book from the package you were bringing them,” Olufemi looked hard at Merket. “Do you know what happened to it?”

The blood left Merket’s face, this couldn’t be happening. It had to be a joke. He stumbled and sat down heavily in a chair.

“I didn’t think you did,” Olufemi said, sighing wearily. “If you did have it you would be running to retrieve it. Or you would have disappeared already. I am now in a very bad position. You are married to my second cousin, by my order. This makes you family. But I cannot dare protect you from the Magi.”

“Master,” Merket said, his voice cracking from fear, “what can I do? Do you know where the book is?” he asked stupidly.

“If I knew where the book was, I would have it already. And you would be crawling to the Magi to return it begging forgiveness the entire way,” he rubbed his brow. “I like you, but I cannot help you in this matter, unless I discover the book by the morning. The Magi will wait that long for you to hand over the book without penalty. After that, you will be hunted. But if you get the book after that time before they find it, you may escape with your skin. My men will search the city tonight, you will use any men you have to do the same. But if its not in your hand by first light, you must flee. Find the book no matter the cost, but do not let yourself be seen.”

“Can you tell me what book is missing?” Merket asked.

“It was a plain black book. Around one hundred pages. The only way to tell it is special is the oils protecting it, and the perfection of the paper.”

Merket looked at Olufemi, he had to find a book with so little to go on. He thought of something, “What of Yejide? What will they do to my wife?”

“I’ll protect Yejide,” Olufemi told him. “They’ll question her, probably use some of their Gods be damned potions. But I’ll make sure they do not destroy her mind or harm her body. She does not know anything, does she?”

Merket shook his head. He didn’t know what was happening.

“Good than she will be safe. Now leave and find that book. May Nethas, Keeper of the Oceans guard you.”

Merket headed for the door, “May Nethas Keeper of the Oceans guard you as well, Master.”

As the door closed, Merket couldn’t help thinking he would never step through it again.

---

The Chancellor of the Red Harbour League of Magi, Adisa Ayo walked slowly into the meeting chambers of the League House. He pointedly ignored the five Guild Masters who kneeled beside their chairs, in honour of Adisa. These men, rich and powerful, masters of Red Harbour, felt they were the equal of the Magi. Yet they came like children when he had called them, and now bowed until he bid them to rise. They would kiss his feet by the end.

Adisa sat at the head of the table, and waited while his student poured his wine. He took a sip of the fine vintage and finally spoke, “You may take your seats.”

The Guild Masters thanked him for his hospitality, before they finally took their seats. A small glass of water was their only refreshment.

“You know why I have summoned you here?” Adisa asked.

Guild Master Olufemi, unofficial leader of the Guild Council, and one of the last to arrive spoke, “We believe it has to do with the unsanctioned actions of our Envoy who acted as your courier.”

Adisa nodded, “That is true, to a point. Your Envoy embarrassed us, by acting under our temporary backing as a spy. We are a neutral order, and it is by our actions that the Northern Lands of Sonara, are kept free of major strife. The League is all that keeps the widespread warfare we suffered under the leadership of the Kings, from occurring again.”

Dayo, the only female Guild Master, raised her hand wishing to speak. Adisa nodded at her. “Chancellor Adisa, we did not know that our Envoy would take it upon himself to gather information. He was merely to act as a messenger, with limited powers. He will be thoroughly punished for his actions.”

“You are correct,” Adisa said. “He will be severely punished. But not for the crime of spying. Your city will suffer for that. As of this day, all Magi potions, items, and soldiers will be doubled in cost, for the Guild Council. This will last for three years.”

The Guild Masters stared at him. They had been expecting fines and a rise in cost, but doubling it. No city had ever been punished that severely, for merely breaking Magi backing.

Adisa gave them a moment to consider. “I am prepared to fine you as well, but your Envoy may save you the trouble. Your Envoy, simply known as Merket, failed to return one of the books he was suppose to return to us. My men have only just returned from his home, unable to find him. If you give us the book, with the Envoy in chains, we will forgive the fine.”

Olufemi rose from his seat, “Chancellor, Merket is my man. I had thought he would be home, after his long journey today. The entire city guard will search for him. But I am sure it was a most unfortunate mistake by Merket.”

“For his sake I hope it was,” Adisa told him. “He has until first light to return with the book. If he does so, he will only be punished for being a spy. But my men and yours will search for him as well. As long as he is walking along the Magi’s road towards the League House he will be forgiven,” Adisa smiled as the man seemed to brighten. “But if he is not here by first light, I will require a tenth of your soldiers to hunt down the criminal, under order of the League. Golems will also search all the Guild Houses in the city, including your private residences.”

“You can’t do that,” the Guild Master of the Weavers shouted.

Adis stood up, “I may do whatever is required in protecting the First Law. If you disagree Red Harbour will be declared Anathema, and put to the torch!”

The Guild Masters began begging for mercy, saying they would obey the League. No city wanted to be declared Anathema. Two cities had been declared that in the past. They were now salted ruins, after the Leagues Army of Golem razed them and all the citizens. Even their names had been erased from the maps.

“You have until first light to return the book, and the envoy,” Adis walked out of the room.

---

Martin stumbled drunkenly up the stairs to his room in the Black Hound Inn. He turned nearly falling, and waved to Kwasi who laid unconsciously against the wall of the inn. A copper had let him remain the night.

Not knowing what was waiting for him, Martin went to sleep.