Witch Clan: Warriors! by John Stormm (good book club books txt) 📕

“Oh, gods no,” Mordred said while examining the glass that was set aside on the floor. “Everyone in Logres saw their favorite Atlantean celebrities on the scrybox last night working magick in grand style and making Council members and world leaders prance about the stage like bloody marionettes. We’ll look bad if we trouble them now, and we mustn’t hurt our ratings. Besides that, it’s obvious the Matriarch can control scores of people if she so wished, and her valet, could occupy himself killing you all day long if he chose to use any weapons besides his hands and feet and not even break a sweat. The weak link here would be the boy.”

“How so?” Dauntless asked. “Do you want us to apprehend him?”

“No,” Mordred said, hefting the bat, “Leave him to me. I think I can get him to visit me without raising anyone’s ire. Once I have him in my power, I think the Matriarch will become an appropriately concerned grandmother and less of a threat. Does anyone know what this thing is used for? It would seem if it were a weapon, it would be more effective with some studs, hobnails or spikes sticking out of it.”

Rules That Are Made To Be Altered

The Orb’s return to the altar of the sylvan shrine was the first indication to the Sidhe that Little Fox had been successful in his mission. From there, winged faeries popped to and fro in every part of Gwynydd spreading the news that the tides had turned against the Logren wizards. Once the hate mongering regime was purged from the Ivory City, the war would be over and many planes besides this one could breathe easier once again.

Scylla immediately sent Indigo to check on the Mohawk warrior. The pixie returned almost as quickly as it left, overjoyed that Little Fox appeared alive and well, if not a bit somber with concerns. It wouldn’t do to have Indigo drawing attention to Emma’s tiny clan by too many appearances that the wizard’s might pick up on. It was time to meet with her Eldritch mother, Siara. Between them and the assembled Masters at the Pool of the Moon, all the pieces might be put together and the big picture allowed to unfold.

As expected, the Eldritch was to be found gazing at a turmoil of images coming from the Pool. Something called a “Louisville Slugger” was found in the proximity of the Rift Wand and was certainly of Abred manufacture. This, in turn left Emma and her party in great anxiety that a wizard party had crossed over before the Wand was destroyed and that Willard and Leona might possibly have been the ones to intercept them and foil their plan. Since the time difference was far too dissimilar between Logres and Abred, Emma nor Leona could simply scry to each other for communication. Regardless of any edicts to the contrary, the Sidhe were going to have to cross over into Abred to protect the remainder of Emma’s clan as promised.

Indeed, there was resistance to this idea straight away from the majority of Elders and Masters. Non-interference in human affairs was by far the strictest rule. Isolation was the ironclad policy. Elder Scylla watched her mother in wonderment as never before had she seen her serene countenance cracked by the lines of passion.

“The rule exists to discourage mankind from tampering in forces he does not understand, but we plainly see the men of Abred do exactly that, and without our added wisdom. I might add that Emma’s witch clan were brought into certain peril by our own doing and her iron bound will and word as a witch of the blood seal our treaty. We keep few secrets from witches who are already familiar with the very forces we represent. The same word that bound her, binds me. You may argue law and semantics to your hearts content, but in order to save your miserable lives and lifestyles, I gave my bond to this witch to protect her own as she and hers have come forward to help save both of our worlds and the Ancient of Days only knows how many others.”

“I would also remind this august assembly,” Shabriri said, stepping forward, “that this clan is not merely human, but of fae blood also. The boy is Emerald Shamblynn’s own son by the matriarch’s daughter. We are kin. Those rules do not hold us against our own. They have some rights to both worlds and we are obliged to look after our own.”

The assembly discoursed heatedly among themselves over this development. Arguing degrees of involvement according to genetic percentages and what might constitute an appropriate response and the question of exposure to other humans in the area. The Eldritch shook her head and called Shabriri, Shan and Scylla to accompany her to her tower.

“The human lifespan is not so long at its healthiest to endure the length of time those pompous elves might argue. I may have means in my tower, if the three of you can hold the focus for me to render aid if needed.” Siara called over her shoulder, striding briskly for the lacey, alabaster tower.

“Eldritch,” Shabriri called out, “if four of those wizards are trapped in Abred and captured by the authorities, their information can indeed be ruinous towards the Treaty of Silence. Is there something we can do to mute them or discount any testimony they might give?”

“Yes,” Scylla interjected. “Madness. No need to kill them as the wizards are as human as those of Abred. But if we give them something just a little ’mind altering’ any testimony they might give will be taken for madness and the seriousness of their crimes may have them incarcerated indefinitely. Indigo can administer the mushrooms while the Eldritch looks in on the clan for potential casualties and injuries. But on that hill, this all needs be done before nightfall or all portals open into Annwn and not here.”

“For Logres, the Treaty of Silence is null and void,” Siara explained. “Since they’ve taken to raiding neighboring planes on their own, we can’t very well be held to account for their knowledge. But Abred still needs protecting and nurturing until such a time they are deemed mature enough to cope with the fullness of reality.”

The trio rushed up the spiral staircase on the heels of a very determined Eldritch Siara.

The Home Run King

Willard and Leona left the smoldering remains of Howard’s Doberman and moved quickly for the lower trails in search of the quickest way back to the baseball diamonds in the park.

“What’s eating you, Gramps?” Leona asked breathlessly.

“Just a hunch,” the old carpenter huffed, holding his place by hanging onto a younger oak sapling and reaching for his walkie-talkie.

“Papa Bear to Eagle Eye,” he called.

“Eagle Eye here,” Whitey returned.

“Those boys you mentioned, on their graduation party,” he said. “Were they wearing robes by any chance?”

“Ten four, buddy,” Whitey replied. “They must’ve been college boys. Maybe ROTC as they headed over to the armory just a bit ago and the five of them are heading up into the park with some picnic gear now. Why do you ask?”

“Because I don’t think they’re college boys,” Willard returned, “and I don’t think they’re ROTC neither. Which side of the hill were they heading for?”

“The side nearest the new expressway, over by the baseball diamonds,” Whitey came back. “You think these are our Commies? I just figured those two
olive drab chests would be packing beer and eats being as they were all still dressed for graduation.”

“Get to a pay phone and put in an anonymous call to the police about a possible break in at the armory,” Willard insisted. “If it turns out I’m right, you might want to be near by to send the cops up this way ‘cause I don’t want them to get away with anything they might have pulled out of that armory.”

“Ten four,” Whitey answered. “There’s a pay phone near the Rec House. I’m on it, buddy. You and Goldilocks try to keep out of trouble up there, eh?”

Willard and Leona made haste down from the hill towards the picnic area using the trees along the way down to check themselves against tumbling head long. It was a lovely day for a game of baseball and Willard noted that five men in college robes had stopped to gawk at a game. The apparent leader spoke something to the others and moved off towards the drinking fountain. Willard sauntered casually towards the small bleachers to get a better look. There were four wizards left watching the game and a pair olive drab chests held between them. The solo wizard stopped for a drink and bolted up a trail going up the wooded hill. Helping himself to an unattended baseball bat, the