The Hedge Wizard

It was evening when Hump and Celaine returned to the manor. They’d met with Keeper Tessa following lunch, finding that she was well taken care of at the Daston Estate. She planned to return home in another couple of days, but it seemed that the goal of establishing a relationship between Sheercliff and Drakalyn was successful. Traders were to be dispatched to the edge of the mountains, just inside the Fallen Lands, where the people of Drakalyn would meet them. Prancer and Thistle, the two horses they’d been forced to leave behind, would be amongst them.

Joseph greeted them at the door. “Wizard Humphrey, Mistress Celaine, welcome home.”

“Evening, Joseph,” Hump said.

“Some letters arrived for you while you were out.” The butler gestured to a small cabinet against the wall of the hallway, where there was a woven, wooden basket stacked full of letters on top.

Hump picked one up, reading his name as the recipient.

“There have to be twenty letters here,” Celaine said. “Who are they from?”

“They were delivered by messengers,” Joseph said, then added. “Most likely, they will be from nobles.”

Hump stared at the letter still in his hand, struggling to process just how much things had changed. “Right. Well, I guess I had better see what they have to say.”

***

Invitations. Every single one of them. Lunch, dinner, afternoon tea—all of them inviting Hump to be their guest.

Celaine burst out laughing. “You should see your face.”

“Aren’t you as surprised by this as I am? This is insane.”

She shrugged. “Not that surprising. You’re the White Flame of Sheercliff.”

“You were there too. And Bud, Dylan, Emilia.”

“Clearly we lacked the flashiness that you did.” Celaine leant back into the deep cushions of her seat, petting Nisha who was curled up peacefully at her side, and let out a relaxed sigh. “I’m very jealous though. I’d love to be invited to all these parties and dinners with strange rich people but I suppose you’ll need to enjoy the luxuries of fame by yourself.”

Her sarcasm was dry and unmistakable.

Hump glared at her. “I’m sure we can arrange a plus one.”

Celaine shook her head. “I wouldn’t want you to go to the trouble.”

A chuckle escaped Hump, turning into full on, uncontrollable laughter. “If I have to go to these, there is no way I’m letting you stay here. Not a chance in all the hells. We’re a party, remember?”

“Hold on a second. I never agreed to this when I signed up.”

There was a knock at the door. Nisha woke from her doze, tilting her head in the direction of the sound, excitement building. Hump started to rise to his feet, only to hear the tap of Joseph’s shoes as he arrived at the door. The butler opened it and exchanged quiet words with someone on the other side.

A few seconds later he came to the doorway of the living room. “Lady Marcela is here and requesting to speak with you.”

“Marcela?” Hump said, surprised. “Please show her in. She is a friend of ours.”

Joseph inclined his head in acknowledgement and left for the front door once more.

Marcela entered with a friendly smile. Her hair was tied behind her head in a braid that swayed from side to side as she moved. This time, she was out of the gowns and dresses that Hump was less accustomed to seeing her in, instead wearing a simple tunic dyed light blue, and white trousers well-fitted about her waist. Her sword was sheathed at her hip, the slightly curved blade radiating strength even before it was drawn—Hump hadn’t sensed that before.

Nisha hopped down from the sofa and rushed over to her, pressing up against her legs and rubbing against them. Marcela laughed and knelt down, greeting the little dragon.

“Shall I put on a pot of tea?” Joseph asked.

“Yes please,” Hump said, then as the butler’s footsteps became more distant he called, “Thank you, Joseph.”

“Good to see you both settling in,” Marcela said.

Hump shook his head in dismay. “That’s one way to put it. I’m not used to having servants. It’s… strange to order people around like this. I can open the door myself.”

“It is not the act itself that you are paying them for. They are there to take care of the things that you are too busy to handle yourself. Treat them right, and they will treat you right.”

“Oh yeah.” Hump gestured to himself in his chair. “I’m incredibly busy, as you can see.”

“Rest is just as important as productivity.”

“Ignore him and have a seat,” Celaine said. “He’s just feeling a bit overwhelmed.”

Marcela joined her on the chair, Nisha following behind her. Hump called her to him before she jumped up as well, having her come and lie down beside him instead.

Play?

“Play later,” Hump told her. “Settle for now while we talk, okay?”

“So what has you over…” Marcela trailed off as she saw the open letters on the table. “That’s quite the collection. Might I take a look?”

“Be my guest. Perhaps you can glean what all these people want from me.”

“If that’s all you want to know, I can tell you without even looking.”

Hump raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

“Can you really not guess? They want to know you, and attach themselves in some form or another to your name. You’ve garnered quite the reputation in our fair city.”

“See?” Celaine said. “That’s what I told him.”

“But what could they possibly gain from speaking to me?” Hump asked.

“Many reasons. Most are people that will spend a day gossiping just to keep themselves amused,” Marcela said. “Not everything the nobility do is part of some master plan. Often, it’s simply the product of too much time. See this one—Keridrew—the man is ravenous for any rumour he can find. And this one, Penthia, she is supposedly a spy of Nilesh, at least if my mother’s information is accurate.”

“Which I gather it usually is,” Hump said.

Marcela nodded.

“Why would you allow a spy to stick around?” Hump asked.

“The Nileshi are our allies. And better the spy you know than the spy you don’t. That’s beside the point though. What matters is that you are the talk of the city. Your deeds in the battle are well known. Before you left Sheercliff, your name and the White Flame Wizard were not yet connected, but that has changed. And now you return on dragonback with a dragon of your own.” She laughed. “Honestly, you couldn’t have garnered more attention if you’d tried. Just imagine what they will say once they realise that it was you that healed my mother.”

“She hasn’t told anyone about that, has she?” Hump asked, suddenly concerned.

In a way, he knew he was being ridiculous. He’d always dreamed of power, wealth, and status. Not like corrupt nobles that exploited the position they were born with, but earned power that he could use as he liked. Yet now that it was here, the attention was… suffocating.

He was relieved when Marcela shook her head.

“For now, she’s not making the information public. These are dangerous times, and my mother wishes to remain tight lipped.” She turned to Celaine. “It is not just Hump that must be worried either. Word of the beautiful foreign woman at his side is making its way amongst noble circles. I suspect you will soon be called upon too.”

“Oh no, have they really?” Celaine groaned. “Then all the more reason to leave Sheercliff City swiftly. It’s only funny when it happens to Hump.”

“You’re so good to me,” Hump said.

Marcela laughed. “Well, that’s why I came to visit this evening actually. Vivienne mentioned you intended to rejoin your party in the Fallen Lands.”

“That’s right,” Hump said. “Last we heard, they were still in Fort Nordric. Bud mentioned the discovery of the new dungeon, which I presume is the same one you spoke of.”

“Yes. And that brings me nicely to my proposition—I will be returning to the Fallen Lands in the coming weeks. Would you both join me?”

Now that wasn’t something Hump had truly considered. He looked at Celaine across from him, who gave a slight shrug. They’d gotten along well with Marcela on the quest to Stonebark Forest, as well when dealing with the warlocks in Sheercliff. There was no reason to decline.

“I think that would suit us perfectly,” Hump said. “I suppose the main thing is, are you asking us to join your party, or simply to travel with you?”

“I would be pleased to have you both, of course, but this was merely to join me on the journey. I will be leading an expedition of reinforcements. If you’d like to be fully independent, I suggest you go to the Adventurer’s Guild and register as silver ranked.”

“How does that work?” Celaine asked.

“It’s not overly important, but all bronze and iron ranked adventurers are required to report to an Overseer if stationed in any of the fortresses.”

“I didn’t know that,” Hump said. He stroked his chin. “It didn’t even cross my mind that we could qualify for silver.”

“It should be a simple matter for you both. Your actions during the Battle for Sheercliff are more than enough in terms of contribution, so you will only need to demonstrate appropriate strength. I presume that won’t be a problem for either than you.”

“We’ll be fine,” Celaine said.

“Then I’ll speak to the guildmaster personally and request that he arrange an examination if you want.”

“Thank you, Marcela,” Hump said. “That’s a big help.”

“Please. This is nothing. You were both key to protecting my city. Hump, you have healed my mother’s legs. And on top of that, I’d like to think we can call each other friends. If there is ever anything I can do for either of you, you need only ask.”

“Who would say no to being friends to Lady Marcela Daston?” Hump said with a grin.

“What I think Hump means is, we feel the same way,” Celaine said.

“Right.” Hump nodded quickly. “Precisely.”

Marcela folded her hands in her lap and smiled. “I’m glad. Are there any questions?”

“There’s one pertinent one I can think of.” Hump paused for dramatic effect. “When do we leave?”

“Ah. Now that might be the only issue. We are to leave in two weeks. Will that be enough time for you to get your affairs in order?”

“We don’t have much to stay for,” Hump said. “Celaine was asked to come here with Keeper Tessa and introduce her to Countess Daston. That’s done.”

“From the sound of it, Tessa will be leaving soon too,” Celaine said. “All that’s left for us to do is pick up the new equipment we need.”

“Is there anything you need help with?” Marcela asked.

“We’ve spoken to Sir Isaac. He’s attempting to procure us what we’re after.”

“He’ll be better suited for the task than I. In which case, I will provide you with the full written details promptly.” She extended a hand to Celaine, who shook it, and then Hump. “Good to have you both on board.”

Marcela stayed for about an hour after the pertinent details were worked out, chatting casually amidst advising Hump on how to handle the newfound attention. For the most part, she suggested inaction, bar a few important names on the list that it would be in his best interest to politely decline.

They discussed Wizard Lindle’s invitation to tour the Wizard’s Society in Sheercliff. It was fairly clear they were trying to recruit Hump, and Marcela agreed with Vivienne’s advice to lean into the opportunity and gain as much as he could, even if he didn’t want to join their inner circle. Hump carried that advice forward to the following day.

The view from the edge of the plateau was breath-taking. It was a clear, sunny morning, and the white buildings of the city gleamed in the light. He’d left Nishari with Keeper Tessa and Igni for the day. The two bonded would be leaving soon and Hump wanted Nisha to have every moment of training she could before then.

Already, he could sense the fun she was having. He caught glimpses of the world from above as she and Igni flew south toward the forest on another hunt. It made Hump more than a little nervous, but that was his problem. The older dragon was teaching her things she wouldn’t learn from him, and one day, she’d need to be able to fend for herself.

Hump and Celaine took the carriageway from the Upper City. Owning property on the plateau gave him a writ of passage that allowed them to both pass freely. It was a short, pleasant journey down the cliff face. Once more, he tried his luck identifying the spell formations that controlled the carriages with his spellbook, but it was still impossible.

Later that day, they would search the shops of the Lower City for necessities and other items that might be useful for their trip. For now, it was time to take Wizard Lindle up on that tour.