Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

A s promised, two days later, Andre sent a notification that he would be arriving.

Standing near the landing zone with Emrys, Solomon paced a few steps. They left Julian prepping and fussing over his home and delicious meals. The fussing nature was because of this unknown partner Andre was bringing along. He didn’t name him or offer any more details.

It was odd.

Though, his days have been rather odd since the child’s arrival. No one else followed those trackers. That was one good thing.

“Strange how Andre wouldn’t explain more about his partner,” Emrys said.

“Yes, but perhaps he’s keeping things quiet. Like the rest of us. Plus, we’re not RASI,” Solomon said.

Emrys glanced at him.

“What?” Pausing his pacing, Solomon tilted his head.

“You’ve been…”

“What?”

There was the soft pop and crackle of an incoming portal pushing against the barriers. Solomon waved his hand to give the portal entrance. The portal swirled and opened the connection.

Andre stepped out, a large satchel slung across his chest. He wore his classic dark suit and long lightweight coat. He waved while he moved away.

A man in a lighter colored suit stepped out next with a satchel over his shoulder. Stepping further away, he snapped his fingers to close the portal.

“Sorry about this,” Emrys said, “but for everyone’s protection, we need to double check all new arrivals.”

“You know me,” Andre said.

“It’s for the academy’s protection, Andre. We can’t drop this new rule for anyone,” Emrys said. “Things can be hidden upon you without your knowledge. This check can find everything.”

“Very well.”

“Please stand a little further apart.”

The RASI investigators moved further apart and stood still.

Creating two special rune circles, Emrys sent them forward. Each circle spun and drifted from their head to feet and back up.

Vines punched up around them.

Andre didn’t move. But his new partner jumped a little.

“That’s what you were telling me or was it a warning,” the investigator said.

“A bit of both,” Andre said. “One of those things you have to witness to believe.”

“Oh, I believe all right. Sentient vines. Impressive,” he said while the vines swirled and moved around them.

“Welcome to Nucira,” Andre said. “Greetings, Gloriosa. It’s wonderful to see all of you again.” He held out his hand and the spiny leaves and vine stroke against his fingers.

“All is clear.” Emrys closed the circles. Then he stepped toward the newcomer. “Welcome to Nucira and the Lunore Academy. I’m Emrys Cadogan, druid and professor of botany.”

“What about me?” Andre asked.

Emrys waved a hand. “We already know you.”

Andre snorted.

The newcomer muffled a chuckle. “Lennox Aron, RASI Consortium Chief Investigator.”

Solomon stepped up next to Emrys.

“I was not expecting that,” Emrys said.

“Andre?” Solomon asked.

“We have a lot to discuss,” Andre stated.

“Please follow us to the grove. Julian is readying everything inside the redwoods,” Emrys said.

“Redwoods?” Lennox asked.

“My partner, Julian Scarlett, is a dryad. He protects a legacy grove and lives in entwined redwoods that expanded into a home. Sometimes, he allows me to join him,” Emrys said.

“That is something I would enjoy seeing,” Lennox said.

“Follow us.” Emrys led the way back to the grove.

Solomon paused and reset the barriers.

“Did you add some layers?” Andre asked.

“Yes. The Carmine’s portal punched through it a couple days ago. I had to figure out another way to weave the barrier. So far, it’s holding,” Solomon said.

They caught up to the others with the vines trailing along or punching up in other areas.

After introductions and a light lunch, since Julian wouldn’t have it any other way, they kept the conversation equally light while they all caught up since Andre’s last informal visit. Then they cleared the table to prepare for their meeting.

Solomon pulled out his pouch of information and set it on the table.

“I have a device that creates a protective bubble. One reason I walked around earlier. It’ll protect against any listening spells or items.” Lennox pulled out a small globe from his satchel and set it on the table.

“Activate it, please,” Emrys said.

With a nod, Lennox tapped the globe twice with his finger and a whispered word. A shimmering wave surrounded them and pressed out to cover the entire first floor.

“There we go. All is good.” Andre opened his satchel and pulled out multiple folders, empty pads, and pens.

“Now we see the regular investigator side of you. Instead of running all over and chasing down some crazy people,” Julian said.

“That investigation was definitely not the norm at first,” Andre said.

“Luckily, we figured it out,” Julian said with a smile.

“That we did.” Andre glanced over at Solomon. “Now, I guess it’s your time. Explain everything up to the point of you contacting me.”

“There’s a lot.” Solomon leaned forward while he rested his forearms on the table.

“We’re used to long stories,” Lennox said. “Often days' worth of explanations or interrogations.”

Solomon explained everything that was happening within the Guild and Carmine. He pulled out multiple flyers as evidence, along with various notes and records he collected. Unfurling his maps and lists, he used them to reveal information regarding the children. Though he didn’t know the exact number of children that traveled. His explanation took several hours, with a minimal interruption from Andre or Lennox who wanted a piece expanded or detailed.

Julian provided multiple cups of a soothing tea for his voice. There were snacks for everyone to enjoy while they listened.

By the time Solomon wrapped up his end, Julian was preparing the evening meal.

“Three Carmine prisoners are in the Academy’s dungeon. They’re guarded by the Gloriosa along with some Guild security members,” Solomon finished.

“And scanned like you did us?” Andre asked.

“Yes.”

The investigators exchanged glances. They whispered something behind another quick protective bubble.

Solomon leaned back and sipped more tea. “You’re having a private meeting while in the middle of one.”

Lennox snapped his fingers to remove the bubble. “Of course. We’re investigators.”

“As if that explains everything,” Solomon said.

Andre grinned. “RASI rules.”

“Made up ones?”

“Excuse me?”

Solomon wiggled his sparkling fingers. “I’m a touch stronger than you with the magic.”

Andre leaned in with a wicked grin. “And that means what?”

Lennox shifted his gaze between them. “What am I missing?”

“Oh, nothing too important. A little arcane jabbing at each other.” Julian moved things around on the table and set up their plates. “Hope you don’t mind vegetarian meals. As a dryad, I don’t eat animals or seafood.”

“Vegetarian is wonderful. You can do almost anything with vegetables,” Lennox said. “What about those two?”

“Let them fight it out,” Julian said.

“It’ll be over in a minute or two. If you have arcane, join in,” Emrys said.

“Ahh. I have the arcane ability like the majority of RASI, but—” Lennox glanced at the silent feuding mages. “I’ll stay out of this one.”

“Why doesn’t Carmine outright attack the RASI offices? They’re so against anything arcane, you think they would attack all of you,” Emrys asked.

“RASI is protected and secured in the majority of the realms. The offices are connected to the local guards. Plus, we have the Consortium overseeing everything through the RASI office in their hidden realm.”

“I wouldn’t put it past the Carmine to try something against RASI,” Emrys said.

“We’ll talk more about that later. Trust me on it.” Lennox twisted to watch Julian. “Anything I can do to assist you?”

“No, thank you. All is ready for serving. Just gather up those papers in the middle so nothing gets ruined,” Julian said.

“Of course. Emrys, if you have a moment—” Lennox motioned to the papers.

“Yes, got it. Leave those to their own tricks.” Emrys moved to help gather and stack the papers, pads, and pens. He placed them on a side table.

Julian poured the last pot into a serving bowl. Then he carried everything over to the table. He finished with a pitcher of an herbal tea. Snapping his fingers, he sent a flurry of leaves to separate the staring mages.

“What the—” Solomon waved at the leaves. “Julian.”

“Had to get your attention somehow. Supper!”

“This looks delicious,” Andre said. “Thank you for cooking.”

“Of course. I discovered it soothes me. Like when I settle into my oak for a rest,” Julian said.

“What is this wonderful meal?” Andre asked.

“Slow cooked peppermint minestrone, honey oat bread, roasted chestnut peas and mushroom potatoes, and a seared garlic and ginger salad. And there’s a Pearl Cress herbal tea.” Julian served everyone. “I believe it will be your turn next to share with the group, Andre.”

Andre exchanged another glance with Lennox.

Solomon finished and assisted Julian in cleaning up things. When Julian brought back a fresh pot of Pearl Cress tea and a glazed cranberry, winterberry and melon tart. By that moment, the investigators decided it was time to talk.

“While we knew about most of what you explained, we didn’t know that much about the Guild.” Andre exchanged a glance again with his new partner, who nodded.

“What is it?” Solomon asked.

“The RASI is investigating the Society of the Carmine Knot,” Andre said.

“What?” Emrys and Solomon asked at the same time.

Julian sipped from his cup of tea.

“Darling?” Emrys asked.

“What?” Julian asked. “Andre has been secretive from the moment Solomon mentioned Carmine. I knew it had to be something about them. Logic.”

Others snickered.

Including Solomon.

“And the mood is lightened. Shall we continue?” Lennox asked.

There were more chuckles, but everyone settled down.

“Tell us about the investigation,” Emrys said.

“Or what you can, since we’re not RASI,” Julian added.

“Actually, that was the reason we needed the two days. I had to talk to my boss. Lennox had to explain to his boss. We both needed permission to be here and what we’re going to discuss,” Andre said.

“Which is what?” Solomon said.

“There is a joint East, North, and Consortium RASI case already open on the Society of the Carmine Knot. There is another case on the Guild of the Blind Eye,” Andre said.

“The Guild has done nothing except to fight against the Carmine and rescue the children and other arcane mages,” Solomon said. “Some might have gone a little too far, but it was done…”

“To protect and save lives, yes, the RASI noticed the difference of those actions. Especially compared to what the Guild has done. Most are unknown deaths under investigation,” Andre said.

“Who is on this secretive team?” Emrys asked.

“Only the North and East RASI teams under the guidance of the Consortium,” Andre said.

“That would be me. I’m their representative,” Lennox said. “Our northern colleague went undercover some time ago. He has the right bloodlines and history to slip in and not get killed.”

“He’s in with the Carmine,” Solomon said.

“Somewhere deep. We’re not sure where. We’re hoping he gets the evidence and forensics we need that are hidden within the Society,” Lennox said.

“Here’s the point. There is a lot of ground to cover throughout all the realms. We need more support. Everything is handled and confined within our group. Nothing leaves it. Nothing goes outside,” Andre said.

“In case it’s picked up by someone you don’t want,” Julian said.

“Exactly. This was under the request of the Utopian Alliance Consortium RASI and Lennox joined our team. Central, West, and South RASI are closed off. For some time, there were suspicions about compromises, spies, bribes, and other things. A lot of them dealt with Carmine and their members. Investigations were dropped. Others were barely looked at before being closed. The work was sloppy,” Andre said.

“A little too sloppy whenever the Consortium RASI was called to conduct an audit review. Things that brought a little too much attention regarding internal control,” Lennox said.

“Over time, this suspicion spread to the Guild when we noticed discrepancies and alterations. Some of those discrepancies happened around missing children or ones thought to have died under suspicious circumstances within the testing facilities.”

Lennox held up his hand. “Where there were some unknown and unusual deaths, most of the investigation was trying to follow the winding and tangled paths of the Society and how the Guild interacted with them.”

“Which means there will be little to no action against the Guild,” Andre added.

“Thank you. Unless we discover those spies and members of the Carmine that infiltrated the Guild. What about them?” Solomon asked.

“They will be held to the same laws and actions as the rest of the Carmine members. Which is why we need all the records and documents,” Lennox said.

“There’s another piece. We noticed there was also a matter of the RASI arcane investigators who were compromised. Many went missing. Some came to great harm. Some rescued. Others relocated,” Andre said.

“Some RASI investigators didn’t make it,” Julian said.

“Unfortunately, some investigators were found deceased. The deaths were suspicious. Many thought murdered, though there were very little clues. We only located them in obvious dump sites, not the actual murder site. There are no suspects. There was one thing linking all the deaths. They were stronger in arcane than other investigators who could hide behind other gifts.”

“They were killed because they wouldn’t hide their true gift,” Emrys said.

“There are moments where RASI agents need to use their arcane gifts. Our magic assists us. It can open things up for revelation or details,” Lennox said.

“Still can’t quite believe your superiors would allow you to tell us everything that is happening.” Julian sipped from his teacup.

The investigators exchanged glances.

“Really don’t like that look,” Solomon muttered.

“After my investigation into the grove attack, when I spoke to my superiors, they flagged you and Bella as true arcane users,” Andre said. “They swore the academy continued to teach arcane-based students. Some figured you, Bella, and the academy were part of the Guild.”

“Due to an abnormal number of new students entering unusual ways, we flagged the academy. Not quite at the beginning of a semester. There were also the reported deaths because of dangerous flare-ups,” Lennox said. “After Andre’s report to strengthen what he saw, heard, and felt, many agents decided the academy was part of the Guild. You protect the arcane children.”

“Well, that’s a bit of a relief to know I’m no longer a suspect.”

“Oh, you were rather high up.”

“Why me?”

Lennox used his fingers to make his point. “One. You rarely left Nucira. Two. You never left the East. Three. Your magic felt off. Not like a minor lightning and air gift.”

“I went nowhere. Even on holidays,” Solomon finished.

“We can track identity booklets. Yours rarely popped up. The furthest you went was Strafield.”

“But…”

“Later on, we noticed Cormac Wyn traveled to Nucira multiple times. I suspected something was growing between you, but wondered why it was always Cormac who traveled,” Andre said. “I apologize, but as an investigator, I’m curious.”

“Understood.”

“Some agents wanted to bring you into the Carmine investigation for some time. We knew you were Guild, but not sure how high up.” Andre added another folder to the table. “Your personal history is uncommon. There is a family background and origins, but things don’t seem accurate until you appeared in the academy’s records as a student.”

Solomon glanced at the folder and back to Andre.

“You were one of them. One of the hidden children,” Andre said.

“Andre—” Emrys tried to stop him, but Solomon held up a hand.

“Yes, I’m one of them, but I don’t speak about it. No child will. We were broken down to our core and remade in order to survive. At this time, no, I’m not saying anything more. The academy saved me. Literally and physically. The academy became my home and family. They will remain that until the day my soul leaves this realm for the last time,” Solomon said.

“Understood,” Andre said.

“I’m a receiver of the children and their professor. I’m here to assist them in acclimating to their new realm, home, and life. We have others who assist with the personal or mental issues. Beyond the academy and Nucira, I can’t assist. Other than what I tracked and laid out.” Solomon motioned toward the paperwork they set aside before dinner.

“To be honest, the same happened to me,” Andre admitted. “I went to a testing facility, then things were a blur, and I ended up in a northern academy. Like you, they became my family and home. When I showed aptitude in tests, I was awarded a scholarship to the RASI academy. After graduating, they sent me to the East and I haven’t left, except for certain occasions. Then I would be surrounded by other trusted agents.”

“Same here. Though my academy was in the West, before things got a little darker there. After I went to the RASI academy, I learned no other arcane children went to a western academy,” Lennox said.

“Have any of you contacted your original family?” Julian asked.

All three shook their heads.

“Our original versions are dead. Lost in a magical flare-up,” Lennox said.

“Same thing still happens now,” Solomon added.

“How many children?” Julian asked.

“Unknown unless we receive full documentation. Most of those documents would be confidential and dangerous. Especially if they were discovered by Carmine. Even more so now that we know the Guild was infiltrated,” Andre said.

“Why should we go after the Carmine now?” Julian asked.

“Because the Carmine are increasing their efforts to subjugate and change laws. They want to push out of their select realms and take it further. The deaths have increased. The Consortium realized they may have a traitor in their midst.”

“Which is never good,” Julian said.

“Correct. There are two options left,” Lennox said. “One. We attack them. Two?—”

“Roll over and let them take over everything,” Emrys said.

“And that will never happen,” Solomon said.

“We’re out of diplomatic options. That will never happen with the Carmine. Some have tried. Nothing happened,” Andre said.

“Time for some action.” Solomon motioned to Andre and Lennox. “Start going over the investigation. We need to make plans that go beyond talking.”

“Right. This is where we’re at with things.” Lennox spread out some paperwork.