Copyright 1995 by Anne Fraser ________ Chapter Two Edan followed Ari out of the Queen street subway, stopping now and then to wonder about such varied marvels as baby strollers, Seeing Eye dogs, streetcars and the Eaton Centre. Ari was glad that they could not see the CN Tower from this angle. He would probably want to go and meet the wizard who lived there. She kept up a steady stream of explanations, some of them rather lame, as she guided him to the shop on Queen East. As they drew closer to Sharkey's End, the name Ari had chosen, it became apparent that there was some commotion on the street. Police cars were parked all over the place, at weird angles, their lights flashing a morse code of distress. Uniformed cops stood on the corner, controlling the crowds, and one of them was rolling out that yellow tape to mark off a crime scene. "Why are those cars adorned with flashing lights?" Edan asked. Ari had been wondering the same thing, if not for the same reason. Why were the cops here? Her stomach churned, and she was glad she had had only toast for breakfast. The shop! Oh, God, don't let it be the shop... "They're the law," she replied, "and something's wrong! Come on!" She broke into a run. The police cordons surrounded Sharkey's End. The store no longer had a door or a front window. Ari gave a yell of dismay and brushed her way past the police, one of whom snagged her. "Keep back, miss," he ordered. "Unhand this lady," Edan suggested with a slight growl. The cop looked startled at being ordered about by the six-foot, muscular wizard. Before things could get ugly, Ari recovered her wits enough to speak up. "It's okay, Edan. He's just doing his job. I'm Ariadne York, officer, the owner of what's left of this shop. What happened?" "You're the owner? Got some ID?" He checked what ARi produced. "Sorry, Miss York, but we gotta check. Looters will try anything. Wish I could tell you what happened. Nobody reported a break-in, and if you had an alarm system, it didn't go off. A patrol car spotted the smashed window and door about an hour ago. We've been trying to get ahold of you." "We've been en route." "Do you want to go in and take a look around? It's not a pretty sight." "I'll have to do it sometime. Thank you, officer. Come along, Edan." They walked into the ruins of Sharkey's End. The bookshelves had been hacked to pieces, likely by an axe. Each and every book was destroyed, the pages torn out and scattered, the bindings ripped to pieces. Every object smashable had been smashed. Even the greeting cards had been torn into confetti. Edan noticed expression on Ari's face and quickly assisted her to a chair that had somehow escaped destruction, possibly because it was made of metal and plastic. "Omigod, omigod, omigod." Ari started shaking, rocking in the chair and holding her stomach. This was beyond a nightmare. A chair. All she had left was a chair. Why the fuck couldn't they have torn that apart, too? It wasn't as if it had mattered. Leaving it had been like a slap in the face after they had destroyed her life. "Miss York?" She looked up, dry-eyed. The shock and loss was too deep for tears. They had sent in a female police officer to talk to her. "Miss York," the officer said, "do you want us to send for a doctor?" A doctor, who'd shoot her full of sedative so that this would all go away. But if she tranked out on a sedative, who would look after Edan? He needed to be looked after, she could not let him roam around Toronto on his own. He had no idea how to survive in the urban environment. Wizard or no wizard. The responsibility for another life made her struggle to master her own. "No," she said faintly, forcing her head to come up and her hands to unclench from around her belly. "No, it's okay. Pretty much of a shock, though." The cop nodded sympathetically. "Take your time, Miss York," she advised. "Maybe you'd like some hot tea?" "Yes," Ari grasped at the offer of something to hold onto, something hot and soothing. "That would be lovely. Thank you." "Mister...?" the officer looked at Edan. "Edan," Ari said to the wizard. "The officer wants to know if you would like some tea." "Tea?" The wizard beamed. Tea was something he knew. "Yes, I would like some very much. Thank you." The officer nodded, and stepped outside to give instructions to someone to go find hot tea. Ari sank back in the chair. "I am not going to cry," she said firmly, although tears were starting to threaten. "Who the _hell_ did this?" "That is not an entirely inappropriate question," Edan said, picking up the pieces of a china dragon. Ari's head snapped up. "What?" "I fear t'was not a human hand alond that wreaked destruction on your shop, Ari. There was an evil force at work here." "Get out. This is Toronto in 1994. There aren't any evil forces here." "Am I not here?" "You're not evil. I'm not even really convinced you exist." Edan's mouth twitched, very slightly, then his expression grew serious once more. "That ... what is it you term these upholders of the law?" "Officers. Police. Cops." "The officer believes I exist. One does not offer tea to a phantom." "No, I guess not. What makes you say it was an evil force that did this?" "Aside from the taint of foul sorcery that stains the very air? Consider: the noise from such destruction must have been great, and yet none noticed or called attention to it." "Yeah, that is odd. People live above some of these stores. You'd think somebody would've called the cops when they heard everything being smashed." "But they did not hear, Ari. An enchantment was laid upon all who slept within sound or sight of this shop." Ari thought she had been frightened before hearing this. Now she was _really_ starting to get scared. She wished they'd hurry with the tea. "Why, Edan?" she whispered. "This shop is aligned with the lines of energy that supply power to mages, whether good or evil," Edan informed Ari, much to her surprise. "But there are many such places. That alone should not have drawn the evil that did this." He made a pass in the air with his long, limber fingers and a soft glow illuminated the wreckage of the shop. "No," Edan said, analyzing the results, "it was not this alone, although it was somewhat responsible. Did your troubles begin soon after you opened this shop?" She was staring at the glowing air. "A ley line," she breathed. "I never even guessed." She blinked at Edan. "What?" "Did your troubles begin soon after you opened this shop?" he repeated patiently. "Yes, almost right after. Is it because of the ley line?" Edan made the glow vanish. "Perhaps," he said, although he didn't look happy about it. "It is at least part of the reason. You understand such things?" "Sure. I read the right books." The policewoman returned at that point, carrying two styrofoam cups. "Tea," she announced. She gave a cup to Ari. "Lots of sugar, for the shock." The other cup was handed to Edan. "With lemon, that's how you Brits take it, isn't it?" Ari held her breath, waiting for Edan to ask what a Brit was, but he merely accepted the tea with a smile of thanks. "There's a lady outside that says she's a friend of yours, Ms. York," the constable told Ari. "Her name's Linda Martin. Know her?" "Oh, Linda! Yes, I know her. Please, let her come in." The officer left, and Linda entered. She ran to Ari, blonde hair flying, and hugged her friend. "Oh, Ari!" she sobbed. "I heard the news on the radio. I'm so sorry!" "Thanks for coming, Linda," Ari said when she was released from the bear hug. "What are friends for?" Linda stood up, her face reflecting her dismay as she took in the damage. "Who could have done this? Why?" Her eyes widened when she finally saw Edan. "Who's the hunk?" Ari looked around for a second before realizing that Linda meant Edan. He _was_ kind of cute, come to think of it... "This is Edan ... uh... Larokson. He's one of my, uh, suppliers. Edan, this is Linda Martin." Linda extended her hand. Edan bowed and kissed it. Linda looked startled. "Charmed," said the wizard, whose eyes were dancing again. "Do the cops have any idea who did this?" Linda asked again. "No more than I do," Ari replied, hoping that Edan wouldn't say anything about evil forces or the ley line. Ari's insurance company sent a representative, along with a police carpenter to board up the window and door. The insurance man didn't look happy. He was probably upset that Ari had managed to pay her premiums. "I understand that the shop was in financial difficulty," he said. "I'm paid up with you," Ari told him. "Yes, I know. This damage was caused at a very convenient time, don't you think?" Ari's face drained of blood. "What are you suggesting?" she demanded. "Just that it was very convenient." "Ari wouldn't wreck her own shop!" Linda flew to her friend's defense. "She loves this place!" "Well," the insurance man hesitated. "You no doubt have a copy of the inventory in a seperate place?" "Yes." Ari nodded. "Good. Mail it and an estimate of the dmage to our office." "Then you'll settle the claim?" "I don't believe you would have done this yourself." "Thank you!" The insurance man left. The carpenter remained, still trying to fit a new door into the wrecked frame. "So," Linda looked at Edan, "are you in cards, books, or gifts?" "I beg your pardon?" Edan blinked at her. Just when he thought he was learning the language... "Your line. Ari said you're one of her suppliers. I know she doesn't do drugs, so you must supply the shop with something." "Edan doesn't have a line, Linda," Ari sighed. "I told you that because that cop was listening. Edan's a wizard. That summoning spell worked." Linda's jaw dropped. "No kidding?" She stared at Edan, who winked at her. "He doesn't look like a wizard." "I could hardly take him downtown wearing his robe and carrying his staff, could I? Trust me, he's a wizard." Edan grinned, and picked up the pieces of a broken china dragon. A pass of his fingers, and it was mended without a crack. Linda looked around for somewhere to sit, and had to settle for leaning against a scarred bookcase for support. "Holy cow," she said. Edan bowed. "'Tis an honour to meet one of Ari's friends." Cam and Elaine both came barrelling into the ruin of Sharkey's End. Elaine braked at the sight, and Cam whomped into her. They untangled and went immediately to Ari's side. "It was on TV!" Cam exclaimed. "How awful!" Elaine wailed, picking up her foot and examining the shards of glass she'd inadvertently stepped on, crushing them even further under her winter boots. They both hugged Ari, and Linda for good measure. Then they both noticed Edan. Elaine's eyes went wide as she registered the wizard's muscular good looks. Cam narrowed his eyes, and tried to puff himself up. Since he was on the slim side, the effect was negligable. "Elaine, Cam, this is Edan," Ari made the necessary introductions. "He's from Faranon. Edan, meet Elaine Lee and Cameron MacDonald." Edan bowed. Elaine's expression changed to a happy grin. Cam looked puzzled. "He's from where_?" the lawyer demanded sharply. "Faranon. He's a wizard." "You mean it _worked_?" Elaine yelped. "When did he show up?' Cam demanded. "Not long after you left. He was in the living room, in the square we used to summon him. He says he got here as fast as he could." "I apologize belatedly for startling you, milady." Edan bowed to Ari. "You talk funny," Elaine said. "You should have heard him before I asked him to try to sound modern." Ari turned to Edan. "And didn't I tell you not to call me 'milady'?" "I apologize again." He didn't look particularily sorry, though. "What do you think of our workd, Lord Wizard?" Elaine asked Edan. "'Tis a wonderous place, full of many marvels," Edan sighed. "But you address me wrongly. None but the head of our Guild may claim the title 'Lord'. I am merely Edan." "Hey, Ms. York," the carpenter called out. "Your new door's ready. Took a bit of fixing. I'll send the bill to the insurance company. Here's your keys." He tossed them at Ari. Cam caught them. The guy might have been a good carpenter, but he had lousy aim. "Thank you," Ari said as the carpenter left. She turned back to her friends." "Well, it's about time for Chas to come racing in so that I'll have to explain Edan all over again." "Don't," said Elaine. "Huh?" Ari asked. "Don't explain. Let's have a little fun with Chas. Don't tell him Edan's a wizard. Let him find out for himself." Ari managed a weak grin. Seizing the chance to cheer herself up a little, she nodded. "Okay, sounds like fun. What do you say, Edan? Want to play a joke on one of my friends?" "If it will bring you pleasure, Ari," Edan replied, "I will do this thing gladly." "Can I have one like him?" Linda asked. "Me, too?" Elaine chimed in. Cam scowled. Right on cue, Chas appeared. "Oh, wow, bummer," he understated at his first sight of Sharkey's End. "Who done it?" "I don't know, Chas. Oh, this is Edan Larokson. He's a salesman. He dropped by to show me a new line of china and glass animals and stayed to help me cope. Edan, this is Charles Porter." "Hi," said Chas. "Hi," Edan replied, trying out the new word. "A Elbereth Githoniel," Chas pronounced the words that would identify Edan as one of them, if he recognized them. The wizard merely looked puzzled. He turned to Ari. "What does he mean by those words?" "Gad, another illiterate." Chas sighed. "Never read Tolkien, eh?" "I regret that I have not had that honour," Edan replied. "Say, guys," Elaine spoke up before Chas could ask Edan what he _did_ read. "Why don't we take Ari out for dinner?" "Sounds like a good idea," Linda agreed. "What do you say to the Elephant and Castle, Ari? I'll bet Edan would like it there." "Yeah." Ari tried to contemplate food. "Guess I could go for shepherd's pie. Edan and I didn't get any lunch." So the six of them left Sharkey's End, locking the new door and ducking under the yellow tape marked 'crime scene, do not cross'. Ari wondered nervously how Edan was going to react to his first sight of the _inside_ of the Eaton Centre, but the wizard remembered that he was playing a part and looked around him as if he saw large shopping malls every day. He hesitated a little about stepping onto the escalator, though. "Is it safe?" he whispered to Ari. "As safe as the elevator was. Safer," she added hastily, recalling his reaction to that device. "What's taking you guys so long?" Chas demanded. "You scared of escalators, Edan?" "He gets dizzy on them," Ari replied, hoping that the others wouldn't notice her take hold of Edan's hand. "It's okay," she told him quietly. Edan stepped onto one of the stairs, holding the handrail in a death grip. He was astounded to arrive safely at the top. Ari plucked on the wizard's arm. "This way," she told him, and added sotto voce, "You're doing just fine." "What is this place?" Edan asked, his frantic gaze taking in the thronged shoppers, the myriad of displays, the escaltors and glass elevators, and the unique atmosphere of the mall. "I'll explain later. We're going to a pub now, a place that serves food and drink." "Ah, a tavern." "Yeah, sort of. Only don't call the waitress a wench. She'll dump her tray on your head." "I shall endeavour to remember that." "In fact, you'd better let me order for you...unless you can read English?" She remembered his thinking that the "M" was a mystic rune, and doubted he could read a menu. "No. Will you teach me?" "Yes, later tonight." They came to the popular pub and waited in line, Edan blinking into the dim interior in the vague hope of finding something recognizable. The hostess showed them to a table and left menus for them. Edan waited until the others picked theirs up to see how one was held. Ari had to admit that he caught on fast. She supposed you had to be a quick study to be a wizard. Ari didn't have much of an appetite for the shepherd's pie when it came. She kept seeing her shop--and her dreams--in ruins. Edan, who didn't seem as if anything bothered him much, finished her dinner as well as his own. Ari's four friends were a little awed by the size of Edan's appetite. "Edan," Linda asked. "Would you pass me the salt, please?" "Certainly." A subtle finger gesture, and the salt floated gently into Linda's hand. "Thanks," she said. Chas rubbed his eyes. "Tell me I didn't see that," he moaned. "See what?" Cam asked him. "The salt floating." "I don't know what you're talking about." Cam dropped his fork. "Damn. Edan, can you reach that?" The fork rose from the floor and quietly dropped beside Cam's plate, without anyone touching it. "Thanks," Cam said. Linda choked on her beer. Elaine pounded her on the back, laughing so hard that she could scarcely breathe. "What's going on here?" Chas demanded angrily. He glared at Edan. "You're no salesman." Linda and Elaine were almost rolling on the floor. Even Ari was smiling. "It isn't fair to keep teasing poor Cahs," Linda finally gasped. "You're right," Cam agreed. "Tell him, Edan." "I am a wizard," Edan said to Chas. "Wiz--" Chas nearly exploded, but remembered that they were in a public place. He got a grip on himself. "That summoning spell _worked_?" "Yes," Ari nodded. "Jeez, a wizard! Told you you needed one." "More than she knows, I fear," Edan said, all trace of laughter gone from his eyes. He leaned forward on the table, pushing his empty plate out of the way. The friends all turned their eyes on the suddenly serious stranger. "There is much evil afoot," Edan pronounced. "And it would seem to be after Ari." End of Chapter Two