Checking with Friends

Helena looked up from the book she’d been reading as she felt someone trying to contact her.  She’d sent out a number of messages to her family and friends yesterday in order to confirm Hsu’s story, but she’d expected a letter in reply.

She stood and approached the mirror, letting the connection open up between her and her friend.  Her reflection melted away, to be replaced by a smiling young woman with long green hair and a wispy dress who looked more like a mad fey then a witch.  “Hello Kseniya.  I wasn’t expecting you to contact me directly.”

“It’s nice to talk in person,” Kseniya said.  “Besides, Lyudmila is on a short trip.  It’s been quiet here with just Shizuka and I.”  Her smile faded.  “I’m also a little worried about what I found.  Has this Long Zhou Di moved to the immigrant realm?”

“That’s what Gold Rat Hsu said,” Helena replied.  “What did you find?”

“He’s a combat mage, like you.”  Kseniya glanced at a set of notes.  “But he’s far more brutal.  He’s the second son of a lesser magician.  No family or school history, so he went by Long of Liyu Shan.  After his brother died in a magical accident he started taking big risks to gain power and money.  People were calling him ‘Silver Sword Zhou’ before he claimed the title of Living Dragon.”

That was strange.  Helena considered it.  A title like that indicated Zhou had earned some fame in magical society on his own.  She’d earned the title Curse Gunner because of her skill in battle, and the way she mixed curses and magical bullets.  “So he’s good with a sword?”

Kseniya nodded.  “Yes.  He likes to overwhelm opponents then stab them when their defenses collapse.  Not very nice, but I suppose it works.”

“Now why did he fight over the title of Living Dragon if he was going to earn one legitimately?” Helena mused.  It was just so tacky.

Kseniya shrugged elegantly.  “Perhaps he really wanted it?  Maybe a childhood promise?  He seemed quite affected by his brother’s death.”

Helena shook her head.  “Maybe.  Family is important.  I’ll keep it in mind.”

“So why were you asking?” Kseniya said as she put her notes away.  “Just keeping track of new magicians?”

“He might have murdered someone,” Helena said.  “Or at least that’s what Gold Rat Hsu says.  I’m looking into it.”  She didn’t want to explain the job just yet.  It would be embarrassing to claim she had work if the deal fell through later.

“I see.”  Kseniya’s expression showed she knew Helena was hiding something, but unlike her sister Lyudmila the young witch wouldn’t press the matter.  “Well hopefully that helped a little.”

Helena nodded.  “Yes.  Thank you.”  She smiled.  “So what’s Lyudmila doing?  Still selling toys at the village?”

Kseniya giggled.  “Not this time.  She’s found a Fae lord who can breath water.  She’s going to make a bargain with it.”

“That seems like a really easy spell.  But I suppose it’s useful.”  Helena shrugged.  She didn’t really understand the principles of bargaining.  The magical discipline didn’t work well with her bloodline.  Those with Fae blood had a much easier time working out the details.

“You know she loves collecting small spells like that.  Just like how I love collecting magical creatures,” Kseniya said.

Helena laughed.  “You don’t actually keep them though.  Well except Shizuka.”

Kseniya blushed.  “Shizuka’s special.  Besides, I accidentally summoned her into existence.  I had to take responsibility for her.”

“True.”  Helena sighed, the weight of her job returning.  “We magicians have to take responsibility for a lot of things.”

“Just remember you don’t have to take responsibility for everything,” Kseniya said.  “We can leave minor details to normal humans.”

“Yeah yeah,” Helena shrugged.  She liked the satisfaction of finishing matters personally, but she had to admit some stuff was better left to others.  “Is there anything else you wanted to talk about Kseniya?”

The other magician shook her head.  “Not in particular.  I’m sure Lyudmila will reach out to you soon.  And we’ll definitely meet up before Walpurgisnacht.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it,” Helena said.  It would be good to sit down and relax with her oldest friends.  “I’d love to chat more but I should speak with my goddess today.”

“Of course.  Take care Helena.  And say hello to Aoi for us,” Kseniya bowed then let the connection fade.  The mirror fogged, then returned to showing Helena’s reflection.

Well that had been interesting.  It seemed Long Zhou Di’s reputation matched what Hsu had told her.  If he was desperate for money and power, the Triads were the way to go for a man from the Middle Kingdoms.  And even if he wasn’t guilty of the murders, it was just a good idea to keep track of other combat mages in the city.  Especially those who liked picking fights.

But she could start searching tomorrow with the Inspector’s help.  Right now she had to make an offering.

She collected a bottle of wine and a few other items, then headed out into the city towards the Hall of the Gods.  Hecate rarely gave direct answers, even to her descendants, but right now Helena could use any guidance she could get.  Given how much she owed her goddess, she’d be happy if Hecate just accepted her offerings.  Keeping Apollo distracted was hard work.

The Hallway of the Gods was a strange building, no matter what deity you followed, but it was desperately needed in the Immigrant Realm.  Land here was expensive.  While the followers of Zeus or Vishnu had no trouble getting temples, smaller congregations couldn’t afford a roadside shrine, much less purchase an area big enough to perform sacrifices or other rituals.  The Hall of the Gods was a compromise.  A place where any worshiper could perform an offering, within reason.

Helena walked beneath the torii gate that hung over the entrance and took a look around.  While the Japanese shrines along the wall had a few worshipers, the back room was empty.  Good.  She’d be able to perform her ceremony without waiting on any other priest or priestess.  Sacrifices for Hecate were usually quick.  Other deities demanded a lot more ceremony.

“Hi, Helena,” a woman whispered in her ear.  The sudden voice sent Helena’s heart racing and she whirled around to face the speaker.  

Of course it was just the resident shrine maiden.  The woman burst into giggles at her reaction.  Helena glared up at her friend with narrowed eyes.  “What was that for, Aoi?!”

“For fun of course,” Aoi said sweetly as she led Helena out of the entryway.  “Why should I need a reason to surprise one of my friends?”  She folded her hands with a natural grace Helena couldn’t help but envy.  They were both priestesses, but Aoi enjoyed the full power of her gods.

“If you want a surprise so badly I’ll be happy to put a karakasa in your closet,” Helena replied.  Then she smiled at the other woman.  “How have you been, Aoi?”

Aoi carefully dusted off the red hakama and white gi that served as her uniform.  “It’s been fairly uneventful here.  We’ll have the o-bon festival in a month, but that’s all handled by the community.  I’ll just need to perform some basic rituals.”  She looked over at Helena.  “I can still count on you to help, right?”

“Of course, Aoi,” Helena said.  “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

“Thanks.”  Aoi folded her arms.  “So, are you here for that conversation you owe me?  Or just for your usual rituals?”

Helena winced.  Oh right, she owed the shrine maiden.  She’d have to think of a way to escape that.  “My own rituals, sorry.  After all, I got a job!”

Aoi brightened at that.  “Congratulations, Helena!  I know you had a hard time getting more work since that last job.  So what is it?”

“The police asked me to find a murderer for them,” Helena replied. “I may want to ask you for some information as well.  You know the north side of the island better than me.”

Aoi’s bright expression faded.  “A police investigation?  For a murder?  Wait, is this the zombie murder the papers were all talking about?  Helena, why can’t you get normal jobs?”

“I didn’t realize it had become famous,” Helena muttered.  “Well it doesn’t matter.  Witches don’t have normal jobs.”  She grimaced as she remembered the sorry state of her funds.  “Besides, it was this or miss rent.  I’d fight Achilles to avoid that embarrassment.”

“I see.”  Aoi sighed and shook her head.  “It looks like we’re having a long talk today whether you like it or not.”  She waved Helena towards the back room.  “Go sacrifice to your goddess.  I’ll wait for you out here.”

Helena gave her friend a weak smile.  “And if I decide to escape?”

Aoi poked her in the shoulder.  “Your invisibility spells are a joke.  And while you’re a dozen times better than me in a duel this is my shrine and I can cheat.  There’s no escape for you now, Curse Gunner!”

Aoi’s ‘threat’ made her chuckle.  “I’d actually enjoy a friendly match, but fine.  I’ll be out in a few minutes, Aoi.”

She turned and walked along the far wall to the back room.  The air here was warmer from the flames within, and dozens of idols glimmered in the firelight.  Helena entered and faced Hecate’s symbol to the northwest, ignoring other gods.  She carefully placed each ritual item and her sacrifices in a line for easy access then began to pray.

With careful practiced motions she threw leaves from the three sacred plants into the flame, the fresh greenery causing smoke to rise each time.  As the smoke drifted upward Helena relaxed her wards and let magic just flow out into the space around her.  The flames twisted around each other as she did and the holy icons around here seemed to flicker and sway.  In the corner of her eyes she could see lights blinking in and out of reality, but those were simply illusions.  A test to prevent the careless and foolhardy from continuing the ritual.

Helena ignored it and held up her second sacrifice, wine mixed with honey.  Not the cheap boxed wine that she normally had to drink, but a rich wine from Minos.  She carefully poured it out before the altar, allowing it to hiss against the fire, but not put it out.  More smoke and steam swirled as she completed the sacrifice, and in the magic rich air, figures seemed to twist and twirl within the smoke.  Snakes and dogs drifted in and out of reality as Helena put the empty bottle down.

Finally she pulled out her third sacrifice.  A wand she’d taken from the magician she’d defeated not too long ago.  With a sharp motion she broke the magical instrument in two, then tossed it onto the flames.  As it burned she closed her eyes and offered her thanks.  Thanks for her lucky break, thanks for her power, and thanks for offering divine aid during that argument in the marketplace.  She also asked for guidance in the future.

There was no flash of revelation in the smoke and flame.  Her great great grandmother had offered enough recently.  So as Helena felt the swirling figures in the air start to become more real, she turned and walked out of the room.  The spirits of Hecate were dangerous to look upon, even for someone who shared the goddess’ bloodline.

The cool air of the main shrine building hit her with a rush, banishing her contemplative mood.  Aoi quietly shut the door behind her.  “All done?” the shrine maiden asked.

“Yes.”  Helena walked over to the ritual fountain and washed her hands and mouth out.  “Good idea closing the door behind me.  But it should be safe now.  I didn’t offer an animal today.”

“Give me some credit as a priestess, Helena,” Aoi said.  “I know when a god is in my shrine.”

Helena smiled in apology.  “Sorry.”

Aoi smirked.  “You’re forgiven, for now.  So!  Where do you want to talk?”

“Don’t you have to keep watch on the shrines?” Helena asked, motioning to the petitioners wandering in and out.

“I can walk away for a few hours,” Aoi replied.  “Besides the gods watch over their shrines.”  Aoi pulled a paper slip from her sleeve and stuck it to the wall.  Helena raised an eyebrow then nodded in understanding.  The ofuda would summon a guardian if anyone disturbed the peace here.  It seemed Aoi was willing to give the gods a little help.

“Anywhere outside is fine,” Helena said.

Aoi nodded.  “Then let’s retire to the rose garden next door, and I can force you to do some thinking.”

Helena frowned.  “I’m always thinking.”

“Well, it’s time for you to think about something different,” Aoi said as she used a ribbon to tie back her long hair.  “Specifically why you’re a mess when you aren’t running towards a fight, and how to fix that.”

Helena sighed.  This was going to be a painful conversation.