Where magic is hiding

For the next two days Helena tore into both the library and her own works.  She’d moved from researching curses to trying to find any reference to a spell that targeted someone by accident.  Unfortunately she was hitting a solid dead end.

There were thousands of tales of magic gone awry.  Poorly worded or twisted spells. Spells that had decided to act on the caster’s true intentions rather than what the spellcaster wanted.  And of course the monkey’s paw artifacts that gave you what you wanted in the worst way possible.

None of them really seemed to fit what was happening here.  As far as Helena could tell the spell was completely and utterly lost.  It was possible that the curse’s creator had been incredibly incompetent, but the spell was too persistent for that.

So Helena continued her investigation, scribbling ideas onto paper, and then slowly dismissing them one by one.  It was starting to become a research project.

One good thing was Alexis had settled into the routine fairly well.  Helena had worried that the woman might grow furious at the wait, or otherwise become a thorn in her side, but the Germanic noble had taken matters in stride.  Maybe because Helena was becoming frustrated on her behalf. Or maybe because Helena’s ofuda was suppressing the curse. The last two days had been accident free at least.

Right now they were outside the apartment, getting in a bit of sun while the weather was tolerable.  Helena was looking through “Worst Failures of the Magical World, Vol. 6” for ideas, while Alexis was playing with Shanon and Moses.  Right now the woman was listening to them read through one of the books of fairy tales they’d picked up in the library, helping them through the odd terms.  Sighing as she reached another dead end, Helena set down her notes and walked over to where the trio was sitting.

Moses was reading right now as Shanon had finished the last page.  “So the princess sent a servant out to grab a bucket of water from a stream at night as fast as possible.  The servant complies, not even removing the…” Moses peered at the page. “Guh-ge-ons?”

“Gudgeons,” Alexis said.  “They’re a type of fish that live in muddy streams.”

The children nodded happily at the new word.  “Gudgeons. When the princess got the bucket she threw it on her sleeping husband.  The man leaped from his bed shivering from the cold and said, ‘Ah. I have learned to shiver, but I still do not know fear.'”

Alexis smiled and closed the book.  “The end.” She smiled at the two children.  “You read very well. Better than some adults of my realm.”

The two twins puffed up with pride.  “Momma said that reading is the key to the future,” Shanon said.  “Said that reading was what helped her get away from a bad place and get to here.”

“Your mother sounds very wise,” Alexis replied.  “Reading separates the journeymen from the masters in many a profession.”

“Indeed.” Helena interjected softly.  “Writing is the second great magic. The one all humans can do.”

Shanon smiled, but Moses gave her a funny look.  “Still seems weird calling something everyone can learn magic.”

Alexis raised an eyebrow.  “Indeed. It is a bit strange.  But then, I’m not the witch.”

Helena chuckled.  “I actually thought it was a foolish saying when I was a child.  But as a magician it’s true.” She smiled. “And think about it. Writing allows you to save your words forever, and for anyone to summon them up.”  She pointed at the tome in Alexis’ hands. “The people who first told those tales have been dead for years, yet you can hear their stories today. That’s a feat I would be hard pressed to match.”

“Well, I had never thought of it that way.  Perhaps it is somewhat magical,” Alexis agreed.

Shanon elbowed her brother.  “Told ya.”

Moses looked like someone had forced him to eat a lemon, but before he could reply Prudence appeared at the doorway.  “Moses! Shanon! You’d best have finished your homework!”

From the way Shanon’s face twisted to match her brother’s it was obvious neither had.  “But Moooom,” Shanon said. “We’re learning stuff with Helena and Countess Alexis. Can’t we do it later?”

“Later you’ll be complaining about being sleepy,” Prudence replied.  “Chores don’t wait just because you got something you need to do. And homework is your chore.  Next time get it done earlier.”

“Awww…” the twins both replied, before turning their pleading eyes to Helena and Alexis.  Helena just snorted at the attempt. She wasn’t going to stop Prudence’s teaching methods. Compared to her own training it was fairly lenient.  Seeing once again their favorite witch was abandoning them they turned their full power on Alexis.

Sadly their hopes were dashed there as well.  “Run along. And be glad you don’t have to keep to a tutor’s schedule,” Alexis replied.  “I’ll be sure to play with you tomorrow as well.”

“Promise?” Moses asked.

“On my word,” Alexis replied.

“Alright,” Shanon said.  “Well see you tomorrow!” The two ran off with waves, then followed their mother inside leaving Helena and Alexis alone.

Helena offered the other woman a hand up.  “Thanks for spending time with them. I’m not wonderful with kids.”

“They seem to like you none the less,” Alexis replied.  She smiled. “Though I was surprised when they said you helped them through Hansel and Gretel.  I would think as a witch you’d dislike the story.”

“Well there are witches out there who do eat children.  At least according to my friends from your realm,” Helena replied with a grimace.  “In the unlikely event they fall afoul of one they should do their best to push the hag into her own furnace.  Serve her right.”

Alexis laughed.  “I cannot argue.”  The woman grew more serious.  “So, did you find anything from your research today?”

The levity faded from Helena as well.  “Nothing solid. I have the start of a theory but nothing I can act upon.”

“Oh?”  Alexis looked at her.  “What theory?”

She looked up at Alexis.  “I believe that the spell’s goal isn’t to make your life miserable by killing everyone around you.  It’s designed to kill someone in particular. Someone near you.”

Alexis looked confused, then her eyes shot open.  “My father.”

Helena nodded.  “Quite probably.  Which is why I want to ask you some questions.  I need to know more about your father and his enemies.”  She raised a finger. “And also your court magician and his enemies.  While no one is likely aiming at the serving staff, we magicians tend to get a lot of enemies.”

“So, what do you need to know?” Alexis asked.  “My family’s history is not that short.”

Helena motioned towards the streets to the market.  “Just their personal history will do. We can get something to eat while you talk.”

Alexis stood and they began walking.  “Well obviously I know more about my father then Nedvarious, but I can give you some information.

“My father was not born Pfalzgraf.”  Alexis smiled. “Though he did not gain the title as flamboyantly as some.  He was Freiherr of a very small area. Little more than a house honestly. However sickness took my uncle and his children, and he was the closest related to the Pfalzgraf of Strausfen.  Thus he was granted rights to the lands.”

The woman’s smile faded.  “Of course Markgraf von Wissgrand thought he should be the rightful inheritor, which meant as soon as my father claimed the county palatine he attacked.  My father was forced to sally out with the few allies he had, and a few mercenaries.” She grew troubled. “He might have died there, had the Markgraf not made an error.  He ran across a traveling wizard and had his troops attempt to kill the man for heresy. That man was Nedvarious and he summoned a dragon to scatter the troops.”

“Ha!”  Helena smirked.  “Perhaps I judged your court wizard too hastily.  His name is a joke, but I like his problem solving.”

Alexis shook her head.  “It saved the county, but it nearly cost him his life.  Markgraf von Wissgrand is a friend of the local bishop. They were going to charge Nedvarious with heresy and consorting with demons.  My father however claimed that Nedvarious was his court wizard and thus simply acting on behalf of the county.” Alexis spread her hands.  “Since my father was recognized as ruler by the Kaiser, it was all legal, and the church could not charge Nedvarious.”

“I see.”  Helena thought for a bit.  “I’d normally assume they would be behind matters, but if they’re that harsh towards mages, then they don’t have any local witches.”

“They might,” Alexis said.  “But I cannot see the Markgraf having anything to do with magic.  He’s very… strict in his faith.”

Helena nodded.  “That makes it unlikely, but not impossible.  It’s amazing how quickly people can lose their morals when there’s a lot to gain.  Still they’d need a very desperate spellcaster to work with them.” She looked at Alexis.  “So what happened afterwards?”

“Well trouble seems to come in waves, so as soon as my father returned from repelling the Markgraf, he learned Pfalzgraf von Hessel had laid claim to a disputed silver mine in the area.”  Alexis shook her head. “To be honest, my father might have let it pass, but the foreman of the mine was a loyalist, and had refused to work. Von Hessel had him killed.”

Alexis frowned.  “My father could not let someone just kill his vassals.  So he marched his army down and retook the town and some other lands that were rightfully his.  There were a few seasons of war, before a truce was finally signed. We still have border disputes.”

“Any recently?” Helena asked.

Alexis shook her head.  “No. There was a large battle about five years ago.”  She bit her lip. “My father was gravely wounded. He nearly died.  Von Hessel lost his eldest son. Matters have calmed since.”

“I see.”  Helena considered the matter.  “That seems a more likely candidate for a curse.  Did you have time to look into them?”

Alexis shook her head.  “No. Though I think it unlikely the witch who lives in that county is powerful enough.  The count tried sending us bad fortune before and Nedvarious stopped her.”

“Does she have a school?” Helena asked.  “Or other allies?”

“I don’t know.  Sorry,” Alexis replied.  “She lives a good distance beyond the border.  I only know a little about our local witch. She seemed annoyed my father brought a court wizard in and thus speaks with him rarely.”

“Hrm.  I see.”  Helena pondered for a bit.  “And your mother’s family? Did they have any enemies?”

Alexis laughed.  “Almost certainly.  But my mother was fifth of seven children.  And she was betrothed only to my father. They married fairly young in fact.  She was seventeen. Anyone who hates my mother’s family has far more interesting people to curse.”

“Well if there are no jilted or self-proclaimed lovers I think we can take that possibility off the list.”  Helena said. “And it sounds like anyone who was that obsessive lived near your family anyway.”

Alexis scowled at Helena.  “My mother would never break her vows and take up with some lover.  I know you must consider every option, but I suggest you drop all aspersions on her character.”

Helena raised her hands in surrender.  “My apologies. But just because a woman would never take a lover does not mean that a man isn’t delusional enough to claim her anyway.  There’s always someone who thinks they are the gods’ gift to women, or worse that women are the gods’ gift to them.” Her mood soured. “One of the reasons I’m here.”

“Ah.”  Alexis’ expression calmed.  “I fear that is true yes. My father warned me about such problematic suitors.”  The noblewoman looked at her quizzically. “Though it sounds like you have run into this problem personally.”

Helena grimaced, the memories roiling around inside her like a bitter drink.  “In this particular case, I actually was a god’s gift to that asshole. I decided to turn him into a slug instead.”  Helena shook her head. “Which is why I live in the one place where gods can be tried for murder.”

“I see.”  Alexis bowed her head.  “I’m sorry to bring up such troubling matters.”

“It’s alright.”  Helena turned her attention back to their path.  “In any case we can probably discount anyone outside of your home realm and your neighbors.  And they’re most likely either targeting your court wizard, or your father.”

“How can you be so sure?” Alexis asked.

Helena raised a finger.  “Death curses require something more than just magic.  They require hate.” She shrugged. “Now hate is fairly easy to come by.  But hatred enough to kill random people in order to get a lucky shot? That requires a lot of hate or a disdain for life.”  She looked back to Alexis. “Which means someone, fairly or unfairly, hates your father or court mage a great deal. Either the caster, or the person who hired the caster.  And that requires a certain level of contact.”

“That makes a great deal of sense.”  Alexis nodded in understanding. “However it also leaves us with a lot of possible villains.  What can we do with this knowledge?”

Helena considered matters.  “If we were closer to the people in question I could probably find out who cast the curse based on the feel of their magic.  But that’s not an option right now, so we’ll have to work off of what little we know. For now I’ll assume they were trying to kill your father.”  She opened up a book and made a quick note. “Then I’ll see about finding a way to remove such a twisted curse.”

“Do you think it will be completed tonight?” Alexis asked hopefully.

“No.  It’ll take at least half a day to design the spell,” Helena said.  “I’m not even sure where to start honestly. But knowing what you need to do is an important step in magic.”

Alexis sighed but nodded.  “I imagine it’s far more effective than trying things without knowing what you need to do.”  She looked over at Helena. “I wish this was not so complex. Though I will say your more… mundane method of explaining magic has been of great help.”

Helena was about to reply when Alexis froze.  She was trying to recall her few healing spells, when she saw the reason for the woman’s fear and relaxed.  A devil in a crimson suit with black leathery wings was walking the opposite way across the street. Helena gave the man a shrug and tried to indicate with her eyes that the purple clad countess was new to the city.  Fortunately the devil seemed to pay neither of them any mind, simply returning a nod. “It’s impolite to stare,” she said to Alexis as the woman started to turn to keep the devil in sight.

Alexis started then turned her wide eyed gaze to Helena.  “But that was a demon. A servant of Satan! An enemy of all that is Holy!”

“And he has to follow the rules just the same as everyone else here,” Helena said calmly.  “Just don’t sign any contracts with them and everything should be fine.”

“But…”  Alexis looked confused.  Helena waited for the woman to consider things a little.  She’d learned in the past trying to shift someone’s view of the world too quickly was disastrous.

After Alexis relaxed a little Helena continued her explanation.  “I’ll add that there are a lot of hells. Devils last longer than the heresies that spawn them.  And tend to be more flexible than their angelic counterparts.” She held up a hand to stop Alexis’ rebuttal.  “Let me explain. Every time a Christian sect forms a new hell is created. People are very good at believing in hell.  But then when that sect goes away, what then? There’s a hell, but the god they were created to oppose doesn’t exist, and according to the majority of people never did.  What then?”

Alexis considered the matter for a while.  “They go to oppose the true God?”

“I’ll ignore the “true” god bit for now,” Helena replied.  “But yes. A good number of devils do. Other devils decide they’re done being petty forces of evil and set up their own civilizations.  Or run off to integrate into the spiritual world. Which isn’t to say they’re universally trustworthy. They just aren’t quite as dangerous as you might think.”

They walked on for a while, Alexis pondering matters.  “I think I understand. If they were created as a heresy of a heresy what would that make them?  Still, I think I’ll remain suspicious in my dealings with them.”

“Always a good idea,” Helena agreed.

A few more blocks, and a good deal more double takes as Alexis saw different magical creatures walking openly through the streets, the noblewoman said, “It seems the market is a lot different from the rest of the city.”

“Yes.”  Helena shrugged.  “There’s actually an entire realm of the more monstrous spiritual creatures that live right below the immigrant realm.  Most just stick to the marketplace though. Meeting peacefully with humans isn’t that hard, but living amongst them is far more difficult.  It’s much easier for those of us with humanoid forms.”

Alexis turned to Helena at that.  “Most of us?” It seemed the woman was still paying attention to the details.  Helena was mildly impressed. “Why us?”

“Magicians are not human,” Helena said simply.  “At least not magicians like me.”

She continued as Alexis stared at her.  “Of course, by that I mean those who have dedicated their life to magic.  Not the dabblers. But the masters, those of us who are true magicians, we can no longer call ourselves human.  Because we do not age and die.”

“That seems hardly a reason to consider yourself not human,” Alexis said.  “Elijah lived many years, and there are many men cursed or blessed to live beyond their normal lifespan.”

“But in those cases it’s unexpected,” Helena replied.  “In my case I was born knowing I would live until something killed me.”  She shrugged. “But even beyond that, we are innately creatures of magic.  If I went to the outside would I would sicken and die. It might take ten weeks or so but the lack of magic would kill me.  And I would die faster if I used any spells.” She looked at Alexis. “We magicians are unfit to live in the real world. That is why we are considered monsters.”

They walked in silence for a while, the market bustling around them.  Finally Alexis said, “If being incompatible with the outside world is all it takes to become a monster, the term has no meaning.  Anything that condemns both angels and devils, both mystics and brutes all alike, is hardly a term worth mentioning.”

Helena smiled.  She honestly had no issue with being called a monster, but she appreciated Alexis’ defense of her character.  Or at least the character of mages in general. “Some terms can be overly broad.” She began walking towards the familiar camel of Inhapi’s stall.  “Anyway that’s enough philosophizing for now. Those discussions are meant to be done with wine anyway.”

Alexis returned the smile.  “Fair enough.” The noblewoman’s smile twisted slightly.  “Though if we’re going to continue the discussion later I believe it would be best to buy a better wine.”

“If you want better then what I have you’ll have to buy it yourself,” Helena muttered as she stalked ahead, Alexis giggling behind.

——-

Helena woke up knowing something was wrong.

The crickets were chirping, Alexis seemed to be sleeping in the main room, and her hearth fire was burning quietly and cleanly.  Nothing seemed off, but she still had a quiet feeling of unease.

She stood and dipped her fingers into the belladonna extract she kept near her nightstand before tapping her eyelids a whispering a quick spell.  The darkness sharpened and broke into proper shapes while color faded, giving her a black and white view of the room. Helena peered around carefully, but there still didn’t seem to be anything amiss.

Helena considered matters, then grabbed her belt and tied it around her nightgown before slowly slipping towards the door.  As she slipped the bolt back Alexis shifted then started upright. “Ah! Hel-”

Helena held a finger over her mouth, silencing the other woman.  She peered out the peephole, then slowly pushed the door open and looked outside.  There was nothing.

There was a slow padding behind her.  Alexis had apparently roused herself anyway and moved up next to her.  “What is it?” the woman asked sotto voce.

“I had a bad feeling,” Helena replied quietly.  Normally blundering into the dark because of a bad feeling was a sign of foolishness.  But a witch had to trust their feelings. Especially ones as strong as this.

Alexis hesitated a moment as Helena stepped quietly into the corridor, then the woman pulled a cape from the coat rest.  Helena paused a moment then simply said, “Move quietly.” She didn’t want to have the noblewoman following her, but it was safer than leaving Alexis behind.  At least if Helena was around she could attempt to block any ill fortune.

Helena let her instincts lead her, slowly heading down to the second floor.  A quick look down the hallway showed nothing amiss. Alexis peered over her shoulder, but the woman probably couldn’t see anything in the dark.  She continued down to the first floor, lightly stepping on the stairs to avoid any creaking. It was pointless, since Alexis’ heavy step was hardly stealthy, but Helena did it anyway.

Reaching the bottom she looked around again and saw nothing.  It seemed completely normal. The crickets were still chirping, the moon seemed unchanged.  Even the front door looked untouched.

She frowned and began considering what to do, when the faint scent of smoke and rotting meat hit her nose.

Helena rushed down the corridor to Samuels’ door.  She pounded on the door, then tried the handle cursing as the door remained locked.  As she reached into her bag to grab her lock picks, she heard a scream from within, and then the sound of crashing furniture.

As fumbled around in her pouch Alexis blew past her.  A solid kick from the tall woman slammed into the door, splintering the frame and blowing the door open.  A sudden flare of light blinded her, but Alexis pressed on into the room. Helena mentally made a note to invest in a door chain as she dispelled her vision enhancement.

The living room was ablaze.  Black smoke flowed out of the furnace, as flames covered the table, chairs and window draperies.  Mr Samuels was staggering towards the fire with a bucket filled with sand, while Alexis ripped off the drapes and began trying to smother the flames.

Helena considered the blaze for a moment trying to think of a spell that could work, when a cry from the back room cut through her mind.  She ran past the two fighting the fire to the bedrooms.

She froze after rounding the corner.  Prudence was shaking the two children and calling out to them, but they wouldn’t wake up.

Helena’s breath seemed to stop, her chest locking up.  Her body was frozen. Fear, helplessness, rage, and despair warred within her.  She had gotten careless and now someone else was paying the price.

Reality snapped back around her as the feelings passed.  There was only desperation now. She ran forward and scooped up Shanon.  The young girl struggled weakly, but Helena managed to get the child onto her shoulders.  “We need to get them outside,” she yelled. Prudence picked up Moses and the two scrambled out into the street, the cool night air washing over them.

Helena carefully put Shanon down on the street.  Then she looked over the two kids. They were still unresponsive, and Helena cursed her poor understanding of medicine.  “Antitoxin spell won’t work. They need pure air to balance their humors.” She looked at Prudence. “Keep their airways open.  I’ll get them help fast.”

“Where?  There ain’t any doctors near here,” Prudence near wailed.  The woman checked to make sure the kids were breathing all the same.  Helena had always admired the Samuel’s refusal to give in. Now she had to make sure their faith in her wasn’t misplaced.

“I’m going to summon one,” Helena said, then closed her eyes.

What she was about to do was risky.  Many witches swore off this type of spellcasting entirely.  But she wasn’t going to lose those two kids to some damned second rate curse!  She took a deep breath of air then stepped into her own mind.

It was dark in here, and her senses were dulled.  She could no longer make out the questions that Prudence was asking, or even the expression on the woman’s face.  She only knew those things existed somewhere outside her.

Helena could focus on those senses, make them real again, but instead she took another breath.  Then exhaled and took another. Savoring the clean crispness of the air. Taking that and molding it into the memories of the clean air of the forest lakes in the spring.  Then she moved beyond that, into the realm of pure concepts. Finding the true name of clean air, the air people needed to live. A word formed in her mind and she grabbed hold of it, bending it into something her mind could comprehend.

She had the bait.  Now she needed the line.

Opening her eyes she pulled a honeysuckle flower and a sprig of mint from her pouch.  She couldn’t use blood for this summoning so she grabbed a small wand as well. She crushed the plants to release their essence then smeared it on the wand before flooding it with power.

The wand glowed a bright red as she tapped it on the air, mentally picturing the circle she’d burned into her mind through hours of study and self-hypnosis.  Lines of power flowed from the wand constructing the circle before her, shimmering in the dim streets. She took a moment to make sure the circle was closed, before whispering the name she had found.

The circle flashed from red to green, and a rush of the sweetest air Helena had ever breathed in blew over her.  It banished the smog and stench of the city leaving only the chill of the night behind. Moses and Shanon both opened their eyes and relaxed as the winds passed over them and Helena felt her own breathing ease.

As the light subsided a three foot tall child dressed in a flowing blue dress with gossamer butterfly wings and light green hair floated above the circle.  “A summons from one of the geased children? Did you summon me to play?” The fairy looked around and adjusted her glasses. “Huh, this city’s kinda gross. You don’t want me to stay here too long right?”

Helena spent a moment to gather her thoughts.  “I asked you here to play with some friends of mine.  But they swallowed a little too much smoke. So you might have to wait.”  She gestured to where the two children lay next to their mother, the three of them all staring at the fairy that had appeared.

“Huh?!?”  The fairy spun around a few times in the air before stopping to face the children.  After she regained her balance the fairy frowned. “Wow! You did swallow some smoke.  Why’d you do that? You’ll be sick all week if you don’t breathe in more oxygen. Here let me fix it.  I’ll just put you to sleep and put more oxygen in your lungs while getting rid of all that icky stuff. That’ll fix everything!”

“Wait-” Helena started but she was too late.  The fairy waved her hands at the two children showering them with glowing yellow dust.  As soon as the magic hit the kids they fell back asleep instantly, Prudence rushing to keep their heads from hitting the ground.

The fairy smiled proudly.  “There! Now we can play in the morning!”

Prudence turned her frown on the fairy.  “Warn people before you just send them off to sleep.  They could hurt themselves when they fall!”

Surprisingly the fairy flinched away from the rebuke.  “Uh, Whoops! Sorry! But it all worked out right?”

Helena stood.  “For now. Prudence I’m going to help with the fire.  Shanon and Moses should be fine as long as…” She looked at the fairy.  “Um, as long as you’re nearby. What’s your name anyway?”

“I’m Starry Breeze!  The smartest fairy in all Wessex!” the girl proudly boasted.

Helena nodded.  “Well then, thank you Starry.  I’ll be back in a flash.”

“Mind yourself, Helena,” Prudence said.  “And bring something for the children when you finish that fire!  Don’t want them getting a cold on top of all this.”

“Right,” Helena said as she ran back in.

A crowd had gathered on the stairway as other residents looked down.  Helena saw a few buckets being passed along as well. She hurried past them into the room.  She didn’t need water or sand to extinguish a fire.

When she got in however she saw her aid wasn’t needed.  A number of neighbors had roused at the noise and helped Mr Samuels and Alexis smother the flames.  The group was now standing around stamping out hot spots and assessing the damage. It looked like the blaze had only affected furniture and the paint.  A perfect blaze for quietly suffocating a family in their sleep.

Alexis was standing next to Mr Samuels, tears running down her sooty cheeks.  “I’m so sorry. This is all my fault. Because I was here-”

“It ain’t your fault, miss,” Mr Samuels said dully, but it was obvious the man was barely listening.  When he saw Helena he rushed towards her. “Helena. The kids-?”

“Are fine,” Helena said.  “They’ll need to rest, but they should be okay in the morning.  Prudence told me to get their bedding, since they’ll need to sleep somewhere free of smoke.”

Helena’s heart twisted as the man nearly broke down.  “Thank God. I was so afraid…” He wiped his eyes. “And thank you Helena.  If you hadn’t noticed something was wrong we might all have passed on. Heck, the whole building owes you.  Who knows what would have happened if that fire had continued.” Helena felt mildly ill at the rush of praise.

“I didn’t do much,” Helena said.  “The big hero was the fairy I summoned, Starry Breeze.  You’ll want to thank her.”

“I’ll do just that then,”  Mr Samuels grabbed some untouched pillows from the chairs near the kitchens before turning to the residents who’d come to help.  “I’m gonna run out and see to my kids. You all check to make sure none of the other houses got their chimneys blocked. If there’s something wrong, just give a holler.”   The four men who were looking over the damage nodded.

Helena nodded as well, then took Alexis’ hand and led them to the back room.  “We’ll be out soon with some bedding. Probably take a couple of trips.”

As they moved out of the living room Alexis leaned down and whispered to her, “I thought the charm was supposed to protect others.  This is all my fault. They were hurt because of me.”

Helena whirled the woman to face her and stared her right in the eyes.  “It’s not your fault. Yes the curse did do this. But that’s not your fault.  That’s the person who created the curse’s fault.” Helena’s eyes narrowed. “And they’re going to pay for it.”

Alexis stared at her.  “But how? We don’t even know who created this curse.  In fact we are only guessing about the target of the curse.”

“Simple,” Helena said as she grabbed some sheets.  “We’re going to go to your city. We’re going to track down their magic.”  Her eyes narrowed. “And then I’m going to kill them quickly and painfully.”

The police arrived within a few minutes, and surprisingly the Inspector was nowhere to be seen.  Apparently even the innate perversity of the universe was forced to bow before Chronos and Gaia in a city this big.  The officers asked some pointed questions, but Alexis’ status and the robber’s previous criminal record made the investigation rather quick.  Once the bloody little detour was complete they had little issue continuing on to their objective.

The library was an odd structure.  It had originally been a bank before its owners moved to a larger location.  And it had been designed in the ‘Roman’ style which meant pillars and stark white carvings in this realm.  Apparently the people of later years believed the Romans never figured out paint? Helena wasn’t quite sure how this oddity had come about.

At least Alexis seemed impressed by the building.  “So the library is stored in here then?”

“No, this is the library.  All of it,” Helena replied.

Alexis blinked at her.  “But… how could any realm without a king afford so many books?”

“The printing press is an amazing invention,” Helena replied as she walked up the shallow steps.  “And this realm has access to all the improvements of the outside world, including simple ways of making paper.  Combine those and books become significantly cheaper. The tomes in my room cost less than a dollar. I imagine the Black Forest will accept many of those innovations soon actually.”

Alexis nodded proudly.  “We are far less obsessive about avoiding technology than most realms.”

In truth the various power players that created the Black Forest weren’t threatened by the printing press.  But Helena kept her mouth shut. People rarely believed in far reaching conspiracies, and for good reasons. Besides even if Alexis did believe her, the only thing that would accomplish would be making the woman feel bad.  The forces that ruled her realm were not going to be overthrown by a couple of plucky heroes. They weren’t organized enough for that.

Alexis’ eyes grew even wider as they entered into the front area and the sheer number of books became obvious.  Helena didn’t comment on that either. The first time she seen a modern library she’d been stunned too.

Instead she headed towards the section which contained the writings on magical spells.  Actual magical grimoires were sealed away in the special archives, but tomes about magic didn’t require the same security.  Mostly because tomes about magic didn’t murder their owners or give people the ability to destroy city blocks.

“So what are we looking for?” Alexis asked as they walked between the packed shelves.

“I’m going to be looking for tomes on curses and curse removal,” Helena said.  “You’re going to be reading through fairy tales.”

Alexis frowned at her.  “I am capable of doing research myself you know.  And I’m tired of being dead weight in this enterprise.”

“I know.  That’s why I want you looking for stories on curses.”  Helena looked up at the noble woman. “While stories about magic rarely reveal how a spell works, they often reveal actual spells.  And if it wasn’t a real spell before, it will be as soon as a wizard reads it and decides to try it.

Alexis looked confused.  “Really? I have read about some pretty ridiculous spells.”

Helena smirked.  “To reach the furthest depths of idiocy requires a genius.  I’ve seen a spell that makes items of a single color, and only that color, invisible.”  She went back to walking through the shelves. “And worst of all, I’m sure someone has thought of a very clever use for it.”

Alexis cocked her head as she considered the matter.  “I suppose you may be correct. That seems like something our court mage might have done in his youth.”  A small grin appeared on her face. “Did you try anything like that when you were small?”

Helena blinked at the question.  “Ah. Well…. Actually when I was a child I tried to create an army from teeth.  Like in the tales of Medea.” She blushed a little at that mess. “I believe that to be one of the few armies defeated by a goat.”

Alexis laughed.  “And when you were a little older?”

“When I was older I was trying to figure out how to blow up boulders with raw magic,” Helena replied.  She smiled smugly at Alexis’ shock. “My tutor was a bad influence.”

She left Alexis shaking her head and wandered over to the shelves she was interested in.  They had a lot of research to do after all.

———–

Helena sat behind a wall of tomes, switching between three of the most relevant, while occasionally grabbing a fourth or fifth to check a citation.  Every now and then she allowed herself to make a note. One page for things that might help with her current case, the other note for things she wanted to research later.

Unfortunately the second list was much longer than the first.

She was learning a lot of interesting things about curses in other realms, and about how curses worked and attacked their victims.  But there wasn’t information about curses like the one on Alexis. It didn’t seem to fit any pattern.

Alexis at least was entertained.  The noblewoman had offered a few stories as possible variants of the curse, but Helena quickly dismissed them.  Fairy tale curses were almost never this subtle. The only ones that came close were the glass splinters that Hans Christian Andersen wrote about, and something like that would have been obvious to a mage.

She finished the relevant section of another tome and closed it, setting it aside.  Another dead end. “Maybe I should switch jobs with Alexis,” she muttered before opening a new book.

The crash of a falling ladder nearby sent her heart racing.  She looked over to where the noise had come from and saw one man nursing his leg, while a woman was breathing heavily in shock.  “You could have killed me with that,” the woman yelled.

“It’s not like I meant to fucking fall,” the man snarled before standing up and limping over to pick up the ladder.

Helena shook her head and turned back to the books.  “It seems it’s an unlucky day for everyone.”

“Very much so,” Alexis replied.  She turned back to her own book. “If I didn’t know better I would think this whole country was suffering its own curse.”

“I don’t suppose you’ve found anything new?” Helena asked as she began skimming pages.  “I fear the book of Sumerian curses didn’t have what we needed.”

Alexis shook her head.  “Unless I’m actually dead and forever doomed to fly over an ancient battlefield, I fear the tale of the curse of Manfred Von Richthofen will not help.”

Helena sighed.  “Probably not. Though that is an interesting story.  I wonder how people think those things up.” She remembered her childhood friend Lyudmila had a fondness for fantasy stories from the outside world.  And while Helena had never seen the appeal, she had to admit they could come up with some very unique ways of using magic. Or just stories in general.

She leaned back and closed her eyes, her mind wandering from the task for a moment.  Those had been fun days, learning unique spells none of them had ever seen before, and exchanging books and stories of home.

Helena paused and her brow furrowed in thought.  Von Richthofen. Her friend had books that had been written by someone using a similar pen name.  Books pretending to be a research notes on supernatural horrors in a dark realm. What was the name?  And why did it seem like that was important?

Suddenly the answer came to her.  She stood up, slamming her hands into the table.  All the patrons in the library turned at the sudden noise, but she didn’t care.  She spun to Alexis. “Pull out that hina doll please.”

Alexis stared in confusion before slowly removing the doll from her bag.  “Why do you want to see it?”

Helena ignored the woman and stared at the doll, allowing her breathing to fall into a steady rhythm.  She focused on the doll, looking past the layers of sympathetic magic to see the curses it had stored within.

And there was nothing.

Helena sat down and allowed her eyes to relax.  “That’s it. That’s why the spell is acting so strangely.”

“Eh?  Why?” Alexis asked.

She fixed the noblewoman with a stare.  “Because the curse doesn’t care about you.  It’s designed to kill everyone near you.”

The blonde woman’s mouth dropped.  She silently mouthed the start of several sentences, then began to rub her temples.  “But that doesn’t make any sense! I’ve nearly been killed by the curse several times.”

“Indeed.”  Helena spread her arms to placate the woman.  “The curse is willing to kill you. But think back on all the incidents.”  She began ticking off points. “The first incident, when you realized it was a curse was when a woman fell through a railing on top of you, right?  Wasn’t she in far more danger?”

“Then we come to what’s happened in the day since you arrived.”  Helena leaned forward. “Your carriage nearly killed me and the driver.  A set of potted plants nearly killed a passerby. Someone was killed failing a teleport near us.  And a thief chose the worst people in the city to steal from, ending up with a bullet in his head.”

Alexis began to tremble.  “That was… that was all because of me?”

Helena realized her mistake.  “No! No, no, no.” She made her voice sterner.  “That was because of the person who cursed you. You did nothing.  Nothing. There was nothing you could have done to stop it.”

The noblewoman buried her face in her hands.  “But they still died because they were near me.”  Alexis’ head snapped upward as another realization hit her.  “And everyone near me is still in danger!”

The woman jumped up and pushed her chair back, but Helena grabbed her hand before she could flee for the door.  “Calm down,” Helena snapped. “I’m a witch! I can fix this.”

Alexis struggled briefly, then relaxed as Helena’s words registered.  “You mean you can break the curse?”

“Now that I know what it is?  Probably,” Helena said. “More importantly even if I need more time I can set up a ward to keep it from spreading.”  Helena paused. “In fact, let’s do that now.”

“Thank God.”  Alexis nodded quickly.  “Shall we go outside then?”

Helena smiled.  “We won’t need to do that.  This spell is less flashy than some.”  She pulled out a slip of paper, then reached into her hat and removed a jar of ink and a brush from her hat.  “I’ll do it right here.”

With a quick twist the ink bottle was opened and Helena sat down, ready to write.  She had to think up a good spell for this. Something as confusing as the curse itself.  “Is ancient Greek a common language for magicians in your part of the world?”

“You mean the Greek you use in your realm?  I would imagine,” Alexis replied.

Helena nodded.  “So no then, given I was thinking ancient to me.”  She dipped the pen into the ink and wrote carefully on the paper slip in the flowing syllables of the forgotten writing.  “By the will of Helena Aoede, in the name of Hecate, the magical curse currently upon Alexis von Strausfen will do no harm.”

“What is that?” Alexis asked staring at the paper slip.

“It’s an ofuda.  A mystical charm that carries a command on it,” Helena said.  She blew on the ink to dry it then held out the paper. “If you’re asking about the writing, we know it as the old language from before the collapse.”

Alexis picked up the paper charm.  “So this will keep the curse from working?”

“For a limited time.  I’ll need to make new ones daily,” Helena replied.  She stood. “However, that assumes we can’t get rid of this curse right now.  Let’s go find somewhere that I can work a bigger spell.”

“Right!” Alexis carefully placed the ofuda in her belt before helping Helena up.  “Is there anywhere nearby, or must we walk out to the docks again?”

“I’m thinking near the factories,” Helena said.  “No one will care about the noise there.”

Alexis nodded.  “Then lead the way, please.”

They strode out the library, moving with renewed purpose.  As they exited onto the street, Helena pointed down the road.  “We want to go until Tanner Street. Tell me if I move past it.  I’m going to be designing the spell I need along the way.”

“So this will be a custom spell,” Alexis asked with raised eyebrow.  “Don’t spells require a great deal of research?”

“Well it won’t be a new spell so much as a combination of old spells,” Helena said.  “If it were a true magic, yes I’d need more time. But this shouldn’t be on that level.”

Alexis cocked her head.  “True magic?” But Helena didn’t reply.  She did need some time to think up what she’d need, and explaining the difference between magic and true magic would take up that time and then some.

Ideas flowed through Helena’s mind as she walked along the streets.  First she considered a scapegoat. But that led to the possibility of a cursed area in the middle of the city with her magical signature mixed into it.  In addition any faithful priest should have been able to remove a spell that allowed a scapegoat. Jesus as the sacrificial lamb was a powerful belief in the Black Forest, and there was no way any witch would bother with a curse that could be cured by taking communion.

She considered trying to convince the spell Alexis was dead, but that was similarly tricky.  The spell might linger, or worse start looking for Alexis’ corpse. That would quickly fall apart if the spellcaster had been competent, or even incompetent in the right ways.

In the end Helena decided on the brute force method.  She’d use the fact that it was targeting Alexis as a hook, then shatter the spell from the inside.  With normal curses that would be dangerous to the victim. But since this curse wasn’t designed to hurt its subject, Alexis would be fine.

“Which way should we turn?”

“Huh?”  Helena looked around to find Alexis staring at her.

The noblewoman pointed a sign saying Tanner Street.  “Which way should we turn?”

“Left,” Helena replied and took the lead again.  “Sorry. I was considering our options.” She looked down the street and saw the park she was aiming for.  “There. That’s where we can do some spellcraft. Assuming no one else is there.”

“A popular place for magicians?” Alexis asked with a smile.

Helena sighed.  “Yes. Normally I wouldn’t go here at all because of all the lingering energy, but this curse isn’t something I want to leave in someone else’s backyard.  Even if it is blown to tiny pieces.”

A brief walk proved her worries were unfounded.  There was no one in the park aside from a few street vendors, and they all were staying clear of the ‘observation area’ that the magicians used for their rituals.

Helena led Alexis to the area, and began rummaging around in her hat for the components she’d need.  She chose amaranth and daffodils for this spell, the twin forces of eternal life and restful death would give her the ability to capture the curse and destroy it.  She also brought a spool of thread, to help her follow the threads of magic back to the curse. “I fear I will have to ask you to stand in a circle again,” she said to Alexis.

“If that’s all it takes to be rid of this curse, then I’ll do it happily,” Alexis replied, taking a spot on the concrete.  Helena sketched a circle around the woman then began filling in runes again. This time she used runes for finding and searching.  For fate and connections. A mesh to catch the spell.

When she finished the circle she stood back and collected the two flowers.  “So, one last thing. I need you to give me your full birth name.”

Alexis frowned but nodded.  “I am Lady Alexis Von Strausfen daughter of Pfalzgraf Holdst Von Strausfen and Sigrun Von Strausfen.”

Helena slowly committed the name to memory, then closed her eyes and threw it through the circle in her mind.  It flew out like bait, searching for all the magic attached to it. The name flew out farther and farther…

And then stopped.  The only things clinging to it an old family blessing.

Helena gripped the spool tightly and twisted the line of fate attached to the name, trying to get something, anything to attach.  But it just sat there, like a fishing hook in a clear fountain.

She threw down the spool of thread and let out a strained scream of frustration.  The power bound within her welled up at the insult and she flung out her left hand.  Raw magic surged out and blasted a pigeon to ash. Alexis paled and stepped back as the rest of the birds scattered.  Helena’s fury subsided as she noticed the woman didn’t break the circle, despite her outburst. “Sorry. That was really rude of me.  You can leave the circle now.”

“I take it that your spell failed,” Alexis said.

“It didn’t even have a chance to fail,” Helena muttered.  “There is something very strange going on here, and I just can’t figure it out.”  She shook her head. “It’s like the spell not only doesn’t care about killing you, it just doesn’t care about you at all.  It should be attached to your name, or your aura, or soul or something! But it isn’t. It’s nowhere near anything that makes you, well, you.”

Alexis shook her head.  “But it followed me here, across the realms.”

“I know,” Helena replied as she began pacing.  “This spell just doesn’t make any sense. Magic can do anything yes, but it can’t do anything without intending to do something.  Magic is built on will and desire. It can be unconscious, but never undirected.”

“So you’re saying this curse is harder to track than any spell you’ve seen before,” Alexis asked.

Helena shook her head.  “I’m saying this curse isn’t a curse on you.”  She held up a hand. “And yes I know that’s impossible.  But when it comes to magic sometimes the impossible is more reasonable than the alternatives.”

“But I can promise you one thing.”  Helena stopped pacing and turned to Alexis.  “I’m going to figure out what’s going on, and then I’m going to blast this curse to tiny bits.  You have my word on that.”

“I’m glad to hear,” Alexis replied.  “What shall we do next?”

Helena sighed.  “That… I’m still working on.  Let’s head back to my apartment.  I’ve got thinking to do.”

Helena awoke to the sound of something shattering against the cobblestones below.  She yawned and stretched before getting out of bed and wandering to the window. The sight of a tall blonde woman standing in her room momentarily disoriented her before she remembered Alexis was staying here.

She walked up next to the woman and looked down to the street.  Below a rather frightened looking man was shouting obscenities up at the apartment opposite hers.  The potted plants across the way had finally fallen into the street below. “Well. I guess someone learned about using small nails for their balcony today.”

“Is this a common occurrence?” Alexis asked.

“About once a year,” Helena replied.  “Someone always wants to save a penny on building materials. I can understand the confusion, building a balcony isn’t exactly a common skill.  But some of us are smart enough to ask how it’s done before starting.”

Alexis nodded.  “I see.” She turned to Helena.  “Well, will we break our fast here or should I change into my traveling clothes?”

“There is a place that sells sausages along the way,” Helena said.  “We’ll go there.”

“This is on my expense account I imagine?” Alexis sighed.

Helena pointed at her sparse cupboards.  “The alternative is bread and cheap wine.”

Alexis closed her eyes and offered her hand as if giving a gift.  “You have my blessing. Let me change.”

It took about fifteen minutes to get out the door but it was still early when they reached the sausage maker.  Alexis once again proved she was well trained in etiquette by merely stating the sausages were different from her home realm.  Helena was well aware “different” meant “inferior in all ways,” but it was unreasonable to compare Black Forest sausages to anywhere else.  The shop was better than most places, and sold flatbread as well to complete the meal.

As they walked on Helena pulled out a note she’d written last night and held it to the sky.  A gust of wind caught it and sent the paper fluttering on its way. “What was that?” Alexis asked.

“A letter to a friend, in case this is even more difficult than I’m expecting,” Helena replied.  “A bet against the future if you will.”

Alexis smiled as understanding hit her.  “Ah, because if you didn’t send the note you’d be sure to need help.”

“The perversity of the universe affects witches, gods and ordinary humans alike,” Helena said with a sigh.

She led them through the tangled streets of the immigrant realm, up to the central area, then past the cathedrals and community houses to the strangest sector of the city.  The portal docks.

Travel between most realms was not easy.  Most had been designed as hideaways. Refuges from invaders or the fading faith of the true world.  This was the exception to the rule.

The portal docks looked like normal docks, but instead of ships, there were simply glyphs, circles and easily recognizable statues, all designed to make teleportation as easy as possible.  Admittedly easy and teleportation honestly didn’t belong anywhere near each other, but with the portal docks what was something usually reserved for master magicians could be handled by talented hedge magicians with careful work.

More importantly the docks had an area around them that no one wanted to live in because hedge magicians who weren’t careful splattered themselves all over it.  Or unleashed horrors from beyond. Or just made the area weird from portal mishaps.

Which meant no one would care if Helena started using really flashy spells there.

Helena headed into a small valley in between two hills.  It was a place that she often used for her more dramatic spellcasting practice, partially because it reminded her of the hills back home.

“So, let’s begin.”  Helena turned to Alexis.  “We’re going to start with a barrier from harm.  For now you need merely stay where you’re standing.”

“Would it be alright if I sat down?” The noble woman asked patting a rock.  “I fear these boots were not made for walking. At least not long distances.”

Helena pulled out a piece of chalk.  “That’s fine. Just don’t disturb the circles.”  With that she began creating her ward.

She started with the inner circle, creating a division in the universe.  The space within and the space without were now no longer connected, and Helena took advantage of that.

The chalk began to glow as it placed runes in the air.  Runes that declared the outside unable to bring harm and misfortune to the inside.  She invoked her goddess and the Fates, creating a small prayer here in the second rune.

As she finished the second circle she drew a simple ring around that, before moving on to the fourth circle.  This one was more formal. Simple sigils of good luck and magical protection. Not a series of commands like the second, but a jumbled array of magical power that she had to weave together to form into the spell she wanted.

Finally she made a line around the whole spell.  Completing the last circle completed the magic, changing its glow from white to a pleasant blue.

Helena stepped back and walked around the circle.  It seemed perfectly fine. There was no pressure anywhere, no sign of weakness in the ward.

She frowned.

Alexis shifted on the rock she was sitting on.  “And?”

“Your curse is the most patient spell I’ve ever seen,” Helena replied slowly.  She walked around the ward again, trying to see if there was something she’d missed.  “There should be something trying to get past my wards. Some break or gap in my protections being exploited.  But there’s nothing. The curse seems completely willing to leave you alone until my wards go away.”

“That’s… odd.”  Alexis perked up. “Does this mean we can simply put up a ward against this curse?”

Helena shook her head.  “Sure, if you want to be stuck inside a series of magical circles for the rest of your life.  Circle wards are the only ones that can’t be bypassed with time.” Helena sighed. “I’ll look into good luck charms as a defense.  But that’s if I can’t find a solution today.”

“So what now?” Alexis asked.

“Now I try to get the curse to act,” Helena replied.

She took a deep breath and focused again on the circle.  There were advantages to etching the spell into reality. She grabbed the magical circles with her mind and mentally pulled, expanding them centimeter by centimeter.

After the first hand’s worth she spent a moment reinforcing the outer runes and inspecting the circle for disturbances.  Seeing none she took another breath and continued her spellwork. It was simple mentally, but hardly easy when it came to raw power, and she felt a certain exhaustion as she expanded her area of protection.

She’d almost managed to expand the circle another hand span when she saw it.  An oily black cloud, hovering at the edge of the circle. It was faint, but it roiled with malevolence.  “Caught you.”

“You see it?” Alexis asked, jumping from her seat.  “Does that mean-”

Helena held a hand up to keep the woman in place.  “Let me investigate it a bit more.” Helena walked up to the mist carefully, and then poked it.

The curse lashed out at her like a cat that’d had its tail pulled then scurried away.  The hateful blow bounced off her personal wards, but Helena felt the impact still. A hissing command that something, anything, terrible happen to her.

Anger flashed through her.  How dare a lowly curse strike at her!  But the roiling terror that boiled off it calmed her temper.  Helena was acting against her nature curing curses. And the curse was dedicated to its task, which meant she was an enemy to it.  She collected her thoughts and began to pace the circle again. “This is more confounding than any Sphinx’s riddle.”

She turned to Alexis to explain.  “Your curse is both the most vicious I’ve seen in a long while, and the most patient.  Those two don’t go together at all.”

“Sounds like you need some help.”

Helena turned to see her friend Aoi walking towards them.  The long haired Japanese woman was in full garb, wearing the red pleated hakama and white shirt that marked her as a shrine maiden.  The priestess had brought her gohei as well, the odd half-staff with a paper tassel she used for purification. Smart, given an easy curse would have already been handled.

“Yes I could,” Helena replied.  “But first introductions.” She turned to where Alexis was standing.  “Alexis this is Aoi Ueda, a priestess of the eight thousand gods. Aoi may I introduce Lady Alexis, my current customer.”

“It is a pleasure to meet someone of your status,” Aoi said as she bowed.

Alexis curtsied.  “The pleasure is mine.  I appreciate your willingness to help us on this vexing problem.”

“So where is this this curse?” Aoi asked casually while looking around.  Helena envied the woman’s ability to look calm without seeming disdainful.

“It’s around the circle.  Apparently it doesn’t like being pushed that far away,” Helena replied.  “Be careful though. It bites.” Aoi nodded and began to inspect the circle carefully.

Helena jolted upright as unstable magic flowed through the area.  There was a hiss, then a loud pop and suddenly the nearby hill was drenched in crimson.  Alexis screamed and cowered, while Aoi threw her arms up for protection. Helena just grimaced and looked away.  “Well. It seems someone messed up a teleport.”

Aoi nodded grimly, her face paled by the sudden death.  She clapped her hands twice and began to whisper prayers of supplication to the ghost of the recently dead.  Helena turned to Alexis. “Give her a moment to finish up. Then we’ll get back to looking into this curse.”

Alexis looked at her with wide eyes.  “Shouldn’t we be helping them? Or calling the authorities?  I mean, we can’t just leave, him… them…”

Helena shrugged.  “They’re splattered all over the hill.  I don’t know of any mage who can fix something like that.  And the authorities don’t care.” Helena sighed. “Just bad luck.”

Alexis’ shock turned to horror.  “How can you say that? Someone just died right there!”

“Helena’s always been rather cold blooded,” Aoi said, lifting her head from her prayers.  “Best not to obsess over it. Just pay your respects to the deceased.”

Aoi’s words cut deep, and Helena turned away.  “I’m not cold blooded.”

“Indeed,” Alexis glared at her.  “Such flippancy towards the dead is pure callousness.”

“I’m no worse than any other witch,” Helena snapped before walking away.  She wasn’t in a mood to handle the issues here.

She heard Aoi sigh behind her.  “Leave her be. She’s…. It would be best to pray for the departing soul.  Not fight.”

“My apologies,” Alexis said behind her.  The noblewoman began to offer Kyrie Elision in murmured voice.

Helena forced the chatter from her mind and looked out onto the hills in the opposite direction, trying to let the familiarity of the landscape seep back into her soul.

She hated moments like this.  And she hated all the gods for being so worthless.

The crunch of footsteps behind her brought her mind back to the present.  “Helena,” Aoi said quietly. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” Helena lied.  “It’s the rest of the world that has a problem.”  She turned to Aoi. “Let’s finish this nonsense before we get more culture clashes.”

Aoi’s brow was furrowed with worry.  “Someday you’ll need to face this Helena,” the priestess said quietly.  “I know your upbringing was harsher than most people’s. But you have to learn how to work with others.”

“I face it every day,” Helena snapped back.  “But everyone complains about my solution.”

Aoi sighed, then smiled gently.  “Well, we have more important things to look into now.  But my payment for this is a long talk after you’re done.  Alright?”

“Sure,” Helena sighed and rolled her eyes.  Just like Aoi to treat her like a child. Despite the fact that Helena was a decade older.

She composed herself then turned to back to her wards.  The ‘smoke’ of the curse was still smoldering at the outskirts of her wards.  Helena pointed at it. “So what do you think?”

Aoi gazed at the cloud quizzically for a while, then waved her gohei at it.  The cloud parted to avoid the purifying swing, but still stayed at the edge of the circle.  “It is odd for western magic. Do you think it could be a hybrid Eastern curse? Or perhaps even a hybrid Eastern death spell?”

Helena raised an eyebrow at that.  “There are exactly two witches in the Black Forest who use Eastern magic, and I know both of them.  One would never use a curse, and the other would never sell someone a death curse.”

“Don’t be so narrow minded Helena.” Aoi said.  “You and I both know witches tend to be more cosmopolitan, and pick up magic from wherever they can.  Even if most are still very Eurocentric. You taught me that in fact.” Helena shrugged in surrender.

Aoi tapped her staff against her palm.  “More importantly I’ve done some studies into the magic of Russia and the Slavic lands.  They use similar death spells to our onmyoji, and they live in the Black Forest as well.”

Helena winced at that.  “Very true.”

Alexis coughed to get their attention from within the circle.  “What exactly do you mean by Eastern Death magic? Would there be some symptoms I could recognize?”

“Actually there might,” Helena replied.  “Eastern death spells usually work over a series of days.  Three days, one week, or the time from a full moon to a new moon are the most common.”  She thought for a moment trying to remember some of the stories. “Usually they come with a dream.  The dream progresses steadily as the magic progresses, ending with the victim’s death.”

“I have heard stories like that,” Alexis admitted.  “Like the one where the man dreamt of walking towards a grave each night.”  She shook her head. “But I have had no dreams or visions. Just a string of bad luck.”

Helena nodded slowly.  “I guess Aoi was right about the possibility if your land has stories, but without the visions that’s still a dead end.”

Aoi took another swing at the curse, watching as it ran away.  “There’s another possibility as well. It might grow stronger over time, consuming lesser curses.”

“Ah!”  Helena started at that.  “A curse eater? That is a possibility.”

Helena focused on the curse, let her frustration boil over and muttered “foul piece of shit,” while wishing as much harm as she could at the curse and its creator.  Her angry words flowed out, then coalesced into their own curse. A tiny insignificant one, but something Helena could see. She watched as the vapors flew to where Alexis’ curse was hanging.

And then stared in puzzlement as the larger curse dodged hers.  “That is a very skittish spell.”

Aoi nodded.  “I’ve only seen that from concealment spells before.”  She shook her head and looked at Helena. “I fear this is beyond my experience.”

“Yeah.  Thanks anyway.”  Helena looked at the shrine maiden.  “Could I have a hina doll? I’m going to want to go to the library, and I don’t want to see what that curse does when it finally does decide to show itself.”

“Sure, but you’ll owe me three more in return later,” Aoi said, pulling a small wooden doll from her sleeves.  “Mind if I hand it to her directly?” the priestess asked with a smirk.

Helena groaned.  “Yeah, you probably should.”  She dismissed the overlapping circles so Aoi could approach.

Alexis carefully accepted the doll when Aoi handed it to her.  “Thank, you. But what’s it for?”

“It gathers curses.  You’ll want to send it down river or into an ocean in about a week,” Aoi said.  “Otherwise it’ll stop absorbing the bad luck and start giving it to you.”

Alexis looked at the doll and patted its cloth hair.  “Seems a sad fate for such a well-made toy, but I guess that’s the point isn’t it.”  She looked up at the two with a raised eyebrow. “And why hand it directly to me? So that it would know it is to protect me?”

“More that Helena is bad for curse absorbing items,” Aoi said with a laugh.  “She’s considered the best person to ask about curses because she creates them.”  Alexis looked scandalized by the comment.

“It’s not my fault I know more people who deserve to be turned into a pig then people who deserve to have a curse removed.”  Helena snapped. “The number of people in my home who were cursed by someone other than the gods and who didn’t deserve their curse is vanishingly small.”  She glowered as a few old memories surfaced. “Mostly kids inheriting their parents’ curse.”

Alexis was still giving her a wary look, but the noblewoman nodded.  “Having read the Greek classics I find it difficult to argue too much with that.”

Helena shrugged.  “In any case I want to do some more esoteric research, which means we should go to the library.  There might be something in there that will help.”

“Given the waiting will be less dull for me, I heartily approve of this plan,” Alexis replied.  “I hope it is not too far to walk.”

“About a mile,” Aoi said.  “It’s close to my temple. Which I should be getting back to.”  The shrine maiden waved. “Good luck with your research. Don’t hesitate to ask me for help again.”

“Thanks again, Aoi,” Helena said as the priestess walked off.

She turned to Alexis.  “Do you want to rest a bit more, or are you willing to suffer the city streets again now?”

The noblewoman pocketed the doll before striding over to Helena.  “A mile will not kill me. And the faster we reach the library the longer I’ll have to rest there before we seek lunch.”

“Sounds good to me,” Helena began heading towards the library.

As they walked away from the docks, Alexis moved beside her.  “So, when did you come to this land? It seems you spent a great deal of your youth in your own realm.”

“I did,” Helena admitted.  “Though I also spent some time wandering.”  She smiled slightly as a bit of nostalgia hit her.  “I hated the idea at first, but it turned out to be the best time of my life.”  She shook off the reminiscence. “And because of those trips I learned of the Immigrant Realm.  I came here about ten years ago.”

Alexis looked surprised.  “You left your home young.”

Helena laughed.  “I’m a witch, remember.  I’ve seen forty years.” She shrugged as Alexis blinked in shock.  “Oh, not as many as most witches. Most witches these days are one or two hundred years.  And they usually stopped aging in their forties or even fifties. But I’m still older than you might expect.”

“Ah, that explains why you’ve done so well on your own,” Alexis replied.  “Though I am a bit surprised you would leave your home.”

“Given my home is not really known for travelers?” Helena replied.

“Indeed.”  Alexis shrugged.  “Your realm is four times older to me than mine is to the denizens of the outside world.  Perhaps even more. There has to be a lot to learn.”

Helena nodded.  “There was, but less than you’d think.  As Aoi pointed out, witches are more cosmopolitan.  We show up to Walpurgisnacht every year just to learn how the world changes.  And from there we learn a lot about other realms and magic.”

Alexis’ eyes widened again.  “Walpurgisnacht is real? The witches’ ball, where they meet with demons?”

Helena looked over at Alexis.  “Yes, but it’s really a Western thing.  And modern too. We’re actually one of the few old realms that attends.  And mostly that’s because Circe always shows up.” Helena shrugged. “Everyone wants to try to talk with Circe.  Even people from outside our realm.

“Anyway the demons are somewhat of a side note.  They’re present of course, but most of them have either abandoned both heaven and hell or just show up for the drinks.  Witches tend to avoid dark bargains these days.” She sniffed. “And I have my own goddess. I have no use for Christian trappings, one way or another.  No offense,” she said to Alexis.

The noblewoman shook her head.  “Well, I suppose it is better to seek aid from a pagan than an actual servant of Satan.”  The blonde woman sighed. “It is so complex, the interaction with magic and religion.”

Because your religion is crazy, Helena thought.  But she kept silent on that matter. She knew that when it came to arguing the merits of the gods, she had no ground to stand upon.

————-

As the two cut through the edge of the warehouses near the docks a sudden movement made Helena pause.  One of the shadows stepped out into the middle of the alley, the flash of a knife demanding attention. “Good afternoon ladies.  Why don’t you drop your purses and pouches right here?”

Helena looked at the man who had interrupted their travel incredulously.  She very carefully pointed to her hat. “What the hell are you thinking? Do you want to be a frog?”

The thin man tapped a silver cross on a chain around his neck.  “I’m thinking I’ve got protection from your witchcraft. I’m also thinking if you don’t hand over your cash fast I’ll skip the chatting and just take it off your corpses.”

The world apparently was just going to be stupid today Helena mused.  There was no way that man’s charm could block her magic. Especially since it looked to be a fake.  Still he demanded some attention. She began quietly forming power in her left hand.

Helena was just about to begin spellcasting when a loud *click* resounded next to her.  The man in front of them looked surprised, and Helena carefully looked to her side to find Alexis had produced a small wheel lock pistol.  The hammer on the weapon was cocked and the noblewoman’s face was hard. “I request that you drop your knife and place your hands behind your head,” Alexis replied.  “Or else I will have to mete out the justice for robbery immediately.”

The robber unfortunately looked less impressed.  “Did you steal that from a museum? And do you really think it’ll somehow fire after being shoved up your sleeve?”  The man stepped forward and held out his hand. “Why don’t you hand over that gun girly, before-”

The sudden crack and flash of the pistol caused Helena to flinch.  The man’s face twisted as the bullet hit it, then there was a spray of blood and the robber keeled over.  The man flopped on the ground awkwardly and lay there, dead.

Helena folded her arms and shook her head at the mess.  “And you called me cold blooded,” she said.

“I called you callous,” Alexis replied as she reloaded her hideaway pistol.  “Cold blooded is a good trait to have in some people.”

“I guess I never understood the difference,” Helena said.  A side effect of having crappy gods, she mused silently.

Alexis paused.  “It is… complex I suppose.”  She shrugged as she finished loading and slipped the gun back into her belt.  “In this case however dealing with criminals is obvious. All life is sacred to God, but it is necessary to occasionally take a life for the good of others.  Such is the duty he has given us nobles.”

“I’ll never understand you Christians,” Helena sighed.

“Your kings do not claim the blessing of your gods?” Alexis asked.

Helena frowned.  “Our kings are selected due to their deeds and status.  The gods just get a veto. They can kill the king.” Helena looked down at the body.  “In any case we should probably get going. Gunshots will bring the police here. Eventually.”

Alexis folded her arms.  “I should hope so! We will be informing the authorities of what took place here, so they may perform their duties better.”

Helena buried her face in her hands.  “Hecate save me. You know we’ll get Inspector Kilduff again right?  You know he’ll spend hours interrogating us right?”

“I would hope he would be more reasonable than that,” Alexis replied.  “But if that is the price we pay so be it.”

“Well you’re the one paying, so I suppose I can’t argue,” Helena said sitting down on some boxes.  “But I hope you can explain why you needed to shoot him instead of letting me turn him into a chicken.”

Alexis paled. “Oh.  Oh dear. I fear I acted hastily.”  She looked at Helena. “But what would you do with a chicken?”

“Nothing.  The dogs would probably get him in a couple of days, but that’s life,” Helena replied.

Alexis just stared in response.  Helena shook her head and threw her hands to the sky.  She didn’t get Christians.

Helena’s elation was interrupted by the coachman’s nervous cough.  “Will you need anything else Miss?” the man asked Alexis.

“Ah, that should be all,” the woman said with a dismissive wave and a smile.

“You’ll want to arrange a time for him to pick you up,” Helena interjected.  “That is unless you want to walk back to your lodgings. Coaches don’t wait around here after dark.”

Alexis blinked then laughed.  “Ah, well that should not be an issue.  I don’t have lodgings in the city yet.” The fair skinned woman blushed slightly.  “Perhaps you could suggest somewhere?”

“I don’t exactly know the quality hotels around here,” Helena replied dryly.

“That is… fine.  You see I’m looking for something a little cheaper in the long term.”  Helena raised an eyebrow and Alexis flipped her luggage in front of her.  “My father is quite rich, but I left my house rather quickly. When I can return home I will have the money, but until then I am not quite as wealthy as one of my position should be.”

Helena sighed and rubbed her forehead.  “I could probably talk Mr. Samuels into getting a spare bed in my apartment for a short term visitor.  It would make studying the curse easier at least.”

Alexis smiled and nodded.  “An excellent suggestion. I thank you for your gracious hospitality.”

“Let’s check with the actual owner first,” Helena replied.  She turned around and gestured to Shannon and Moses. “Is your father in?”

Moses shook his head.  “He’s out working with the bank.  But mama’s home.”

“We’ll tell her you’re coming,” Shannon said before the two scampered off into the complex.  Helena chuckled as she followed.

Sure enough as soon as Helena had helped Alexis through the door, Prudence Samuels was standing in the hallway.  Prudence was short and still slender, though the years had started to dust her hair with grey. And unlike her husband, her smile never quite reached her eyes.  “The kids say you’re getting a temporary roommate?”

“I have a client who will be staying here for a bit,” Helena explained then stood aside.

Alexis stepped forward and curtsied.  “Yes. I would be indebted to you if I could stay here for a short amount of time.”

Prudence looked the woman up and down.  “Well, so long as Helena’s fine with it I don’t see a problem.  But we ain’t exactly the type of place designed for a fairy tale princess.”

“Ah,” Alexis looked embarrassed.  “I’m hardly a princess. My father is a Pfalzgraf, or count.  And I am not the type of woman to be upset about peas under my mattress.  My realm is hardly as fantastical as that.”

“Well then miss, we’ll be happy to have you.  Our apartments don’t discriminate against anyone, so long as they don’t cause a ruckus,”  Prudence nodded curtly. “I’ll tell my husband about it when he gets back and we’ll move a spare pallet into the room.  Should be about another hour or so.”

Alexis curtsied again.  “You have my deepest thanks.”

Helena nodded.  “It’ll be a great help.”  She turned towards the stairs.  “Let’s get your luggage stowed first.  Have you eaten?”

“Ah, not since I broke fast,” Alexis replied.

“Then we’ll get dinner and you can explain this curse,” Helena said.

Helena showed the woman where to stow her luggage then began packing away her own supplies.  As Helena sorted the various foodstuffs, she began assessing her new benefactor and roommate.

Alexis was obviously nobility, but she wasn’t the spoiled useless princesses of the deep fantasy realms.  And while she was hardly an amazon, from the way she moved about her heavy suitcase she was obviously was no stranger to work.  Or perhaps training. The titles Alexis used were from the Holy Roman Empire, a set of petty kingdoms that were filled with equally petty warfare.

As for the curse Helena saw nothing.  That was very odd. Normally curses were happy to show themselves to her.  The fact that it wasn’t immediately visible meant this was likely to be an interesting assignment.

Helena nodded in approval as Alexis replaced her riding boots with more solid traveling shoes.  “Good,” Helena said. “It’s not too far of a walk, but you’ll want some protection from whatever’s been left on the streets.”

“I see,” Alexis’ nose wrinkled.  “I had hoped the cities of more ‘modern’ realms would be cleaner.”

“I wish,” Helena muttered.  “Anyway, let’s go. We should be able to beat the evening rush if we head out now.”

Helena took the lead again, heading down the stairway and out into the streets of the Immigrant Realm.  “Is all the city so crowded?” Alexis asked as they began walking down the twisting throughways. “It seems strange that the boundless frontiers of the New World would be so filled with people.”

“The boundless frontiers are further in,” Helena replied.  “This here… this is where the poor and those who can’t abandon the traditions of their old realms linger.”  She paused and shrugged. “As well as those of us who can’t abide living in the countryside. Boundless frontiers sound nice, until you’re stuck in a town with two hundred people for a year.”

“I see,” Alexis gave her an appraising look.  “You have lived your life in large cities then?”

Helena did her best to stand as tall as she could.  “My family is from seven gated Thebes, oldest of the Hellenic cities.  The only witch with a longer unbroken history is Circe herself.”

“Ah, that is wonderful!”  Alexis smiled and clasped her hands together.  Only a moment’s hesitation showed the move was less than genuine.

“Your etiquette teachers were very good,” Helena said as she returned to walking towards the restaurant.  “I hope they were well compensated.”

“I learned by example,” Alexis replied with a sheepish grin.

Finally they arrived at the proper street.  Helena walked down a short flight of stairs next to one of the apartments and opened a door marked only with laurel and olive leaves.  She was greeted by the ringing of a bell and the smell of roasting meat. A smile formed on her face as a man wearing an apron bustled out of the back.  “Helena!” the man said. “It is good to see you again. It’s been too long. Come sit, sit. A table for one, yes?”

“It has been too long, Petros.  And today I have another guest,” Helena said stepping inside to allow Alexis to enter.

Petros clapped his hands. “Welcome, welcome!  Any friend of Helena is a friend of ours. We here at Petros’ Cafe serve the only the finest in Greek cuisine,” he said with a wink.

Alexis gave her curtsey.  “I am Alexis von Strausfen.  I look forward to seeing what your wondrous establishment has to offer.”

“Oh, a noble?”  Petros bowed. “Then we are doubly honored tonight.  Come this way. Let me get you a table.”

Petros led them to a table near enough to the kitchen to feel the warmth, but not enough for the heat to become uncomfortable.  He slid both chairs out and Helena and Alexis both sat down. “Your usual wine, Helena?” he asked.

“Yes,” Helena replied.  “With the usual accoutrements.”  Petros chuckled as he always did at her request, but hurried to the back to get it.

As they waited Alexis turned to her.  “Is my nobility so obvious?” she asked, then blushed.  “Ah excuse me. That sounds so pompous when I say it aloud.”

Helena raised an eyebrow.  “Wouldn’t it be obvious in your realm?”  She held up a hand and began counting off points.  “First it’s obvious you’re from a realm that has ties to the outside world’s Germany.  Your English is good, but not perfect, and you use German nouns occasionally. Only the nobility are allowed to use ‘von’ in their names, so you’re a noble, and a wealthy one at that.  Based on those facts you’re either from the Black Forest or one of the deep fantasy realms, and no one interesting is a countess in the deep fantasy realms. That means you’re a noble from the Black Forest.  Specifically that part of the realm that corresponds to the Holy Roman Empire.”

Alexis was staring with wide eyes as Helena finished her explanation.  She did her best not to look smug as the noblewoman blinked in appreciation.  “That’s so impressive! To know about so many realms and such minor details of their lives.”  Alexis blushed again. “I barely know all the cities within my own realm. The Immigrant Realm was the only other realm I was certain existed.  That and the ‘real’ world of course.”

“To be fair, remembering the realms is easy when you meet people from there on a regular basis,” Helena replied.  “And here in the Immigrant Realm, even the poorest street urchin will meet people from across the universes.”

“I see.”  Alexis frowned in thought.

They fell silent as Petros returned with an amphora and a dish filled with shaved ice.  “Pramnian from Lesbos, as always.” He filled the glass three fourths full with the thick wine.  As he finished with her glass Helena scooped up a good chunk of shaved ice and dropped it into her wine.

As she expected Alexis’ jaw dropped.  It seemed the countess’ etiquette teacher hadn’t been perfect.  Petros leaned over and whispered to the woman. “Helena is a bit old fashioned.  Perhaps two thousand years or so. We Greeks used to think uncut wine was barbaric.”

Helena sniffed.  “Some of us still do.”  She sipped the wine and nodded appreciatively.  While Petros might laugh at her, he was one of the few people outside of the Hellenic realms who served the famous wines of Lesbos.  Even better he was one of the few people who did so and didn’t charge a king’s ransom for it.

“An interesting tradition,” Alexis replied before sipping her own wine.  “Though perhaps with wines this strong I can understand its origin.”

Petros stepped back and pulled out a notepad, though Helena knew it was mostly just a formality.  “Do you have a specific request, or will the house special suffice? We’ve prepared Giouvetsi today.”

“That should be fine,” Helena said.  Alexis nodded politely. Petros bowed then headed back to the kitchen.

“So,” Helena said.  “Now to business. Tell me about this curse.  And what have you tried to remove it already?”

Alexis’ expression turned serious.  “Well, at first I did not consider it a curse.  After all my father has a magician, Nedvarious, on retainer to protect us from such things.”  Helena sniffed at the obviously false name, but let Alexis continue. “It appeared as ill luck.  A glass of water spilled on the stairs, a candle falling over with strong winds. Dangerous things if unattended, but accidents do happen.”

“Then it became more dramatic.  Hanging knives falling from their pegs, doors flying open.”  Alexis chewed on her lip. “The point when I knew it to be unnatural was when a solid railing gave way under a serving woman’s grip, causing her to fall upon me.  We both escaped with simple bruises, but there was no way that was an accident.”

Helena’s eyes narrowed.  “So the incident with the coach?”

Alexis looked surprised, then lowered her head in shame.  “It was probably the fault of my curse yes. That is why I fled my home to seek a cure.  I did not want to put my house in danger.”

“You didn’t even ask your court wizard?” Helena asked.

Alexis laughed nervously.  “I didn’t consider it. My fear for my family overrode my reason.  Something I regret.”

Helena sighed in understanding.  “Sometimes we do things that seem reasonable at the time and regret them later.”

Petros stepped out with three plates, saving Helena from further reflection.  Alexis cocked her head at the platters. “Lamb and rice with cheese?”

“It is not rice, it is kritharaki.  An egg pasta. There is tomato sauce and shallots as well.  And of course bread cooked with olive oil,” Petros said proudly as he set down the dishes.  He turned his grin to Helena. “Just like the home realms, eh?”

“Nothing like my home realm,” Helena replied with a grin, “since my realm has an abundance of over muscled fools with spears and a painful lack of quality tomatoes.”

“Well, I’m sure you would use them if you had them.”  He stepped back. “I shall let you two ladies return to your business and your meal.  If you need anything, please tell me.”

Helena took a bite of the lamb as Petros recused himself to the kitchen again, and found it to be excellent.  While she and the cook often exchanged barbs about the difference between their two realms, Petros was one of the few people who knew the old ways of seasoning food, and had blended them perfectly with the new ingredients the Americas had offered the world.

“He is an excellent chef,” Alexis said after finishing her own bite.  “I am surprised his restaurant is so small.”

“This is fairly large for the city,” Helena said.  “And of course if he added too many more people he’d have to teach them all how to cook the proper way.”

Alexis nodded slowly.  “That would be a difficulty,” she said before returning to the meal.

They ate for a bit in silence, making up for their missed lunches, before slowing down and returning to business.  Helena made the first move. “So, who did you see about removing this curse, and what did they say?”

“Well, first I went to the next county over and had a consultation with their witch.  I avoided the witch near my father’s because, well, she is the most likely suspect when a powerful curse is involved, no?”  Helena nodded. “However that witch found nothing. She claimed I wasn’t cursed at all.”

Alexis sighed.  “That was repeated two more times, until I found a witch who finally believed me.”  The woman grimaced. “At least she believed me when she found her pet snake had escaped and snuck into my riding boots while I was talking with her.  She was the one who sent me to speak with the fae.  The Gleaming Lady.”

“And what did the fairy say?” Helena asked.

“She said the curse was strange magic, and would require a true master of magic to handle,” Alexis said.  “And they said the only trustworthy person they knew who fit that description was you.” The noblewoman smiled.  “Thus I arrived here. I’m sure any woman who the fae speak highly of is one of the greatest witches in the world.”

Helena realized she was beaming at the praise and forced her expression into something more neutral.  “Well, I am very skilled with curses. But I have to admit, my fame with the fair folk is more due to an accident of fate then my power.  I can still do it, but removing a complex curse may take time. It’s much harder than creating one.”

A crash from the kitchen caused both women to flinch.  When only a few curses from Petros followed Alexis returned her attention back to Helena.  “How is that? I would think destroying would be easier than creating.”

“Exactly,” Helena replied.  “A curse is destruction. It clings to its target, sometimes even after it has fulfilled the goals of its creator.  Think of it like a wound. If it is shallow a bandage and time shall suffice. If it is deeper more complex care is required.”

Alexis’ face grew somber.  “I see. So you are saying this will take some time to fix?”

“Maybe,” Helena replied.  “Or perhaps it seems more complex than it actually is.  I’ll begin my investigation after we finish here.”

“A reasoned argument,” Alexis said before sipping her wine again.

Helena took a drink as well before continuing.  “One more question. Do you have any idea why someone would curse you specifically?”

Alexis shook her head.  “I… I can’t think of any reason.”  She smiled ruefully. “I mean, it’s not that my family is universally loved.  My father has fought several border skirmishes if nothing else. But my father is still in good health, and my brother is heir.”

“Any past or current suitors?” Helena asked.

The noblewoman blushed.  “Ah, no. At least not recently.”  Her expression fell. “I was betrothed when I was young, but he died in a horse riding accident.”

“My condolences,” Helena said.  She sighed. “Well the rest can wait.”

——

Helena carefully walked through the darkening streets towards 5th Street Park.  The streets were getting cooler and picking up traffic, but the parks were clearing out.  That would make it perfect for her spellcraft.

“Mr. Petros seemed quite pleased with your payment,” Alexis remarked as she followed behind.  “Are silver coins so rare here?”

“He likes them for the novelty,” Helena replied.  “It’s a symbol of Greece at its height to him. As weird as thinking of all the cities as ‘Greece’ is.”

“Ah, I think I understand the feeling.  Every time someone talks about ‘Germany’…” Alexis waved her hands in a circle.  “It is strange but you cannot really complain.” Helena nodded.

A few minutes later they emerged next to the small park.  A few kids were still playing under the streetlight, but that wouldn’t be an issue.  Helena walked to a small tree grove near the duck pond and opened her arms. “This should suffice for the first investigation.”

“Why here?” Alexis looked puzzled.  “Why not your rooms?”

“Curses linger as I said,” Helena replied.  “And daily life creates many curses. How many times have you cursed at a stuck door, or a loud floorboard?” Helena asked.

Alexis blushed slightly at the question.  “But surely those have no meaning to them?  I mean, I have no magic.”

Helena shook her head.  “Magic is more complex than that.”  She stretched. “And curses are a very old magic.  The art of turning anger into action. Sure any curses you created are too weak to harm a fly, much less a human, but the curse on you is subtle.  It might hide as one of those minor curses.”

“In any case, plants, especially living plants, purify areas.  Thus why parks are usually free of curses. Unless something terrible happened,”  Helena finished her stretches and turned towards Alexis. “So, if you could just hold still and breathe normally, we can begin.”

“Right.”  Alexis stood up straight, like she was posing for a portrait, and slowly eased into a normal breathing cycle.  Helena altered her own breaths to match the woman’s, letting them fall into sync.

Helena focused on her breathing.  The cycling of air. She did not allow her consciousness to sink within herself, but rather focused on bringing the world into her consciousness.  She began to smell the magic around her. The tangy scent of her wards, the sharp smell of a blessing placed long ago, the fragrant perfume of a thousand proposals, with a sour undertone of a few refusals.

She opened her eyes and saw the magic.  Her own webs of power, carefully constructed to keep her from harm.  Lingering scraps of magic on Alexis, probably from living near a wizard.  A small glow around a new park bench from a consecration. And far in the distance, the web of power of the realm itself.  A strange patchwork lattice of dreams, fears, and nearly forgotten memories.

Helena let the power within her flow out.  The core of her spirit she rarely accessed.  It was no more than a trickle of energy, but it oozed into the world with malice and judgement.  Calling on other grudges to answer it.

A few small curses wafted up, but nothing arose from Alexis.

Irritation flowed through Helena.  How insulting. Curses should bow to her whim.  She channeled that annoyance into her hands and clapped once.

The clap reverberated through her, then exploded in a wash of wind and raw magical power.  Helena struggled to keep her eyes open as the winds rushed over her. Alexis yelped and staggered back, throwing up her arm to shield her face as the power struck her.  The rampaging zephyr slashed through the scents and colors, driving away the lingering magic, petty curses, and minor blessings like leaves in a storm.

Silence fell in the wake of Helena’s banishment for a single moment.  Only her wards remained, glowing slightly brighter after having fended off the minor attack.  That and the power of the realm itself.

As the yells of the children and annoyed adults broke the silence, Helena frowned.  The curse should have fought off Helena’s dispelling attempt. And that should have left it out in the open for Helena to see.  Instead there was nothing.

Helena was wondering if the fae were playing a practical joke on them both, when a faint smell wafted past.  She froze at the scent, sniffing the air to try to pin it down, but it was gone as soon as it came. Still she was certain that for a single second she had smelled the sickening odor of rotting meat.

The smell of a death curse.

“What was that?” Alexis asked.  “Did you banish the curse?”

Helena shook her head ruefully.  “No. That curse of yours is well hidden.  Let’s head back to my apartment for now.” She decided to keep the severity of matters to herself.

Alexis looked around in confusion at that.  “Wait, could you perhaps explain-”

“No time,” Helena said.  “I don’t really want to be explaining magic in depth to an annoyed crowd.”

Helena turned around and froze as she found herself staring at the one person she least wanted to meet.  A tall heavyset man wearing the weatherbeaten blue outfit of the realm’s guards. Inspector Kilduff looked down at her with folded arms and a sneer.  “What’s all this then? Causing a public disturbance? Didn’t I tell you to stay out of trouble girl?”

“I was performing a simple magical divination,” Helena replied curtly.  “No louder than the drummers who perform near my house every summer around this time of night.”

“Drummers don’t have witchcraft with them.  At least not the sorry lot that plague this city,” the policeman replied.  “And no drummer turned a man into a crab on my watch.”

“He was trying to stab me at the time,” Helena pointed out.  “And that’s over and done with. Can we go now?”

Kilduff’s gaze shifted up to where Alexis was trying to take stock of the situation.  “I think I’ll double check matters myself, if you don’t mind.” Helena did mind, but she could tell the Inspector didn’t actually care about that.

The Inspector’s expression was less pointed as he walked past Helena to speak with Alexis, but he still wasn’t yielding any authority.  “Forgive me miss for bothering you more, but I’d like your account of events here.”

“Ah, well,”  Alexis shook her head to steady herself, then stood up straight again.  “I am Lady Alexis von Strausfen, recently arrived in the city. I have purchased Helena’s services in ridding me of a very vexing curse, and she cast some spells on my bequest.”  She curtsied. “I deeply apologize if this caused any undue disruption of your fair city. I shall do my best to avoid such commotion in the future.”

The inspector frowned deeply, bringing his lantern up to head height and looking into Alexis’ eyes.  Most likely he was searching for the signs of hypnotism or other mental enchantments, Helena figured.  After a long minute of searching he grunted in annoyance and lowered the lamp. “Well then, I can’t hold you for something like that.  But keep the noise down.” He looked briefly down on Helena and sneered again. “And if you be asking me, you’d be better off seeing a priest about curses instead of a bride of Satan.”

“I’m not married,” Helena replied.  Alexis had to choke back a snort while the inspector glared at her.  Sniping at the man wasn’t wise, but it was fun.

“Keep that in mind lass,” Inspector Kilduff said before stalking off into the night.

Helena sighed.  “My thanks. Now let’s get back before more of that happens.”

“Very well, but I would like some answers,” Alexis replied as she fell in behind Helena.  “After all I am paying for this.”

“I’ll explain when we get there,” Helena promised.

At least, as much as she could.

——

Helena set a pot of mint tea to boiling when they reached her apartment, while Alexis sat down on the bed that the Samuels had been so nice to bring in.  The noblewoman had been silent all along the way back, and Helena guessed that she was going to take the revelation poorly.

After she finished putting the tea on she turned her desk chair to face Alexis.  “What I did was perform a simple spell to remove concealing magic. That should have cleared everything the curse was hiding behind.”  Helena sighed. “Unfortunately your curse is very good at staying hidden.”

“So you found nothing,” Alexis asked with some distress.

“No,” Helena said calmly.  “I found something. I know there’s a curse there.  A strong one as well. But it’s incredibly stubborn about hiding.  Normally curses flock to me. This one refuses to come out at all.”

Alexis slowly wrung her hands.  “I see. If you’ll forgive me, I have another question.”  The noblewoman looked straight at her. “Why is your magic so much different from the mages in my home realm?”

Helena grimaced.  She’d been expecting this.  “My magic looks different for a variety of reasons.  But the biggest one is, I’m more powerful than the witches you worked with.”

“Oh?”  Alexis raised an eyebrow.  “Forgive me if I did not notice.”

Helena sighed, then snapped her fingers.  Every light in the room snuffed out instantly as a glowing blue circle appeared beneath her feet.  Alexis stared in awe as nine small lights floated up from the circle and arranged themselves around Helena in the planetary orbits.  Helena let the lights cycle around her a few times, before snapping her fingers again. The lights sprung back on and the circle vanished.  “I trust I have proved myself?”

Alexis looked at the floor.  “My apologies for doubting you.”

“Well, I can’t blame you too much.”  Helena leaned back in her chair. “I was raised in the Hellenic realms, where the Olympians reign.  Magic is different there. For example, what would happen if someone built wings of gull feathers and wax and tried to fly with them in your realm?”

Alexis blinked.  “Well, unless they were blessed or had magic feathers, I imagine they would end up on the ground either looking silly, dead or both.”

Helena nodded.  “In my realm, building wings like that actually lets people fly.  Magic is just that easy. Now admittedly I don’t have as much ambient magic to work with here, but as a witch that’s hardly a problem.  But because of my training my divinations just don’t have the same grandeur other people’s spells do.”

“That isn’t to say I can’t use other styles.  I’m not a backwater country bumpkin,” Helena summoned a smaller mystic circle above her hand.  “But in general my day to day spells are based around more simple rituals.” She shrugged and dismissed the circle.  “I imagine if I started sacrificing goats that might be more magical to your eyes, but people frown on that here. And goats are expensive.”

Alexis’ concern seemed to have vanished into curiosity as she leaned forward.  “But how then does that make you more powerful? Wouldn’t doing magic in realms where magic is more plentiful make things harder for you to adjust?”

Helena spread her hands.  “Magic is a complex thing.  It’s one half ritual, one half sleight of hand, one half personal power, and one half telling the part of the universe that is complaining about you having three halves already to shut up and get in line or else.”  She shrugged. “Thus the fact that I know I can use magic makes it easier for me to use magic.”

Alexis blinked repeatedly at the declaration.  “But that doesn’t make any sense…”

“And that’s why I’m the witch,” Helena replied.

After a long pause Helena sighed.  “My tutor once said magic is insanity, and witches are insane.  But that’s something of a misnomer. Insanity is believing that the impossible is possible.  Magic is knowing the impossible is impossible, and then doing it anyway.” Helena fixed her gaze on Alexis and was pleased to see the woman shiver.  “Magicians are beyond insane.”

The seconds slipped through Chronus’ fingers as Helena stared at Alexis.  The blonde woman shifted and twitched under her unyielding gaze.

Finally Helena leaned back.  “And now that I’ve finished showing off my strange mystical powers I hopefully have proven I’m strong enough to help you out.”

Alexis nodded.  “Yes. That should do nicely.”  The woman smiled slightly. “Though if you want my advice, it might be better advertisement if you pretended to require the flashy techniques of other magicians.  Explaining your power after you’ve got a client is less effective.”

“I’m a witch, not a thespian,” Helena muttered turning away from the woman.  “And I wouldn’t be interested in becoming one even if they let women become thespians.”

“Indeed.”  Alexis chuckled, then unfolded her arms and stood.  “What then is our plan for the rest of tonight?”

Helena pulled out a book from the shelves.  “We rest until tomorrow, when I can go somewhere a little better for conducting rituals and try a more powerful spell.  Without having to worry about making the neighbors angry.” She looked at the noblewoman. “I don’t suppose you had space for reading material.  What languages do you know?”

“Ah?”  Alexis blinked.  “German, Latin, English, French and Russian.”

“Bah, Latin,” Helena muttered.  “Stupid monks, putting all the works into that farce of a language.”  She pulled out two books. “Would you prefer the Odyssey or the story of Jason and the Argonauts?”

“The latter,” Alexis replied.  “I’d prefer to read the story’s end, even if it does end poorly.”

Helena nodded.  “Fair enough.” She pulled out a tome then handed it to the noblewoman.  “Ignore my snide comments in the margins when it gets to Medusa and Medea.”

“Of course,” Alexis replied with a smile that meant she would do no such thing.  Ah well, Helena wouldn’t explain matters.

“The water closet is next to my bedroom.  Feel free to use the shower as well,” Helena said as she pulled out a book of poetry.  “We’ll leave for breakfast after sunup.”

Helena’s stomach tried to crawl away as she stared at the package, knife in hand.  Her pulse seemed to slow, blood running thick to try to stop time itself. To open the package was to accept her fate.  To see the true harsh reality she’d forced upon herself. To move from the setup of the tragedy to its horrible bloody end.

However, Chronos did not stray from his course for any god, much less a simple witch like Helena.  And while cold uncaring Chronos had no demands for a woman like her, her landlord did.  Rent was due by noon, no later, or she would be faced with the Herculean task of moving her possessions to a new apartment.  Or more likely, the street.

With careful precision she cut the cords binding the box shut, then slowly opened the lid.  A sack lay within, along with scroll marked with her grandmother’s seal. Curses for thieves swirled around as well, but Helena ignored them.  They were nothing to an Aoede, even if the message hadn’t been for her.

She carefully picked up the scroll and unrolled it.  Her grandmother’s thick handwritten Greek stared back at her, and Helena spent a moment drawing strength from the familiarity of the characters.  Buoyed by that reminder of home she began to read the letter itself.

She forced herself to not rush through the greetings and talk of home, even if it was all stuff that she’d read before.  Nova Thebes followed patterns, and right now was an era of peace and adventure. Witches like her family would be handing out blessings and curses to the petty heroes that bugged them.

Finally she got to the end and saw that once again her family had sent double the money she’d asked for.  Helena let out a deep sigh, relief flowing into her body like air into a bellows. Then she sighed again as the regret and shame followed.  Once again her grandmother had saved her from her own stupidity.

The bag jingled happily as she placed it in her purse.  The specter of doom had been staved off for a few weeks, which meant it was time to get things done.  She’d been living off cheap box wine and bread for the last three days, so she could get some real food.  And she did need to give Hecate thanks for her good fortune, deserved or undeserved.

She took her time putting on the thick boots the city demanded of her.  Magic could keep her from freezing to death in the miserably cold air here, but there was no spell that would make walking down the dirty streets of the Immigrant Realm in sandals a good idea.

That done she grabbed her black witches hat.  It didn’t match the colored peplos she always favored, but it quickly told everyone in the area what she was.  And while there were plenty of people who would trouble a short thin woman who looked barely twenty five, no one with sense would pick a fight with a witch.

Helena walked out the door, then carefully locked it behind her before heading down the cramped stairwell of the apartment complex and into the entryway corridor.  She paused to count out seventy five drachma, then knocked on the door closest to the exit.

There was a long painful pause as Helena waited, hoping that her knock had gotten through.  Just as she was considering knocking again the door opened, revealing the smiling face of her landlord.  Mr. Samuels was a large man, whose grey hair stood out against his dark skin. “Oh, Miss Aoede. Good morning to you.  Come to pay the rent?”

“It’s Helena please.  And yes.” She held out the coins.  “I hope it’s not a problem that I always pay after the morning rush.”

“No, it’s not a problem at all Miss Helena,” Mr. Samuels replied as he took the money.  His smile never faded but he inspected each coin carefully as he continued. “So long as it gets to me before I head to the bank it’s fine.  Besides,” he chuckled as he shook the silver in his hand, “you always give me the strangest payment. It’s bad enough counting the bills fast when everyone’s trying to pay me and run to work.  I’d hate to have to look over your silver pieces at the same time.”

Helena winced.  “Sorry. I’d pay with dollars but….”

Mr. Samuels frowned.  “Now now Miss Helena, don’t you worry none about that.  Money’s money as far as the bank is concerned. Especially out here in the Immigrant Realm.”  His smile returned. “You just worry about finding a more steady job. Finding work around here’s gotta be something fierce with Madam Robicroix in town.”

“Yeah…” Helena grimaced at the name.  Madam Robicroix was a Vodun priestess, and had a reputation to match Helena’s grandmother.  Most of the people in the neighborhood who needed to speak with the dead or get a blessing went to her.  Why trust some crazy Greek woman when you could get the best money had to offer?

She forced her jealousy down.  No use obsessing over the competition.  “Well I’m sure I’ll find something. Anyway I’m off to market.  Any news before I go?”

The man shook his head.  “Nothing around here.  There’s some reconstruction in the big city, but that place ain’t for folks like us.”

“Yeah,” Helena nodded.  “Then I guess I’m off. I’ll see you later Mr. Samuels.”

“Have a good day Miss Helena,” Samuels said.  “Feel free to drop by any time. The missus can always use a little respite from looking after the kids, and Moses and Shanon love it when you stay over.”

“I will if I get the chance,” Helena replied.  She bowed slightly before waving goodbye, then headed out into the streets.

—-

Helena didn’t give the buildings more than a glance as she walked down the streets.  When she’d first arrived the massive four and five story apartments that filled most of the island realm had seemed huge compared to the simple two story homes of Thebes.  Now they were simple soot stained walls that cut out the sun.

It was interesting, she mused, that some place held up as the land of promise could be so dull in many ways.  There were djinni in the streets, oni in the sewers, and lesser fairies squabbling with pigeons, but they all lived in the same brick houses for all the glitter up front.  And all of them had better things to do then talk to you. Except maybe the fairies.

Of course none of the fantastical creatures were right here.  This was the ‘black’ ghetto. Helena had no idea what the Immigrant Realm’s obsession with skin color was, but the prices here were more reasonable than most places.  So she’d gotten a place to live here.

She moved onto the main streets, occasionally stepping aside to let a carriage pass.  The other people mostly ignored her, each running off on their own errand. Most were at work right now, but there was a lot of work that required running around the city.  The telephones that formed the lifeblood of the big city across the bridge didn’t function here, an odd quirk of reality that was probably the only thing keeping the immigrant city from being swallowed up.

Which was probably why the quirk existed in the first place.  Helena was skeptical of teleology, but she had a deep appreciation for the will of magic.

As she continued through the streets the architecture stayed the same, but the residents began to change.  The homogeneous populations of each ghetto shifted to the riot of peoples from across the myriad realms. Soon a witch in classical clothing wasn’t the strangest thing walking by.  Lesser fairies flitted through the air, while hooded trolls strode down the sidewalks. Even Helena blinked and paused as an angel in full raiment floated towards the cathedral. Still most people passing by were simple humans, going about their complex lives.  Helena knew of a few realms where even the peasants had magical powers, but here talents were less common, and usually weak.

Finally after thirty minutes of walking she reached the market.  Stalls covered the area, selling goods and sundries from both common realms and places Helena had never heard of.  Even in the depths of winter you could find fruits and vegetables, untouched by the snow.

Those were sadly beyond Helena’s tiny budget.  Instead she settled for dates and lentils from the many gated Thebes of Egypt, rice from a rabbit youkai, a chicken and some honey from a fey farmer, and a box of wine off a truck from across the bridge.

With every purchase she slipped the goods into her hat, letting the items fall down the paths of “ownership” to her apartment.  It was an easy trick even if it relied on cheating reality a bit.  And much better then walking around with all her purchases.

Finally her shopping was done.  She had food for a week, and a few spare coins to spend, probably enough for another week.  “Now to find work,” she muttered to herself.

Too bad she had no idea how to do that.

Neither her family nor any of her teachers had ever needed to learn how to market themselves.  They just moved into town, said they were witches, and offed anyone who complained about it. After that the customers came in happily.

Now that she was living in a more reasonable realm that plan didn’t work.  No one just murdered witches here. It was irritating how much civilization limited her options.

She began wandering towards the upper market.  That’s where the help wanted posters would be thickest, and it was the place most likely to have requests for more unique jobs.  Admittedly that had only worked for her once, but that was a detail she couldn’t get worked up about. Helena needed a job, and she wasn’t going to pretend she could just get one by sitting around at home.

Her boots clacked solidly against the cobblestones as she strode down the streets, a determined sound drowned out by the clatter of thousands of similarly determined feet marching to a thousand different drum beats.  The only accommodation the city was willing to grant her was the slight parting of traffic as people saw her hat and gave her a little more space.

The message boards gave her less reprieve.  It was swarmed by out of work men all desperately looking for something to get food on the table, and none of them were willing to give up their faint hopes just because a witch was nearby.  Helena had to wriggle and squirm past the crowd to the front of the board itself to see any jobs at all.

Actually reading the board was another trial.  A simple whispered spell translated the myriad of languages to something readable, if not always well written.  But the haphazard posts, and utter disdain new posters had for the old fliers meant the board was a puzzle of hidden details and offers.  Scanning a single column was a difficult task in itself.

After fifteen minutes of scanning the thin light of hope gave up and turned itself off.  Only one of the requests was for something within her line of work: a request to speak with the spirit of a dead man about treasure they’d hidden.  And that was a short notice in Chinese signed by someone Helena had been informed was the public face of the Triads. The concept of an organized crime syndicate was still somewhat fuzzy in Helena’s mind, but she was quite certain she didn’t want to get involved with torturing a murdered soul for information.

She pushed her way out of the crowd and began heading to the next board.  Most likely there wasn’t anything there either, but she had to try.

Thirty miserable minutes later, she managed to escape the press of desperate job searchers.  There was nothing here. Not even a repeat of the job she’d skipped last time. Helena was once again stumped.

The sun beat down on her as she began walking back through the alleys at random.  She knew she was headed towards home, but to go home was to give up. How could she say she’d tried after a mere hour of searching?  Even though she was out of leads it seemed like a dereliction of duty. A betrayal of her family’s trust.

Finally a thought coalesced in Helena’s mind, one that rekindled her small spark of hope.  She stepped into one of the quieter alleys and pulled out three pennies, a nickel and a drachma from her purse.  A divination would give her an idea what to do.

Coin divinations were weak, but simple, and they had a strong connection with money related queries.  Helena held the change close, thinking about finding a job, then tossed them to the ground.

The coins struck the dirt and fell where they stood.  Three copper coins lay side by side like a road, while the face of the nickel was headed to the temple on the flip side of the drachma.  Helena glared at the treacherous money before sweeping the coins up and tossing them back into her purse. “It seems the fates are telling me to give up today.”

She shook her head and began the long trip back to her apartment.  “I should have known that knowing the future wouldn’t help,” she muttered to herself as she passed out of the market district.  “It’s been drilled into my head enough. Only our city’s most famous king.”

The languages and ethnicities changed around her as she moved from one section of the city to the next, but she paid it little heed.  Her mind wandered between the plays of old and ideas to drum up some business, each discarded as soon as she found a glaring weakness in them.  She walked home guided by instinct.

Finally she reached her neighborhood.  The chatter of the kids coming back from school or their half days in the factories filled the streets as she headed towards her apartment.  The strange rhythmic clock of the city, so unlike her home’s rhythm.

As she moved across the street towards the doorway, a loud yowl of a cat sounded from somewhere behind her.  Then the scream of a horse and pounding hoof beats rang through the street.

Spinning Helena found a carriage barreling towards her, the horses up front wild eyed and terrified.  The carriage driver was pulling on the reins trying to slow them down, but there was no way he’d stop in time.  The vehicle was going to trample Helena and plow on to the streets filling with children beyond.

Leaping into the air, she summoned the power of flight, leaving the carriage to barrel under her.  However that wasn’t enough. She focused her will on the horses this time and yelled out a simple command, infused with a prayer to her goddess.  “STOP!”

The air shivered as her word of command ripped through the air.  As it washed over the horses the fear and panic washed from their faces and they started to stop.

With the horses slowing the people in the streets were easily able to get out of the way.  The driver seemed torn between relief and mortification as his ride came to a halt amongst the crowds that he nearly trampled.

Helena landed near the cart as the coachman worked on soothing his animals.  She was relatively sure neither of the horses would be running off anytime soon, but the coachman was probably too shaken by his near accident to believe anyone else’s word on the matter.

“That was so cool!”

Helena turned as two children broke out of the pack and dashed towards her.  Shanon and Moses were twins, though only their large eyes and short curly hair showed it.  Sharon had hit her growth spurt, leaving Moses in the dust, though Helena was rather certain that would reverse soon.

She gave the two a smile.  “It wasn’t anything special.  I am a witch after all.”

“Nothing special?”  Moses gave her a look.  “You flew!”

“And then you did that ripple thing that stopped the horses!” Shanon added.

Helena shrugged.  “Most witches can fly.  And I had help stopping the horses.”

Shanon looked at her quizzically.  “If you can fly, why do you walk everywhere?”

Helena looked the two kids in the eye.  “Because it’s rude. If we magicians just flew everywhere we’d cause a big disturbance.  Flying is for outside of cities or emergencies.” She patted the two on the shoulders. “Now you two will have to excuse me.  I think our coachman here is finished calming his horses.”

She spun towards the man, her happy mask replaced with the annoyance that had been roiling in her gut ever since she’d been surprised by the carriage.  “You should be more careful. You won’t always have a witch to bail you out of trouble.”

The man turned away from her gaze.  “I’m so sorry miss. Everything was fine and then somehow a couple of battling tomcats ran straight into my horses.  Spooked them worse than I’ve ever seen them spooked before. The damnedest thing.” He nervously swallowed. “I’m really sorry.  I need to see to my passenger. I bet she’s all shaken up.”

A light feminine voice came from within the carriage.  “I’m okay, I’m okay. Is everyone alright outside?”

The coachman quickly dismounted and nearly ran to the door.  “All’s fine my lady, and we’re at your destination.” The crowd began to murmur amongst themselves as the man opened the door.  No one who could pay for a carriage came around here.

The whispering grew louder as the man opened the door.  The woman who stepped down from the carriage looked something like a storybook princess.  She was tall with blond hair and green eyes, and her was dress a dark blue that few people could afford.  The cloak and riding boots didn’t match the dress, but they were new and fresh, obviously rarely used. The woman smiled to the crowd as the coachman helped her down and bowed.  “I apologize if my arrival caused you any distress.” She waited as the coachman pulled a large battered trunk from the back and handed it to her before addressing everyone again.  “I’m very sorry to disturb you all again, but might anyone know where the witch Helena Aoede lives?”

Curious.  She didn’t know this woman.  Still she stepped forwards, trusting in her magic.  “That would be me.”

The woman smiled like the sun.  “Ah excellent! Truly my luck seems to have changed.”  The woman stepped forward and curtsied. “I am Lady Alexis Von Strausfen, daughter of Pfalzgraf Holdst Von Strausfen.  I desperately need the services of a magician specialized in curses.”

“Hm?”  Helena’s heart picked up.  “What do you need done?”

The woman’s face turned grave.  “I fear I have been placed under a great and terrible spell, yet no one in my homeland can even tell me what it is, much less remove it.  I even spoke to a magician of the fey realm, and when they failed they gave me your name.” Alexis clasped her hands before her. “I beg of you, please remove this curse from me!”

Helena’s heart was beating faster than ever.  The Fates had finally given her a lucky break!  Still she forced her exhilaration down and folded her arms.  “Well, it sounds like a difficult job. Especially if you can’t determine even what the curse does.  It’ll take some time and…”

“I will pay three hundred Vereinsthaler.  Plus expenses,” Alexis said.

Helena’s mind spun through the conversion.  That was over six hundred silver dollars. She extended a hand.  “Done.” She let her own smile break free as Alexis shook it.

She was doing witches work once again!

My friend and all around cool guy, Stuffman ( http://stuffman-main.tumblr.com/ ) was nice enough to put together a quick “cover” sketch for the book.  Look forwards to the scene in the future.

In addition I’ve decided we’ll update at Midnight Eastern, both so I’ll be awakish to fix any issues, and so it’s not actually a Thursday release meaning the poll was useless.

The Immigrant Realm.  A small island city, formed from a beautiful American lie, it is now the crossroads between magical domains cut off by humanity.  A place where heroes from the Greek legends, fairies from Avalon, and youkai from the Realms of Illusion, can meet, trade, and live their own stories.

This is the story of Helena Aoede, witch and priestess of Hecate from the Hellenic Realms.  And the many other wanderers, merchants, and strange creatures that have come to this realm looking for a New World.

Hello all.  I’m Ted Suzukawa (known in many places as IcedFairy) and we are live again!  The Living Dragon is the next book following Helena’s adventures in paying rent, though finishing Curse Gunner is not required to enjoy this one.

I’m starting with two chapters, because well the first chapter is tiny.  This book was designed for publication, so hopefully the quality in design shows through.  And if not, well it should be fun still.

Start Chapter 1 here.

I’m also going to be collecting the books on Spacebattles and Royal Road for those who don’t enjoy WordPress.

(If you’re interested in paying me for the book, feel free to buy me a kofi!)