Wrath of the Iron Warlock Read online

  “I’m sorry for your friends, but you can’t really blame Maximillian for feeling the way he does.”

  “Then why doesn’t he focus on the guilty, and leave the innocent alone”, He growled. “I don’t doubt there are some who do abuse the privilege of genies, but my opinion of Maximillian still stands. You’ll forgive me if I don’t share your love for him. If you still want to associate with him fine, but as a favor to me keep him away from here. I’m not looking to surrender my staff to him for the life of me.”

  “If you don’t apologies to him, I may not be able to help you out of it.”

  “I’m entitled to my truth just as much as he is. Tell him this, if he ever thinks he’s man enough to put me on his hit list tell him to come see me himself. If he wants a fight I’ll give it to him.”

  “Not even the most powerful wizard in the world could take Maximillian in a fight, or any genie for that matter.”

  “Genies are immortal fiends that’s true, but they are only immortal as long as they are free. Once confined to a containment they gain a fatal weakness. Unless if wished freed by a current master if the containment possessing the genie is destroyed, then the genie bound to it is also destroyed.” I was amazed that Ben knew this. I hoped that the day wouldn’t come that I would see my two friends looking to fight each other, but it seemed that Ben was preparing himself for the inevitable battle between himself and Maximillian. I didn’t want to doubt Ben. I hoped what he told me about Maximillian wasn’t true, but one thing I’ve learned about working with Ben, he never lies unless if he is in disguise. Just then a tall beautiful woman with dark hair entered the house.

  “Excuse me, is this the Blue Wizard Detective Agency.”

  “You found it”, Ben said. “I’m Master Ben Alatar, and this is my partner Professor James Pallando. What can we do for you?”

  Chapter III:

  The Wizard with the Golden Eye:

  The young girl told us she was part of a potion trade show. Her name was Crystal Swansong.

  “I just came from El Draco, a wizard and witch community in Texas trying to get justice for my friend who was murdered. I heard of your agency, and I believe you can help prove my case. Master Two Feathers was very good to me, and he didn’t deserve to die the way he did; and a man in wizard law enforcement should have known better.”

  “Master Two Feathers”, I asked.

  “His full name was Jonathan Two Feathers, he had ties to the Cherokee. It explained his talents as a medicine man, and he showed me a lot of the potions he created for great cures. When he took me in, I agreed to be his apprentice. He was like a father to me in some respects.”

  “You say the wizard who killed him was a member of magical law enforcement. You do realize what you’re saying”, Ben asked.

  “I do, I witnessed it, but not even that wizard’s apprentice was looking to stop his master from committing murder. I’m afraid law enforcement in El Draco isn’t what you think it is. That entire community is threatened by a rogue motorcycle gang known as the Werewolves who prowl about claiming to be hired as the security and law.”

  “Sounds serious”, I said.

  “Indeed”, Ben replied. “Especially since I believe Archie Wolfgang has got a hand in this. The Werewolves are under his command. The worst part about that gang is that they’re actual werewolves. I’ll have Oscar get you some refreshment.”

  “I don’t need refreshment, I need justice for my friend who was murdered.” Before she could say anything else she looked up. Ben and I could tell we had more house guests.

  “Well young lady you gave us quite a chase”, a tall albino wizard said as he stalked right into the library. He had long white hair, was dressed in a rather interesting looking sorcerer’s gown that I recognized as being affiliated with the Order of Chaos. The last remnants of those who were loyal to the dark witch Crisis. He had one real eye, and one golden eye. “Please don’t get up, we’ll take it from here.”

  “This is who I wanted you to arrest, he’s the murder.”

  “Now that might give these two the wrong idea about me”, the wizard with the golden eye said. “Self-defense boys. The old man drew a wand and a dagger looking for a fight.”

  “He’s lying, Jonathan was hit in the back without a chance to defend himself”, Crystal screamed, but Ben was already on his feet.

  “I’ll handle this. Pardon the interruption my friend, but who are you to come barging in unannounced into my home and place of business, and what is it you want here.”

  “My name is Draco, Drexel Draco. I’m Magician Marshall Master in El Draco, my family has ran things out there for years.”

  “That’s all very interesting, but irrelevant.”

  “I’m getting to the business at hand, don’t rush me. The girl there is wanted. She and the old man ran those potion trade shows, of course that was just a cover to steal and pick a few pockets.”

  “That’s a lie, we never did any of that”, Crystal begged. I tried to console her, but Drexel continued.

  “My apprentice and I just want to talk to her. I’d like to take her back while he’s minding the mint. I trust him, but I don’t want to leave him in charge by himself for too long. So if you don’t mind.”

  “Just a minute”, I barked out. “Do you have a warrant for her arrest? My friend and I are wizard detectives you know.”

  “Yes, I know you both by reputation, but it isn’t necessary. You can take my word for it.”

  “If you’re looking to take someone from my house, you better have a warrant”, Ben growled. “Otherwise, do an about face and go out the front door.”

  “I have other ways of getting cooperation”, he sneered. Talon was starting to sneak up right behind him. He was a little bigger now. He caught Ben’s eye telling him to be still at least for a while longer. The griffin stood still as a statue so the dark wizard wouldn’t suspect him sneaking up on him. Just then others appeared in. Two were members of the Werewolves, and three other wizards stepped in to aid Drexel. “I suggest none of you try anything, tell your pet there to stay back otherwise he’ll meet the same fate as anyone who tries to stop us. No one tries to be a hero, no one will get hurt.” He looked at Crystal. “I won’t hurt you, if you come along with us quietly I promise that we’ll only take you to talk. You wouldn’t want anything to happen to your new friends would you? You know what I’m capable of, and that I can see everything that goes on when I need to.” He got his wand out. Crystal had hers slip out from her sleeve, but then a flash of light hit her from his golden eye. She wasn’t hurt, but she was forced to drop her wand. Then her body went limp and she fell to the floor like lead. She just lay there paralyzed. He looked down at her and took a step toward her. Ben and I stepped in blocking him from collecting her. Ben’s staff was still in his hand, and I had my wand out ready for whatever Drexel was looking to throw at us. “You both want more of the same”, he sneered. “Drop your weapons of choice, and let me pass.” Just then we saw a grandfather clock being hurled at his back, it hit him directly, and forced him to fall flat on his face. Ben and I engaged the three wizards in a duel that were with him, two against Ben, the other and I facing off in a little one on one. The two Werewolf biker’s had transformed the minute they saw the moon, and were about ready to strike, but Talon managed to pounce on top of both of them, and began thrashing the two of them about. Cleo lay there like a slug, with the orange light still on her she was unable to move to help us out, but she was trying to see if she could engage her wand to act on its own to help in the fight. Drexel got up very weakly only to have his own man be forced into him. The wizard who I was dueling I not only defeated, but I managed to render unconscious.

  “Didn’t see that coming either did you”, I said.

  “Jim”, Ben called out from his duel, “Aim for his golden eye, we might be able to break the curse he inflicted on Crystal.”

  �
�I’m on it”, I said. Drexel got up and he and I began dueling each other. Ben managed to defeat one of his opponents and continued to combat the other. Talon kept slugging it out with the werewolves as Oscar in his leprechaun form had appeared out of the smashed clock.

  “Oscar”, Ben shouted. “Go find Tiger. Let him know what’s going on, tell him we might still be alive if he puts a lightning under it!” The leprechaun took off and disappeared without a trace. Drexel was powerful and he was skilled, I was doing everything I could to hold him off. Just then another wand flew into my hand. Crystal managed to act her wand’s will in order to send it to me. I didn’t have time to say thank you, I reengaged in the duel using both wands. If I could only get a clean shot at his golden eye, I’d be able to end this. Ben took down the other wizard who came with Drexel, but one of the werewolves got away from Talon and leapt for him.

  “Bring it on ugly”, Ben said. He quickly transformed into a fox, dodged the incoming assault and then leapt up and struck the beast on the neck.

  “You and your friend are not doing each other any favors”, Drexel hissed. “You’re only delaying the inevitable. I’ve survived much worse then this, the two of you combined aren’t strong enough to take me. I will bring that girl back to El Draco one way or the other. I tried to be reasonable, I tried to keep it civil, but you insisted on getting in my way, now you must take the consequences.” Just then Talon clocked the werewolf he was fighting and he went spiraling into Drexel, forcing him to drop his wand, but also make him get hit full in the face with my defense spell. He started screaming as part of his face got burned. Before he could get back up again I aimed a spell right to the golden eye forcing it to pop out. Not realizing though that it would kill Drexel in the process. As soon as it was ejected it turned and blasted him with a smoldering mist that burned him until he was reduced to a skeleton. Ben transformed back after he dazed the werewolf he was fighting and managed to drop a silver cage on him that fell from the ceiling.

  “Talon you got his brother”, Ben called out.

  “Coming at you”, Talon crowed. He took hold of the beaten werewolf and hurled him over to Ben. The griffin and the wizard detective timed it perfectly. Ben opened the door and the other werewolf went smack into his buddy and Ben locked the two of them in.

  “Nice throw”, Ben said. He looked down at the golden eye and levitated it up.

  “Did I kill him or did that thing do the trick”, I asked.

  “I think eventually this thing would have killed him if he lost a fight anyway. This little gizmo is no toy. I’m surprised he was outfitted with this, this is one of a thousand Devil’s eyes. Its power can be used by the one who owns it, but at a terrible price, sometimes more than one price depending on what bargain has been struck, but it eventually comes with the cost of one’s own life. Loosing a wizard’s duel could be seen as grounds for such terms. As we all know it, the Devil himself is a bad looser. He looked down at Crystal. “We better get her to a room upstairs. She’ll need plenty of rest to have the effects of the curse where off. Even though the eye is out, she still is paralyzed for at least 24 hours.”

  Chapter IV:

  Tale of the Lost Treasure of Crisis:

  I never thought I’d see the day where my place of residence would become a crime scene. Ben told me to be prepared for moments like this.

  “Let Tiger and his bunch do what they need to do. If they ask you questions, be honest. If you’re not comfortable keep your answers and your thoughts to yourself. Bottom line, you have nothing to hide don’t act like it.”

  “I take it this has happened to you before”, I said.

  “You’re not further from the truth”, Tiger laughed. “I can’t tell you how many times he and his brother would wind up being called into my office because someone threatened the sanctuary of the House of Alatar. Although I will admit, Ben got into more trouble working solo, then he ever did working with Michael. I’ll have to show you the crystal ball case files sometime.”

  “Sounds to me like they got your number”, I replied with interest.

  “I will admit I’m a bit of a rogue”, Ben said. “But that is only when I have to be.”

  “A certain Monica Moringdove would disagree”, Tiger said.

  “Who’s she”, I asked.

  “A close friend”, Ben said coldly.

  “I’d say more than close”, Tiger said.

  “Tiger, my private life doesn’t need to be analyzed right now.”

  “I’m just saying, I’m sure Jim would love to here about your sweetheart.”

  “You never told me you had a girlfriend.”

  “The key word there is “had””, Ben said. “You can thank our friend Professor Salazar for that.” After hearing the name of that evil vampire who he took down 2 years ago I understood why he never said anything about her, Ben was so in love with this Monica Moriningdove, he couldn’t even talk about how and why she died. I figured the vampire had something to do with it. I made a mental note to ask Ben about the full story later, but only when he was ready to do so. It was best not to press him about the matter. I felt sorry for him; not just for his loss, but something told me that he blamed himself for her death. “What about the case at hand?”

  “Funny I was just about to ask you”, Tiger said. “What about this pile of bones?”

  “What’s left of Drexel Draco”, I said.

  “Drexel Draco”, Tiger said with a shock. “And he is supposed to be magical law enforcement.”

  “I figured it wasn’t a matter of record”, Ben said. “He showed up with those three, and two of Archie’s boys, we got them stowed away in the attic, Bistro and Talon are keeping their eyes on them. How do you know him?”

  “He’s one of the wizards that showed up on my radar”, Tiger said. “Where is the girl I want to question her?”

  “Up in one of the guest rooms”, Ben said. “She’s resting you know, got hit with a curse from Drexel’s Devil’s eye.”

  “Let’s go up. We can walk and talk”, Tiger said. He turned to his deputies. “Take these three and get them to Alamode as quick as possible, there’s two more in the attic, have Oscar go with you so that way the dragon and griffin know that it’s alright.”

  “Is that the way you want it Master Ben”, Oscar asked as he was sitting on the banister of the stairs.

  “Yes Oscar, best to get the scum out before they seek a chance to make a break. Werewolves especially. By the way, thanks for helping us out.”

  “I figured trouble was brewing sir, plus I’d never forgive myself if anything were to happen to you.”

  “When you’re finished bring something in for our guest. She might feel like a drink, or something while the effects of the Devil’s Eye where off.” The leprechaun nodded and escorted the deputies to the attic.

  “What did you do with his Devil’s Eye”, Tiger asked as we walked up to Crystal’s room.

  “I hid it inside a book in the library, we can get it later”, Ben said. “I think it best that we might destroy it.”

  “We’ll need it as evidence, just incase if anyone doubts your story of self-defense.”

  “What about Drexel”, I asked. “You never told us how you knew him.”

  “I was in the war myself”, Tiger told us. “You forget that the war against the dark witch was also considered a civil war. She did have supporters who didn’t agree with everything she did, but were still willing to fight in her army nonetheless.”

  “Don’t tell me you were one of those”, I asked.

  “Relax Jim, I was on the right side”, Tiger growled.

  “Continue”, Ben said.

  “Anyway, towards the end of the war my job was to collect the spoils. Part of that was stealing Crisis’s assets. An unlimited fortune in gold and jewels, treasures that she herself had taken from others by a lot of questionable means.”

 
“I think it is safe to say that some of those answers are no mystery”, Ben said.

  “Indeed”, Tiger told him. “Anyway, someone on our side was selling information about our shipments. I remember that I had caught two of the thieves, and took them in as prisoners of war. They turned out to be very nice wizards after the war was over, and actually they agreed to share with me information on what they knew. The wizards in our army who sold them the information of the treasure wound up stealing it and hiding the spoils away from existence. The two wizards that Travis Tuskora and Clyde Davis had mentioned were two tall wizards one of them being an albino with a golden eye, obviously Drexel from down stairs. The other was dressed in this black silver armor from head to toe. Had a mask with Viking horns. They didn’t know his name, but they heard him breathe. I heard Drexel was on his way to the city, but I had no clue how or where, but I know he killed Clyde Davis. Last I heard though his last place of residence was El Draco. If what Clyde and Travis have told me is true, the treasure is somewhere in El Draco, but from what I heard it has become a lawless ghost town. Very few still live out there.”

  “We’ll know more when we talk to Cleo”, I said.

  “Anything else we should know”, Ben asked.

  “Just this, Drexel was a double agent; part of the Legion of Chaos, and from the way I here they train their apprentices; if Drexel is dead, the apprentice will do everything in his power to seek revenge.” We entered the room Crystal was laying on her back on the bed. She was able to move after getting a little sleep, but she was still unable to walk. Oscar had already beat us up there and was offering her some hot chocolate.

  “Thank you Mr. O’Clock”, she said with a smile as she took hold of the drink.

  “You’re welcome. Drink the hot chocolate, it’ll make you feel better.”