Page 68 of Seducing the Sorcerer
Jasper managed a weak smile. “Yes.”
“Good man. Now, you ain’t seen that kitten about? Fang?”
“Uh...no, I haven’t.”
“Ain’t seen her crossing the courtyard? Or the bridge?”
“No, sir.”
“Then she’s likely still inside. Well, that’s a relief. And what about Blaze? Seen her?”
“Oh. No. Should I—?”
“Aye, grand idea. You go and check her. I’ll look for Fang. Meet you back here, eh?”
“All right.”
Jasper ran off looking steadier. Lad had just needed to be given something to do. Now, the cat. Fenn threaded his way through the soldiers and lumps of masonry in the courtyard and went into the hall. Apart from the missing door, which someone had propped up against an inside wall, and some lumps of stone in the fireplace, the room was miraculously untouched. Fenn lay on his stomach in front of the sideboard and peered under. A pair of eyes caught the light, watched him, blinked. There was a rusty squeak and a moment later Fang was rubbing her cheek against his knuckles.
“And you’re all right and all.” Fenn scratched her under the chin and elicited a throaty purr that was all out of proportion to her size.
So. Jasper was checking Blaze. Next step: get rid of all the soldiers.
But when he got back to the door, this next step was already underway. The soldiers were filing out the postern door and the portcullis was being lowered. Jasper appeared in the mustering ground gateway, looked around, spotted Fenn and gave a thumbs up. Blaze was all right. Fenn gave him a nod. Fang all right too.
Morgrim appeared, ducking under the portcullis at the last minute. He strode across the courtyard towards Fenn, robe flapping damply around his legs. Without glancing the lad’s way, Morgrim called, “Jasper! Mind the gatehouse. No admittance to anyone. No approaching the tower unless I call you. Dangerous. Magic. Understand? Good. Go.”
Jasper scuttled across the courtyard, reaching the gatehouse as the last soldier vanished and the portcullis clanged to the ground. He went in and closed the postern door behind him.
Morgrim sailed up the broken tower steps like a thundercloud on legs. He looked so grimly determined that it was clear priority three would have to go off the boil for a bit. Morgrim doubtless needed to get some magic done, make sure they were safe in case another hex thing came. Made sense, really. All the same; damn.
Morgrim stopped short just outside. “Where’s the front door?”
“Here. Against the wall on the inside. Reckon they bashed it in.”
“Damn. Never mind. Come on.” He swept past Fenn, heading down the long side of the banqueting table, making for the other side of the room. Fenn hurried after him.
“Did you find Fang?” Morgrim asked.
“Under the sideboard like you said. Bit scared, but fine. Where we going?”
“Blaze?”
“Fine. Jasper checked her. Where did you say we’re going?”
“Downstairs. I need a door. One that works.”
“A door. Right.” Fenn thought about this. “How do you do magic with a door?”
“What?”
“Thing is, been wondering how you do it. You know, whether it’s spells or potions or whatever. Never thought of doors. Do you go through them, like, in some occult way and bring the magic back from some other place?”
Morgrim stopped. “What are you talking about?”
“Well...you. Magic. Er...doors.”
Morgrim gave him a full-bore frown. “I do not do magic with doors. I need a door because I need to close one.”
