August, Monday 18th, 1961, 09:00, Wetborough, South Georgina Kingdom, United Countries of Faeldris.
I leaned back in my chair. It had been a month since I got all the information I had about Grizzlebats and I hadn’t been able to figure it out. Thankfully some of the partners needed a research assistant during their trials so I could earn my paycheck but I was getting some pressure from above to take a case and run with it. “You aren’t a private investigator ot lawyer, pick something up and get your ass moving.” Myoclops had said.
My phone started to ring on my desk as I looked at the wrinkled reports I read a hundred times. I grabbed it and started to speak, “John Smith of Myoclops, Manticore, and Mandrake. How may I help you today?”
“How is my twin brother?” The playful voice of my sister Jennifer rang out. I felt a smile instantly spread across my face.
“Hello Jaybird, still singing your tunes I see.” I leaned back in my chair and felt my mood instantly lift up. “What have you been up to?”
“Well this is so exciting. You know how we got your nephew into that wizard camp last summer?” She was bubbly and almost on the verge of exploding with joy.
“Yeah, so proud of the kid. Glad there was something more than our talents in the blood.” I looked at my calendar already planning a visit for the request that was coming.
“Well, there is a talent show coming up and he is going to perform magic for it. Something pretty simple but he is so excited for it. I just know he would love for you to come. Plus, you missed out on his 12th birthday, you gotta make up for it!” Jennifer was obviously doing something as I could hear the clatter of pans in the background.
“Are you going to make some of your apple pie?” I couldn't help but swivel in my chair waiting for the date she was going to spit out.
“You know I wouldn’t make my baby brother’s favorite dessert.” There was more noise before it all settled down. “Can you be here tomorrow for it? Just a day trip Johnny boy.”
I rolled my eyes, “You’re born an hour later than someone and suddenly you’re the baby brother. I’d love to come and be there. How about I head over tonight and you get your guest room ready for me?”
I could hear her smile, “That is perfect! I’ll see you tonight. Eric is going to be so excited. Your favorite nephew.”
“My only nephew, but it would be tough competition.” I started to get my stuff ready. It was going to be a long drive.
“You ever going to tell your siblings who your favorite niece is?” Jennifer started to whistle for her dog, I could hear her call out, “Merlin!”
“Maybe on my deathbed. Until then they are all my favorite. I’ll see you tonight. Love you Jaybird.”
“Love you Johnny Boy.”
I stood up and put on my jacket. I needed a small bag with tomorrow’s clothes so I needed to head home first. I stopped by the receptionist. “I’ll be out till Wednesday. Tell the partners I promise that no matter what I’ll pick up any case when I get back.”
The young boy looked confused for a second and nodded silently. The large beard he had woven into a young man’s braid. “You got it John.”
Soon enough I was on the road, the top down and the wind blowing through my hair. I put on my shades as the sun was getting high. I couldn’t help but smile as I turned up the music in my car. I jammed out to some blues rock music on the drive.
I don’t like that when I’m back I’m going to give up on this case but I need to earn my keep.
Soon enough I was rolling up to my sister’s house near dinner time. I had lost track of time throughout the day and sighed in relief. The smell of beef filled the air and the sweet scent of apple pie soon pushed it away. I grabbed my small bag and hopped out of the car. Putting up the roof I stretched my cramping legs.
With a simple knock I waited for my family to let me inside.
Jennifer answered the door, her crooked smile and sparkling eyes the same green as mine looked back at me. She was tall for a woman just an inch shier than my own. She was wearing a checkered apron over a modest dress. It was lined with white frills as she took me in. “Jaybird,” I stepped in and wrapped her up in a hug. She hugged me back as we squeezed one another.
“Hey Johnny Boy. How’ve you been?” She said into my neck.
“Frustrated, I think my gut has let me down.” I pulled away and looked her up and down. “You’re practically glowing sis.” I gave her a meaningful look, “You hiding any news?”
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She smiled and swatted me with her hand. “How did you know? I got a bun in the oven, you’re right.”
“I know my sister. Congratulations. I know they’ll be an amazing kid.” I stepped past her and removed my shoulders. I felt her step away as she called out to my nephew.
“What’s this about your gut little brother?” Jennifer said as the stomping of feet approached through the house.
“Oh, I thought I had a case to take for my first solo one but I couldn’t figure out the right angle and didn’t take it. It has been driving me crazy for the last few weeks. I’m glad to be away from it all and see my family.” I turned just in time to catch Eric leaping into my arms.
“UNCLE!” The cracking voice of my nephew filled my ears as I twirled him around to his delight. “It’s been so long! You never visit!”
I set him down and rubbed the top of his head with one hand. “Sorry buddy, I’ll make sure and make it up to you. You tell me whatever you want for the winter solstice and it’s yours.”
He leaned back and gave me the same smile I inherited from my parents. It warmed my heart and put me at ease. Dad always called it the family magic. “I want a wand! Oh! I want a flying broom, a training one!”
My sister gave me a harsh glare and narrowed her eyes as she shook her head at the second suggestion. “A wand it is, little buddy. You save any of that delicious dinner for your uncle?”
Eric took my hand and walked me to the dining room. My brother in law sat at the head of the table and we locked eyes. We hadn’t been exactly friendly with one another but he took care of my sister and nephew and that was good enough for me. He didn’t need to like me if he did right by my family.
On the table was a dinner plate. A slice of sauce covered meatloaf was surrounded by sauteed vegetables and a baked potato. It was still steaming and I could feel the faint magic in the air. “How the heck is it still hot?”
“I learned a magic spell at camp. It’s not the one I’m showing tomorrow but I wanted to make sure you had hot food.” Eric was a gentleman and pulled out my chair letting me settle into it as he rushed to his mom’s chair next and helped her. I couldn’t help but smile.
“John,” Came the short acknowledgement.
“Tommy,” I returned. I looked at the table, “Thank you all for having me over. I’m so excited to see what Eric has learned tomorrow.”
I enjoyed the meal as I made small talk with my family. The food was delicious. Soon after I was tired to the bone from the day of driving and full of warm homey food I didn’t have to make for myself.
A cold beer was set in front of me as Tommy sat back in his seat. Eric was being ushered off to bed as I picked it up and took a sip. It was strong and hoppy, a little more bitter than I liked but I wouldn’t complain about a free beer. “Thanks Tommy. You’ve done a pretty good job raising Eric.”
“Thanks,” Tommy sipped his beer and looked over at me. “How’s work?”
“Well, I’m about to take my first solo case. Finally not an intern anymore. No more studying other people’s cases for me. How about you? How’s the factory going?”
Tommy smiled at me, the warmest he ever got. “Just got a raise into the management position. Supervising some of the guys I’ve been working with for years.”
We clinked beers together. It was always good to celebrate the good things in life. In the quiet we sipped and considered life. “Eric is a good kid. I’m glad I was able to help get him into that camp. I actually… would like to talk about maybe chipping in for him to start saving for a wizarding academy. If you think it's possible.” The room got pretty silent as Tommy went quiet and considered my words. I sipped my beer awkwardly.
“I’d really appreciate that. Even with the raise it would be hard to save for it.” Tommy held out a hand to me and we shook on the deal. Together we would work together to make Eric’s future what he wanted. Jennifer wouldn’t be happy with that. Being a wizard changed you. I thought Eric would be strong enough to stay humble.
We finished the beers and I took them to the trash. I looked at the dishes and knew I would be chewed out if I helped with them but nonetheless I started scrubbing while my sister got her son to sleep.
A yawn came from behind me just as I was finishing the last plate. “Johnny Boy! That’s my job!”
I smiled to myself and dried off my hands. “Oops, I’m just so used to doing them myself. Guess that’s my mistake.” I turned smiling at her as she rolled her eyes.
“I have the guest bedroom all ready for you baby brother. Go get some sleep,” She placed a hand on my shoulder and patted me a few times softly. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight Jaybird.”
…
The next day I stood in the auditorium of Eric’s middle school. Booths lined everywhere with kids showing off their magical talents. Judges, teachers, parents, and students went booth to booth oohing and awing. Eric was just now finishing up getting his booth ready and he began to call out.
“Come one come all! Today you see the wondrous miracle of Transmutation. This spell can turn something into anything! Unlike most magic this is a ritual spell requiring a lot of preparation and concentration. It took me all summer to master!” People started to crowd around and I made sure I was at the front. “Today I’m going to turn this bottle of water,” Eric held up a small bottle of water for everyone to see, “Go ahead and pass that around.”
I held it after a few people and sniffed it smelling nothing. I inspected the bottle and couldn’t see any tricks that could happen. Soon enough it was passed around before returning to Eric.
“This!” He whipped out a sheet of cloth with a sewn circle inside it. Inside the circle was a triangle whose each point was another circle filled with a rune. “Is a transmutation circle,” He set it down on his table and smoothed it flat. “With simple ingredients,” He slowly took out a cocoon placing it down, next a small drop of ink in another small bottle, lastly he plucked his own hair off his head and set it down. Each ingredient rest inside one of the circles. “Now, with concentration and effort,” He held up the bottle once more, “I will turn this water into ink. Observe!”
Eric set the water in the center of the triangle and placed his hands on the cloth. I watched as my nephew closed his eyes and could feel the magic inside him start to roil and flow like guided water. I watched the air waver around his arms as it got stronger and stronger around his hands. The thread started to glow, spreading throughout all the material as magic shimmered to life through the threads.
The cocoon started to raise into the air before slowly spinning. Next the ink drop floated up into the air and started to ripple in an unseen wind. Lastly the hair he had struggled to flutter from the cloth. Eric’s brow furrowed as he focused and the three ingredients disintegrated into glowing light before all of it began flowing in a circle towards the water in the center. As the light infused it the water turned slowly to black. I could tell it grew thicker, darker, until it was utterly changed to ink. As the change settled in the threads on the cloth glowed with energy before falling apart into nothing leaving only a blank swatch of cloth.
Sweat dripped down Eric’s forehead as he stood up and picked the ink from the table. Raising it for all to see he handed it off, “Everyone go ahead and pass it around. The water has become ink. Feel free to scribble something on this piece of paper with it to test it.”
My mind burned hot in my head, it raced a thousand miles a second as pieces fell into place. The pencil I had been chewing on fell from my mouth as I held the ink in my hands. I turned it around studying it every which way. My eyes were wide as I let it be taken from my hands. Soon it was returned to the table and I could see a change in it. Slowly it turned clear once more.
“With my magic done the ink has reverted to water. I’m not yet strong enough to make it last very long and the ingredients I would need to make up for it cost more than what I could afford for this competition. I’ll be doing another performance soon enough for anyone that wants to see it again. However, I need to take a rest and get my supplies back in order.”
I shook as I looked at the empty cloth, the small bundles of ingredients my nephew had and could feel sweat form on my spine. I stepped up to Eric, “That’s it… Eric, you’re amazing.”
“What was that uncle?” He asked looking up into my eyes as he smiled at the compliment.
“You’ve just helped me crack the case!” I scooped him up into my arms and twirled him around to his laughing delight. I squeezed him tight and set him down rubbing his head. “I’ve got a couple phone calls to make. It’s time to win!”