Chapter 3. Part 6.

Just before sunset, Gwen returned from the guard's central station with several papers and a smug smile. “I dont think the police will be a problem.” she said “I had a nice chat with the lord commander of the city watch. Nice fellow. I explained to him that we were the only ones able to import exotic goods of these kinds. There is simply no way Mr Vrok could have gotten them, unless he stolen them from us. Naturally the commander was skeptical of this claim, until I told him that reaching our suppler required special magic and was a matter the Princess had a personal interest in. All very truthful, you notice.” Gwen tossed the papers onto the table and waved to the serving woman. “Some dinner, please.”

Lewen nodded and smiled, “That should work. But I suspect Vrok will not give up. There is too much profit to be made. He will let some time pass, then try a new tactic.”

Mark considered the entire mess. Setting up this side hustle to make some easy income, was more work than he had expected. Maybe that was another life lesson? Things are usually tougher than you expect. “For now, good work everyone. Lets enjoy some food.” he said trying to sound confident.

The old Crane House

“By the way, did you know you own a house here in the capital?” Gwen asked casually as they ate.

Mark did not even try to hid his surprise “What? no. That's news to me.”

“The guard commander asked if you were staying at the old Crane house.” Gwen explained, “I told him that we had not been round to see the house yet. And ask for directions. It is over in the rich district.”

“Well then, I guess that is what we will be doing tomorrow.” Mark decided.

The house looked remarkably like the one grandpa had back on Earth. A classic brownstone design, 3 levels tall, long and narrow. Mark could not help wondering if there were hidden rooms inside it. The place looked to be in good shape. Not like it had been abandoned for 30 years.

Gwen whispered, “Look at it with mage sight.”

When Mark did, he saw the place was protected by a bubble, rather like the cabin. Meaning it was a veritable fortress. “I guess that prevented any trespassers.” he speculated. Then walked right up to the front door. As expected the force field let him pass through. He turned and waved to Gwen and Timmy.

“Come on, I invite you in.” he said, just in case the barrier needed a verbal cue to accept guests.

Getting onto the porch was easy, opening the door was another matter. It was locked.

“I guess you dont have a key? Gwen questioned.

“There are lots of keys back at the cabin. I did not think to bring any.” he replies.

“Maybe we should knock?” Squire Timmy suggested, wanting to be helpful.

Mark knocked and the door opened, seemingly by itself. “Hello in there.” he called.

From the shadows a tall man dressed in typical butler's clothing stepped, “Master Crane, is that you? Its been so long. Magra come see who it is.” He said pleasantly. “You have gotten younger, and found yourself a new wife. Pleased to meet you, my lady.”

“Hang on a minute.” Mark found it hard to interrupt the man, he was just so smooth and charming. But this misunderstanding had to be cleared up right away. “You worked for my grandfather, the legendary hero, right? Sadly he passed away. Im his heir. This is my sister. The boy is my squire.”

The butler gave a deep nod, “I understand master. Forgive any embarrassment I have caused.”

Gwen could not stop looking into the butler's deep red eyes, they were so captivating. “Id forgive you almost anything. She said without thinking. Then gave herself a mental slap. “I am lady Gwen, the lightning mage.” she formally introduced herself.

“I am Alistair, chief servant of this house.” The butler said then waved his arm to the woman walking towards them from the kitchen, “That is Magra, my mate, the finest cook in the kingdom.”

The cook was every bit as elegant and beautiful as the butler.

Alistair in an exaggerated gesture pointed out “This is not master Crane, it is his grand son.”

Magra licked her lips and said “I hope he has a healthy appetite.”

Timmy stood behind his master, not fooled for a second by the so called household staff. He was frightened but determined to do his duty and take action, if he had to. He hoped lord Mark had seen through their illusion. He hoped that playing along was part of some plan.

“We kept everything in order just as you left it.” Alistair was saying as he escorted Mark to the study, first door on the left. To the right was the sitting room, with a large and very decorative fire place.

“All letters and reports have been placed in boxes, dated by year. The boys have kept up their work.”

“The boys? Mark asked

“I suppose hey are all men, now. But we still think of them as boys.” The butler offered an explanation that did not really answer the question.

“Care to refresh my memory?” Mark found himself slipping into the role that Alistair had put him in.

“You remember them, from the orphanage you set up, about 60 years ago. You tasked them with keeping an eye on the city and reporting any odd activities. Reports have been a bit thin of late, but they still do their duty. And occasionally come round for tea.”

Meanwhile, Magra had left Gwen and Timmy in the sitting room, so she could fetch some tea.

The squire said as quietly as he could, “They are monsters, you know? Using some kind of illusion.”

Gwen did not know. But she did trust Timmy and his ability. Unlike so many shows where the boy's warning is ignored, she chose to take it seriously. “Thanks for the warning.” she replied.

Unfortunately she did not have any spells that were good against illusions or mind tricks.

She did cast a resistance to poison spell, just in case the tea was toxic.

 

“Iv just got a few more question, for now.” Mark said as he shuffled through some of the papers. “What is the most important order lord Crane gave you, before he last left this house?”

Without hesitation the butler answered, in a good imitation of grandpa's voice “Protect this place, offer shelter to our allies, and dont kill anyone, unless necessary.”

“When did you start working for, me?” Mark asked next.

“77 years ago, almost to the very day. Alistair answered, not looking a day over 30.
Mark decided to go with a wild guess on the last question. “Are you a vampire?”

The tall hansom butler smiled, showing his teeth. “I am your vampire sir.”

“That is good to know.” Mark said, trying to stay calm. He had been sensing something strange about the pair of servants, but the vampire guess had just been a stab in the dark. “It does not bother you to be working during the day?” he asked in a more conversational tone.

“Not at all, sir.” the butler replied.

“Well then lets get the others and finish the tour of my house.”

“As you say, sir.”

Thus Mark rejoined Gwen and Timmy, who were pretending to enjoy tea in the sitting room.

“Ready for a walk around the rest of the place?” he asked casually.

“Yes, but first there is something I want to tell you, in privet.” Gwen said with a meaningful look towards the ever so hansom butler.
“I will be in the hall.” Alistair said and closed the sliding pocket doors behind himself.

“Your staff are monsters.” She said in a whisper. Timmy nodded vigorously.

“He is a vampire, Im not sure what she is, maybe the same.” Mark replied trying not to sound like a know it all. But also very happy that he had not been surprised by the news. “I used detect hostility on them both and got nothing. So Id say we are safe for now.”

“All the same, I dont want to spend the night.” Gwen said seriously.

The house was mostly as one would expect, Living room, Dinning room, Study, and kitchen on the main level. Bedrooms on the second level. Servants quarters on the third. With some storage in the attic. The basement is where things got a bit strange. A storage area under the kitchen. A workshop next to that. Two prison cells and an interrogation room. No torture devices but it did have a one way viewing window. A volt for treasure, that still held a fair amount of it. A room for spell casting, with a circle of power carved into the floor. And last of all, a heavy door that opened to a stairwell down to the sewer tunnels.

“Id say things are in good order.” Mark declared after the tour was complete.

“Will you be staying the night?” Alistair asked, while looking directly at Gwen.

“No. We have other things that need doing.” Mark said quickly. “But before we return to the village, I want to introduce you to Mr Lewen and his worlfgirl body guard. They are my new partners in a merchant company. If they ever need help, you will offer them a guest room.”

“Very good, sir.” the butler said without emotion.

As they walked away from the house, Mark said to Gwen. “We need to dig up any info we can on vampires. Without letting anyone know we have a pair of them the house.”