Cool winds wormed their way into the mansion. Wayne had returned to start on an easy golem set up. His student had a good companion. Human bodies were far too weak. Every necromancer worth his salt, of which they used often, would improve themselves. A variety of options would open up at a higher level of necromancy than the boy had time to achieve.

  Not that Wayne would encourage any foolhardy transformations. The body was a vessel for the soul. The size of a soul might not impact a Necromancer but their vessel was another matter. Part if not most of the formations that made up Nate’s soul were to stabilize the vessel and strengthen it. It's what made the clear line between a real and Pseudo-necromancer.

  Spread out across the work bench was a simple skeletal form. This bit of craftsmanship was an old project from his days at the academy. Unlike his control module which was interchangeable this was as close to mass produced as they came. He could still feel the heat of the furnaces, the crackle of the bones and metal fusing together.

  The process had come a long way from those days. He mused over the form of the body, at this proportion it would be too large and cumbersome. Lacking a proper soul it couldn’t be stored away in a spirit house. Removing several of the bones he started to assemble the fingers into a necklace. It was rough and not the best use of a golem.

  Necklaces were often talismans, their wards and protection far higher than what a cobbled together golem could perform. The medium would normally be skin, often human. It had been some time since his days studying such things. Cracking the skull open he pulled free the simplified control circle. Plucking out a piece of spinal column he fit the pieces together.

  When worn it looked like a slightly odd puka shell necklace crossed with a rosary. Pulling out his carving tools he worked on engraving small magic circles in the key joints. As the day faded he lost himself in the process. Going a bit overboard with the detailing. The pendant made from skull and vertebrae took on the shape of a palm sized legless bug.

  At last he was satisfied and reclined back in his stool. It had been a long time since he had gone into such detailing. Maybe, he could up the output on the car MRK 2? With a more detailed set of runes it would increase the speed. The upsides didn’t stop there with the increase in patterns it could lead to increased strength. He mused at adding another attack spell. Would that reduce the spirit conductivity too much?

  “How did your work go?”

  An old wizened voice brought his attention up. The grandmaster stood in the doorway, traveling clothes wrapped around his frame. His normal cloak was now replaced or underneath heavy fabric. The thick gray was bland which clashed with the normal style Wayne had grown accustomed to seeing.

  “Where are you off to master?”

  “I have an appointment with the Hermit. If the apprentice is to succeed I should do my part. Here, I have prepared a letter of introduction.”

  A soft manicured hand reached out from the wall next to Wayne’s desk. He knew this was the hand of his master's favorite summon. The hand gave a small flirty wave before disappearing. The envelope bore the sigil of the Grandmasters. This one was a clock. Large roman numerals lined the side, in the center the hour hand was an old revolver. The minute hand was a Smallsword. A descendant of the rapier, made for civilian use rather than the heavier military swords. You could still make out the intricate details within the basket hilt.

  “I hadn’t asked for an introduction?”

  “It is for the Apprentice. He is a non-member, this will help during your purchase.”

  “Non-members go to Tyrant’s shop all the time. I’ve seen it.”

  “That may be the case. But that does not mean he will be safe. You have been of this world long enough that your eye on the lower beings has grown to loose.”

  Wayne thought for a time before answering. This was clearly another test by his master. As he was to be the boy’s teacher he could expect more such problems. Looking at the letter he made a troubled face. Answering slowly he pushed forward.

  “Is this for… the other patrons?”

  “Close enough. If someone above you comes this will prevent them from taking what we have procured. While warding away the hangers on."

  “Master, I don't see why anyone would want to take him?”

  “He is my apprentice.”

  A silence hung in the air. The Grandmaster's words rang true. In their world doing unnecessary things wasn’t within the calculations. If you scooped up a ton of dog shit from the market it had to have a purpose. A small pebble off the ground. All the way to where one lived. Everything could come under scrutiny. No matter how mundane.

  In this case the normal apprentice they had taken on. It went double as they were clearly raising him outside of the academy and providing favourable treatment. The Grandmaster’s meeting with the Hermit would worsen the rumors. Isolated as the man was, that did not mean he was without eyes plastered to his body. Only a Grandmaster could cast those prying eyes away. At least for a short time.

  “I understand Master.”

  ***

  At the hospital Nate was being stitched back together. A piece of flesh which Karah elected to not ask the origin of was being sown into place. The flesh had a magic circle drawn onto it giving off a faint energy. Oddly she knew that it was safe to use. Her sixth sense for the energies in the world told her so.

  Dr.Mei was the main person doing the patchwork. Her hands steady and swift. The power of a true necromancer emanated from her body. Karah could taste it in the air. The notes of all necromancers shared the same base, a fruity flavoring. What type of fruit changed from one to the other? She was uncertain. As for Dr.White he smelled like fruit candy. A common occurrence for Psedo-Necromancers.

  “How is he?”

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Dr.White stood off to the side with Snake Blind. Dr.Mei had not approved of this fifth bed for the morgue. Her anger would come down on her husband as soon as she finished with her task. He sighed with silent acceptance.

  “Nate has been my patent for over a week at this point. I can tell you with certainty he will be fine. This magic circle here. This Rod of Asclepius will convert the ambient spiritual energy within the hospital into healing power. By the end of today he’ll be back to one hundred percent. But only so long as he’s in the hospital.”

  “Thank you doctor.”

  “It was nothing. Now if you’ll excuse me. Dear, let's have a chat about slacking off while understaffed.”

  “Yes, dear.”

  The two doctors left the room. Snake Blind shifted uncomfortably. Why did this ticking time bomb have to come back into his life? Didn’t she do enough all those years ago? The police had even converged on her. Bringing the heat back wasn’t ideal. Not at a time when the FBI were snooping around.

  “So Snake Eyes, you were involved with the dark arts? Didn’t think you had the stomach for it.”

  “Yes, Miss Vento. Your family had many such dealings as well. I only really know some locals.”

  “That so?”

  Nate’s breathing filled the silence between them. He was a definite weakness for her and she didn’t want to let Snake Blind know that. Even if her family held dominion over the area that didn’t exactly apply to her or the other more direct interests. Subtly was called for and it was her weakness. She needed to keep Nate’s true nature far from her family.

  “How long will you be in town, Miss Vento?”

  “It's none of your business. Do you have any info on the Baker family?”

  “Baker?”

  Snake Blind was taken aback what did the Vento’s want with the mayor? Given he was an official nothing good would come when they mixed. That man could feel his peace and quiet begin to melt away. Everything was going tits up.

  “Yeah, Baker. The damn mayoral family.”

  “Yes, Miss Vento. They control the whole town. Hands in just about every industry. If there’s a slice of pie to be had they definitely take a cut. There’s too much to talk about. If you have a more specific question then I could help better.”

  “Then do they have a hand in this world?”

  “Well, I’m not entirely sure. It’s definitely possible.”

  Karah looked him in the eyes. They swam with fear. She could see the sweat drip down his rotund head. Clearly he was fighting with how to obey two masters or something close to it. She’d seen it enough times in those who begged to be forgiven. Betrayal of course could never be tolerated.

  “So he is huh. Might have thought so. Gather what you can on him in this regard. Furthermore, I want info on his family, and any and all people who’ve come to the estate lately.”

  He waited for more orders but as none came he bowed deeply. Knowing when to give in was also a super power for someone who’d survived so long. A small town mayor, no matter the growth rate, wasn’t worth angering a crime family.

  “It will be done. Miss Vento, can I ask who your companion is?”

  Karah’s hand gripped tight into a fist. It took all the self control she could muster to not pop the man's head like a balloon. A useful tool like him couldn’t just be tossed aside. Not until she was done with him.

  “He’s no one of importance. Take your leave.”

  “I… See. Good Day Miss Vento.”

  Nate and Karah weren’t left alone long. The husband and wife pair returned. Disheveled clothing and smeared makeup made them into quite a sight. Dr.White was still wiping at a lipstick stain on his neck. A smile across his face only when his wife wasn’t looking. Each time she glanced back he made a pouting face. It was all very comical for Karah.

  “Again it’s nice to meet you. Karah was it? I think one of the nurses mentioned something about you.”

  “Hello, Doctor. It’s supper duper nice of the both of you to take care of my man. Thwank you a whole bunch.”

  She turned on her sweet mode. They had helped Nate but that didn’t mean she should play her hand too much. Better to be seen as silly then as a threat. She may have already blew that with her rough speech but she’d still try.

  “Right, you're welcome. He should be waking up any moment now. Then we can get him back to his room.”

  Karah let out a sigh of relief. She had felt Nate’s emotions when they stopped at the Morgue. She knew it wasn’t anything to do with the people inside but things had changed since she was gone. Regret ached in her chest for leaving him here.

  “Why does the healing only work in the hospital?”

  The doctors were surprised at her question but didn’t react negatively. Dr.White sat down in his office chair. Turned the pot of coffee on the desk on and stretched his neck out. A long moment passed before he looked over at them. His wife allowed him to explain.

  “Your man he’s a true necromancer, you know this as a contracted monster, Yes?”

  Karah was surprised he could tell. They hadn’t mentioned it to him when leaving earlier in the day. It was equally unlikely for Nate’s teacher to have spilled the beans. Could it have been when the police came through and she was gone?

  “Yes, I’m aware.”

  “Good then do you know what a Necromancer is?”

  “Someone who raises the dead?”

  “Yes, and much more. Necromancers are wielders of souls. They accomplish this task by using their own souls. Placing contracts binding souls together. All magic falls under the scope of contracts but that's higher level stuff. Even the two of us don’t know much about it.”

  “You said true Necromancer. Does this have to do with you being a pseudo-Necromancer?”

  “Precisely. I never had the talent to be a true one.”

  “Come now dear, you're plenty talented.”

  Dr.Mei stepped to his side placing a loving hand on his shoulder. They were often stiff or cold to one another in the hospital proper. What they believed to be necessary to make those working there comfortable. Down in the morgue there was no longer a need to hide.

  “Thank you, my love. How did you know I was a pseudo?”

  “I’m a monster. I have my ways. I’ve met a few of you before.”

  “I see. That would explain it. Unlike normal necromancers we don’t have enough of a vessel for our work. So we need to make physical objects to store our summons, magic circles, and contracts. It is also why we make up so much of the industry in the community.”

  “Do you mean?”

  “That’s right. The entire hospital is part of my soul. I will ask you to not tell anyone about this fact. Others can tell but I would like it to spread as little as possible.”

  “I can agree to not tell anyone so long as it’s not for malicious means.”

  “Oh, she got you love. Knows enough not to get tricked into a contract.”

  “Thank you for the obvious Doctor Mei.”

  Nate had awoken during the midpoint of the conversation. He didn’t want to interrupt but found now was a good time. Sitting up a bit he looked up at Karah. When their eyes met her face bloomed into the brightest of smiles.

  “Good morning sleep head.”