Noble Arcana

SOLOMON MORROW, FRONTIER LORD OF MOONFALLOW, SLAYS FORMER MAYOR AND RESCUES MISSING GIRLS!

Etling Gazette

Solomon awoke from a night of fitful dreams. He had vague impressions of running through the woods, hearing screaming in the distance, and men in dark green uniforms moving all around him. The light of dawn was only just beginning to bleed through the windows and as he slung his legs over the side of the bed he felt all of the soreness of his last weeks of activity come into sharp focus.

Soreness was preferable to the alternative of course. Given his experiences over the last two months it was a miracle he wasn’t dead. Since he’d falsified his father’s will to inherit this estate he’d found a god chained in the basement, uncovered local corruption, been attacked by Moonfallow’s first Watchman, discovered an evil god lurking in the woods, become friends with a noble criminal in Etling, joined a secret society of mages hidden away from the Union, found an impossible library of spells, and killed previously mentioned dark god along with the former mayor of Moonfallow that was in its thrall. It had been a busy time in his life.

Still, he found himself feeling excited about it all. It was a foolish feeling, he knew that, but he’d spent so long locked away in his chambers barely having anything to occupy himself with other than studying and plotting that actually taking action made it feel like his blood was flowing again after being frozen in place for so long.

Melissa, his valet, entered the room with a too-wide smile.

“You are awake this time,” she said with her voice, but not her will.

“World. Good morning, how are you?”

The World shrugged. “I am acceptable. Congratulations on becoming the Page of Pentacles. Very few have risen so quickly, but given the uniqueness of your contribution it is no surprise.”

The World was the means by which the Arcana completed transactions anonymously and at a distance. It had no body of its own and so possessed Melissa when it needed to complete transactions with Solomon. He didn’t appreciate her autonomy being subverted, but so far he had no other solution and she had never seemed to come to harm in the process.

“Where is the corpse of the god?”

Solomon stood and walked, moving over to the window and pointing at the Black Wood.

“It is roughly a mile in that direction, hidden beneath branches and leaves. If you need to get closer to it, I can guide you there, but it will take me some time to prepare.”

It shook its head.

“No need. Physical closeness is not important. You’re very close to it in the ways that matter.”

There was a brief pause.

“It’s done.”

Solomon looked over to his desk where he saw a scroll and a letter. He turned his attention back to The World.

“Can the Devil be trusted?” he asked.

The World looked at him with a curious expression.

“The contents of the transaction have been verified… and no.”

Solomon nodded. “Thank you.”

The World nodded and Melissa’s expression grew vacant for just a moment. Solomon took that opportunity to move to his desk and slide the scroll and letter into a drawer out of her sight.

When her attention returned she turned to him.

“Any preferences for breakfast?” she asked.

He shook his head.

“No, let Claire run wild with it.”

She nodded and moved out of the room.

He resisted immediately looking at the scroll and letter he’d received and instead read some articles in the most recent Etling Gazette and feigned relaxation. Once he had his breakfast and Melissa had headed into Moonfallow to recover his letters from the Couriers he locked his door and retrieved the scroll.

He unfurled the scroll, doing so very carefully to make sure that no mouths would emerge to consume him. Instead he found a detailed diagram of a summoning circle along with a number of phrases written in a language he didn’t understand, but did recognize. He’d seen it on a number of spells within the repository. A demonic language perhaps? He turned his attention to the letter, noting that the goat-headed seal in black wax. He opened it with a letter opener.

Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author’s preferred platform and support their work!

Page of Pentacles

This spell will summon Agog. He is a suitable servant for one at your level. Stronger than a man and capable of moving through shadow. He requires little mana when inactive, but can drain you quickly if you are too flippant in your requests. I have included a phonetic reading of the runes necessary for the summoning. Direct translation of their tongue is impossible, a demon must grant it directly to you.

What followed was a breakdown of the spell itself.

Agog

Sacrifice enticing enough for Agog (a goat or lamb is preferred)

Blood of the summoner mixed with ink

1 cup of sulfur

1 dram of oil

Draw the summoning circle exactly as shown in the scroll using the blood and ink mixture. Place the cups of sulfur and oil to the left and right of it. Begin reciting the phonetically listed spell, killing the sacrifice at the phrase drak-shal. Agog will then begin to bargain the terms of your contract with him.

Solomon read through carefully, finding that whenever his eyes lingered on the phonetics of the spell his mouth instinctively opened as if to begin speaking them immediately. He carefully rolled the scroll back up and folded the letter. He was tempted, of course, to head down to his hidden study and attempt the spell immediately, but there were too many unknowns. It was summoning a demon, not something to be attempted lightly. He also wished he knew more of what a demon was capable of. He’d certainly read stories about them, but how much of that was real? Could they possess the hearts of evil men, driving them to take dark actions? Could they eat souls? Bind men in dark bargains for power?

At least the dark bargains for power seemed accurate based on the description of the spell. Perhaps he should contact the Guild of Law for advice. They likely already had some demons in their employ.

He smiled at his own joke before turning his attention back to his breakfast. He finished eating and reading the paper. He stood to head down to the library to study, but before he could he heard a knock on the door. He walked to it and opened it, finding Melissa standing with a handful of letters.

“You’re quite popular today Solomon,” she said with a smile.

He returned it and took the stack.

“Thank you Melissa.”

Rather than head down to the library he forced himself back to his desk to review his mail, clenching his jaw a bit as he did so. Now that he had the freedom to research things more broadly he was more eager than ever to return to his studies.

He peeled open the first of the letters.

Solomon,

It has been decided that the Crimson Command will be transported to the front in the month of Dentus. I know it is an inauspicious month given its namesake, but it is when the seas should be safest and the fighting at its least fearsome. That should allow Vaughn more freedom to meet with you to receive the blade safely.

Let me know when in that month you will be available. I will prepare the guest quarters for when you arrive to retrieve the blade.

Grand Duke Chorde Morrow

Solomon frowned, that would put his travels in the midst of Dame Pryor’s family visit. He had promised Threen he’d be available to watch over her and ensure her family didn’t attempt to harm her. He placed the letter to the side for a moment. After that was a letter from Bernice giving him some updates and checking in. He wrote her an immediate response with a bit related to his recent foray into the forest. It was likely to be widely reported that he’d emerged from the Black Woods alongside three naked women with a dead former mayor left behind him. After that were a number of letters from businesses that James had put him in contact with. Including one from Priscilla, the emerald eyed gambler he’d met when he’d visited Etling.

Lord Morrow,

I hope that you’re doing well. I’ve been thinking recently of the dance we shared. I have a survey team available to send to examine the mine you spoke of. Please let me know when would be a good time to send them.

With sincere appreciation,

Priscilla Irons

The letter smelled faintly of a rose perfume that lingered in his nostrils reminding him of exactly the dance she was referring to. He forced himself to exhale and wrote a professional response, then did the same for the other businesses, arranging to have them all arrive at the same time. He felt it would be beneficial to have a bit of additional pressure on all of them. After that was done he opened the last letter.

Solomon,

I hope that you are well. I have recently come to know that a rather dangerous man was in Etling recently and I believe he may have made his way to Moonfallow. His name is Nic, he is wanted for the murder of two nobles. I have not sent any of my own men into Moonfallow to seek him as it is your territory, but let me know if you feel you cannot handle it yourself and I will send assistance.

-James Byar

Well that wasn’t ideal. He’d give a tip to First Watchman Vantus and keep an eye out himself. He would have preferred more information, but he felt that James was testing him, or perhaps hiding that information for a reason. Solomon penned a quick and dismissive response to make it seem as if he was unconcerned and in control. James had been friendly, but he couldn’t appear weak to him.

After his letters were done he forced himself to review the reports on the damage to the manor and what it would cost for repairs. He then projected out a budget based on his stipend as well as the one he had for the manor. He’d overspent his own budget with all of his Arcana transactions, but the manor’s stipend was in good shape since it hadn’t needed to be touched much.

With that done Solomon found himself practically running to the library. He carefully locked the door and thanked the suit of armor as it moved out of his way, allowing him to descend into the hidden study. As he walked he felt a chill settle over him.