Mark of the Fool

“Yes, that’s it, my minion!” Alex laughed maniacally. “Work for me!”

“Will you stop calling me that!” Selina grumbled, hoisting a box out of the sky-boat and onto her shoulder. “I’m not your minion, you big jerk!”

“You must be!” Her brother gestured to the sky-boat—laden with boxes and furniture—hovering a foot above the cobblestones. Powerfully built labourers were carefully unloading the vessel, carrying boxes through the bustling street to the bakery’s front door.

“I told you to let us and the movers carry everything, but you’re choosing to lug around those heavy boxes. So, you must be my minion!” Alex laughed, erecting a mighty tower of unassailable—but terrible—logic. “Besides, Baelin says that Proper Wizards hire minions.”

“It’s okay, Selina,” Theresa hoisted an enormous crate over one shoulder. Her eyes twinkled in the morning sunlight. “In a lot of the old stories minions betray their evil wizard masters and destroy them. So, you have that to look forward to.”

Selina threw her older brother an appraising look. “I like the sound of that…”

“Hey!” Alex whined, picking up a chair. “I resent that! I am a kind master!”

Selina rolled her eyes, watching Claygon lift an armoire from the sky-boat. “Is Alex a kind father? I’ll take your silence as a no.”

‘Wait…what?’ Claygon’s head whirled toward Selina, but the little imp was already staring at Alex with a toothy, victorious grin.

“See? Rebellion time,” she whispered, before turning back toward the bakery.

For a moment, the young girl stood completely still, taking in the building’s lines, her green eyes sparking. “I can’t believe this is all ours, “she said in awe. “It looks so different now.”

Over weeks of renovating, deep cleaning and painting, the bakery had transformed from a dingy vermin nest, to a charming home and welcoming business. The brick was restored from the dingy, mud colour covering it— alarmingly reminiscent of dry dung— to a vibrant, inviting red. New windows—some clear and some crafted of varied shades of blue stained glass—sparkled in the sunlight between painted black wooden and iron shutters.

A freshly whitewashed front door—complete with a massive brass handle—stood open, waiting for the bakery’s new inhabitants to move their belongings into their home.

After much preparation—two weeks into the winter semester—moving day was finally here.

“Yeah, I can hardly believe it myself.” Alex’s smile blazed with pride. “When you’re older, I’m going to have your name added to the deed, Selina. And yours too, Theresa.” He chuckled. “What’s my kingdom, is your kingdom!”

‘It is…it feels warm, father.’ Claygon had also stopped.

“It’s beautiful.” Theresa sighed, admiring their new home. “I couldn’t ask for a more perfect place for us to live in.”

“Oh, bah! Perfect?” the broad-shouldered wizard barked out a laugh. “You’re exaggerating. This is but a fine beginning my lovely huntress, wondrous golem-son and fine minion-sister! I know you would love a nice little hunting lodge somewhere in the countryside, Theresa, and you’d better believe that I shall provide! How would a nice big manor house—or heck, a palace—suit you? All with fine architecture? If I keep working on what I’m working on, all that and more’s going to be possible.”

Selina looked up at Alex, her eyes shining. “All that sounds nice…but this is still perfect. It’s ours. The first home that’s all ours since…well…” She took a deep breath. “Since the ale house burned down: that makes it special.”

“I agree,” Theresa said. “Don’t go buying half the world on my account, Alex.” She smiled, her face alight. “This is one of the most beautiful moments of my life. I just wish mother and father could see us.”

“I wish our mom and dad could see us too,” Selina sounded a bit downhearted.

“Well, I’m sure they know about it,” Alex said. “They’re probably watching from the after-world, and they’re really proud of us.” He looked up at the sky. “At least, I hope you are, mother and father.”

“They have to be,” Selina said. “I’m doing well in school. You got us this wonderful home, you’re even helping the Heroes. They have to be proud.”

Alex gave her shoulder a squeeze. “No doubt, Selina. I’m sure you’re right.”

‘If only there was a spell that could let me ask them,’ he added in his thoughts, grabbing another chair and carrying it to the bakery alongside his family.

Inside, the transformation was just as marked as the one outside.

Brand new tables and dining chairs filled the bakery’s eating area sitting atop newly planed floorboards stained a deep burgundy. The smell of freshly seasoned wood mixed with a delightful aroma drifting in from the kitchen.

Alex could hear bellies rumbling in response to the delicious scent as the movers arranged the dining room, or took boxes up the recently installed stone staircase leading from behind the shop’s counter, to the living space above.

The young wizard put down the chairs he’d been carrying, nodding to a mover who’d just come downstairs. “Would you mind taking that big box from my stubborn little sister? …I mean, she’s a little…little.”

“Oh, well we can’t be having little ones do the work of grown folks.” The heavy-set man tromped over to Selina, taking the box from her. “You, little lady, can direct me where to put this.”

“Hmmmmmm…okay,” she said. “It’s this way!”

The man smiled at Alex. “I’ve got a couple of young ones myself. I know how it is.” He turned, following the young girl upstairs while another mover eyed Theresa, still holding the enormous crate balanced on one shoulder.

“Should…I take that?” He asked, reluctance screaming loudly from his tone and body language.

“Meh, I’m alright.” She bounced the box.

“Yeah, she’s probably the strongest of everyone here,” Alex admitted, pride filling his voice. “Well, everyone, that's not a ten foot tall stone golem, that is.”

“Ah, right then. I’ll fetch something else.” The labourer nodded, heading back outside.

‘I am very…strong,’ Claygon confirmed through their mental connection, climbing the—reinforced steps—and carrying the armoire up to the second floor.

“I’d better get this upstairs too,” Theresa followed in the golem’s footsteps.

“Alright, I’ll meet you up there.”

“Boss!” Troy poked his head out of the kitchen door. “Just wanted to tell you that the bread’s nearly done. Lunch’ll be ready within the hour.”

“Excellent!” The Thameish wizard clapped. “How’re you liking the kitchen now that it's all remodelled? Anything you think we’ll need to change?”

“Oh no, boss, it’s brilliant.” The baker was all smiles. “The new ovens are perfect, the kitchen supplies are top notch and you got us some proper ingredients.”

“That’s what I like to hear.” Alex gave him a thumbs up. “Well, if you think of something that’d make your job faster, better or easier, don’t be afraid to tell me. We can have a chat about it.”

“Sounds good!” Troy actually giggled, sounding like a delighted child as he made his way back inside the kitchen and began humming a little tune. “Best boss I’ve ever had, and I only just started working for you.”

Alex couldn’t help the little thrill rising up in his chest. “And this is what coin’s for.” He whispered. “Making sure less people have to work for the McHarris’ of the world. Oh, and being able to buy whatever you want and bury yourself in hedonism, I guess. But that’s no fu—No wait, that actually sounds pretty fun.”

“Excuse me sir.” A nearby worker interrupted Alex’s train of mad thought. He and another mover were carrying a large, steel box. “You said you wanted to show us where the boxes in the basement should go, sir?”

“Oh, yes! Follow me.” Alex gestured to a side door. “You can’t actually access the basement from the first floor. Safety first, and all.”

“Right sir.” The taller of the two movers grunted, balancing his side of the heavy box in his grip.

The tall young wizard led the moving men up the stairs to the second floor, through the living space which, at the moment, was a chaotic mess of partially-unpacked boxes and scattered furniture. Most of the furniture for their new home was bought the week before in a flurry of a shopping trip Alex had taken his family on. Even Brutus had gotten something: a plush oversized down-filled dog bed he was presently sound asleep on, curled up in the corner. All four paws were moving like he was running, and one of his heads was snarling, while another was growling and whining. He’d quickly made himself right at home.

Most of the furniture in their insula apartment belonged to the university—and for the time being—they were keeping the place for convenience, like for mornings when they had early classes, or for late night ones, or when Theresa had to be at the Beastarium, or Alex had to teleport to Greymoor.

And so, they’d made a day of choosing enough furniture to supply a three story building. Some would have to be custom made and would be delivered when it was ready.

Of course, a lot of their personal items had already been carted over from campus by the movers, and much of Alex’s equipment went straight into the basement.

His new lab was coming along nicely.

“Down here.” He gestured to the movers, opening a door of magically treated iron. Through it lay a staircase, well-lit by lights in steel sconces. “The stairs were reinforced, and they’re sized for bigger folk than humans, so watch how you step.”

Carefully descending the stairway to the renovated basement, they reached Alex’s pride and joy, his own in-house laboratory spreading out before them, complete with stone walls of magically treated steel. Tables and equipment were being set up by some of the movers, while a specialist was performing the finishing touches on a protective summoning circle on the other side of the basement.

The lab wasn’t as secure as those found in the Cells, but it was more than sturdy enough for his needs; crafting and summoning projects he had in mind for the near future.

He could start building Claygon’s speakerbox in this very room soon, and he was getting more excited just thinking about it, about hearing Claygon talk for the first time.

“You can put the box over there.” Alex pointed to a corner of the lab nearest a mana vacuum. “After that, I’ll come with you to get the next one. We should be able to get most of the lab unpacked by the time our lunch is ready.”

“You don’t have to feed us sir,” the short labourer said, taking the box over to the spot Alex was pointing to.

“But I want to feed you.” The tall wizard smiled. “And in return, you can tell people that this bakery’s days of selling terrible food-poison giving food islong gone.”

“If that bread tastes half as good as it smells, I’ll tell everyone I know.”

“Glorious, and I—”

“Aleeeex!” Theresa’s cry echoed from upstairs. “You’ve got a visitor!”

“Oh, that’s me!” Alex said to his workers, moving to the steps. “I’ll see you all outside!”

Taking the stairs two at a time, he emerged from the basement, expecting to find one of his friends waiting, or maybe even Baelin.

What he was not expecting to find was Toraka Shale standing among the chaos of his sitting room, a small brass box in hand. “So.” She took in the sitting room. “This is what all my coin buys, is it?”

“Toraka!” Alex blinked. “I’m surprised to see you here.”

“Of course you would be, but we’re neighbours now, and what kind of neighbour and business partner would I be if I didn’t bring you an appropriate housewarming gift,” she said dryly, glancing around. “You’ve really transformed this place, no denying it. I thought you’d taken leave of your senses when you bought this…well, I certainly can’t call it a dump anymore.”

“Yeah, I could see what was hidden under the surface, and it really did need a ton of work, but it’s paying off,” Alex pulled out a chair from between the sea of boxes. “Do you want to have a seat? I know it’s kinda upside down in here, but we could clear a space and I could put on some tea or melt some chocolate from the kitchen? If you stay for a bit, we’ll be having lunch soon.”

“Oh no, that’s quite alright, Alex.” Toraka raised her hand. “I have to get back to work soon, and you don’t need me hanging around on a big, busy day like this. So, without further ado.” She handed him the brass box. “I think you’ll like this.”

Puzzled, the young wizard took the box in hand, placing it on the closest table and undoing the metal clamps sealing it shut. Lifting the lid slowly, he found an inner lining of emerald green velvet holding—

“A sound replicator!” Alex cried. “Holy crap!”

“The same kind that’s in my music golem, though a little larger.” Toraka smiled. “I know you’re about to build a speakerbox for Claygon, and this will let him make any sort of music, sounds, or voices he wants to.”

“This…this is an incredible gift,” Alex said, gratitude plain in his voice. “Thanks for this, Toraka. I’m going to make sure I finish Claygon’s speakerbox as quickly as I can.”

He glanced up to the floor above where he could hear his golem moving around. “But, I think thanks will sound a lot better coming from him.”

“Good and—after you’re all set up here—I want you to finish our special project with me.” Toraka’s eyes twinkled. “I’m very excited to see the product in action.”

“And I won’t disappoint you,” Alex said. “You’ll have the…second finest golem you’ve ever seen.”