Magum Imperatoria, Part Twenty-One

15 February 2007

We were all called to breakfast, and after we’d eaten Michael had Benedict, Akshainie, Alice, and me stay behind and sent the staff out. Once we were alone, he stood and addressed us.

“They’re after the Church of England,” he announced. None of us visibly reacted to that and I got the impression he was a bit surprised at that. There was a moment of silence where he seemed to be processing it.

“So you got them to talk?” I asked. “How’d you do that?”

“Runic circle of truth.”

“That’s awfully convenient.”

“What did you learn about their plan?” Akshainie asked.

“Sadly, very little. They are waiting for a signal and are getting into position to attack both the crown and Canterbury.”

“So first step is to get more information,” Benedict said, rising from his seat. “If you could show me the way to this circle of truth—”

“The cultists are dead,” Michael said, flatly. Benedict stopped, then leaned forward with his palms on the table.

“I must request a bit more information on that one.”

“It appears to have been a defense against interrogation. Not unlike a poison pill, but in this case, a self-immolation spell.”

“Self-immolation,” I said, leaning back and crossing my arms.

​“We can discuss the matter more later. For now, we have a lot of work to do, and I think it would be best if we focused on that.” Michael looked around to each of us, and we grudgingly agreed. Michael produced identity cards he had made for each of us so we could split up and still operate with the authority of the estate, and included one for Alice. She was hesitant, but Michael reminded her that she had expressed a desire to get involved and that they needed someone who didn’t stand out as magical to check on a nearby church. He handed out assignments to each of us, and within the hour we were all on our way.

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