5. Brats, Books, and Hunters #9
"They got the pattern wrong, for which I give great thanks, and will put extra in the box for the next two weeks," the magic worker said.
"The sorcerer summoned, well, a very pissed off pegacorn of sorts, that trampled him before it charged off and threatened some sheep and show goats.
A couple of bouncing hamster-like creatures also followed it. "
"They were dealt with, the breach closed, and no one injured," Vladi reported. "Other than the sorcerer, that is. I'd love to be in the ER when he tries to explain what happened." He bared his teeth in a vicious grin.
"Hamsters?" Niko asked.
Marius grinned at his former Hunting partner. "Fuzzy things, so long," he spread his hands a little, "cute and cuddly, but with nasty teeth and little claws that dripped something."
Ladislu turned to his lady wife, one finger raised in warning. She rested her fingertips on her chest, eyebrows raised, as if she had no idea what the matter might be. A small halo hovered over her head.
Arthur coughed and studied the carvings on the beams overhead. Very much like her mother indeed.
Worship concluded, he and the priestess tended to the paraments and lamps.
The incense burner felt cool to the touch, unlike last time.
Too much charcoal, they had decided, and the lid put on incorrectly so that it failed to quench itself.
They pulled on heavy coats, bowed to the Mystery behind the altar, and departed into the bitter, late-winter night air.
Lukaz the Younger waited just past the steps outside the chapel, along with Florian and Leopold.
The two men murmured, and seemed unusually intent on something.
A sense of looming trouble rose inside him.
What had Florian concocted now? He'd hoped that the Familiar might settle Florian, or at least talk him out of some of his plans, but alas, even a Familiar had not such power.
He took a settling breath and approached the trio. "Yes?"
Florian pointed to Lukaz. The young Hunter-sorcerer swallowed hard. "Ah, honored Master Saldovado sir, that is, would it be permitted for a Hunter's voice to be heard in a narration? As in a novel or short story collection?"
"And be paid for it," Florian added, eyes gleaming.
"A what?" Had he heard correctly?
Florian pointed to the young Hunter-sorcerer once more. "An audio book, a recording of me and Leopold reading his novel, to sell independently through the large audiobook website."
This ... might be useful. Then the words registered, and he asked, "You wrote a novel?"
Lukaz swallowed once more, then said, "Anno, Master Saldovado.
It is urban fantasy. I borrowed from some Hunts as well as the horrible warnings you brought to the armory, but cleaned them up and made them a little more, ah, not realistic, but safe.
No kissing until after the wedding, sir, no nasty spells that work, and," he gave Florian a sort of sideways look. "No vampires on Social Security."
"That was so dumb," Leopold muttered from Florian's other side. "Just because the dead vote doesn't mean they can collect benefits."
He hid his smile, but it was not easy. "I see. And you would sell this online?"
Lukaz nodded, as did Florian. "Under a pen name, sir, and false narrator names as well.
Master Leopold would only do the introduction and copyright, not read the book itself.
It's another source of income for the clan, and one that doesn't require changing government ID and other things every few years. "
"And it will sell, sir," Florian added. "I read the manuscript. It is much, much better than the, ahem, the best seller we shall not name."
That decided him. "Do it. If it works, consider print editions for the shop, please."
The scent of relief and determination almost overwhelmed him. "Yes sir!" Lukaz the Younger beamed. "Thank you, sir."
"You may go."
The young Hunter bowed low. After he left, Arthur turned to Florian. "In truth, how good is the novel?"
"Better than eighty percent of what I've read or listened to, sir. He needs polish, but already he's got a gift. With more practice?" Florian shrugged. "Leopold says it reads a little bit too much like an English major wrote it."
The Familiar nodded, tail wagging gently. "That should wear off the longer he's away from academia, sir. One of his professors offered to help him find an agent if he wants to try selling it to a big publisher."
"Letters says there's a rumor that she sells bodice-ripper romances under a false name, and that's how she can afford to have such a nice house, but he's not going to ask.
He muttered something about never, ever, getting on the bad side of someone who corrected Shakespeare's punctuation and grammar. "
"He might not be kidding, either," Leopold added. He sounded thoughtful. "I don't think she's that old?"
Even Draku had not claimed so many years. He smiled even so. "I have unfond memories of grammar exercises and a ruler."
Florian shrank back in horror. Leopold sighed and muttered something like, "Drama queen."
And so it was.