Almost Caught.

Harold stalked down the steps and was lost from sight as he approached the doorway to the trailer, this was the time when a decoy could take the King's place and make all the plans moot. The prime mover that hauled the massive trailer began to rev up and inch forward. Plumes of thick black smoke spewed from the exhaust pipes, the Royal Garage had to return to the use of large diesel engines after the EMPG Company had been bought out and moved to Scotland, and out of Harold's reach for the time being. It made little difference, as there were plenty of diesel trucks to fill the void left by the broken and stolen EMPG power units. The truck powered through the gates and under the window, Tryfor did his scan and saw that the King was indeed in the trailer with six others. He waited for the procession to pass before reaching into his pocket for his message rune, he said a few whispered words and the rune began to float, he was waiting for his master to answer so he could report the exciting news.

But something was wrong, the connections was being blocked, and he suddenly realised what was going on and sent the rune to the winds. He turned and headed across the room, stripping his clothes off as he did, he only had seconds. He all but dove onto the pretty young whore and as he landed on her and pulled the covers over them the door was kicked open and three Royal guards stormed in. They stood there looking at the two young people, naked and caught in flagrante delicto. The meanest of them smiled at the sight of the naked girl, she was not bothered about covering herself, she was used to being ogled. And that's exactly what the Guardsmen did, they took in every inch of her naked beauty. Then the real problem walked in, Mage Nifor, a disgrace and a joke to all that knew the man. He was the butt of many a good joke since he had thrown his lot in with Harold. Now he was no more than a glorified tracker for the Guard.

"What are you doing here?" He demanded.

"I would have thought that would have been very self-explanatory Nifor. Even a fool such as you couldn't mistake two people fucking." Tryfor took the chance to needle the other Mage, he knew there was nothing he could do to him, for if he did, it would bring down the full wrath of the Academy and the Council of Mages.

"Don't test me, boy. I detected rune magic in this room." He spat.

"I think the only magic happening in this room is between these sheets, Nifor. Isn't that right my Dear?"

"We have been far too busy for him to anything, your Magness." The young woman explained with a naughty little giggle.

"Another dead end Mage, the Captain is not going to pleased with you, me thinks, eh lads?" The big ugly Guardsman laughed. "Not that the sights are to be knocked on this occasion. The woman smiled and blew the Guardsman a kiss.

"Alright let's be on our way, there is real work to be done." The three Guardsmen left the room and Nifor stood there fuming at Tryfor.

"I won't forget this Umberth, I will have my revenge on you."

"Close the door behind you, there's a good Chap." Tryfor baited the older Mage one last time. Nifor grimaced and flicked a hand at the clothes spread on the floor, causing them to burst into flame, and stormed out of the room, ignoring the door.

Tryfor kissed the woman on the forehead and she fell back into her dream state, again engaged in a sexual exploit that she would remember for the remainder of her days. Tryfor stood up and waved his hand over the burning clothes and they were repaired instantly.

"Foolish to think I would be so easily bested." He said to himself as he dressed. He moved to the window and saw the three guards walking back to the palace gate with Nifor stalking along behind them. He turned and threw an evil stare back at the window, but Tryfor was too far back from the window room to be seen. He laughed as the Mage turned and stomped off into the darkness. Now he had to use his one and only travel rune to report in, he hoped above hope that he would not be in trouble for scattering his message rune and using his only travel rune, all in the same night, but he decided that if there was a time to use it, it was now.

"Goodbye my lovely, enjoy your dream." He said and blew her a kiss, not that she heard or saw any of it. But the stack of notes on the bedside table and the memory of the night before would sustain her for a long time to come. With that he disappeared, no pop, no flash, he just ceased to be there.

Far across the other side of London in the Mages Academy, Tryfor popped into existence just outside the Master Battle Mage's office, he barely had time orient himself when he was confronted by two senior Battle Mages.

Speak the truth or die where you stand." Challenged the first Mage.

"I stand before the Lady, my hands empty and my heart full." He said as quickly as he could, to which the Mage nodded and stepped back to await any further unexpected arrivals.

Tryfor ran into the Master's office and knocked furiously at the inner office door. The door swung open and he half fell into office stumbling across the floor before steadying himself on the Master Mage's desk.

"Umberth what are you doing, Boy?" Tyrrell demanded.

"My extreme apologies Master Tyrrell, but I have just come from the Brothel, um... I mean… ahh." He could barely think straight.

"I know where you were, and what you were supposed to be doing, now why did you use a transport rune, have you lost your message rune?"

"No Master, I was forced to send my message rune to the winds," and from there he recounted the story of seeing Harold leave and being accosted by Nifor and the fact that he thought it important enough to use his transport rune. Tyrrell listened carefully and then considered everything the young Mage had said before standing up.

"You have made all the correct decisions and actions Mage Umberth, come we must speak with the Master Mage." He spun and headed out the still open door, with Tryfor Umberth stumbling along behind. Both almost ran down the long corridor that led to Master Merlin's Office and retreat. As they got closer to the door, Tryfor wanted to find a hole to hide in, the Master Mage frightened all sorts of hell out of him. He was the supreme Mage in virtually the entire world. He half said a small prayer as they got to the door.

"For the sake of us all, pull yourself together Umberth, do you not realise that you are receiving a rare honour?"

"Sorry Master Tyrrell, but the Master Mage scares the life out of me." He said in a squeaky, almost child-like voice.

"As he should boy, but he is also one to recognise good work and sensible use of the craft. So straighten your Robe for Heaven's sake."

Tyrrell knocked and the door almost immediately swung open and they entered the domain of the Master Mage, Merlin.

"Ah Gillan my old friend, what drags you up here to this dust bowl."

"News to make your evening, Merlin." Merlin stopped writing in the massive leather volume and looked up inquisitively.

"Tell him Mage Umberth." He elbowed Tryfor in the ribs and the young man began his tale with an audible oomph. But he recovered quickly and related the evening's events, in every detail. He had heard that the Master Mage liked detailed reports.

"My Boy, you have just made this Old Mage very happy. Gillan, I think he has earned his reward, do you not think." Merlin asked his old friend.

"I think that he has indeed, and then some. I shall see that he is well looked after, Old Friend. But me thinks you have more important places to be right now, yes?" Merlin looked at his friend and nodded.

As he looked on, he saw the Master Mage simply cease to exist in the chair he was seated in. Tryfor knew that the more powerful Mages didn't require runes, but he had never seen it happen.

"Now Junior Battle Mage Umberth, what are we to do with you?" His Master said to him with a cheeky glint in his eye. "Don't worry young Tryfor, you have done yourself and the Academy proud, some would have not recognised the dander in time and would have been caught red handed. It was a very well rounded effort and you have earned your elevation. Let's get you a new robe, eh?" Tyrrell said companionably.

"Thank you Master Tyrrell. I only wish to do the best I can." He stammered.

"You have, you have, and it is Gillan in private now, the Master rubbish is just to keep the apprentices and the junior Mages on their toes." Tryfor was stunned, he was not a Junior Battle Mage any longer, he knew the Master's first name and could use it in private. The day simply could not get any better.