Chapter 18: Emperor's birthday

The Grinning Cat was full with people coming to celebrate the emperor’s birthday. Daniel and Tami were with me at my table by the kitchen door. The table was covered with mage creatures laying on each other after eating a meal. I was watching Melody closely but her companion seemed to have her attention.

Ash was petting the Emerald cat who had crawled into her carrier. Tami leaned close and whispered, “Merchant Mcfercen announced that he was firing workers.”

I nodded, “And Merchant Gregorson has let it slip that he would hire any that left early.”

She grinned, “So...”

I smiled sweetly, “So I have a job tonight. I have a contract with Silver and a dozen other mages.”

She laughed, “Something for the orphanage again?”

I grinned, “I was thinking of stuffed animated cats.”

She bumped my shoulder as I reached out and touched Melody, “No magic.”

She frowned before sighing, “Okay.”

Her companion patted her arm as I glanced at Ash and quickly reached out to catch her hand and shake, “No!”

The crowd quieted as she pouted and I sighed, “Where is your mother?”

She looked over my shoulder and I turned as Jasmine cleared her throat. I grinned, “About time. Ash keeps trying to pull in magic from the cat.”

She bent to kiss me before reaching out to touch Ash, “She will not hurt them.”

I snorted as I stood and stepped back, “I think the girls are giving me grey hair.”

Jasmine smiled and kissed me before turning to take my place, “Get used to it.”

I looked at her and was tempted to stay. She smiled back at me, “Go play.”

I grinned and bent to give her a quick kiss, “Wait until I come home.”

I moved towards the door as Jewel and the drakes took to the air. It was nice to have them back as company. Outside the atmosphere was full of people celebrating and shouting. I moved into quieter streets as I headed towards the merchant’s factory. Merchant Mcfercen was firing workers because skilled workers were expensive.

He was bringing in surfs he had purchased. I thought it was time I helped relieve him of the burden that came with being wealthy. I slowed and stood in the shadows of an alley. The factory was dark but there was one light on in a window. I glanced around at the drakes, “Want to go peek in the windows?”

They leaped into the air and spread out as they crossed the street. I reached up to caress Jewel, “Lets try the back door.”

I moved out and walked down the street before crossing and walking down the alley. The door was in the dark but I saw the faint strands of magic. That made me frown as I looked at the strands. I removed my pack and pulled out a small pouch and the small mage lantern. I knelt and pulled out a couple of silver pen knives.

I opened the lantern and began to move or bypass the magic strands. Once my way was clear I picked the lock and opened the door. I closed the lantern and put my pack on and stepped into the factory. A drake landed on my shoulder and rubbed against my neck. It pointed towards the stairs and then up a ladder to a walk above us.

I smiled and nodded as I headed towards the ladder. The stairs had faint strands of magic but the ladder was clear. I climbed to the walk and silently made my way to above the office. I looked down before using the ladder against the warehouse wall. I was carefully as I silently moved to the front and laid down to wait and watch.

All around me the drakes settled and watched the office door. It was an hour before the merchant came out and turned to lock the door. He held a wand and touched it to the door before turning to touch the stair rail. He walked down and touched the rail at the bottom again before heading for the back door.

I smiled as I realized that was how he had magical traps. I waited a little while before turned and dropping to the landing in front of the door. I pulled the mage lantern again and used the knives to move the magic to one side. I picked the lock and opened the door to look in. I stepped in and looked around before realizing the inner wall was to close.