From: aaron@space.ualberta.ca (Aaron Humphrey)
Subject: [MI] Alfvaen[Mage Guild]: Testing And A Bargain
Reply-To: aaron@space.ualberta.ca
Organization: University Of Alberta, Edmonton Canada
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL4
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1992 23:04:03 GMT

"Why the hell do they want me to come along?" Alfvaen asked.

Moriarty shrugged.  "Some kind of technicality in transferring your files from
Roth, or something.  Nijorik wasn't specific.  But he suggested that you might
want to come in and clear things up, so as not to delay getting our license
any further."  He stopped, looked around the office, then continued in a lower
voice, "He also said something about some kind of deal we could make to
expedite our license, and that we both should be there."  He put his magical
brazier in a small pouch at his waist, which it shouldn't have been able to fit
into.

"I was just worried about the wisdom of leaving Queriche in charge," Alfvaen
said.

Moriarty snorted.  "Don't worry about it.  We can't do any real business
anyway, so what does it matter?  This way, we may be able to get to work
sooner, without sitting twiddling our thumbs."  Alfvaen refrained from
commenting that customers hadn't been breaking down their door in the past few
days.

The walk to the Mage Guild was mostly silent.  Moriarty and Alfvaen still did
not get along well, and had no reason to make small talk.  They exchanged a few
words about the business, but little else.

They crossed the Plaza of Glittering Steel, warm under a cloudy sky, and went
north along the Arcade of Fountains.  "There it is," Moriarty said, pointing to
their right.

Alfvaen nodded.  Non-Euclidean architecture, big marble pillars...these guys
had the same architect as the one in Delta City.  Who exactly does design Mage
Guilds? he wondered.

The pretty receptionist directed Moriarty to a room in the Testing Centre, and
Alfvaen up to an Audience Room to talk to one of the Archmagi.  "You always get
this kind of treatment?" Moriarty muttered before their paths diverged.

Alfvaen shrugged.  "More than my magical talents warrant, that's for sure."

The audience room proved to be more like a catwalk.  Two comfortable-looking
couches sat in the middle.  To either side was empty space, or at least
something nonsolid.  It was filled with bizarre patterns of soft light.

<We're on another plane,> Lassiviren said.

<I kinda got that impression, yeah.  Standard Mage Guild practice, again.  If
you want privacy, put it in another dimension.>

"I hope you haven't been waiting long," the man on the other couch said.

<Did you see him appear?>

<No...>

The man smiled.  "Of course, that is a bit disconcerting sometimes, isn't it.
I was here all along, or at least my body was.  I am Archmage Urcohea, in
charge of Internal Security at this branch of the Mage Guild, and working with
a few others, I might add.  But business can wait until your friend is finished
his testing.  I wanted to talk to you first because transfer of your records
brought up some interesting facts.  For instance, that you're dead."

Alfvaen smiled weakly.  "Well, I can explain that.  You see, I was in the City
of the Dead, and..."

"What's this amulet?"  Urcohea held a lens before his eye.  "Rune of Kibo, or
Azpiazu as we call him here."

"We've met," Alfvaen said.

"Some kind of necromantic dweomer, and...oh.  That's >nice<, that is."  He
sighed.  "Some divine work is so slipshod, but this--beautiful.  Well, that
clears that up.  You are dead."

"Really."

"And so is your companion.  Yes, I see two souls in there.  The other one looks
a bit dark, though.  A drow?  No, never mind, must keep some secrets, eh?  No,
quite a delightful little enchantment.  You see, it trapped your soul on the
point of death, and is holding you from going to whatever plane you would have
normally at that point, and is actually >using< the animatractive force to
provide a simulacrum body for you.  Most amazing.  Shouldn't make any practical
difference to you, though.  You may have a bit more energy than you're used to,
and you will be more sensitive to a few things, but those are minor."

"Perhaps you can answer a few questions about the amulet for me, then, since
you seem to know so much about it."

Urcohea smiled.  "Delighted, my boy.  Fire away."  A jet of flame burst from
the top of his couch.  "Whoops--forgetting my command words.  Ask away, then."

"First--is it necessary for death to occur to switch bodies?"

"Oh, no, no.  But what is necessary is a...majority vote of souls.  You see,
with two of you, both of you have to want to switch, and that's risky if you
are relinquishing control, so it doesn't often happen.  It gets much more
interesting with more.  I heard from Pandemia not that long ago about a
fivesome.  Quite exquisite spell, that--and such a well-matched set."

"I can get more souls in here?  How?"

"Well, let's see.  Do you know what happens when you take off the amulet?  No?
Well, since it's providing the force behind your body, you will fade away in a
very short span of time, returning to the inside of the amulet.  In that time,
though, if you can place the amulet on the neck of one about to die, then it's
quite straightforward for their soul to join yours.  I wouldn't recommend it
with just >anyone<, you understand."  There was a buzzing sound.  "Ah, that's
your friend.  He's done his testing."

"But it hasn't been that long, has it?"

"Different timeframes in different planes, my boy.  Ah, there he is now.  It's
Moriarty, isn't it?  Quite a distinguished name, that.  Or infamous, in some
places.  But--to business.  I have a rather interesting proposition for you,
which will make getting a license for you that much easier.  Ah, Moriarty's
ears perk up on that one.  And cheaper, too."

He waved an arm around him.  "This is not my normal office, you see.  Normally
your position would be reviewed by Rivy, our Archmage of Bureaucracy.  Has a
positive talent for the stuff, he does.  So this is his office.  I came in
through a back way, and Rivy is off doing some filing, or something, and not
listening.

"You may well wonder what need for such subterfuge in the Mage Guild.  Well,
it seems that there are some internal matters that need attention, and for
those we need utmost discretion.  So I'm afraid I'm going to have to require
an Oath from you."  He produced a misshapen stone from a pocket of his robe.
"I'll have to require you to place your hand--either one--on this stone and
swear that you will not reveal any of the details I am about to relate to you,
nor any future details you discover about corruption in the Mage Guild, to any
person not authorized by myself."

"Why?" Alfvaen asked.  "I mean, I know about the secrecy part, but why us?  And
how are we supposed to cover up our investigation?  What happens if we break
the oath?  A few questions to be answered here."

"Why you?  Because your rather unique combination of talents makes you best
suited for the job, particularly because you will be underestimated.  Your
investigation will be covered inside another one, of course.  And if you break
the oath, then I will know instantly, and you will be put into extreme pain.  I
wouldn't advise testing it.  Now--will you swear?  I might add that this
service should be taken in lieu of processing fees et al. for your licenses."

"I'd have to put an upper limit on that," Moriarty said.  "I mean, what if we
spend years working on this thing?  If we're working exclusively on this case,
then we're going to need some kind of minimal payment to keep us in food, know
what I mean?  So how about I give you a discount on our normal rates?"

Urcohea smiled.  "Of course, you haven't established what normal rates are.
But your suggestions are merited.  We will pay you half normal rates for three
months.  After that, we will pay you as normal.  If you can wrap it up in under
three months, then the extra will be a bonus."  His hand was on the Oath Stone.
"I so swear."  A scroll appeared next to his head.  "A written form.  Peruse it
at your leisure--that's what it boils down to.  Now--your oaths?"

The two exchanged glances.  "All right," Alfvaen said.  "How about others?  We
have another employee, Queriche, and may acquire others over time.  Will they
be required to take similar oaths?"

Urcohea sighed.  "We'll give you a portable copy, linked to this one.  Will
that satisfy you?"

The pair nodded, and swore in turn on the Stone.  Then they sat to hear what
Urcohea would reveal to them.

[Continued next post--this ran on, didn't it?]

--
---Alfvaen(as well as Moriarty, Queriche, and sundry others)
"So you found a girl who thinks really deep thoughts
 what's so amazing about really deep thoughts"  -- Tori Amos
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