“Don’t you dare lecture me. I’ve seen what you get up to—”
“It’s about your safety. You don’t even know him—”
Alison interjected, addressing Leo. “Not all of us. I can, though not consistently. Keir here also has some sort of ability, though we’re stronger together.” She looked at Rinka for help. Leo was an assistant of Professor Marin’s, and she was the only one who could help them with their solar machine. If she trusted him, why should they doubt him? Maybe his inquiry would lead them to an answer.
Rinka nodded, understanding. “I also can do something with the powers of others. I’m not really sure how it works.”
“Ah, you must be a conduit,” said Leo.
“A what?” asked Rinka.
“A conduit. It’s what I call people who can channel the magical power of other people. It’s a rare gift, from what I’ve seen, and a particularly useful one because magic used by a conduit generally can’t be detected.” He turned to Idris. “To your point, you are correct about the magic you sense around me. But it’s not on me. It’s on the objects that I’m studying.”
From his pocket, he pulled an ordinary lighter made from dwarven steel. “I was just preparing to take some measurements when you arrived. This is just one of several objects—”
“This is cursed,” interrupted Idris. “It’s a powerful curse at that. Highly malevolent. What in the name of the Gods are you doing carrying around a cursed object? Did you say, ‘several objects’?”
“Idris, stop it,” said Ceri. “He’s just doing research.”
“Ido research on curses and cursed objects,” said Idris. “And do you know where I keep them? Safely locked away in specially designed storage devices to ensure the curse cannot escape. It’s basic dark magic handling. Really, a graduate researcher carrying cursed objects around like children’s toys. I’ve a mind to speak with Dean Whittaker.”
Ceri was furious. Even Alison thought Idris was going a little too far. She highly doubted that Leo had intended to do anything wrong.
“You’re being unfair,” said Rinka. Idris frowned at her but said nothing. “Half the country doesn’t believe magic exists. You didn’t even know the conduit thing Leo just mentioned. I’m sure now that he knows, he’ll want to handle the objects correctly. Right, Leo?”
Leo nodded. “Of course. I didn’t mean to—that is to say, I didn’t think they were harmful. They register on my magimeter. They may not all be cursed. But even if they are, that poses another interesting research question: is there a difference in the magic storage based on the nature of the enchantment? If I could take a look at those cursed objects of yours…”
Idris glared at him, and Leo shrunk back in response. But then Idris looked from Ceri to Rinka, who both looked ready to throttle him, and sighed in resignation. “Fine.Afteryou’ve had proper training on their handling and not a moment before it.”
Leo reluctantly handed the lighter to Idris.
“Isn’t it dangerous to you as well?” asked Alison. “If it’s cursed, after all.”
“I’m already cursed,” said Idris. “If it gets me between here and my office, I probably deserved it.” He gave half a smile—half an apology—to Leo.
“I’ll go with you, just in case,” said Rinka.
“We’ll be back for the others with the proper storage,” said Idris, putting his arm around Rinka. “Donottouch them while we’re gone. Don’t even go near them.”
With the pair of them gone, Ceri relaxed. “Ignore my brother,” she said to Leo. “He’s insufferable when he thinks he knows better than you.”
“No, he was right,” said Leo. “Truly, it explains a lot. I thought I was just unlucky. I’m sorry I put you in danger last night.”
Last night? Alison shot a look to Keir. It was a good thing Idris wasn’t here to hear that.
“Well, I’m relieved it wasn’t the solar machine at least,” said Professor Marin. She had taken a wise step back while they argued, tinkering with the machine rather than participating. “I want to run a few more tests to be sure.”
Ceri led Leo away, asking him something about egg tarts, and Professor Marin took the opportunity to talk to Alison, who likely seemed the most level-headed of the bunch.
“Keep an eye on him during the day for me, will you? Leo is a kind young man, but I worry about him. I’m glad Professor Idris is here to knock some sense into him, but I imagine it’ll take more than one lecture to persuade him. I’ve never met someone so singularly focused. It makes him a wonderful research assistant, but I never thought I’d find myself so worried about an elf’s longevity.”
“Of course we’ll look after him,” said Alison.
Truthfully, Alison didn’t know how they were meant to babysit an elf that was likely decades older than any of them, except for Lady Sibba.
But judging by the giggles coming from inside, they wouldn’t have to worry about it—Ceri was already on the job.
Back in their room that night, with both of them reading their respective books in bed, Alison turned to Keir to discuss something that had been troubling her.
