79 Maximus’s Teacher

"I think I know who he is," the Count said. "But I would not deal with him if you have any choice."

Finally we found someone who knew of Maximus! This was the first lead we had gotten since we left Ivy's forest. It was nearly impossible to hide my excitement. "It is too late for that, I am afraid. I beg you, can you please take us to him?" It was my turn to bow this time. Now I was actually thankful to bump into that monkey yesterday.

The Count frowned at this, "I would be happy to help you find a different magician. I know several personally. I can not recommend working with Maximus."

"I thank you for your offer, but I am afraid we urgently need to find Maximus," I said looking at him intently.

His frown grew, "Can you tell me honestly how urgent it is that you find Maximus?"

I hesitated for a moment. But figuring that this was still within the realm of our cover story, I answered. "Someone's life may be in danger if we do not find him quickly."

"Why am I not surprised," I heard the Count mumble. Then speaking up, "I suggest you come with me now. I know the man who taught Maximus."

I felt no reason to delay and had Gray go help the stableboy get the horses ready. Lillian was invited to come with us, but she declined. She wanted to be home when her daughter woke up.

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It was not long before our horses were ready. I felt a surprising storm of emotions within me, raging through me as we followed the Count's carriage. We were finally getting somewhere. It would not be too long until we located Faun. I could feel Emily and Gray whispering behind me (it was probably about me, but I ignored them) and saw Leafia look at me several times with concern. Only Istan seemed to keep his emotions in check, eyes scanning the surroundings diligently for any sign of danger. This was another moment I was grateful for his extreme sense of duty.

The Count led us through the city until we arrived at what could be called a small three story home. The home was only about seven or eight steps wide, which was much narrower than the homes near Lillian's.

The Count's footman ran to the door and knocked. A moment later, a maid opened the door and we were told to step inside. Then the footman took our horses' reins and we walked up the path.

As we entered the house I could hear an elderly man call from the adjacent room. "Ophelia, please prepare some tea for our guests."

The maid closed the door and said, "Yes, master."

We entered what appeared to be the parlor and were directed to sit in some open chairs.

"Count Mendal, to what do I owe the honor of your presence this day? With such a large party, no less. I was quite shocked when your runner stopped by saying you wanted to visit."

"Good Morning Charles. Allow me to introduce Sorceress Laurel and her companions. Due to some rather unfortunate events, I owe this lady a debt. I must ask for your help to repay it," the Count said. Then, to our group, he made the introduction of, "Charles deAuge, former Head of the Magician Association, now retired."

"A sorceress. It has been a long time since anyone at the Magic Association has held the title of sorceress. Most people are too afraid to dedicate themselves in one single field of magic to earn that title in their work.," the old man said with a smile then shaking his head a little. "You are in the company of elves, too. You do not see that often. You intrigue me, Sorceress Laurel. I would like to know more about your history and your specialties. But first, why are you seeking an old man like myself?"

I was not given a chance to talk before the Count said, "It has to do with Maximus."

The old man shuddered at the Count's words. "You have had dealings with him, then. Can you please confirm what Maximus looked like? I want to make sure you have the same person I know."

It seemed a little odd to start with this, but I guess there may be more than one Maximus out there. Since I had never seen the person, I turned to Gray for his help.

"Maximus was half a head shorter than me. His hair was a medium brown color that always seemed to want to part on one side. His skin was sallow-looking with sunken cheeks and a rather jagged scar on his chin."

"It does not seem he has learned the lesson he ought to have learned when he got that scar." The man sighed in obvious resignation. "Please tell me everything you can about the situation. I will do my best to help."

At that moment, the maid re-entered the room with the requested tea. I found myself holding a delicate cup, but set it down after a brief glance. I wanted to look into how these delicate cups were made, but I could not get distracted now.

"Couldn't you just tell us where to find him? We really need to talk to him." I said.

"I wish I could. I do not want to clean up any of that boy's messes. But I have not seen him in many years and do not know where he calls home any more. I am the one that taught him magic. He may have taken it and twisted it in unnatural ways, but I can still fix most of what he has done. Please, tell me, and I will do what I can to set things right."

"I am afraid that will not help," I said rather downcast. I decided at this point I might as well tell him. The risk was outweighed by the prospect of learning more. "Maximus has abducted several people living in the elven country. One of them was my best friend. We are trying to find him and save our friends."

Silence fell over the room. Then, "Is that mad man trying to start a war?" the Count shouted in frustration. The maid who was standing back in a corner of the room jumped in surprise and whimpered as she crashed into the serving cart, knocking one of the delicate cups onto the floor at the Count's outburst. It was clear that the Count was still fuming and wanted to continue on a tirade, but he must have realized it would do him no good as he took heavy breaths to cool his temper.

"You have no need to worry, Ophelia. The Count is not like some of the other nobles, or ignobles as I call them, that you have dealt with before. He is never one to direct his anger at those who don't deserve it. But if Maximus was here things would be very different right now." The old man had growled the last part of his words and then started rubbing his temples. The maid, Ophelia, seemed to be able to compose herself at Charles's words and started cleaning up the broken teacup. "Has he really fallen that low that he would abduct elves?" He had not taken any elves, but I was not sure if I should correct them. Would that be revealing too much? "I will follow up with everyone that he used to spend time with to see if any of them know where he is." He let out another sigh, "I doubt very much that he is still in the country, though. He was cast out eight years ago. If he has dropped to the level of abducting people, I don't think he would return for fear of his life."

My heart sank tremendously at these words. It seemed that the one clue we had been following this whole time has ended up as a dead end. What are we going to do now?