Todd and the Fae, Chapter 1, Scene 1 – Shield Charm
“I love the mornings.” I think as I step out of my apartment. I walk down the hall and out onto the stoop. It’s almost 5 am and the spring fog has rolled in off the lake. It’s a chilly soggy blanket, muting the early morning sounds. Even the cheery gas lamps that dance and party each morning struggle to do more than cast an eerie, muted glow of distorted light and shadow.
I shiver, a slow roll up my spine. I sweep my gaze down one way and up the other. The shadows move around, but the street appears to be empty. I shrug deeper into my coat, pull up the collar, and step down onto the sidewalk. I turn right and set out my steps quicker than my usual stroll.
As I reach the dimly glowing lamp, and touch the weathered post, the magic pulsing in the lamp feels reassuring. The lamp brightens in response to my touch, and the sign well above my head adjusts, reflecting the arrival time of the next trolley. I slide the pocket watch my father handed down to me on my 21st birthday from my jacket, and with a flick of the thumb, I popped open the brass lid and checked the time. The soft ticking and gentle glow of the watch is calming, it is a fascinating mix of magic and man-made gears. “Good”, I say. “I’m on time.” A smile spreads as I listen for the approaching trolley, its deep rumble approaching in the distance.
I patiently return the watch to my coat pocket. The area darkens and I shiver as a breeze kicks up. With a groan, I shrug deeper into the thick heavy wool coat, grateful for its warmth and protection from the wet spring chill. I bounce on my heels and rub my hands together to generate warmth with a heavy sigh. “I forgot my gloves again. “
The skin on the back of my neck tingles, a hard shiver. I look over my shoulder, back the way I came. Shadows are moving in the fog, dark and low. “Maybe dogs? Maybe cats?” I whisper. “Could be bear cubs this early in the spring. I know. That’s it, must be cubs, and mamma bear in the distance?”
I groan, knowing full well it’s not black bears or brown bears or bears at all. The dark Fae must be loose in the city again. I nod once, “Well, best be safe.” I bounce on my heels lightly, gathering magic to me. Then draw a shield symbol in the fog. The fog parts as I draw, and the water particles hold shape as if I were drawing in sand. As I push magic into the symbol, it glows and fades. The lamp above me brightens, illuminating the surrounding area.
Down the street, a bell rings out and the street trolley slowly trundles forward, parting the fog like a ship sailing on the great lakes.
It slides smoothly to a stop, and the conductor looks over, grins, and says “Morning Todd!”
“Good Morning, Fred,” I say as I grab the railing and step up into the trolley. “How’s the city this morning?”
“Well, the humans have been quiet and slept overnight. The wizards have been running around putting out magic hot spots all night. No official announcements yet. How about you? Anything?”
“Nothing to report. There were some shadows in the fog but nothing concrete. I put a shield up at the stop, just in case. It should last most of today, so your riders should be safer. Thanks for the update. I’ll keep an eye out today. ”
“Thank you, Todd. You’re always the gentleman. I appreciate it. My wife Marge asked me to remind you she’d love to introduce you to our foster over dinner this week. Rebecka is such a sweet girl and adores old books. The older the better. She’s a bit odd, but a sweetie! ”
“Well,” I say. “Thanks for thinking of me. Please let Marge know I’m swamped with schoolwork, my teaching assistant job, and my internship with the professor has me busy at all hours. Even today I’m out in this soup running errands.“ I shrug my shoulders, hands out.
Fred nods seriously. “Nothing wrong with honest hard work. Well, you have a seat there and I’ll see that you get to your destination.”
“Thanks, Fred. Today I need to go to the monthly street fair at the square. The professor needs some rare books.” I say, sitting in a nearby empty seat.
Fred grins and nods. “Marcus should be in town, then?”
I nod. “Yes, he mentioned in his last letter he would be here.”
Fred shakes his head. “Been an age since I’ve talked to him. I will have to pick up one of Marge’s picnics and go sit a spell with him today. Yes, that’s what I’ll do.” He nods and starts focusing in on the trolley and the slowly passing buildings. He operates the levers and pulleys smoothly, bringing the trolley to a stop at the next corner to gather more riders.
As he greets the new passengers, I look out into the city and see more shadows shifting and moving. The new passengers climb up into the trolley and quickly find seats. Each shivering and looking over their shoulders.
“Well, we can’t have that,” I whisper softly, as I cast a shield charm, and push it into the gas lamp so the magic is anchored. Then I focus on the trolley. I haven’t done this before, but my wizard mentor had mentioned how it could work. I focus on the frame of the trolley and the network of street lamps. Then draw a binding rune with a shield rune, combining the circular path of the trolley with the stationary lamps. Then tie them together with knots, and with some minor adjustments, filled the runes with magic. The spell stabilizes and snaps into place.
Now the route and stops are all protected by the shield magic and each lap of the trolley will reinforce and strengthen the magic. As the spell releases, a yawn escapes. I feel a bone-deep exhaustion.
I nod off for about 30 minutes and startle awake. I look around and all the passengers have relaxed and their mood has improved.
With a yawn, I look around and realize the trolley is approaching the stop closest to the street fair. In the distance, merchants are setting up tents and tables. I collect my belongings and stand slowly, then walk forward.
I nod to Fred as I pass him. “Thank you, Fred. See you tomorrow.”
Fred waves goodbye, saying “See you tomorrow Todd. “
I jump down the steps when Fred eases the trolley to a stop at the corner.