086 – Of Aristocratic Elves And Bourgeois Elves

The boy had disappeared, while Master Mundrl and Steven’s escort were sorting through his clothes. They put his underwear aside, discarded his worn socks into a separate pile, and were going over his BDU trousers. They looked at the setup with the pockets and storm flaps pulling a bandanna from a pocket, jabbering to each other in their tongue. Then the escort turned to Steven, translating.

“You carry things in your thigh pockets?”

“Gloves, bandanna, other soft things.” Steven answered.

The elves jabbered a bit more, as the trousers were turned inside out and the Master examined the seams. The translator spoke a bit more.

“Do you kick much in your fighting? Crawl around, or stretch your legs wide?”

“I don’t kick much, but full movement at my hips is good.”

This was relayed as the trousers were put aside. The costume from the Palace was glanced over, and then put on top of the discarded socks. The rest of his clothes were looked over, but little asked of. Most of his actual gear was ignored, but his leatherman got a few moments of play before being put back down. Then his vest was all but ripped apart as every pocket and seam was examined.

The boy had returned with a notepad and his father, Master Mundrl, began jabbering at him as the boy recorded. Then the two adults jabbered.

“Do you find the vest and pack acceptable?”

“How do you mean? I’m used to it. Everything is where I expect it.”

The adults jabbered, as the Master continued to inspect the vest, hefting it and testing its openings.

“Does it repel water? Does it dry quickly?”

“Parts of it act as a sponge. But it is tolerable.”

Master Mundrl stopped as this was relayed. He then put the vest on the pile with the suit and socks. He examined the pack inside and out, removing the water bladder in the process and setting it back down when done. The Master then spoke through the other elf to Steven.

“Is the pack as tolerable as the vest?”

“Yes, but I would have brought a different one, had I known what I was getting into.”

This elicited a rapid back and forth that Steven correctly guessed the generals of. Steven interrupted it, with a wild idea that came completely out of the blue into his mind.

“I presume that this is the discard pile. And what’s here is to be replaced. If I could get the pack I would prefer, what would happen?”

The escort translated this. The Master looked from the escort to Steven, and back, and then spoke a staccato of words. They went back and forth for a bit, and then stopped. The escort stayed quiet. Steven had no clear idea about elfin gestures and expressions, but guessed that his escort was frustrated and feeling put upon. The escort then spoke, making a swirling motion with his hands. Master Mundrl beamed.

The escort turned to Steven. “I will need to tell my clan leader. How fast could you do your merchandising were you sent home?”

“I would guess one, maybe two days.”

The escorts look darkened, as the other beamed and picked up the old sword. He inspected it, mumbling to the boy, who filled a page on his stack of notes just about the sword. The other sword was next, the scabbard dismissed as serviceable, but obviously not made by a craftsman.

A question was relayed. “Do you intend to keep and use this sword?”

“Keep? Yes. Use? Doubtful, if the older one is better.”

The crossbow and its bag for bolts were looked over and moved on from with little comment.

Steven interjected, picking the weapon up. “This is small for me.  Could I find one bigger? I have not been anywhere that I could wait for one to be made, before arriving here. Nor have I really had time to shop here for one.”

Steven shouldered the weapon as he was want to, and then moved his hands to where he would prefer, moving the weapon off his shoulder, and his front hand off the stock to slightly in front of the bow.

The translator made no effort to provide any input. The Master looked thoughtful, and the son just made notes. After a moment, Steven put the crossbow back down.

The rest of the stuff was sorted and finally the bedroll exposed. It was the only part of the kit that Steven felt any embarrassment about. He pulled it apart, keeping 2 blankets as the third was immediately put in discard. As the Master inspected the other two, he moved one to the discard that Steven pointedly moved back.

They looked as each other for a moment.

Master Mundrl nodded once, and left it in the keep pile. Finally the Master picked up Steven’s greatcoat, which he had managed to keep in good condition. He looked it over, and held it out to Steven. Steven put it on, and they moved over to the block in the dressing area. Steven secured it in place and settled it. The Master babbled to his son, as he pulled and adjusted.

Then the elves looked at Steven’s boots. These elicited a bit of an argument between the elves. Through the translator, Steven was asked if he wanted new boots, as those he wore were very definitely showing wear. Steven responded that if he could get new ones from home that could be then taken apart and used as a base, that would suit him; the boots he had seen here did not impress him at all and the few he had tried were not comfortable.

The Master elf turned to the escort, and they spoke at length for several minutes. Steven got down, pulled the coat off and began to repack his stuff in the discarded bag, when Master Mundrl stopped him.

“Go home. Get your things. Come back.” The Master spoke in English.

Master Mundrl smiled at the escorts discomfort, as the boy left the room sniggering. The escort left, motioning to Steven to follow. The boy returned with a box that all Steven’s ‘keep’ pile went into.

Master Mundrl spoke again. “You get new clothes, new vest, and pack. You bring comfortable pattern. We make it.”

He bowed, with bubbling mirth in his eyes.

Steven returned the bow, finished packing the discard pile in to the pack, took his coat, belt knife, camera and film and followed his escort.

The escort was still huffy over being the butt of the merchant’s humor as he entered the suite where the Caplan’s were staying. He first spotted Roxanne, then found Caspian there and spoke rapidly to the mage and left.

Steven collected Roxanne as the others talked, and watched the elf leave. Caspian stood dumbfounded. Rox watched the elf leave, with a look of amusement.

Finally Steven broke the silence. “Well?”

Caspian turned to them. “Pack for Terra. You’re going shopping. How did you manage to offend him?”

The conversation during dinner in the café oscillated between offense given and taken, and what would be wanted to purchase and otherwise acquire on return to Earth. Just as dinner finished, Master Iver’s Assistant brought two stone disks a bit larger than dinner plates, gave them to Roxanne, and left.

With the meal done, Caspian took the disks in hand and led out from the café back to their rooms. “We need to leave the city to use these. Then Roxanne will teleport us to the convergence point. I will take us to Terra. However, we had best keep things quick. Any more than three days, and the elves will presume that you have given up.”

“Earth days or local days? And then what will they do,” Rox asked.

“Probably local, which are longer than Earth. Then they retrieve your children on their own, and raise them themselves here.”

Steven stood. “I say we go as soon as we can. I just left all my clothes at the outfitters.” He put his coat over his arm.

Caspian shrugged. “Fine with me.”

Roxanne moved toward the bedroom. “I’m going to change. I’ll be right back.”

Steven looked around after watching her leave. “Where’s Cyrril?”

“Out, somewhere. I send him away when I have to talk to elves. The stuffy galumphs needn’t have him to tell them what I think of them.”

Half an hour later, they walked out of the hotel where Cyrril joined them. They headed for the city gate. Master Iver joined them as they walked, but stayed quietly aside, and perhaps unrecognized by all but Roxanne.

Once outside the gate, Caspian picked a spot off the road and where it looked like few came directly and set one of the disks on the ground. Using it for a locus, Caspian guided Roxanne in the teleport spell to carry then across the continent to the stone circle where Roxanne and Steven had first set foot on Tywacomb. This took a bit of work; Rox had no clear memory of the circle, so she he instructed her in finding it by its unique arrangement. Once done, she set up the rest of the spell and cast it.

The spell was a variant on the one Caspian used, using Rox’s staff for the center. They all watched the land fall away, arc under them, and finally tip over and accelerate at a mountain.

They landed in almost the center of the circle of stones. Rox and Steven stepped aside and sat on stones large enough to hold them. Caspian leaned on his staff for some support and walked aside.

“I have no idea at which of the two points on Terra we will land, or what time of day. Also I hope you know just what you are after.” Caspian dropped the second disk out of the way.

Steven patted the parchment that he had written his and Roxanne’s wish lists on, hoping nothing had happened to shut down their financial accounts. He also had his camera and film; he used up the last of his third roll as they waited, taking a multi-image panorama of the view. Rox had a few things with her, including a leather bag containing her new jewelry set, and another with all her dirty laundry. They rested a bit, as Caspian set to charging up with mana, Cyrril doing the same. Roxanne looked about in some wonder, and stretched her awakened sensitivity to magic, soaking in the sensation of the several ley lines.

It was late afternoon, and the sun was low on the horizon, with one of the twin moons visible at about its zenith. After an hour of sitting and taking Caspian reported that he was ready.

The three stood in a circle at the center and each gripped Caspian’s staff with their right hands. Caspian then cast the spell to travel the ley lines to Terra. They all felt awareness leave them, coupled with a sense of upward acceleration.

087 – Home again, Home again . . .

Journal of Steven Caplan: Wednesday, October 8, 199x

Steven woke up disoriented, again. The sun shone through the blinds and curtains. He was in his own bed, in his own bedroom, in his own house, Roxanne was beside him, still asleep. And he felt lighter than he had in a while. He was home. They were home.

But the children were not home.

Steven got out of bed, reflexively put on his bathrobe, and walked out into the kitchen. He found some fresh food in the fridge, and fixed a bowl of cereal. That finished and the bowl and spoon in the sink, a glass of water in hand, he went to shower. Seeing Caspian sprawled on the sofa, with Cyrril wrapped around the lamp on the end table confirmed Steven’s grip on the situation.

Steven returned to his bedroom, draining his glass of water as he went. Rox was still asleep, which was unusual, but creditable to her efforts of late. The radio in the bathroom told Steven that it was Wednesday, October 8. The discrepancy between the date here and in his journal would tell him the approximate difference in the length of days between Earth and Tywacomb.

Steven noticed as he shaved and showered that some of his weight had shifted. He was in better shape with less padding around his middle. His chest, shoulders and legs in that order were obviously bigger. As he dressed, Roxanne rolled over, her white mohawk looking more normal everyday.

“What time is it?”

“About 8 a.m., Wednesday October 8.”

“You’re going to work, and where else?” She still looked barely coherent.

“Just to there. Drop off the film with Leticia, and get one of the vest-packs, then come back.”

“Don’t be too long.” Rox rolled back over.

Steven paused as he looked at his gun safe, then he left the gun in the safe in the closet. He buckled his alternate belt two notches tighter than usual as he walked to the front door. His car keys were hanging on the hook, next to the garage door opener. He hit the button, and took the keys. He stopped, and scratched his errands on the notepad for Rox, and went out to his car.

The Bonneville ran smoothly, and smelled faintly of Mrs. Winchel. Steven smiled, and drove to work, closing the garage as he left automatically. It was a pleasant drive up the Carson Valley. Steven had to remind himself a few times to keep looking around. He pulled in to his usual spot automatically, amused at how easily the old patterns of life reasserted themselves. He walked into the foyer of the warehouse building he kept his business in, and took his sunglasses off as he looked around. The office here at the front did not look significantly changed. Straight ahead was the hallway with the offices, to the right by the windows was the receptionist, and around to the right past the receptionist was the way to the production area.

The receptionist was new; no surprise there. She looked like another post High School student. The noise from the production room in the back was the same as he remembered.

“May I help you?” the girl at the desk asked.

Steven decided to play a bit. “Yes. Is Leticia here?”

“Yes.”

“Please page her. Have her come up front.”

The girl picked up the handset, giving Steven a funny look, turned on the page and called Leticia.

Steven began counting quietly, while leaning against the door frame. At 18 he heard the door open to the design area. At 23 Leticia came around the corner marking a clipboard. She looked at him and stopped. A grin filled her face.

“When did you get back in town?” She all but ran around the desk to snatch him up in a hug.

Steven lightly hugged back, and she stepped back.

“We got in last night, and are leaving again by tomorrow.” Steven headed back to his office as they talked.

“‘We’ who? And where have you been? Tell me all about it.” She closed the door behind her, but left the blinds open. Once vocal privacy was assured she launched. “Are Rox and the kids all right? Are they back? What’s the truth of what happened? Where have you been?”

Steven waited for her to stop. “Rox is fine, we got her back, but don’t yet have the kids. We believe they are fine, and are in process to go get them. But we had to come home for a few things. That’s all I can say at the moment about that. I need to pick up some bags to take with me. And I want to know how things are going here, and give you some film to get developed.”

They spent the next hour and a half going over the custom designs he wanted, built on a standard pack vest made here, followed by her telling what all had happened in his absence. Steven gulped water the whole time, and paused once in the restroom. He approved all of what had been done, and signed the few things that he absolutely needed to sign. After using the restroom, Steven went outside and got the film from the car, he noticed a police car idle by the front of the building.

‘Why now?’ Steven thought to himself, wondering when he had been spotted. He scowled and shook his head. He went back to Leticia’s office and added his car keys and wallet to the three film cans, and gave them to Leticia.

“Finish the bags, and take them and my car home. Put the car in the garage. If Rox is there, tell her I am at the police station. And I’ll need a ride.” Steven handed her the rest of the contents of his pockets and then walked outside.

He looked around, and there he was: Deputy Poulson in his brown sedan, just pulling in and parking. Steven walked over, and stood by the passenger door as the car stopped. Before the car could be shut off, Steven put his hand on the window and knocked with the other, smiled and waved. The startled deputy all but flew from the car.

“Step away from the car, please sir.”

“Why not just let me get in, put on my seatbelt, and we can go? I am why you came after all.”

Deputy Poulson paused for a beat. The chime from his car continued to count the time.

“I do have a CCW, but I am not armed at this time. Will that do?”

Three cruisers screeched up from different directions at that moment, but all seemed to pause, unsure what to do. Deputy Poulson just stood there, and then he made his decision.

“O.k. We’ll do that. I need to pat you down before you get in, though.”

Deputy Poulson quickly proved that Steven was not carrying even his wallet, and then let him get in. Steven climbed in the back seat, pulled on his seatbelt, and put his hands together in his lap. Deputy Poulson got back in his side, did his own belt, and talked into his radio mike. Steven knew most of the gibberish, but was not overly interested. The other cars drove away, but one shadowed them all the way to the station. Steve just sat quietly the whole way, smiling slightly and feeling amused.

Roxanne awoke fully as Steven drove out the driveway. She used up what was available of the hot water as she bathed. She washed her hair three times finishing with her mane on top sopping her face, and her sides tangled almost as bad as dreadlocks. She brushed it all out. The mane stood up again, she pulled her sides back and tied them.

She put on her normal underclothes out of habit, before she realized she was doing so. She followed this with her usual t-shirt and jeans. She put her dirty spandex and underwear in the laundry and pulled out some fresh ones to take back to Tywacomb. She paused at the leather bag with her jewelry. Rox had been wearing her wedding ring on her finger since arriving in Shalaia, but now she had second thoughts.

She opened the small safe in the closet, where Steven kept his gun. It was still there, where he had last put it down. Next to it was his wedding band.

Rox pulled the gun and its related things out and put her leather bag with her acquired jewelry in, then put her own wedding ring in on top of her husbands, and closed the safe. She then turned to her socks and shoes.

Dressed, she went out front, put Steven’s stray glass in the sink, and cooked some breakfast.

The unreality if the situation seemed to keep Rox’s perspective at the level of watching herself in a movie. The sound and smell of breakfast brought Caspian and Cyrril in. Rox got Caspian a pitcher of water, and left the facet running for Cyrril. Once finished with the meal and mess, and getting out some raw meat for Cyrril, Rox showed Caspian the spare bathroom, and shower. While they finished, Roxanne found Steven’s list, scratched out her own list of things to do below it, and set about gathering things up.

Downstairs she checked the laundry, and found everything sorted and put away. She picked up Steven’s small hand sized camera tripod as she went past his work room, and set it on the couch when she got back up stairs.

Next she went out to her garage. As she crossed the yard, the absence of the dogs hit her hard. Rox unlocked the door and went inside, turning on the light. Aside from some dust, nothing was out of place. Someone had even put dust cloths over the power tools. The flatbed trailer was in here, the Camero was gone.

The car’s absence mildly surprised her as she had not thought about it at all since this started, but there was nothing to do for it now, so she continued with her task, and retrieved her compound bow and all her arrows from their storage in the rafters. As she looked around, she also noticed that some pieces of truck were set aside. A frame and most of a drive train lined one bay of the garage.

Rox closed everything down, and relocked the garage. She looked around the front of the barn, and found that the body components for the truck she had been planning were arrayed aside, and covered with tarps. Josh Fitch’s truck and components were absent. That figured, since school was in and part of it had been planned as a senior year project.

Back in the house, Rox put the bow and three quivers on the couch, as Caspian came out of the bathroom, dressed in a suit. He was having trouble tying the tie. He put his other clothes over the back of the couch. Cyrril was wrapped around a trophy on the book shelf.

“Nice suit. Where’s the staff?” She batted his hands aside, and tied the tie correctly herself.

“In my pocket, the size of a stylus. Evidently Alistare had this laundered and put away after I left last time. I presume he left me this note with these numbers on it.” Caspian showed Rox a slip of paper, it had a name and a phone number.

“Probably his phone number. Steven should be back this afternoon. In the meantime I am going shopping. Care to come?”

“That is why I am dressed.” Caspian answered.

Rox and Caspian, each nursing large bottles of water, took the truck up the Carson Valley, through Washoe, and to REI and Sportsman’s Warehouse in Reno. As they traveled, Caspian dug a small disk and a large clear marble from a coat pocket and played with them in his fingers before putting them back away. At the stores Rox purchased two water bladders, some water filters, and a few other things in replacement of lost and broken sundries. Rox also stopped at the clothing section and purchased several pairs of socks for her and Steven. Despite what the elves claimed, she preferred what she grew up with.

089 – Roxanne Does Business

As Rox drove to her next stop Caspian used her cell phone to call Judge Kevan and update him on the situation. They stopped at the karate supply store she used, and purchased a new gi in Steven’s size. She suspected that the elves would probably tear it apart at the seams, and Steven would not appreciate them doing that to his current one. She also stopped at the archery store, for some broad heads.

When they arrived home, Steven’s car was in the garage. A note from Leticia hung in the center of the bulletin board. Cyrril was agitated. Also Steven’s effects were on the counter, with a new vest pack, within a second stuffed into itself.

‘Rox: Steven has been taken to the County Police Station. He needs you to go get him. What is this little beast? It looks like a dragon. There is a story here that I expect to be told in full. Leticia.’

“Well, this is peachy.” Rox put the note down.

“Peachy?” Caspian had not heard that adjective before.

“Does that Judge you know, know any lawyers up here?”

“I’ll have to ask.”

“Do that, now.” Rox’s tone was flat with frustration.

Rox handed Caspian the home phone, and went to the bedroom, moving the fresh shopping on to the couch as she went past. Here she gathered up her hiking boots, some more replacement clothes for herself and for Steven, then went back out front to hear Caspian talking to someone. For a moment Roxanne was unsure of the language she was hearing. Then it settled to English. She unloaded her arms onto the couch.

Caspian held the handset out to her. “He wants to talk to you. This is Judge Alistare Kevan.”

She took the handset. “Hello.”

“Mrs. Roxanne Caplan, I’m Judge Alistare Kevan. Caspian has told me the bare facts, but being from elsewhere has not got a solid grasp of the legal situation. I believe you want a Lawyer?” An unfamiliar male voice spoke.

“Yes. My husband Steven has been picked up. Presumably on suspicion of causing all this trouble.”

“O.k. Got a pen and paper? I’m going to give you a name and number.”

Rox moved to the notepad and opened to a fresh page. “Go ahead.”

“The firm is Torry and Clark. Ask for Ron Scalegi. I’ve worked with him before on cases involving…visitors.” He paused, being careful how he couched his words. He then gave her the phone number. “I’m going to call him right now. Call him in about 20 minutes if I don’t get back to you first, and tell him the full truth. Anything less and he may turn you down.”

“Is he expensive?” Rox had never retained a lawyer for anything before. Her mom was expensive, but did not handle criminal matters.

“I don’t know. He’s never billed me.”

“This is in your hands.”

“Don’t worry, Mrs. Caplan. Everything will work out.”

Judge Kevan disconnected the line. Rox hung up. Caspian looked curious, with Cyrril perched on his shoulders.

“We wait. Then I call the lawyer.” She went back to the front room. “In the meantime, I’m going to pack.” And she started to do so, pulling tags off the new stuff, and tossing the trash into a can. Rox separated the vest packs, turning the one right side out. She then put a few heavy things at the bottom of the pack on Steven’s new pack vest, followed by the new gi, rolled into itself. She rolled three pairs of her spandex tops and shorts tightly and put then into her pack-vest, for convenience. The new socks followed. Her archery field maintenance kit was put in the top. Three more rolls of film were put into a front pouch on Steven’s vest. The new boots and her own pair were respectively tied together by their laces for easy carry, and set aside. She then took the water bladders and was rinsing them when the home phone rang. The caller ID. matched the Lawyers number.

“Hello, this is Roxanne Caplan.”

“Mrs. Caplan. My name is Ron Scalegi. Alistare Kevan just asked me to talk to you.”

“Yes.” Rox motioned for Caspian to get on the other extension. “I have a friend who will be joining us on the line.” Caspian picked up the phone as she said this.

“My name is Caspian.”

“Ron Scalegi. Mrs. Caplan, I understand your county sheriff has taken your husband in to custody. Is this correct?”

“I don’t know for sure. And I don’t want to call, and find out myself.” Rox did not yet want to get involved with the local police, after what Steven had said happened the night she was last here.

“Very well. Do you want me to find out?”

“What would that cost?”

“For Alistare, I take clients on contingency.”

“Very well. Please call and find out about my husband, Steven Caplan.”

“I will do that, and get back to you, in about half an hour.”

“Thank you.”

They all hung up.

Caspian helped Rox finish with the water bladders, and fill them. They then assembled the filters and packed them back up when Ron called back.

“Good news and sort of good news. Your husband was picked up, but only for questioning. No charges have yet been filed.” Ron Scalegi kept his tone neutral.

“Are they going to let him go?”

“The officer that I talked to could not answer that question.”

“O.k. It’s just that we are in a bit of a hurry.”

“Do you have time to come see me in person?”

Rox looked at the clock, being out of the habit of wearing a watch. “Um, where are you located?”

He told her, she wrote the address and Carson City landmarks down.

“Twenty five minutes travel time…Um, yeah. We can be there in half an hour.”

“I will be waiting.”

Rox and Caspian slapped some sandwiches together, finished the water they had been drinking, and locked up as they went out and got in her truck. This time Cyrril came with. Rox drove quickly into Carson, and parked in the lot of the building. The sandwiches were gone by then.

They went inside, Cyrril riding Caspian’s shoulder, though nobody noticed. On the third floor, they were directed to an office suite within the law firm’s offices. After knocking, a man about Steven’s age opened the door and let them in, shaking their hands in turn.

“Mrs. Caplan, Mr. Caspian, I’m Ron Scalegi.”

Ron Scalegi was shorter than average, stocky and moved with unconscious confidence. He would have fit on Tywacomb well. His suit coat and tie hung from a wood coat tree. Pictures of family and rock climbers surrounded his several framed certificates on the wall behind his desk. A conversation pit was on one side of the room by the windows, to which he steered Rox and Caspian. He produced the typical yellow legal pad and disposable ball point pen from their places on the coffee table and sat in an arm chair facing them. He noted the time at the top of the sheet.

“O.k. It is just short of two pm. Just to summarize. At this moment, your husband, Steven Caplan, is at the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, being cooperatively questioned about the disappearance and presumed abduction of you, Mrs. Roxanne Caplan, and your children Diana and Alex. I have been asked to assist you by Judge Alistare Kevan. I don’t know officially anything beyond that.” Ron wrote on his pad as he talked. “So, what’s the simplest beginning to this?”

Caspian spoke first. “I suppose it is that some really nasty people think Diana and Alex Caplan are children of prophecy, in the place where the nasty people are. So they had the kids kidnapped and in process ended up getting Roxanne as well. Being bad guys and having enemies, the enemies found out about the plot, and sent me to thwart it. But I failed, so I did what I could.

“At the time, Mr. Caplan, Steven, was out of town. I observed from a distance as the events unfolded, until I felt comfortable to approach Steven, and explain the situation. From there we immediately set out to get Rox and the kids.

“First we found that Rox had been separated and sold as a slave. After spending several weeks getting her back, we set out to go catch up to the kids. In process we were interrupted by the people that sent me in the first place, and summoned to their city to report our progress.

“So we went there, and while re-supplying, Rox and Steven decided to come home to pick up a few things and run some errands. We got in last night. Steven got up first, and while on his errands was picked up.”

Ron took notes, through all of this. “Do you know where the kids are?”

“Generally.” Caspian answered.

Ron wrote more notes. “Off the record, how much of this took place on this planet? That little creature on your shoulder tells me plain enough that you’re not a local. And your hair…”

Rox answered this. “I’m a native. My family is several generations native. He is not. The kidnapping happened here, and the last twenty hours we’ve been here. The rest is off planet.”

“O.k.” Ron scratched more notes. “While you were coming, I called back down to the sheriff’s office. From what I could tell, they want to hold your husband for a psych-evaluation.”

Caspian responded. “We don’t have time for that. The sooner we get back, and after the kids, the better.”

Ron pursed his lips. “Sounds reasonable. But odds are they aren’t going to willingly let him go, unless you can present yourself and the kids.

“For the record, I need to know about them. Name, sex, age, the basics.”

Roxanne could provide this off the top of her head. “Diana, girl, 10, brown hair, tall, skinny. Alex, boy, 8, blond hair, tall, skinny.”

Ron wrote this, and looked over his notes. “I suppose I can get the rest of the information from the police. Though the question is how to get Steven out.”

Rox looked at Caspian.

Caspian looked at the far wall for a moment. “Can you get us in to see him?”

“I could go down with you, but I won’t let you get me in any trouble.” Ron looked a bit icy at this.

“My cover is as a ‘detective’. Does that mean that I can go in and talk to Steven? With my assistant?” He looked at Roxanne as said this.

“Don’t see why not, but I have nothing to do with this.”

Rox cut off Caspian’s response. “Fair enough. Do you know just where my husband is?” She bit off the rest of her question.

Ron put his pad down. “I’m probably going to need to ask when I get there. May I presume that you want to retain me to defend your husband, Mrs. Caplan?”

“Mr. Scalegi, I want you to defend my husband, Steven Caplan, against whatever charges he will face. My husband may have another Lawyer in mind to help, but that can be dealt with later. Also I believe Judge Kevan can put you in contact with my mother, who is a business lawyer in the Bay Area, if needed.” Rox was ready to do about anything.

“Very well. I will do so. First, I’m going to make some phone calls. Then I will head down to see your husband in person.” Ron stood up.

Caspian and Rox followed suit, and Cyrril jumped from the back of the couch to Caspian’s shoulder. They all shook hands and Rox and Caspian left the office. Once into the foyer and going down the stairs and across the parking lot outside, the unspoken question was asked by Caspian.

“So, what are we going to do? Our window closes within the next day.”

Roxanne climbed into her truck, and started toward the closest mall as she answered. “I think I need a suit. And we need brief cases. We have to get Steven out of there. The legal stuff can wait. The elves won’t.”

They drove to the mall, and Caspian got a taste of how to shop fast.

090 – Now You See 'Em . . .

First Rox found a jacket and skirt. She was told the color was strawberry red. Next she selected a white blouse. She came out of the changing room, and stood in front of the mirror.

“Hum. Almost, but shorten the skirt to ultra-mini. Just below the bottom of the jacket. And tuck it into body-hugging tight.” She pulled and tugged at the garments as she said this. And the tailor who was there marked it with his chalk. First the blouse, then she put on the jacket, and it was marked with the skirt.

“If you can get these done in an hour, I will appreciate it.”

“But ma’am, I am a bit…”

Rox cut him off. “I need these in an hour. Otherwise I will find somewhere else to get them.”

The tailor looked like a fish for a moment, and then finally spoke. “Very well.” He took the blouse, jacket and skirt as she took them off, and left. Rox got dressed again and went out front, where Caspian waited. He had heard the exchange.

“What’s this about?”

“We are going to go in and see Steven. And I want to look as far from my normal self as I can. Come on.”

Rox dragged Caspian to Victoria’s. Where he again waited outside while she went in. She purchased a push-up bra and a set of silicone fillers to enlarge her bust, and a set of pantyhose. Next they went to a shoe store, for a pair of pumps to match the skirt and jacket. Last they went into a barber.

“Cut the tails and mane off, and even the sides to the top. Then give me a shampoo, and some light makeup.”

Half an hour later, Rox emerged with almost a butch cut, but was content.

“They, or I, will just magic it back to length,” she said to Caspian as they went back for the suit.

The skirt was done and the blouse was in process when she came in. In her haste, Rox tossed dignity aside faster than at the elfin tailors. She went into the changing room, with her goods, and emerged wearing the pumps, hose, skirt, bra and padding. She put the blouse on and had it adjusted across her shoulders and back to nicely tight. The tailor had it finished quickly, and Rox put it on. The jacket was easier, and as he finished it she picked up a cravat and tied it on. She was helped on with the jacket. It fit just right. She put her own clothes in the bag, and paid for her new suit, and she and Caspian left.

Rox detailed her plan to Caspian as she drove. It was a simple meet and extraction.

They stopped at a thrift store, and found two old briefcases. Roxanne put her clothes into her briefcase, as Caspian started adding magic to his. Rox called for a cab, and then dropped the truck at Steven’s work. Caspian stayed by the truck, with Cyrril.

When Rox walked in the office, nobody recognized her, especially as her eyes were pointed, her hair was cut and white, and she wore a suit. She talked briefly to Leticia, and called Mrs. Winchel’s voice mail, while waiting of the cab. Once Leticia calmed down, Rox told her as little as necessary.

“We are going to see Steven. Take the truck home.”

“What are you up to, Rox?”

“None of your business. You don’t know anything. Except that this is the Lawyer I got to work on this case. If Steven has already got one going, get him in touch with this one.” Rox scratched a quick note as the taxi arrived.

“There’s our ride. See you when we see you.” Rox followed Caspian to the cab.

The taxi took them to the Sheriff’s Office, and left. Rox and Caspian had worked it out. They were detectives, and here to talk to Steven, at the asking of Judge Kevan, per Caspian’s original story. It was late in the 3 o'clock hour when they walked up to the desk. Just in time to annoy the woman at the desk before a busy shift ended. Steven had been here for over half his day by this time.

Deputy Poulson came out to meet them, a bit surprised to see them ‘so soon’. He completely missed recognizing Caspian for Rox’s eye candy appearance, despite Caspian looking completely identical to their last meeting. Rox wanted this, and had picked her costume deliberately.

Deputy Poulson held the door as Caspian and Rox entered the room where Steven was sitting, doodling on a legal pad.

“Mr. Caplan. These people say they are from your Lawyer’s firm to talk to you. The Lawyer will be right along.”

Steven looked at them. Caspian in the suit, which Steven vaguely remembered. Rox in the tight red jacket and mini-skirt, with a white blouse and fluffy cravat, all of which Steven had never seen before. Both had brief cases.

Caspian spoke. “Mr. Caplan, how are things?”

“Fine.” He put he pad and paper down. “I’m ready to go, though.” Steven looked at Deputy Poulson, then back.

“Yes, I’m sure you are.” Caspian answered.

Steven looked back at Deputy Poulson. “Am I under arrest?”

“Not yet,” the Deputy responded.

Rox shrugged. “Then we are leaving.”

Caspian dropped his brief case, which quietly disintegrated into a cloud of white smoke that filled the room making visibility arms length at best. Steven remembered the fight in Veradale starting in generally the same way.

Rox tripped Deputy Poulson with her chair. She and Caspian went to where Steven had stood up. Caspian extracted his staff from his coat, returned it to size, and thumped the ground with it.

“Everybody hold on.”

They teleported out, leaving a ‘whomp’ of air and swirl of smoke as they left.

Ron Scalegi opened the door as the dry white smoke poured out, setting off a bit of pandemonium in the place. He just smiled and shook his head. “Alistare warned me.”

Deputy Poulson crawled out coughing, white powder from the settling smoke beginning to cling to his clothes.

Three people and some white smoke appeared in the Caplan’s backyard, much the way they did the night before.

Steven let go, and looked at the other two. “Thanks. Now let’s get out of here.”

“As soon as we change clothes.” Rox was moving toward the doors.

They went inside, Steven and Rox went in to the bedroom, Rox dropping the brief case, and unbuttoning the jacket.

“Where did you get this outfit?” Steven waved at the red jacket and skirt.

“Just got it at the mall.”

“Looks nice.”

“Thanks.” She pulled the jacket and blouse off, and then pealed the rest off, leaving it where she dropped it. She pulled on some clean spandex, and the clothes she was wearing when they arrived.

Steven put on his outfit he had been wearing the night before, leaving his clothes on the bed.

They found Caspian already changed, Cyrril having shown up after disappearing when Caspian and Rox had entered the mall.

Rox wrote a quick note, as Steven gathered up the stuff they were taking with from the couch, and they all went back outside. Caspian quickly repeated the teleport spell and they were gone, just as police sirens and Mrs. Winchel could be heard coming.

Mrs. Winchel found the front door unlocked and went in, as the cruiser came screeching to a stop. Mrs. Winchel stood in the kitchen reading the note Rox had left, when the police woman came in with her hand on her weapon.

“They didn’t even stop by for tea.”

The police woman thought the neighbor sounded more annoyed than angry.

They went through the house, quickly noting the few messes left, and went to the master bedroom. The place looked a bit of a mess, since Rox and Steven did not bother to put anything away or make the bed, leaving it to Mrs. Winchel, per Rox’s note. Piled on the bed was the brand new outfit. The briefcase these were piled on had the sales tags and receipts, and Roxanne’s usual jeans and tee shirt. Steven’s clothes were also piled on the bed.

The police woman did not have any description of people to look for, and after reporting only the neighbor’s presence she left. Mrs. Winchel dutifully laundered and stored everything, after the police woman left. She found the red pumps under the bed as she remade it.

Leticia arrived after business hours with the truck as Mrs. Winchel emerged to go back home.

“The need to be right coupled with the desire to use force and be important. It makes for a pathetic constable,” Caspian said, as he started moving about the North Sierra clearing.

“I think at this point, the only way to convince them of my innocence will be to produce a kidnapper and the kids.” Steven sat on a log, while the other two began drawing on the ground

“Or not come back.” Roxanne worked with her short staff.

“You want to raise our kids on another world?” Steven watched.

“It has its good points,” Rox continued tracing her side of the symbol for the interplanetary teleport spell.

“We will discuss this later.”

Steven put down the pack and collapsed onto the bed. Roxanne followed suit, sitting instead of toppling.

“Is interstellar teleport always so draining?” Steven asked rhetorically.

They had each done this three times now. Caspian had told them in passing that the longer the teleport, the more the stress on their bodies. On top of this latest planet to planet jump, they had done to and from the landing spot on the planets they were on. The cumulative jumping had left them exhausted, and dehydrated.

Rox put her bag aside after rummaging through it; she then stretched out next to her husband. In the next few moments they were both asleep.

�
� ca0 ��malCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:.5in'>Ron wrote this, and looked over his notes. “I suppose I can get the rest of the information from the police. Though the question is how to get Steven out.”

Rox looked at Caspian.

Caspian looked at the far wall for a moment. “Can you get us in to see him?”

“I could go down with you, but I won’t let you get me in any trouble.” Ron looked a bit icy at this.

“My cover is as a ‘detective’. Does that mean that I can go in and talk to Steven? With my assistant?” He looked at Roxanne as said this.

“Don’t see why not, but I have nothing to do with this.”

Rox cut off Caspian’s response. “Fair enough. Do you know just where my husband is?” She bit off the rest of her question.

Ron put his pad down. “I’m probably going to need to ask when I get there. May I presume that you want to retain me to defend your husband, Mrs. Caplan?”

“Mr. Scalegi, I want you to defend my husband, Steven Caplan, against whatever charges he will face. My husband may have another Lawyer in mind to help, but that can be dealt with later. Also I believe Judge Kevan can put you in contact with my mother, who is a business lawyer in the Bay Area, if needed.” Rox was ready to do about anything.

“Very well. I will do so. First, I’m going to make some phone calls. Then I will head down to see your husband in person.” Ron stood up.

Caspian and Rox followed suit, and Cyrril jumped from the back of the couch to Caspian’s shoulder. They all shook hands and Rox and Caspian left the office. Once into the foyer and going down the stairs and across the parking lot outside, the unspoken question was asked by Caspian.

“So, what are we going to do? Our window closes within the next day.”

Roxanne climbed into her truck, and started toward the closest mall as she answered. “I think I need a suit. And we need brief cases. We have to get Steven out of there. The legal stuff can wait. The elves won’t.”

They drove to the mall, and Caspian got a taste of how to shop fast.

094 – Crossing Home Plate, On The Road Again

Rox had one last lesson with Master Iver. They reviewed all they had gone over, in cursory manor. Then Master Iver's apprentice showed up with a small box from the Jewelers. Within were eight crystal broad head arrow heads carved to match the metal ones on her arrows. Roxanne had previously explained what she wanted, to make these arrowheads explosive. This based on a dream she previously had.

Master Iver paused, looking up from his stool where he usually sat. “I do not create weapons, Roxanne.”

Rox looked back at the old elf. “You don't have to. I will be doing it. You just need to watch me invest these things with magic, and make sure I do it right. Then I will deal with them.”

Master Iver nodded. “That is what we have been doing. Proceed.”

Rox pulled a piece of note paper from a pocket and put it down. Then she took a piece of chalk, concentrated her energies, and then drew the diagram on her notes on the counter top. Then she placed one of the arrowheads in the center and cast the proper buttressing spell sequence. Then she began the imbuing spell. Rox wanted and cast that: the arrowhead would shatter and explode on impact with a surface and thereby convert their total mass into expanding destructive kinetic energy strong enough to shatter rock and crumble and topple walls; that would expand to about thirty feet in diameter before dissipating according to standard physics; that was all shock wave, with no combustion; this effect would energize when the arrow it was set on had traveled seventy feet above 200 feet per second; and would remain inert until the velocity over distance attached to an arrow requirement had been met; that the sign of the spells potency was a gentle glow from within the crystal.

Rox finished, sweating slightly from her exertion, and looked at the arrowhead. It glowed enough to perceive in the daylight.

Master Iver watched as Roxanne completed the first one. As was his pattern, if he said nothing she had done it correctly. In this case he said nothing.

So Rox continued with the other seven arrow heads. The eight crystal arrow heads soon all glowed in the little wooden box that the jeweler had had constructed to carry them. Rox was as sweaty as after her exercise warm ups.

Master Iver watched as Rox caught her breath from her exertions. “Do you have anything to test that spell with?”

Rox was ready for this. “I found it doing some research just before going home. The book I copied it from said that these were used by your people in several wars. I varied the parameters on a small rock which I threw against another larger one. The larger one was shattered, the smaller one gone.”

Master Iver was pleased. He was not aware of the explicit stories, but knew his peoples' history. He was more pleased to see Roxanne had done her research, could recognize and adjust parameters, and had practiced the spell.

They continued the lesson, with Master Iver quizzing and drilling Roxanne on various spells, the requirements and conditions, and variables.

Last Master Iver had Roxanne duel his Apprentice magically. They blew the blow out panels out of the back half of the building, again. The Apprentice showed himself to be Roxanne's superior in most things. This did not surprise Rox, as he probably had more years of experience and training than she had years of life. She had weeks of training and instruction, and a near two weeks of implanted memories and experience that were still sorting themselves out in her mind. But she could hold her own.

After her last lesson with Master Iver, Rox stopped at Master Eklund's Outfitters and picked up her full costumes. They all bid farewell to Rox, and asked that she bring her children by when she returned with them.

That evening Rox and Steven sorted out everything they had. They let Caspian know they were getting ready, and that they intended to head out the next morning, and to get himself ready.

Sharlot provided a large trunk for them to fill with anything they chose not to carry. Roxanne packed the five daily-wear gowns, and two formals, the slippers, a disassembled gi, and parts of the costumes acquired in Veradale. Rox just lay four of the gowns in, but carefully wrapped the white off-the-shoulder gown in tissue paper, folded it and placed it in the trunk; she did the same to the blue formal. The other gowns she could give or take, these two she liked and wanted to take home if she could. She also put in all the blunt head tips for her arrows from home and their nylon carry bags.

She kept her older tunics and skirts, adding them to the new tunic and tabard set, and the new trousers that fit well and moved in every direction she needed them to without threat of ripping. Like Steven, Rox had a girdle that fit across her belt and hips, connected to her vest and other equipment. She hung her scabbard from the left side, a knife on the right. Her boots fit better than the ones from Veradale, though the weight of the grieves took some breaking in and getting used to. Her hand guards and elbow pads were put aside with her bow and staff. As were Roxanne's cloak and cape set and bedroll.

Steven noticed that she continued to wear her spandex as underwear, top and bottom, having brought some unmarked tops back from Terra to change out for her older ones. Also she wore and packed her elf-thongs, tucking the unused ones into one of the pouches of the one she wore under her spandex shorts.

Steven packed away his great coat, his older trousers, the sword he purchased and its scabbard and belt, the older cloak he purchased, the formal from Veradale, the formal from here that had hung in the closet after being worn and washed once, his old pair of boots, his old pack and vest, his watch he had not thought to leave home on their brief trip, and the other odds and ends in the box that were replaced by the elves.

Everything else was packed for travel.

During their time here, they had spent some time seeing to their two pack mules and the horses they had brought. The elves did not even broach the subject of replacing any of this gear, or replenishing the food stuffs. Caspian did not pay a lot of attention to the animals, considering them to be living equipment useful for getting the job done, then handing off to someone else in good condition. Steven and Rox did not have much experience with large animal care, but did their best. They did not try to develop any close relationship to the animals, knowing that they were not keeping them. The elves in the stables took good care of the animals and saw to their health and rest.

Finally the morning came they were all ready to go. They had spent just over two weeks here total, gotten rested, re-outfitted, and a clear understanding of what all was at stake. The day after getting the last of their gear and then packing what was going to be left behind they cleaned up their suite, carried their chest to the front desk, and checked out. They left the chest for Sharlot to collect. Caspian joined them and they went to the stables.

They saddled the horses and put them aside as they turned to the mules. These were harnessed and the pack saddles loaded. This gear was still in good shape and order, none of it needing care or replacement. After tightening the saddles, each led their animals out of the stable, and mounted. Returning to their previous marching order Steven led one of the mules, Rox the other. Caspian led them directly out of the city bypassing the food markets, and dismounted by the stone disk he had not bothered to pick up or return. Caspian was gratified to see it was unmoved. Steven and Rox pulled up and looked at him as he turned his horse around and dismounted.

Caspian held his staff in one hand, his reigns in the other. Cyrril swooped in and landed on his shoulder. “We will resupply at our next stop. In days past you asked why I did not just teleport us after your kids. Now, we are prepared for me to do that. But the animals will not like it, so we need to line them up, putting the calmest ones out side the others. Then I can teleport us to a place I know that is much closer to where your kids are.”

Steven and Rox dismounted. Her mount then the mule she led were lined up, then Caspian’s mount, being the most headstrong and least social was put in the middle. Steven’s mount, then the mule he led were put on the other side. Rox held her leads, and Caspian’s. Steven held his.

Caspian continued his warning and instruction. “You know how you feel when you land. Keep a hold of these animals, they will feel worse. The target I have in mind should be near water. Krogg does not maintain Way Stations the way they do here in the north. By the way, I really don’t like doing this with large animals, because they don’t like it.” Caspian finished his spiel as the Caplan’s took firm hold and patiently waited

Caspian had them turn around and stand to either side of him, across the circle from the horses. He then started the teleport spell. But he took a longer process to do so, accounting for the animals and their burdens. Also instead of using the compression and carrying of whatever was touching his staff, he was having to use a touch-the-object-magically method. Slowly he constructed the spell from memory, and set it working. He felt it start with him and quickly gather up Cyrril, then clockwise it went to Steven, the first mule, Steven’s mount, Caspian’s own mount, the second mule, Roxanne's mount then Roxanne and back to close the circle. With all the participants marked, the spell then reached out to the target destination, and drew enough mana to freeze the cargo, then disassemble it, and transport it across the distance.

Rox and Steven both felt the energy of the spell wash over them, then after a moment, they felt a cold lightening hit them, and the world flashed the black one sees when hit in the head hard.

The elves standing at the gate watched as the party stood, then flashed white and vanished. The ground they had been standing on and for a bit around now looked wilted and like it did in late fall, rather than the summer green that the rest around looked.