Free Sorcerer Rising (A Virgil McDane Novel) by E. Nathan Sisk Page B

black, his white collar two sizes too large around his neck.
    He looked up as I came in; giving me a grin full of large, square teeth. His eyes show ed his true personality. They were green, the color of new grass, lively and full of spirit.
    “Virgil, my boy! Temperance said you were coming!” His voice held the deep, raspy sound of a lifetime smoker with a faint Israeli accent.
    Like I said, the Cathedral was different in more ways than one.
    He stood up and even with his stooped over frame he was a foot taller than me. He picked up his redwood cane and shambled over to me.
    I gripped his large hand, noting his grip wasn’t quite as firm as the last time I remembered. “How are you doing, Sol?”
    He grimaced, making his eyes squint comically behind the thick spectacles. “I’m eighty, Virgil. The Lord’s been waiting for me to get to the Gates for a while now.” He shrugged. “I think he’s starting to get impatient.”
    The Mother Superior took his arm gently. “Come Solomon, you need to sit down.”
    She led him over to a large leather recliner and he sat down, placing his cane next to it. He smiled at her while I pretended not to notice.
    “So what brings you to us today, Virgil?” he asked. “It seems like the only help we ever offer you is another way for you to get into trouble.”
    I plucked one of his books off of a shelf. It was a history of Pan, the fairy continent. It was written by Proseus Techla, a chang eling of some note. “No, I get into trouble just fine on my own,” I said, scanning through the pages. “Ya’ll just make sure I survive it.” The book was Techla’s original handwritten copy, with his own personal notes and thoughts scribbled in the margins. I smiled. It was probably worth enough to give even Cyrus pause. I gently put the book back in its place.
    “I have a client who is arranging an expedition to pursue the Arcus,” I said. “I know the legends, enough to get by anyway. But I was hoping that you would have a greater insight.”
    The Mother Superior said, giving me that same analyzing look, “You seem to already know a bit about this. I don’t think we can tell you much more.”
    I frowned. “I don’t know anything. Whatever you can tell me would help.”
    Solomon frowned, his eyes distant. “I’m sorry Virgil. Chasing the Arcus is…well, that’s something completely different from your usual endeavors. There have only been a few volumes written on the matter. Almost all are theoretical or poorly recorded sightings.”
    Well, damn. I was betting on the Sisters having known something. They had surprised me before. I guess the s urprise this time had been their not knowing.
    Solomon continued. “I can give you a few books that may help.” He wrote a series of titles on a piece of parchment and gave the list to the Mother Superior. “Temperance, would you please retrieve these volumes?”
    She nodded, frowning at the list as she left. I didn’t need their sight to see a lecture on the proper treatment of Solomon’s books in my future.
    Solomon folded his hands in his lap, his large eyes studying me carefully. “This is not like you, Virgil. What would convince you to take up such a foolhardy venture as this?”
    I shrugged uncomfortably, not wanting to meet his eyes. “I’ve taken more dangerous jobs than this, Sol. It’s not as big as it sounds.”
    He cocked an eyebrow. “ It is quite different. This is foolish, my son.”
    I took off my hat, running my fingers through my hair. I respected Sol a lot. For him to call me foolish hurt. “You know what business is like competing with the Guild. I’m being paid enough to be foolish.” I shrugged. “Besides, I’ll most likely just end up hiking all over Africa and then turning around.”
    Solomon snorted. “Bah, the hell you will, boy. I’ve known you for what, eight years? Nine?”
    I smiled. “Ten actually.”
    He waved a hand. “Whatever. Ever since you came to Mare City and joined the Guild. You