Thalia” he thought as he went to the door and opened it.
Amil Quinn, dripping, stood at the door. “You must be good for business. I have a message for you.” He reached within his case and withdrew a dark brown envelope.
Hamilton accepted it, noting the Guild seal. Then he looked up at Quinn. “It's good to see you, Amil. The inn's staff is trying to fatten me up for the slaughter. If you're not in a rush, perhaps you'd like a bite to eat?"
"Bless you, Master Citrine. I've no more messages to deliver and the weather is such that I'd prefer to be inside, at least ‘til it lets up a bit."
Hamilton led Quinn to the table. “Take whatever you like. I'm done with it."
Quinn's eyes lit up at the mountain of food. “You're sure?"
"Dig in. Whatever you don't eat will be fed to the animals."
While the Messenger piled a plate with food, Hamilton sat down and broke the seal on the envelope. He removed the single sheet of paper it contained and unfolded it.
What's it say?
Without verbalizing, he read the note to the cat. Master Citrine, we were able to contact the majority of the wizards and apprentices and they will all be at the Guild hall by mid afternoon as you requested. A carriage will pick you up at two PM. We hope that you will have a solution for us by then. Signed, Diamond, Guildmaster, Guild of Magic Users and Wizards.
I don't think I like this Diamond person. Whiskers returned to her bowl.
Makes two of us, cat.
By the time the carriage arrived, the rain had let up somewhat, but still fell in an intermittent drizzle. Hamilton put on his coat, packed up Obsidian's things in the box along with the metal cylinder and jar containing the goo he had found in and around the burned house and carried them downstairs. He carried Whiskers under his coat as the cat refused to ride his shoulder in the rain.
Once aboard the carriage, Hamilton opened his coat and Whiskers jumped to the opposite seat. She looked up at him. Are you mad because Diamond didn't send the girl to get you?
Hamilton put the box on the seat next to him. “Maybe a little, but I suspect that the Guildmaster is just playing some stupid superiority game. Wants to show me he's in charge. If his talent was as large as his ego, he would be a formidable wizard. Let him play his games ... for now. It's not important."
As the carriage approached the Guild, Hamilton removed his coat and donned the green wizard's cloak. He removed Obsidian's wand and slipped it into the wand pocket.
The rain had stopped, but the sky still looked threatening. Hamilton climbed down from the carriage. Whiskers leapt from the floor of the carriage onto Hamilton's right shoulder. “Ow!” he exclaimed.
Forgot my pedicure, didn't you?
With the box under one arm, Hamilton entered the Guild. Thalia was there. She greeted him and then led him down a corridor toward the main hall. Her scent dissipated some of Hamilton's trepidation. “Did Diamond let you know that you will be my assistant while I am in Center City?"
"Yes, Master Citrine. I am honored by this charge and I will endeavor to assist you in any way you require to the fullest of my capacity."
"Did Diamond tell you to say that?"
She blushed and replied, “Yes, Master Citrine, but I would have done so willingly without his request."
"Why?"
"Because you are the most powerful wizard in the Guild."
"Most powerful wizard in the Guild, huh? Listen child, I haven't performed magic in forty years. If I am, as you say, the most powerful wizard here, then I have some serious doubts about the Guild's other wizards. In any case, here is your first task. When you address me, call me Hamilton. That is my name. Master Citrine is a title."
"Yes, Mast ... er ... Hamilton."
"Good girl."
She's still afraid of you .
The girl, Hamilton, and the cat soon arrived at the double doors of the main hall inside the Guild building. Thalia went to open them, but Hamilton stopped her. “Step back."
She backed up a few feet. Hamilton
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