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Sofia’s chambers were nearly as remarkable as the courtroom. The ceilings were just as high and the arched windows that overlooked the Dolomites were just as formidable.
Sofia moved toward a large desk made of exotic wood covered in intricate carvings. Behind the desk, shelves upon shelves of grimoires lined the wall from floor to ceiling. The rest of the room was peppered with interesting artifacts and instruments, most of which I didn’t recognize.
The Sorcerer General invited us to sit in the comfortable seating area that was laid out before her desk. Large maroon leather armchairs and a love seat were set around a small mahogany coffee table, boasting several pillar candles, a crystal orb and a skull of a small animal.
“That was an impressive presenting case, Mr. Brown,” Sofia said, as she smoothed her robe under her legs to sit in the comfortable high-backed chair that sat behind her desk.
“I myself would have been moved to vote in favor of your request.” She turned a shrewd eye to me and Amon, “You are very lucky to have such a charismatic Obeah Man to act as your representative in these matters.”
“I know,” I agreed, ensuring that Sofia saw that I truly did know, and understood, how lucky I was to have Conrad in my corner. Amon said nothing, but his green eyes were shining, and his aura was light. I could tell he was happy with what the outcome had been. It was all thanks to Conrad.
“Now, for the matter of The Lens.” She reached behind her desk, and opened a drawer, pulling out a small, black, velvet sack. She placed it on her desk; it was clear that the contents of the sack were heavy.
“I can only release this artifact to a certified member of The Board. That person will be responsible for overseeing The Lens, and ensuring that it is used for this task, and this task only.” She paused, looking over to Patricia and Mr. Abbey.
“It has not escaped my notice that your health is in decline, Patricia.” The scent of salt water exploded through the room and I knew, without looking, that Conrad was upset.
“Yeah,” Patricia agreed. “Mi ‘ave been sick fah a long time.”
“Dun say dat, grandma,” Conrad said, his voice raw.
“It is true, mi boy. Mi time tuh serve Di Board is coming tuh an end. It is time fuh new blood, to carry on di task.”
“Precisely my thoughts.” Sofia agreed. She turned to Conrad, and I held my breath.
“Conrad Brown. This year, you have completed your apprenticeship, serving over one thousand hours toward the task assigned to you by the members of The Board. You have successfully presented a case, and won, before a jury of your peers.
“Most impressive of all, when your beliefs were challenged, by myself, no less, you proved to have strong, unshakeable moral fiber. You showed that you were willing to walk away from everything you had worked for, in the interest of maintaining balance for the greater good.
“For these reasons, I would like to certify you as not only a member of The Board, but as the official representative for the country of Jamaica, successor to the Honorable Patricia Brown. Do you accept?” The silence that fell was palpable, and Conrad looked as if he were at a loss for words.
I waited several breaths, before finally nudging him gently with my knee. ‘Say yes!’ I urged in his mind, and he jumped.
“Yes, Sorcerer General,” his voice shook, only slightly. “Mi Accept.” As soon as he said the words, a gold signet ring appeared on his middle finger, with a letter ‘B’ engraved into the face, I noticed that Mr. Abbey and Patricia each wore one just like it.
“Good. Then I feel even more comfortable giving you The Lens.” She floated the artifact, wrapped in black velvet across the room and into Conrad’s hands.
“Welcome, Honorable Conrad Brown, to The Board.”
27
Saying our goodbyes to Sofia, Amon and I shadow walked our magickal friends back to the Abbey house.
“You were incredible!” I exclaimed, as we materialized in the living room. “Really Conrad, that was amazing. I swear I saw that witch from Scotland choke up at one point.”
Meredith’s eyes were shining. “I think you’re right, I noticed that too.” She agreed, Conrad smiled bashfully and waved us off.
“It wah nothing.” He laughed humbly, but he held his hand out in front of him to admire his new ring, and I knew, he didn’t think it was nothing.
Amon, hung back in the shadows of the hallway, allowing us to enjoy the aftermath of our success. I was about to wave him in to join us when Patricia began to cough. Any plans of celebrating fled my mind, as I saw Conrad’s face crumble. His focus immediately shifted to his grandmother. The stress of the journey had clearly taken its toll, and her state seemed to be worsening.
It occurred to me that it was not fair to ask Conrad to leave her, not now. He deserved to spend what little time he still had with her, here. I glanced back at Amon, who was watching Patricia cough grimly.
‘How much longer do you think she has?’ I asked him. He glanced at me from where he stood.
‘It is hard for me to say. Daemon’s are not gifted healers. We are very good at taking lives, not so great at saving them.’ I thought I detected a bit of bitterness in his tone at this. ‘But from my experience, a cough like that, with someone who has lived such a full life… it will not be long.’
I watched Conrad tend to his grandmother, Mr. Abbey hovering behind them. Meredith had left the room, I assumed to brew some sort of draught to help with the cough. Unlike daemons, Meredith was an excellent healer.
