A/N - so this is the second attempt to upload. Apologies for the delay. I had iPad battery issues, which are resolved, thankfully cuz this whole story is on my iPad and no backups... Hmm should I rectify this?...

Second i I had snow storm issues and have been shovelling snow off driveways etc.. But then I would not be on tonight if there was no snow cuz I'm supposed to be on a train right now. Apparently the UK has stopped working just cuz it's covered in snow. Bah!...

as as to my only posting one chapter the other day (lpinney, you so greedy!;) it was like 2.5 k which I thought would be enough. I shall try to make up for such a terrible assumption tonight.. If I can get this to upload!

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Gaskets Theory of magical lines and Ley energy

S. R. Gasket; 1796

Finding Ley lines.

Ley lines are not commonplace and can only be found sporadically across the country. Many will be just a straight line, occasional bends and splits as with any known water way. It is uncertain if here lines are all connected but it is likely that lines do not simply end.

Finding lines has proved to be the most trying task of my investigation. Both in identifying likely areas and in being able to 'see' the line of power. I am forming a method of sensing using all the elements. I am only gifted in earth magic but I am finding even a basic level in other areas sufficient to view a line, if only at a shorty distance.

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Chapter 21 - Home again, home again.

After consideration, Elizabeth was convinced that one of the officers was responsible for attacking Jane. She had observed many officers with erratic power signatures which suggested regular withdrawals of power. She had not seen anyone with larger power signatures but they could be hiding their powers, like she did, or they could be dumping it all in to gems.

She had to think over what warning needed to be given to the residents of Meryton and her sisters.

The last few days of her stay in Hunsford passed by in a blur. Luckily Lady Catherine put her melancholy down to her desire not to leave the splendours of Rosings. Mr Collins was happy enough with that explanation.

Charlotte was not convinced but allowed her friend her privacy.

.

Her return to Jane was bittersweet. She was happy to be back in the arms of her most beloved sister, but she could not help but lament what she had lost in Mr Bingley. A marriage of true affection was something to be desired, revered almost.

She waited until they were alone

"Jane, you are not happy"

Jane smiled a sad smile, a ghost of her usual brilliant smile. "It is just that I still do prefer Mr Bingley to any other man. I must have been mistaken in his regard for me." She stopped and looked down. Elizabeth reached and squeezed her hand.

"Would you rather a different explanation?"

Jane looked a little startled "Do you... Have you another?"

Elizabeth opened her mouth but stopped with Jane's raised hand.

"No Lizzie, either you have some information which you are not certain I would wish to hear, or you have come up with a possibility that I have not thought of. Either way I think I would not wish to know. I am sure you think me cowardly, but it is better for me this way."

Elizabeth nodded at her.

"Truly I shall be well again" Jane nodded at her own resolve "but tell me Lizzie, what has got you so distracted of late? It cannot just be about myself"

"No, I have had some disturbing news"

She told Jane of Mr Darcy's proposal, only saying that he was not very complimentary of their family, and his revelations about Mr Wickham.

"Oh dear lord, what a story. How did you not see his ill intent?"

"He has no aura, no magic, I would see nothing. Or only the aura he was projecting, someone else's it seems."

"And are you certain about his accomplice?"

"No Jane, I am not, but I am certain someone drained your energy that day and I have noticed signs of magical mis-deeds, I had just been too blind to really take notice before"

Jane gave her a look "about many things it seems"

Elizabeth mock glared at her and Jane smiled and mouthed 'sorry'

"What should we do?"

"I think we should talk to father about you concerns of magical theft"

"I agree, and Mr Wickham?"

"What is your opinion?"

"I cannot reveal much of what Mr Darcy said, and the militia will soon be gone. He was not responsible for what happened to you, and he cannot drain energy himself. Without knowing the identity of his conspirator I do not believe wild accusations will help at all."

"I agree such a thing ought not to be attempted. No one would believe an account of Mr Darcy's if we tried to just show his character without the accusations about magic."

"So we are agreed" they nodded and embraced before walking back to the house.

.

The discussion with her father did not go well. He had been concerned about magical misdeeds in his youth but time and indolence had taken their toll.

Had they any particular person to accuse? No, had they any proof that Mr Wickham was doing anything worse than pretending he had magic when he did not? No. Had they any proof people were being drained of magic? No.

Elizabeth temper was rising but she held herself in check.

"With the militia leaving soon there was little point in concerning oneself"

"How can you speak so papa, anyone could be at risk."

"Listen Lizzie, with your talents I would think you could see someone who was stealing powers. You admit yourself that you have not seen anyone who seems to possess that level. Now leave it now Lizzie. I am convinced everything will turn out well."

She left more frustrated with her father but glad she did not try to convince him of Wickham's perfidity. She was not one to dwell on things over which she had no control of, she would observe and see.

.

That piece of business being done she was free to observe the rest of her family.

She was not best pleased.

Lydia and Kitty were more silly than ever, wailing incessantly about loosing the militia. Mrs Bennet was hardly less morose. At least she knew that her father would not bow to the wishes of the ladies for a trip to Brighton. She was relieved to hear that Miss King had been removed from the influence of the militia, more particularly Mr Wickham. That was something she did not have time to think on.

Elizabeth spent the next few weeks trying to avoid Wickham, she could not do so completely without drawing too much attention so meeting him was inevitable, but she had ways of discouraging him.

She had spent some time studying magical objects, and moving magical energy. She had realised that magical energy that wasn't part of a person was easier to disrupt and therefore disperse.

When she was approached by him she allowed him to begin.

"Did you enjoy your time in Kent? Did you find Lady Catherine to be everything you expected?"

Elizabeth almost laughed, he was quite the conversationalist and she had to remind herself of his inner black "yes, she was just as you described"

Wickham laughed his charming laugh "indeed, but I hope your time was pleasant?"

"Very much, Charlotte seems happy." Her answers were short and she could see a little frown of puzzlement across his face.

"Did you see aught of Mr Darcy? He often makes an Easter visit to his favourite aunt, they are so alike"

Elizabeth pursed her lips in annoyance at his blatant attempt to revive such a subject.

"He was there with his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam, are you acquainted with the colonel?"

Elizabeth had not ventured to ask the colonel for verification of Darcy's words, but Wickham's reaction was enough to convince her of his veracity. He looked alarmed and uncomfortable.

"In some respects in former years, he was very gentlemanly when I knew him. Did you like him?"

"Very much. And Mr Darcy improves on closer acquaintance"

"Indeed" he was looking more uncomfortable now, and Elizabeth used his distraction to start disrupting the boundary of his energy aura. She found the core of the gem and just prodded it with magic. The whole field collapsed with a few sparks and a gust of wind.

Mr Wickham looked around startled but Elizabeth did not break in her sentence.

"He has not changed in manners but my knowing him better improves my understanding of him"

Mr Wickham bowed and moved away, his magical field completely gone. She could now clearly see he had no magic, she only hoped that others would notice before he realised that his gem had been drained.