Chapter Ten: Search

Lord Darcy stood next to Master Sean O'Lochlainn on the edge of the cliff that looked out over the lake. The Sorcerer had in his hand the glass bulb that held the needle charmed to the missing control stone.

"This reading confirms it, Milord. The stone is somewhere in those ruins on the other side of the lake."

Lord Darcy nodded. It had been three weeks of careful travel to avoid any possible chance of being followed. They had taken ship to Aberdeen, and made as exact a reading as they could. Then they took the train to Edinburgh, and contacted the authorities there. A small snowstorm delayed them for a while but now, after three days of hard traveling through the borderlands, they found the site of their quest.

Neither man was overly happy. The travel and the cold had dimmed their spirits, but so had the questions. In all this time, the stone had shown no signs of movement. Lord Darcy uncovered his lensed scope and surveyed the ruins. Except for a few cows in the field beyond there was no sign of life.

"I do not understand this, My Lord. Why would the stone be in such an inconvenient place?"

"It tells us a great many things, Master Sean, but that is not one of them. I am heartened by the obvious fact that it is not in the hands of our enemies. I dare say it is not in anyone's hand, at least not anyone who is living."

"I admit I am still perplexed," Master Sean commented.

"We will know the answer in time," Lord Darcy assured him. "We will search the ruins at daybreak tomorrow, but I wish to spend the rest of the day somewhere warm talking with someone who knows the history of this place."

"Do you think that important, Milord?"

"I think it might be interesting. The ruins are a sort of tourist attraction I would gather. That would explain why such a small village has an inn listed in the King's Register of Businesses. If the stone was hidden there, we know what cover the person used."

Master Sean nodded. "I would not object to a warm room and warm food, with good ale and good conversation."

"Then let us mount our horses and proceed to Hogsmeade," Lord Darcy commanded with feeling.


"MAM," the boy shouted when he saw the two men enter the Three Broomsticks. A matronly woman came out of the kitchen behind the bar and looked at the strangers in her common room. Surprise was quickly overcome, not by the thought of additional income, but the knowledge that she would have something to talk about tonight when the farmers came in for a break from the cold.

"Good Afternoon, Good Sirs. Are ye lookin' for somethin' ta eat or will ye be needin' rooms?"

"Both, Goodwoman, and well wanted. We have had our fill of the cold for the rest of the day." Lord Darcy spied the boy, about eleven or twelve, watching from the doorway. "We need to stable our horses as well, Goodwoman."

"Jamie," the woman said without turning her head. "Ye have work to do."

The boy sighed and disappeared. He reappeared shortly with a heavy coat and went outside to take care of the horses. The woman smiled then turned back to the two men. "Ye have yer pick of rooms this time o' year. I've one over the kitchens which is always warm in winter."

"I thank you, Goodwoman. That would be fine. I am William Daniels and this is my colleague, Goodman Patrick O'Hara."

"I'm managin' the inn fer my husband," the woman told them. "Just call out Goodwoman Bridget is ye need anythin'."

They were led to their rooms which were comfortably warm. Lord Darcy thanked the goodwoman for her offer to bring them food, saying they would be down shortly to eat if that was convenient. Bridget smiled and said she would have the roast ready in an hour and asked if that would be fine. All the amenities complete, she left them to settle in.


"And what be ye doin', Goodman William, if I may ask?"

Lord Darcy smiled at the Armsman who had addressed him. Master Sergeant Donald Tarr had many admirable qualities. He was a veteran of His Majesty's Army as his rank testified to. Otherwise, he would simply have been Sergeant at Arms. Sergeant Tarr was also the husband of Bridget, the Goodwoman who managed the Three Broomsticks Inn. His most commendable quality was his willingness to talk about the history of the area. But that was no surprise. That was why most visitors came to this village, although never too many.

"My friend and I," Lord Darcy answered, "have a survey contract from the Duke of Edinburgh. It seems that . . ."

"Ah, tha' sounds interestin' enough," Sergeant Tarr said quickly, and politely changed the subject. Master Sean, dressed as Goodman O'Hara laughed into his cup. Lord Darcy had assured him that surveyors have the most boring job in the world when it came to describing what you do, and he had been proven correct.

"The land about has its own beauty this time o' year," Sergeant Tarr said joyfully.

"Indeed it does," Lord Darcy agreed as he pulled a well used pipe out of his worn jacket. "But I was curious. We spied the ruins on our way here. Would I be ignorant to ask what they are?"

"Ye would indeed," Sergeant Tarr laughed, "but I'll not fault ye. Tha's many donna ken them ruins. Tha's Hogwarts, or wha's left o' it after five hundred years."

"That is Hogwarts Castle?" Master Sean said in surprise. "I have read about it in the histories but I never knew where it was."

Lord Darcy nodded. Hogwarts Castle was the first school of magic ever established, almost a millennium ago. In the middle of the fifteenth century, the rules of Magic were codified and a formal method finally established. In 1473, during the reign of Richard IV, the Hogwarts School was moved to Cambridge where it became the core of Kings College. The compound now included seven different schools besides the School of Sorcery, as well as the Royal Thaumaturgical Institute and the Cathedral of Saint Cathal.

"William," Master Sean said, "We must make it a point to tour the ruins. I am sure we could take the time."

"We are well ahead of our work, Patrick," Lord Darcy replied. "It would be worth a look." He paused, "if that is permitted, Sergeant?"

Sergeant Tarr laughed. "I've no complaint if ye want to stomp around some old rocks in the cold. Ye have my blessing."


It was not a difficult walk to reach the ruins, and Master Sean managed to keep up with Lord Darcy, even though he was not in as good a shape, and had his ever present bag with him. The only problem was the small bundle of clothes that made up their guide. Sergeant Tarr insisted that his son accompany them, just in case something did happen. He also pointed out that his son was not to be paid for his efforts. Jamie Tarr did not complain because it still meant that he was free from chores for as long as he could make the day last.

"Ye'll want ta see everythin'," the boy insisted. "I ha' been everywhere."

"That depends," Lord Darcy said. "Can you be trusted?" He pulled out a gold sovereign, and watched as the boy's eyes grew wide, but the boy never lifted his hand.

"Me Da said no to takin' money." His disappointment was clear. "Ye can trust me as far as tha'."

Lord Darcy smiled. "Had you taken the money, that is all you would have received, and I would have sent you away, however . . . Can you be trusted . . . with the King's business."

Jamie's eyes bulged from over his scarf. "Kings business?"

"Milord?" Master Sean asked, and Jamie Tarr became frightened.

"I think we will need his help, Master Sean."

"As you wish, My Lord." Master Sean reached into his bag and pulled out the glass bulb.

"A sorcerer?" Jamie said in surprise, noticing the bag for the first time.

"Perhaps I should make introductions." Jamie looked up when he heard the voice as though he was looking at the man for the first time. "I am Lord Darcy, Chief Investigator for His Highness the Duke of Normandy, on special assignment for His Most Royal Majesty. This is my assistant, Master Sorcerer Sean O'Lochlainn. And you may find this humorous but we need your help."

"My help?" Jamie asked, his fear replaced by curiosity.

"You were telling the truth when you said you knew the ruins thoroughly?"

"Aye, sir. Better than my Da, and I donna brag."

"Then you can guide us through the ruins when we point out a direction?"

"Aye, Milord." Jamie smiled for the first time and pulled off his glove to shake hands.

"And you can have this, after all," Lord Darcy said, and put the gold sovereign in the boy's hand. The boy began to object, but Lord Darcy added, "Make sure you peal the foil off before you eat it."

As Jamie waited for his first instructions, he unwrapped the foil to reveal the chocolate underneath. He quickly ate half of it and put the other half away for later. He had already decided that it was worth it to see his father's face when he gave him HALF a sovereign. Then Lord Darcy pointed, and the boy led the way. Jamie was true to his word and led them easily to any point in the mass of rubble that they pointed out.

"Milord," Master Sean called after taking his latest reading. When Lord Darcy approached, he changed his voice to a whisper. "The stone lies in that direction but if you look at the angle of the needle you can tell it is not lying on the ground."

"Jamie," Lord Darcy called out, "We need to get to the other side of that wall in a straight line from here."

"Tha's easy enough, M'lord," Jamie said, and led them around the stones. The wall was in fact a fallen tower and was easy enough to get around, although there was enough debris lying around to make both men happy they had a guide. They reached the point on the other side of the tower and Master Sean looked at the needle again. It was clearly pointing upwards. He pulled an instrument out of his bag and took a measurement.

"It is sixty-two degrees from the plane, Milord." Master Sean walked forward as far as he could, and took another measurement. He did some calculations on his pad and then looked up. "Milord, it should be above us some fifty feet."

"There is nothing above us, Master Sean."

"I know, Milord. What I do not know is why."

"Neither do I," Lord Darcy admitted.

"Wha is na there?" Jamie asked.

Master Sean answered. "We cast a location spell to find something that was deliberately hidden and we were surprised at the result. The spell was cast improperly and now we must find out why."

"Is tha' all?" Jamie asked in disappointment and disbelief.

"Is that all, you ask," Lord Darcy. "I will have you know, Goodman Jamie, had the spell been successful, His Majesty's forces would have a powerful weapon at their disposal. We could find anything or anyone we wanted. Imagine fighting a war and you knew where all of the enemy's ships were at any given time, or the armies on land."

Jamie smiled at the prospect.

"Remember, Jamie. This is the King's business and is not to be talked about. Nor are you to let anyone know who we are."

"No one, Milord?"

"You should tell your father, but only in secret, because he is the King's Man, but no one else."

Jamie nodded. "I'll tell no one."

To the boy's credit, he never did except for that one exception. Sergeant Tarr greeted them politely the next morning and helped them prepare for their return. He said nothing to Lord Darcy about the matter, but he bowed out of habit.


Time passed and the world continued on its path around the sun. The winter cold was swept away, and the northern hemisphere became warm once again in its ever repetitious cycle. Lord Darcy returned to his duties in Normandy after filling his report, and he and Master Sean returned to the daily life of an investigative team. But things change, and at the end of April, a summons was sent from His Highness, the Duke of Normandy. Lord Darcy was ordered to return to London to await the pleasure of His August Majesty, John IV.

A King's Messenger was also there to greet them when Lord Darcy and Master Sean disembarked at Dover. He ushered them to a waiting coach, and made sure they were well on their way before he spoke.

"I am to deliver a message directly to you, My Lord, and to Master Sorcerer O'Lochlainn if he is also present."

The role of the King's Messenger is of vital importance to the Empire. These are men of complete and devout loyalty who have dedicated their lives and their minds to their duties. It is possible to capture a King's Messenger when he is carrying a message of utmost secrecy, but it is impossible to make him reveal what the message is. He is conditioned to die if such an effort is made. The simple explanation is that he does not know. Master Sorcerers have blocked off a portion of his mind where messages may be recorded by or to His Majesty. When prompted, the Messenger gives his message and promptly forgets it. The memory is not longer there.

The Messenger began to speak in a voice that was not his own. Had Lord Darcy not controlled himself, he would have made obeisance out of habit. Even though this was only a message, the voice still had that power over him.

"My Lord Darcy, when you arrive at the train station in Dover you will find a familiar face waiting for you. Accompany this man to your final destination. You have been there before. By our order, all has been made ready. The task is at hand."

The Messenger blinked and was his normal self again. "My Lord, Master Sorcerer, I must ask if there was any problem with understanding the message."

"None at all," Lord Darcy stated. "It was well received."

"Very well, My Lord." He slid open the panel to reveal the underneath of the driver's seat and reached through to tap the man's leg. At the prearranged signal, the driver stopped the coach. The King's Messenger departed the coach and left Lord Darcy and Master Sean to continue their journey alone.

"Milord?" Master Sean asked. "Which task is at hand?"

"I suspect, Master Sean, that we will find out from whoever is going to meet us. We both know it relates to the Traveler Stone and I suspect we will be returning to Hogsmeade. Remind me to stop at a Chocolatier and purchase some gold sovereigns."

Master Sean smiled. Cocoa was one of the most popular goods to come from New England and New France. It almost rivaled the popularity of caffe which had become a staple of daily life in the Empire. As it was more perishable once it was processed, the Chocolatier rarely sold his goods far from where they were made. With the gradual improvement of the King's Highways, this was beginning to change, but not very quickly. Such a gift was always welcome, and it would stave any possible questions from one young boy.


"Master Sean!" Professor Quirrell was still as short and gray-haired as ever, but his countenance gave the image of someone much younger in years. "I cannot wait to tell you about our work." As an afterthought he added, "Good Day to you, My Lord Darcy, I hope you had a pleasant journey. Master Sean, there are so many things to tell you. I have reserved a compartment for us." Then he added conspiratorially, "I have already placed an eavesdropping spell on it so that we will have complete privacy."

Lord Darcy followed the two sorcerers knowing that he was the odd man out. He would have politely waited in the café on the train but he did need to hear firsthand what the Professor of Thaumaturgy had to say. They boarded the train and went directly to the compartment, and Professor Quirrell began talking as soon as the door had been closed.

"It has been an amazing time, Master Sean. The control stone has been everything we hoped it was and more."

"Your tests were successful?"

Professor Quirrell nodded and reached into his bag, a matching one to Master Sean's but darker in color and more worn. He pulled out a coin and showed it to the two men with him.

Lord Darcy read the inscription. "Ten units, Confederation of Europe."

"It is an actual coin of the realm from an alternate universe. We found a world where the Anglo-French Empire merged with the Poles. I think it was a marriage alliance. The German States and Turkic Spain combined with the Scandinavian States, all of this occurred some three hundred years earlier, and forced the formation of a confederacy to preserve their independent status. It was a fascinating place."

"You have actually been there?" Master Sean asked.

"Indeed. It was our longest excursion, almost three days, before we had to return to avoid suspicion."

"Professor," Lord Darcy asked. "This coin is obviously used but it is dated 1983 and this is 1979. I would have thought that they would date it according to the birth of Our Lord."

"They do," Professor Quirrell said sheepishly. "It seems that the actual year of birth of Our Lord Jesus is, may God forgive me, subjective. It is Church Doctrine that he was thirty when he began teaching and thirty three when he died, but the records were not well kept."

"An interesting curiosity," Lord Darcy noted. "And it shows how insignificant a date is."

"If I may ask," Master Sean said. "The control stone does not need to be in contact with the Traveler Stone?"

"Not at all," Professor Quirrell said. "After we understood why you found a stone that was not there, we also understood that the stone would remain with the person that used it. Once we determined that, it was only left to determine the nature of the tests."

"Professor," Lord Darcy interrupted. "Did you say that you discovered why we did not find the stone?"

Professor Quirrell nodded. "It was a variation of the MacGregor Syndrome." He smiled when Lord Darcy shook his head. "As you remember, Master Sean performed the Goulding test on the Traveler Stone and discovered the missing stone, but it was still missing. The MacGregor Syndrome was named after the results of an experiment involving a MacGregor revolver. I assume you are familiar with the manufacturer."

Lord Darcy nodded, fully aware of the gold-plated MacGregor he carried with him by order of His Majesty.

"In 1862, the Goulding test was performed on the revolver in question to determine where in a room the bullets fired from it had ended up. One of the bullets had ricocheted off the back of the fireplace and into a log in the fire where it was melted by the heat and turned into vapor. The needle used for this particular bullet pointed at the spot where the bullet had lodged even though the log had long since turned to ash and the fire dampened. The needle continued to show that point even when the fireplace was emptied of ash and scraped clean. The MacGregor Syndrome tells us that when an object is removed from this world, whether by destruction or otherwise I must now add, the Goulding test will show the last place where it had physical cohesion. Do you follow?"

"I believe I do, Professor. You are saying that the control stone we were looking for was last in our world at the point we discovered, even though that point was in midair."

Professor Quirrell nodded. "Once we understood how to transfer to a different world, we tested that hypothesis. We had one of out testers imagine himself in London, but with a slight difference. He chose a London, if I may phrase it that way without confusion, where His Highness, the Duke of Normandy ruled as King and Emperor. The Goulding test showed that the stone was in London, even though he left from Cambridge. He returned after only a few minutes and the needle in question reoriented on his new position."

The Professor paused. "It has been decided that, for safety, we should attempt to retrieve the missing stone, if possible."

Lord Darcy nodded. "Does the Institute have any theories on who may have used the control stone?"

"The most popular theory, My Lord, is the one you suggested to the Duke of Cambridge. This is to be a rescue mission with two purposes. You are to retrieve the stone at all costs and, if practicable, discover the fate of the Duke's nephew and return with him. His Grace the Duke demanded that the phrase be added 'with him or his remains'."

Lord Darcy gave a grim smile. The Duke, ever hopeful, was also a realist. Lord Robert Cahill may have been able to use the stone to effect his escape but, if that was so, he had been clearly unable to use it to return. He paused in his thoughts as he heard Professor Quirrell tell Master Sean, "I am excited for you. You are clearly going to a world where Hogwarts Castle is still extant."

"How can you be sure?" Lord Darcy asked.

"The control stone, My Lord. We have discovered that it will not take you to a place that is unsafe. If you imagine a specific world but a spot that is occupied in that world by a building wall, nothing will happen. We discovered this by imagining as specific a world as possible and trying to transfer into the same spot on that world. In this case we used the world of King Richard. We eventually discovered that the building that houses the Institute did not exist in that other world. That is why we are going to Hogsmeade. Since the Castle is still standing, the grounds may be different. It could be a city. We have no way of knowing."

Lord Darcy nodded. "We need to find a spot that we can transfer to. Because we are going to a specific world, we need to go to a specific place."

"Exactly, My Lord. Once you know of a safe place to transfer to, then you can leave from anywhere."

"Milord," Master Sean said as they felt the train begin to slow. They had reached London. "There is a shop near to the station. You may wish to make your purchases if we have time."

"We have more than an hour before the train to Edinburgh," Professor Quirrell said. "Her Grace promised to be waiting at the station when we arrived so as not to delay us."

"Her Grace?" Lord Darcy asked.

"The Dowager Duchess of Cumberland, My Lord. She was added to the group by direct order of His August Majesty, not that I would question him, but for the life of me I do not know why."

"Perhaps it is because she held Lord Robert at his Christening," Lord Darcy answered. "The presence of a woman in our group also makes sense. We will less likely be seen as a hostile group." He noted darkly that if Lord Robert were found alive, someone would have to inform him of his father.


It was a rather large crowd that stood before the ruins of Hogwarts Castle. Professor Quirrell was there with Lord Darcy and Master Sean. Father Confessor Maurice de Pannier, the representative of the Pope was also there as was Sir Mortimer Sheffield, His Majesty's Captain at Arms for the City of Cambridge. These five men where to be the group to use the stone to enter the world that it was presumed that My Lord Robert de Somerset, Earl of Cahill, had gone to. The sixth person of this group was the Dowager Duchess of Cumberland.

The Duchess was the second wife of the late Duke. Because she was a commoner, it was a morganic marriage. She held the title out of courtesy but none of her children, had she bore him any in their short but happy marriage, would have been eligible to inherit her husband's rank or estates.

Curiously, Her Grace and Lord Darcy had warm feelings for each other, but Lord Darcy had to consider his heritage. In private conversation, The Duke of Normandy had informed him that he could not consider such a marriage. Had Her Grace inherited or earned her title there would have been no problem.

Both of them had determined the events afoot. Both, in their own ways, were popular at court, but for a woman to gain a title involved doing something of great purpose for the Empire, and women rarely had such a chance. Mary, Duchess of Cumberland was being given such a chance. If Lord Darcy was correct, one of the results of this effort would be a wedding. It was definitely an advantage to be thought well of by His Majesty.

Lord Darcy glanced at the others who were present. Several members of the Royal Thaumaturgical Institute as well as Sergeant Tarr and his son. The boy, Jamie, was given permission for a specific reason. He was the type who was more likely to keep a secret if he understood how important it was. This was a secret he would have to keep for a very long time.

"Does everyone know what to do?" Professor Quirrell asked, and they all nodded. Out of habit he repeated the instructions anyway. "All of us who are traveling must remain in physical contact with the person who is using the control stone. In this manner, the entire group will travel together. Please, take your places."

As the group formed some distance from the ruins and made contact, Professor Quirrell invoked the control stone. "Oh, Dear. It did not work." He ushered everyone another twenty yards and tried again. Again, nothing happened. This time he ushered them twenty yards to one side. When he invoked the stone, the world seemed to suddenly fade away. The world then faded back into place amid the shouting of hundreds of voices.

Professor Quirrell ignored the noise and pointed to the viewing stand that stood before them. "A perfect example. We could not transfer on our first two tries because of the structure in front of us."

"James," Her Grace said to Lord Darcy, and pointed upward. A teenaged boy had come into view above them much higher than the viewing stand. The two moved quickly to a gap in the stands. They could not see the ground but that appeared unnecessary. They saw over a dozen teens of varying ages flying on broomsticks.

"This must be a jest of some sort," Captain Sheffield said, then quickly added, "Dear God above us. My Lord, the two youths flying together across the field."

Lord Darcy looked up and smiled, almost laughing. They had come to find Lord Robert, and they had found two of him.

"I knew it," Professor Quirrell said giddily. "The Law of Attraction still holds."

"But which is which?" Lord Darcy asked as the stands suddenly became quiet.

"Have we been spotted?" Her Grace asked.

"I do not think we will be spotted until the game is over," Lord Darcy said, "even if we were to yell at the top of our lungs."

A whistle blew and everyone watched in amusement as the players took their places. By chance of position, they were able to observe one end of the field and watched as one of the Lord Roberts blocked a throw by the opponent.

"Aerial football, if I am correct," Father Maurice said with a smile.

"With danger added, Reverend Father." Lord Darcy pointed out the bludgers.

Suddenly a whistle blew, and all of the players flew to the ground, out of their sight, as the people in the stands began to complain.

"Something has happened," Captain Sheffield said. "I must investigate."

"Captain?" Professor Quirrell called out with apprehension. "Is that wise?"

The Captain turned around. "My Lords and Gentlemen. Your Grace. I know by far that I am the least intelligent member of this group, but even I am aware that this is a school. I must investigate the matter in case my charge is involved, but we must also announce ourselves at some point. I choose to do so now."

The Captain turned around and began walking toward the side of the arena facing the school, assuming the entrance to be there. With little hesitation, the remainder of the group followed. As Captain Sheffield espied the entrance, a group of students and teachers began to walk out. As one they stopped when they spied him, and one student asked, "Professor McGonagall, why is an Armsman here?"

"Excuse my abruptness, Goodwoman," Captain Sheffield said loudly. "I am Captain Sir Mortimer Sheffield of His Majesty's Barracks in Cambridge. I do not wish to delay you but I must inquire after the health of my charge." Before anyone could react, he turned to the boy in the Quidditch uniform and asked, "Are you well and safe, My Lord."

Harry grinned widely at the surprising comment, and pointed to the twin standing next to him.

Captain Sheffield returned the grin and turned to the next boy. "My Lord?"

The boy hesitated. "I think 'maybe' would be a good answer."

"Goodness," Professor McGonagall uttered when the rest of the group walked up. Then she was in control of herself. "Your timing is dreadful, and all of you will have to wait. Harry, Ron, Charlie, come with me right now. Madam Hooch, could you take care of this."

"Right," Madam Hooch replied and walked up to the group. "Now then, who are you and what took you so long to get here?"

"Be careful, Captain," the Duchess of Cumberland said mischievously. "If you say the wrong thing, you could be kept after."

"And you are?" Madam Hooch asked, as a crowd gathered.

Her Grace looked at Lord Darcy and they both smiled. "I'm Charlie's Godmother."