The Warlock's Errand Girl

by Ruze a Koure

Sometimes Vika Vlčeková wonders what horrible sin she committed in a past life to end up as harried apprentice, beleaguered assistant and occasional reluctant criminal accomplice to the High Warlock of Brooklyn, Magnus Bane. Malec, Clace, OC/Magnus. Please review! I would appreciate constructive criticism.

9. The Puppetmaster

Venizia, Italia - 1600

It was the year that the East India Trading Company made its debut, and Giordano Bruno was burned alive for heresy; the year that Linköping Bloodbath tore Sweden apart and Shakespeare composed Hamlet, the epic that would prove to be Ragnor Fell's favorite.

But no visions of paternal apparitions perturbed Magnus Bane today.

Only thirty years ago, the Black Death had ripped its way through the canalled city of Venice, and today the empire had been left weak.

Weak meant vulnerable. Vulnerable meant easily-manipulated.

And no one manipulated people better than the man who called himself Malcolm Fade.