"So," said Balthazar, "we need to figure out where Morgana and Horvath are."
"And Drake," added Dave.
"And that moron," Balthazar corrected himself, "And once we find that out we'll have half the battle won. We've been on the defensive since the start; time to go on the offense."
Dave nodded, trying not to stare at the woman who sat next to Balthazar at the table. He knew he needed to take account of her. This woman, when she married Balthazar, would sort of be his step-mother. He had no doubts that Balthazar would indeed marry her. It was impossible to mistake the way he looked at her for anything other than what it was.
"From what I've read Drake Stone is an up and coming stage magician. Sort of like Criss Angel," Becky piped up.
He tilted his head. Becky sat next to him, eating the bacon and biscuits that Balthazar had made up with relish. He'd read in his Incantus that when the body consumes energy in healing spells it leaves the person the spell was used on hungry. From the fact that she was on her third plate he could believe it.
"Morganians," snorted Balthazar.
"Who's Criss Angel?" Veronica asked.
Becky tilted her head at her, showing that he wasn't the only one interested in her presence. There was something about Veronica, from the strange accent in her voice to the way she moved. There was another explanation for Becky's particular interest. Dave wondered if this was the equivalent of meeting his parents to her.
Still, Veronica was different. He tried to imagine a younger Balthazar paying court to this woman. It wasn't the easiest thing, to him Balthazar would never be 'young', but he managed it. In fact, the more he thought about it the more he understood. She was the light to his dark and the water to his fire. Together they were somehow balanced.
"Sort of like an entertainer?" Becky explained, "Like an actor but with magic."
"Oh," frowned Veronica, "That's an abuse of the craft."
"Tell me about it," Balthazar said, "I can't believe that little ingrate grew up so messed up. Nigel Frost was a terrible Master, sure enough, but it's the sign of a real moron for his apprentice to grow up a Morganian actor. But I fail to see what that has to do with this."
"He's a celebrity," said Becky, "Celebrities never go anywhere without announcing what they're doing to the entire world. I bet if we did a search we could find out where he was staying. That could definitely be a lead."
His master nodded.
"Good idea," Balthazar said.
Dave looked at Becky, who winked at him before taking a sip of orange juice.
"First things first though," Becky said, "Dave told me a bit about what's going on. Can't we get rid of the Rising? Morgana can be defeated after it's gone, right?"
There was a pause.
"What?" asked Becky.
"Yeah, I've been doing some research on that. As soon as I woke up I started looking through my Incantus," Dave said, taking the Incantus out of his pocket.
"That's what you were doing while I was in the shower," Becky said.
He wedged his nail underneath the cover and then started to unfold it until it was its normal size. Becky was staring at him as he laid it on the table. With a slight flourish he put his palm flat on the cover. By raising his hand he increased its width while causing a small dust cloud to expand around it.
"Do you guys do anything normally?"
"Nope," Dave said, flipping the book open, "Let's see here…ah!"
His fingers stopped at a post-it note that he'd used to bookmark his spot. Clearing his throat he read;
"Most spells are universal in all Incantuses. However, in the case of certain spells there is only one copy that can be found in only one book."
Dave looked up.
"I'm guessing the Rising is one of those," he said.
"Correct," Veronica replied.
"Okay, got it," Dave said, "But then it goes on to say; Since magic is alive spells will try to protect themselves. The fewer copies of a spell the more resistant they will be to destruction. Some spells will simply disappear after being said."
"We're not going to wait to see if that's the case with the Rising," said Balthazar.
"I didn't say we should!" argued Dave, "But it said; If a spell is in separate components that makes each component more difficult to destroy."
"Essentially if the two halves are separate then they're harder to get rid of," Balthazar said, "Nothing new."
"Not to mention the bit where it goes on to say that most magic is all-but indestructible," Dave said, "I don't think I have the kind of power to get rid of it."
"No. Not by yourself," said Balthazar, "If Veronica and I were to chip in though, then I think we'd have a pretty good chance."
Veronica shook her head.
"My powers have yet to return."
Her voice sounded sad. Dave saw Balthazar make a subtle movement to brush her hand with his fingers in comfort.
"They will," said Balthazar firmly, "But we can't afford to waste time. We need to get the other half of the Rising. When the halves are united then it will be easier to get rid of. By then Veronica should have her powers back and we can take care of it. Then we can go after Morgana. Sound good?"
There were nods of assent from around the table.
"Good," Balthazar said, taking Veronica's hand openly in his, "So let's start that search you mentioned Becky. We have some Morganians to find."