Plan C

[00:00:02] Artifacts of the Arcane, by Jake Kerr Season 1, The Staff of Light, Episode 16, Plan C

[00:00:16] I alternated between trying to focus on hiding myself and making sense of how I could deal with Naomi.

[00:00:24] I would dodge a group of soldiers and then nearly run into another group while imagining that when I wasn't annoying Naomi,

[00:00:32] I was embarrassing myself in front of her. I somehow made it to my quarters without being seen and opened the door only to run right into Felice.

[00:00:41] Her eyes went wide.

[00:00:43] Did your meeting with Cain go okay?

[00:00:45] Well, he questioned my ability to wield the staff and then he lit my arm on fire, which was intensely painful. Other than that, it went great.

[00:00:55] Felice nodded as if she expected my response.

[00:00:58] That's not so bad. I'm sure he won't light you on fire next time.

[00:01:01] I almost laughed, but she was serious. Not so bad. The thought made me even more desperate to leave the Citadel.

[00:01:09] I thanked Felice for her concern and made my way up the stairs to my room.

[00:01:13] I opened the door planning on switching from the boots to my shoes and then rushing back to Naomi so we could escape.

[00:01:19] I took one step into my room and stopped, cold.

[00:01:23] There was an old man sitting in the reading chair looking over the illusion textbook.

[00:01:28] He looked up at me.

[00:01:29] Is this yours? A waste of time if you ask me.

[00:01:33] He tossed the book on the floor.

[00:01:36] He was ancient.

[00:01:37] The small amount of hair he had was white and slicked back in an attempt at style.

[00:01:42] He had gray eyes and as they peered at me, they were the only part of him that looked young.

[00:01:48] His skin was thin and wrinkled and he looked very frail.

[00:01:52] I couldn't even guess his age.

[00:01:54] Yet he looked regal.

[00:01:56] He wore a nice suit that somehow fit well despite his inability to fill it.

[00:02:00] The shirt was pure white and his navy blue tie was tightly knotted and perfectly centered.

[00:02:06] I stared at him.

[00:02:07] He scowled at me.

[00:02:09] Well, don't just stand there.

[00:02:11] Let me see it.

[00:02:12] He held out his hand.

[00:02:14] I'm sorry.

[00:02:15] Who are you?

[00:02:16] He obviously wasn't some soldier sent here to hold me until Cain could get his hands on the staff.

[00:02:21] On the other hand, he had the same dismissive demeanor of Cain himself.

[00:02:26] I'm Plan B.

[00:02:27] He laughed a scratchy, high-pitched laugh.

[00:02:30] Plan B?

[00:02:31] I worried that perhaps the old man was insane and had wandered into my room.

[00:02:36] Yes.

[00:02:37] Plan B.

[00:02:38] If Cain can't get you to follow his orders, I'm to convince you to give me the staff to wield.

[00:02:44] I stared at him.

[00:02:45] For whatever good that will do him.

[00:02:48] He scratched his head.

[00:02:49] Actually, I might be Plan C.

[00:02:52] Plan B is probably Cain trying to use the staff himself.

[00:02:56] The old man looked at me and when I didn't respond, added,

[00:03:00] Fine.

[00:03:01] If you must know, I'm also the royal gardener at Balmoral.

[00:03:05] His expression didn't change, but he opened and closed his hand in a reminder to hand him something.

[00:03:10] Did he mean the staff?

[00:03:12] Do I know you?

[00:03:13] Unfortunately not.

[00:03:14] He sat up straighter, but still didn't stand.

[00:03:18] Or perhaps fortunately.

[00:03:20] Give me the staff and I think that may clear some things up.

[00:03:23] I pulled the cane against my chest.

[00:03:26] I'm afraid I can't do that.

[00:03:28] He shook his head and nodded.

[00:03:30] Ah, yes.

[00:03:31] I expected this.

[00:03:33] He waved his finger at me.

[00:03:34] My son said the same thing after I gave it to him and asked him a few years later if I could use the staff for some particularly difficult topiary work.

[00:03:42] He shook his head.

[00:03:43] It would have made things much easier.

[00:03:45] He sighed.

[00:03:47] The selfishness of youth, I guess.

[00:03:48] He gave the staff to his son?

[00:03:51] My staff?

[00:03:52] My grandfather's staff?

[00:03:55] Before I could ask any questions, the old man laughed.

[00:03:58] Maybe you aren't as stupid as my son.

[00:04:01] You're starting to understand now, are you not?

[00:04:03] Who are you?

[00:04:04] He laughed a bitter laugh.

[00:04:07] Maybe you are as stupid as he is after all.

[00:04:09] I'm Joseph Blakash.

[00:04:11] Declan Black, your grandfather, is my son.

[00:04:14] I felt my knees go weak because I knew that he was telling the truth.

[00:04:18] I saw it immediately.

[00:04:20] Not just in his eyes, but the shape of his face and even his gruff demeanor, which, if I were honest, was a big part of my grandfather's personality.

[00:04:30] His smile, fleeting as it was, reminded me of my father's smile.

[00:04:35] I took a step forward.

[00:04:37] You're my great.

[00:04:39] Grandfather?

[00:04:40] Yes.

[00:04:40] I'm also an archmage.

[00:04:42] I've borne the staff.

[00:04:44] Blah, blah, blah.

[00:04:45] That's why Cain used his infernal connections to get me sent here.

[00:04:48] He thinks I'm a loyal citizen and will wield the staff for him, but the truth is…

[00:04:52] He leaned forward.

[00:04:53] I just came here to hold the staff one more time before I die.

[00:04:57] He held up a finger.

[00:04:58] But I did not lie.

[00:05:00] I am the king's gardener in Balmoral.

[00:05:02] He shrugged.

[00:05:03] As it were.

[00:05:04] I walked over to him, and as I approached, he held out his hand again.

[00:05:08] If I'm to be totally truthful, I also wanted to see you, my great-grandson.

[00:05:12] But don't tell anyone.

[00:05:13] I have a reputation for being decidedly unsentimental.

[00:05:17] He laughed.

[00:05:18] Plan C.

[00:05:19] I held the staff up.

[00:05:21] As you wish.

[00:05:22] Although one might think great-grandfather would be more appropriate.

[00:05:25] He looked at the staff.

[00:05:27] Ah, still a Cain.

[00:05:30] My foolish son never could figure out how to change it back, I see.

[00:05:34] His eyebrows furrowed and his jaw clenched.

[00:05:37] He looked both sad and angry.

[00:05:39] I didn't move, and he added…

[00:05:41] The staff, boy.

[00:05:42] I handed it to him.

[00:05:44] I knew I shouldn't have, but I did.

[00:05:46] I cannot explain why other than to say that I knew it was the right thing to do.

[00:05:51] The staff said as much to me in its arcane and unfathomable language.

[00:05:55] He held it up and it transformed into a living branch of some flowering tree.

[00:06:01] It bloomed with white flowers, and petals fell as he pulled it close to his eyes.

[00:06:07] My great-grandfather smiled and his face transformed.

[00:06:11] He breathed in deeply, his nose among the flowers.

[00:06:15] The happiness made him look years younger.

[00:06:18] He lowered the staff and it changed into a cricket bat.

[00:06:21] He looked at me.

[00:06:23] You are a young boy.

[00:06:25] Would you prefer this?

[00:06:27] I didn't answer, and he quickly added…

[00:06:30] Ah, you are American.

[00:06:31] Perhaps this is better?

[00:06:33] The cricket bat transformed into a baseball bat.

[00:06:36] Or this?

[00:06:37] In short order, he changed the staff into a large stick, a flower, a wand, and a wooden knife.

[00:06:44] Before he could do any more, I interrupted.

[00:06:47] I prefer the cane.

[00:06:49] He frowned.

[00:06:50] Making it a cane was a joke I played on my son as a reminder of his feeble ego.

[00:06:55] The staff remained a wooden knife and Joseph tapped it on his palm.

[00:06:59] He stared at me, and again I felt uncomfortable in his gaze.

[00:07:02] His presence was at once exciting to me, but his mannerisms and attitude were disturbing.

[00:07:08] He took joy in the staff and what it could do, but he did not seem to care about me much at all.

[00:07:13] The more I considered him, the more it bothered me that he was dismissive toward my grandfather, his own son.

[00:07:19] I prefer the cane, and you can give it back to me now.

[00:07:23] I held out my hand.

[00:07:24] He didn't say anything for a while, just stared at me.

[00:07:28] When I refused to avert my gaze, he smiled my father's smile and held up the staff to me,

[00:07:34] which, without my noticing, had turned again into a cane.

[00:07:37] As I went to take it, he pulled it back.

[00:07:40] Are you not curious what my mastery of the staff is?

[00:07:44] I'm afraid I don't understand.

[00:07:46] What do you mean, mastery?

[00:07:48] Joseph shook his head.

[00:07:49] How much do you know of the staff, boy?

[00:07:52] He hadn't offered the staff back to me, although it still held its shape as a cane.

[00:07:57] I looked at him, and all my questions, all my confusion, tumbled into my head.

[00:08:02] What did I know?

[00:08:04] What did Mr. Ali teach me?

[00:08:06] What did my grandfather teach me from those few moments when he gave me the staff?

[00:08:10] The answer scared me.

[00:08:12] Nothing.

[00:08:13] I knew nothing of the staff.

[00:08:15] And then it hit me.

[00:08:16] He knows.

[00:08:18] He is the only one who knows.

[00:08:21] Before I could say the words, my great-grandfather pointed to the other reading chair.

[00:08:26] Have a seat, Thomas.

[00:08:28] His voice was wistful, but also kind.

[00:08:31] I know too little of your situation to expect so much.

[00:08:35] My disappointment over Declan should not poison my view of you.

[00:08:39] He pointed at the illusion textbook lying on the floor, and it turned into a rectangular piece of rich dirt.

[00:08:46] Grass grew out of it and turned it into a small piece of lawn.

[00:08:50] Sit.

[00:08:51] I sat down and looked at the grass.

[00:08:54] It was rich and lush and appeared real.

[00:08:57] Are you an illusionist?

[00:09:00] Joseph looked aghast.

[00:09:02] Good Lord, no.

[00:09:03] Illusion is the creation of the unreal and thus it is weak.

[00:09:07] He sneered.

[00:09:08] A useless magic.

[00:09:10] He turned and looked at me.

[00:09:12] The staff in my hands manipulates the innate bits of life that are hidden in practically everything.

[00:09:18] I didn't say anything.

[00:09:19] And he sighed.

[00:09:20] To your grandfather, the staff was wasted on me.

[00:09:24] I was little more than a gardener.

[00:09:25] He touched the tabletop and twigs and branches grew up from the wooden surface.

[00:09:31] That's amazing.

[00:09:33] I wondered at this power of his.

[00:09:35] Could he create massive tree houses?

[00:09:37] Could he make animals grow too?

[00:09:39] Could he touch the sea and fill a net with fish?

[00:09:42] If he could manipulate life, could he also bring someone back from the dead?

[00:09:46] Could he heal injuries?

[00:09:47] There were so many things that I could imagine he could do with his power that it overwhelmed me.

[00:09:53] It is kind of you to say, but unfortunately, I was ordered to give up the staff because my mastery was not quite as valuable as that of my son, who could destroy things.

[00:10:04] He ran his hand over his head, and it was the exact same movement I had seen my grandfather make over and over again as he tried to tame his wild hair.

[00:10:13] Is there anything you can't do with the staff?

[00:10:16] We don't have time for us to discuss the missed opportunities of my youth.

[00:10:20] Let me just state that the most powerful archmage since the staff was brought to Britain is sitting in this room.

[00:10:26] I thought of his words.

[00:10:28] They didn't sound like the boastful comments one would hear from a boor, nor were they filled with the bravado I heard attached to those that described my grandfather.

[00:10:37] My great-grandfather could manipulate life itself.

[00:10:41] Yes, I agreed with him. That was power of a frightening magnitude.

[00:10:45] I nodded. He was the most powerful archmage in history.

[00:10:49] You nod, but I have not finished.

[00:10:51] The second most powerful archmage since it was brought to Britain is the one that currently holds the staff.

[00:10:57] He smiled, and the cane turned into a large, intricately ruined staff.

[00:11:03] It took a moment for the words to sink in.

[00:11:05] But I can only make light.

[00:11:08] So I heard.

[00:11:09] He didn't add anything, and the silence became uncomfortable.

[00:11:13] You mentioned that the staff came to England.

[00:11:16] I thought that the staff was our family's legacy.

[00:11:19] Were we not always from England?

[00:11:22] I was thoroughly transfixed with the opportunity to learn more about the staff and our family's history.

[00:11:28] The origin of the staff has nothing to do with our family.

[00:11:31] He turned the staff back into a cane and handed it to me.

[00:11:35] Our family are thieves.

[00:11:36] He said it so matter-of-factly that I couldn't quite believe what I heard.

[00:11:41] During the First Crusade, one of our illustrious forefathers traveled far to the southeast and came back with a powerful magic item.

[00:11:49] How he got it is lost to history, but you can be sure it involved murder, torture, or probably both.

[00:11:55] The staff?

[00:11:57] Yes.

[00:11:58] How the fool escaped Persia with one of the few artifacts of the arcane left in the world is beyond me.

[00:12:04] But he did.

[00:12:05] I thought the staff was one with our family, and that only we can use it.

[00:12:10] Well, that story certainly stops people from asking embarrassing questions.

[00:12:14] So, we aren't the only ones who can use it?

[00:12:18] Of course not.

[00:12:19] As he spoke, my great-grandfather appeared nothing more than to be annoyed with the whole story.

[00:12:24] At this point, however, he looked me in the eye and held up a finger to underscore the point.

[00:12:29] Here is your first and only lesson about the staff.

[00:12:32] Its power is its own.

[00:12:34] Not mine. Not yours. Not our family's.

[00:12:37] Different people can use it to different effect.

[00:12:39] Thankfully, very few people can get it to do anything.

[00:12:42] Hell, it sat on a mantle for decades a couple hundred years ago.

[00:12:45] He shrugged.

[00:12:46] Perhaps the staff got bored with our family and hoped we'd pass it on to someone else.

[00:12:50] He laughed.

[00:12:51] Of course we didn't.

[00:12:52] But Mr. Ali's family is from Persia, and he said it was destined only be held by one of our family.

[00:12:59] Joseph frowned.

[00:13:00] Another reason to be rid of that staff.

[00:13:02] That we have deluded the very people we stole the staff from through lies is a stain on our family.

[00:13:08] He waved his finger at me.

[00:13:09] I'm too old to make a difference, but know this, Thomas.

[00:13:12] If you tell Ali or his family or anyone from Persia that the staff belongs to anyone but them, then you are party to their oppression.

[00:13:20] The history of my family and the staff, which so thrilled and inspired me just minutes before, now made me uncomfortable.

[00:13:28] I could not believe that we stole something and then used the very thing we stole to convince those we stole it from to serve us.

[00:13:34] The idea of destroying the staff seemed to make much more sense now.

[00:13:38] I should return it to Ali's family and tell him the truth.

[00:13:42] Good God, boy, don't do that!

[00:13:44] Why? Does it not belong to them?

[00:13:47] Have you not been paying attention?

[00:13:49] The staff belongs to no one but itself.

[00:13:52] Better to destroy it and rid the world of one of the last pieces of magic that humans can control.

[00:13:58] Mr. Ali had made the same argument, and while I vaguely understood Mr. Ali's point about the danger of magic,

[00:14:04] I also remembered his joy of magic working with the technology of the train.

[00:14:09] Maybe my great-grandfather didn't understand this exciting future.

[00:14:13] But magic is a force for good, too.

[00:14:17] Your own son used it to help defeat the Germans, and what about the great achievements of magic and technology working together?

[00:14:23] I rode here on a train that was as fast as the wind and flew across water.

[00:14:29] My great-grandfather stared at me as if I were an idiot.

[00:14:32] I would be angry, boy, but I can only pity you and your ignorance.

[00:14:36] He leaned forward, and his glare was uncomfortable.

[00:14:39] Let me ask you this.

[00:14:41] How does that majestic train run?

[00:14:44] The engineer uses magic?

[00:14:46] I did not know, but assumed it was powerful magic created by the engineer, who was some kind of transportation magician.

[00:14:53] Even as I considered the scenario in my mind, I knew it was ridiculous.

[00:14:58] The train is powered by a married, enslaved in the engine and tortured until he uses his magic to power the train and create its magic.

[00:15:06] What is a married?

[00:15:08] What is a married?

[00:15:09] I had heard them mentioned over the past few days, but I was still unclear on what they were.

[00:15:13] And my question was the last straw.

[00:15:16] My great-grandfather's temper boiled over.

[00:15:19] A married?

[00:15:20] The most powerful of the magical creatures?

[00:15:23] It was enslaved by trickery, you ignorant child.

[00:15:26] Is that the magic you are proud of?

[00:15:28] Is that the magic you want to use to gain fame and power for your family?

[00:15:32] No.

[00:15:33] I threw the cane to the ground.

[00:15:34] I want none of that.

[00:15:36] Joseph held up his hand and the cane flew into it.

[00:15:40] It is the bargain you now live with.

[00:15:42] Here.

[00:15:42] He handed me the cane.

[00:15:45] Take this and do with it what you will.

[00:15:47] I'm too old.

[00:15:49] I'm not even a plan C.

[00:15:51] I'm a curiosity, nothing more.

[00:15:54] He stood up.

[00:15:55] Give it to Vingrosh.

[00:15:56] He could rid it from the world.

[00:15:59] Exchange it for my son if you want.

[00:16:01] I don't care.

[00:16:03] He turned away from me and took a few steps and then paused.

[00:16:07] Cain wants the staff.

[00:16:09] He brought me here as insurance.

[00:16:11] To use the staff against Hitler if he could not.

[00:16:14] I came only to hold it again and to remind myself that at least one person could use the staff to create beauty and not destruction.

[00:16:22] I have done that.

[00:16:24] I stood up as he walked to the door and ran to him.

[00:16:27] Wait!

[00:16:28] Goodbye, Thomas.

[00:16:29] I like to think that you'll make the right decision but…

[00:16:33] Alas, I don't have the energy to find out.

[00:16:36] He was at the door when I reached him.

[00:16:39] He moved slow.

[00:16:40] He was old and frail and I could tell that he had used more energy in the past few minutes than he had in a long time.

[00:16:48] You said you were the second most powerful archmage in history in the room.

[00:16:53] Did you mean that I was the most powerful?

[00:16:55] He looked at me and I wanted him to smile and say, you are.

[00:17:00] Now use your power for good.

[00:17:02] But he did none of those things.

[00:17:04] He shook his head and opened the door.

[00:17:06] He walked out then turned to me and said,

[00:17:09] How much do you know of light?

[00:17:11] Can it bend?

[00:17:12] What does its absence mean?

[00:17:14] What happens if you slow it down?

[00:17:17] I didn't understand what he was saying and he clearly noticed.

[00:17:20] Perhaps it is best that you don't know.

[00:17:24] And with that, he walked toward the stairs while I stood in the doorframe.

[00:17:28] I watched him depart, wondering if I'd ever see him again.