The People v. Eleanor Warwick

Colorful lights dance across Joseph Traveski’s face.

He stares into the torrent with uncertain eyes. The swirling vortex of arcane power terrifies him. Everything about his current situation does. But he’ll be damned if he’s going to let Cassandra down.

The wizard’s goal seems impossible. She would probably be much happier if she just accepts the fall of her House and moves on with her life. Happiness doesn’t seem like it’s part of her plan. The woman’s single-minded obsession with avenging something that happened 200 years ago baffles him.

However, Cassandra isn’t the only one with an agenda.

At times, he wonders whether she’s on to him. Whether she knows he hopes she fails. Hopes she’ll give up on her foolish quest for revenge and perhaps start a life. Preferably with him.

Still, he will hope with all his heart for her failure but refuses to be the cause of it. The Tempus Stone is the part of her plan he wants to fall through. Without it, his torrent is useless. But she succeeded in finding one. Now his only chance is Eleanor Warwick.

Joseph is aware of the so-called Wizard of Riverside’s reputation. She aggressively seeks to stop the very kinds of things that Cassandra is attempting to do. Yet, she tries to avoid unnecessary violence and destruction. Joseph wishes Warwick would somehow find out about what’s happening but can’t bring himself to betray Cassandra. Warwick will have to figure things out for herself.

The beeping of his watch’s alarm draws his attention. It’s time for his board meeting. Silencing the device, he straightens his tie and smooths out his lapels before turning away from the shimmering mass of magic.