The Stranger - Max Frei [225]
“‘The same thing,’ that’s a good one! Of course, I’m ready to go anytime, but it doesn’t make much sense for me to go there.”
“What makes you so sure? Mysteries love novices, especially fine ones like you. Aging wisemen like me should sit at home thinking deep thoughts. In short, I decided long ago that this case is just made for you. I never dreamed that you’d be so willing, though. Oh, and by the way, I don’t think it will be too dangerous.”
“I’ve heard that one before! When you sent me to Xolomi to deal with the stumpy-legged ghost, you were also sure that I would manage with no trouble at all.”
“What do you mean? You managed beautifully, just as I predicted.”
“I just about spoiled everything! Twice running.”
“‘Just about’ doesn’t count, Max. You acted quickly, and almost all your decisions were sound. Don’t you think that for a person who has lived in the World just a hundred days or so that’s nearly impossible?”
“Melifaro once came up with a theory about my origins,” I recalled. “He suggested that I was a Mutinous Magician who lost his memory after you whacked me upside the head, as it were. Are you sure nothing like that happened, sir?”
Juffin was delighted with this hypothesis. I let him have a good laugh, then went on.
“You know I don’t object to danger, especially now. But please explain to me, in the name of all Magicians, why are you so sure that this trip won’t be dangerous? Are your feelings about it propitious?”
“Yes, that too. But there’s more to it. I’ve already spoken about Kettari to Maba Kalox. He is no doubt aware of what is happening, but he’s beating about the bush. Maba has his own ideas about things, as you know. He assured me that whatever was happening in Kettari didn’t threaten the World, and could in fact be considered a ‘joyous event.’ Then again, Maba has his own notions about such things. By the way, he is thrilled that you’re going there. I wish I knew why. Come what may, I must learn all the details of this story. My curiosity has always taken precedence over my sense of duty, and in the case of Kettari, both these factors come into play. But the most important consideration is that I’ve found an excellent pretext for making your already-difficult life a little harder. What do you say, Max?”
“I can’t tell you how happy you’re making me. But what about the ‘old sheriff of Kettari’—that Sir Mackie Ainti the ‘voices’ were talking about? You yourself used to be the sheriff of Kettari. Did you change your name or something, Juffin?”
“Me? In the name of Magicians, of course not! I succeeded him as sheriff. In the beginning old Mackie was my boss. And much more than just a boss. If they ask you in three hundred years ‘Who was Juffin Hully?’ and you’re in the mood to talk, you’ll probably say the same things about me that I would tell you about Sir Mackie. He didn’t drag me out of another world, though. That’s the difference between you and me.”
I stared at Juffin. So this Sir Mackie Ainti taught my boss all the inscrutable things that go by the name of Invisible or True Magic? I wondered. The boss nodded. The question that was on the tip of my tongue was no secret to him. This instant mutual comprehension sent a thrill up and down my spine.
“I might add that the old man really did disappear about four hundred years ago. That is to say, he didn’t disappear, but just up and left Kettari, saying goodbye to me in these words: ‘It’s time for you to have a bit of fun, Juffin—only don’t even think about sending me a call. For your own sake.’ Mackie was never distinguished by garrulousness; not like yours truly. So thank the Dark Magicians, Max—you didn’t end up with the worst mentor in the World.”
“I already do thank them, on a daily basis. They’re probably sick of hearing from me by now,” I said,