Page 77 of A Phoenix Reborn at Christmas

“I am Sorcerer Astor, and this is Sorceress Sable. We have been hired to investigate what happened to you in the alley when you were attacked and killed by an ice sorcerer.”

Percival blinked. “Yes. I was attacked.”

They nodded.

“Tell us exactly what happened,” Sorcerer Astor said.

Percival did. He recounted the ice sorceress’s attack, being stuck in the sigil, unable to shift or shoot flames. Then a raven had attacked her. It had allowed him to shift and fight back.

“I blasted her with all the fire I could. And at the same time, she shot frost and ice at me. Then…then nothingness.”

“I see.” Sorceress Sable nodded.

“How interesting.” Sorcerer Astor also nodded.

The sorcerers once again looked at each other. They stared, as if communicating silently.

“So the spell was disrupted and weakened, giving him time to attack.” Sorceress Sable now seemed to be talking about him rather than to him. “She managed to kill him but wasn’t able topermanentlykill him because of his attack.”

“Yes! Yes!” Sorcerer Astor stroked his beard. “And with his flames, he must have killed the ice sorceress. If she had survived, she would have finished the job and killed him and frozen his ashes. A phoenix chick would be so easy to kill. His existence proves she must have perished.”

“Yes.” The sorceress clapped her hands. “We solved it. Both died, but he was reborn.”

Once again, they both turned to Percival.

“Well, we have solved your case,” she said.

Percival frowned. His thoughts moved sluggishly. “But… What…” He trailed off, not sure what to say. Not sure what he wanted to know.

“You are very welcome.” Sorceress Sable smiled.

“Yes. You are very welcome indeed. We are glad we could provide you with this service.” Sorcerer Astor inclined his head. “Now we must return to Master Blaize and inform him of our success.”

They rose as one. Then, with a swish of their robes, they walked towards the door. A bell above the door tinkled as they exited.

Percival watched them walk down the street. He looked around the room he sat in. Empty tables and chairs surrounded him. There was a Christmas tree, garlands, and baubles. He stared at a pretty golden bauble.

Where am I?

The bell above the door rang. A succubus and a goblin entered.

They walked to the counter and perused the display. A man came out from the back area. He looked at Percival for a second.

“Did it go well?” the stranger called out.

Percival opened his mouth. But he wasn’t sure what to say to this man. Had what gone well?

The man frowned. “I’ll serve, and then we’ll speak,” he said to Percival. Then he turned to the succubus and goblin. “What can I get you?”

Percival looked around the room.

What is this place? What am I doing here?

Sudden pain pierced through the middle of his head. He screamed, his voice ringing in his ears. Hunching forward, he gripped his skull. Suddenly flames licked along his hands and up his arms before spreading over his whole body. Golden light burst before his eyes, interspersed with flashes of images.

He saw his uncle yelling.

His cousin sneering.