Hamilton Swoop, Wizard of Green Ridge by L. Stewart Hearl Page B

after seeing no one along the way. The warmth of the day had cleared much of the snow from the road. The patches that remained were undisturbed. “Well, this was his home,” gestured Quinn. “Now it is pretty much charcoal."
    Hamilton climbed the steps to the entrance. He sniffed at the blackened door. Then he traced the periphery of the building looking at the singed grass where the snows had melted. Finally, he saw what he had been looking for. “Is there some kind of container around? Something small."
    Quinn poked through the rubble and spotted a jar. The glass was blackened, but still unbroken. “How about this?” He picked it up and brought it to Hamilton.
    "Perfect.” He took the jar from Quinn, removed the lid and dumped the remains of some preserved peaches on the ground. Then he got down on his knees and pushed the blob of white jelly-like material into the jar with a stick.
    "What did you find?"
    "This.” Hamilton held the jar at eye level. “Does this look like the stuff that the dragon spit out?"
    "Could be. I wasn't very close when I saw it happen. Want to look inside?"
    "Yes."
    Quinn strode to what was left of the blackened door and opened it. Hamilton followed him. Not much to see, but with the roof gone there was plenty of light. Everything was charred. After a half hour, and with his hands and clothing covered with soot, Hamilton noticed something glowing in the shadows. He moved over and picked it up.
    "What'd you find?” asked Quinn.
    "I don't know. Any idea what this is?” Hamilton picked up a polished metal cylinder about twelve inches long and two inches thick. It glowed with a faint green light. The glow disappeared in the sunlight.
    Quinn looked at the rod. “Nope. Never seen anything like it."
    Hamilton held the cylinder in a shadow and the green light could be seen again. “I'll take it to the Guild and see what their alchemists can make out of it.” He took a final look about the room. “Can't see anything else worthwhile. Guess we can leave now."
* * * *
    After the hike back to the office with the Chief Messenger, Hamilton said good-bye to Quinn and then returned to the inn. The sun was low in the sky by the time he entered the lobby.
    Thackeray hailed him. “Master Citrine, you have a visitor from your Guild. I took the liberty of allowing access to your suite."
    "Not a problem, Mr. Thackeray.” The manager beamed at being called by name.
    Hamilton waited for the lift and its slow passage to his floor. He reached his door and opened it hoping that the visitor was Thalia. If not her, Diamond. It was neither.
    "Name's Argus,” boomed a short man significantly older than Hamilton with a face that tended toward a smile. He offered his outstretched hand and Hamilton shook it. His grip showed remarkable strength.
    "Argus? The Runemaster?"
    "The same. I examined the list of runes that you provided to Master Diamond. May I ask how you came to acquire them?"
    "I bought them in Green Ridge about a week ago."
    "You bought them?"
    "It was my business. Buying and selling. I found some items in a trunk I bought. Several had runes on them. Also, the remains of Master Obsidian were in the trunk as well."
    "You are Master Citrine, are you not?” Argus looking somewhat confused.
    "Technically, I was Master Citrine, a long time ago. Right now, I am just Hamilton Swoop, tradesman."
    "Oh, yes. Master Diamond told me about the lock spell. Most regrettable. My apprentices are searching the records now for the key. I'm sure that they will find it. May I sit down? I am quite tired."
    "Of course, of course.” Hamilton gestured to a chair. “Were you waiting long?"
    "Thank you,” the Runemaster eased himself down into a chair. “No. I arrived just a few minutes ago. I left the Guild as soon as I translated the runes. Most remarkable."
    "Remarkable?"
    "Yes. They are quite ancient and..."
    A knock at the door interrupted him. Hamilton admitted Roscoe with a cart full of food. Hamilton tipped him and the