Oracle

Part 24

"He's a lawyer? It was about one of his cases," Jaspar said sounding nervous but speaking confidently. "He has a tattoo of a dragon on his shoulder and he started crying after you left."

Those words when Calder sign unhappily, leaving back to cross his legs. "My lover is a lawyer, yes. Thank you for telling me about the crying," Lord Calder grimaced, clearly musing what he had to do now to fix the situation.

"You're sleeping with Akihito Saito?" Elison said lifting an eyebrow, sounding almost impressed. "Hasn't he spent the last ten years of his career trying to bring you down? How did you finally manage to bag him?"

"Aki has been fighting against my empire for most of his career, yes. I didn't bag the man Elison. Maybe the Rook is the wrong place for you if you are going to start talking to me that crudely," Lord Calder said coolly. "Our relationship is complicated but works for us. Most of the time."

"Forgive my words, sir," Elison said bowing slightly.

Calder waved him off uncaringly, his eyes more focused on the seer who was blushing in his chair. "I've been reading up on true seers when it became apparent you are one Mr Tinman. I suspect this won't be the first time this happens nor the last of the extra powers you are going to develop over the next few weeks," Lord Calder commented gently enough,

"True seer?" Jaspar said confused.

"Elison didn't mention?" Lord Calder glanced up at Elison with an unimpressed look. "It's what you are. A true seer. When you lost your eyes and the source of your powers, Lady Fate decided to give you new ones," Lord Calder explained, his fingers drumming on his knee. "Your powers will grow stronger than before, more exact and detailed. The drawback is that you will need an anchor in order to escape them. More concerning this incident, you have developed a kind of reverse premonition. You will be able to see what has happened recently to people you met when you have skin contact with them."

"Right," Jaspar murmured, before visibly wincing. "Just to add more joy to my life at the moment." He groaned. Sounding extremely annoyed and a touch tired.

Calder's lips twitched upwards into a smile. "Yes, well. Such is life," he said calmly. "I'm afraid yours is going to be boring for the next few months. Your new powers will need a while to settle in and your eyes will need to heal as well," he commented gently. "During this time we will be making you a new identity. We have already alerted your family to your death. We have your stuff from your hotel to send back to them but if there is anything, in particular, you want to keep, this is the time to let me know."

Jaspar shivered at the words, clearly unnerved with them, which Elison could understand. "A few things," he commented firmly, his fists clenched in his lap. Elison rubbed his back to calm him before the man became angry.

"I'll get Peter to let you search through your bag," Calder nodded, clearly pleased Jaspar wasn't about to start shouting obscenities at him. "I understand this will be a hard transition for you but if you follow the rules and don't try to escape, things will be considerably easier for everyone involved."

"I imagine so," Jaspar nodded stiffly.

Calder smiled darkly, Elison suddenly musing that Jaspar being blind now meant he could be oblivious to some of the most dangerous signs of the people around him. "Try to escape if you want too Jaspar, you will regret it. Unlike John, I do not give a one-time free card. If you try to escape, and this means phoning your family or trying to run away in other ways, your punishment will be unpleasant, to say the least." He warned seriously.

Jasper scowled at him but nodded. "I'm not stupid Lord Calder. I'm well aware that trying to escape would not be a good idea. Doesn't stop me wanting too," he said unhappily.

Elison watched Calder carefully after the bold comment. Calder only leant back and laughed, however, looking almost impressed by the little man. "I suppose that is fair," he said good-naturedly, patting Jaspar's knee. "Elison and John will keep you safe at the Rook," he promised. "If you ever find yourself outside the Rook and need help, ask people for Warden Maria. She'll take care of you," Calder promised.

"Warden?" Jaspar said tilting his head. "I think a few people have mentioned the Wardens. Who are they?" He asked curiously, trying to concentrate on information which was useful and not what he was helpless to deal with at that moment.

"Yes, I suppose most of the country doesn't really have them," Lord Calder mused. "They are dragon shifters mostly. Long-lived creatures who take a lot to kill who act as guardians of innocent people. We have three in the city. We go through them a lot but Maria's been here for three years and is our senior warden." He explained. "She'll look after you. She has already been on my case about what happened to you after your surgery. If it makes you feel any better, the butcher was aware of what was happening and if currently being re-educated on the laws he works under. He won't be working again," Calder said rather darkly.

"But still continue," Jaspar added on the end, looking a little more green by the second.

"Yes, I'm afraid. If I did not control it, the trade would still exist but without control," Lord Calder said calmly, used to people's horror at the fact he controlled the black market trade. "Before you start saying anything about it, every tourist is warned about which areas are safe and which areas are not. If you have kept to the tourist areas, nothing would have happened to you. You walked into the danger zone of your own will," he said coldly.

"Most cities, the danger isn't losing your organs, Sir," growled Jaspar, Elison coughing lightly.

Calder shrugged, patting Jaspar's knee gently. "What is done is done now Mr Tinman. I suggest you try not to think too much about it. For now, focus on your own future. I believe John has got some plans for you to learn braille and to walk using a cane. I also will be offering to get you lessons in piano as well," Calder commented almost kindly for him. Normally Calder was more ruthless with people when they were being moral and righteousness but apparently Calder was giving Jaspar come leeway because of his situation.

"I'll try, Sir," Jaspar said reluctantly.

"Good, I'm glad. I, unfortunately, have to go deal with another matter at the moment so I'm going to have to end this meeting. If you have any questions for me or need something, just let Elison know and he'll contact me," Lord Calder commented, standing up and patting himself down.

Jaspar stood up with him and offered his hand again. Elison saw the approval and respect in Calder's eyes go strong. It was one thing to shake the hand of a man who you had just met, another to shake hands with him after an, admittedly short, argument. Lord Calder shook it again, pulling Jaspar close for a brief hug. "Stay strong Jaspar, you're going to need to keep that head of yours high if you want to survive this city," he warned softly.

"Thank you for the advice," Jaspar murmured, "Good luck with Mr Saito." Calder smiled and patted Jaspar's shoulder.

"Thank you, Jaspar. I likely will need it," he said resignedly in a too human expression on his face. "Elison, and you too Jaspar, I would appreciate if you don't tell anyone that it's Akihito who is my lover. Especially John."

"Of course, Sir," Elison nodded, Jaspar agreeing at the same time, while not quite understanding why. Calder nodded at Elison before leaving escorting them to the door.

Elison put both hands on Jaspar's shoulders once they were out of the room, leading him back to the waiting area. The aide, Peter appeared with a glass of water. He nodded in thanks as Jaspar pulled himself together. "You okay after that Jaspar?" he asked gently.