Snippets from Out of Context
Aug. 30th, 2007 10:08 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cathschaffstumpThese mean things mostly to fans of the story so far, but here are a few presents.
***
Context: Professor Borgia teaches Errol and Stephan about demon binding. (from Chapter 2, so this is a really sharp scene.)
Errol sniffed. He looked up from the book he was reading, an imposing tome called The Binding of Demons and Other Supernatural Fiends, an ancient book that had been in the family for generations. It was written in hieroglyphics, and Errol was having trouble with it. Then again, it wasn’t a book written for eight year olds.
“How’s it going?” Stephan asked. He was mixing two of the ingredients together from his potions kit.
“Rough,” Errol said. “I’m not sure if this word means imprison or destroy.”
“Are you learning anything?”
“Yes,” said Errol. “I’ve learned that demons are harder to get rid of than cockroaches.” He put the book down, and leaned on his hands.
“Keep at that,” said the gardener, who walked in. He observed Stephan. “There’s too much sulfur in that.”
“See!” said Stephan to Errol. “He is too real!” The disappearing gardener from when Stephan had first arrived had become a point for Errol to tease Stephan about.
“That’s not a gardener,” said Errol. “That’s Professor Borgia. He’s right. You’ve put too much sulfur in that.”
Stephan squinted at the gardener. “What do you know about making potions anyway?”
Errol laughed. “Stephan, this is the head of Rowther Academy, Professor Carlo Borgia. He’s a friend of our family.”
Professor Borgia glanced over Errol’s shoulder. “It means destroy.” A hand rose to his chin. “You’re reading about banishment. Why?”
“Well,” said Errol, “Esme’s the first of us to face the challenge. She’ll need to be ready in three years. I have at least eight years to read about binding.”
Stephan nodded. “Although I don’t see why you wouldn’t banish Isis. I don’t know how you can abide her!”
“Isis and I have always been friends,” said Errol. He removed a grease-stained sack from one of his jacket pockets and pulled out a little piece of chicken. He put it on the table, and Isis nosed at it delicately. “This isn’t her fault any more than it is mine."
“You might think differently in a few years,” said Professor Borgia.
“Professor,” said Errol, “how do you know so much about demons?”
Borgia tapped the book with a finger. “You learn what you read, what you practice. Once upon a time, I was a student just like you. Well, maybe a little older, Errol. You are precocious.”
“Precocious?” asked Stephan.
“A bit too smart and forward for my own good,” said Errol.
“I knew that,” said Stephan. The liquid in the pot emitted smoke that smelled like rotten eggs. Professor Borgia flipped his cane toward the windows and they unbolted instantaneously. Stephan coughed and stepped across the room. Wind fluttered around Professor Borgia, stirring his jacket and sweeping the wind outside. “That didn’t work,” Stephan choked.
“Too much sulfur,” said Professor Borgia. “Perhaps that formulae was a little advanced.”
“What was it?” asked Errol.
“Explosive,” gasped Stephan. “Thought it might be useful for the trials.
“I always like my students to overreach themselves a bit,” said Professor Borgia. “This makes them wiser later.”
“We’re not your students,” said Stephan.
“You, young man, became my student when you accepted the mint leaves. It’s too late for you now.” The room became chilly with December air. “Questions about banishment? Binding?”
“Both,” said Stephan, taking a seat beside Errol.
“Binding means that you can still control the demon, rather than the demon controlling you. Banishment means that the relationship with the demon is so undesirable that you must make sure the demon can never approach you again.”
“Why wouldn’t every Klarion banish their demon?” Stephan asked.
“I can answer that,” said Errol. “I like Isis.”
“You’re insane,” said Stephan.
“Actually, that’s a reasonable answer,” said Professor Borgia. “The appellage demon is a bit unfortunate.”
“Appellage,” repeated Stephan.
“Label or name,” Errol said.
“Some of these creatures behave themselves better than others,” said Professor Borgia. “Isis seems to take her duty to protect Errol very seriously, and seems very kind to Errol. Ma’at, on the other hand, is very jealous of Esme and guards her. Errol’s father’s demon was very powerful. Your Uncle Marcellus had a demon who was rather condescending, but mostly harmless.”
“Condescending,” said Errol, “means to—”
“Stop that,” said Stephan. “Professor, you still haven’t answered my question. Why would you want to keep a demon?”
“Can’t you guess?” Professor Borgia waved his cane at the windows. They clicked shut. “Many magicians try to find what the Klarions have stumbled upon actively. You can have power, Stephan, and with that power you can get many things. Your father is also a magician. You have shadow creatures in your home. Didn’t you ever wonder how he learned his craft? I assume he actively sought out magic for a variety of reasons.”
Stephan chewed his lower lip. Errol switched the subject. “Let me guess,” said Errol. “You learned magic and demon binding to gain power?”
“I,” said Professor Borgia, thumping his chest, “I learned magic for the same reasons that your family did. I felt the need to make sure that someone was on hand to stop people like Stephan’s—” Professor Borgia interrupted himself. “—to do the right thing. My apologies, Stephan.”
Stephan shook his head. “No sir. No apology needed.” Stephan’s father hadn’t attempted to contact Stephan or Eurydice in two years. Stephan felt they were doing quite well without him.
“Sir,” said Errol, “You still haven’t answered the banishment versus binding question.”
“Fine,” said Professor Borgia. “Let’s try it again. Stephan, have you noticed anything unusual about Errol?”
“Where do I begin?” Stephan said, smiling.
“Hah,” said Errol.
“Tell me what you see,” said Professor Borgia.
“Don’t let this go to your head,” said Stephan, “but you are too smart for someone our age.”
“You’re smart,” said Errol quickly, almost apologetically.
Stephan sighed. “Not like you, Errol. And you don’t laugh a lot. Or smile. Or express much of anything.”
"There it is,” said Professor Borgia. “Errol is cursed. With Esme, she is more pretty than most, but she frightens people. We have to wait to see what it will be with Eurydice. Defeating the demon means also defeating your curse. And sometimes defeating your curse means understanding what your relationship is with the demon, and how that best helps you understand your curse. Sometimes the best way to understand your curse is to understand your demon, who has a unique personality like yours.”
Stephan shook his head. “I don’t understand at all.”
“If it’s any comfort,” said Errol, “I don’t either.”
“Well,” said Professor Borgia, “maybe you will eventually. It’s not anything I can teach you. My guess is that you are right about Esme, however. Since Ma’at makes her life intolerable by driving others away, she will probably have to drive him away entirely. I don’t know if she will choose binding or banishment, but if I were in her situation, I would choose banishment. Binding gives you the ability to send the demon away but to summon the demon when you need it. Some Klarions never summon their demons again, once binding has occurred. Banishment means you give up your demon entirely.”
“However, when you banish a demon,” said Professor Borgia, “you must make sure you never encounter that demon again. The demon no longer has any influence over you, but you no longer have any influence over it either. If another magician binds the demon, they can use it against you. Or it can seek you out if you ever go to where you have banished it to. Banishment is risky.”
“Poor Esme,” said Errol. “Couldn’t we just destroy Ma’at?”
“That,” said Professor Borgia, “is against the contract. Besides, demons are never exactly destroyed. They are driven away.”
Errol’s brow furrowed. Stephan’s voice sounded forcibly perky. “Well,” said Stephan, “we’ve lots of time to think of the best strategies. You’ll all be fine. You’ll see.”
Glancing back through the hieroglyphs, Errol put his finger on a set of symbols that surprised him. “Why is there a reference to an angel here?” he asked. “The feathers of a fallen angel used to bind the demon in darkness.”
“You’ll have to ask your father about that,” said Professor Borgia. “He can tell you all about that.”
***
Context: Errol tells Milo, Moira, and Amanda they are corners in a ceremonial demon banishment. (from Chapter 6, so it'll get sharpened.)
Moira was having the most trouble. Errol had thought it best for them to meet outside of the school, so they couldn’t be overheard. He had arranged a meeting by the lake, and her long hair was blowing every which way. She finally swept it up with her hand and tapped it. It stayed in place, flowers weaving themselves through it.
Milo laughed. “You look like a wood sprite.”
“Dryad,” said Moira good-naturedly. “And don’t you forget it.”
Amanda’s curiosity was controlling her, Errol could tell. In the short time he’d known her, he had come to recognize the signs. Her movements were frenetic. She couldn’t sit still. “What is it?”
“It’s complicated,” said Errol. “You three and myself. We’re under a magical obligation to Esme.” Errol held up his own black feather. “I believe one of these was delivered to you?”
“Yeah,” said Amanda. She held hers up. “I’ve been wondering about it, and I’ve been reading about ravens. I thought that would be a good place to start.”
“It’s not ravens, exactly,” said Errol.
“What does this have to do with Esme?” asked Milo.
Moira pursed her lips. “Why are they so mean to her, Errol?”
Errol grinned a tiny grin at his fellow corners. “You don’t feel anything odd about her?”
“Well, sure, when I first met her,” said Moira. “But there’s something odd about everyone, right? I mean, just look at Milo.”
Milo chose to ignore the remark. “I think that most people say she makes them uncomfortable. For the blokes, it’s almost scary how—um—nice she looks.” He blushed.
“There is something there,” said Amanda. “Something unsettling. Like Moira said, though. This is Rowther after all. Some of us are unusual.”
Errol sighed. He was going to have to explain the majority of it. He had never told anyone outside of the family, and that disturbed him, although he understood the necessity of it.
“Esme and I are binders. Do you know what a binder is?”
“No,” said Amanda.
“No clue,” said Moira.
“Of course,” said Milo. “Let’s try this from another angle. Do you know what a demon is?”
“Even I know what a demon is,” said Moira. Quickly she added, “Unless it’s really something else, and I’ve been fed anti-magical propaganda or something?”
“Propaganda?” echoed Amanda.
“Demons?” said Milo, trying to pull the conversation back to Errol.
Errol nodded shortly. “The Klarion family is cursed. At sixteen, all of us have to fight a demon.” He petted Isis absently. “Esme is sixteen this year.”
“Oh,” said Moira. Amanda and Moira were quiet for a good time. “You mean,” said Amanda, “Esme wants us to play some sort of role in fighting a demon?”
“No,” said Errol. “Her demon chose you.”
“What do ravens have to do with it?”
“Nothing,” said Errol to Amanda. “Ma’at is a crow.”
“Well, I’m in,” said Milo suddenly. “You knew I would be. My mum and dad probably won’t be wild about it, but I’m in. I always figured you lot would need me.”
“Well, I’m not in,” said Moira, looking pointedly at Milo, “unless you tell me a little more about it. What do we have to do?”
“You’re going to have to do this too?” Amanda said.
“You’re regretting running up to me in London now,” said Errol lightly. “You should be more cautious.”
“Nothing of the sort,” Amanda remarked, smiling at him.
“Errol,” said Moira impatiently. “What are we supposed to do?”
“Esme’s demon is a very bad demon. It’s the reason she’s been isolated, and it’s the reason people are afraid of her. Because you met her when she wasn’t with Ma’at, luckily you have a different understanding of Esme. All Klarions have a curse that accompanies having the demon, and Esme’s is isolation. Usually, when we fight our demon, we bind them. However, there is another option. Banishment.”
“So,” said Milo slowly, “Esme is banishing Ma’at?”
“Correct,” said Errol. “To do that, she has to temporarily free him. We are the circle of protection. If all goes well, we won’t have to do anything. Esme will banish Ma’at, and we will be superfluous.”
“Beg pardon?” said Moira.
“Not necessary,” said Errol. “But if something goes wrong, we must not let Ma’at out of that circle.”
“Or?” asked Amanda.
“He will most likely wreak havoc upon anyone in his reach.”
“No pressure, then,” said Amanda.
“I’m in,” said Milo.
“You’re suicidal!” said Moira. “Why do you want to be involved in this so much?”
“Well,” said Milo. “Peter, he always said that sometimes you have to do the right thing, just because it is the right thing. Errol, did this demon choose us because we’re just a bunch of inexperienced first years?”
“Yes, I think so,” said Errol, feeling pleased with Milo. “He thinks if he can get the upper hand, we’ll be easy for him to defeat. I think he also chose us because we took a train trip with Esme, and he’s extraordinarily jealous.”
“What happens if we don’t want to do this?” Moira asked.
“That’s tricky. Denying a magical contract has ramifications.”
“Errol!” Moira shouted in exasperation. “If there were any time I would like you to use English!”
“Sorry,” Errol said blandly. “If we don’t, we could have trouble, magically speaking.”
Amanda looked at Moira. “Sounds like we have to.”
Moira nodded. “Then,” Moira said, “let’s do what we have to, so we can do our best. And you know,” Moira added, looking at Errol, “I would have done it anyway. I just wanted to make sure we couldn’t get older students who know a lot more.”
“Me too,” said Amanda. “Count on me too.”
“Well,” said Errol. “I have deduced correctly—er—“ he smiled at Moira, “guessed right. Even though Ma’at thinks he has undercut Esme by choosing the corners first, I think we have an advantage. He underestimates us, and that will be his mistake.”
Milo nodded. “What do we need to do, Errol?”
***
Context: Shari Pitch wants to attend demon banishment. Errol says no.(from Chapter 6, so it'll get sharpened.)
Shari was waiting for him where he’d asked Stephan to ask her to, in the trophy hall. Her lips were pursed and her arms were crossed. “You can’t make me not go,” she said, straight out.
“Yes I could,” said Errol. “You know Isis would make sure that you didn’t come, if I asked her to. However, Miss Pitch, that is not the most effective way to ask you to reconsider. I wonder why you would want to undertake such a dangerous experience?”
“I want to know what it looks like. I’ve never seen a banishment.”
“That’s all well and good,” said Errol. “However, I can assure you that there is great danger. It’s not like going to a musical, and grabbing an ice lolli afterward.”
Shari smirked at him. “I am aware of that,” she said. “Well aware.”
“Well, let me put this more clearly for you,” Errol said slowly. “You have a choice not to put yourself in danger. You are the only person involved in all of this that has a choice. Why would you do something as foolish as what you propose?”
“My education is hardly foolish!”
Errol nodded slightly. “Then you will do me a favor. Esme will be responsible for the banishment. I am responsible for the safety of every person involved in this ceremony. Please give me one less person to take care of.”
“I can take care of myself,” she said. “Errol, I can be useful!”
“Of that, I have no doubt,” said Errol. “You are very capable. However, I would prefer it if you stayed away.”
“You don’t trust me, do you?” Shari smiled at him. “Is it because I know the Murdocks?”
“No,” said Errol politely. “It’s because you pursue dark magic for ambition rather than altruism.”
“I don’t understand,” she said.
“As long as you are focused on yourself, as you are now,” he said, “you can be of little use, as good intentioned as you may be. Is that clear enough for you?”
Her face clouded. “That wasn’t very nice.”
“Yes, well,” said Errol. “I haven’t time to mince words any longer. If you come, it will be at your own peril. I should rather you don’t come. And,” his own looks were stormy, “I should like you to stop trying to blackmail Stephan forthwith.”
“How did you—?”
“I didn’t. I surmised, and you just confirmed my suspicions.” His eyes narrowed. “I mean it. Or you will deal with me.”
He turned to leave. He didn’t know if he had said enough. It was unfortunate that he had to say all those things, but he felt obligated to tell her the truth. It was the only way she might decide to take a different path.
Happy snippets!
***
Context: Professor Borgia teaches Errol and Stephan about demon binding. (from Chapter 2, so this is a really sharp scene.)
Errol sniffed. He looked up from the book he was reading, an imposing tome called The Binding of Demons and Other Supernatural Fiends, an ancient book that had been in the family for generations. It was written in hieroglyphics, and Errol was having trouble with it. Then again, it wasn’t a book written for eight year olds.
“How’s it going?” Stephan asked. He was mixing two of the ingredients together from his potions kit.
“Rough,” Errol said. “I’m not sure if this word means imprison or destroy.”
“Are you learning anything?”
“Yes,” said Errol. “I’ve learned that demons are harder to get rid of than cockroaches.” He put the book down, and leaned on his hands.
“Keep at that,” said the gardener, who walked in. He observed Stephan. “There’s too much sulfur in that.”
“See!” said Stephan to Errol. “He is too real!” The disappearing gardener from when Stephan had first arrived had become a point for Errol to tease Stephan about.
“That’s not a gardener,” said Errol. “That’s Professor Borgia. He’s right. You’ve put too much sulfur in that.”
Stephan squinted at the gardener. “What do you know about making potions anyway?”
Errol laughed. “Stephan, this is the head of Rowther Academy, Professor Carlo Borgia. He’s a friend of our family.”
Professor Borgia glanced over Errol’s shoulder. “It means destroy.” A hand rose to his chin. “You’re reading about banishment. Why?”
“Well,” said Errol, “Esme’s the first of us to face the challenge. She’ll need to be ready in three years. I have at least eight years to read about binding.”
Stephan nodded. “Although I don’t see why you wouldn’t banish Isis. I don’t know how you can abide her!”
“Isis and I have always been friends,” said Errol. He removed a grease-stained sack from one of his jacket pockets and pulled out a little piece of chicken. He put it on the table, and Isis nosed at it delicately. “This isn’t her fault any more than it is mine."
“You might think differently in a few years,” said Professor Borgia.
“Professor,” said Errol, “how do you know so much about demons?”
Borgia tapped the book with a finger. “You learn what you read, what you practice. Once upon a time, I was a student just like you. Well, maybe a little older, Errol. You are precocious.”
“Precocious?” asked Stephan.
“A bit too smart and forward for my own good,” said Errol.
“I knew that,” said Stephan. The liquid in the pot emitted smoke that smelled like rotten eggs. Professor Borgia flipped his cane toward the windows and they unbolted instantaneously. Stephan coughed and stepped across the room. Wind fluttered around Professor Borgia, stirring his jacket and sweeping the wind outside. “That didn’t work,” Stephan choked.
“Too much sulfur,” said Professor Borgia. “Perhaps that formulae was a little advanced.”
“What was it?” asked Errol.
“Explosive,” gasped Stephan. “Thought it might be useful for the trials.
“I always like my students to overreach themselves a bit,” said Professor Borgia. “This makes them wiser later.”
“We’re not your students,” said Stephan.
“You, young man, became my student when you accepted the mint leaves. It’s too late for you now.” The room became chilly with December air. “Questions about banishment? Binding?”
“Both,” said Stephan, taking a seat beside Errol.
“Binding means that you can still control the demon, rather than the demon controlling you. Banishment means that the relationship with the demon is so undesirable that you must make sure the demon can never approach you again.”
“Why wouldn’t every Klarion banish their demon?” Stephan asked.
“I can answer that,” said Errol. “I like Isis.”
“You’re insane,” said Stephan.
“Actually, that’s a reasonable answer,” said Professor Borgia. “The appellage demon is a bit unfortunate.”
“Appellage,” repeated Stephan.
“Label or name,” Errol said.
“Some of these creatures behave themselves better than others,” said Professor Borgia. “Isis seems to take her duty to protect Errol very seriously, and seems very kind to Errol. Ma’at, on the other hand, is very jealous of Esme and guards her. Errol’s father’s demon was very powerful. Your Uncle Marcellus had a demon who was rather condescending, but mostly harmless.”
“Condescending,” said Errol, “means to—”
“Stop that,” said Stephan. “Professor, you still haven’t answered my question. Why would you want to keep a demon?”
“Can’t you guess?” Professor Borgia waved his cane at the windows. They clicked shut. “Many magicians try to find what the Klarions have stumbled upon actively. You can have power, Stephan, and with that power you can get many things. Your father is also a magician. You have shadow creatures in your home. Didn’t you ever wonder how he learned his craft? I assume he actively sought out magic for a variety of reasons.”
Stephan chewed his lower lip. Errol switched the subject. “Let me guess,” said Errol. “You learned magic and demon binding to gain power?”
“I,” said Professor Borgia, thumping his chest, “I learned magic for the same reasons that your family did. I felt the need to make sure that someone was on hand to stop people like Stephan’s—” Professor Borgia interrupted himself. “—to do the right thing. My apologies, Stephan.”
Stephan shook his head. “No sir. No apology needed.” Stephan’s father hadn’t attempted to contact Stephan or Eurydice in two years. Stephan felt they were doing quite well without him.
“Sir,” said Errol, “You still haven’t answered the banishment versus binding question.”
“Fine,” said Professor Borgia. “Let’s try it again. Stephan, have you noticed anything unusual about Errol?”
“Where do I begin?” Stephan said, smiling.
“Hah,” said Errol.
“Tell me what you see,” said Professor Borgia.
“Don’t let this go to your head,” said Stephan, “but you are too smart for someone our age.”
“You’re smart,” said Errol quickly, almost apologetically.
Stephan sighed. “Not like you, Errol. And you don’t laugh a lot. Or smile. Or express much of anything.”
"There it is,” said Professor Borgia. “Errol is cursed. With Esme, she is more pretty than most, but she frightens people. We have to wait to see what it will be with Eurydice. Defeating the demon means also defeating your curse. And sometimes defeating your curse means understanding what your relationship is with the demon, and how that best helps you understand your curse. Sometimes the best way to understand your curse is to understand your demon, who has a unique personality like yours.”
Stephan shook his head. “I don’t understand at all.”
“If it’s any comfort,” said Errol, “I don’t either.”
“Well,” said Professor Borgia, “maybe you will eventually. It’s not anything I can teach you. My guess is that you are right about Esme, however. Since Ma’at makes her life intolerable by driving others away, she will probably have to drive him away entirely. I don’t know if she will choose binding or banishment, but if I were in her situation, I would choose banishment. Binding gives you the ability to send the demon away but to summon the demon when you need it. Some Klarions never summon their demons again, once binding has occurred. Banishment means you give up your demon entirely.”
“However, when you banish a demon,” said Professor Borgia, “you must make sure you never encounter that demon again. The demon no longer has any influence over you, but you no longer have any influence over it either. If another magician binds the demon, they can use it against you. Or it can seek you out if you ever go to where you have banished it to. Banishment is risky.”
“Poor Esme,” said Errol. “Couldn’t we just destroy Ma’at?”
“That,” said Professor Borgia, “is against the contract. Besides, demons are never exactly destroyed. They are driven away.”
Errol’s brow furrowed. Stephan’s voice sounded forcibly perky. “Well,” said Stephan, “we’ve lots of time to think of the best strategies. You’ll all be fine. You’ll see.”
Glancing back through the hieroglyphs, Errol put his finger on a set of symbols that surprised him. “Why is there a reference to an angel here?” he asked. “The feathers of a fallen angel used to bind the demon in darkness.”
“You’ll have to ask your father about that,” said Professor Borgia. “He can tell you all about that.”
***
Context: Errol tells Milo, Moira, and Amanda they are corners in a ceremonial demon banishment. (from Chapter 6, so it'll get sharpened.)
Moira was having the most trouble. Errol had thought it best for them to meet outside of the school, so they couldn’t be overheard. He had arranged a meeting by the lake, and her long hair was blowing every which way. She finally swept it up with her hand and tapped it. It stayed in place, flowers weaving themselves through it.
Milo laughed. “You look like a wood sprite.”
“Dryad,” said Moira good-naturedly. “And don’t you forget it.”
Amanda’s curiosity was controlling her, Errol could tell. In the short time he’d known her, he had come to recognize the signs. Her movements were frenetic. She couldn’t sit still. “What is it?”
“It’s complicated,” said Errol. “You three and myself. We’re under a magical obligation to Esme.” Errol held up his own black feather. “I believe one of these was delivered to you?”
“Yeah,” said Amanda. She held hers up. “I’ve been wondering about it, and I’ve been reading about ravens. I thought that would be a good place to start.”
“It’s not ravens, exactly,” said Errol.
“What does this have to do with Esme?” asked Milo.
Moira pursed her lips. “Why are they so mean to her, Errol?”
Errol grinned a tiny grin at his fellow corners. “You don’t feel anything odd about her?”
“Well, sure, when I first met her,” said Moira. “But there’s something odd about everyone, right? I mean, just look at Milo.”
Milo chose to ignore the remark. “I think that most people say she makes them uncomfortable. For the blokes, it’s almost scary how—um—nice she looks.” He blushed.
“There is something there,” said Amanda. “Something unsettling. Like Moira said, though. This is Rowther after all. Some of us are unusual.”
Errol sighed. He was going to have to explain the majority of it. He had never told anyone outside of the family, and that disturbed him, although he understood the necessity of it.
“Esme and I are binders. Do you know what a binder is?”
“No,” said Amanda.
“No clue,” said Moira.
“Of course,” said Milo. “Let’s try this from another angle. Do you know what a demon is?”
“Even I know what a demon is,” said Moira. Quickly she added, “Unless it’s really something else, and I’ve been fed anti-magical propaganda or something?”
“Propaganda?” echoed Amanda.
“Demons?” said Milo, trying to pull the conversation back to Errol.
Errol nodded shortly. “The Klarion family is cursed. At sixteen, all of us have to fight a demon.” He petted Isis absently. “Esme is sixteen this year.”
“Oh,” said Moira. Amanda and Moira were quiet for a good time. “You mean,” said Amanda, “Esme wants us to play some sort of role in fighting a demon?”
“No,” said Errol. “Her demon chose you.”
“What do ravens have to do with it?”
“Nothing,” said Errol to Amanda. “Ma’at is a crow.”
“Well, I’m in,” said Milo suddenly. “You knew I would be. My mum and dad probably won’t be wild about it, but I’m in. I always figured you lot would need me.”
“Well, I’m not in,” said Moira, looking pointedly at Milo, “unless you tell me a little more about it. What do we have to do?”
“You’re going to have to do this too?” Amanda said.
“You’re regretting running up to me in London now,” said Errol lightly. “You should be more cautious.”
“Nothing of the sort,” Amanda remarked, smiling at him.
“Errol,” said Moira impatiently. “What are we supposed to do?”
“Esme’s demon is a very bad demon. It’s the reason she’s been isolated, and it’s the reason people are afraid of her. Because you met her when she wasn’t with Ma’at, luckily you have a different understanding of Esme. All Klarions have a curse that accompanies having the demon, and Esme’s is isolation. Usually, when we fight our demon, we bind them. However, there is another option. Banishment.”
“So,” said Milo slowly, “Esme is banishing Ma’at?”
“Correct,” said Errol. “To do that, she has to temporarily free him. We are the circle of protection. If all goes well, we won’t have to do anything. Esme will banish Ma’at, and we will be superfluous.”
“Beg pardon?” said Moira.
“Not necessary,” said Errol. “But if something goes wrong, we must not let Ma’at out of that circle.”
“Or?” asked Amanda.
“He will most likely wreak havoc upon anyone in his reach.”
“No pressure, then,” said Amanda.
“I’m in,” said Milo.
“You’re suicidal!” said Moira. “Why do you want to be involved in this so much?”
“Well,” said Milo. “Peter, he always said that sometimes you have to do the right thing, just because it is the right thing. Errol, did this demon choose us because we’re just a bunch of inexperienced first years?”
“Yes, I think so,” said Errol, feeling pleased with Milo. “He thinks if he can get the upper hand, we’ll be easy for him to defeat. I think he also chose us because we took a train trip with Esme, and he’s extraordinarily jealous.”
“What happens if we don’t want to do this?” Moira asked.
“That’s tricky. Denying a magical contract has ramifications.”
“Errol!” Moira shouted in exasperation. “If there were any time I would like you to use English!”
“Sorry,” Errol said blandly. “If we don’t, we could have trouble, magically speaking.”
Amanda looked at Moira. “Sounds like we have to.”
Moira nodded. “Then,” Moira said, “let’s do what we have to, so we can do our best. And you know,” Moira added, looking at Errol, “I would have done it anyway. I just wanted to make sure we couldn’t get older students who know a lot more.”
“Me too,” said Amanda. “Count on me too.”
“Well,” said Errol. “I have deduced correctly—er—“ he smiled at Moira, “guessed right. Even though Ma’at thinks he has undercut Esme by choosing the corners first, I think we have an advantage. He underestimates us, and that will be his mistake.”
Milo nodded. “What do we need to do, Errol?”
***
Context: Shari Pitch wants to attend demon banishment. Errol says no.(from Chapter 6, so it'll get sharpened.)
Shari was waiting for him where he’d asked Stephan to ask her to, in the trophy hall. Her lips were pursed and her arms were crossed. “You can’t make me not go,” she said, straight out.
“Yes I could,” said Errol. “You know Isis would make sure that you didn’t come, if I asked her to. However, Miss Pitch, that is not the most effective way to ask you to reconsider. I wonder why you would want to undertake such a dangerous experience?”
“I want to know what it looks like. I’ve never seen a banishment.”
“That’s all well and good,” said Errol. “However, I can assure you that there is great danger. It’s not like going to a musical, and grabbing an ice lolli afterward.”
Shari smirked at him. “I am aware of that,” she said. “Well aware.”
“Well, let me put this more clearly for you,” Errol said slowly. “You have a choice not to put yourself in danger. You are the only person involved in all of this that has a choice. Why would you do something as foolish as what you propose?”
“My education is hardly foolish!”
Errol nodded slightly. “Then you will do me a favor. Esme will be responsible for the banishment. I am responsible for the safety of every person involved in this ceremony. Please give me one less person to take care of.”
“I can take care of myself,” she said. “Errol, I can be useful!”
“Of that, I have no doubt,” said Errol. “You are very capable. However, I would prefer it if you stayed away.”
“You don’t trust me, do you?” Shari smiled at him. “Is it because I know the Murdocks?”
“No,” said Errol politely. “It’s because you pursue dark magic for ambition rather than altruism.”
“I don’t understand,” she said.
“As long as you are focused on yourself, as you are now,” he said, “you can be of little use, as good intentioned as you may be. Is that clear enough for you?”
Her face clouded. “That wasn’t very nice.”
“Yes, well,” said Errol. “I haven’t time to mince words any longer. If you come, it will be at your own peril. I should rather you don’t come. And,” his own looks were stormy, “I should like you to stop trying to blackmail Stephan forthwith.”
“How did you—?”
“I didn’t. I surmised, and you just confirmed my suspicions.” His eyes narrowed. “I mean it. Or you will deal with me.”
He turned to leave. He didn’t know if he had said enough. It was unfortunate that he had to say all those things, but he felt obligated to tell her the truth. It was the only way she might decide to take a different path.
Happy snippets!