Tales of Midbar: Religious Intolerance

I considered this. Firstly I didn’t really know what had happened. Cloud was in a different class but I was sure that neither Breeze nor Irvis had gone to the master’s office and I knew I hadn’t done it. I was pretty sure this had something to do with the psychic explosions I’d felt.

“How did you know that it told you something about Breeze?” I asked. “A concussion spell would have erased your short term memory.”

“Apparently it was obvious from the way I reacted when I got to her,” said Mudar, giving Poslit a cross look.

“Isn’t it illegal to use a magic detector if you’re not a mage?” I asked.

“It wasn’t a real one.”

“You have residue consistent with use of a magic detector,” said Poslit to Mudar.

“Well I guess whoever attacked me did that!” said Mudar.

“How did it tell you anything about Breeze?” I asked.

“What do you know?” asked Mudar.

“Don’t answer that!” said Poslit.

Mudar gave Poslit a very cross look.

“That question could potentially elicit an answer that would break the anti-korbarism law,” said Poslit.

“If I know about somebody being a psychic or a mage or a minion,” I said, “I’m not allowed to tell you.”

“I’m not sure that law applies to minions,” said Mudar, “anyway I’m not asking about psychics and magi, I’m asking about a theif!”

“That law does apply to chelases and mageses,” said Poslit. “You’re not allowed to say if you think somebody is one of those.”

“How is she allowed to know things when I don’t?” asked Mudar.

“Maybe she doesn’t,” said Poslit. “Maybe she’s just seen things you haven’t. If she’s psychic she could detect other psychics. I’m sure she’s on better terms with the other Winemakers. I suggest you rephrase the question as, ‘Do you know who knocked me out and took the magic detector.’”

“Who knocked you out?” I asked Poslit.

“No, who knocked me out!” said Mudar.

“I don’t know.”

“For that matter, who blew up Pardnis’s arm?”

“Don’t answer!” said Poslit.

“Who’s side are you on?” asked Mudar.

“This is precisely why normal people don’t like psychics or magi,” said Veran, “you can do serious damage and it’s hard to prove because you hide behind the anti-korbarism law.”

“For one thing what was done to Pardnis could be interpreted as defending Eleprin,” said Poslit. “Secondly an eight year old can’t be charged ...”

“They can be expelled!” said Mudar.

“What I will tell you is that no artifact was used,” said Poslit, “and I can’t identify a culprit who could be charged.”

“You’re still an employee of the school board,” said Mudar.

“Not in this school,” said Poslit.

“It was Breeze wasn’t it?” asked Mudar.

“Can’t answer!” said Poslit.

“Breeze, Irvis and Eleprin were all born about nine months after Sand Dancer died,” said Veran. “I’m not completely stupid you know!”

“I can’t confirm or deny what you’re insinuating,” said Poslit.

“Who’s Sand Dancer?” asked Mudar. “What does being born nine months after he or she died have to do with anything!”

“One of your students is probably the new Vineyard magis,” said Veran. “I thought you would have known that! That’s why the magic shop owner refused to use a magic detector on the kids.”

“I thought ...” I said.

“I didn’t say who it was or if that was true!” said Veran.

Mudar was looking very unhappy.

“How did a fake magic detector tell you anything?” I asked.

“It’s a trick,” he said. “If somebody thinks you know something, they will confess or react oddly.”

I was sure he was lying about that.

“But Breeze just sat there," I said, "you’re the one who acted oddly.”

He stared at me and then said, “She’s a fornicating magis! How am I supposed to know what the fornication she’s capable of?”

Poslit was quickly writing something on a bit of paper.

“We don’t actually know that she’s the magis,” said Veran. “Are we even sure there is one?”

Poslit passed his note to Mudar.

“What’s this, ‘You’ll be prosecuted for illegal use of a magic detector if you investigate who put this amnesia spell was on you.’ What’s this about?”

“You’re clearly afraid of magic but strongly suspect you have a young magis in your school,” said Poslit, putting on a geodeserine ring, “I don’t think that’s a good combination. That’s probably why the concussion spell was put on you earlier.”

“Is this a good idea?” asked Veran.

“It’s not a good idea letting people like him think they know that the magis is somebody they have authority over,” said Poslit. “Do you want me to do you as well?”

“I think we’ll just do this your way,” said Veran.

Poslit pointed at Mudar and said, ‘Umaclardion’!”

“What?” asked Mudar.

“I think we’re finished here,” said Veran, holding up the bit of paper.