16087/The wizard in the book.

The wizard in the book.
Date of Scene:	25 February 2024
Location:	Harry Dresden's Office, Kingston Falls
Synopsis:	A stranger came by, telling an interesting tale with a good prop to make it legit.
Cast of Characters:	Harry Dresden, Crimson Wolf

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Harry Dresden has posed:
Harry is finishing up for the day. He is placing some files in an old fashioned cabinet. An open beer bottle in his hand, no national label on it. The place is warded many ways over, by multiple casters, if Arthur is able to sense that.

There are candles in the office area and not a light bulb to be seen. The tall man closes the file cabinet and sighs,"That's it for the night Mouse. I think Willow is out with Buffy tonight so it's probably you and me tonight."

Something large shuffles by the desk and a dog the size of a small bear trots into view. A Tibetian Mastiff is the most accurate description of the dog. Massive doesn't do him credit. Muscle and hair.

Crimson Wolf has posed:
Arthur had been travelling, when an ad in a magazine had caught his attention of all things. That and maybe something going after him. Still, he had a lead that looked somewhat promising. Even if research didn't really ping that much by the 'net.

It had, however, brought him to Dresden's door and he decided to knock. The young man pulled at the edge of his collar a bit, and adjusted his windbreaker. He had a long case in hand, too.

Evening was usually when he had to deal with the craziness of his life, so he was actively looking around. Observing all the entries and exits, too. Just looking for something more than likely.

Harry Dresden has posed:
Little to no information beyond a Yellow Pages listing will be found on Harry Dresden unless someone has connections with the local police. Almost to the door, Harry pauses at the knocking.

The big dog cocks his head to one side inquisitively. Harry makes his way to the door and opens it. He is tall, lanky, and his hair is unruly. His clothes looks like they were slept in, unkempt like the one wearing them. He nods to the man outside as he sees h im, eyes meeting for a moment and then looking just below them.

"Good evening. Is there something I can do for you?" he asks in a gruff sounding, but polite enough tone.

Crimson Wolf has posed:
The young man makes eye contact, and looks confused a little when Harry's eyes lower. "I'm looking for Harry Dresden?"

"It will sound a bit... odd, but um... I kinda have something that I was hoping he could tell me about maybe?"

The case is only around four feet long. Metal, too. Otherwise, the man's dressed in a nice red shirt, jeans, and a grey windbreaker.

Harry Dresden has posed:
"Never hold a wizard's gaze." he replies at the confusion. He waves a hand and the wards weaken enough for him to pass,"I'm Harry Dresden. The fur tank is Mouse. Come in. We speak at the desk, it is mostly cleared." Once Arthur is in, the wards raise back to strength.

He walks towards the desk again, Mouse moving to lay by the desk. He waves a hand at the recently extinguished candles,"Flicum Biccus." he mutters and all the candles leap to life again. There is something to him at least.

Crimson Wolf has posed:
Arthur had not noticed a thing about wards or anything else. But he did walk in. And he doesn't look to have any magic. That advice, however, is something that Arthur gives a nod to. "Thank you for the advice. I will have to remember it."

The candles coming to life has Arthur's eyebrows raising. He can't be more than out of college. Walking over to the desk, he lifts up the case and sets it down.

"To make a long story short, I had a distant uncle on my mother's side in Japan. For some reason, he sent me this. I didn't think much of it, but well... I've been attacked twice so far and had to use it."

Arthur opens the case, revealing a red handled and scabbard sword that's definitely screaming Japanese origins just by the shape of the handle without being drawn.

"The crazy part is that a note hidden in the handle told me stuff like this would happen, but no one in that side of the family knows who sent it, owned it, or anything. I was hoping that maybe an actual wizard might be more helpful?"

Harry Dresden has posed:
"You will enter a soul gaze, you don't want that." he adds about the meeting eyes. The candles light and he walks around to take a seat behind the desk and motions Arthur to take the other.

When Arthur opens the case, Harry stands back up to look at the weapon,"Japanese." he muters to himself. He doesn't take it to hand yet and tells Arthur,"I know of three swords, each one has a nail from the cross in its hilt. They have power of their own."

He touches his forehead, opening his third eye to look at the weapon closer,"So it comes with its own self fulfilling prophecy..." he mutters mostly to himself.

Crimson Wolf has posed:
Arthur tilts his head a bit. "The cross? I... um... doubt it."

And the third eye reveals a lot. There's enough enchantments on there that it's a mess. Strengthening enchantments out the wazoo. And others that are frayed. Broken or faded by time. It will take a really strong person just to break the thing. Another layer shows it doing something a bit odd. Absorbing magic. The kind that Harry may have touched on with hellfire and the like. And just purify it seemingly. Release it back into the environment around it.

The more worrying thing is that the form it is in doesn't happen to be it's only form. The third eye reveals a noble sword for being Japanese in nature. Longer, larger, and broader in blade with the same rough shape. And old. A sword meant to protect and be used against some darker beings.

The strangest part is that there is something actually holding the sword in the vision granted by the third eye even as it rests on the desk. A figure of armor, empty. Waiting to be called by another layer of enchantment as it kneels while holding the sword as if presenting it. Red armor that has a distinctive mix of Japanese and European with the head lacking the samurai or knightly bent. More like it is the face of one of those lion-dogs that decorate Japanese temples so much.

Arthur remarks, "Especially on that note and the whole um..." He looks considerate, as if trying to figure how to explain something.

Harry Dresden has posed:
"That's your perogative." he replies. Clearly he isn't interested in arguing,"I just know what the Knights of the Cross believe and I know there is mystical power connected to them like this one, but very different. I have seen them turn enemies like vampires just drawing the swords. I haven't had a lot of life experiences that indicate a God or son to me."

He frowns thoughtfully,"So what do I call you? Aside from the guy that came by the office with an interesting sword?"

Resisting the urge to pick up the weapon still, Harry studies the vision in the third eye,"There are several enchantments attached to this thing, but you don't know anyone that can tell you anything about the source of them?"

The wizard's gaze stays on the weapon, not looking at Arthur at all,"The enchantments and visions around it are a mixture of Japanese and European alike. It might be connected to the temples that dog like Mouse generally protect. Fu dogs."

Crimson Wolf has posed:
Arthur shrugs, "My name is Arthur King. Um... can we not let it get around that I was here? And yeah, that's one of the warnings I had."

He takes a breath, then recites as if from memory, "'Wear too long and become as stone, cursed to guard as komainu forever more.'

Even if Harry won't see it, Arthur shakes his head. "Far as whatever is on it, no. That side does have some... odd talents, but this sort of thing? No."

"Waait... back up. Vampires are real? Like Dracula?" Poor kid just realized that perhaps. And he's staring a bit at Harry upon that one. "Oh, kami. What did my uncle drop on me?"

Harry Dresden has posed:
Harry nods and looks at the weapon longer. He warily picks it up, but doesn't draw it from the scabbard,"All right Arthur. Put a dollar on the desk and you are a client, privy to client privledge. The only people that would know about you would be my partner if she happens by or my bother. They are both trusted associates with their own secrets. They get keeping them."

"The enchantments are varied. Strengthening enchantments and a few others that have faded or failed. The third eye shows it is meant to fight darker things than humans. Like the Knight's swords it's meant for fighting supernatural enemies by all appearances."

He touches his forehead again, closing the third eye, Harry looks at Arthur and then sets the weapon back down in the case. He sits on the edge of the desk and takes a drink of his beer,"As for your question. Yes to both. There are a variety of types of vampires and there has been a lot of scuttle that Dracula might be in the area. I haven't encountered him, but people I ally with have."

Crimson Wolf has posed:
"I guess that is one that I will run the other way with." Arthur replies.

"Um... third eye?" He looks at Harry as if he is speaking something other than English, and does look at Harry's forehead, then blinks a few times.

A shake of his head is given as he sighs, "... well, since I seem to be already mixed up in it... um... who would be the best one to talk to about all this besides yourself? Because I can already tell I am way over my head just from dealing with things twice."

Harry Dresden has posed:
"Most vampires are wise to not engage with. Even the ones that don't feed on blood are far from safe and can be deadly in their own right." he cautions,"Some feed on your emotions instead of your blood. I have known a few of them that weren't inherently evil, but still only trust one."

He nods,"The third eye is a mystical power that wizards use." He points at his forehead,"Everyone has one, but few know how to use it."

He considers for a time. He frowns thoughtfully and finally says,"I would rather take you to the Knights to see if they know anything about your sword, but the local Knight is out of the country and I never know where the other two are until they just show up." He seems to be making a decision,"We could talk to Bob. He's a hand full, but much smarter than he might present. He's also grating on the nerves, but useful. I'd like Willow to see it too, just to see if she picked up on something different than I do."

Crimson Wolf has posed:
That has Arthur winces a bit, "Emotions and blood? Oookay..."

The explaination as Arthur nodding, "Oh. Huh. Sounds like the whole ki explanation my relatives give."

That there's apparently real Knights with magic swords is probably not the strangest thing. He's got a magic sword, after all. Then he just stares at Harry at the other two names, "... I am almost afraid to ask who or what those last two are. I think my nerves are already on end from the odd attack just from having that one in my possession here. And... to be honest, I would rather keep it... better to have some protection that works, I guess."

Harry Dresden has posed:
"They are straight forward...when the go for what they want. Otherwise they are less trustworthy than the fae as a whole." he tells the man.

"Ki, holy spirit, in some cases magic, and many other energies as such exist through the world."

A touch of a smile and he tells Arthur,"Willow is my girlfriend, so you can draw conclusion she has some touch to that world." he explains,"Bob is a spirit of intellect. Physically harmless, just annoying as the day is long."

Crimson Wolf has posed:
That makes Arthur nod at least, "I can see that. But... um... ki I am kinda aware of. It's probably why I survived being attacked twice besides the sword."

He looks very carefully considerate, then hums, "Can we setup some time to do both? My business keeps me moving usually, and I need to get ready to head to New York for the week. I'm just glad I found your ad in that magazine."
Arthur reaches for the case to close it, "How much do I owe you and how much for all of this? That includes keeping it confidential."

He sighs, "At least I finally found a real one and not some fake while travelling around this time."

Harry Dresden has posed:
"Come back when you can. I'll see if I can get Willow to join us." he replies,"Leave a dollar and we'll call it a retainer. We can talk about the rates next time if you want more depth in investigation."

"We're in the book and you know where we are. I have an apartment that I stay in just down that hall so if I am not out on a case, I am usually here or across the road at Mac's. Best microbrew and steak you will find in the area."

He chuckles softly and adds,"It's nice I met someone that didn't ask me to come to his kid's birthday party. So it's a good connect."

Crimson Wolf has posed:
Arthur rolls his eyes, "That sounds like a common occurrence."

He fishes out his wallet before setting a pair of twenties down. "Drinks on me, Mr. Dresden. I'll try to be back in town in a week or two, I hope."

he picks up the case, turning and heading out of the office.