Write about a lonely spirit who spends their time returning items lost on the subway.
Talis Roamwatcher, a diligent Resetter of lost items in the city, finds her routine upended when a gold and silver pocket watch fails to reveal its owner. Instead, a magical encounter with Reginald Luftly, a whimsical lawyer, unveils her true heritage as a wizard and sets her on an unexpected journey to embrace her newfound powers.
It was not uncommon for Talis to find up to twelve unattended items on the train route that she would meticulously return to each individual owner. The evening that followed was always rather tiresome, scooting across the city returning the items to their owners with a simple drop in the letterbox. What usually determined the contents of her haul was the time of day she decided to wander the underground. This particular day she had set out on a crisp, spring afternoon, shouldering lunch time and pre-empting an early dinner. It was the optimum opportunity to scout out items of real value from those who had dined in style in the city and were making their way home to their house in the country – notably, elderly gentlemen of a certain class and standing in society. And it was so that Talis found herself in possession of a gold and silver crafted pocket watch.
The watch face consisted of a clean white background, elegant serif numbers and the most graceful of ticking hands. The chain that hung from the loop at the top felt cold, solid and strong, counterbalanced by the delicate floral garland that outlined the watch face in a mix of gold and silver. With one simple and clean click, Talis read the message engraved inside: Don’t be late. – Fanny. Talis assumed that the Fanny in question was a late wife of someone important. Only someone ostentatious bore the name, Fanny. He was looking for a fancy, well-to-do retiree with a taste for the finer things. The house would likely be an estate, or at least fronted by a well-kept lawn.
Usually all it took for Talis to source an item’s home was to hold it close to her chest, mutter the incantation, and wait for the homing beacon to flash on the horizon. A subtle warm glow would hover above the house in question. As all Resetters were able to do, with a click of her fingers she would lift up into the night sky, invisible to the eyes of passers by, and fly straight to the light in question. With a gentle plop she would drop down in front of their gate, tip their missing item into the letterbox, and soar onwards to the next home. The magical agreement had always been payment in full once all items are returned, and never keep any of the items for yourself.
It seemed this bright day only delivered this one missing item, so her upcoming evening would prove quiet. She didn’t mind. It was not an impossible occurrence, but it certainly was unusual. Either way she didn’t mind the opportunity for a quiet night at home.
There was, however, one complication that might extend her evening. She pulled the pocket watch close to her chest and muttered the spell, like always. Yet no homing beacon appeared. Fearing perhaps she hadn’t spoken the words clearly enough, she tried again. Nothing. How odd.
She moved under the light of a streetlamp and tried over and over. Yet no luck came through. She had fallen back to rubbing the watch like she was hoping to summon a genie in a bottle. What a ridiculous position to be in! Genies. What a laugh.
‘Christmas pudding!’ she bellowed at the small device in anger.
‘Excellent choice!’ responded a gentleman, proper tone and delivery, appearing rather quickly with a floating table, chair and Christmas pudding on a plate as requested. Talis initially jolted then looked on, astonished.
‘Sorry to interrupt your evening, young lady, but the watch was the best way to reach you, you see. Can we talk?’ he asked cordially. She didn’t reply but the man seemed to accept the silence as a resounding ‘yes’ to his question.
‘Lovely! Have some pudding, here. My name is Reginald Luftly and it’s luftly to meet you! Oh jolly fun! Haha! I am a laugh sometimes!’ he chuckled. She did not.
‘Not amused? Too soon. Anyway, I want you to keep that watch,’ he said very matter of factly. She turned her head to one side, confused.
‘Why?,’ she asked.
‘Because it’s yours,’ he explained, before taking a chunky bite out of the Christmas pudding himself. Crumbs toppled down his tidy jacket before landing on the ground below them. The pigeons had a delightful breakfast waiting for them. He looked up at her, realising she had no idea what on earth he meant.
‘Oh, forgive me, doing that thing again where I fast forward without context. Apologies! Allow me to explain. Your grandfather died recently, and he left this to you in his will. I am a magical lawyer, thus I am here, bestowing this watch to you. Your grandfather knew you would be working this train line tonight. Being a wizard, they know these things without much explanation. I always find it a bit unnerving, personally,’ he began to digress. She looked lost and her blank expression reminded him to jump back on the details that mattered.
‘Sorry – in his will he expressed one thing. Where is it…,’ he said, reaching down into the leather satchel he had brought along with him. Suddenly a very long scroll appeared from deep within the satchel, stretching upward into the sky as he skim read its contents. He muttered the words he flew past as he searched.
‘Ah! Here it is.
‘To one Talis Roamwatcher. You and I have never met, but you carry my wizardical blood line. Thus, you are a wizard. I presume you will follow in the footsteps that many in our family choose to wander – Resetting – but you have much more capacity. Unto thee I gift this pocket watch which tells the time, yes, but also possesses the beginnings of your magical powers as a wizard. Be wary: these powers are not to be entered into lightly. Before the lawyer you now eat Christmas pudding with (‘how did he know that?’ she wondered) you must take your vow, abandon your life of Resetting, and follow the river to the Library of Eresmin. There you shall be trained in the ways of the wize, and receive your staff and supplies. Hoping you are well, apologies I am dead, go forth!’
Talis sat in silent shock. She was a wizard? A female wizard that had powers and a staff and from what she gathered about his knowledge of the Christmas pudding, maybe even omnipotence?
‘Well dear, shall we get going on this business? I have an appointment at eleven this evening and I’d rather not be late,’ Reginald explained cordially.
Talis looked down at the watch. Something about it now felt familiar and warm, like a cosy fire on the hearth in the middle of an icy evening. She liked the idea. Perhaps this had all been a giant ruse, but perhaps this was the life she hadn’t seen coming for herself? She had never met her grandfather, but had heard tales. She wondered if her Resetter family members had dug his memory deep into the recesses of their minds, choosing to withhold memories of such a strange and potentially powerful family member. She loved her life as a Resetter, but this would be a chance for…more.
‘What do you say?’, asked Reginald.
She turned to him, beaming with confidence, albeit a little shaky at the knees.
‘Let’s do it. Although…,’ she began.
‘I know what you need to say, never fear. Repeat after me…’ he instructed. She followed.
‘By the wizard inheritance I have now received,
I accept the terms of my magical mission.
I will learn the ways and accept the limitations of my powers,
Seeking always to be the bearer of good fortune.
I seek to protect the earth and all its inhabitants,
Using my powers only when necessary or as directed by the Elders.
This vow is solemn and binding,
And I make it now.’
A spray of golden light developed around her, starting at her feet and weaving its way upward until it looped and swirled around her head like a firefly. She smiled, watching as the powers worked their way around her.
‘Off you go then lovey! Say hello to the riverfolk for me, they know who they need to call should anyone else choose to die! They have my number!,’ he yelled over the magical din. She was floating, higher and higher, soaring much higher than she could on her own. The street and Reginald below disappeared and she was making her way through storm clouds and glittering star paddocks. Onward she looked, allowing the freezing wind to refresh her spirit and accompany her to her destiny. The river awaited, the library awaited, wizardry awaited. She was gone.
Subscribe
Thanks for reading this story!
I’m currently working on my debut urban fantasy novel. If you like what you read here please sign up for updates below to hear when my novel is complete and ready for purchase.
Subscribe below for more stories sent to your inbox:
jessknaus.blog 
Leave a comment