The Fremont Saga
by: E Walk
(© 2009 by the Author)
 

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Chapter 14 

Meet The New Wizards

Monsieur Fourcault arrived as we were landing at the chateaux.  He looked at us as we approached him, “Good, the main players are here.  Let’s go to the den and take care of the things that need to be done.  I understand that some of you have a dinner engagement this evening.”
 

Monsieur Fourcault turned to Tanner, “Good afternoon, young man.  I take it that you’re Mr. Tanner Tailor who has caused me to work on a Sunday afternoon.  Call me Antoine.”

Will and Archie started to laugh and Archie quipped, “Ignore him Tanner.  He was probably never so glad to get away from his eight screaming kids.”

Timmy asked, “Monsieur Fourcault, do you and your wife really have eight children.”

“Timmy, my partner and I just adopted another stray child this week, so we now have nine boys running around our house.  They’re all between the ages of ten and eighteen.  We need to take care of business, so I can go help Jean-Claude take care of the boys.”

When we were seated around the table, Monsieur Fourcault started by handing Tanner a packet to sign, which was similar to what Timmy and I had signed on the first visit after Grandpa Nappy’s service.  Monsieur Fourcault explained, “Tanner, Mr. Benson can go over these in detail after you get back home, so please sign them.”

Monsieur Fourcault looked at Dad, “Mr. Benson, did you bring your sons’ bank account numbers with you?”

“Yes, sir.  The two order boys should have their cards in their wallets and I have Timmy’s with me.”

“Tres bien, that will make it so much easier to send their monthly allowances to them.  Tanner, I’ll have 100 euros deposited into your account on Monday.  Brian and Timmy, do you need money?”

Timmy spoke up, “I need to pay Uncle Archie the 10.00 euros he gave me at church for the hungry children.  I didn’t bring any money with me.”

Tanner shrugged his shoulders, “What exactly did you mean when you said that you would be depositing 100 euros in my account?”

Monsieur Fourcault realized that he needed to explain, “Tanner, you will be having 100 euros deposited into your checking account each month, the same as Brian is.  That means you will have approximately $140.00 to spend each month.”

Tanner looked completely baffled, “But, sir, why do I need that much money?   Dad and Mother are already giving us $20.00 a week to take care of our expenses.”

Mr. Fourcault started to laugh, “Tanner, I need to take the three of you guys home, so you can teach our sons that money doesn’t grow on trees.”

Mr. Fourcault got serious, “We have one last piece of business to take care of, and that is what to do about this chateaux?”

I looked at Dad and he indicated that he didn’t know what was happening.  I brazenly asked, “Monsieur Fourcault, I’m not sure what you’re saying or asking.”

“Brian, since no one is going to be living here on a regular basis, you can not afford to maintain this property and continue to pay the people who work here.  The other two properties, which you and Timmy own, are self sustaining as are all of your restaurants.  This chateaux is not self sustaining”

I stood and stopped him, “Mr. Fourcault, if you’re suggesting that we sell this property, it isn’t going to happen.  This was Grandpa Nappy’s primary residence.  We need to find a way to make it pay for itself.”

“Archie and Will, you know the territory better than we do; what do you recommend?”

Will started, “We’ve discussed ways to remedy the problem.  One way would be to open it for tours, since it is in such wonderful condition.  We’ve also discussed opening it as a restaurant.  Another alternative we’ve discussed is opening an upscale bed and breakfast.”

Dad interjected, “The last alternative seems to be the most feasible to me.  The first two alternatives seem as if they would attract vandalism.  If the boys were to open a bed and breakfast, the prices would need to be such that people who could afford to stay pay them and hopefully not trash the facility.  I’m with Brian, selling the property is not an option.  Since you are the boys’ business advisers, you need to come up with a plan and come see Brian and Tanner’s football game on Thursday night and we can discuss the options over the weekend.”

Dad stood, “If we’re going to be in time for our dinner engagement in London, we need to get our act together.  Monsieur Fourcault, thank you for seeing us on a Sunday afternoon.”

“Beau, I’m so pleased with the way Brian responded, I’m sure that Napoleon would have been pleased with the way he reacted.  I’ll be in touch with you later.”

I know I wasn’t meant to hear that comment, but I did.  “Dad, how should we dress?”

Archie grinned, “I’m guessing that your clothes are already laid out for you.  Reggie, Shamus and Jamie will probably have you looking like circus clowns.”

We went to our rooms and took quick showers and our clothes indeed were laid out for us.  I started to laugh because there were cravats instead of ties.  As soon as we were dressed, our luggage disappeared and was loaded in the carriage.  Archie and Will came to say goodbye, since they weren’t going to London.

They were waiting for their ride and Will commented, “Make sure that you have good sleeping facilities for us when we arrive next Thursday.  Beau, we’ll be in touch before then.”

When we arrived at the clump of trees, Rafael was waiting for us, “You’re late.  You were due two minutes ago.”

Timmy frowned, “It’s my fault.  I had to go to the bathroom and we had to stop.”

Rafael chuckled, “That’s okay, we have plenty of time to get to the meeting.  Just leave everything that you don’t need, so you can leave immediately after the meeting.”

I took the painting that the guys hadn’t seen and the inquisition stated.  I relented and showed them the painting of the three of us in bed and Tanner moaned, “Oh, no not again.”

Timmy asked, “Tanner, what’s the problem.  Look, Brian made it look like he had a bigger penis than you do.  You need to beat him up.”

Fortunately we arrived at the nondescript building and we were ushered inside to a room that was filled with people, Timmy spotted Ben, Grant and Jack and went running to them.  Ben picked him up and hugged him as did Grant and Jack.

I handed the painting to Mr. Johnson, “Sir, this is the only thing that I was able to put on canvass during our trip.  There were so many wonderful other opportunities but we were rather busy.”

Mr. Johnson grinned, “Brian, I can imagine how busy you were. I made the correct decision to have a silent auction for your latest artworks.  You’re probably not going to believe what they sold for.  I have a packet with the list of the purchasers and the amounts paid for the works.  Which one of the works do you think sold for the most money?”

I shrugged my shoulders, “Probably, The First Kiss.”

Nope that was a close third.  The painting that sold for the most was the abstract that you did of Tanner’s stepfather and stepbrother.  In second place was the painting you did  of Timmy and your Great Grandmother when Timmy was reading to her.”

Our conversation was interrupted by Uncle Hank announcing, “Dinner is about to be served,  As soon as The Supreme Wizard of the Western World and his guests take their place at the head table, we can begin.”

I went to collect Timmy and Tanner and we went to the head table since Dad indicated that he wasn’t included and would be sitting with Ben and Grant.  I handed Dad the envelope that Mr. Johnson had given me, since I had no idea what we would be doing. 

I introduced Tanner to Uncle Hank and Uncle Rod, since they hadn’t had the opportunity to meet him.  I was seated in the center of the head table with Tanner on my right and Timmy on my left.  Uncle Hank was next to Tanner and Uncle Rod was on the end next to Timmy.”

As we were eating, I felt like the Ugly Duckling since no one was talking to me.  I still wasn’t sure exactly what was happening.  When everyone had finished eating, Uncle Hank went to the podium.  “Would Wizard Johnson and Wizard Smyth please escort Candidate Tanner Tailor to an alternate site while we prepare for the ceremony.  Wizard Beau Benson and Wizard Stewart, please accompany Candidate Timothy James Benson to a site until such time as his presence is required.”

Both Timmy and Tanner had a look of trepidation on their faces when they were escorted out of the hall, but I honestly had no idea what was going to happen.

As the attendants were preparing the hall for the ceremony, someone I didn’t know asked, “Wizard Cox, why are we bringing all of these young people into our group when they can do nothing to better the causes for what we stand for.”

Uncle Hank looked at the man, “Mr. Detweiler, we are doing this at the direction of Wizard Lafontaine.  The two young men who are being inducted tonight have caused him to want this to happen.  Perhaps Supreme Wizard Benson can better explain the reasons why Wizard Lafontaine is so adamant as to why what we’re about to do tonight needs to happen.”

I walked to the podium and explained how it was that I had met Timmy and how we were able to communicate with Grandpa Nappy.  When I told them how Tanner had entered my life, you could have heard a pin drop.   I looked at the assembled group, “I’m sure that the two new inductees have done more toward making this world a better place than many of you have done.  I explained what Timmy had done the last two Sundays and that was all it took.”

A lady I had seen before but didn’t know her name stood, “Supreme Wizard Benson, do these young men possess any skills other than  that you can communicate without talking, or so you profess?”

“Ma’am, we’ve tried very hard to hide the skills that we have.  Would it make you happy if I could have them appear by sending them a message?  It appears to me that some of you people are resting on your past laurels and are afraid that you’re losing control.”

Uncle Hank put his hand on my shoulder and whispered, “ Brian, please back off.”

I wheeled around, “Sir, I’m not going to back off.  It seems to me that some of these people know that they’ve lost their zeal for the society, but don’t want to relinquish control.  Tanner, I need your help, these people are attacking me.”

Tanner appeared and grabbed me, “Brian, who’s attacking you.  I don’t see anyone but your Uncle Hank and Uncle Rod?”

The same lady shouted, “You had that planned.  There is no way that Tanner could have heard you.  He had to have been in the next room.  I guess Timothy is there as well.”

Tanner jumped forward, “Ma’am, I haven’t seen Timmy since we were escorted from the hall.   If Dad and Mr. Stewart weren’t with him I would be concerned.”

I nodded and spoke, “Timmy, me and Tanner need your help, now.”

Timmy appeared, and I asked, “Where are Dad and Mr. Stewart?”

Timmy shrugged his shoulders, “We were at Mr. Stewart’s home when I received your message, playing a game of dominoes.  I think Uncle Reggie was cheating because he was about to win when you called.”

I looked at Tanner, “Tanner, where were you when I told you I needed your help?”

Tanner laughed, “We were at Mr. Johnson’s gallery and had just shown Mr. Kelly your latest painting of the three of us, and he said I was to break your hands so you would stop creating these obscene pieces of art.  Of course he was already starting to matte and frame it when I got your message.”

Uncle Hank looked at the assembled people, “Are there any of you in attendance that still doubt that these two young people should be taken into our membership?”

Uncle Hank announced, “I see no one wishing to speak.  Please get appropriately attired for the induction ceremony.  The ceremony will begin as soon as Wizards Stewart, Benson, Johnson and Smyth have returned.

Uncle Rod took Timmy and Tanner to a side room to await the start of the ceremony.  Uncle Hank helped me into my white robe and informed me, “Brian, I will be performing the induction of Tanner first,  His outfit is similar to mine.  Please help him into it at the proper time.  He will assume the seat to your right.”

“Timmy’s robe is white like yours. I think it would be appropriate for him to stand next to you and for you to have your arm around him.”

As soon as the four escorts had arrived and were properly dressed, the ceremony began and Tanner was inducted into the Wizard Society.  He looked totally befuddled by what was happening.  The excitement didn’t really get started until Timmy was inducted.  As soon as Uncle Hank had finished administering the oath, there were two lightening bolts that flew through the room and two loud claps of thunder that shook the room.”

Uncle Hank announced, “It is with great pleasure that I present our two newest wizards, Wizard Tanner Tailor and Wizard Timothy Benson.”

Timmy looked at me and said loud enough for everyone to hear, “Brian, why are we wearing these heavy robes?  They’re very hot.  They must cost a lot of money with all these sparkly things on them.  Do we have to pay for them?”

The room was silent and I spoke, “Wizards, the newest and youngest wizard has asked some very pertinent questions.  Would someone please answer his questions?”

Uncle Hank answered, “Timmy and Brian, the robes have been part of wizardry for a long time.  As far as how much money they cost, they are indeed expensive anymore.  The Society pays for them out of the funds we have available.”

A big discussion ensued and finally I stopped it. “Wizards and Wizardesses, the Supreme Council of Wizards will be reviewing the practices of the society.  The council will have a special meeting before our next meeting as an entire group, to make recommendations to you.  It is apparent to me, as a stupid teenager, that we need to make some changes.  It’s too bad that it had to be an eight year old young man that called it to everyone’s attention.  I declare this meeting adjourned.”

Everyone was startled by someone chuckling, “See, you doubting Thomases and Thomasinas, I knew what I was doing when I identified these three young men to be the leaders of this Society.  I suggest that you pay attention to what they’re saying.  Brian was right when he said that many of you were coasting on your past laurels.  It’s time for you to get into the 21^st century.  Things are very different now than when many of you were growing.  Listen to what the three young men are saying.”

As we were going to the carriage, Uncle Hank commented, “Monsieur Lafontaine has been frustrated with the Wizardry Society for a long time.  He felt that many of them were sitting on their butts and doing nothing to make life better for people.  Brian, when can you and your people meet to discuss the matter?

Dad answered, “Hank, it can’t be for several weeks.  The guys are overextended this next week.  We’ll just need to see when we can arrange a time.”

We dropped Ben, Grant and Jack off in Ithaca and we landed in the back yard.  We carried our own baggage into the house since we didn’t know who would be there.  Timmy ran to Mother, “Mommy, how are Grandmother and Morgan?  I’ve been worried about them.”

“Timmy, they’re both fine.  Morgan is going to be coming home tomorrow, and Grandmother is waiting for you to come visit tomorrow.  Did you have a good time?”

Timmy had a funny grin on his face, “We saw all of our houses today.  I’ll take the chalet in Switzerland, Tanner can have the bed and breakfast in Nice so he and Ron can go swimming without any clothes.  You should have seen how everyone checked the painting of the two of them kissing.  Brian has to take the chateaux in Paris and decide how it’s going to make money for us.  Come on, Tanner, let’s put our things away so we can get ready for school.”

Dad was sitting, laughing. “Becca, Timmy pretty much summed up our weekend in two minutes.  Brian, I take it you haven’t looked in this envelope that Mr. Johnson gave you.  I’ll pick you up at noon tomorrow so you can deposit the funds.  If anyone were to know how much money we have in the house, we’d be robbed every hour on the hour.  I’ll inform your Mother of the details of the boring trip.”

When I got to the room, Tanner was talking on the phone.  The only problem was that he was lying on the bed with his left hand inside of his briefs, and it was easy to see that he was manipulating something as he was talking.  “Ron, you won’t believe what happened this weekend, … I missed you, too. …We made a blind date for you to take to the Homecoming Dance. … She’s not blind, but she might cause some of the other people there to go blind with envy.  Wait until you meet Brian’s Vicky and Gwen. … We even had tea with the Queen of England, her husband and her two grandsons. … Okay, Timmy is telling me it’s time to go bed.  See you at 7:45 in the morning.”

I sat down on the bed, “Guys, you need to be very careful about what you say about this weekend.  The only people that we can talk to here are Dad and Mother.  No one else knows what’s happening and we need to keep it that way.  Now let’s go to bed.  I’m exhausted.”

To be continued...

Editor's Notes:  Grandpa Nappy was a very wise and observant individual. He saw the stagnation that was going on and he could see that what they needed was a group of young people to be able to see things with new eyes.  We old guys need to let go of the reigns and allow new leadership to flourish and bring new ideas to the forefront.

Timmy has been dealing with the wizarding world a little longer than Tanner has.  Brian and Timmy will need to sit with him and explain the situation to him, as to when and where he can use any magic, or even talk about magic.

This was a very exciting chapter.  I am certainly ready for more.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 03/12/10