Chapter Text
"Explain this to me again? What was this genius plan of yours?" growled out Hopper. His attention focused on Mike.
The Half-Paladin spoke to his superior, but his attention was solely on the disappointment of the elf with her arms crossed, hair still up and curled from the start of the day. This evening would be when Mike realized where Nancy learned her look. The judgment he was convinced he'd never have to experience.
"Seriously? I'm not asking again," repeated Hopper.
Mike gulped. "Because of what Dustin was doing … we had access to a way to help Will faster."
"Hey—I will have none of that from you. Officer Hopper is asking a question. We will discuss every rule and regulation you broke by using property that doesn't belong to us when we are at home," said Mrs. Henderson as she cut off her son's protest.
Dustin hung his head, trying to hide between Steve and Eddie. Who stood at the back of the group with Robin. All three could see that whatever the mothers wanted to discuss or scold was delayed until Ms. Buckley returned.
"From what Lucas and Erica said, they heard. It sounded like it would take you at least a week, maybe more, to return there. We didn't have that kind of time," continued Mike.
The Old Paladin watched. He said nothing. He looked from his subordinate to the others.
A throat cleared. "At least a week, or not," began Karen. "What you did was reckless. You weren't 'blessed,' you didn't 'have luck on your side.' You were impulsive. Just impulsive. If Robin, Eddie, and Steve weren't with you." She sighed. "We would, at best, be dealing with five more compelled persons."
"At worst, every one of you could be dead. We had no idea what was waiting for us in that cave," finished Sue as she looked at Lucas and Erica. "No back-talking. There is a protocol to follow for a reason so that more of this does not continue to happen."
Mike watched his mother. He wanted to shrink into his chair, but his disposition wouldn't let him. "Having Nancy with us wouldn't have made what was down there any easier." The Half-Elf Paladin grumbled.
"You know, having Nance, Jonathan, and Argyle might have helped out a lo—" Steve countered as Robin elbowed him in his side.
"You're not helping," whispered the Bard.
The Barbarian gave his best friend a half smile as he held his side.
Joyce stepped forward, breaking the division between parents and children. Eleven had joined the others. She was standing with Erica and Max. "Either way, it's done. We can't take it back." Hands held out. "However, next time—" she looked at 'the kids.' "If there is a next time, you don't just go off fighting an 18-foot demon with only a few hours of discussion as a plan."
The silence was palpable. None who ventured into the nameless mountain said a word.
"He's bound to have noticed by now," stated Joyce. She looked at Karen and Sue. "Did you have any backup plan ready?"
"Nothing, that wouldn't get us noticed," sighed Mrs. Sinclaire. "Any magic we use to check could be detected."
Arms uncrossed, Karen looked at Sue, Joyce, Claudia, and Hopper. "I could always check, make an excuse to see if there's any sign of life."
"I suppose." Mrs. Sinclaire sighed. "This would be so much easier if Beatrix were here, though I'm sure she would be more focused on her daughter than anything now."
Steve and Eddie glanced in the direction of Robin, who shrugged. Her mother had gone out of her way to secure some type of silent detail on her in Vlulens. During her first few weeks there, the Bard thought that had ended long ago. Maybe not.
Mrs. Henderson rubbed her chin. "You two worked together, Sue. Perhaps he's gone in hiding if none of you have seen him in days."
"I'd like to think that, but Ted mentioned seeing him the other day at the docks," Mrs. Wheeler turned to Hopper. "Do you have anything, or is what Nancy and the others find necessary to bring him in for questioning?"
Hopper bit at the inside of his cheek. "We could devise something to keep him in our custody for a few hours…."
"But, what Murry, Nancy, Jonathan, and Argyle find will be the proof you need," concluded Joyce.
Hopper nodded.
"The man is arrogant. He's always been that way." Began Sue as she answered Claudia's quandary over her old colleague in the highest society. "I'm honestly more concerned with whatever he might have brokered a deal with to get what he wants. He's far too proud to use the dark again, especially if that Martin Brenner found a way to continue their deal after their initial plan didn't work. His family viewed his abilities as a sign from the gods when he started showing magic after the first Cataclysm. Losing them from the second … it took its toll…."
"You're not going after Mr. Clarke, are you?!" blurted Erica.
The mothers turned to the Half-Elf Rogue and the others, genuine concern crossing their faces. "Scott? Oh honey, Mr. Clarke is harmless. His glamor is from an object he never removes, out of his own safety in case those who tried to kill him come looking," said Mrs. Sinclaire in the most obvious way.
"Honestly, I think he likes being a cat now," laughed Joyce. "I barely recognize him anymore, without the glamor."
The others nodded, even Hopper.
"So, wait, you're not talking about Mr. Clarke? Then who are you so worried about," asked Robin.
One final click. Murray pushed open the flimsy door with two of his claws.
"Odd."
He stepped into the open living space. The space was sparse, but that was to be expected. Nancy observed the Kobold as he surveyed the area. She saw it too. There was a hurriedness in the placement of objects but no urgency. Brenner might not want to be caught, but he had no worries with the group if they did find him.
With a rush and spark of green, Argyle rose to his proper height next to Murray and in front of Nancy and Jonathan.
"Anything," asked the Kobold.
Argyle shook his head. "Locked desk."
"That's it?" Murry rubbed his chin.
The Halfling nodded again.
"Only one way to find out." The Kobold glanced at the Fighter as the group walked deeper into the open space. "I get it. You don't think we're safe. Check for traps yourself. There's nothing here. Nothing's waiting to jump at us, like a child playing surprise. Which one's got the desk?"
Argyle motioned to the furthest door.
"What you 'should' be doing is keeping an eye on her," said Murry under his breath, fully aware Nancy could hear him just fine. "She's capable of becoming a problem even faster than you. Especially if it involves her currently stoney friend."
Nancy sighed. She appeased Murray, that's all. She wasn't worried about what she might do, about whatever they found in possession of the dark member Martin Brenner. At least, that's what she told herself. This was about Barb. It couldn't be the worst-case scenario, could it?
So, the Elf leaned against 'the kitchen counter,' watching from the open window to the space connected to the main road. She waited and watched, listening to the outside and the tools Murray currently used to open the locked drawer of the small desk in the sparse room where only a dresser and a bed sat.
Nancy watched Jonathan look at her from his spot against the door Murray and Argyle were currently inside. The Fighter's look reminded her of their conversation in the room the Kobold purchased at the inn, how he wondered if he really was jumping to conclusions. Her comments towards him that it was admirable that he cared so much for his family and did not let Murray's chastising get to him.
"Jackpot," shouted the Kobold.
The Elf turned her attention to the room, but she stayed in her place. She watched Murry pull out a small, tightly bunched roll of leather cloth. He set it atop the desk, rolling it out, allowing the tools and tiny glass bottles to clank against the desk surface.
"What did you find," asked Jonathan, his attention on the others as well.
"So much, my dude, so much." Argyle, with both hands on the desk, the Halfling lifted himself to his toes. He peered over.
Vial of translucent blue liquid in hand. Murry pulled the stopper. He dipped in a glass tool allowing a few drops to hit a corner of one of the pages. "Shipping documents. It looks like Brenner kept everything going as far back as when your moms showed up in Hawkins." He stoppered the vial again, pulled out a magnifier, and scanned the page's text. "Joyce made sense. She's lived in Hawkins her whole life. And I guess Karen and Sue showing up, too, isn't that weird. Considering they knew some of the residents. It was, the way, you all showed up." Murry paused as he made a face. "Everything that's happened in the last nine or so months. Just confirmed rumors and other suspicions about the place."
"What do you mean," asked Jonathan.
"Nothing huge. Rumors about what this place was used for before and during both Cataclysms. You'd be fooling yourself if you thought magic was completely gone from this place. There's a reason this offer enticed the dark. Hawkins had something Brenner wanted. If he got it, that's a whole other question that we can all ponder later," finished Murry.
The Kobold sighed. Nancy recognized that sound. A sound she'd heard him make when what they found wasn't what his clients wanted.
"What did you find," asked Nancy.
She watched Argyle scan the desk. She saw Halfling's body language change.
"What did you find, Murray," stated Nancy, a tone to her voice.
Finally leaving her spot, she walked past Jonathan. Stepping behind Argyle and Murray. She began to read the authenticated page by the Kobold.
It was as basic as shipping manifests come. Dates of dock departures, a list of cargo, their loading requirements, and the routes taken when procuring the goods. Nancy noticed the container contents lists were vague, but that's to be expected. Even some notes on possible dangerous cargo aboard.
Everything was by the book, so why did Murry sigh? Nancy continued to read over the illegible script, then saw the shipping mark. A recognizable shipping mark used throughout all of the Ghorthra Kingdom and a very familiar company name and signature.
"This can't be right," said Nancy.
"You watched me perform my tests," answered Murray. His attention was still on the document.
"How long have they thought this," asked the Elf.
Murray sighed. "For a bit. Your mother and the others wanted confirmation before trying anything. You have to be careful when you know them, especially if you've known them for a century or two. Having you here was easier. Then you go off alone, and something happens. Same with those two."
"You knew Jonathan and Argyle would join us," asked Nancy again, eyes still on the document. Her chat with the Kobold kept her from rushing from the room and over to Jessamine.
Murry shrugged. "Joyce and her suspicions, she knows her two sons better than they think she does. She told me that one and his friend may come along," Murry answered. "Will you let me at least pack up my things? That horse of yours is my ride home, and it will still take you some hours to get there."
Nancy made a sharp turn back to the door. "Be quick." She strode past Jonathan as he attempted to have a look at their findings. The entrance to the outside slammed behind her.
Jonathan peered over the Halfling and Kobold. The Fighter gulped as he saw the shipping mark, a very familiar company name, and signature:
Holland Import & Export est. 1967
Richard Holland
Robin was alone, sitting at a large old solid wooden table. Her home was quiet, as usual, when she was the only one inside. A basic breakfast sat in front of her, eggs and toast. She didn't sleep well and wondered if the others suffered the same. The Bard also pondered what residual effects might be taking place on the group after their venture down into one of the 'forgotten caves' of the unnamed mountain. How long might they last? She heard the clock chime. Her mother should be here soon or at least back in Hawkins.
Her mind reeled from the information so freely spoken in front of them last night. It made the Bard wonder if their mothers had given up trying to keep secrets from them now. Time would have to tell on that.
The front door was unlatched, and Ms. Buckley and her informant Sam Owens walked in.
"Good, you're already up." Robin's mother glanced out the top inches of a window not covered by curtains. "When is that door opening for you to return to the college?"
Robin gripped the table as she did the math. "Sometime between noon and the end of when classes would be. So, somewhere between three to five, maybe six hours. Why?"
"If you and Sam are still the only ones in this house, and that door opens for you. I want you to take it. I don't care if 'she gave you a time frame, so there's no need to rush.' I can explain to Steve and Nancy you had to leave." Robin's mother looked at the disguised tiefling."
The Bard eyed her mother.
"I don't want you leaving this building until that door opens or one of the others we trust walks through that door." Mother and daughter eyed one another. "This is important. Your safety is my priority, and helping Karen protect Nancy is my second. Until Holland is apprehended, the only places you are safe are in this house with this man or your school in Vlulens. Smart first, safe second."
Robin nodded from her seat. She watched as her mother exited their home, leaving her alone with Sam Owens.
"Should I be touched that she considers you safe with me?"
Robin rose from her spot at the table, her almost empty plate in hand. She shrugged. "She trusts you more than the Hollands right now."
"And how are you taking that news, their daughter? She's your good friend, not just someone you were with when kidnapped?"
She shrugged again as she cleaned the plate.
"I've had worse, and I've had better. It does explain some of Barb's behavior before everything… How much do you know?"
Sam Owens followed Robin lingering at the archway. "Bits and pieces, your mother extended on a few of the topics I knew from the notes I received when being told to take over for Brenner."
"Did you know him, Mr. Holland? You seemed to know Mrs. Byers and Mrs. Sinclaire without even needing their names. The other night."
Robin turned back, and Sam Owens stepped to the side, allowing her to pass before following her into the house's common area.
"Him? I have yet to live long enough to see if I even qualify as one of those humans with a longer life than most. Mr. Holland was most likely grouped with all the others who tragically lost their magics during the second Cataclysm."
He sat in a rarely used seat at the large old solid wooden table. Robin rested against a bookshelf. It gave her a perfect view of the outside but allowed her to talk one-on-one with Sam Owens. She might not trust him as her mother did, but she wasn't about to be rude.
Robin watched as her mother, Karen Wheeler, Sue Sinclaire, Joyce Byers, Claudia Henderson, Jim Hopper, Mike, and one of the old paladin's other subordinates, the Bard, wasn't sure which. They all walked to the Holland property. Joyce, Claudia, and Mike lingered outside the gate as the others entered. She could see Steve, Eddie, and 'the kids' coming from another direction. She laughed. They must have slipped past the two and were already halfway there before the Barbarian and Ifrit realized.
"Tell me. What do you know about the Society? You seemed the most interested between you and your friend the other night."
She shrugged. "What I've read in books. It was created after the first 'Grand Disaster' to preserve what was left after a cleric sought godhood, convinced his divinity would purge the world of evil. So clouded by his visions, the cleric didn't realize that he would also be destroying the good by attempting to destroy the evils in magic.
The cleric never realized his actions simply stunted the magic. The ways of learning if you possessed such a feat changed, thus why so many different families were convinced they had lost it all. No one knew how to control magic in such a chaotic and raw state. No one except the three original founders of the Mages of Highest Society."
Owens continued to listen, rather impressed.
"I like to read, but that's the gist of it. It was created to preserve and retool the magic everyone thought was lost. In reality, it just changed. The Second Cataclysm is said to be the result of the gods abandoning us, making it harder for certain magics to be attuned to, but possible. But many lost what they had that day, unlike before. It takes more than just relearning the magics now.
What I don't understand is why everyone seems more worried about Mr. Holland compared to everything that is going on in the unnamed mountain. The extremes of both the light and the dark look more chaos driven than the ones meant to keep the 'balance.'"
The disguised tiefling clasped his hands. "I think it stems more from personality with the red. They are meant to be the ones who keep order. But like those books you read, told you. That's not always the case. My guess is Mr. Holland had accepted his fate, and if his daughter was born after, he was convinced she wouldn't have his gifts. Then she started to show signs of divine magic, the rarest of its kind now, and the jealousy seeded. But he couldn't take it anymore when Sue and Joyce ran." He rose from his spot, walking over to Robin. He looked out, watching the figures of the others up ahead conversing with each other. "He'd rather be a renegade than pitied. So he devised his plan. How deep it goes, you'd have to find that out for yourself."
Robin watched. "I don't like this … something feels off. This' too easy. "… "Be smart first, be safe second," said the Bard repeating her mother's sentiment before leaving." She clicked at her teeth and gave a little whistle. Hopefully, he was still in the house.
Sam Owens looked to his handler's daughter, then turned to the noise of pattering feet as a sleek smoke-colored cat appeared at the first step of the stairway. Robin smiled as she lifted the family pet to her level.
"I need you to do me a favor, go to the Hollands, keep your distance, and look out on Steve and the others for me." The cat lifted its head as if it understood the Bard. "Will you let me see through you like we've practiced?" The cat pulled himself free from Robin's arms, encased in the purple hue of Robin's magic. She followed it close behind, opening the front door.
The two watched as the cat scurried off, slinking through the shadows. Robin rested against the door as her senses attuned to the cat. She could see and hear all that surrounded the feline. She watched.
"Beast senses, very clever. Your mother said you tended to think past the rules. What do you see?"
"Nothing to worry about. Mrs. Henderson is scolding Dustin for not staying home and sneaking out with the others again." She smiled. As annoying as it was, she hoped he would never change. "I think Mike asked Mrs. Byers if anyone has gotten ahold of Nancy and the others."
With a sudden crash of glass, Robin could hear Hopper yelling as he and Callahan turned to exit the Holland's residence. She saw Mrs. Wheeler and Mrs. Sinclaire rushing to the others. Owens could see a figure appear surrounded by all those still outside from their distance away.
"She'll have to do for now, and so close to home," said Mr. Holland, and he was gone.
Robin blinked. "Could I, in theory, use Mr. Whiskers as a location conduit to cast a spell? I can see and hear who I need to talk to through him," she rushed, trying her best not to show her panic.
"Only one way to find out."
The Bard took a deep breath.
"Do what you did in the cave," she messaged.
"Shit, Buckley! Worn a guy before you start messaging in his head, would you," messaged Eddie back.
Robin and Sam Owens could see the Ifrit look around his surroundings, finally settling on the cat.
"No fucking way. How the hell did you figure this one out, Buckley," messaged Eddie again.
The Bard sighed. "Not the time. You need to teleport whoever you can with you to Mr. Holland."
Eddie rubbed his head. "Not that that's not a great idea, but how am I supposed to find him when he already did that himself?"
"He overheard you all talking about Nancy. If you teleport to the crossroads, you'll at least be closer to the next crossing before traveling the road to Dans."
"Fuck, your right," message Eddie one last time before shooing away the cat.
Everyone, including Robin and Owens, watched Eddie disappear, taking Karen Wheeler, Sue Sinclaire, Joyce Byers, Robin's mother, Jim Hopper, and Mike.
Robin, still connected to Mr. Whiskers, watched Steve and the others reorient themselves.
"Where," asked Lucas.
Sam Owens looked over the unassuming blonde. "Smart first," he began shaking his head with a smile.
"Safe second," finished Robin.
Nancy wasn't sure when the sun rose as she rode Jessamine along the roads back to Hawkins—speeding and slowing the horse when needed. Murray sat in the second saddle seat. He bounced here and there as the horse continued to speed along. Jonathan and Argyle close behind.
"Would you slow down? We're going to get there. You don't need to be so manic," said Murray as he continued to bounce from the back.
The Elf glanced back briefly. She began to slow.
"Hey! What are you doing! You choose now to listen to me," grumbled the Kobold.
"You just said—" grumbled Nancy as she kicked at her horse to speed forward.
Murray shifted himself about his seat. "Yeah, well, you shouldn't be listening to me. Just focus on getting us home!"
"We should be closing in on the crossroad half a mile from Hawkins," yelled Jonathan.
Nancy nodded her focus on the road. She thought back to earlier musings. Had Barb been saying something to her, to Robin? The Elf remembered her friend saying she needed to find a place to practice outside her house. Nancy always assumed it was to protect her family if anyone noticed what was happening. Devine magic, though highly sot after, was oddly regulated by multiple magical groups. Had Barb meant she was protecting herself from her father this whole time? She needed to discuss so much with Robin the next she saw her.
"Slow down," yelled Murray.
Nancy huffed, turning her attention to the Kobold. "Would you make up your mind! Do I need to slow down, or do I need to speed up? Do you want me to stop! Make up your mind."
"Look forward and slow down," yelled Murray again.
Nancy turned back to the road, reins tight in her hands. She began slowing Jessamine.
Out in front fifty feet from the Crossroad to Hawkins. Stood a figure shrouded in dark reds the color of blood. The figure held out their hand. Nancy gulped briefly, glancing at Jonathan and Argyle. The Halfling connected with her before she turned back. He saw it, too, and recognized it like it was only moments ago.
The figure stood, his hand outstretched. His body became encased in magic so hectic and otherworldly that the only way one could describe it was in a dream. Nancy watched as the reds and nightmarish blues began to incapsulate in smoke and sparks of raw, untamed magic. The higher figure lifted his hand, the more the smoke began to billow around.
Jessamine reared high once Nancy got her to stop.
The individual in blood-red robes lunged toward Nancy and Murray, an otherworldly cry escaping him as he flew for them.
Nancy heard her brother before she realized they had appeared. Eddie, her mother, Joyce Byers, Ms. Buckley, Sue Sinclaire, Jim Hopper, and Mike.
"Nancy," screamed Mike.
The world suddenly began to echo. The Half-Elf Paladin's yell somehow elongated with it. Mr. Holland's hand outstretched inches from Nancy's neck froze. A bright, radiant light appeared, then disappeared just as quickly as her friend's father disappeared himself.
"Nancy," yelled Karen. The others rushed to the Elf, Kobold, Fighter, and Halfling as fast as they could.
When she entered the Buckley house, she was met with her ex-boyfriend, her brother's friends, one of their mothers, an officer of Hawkins, and Sam Owens, Ms. Buckley's informant.
"Where," asked Nancy.
Steve, Dustin, Mike, and Lucas jumped to attention. "Shit, she's in her room, about take a door back to school or something. Maybe you can catch her," stated Steve.
Nancy simply rushed the stairs up to the Bard's room. She knocked on the door.
"I told you. I'd be fine. This door thing's completely—normal…," Robin trailed as she opened the door looking directly at Nancy.
They hurled themselves at each other and held on tight. The Bard hid her face in the Elf's hair and neck.
"Thank god you're safe," whispered Robin. "When I saw Mr. Holland disappear… I didn't. I was so worried. Maybe I can ask to stay a few hours…"
Nancy shook her head. "No, if Vlulens can protect you, you need to go. We'll be safe here," she whispered, her lips touching Robin's ear. "I won't avoid your letters like I was before. I was still angry. It was stupid. Please be safe. Mr. Holland, he's not gone. He just—something made him disappear."
Robin nodded into Nancy's shoulder, gripping her tight.
A voice suddenly cleared its throat. The Elf and Bard pulled away from each other, the door's connection completed revealing a large desk behind it sat an elf with alabaster skin and raven-colored hair. She smirked at both Robin and Nancy. The Bard released the Elf and turned to the door taking her bag from her neighboring chair.
Robin gave Nancy a small wave, and Nancy waved back, eyes squinting as she looked at the one behind the desk.
"Hey, wait, you never said she was one of your teachers!"
"Impudent squandering fools," echoed a voice from the shadows.
A large silhouette hulked over Mr. Holland and Martin Brenner as they stood silently. Anger crossed both their faces as they were scolded like children.
"I give you gifts, and neither of you can accomplish a simple task," echoed the booming voice again. "The Demogorgon might be gone—finally, but you have made 'them' more aware of our presence."
Brenner and Mr. Holland looked up at the looming silhouette.
"The boy isn't here," said Brenner, unable to hold himself back after being scolded.
"You think that matters," chuckled the voice. "He'll come when he is called. All in good time, but now, now is the time for another approach. So, lick your wounds. You will have your second chance."
The silhouettes that huddled around Mr. Holland and Martin Brenner turned.
"Let them think they've won," said the voice to those in darkness. "Then strike when they least expect it. Armies can be rebuilt and better than they were before."