Sword of Ice
“Magic has become a part of the world, as much as any other superpower, and evidence suggests it was around long ago, and perhaps was known to a select few even when there wasn’t a lot of evidence or even rumors of such.”
“The important thing to remember is, Magic operates under rules, just like anything else. Physics is still physics, and Magic isn’t defying it when a spellcaster lifts an object without touching it, they’re substituting some form of naturally occurring energy in a scientifically undescribed way to cause movement. Newton and Einstein are still right, there’s just more ways to cheat than we might like to admit. And even if it looks kind of stupid, sometimes.”
“Now, who wants to be changed into a bunny? That’s always good for the first day freshmen!”
Olivia Hedges, Chair of the department of Metaphysics at Berkley, Magic Theory 101.
Kitsune sipped her tea as the gear was collected, waiting till they left before reaching into a large handbag, pulling out a lacquered box. One that Solaris had seen before. "You helped prevent the theft of this box some weeks ago, from an auction house."
“The Tsuba? I remember. The gentleman had a similar accent to yours, I figured he was family.”
"He's a distant cousin... well, significantly younger... don't worry about that." She chuckled. "He is unfortunately in hospital. The individual who caused this is no longer with us but was likely targeting this.”
"I hope he is alright; he didn't seem too badly injured after the fight?" Solaris said tipping her head in concern,
"No, he was ambushed in his home. They were after this. Trouble is, they have superpowered assets in their employ."
"They must have quite a few. I took down three at the auction house, and I haven't heard of any of them getting out yet. May I ask why they are after the Tsuba? It can't just be a valuable antique?"
"It is that, yes, but... better to show you." She pulled a soft leather cloth, out of the bag, along with a new handle. She wrapped the handle in the leather, then slipped the Tsuba over the top, using a small plug, where the blade would usually go to hold the tsuba in.
"And now." She held the weapon up in a ready position, and with a flash of blue light a crystal blade formed where a katana’s steel would normally rest. It glowed subtly and the cold could be felt by everyone in the room."
"Is that ice?" Killian asked, tilting his head.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
"So,is a magic tool. That explains a bit, it is lovely."
"It is called Tsumetai Ryū No Ken, roughly the Sword of the Cold Dragon. Myth has it that it is from the tooth of Kuraokami, a dragon of rain and cold. I'm not sure if that is true, but it’s impossibly sharp, the ice is one molecule thick, and impossibly tough. Even if it was damaged, it will reform almost instantly." she explained.
"This is the target, obviously. It was smuggled out, illegally, though the smuggler didn't send it with what was needed to activate it."
"Are you here to take it back to Japan?"
"Yes and no, this will be more of a shell game." She admitted, canceling the blade. "Killian, if you are willing, I'd like you to visibly take the box with you to Ask Embla. While an antique, it's not particularly valuable. However, that will lead people to think it went home to you."
Killian nodded. I can do that, with me flying under a diplomatic flag it will make it hard for people to get at the box, and that gets it halfway to Japan from here. at least in theory.
"I'm still trying to identify who are the ones after the weapon. The thieves from before were hirelings." Kitsune explained. "Since that means I will likely have to deal with an attack, I would appreciate it if you could courier this to Japan when you are able to travel." She said to Solaris. "I'd say Switzerland when we meet to open the vault, but that can't happen till an equinox because magicians are universally pains in the ass. I was wondering if you could bring The tsuba to me after Christmas, as I know the holidays are going to be hectic."
"I can do that, Japan was on my list of places to visit anyway. It could be fun to do New Years there.” Solaris tapped a finger on the table. "If I really do still have a warehouse of stuff from the internment camps there may be more stuff, I can bring to return to Japan to cover the tsuba as well."
"It's likely you have at least a few items." the Japanese woman agreed.
Solaris chuckled. "I wonder how long I'll be finding these little projects I left hanging about.
Killian nodded and smirked at Solaris. "I just recently found a submarine I sent to hide with war supplies in 44 that I'd completely forgotten about. Milk Cow Submarine filled with the finest in second world wars selection of small arms. Not terribly valuable since I use NATO standard weapons at this point."
Solaris nodded, “The look on the insurance Adjusters’ face when they opened one of my war souvenir boxes was fantastic.”
"Oh, I imagine, with your sticky fingers. Of course, I did the same thing."
"Me too. I still drive the Jeep I stole from the Americans around the family farms.”
"It really was how we kept score; I still have a Nazi commanders’ car in a storage facility down by DC.” She smiled at Kitsune. "I'll put your treasure in the most secure part of the house, and have Penny arrange a flight to ring in the new year in Japan.”
"Excellent. It'll be good to stretch your legs more. Not that the US doesn't have a lot of room to stretch."
"True, but I have been nesting a bit, getting a new home base set up. It’s about time to travel a bit.
"I can understand that. And the house is lovely. And the yacht. Careful, your heritage is showing there." Kitsune teased.
"I was born to a naval family, of course I am going to have a boat. ‘Always a ‘Summer at Sea’" Solaris said with a chuckle, “depending on how full your schedules are perhaps I'll take you both out on the Serenity.”
“Perhaps during the next UN general meeting.” The German agreed. “It’d be nice to be on the sea for recreation for a change.”
