We arrived at Jonias’s house in short order. It was on the outskirts of the Mages Quarter, close to Maintown, and sat on an acre of land that looked like it was in serious need of a gardener. The grass was several feet high and had swallowed up the footpath leading from the gate to the house. Ivy grew up the walls with reckless abandon. The house itself was large and stately looking beneath said ivy, though the pale yellow siding was chipped in places, and many of the white roof tiles were cracked. The wrought-iron gate that surrounded the place was showing signs of rust, and made a loud screeching noise as I pulled it open.

“Nice digs,” Rylan remarked as we waded through the grass. He sneezed as the scent of magic grew stronger. “If not for my nose, I wouldn’t have guessed this was a mage’s residence.”

“I told you he was a hermit,” I said, shrugging. I didn’t understand why Ballos’s house looked like crap either. I mean, yeah, maybe he didn’t go outside much, but surely he had the funds to hire a gardener and repaint the walls every once in a while. Or did he just not care?

I grabbed the heavy brass doorknocker and pounded on the door once, twice, three times. My nose caught the faint, but fairly recent, whiff of an elderly human male, so I assumed there was at least one servant around to answer the door. When no one came, I knocked again.

Eventually, I heard the shuffle of footsteps in the hall, and the scent of elderly human grew stronger. The locks disengaged, and the front door slowly opened to reveal a skinny, white-haired man with rheumy eyes, dressed in an ancient-looking black suit.

“Good evening,” he said in a warbling old-man voice, and I suppose it was, since it was nearing five o’clock now. “How can I help you?”

“I’m from the Enforcer’s Guild, here to speak with Mr. Jonias Ballos.” I held up my bracelet as proof. “Is he in residence?”

“Yes,” the old man said, squinting as he eyed us up and down. “Though I don’t think he’ll see you.”

“Tell him I just need to ask him a few questions.” I held up my bracelet, and he leaned in closer so he could peer at it. “My bodyguard and I won’t take up too much of his time.”

“An enforcer with a bodyguard, eh?” he said, shaking his head. “My, how times change. I will go and see if he will speak with you. Please wait here.”