While working on Cursed Magic I frequently find myself referring back to the text of Bared Magic because I’m a scatterbrain who can’t maintain a world bible to save her life. This morning, among the various haphazard world-building notes, I found a sort of deleted scene from Bared Magic. Well, not so much as a deleted scene as an original version of a scene that’s still in the book. In the book, the scene is viewed from Callum’s perspective. This first version actually has us hop into the head of one Mr. Dexter Points. Anyway, I thought it would be fun to share with you this, uh, different perspective. Enjoy!
What a disagreeable business, Dexter Points thought as he led the unsuspecting werebear into his office. If Martin Carlisle found out about this, Dexter could kiss his cushy job goodbye. The old man would never approve of the business partners Dexter was engaged with. Then again, the old man also wasn’t aware just how dangerously close they’d come to bankruptcy under Dexter’s predecessor. The loans had been necessary, even if the repayment was distasteful. This young man seemed like a nice enough fellow. Despite his size, he rather reminded Dexter of his eldest son. A disagreeable business indeed.
Dexter told Callum to have a seat. He’d have to make a show of discussing passenger bearing routes and making suggestions until Windholt’s goons showed up to do the actual dirty work. He had to suppress a sigh. Martha would be so disappointed in him if she knew what he was doing. His wife was a good, upstanding woman who wouldn’t understand.
Callum mostly seemed interested in well defended caravans going to large cities, the sorts of places where one could get lost in the crowd. Dexter had been to a few of the places he inquired about and answered the man’s questions honestly. He tried to steer him towards places he knew Windholt had little influence. On the off chance that the werebear escaped, maybe he would remember the advice.
There was a knock at the door, and Tilly stuck her head in. Such a lovely child, sweet as honey and dumb as a box of rocks. She was perfect for conveying coded messages because she never questioned them.
“Mr. Points? I’m sorry to interrupt, but Lord Windholt’s man is here for his package.”
“Send him in, Tilly.” To Callum he said, “Pardon me, this will only take a second.”
