Chapter 17
My day hadn’t yet ended. I let Dena convey the results of our meeting with Hunter’s father, with the request for visitation rights, to Victoria and the young man concerned. In the meantime, my intention to work on producing another set of powerful personal shield charms came to a crashing stop with the arrival of a vehicle with diplomatic plates.
When the pixies informed me of the vehicle’s arrival, I allowed the front gates to be opened, sealing the protective shields behind it. The occupants were a driver, and as we discovered, a senior embassy secretary, and two young Tir-Kiran mages. Shape shifter mages. I shuddered. Somehow, I was caught between a rock and a harder rock. I should somehow undo my invitation—or request—without making an immediate enemy of the Tir-Kiran. Alternatively, I had to neutralize their presence.
I muttered to Leopold as we made our way to the front drive, “How do I get out of this? I don’t think it’s prudent to have Red Dragon shapeshifter mages—even junior ones—inside our defensive shields. At least, not for more than a very short visit.”
“Agree. Difficult.”
I triggered an immediate reduction in the overt power of the wall shields; my intent was to portray a less powerful image. It was probably too late.
I welcomed the secretary and his two charges and showed them into the more formal part of the first floor. His attire was a copy of the military dress we’d observed at the embassy. The two young mages were female. Each wore red body-length gowns with a red hood, thrown back, revealing long and extremely red hair. Their powers were shielded. Either they were good, or someone had worked on their shields before they left the embassy. The secretary, too, was a mage. His power was leaking through his shield; either he was not so aware or was sending a message. I kept my powers well-shielded. I was tempted to release them when our meeting ended.
The secretary had difficulties in deciding whether to focus on me or Leopold. I said, “Lord Ren is a guest of mine. He will agree, I am confident, you can discuss matters with me.”
Leopold nodded.
The secretary stuttered, “I-I wasn’t certain. Yes, I’d been informed of Lord Ren’s presence—”
“So, what can I do for you?”
“Ah, my name, Sir Zed, is Nova. My two companions are the junior mages mentioned by the ambassador. This is Sher Myr and Sher Hros.”
Dena was with me, and we all exchanged greetings.
I decided to get to the point. “Ser Nova, we are searching for a soul stealer nest. They are due to hatch in the next five or six days. We have indications some may already be feeding. My key question is whether your two mages have familiarity with soul stealers?”
The secretary translated my question for his two companions. I discerned an attitude of doubt from the apparent elder of the two young mages. I said, “Sher Myr, you have doubts?”
She blushed. “Sir Zed, no, I entertain no doubts as to your word. I just wonder whether your information—whether whoever informed you—might be in error.”
“My source was impeccable. Also, more than ten deaths have been reported in the last two to three days, in unusual circumstances.” I had Jonesie’s number for missing working girls plus the murder at Smithfield Market. “Total disappearance of bodies. Soul stealer hatchlings have started to feed.”
She didn’t seem convinced.
“Have you—either of you—experience of soul stealers? I asked.
Both the young mages shook their heads. The secretary didn’t reply although I could sense he would have said yes. I looked at him. “Ser Nova—you have?”
“Years ago. It took us half a year to eliminate them. We lost a—considerable—number of our mages.”
“Very well. Let me suggest this. If your two mages are prepared to work with us, can they report here tomorrow morning? I plan to send out teams of pixies to search Londin, starting in Soho and working outward, to see if they can detect the hatchery.”
“How will they know?” Sher Myr asked.
“I created an odor that was representative of a soul stealer hatchery. It’s now imprinted onto their olfactory senses.”
Ser Nova shuddered. His two companions were nonplused. “Once you have encountered the smell—you will remember it forever.”
I checked if Dena had any comment or question and when she indicated no, I said to the secretary, “I’d like to assess the abilities of your mages, if I may?”
“Certainly, Sir Zed. What do you have in mind?”
I didn’t wish to reveal my powers, yet I needed to assess each of the mages, including the secretary. Dena earlier had created a new, although modest, shield spell for Marcus, layering it over a stronger shield, one of mine. I planned to strengthen both shields later. The outer spell would serve for testing purposes and its removal would not harm my new guard. I said, “Marcus is protected by a shield spell. I’d like you, in turn, to tell me whether you can detect it?”
I observed as the two junior mages attempted to detect the shield. Their efforts were, I decided, purposefully clumsy. They both said they could. I asked the secretary, “Ser Nova, what about you?”
He replied, after a moment, “Yes, I can.” He hadn’t dissembled as much as the two junior mages; however, he had power he wasn’t displaying.
“Can you cancel the shield?”
The two young mages attempted the task and said they were unable to. Ser Nova focused for a few seconds and stripped the shield away. None of the Tir-Kiran mages mentioned the removal had uncovered a far stronger shield spell protecting Marcus.
I wondered.
“Ser Nova, we’ll be defining search areas for the teams tomorrow morning starting at about six a.m. Would you and your mages like to join us later in the morning, to assist when—if—we discover the hatchery?”
“Why certainly, Sir Zed. We can be here at nine a.m., if that suits your schedule?”
“Good. We’ll see you then.” While I hadn’t undone the invitation, I’d ensured it would be relatively harmless.
After the three Tir-Kiran departed, and after we’d conducted a thorough search for spy spells, we convened in the more comfortable office, the one I used for family and friends. We’d found and destroyed three spells. We kept the fourth one and fed it static and blurred images.
“Leopold, what do you think?” I asked. “Are those two the best?”
“No. Don’t trust. Dupes. Sacrifice. Excuse for Embassy attack.”
He confirmed my suspicions and I said so. Dena’s mouth opened, and she closed it again without speaking. After she had more time to reflect, she said, “You really think the Tir-Kiran ambassador would do that?”
“He has human slaves. He suspects I have more power than I’ve revealed. As we’ve discussed, I suspect the Tir-Kiran want to invade and take over this planet and possibly to control this universe. I’m convinced their plan includes my death. I even suspect the soul stealers were designed and planted by the Tir-Kiran military.”
“Wow. I hadn’t put it together quite like that.” She grabbed my hand. “But we’re building up reinforcements, aren’t we?”
“Small, in comparison.” I noticed Leopold was trying to leave. I said, “Go, find us more Dar-Iide recruits.” His departure was as silent as usual. Marcus was equally unobtrusive as he took over the role of primary bodyguard; it must be a Dar-Iide trait.
I tried to relax. Dena was correct in part about reinforcements. We had Lucifer’s support; at least, I thought we did. Hurian would help ensure Hunter’s and Victoria’s safety, and perhaps his scope would include Morwen. Dena and I, apart from hundreds of pixies and the resources Leopold could find, were almost on our own. The hundreds of pixies thought resonated. I suggested to Dena we head outside. On the way, I asked Marcus, “Do you speak Pixish?”
He shook his head. Darn, we needed a couple of Leopolds, at the very least.
I sought out the senior pixie, the one I’d spoken to before setting off the stink bomb. He was busy training some younger pixies with their
crossbows. When he saw me, he broke off and joined us. He removed his helmet; the two horns reached almost as far as his arms.
“Sir Zed, what can I do for you?”
“Ron hie Ronald, we might need more assistance with our defenses. The soul stealers could be the first attack against us. Do you know of anyone else we could call on for assistance, to help us?”
The pixie was silent for over a minute. At last, he sighed. “We have some pet megaliths.” When he saw my blank expression, he added, “You know, stone people. Also, we know some dwarves. They might help, if the pay is right. You know, with them, once bought, they stay bought.”
“What would we do with megaliths?”
“If they rested inside, against the walls, no one could break through.”
“You would have enough to be meaningful?”
“Hundreds. No pay required, they’re our pets.”
“I could supply some moss or lichen?”
“Aah, they’d love that. Yes, we can arrange delivery tonight. Very noisy, though—keep neighbors awake.” Ron hie Ronald seemed to enjoy the possibility.
The closest neighbors were already annoyed; they’d caught a nose full of hatchery stink and the complaint letters were mounting. They’d thrown stones at some of the pixies, who, naturally, returned the favor. There were reports of broken windows. “I don’t mind. And dwarves, what do you think we can do there?”
“King of Londin dwarves is cousin by marriage, a hundred years ago. Can you help with magic spells, to strengthen the big tube they’re building under Londin?”
“I can try. I didn’t know they were working on a tube? Whatever for?”
“To use with people carriers. No, I don’t know how. They’re worried they could damage some building foundations—the palace won’t give them permission to dig underneath. Same with Westminster. Prime Minister said go away. At least I understand it was something like that—bloody exit, or blexit, or something. English is so difficult, sometimes.”
“It sounds interesting. Introduce me to your cousin and I’ll see. Also, if you have more pixies who would enjoy a battle, they might help us.”
“Aah. More pixies will be easy. They’ve heard about Angel breakfasts. I can add fifty warriors with no difficulty. My other cousin, Augustus, will help.”
We added and concluded some negotiations and Dena and I returned to the house. I needed a coffee, and I think Dena did, too.
She held my hand all the way.
oOo
Chapter 18
Sleeping was difficult. The grinding and creaking of huge megaliths arriving and moving into position continued through the night. The noise kept the whole household awake. I’d taken refuge in my sitting room, where Dena joined me shortly after midnight. Somehow, we both sat on the same two-seater settee and our limbs were inexplicably tangled. Her closeness was relaxing and totally nerve-wracking at the same time. I wondered how that could be so. I started to ask Dena if she knew the answer and she placed her finger across my lips.
“Shh.”
Well, that was that. I went to sleep.
Pre-dawn, there was an extra burst of grinding and creaking from outside, accompanied by shouts and loud Pixish voices. I untangled myself—reluctantly—from Dena’s long legs and went to the window and looked down onto the front drive. I was on the second floor and had no recollection of reaching my bedroom; Dena’s magic must be improving in power. I looked out the window and chuckled to myself.
There was enough light to see Leopold and Marcus talking to one of the senior pixies; it was Augustus, Ron hie Ronald’s cousin. Leopold was waving his hand around, his impatience obviously increasing. The pixie was standing firm, his arms folded. I decided I should join them to resolve whatever issue had arisen.
My movements disturbed Dena and she woke up. For a few seconds, she was silent as she looked around the room. “We’re in your bedroom?”
“Yes. I thought you—?”
“No, I didn’t.” A very mischievous expression spread across her face. “If I had thought of it, then yes—”
“So, who moved us to my bed?”
Dena giggled. “Perhaps our minds worked it out for us?”
“Do you think they’ll keep doing that?”
“Probably. Or perhaps we both decided to sleepwalk at the same time.”
I expressed my doubt. The thought that, sound asleep, our minds moved us here, was startling; it also was likely to be true. I reached for my dressing gown.
Dena asked, “Where are you going?”
“I think Leopold and Augustus have reached an impasse of some kind. Want to help?”
She stretched, her body enticing. “No. Make sure you return here when you sort them out. Wake me.”
With that encouragement, my discussion was brief. Leopold had recruited fifty or more Dar-Iide soldiers and the pixies were trying to keep them outside the gate. In the meantime, megaliths were still grinding their way into the property.
I explained to both. “Augustus, Leopold is adding to my defenses. Let his recruits enter. Leopold, we’re adding megaliths, pixies, and probably some dwarves to help us. Both of you, work together.”
I headed back to my bedroom, hopeful there would be no further issues. Dena was waiting for me. I climbed back into bed and enveloped her in an embrace. Seconds later there was a knock on my door.
“Zed, we can’t find Dena.” It was Morwen.
Dena laughed. “There’s no hiding anything in this household.”
I sighed. “Come in, Morwen. She’s here, with me. We couldn’t sleep.”
The door opened slowly and Morwen’s head peeped around. Victoria’s head followed
They both jumped onto my bed and snuggled up to Dena, all three giggling. I heard Morwen whisper, “Did anything happen?”
“No, darn it,” Dena whispered back. The giggling intensified.
Humbled, I decided to check what Leopold and Augustus had resolved. Showered and dressed, I headed outside. Marcus was waiting for me and followed.
Leopold was directing Dar-Iide soldiers through the gate from where they headed to the rear of the houses. I counted forty of them and realized there must be more already inside the property. As the last one entered the gates, which Leopold swung closed, I was able to catch up with him. I checked the time; our pixie force would be arriving soon.
“How many did you recruit?”
“Manipulus.”
A handful? I thought for a moment and realized Leopold was referring to a Roman military unit of eighty. I confirmed my guess, “What—eighty?”
Leopold nodded. “Good men. Marooned. With officers.”
“You’ll start them training today?”
“No. Sleep. All. Long way.”
“Very well. We start our hunt for the hatchery this morning. You can assist later, if you’re awake.”
I walked the boundary wall; the inside was reinforced, supported now by huge rocks; the megaliths had certainly arrived. The smallest was higher than my head and some reached above the combined height of the wall and razor wire, together. I made a mental note for Finders to find and supply lichen and moss suitable to use for rewarding rocks. I shook my head at the thought. Pet rocks. Whatever next, I wondered.
I looked for Augustus. He had persuaded Leopold to move his recruits as far to the rear as they could manage without climbing over the wall. He explained it was temporary; the reason—Angel and her cooks and helpers had begun to prepare breakfast for five hundred pixies. I thanked him and wandered into the kitchen.
This time Angel took pity on me and handed me an extra-large English breakfast. My morning was made. Almost. Minutes later I was joined by the three girls and we sat and enjoyed our meal.
My cell phone sprite kicked my ribs. It was a message from Mowers. I listened to his report.
The girls looked at me. I said, “It was Mowers. Another group of people missing, including a bus load of fifteen tourists—that’s twenty-five missing and presumed dead, overnigh
t.”
“The soul stealer hatchlings are feeding?” Dena said.
“Definitely. They’ll be viciously hungry. They’ll consume more, now, every day. The politicians will be getting involved with questions in parliament and that sort of thing.”
The cell phone sprite kicked me again. This time it was the chief superintendent, himself. “This is Parley. I thought you were solving this fucking soul stealing problem for us?”
“I beg your pardon?” I had made no such promise.
“Listen, Zed, the chief constable is holding my feet to the fire. I need resolution quickly. I allocated men to Mowers. Get out there and help.”
I disconnected without replying. Some people can rain on your parade without even trying. I contacted Mowers.
“Just had your chief super, being bitchy, at me.”
“Yeah. Ten minutes ago, the bastard ripped me a new one. It wouldn’t hurt for him to get directly involved.”
“We’re set up to start searching this morning. I’ve assembled a large crew. I’m hopeful.”
“Good. When can you get here, to my station?”
I reflected for a moment, trying to organize my schedule. “I’ll have my lot heading off to Soho by eight a.m. Why don’t you check with me, there?”
“Yeah, that works. Thenk yuh, mon. Likkle more den.” Mowers didn’t often drop into patois. He was worried.
“Dena, I don’t think you or Morwen should go to Finders today. Leopold and his men are exhausted, so we only have Marcus to take on guard duty. No debate; accept it. Can you please ask Angel if she can hurry the breakfasts? We need to get our searchers into gear as quickly as possible. I want Victoria and Hunter to stay home, too. All day.”
My raft of instructions was interrupted by one of the pixies. There was a delivery at the front gate. I said to the girls, “I won’t be long.”
The delivery vehicle, a small white van, was branded ‘Hounds for Life.’ The driver’s companion handed me a lead, the other end of which was attached to the largest dog I’d ever seen. It looked like someone had used a wolfhound as a model and expanded it beyond reason. He had green eyes, his fur was deep brown and long, and a tail that didn’t stop moving. I sent him an image of Lucifer and he jumped up with his fore paws on my shoulders and tried to lick my nose. Yes, this was Hunter’s guard dog.
Soul Mayhem: Zed's Chronicles of the Parallel Universe Disruptions Page 12
