The Circle of Duty

by Owen Elgie

  “Well that makes no sense. How is everyone expected to be able to carry out the orders of the meeting? If everyone forgets what they talked about, how do they get anything done?”

  “We have a large group of scribes who record all of the details we need. The records are sealed for the view of the senior members of the house only. The scribes themselves reside at the site but they never retain any of details of any gathering. At least that means we can trust them never to divulge our secrets. Having to kill, find and re-train scribes every time the Guardians gather would be a wholly unproductive situation."

  This time it was my turn to lose the heat.

  Her last comments had again highlighted the difference between us. Despite everything I had been saying to her since I had entered her world; she still hung tightly to the dogmatic expectations which had always been thrown around. People lower down the ladder than her were seen as disposable.

  She noticed the change in me quickly.

  “I was trying to make a joke you petulant fool. You’ve got to try to remember that the whole world isn’t out to get you. Stop looking for faults in everything that’s said around you.”

  I tried to hold on to my righteous indignation but my grip just wasn’t strong enough. Maybe Andrea was right? Did I always fall to the default setting of wanting to rage against the machine? Was I looking for perceived slights when there was just conversation? Granted, there was still a massive amount of the way The Circle as a whole, and individual members (cough, Leatherpants, cough), did things but their methods had been working that way for thousands of years and up to this point seemed to have done a bang up job. There was also no way that I’d be able to get everyone to suddenly change their behaviors overnight. It was a minor miracle to have made the changes that I had already, Andrea making her joke now being a sign that things were different for her.

  I relaxed my own posture and nodded my understanding.

  Andrea maintained her blank expression but showed that she was pleased that I’d calmed down. Maybe that meant that I was changing too?

  She continued with her lesson.

  “When we all enter the bastion which is the Mage's domain, we are expected to lead our retinue to the correct area.”

  “Our retinue? Our eyes are going somewhere without us?” I tried to inject a shot of my own humour into the dialogue. By the expression on Andrea's face, now really wasn’t the time. She continued after casting me in the full force of one of her icy gazes.

  “The retinue will be made up of the senior members of the house force. The Head of House, your general, a healer and an honour guard of at least three of your most able warriors. The stronger the force you should be able to present will be seen as a show that you are willing to protect the whole with your best if needed.”

  Mulling over what she had said, the group I was expected to take practically picked itself. Mike, Mark and my medic Llewellyn were the named members of the team and the strongest and most able fighters would be easy to round up. Mark had seen every one of the ‘team’ up close so he would be able to help me find those most to The Circle's tastes. That just left where I was supposed to be taking them.

  “How will I know where I’ve got to take them all when I’m in the memory-less room? What’s the correct area?” Andrea looked at me like I had wild squeaky panic in my voice but I swear I’d managed to hit casual curiosity.

  “Within the hall, all The Guardian seating is evenly spaced around the edges of a vast space. You’ll be able to recognize exactly where you’ve got to go, probably more than most, trust me. Behind each Guardian Throne is the stone carving of the horror that we stand guard over. You should be able to recognize the form very easily.”

  Well that was a positive. I could picture the face of The Zarrulent, the brute which was imprisoned in the prison I was charged with guarding without any effort. I’d had a few nightmares after the fighting of what Mark had been calling the Mighty Restraining. It sounded a little strange to say the least but it made him happy. That said, there was a level of pride involved in my decision. In a thousand years, it would sound really cool on a tapestry of some kind.

  I took all of the information in and turned it all over in my mind. It seemed to be a very basic set up in terms of pomp and ceremony and that fact threw me off a little. There appeared to have been a huge amount of importance placed on the correct protocol being used in the correct situation from all levels of The Circle. Each and every member of the houses had a rigid expectation that if one thing happened, then they must respond in another set way. Deviation from the prescribed pathways was almost viewed as being the most heinous of crimes. I say almost, but I bet that Leatherpants would have people strung up for not using the correct fork at the dinner table.

  Calming myself from my usual anger, I got back on track with my tutorial.

  “What happens in the meeting proper? Is there anything I’m expected to do or say?”

  Andrea adjusted herself in the sofa and continued what she had to say. There was now no hint of her previous levels of interest in me. She had moved completely on to a teaching session rather than anything else. I was again the student that needed her to show me the correct way to behave.

  “The issues affecting The Circle will be discussed and a course of action will be decided upon. The Mage will chair the meeting and any decisions will be made quickly in line with previous precedents. From what I’ve been told and what I’ve read, these gatherings are rarely extended beyond what is absolutely necessary so it should be over quickly, allowing us all to move on with what needs to be done to combat what is affecting us.”

  That sounded positive. The last thing I needed after the succession of battles in Argentina was for there to be long, drawn out discussions which would most likely be more treacherous to navigate than the fighting. That meant that I didn’t have a great deal of homework to occupy my mind. And Andrea was here and had been showing signs of warming to me again. Sliding up close to her, I thought I’d see how she felt.

  “So you came all the way here, just to make certain that I was up to speed on the expectations of this meeting we’ve all been called to. Thank you for your concern but it would appear that you’ve given me all the information I could have needed very quickly. Maybe your fears about my welfare have been somewhat misplaced?” I tried to hold my expression of cloaked animal suggestion as I spoke and waited now as she pondered how to respond.

  That response was not slow in coming.

  “You think that everything is easy, don’t you? I have come here to be able to show what is expected of you, in line with the task given me by The Mage at your Awakening, and all you see is that you already knew what needs to be done.” She stood up quickly and threw me backwards on the sofa so I landed prone, much like an over-turned tortoise, staring back at her.

  “The gifts of my knowledge and insight are not to be taken lightly. If you feel that you are able to survive the deep waters of what you are about to enter, then I bid you success at their navigation.”

  With that, she turned on her heels and marched towards the big screen which was still showing rugby highlights. Before she hit the wall, a blazing cascade bridge ring snapped into being, and she was through and away from me.

  I sat there on the sofa, staring after the spot she had vanished through. The hanging T.V. screen rocked gently as if hit by an unseen breeze as it settled back to the calm it had before. I wasn’t entirely sure what had just happened but I was pretty certain that I’d made a massive mistake.

  “It was just a joke,” I said after the collapsed ring, almost pleading that Andrea would hear me, but she didn’t. We’d both made the same mistake during our conversation but at least she’d had the chance to explain herself.

  Settling myself into a comfortable seated position, I was left to consider what was going to happen in Egypt. Thanks to today’s little effort, now I had something else to worry about.

  14

  Despite my best efforts, sleep did
n’t come easily to me that night and I was left to lay staring up through the vast skylights at the clouds of the night sky. The unknown of this gathering was playing on my mind but also the need to speak with Andrea again. Add in the knowledge that I wouldn’t be able to remember a single detail of what was being discussed during what I was being summoned to made the whole state of affairs develop into something which had more sharp horns covering its body than I did. Eventually, the sun crept above the horizon and the new day was beginning.

  Resigning myself to the fact that there was going to be no more sleep, I heaved myself up and out of my bed, hoping that my mood would improve as I stood up. It didn’t. Through the early dawn light, all I could think of was the fact that I was again going to be thrust into a place where I was woefully under prepared for what was awaiting me. I did know that there was likely only going to be a relatively small amount of expectations on what I was saying or doing but I was still nervous. Add to that the knowledge that I would soon have to be speaking with Andrea again, and I was really in trouble. Showering quickly and dressing as appropriately as I could think, in a black suit and deep maroon shirt, I made my way down the stairs and headed towards the kitchens.

  Since I’d first been welcomed into this house, the kitchens had always been a great comfort to me. Not because I felt a strong kinship with the people who worked there, although I had got to know them all very well, but because this was where I could usually find Mark and Mike. These men had been my closest confidantes since I’d started out as the Guardian and as such were the two that I trusted beyond all others in my house. Wandering casually into the kitchens, it still blew my mind the level of activity that could be found in here at any time of day or night.

  Today was the carbon copy of any number of days as white clad staff members hustled and bustled around the space, all with a very determined focus on the purpose of their movement. Looking around I was struggling to be able to pinpoint anything as there was steam and all manner of other gases emanating from the various foods which were being prepared. Taking a deep breath through my nose, I was able to bombard my sense of smell with a startling range of smells, all of which were connected to a wonderful taste. Working my way through the cacophony of aromas, I could make out the expected bacon, sausage and egg of the full English but there was also the more subtle hint of laver bread and cockles floating about, component parts of the full Welsh. These and fish, curries and other roasted meats were smells all trying to take ownership of my nostrils.

  Looking around the room, sifting through the smells and sounds which were jumping up at me like an excited puppy, I was able to eventually pick out Mark at the back of the room, casting a severe eye over everything which was going on before him. He looked every inch the hard task master, dressed still in his chef’s uniform, but his expression was that of a man who was equally at home on the battlefield. He expected the best from his people because that was what he would be expecting of himself.

  Straightening myself up as tall as I could manage and pushing as much lordly authority into my stride, I worked my way through the melee to stand at his side. The other people in the kitchen carried on their duties but were all very careful to give me a clear path as I walked.

  “Morning sir.” Mark greeted me in his usual deep tone without releasing the kitchen as a whole from his gaze. Everyone else knew the eye of expectation was on them and I could already sense the extra starching of postures in reaction to my appearance.

  “Morning Mark. You’re up early? What’s going on?”

  “Just preparation for the day sir. I want to make certain that this event passes correctly. The Guardian must be fully alert for what is expected today and I will make sure that you are.”

  I smiled to myself at his words. I thought I’d been getting a little on edge about the day. At least I was the boss. They were pretty much stuck with me. If anyone else did something unforgivable they could expect a great deal more than just a scowling put down. Suddenly all of the fears I’d had for the day started to drain away as I thought about everyone else in this room and I was quickly very tired, a massive weight of nervous energy leaving me with the realization that it wasn’t only me who was going to be under the microscope.

  My need to be active and up and about was rapidly draining away and seeing what was happening in the kitchen showed me that my presence was going to be viewed as yet more pressure being added to a situation which really didn’t need it.

  “Thanks mate. Will you bring me up the full works please? That’s exactly what I’ll need at this awful time of the day.”

  I slapped him once on the back as I left as a way of showing that we were more than just master and servant. I’d been aiming at slightly too hard which seemed to be the only way anyone seemed to do it to me but judging by Marks utter lack of reaction, I’d feel confident in saying that I’d missed what I’d been aiming for.

  Heading back into the hallway, towards the stairs which would take me back to my room, my mind was drifting to all corners of everywhere rather than being focused on the here and now. The formally elusive sleep was now circling me like an unseen predator and it was just at that point that I absent mindedly walked into the hurrying form of Mike.

  “Sorry Michael. Was in my own little world there. You’re up early? Nervous about today?” I could see from the deep creases which were etched over his forehead that he was feeling the weight of worry. Coupled to that the slightly mussed condition of his hair and the twitching glances and it looked like he’d been up all night working.

  “Indeed sir,” he breathed and started to ease his way passed me, obviously in a rush to complete whatever task he had before the events of the day could begin in earnest. I let him go but called after him.

  “Don’t beat yourself up too much. Whatever fun and games we’ve got waiting for us can’t be that bad. If in doubt, blame me.”

  He carried on out of view without acknowledging the comment, so I was left alone again. If Mike was feeling the stresses of expectation to the level that he obviously was, this gathering of Guardians really must be a big deal. Locking that thought away, I headed back to my room to await the allotted hour.

  The food was brought up and I was quickly through all of it. As far as I could place, I had a few hours before I was due to bridge jump my selected team of staff to Egypt. Even before the decision was made, I was laying on the bed, asleep.

  My dreams ran through the usual collection of mismatched images, like my memory had been shuffled and dealt out in a new and exciting hand. Images from my life and from the Guardians who had preceded me wafted around, giving the whole feel of a very poorly made action film. I let the images swim and made no attempt to truly watch them. I knew that whatever was going to happen today, it wouldn’t hold any place in my mind. If anything, this made the sleep even more relaxing.

  I was eventually woken with a very gentle nudge.

  Forcing my bleary eyes to peel open against the wonderful effects of sleep, I could make out Mike standing over me, a serious smile on his face.

  “Sorry bach. We’ve left you here as long as we could but it’s time to get underway.” His tone was apologetic but there remained that familiar hint of humour. Propping myself up on my elbows I tried again to get my eyes fully open and my brain fully engaged. Still wasn’t looking that good.

  “You get all your jobs done? You don’t seem quite so stressed as you did earlier.”

  Mike’s smile grew wider at that. He still held the expression of concern but he was looking happier at me asking after him. He offered me his hand and helped me to my feet.

  “You’ll need to change your attire sir,” he continued. “I’m afraid your current choice has reacted badly to your rest.”

  Looking down as he directed, it was easy to see that my previous choice of lordly apparel was now looking far from lordly. Creases had been allowed to roam freely over every area of my clothing and there seemed to be at least two different stains from the food which h
ad been brought in.

  “Right. I’ll go change. Get everyone together and I’ll meet you all out the front of the house in twenty minutes.”

  Without further discussion I was across the room, heading for the bathroom and hopping out of my clothes. I heard the heavy wooden door whisper closed as Mike left me and knew that I had to put my mind together quickly for what was already shaping to be one of the most vitally important days of my life.

  I was down the stairs and at the arranged spot a full five minutes faster than I had told the others. They were all stood waiting for me anyway. Casually stepping down to meet them I was again back trying to exude the maximum amount of power and authority. Judging from the reactions from most of the assembled group, I’d managed to have a little success. Maybe I was growing into the role as the leader of this estate?

  “Good choice sir,” Mike offered as I approached them. I straightened my grey jacket and thanked him.

  “You guys all look a little swish. Suddenly I feel a little under dressed.” Mike and Mark smirked ever so slightly but not that the others with us would have seen. Mike had selected three members of the staff here to act as the honour guard and they had a very creepy quality about all of them. They were triplets so were identical. Reviewing the assembled crowd, I did my best to push the ceremonial review posture forward but I don’t think I was that successful. The three guards all worked in the estate as the maintenance crew. I’d seen them in action when they had been doing a startling amount of work on the re-building of the house following my attempts to knock it down. The three men were of average height, average build with average faces. They all had the same average haircut and stood in such a manner as to make your eyes just pass right over them. Indeed, it was only the memory of them being so massively active during the building work that I was able to really pay them any heed at all. Thinking about it, that bland, magnolia averageness could be a very useful trait where we were going.