by Claire Frank
“Number One,” a voice barked, and he snapped to attention, standing erect and staring obediently ahead.
He heard footsteps behind him. Slow, patient. He knew the sound of those footsteps, the precise click, click, click of the shoes on the stones, the swish of the robes on the ground. The mere sound of those footsteps made his stomach clench with renewed fear. He held himself still and suffered the inspection, the scrutiny, as Nihil circled him, looking him up and down. Deep inside, he wanted to scoff, to turn up his nose at such treatment. He pushed the feeling down so hard he almost gasped. Such thoughts were dangerous.
“I have orders for you, Number One,” Nihil said.
Number One gave a brief nod, otherwise keeping still.
“There is another guest I would like to invite into our”—he paused and gestured around at the crumbling courtyard—”home. This person will be a valuable contributor to the work we are doing here. I have very high hopes for him; high hopes indeed.” Nihil took a few steps toward him. “Inviting him here, however, is likely to prove… complicated. This situation requires great care and certain precautions.”
Number One nodded again, a brisk up and down of his chin. Whatever questions he may have had never made it near his lips. You didn’t ask Nihil questions.
“I need you to take Number Four and Number Five with you. Number Two will follow behind to clean up your trail. Sindre will give you the details. As I said, this is an important task. I trust you will keep things well in hand.”
Who was Nihil after that he deemed so important? And why send four of them? Number One often extended Nihil’s so-called invitations alone. Curiosity, a long-since-forgotten sensation, rose in Number One.
“Preparations are already underway,” Nihil continued. “I expect our new guest will be available in a few days’ time.” He crossed the distance to Number One in a few quick strides and peered into the slit in his mask. Nihil’s eyes were unnerving, a swirl of blue and green. Number One did his best not to flinch at his gaze. Do my eyes look like that now? “I expect you to bring our guest here and I expect him to be very much alive and in good condition when he arrives. Is that understood?”
Number One gave another brisk nod.
Nihil walked away, his careful stride clicking on the cobblestone. Number One reached to scratch the back of his neck as he awaited Sindre. Another new guest. If there had been any room left in him for pity, he would have felt it for whoever Nihil was sending him after.
Continue reading To Whatever End...
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
For Dad. Thank you for making sure I used my powers for good instead of evil.
To the fantastic beta readers who took time out of their busy schedules to read and offer their thoughts: Dan Bogh, Jane Brooks, Marina Finlayson, CeeCee James, Molly Moore, Jen Rassmussen, and Josh Wedin. Your feedback and critiques were invaluable in helping shape this story. Thank you!
To Tammi, for making sure this baby didn’t go out with her slip showing. And for Princess Bride references in your notes. Epic.
To Trevor, for once again bringing my characters to life. Thank you for sharing your talent.
To Shayne, for putting the finishing touches on the cover and taking it to the next level. You rock.
Finally, to David. Let’s keep making cool sh*t together.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Claire Frank is a longtime fantasy fan who was raised on a steady diet of magic and wonder. She started writing as a child and somewhere along the way, realized she had worlds to explore and stories to share. Immersed in fantastical worlds, she can explore love, loss, heartbreak, fear, companionship, loyalty, betrayal and redemption. She can walk with a character as they stumble, fall, fail, rise, and try again.
Her husband David is her co-creator in everything she does. He is blessed with an abundant imagination and a tendency to daydream. Together, they craft worlds, banter ideas, create characters and develop their stories. She may be the one to craft the words on the page, but he is a part of every word.
They live in the Pacific Northwest with their three children. Claire loves coffee, great books, The Princess Bride, chocolate, and bacon. Because everything is better with bacon.
