by P M Cole
“If this council was looking for Mr Gladwell…” said Olivia.
“Hmm…yes, it would seem his request did not go too well.” Lucas’s shoulders slouched. “There is so much we do not know.”
“We are also greatly outnumbered,” said Bernard.
“And outpowered,” said Lucas. “But Hades couldn’t have corrupted all those that come from other realms, that now walk in ours. We need to find those that are still pure of heart and will fight with us.”
“How will we find them?” I said.
“There is a group I was connected with many years ago. One of them used to reside at a particular place—”
“Ugh, not there…” said Bernard.
“They might be willing to help…”
Those of us that were not steeped in magical London looked at each other, confused.
“It’s a vipers pit, full of magical miscreants!” continued Bernard.
“I want to go,” said Colin.
Olivia rolled her eyes.
“It also means another river ride…” said Lucas.
“Oh…”
“You are welcome to come,” said Lucas. “And, Cog, it may be useful if you accompany us, if you want to?”
“Make sure you wear that suit of yours,” grumbled Bernard.
“Is it like the Euston Bazaar?” I asked.
“Yes. But with magic,” said Lucas.
“Won’t Finlay’s people be there?”
“More than likely, although unlike in non-magic circles Hades doesn’t have control of the Factory, it’s hallowed ground. No magic may be used against other magic users.”
“Hmm…but against us human’s it’s fine!” said Bernard.
“You sound like you had a bad time there, old friend?”
Bernard sighed. “Don’t ask.”
Lucas looked directly at me, as did most around the table. “Will you come with us?”
I nodded. “When do we leave?”
CHAPTER TWO
I chose a different bedroom to sleep in than before. This one faced east directly into the woods, which acted as a natural barrier around the estate. I looked at my pocket watch. 1:20 a.m.
Agh… can’t sleep.
It had been a week since the confrontation with Hades and the others, and each time night came, despite the tiredness which weighed on me, I was only sleeping when dawn appeared. The dark held too many dangers.
As I lay, I thought about the shop, which, despite bearing my name, I had only managed to open for a few days, taking care of prior orders without allowing any new customers to bring their clocks in for repair. Mr Gladwell would not approve, but Hades knew of the location, and being there just gave him an easy target. I longed for the day when I could just be ‘Cog: Clock seller and repairer’ and perhaps expand into some other devices, but that day would not be anytime soon.
My mind switched to Colin. My affection for him had crept up on me, distracted as I was by Byron. But I remained concerned that his feelings would end up getting him killed… as they did. So, for the last few days I had tried to remain more resolute against how I felt. It pained me to do so, but it was for his own good, even if he did not understand.
I sat up, pushing my pillow behind me to prop myself up, and opened one of Lucas’s many volumes. “Bellcroft’s Greek and Roman Myths and Gods. Vol 1,” I said under my breath. He had dumped this and many other heavy books in my arms when we all rose for bed, telling me I needed to be educated.
I leaned to my side to light my oil lamp when my attention was caught by a sparkle within the darkness of distant trees. At first, I thought it was a reflection of some kind, but standing near the window just confirmed it was real and hovering just beyond the tree line.
I strained my eyes to better see, but all I could gather was something was moving around within the trunks and branches. I listened to the house around me for any sign that someone else had seen the light, but not even a creak of timbers could I hear. I unlatched the window, pulling it open. A rush of icy cold air made me inhale. I leaned forward, but still couldn’t see what it was. I wondered if it was someone from the nearby farm, or possibly a poacher? Or perhaps it was someone or thing sent from Hades, and they were watching from as close as they could get.
I had to know.
I quickly climbed into my suit, placing the helmet upon my head then hurried back to the window. Sliding the eye lenses down upon my right eye extended my vision into the night.
I expected to see a figure in the shadows but, instead, I still only saw the hovering light. Although, now added to it was a yellow hue which lit the trunks of the trees around it. My instincts were telling me I was seeing some form of magic.
If it had been sent from Hades, it couldn’t hurt me even if I were standing a few feet in front of it as I would still be on Wraith land. At least that’s what Lucas told me earlier.
I leaned out and looked down the side of the building. The ground, being bathed in heavy shadow, seemed impossibly far away, but moving through the house would alert the others and I wanted to investigate this alone. Only Lucas amongst the rest in the house could handle himself where magic was concerned, but I needed to stop relying upon him and others of his ilk. I had done that for the past six years without realising it, and it had to stop. But how to get down?
I remembered the thin but strong twine across my wrist. I untied some of it and tied it around the post of the bed, then ran it out. I looked at how much was left on the band, then back outside to the ground. I wasn’t sure I had enough, but I presumed it would get me most of the way, and I would just have to jump the rest.
I carefully climbed out onto the ledge, twisting my hand to unravel the twine. A gust of wind blew, making me grab the frame. I looked out at the grounds of Wraith manor, bathed in moonlight. It seemed peaceful, almost as if I was looking upon one of the other realms that had been talked about. I looked back to the trees to make sure the light was still there. It was. The words ‘Will-o'-the-Wisp’ jumped into my mind, although I wasn’t sure where I had heard that before.
I sat on the ledge, making sure the twine was connected, then lowered myself as quickly as I could while trying to use my other hand to grab hold of any ledges I could find. After about ten feet, I saw the impression of flower beds and the gravel path which ran around the edge of the building.
Not far…
I went to unravel more twine when found I couldn’t. I was all out.
“Hell…”
The ground was still at least six feet away, but I was going to have to drop. Letting one of the blades extend from my arm, I prepared myself then slid it across the twine. The fall wasn’t a long one, but I still landed in a rather prickly bush. Jumping out of that as quickly as possible, I looked up. Going back that way wasn’t going to be possible. But that was a problem for later.
I looked into the gloom. The peculiar light was now much clearer, despite the darkness, and was completely disconnected from any living being around it.
Definitely magical.
I ran forward across the short distance to the tree line, being ready at any moment to fire crossbow bolts, then stopped only a few yards from the sparkle lighting the trees around it. That was when I heard the voice. At first, I thought it was the wind rustling amongst the leaves, but I recognised words and then… my name.
“Cog…”
I stepped closer, raising my arm in case the thing suddenly grew fangs and wings, but instead it just bobbed and weaved, left and right.
“What are you!” I demanded.
“I cannot come to you… you have to follow…”
“Who sent you? Hades?”
A strong gust of wind almost pushed me onto my rear and the trunks around me creaked and moaned.
“Follow…”
The yellow light moved off into the dark, illuminating a narrow path below it.
I looked down at where the Wraith property ended and the wilderness began, then stepped over the line.
Things moved in the darkness.
“Follow…” said the voice again. The light was now a good ten yards away.
I looked back at the manor, shook my head, then jogged across the undergrowth, trying not to be caught on twigs or branches.
The light had now thankfully stopped. I quickly made my way to it, emerging into a clearing. Just as I took another step, the light shone brilliantly and, in a radiant burst, expanded into a person.
Athena stood in front of me, just as I saw her before.
She smiled. “The magic that protects you at the house and grounds also prevents me from coming closer.”
“I don’t think that’s what Lucas intended…”
“Be that as it may. I wanted to talk to you. We do not have long, for the minions of Hades lurk in these old woods…”
We both looked into the absolute wall of black which was pressing against the light that Athena was casting.
“I know Chronus sacrificed his earthly presence to save you and your friends.”
“Earthly?”
Athena smiled. “His essence, as with all godly beings, is eternal, regardless of what vessel it takes physical form in.”
“So… he’s not dead? Mr Gladwell—”
She rested her hand on my shoulder. “We have other matters to discuss.” She walked a little distance away, before turning to face me. “Because of your knowledge of the previous time, you are a greater threat to Hades than ever. He will not stop at trying to bend you to his cause…”
“He knows… umm Mr Gladwell changed things?”
“Of course. He is a celestial being, as all of you are. You will all be aware of what went before… but…” She looked thoughtful. “There are other things, you are still not aware of… that perhaps you should now know…”
I stood, mystified as to her meaning.
“I have to take you back to that night.”
I knew instinctively what time in my past she was referring to. I took a step back. “Why?”
She held her hand out. “You need to see. Take my hand.”
Every part of me screamed to turn and run, anything but return to my deepest memories. But, instead, I cautiously walked to her and held her hand.
I was floating in the night sky with ice flakes falling past me. Some feet below, two people and a young child were climbing into a carriage, outside the bright lights of a theatre. The driver jumped up front, joining another man, then twitched the reins, and they pulled away onto the snow-covered road.
I moved with them, past city buildings, until we entered a park, one of London’s largest, moving along a narrow lane which divided it. The coach suddenly stopped. The two men looked at each other, then one jumped down and shouted something at those inside. I strained my ears to better hear, but the angry words were muffled due to the swirling winds.
My father got out and lost his hat to a strong gust. He took two steps forward and… I wanted to look away as I knew what was about to happen, but this was the past, I could not change it, so I forced my eyes to see. A flash and a pop, both of which were taken by the snow storm as soon as they appeared, were followed by my father grabbing his chest. My own heart ached seeing his pain, and then watching him slump to the ground. Finley, gun in hand, bent down to check my father was dead. He then looked up and shouted at the carriage.
“No… don’t get out…” I shout into the storm, but of course she could not hear me.
The door opened and she emerged. My mother, looking younger and more beautiful than even I pictured in my dreams. She ran to my father’s body, then looked up at Finlay and screamed and… light sprang from her, from her hands, from her arms, her face… a magical white light…
What?
I watched, not understanding what was being revealed to me. Finlay raised his gun and she stood, a vision of anger and Fury. She went to raise her hands, to release her power but there was a muffled sound. She looked down at her stomach. A patch of blood was forming, and amongst my confusion, I could feel my heart breaking.
Giant lizard wings swept past me. It was one of the furies. They descended and landed near Finlay and immediately the demonic creature and he launched into an argument. The Fury then grabbed hold of my mother… and took her skyward…
The Fury took my mother? But she was dead… wasn’t she? Athena? What does this mea—
I was back in the clearing in the woods, Athena’s ethereal light keeping the shadows at bay, but shrinking in size.
“What does that mean? What happened to her?” My heart thundered in my chest. I staggered backwards, my legs feeling weak. “Why did you show me that?” I cried out.
Her face looked pained. “That is what happened, child. What you saw was what your senses at the time recorded of the event. I cannot tell you what happened to your mother because you did not know as well…”
“But I thought she was dead… Did she die? Why did the Fury take her?”
A myriad of questions circled around my brain, each one demanding to be answered.
“I cannot tell you why the Fury did what it did, other than they only do the bidding of the god of the underworld…”
Taking a step back, my foot struck a rock, and I fell into darkness.
CHAPTER THREE
“Mother!” I shouted.
I opened my eyes to the ceiling of my room at the manor. It was daylight, and I was back in my bed.
I sighed.
A dream… All a dream… So real though…
My room door burst open with Colin rushing in.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m—”
My body felt heavy beneath the sheets. I lifted them slightly. I was wearing my suit. A jolt of recognition ran through me.
I sleep walked? I put it on In a dream?
Colin looked inquisitively at the window then walked to it. “Why is there this metal twine…” My heart started to beat faster. He pulled the window open and looked outside. “It’s hanging down outside, along the wall.” He turned to me. “Did you climb down here?”
“No, no, don’t be silly. Why would I do that?”
“But…”
“Please. I wish to get up, and I am quite without clothes under these sheets.”
A flush of red came to his cheeks. “Oh… sorry, I’ll err… okay, sorry.” He suddenly became very interested in the floorboards and left, closing the door behind him.
I let out a breath, pulled the sheets back then promptly fell over my suit's helmet on my way to the window. I looked down at the twine, glinting in the early morning sunlight, and a chill ran through me… No dream… which means what I saw of my mother…
A knock came at the bedroom door.
“Cog? Are you okay? Colin said something about your window and some rope?” said Lucas.
“I was doing an experiment. It’s nothing. I’ll be ready soon!” I shouted.
“Olivia is making some breakfast. We leave for the isle at the end of the hour.”
“I’ll be down!”
I heard his footsteps fade, and stood, looking at the twine then the bank of trees not far off.
It was all real…
I walked backwards, sitting on the bed, recalling what Athena had showed me.
Finlay shot my parents, but my mother… she was magical… and the Fury took her…
Despite being seated, I felt dizzy. I stood and unsteadily made my way back to the window then stuck my head out, allowing the chill breeze to clear my mind.
A short while later I was in the kitchen, eating some bacon and fried potatoes, but my mind was not on the food, despite how good it tasted.
“You’re not liking it?” said Olivia.
I smiled. “It’s good. Mr Gladwell was never the best of cooks.”
“Oh, well it’s good to know godly kings or whatever he was are bad at something!”
I smiled.
“Umm… It… must be difficult, with him being gone, seeing how long you worked for him…”
She
was right. It was difficult, but now, there was something else to fight for my emotions. Should I tell them?
Bernard appeared from the hallway, with a grin. “Now, there’s an aroma I miss. Hessie is a very good housekeeper, but, unfortunately, she never learned how to cook from you,” he said to Olivia.
“Well it wasn’t without trying!”
Bernard chuckled then sat opposite me at the large table. “I heard you are doing an experiment involving rope?” he said to me.
“Ah… yes, but it's too early to talk about it.”
“I see…”
Lucas appeared, already dressed in his long coat and hat. “Are you ready Cog?”
Bernard's expression changed to one of displeasure. As I passed him, I placed my hand on his shoulder. “I’ll be fine.”
Soon, me, Colin, Lucas, and the two-man crew of the boat were making our way on the Thames back into London, but the going was slow due to the patches of ice.
“Another day of this, and you’ll be able to walk from one side to the other,” said the Captain. He was a portly man, with attire more suited to a cutter or steamer, not the small vessel we were in. He pulled a small silver flask from his jacket and offered it to me.
“No, thank you.”
He took a quick swig, smiled to himself, then returned the flask to his pocket. “Not sure what we watermen are going to do when there’s no water for us to work on.”
“Has it frozen over before?” said Lucas.
The captain took a deep breath, rubbing his hand over his stubbly chin. “Winter of thirty-one. I was younger than these two—” he gestured towards me and Colin. “My old pa used to say, the river is like the blood of the city, when it stops flowing, London starts to die.” He suddenly laughed. “Crazy old fool my pa.” I felt his laugh was not a completely honest one.
Lucas looked at me, then back to the trees and riverside homes we were passing by.
A short while later, we started to move under the first of the major bridges of the capital: Battersea. Cabs, omnibuses, and people moving into the different districts passed overhead, oblivious to our presence. The fog was also becoming thicker, with the houses of parliament, and then a parade of warehouses huddled along the river, just being visible. Bustle and far-off voices emerged like ghosts from the white mist.
