The Lord of All - Chapter 5.

[Chinaren]

Been a while, so:


“Wait for me!” Velvet whispered, panting hard with exertion and exhilaration.  “I’m not used to this remember?”

A random snowflake landed on her nose and she nearly overbalanced brushing it away.  Lord grabbed her with a giant hand and steadied her.

“Careful, you don’t want to be paying a visit to our friends down there do you?”

Velvet didn’t.  She peered back the way they had come, through the rapidly darkening air. 

The rooftop was slanted, and footing was treacherous, slippery with snow and ice and loose tiles.  They were running along the apex, trying to keep quiet and upright.  Ahead of them the rooftop disappeared into the night, a perilous route to safety.

“Careful of this bit,” Nurn hissed back.  He’d taken the lead whilst Lord held the rear position, just in case some defensive action was needed.

Navigating the hole the Grey had pointed out, they continued onwards, the only sounds the crunching of snow underfoot and their breathing. 

She edged their way around a large chimney and survived a harrowing jump over a narrow gap between buildings, heart racing. 

“I think…” Nurn began to say, but was interrupted by an ominous cracking sound from underfoot.

“Nurn!” shouted Velvet as the roof below the small creature cracked and gave way.  The Grey gave her one desperate glance and disappeared from view.  There was a loud crash from below and dust billowed up out of the new hole.

“Nurn!” Velvet repeated, shuffling forward on all fours and peering down.  “Nurn!  Are you alright?”

“I’m okay!  Don’t worry,” the familiar voice echoed up.  “Landed on a bed!  How about that for luck?”

“Well, don’t go to sleep,” she replied, relief washing over her. She hadn’t realized how fond of the Grey she’d become over the short time they’d known each other. 

“Can you climb up?” Lord asked, bending down over her shoulder.

“Maybe, but why don’t you come down?  We should be far enough away by now to continue on the street.”

“Good point,” Lord said.  He tapped Velvet on the back.  “Edge over backwards, I’ll lower you in.”

“Okay, but what about you?” Velvet replied, shuffling about carefully and swinging her legs into the gap.

“I’ll be okay.  Here, take my hands.”

Lords’ strong grip slowly lowered her down into Nurns’ new room, until he couldn’t reach any further. 

“Ready?”

“Okay,” she said.  “Stand clear Nurn!”

“Way ahead of you,” came the reply from below and off to the side.

Lord let her go, and she fell the short distance on to the bed, which Nurn had obviously cleared of debris.

“Are you alright?”  Lord asked from above.

“Fine,” she said, rolling off the smelly bunk and brushing herself down. 

“Stand clear then!” 

Velvet hastily complied, and the large form of her employer dropped down after her, landing with a cat-like crouch on the bed, which promptly collapsed with a crash under the weight. 

“Shhhh!” Velvet said.

“Sorry,” he said, stepping off onto the floor.

“Over here,” Nurn said.  He’d been exploring room, which was some kind of dormitory, with beds lined up in rows.  The little light filtering in through the window allowed Velvet to see that he was standing over by a door.

They followed him, onto a landing, and down some very creaky, dusty stairs, past several more doors, which they didn’t explore, another two flights and into a large lobby area, the floor of which was half covered with snow blowing in through the open doorway.

“Easy,” Nurn said.

“Maybe not,” Lord replied, drawing his sword.  “Stand back.”

“Damn!”  Nurn swore as several small shapes, red eyes gleaming in the night, crept around the edges of the entrance.  The leader was holding a long dagger, which he pointed at Lord.

With small yipping sounds, his ‘troops’ launched themselves at the big warrior, who reacted by sweeping his sword around in a long horizontal blow, cutting two of them clean in half.

“Get away from me!” 

Velvet turned to see Nurn skip back, narrowly avoiding a swipe from the leaders’ blade. 

“Nurn!” Velvet grabbed at her pouch and pulled out a vial. 

“Look out!” Nurn danced to the side, avoiding another attack as he pointed to her left.

She spun around, to see a Gazoon bearing down on her, claws extended.  Not even thinking about it, she threw the potion that was in her hand. 

Her aim, perhaps sharpened by the rat hunting, was true, and it hit the creature in the face.  It paused for a second, shaking madly, and then its head exploded, erupting like a volcano blowing its top, showering skull and brains over the nearby participants.  The body remained standing for a moment, grotesquely animated in a muscle spasm death dance, before falling to the ground in a heap.

[Chinaren]

Not posted any of this for a while, so here's a little bit more, if anyone's still following this:


“Gross!” Nurn commented. 

She turned back to him, to see the Grey fighting off the Gazoon with a black dagger, which was about the same size as the enemy’s.  Pulling another vial from her pouch she called out again.  “Stand clear!” 

Nurn dived backwards and she threw the liquid at his attacker, hitting him on the arm.

The Gazoon turned to stare at her, and then screamed in pain as he arm blew itself off his body.  The creature fell to the floor, writing in agony as its shoulder spurted blood.  Nurn stepped forward and stabbed it in the middle with his knife, putting a stop to its movements.

“Are you alright?” he asked, moving to stand by her, blade still dripping.

“I think I’m going to be sick,” she said.

“Not just now please,” Lord called back. 

Velvet had forgotten about the larger fight in the excitement, and she turned now to help her boss.

There was no need.  Even as she looked, the man practically split the last Gazoon down the middle with a blow from his sword.  The creature died instantly in a mess of bone and innards.  Velvet winced.   

Nurn nudged the one he’d killed with his toe.  “Your potion works well then.  At least they didn’t all explode.  Could have been messy.”

“Is this all of them?” asked Velvet.

“For now,” Lord added, wiping his blade on one of the bodies.  “I don’t think these were part of the main group we encountered before.”

“Then we’d better get out of here,” she said.
 
They proceeded to do just that, moving swiftly and silently through the streets, helped by the snow, which was now coming down again more heavily. 
 
Another half an hour saw them in safer territory once again, and shortly after they returned to the inn they’d left their horses stabled at.  By then it was dark and the snow was lying thick on the ground. 

Velvet was rubbing her hands together and wiggling her toes in her boots to try and stay warm, and even Nurn seemed to be shaking a little.

“Perhaps we should stay here tonight,” Lord said.  Noting the condition of his two companions.  He showed no sign of feeling the cold, though he wore no hat. 

“Good idea,” Velvet said.  “I’ll go and haggle for some rooms.  You’d better wait here until I finish, the price will go up if the landlord sees you two.”

“We’ll check on the horses,” Lord replied.  “Come on Nurn.”  And the two stomped off through the small courtyard towards the stables.

Velvet entered the inn proper, into a small lobby area with a well kept wooden counter off to one side.  A fat man with rosy red cheeks and an enormous handlebar moustache greeted her pleasantly enough.

“What can I do for you young miss?”

“I’d like two rooms please, if you have any.  One single and one twin.  My friends are just outside with the horses.” 

“Shouldn’t be a problem.  A group of merchants just checked out, so we have space available.”  He leaned forward onto the counter and grinned at her, showing a set of teeth which had seen better days.  “Now then.  How are you set for payment?”

~

Whilst the Green Fist inn wasn’t at all bad, it certainly wasn’t The Duke when it came to luxury.  Dinner was in a crowded room full of noise and life.  After ten minutes, Velvet decided she liked it. 

“This isn’t bad,” Nurn said, slurping noisily on the meaty soup that the plump waitress had set down in front of them.  He ladled more of the broth into his mouth, and then upended the wooden bowl to consume the rest of it. 

In The Duke the action would have made Velvet shake her head, but here Nurn was far from the only one practicing the habit, and he blended right it.  Well, considering he was a furry dwarf with large eyes and the ears of a dog. 

Lord, as usual, took everything in his stride, eating his own food with more decorum than Nurn, but otherwise with every sign he was enjoying the meal.  Velvet herself found it tasty and filling, and ordered a second bowl.

“So, now what?” she asked eventually, leaning back in her chair and clutching at a bloated stomach.  “We’ve hit a dead end it seems.”

“I don’t think so,” Lord replied, taking a swig from his tankard of ale. “We still have the knife you found.  The more I think about it, the more I’m sure it was dropped there by accident.  Hopefully the wizard will be able to detect its owner.”  He paused and then added: “With your permission of course.  I do believe we said it’s your knife now.”

“That’s okay,” she replied, fiddling at the item in question, which was still wedged in her belt, on the opposite side to her potions.  “If it’s the only thing we have to go on…”

“We could still seek out Puzzle,” Nurn said.

“Shhh!”  Velvet waved a hand at him.  “If he’s the sort of person the mage thinks, he’ll have ‘ears’ everywhere.”

“Mmm, that could work to our advantage,” Lord said, stroking his chin thoughtfully.  “Still, the knife first I think.  Hello, yes, bring me another flagon of this beer would you please?  It has an interesting flavor.”  The last part he directed at a serving wench as she passed by.

“Sure thing handsome,” the young woman replied, winking.  She was dressed in a slightly grubby red dress with a low top, the better to display her ample charms, Velvet concluded.  No doubt it helped with the tips.

“And a plate of those pickled chicken heads,” Nurn piped up after the woman as she threaded her way through the tables back to the bar. 

“Doesn’t it trouble you?”  Velvet asked, after a few moments of relaxed silence, and a sip or two of her wine, which was certainly not the same quality as she’d become used to the last few days.

“What?  No, not at all,” Nurn replied.  “The chickens don’t need them any more, and they’re tasty.”

“No silly, not that.  The…the killing,” she said in a low voice.  “The death.  I’ve… never killed anyone before.”

“It was trying to kill you,” Nurn pointed out.  “Self defense.  It’s a pig eat pig world out there.”

“Dog eat dog,” Velvet corrected.

“I never wish to take a life,” Lord answered her.  “But I do what needs to be done.  No doubt those we encountered today would harm others, given the chance.  I feel we’ve made the world a safer place by removing them.  Anyway, as Nurn pointed out, it was them or us.  I preferred it to be them.”

“Here here!” Nurn said, as the waitress returned with his order and Lords’ drink.  “Now, enough of this gloomy talk.  Let’s relax a little.  Chicken head anyone?”

[Chinaren]

Not being working on this for a while. Still, another small portion to nibble on...


The next day was overcast, with snow still falling, though lightly.  The group woke early in chilly rooms and quickly made their way down to the dining hall again, which had a blazing fire in the hearth.  Over breakfast of dog meat and morning ale, they discussed the next move.

“Straight to the mage’s house,” Lord said.  “We’ll get his opinion of this dagger.  If that can’t help, we’ll…”  He stopped and frowned as a figure approached them.

Velvet examined the newcomer, who stopped several paces away from their table.  He was of average height with thin black hair cut in a simple style.  His face lacked any distinctive features, other than a small mole in the center of his chin.  The brown jacket and leggings he wore only added to his plainness, yet somehow Velvet sensed there was something dangerous this person.  Perhaps it was the way he stood, seemingly relaxed, but as if he could leap into action at any time.  There were no weapons visible on him, but his coat was baggy enough to conceal any number of items.

“May I help you?” Lord asked the stranger.

“I wish a few moments of your time,” the man said.  “That is all.”

“You can sit.”  Lord pointed at a spare chair positioned at the end of the table.  The man nodded and did so, sitting up straight with his two hands placed palm down on the surface.  Velvet noticed Lord looking at him warily.

“We have an… interest in common it seems,” the man said, wasting no time. 

“Indeed?”  Lord kept his face straight. 

“We may have made a mistake when we… approached you before.”

“Ten men with poison daggers you mean?  Rather a large mistake if you ask me,” Nurn said, chewing slowly on roasted dog leg. 

The man glanced at the Grey, and a brief flash of annoyance crossed his face before returning his attention to Lord.

“My employer wishes to enquire as to what you want.”

“I suspect he already knows our immediate goal,” Lord replied.  “However, if he can provide another way to find The Everywhere Door, then we may have some basis for negotiation.”

“The Everywhere Door?”  The man pulled a face.  “Never heard of it.”

“I’m sure your employer has though,” Lord replied.  “Unless he gives me an alternative you can tell him I want the Eye, and I’ll get it.  I won’t tolerate any interference.”

The man stood in one smooth, fluid motion.  “I’ll convey your message.”

“Do that.”  Lord watched as the stranger wound his way through the tables and disappeared out through the door.

“Well, that was interesting,” Nurn said.

“Yes indeed.  It seems we’ve stirred up our competitor.”  Lord turned to Velvet.  “You’d better be careful from now on.  Don’t stray off on your own.”

“I can look after myself you know,” she said.  “Still, I’ll be vigilant.”

“Good.”  Lord took a deep breath and finished off his drink.  “In that case, let’s be off to see the wizard.”

Ignoring Nurn’s complaints about unfinished breakfast, they paid the bill and made their way outside.

[Rocket Rabbit]

*nibbles*

...

Ow, chipped a tooth. That'll teach me.

[NicTei]

*bites out a huge chunk*

Whoops!  Um...Rabbit did it!

*runs*

[Chinaren]

Oy you two!

[Chinaren]

Just a small chunk for you.  We're getting close to where I've written up to (not helped by the fact I've not written much on this lately!)



"Well?”

“At least let us come in before chatting,” Lord said to the mage, who was standing on his doorstep in response to their repeated hammerings.  It had taken about five minutes for Rumpold to answer the door; evidently he’d still been asleep, as he was wearing a long towel robe instead of his usual wizards garb.

“Oh, sorry,” the wizard said, standing aside. 

Velvet stomped her way in gratefully behind the other two.  It was colder than it had been the day before, and her hands were going numb from holding the reigns of Snow.  The inside of Rumpold’s house was warm and cozy, and she sighed in relief.

“Well?” Rumpold repeated, once they were inside and settled.

 “Not the best news,” Nurn reported.  “Your thief detection spell probably only worked because the thief was dead.  We found him with his throat cut.”

“I don’t suppose…” the mage raised his eyebrows in a questioning fashion.

“No, the Eye wasn’t there.”

“Damn,” Rumpold said. He stood in silence for a few moments before heaving a deep sigh and speaking again. “Would anyone like a cup of tea?”

“Me please,” said Nurn.

“Me too,” Velvet added.  “It’s cold outside.”

“Not for me,” Lord said.

“It’s not all bad news,” Nurn said. “We did find something that may belong to the killer.”

“You did?”  Rumpold perked up noticeably.  “Where is it?  Maybe I can use it to trace the person.”

“That’s what we thought too,” Lord said.  He nodded at Velvet.  “If you would?”

Velvet nodded back and held out the dagger.

“Wait!” Rumpold said, and dashed off into the kitchen, to return a few moments later with a cloth.  “The fewer people who come in contact with it the better,” he said, taking the knife with the cloth between his hand and the handle.  “Who else has touched it?”

“Only me and Lord as far as we know,” Velvet answered.

“Good, that will make things easier.  Wait here a moment if you would.”  He scurried away up the stairs, clutching the knife tightly. 

“Hey!  What about that tea?” Nurn called up after him, but the wizard ignored him. 

“Cheated again,” said the Grey, and slumped onto the sofa.

Velvet also sat down, and Lord paced around the room impatiently.  The three waited a good twenty minutes before Rumpold re-appeared, holding the dagger, minus the cloth this time, and a piece of parchment that looked similar to the one he’d given them before.

“I have it!” he cried, waving the paper about as he climbed down the stairs.

“The tea?” Nurn asked, perking up from where he’d been dozing.

“No, the location of the owner of the dagger.  It was easy to cast a detection spell this time.  The target has some warding it seems, but with the dagger in my possession I managed to bypass that easily enough.  It seems the owner only has some standard protective charms.  Enough for a lesser wizard no doubt, but I am…”

“Yes yes,” Lord interrupted, causing a scowl to mar the mages’ face for a moment.  “Is this one alive though?  And where are they?”  He peered at the paper, which was another magic map.

“They’re moving about,” Rumpold replied.  “So I assume they’re alive, unless they were killed and then re-animated of course, which is fairly unlikely I’d say.  The thing is, they’re here in the city, in the Government District, near the Town Hall!”

“Oh, that’s not good,” Velvet said.

“Why not?” Nurn asked.  “No more traipsing around abandoned warehouses full of monsters.”

“No, instead we have to go to the most heavily guarded and restricted part of the city,” she replied.  “And I think I’d rather face a squad of Gazoon that a single politician.  They’re corrupt, greedy and deceitful.  And that’s only the good ones.”

“That’s terrible,” said Nurn.  “Why don’t the citizens rise up and oust them?”

“Well, it’s happened before,” admitted Velvet.  “However most people don’t care that much, or gain something themselves out of the arrangement.  It isn’t that simple.”

“It never is,” sighed Nurn.  He turned to Lord.  “So, what’s next boss?”

“First, we identify our target,” Lord replied.  “Then we can go from there.”  He looked at Velvet. “How long will it take us to reach that area?” 

“On horseback, probably only about half an hour.  It’s not very far from the Wizards’ district.”

“Good.  Then let’s be off.”

“I’ll wait for you here,” Rumpold said.  “A wizard tagging along will only make you stand out, and you do that enough as it is.”  He pointed at the giant warrior and the small Grey.

“Hey!  There’s nothing unusual about me!” Nurn complained, climbing off the couch and smoothing his fur.

“Of course not,” Rumpold said.  “Of course not.”

[Chinaren]

Is anyone still reading this?  If so I'll keep posting, otherwise I'll just keep writing!

[Saint]

I am still reading it, it just takes me a while to get around to it... Keep posting China, I think I'm only one part behind...

[Chinaren]

In that case I shall post some more on the morrow! 

[Chinaren]

“I must say, I like this area much more,” Nurn said, as the horses made their way through the streets of the central district.  “It’s much cleaner for one.”

Velvet nodded.  “The ruling council likes to live in comfort,” she said.

Indeed, the district was almost sparkly clean.  The cobbled roads had been cleared of snow, whether by broom or magic was not apparent, though there was the occasional street sweeper monitoring the area.  There were newly painted street lamps at frequent intervals, not lit during daylight of course, and the brick houses and government offices that lined the roads were whitewashed a dazzling white.  It was so bright Velvet was getting a headache from squinting.  The area was busy, but not bustling.  Most people out were well dressed.  Either clerks, noses in the air as they strutted along self-importantly, or other civil servants.  The occasional government minister wandered along, dressed in rich colorful robes, discussing things with plainer garbed underlings who buzzed about them like flies around a cow.

“Where’s our target now?” asked Lord, looking down at her from his mount. 

Velvet check the map again.  “Just ahead somewhere.  Inside a large building.”  She looked up.  “There.  That one.  I think it’s the Council offices.”

Ahead was a large square, a decorative fountain in the middle with water frozen in mid spray.  All four sides were flanked by impressive buildings, some rising five or six stories high.  Soldiers in gleaming armor stood to attention at the entrances and at periodic intervals around the whole area.

The structure that Velvet had pointed out was the largest and most impressive of all.  An ornate archway spanned the entrance, which was almost crowded with people coming and going.  Overhead the red tiled roof several flags fluttered in the wind. 

“We aren’t going to be able to get in there easily,” she said, pulling on Snow’s reigns to halt the horse.  Her companions did the same.

“So we wait,”   Lord said.  He looked around and pointed to a building on their right that Velvet had overlooked before.  “Over there.”

His target turned out to be a smart looking tea-house.  Large windows allowed them to see nicely laid out wooden tables inside, and would also allow them to see out of course.  It didn’t look busy, and Velvet wouldn’t expect it to be at this time of the morning.

A boy in a striped green and white uniform took their horses, and they strode into the establishment and sat down at a table with a good view over the square, grateful for the heated interior. 

A young man with short dark hair ran over to them and handed out menus. 

“Do you do snacks?” Nurn asked, after opening the small book to discover a list of different teas.

“We do sir.  One moment please.  He scuttled over to the counter and retrieved another menu, which he handed to Nurn.

“No making a pig of yourself,” admonished Lord, waving a finger at the Grey.

“As if I would,” Nurn replied in a haughty manner.  He scanned the list and then turned to the waiter.  “I’ll take a plate of muffins, two of the rather interestingly named Abrasive Scones, one… no two ham sandwiches, and a bowl of your morning soup please.”

“Of course sir,” said the lad, frantically scribbling on a pad.  He started to close it, but Nurn spoke again.

“For the main course…”

“I think that’s enough for now,” Lord said.  “He looked up at the server.  “I’ll have a cup of Hot Berry tea please.  Plenty of sugar.”

“Certainly sir.  And you miss?”

Velvet turned a page and considered her options.  “Perhaps a glass of Hot Berry Tonic,” she said.

“Excellent choice.  Your order will be with you shortly.”  The server bowed slightly and went off to do as he’d promised.

“I hope our quarry doesn’t stay in there all day,” Lord said.

“It’s quite possible they will, if they’re at work,” Velvet replied.  “Though Councilors are quite well known for their long lunches.”

“It may not be a Councilor,” Nurn pointed out.  “Why that was fast, thank-you,” he said, as his muffins were delivered.  “Mmm, these look promising.”  He bit into one of the small cakes and savored the taste for a moment.  “Yes, very nice.”  He stuffed the remaining bun into his mouth and chewed industriously.

The waiter brought over their orders with impressive speed.  No doubt they usually had important customers who didn’t take kindly to waiting a long time.  Her Hot Berry Tonic, when it arrived, turned out to be a delicious kind of sweet red drink of some kind. She’d never tasted anything like it, and asked the server what it was made out from.

“Ah, I’m not at liberty to say I’m afraid miss,” he said, tapping the side of his nose and winking.  “Secret recipe you see, though it does contain the juice of several berries, hence the name.  Oh, excuse me.”  He dashed off to see to a rather fat man in a fur suit who’d just entered the establishment. 

“So, whilst we’re waiting,” Velvet said, putting her cup down.  “How about telling me some more about where you’re from?”

Lord looked at Nurn, who started to choke on his muffin.  “You told her?” he said in a stern voice.  “You know the rules.  I’m surprised at you Nurn.”

“Sorry boss,” the Grey managed to get out, after swallowing hard.  “She’s a good sort, I didn’t think it would hurt.”

“Don’t blame Nurn,” Velvet said.  “I was quite persistent in my questioning.”

“And she guessed some of it anyway,” Nurn added.  “Please don’t beat me!”  He cowered in his chair.

“You beat him?” asked Velvet, shocked.

“Of course not,” Lord said, half scowling, half laughing at Nurn’s theatrics.  “I’d only hurt my fist if I tried anyway.”

“That’s true,” the Grey agreed, miraculously recovering from his terror and picking up a sandwich. 

“I find that a little unlikely,” Velvet said.

“You’d be surprised,” Lord replied.  “He’s a lot tougher than he looks.”

“That’s also true,” Nurn said.

Velvet nodded.  “So, rules and Nurn aside…”

“Hey, don’t put me aside!”

“…please tell me more of where… when you are from.  I won’t tell anyone, I promise.”

“Oh very well.”  Lord sipped his drink.  “What has he told you so far?”  He gave Nurn a stern look, which was completely ignored.

“Not very much actually,” Velvet admitted.  “I was having a hard time with the whole ‘end of the universe’ concept.”

Lord smiled.  “Yes, it’s quite something isn’t it?”

“So, if everything’s ended, how come you’re alive?”

Lord spared a quick glance at Rumpolds’ map, which they’d laid out in the center of the table, but seeing no significant movement of their target, proceeded to explain.

“You see, we, and others of course, were expecting the End.  You have to understand that Humanity has been around for a very long time.”

“Against all the odds,” Nurn piped up.  “Probably something to do with your fast breeding rate.”

“Yes, well, even so,” Lord said, frowning at the interruption.  “Nevertheless, scattered around the universe as we were, most people were still concentrated in the Human cluster of galaxies, as they were known.  Are you following this?”

“Not really,” admitted Velvet, “but keep going anyway.  I think I understand the general idea.”

“Very well.”  Lord continued.  “So, once the End was near, the major races started constructing artificial realities…”  He paused as he saw the confusion on Velvets’ face.  “Let me see if I can put it in a more simple way.”

“Please!”

“Imagine the universe as a gigantic bubble.  Everything is inside this bubble.  However, it’s going to burst soon.  With me so far?” 

Velvet nodded. 

“Good.  Now, when it bursts, everything inside it will cease to be.  What the Old Races did was create small ‘bubbles’ of their own, within the big bubble.  Of course, ‘small’ is not really a good description here, as in fact the fifteenth law of Serifin’s Impossibility principle states…” he tailed off as Velvet’s expression glazed over.  “Never mind.  So, small bubbles inside the big bubble.  However, these small bubbles are actually big enough to house all the living beings in that local area of the universe.”

“So you created your own universes?”  Velvets eyes were wide.  “You must have very powerful mages.”

“Actually it’s mostly science, but yes, we have access to some pretty powerful stuff.  Still, it was a major undertaking, and I’m fairly sure that some didn’t manage to complete it.”

“You don’t know?”

“No, when the bubbles were finished and the universe ended, it completely shut us off from the other bubbles.  We have no way to contact them or even see them.”

“The mostly human bubble is called ‘All’,” Nurn added helpfully.

 “All?  All!  You’re the Lord of All!” she exclaimed.  “That mean you are the ruler of… the entire human race?”  Her voice faded as she realized who she was talking to, and she put her hand over her mouth. 

Lord smiled.  “I appreciate that must seem like a big deal to you, but really, I’m more of an administrator and figurehead than anything.”

“But… but…” Velvet stammered.

“Relax,” Lord said.  “Please.  Take a sip of your drink.”

“Velvet did so, burning her mouth in the process.  Her head was spinning.  Here she was, a humble shop assistant, sitting with the future ruler of the human race!  All of it!

“Are you alright?”  Nurn peered at her.  “I think she’s a bit overwhelmed,” he said to Lord.

The big man nodded.  “It’s a lot to take in,” he said.  “Maybe if we…”

“Boss!”  Nurn interrupted.  “The target’s moving!”  He pointed at the map, which showed the red dot leaving the complex.

[Saint]

Okay, caught up and rady to wait for more.  To McDonalds, China!

Actually, is it called McDonalds in China, or a chinese version of the name?

[Chinaren]

Both actually.  The Chinese version is pronounced something like:  Mai Dan Al   

[Chinaren]

Another slice of the pie!  FYI, this is up to page 81 of 101 written, and I've done just under 41,000 words.  Now, on with the show!   


They all looked out of the window, to see a small group of people heading across the square. 

“Is that them?” Nurn asked, squinting. 

“It is,” Lord said.  He dropped a gold coin onto the table, looking at Velvet as he did so.  “No time to quibble now,” he explained.  “Come on, and pull yourself together girl!”

Velvet nodded and did so.  No matter who this man was, she had a job to do.  Standing up, she made sure the server was given the payment, which he took with eyes wide open, and then hurried out after her companions.

“Can you see who it is?” Nurn asked, panting as he scurried behind his taller friends.  They hadn’t had time to get the horses.

“Not sure,” Velvet said, peering at the small crowd ahead of them.  “I’m guessing there’s someone quite important in the middle of that lot though.”

“Do you think he’s our target?”  Nurn asked.

“Could be anyone in the crowd,” Lord answered.  “Just keep an eye on the map.  Let’s not lose them.”
 
The group ahead continued across the square, all orbiting around a central, as yet unidentified figure.  Most of the group looked like government officials and civil servants from their clothing and style, mostly robes of subdued colors.

Near the frozen fountain, the mass stopped, and Velvet thought she could hear one voice rise above the others in a commanding tone. 

“It’s a woman,” Nurn said, his ears literally pricking up. 

The voice rose in pitch one final time, and stopped.  At the same time the group dissipated, the individuals in it going separate directions in a sudden explosion of activity. 

“Check the map, check the map,” Velvet said to Nurn, who was holding the parchment. 

Nurn did so quickly, looking up and nodding.  “Still standing by the fountain,” he confirmed.

“So it’s one of those two,” Lord said.

Trying not to look like she was staring, Velvet looked over at the two remaining candidates.  One was a large man wrapped in a dark red cloak.  He had long black hair that fell to his shoulders, and was talking earnestly to the other person, a tall thin woman wearing an thin hat.

“I know her,” Velvet gasped.

“She’s a friend of yours?” Nurn asked.  “That could make things easier.”

“No, I mean I know who she is,” Velvet said.  “She’s a senior member of the ruling council.  What’s her name now?”  She frowned in thought.  “Streed, that’s it.  Councilor Streed.”

“You’re very well versed in all of this,” Nurn said, as they dawdled along, trying not to look conspicuous. 

“Not really, but Streed is well known for her forceful opinions.  She tried to get a resolution passed last year to have all the vagrants on the street rounded up and either put to work or kicked out of the city.”

“Sounds a bit extreme,” Lord said.

“Yes.”  Velvet shook her head.  “The thing is, the resolution almost passed.  I suppose the homeless are an easy target.”

“They’re moving, and splitting up!” Nurn exclaimed suddenly.

“Who’s our target?” Velvet asked.  “Let’s hope it’s the man.”

The Grey studied his map and shook his head.  “No such luck.  It’s her.”  He looked up as the woman strode away, almost back towards them.  She gave the group a puzzled glance before passing by.

“She saw us!” Velvet hissed.

“Don’t worry,” Lord said.  “She’s no reason to suspect us in any of this.”

“So what now?  Do we run after her and just ask her?”  Velvet looked at the woman’s back as she moved off.

“Why not?”  Lord nodded and turned, but stopped short as he saw a clutch of civil servants intercept the woman and surround her as she walked along, asking questions and waving papers all the while.  They watched as the target and her entourage entered another government building and disappeared from view.

“Too slow,” Nurn said.  “What now?  Do we go back to waiting and hope she comes out again?”

“No need,” Velvet said.  “Anyone has the right to petition a councilor in person. 

“That’s very democratic of them,” Nurn said.

“It’s in the City Charter, one of the Founding Principles,” Velvet replied.  “None of the ruling body likes it, but it’s really too hard to change, so they just make it really difficult and expensive.  There’s nothing in the Charter about not charging for the privilege.  Few can afford a Crown for a chat that probably won’t do them any good anyway.  Or at least the ones that can afford it have contacts and other avenues.”

“Well, I’m sure a single gold piece won’t be a problem,” Lord said.  He hitched his sword belt up and looked towards the Government buildings.  “How do we go about meeting Councilor Streed?”

~

Velvet stared at the large grandfather clock that had been placed against the wall opposite her seat.  The steady tick-tock seemed echo around the room, filling up the space.

Shifting once more in the uncomfortable seat, she glanced for the thousandth time at the snooty clerk sitting behind the impressive wooden desk to her right.  The woman was still writing something, her quill scratching steadily along the parchment, pausing only occasionally to dip the nib in the inkpot. 

Velvet looked back the other way.  The room was long and thin, almost a corridor really, with walls of dark marble.  Several high set windows behind and above her allowed sunlight to filter in, illuminating dancing motes of dust in the air.  The only furniture in sight was the receptionists’ desk and a short row of hard wooden chairs along one side, upon which they were currently sitting, and had been for at least an hour.

To her left was Nurn, his eyes closed and head slumped forward on his chest.  Occasionally he’d mutter something in a strange language.  Probably ordering dinner in his dreams, thought Velvet.  Next to him, sitting ramrod straight, was the Lord of All.  His was sword resting across his knees and he was staring straight ahead, a human statue. 

Her musings were interrupted by a low chime, and the secretary looked up. 

“Councilor Streed will see you know,” she announced.

“About time,” Nurn said, coming suddenly awake.

“Let me do the talking,” Lord said, re-animating and standing smoothly up.

With Velvet and Nurn following, he walked over to the door set into the wall behind the secretaries’ desk and opened it, striding confidently into the room beyond.  Velvet hurried to catch up, and found herself in a comfortable office.

The walls were of the same marble, but the monotony was broken by paintings of various city scenes hanging at strategic spots.  The large window was framed by luxurious curtains, and the room was furnished with comfortable looking seats.  The focus of the chambers was a large desk, far grander than the one outside.  Sitting behind it was the woman they’d seen in the square.  Her hands were resting on the surface, and she was in a regal pose, somehow managing to look down her nose at them even though they were standing and she was sitting.

Now she was closer, Velvet had a better look at the Councilor.  She was thin, with almost no shape to her at all.  Her narrow face was framed by straight blond hair, which only served to emphasize the piercing blue eyes that now examined them.

“Councilor Streed?” Lord said, standing in front of the desk.

“The one and only,” she replied, apparently unphased by the large warrior.  “How may I help you today?  Please sit.”  A bony arm gestured at a chair.

Lord sat, with Nurn and Velvet taking up positions slightly behind and to the side of him. 

“My name is Lazarus Lupal,” Lord said.  “I’ve travelled a very long way on a matter of business.”

“Indeed?”

“Yes.”

“So what do you think I can do for you Mr. Lupal?” 

“There’s no subtle way to put this,” Lord replied, “so I’m just going to come straight to the point.”

“Excellent,” the councilor replied, leaning back and putting her hands together.  “I hate prevarication.”

“I’m in search of a location, but to find this place I need a certain artifact.”

“Go on,” Streed said, when he paused.

“This artifact was found recently in your city, but we’ve been unable to… catch up with it.”

“How very interesting,” the councilor said, her face devoid of any emotion.  “And how do you think I could help you?”

“We have certain… information that you may have come into contact with this artifact.”  Lord leaned forward.  “Now, we only need to borrow it, once we’ve determined the location we are searching for, the item will be returned.  We will have no further need of it.”

“Indeed.”  The councilor remained still.

“I can certainly make it worth your while, I am a man of considerable means.  Considerable.”  Lord placed a small pouch on the desk.  It clinked.  “That’s just a small portion of what I’d be willing to pay.”

Streed glanced at the bag, and sucked her thin lips for a second, and Velvet thought she was going to agree.  She was disappointed though as the woman shook her head regretfully.

“I’m sorry Mr.Lupal, I have no access to such an artifact, much to my financial distress it seems.  I can’t help you.”

Lord looked at her for a moment, and then nodded.  “I see.  Well, that’s a shame.”  He stood suddenly, and Velvet saw Streed flinch slightly.  “In that case, I shall withdraw.”  He stepped away.

“Mr. Lupal, aren’t you forgetting something?”  The councilor gestured at the bag of gold on the desk.

“Keep it,” Lord replied.  “As a gesture of good faith.  If you should hear anything, I’m staying at the Duke hotel.  Good day to you councilor.”  He bowed very slightly, turned and walked towards the door.

Velvet saw a brief expression of surprise pass over Streed’s face as she followed her boss out. 

As they left, the councilor was staring at the bag of gold on the desk.

[Chinaren]

“So, what’s the plan boss?” 

They were back at the Duke, in Velvet’s room.  Lord and Nurn were sitting on the chairs at the small table, Velvet was perched on the edge of her giant bed.  They’d returned quickly after their interview with Streed, wandering through a growing snowstorm, which seemed to reflect their gloomy mood.

Lord shook his head.  “There are only two avenues open to us now, as far as I can see,” he said.  “Maybe only one when it comes down to it.  We’ll go back to Rumpold tomorrow, see if he’s been able to divine any other information on the Eye.  The other course is to break into Streed’s office and try and locate the Eye ourselves.”

“That’s rather risky,” Velvet said.  “Plus we don’t know she’s keeping it there.”

“I know,” Lord replied.  “Which is why I hope Rumpold can help.  Still, I can’t think of anything else.  Our leads have dried up.”

“We could always try the Puzzle route,” Nurn suggested. 

“Yes, but it’s obvious he doesn’t have the artifact,” Lord said.

“He may be able to help us get it though,” Velvet added.  “Someone with his resources…”

“That’s true.”  Lord nodded.  “However, bringing in Puzzle will only add another complication to the equation, and there’s a large element of doubt when working with his kind.  Plus we’d have to find him first.”

“We could ask that Inspector for help,” Velvet said.

Lord shook his head.  “Only if we really need too.  I’d like to keep the numbers of people involved in this to a minimum.”

“Of course, we’ve alerted Streed to the fact we’re interested in the Eye, and she now knows we know she’s involved somehow,” Nurn pointed out.

“You’re right.  We need to watch ourselves.”  Lord stood up and looked at Velvet.  “Make sure you don’t wander off on your own, and lock the door when you’re in here,” he said.

“You really think she’ll try something?” Velvet asked, alarmed.

“There’s always the possibility.  We’ve seen Puzzle is quite willing to use force to find the Eye.”

“But she’s a councilor!” Velvet said.

“You mean a person of power with lots of money and contacts, and lots to lose?”  Nurn raised a furry eyebrow at Velvet.

“Um.  Good point,” she replied.  “Maybe I’ll check out my book again, see if there’s another potion I can mix.”  She perked up at the thought of that. 

“Very well.  I’m going to check on the horses,” Lord said.  “We’ll see Rumpold tomorrow morning.”

“And I’ll check out the dinner menu,” Nurn said, rubbing his hands together.  “One of the waitresses said they were getting some goose in today.  I like goose.”  He rubbed his belly.
 
“There goes that species then,” Velvet joked.

“Cheek!”  Nurn grinned at her and followed Lord out of the door.  “Remember, lock this door!”

“Yes mother,” Velvet said, closing it behind them.  She did ensure it was locked securely though, before turning back to her desk where the potion book was.  There was one she’d seen earlier that looked interesting, and she was eager to try it out…

~

“Hey!  You alive in there?”

Velvet jerked awake at the banging at the door.  Nurn’s voice filtered through again.

“Velvet!  Answer me or I’ll knock this door in.”

Stretching, she yawned and sat up.  She’d fallen asleep at her desk, and now her back and neck was aching from sleeping in the unusual position.

“I’m okay Nurn,” she called out.  “No need to smash the place up.”  She smiled at the thought of the small furry creature bashing the sturdy door in.

“Okay then, I was getting worried, you’re usually awake early.”  The Greys’ voice was tinted with concern.

Velvet straightened her clothes and ran fingers through her hair as she walked over to the door and opened it. 

“Sorry,” she said to the small figure waiting outside.  “I was up late experimenting with potions.”

“Well, get ready,” he said.  “The boss wants to set off.”

“I am late!” she replied.  “Give me a few minutes; I just need to freshen up.”

“We’ll be in the lobby.”  Nurn wandered off.

Velvet quickly performed her morning toilet, and then checked on the potion she’d started last night.  The bowl of rather gruesome looking red liquid wasn’t quite ready yet.  It had to stand for about a day before she could continue.  Covering it with a cloth, she slipped on her boots and trotted down to the lobby, where Nurn was waiting, sitting on a chair and swinging his feet back and forth impatiently.

“About time,” he said when he saw her, jumping up.

“Sorry,” Velvet said. 

They made their way outside.  Lord was already mounted on his giant horse.  Their mounts were standing in its shadow, reigns being held by a quivering stable boy. 

The two mounted, and the boy scampered back to the warmth of the stables.  Velvet could understand his eagerness.  The day was cold, and the wind biting.  She shivered as they turned and urged the horses along the snow covered street. 

It wasn’t very early, but even so the roads were nearly deserted.  The clouds hung low in the sky, blocking the sunlight and making it seem more like evening that morning.  Snowflakes danced in the air, blowing into Velvets cheeks with small stinging impacts, making her wrinkle her face up and pull her hat down low.

“What a beautiful day,” Nurn called over.  He was sitting on the back of his donkey, wearing only his usual robe with the hood up.

“Aren’t you cold?”  Velvet called over.

He shrugged.  “I’m not as susceptible to temperatures as you lot.  Though my ears get a bit chilly.” 

“Lucky you,” muttered Velvet.  She looked ahead at Lord, who was sitting ramrod straight on his massive horse, apparently oblivious to the weather, though his white garb no doubt provided a good level of protection.  She shook her head at her companions and hunched further down in the saddle.

Luckily for her, it didn’t take very long to get to the Wizards’ quarter, where the winds seemed to die down a little, and the going was faster due to the ever-clear roads of the area.  So they were soon dismounting and walking up towards the by-now familiar door.

[Chinaren]

I've done a bit of work on this lately, so time for a bit more.  Feedback welcome!  




“Good grief, you’re up early!” the wizard said once he’d opened the door.  “I thought I was under attack again for a minute.  My goodness, it’s freezing outside!  What are you doing all standing about out there?  Come on in!”

“You think?”  Nurn scrambled by, Velvet and Lord close behind.  They’d spent a better part of five minutes hammering on the mage’s door before he answered, clad in large wooly slippers and a luxurious dressing gown.

“Sleeping in were we?” Nurn asked, brushing snow of his robes and ignoring the annoyed look from Rumpold.

“Yes, why not?”  The wizard secured the door and ambled into the middle of the room.  “I was waiting for you to come back before taking any more action, and I needed a rest after the high level spells I’ve case the last few days.  Magic drains you you know.”

Velvet nodded, remembering how tired she’d been after making her first batch of potions, and how she’d not woken up until Nurn had hammered on the door earlier.

“We’ve run into a problem,” Lord said.  

“I see.  I don’t suppose you’d allow me to make a cup of tea before hearing the latest bad news would you?  I’ve only just risen from bed you know.”

“I’ll make it,” Velvet said.  “You can sit down and rest whilst Lord fills you in.”  

“Very well then.  The tea is in the cupboard near the stove.”  

Velvet nodded and wandered into the kitchen she’d seen the mage use before.  It turned out to be a neat little room with a well stocked pantry off to one side.  

The fire on the stove was still smoldering, so she added some coal from the bucket nearby and fanned the flames until it was heating nicely.  There was a large bronze kettle on top, which was already full of water, so she turned her attention to the crockery and tea whilst listening to Nurn explain the situation, with occasional interruptions from Lord.

By the time she had everything ready the story had been told, and Rumpold was mumbling to himself and scribbling notes on a piece of parchment.  He looked up and beamed when he saw her approach with the tea.

“My dear!” he exclaimed. “You are a life saver.  I can’t think straight until I’ve had a cup.  Thank-you.”  He took a sip of the brew Velvet passed him and sighed in satisfaction.  “Yes, that hits the spot.”

“So can you help us or not wizard?” Lord asked, a trifle impatiently.  

“Unfortunately I don’t think so,” Rumpold replied, taking another drink.  “I can’t detect the Eye directly, and I need to secure more Ruby powder before I can cast another Magic Map to track Streed.”

“It’s likely she’ll take extra precautions now,” Nurn pointed out.  “She may mask herself with stronger wards.”

“Yes yes, that’s a possibility to be sure.  Until I can try it’s a moot point anyway.”  The wizard shrugged.

“How long until you know?” Lord asked.

“Early afternoon at least.”

“Damn.”  Lord scowled.  “Very well.  We’ll come back later on.  Get onto it wizard.  We’re beginning to attract attention, and that’s going to make our life harder.  We need to move with speed.”

“I’ll do what I can,” Rumpold said.

“See you later then mage.”  Nurn waved as he followed his boss back outside, into the cold.

Velvet nodded at the wizard and followed, shivering as the icy air bit into her, an unpleasant shock after the warmth of indoors.

They didn’t waste any time getting back to the Duke, where Nurn dragged her off to have a late breakfast whilst Lord wandered back to his room.  

The two sat down at their table and Velvet quickly ordered a full fried breakfast, whilst Nurn ordered a relatively modest repast, for him.

“Are you feeling alright?” she asked as the Grey handed the menu back to the waitress.  “That was practically a starter order for you.”

Nurn shrugged.  “I had a lot to eat yesterday.”

“Really.”  Velvet poured a cup of tea for them both and then sat back to enjoy it.

“So what potion are you working on this time?” Nurn asked, after several minutes of comfortable silence.

“A potion of Domination,” she replied.  “It’s quite powerful.”

“Remind me to stand a lot further back when you test it then,” Nurn said.  “And perhaps we shouldn’t try it in the cellars. A large explosion might bring the place down.”

“Quiet you!”  She half laughed, half scowled at him.  “I think the last problem was with the Red-root Rumpold gave me.  It was too old.  There’s a note about it later on in the book.”

“I see.”  Nurn looked unconvinced.

“This one will allow us to control the target for a short time,” Velvet carried on, enthusing about her latest venture.  “It could be very useful.”

“What about an invisibility potion?” Nurn asked, holding up a short hairy finger.  “I’ve always wanted to try being invisible.”

“I saw a recipe for that too,” Velvet said.  “But it needs some diamond dust, and I don’t have any.  It looks quite tricky too, though I’d like a go at it.  Maybe after I’ve done the Command one.”

“You enjoy this potion making don’t you?” Nurn asked.  “Are you sure you haven’t done it before?”

“Oh no!” gasped Velvet.  “I’d never dare without Lords’ presence.  Even now we must be careful not to alert the Wizards’ guild.  They aren’t very forgiving people.”

Their conversation was interrupted as the waiter set their dishes down on the table.  Nurn had opted for a fruit platter, which he nibbled away at whilst Velvet shoveled her bacon and eggs into her mouth, in a complete role reversal.

“So are you from this city?  You never mention your parents.”  The Grey peeled a banana and looked at her.

“They’re both dead,” she replied between mouthfuls.

“Oh.  Sorry.”  Nurn made a face.

“It’s okay.  It was a long time ago.”  Velvet waved a fork about before skewering a sausage with it.  “There was an outbreak of plague here when I was very young. Lots of people died, including them.  I was lucky.”  She shook her head sadly.  “I can’t even remember them.  My aunt looked after me until a few years ago, when she passed away too.”

“So you’re all by yourself?”

Velvet nodded and put down her knife, suddenly feeling very lonely.

“Don’t worry.”  Nurn reached over and put a furry hand on her arm.  “You have the boss and me now.”  He smiled.

Velvet felt tears come to her eyes.  These two strangers had done more for her in a week than any one other than her aunt had ever done for her!  “Thank-you,” she whispered.

“Hello, here’s the boss now.”  Nurn looked up as the familiar figure approached them, striding between the tables, completely ignoring the servers who approached him, sweeping them out of the way as if they were flotsam in the path of a large ship.

Velvet wiped at her eyes and looked at her employer, who loomed over them with a concerned expression on his face.  She noted he had one hand on the smaller sword at his hip.  

“You two, prepare yourself.  I believe there’s danger nearby.”

“What?  Who?  How do you know?”  Velvet glanced about the room nervously.  She didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.

“Do you have your potions?”  Lord looked at her, and she nodded, her hand going to the pouch on her belt.  Her new dagger was in a sheath next to it.

“Come then.  Act normally.”  The warrior turned and started walking back towards the entrance.

“What’s normal?” muttered Nurn as they scrambled out of their chairs and started to follow.

“Excuse me miss.”  One of the servers stepped in front of her waving a small pad.  “You need to sign…”  The youth stopped suddenly, his eyes going wide at the same time Lord thundered back towards them.

“Get down!” he shouted, as the unfortunate waiter crumpled to the floor.  Only then did Velvet notice the black fletched dart in the boys’ upper back.  There was a whisper by her head, and she caught a flash of something flying towards Nurn.

“Nurn!”  She swiveled, to see the small Grey diving behind a table.  The dart was on the floor, it must have missed.

Then she was on the floor beside it, as the giant body of Lord slammed into her, knocking the wind from her and crushing her beneath his enormous weight.  

“I said down!” he hissed.  “Assassins!”  

[Chinaren]

Just another small taste for you.  I'm still on this one, not sure if anyone's reading mind... 


A swarm of darts landed around her, one thudded into the chair and stuck into the leg.  She noticed a small trickle of clear liquid oozing down the wood.

“Get under cover!”  Lord practically threw her under the nearest table, and then he was gone, running towards something she couldn’t see. 

“Get your potions ready!”  Nurn was suddenly there, squatting down between her and the direction of the missiles. 

Velvet shook her head, trying to clear it.  Nodding, she pulled out a vial and readied it, stopping short when she realized there was no visible target.  Lord was nowhere to be seen, though there were shouts and the sounds of fighting coming from near the exit.  A short distance away the poor waiter was laying on the floor, eyes wide open, apparently staring at her in accusation.  She gulped.

“Keep calm,” Nurn said.  “Take a deep breath, steady yourself.  You’re no good to anybody panicking.”

“I… I’m okay.  I’m ready.”  She brandished her potion.

The Grey nodded.

“We should help Lord!” she said, as more shouts and the clash of metal on metal reached their ears.

“No.”  Nurn put his hand on her shoulder.  “He’ll deal with this.  It’s what he’s good at.  Don’t worry.”

“Okay, but I… Nurn!  Look out!”  Velvet pushed her friend, catching him off balance and pushing him to one side, out of the way of the sword that hit the floor where he’d been squatting.

The black blade sliced through the carpet and wedged into the wood below, giving Velvet the chance to throw the vial at the man wielding it. 

The assassin was fast, he knocked the small bottle out of the air with one fist, but this served just as well.  The glass shattered and he let out a short scream as his hand blew off, splattering Velvet and Nurn with blood, muscle and bone as they scrambled backwards.

The man was dressed in familiar clothing, a tight, dull black outfit with a mask that covered all but his eyes.  A leather band full of small daggers ran diagonally over his chest.  He grabbed at his ruined hand and shouted angrily.  “My hand!  You whore!”

“Run!” shouted Nurn, taking his turn to push her out of the way, for their attacker, far from being deterred by the loss of his appendage, was redoubling his efforts.  He pulled his slim sword free and stabbed at the Grey, who rolled nimbly out of the way, which only served to make the man angrier.

“Come here you furry pest!”

Nurn squeaked and zoomed between another table leg on all fours, resembling a strange dog.  He wasn’t fast enough though, and the next blow from the sword caught him across his back, knocking him to the floor, where he lay still.

“Nurn!” Velvet cried, attracting the attention of the assassin again. 

She screamed in rage and in one swift motion wrenched the potion pouch off her belt and threw it as hard as she could at the man, catching him in the midriff.

The explosion blew her across the room, tossing her upside down over tables.  The last thing she remembered was the floor coming up to meet her…

[Chinaren]

And some more!



“Ow.”  

Consciousness returned slowly and painfully.  She ached all over, and there was a sharp pain in her left arm.  

“Velvet?  Can you hear me?”  Lords’ voice filtered through the haze, and she opened her eyes, squinting at the light.  

At first there was just a blur, but she blinked several times and the pictured cleared, to show the big man looking down at her, a concerned expression on his face.  

“Where am I?” she croaked and coughed.  Her mouth was dry.  

“You’re in your room.  The physician says you’re going to be alright, just shaken up a little, there’s a cut on your arm but it’s not deep.

Memories flooded back suddenly, and she gasped and tried to sit up.  “Nurn!”

Lord put a hand on her shoulder and pushed her back down.  “Don’t worry about him, he’s fine.  Better than you anyway.”

“But I saw…”

“My ears are burning,” another voice interrupted, and Velvet moved her head, painfully, left and saw the small orange figure of the Grey waddling towards her.  He had a chicken leg in one hand, which he was busy munching on.

“Nurn!” Velvet repeated.  “You’re alive!”

“And hungry!”  Nurn smiled a greasy smile at her.

“But how?”

“I told you before,” Lord said.  “He’s tougher than he looks,”

“Rest now.  I’ll explain later.”  Nurn waved the poultry part about.  “I’m just glad you’re okay.  You really did a number on that assassin.  He was spread across the whole of the dining area!  You should have heard Rupert complaining about the mess!”  He grinned widely at the memory.

“Enough.  Rest now.  I’ll be nearby if you need me,” Lord said.

“Very well,” she replied.  “I do feel a bit… weary.  She lay back down again and closed her eyes for a moment…

~

…and woke up to an empty room.  

Moving slowly, her body still ached, she sat up and checked herself out.  She was dressed in a long white gown, and she wondered who had done that.  Shaking her head, her modesty wasn’t the most important think just now, she examined her upper arm which was swaddled in a long bandage.  The pain had subsided to a dull throbbing, not pleasant, but not really painful either.

Slipping out of the bed and into her slippers she padded over to the window and peered beyond the curtains.  Outside was dark, though there was a hint of light over the rooftops.  Sometime just before dawn then.  

Her stomach grumbled, and she licked her lips.  The attack had come just after breakfast, and she’d obviously not eaten since then.

Wincing as she moved, Velvet cleaned herself up and searched around until she found her clothes. They were a mess, splattered with blood and riddled with small rips.  Still, with some temporary adjustments she managed to get an outfit together, though her outer tunic was done for.  She’d have to get another quickly, it was too cold outside.  

Inside was another matter.  The hotel was warm, and she tiptoed over to the door and pulled it open slowly, peering out of the crack into the hallway.

“You’re up early.”  Nurn was sitting on a stool outside his room.

“Nurn!”  Velvet crossed the corridor and gave him a hug.  “I thought you were dead!  I saw that man hit you with his sword.”

The Grey smiled.  “Are you hungry?”

“Famished!”

“Let’s go down to the dining room then, have an early breakfast.  We didn’t finish our last meal.”
 
“That’s for sure!  Very well, come on, you have some explaining to do!”  She wagged a finger at him.

“How are you feeling?  Is your arm alright?”  They strode down the corridor, Velvet’s feet sinking luxuriously into the deep carpet.

“Yes, it’s fine.  A bit of a dull throbbing, but nothing too bad.  Who were those men?  I assume there was more than one?  Where’s Lord?  Do you think they were sent by Puzzle again?  How long have I been out?”

“Whoah!”  Nurn held his hands out to stem the flow of questions.  “One thing at a time please.”  They started to climb the stairs to the dining hall.  

“Sorry,” Velvet said.  “But they looked like the ones that came out of Rumpold’s house that time.  Is the wizard alright?  Did anyone check on him?”

“Yes, he’s fine.  The boss visited him earlier.  Oh, hello there!”  Nurn greeting the stick figure of Rupert as they entered the dining area.  The tall man looked at him as one might a particularly resistant cockroach.  Still, his manners were working as usual.

“Good  morning Sir, Miss.  I trust you are recovered from your little ordeal?”  He said it like being attacked by assassins was a minor inconvenience.

“I’m much better thank you,” Velvet smiled cheerily, taking a page out of Nurn’s book.  

“Wonderful.”  Rupert snapped his fingers and summoned a waiter.  “Please show our guests to their table.”

He turned away, but stopped as Velvet put a hand on his arm.  “I’m sorry about your man,” she said, referring to the unfortunate server who had unwillingly intercepted the assassin’s dart.  “Is he…?”

“William was injured, but the hotel physician managed to attend to his wounds before the poison affected him.  He will have slightly impaired movement in one arm, but otherwise he will make a full recovery.  The hotel looks after its staff miss, you need not worry.”

“Well, pass along my best wishes please.”  

“I will miss, thank-you.”  Rupert turned away, dismissing her.

The two of them followed the waiter to a new table.  The old one was missing, along with several others in the area it had been, no doubt as a result of Velvet’s explosive action.

They sat at their new location, which was in the furthest corner she noted with amusement, and ordered a breakfast.  Once the server had left, Velvet leaned forward eagerly.  

“So, tell me everything.  Who were they?  What happened?  How come you’re not dead?  Not that I’m not relieved to see you of course,” she added.

The small creature smiled.  “When the boss said I’m tougher than I look he wasn’t joking.  My species has the ability to change our density.”  He paused a moment as Velvet’s face remained blank.  “That means I can change my… toughness if you will.  Here, take that knife and stab my hand.”  He put his hand on the table.

“What?  I can’t do that!”

“Come on.  Don’t worry.  Do it.”

Hesitantly, Velvet picked up the table knife, holding it stabbing style.  

“Go on.”  Nurn nodded.  “As hard as you like.”

“Well, okay.”  Wincing, Velvet brought the knife down onto the furry hand, not at full strength, but hard enough to break skin.  The knife hit Nurn and skidded off, like it had tried to penetrate stone.

“What?”  Velvet put the knife down and tapped his wrist.  It was like hitting the table.

“You see?”  Nurn sat back.  “I just made my skin harder when the assassin attacked.  I can go the other way too, even slide through thin walls if I make a big effort, but it takes a lot of energy.”

“So that’s why you eat so much!” Velvet exclaimed.

Nurn put on a hurt expression.  “I like to think I eat a healthy diet.  It’s you humans who eat too little.  Shocking really.  I’m surprised you don’t waste away.”

Velvet laughed.  “I’m sorry Nurn.  I didn’t mean to offend.”

“I forgive you,” he replied.  “Ah, talking of eating, here’s breakfast.  I do like the service here, very efficient.”

The waiter placed the plates in front of them, and for a few minutes there was silence as the two tucked into crispy bacon and fried eggs.

“Delicious,” Velvet said, after some industrious munching.  She took a sip of the black tea that had come with the food.  “I’ll gain weight if I keep eating here.”

“Not likely if you stick with us,” Nurn said, shoveling a bread roll into his mouth.  “The boss will keep us busy.”

“So, where is he?  What happened the other day?”

The Grey shrugged.  “Not sure.  The boss fought off another three of them, and the only surviving one managed to get away.”

“It’s strange,” mused Velvet.  “Why would Puzzle attack us again?  I mean, didn’t he learn his lesson before?  And what about that representative of his the other day?  It doesn’t make sense.”

“We came to the same conclusion,” Nurn answered.  “We think it was another party trying to make it look like Puzzle.”

“But who?”  Velvet wiped up the remains of her egg with a slice of bread.

“One person comes to mind.”  

Velvet thought for a moment before raising her eyebrows.  “Streed?  Councilor Streed?  You think it was her?”

Nurn shrugged.  “Makes sense.  We all but told her we’re onto her game.  We’re a danger to her.”

Shaking her head, Velvet put down her knife and leaned back, patting her stomach.  “Where’s the boss now?”

“Went back to Rumpold’s,” Nurn replied.  “Said he was going to see if he’d made any headway in locating the Eye.”

“I don’t think Streed is going to make it that easy,” Velvet said, tapping her chin in thought.  

“I agree, I think we’ll need to find it another way.”

“Puzzle?”

“Puzzle.”  Nurn nodded.

“But how do we find him?”

“That I don’t know.  You have any ideas?”  

“Nothing definite.  I mean we could simply go to the more disputable areas of town and ask around.  Word would likely reach him eventually.  Not the safest approach though.”

“Well, it may come to that.  Have you finished?”  

Velvet looked down.  “Yes.  Will you come back up and help me mix some more potion?  I can finish the new one, and I need to fill a few vials more of the explosive one.  I used them all on your friend.”

“And very effective it was too,” he grinned at her.  “If rather extreme.”

Velvet signed for breakfast, and the two made their way out of the dining area which had so recently been a scene of their near-deaths.

[Chinaren]

Final part of chapter 5 then!



“Right, that’s it.”  Velvet leaned back and wiped her hands on a cloth.

She’d produced about twenty of the new batch after several hours of meticulous work, aided mostly, but sometimes also hindered by Nurn, who’d pointed out several things she may have missed, but also interrupted her with questions when she was trying to concentrate.  Still, the job was finally done.

“So, how does this one work?”  Nurn looked at the group of small bottles on the desktop.  “Do you throw these too?”

“No, you have to drink it and then focus on the target.  It’s kind of like that power some people have.  What’s it called?  Hitas… Himp…”

“Hypnotism?” 

“That’s it.  It’s like that, but stronger, and of course magical.  You give the person a short command and they feel an overwhelming urge to obey.”

“Just one command?  Seems a bit limited to me.”  Nurn scratched his head.

“Well, it’s possible you may be able to give them a couple of commands, but it depends on the will of the target,” Velvet lectured, feeling knowledgeable, though in fact she was just repeating what she’d read in the book.  “Also you can’t command them to do something totally against their nature, like kill themselves or similar.”

“I see.  So, I guess you need to test it then.”  He looked at her, eyes wide, no doubt remembering what had happened with her ‘freeze’ potion.  Suddenly she felt a pang of doubt.

Taking a deep breath, she picked up the closest bottle, swirling the blue liquid around as she contemplated it. 

“I can drink it if you like,” Nurn volunteered.  “My innards are a bit stronger than a human’s.”

“No, no.  It’s my potion, I need to do this.”  Before she could change her mind, she uncorked the bottle and upended it into her mouth, gulping it down in one large swallow. 

“Well?” Nurn asked, looking at her curiously.

The potion had tasted quite pleasant, not at all what she expected.  She turned and gazed down at Nurn as a warm feeling permeated her body.  “Lie down and raise your arms and legs in the air,” she commanded.

The Grey immediately fell on his back and raised his limbs as he’d been told, doing a comedy impression of a dead dog.

Velvet waited a few moments, while Nurn remained in his position.  After a minute, just as she was beginning to get a little worried, he grunted and looked about, then up at her.

“That wasn’t funny!” he complained, rolling over and clambering to his feet.  “I’m not a toy for wicked witches to go playing with!”

Velvet stifled a smirk.  “Sorry,” she said.  “But I had to test it, and there wasn’t anyone else nearby!”

“Well, even so…” Nurn dusted himself down.

“Still, we can say it works.  What was it like?”

“Why don’t you give me one to drink and you can find out yourself?” he replied.

“I don’t want to waste them!”

“I don’t think it would be a waste,” he grumbled.

“Come on Nurn!”  She knelt down and put a hand on his arm.  “I didn’t mean anything bad by it.  It was just the first thing that came into my mind.  I couldn’t just tell you to lie down, I wouldn’t have known if you were just playing along.”

“I suppose,” he mumbled, relenting.  “Still, next time I’m testing something on you.”

She smiled and stood up.  “You have a deal!  Now, if your pride is sufficiently recovered, let’s replenish my supply of the super explosive freeze potion.”

“How about we stop for lunch first?”

“We only had breakfast a couple of hours ago!” Velvet replied.

“It was only a light one though!”

“Well…”  She paused.  In fact she was feeling hungry.  Finishing the potion had required several incantations, and she was discovering that took energy.  “I suppose a small break.”

“Excellent,” Nurn rubbed his hands together.  “Hello?”  This was in response to a knock on the door.

“This is Inspector Sharp,” came the muffled reply.

“Quick, cover the table,” hissed Velvet.  Then in a louder voice: “One moment please.”  Back in a whisper:  “Where’s Lord?”

Nurn shrugged as they pulled a sheet over the potions and apparatus.  Velvet stuffed a couple of the Command ones in her pouch and turned towards the door.  Nodding at Nurn, who nodded back, she opened it a crack and peered out.  In the hallway was the tall Inspector and his burly sidekick.

“Hello?  How may I help you today Inspector?” she asked.

“Is the big fellow about?”  was the abrupt response.

“I’ll go and look,” Nurn replied.  He pushed his way through the door and stepped into the corridor.  Velvet took the chance to follow, closing the door behind her and smiling politely at the militiamen.

“How are you gentlemen today?” she inquired, as Nurn disappeared into the boss’s room.

“We’re pretty good,” Wilson smiled back.  “Thanks for asking.”

The inspector gave his assistant a sharp glare before returning his gaze to Velvet. 

“We are not here for pleasantries,” he said.  “I’ve come to investigate reports of fighting in the hotel.  A waiter was injured, and several members of an illegal cult were killed.”

“You will have to talk to my employer about that,” she said in a demure voice.

Just in time, the door opposite opened, and Lord strode out, filling the hallway as only he could.  The inspector and his man took a step back.

“Good morning officers,” Lord said.  “How are you both this afternoon?”

Velvet smirked.  No doubt he’d heard her exchange through the door.

“We are here on official business,” Sharp said quickly, cutting off any potential reply from his assistant.

“Politeness costs nothing,” Lord countered.  “Still, how may we help you?”

“I’d rather not discuss these matters in the corridor,” Sharp said. 

“Whereas I’m quite comfortable here,” Lord replied.

A brief scowl crossed the Inspector’s face, but he quickly recovered, opening a notebook that he took from a side pocket of his long black coat. 

“The other day, several members of an illegal group were killed here.  A member of staff was also injured, and the hotel was damaged.  What can you tell us about this?”

“Has anyone pressed any charges?” Lord enquired politely.

“Three unauthorized murders were committed here!”  Sharp countered.

“As opposed to authorized murders?” Nurn chimed in.

“Stay out of this you.” Sharp waved a finger at the Grey.

“I don’t think I like your tone Inspector,” Lord said, tapping his sword suggestively. 

“I don’t care!” the man shouted back, losing his cool.  “I’m a representative of the City Government, you will answer my questions!”

“I tell you what,” Velvet said, interjecting before things escalated.  “If we help you, will you answer a question for us?”

“I’m not here to bargain young lady,” Sharp replied. Still, he took a deep breath and seemed to calm down.  “However, I need information.  No one is under investigation here, I’m merely trying to gather more intelligence on this group.  They’ve been a thorn in our side for years.”  He paused and looked up at the ceiling for a moment, as if seeking guidance from the overhead lighting.  Eventually he looked back down at them.  “Very well, if you help me, I’ll answer a question, if I can.  So,” he turned back to Lord.  “What happened?”

The warrior shrugged.  “I’m sure it’s as you’ve heard already.  A group of five men, assassins, attacked us.  They were professionals, trained in stealth attack techniques, good at close quarter work.  They used poisoned darts and some kind of slim short sword, one in each hand.  I killed three, one got away.  Another was killed in the dining hall using a potion we had with us for defensive purposes.”

“I don’t suppose you know who was behind the attack?”  Sharp scribbled a few notes in his book.

“Sorry, I can’t tell you anything about that.”  Lord shrugged again.  Velvet noticed how he phrased the words as if he didn’t know, but you could take his meaning in several ways.  She remembered Nurn telling her the man didn’t lie.  Obviously there was more to deception than just lying!

Sharp sighed and flipped his book closed.  “I suspected as much.  Very well, that will be all.  As the hotel has refused to make a complaint against you, and you were clearly the victims here, I can do nothing further.  But rest assured,” he waggled a thin finger.  “I have my eye on you lot.”  He turned to leave.

“Oh, Inspector, aren’t you forgetting something?” Nurn asked.  “Our question?”

Sharp’s shoulders sagged briefly, but he stopped and turned back around. 

“Go on then.”

“We are interested in the location of someone who calls himself Puzzle,” Nurn said.  “Can you tell us anything of his whereabouts?”

“Why would you need to know that information?  He’s a highly dangerous character.”

“I’m aware of that,” said Lord.  “So am I.  He has information I need.”

“What sort of information might a crime lord have that you would need?”  Sharp raised an eyebrow.

“Personal information.”

“Mmm.”  The inspector gave Lord a surprised look, but then shook his head.  “Well, if I knew where he was I wouldn’t be here wasting time with you lot.  I don’t have any idea where he’s located.  If I did I’d lead a battalion in and take him out.  The city can do without the likes of his kind.”

“I see.”  Lord nodded. 

“You’ve had your question.  Come on Wilson.”  Sharp did an abrupt about-face and marched off down the corridor.  His sidekick gave them one last glance and followed.

The three watched them go until they turned the corner and disappeared from view.

[Saint]

I'm still to read the previous chunks.   

[NicTei]

Whereas I'm completely caught up.

[Thunderbird]

Just finished Chapter 1 (all three parts...)  Not bad so far Chinny.  I'll keep reading...

[Chinaren]

Cool, thanks T.  It's not my usual style, but I'm trying for variety.