The Londum Omnibus Volume Two (The Londum Series Book 12)

by Tony Rattigan

  ‘That is understood,’ said the king, ‘and we are very grateful but let’s hope it won’t come to that. Please continue with the briefing.’

  ‘Once you have met up with your team the same airship will take you up to the Lake District where you will be flown between the Elven outposts at Coniston and Sca Fell and deposited at a place called Grasmere,’ the admiral pointed to it on the map. ‘It’s a small town barely more than a village really, about five miles north-west of Ambleside, where the portal is. It’s a short hike as the crow flies but if you have to stay off the roads then it will be up hill and down dale, so we’ve not planned on too strenuous an entry into Ambleside for you. No sense in wearing you out before the mission starts. No offence but you’re not as fit and well trained as those marines are.’

  ‘No, quite,’ Cobb agreed. ‘Thanks for the consideration. I have a question though, I’ve been on one of these airships before and their engines make quite a noise. If you’re hoping we’ll just float through the empty dales and won’t be noticed by the Elves I’m afraid you’re mistaken. We may be some distance away from the main strong points like Coniston but from what you told us yesterday there are plenty of encampments in those hills and probably roaming patrols as well. We’re bound to be heard.’

  ‘You’ve flown on an airship before?’ asked Field Marshal Harcourt. ‘When?’

  ‘That’s not important right now,’ interjected the prime minister. ‘What is important is that Mr. Cobb is right, the Elves will hear the airship. What can we do about that?’

  ‘Already thought of that, sir,’ the Field Marshal assured him. ‘As you know, our aerial attacks haven’t been too successful and we’ve lost a significant number of airships already. The Elves have an extremely accurate and dangerous weapon, in their “plasma cannon”. So to save any further losses, since then we’ve been saving the airships for troop and equipment movements rather than risk them in combat. We will reverse that decision for this operation.

  ‘On the night of the insertion, the airship fleet will gather at Kendal and then fan out and attack Coniston and Windermere, also making a push on Ambleside. At the same time we will begin artillery barrages on those towns to add to the excitement. In the midst of all this confusion, Cobb’s airship will make its way quietly through the dales to Grasmere and drop them off, any engine noise will hopefully be covered up by the attacking fleet.’

  ‘Excellent plan Field Marshal, Admiral, you are both to be congratulated,’ the king praised them. ‘You seem to have countered most of the difficult parts of the mission.’

  ‘Only on this side,’ cautioned the admiral. ‘Who knows what they will encounter on the other side. That close to the portal I would expect there to be a lot of troops around and they will have to make their way through them to get to Ambleside. That part is in the lap of the Gods I’m afraid.’

  ‘Or perhaps not,’ said Harlequin. ‘We’re not allowed to interfere remember?’

  The king said, ‘Why don’t we take a break? Miss Curran, Mr. Cobb, why don’t you help yourselves to a coffee? I see the stewards have brought a fresh pot.’

  They could both see that this was a polite way of saying, ‘Why don’t you go away and let the grown-ups talk?’ so Cobb gave a bow and Adele bobbed a quick curtsy and they made their way to the coffee table.

  As Cobb poured them both cups of coffee, Harlequin ambled over to join them. He helped himself to a cup. ‘So, going to be the big hero and save the world again, eh?’

  ‘You know I can’t help feeling that this is somehow all your fault,’ replied Cobb.

  ‘My fault? How do you figure that?’

  ‘Why didn’t you tell us that there were more pieces of Dark Matter floating around in the Multiverse?’

  ‘Well, you don’t expect us to admit all our blunders, do you? Do you want us to own up to the cucumber and go round telling everyone what a mistake that was?’

  ‘The cucumber?’ asked Adele. ‘What’s wrong with the cucumber?’

  ‘Nothing, never mind,’ said Harlequin, looking around, nervously. ‘Forget I said anything.’

  Cobb and Adele looked at each other, each mentally vowing never to touch cucumber again. ‘Never mind that now,’ said Cobb. ‘What are they talking about do you think?’

  ‘No idea. I’ll go and see what they’re up to, after all, it wasn’t me they sent away.’

  Cobb watched the people at the table with a thoughtful expression on his face. Adele watched him with a thoughtful expression on her face. ‘What’s up?’ she asked.

  ‘Hmm? Oh, nothing.’

  ‘Come on, I know you too well. What’s bothering you?’

  ‘It’s just their military attitude, let’s go in guns blazing and it doesn’t matter if we get killed, we’ll all get medals ... posthumously! I’d rather that someone was looking out for my interests.’

  ‘Then why don’t you say something?’

  ‘You know, I think I shall. It’s my world too that we’re saving and I’d like to be around afterwards to enjoy it.’

  He put down his coffee cup and approached the group at the dining table. He didn’t just barge in (they had after all sent him away and perhaps they were talking about something he shouldn’t know) so he positioned himself in the king’s eye line so he couldn’t avoid seeing him and then he waited. After a moment the king looked up and spotted him then he waved him over to join the group.

  ‘Was there something you wanted, Mr. Cobb?’ he asked him.

  ‘Your Majesty, I’m afraid that I have some misgivings about this mission and the group of marines that will be accompanying me. Don’t misunderstand me, sir, I’m not trying to get out of going, someone needs to do this and it looks like I’m the only one that can, so I’m happy to go. It’s just that I’d like to come back as well.

  ‘I can’t help feeling that the military, and by extension, those marines might have a different perception of the actual aim of the mission. They just seem to want to close the portal, end of story and it doesn’t seem to matter a great deal if they get killed doing it, as long as they achieve their objective. “They are prepared to sacrifice themselves for the sake of Albion,” I believe was the exact quote. Consequently I don’t feel that they’ll be looking out for my interests. I’d feel happier if there was someone along I trusted, who could watch my back.’

  The king looked around at the group and then back at Cobb. ‘I can quite see your concern and you’re right, perhaps we got too carried away by the military aspects, forgetting we had a civilian on board but who would you suggest that could go along with you? Harlequin can’t go, the rules won’t allow it. It’s no place for a lady so that rules out Miss Curran, so who exactly did you have in mind?’

  ‘I know someone who would fit the bill.’

  ‘You can’t just take along one of your friends, you know,’ said Field Marshal Harcourt. ‘It’s not a work’s outing for goodness sake.’

  ‘But the person I have in mind used to be one of your lot,’ Cobb told the Field Marshal. ‘He served with the British Army in Bharat. He’s trained in weapons and explosives and I happen to know he’s very handy with his fists. He’s the ideal candidate and if he agrees I’d like to take him along as my “bodyguard” if you will.’

  ‘This is most irregular, he’s a civilian,’ said the admiral.

  ‘So am I,’ Cobb reminded him.

  ‘But how far away is he? We can’t delay the operation too long if he has to come from abroad,’ said the prime minister.

  Then several of them starting speaking at once and no one could hear anything until finally the king put up his hand, silencing all further gabbling. ‘Very well, if it will make you feel easier Mr. Cobb and increase the chances of this operation succeeding then I approve of it. Now who exactly is this “guardian angel” of yours?’

  ‘His name’s Jim Darby, Your Majesty, and he lives here in Londum. With your permission I’ll take a carriage and go and see if he’s available and willing to accompany me.’


  ‘So be it. Colonel,’ King Victor called to his Aide-De-Camp. ‘Sort Mr. Cobb out with a carriage and a mounted escort will you?’

  ‘Certainly, Your Majesty. This way if you please, Mr. Cobb.’

  Cob said a quick farewell to Adele and then followed the colonel out of the War Room.

  After he had gone, Adele’s curiosity got the better of her and she ambled over to the table to see if she would be allowed into the group. The queen of the witches nodded to her which she took as tacit acceptance of her presence, so she stayed.

  The king sat down and waved for everyone else to do so. Gratefully everyone did, including Adele who felt like she was eavesdropping and would get thrown out of the room at any minute but until that happened she took the opportunity to be involved in the group at the ‘top table’.

  Everyone sat there silent, waiting for the king to speak. He looked around the table, even taking in Adele without comment, and then finally asked, ‘So, does anyone actually believe this is going to work?’

  Several people shrugged and then Field Marshal Harcourt chipped in, ‘It’s not so much the plan that worries me, I think we have a good shot at that, but what happens afterwards?’

  ‘What do you mean?’ asked the prime minister.

  ‘Well, say we actually close the portal. Then we’re stuck with twenty thousand Elvish troops in our dimension and nowhere for them to go. We can barely hold them as it is, if they decide to come south there’s no way we can stop them. If things fall their way they could take over this country before our lads have come back from overseas. Once they take Londum that’s it. End of story. First Albion and then the empire.’

  ‘Is there any sign yet of the Gauls coming to our aid?’ the king asked the prime minister.

  ‘No, Your Majesty. I think they’re deliberately dragging their feet and enjoying our discomfort. Even though it was a generation ago, they’ve never really forgiven us for defeating the Emperor Neapolitan at the Battle of Water-Closet and putting an end to his last rampage through Europe. And they’re not the only ones that are promising aid but failing to provide any. Deutschland and The Nederlands I think would very much like to see us defeated and humbled. I imagine that they will wait until we are desperately weak and then step in to help us out. But not before demanding some very heavy concessions in return, probably asking us to surrender territories in Afreeka and Bharat. No, I’m afraid for the time being we’re very much on our own.’

  A depressing silence descended on the group until Harlequin piped up and said cheerfully, ‘Still, never mind, eh? Worse things happen at sea.’

  Everyone at the table looked at him, aghast. ‘Are you mad?’ one of them asked him.

  ‘You’re not thinking this through clearly,’ he replied. ‘What you need is a saviour, a hero that will come along and save the day.’

  ‘Yes, Mr. Harlequin,’ said the king. ‘But I think you’ll find they’re a bit thin on the ground at the moment.’

  ‘Ah ... but what if there already was one? All ready and waiting in the wings for just such a time as now. One who promised that when his country was in danger, he would fulfil his oath to come back and save it. Supposing there was someone like that, eh?’

  The king shrugged, oblivious to who Harlequin referred to.

  The prime minister sighed inwardly at the king’s ignorance and jumped in, ‘Are you referring to King Arthur?’

  ‘Got it in one, well done, Prime Minister!’

  ‘But you’re asking us to believe in myths and faerie tales,’ spluttered the king.

  ‘Er, excuse me!’ Harlequin pointed at himself with his two thumbs. ‘And not just me, we’re fighting Elves! It doesn’t get much more mythical than that. Come on people, we’re “Through the Looking Glass” here.’ We have to accept the unbelievable and deal with it.’

  ‘Yes, I see what you mean,’ said the king. ‘I don’t know how well you know our history but there is no King Arthur to save us anymore. He and his kind died out a long time ago. There is no one even around these days that would know how to bring him back.’

  Harlequin said nothing just looked pointedly at Queen Eloise.

  Curious, everyone else at the table did likewise.

  ‘Well, that’s not actually true, Your Majesty, there is one that survives from those days,’ she admitted.

  ‘What?! Who?’

  ‘Er ... Morgan le Fay, Arthur’s half-sister.’

  ‘How can that be, she must be centuries old by now?’

  ‘She is, Your Majesty. She was punished for her betrayal of Arthur and assisting in his downfall by Merlin, who cursed her to live until such time that she was forgiven by Arthur himself. And as Your Majesty pointed out, he has never returned so she survives to this day. She is old and frail now but as a fellow witch, the Council of Witches took it upon themselves centuries ago to care for her in her dotage. This duty has been passed on down the years and even today she is in our care. She lives in an Abbey on the outskirts of Londum, looked after by the Abbess and a team of junior witches. Perhaps she can tell us how to bring Arthur back.’

  ‘And is she still of sound mind? She hasn’t lost her faculties over the years?’

  ‘Well, her mind wanders a bit sometimes but if you can get her to focus she will answer you sensibly enough.’

  ‘Then she should be brought here,’ said the prime minister. ‘We need to question her.’

  ‘Exactly,’ agreed the king. ‘She needs to come to Buck House. Er ...’ he hesitated, ‘that won’t kill her off though, will it?’ (Proving once again, that being king doesn’t make you the smartest man in the room.)

  ‘She cannot die, Your Majesty.’

  ‘No, of course not. Then bring her here, bring her here as soon as you can, we need to question her.’

  ‘They won’t be able to get her here before tomorrow but I will go and arrange it now.’ Queen Eloise stood up and waved to her entourage to follow her. Then she stopped and looked at Adele, ‘You can assist me.’

  ‘Me? But ... that is, I’m just ... I’m only here because ...’ Adele replied, pointing vaguely at the door that Cobb had exited earlier.

  ‘You’re a witch, aren’t you?’

  ‘Yes, Ma’am, yes I am.’

  ‘Do you understand all this talk about Dark Matter and such?’

  ‘Well, it’s not my field of study but yes, in general terms I understand what they’re talking about.’

  ‘Then come with me, your queen needs you. Science and Magick have always been worlds apart for me. There’s no telling what we may be called on to understand and act upon in the coming days. Your scientific background and training may be useful to me. You can be my scientific advisor.’

  Adele stood up, rather proudly and said, ‘Lead on Ma’am, I shall be right behind you.’ And with that she followed Queen Eloise out of the War Room.

  ***

  Jim Darby was standing at the window of his drawing room looking out into the street, smoking a cigarette and watching the world go by when he was amazed to see a detachment of Household Cavalry, escorting a coach with a Royal crest on the door, pull up outside his house.

  He was even more amazed when he saw his good friend Rufus Cobb climb down from the coach. He quickly stubbed out his cigarette and went to the front door. As he opened the door he saw Cobb standing there, hand raised to knock. ‘Jim,’ he said, ‘I need your help.’

  Jim waved him into the hall and took a long look at the mounted soldiers outside his house. He closed the door and told Cobb, ‘I hold them off for as long as I can, you run out the back door and have it away over the garden wall.’

  ‘No, it’s okay,’ laughed Cobb. ‘They’re here to protect me and help me get through the crowded streets, it’s a nightmare out there, the roads are so busy.’

  Jim led him into the drawing room and Cobb saw an open suitcase on the sofa, packed with clothing.

  ‘Going somewhere?’ asked Cobb.

  ‘Just got back actually. I don’t like the way thin
gs are shaping up with this Elf business so I took Angela Phipps and young Sarah over to the Continent,’ referring to his ward and her governess. ‘They’re staying with friends of mine until this is all over ... one way or the other.’

  ‘What, you think that the Elves may win?’

  ‘If the reports that are coming out of the Lake District are true then it seems like there’s a possibility that they might. Anyway, I didn’t want to take the chance with young Sarah so I got them out of the country to be on the safe side.’

  ‘Are you going to join them later?’

  ‘No, actually I was going to enlist. I’m sure the War Office can use a man of my talents.’

  ‘Suppose I could offer you an opportunity to deal the Elves a crushing blow, possibly even win the war for our side?’

  ‘Now that would interest me.’

  ‘Jim, I have to warn you though, it’ll be dangerous and we might not make it back alive. But it’s worth the risk if it means that we can beat the Elves and save Albion.’

  ‘Well that’s not an offer you get every day. How can I resist such a tempting sales pitch? Go on then, tell me how I can help you.’

  ‘Well, I need you to do me a couple of favours.’

  ‘Sure, anything.’

  ‘First ... I’ve asked Adele to marry me and I’d like you to be my best man.’

  ‘Congratulations!’ Jim grabbed his hand and shook it furiously. ‘I’m happy for you both, you couldn’t have made a better choice. Wait there, I’ll get us both a drink to celebrate.’

  It was a bit early in the day but Cobb thought, what the hell? It was a celebration. Jim got them both a whisky and they sat down on the sofas, facing each other across the coffee table.

  ‘Are you sure you want to ask me to do this?’ Jim asked. ‘I’d have thought you’d have chosen Thornton.’

  ‘True, I’ve known him longer that I have you, but as he’s the father of my late wife it didn’t seem appropriate. Perhaps a little disrespectful to Adele.’