by James Somers
Felix smiled. “Naturally. As for where you are and all of the rest of your questions—since I’m sure you must have many—we should discuss the answers in a more appropriate place. Come and I will give you a tour of our city.”
I turned to Sadie. She wasn’t moving, except for the steady rise and fall that came with her breathing. “My friend—”
“Will be well cared for in our infirmary,” Felix assured me. “She can sleep off the effects of the toxin undisturbed.”
I remained unsure. However, I realized the situation I was in. I could not refuse his hospitality and hope to leave here with Sadie. There was no choice but to go along and, in the process, find out what was really going on here.
Briefly, I considered Adolf. If Felix had not mentioned finding him then perhaps he remained safe on the shore. I decided not to risk mentioning him for now.
“I’m concerned about them,” Sophia said.
Brody smiled at his wife. They sat at breakfast inside the castle at Highmore. Despite the fact that many Descendants had taken to living within the city of Rockunder since the battle with the automatons in London, he and his family had remained in Highmore. Laish and Redclaw had even taken residence there and were now serving under the authority of the Leprechaun King.
Sophia had not taken offense when the request came from Brian Shade. After all, the Lycans no longer possessed a kingdom of their own. There was no standing army or many of the other political, military and administrative duties that had been applicable while they remained in Tidus.
It was only appropriate then that her chief Royal Advisor as well as her Master at Arms be free to serve in the administration of the reigning king here in Ireland. Redclaw was then able to find service in the army as a Master at Arms and Laish served on the advisory council to the king. It had been a good choice.
Brian Shade had proven himself to Brody and Sophia over the years. They had been wise to concede to the man’s authority, and the Shade King had made them honored members of his court. Any plans to reconstruct the Lycan Empire had ultimately dissolved since the spiritual realm remained ruined and under the control of the three cherubim.
There was no place in all the Earth that could replace Tidus. So, Sophia and Brody, along with the Lycan elders, had decided to be content with the mixed society here in Ireland with the Leprechauns. Their joint victory in London had done much for soothing tensions, and all of the various Descendants who had come with them from London as refugees had settled either in Rockunder or had remained in the town of Highmore.
Brody and Sophia now had the castle all to themselves. Sadie remained with them, as well as Cole. But the other dignitaries had gone to the Leprechaun city, enjoying the society it offered and, of course, many wonders besides.
“You worry too much,” Brody said, hoping to comfort her. “They’re grown and capable. What could happen? Just a few dragons, right?”
“I suppose you’re right,” Sophia said. “It’s just that it’s been two days. They usually aren’t gone so long.”
“I know,” Brody said, chuckling, “it’s usually longer. Have you forgotten the trip they made to Russia a few years back. Or the matter they went to investigate in the States last year? They’re young. They like to be on the go.”
Sophia smiled. “Were we ever like that?”
Brody sighed. “We were worse, but only because the war was so hot at the time. These respites come and we get comfortable because we’ve been through so much. Makes me appreciate these brief bouts of peace.”
“It makes me wonder how long those moments will last,” Sophia replied. “Nine years without any trouble coming? How long can that go on?”
“A war in Europe is already underway,” Brody noted. “Perhaps, the Fallen have moved on. Bigger fish to fry than the few Descendants left in the world.”
Sophia cast him a sidelong glance. “Do you really believe that?”
He grinned. “Not really. But I’ll take whatever we can get.”
Hours later, the conversation with his wife was still on his mind. Brody had grown more and more troubled as the afternoon wore on. He had no particular duties to attend to today, so his thoughts kept coming back to the question Sophia had asked. How long could this peace last? Had the Fallen really moved on?
Brody didn’t believe it for a second, even though he had hoped to soothe Sophia’s concerns at the time when he said it. To suppose that Black, or Lucifer had simply given up on their schemes involving the Descendants was too much to hope for. They would not accept defeat so easily, if ever.
It had been nine years. No doubt some terrible plan was brewing. The war in Europe was already proving terrible on the human front, but he couldn’t believe that was their only means of wreaking havoc. Black, in particular, had shown himself determined to destroy his family and all of the Descendants who had followed him from London.
He decided it was time to pay a visit to an old adversary. As far as he knew, the man was still alive. Although he had heard some rumor of illness—a heart attack if he wasn’t mistaken.
Sophia had gone to Rockunder. She had mentioned going to visit at the Royal Palace in order to see Laish and Redclaw, if they were available. Brody thought it more likely that she had gone to find any news she could about their daughter and Cole.
They had gone off with Adolf on some excursion to a secret valley where Dragon Riders kept the creatures safe from outsiders who might push the beasts further toward extinction. Evidently, Cole and Adolf had been offered the rare opportunity to attempt a harnessing. If successful, they would be inducted into the ranks of the Dragon Riders.
Brody could easily imagine it taking them several days to carry out the journey and the matter of harnessing a foul tempered beast like a dragon. He wasn’t worried about them as Sophia was. But he did want more information on what the Fallen might be up to these days.
With Sophia gone and no one around in the castle but himself, Brody decided to do something about it. He created a portal envelope fixing his destination in his mind, projecting this desire into the matrix. He adjusted his attire by transforming his breeches and pull over shirt into a dark black suit and tie. His boots became polished black shoes with a mirror finish on them. He stepped through his portal and emerged at Whitehall in the city of London.
Doppelganger
Toshima, the host of Southresh, passed from London, where he had followed Brody, back to Highmore Castle. From here he made sure that the wife was still gone. Now was his opportunity. Southresh had found him easily enough, but had taken precautions to ensure that Brody did not detect him.
It wasn’t as difficult as one might imagine. For years they had sensed one another vaguely. It was only a matter of getting nearer without being too conspicuous. Having felt one another’s presence for so long, a desensitization had come over them. Subtle changes were no longer noticed because of fluctuations already occurring over time.
They had been nearer to one another in times past, both aware but choosing not to take up the chase. A mutual disinterest. Now Southresh intended to take advantage of the apathy that situation had generated.
He passed easily from Highmore Castle into Rockunder, being cautious not to do anything flamboyant that might draw attention to himself. When Southresh appeared on the street, he wore the appearance of Brody West. It was a glamour, of course, but a glamour generated by the power of an angel and one no Descendant’s scrutiny could discern.
Southresh took several steps. The world around him blurred. To passersby, he had apparently vanished. Certainly, this was a common enough occurrence in Rockunder. These few dynamic steps had brought him to the Royal Palace of the Shade King.
The guards regarded him, but made no attempt to stop him from entering. After all, West was well known and had been a respected member of the Shade King’s court for many years now. No one in the palace would think twice about him coming to see the king—especially when his wife, Sophia, had already come to the palace a little earlie
r in the day.
Southresh walked right in, making his way patiently through the palace, glancing at some, offering nods and smiles on occasion in recognition of people that appeared friendly when they spotted him. West had done all of the work for him in this respect. Nothing in the world could have been easier now. No one even questioned his reason for coming.
When he appeared outside the Shade King’s throne room, one of the guards noticed him and offered to inform the king that he was in waiting. Southresh smiled and nodded, even offering him a pleasant, “If you please.”
The guard bowed slightly at the waist before taking his leave to enter the throne room alone. There were a few members of the court who had been waiting already when he arrived. Seeing him, they seemed slightly put out. Possibly they knew that Brian Shade would prefer Brody West rather than sticking with the order of first come, first served.
Southresh only smiled a little, but did not offer to assuage their fears. If the king permitted, he would enter first regardless of who was already waiting. In fact, Southresh was glad for these who were present. They would be witnesses to what was about to transpire—to what Brody West was about to do.
In a moment, the guard appeared again. He asked if Brody minded waiting briefly while the king spoke with Lord Callen about matters in Europe. The man who had been sitting in the vestibule, growing impatient when he had seen West arrive, smiled up at him. Apparently this was Lord Callen.
“No,” Southresh said, attempting to do his best impersonation of Brody’s youthful voice for the benefit of those present. “I will not be made to wait. My business is more important than this man’s, and the king must see me right away!”
Southresh made a point of raising his voice now. The few witnesses sitting in the vestibule were all staring at him. This behavior had them puzzled and anxious. It was unlike West to say such things, or make demands upon the king as he was now.
The guard, taken completely by surprise in the matter, stood stunned, unsure how to reply. Southresh did not give him the chance. He was here to make an impression, one they would never forget. He was here to ruin the reputation of Brody West and this was only the beginning.
“Step aside, fool,” Southresh said, shoving the guard aside as he threw open the door and walked past. The guard was too bewildered by this behavior to say anything against him. He simply caught himself, straightened and then rushed through the door after the person he supposed was Brody West.
At the far end of the throne room, Brian Shade looked up in surprise. He had been conferring with another dignitary of some sort—Southresh did not recognize him—and was looking at Brody and the befuddled guard in astonishment. He stood as Southresh stalked down the length of the room toward him.
“Brody, I’m sorry, I wasn’t aware that the matter was urgent,” Brian said. “I’m actually still in middle of something if there’s any way you could wait just a moment.”
Inwardly, Southresh grinned with delight, but he couldn’t show this to the Shade King. He was now an actor in a play. Lucifer’s little farce was intended to placate the young Leprechaun’s prince’s desire for vengeance. However, the young man would never have guessed what it was about to cost for his prayers to be answered.
It was never a good idea to pray unto an idol god backed by a demon. You never could tell what was going to happen. Fallen angels might give you your heart’s desire on the surface, but it would always cost more than the supplicant expected. In the end, the matter would cost them everything they valued and everyone they loved.
“I’ve waited long enough, Shade!” Southresh yelled. “You sit here in your palace all these years, basking in the adulation of our peers, while I sit on the sidelines. My kingdom nothing more than a memory, a waste, while you have everything. And now I find that my wife has come to the palace, again, to see you!”
Southresh could barely contain his glee at seeing the shock written all over Brian Shade’s face. He had absolutely no idea what was going on. He found himself mute, unable to reply to the outrageous complaints and accusations spilling from the one person he had for years considered his greatest ally.
“Brody, I don’t know what you’re—” Shade began, only to be cut off.
“Don’t try to deny it!” Southresh bellowed for all of the king’s advisors and guards to hear. No doubt, even those waiting in the vestibule outside could make out every shocking word. “I’m not a blind man, though certainly you and that harlot have played me for the fool.”
The soldiers present in the throne room were growing anxious. Clearly the man they had long considered a hero among the Leprechauns and a great friend to their king was having some sort of breakdown. As for others who were listening, they immediately thought the worst. The Shade King had apparently been having an affair with the wife of his best friend.
Of course, none of it was true. All lies concocted by this angel in disguise. But they had their affect on the room. Total confusion now reigned.
This jealous rage would be perfect. Even an honorable man could do insane things in such a state. As Southresh approached the king, the soldiers moved in. Courtesans and dignitaries were looking for a place to hide. It was time to take this to the next level.
The office of the Prime Minister was, of course, guarded. However, Brody had expected this. He walked the halls invisible to all of the human guards waiting at the dozen or so checkpoints in the building. He had also been prepared for the magical wards placed upon Gladstone’s private office. Mere invisibility would not prevent whatever trap had been set from being triggered.
Since the Prime Minister saw many human politicians and such, he could not always be expecting them and therefore dropping his wards for their protection. They had to be triggered by the use of Superomancey. Simple enough.
Brody dropped his cloak of invisibility—a talent he had learned from Redclaw years ago. Now that he wasn’t exuding any power, he approached the white paneled door and politely knocked for admittance. Another armed guard opened the door.
“Brody West to see the Prime Minister,” he said. “And it is a matter of some importance.”
Brody held up his lion’s head cane, offering it to the guard. “Please give him this as proof of who I am.”
The guard seemed puzzled but compliant. He allowed Brody into the outer office where three female secretaries worked at desks, typing official documents for Gladstone and the Empire. The guard instructed Brody to wait there, indicating a couch near the door. He took a seat, and the guard proceeded through another door, presumably leading to the Prime Minister himself.
The secretaries in the outer office watched him over their spectacles. He pretended not to notice. Brody listened intently, but did not hear any reaction from Gladstone beyond the door. However, after a moment, the guard returned without the lion’s head cane.
“He’ll see you now, sir,” the guard said, opening the door to allow him to pass.
Gladstone’s office stood at the far end of an overly long hallway. Curious why he should have it constructed thus. Most likely, it had something to do with protecting himself. Brody took note, but disregarded it. If he had wanted to harm Gladstone, he was quite confident that the Prime Minister wouldn’t be able to do anything to stop him.
Brody also realized that Gladstone probably felt the same way about the situation. The Prime Minister likely would not have agreed to see him unless he gave up his most valuable weapon. Gladstone would certainly recognize the twin to Oliver’s wolf’s head cane and would understand that this was the now infamous Malak-esh sword. If anything would set the man’s mind at ease, allowing him to hold this weapon would.
The guard waited at the outer office door as he made his way down the hall to Gladstone’s door. Another white paneled door awaited. The door opened on its own. Brody walked through and found Gladstone sitting behind his desk which lay to the right of the door.
When Brody walked through, the door closed automatically behind him. He stood before an older
version of the Prime Minister. His hair had gone white, what little was left, and the effects of poor health, either now or in his recent past, were clearly evident. Obviously, the rumors of some illness had been true.
“Mr. West,” Gladstone stated. He did not show him the courtesy of standing up. Brody was not surprised, considering the adversarial nature of their acquaintance.
“Gladstone,” he replied, taking a seat.
The cane lay upon the Prime Minister’s desk. Gladstone had both hands upon it, perhaps fearing that Brody might leap at the weapon and try to kill him. Truth be told, he might have liked to, but he wasn’t here for vengeance today.
“I must admit,” Gladstone began cautiously, “I’m surprised to see you after so long a time.”
“This is not a social call.”
“No, I hadn’t supposed so,” Gladstone replied icily. “In fact, until you surrendered your weapon, I imagined you had come finally to kill me.”
Brody didn’t smile. “I won’t say that course of action is entirely off the table. Your cooperation might help me to defer.”
Gladstone glanced down at the cane under his hands. He ran his fingers along the length of the ebony, almost caressing it. Clearly he understood what he had.
“What’s to stop me from using your own weapon against you?” he asked.
Brody grinned at the Prime Minister. He held out his hand. The cane vanished from beneath Gladstone’s hands, reappearing in Brody’s hand.
“This weapon obeys only me,” Brody said. He closed his grip tighter. Malak-esh vanished again like a vapor. “But, as I said, I’m not here to kill you. I want to know what the Fallen are up to these days.”
“We’re fighting a conflict in Europe, and you want to know what they’re up to?” he asked. “Are you joking? Obviously they are concerned with the war.”