Spring Showers Box-set

by Avell Kro

  lose concentration and begin to rematerialize amid the cracked wall plaster. Blood splattered, as

  Oswald’s internal organs were pulverized and intermixed with-in the parlor wall. Angelica's spider illusion disappeared leaving a more horrifying vision of the dead Lord trapped in the wall.

  Guild Master Saint-Yves desperately manipulated his beads,muttering an arcane incantation. Slowly

  a sigil began to surround and glow on the floor around Angelica. Rose could divine from the arcane

  writing it was some type of defensive binding spell.

  The Voodooist made a mopping motion with the Ju-Ju staff over the eldritch sigils Gerrard was

  conjuring. The sigil broke apart into a grey green cloud of dust. Angelica slammed the staff down

  while uttering a chant to manifest the spirits of her predecessors. Gerrard gazed in awe as the

  apparition of Papa Lafayette spilled from the eyes of the dead Hougan's skul .

  The phantom of Papa Lafayette moved across the room and grabbed Gerrard by the throat. The

  Guild Master dropped his beads, as his life force was drawn out into the apparition. The ghost let

  out a hearty laugh, pushed out his chest and stretched his free arm towards the Ju-Ju staff

  channeling Gerrard's soul into it. Gerrard screamed as he began two wrinkle and age.

  Angelica never saw Seer Thomas enter the room as she worked her spel . The Seer plunged a

  dagger between Angelica’s shoulder blades with both hands assuring full penetration. With the

  blade buried to the hilt he twisted the handle to actuate a mechanism. With that twist, a valve

  opened releasing the contents of a crystal vial, a potion pressurized with aether, the soul serum,

  was the name the Necronists gave it. This potion was designed to inject through the center bore

  of the blade and into the victim, not a poison but an arcane reactive fluid that initiated the

  coagulation and collection of the spirit force back into the vial in the weapon’s handle.

  The instant the dagger plunged into Angelica’s flesh, she released her staff and the spel was

  broken. Gerrard fell to his knees racked with pain.

  Rose stood frozen in silence. Torn and confused she was sharing her memories just moments ago

  and now Angelica lie prone and lifeless on the floor. Seer Thomas hovered over the dead body of

  Angelica. Gerrard arose to his feet with some effort, he was visibly older. He limped to the mantle

  and put the orb into his coat pocket. The ex-nun watched the Guild Master as he steadied himself

  on the mantel, Rose felt a tap on her upper arm, it was Detective Williamson standing behind her

  in the archway with his pistol drawn.

  * * *

  10:31 PM Pilton Road

  “Drop the knife.” instructed Dolly, his gun pointed at Seer Thomas who was still standing over

  Angelica, holding his dagger. As if in a trance, Thomas let the blade fall to the floor. He quickly

  surveyed the room Rose looked worn out but safe at his side, the woman on the ground had a stab

  wound to the back and there was Saint-Yves and one of his cronies with what had to be the

  weapon that stabbed the woman.

  "Dear Detective how timely of you to show up.” Said the Guild Master who turned to face Dol y, pointing to the floor. “The Murderess you have been seeking. She was attempting to kill me when

  my colleague stopped her."

  Dolly waved his pistol at the gruesome scene of Lord Oswald. "Christ, what the hell happened to

  that poor fucker?"

  Rose spoke “The remains of occultist Lord Oswald who failed a phase shift attempt, not a direct

  attack by Ms. Du Haiti,"

  Burton entered the hall from the back of the house with the driver in cuffs and his pistol drawn

  “Detective Sergeant I nabbed this guy going in the back door”

  "Burton, get outside with that one and blow your police whistle to alert the uniformed constables

  and request a paddy wagon," barked Dolly, his attention back to the parlor where Gerrard had

  moved from the mantle to the body of the priestess. He was reaching for the Ju-Ju staff.

  “Dolly, don’t let him touch that,” yelled Rose.

  “Guild Master, you just stop moving right now,” ordered Dolly, realizing Burton had not left the hall

  yet. He looked to the young detective and saw him standing dumbstruck. At first, he chalked it up

  to the gruesome scene but then he heard the murmuring of the two Necronists.

  He turned to see them both chanting then he felt something warm on his left-hand side. It was the

  amulet that Rose had given him, he could see it glowing through his pocket. He then saw Rose’s

  necklace charm glow.

  "You two shut your traps now."

  They continued with the mesmerism.

  “Rose, they are trying to hex us do something to protect Burton.” Yelled Dolly. She and Dolly were

  safe at the moment with the wards she had made to defend them, at least he thought they were

  since he felt like he was thinking clearly. Rose turned, pulling off her coat. “This will afford him

  some protection” said Rose as she threw the coat over Burton, diving on him like he was a man on

  fire.

  No way will I become a mind slave under someone’s control, or be made to fight Rose or Burton.

  “Alright, let's give this a try" he shouted.

  He placed a bullet into Seer Thomas's thigh. Blood and gristle flew and the Necronist when down

  with a howl.

  The report of the pistol broke Gerrard's concentration. Gerrard bellowed "you can't shoot him, we

  are diplomats, guests of your government!"

  Dol y squared his gunsight on Gerrard's head. “One more move from your lips and I'll let this next

  chamber go.” As Dolly stared at his head through the sight he realized how ill and haggard the

  Guild Master looked.

  “Now Guild Master you look like you need a lie down. Why don't you just have a seat and keep

  your arms in the air and palms facing me, don't –say- a -word.

  The detective lowered his pistol and looked at the other Necronist, he was passed out and losing

  blood fast. “Looks like I may lose my badge but your mate's going to lose that leg.”

  “Burton get outside and start blowing your whistle to get some uniforms in here. Burton snapped

  out of his haze as he collected himself after Rose’s body tackle.

  “Rose, come here.” He handed her the pistol. “You get close to the Guild Master and point this at

  his head and if he tries to summon anything, pull that trigger and conjure a hole in his head.”

  Rose took the pistol in both hands and stepped next to Gerrard.

  Dol y took off his belt and grabbed a candlestick to fashion a tourniquet. Thomas would certainly

  lose the leg, staving the blood would be his only chance at living through the night. While he

  worked on the leg he considered Saint-Yves seated in the chair, "I know what you’re up two, you

  were trying to mesmerize me and Burton. You two are under arrest for the murder of Angelica du

  Haiti”

  “So that's how the Metropolitan Police work? We do your dirty work and now you arrest us?”

  retorted Saint-Yves.

  What's he talking about? asked Rose.

  "Never you mind Rose. He opens his mouth up one more time you just pull that trigger, and point

  it a little more to the left if you do shoot him his brains won't be enough to stop that ball and you

  could hit me."

  "Dol y were you working with them?"

  In a manner of speaking, my boss requested I collaborate.”

  “The Detective authorize
me to hunt her down,” replied the Guild Master.

  “And I also told you to make sure I was on hand. Funny thing is that you weren't the one that

  tipped me off to Angelica's whereabouts it was Sister Rose here that sent me a wire-type of the

  address.” Dolly was struggling to get the bleeding to slow on the Seer. It started to sink in the that

  bul et may end his career.

  “So, I'm prepared to bring you in and let the Crown decide you were defending yourself or here to

  commit murder,” said Dolly as he gave Gerrard a smile while he twisted the tourniquet tighter.

  Burton came back in with a constable. "Jesus Christ is that guy been blasted through the wall,

  bloody hell"

  "Constable put some irons on the Guild Master."

  Monday the 27th of June

  Monday June 27th 1858 Königsberg Prussia

  “Deiter, are the plans complete?” inquired Duke Gorber.

  “Yes, your Grace, as best as I can tel ” The Chief Engineer replied.

  “Excellent, when do you expect to get started on the construction?”

  The Engineer looked as if he wanted to speak but lost his words.

  “When can I tell Prince von Bismarck that Prussia will have its first Air Dreadnought?”

  “Your Grace, may I speak freely?”

  “Go on,” the Duke needed updated information on the progress even if he must listen to the

  Engineer whine about his staff, material and working conditions.

  “While my engineers and technicians have the plans we still need time to grasp the technology of

  the Mechanists. I am informed daily that we require more documentation to unravel the

  complexities of a subassembly, that confounds us because we do not comprehend the process they

  use to craft a specific part. I know it pains you to hear it, but this is the most sophisticated airship

  ever to be built and we need more time. Before we lay the hull, we need to understand the

  metallurgy process. For the ship to fly we need to master the design of the solar and stellar-scopic

  registers that drive navigation.”

  “What can I provide to make this project meet my schedule?” asked the Duke.

  “I need a proper Mechanist team and industrialist leaders such as Bessemer, Whitworth, and

  Clooney. Likely I require intelligence from each of them” demanded the Engineer.

  “I will be back in one week’s time, Dieter. I want your plan to have a keel laid by winter” demanded

  the Duke.

  “May I make a suggestion, your Grace?” asked the Engineer. He wanted to provide solutions not

  cry about poor resources.

  “If it moves our plan forward I will hear it, if it’s more excuses then keep it to yourself.” Gorber

  was at the mercy of the Prussian engineers but did not want to show that weakness.

  “If we were to follow these plans and build a replica of the British ship it would be obvious that we

  have spies in the London works. Instead my engineers can take the innovations and integrate

  them into Prussian designs. In fact, some of these concepts could be retrofitted to naval ships and

  ground artillery immediately,” The Engineer knew he had to deliver some progress given the risks

  taken to secure design drawings of the HMS Victoria.

  The Duke was intrigued, “Continue.”

  “For example, we have the specification for Professor Honeysuckle’s flexible armor. One of my engineers postulated that we could line the interior of our dirigibles an immediate improvement

  to the existing fleet,” followed the Engineer.

  “Dieter, strike my request. Upon my return, I want you to have a list of the upgrades and time

  frame for the implementation of the items you suggest.” The Duke could use this idea to show

  progress. The Engineer did have a point, that a duplicate of the dreadnought would leave no doubt

  there had been espionage.

  “Affirmative, your Grace.”

  The Duke left the factory located on the outskirts of Königsberg and returned to the city center to

  report to Prince von Bismarck. As the Minister for Internal Affairs, Duke Gorber’s title was an

  innocuous term for his real purpose as the head of the Prussian spy service.

  Operation Braunbär was the Duke’s critical plot, essential for the game at hand of the Minister

  President of Prussia Otto von Bismarck.

  When Duke Gorber entered The Minster President’s office, Kiefer the High Elector Guild Baron of

  the Alchemists was seated having a coffee with von Bismarck.

  “Guild Baron, Minister-President,” greeted the Duke the two gentlemen with a curt bow and click

  of his heels.

  “Have a seat Gorber, may I call for a coffee or other refreshment for you?” queried Minister

  President von Bismarck.

  “A brandy Sir, we should all have a brandy to celebrate the success of our operations in the British

  Empire” suggested the Duke.

  “Very well, while we await the bottle let’s begin with a briefing on the home front. What can you

  report from the Palace?” inquired von Bismarck as he walked to the door of his office and opened

  the door, “Hans, bring three glasses and a bottle of Brandy.”

  When Gorber knew had the attention of Bismarck again he began, “The King’s health continues to

  deteriorate. While none of the doctors have openly speculated on the King’s demise it appears

  there is little chance of him recovering from this stroke.” replied the Spy Master.

  “Very well, do you have a summary on the Prince Regent?

  “Not now.”

  “How about our Danish friends?”

  “Nothing more than you read in the papers, I am afraid. The Danes are sensitive to our disputes to

  the hereditary claims on the two duchies.”

  A steward knocked at the door carrying a tray. “Excellent timing,” said Gorber. “Pour the Minister-

  President and Guild Baron a snifter for we toast the success of our agents and the illustrious

  Alchemists of Prussia.” The men touched glasses and drank. “The Guild Baron and I am keen to be updated the results of Braunbär?” von Bismarck inquired.

  My agent in Scotland Yard has confirmed that the police are looking for saboteurs and do not

  believe the bombing was instigated by home grown revolutionaries. That being said, they suspect

  the subversives to be French not Prussian,” offered Gorber.

  “What of the designs, Duke Gorber? I blew up my plant for your charade, was it worth it?”

  “Operation Braunbär was a success because of the sacrifice you made for the unification of

  Germany, Guild Baron. First there is now a plausible reason for you to delay the supply of LQ to the

  British. Next the explosion allowed us to destroy the drafting and records building to cover for the

  documents our agent stole. We have detailed plans of the Victoria to design counter measures to

  the warship. In addition, we have uncovered hundreds of innovations we can begin to include in

  the design of current and future airships and artillery,” gloated Gorber.

  “Minister President, it would mean a great deal to the Guild if any of these innovations could be

  incorporated into our processes.” added the Guild Baron.

  “Minister President I will need to conduct further operations on British soil to obtain additional

  industrial secrets. Some of what we have learned from the documents indicate other novel

  approaches in metallurgy and precision machining, are needed to master and build at the level of

  Queen Victoria’s Mechanists.” the Duke advised.

  “We can
not rely on royal bonds of matrimony to secure alliances nor depend on those affiliations

  for our security. For decades, our borders have been subject to the whims of the French, the

  Russians and a pack of squabbling Germanic Dukes. No offense meant to the present company,”

  articulated von Bismarck.

  “None taken,” replied Gorber.

  “Prussia will lead the Germanic people to a unified German Empire that will rival the French

  Russian and British Monarchies. This Empire will be fueled by alchemies of our most prestigious

  Guild and finally bring peace to our people. No longer will our lands be trodden on by foreign

  invaders,” von Bismarck declared.

  Duke Gorber had no reason to doubt the Minsters mettle to make his vision a reality.

  Tuesday the 28th of June

  11:00 AM Necronist Guild House, Ile de la Cité Paris, France

  Guild Master Saint-Yves reached the shores of France with Moreau by his side and Thomas in a

  coffin in the hold of the ship. He made his way to the headquarters of the Necronists and had been

  resting there now for several days. He remained within the walls of the compound until he was

  certain that the French and English had settled any issues connected to Angelica’s death. Of those

  that passed on Saturday he still grieved the fall of Angelica the most, Thomas was devoted but he

  was impetuous in stabbing Angelica and the Necronist Guild had its stock of rash zealots, then

  there was Oswald who Gerrard knew for only a few hours and there again he did not follow

  Gerrard’s aim to subdue Angelica and for that he surrendered his life. There would be no further

  talk of the mission today for soon the Emperor would visit the Guild Hall. The Necronist Guild

  House ironically sat next to the Cathedral of Notre Dame on the Ile de la Cité, the site of a medieval

  Hospital. The land stretched from Notre Dame all the way to the Seine. More than a house it was a

  compound, multiple interconnected buildings and deep sub-levels that many of the Guild did not

  rank high enough to enter. The site was a donation to the Necronist Guild from the Emperor

  himself on the day of his coronation.

  The Necronist viewed themselves as savants of metaphysics seeking to define the science of the