by R. J. Wolf
The foul smell of rotting fish clung to the air. The stench was almost unbearable, but Gary reveled in the salty undertones that reminded him of home. After sucking in a lungful of the damp, rancid breeze, Gary scanned the dock for a sign of life.
“It’s not here yet,” a throaty voice croaked from the shadows.
Gary lowered his eyes and found Noll creeping toward him.
“What is this Noll? Why did you call me out here?
“A promise is a promise, Gary.”
“And I’m here, ain’t I? So, let’s get on with this, I’ve got things to do.”
Noll wrinkled his lips and flicked his silvery hair across his shoulder. “Things to do, huh? Well I’d be careful with your trip to Thirst. It’s probably a good idea for you to take some backup. Not the kind of place to go alone.”
“Thanks for the tip Noll, but I didn’t say I was going to Thirst. I just have things to do.”
“I had things to do when you came running to me for help. I had things to do when I sent you to the gray,” he said, his voice full of contention.
Gary shifted in discomfort. “Okay,” he sighed. “How can I help you, Noll?”
Noll smiled then pointed out toward the water. “He’s out there.”
“Who’s out where?”
“In the water, my…my transporter.”
“What is he transporting?”
“That’s none of your concern.”
Gary laughed. “The hell it is, Noll. You want me to use my name to bring something through the port and you’re not gonna tell me what it is?”
“That was point! They don’t search you commission boys, so it doesn’t matter what it is.”
“Noll, I told you I don’t have time for this. What am I getting?”
Noll swallowed and looked away. He fidgeted nervously, twisting his hands across one another as he stared out toward the darkness.
“Noll,” Gary said again with a bit more force. “What am I getting?”
“Some diamonds okay…it’s just some diamonds.”
Gary cocked his head to the side and narrowed his eyes. “Just diamonds, Noll?”
“And maybe they have some properties that are shunned upon by the commission. But they’re just diamonds! Okay? Diamonds, Gary.”
“How do I pick them up?”
Noll grinned. “There’s a boat over there,” he said and pointed into the shadows. “The parchment will tell you everything else you need to know.”
Before Gary could object or respond, Noll spun around and vanished into thin air.
“Damn giant mole cricket,” Gary fumed.
He made his way to the seawall where a small boat was tied to a post. Fuming, he dropped down into the bow and yanked the cord to start the engine. The small Johnson motor rumbled softly as he reached into his pocket and pulled out Noll’s instructions.
“Ok midget, where am I going?”
An amber, glowing dot came to life, slowly pulsing like a distant star. Gary clutched the magical note in his hand and started motoring out into the blackness. As soon as he moved away from the seawall the paper started to light up and a dash appeared connecting his location with another dot on the map.
The boat zoomed forward as the magical motor propelled it through the water much faster than should’ve been possible. Gary seethed as water splashed over the side of the hull and wet his shoes. He pointed the boat into the night and twisted the throttle all the way back. Crashing over waves, he hurdled through patches of fog, the blinking dot his only compass.
More icy water swelled over the side of the boat and Gary cursed Noll and his entire lineage. As the salty liquid rolled down his head he considered turning the boat around and feeding Noll to one of the lumbering oaf’s that worked for him. But as alluring as that was, he was likely to need Noll again.
Bouncing over the rough water, Gary ran the boat at full throttle for half an hour. The flashing dot that was his destination seemed a lifetime away. But at some point, a shady object in the distance caught his eye.
“There you go,” he mumbled and cut the engine, letting the boat drift.
A small yacht was anchored a short distance away. All the lights were off, but the engine was set to idle and the light from a burning cigarette flickered from the bridge. He could make out the silhouette of a man standing on the deck as he floated closer. He was a bulky guy, most likely human, but there was no telling.
“You Noll’s guy!” the man yelled.
“Not really,” Gary replied in a dull raspy voice.
“Then what the hell you doing out here?”
“Just give me the diamonds. I got things to do.”
The man let out a low growl and cast a skeptical glance. He stared at Gary for a while, rubbing his chin and chewing the inside of his gum. Shrugging, he turned around and vanished into the cabin.
Gary yawned and sat down. He watched the water ripple and sway back and forth. The dark surface bashed against his tiny craft, rocking the boat like a crib. He rubbed his eyes and fought off his exhaustion. He knew his night was far from over.
“Hey!” the man from the boat called out.
“Yeah,” Gary said and stood up.
“Tell Noll to lose my number after all of this.”
“Yeah…yeah I’ll do that. Now, is this happening or not?”
“Come aboard,” the man replied and tossed a rope out.
He pulled the tiny boat up next to the yacht and Gary awkwardly clambered over the railing. Now that he was standing next to him, Gary could get a good look at the man. He was a little taller than Gary, but twice as wide with a head shaped like a football.
“Monti,” the man said and extended his hand.
“Gary, Gary Abbott.”
“Follow me Mr. Abbott.”
Monti turned and walked down the side of the yacht. His steps were long and heavy, and Gary could feel the boat rock from side to side with every footfall.
“Where ya from Monti?” Gary asked, trying to make small talk.
Monti ignored him and stepped into the cabin. There was a man sitting on the couch with his legs crossed. He wore a long, beige trench coat and slippers as he puffed on a half-burned cigarette.
“Is this the agent that the dwarf sent?” the man asked in a thick, English accent.
“Yes sir, this is Mr. Abbott.”
“Mr. Abbott, my name is Charles Langford. I understand you’ll be handling our little customs problem.”
“You understand correctly.”
“Good.”
“So where is it?”
Charles started to laugh, and Gary gave him an odd look that quickly turned to frustration. He shook his head, trying to wipe away the anger, but as Monti joined in, he felt his temper reach a peak.
“I don’t know what’s so funny, but I’ve got things to do tonight. So maybe you and your goon could give me what I came for and I can be on my way,” Gary fumed.
“Warlocks,” Charles looked at Monti and said with disdain. “You’d think they owned the place. Mr. Abbott, Noll may have sent you here, but don’t think us dim. We know who you are, what kind of man you are…the circles you move in.”
Gary tightened his fists and narrowed his eyes. “I don’t have time for this.”
He turned and started for the door. Monti grabbed him by the shoulder and he whipped around and knocked his hand down.
“Touch me again and I’m keeping that hand.”
Monti took a step back and tensed his face as he flexed the muscles in his arms. He started forward, then paused and looked at Charles.
“What are you looking at him for? I already warned you,” Gary said as his hands began to glow.
“Enough,” Charles roared and pushed himself to a stand. “This is counterproductive, Mr. Abbott.”
“Yes, it is, Mr. Langford,” Gary spat. “Langford…I’m sure daddy is so happy with what you’ve done with his empire. For as much as he preached about only mingling with other elvish folk, to see his
son employing an incubus is a startling revelation. How is old Eli?”
Charles smiled. “Not so dim either, are you? My father and I are at odds. To say we don’t see eye to eye on many issues would be a massive understatement.”
“Glad to hear it. Now can we get on with business or should I carry on with other matters?”
Charles smiled and sat back down. “Very well. As you know, all visitors to the city are required to go declare any magical items to the fae.”
Gary shrugged and gave him a blank look. Charles sighed and swiped thin silver strands of hair from his face.
“As Noll explains it to me, you may have some expertise in this area. We have an associate who is being held by the fae as we speak.
“If he’s already being held by them there’s no help I can provide. They would’ve seized his items already.”
“That they did. But, the bag has an enchantment that will not be broken by the likes of those wretched creatures.”
“So, what is it you need from me?”
“Do your thing, grease some wheels, lace some palms. Get my associate and his package into the city.”
Gary took a deep breath and dropped his head. “Damn you Noll,” he whispered. “Fine…let’s get this over with.”
Charles smiled and flicked his hand. “Monti bring us to the port. Mr. Abbott have a seat. Would you like something to drink?”
“No. If it’s all the same to you, I’ll stand.”
“Suit yourself.”
With a whirring sound, the bow of the boat rose into the air as they plowed forward. Gary was flung backward and slammed into the wall before catching himself. Charles smiled then puffed a cloud of smoke into the air.
Stumbling, Gary found his way to a chair and sat down. He cast a sideways glance at Charles then leaned back and sighed. A clunk sounded as Gary’s small boat tore away from the railing and floated into the night.
“More comfortable isn’t it,” Charles said sarcastically.
Gary closed his eyes and settled in for the ride. He nodded off a few times, but as the boat slowed and people started shifting around the cabin he sat up and glared out of the window.
The fairy dock was nearly impossible to miss, unless you were a zero. The incantations and spells that had been cast around it shimmered in the night air and one could feel the power radiating from the fae enchantments.
Try to slip something into the ports without declaring it and you may as well slit your wrists. The fae were viscous when it came to their charge and even though the dark waters looked desolate, someone was always watching.
The yacht pulled up to the dock and Gary stood up. Monti beckoned him toward the door then turned and walked off.
“Good luck, Mr. Abbott,” Charles said and tipped his head.
“Good luck to you, Charles,” Gary replied then cut his eyes and followed Monti.
They stepped off the boat onto the pier. Gary followed him for a few steps then Monti paused and let him pass.
“His name is Christoff Mastenson,” Monti said and held his hand out like a chauffeur.
“Thanks.”
Gary continued down the pier as Monti headed back to the ship. He watched him for a few seconds then made his way toward the check-in station across the lot.
The pier was awash with fluorescent blue and pink lights that sparkled and moved like they had a mind of their own. Gary hurried past them and headed into the clearing facility. It was a small gray building with no windows and only one door.
“State your purpose,” a lean, pale-faced man said.
He was sitting behind a desk with a blank look on his face. He scanned Gary with his obsidian colored eyes then seemed to doze off for a second before repeating himself.
“State your purpose.”
“I’m here about Mr. Mastenson, Christoff Mastenson.”
The man furrowed his brow and shrugged. “What do you want me to do?”
“Call someone? Point me in the right direction?”
The man smiled and pointed his hand toward the door.
“Fairies,” Gary grumbled. “Look, I don’t have time for this. I need to get Mastenson cleared. He’s under commission authority.”
Gary flipped his badge open. The man looked at it then yawned.
“Of course. The commission and all it’s important business. Wait here.” The guard stood up and walked into the office behind him, through a door that wasn’t there earlier. That was the way the fae operated and what made their small office at the port work so well. Their network of portals accessing different dimensions meant they could go anywhere at anytime and draw on the limitless power from their home.
“He’s in room three,” the guard said as he returned. “Sylvia will take you.”
Sylvia was a gorgeous fae. Her ebony colored skin glowed under the office light, radiating with energy. Her physique was strong, but graceful, brimming with an undeniable power that heated the air around her.
As she stepped into the room she swung her blazing, golden hair to the side and beamed at Gary with pure white eyes. Gary stared back at her for a moment then they both broke into a wide smile and started laughing.
“Mr. Gary Abbott,” she said with a warmness in her voice.
“Sylvia, last name still unknown,” Gary replied and stepped forward into her embrace.
“A lady has to keep some secrets,” she said as she wrapped her arms around him. “How have you been, old man?”
“I can’t complain. Better now that I’ve laid eyes on you.”
Sylvia smiled and kissed him on the cheek. “So, this Christoff fella is one of yours?”
“Unfortunately.”
“Nasty spell he has on that case.”
“They’re a paranoid group.”
“Of course. Well, follow me and I’ll take you to your man.”
Sylvia started down a long hall that materialized in front of them with every step she took. Gary shot an angry look back at the guard and fell in line behind her.
“So how long has it been, Gary? You don’t look like you’ve aged a day.”
“Ten years, and when I look at you I feel like a grandpa.”
“Oh stop. You need a new line of work. The secrets Gary, they’re taking their toll.”
“We do what we must.”
Sylvia stopped outside of a door a pressed her hand against the surface then turned back to face Gary.
“Times are changing, Gary. I know you can feel it. Be careful…everything isn’t what it seems.”
“Sylvia?”
“Just, just be safe. The fae won’t always protect these borders.” She leaned forward and kissed him again then stared into his eyes for a long time. “The door in the back of the room will lead you to the other side of the port. It was really good to see you, Gary.”
With that, Sylvia left him and returned down the hall. Gary stood rooted in place as Sylvia’s ominous warning soaked in. The fae were seldom wrong and anything dangerous enough to scare them off was something to worry about.
Frowning, Gary turned and headed inside. A man was sitting at a table in the middle of the room with his fingers interlaced. His long, dark hair fell over his shoulders and his face bore the scars of a life well lived.
He looked up as Gary approached and a flash of evil flickered behind his green eyes. Gary immediately recognized him as a warlock and stopped short as a surge of nervous energy jolted through his hands.
“Christoff?” Gary asked.
“Are you the one they sent to escort me across?”
“Seems that way.”
“They have the case.”
“It’ll be returned. Follow me.”
Gary headed toward the back of the room. Christoff stood and followed him in confusion as he walked straight into the wall. Without slowing down, he passed right through it and into a long hallway that ended at a checkpoint manned by a group of fae.
“What is this?” Christoff asked as he stumbled behind Gary.
; “Don’t act like you’re so new to this. You must be one of those parlor trick type warlocks.”
Christoff scoffed at him. “Just get me the hell out of here.”
A guard with a short, green hair stepped in front of them as they neared the table. “Gary?” he asked and raised his eyebrows.
“Yes sir.”
“Sylvia said you’d be expecting this.” He held out a small, brown leather case.
Gary grabbed it and handed it back to Christoff. “Is that all?”
“That’s all.”
The man stepped to the side and let them pass. They walked through another wall and stepped into the cool night air of the city. Gary paused and looked toward the lights scattered in the distance. He hoped they hadn’t been inside long, but he knew when you crossed through fae planes, time wasn’t a consideration.
“Well thanks,” Christoff said and extended the case.
Gary narrowed his eyes and scratched his head. “What do you want me to do with that?”
“Not my concern. My job was to get the diamonds to you. So here they are.”
Reluctantly, Gary reached out and took hold of the case. He immediately felt a stab in his chest as he closed his hand around the grip. Noll had screwed him.
“Mount Veil’s best. Be careful with them.”
“What!” Gary snapped.
But before he could react the man turned and apparated into the night.
CHAPTER 13
MOUNT VEIL
Gary trudged down the street carrying the case like it was a dead body. He didn’t want to apparate with the diamonds, terrified of what might happen. Instead he hiked seven miles to another part of the city before trying to hail a cab.
As he crouched inside of the dingy minivan the sky opened and icy droplets fell from the clouds. He slammed the door just in time as the taxi pulled away and he sighed in exhaustion.
“Where ya headed?” the aging driver asked as he examined Gary’s tousled appearance.
“Just drive,” Gary replied and leaned his head back. “You’ll know it when you get there.”
Swallowing, he looked down at the bag then cursed under his breath. He knew better than to trust Noll, but his desperation had made him careless. He couldn’t wait to be out from under the dwarf’s thumb.