Order of Britain: Stone of Madness

by Myatt, Ben

  “We've been called back to the Guild,” he said, anger etching his expression.

  “What?”

  “Gordon told me that we've been called back. Clarence has been relieved of duty – by Cameron.”

  ***

  They leapt out of the hansom by the front gate of the Guild, and Nathaniel, his face still furious, made as if to barge through into the centre of the building. Callum grabbed his arm.

  “No. Let's go round the back – we can probably find out more that way.”

  They walked around to the tradesman's entrance, and slipped in through the kitchen. Margaret Cottle, the head cook, gave them a surprised look as they walked past the ovens.

  Unlike most kitchens, the Guild kitchen was relatively autonomous. Rather than three or four assistants, Margaret had one assistant and a lot of magic. On Guild grounds, she was left largely to her own devices, and the sight of pots stirring themselves and kettles spontaneously boiling was a regular occurrence.

  She was also a goldmine of information. Not a single nugget of gossip went past her ears, and in many ways she had access to a more efficient intelligence network than Clarence himself. Callum grinned, walked over to her, and gave her a warm embrace.

  “Evening Margaret. I see you're doing well,” he said.

  “Better than you lot,” she said seriously, pushing him away. “Have you only just got back?”

  Callum nodded.

  “We wanted to get the lay of the land before we went in to see the council.”

  “The lay of the land is that Wallace Cameron has decided that he knows better than Clarence – which is a bloody stupid idea, if you'll pardon my French.”

  “I gather you share our opinions of him then?” Elizabeth said.

  “He's good at playing politics, but Clarence knows magic. Not just how to use it, but how it fits into the world. Wallace just sees it as a tool.”

  Callum leant back against one of the kitchen counters, and crossed his arms.

  “What happened, exactly, Maggie?”

  “About an hour ago, Wallace came into the council session and announced that he was relieving Clarence of his duties – he said that Clarence's actions were putting London at danger, and therefore he was unfit to be in charge.”

  “Wouldn't the council have to vote on that?” Nathaniel asked.

  “No. Wallace is the deputy chair – if he decides to replace Clarence, and feels he can present the evidence to do so, he can take action independently.”

  “If you don't mind me asking, Maggie,” Elizabeth said with a grin, “how do you know all this?”

  “No-one ever notices the tea lady, dear. It's easy to fade into the background if you know how.”

  “Where is Clarence now?” Nathaniel asked intently.

  “He's confined to his apartment. Wallace has put guards on there, so you won't be able to get in. He's probably safer than you three right now – word is that Wallace wants you brought straight to him as soon as you're found.” She smiled. “He won't do anything to harm Clarence. He's not powerful enough. He'll keep Clarence off the scene for a while until he can 'retire.'”

  “You seem to know a lot about it.” Callum said.

  “I've seen it before. Clarence is the first openly elected council leader in the last two centuries.”

  The three agents shared a confused glance.

  “Two centuries?” Elizabeth asked.

  “Good mages come and go, but good cooks never die,” Maggie said, grinning at her.

  “You mean you're immortal?”

  “Oh no, of course not. I just don't die. There's a fundamental difference.”

  Callum opened his mouth as if to object, but Maggie held up a hand to forestall further questions.

  “We don't have the time to explore this further. For now, you need to go and see Wallace. You won't be able to learn any more from me than I've already told you.”

  Callum grinned, and nodded.

  “As always, Maggie, it's been a pleasure.”

  The Order agents headed out of the kitchen, and into the main Guild. Maggie waited for a few moments, then looked up.

  “You can come out now.”

  There was not transition – one second the girl wasn't there, the next she was.

  “I thought you might have noticed me,” The Girl said. She was wearing a white robe, fastened with an ornate brooch at the shoulder. Her long brown hair was tied back into a ponytail. She didn't look more than fifteen or sixteen, but her eyes were much, much older.

  “Of course I did, dear. Would you like a cup of tea?”

  The Girl smiled.

  “Of course. Your tea is legendary, Maggie. What do you think of current events here?”

  Maggie smiled slightly.

  “I just do the cooking, dear. You know that.”

  ***

  The trio headed straight for the council chamber, their faces masks of calm as they walked through the halls of the Guild. While appearing to be a relatively small building from the outside, the Guild chambers extended into several pocket dimensions, and had provision for many more. Theoretically, someone could walk for miles while staying inside the building.

  The crowd parted as they saw them approaching the star chamber. Two guards were waiting outside, and at the sight of them, opened the door. Callum whispered out of the corner of his mouth as they headed into the council's inner sanctum.

  “They're armed.”

  “So are we. But let's not precipitate anything,” Nathaniel said.

  They headed through the big double doors, and stood in front of the round table. From the far end, Wallace Cameron watched them like a cobra waiting to strike.

  “Mr Cameron. I hear you've been making changes,” Nathaniel said mildly.

  “I have indeed, Mr Wittington-Smythe. And I intend to make more of them. I gather you have news to report to me – please be seated.”

  Their faces revealing nothing, the three agents sat at the table. Callum was smiling slightly, his eyes fixed on Cameron. That annoyed the councilman, and momentarily, his gaze became a glare.

  The expression flickered across his face, and vanished like a reflection on water, becoming a calm, mild expression once more.

  “Your report?”

  “We've found the source,” Callum said bluntly. “The negatively charged energy is radiating from one central location – and it's defending itself.”

  “Excellent work, Mr Drake. I take it you've passed the location to Gordon?”

  “Of course.”

  “Excellent. The Order stands relieved.”

  Nathaniel's face went very still.

  “I beg your pardon?”

  Cameron smiled. There was a hint of vicious joy behind that smile, a malicious enjoyment.

  “There have been certain... irregularities over the reformation of the Order. Therefore, I intend to relieve you of duty for the time being – have no fear, the more experienced agents of the Guild will be able to handle the current crisis.”

  He looked down at his paperwork.

  “That will be all. Do see yourselves out.”

  Nathaniel opened his mouth as if to speak, but Elizabeth placed her hand on his wrist, and shook her head. The three agents stood, and silently left the room.

  They walked quietly through the silent groups of mages outside in the hallway, and remained silent until they reached a quiet corridor not far from Callum's apartment.

  “Bastard,” Elizabeth snarled. “Treacherous, lily-livered, slimy bastard.”

  “That about sums it up,” Callum said glumly.

  “Well, he may have stood us down, but I don't think we're going to do that, are we?” Nathaniel asked.

  Callum and Elizabeth looked at each other, and smiled.

  “Of course not,” she grinned.

  “So let's go see Clarence.”

  ***

  The guards outside Clarence's rooms looked up as the three agents approached, and stood stiffly to something resembling att
ention. Cameron had insisted on quasi-military discipline for the Guild's in-house security, and they tried to follow his orders – even if they didn't agree with them.

  Internally, the men cursed as they recognised the three people approaching them. This list of people who'd been barred from seeing Clarence was a short one, but these three were at the very top.

  Nathaniel stopped in front of them, and smiled.

  “We're here to see Clarence.”

  “I'm afraid I can't allow that, sir,” the first guard said, keeping his eyes staring straight forward.

  Nathaniel smiled, and leaned forward.

  “Alright, my friend. I know you have orders. However, there is something you need to bear in mind. Right now, Cameron is in charge. You know, and I know, that isn't going to last. However, in the meantime, I can make every facet of your existence a living hell in so, so many ways.”

  He stood back, and cocked his head to one side.

  “And if I don't you can be assured that my colleagues will. So what's it going to be, lads? Are you going to let us through, or am I going to have to systematically ruin your entire lives – as you well know I can.”

  The two guards shared a look, and stood aside. Nathaniel brushed past them without a second glance. Callum, however stopped and clapped a hand on their shoulders.

  “Wise decision, boys. Very wise indeed.”

  The two guards glanced at each other.

  “Clarence is going to get back in charge, isn't he, sir?”

  Callum grinned.

  “I wouldn't bet against it. I'll see you round.”

  ***

  Clarence was slumped in an armchair when they entered his rooms, staring moodily at the fire. A book of magical theory, dog-eared and worn, lay abandoned on the chair's arm.

  “Are you alright, Clarence?” Nathaniel asked, his face a mask of concern.

  “Fine, my boy. Just fine.”

  “So why are you sitting here doing nothing?” Elizabeth asked.

  “I'm doing many things, my dear. I'm thinking. It's something that seems to be out of fashion round here.”

  The rotund mage let loose a sigh, and continued staring into the fire, his fingers drumming an idle pattern on the arm of the chair. They fell silent, and listened to the thumps of fingertips on upholstery.

  “So, how do you plan to get back to the head of the council?” Callum asked bluntly.

  “What makes you think that's my intention? Perhaps I like having time on my hands.”

  “Cameron is going to cause untold damage, Clarence.”

  “That's beside the point. He acted perfectly legally, and the council has followed his lead. I have been removed.”

  “Legal isn't always the same as right.”

  Clarence's eyes snapped around to Nathaniel, anger blazing deep within.

  “Do you think I don't know that?” he snapped. “Do you think I wanted this?

  “So do something about it!” Callum snarled.

  Clarence sighed.

  “It is not the right time for action, Callum. When it is, I shall make my move, but at the moment the ball is in Cameron's court.” He smiled slightly. “But I thank you all for your faith in me. I hope I shall be able to prove worthy of it.”

  There was a gently knock on the door, and one of the guards stuck his head in.

  “I'm sorry to interrupt, but I've had word that Mr Cameron is on his way. You'd better clear out before he gets here.”

  Nathaniel nodded, and got to his feet. He glanced down at the former chairman.

  “Whatever you do, my friend, I pray you don't leave it too late.”

  ***

  Cameron had elected to accompany the forward team as they attempted to destroy the source of negative void energy in the centre of London. Clarence had been a hands-off leader, preferring to allow his agents to handle their situations.

  Cameron was determined to show that he was different. He stood on the street opposite the town house as the agents set up. Gordon Daltrey, his secondment suddenly at an end, stood by nervously.

  “I think you should know, sir, that I believe this to be a very unwise decision,” he said.

  “Your thoughts are noted, Mr Daltrey,” Cameron snapped, then went back to ignoring the little man. Daltrey sighed, and resumed his vigil.

  A buzzing in his ear distracted him from his reverie. He threw a sidelong glance at Cameron, then reached for his earlobe.

  “Hello?” he murmured.

  “Gordon? It's Callum. Are you at the source site?”

  “Yes. They're getting ready to go in.”

  “Don't let them! Whatever is in there is hostile!”

  “I know, Callum. I've tried. Cameron has made his mind up.”

  Callum swore down the link.

  “We can't get out of the Guild at the moment. Will Cameron miss you if you slip away?”

  “I doubt it.”

  “Get back to the Guild. I want you here to provide support if we need it.”

  Gordon began to walk towards the waiting hansom cabs, and got in. He ordered the driver to take him back as the agents began to approach the house.

  ***

  Callum cut the link to Gordon, and lit a cigarette, the match flaring in the cool air of the balcony, then fading to black as he blew it out.

  “Is Gordon on his way?” Elizabeth asked.

  “He is. It sounds like we got him out just in time,” Callum said. He looked out over the city, his eyes searching for anything out of the ordinary.

  His right arm was twitching of its own accord, the tattoos itching and stinging his flesh.

  “Something bad is going to happen, Elizabeth. The void is shifting. I can feel the energy moving across the city. And we're going to be caught up in the middle.”

  She smiled, and laid her hand on his as he stared moodily at the city.

  “Is there anywhere else you'd rather be?”

  He grinned at her.

  “I suppose not.”

  They stared at each other in silence for a couple of moments, before an awkward cough came from behind them. They glanced over their shoulders at Nathaniel, who was smirking at them from the lounge.

  “Am I interrupting something?”

  “Nothing that can't be dealt with later,” Elizabeth replied coolly. She brushed a strand of raven hair back from her forehead. “Is it warm out here or is it me?”

  Nathaniel laughed, and walked out to join them. A tray of drinks was in his hands, and he passed them one each.

  “Have you been raiding my good scotch?” Callum asked.

  “Yes. Next order of business, how are we going to get out of here?”

  Callum leant back against the balcony, and sipped from his drink, relishing the heat of the liquor as it ran down his throat. The other two watched him carefully.

  He lowered the glass and smiled slightly.

  “I've got a plan,” he said. “But you're really not going to like it.”

  ***

  Cameron watched as the two leading agents of his party approached the door of the townhouse, and pushed open the door. Darkness gaped like a wound within the hallway, deep and menacing. The lead agent shivered, and stepped inside.

  “There's nothing here!" he shouted back towards the door, his eyes showing the relief he felt. He failed, however, to notice the tendrils of solid darkness that reached from the shadows towards his limbs.

  A deep rumbling sound vibrated through the house as the tendrils grabbed him. The man standing by the door instinctively launched a fireball of magic into the depths of the darkness to rescue his colleague. The spark of magic vanished into the depths of the house, extinguished like the head of a match. A moment passed... and then a larger tendril reached out of the inside of the house and snatched him from his feet, dragging him into the depths.

  Cameron stood stunned, his eyes wide as the tendrils reached out from the house towards the men on the street.

  “Sir, what shall we do?” one of the agents asked him
.

  Cameron said nothing. Instead, he turned, and ran. Around him, the agents lost any semblance of order, hurling spells at the tendrils whilst running for cover. Above the street, the lamps exploded as a wall of darkness began to rise from the paving stones, seeping like oil, then moving up into the air to form a barrier of inky blackness.

  Cameron ran. Jumping up onto the running board of a hansom cab, he glanced at the driver.

  “Move! Back to the Guild!”

  The driver glanced over his shoulder, then froze as he saw the horror bearing down on them. Cameron swore, and gave the man an almighty shove.

  The driver hit the cobbles hard, his head cracking on the pavement, and lay still. Cameron ignored him and seized the reins. Lashing the horses hard, he pushed them into a run, steering the cab towards the Guild.

  Behind him, the wall of darkness rose up to become a dome over the house. Then it began to expand, creeping, inch by inch outwards.

  Flattened by the withdrawing tendrils, the agents in the street got to their feet. They looked around, seeking guidance, and finding none.

  One of them, a young mage, newly promoted to the forward team, drew his gun. Looking down at his hand, he stared at the weapon as if he'd never seen it before. Then he raised the pistol, and shot one of his fellow agents in the chest.

  As if a dam was bursting, the other agents hurriedly drew their weapons and gunned the young man down. Then they began to turn on each other, rapid gunshots ringing through the empty street. Screams began to emanate from the houses along the road as the darkness reached them. In one of the houses, a wealthy banker smothered his wife with her pillow before hanging himself with the belt of his trousers. In another, a previously well behaved dog tore out the throat of its elderly owner, then submerged itself in the back garden pond until it drowned. Up and down the road, and orgy of violence began to take place.

  And it was only the beginning.

  ***

  In Trafalgar square, a group of soldiers were lounging, bottles of cheap drink in their hands. One of them, Johnny Dunham, glanced up at the massive one hundred and seventy foot tall column at the centre of the square. At its pinnacle, Lord Horatio Nelson stood guard, his features a dark relief against the night.

  Dunham could have taken him a bit more seriously if there weren't pigeons nesting on top of and around him, their heads tucked under their wings.