by J. R. Wallis
ONE MONTH LATER . . .
TWENTY-SEVEN
Ruby crept down a dark street. It was late. A cat skittered away from her, its tail flicking before it jumped onto a fence and then disappeared as it leapt into the dark. Ruby stopped and tried to breathe again.
‘Keep focused, girl,’ said the gun.
‘I will if you let me,’ said Ruby. She put the gun into her waistband and carried on walking. She couldn’t hear the Vampire, but she knew it was following her. She’d seen a dark shape behind her when she looked both ways to cross the road. The little hairs on her neck prickled as she strained to hear anything. But the Vampire was so quiet it gave nothing away. Ruby kept on going, telling herself that this was all happening because she’d meant it to happen. This was all part of her plan.
She turned and crossed over another road and then turned right, down an alley she’d picked out earlier because she knew it led to a dead end.
She walked slowly, her hands plugged in her pockets. Her feet rang on the cobbles.
Before she reached the end of the alley, she heard a noise. It was a little laugh.
‘I think you’ve run out of places to go,’ said a voice. Ruby looked back and saw a thin-looking man. He was dressed in a dark suit. There was a hat on his head with a deep groove down its middle. She didn’t know what sort it was because she didn’t really know much about hats except for what a beret was because she’d been made to wear the saucer-shaped thing once by a couple who’d tried to foster her. The Browns.
‘Nice hat,’ she said. The Vampire stopped and observed her, as though weighing up who exactly this person was. Clearly, it wasn’t used to such confidence.
‘I am a girl,’ said Ruby. ‘But I’m one you don’t want to mess with.’
She took her hands out of her pocket and spoke the words she’d been practising all day, learning them from The Black Book of Magical Instruction. She opened and closed one hand four times and silver sparks came out of her fingers to make the corners of a square.
‘Cnyte,’ said Ruby and the silver fengnett started to knit together, stretched out taut across the alley. It only took a few seconds to form and then the threads started playing delicate musical notes.
The Vampire had already tried to turn, but it didn’t seem to be capable of moving very well. Its feet stayed rooted to the spot as it tried to move its arms to turn its body. As the fengnett played its song, the creature stopped struggling and just watched it, entranced by what was happening. The very light music coming off it was so soft and delicate, even Ruby felt a little woozy.
When it was time, the Vampire walked towards the net, as if in a trance, and lay against it and started to smoke and melt. And then it was gone.
Ruby plucked the single white fang from the net and looked at it in the light from the street lamp. ‘It’s a nice one,’ she said to the gun as she started folding up the net, its song tailing off abruptly.
When Ruby returned home to the cottage, the thrill of having done magic was still raw and bright. Every time she cast a spell now, something inside her became a little stronger. Partly it was to do with the magic. It told her as much, whispering that the more she used it, the more powerful it would become, allowing her in turn to cast better spells. But there was also something of her that was growing stronger too. Now she was becoming the person she’d always wanted to be, ever since she’d heard of the Badlands. She was still not a proper Badlander, though. At least not yet.
She looked at the ticking invitation on her desk. On it were written the words:
The High Council formally invites
Ruby Jenkins
to its annual meeting on
30th April
She decided she should get some sleep before her big day tomorrow. Givens had advised her the test of her magical skills would be extremely challenging, to see if she really was worthy of being called a Badlander. But before she turned in, Ruby wanted to inspect the dreaming seeds she had planted in memory of Victor Brynn. They had sprouted delicate green shoots over the last few days and, as she watered them, she whispered how much she would love to speak to Victor Brynn one day in her dreams and tell him all she had acheived. She knew it would make him so proud.
She didn’t sleep well, nervous about the big day ahead. But in the morning Ruby got up and took a bath and made an effort to look as smart as she could. She tried on different clothes but in the end she settled for what she was most comfortable wearing, jeans and her old army camouflage jacket, which bore the marks of various creatures she’d encountered in the Badlands.
When she was ready, Ruby tried to clear her mind of nerves before slapping her hands together, and feeling the Slap Dust fizz on her palms.
She arrived in a long hallway and walked down it to the double doors at the end as she had been told to do at the appointed time.
As she straightened her jacket, she took out the gun from her waistband.
‘How do I look?’
‘You’re gonna knock ’em dead.’
Ruby nodded. ‘Thanks. I couldn’t have got this far without you, you know.’ Ruby could have sworn the gun blushed and then it spoke in a rather wobbly, emotional voice.
‘And not without Jones, either, of course.’
Ruby smiled and nodded before placing the gun into her waistband. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a few seconds, remembering how much she had prepared for this moment over the last few weeks.
When Ruby opened the double doors, she saw Givens sitting on a dais in the middle of a large room with other men seated either side of him. She thought she saw him give her a glimmer of a smile and then he cleared his throat.
‘Ruby Jenkins, are you ready?’
‘Yes,’ she said.
‘Then let it be known that this test of your magical ability has now begun,’ announced Givens. One of the other men sitting beside him released a One Eye into the air and it fluttered towards her. As the tiny creature circled around her, she saw that it looked very similar to the one that Thomas Gabriel had owned and her mind wobbled a little as she wondered where the boy was. There had not been one sighting of him since she had last seen him. Even when she had looked in her scrying mirror she had not been able to locate him.
The One Eye gave a little squeak and nodded at her and then flew back to the hands of the man who had released it.
‘Ready your magic,’ said Givens.
Ruby nodded and conjured some strong white sparks at the ends of her fingers, ready to do whatever the men of the Badlander High Council required.
GLOSSARY
of
BADLANDER
TERMS
Æhteland (ANGLO-SAXON) Translates as ‘territory’ or ‘landed property’. The term refers to a district managed by a Badlander in a city, primarily London, which is split into a number of different territories. Only a Badlander who manages his æhteland is allowed to hunt on it and he is responsible for the safety of all ordinary people who live within its boundaries.
Asce (-an) ANGLO-SAXON) Translates as ‘something burnt’, ‘dust’ or ‘ash’.
Augustus Drewman Augustus Drewman is considered by many to be the greatest Badlander to have ever lived because of his renowned skill with magic and the number of creatures he despatched in the Badlands during his lifetime, reckoned to be over five thousand. However, his legacy has been tarnished due to the fact the magic inside him turned bad, leading to madness and death.
Drewman was born over four hundred years ago, unable to speak, and grew up mute, tending the pigs of the village in which he lived. He became a Badlander at a young age after drinking the dirty bath water of the man who was to become his Master. Such was the young Drewman’s connection with magic the bath water allowed him to Commence on the spot. He also experienced another effect – the magic gave him the gift of speech, meaning he could cast spells. His relationship with magic went on to make him very powerful yet ultimately it distorted his mind, sending him mad, and he died a broken man after
living a long life, extended many decades through spells. All the biographies written about him have attributed his death to the natural process of the wyrd (see separate entry). However, there are some who still question to this day what really happened to Drewman, given his body was never found. The odd theory even exists that the High Council of Badlanders imprisoned him, keen to learn about his connection with magic and how he became so powerful, but this rumour has never been substantiated.
The Badlands The Badlands is a term used to describe any location where creatures might be lurking. It normally refers to places right on the edge of normal people’s lives. However, it is a name that encompasses a wide variety of places, from a distant valley to a park in the heart of a city, or even to a house in the suburbs. Wherever a creature is found then that location is considered to be a part of the Badlands.
Badlander The given name for members of the Badlander Order, a secret society of monster hunters. The Badlander Order evolved in Great Britain during the 5th century after the arrival of Anglo-Saxons from continental Europe, who brought with them their own secrets and methods of fighting monsters. Ancient Britons adopted these techniques as they gradually embraced the culture and language of Anglo-Saxons. The teachings and organised living of early monks also helped to create early Badlander practice. Initially, Badlanders were trained in the monasteries until the Order began to emerge with its own established set of rules in approximately the second half of the 7th century. The influence of monasteries may explain why the Badlander Order is exclusively male.
The Badlander Bestiary – Pocket Book Version A small, portable reference guide to all the various monsters found in the Badlands. The pages are blank until the user demands to know information about a specific creature, at which point all the relevant information will be revealed. Because of this function it is usually used as a field guide on hunts and is particularly valuable for apprentices who are learning about creatures.
‘Be Prepared’ An old motto used by Badlanders to ensure that they are always ready for whatever they may encounter in the Badlands. This phrase has been adopted into the larger society of ordinary people too (for example, the Scout Movement).
Bescéawere (-eas for plural) (ANGLO-SAXON) Translates as ‘observer’.
The Black Book of Magical Instruction Presented to every apprentice during the act of Commencement, The Black Book of Magical Instruction can only be read by those who have Commenced and been given the gift of magic. This ensures the secrets of spell-casting are reserved only for those deemed special enough to Commence. The book is vital as a teaching aid for young Badlanders, allowing them to learn how to use magic. It is interactive, leading apprentices through various lessons and answering their questions.
Charles Du Clement (1770 – present) Born in Bordeaux in 1770, Charles Du Clement grew up as a member of the Badlander Order in France, although he was itinerant and travelled widely, researching a vast array of creatures across Europe. Eventually, he settled in England in 1820, preferring the English way of life to that of continental Europe. After being bitten and infected by a Lich, captured from a Bronze Age round barrow (burial site) in Dorset, Du Clement was imprisoned in the crypt of the chapel of St Crosse College, Oxford (see separate entry on St Crosse for more information) for the benefit of Badlander scholarship, because of his vast and detailed knowledge of creatures and monstrous beings. Despite being an important asset, Du Clement’s imprisonment is kept a secret by high-ranking members of the Order because of his transformation into a Lich, a creature Badlanders are sworn to destroy.
As well as advising on creatures, Du Clement has the final say on whether the thesis of the Badlander research fellow at St Crosse passes or fails.
Commencement The act of advancement of an apprentice Badlander by which he is given the gift of magic. Commencement is entirely at the discretion of the apprentice’s Master who will formalize the Commencement by handing over a silver key. This key is worn around a Master’s neck for the duration of the apprenticeship and unlocks an oak chest that has the properties to set an apprentice’s Commencement in motion.
The term Commencement was agreed upon by the Order in the early 17th century prior to which various terms had been used to describe the process and its different elements.
Cynte (ANGLO-SAXON) Translates as ‘knit’, ‘tie’ or ‘bind’ and is the imperative form of the verb cnyttan.
Dark Magic – áglæccræft (ANGLO-SAXON) A dangerous form of magic only really understood by those who use it. All Badlanders know that once they have Commenced, the magic inside them (see separate entry for Magic) needs to be controlled otherwise it may try to corrupt the minds of anyone using it and tempt them into using Dark Magic. Therefore, many Badlanders practise forms of meditation or wear various types of undershirt (see separate entry for undersyrc) to protect against this. However, magic can alter in other ways and force Badlanders into using Dark Magic: either through a bite from a creature (such as a Witch or Vampire) or if a Badlander uses a dangerous magical item of dubious provenance. Being bitten is by far the most common reason for magic changing inside a Badlander and usually results in transformation into a No-Thing, the term for a Badlander who practises Dark Magic and is required to drink blood in order to cast spells.
Badlanders who want to use powerful magical items can drink bitter potions to try and guard against any ill effects.
Deschamps & Sons Deschamps & Sons is an extremely large department store in London that sells everything a Badlander might need. It prides itself on providing the highest quality products, catering for a range of tastes. The store started as a small shop in the late 16th century. After being founded by Monsieur Deschamps, who had arrived from Paris, it grew into a much larger business over time. Almost all of the shop is concealed deep underground, beneath the city of London, with the entrance at street level, to what seems, at least to the ordinary person, to be a small tobacconists called Deschamps & Sons. There are various Deschamps & Sons stores all over the world catering for Badlanders in different countries.
Door Wurm A very useful creature employed to open locked doors, however big or small. Wurms are very easy to use and once inserted into any lock, they will change into the required key. Door Wurms were originally just ordinary garden earthworms charmed by Badlanders but over time they have been bred specifically for their current purpose.
Dreaming Seeds Dreaming seeds cause much debate amongst Badlanders, given that some believe they allow communication with the dead in dreams, whilst others categorically deny such a thing is possible. Much discussion about the seeds arises because they only seem to work for some Badlanders and no one is entirely sure why. One reason often given is that a Badlander must wholeheartedly believe the seeds can work before planting them in the ground if they want to use them; other theories cite the need for particular growing conditions and the quality of the seeds used. Those for whom the seeds work (one drinks a tea infused with the flowers of the plant that grows from the seeds) can converse with a deceased person of their choice. This conversation can only happen when a person is dreaming and therefore it cannot be experienced by anyone else, making it a very private conversation. (For more information see Into the Beyond by D. P. Thompson.)
Éghþyrl (ANGLO-SAXON) Translates as ‘eye hole’.
Eyot (pronounced ‘eight’) A small island, usually referring to one located on a river.
Fæcce (pronounced ‘fetch’) (ANGLO-SAXON) Derived from the Anglo-Saxon word fæccan meaning ‘to fetch’. A fæcce is very similar to a doppelganger, namely the magical ‘double’ of a person, and can be created either with a spell (the most effective method) or by using a combination of various powders added to water, together with some physical evidence of the person being duplicated. On the rare occasions a Badlander steals a child from a family to be his apprentice he will create a fæcce to replace it. Usually, a fæcce will not live long after its creation, but in some instances, they have been recorded as living for up to three or four yea
rs. However, they do become progressively more sickly and unwell over the time they are alive.
Fengnett (ANGLO-SAXON) Translates as ‘catching net’. A fengnett is a special net created with magic for the specific purpose of catching a Vampire. It is constructed from silver threads as fine as gossamer. When the spell is cast properly the net will stitch itself together in mid-air and be stretched out, ready for use. It emits a delicate and beautiful music that lures any Vampire within range towards it. The creature will not be able to resist the music and will lie against the net, which, being made from silver, is fatal to a Vampire. The net will leave to the Badlander who made it a single fang, as evidence of what they have achieved, given that killing a Vampire is a dangerous task.
Forbærne (ANGLO-SAXON) Translates as ‘burn!’ and is the imperative form of the verb forbærnan meaning ‘to burn’.
Gristbatian (ANGLO-SAXON) Translates as ‘gnash the teeth’.
Glassyscopes A pair of magical glasses that can be used to spy on a person wherever they are. Glassyscopes are considered to be a fairly limited item by most Badlanders because, once a particular individual has been observed through the lenses, the wearer of the glasses cannot adjust them to watch anyone else.
High Council of Badlanders A select group of high-ranking Badlanders. The High Council meet annually to discuss any important business relevant to the Order and are responsible for maintaining the Ordnung (see separate entry), and ruling on any changes to it. Members of the High Council are voted in for life.
Hurdy Gurdy A fastacting sedative, in the form of a vapour, that will put someone to sleep for a number of hours if they inhale it, unless they have taken the antidote beforehand. It is created from a variety of herbs and plants. Although it cannot be seen or smelt it can make the air glisten in patches once released. Hurdy Gurdy can be given to a person in small quantities to make them drowsy and force them to lower their guard. Aside from the obvious symptoms of drowsiness and sedation, it also causes red dots to appear in a person’s pupils.