Bi-Weekly
Nation Building
Issue # 4 – The Gathering
By:
Robert Rock
Note: This storyline is set prior to "Tempus Fugit" in Pendragons
Romany’s Flat
Eccles stepped across the threshold into Romany’s flat and for one of the few times in his life was in awe. The look and feel of the apartment was beyond all that he had been prepared for, on a count of several reasons.
First, the apartment was much bigger inside that it could possibly be in reality. Eccles wondered idly if she had had any contact with the Doctor as the apartment seemed to function like his TARDIS.
The second reason was much harder to actually pin down; it was more of a feeling about the place. It felt like the descriptions he had read of people’s experience with Otherworld. It was almost if reality had gone a bit hazy inside the apartment.
The last reason was the assembly of creatures milling about. Several fairies were flying quickly around the head of an ogre that seemed to be taking a nap. They sang to him in their high sing song voices that seemed to be mockery more than lullaby. A rangy, little satyr was talking up a pair of nymphs, who giggled wildly at his coarse, gruff words.
As Eccles continued to move through the apartment, the fantastic and unbelievable seemed to be commonplace.
“Now no more rough housing you two. The way you play someone is going to get seriously hurt. I’m not a miracle worker you know, I can only do so much,” Romany admonished two baby trolls, as she sent them on their way, one with a bandage in his knee and the other with one on his forehead.
“Doesn’t look that way to me Romany. This place seems to be the very definition of miracle.” Eccles called to her.
“Chief, how are you?” Romany asked looking up. Eccles could tell that she was surprised to see him.
“Yes, you know Romany dear, using other
people to fight the good fight and keep queen and county safe.”
“Yes, I know what you mean. So let me ask, how do you need to use me?” Romany asked with a matter of fact look on her face.
“Always quick as a whip, you. There seems to be a new bad guy on the scene named Mortigen. I’m putting several people on the scent to gauge if he is or is not a threat.” Eccles says.
“A threat to whom Chief,” Romany asked obviously meaning more than she’d actually said.
“Queen and county dear, queen and country.”
“We can play spy chief gently roping in the
young innocent all day, but we both know you hate to play sly spy games and I’m
not exactly what you’d call innocent.
Cut to the chase chief, I have things to do.”
Eccles stared at her for a moment, “Romany
if I wasn’t so old, I’d ask you to marry me on the spot. What I need is for you
to keep you ear close to the ground for any rumbling about Mortigen and what
he’s up to. With your “unique clientele”, someone here has to know something.
Oh and Pete sends his love. He said
that he drop by when he finished looking into something for me.”
“Pete? He’s ok? You’ve seen him?
“Aye, he seems well enough. The barrier and what it’s done to him still
has him rattled though. Hopefully he’s
coming out of it and is ready to get back into the game. I don’t necessarily trust all those
Pendragons.”
“And you trust Pete?”
“I know Pete for what he is.”
“And what’s that Chief?” Romany asked.
“What ever he needs to be to get the job done,” Eccles said as his eyes wandered the room.
Out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of what he could only describe as a small demon slipping quietly out of the front door.
“Perfect,” Eccles said almost more to himself then Romany.
“What was that Chief?” Romany asked
“Nothing dear, so, will you ask around for
me?”
“Could I refuse such a sweet man as you
Chief?” Romany added with a smile on her face. “Be sure you send Pete ‘round
soon as you next see him, understand.”
“Ye, I’ll do that. Cheers love,” Eccles said as he started for the door.
Mortigen walks down the hall of a darkened office tower. He is dressed in a grey pinstripe suit and is sporting a cell phone to his ear.
“Altar, what have you heard?”
“Eccles of F.66 was inquiring about you in
the flat of the Wisdom girl. He has
asked her to gather information for him.
They are attempting to gauge whether you are a threat or not. They do not seem to have any idea of your
true plans lord.”
“At least that is good news. I instructed
you to attend this meeting, why are you not here? I detest tardiness.”
“I’m only minutes away my lord, I beg
forgiveness.”
“See that you’re here very soon Altar, or you’ll be very unhappy with my disappointment.”
With this, Mortigen snaps the phone closed and enters a large boardroom.
The boardroom is very expensively decorated, but the one piece that attracts the eye most of all when entering the room is a large sun made of beaten gold. The piece looks immeasurably old and is on the crude side.
All in the room stand on Mortigen’s entrance, they are a collection of various mythical races. Some look quite humorous in business suits, but others look right at home in the boardroom.
Mortigen reaches the head of the table and seats himself in front of the golden sun. It gives those around the table looking at him the impression that he has a halo.
In unison they all chant
“Ra is the one god
Ra is the sun god
One god, sun god
Ra, Ra, Ra.”
Mortigen indicates all of them to sit with a motion of his hands.
“Thank you all for coming this evening. As you know the progression into the light has been slow going. We know stand on the cusp of a new age, an age that will return us to our height of power and prestige.
Soon all of you will be given specific
tasks in achieving our mutual goal.”
Hot knives flared at the end of Peter Wisdom’s fingers. He glared down at the minor demon he had pinned with his foot.
“Right talk, or I fry your ass and make you
feel like it’s old home week for you.”
“You’re making a mistake here Petey,” the
small demon said. “What going on you
want no part of. Crawl back into your
hole and pretend that your world hasn’t gone upside down.”
“Shut it you little red shite.”
“Oh Petey, I can feel the magic bleeding
off you and you still choose to use your little mutant power. I would really be scared if you were
threatening me with your true powers now.”
The mocking in the demon’s voice matched the mocking almost always present in Peter’s mind since the Barrier went up. The rage was building to an explosion in him and he knew he was going to be able to contain it.
“Be gone,” Peter screamed. A flash of eldritch blue flame erupted from Peter and engulfed the demon. It screamed and seemed to wither to ash and disappear.
Peter sank to the ground, exhausted. “Bloody hell, what’s going on with me?”
Next: The Vatican becomes interested in Mortigen’s affairs and sends their new enforcer to look into him. Unfortunately, he doesn’t seem to want to play nice with Dept. F.66
Authors Notes
Sorry it’s taken this long to get #4 out. I hope my delays are behind me and all my titles will get back on track. As usual, comments would be appreciated and can be sent to rarock2002@yahoo.ca
Cheers,
Robert