It began on the edges, creeping slowly towards the centre of the
page. Alex blinked owlishly, his tall, gaunt form leaning over the book as
if to threaten the words to reappear, for the effect to reverse. Behind
round framed spectacles his eyes narrowed and one hand shot out whippet
fast beneath the table. Standing straighter as he did so, Alex withdrew his
arm and looked at his prize.
"Be at ease, Master Book keeper, be at ease," beseeched the short,
hair covered creature he had captured.
"Thing, I had surmised as much," observed the librarian. "Should
you not be with the others of your party?"
"Ah no, my lady queen has declined the pleasure of my presence, it
seems." Mischievous eyes glinted in face set with a seeming of mock sorrow.
"Such jest and frivolity as the Thing may lend to an occasion is often to
much for those of weak constitution, and 'tis true the Dreamlord never
looks other than peaked." Wrinkling in his nose as if in amusement at the
thought of Erehwon presenting a good humour the troublemaker continued,
oblivious to Alex's frosty look. "Truly, not all are as given to the wisdom
of laughter outside of Faerie as one would perhaps wish, but there is
always hope."
"I see. Undoubtedly Queen Amaya would have a different perspective
on events, but I will take you at your word. Nevertheless, the
reconstitution of my book and your swift exit from my... from the Library
would be appreciated." Releasing his long fingered grip on the creature as
it began to shift uncomfortably, Alex let the Thing fall to the floor.
Another noise on the age burnished boards, this one a measured
tread, caused both to turn their heads towards the door. Leaning casually
against the frame was a lanky man in boots, jeans, t-shirt and sunglasses.
His appearance would seem little out of the ordinary in the waking world,
yet those in the Library got the impression that he hung like a puppet
whose master had let its strings loose - strings that he would be happy to
rend asunder in a maelstrom of frenetic activity were he to get the chance.
"Maliki." Alex paused for a moment as if considering, then
indicated the interloper before him. "Would you be so good as to escort the
Thing here to the Fae delegation's suite, or to the kitchens, or whatever
public section of the castle he would care to frequent?"
"Sure," said Maliki, his stance altering not a jot. Smiling coldly
he lowered his glasses briefly to show the visitor the spike toothed mouths
where his eyes should have been. "I'm sure that Lord Erewhon's guest and I
will get on just fine. Won't we," he finished quietly in his Scot's burr as
he pushed his glasses back up the bridge of his nose.
"Most certainly," replied the Thing, prominent nose twitching with
suppressed emotion as he skipped toward the door.
"A moment, Thing. The book," said Alex sternly.
"Ah." Amidst a swirling dance of a full turn, the Thing glanced in
the direction of the book and nooded once before exiting beside his guide.
"'Tis done, librarian."
Passing his gaze across the page of reasserting letters, Alex
sniffed slightly and strode into a section of the encompassing shelves,
intent on other business. Soon after his exit from the area the true words
rather than the rather poorly styled and particularly crude limerick faded
into view as the short lived glamour ended its actions.
Metal hoops and brightly coloured balls were situated in various
positions around the elegantly manicured lawn. It was a scene of gentle
tranquillity, with the sturdy bulk of the home behind adding to the sense
of quiet sanity. Unfortunately the peace of this home and that of the one
beside it was often intruded upon by the activities of the two brothers who
dwelt within. At least, one of the two brothers.
"This had better be the last time I have to tell you this," yelled
Alik, mallet held high for another strike. "You will not," he brought the
heavy piece of wood down on a scalp already matted with blood, "ever," a
sharp crack resounded as skull fractured around the point of impact, "use
my croquet set without asking again! Do you hear me?"
Blood and grey ooze bubbling from his split head, Bob was in no
condition to answer his brother. Having made the mistake of besting his
sibling at the game, he now paid the terrible price that Alik demanded for
his actions so frequently. Face already pale from the deadly force used
upon him the unfortunate man would recover in a few hours at most, his
flesh and bone returning to their accustomed states, breath rising in his
chest once more, heart beating. It was a difficult eternity being the first
victim and working with the first murderer, but Alik was his brother, he
couldn't very well leave him.
"What are you looking at," asked Alik accusingly.
The dark bird he addressed shifted slightly on one foot, gripping
the branch of the apple tree more tightly. "Nothing, nothing at all. I know
his eyes are off limits, but it's a terrible thing to do to a guy, you know
- knocking them half out like that. You've got me hungry." He quirked his
head to the side, then shifted it under one wing, somehow emerging with a
self rolled cigarette in his beak. "The least you can do is give me a
light."
Grumbling, Alik shuffled through the corpse's pockets and produced
a lighter, which he used to ignite the raven's drug of choice. For a moment
the bird's eyes seemed hypnotised by the flame and didn't focus properly
until the gas source was shut off. Fragrant smoke wafted out across the
flower beds as Mickey exhaled strongly.
A small golden gargoyle looked over the rumpled back of Bob's
jacket, wide eyes fixing on the smoking bird in child like wonder. "Eep,"
it commented.
"It's not all bad," Mickey declared, "this being a raven bit. Get
to keep an eye on things, still get a few of the simple pleasures
available," he indicated the cylinder in his beak. "Good enough, no matter
what people might think," he mused quietly to himself, sharp eyes flitting
around the garden.
"People? Pah," said Alik. "They're necessary for drudge work, of
course, but most of them aren't of any interest to me. Especially oafs like
this." He kicked his brother's body quite viciously. "My own flesh and
blood! Why Lord Erehwon feels the need to go about..."
"Whoops! That reminds me," cut in Mickey, recognising the beginning
signs of a rant, "I have to be off about some business. Catch you later."
Spreading his wings and trailing smoke behind him like a holed World War I
fighter the raven swept up into the twilight sky, climbing the rise towards
the castle.
"Eep," said the small gargoyle as it flapped its vestigial wings in
parody before looking with soulful eyes at the still form of its master.
Alik sighed and picked up the creature. "Come on Delight, you'd
better be inside with me. There's no telling when slug-a-bed there will be
rising. Ah, stupid name for a gargoyle, but at least he didn't call you
Rocky, I suppose." Continuing with a monologue of little interest to anyone
but himself he entered his home and closed the door on the grisly sight on
his back lawn.
Far above the ground now, Mickey caught an updraft that allowed him
to soar even further. Below him the breadth of Erehwon's realm unfolded in
all its multitudinous splendour, the minds and needs of its many visitors
lending it a constantly renewing quality where something unseen before
could almost always be found. In no hurry to return to duties real or
imagined the Lord's messenger banked to the left and sped off on a short
tour.
Strong blue eyes in a healthy, red cheeked face bounded by a dark,
curly beard watched the raven's flight. Soon the bird was out of the vision
of normal eyes, but this meant little to the watcher. All the same, he
turned his face from the heavens and set foot once again upon the path,
smiling at some thought or memory that came to mind. Beside him walked an
animal that put one in mind of both a large dog and something else; coming
up to about mid thigh in height its black and white markings showed boldy
from curiously shaped snout to stubby tail.
"Any more unscheduled stops before we get to your brother's, then,"
asked the animal in a gravelly tone.
"No, Badger, none that I've planned anyway. What's your rush? The
night is young yet and it's not as if Erehwon is likely to have the gates
closed before we get there." Swinging around as he walked he smiled at his
companion. "I've got a drink in here somewhere if that's what you're
after?" He nodded to the 'kerchief on the end of the pole he had slung over
one shoulder.
"Oh, only if you're having one yourself," grinned Badger. "Just no
more opening of bottles with your sword. Not only is it probably bad form
to use the sign of your office in such a manner, but you tend to spill a
bit much that way too."
"Not to worry, I got twist tops," chuckled Handel, already
fossicking around in the 'kerchief and pulling out a good number more
bottles than would logically be expected within such a small space. He
opened one and handed it to Badger, who mysteriously managed rather well
with it despite a distinct lack of thumbs, or indeed free paws.
"I've got a few tricks of my own," replied Badger in reply to the
amused stare Handel always gave him at this stage, "I can talk in this
shape can't I?"
"Yes, and even with the bottle hanging out of your mouth like that."
"Needs must when the devil farts and all that. Now, are we going to
pick up the pace or are your little girly legs getting tired?"
Another piece made its slow glide across one of the many
chessboards. Soundless, the motion was nevertheless noted by the figure
standing tall amidst the myriad seamless actions. Mostly hidden by his long
brown robes and cowl, the master of this realm held the sightless pits of
his eyes fixed on the large leather-bound book before him. Words on pages
that either showed lives, or defined them stood stark in the unlight of the
Ticktockman's gaze...
'A final bet, the last of a family's money spent on yet another
chance that doesn't come about. Destitute, the mother realises what she has
done and walks in front of a bus rather than face her half grown children
and their grandparents. Blood pools on pavement, dries on chrome, its image
shown in a mirror before Hazel, her eyes reflecting the last realisation of
Monica Jane Bishop. Ever present mists swirl constantly about her ankles as
a bloody tear slides lover soft down one cheek. In the crook of the hand
not digging metal into her skin a long tailed rat looks toward the next in
the endless sequence of looking glasses...
She is everywhere - before the bus, in the gutter, hospitals,
battlefields, homes. With her gentle touch, pain is removed, peace is
gifted. Slight and beautiful, those her shadow passes over cower. Alone,
even among her siblings, Parr walks in all the places of all the realms.
None may bar her for long - gods, daemons, worlds, universes... all
surrender eventually, all pass on. Presently she plays with a litter of
kittens, her tinkling laughter at their antics making the stars themselves
dance with joy...
Stepping, then shuffling, then skipping in a way reminiscent of a
jig down the footpath the wild haired form seems unaware of the rainbow
effect left in its wake. Mismatched eyes look around in something like
eternal naivetŽ out of a childishly round face peculiarly not out of place
on the six foot three body. For no obvious reason the fiend begins to count
off numbers on his fingers, each digit adding brilliance to his
multicoloured aura until reality twists inside out and the space is left
empty...
Ariel is getting married in a handful of days, so she has been
taken out by the girls despite her protestations. First the male revue, now
the glorified upper class singles bar. No one is intending for anything to
happen, even with all the good natured cat calls, until the stranger talks
with the bride to be on the way back from the rest room. Elfkin smiles
serenely as the woman leaves with her coworker, each possessed by appetites
they never realised they had. Androgynously beautiful, Elf's figure would
not be remembered by any there except for flashes in the deepest throes of
passion, pangs of loneliness or in dreams...
Erehwon sits on his throne ostensibly listening to the words of the
Faerie Queen, Amaya. What has become a lengthy conversation was originally
meant to be a perfunctory compliment on the unearthly beauty's dress. Off
to the side the others of the delegation seem politely observant - Teo
apparently enraptured by his Queen's comments while his sister Riahanna
dusts at the fabric of her own garment in response to a comment of Amaya's.
Word has come to the Lord that some of the other Endless are on route to
his demesne, although the reasons for the visits are as yet unknown. He
hopes that the sense of foreboding that has been growing recently is
unjustified, but finds it unlikely...'
"YeS. Fat chancE," muttered the Ticktockman dourly as he flipped a
few pages ahead.
Dark eyes caught the motion from above and watched as the black
bird flew down to perch on the throne. Erehwon lifted his hand to cut Amaya
off in mid tirade as to the rapacious rates that some seamstresses charged
these days and quirked an eyebrow at the raven beside him.
"Sorry to interrupt boss," muttered Mickey,"but your brother and
that badger are just about to knock on the doors. I thought you might like
to get the long winded babe here and her bunch of pranc.. I mean the good
Queen and her company... off to their quarters so that you can take care of
any prob... umm.. family business in private."
Cupping his chin in one hand Erehwon noted the intent expression of
interest on Amaya's face and muttered back to the bird. "You really will
have to work on that courtly manners thing, you know that, Mickey? Tell my
brother that I'll be with him as soon as possible, he'll understand. Make
sure they get shown to appropriate quarters and supplied with food and
drink. You'd better have a cask broached and sent to the suite, actually."
"Right." The raven cocked his head to the side, reading something
in the Dream Lord's stare. "Anything else?"
"While you're here, yes. The dragon on the gate fell off yesterday,
crushing some poor mendicant. A distinct odour was about his person. "
"Really?" Mickey conspired to look innocent.
"Yes. No more smoking with him on duty, okay?"
Clicking his beak the bird managed to look uncomfortable. "Sorry,
but he's always got a light ready and you have to share the wealth, ya
know?"
"No. I do not know, Mickey. Just do it."
"Like the ad? Whoops. Okay. As you say, boss. Later." Mickey
fluttered down off the throne and glided off out the wide double doors of
the chamber.
"I suppose you couldn't have put them in room a bit closer to the
kitchens, Mickey?" With a grunt the burly, pumpkin headed man lifted the
barrel up on to the wheeled contrivance, the holes of his eyes giving the
impression of being greatly put upon.
"Sorry Amho, I thought it was best that they be put as far as
possible away from the Queen and her fancy pants lot. You know what a
terror that Badger can be and Handel isn't much better."
"Oh really. I hadn't heard that. Lady killers, are they?"
Amhorach's constantly broad grin cracked open even wider, putting him in
danger of acquiring a flip top head and allowing Mickey to see more than he
probably wanted to of the hollowed out insides of his singularly stand out
feature.
"Well," Mickey sounded uncertain and actually wondering if there
were any seeds in there,"if they actually got them to drink with them,
quite probably, yes. They tend to be loud and want everyone to imbibe with
them. Only problem is that most aren't anywhere near as capable of
surviving alcohol poisoning."
"Sound like my kind of people."
"You know, you're probably right."
Bere sat on the stone ledge watching the moon on the river flow
past the opening of her cave. This evening she was feeling rather lonely
for more company than the occasional owl or other nocturnal animal stopping
by to say hello as it went about its business. Her seeming at the moment
was that of an indeterminately aged younger woman wearing little more than
a white shift. Despite being accustomed to her solitude the need to visit
others grew strong in her intermittently. This was one of those times. Soon
she found herself walking well worn paths towards the centre of the
Dreaming, becoming slowly aware that she did not walk alone.
"Whither do you wander this fine eve," smiled the short figure
matching pace with her.
"I seem to be heading for your brother's castle, Lady Parr,"
replied Bere calmly.
"Neep. Me too. Want some chocolate?" Grinning, the happy young
woman extended a bar towards her.
Prismatic light patterns gathered in a corner of the throne room,
flickering stronger and stronger until winking out... leaving... nothing.
"i'm over here," came a voice from the other side of the chamber.
Green duster swirling, Omnicynic turned to look at the fiend. "I
know," he said, face and wings back lit by the ruddy glow coming in through
one of the arched windows.
"heeey. this isn't ere's place!" fiend looked confused. "is this an
illuminati plot?"
"They wish," muttered the grim faced one. "No. This is Hell. You
must have taken a wrong turn somewhere."
"sorry. can't find my arse with both hands sometimes."
"So that's what you do with your time. I'd heard some rumours,"
remarked the Fallen One.
fiend blinked, causing his eyebrows to wriggle off like centipedes
and do all sorts of unsanitary things with each other before dropping to
the floor and gnawing their way through it. With his next blink new
eyebrows had sprouted and a distinct resemblance to a certain science
fiction character had come across his features, other than the punk cut
orange hair which no Vulcan would be able to manage despite their superior
technology.
"what was i doing?"
"You were going."
"thanks."
fiend vanished.
Omnicynic shook his head painfully. "What did I ever do to deserve
this," he asked no one in particular. "Oh," he said in sudden realisation,
"that's right."
"I'm sure you all wonder why you've been brought here," said one of
the trio of women.
"They're not here yeT," said the only other person in Erewhon's
meeting room.
"Oh. Bugger."
"YeS. They're all a little less than dependable at timeS. You
should be used to it by noW."
The three Anomalies sat down in chairs scattered around the head of
the table.
"We always come on time when asked, " whined one.
"And frequently when not asked," added another.
"More often than not," added the third with a chuckle.
The Ticktockman observed an alteration in the standard appearance
of the three women and read out his question from the book before him for
the show of the thing. "'Excuse me, but aren't you supposed to be the
maiden, mother and crone usuallY?'"
"We decided that was ageist," said Mercari.
"And, in the purer sense of the word 'maiden' somewhat judgemental
against the... ah.. hymenally challenged," added Day.
"Or should that be 'unchallenged'," grinned Anna.
"Shuddup," said one of the other two.
"AH. Be that as it may, there is still some time to waiT. Perhaps
we could pass the time more easily in some manneR?"
"What the hell are you implying, buster," shouted Anna. "Oh." She
calmed down and replaced herself on her seat, leaning back easily on it. "I
don't play that game. Too slow."
The Ticktockman turned his head to the others two Anomalies and
proffered the board hopefully. "Either of you for ChesS?"
