The Lord of All - Chapter 1.

[Chinaren]

I've been working on this one a little while.  I'll post chapters here on an intermittent basis.  All feedback welcome!

[Chinaren]

Chapter 1, part 1 - Cold Velvet

Wind howled down the street, driving the snow into Velvet’s face and forcing her to lower her head even further. 

Cursing the weather, her overseer, and the city in particular she pushed onwards, feet that had long since lost all feeling wading through the white that was blowing over the ground like an incoming tide. 

Velvet shivered and pulled her coat around her, trying to hold on to the little warmth she had taken from the shop.  Her hat was wedged down about her ears, but it didn’t stop her long black hair whipping about her face in the wind.  Damn Gregor, that lecherous pig!  If it had been Grettle on duty she would have slept in the backroom instead of trying to make her way home, but with him… with him she would’ve had to barricade the door and remain awake all night.  The pervert would have taken her decision to stay as an invitation for him to climb between her legs. 

She shuddered again, not just from the cold this time, as she thought of his greedy eyes running over her slim young body.  His pudgy fingers groping…

“Enough!” Velvet berated herself.  “Concentrate on getting home, or Gregor will be the least of your worries.”

Taking heart from her own advice she forged ahead, up Twisted Street.  The lamps were either blanketed by the snowstorm or, more likely, hadn’t been lit at all.  Who could blame the lighters for not wanting to go out in this?  Velvet was twenty two years of age, and she’d never heard of such a gale, much less witnessed one.

Stumbling on she noticed a turning ahead, next to the Crunchy Frog tavern.  Rai alley.  Dare she?  Surely there would be no one down there on a night like this.  If she took the short cut it would be her journey cut in half.

Velvet hesitated, uncertain. Everyone knew the reputation of this area of town, and the only defense she had was a short knife tucked into her belt. 

A particularly vicious gust of wind made her decision for her.  Clenching her teeth, the young women turned right, and made best speed towards the small lane.

 There was an instant change once in the alley.  The worst of the wind cut off, giving immediate relief.  Of course the snowdrifts covered the debris scattered on the ground, making the footing more treacherous, but Velvet took the trade as a good one.

She slogged on, moving as quietly but as quickly as possible.  The twilight was fading into full night, and the alley was dark at the best of times. 

A movement interrupted her thoughts.  She looked up, startled, and her hand flew to her belt and the small blade secured there. 

“Now my pretty, there be no need for that.”

A rough, deep and somehow greasy voice growled in her ear, whilst a large gloved hand gripped her arm with a strength there was no way she could match.  She felt a person move close behind her.

“What we got ‘ere Ernest?”  The shape she had seen in front of her moved closer, to reveal a tall thin man swathed in ragged robes and an overlarge top hat.  A long blade swung at his side, bare of scabbard.

“Sumthin’ right pretty Ron,” said the first voice.

“Pretty indeed.”  Ron stepped up to her and smiled a gap toothed smile.  Stubble covered his chin, masking some of the more ferocious warts that grew in profusion all over his red cheeked face.

“Please…” Velvet gasped.

“Oh!  ‘Ere that Ern?  She’s beggin’ fer it!  Please give me a good time!”  Ron scraped a leather gloved hand over her chin and leaned close.  “Well, yer in luck me pretty.  And we could use a bit ‘o exercise to warm us all up, couldn’t we Ern?”

“Hur hur.  Exercise.”  The big man from behind her chuckled.

Ron’s hand moved down, past her neck and to the swell of her bosom.  “Very nice piece o’ flesh we ‘ave ‘ere.  Maybe, once we’ve ‘ad a bit ‘o fun, we’ll step over to the meat market.  I know a man I does…”

“Let me go!  Please!”  Velvet opened her mouth and screamed.

Her two captors just laughed. 

“Go ahead me pretty,” Ron said, his hand moving down further still, the rough cloth scratching at Velvet’s body.  “Ain’t no one going to hear you da’n ‘ere, eh Ern?”

“S’right Ron.”

Ron’s hand had reached the top of Velvet’s legs, and she struggled desperately as he tried to find a way beneath her tunic. 

“Get off me!”  She screamed again, and tried to kick Ron where it would do the most good.

To no avail, the man easily blocked the blow, giving her a backhanded slap around the face in return, causing sparks to fly in front of her eyes.  “Quiet girl, I’m ‘avin some fun with yer!”

Velvet screamed again.

Ron smiled, and then he disappeared.

“What the…?”  Ernest started to say, just as a stout stick appeared from nowhere and swung in a long horizontal arc just above Velvet’s head.

There was a dull, wet crunch, and the hands let go. 

“Come,” a clear voice spoke, cutting through the storm like a sharp knife through tender meat. 

“Who…” 

“Come!”  A tall white shape was suddenly there, towering above her.  “Now.”  The tone was of someone used to command, and used to having those commands obeyed.

Her rescuer held out a hand.  It was clad in a white leather glove.  She took it and was immediately dragged forward, which caused her to stumble and fall.

Saying nothing more, the man lifted her up and threw her across his broad shoulders.  Velvet felt his robes against her skin.  They were made of the softest fur she’d ever felt. 

Her view of the alley was confused.  The snow, her upside down position and the blow she had taken all combined to addle her thoughts.

She remembered the man’s jouncing gait and his footsteps crunching through the drifts.  Once she thought there was a brief shout, but by then it was all fading…

[NeverNeverGirl]

[color=red:dqea312v]ohhh i like it... post the next bit! do it now! Puhlease!

Who is the mystery man? Is he a superhero or a passerby with skills?

*waits impatiently*[/color:dqea312v]

[Fats_Masterson]

Neat beginning, C-Ren!

Very, "in medis rei" (?? not very good with my latin??)

Can't wait to see more!!

[deadmanwalking]

this is cool!!!!!!

[Chinaren]

“Are you awake?”  The voice was crackly, as if the speaker’s mouth was filled with gravel.  It had a strange accent too. 

Velvet moaned and opened her eyes. 

“No!  No need for that now!”  A hand waved above her, threatening to fall and stifle the scream that was rising within.  “I’m a friend.  I work for the master.” 

“Who… what are you?” Velvet asked.  She struggled to sit upright on the bed she found herself on, as she took in the speaker.

The creature grinned, exposing a set of wicked looking teeth.  He was short, about half Velvet’s height she estimated, and had a wiry body covered with short dark orange fur.  He was naked except for a pair of raggedy pants around his waist.  His head was half human, half animal like, with stubby ears not unlike a dog’s.  Wide and surprisingly blue eyes gave away an intelligence though, and Velvet found herself being studied in turn.

“I’m Nurn.  I’m a Grey, though you won’t find any of my kin around here.  Not just now anyway.”  He smiled, a surprisingly likable expression.  “How are you?  The master seemed to think you were shaken up a little bit.”

“I’m okay I think,” she replied, trying not to remember what had almost happened to her.  “Where am I?”  She looked around the small room, which was rather dingy, and furnished with cheap looking furniture.  She still had all her clothes on, with the exception of her coat, scarf, hat and shoes.  That was something anyway.

“Some inn.” Nurn shrugged.  “The master doesn’t really care for it, but we’re trying to keep a low profile.”

“Is that who rescued me?”

“Yes, he does that sometimes.  I’ve given up trying to figure him out.” The Grey stood up and scuttled over to a small table, where he filled a glass with some kind of clear liquid from a dark bottle.  Turning back to her he held it out.  “Here, drink this.”

She hesitated, but then chided herself for being foolish.  If he, or they, had wanted to hurt her they’d had plenty of opportunity already.  She accepted the glass and took a cautious sip.  The liquid seemed to thaw her insides, chasing the last of the cold from her body.  She took a deeper draught and sighed.

“So,” she asked again.  “Who rescued me?”

“My master.  The Lord of All,” replied Nurn.

“All?”

“All.”

“All of what?”

“Just All.”

Velvet frowned and leaned back. “You’re not being very clear,” she said.

“Really?” Nurn replied, a picture of innocence.  “I thought I was being the essence of clarity.”

“Is ‘All’ the name of a city or country or something?  I’ve never heard of it, though you don’t exactly look like you’re from around here.”

Nurn nodded slowly.  “You’d be surprised,” he said.  “Actually, I wasn’t born all that far away from here, relatively speaking.”  He pulled himself onto the bed and sat on the edge.  “I’ll tell you a secret.”  He looked left and right quickly.  “We’re a little bit lost.”

“First thing you’ve said that I find believable,” said Velvet. 

“We’re trying to find a way back,” Nurn said, kicking his legs idly against the side of the bunk. 

“You must be a long way from home then.”  Velvet took another sip of the drink.

“Oh, you have no idea,” sighed the Grey.  He looked up at her.  “I don’t suppose you know of a wizard called Rumpold do you?  He seems to be rather elusive.” 

Velvet laughed. 

“Glad you find it funny, I was only asking.”  Nurn sniffed.

“No, I’m sorry, I wasn’t laughing at you,” Velvet said, waving a hand at him.  “I was laughing at the irony.  Actually I do know Rumpold, at least in passing.  A fat man, long gray beard?  Not that that description doesn’t describe half the wizards in the city of course.”

Nurn raised a pair of shaggy eyebrows expressively.  “You know him?  Really?  Well, All be praised.  Where does he live?  Can you lead us to him?”

Velvet nodded.  “I work in a shop that sells magical supplies.  Old Rumpold is a fairly regular customer.  I’ve delivered stuff to his house before, so I can lead you to him easily enough.”  She paused a moment. “Wait a minute, you’re not going to hurt him are you?  He’s a pleasant sort, which is unusual enough for a man, let alone for a wizard.”

“No, no, we have no intention of harming him.  In fact we need his help.  He has some information which we think could lead us home.”  He stood up and looked out of the rooms’ single grimy window.  “How long is it going to keep snowing?  Surely there’s enough by now.  Why don’t the City Elders stop it?”

“I don’t think they care that much, even if stopping it was in their power.  The City Councilors are no doubt snug in their mansions.” 

Nurn scratched his chin with a bristling noise.  “It doesn’t seem like a very efficient arrangement.”

“No doubt.”  Velvet drained her drink and put the empty glass to one side. 

A silence fell over the room, though it was a comfortable one.  The strange Grey creature seemed mesmerized by the snow outside, and she lay back on the bed, which seemed very comfortable all of a sudden.

The next thing she knew was the door slamming shut.  Opening her eyes from the slumber she had fallen into, she had her first good look at the man who had rescued her.

‘Impressive,’ was her first thought. 

He was tall, much taller than average, with a muscular build to match.  It was no wonder he’d been able to lift her so easily in the alley.  Dressed in some kind of white leather trimmed with luxurious fur of the same color, he was certainly dressed for the weather.  In contrast to his clothes, his hair, once he took off his oversize white hat, was black as night.  Dark eyes burned out from under strong eyebrows, which only added to the rugged good looks of the square jawed face below.  The handle of a huge sword protruded over one shoulder, and another smaller, but still large, blade swung at his hip.  The man filled the room, dominating it with his presence.

He knocked his knee high boots against the wall, dislodging snow, and examined Velvet for a moment.  Passing over her, he turned to Nurn and finally spoke. 

“Nothing.”  His voice was deep, yet not overpowering.  He stepped forward and looked down at Velvet, who smiled nervously.

“Hi,” she said, fluttering her hand.  “Thanks for rescuing me.  I appreciate it.”

The man studied her for a second more and then nodded.  “You’re welcome,” he said finally, before speaking to the Grey again.  “We’ll stay here tonight, move tomorrow and look in a different part of town.  Someone must know him.”

“I already know someone,” said Nurn.  He pointed at Velvet.  “Our guest knows.  Every good turn, I think you humans say.” 

“Mmf.”  The man raised those thick eyebrows.  “Well then.”  He stood still for a moment, as if at a loss for what to do next, before breaking out into a smile, showing perfect white teeth.  “In that case I can rest for a while.”

“Er…” said Velvet, suddenly nervous.

“Don’t worry little one,” said the man.  “I shall rent another room.  Come Nurn!”  He paused for a moment more and spoke to Velvet once again.  “Stay here, don’t let anyone in.  We’ll come for you in the morning.”

So saying, he opened the door and strode outside.  Nurn winked at her and followed, closing the door behind him, leaving Velvet wondering what she’d become mixed up in.

[Chinaren]

Daylight managed to filter in through the dirt on the window, casting its wan light over Velvet and waking her from strange dreams involving talking white bears and fuzzy goblins.  She opened her eyes and lay still, puzzled for a moment at the strange environment she found herself in.

A knock on the door interrupted her musings.  “Girl?  Are you awake?”  The voice was of the funny little creature, Nurn. 

“The name’s Velvet,” she replied.  “And yes, I’m awake.”  She swung her legs over the side of the bed and looked for her shoes.

The door opened, and the small Grey walked in.  He was wearing a robe with the hood pulled back.  He saw her expression and grinned.  “People stare otherwise,” he said, shrugging.  “Are you ready to go?”

“I need to use the toilet, and I could use something to eat, but apart from that, yes.”  Velvet finally found her shoes and pulled them on.  They were still a little damp from the snow the night before.   

“The facilities are down the hall,” said Nurn.  I’ll wait here.  He climbed onto the recently vacated bed and sat on the edge of it.

He was still there when Velvet returned, washed and refreshed.  “So, where are we going?” she asked, pulling on her cloak.  “Where’s your master?”

“He went out earlier, he’ll be back soon,” he replied.  “He doesn’t really sleep much, and he was restless.  As for where we’re going, you tell me.  You’re the one that knows where this wizard lives.”

“Very well,” Velvet said.  She walked over to the window and looked out.  The worst of the storm had passed, though there was still light snowflakes drifting lazily down.  The city she could see was blanketed in white.  “It’s going to be a bit of a walk though.”

“We have horses,” said Nurn.  “Come on, let’s go.”

They walked down the narrow stairs of the inn and outside.  It was still cold, but the wind had dropped, and the sun shone down, albeit weakly, warming Velvet slightly.  The snow reached up to her knees, and was almost undisturbed this early in the morning. 

She looked left and right.  She was in a street she’d never been in before, though it seemed from the squat old buildings around them that they were still in the southern district, which was mainly filled with residences and smaller shops.  The road was wide enough for a single carriage, though still with plenty of room for pedestrians, not that were many of them about just now.  One large figure was approaching, piling through the snow like it didn’t exist.  The Lord of All walked towards them, as imposing in daylight as he had been the previous night. He was leading three horses, all tethered together.

She turned to Nurn.  “Does your master have a name?  What shall I call him?”

“Traditionally the ruler of All takes on its name,” the Grey answered.  The snow reached his waist, but he didn’t seem to be uncomfortable.

“So I call him All?” Velvet asked.  “It sounds a bit strange.”

“Well, his formal name is Lazarus Brutus Amorllian Riia Forman Lupal the Eight Hundredth and Fifty First,” said Nurn, “but that’s a bit long.  When he was young I hear his friends called him Laz.”

“An old family line then,” Velvet said dryly.   “Mmmm, Laz,” she gave the name a test run.  “It seems a little underwhelming for such a man.”

The Grey shrugged, and then turned to his master as he stomped up to them both.

“I bought you a horse,” the warrior said to Velvet, indicating a medium sized dapple mare. 

Velvet’s eyes widened.  “You bought me a horse?” she gasped.

“It seemed better to me that you had your own, mine is rather a large specimen, and Nurn’s is overly small,” said Lord.  “Is it not suitable?  I can buy a different one.”

“No!  No, I mean, well, no.  This one’s fine.  For me?  I can keep it I mean?”

“Of course.  I just said didn’t I?”  All looked slightly confused.

“Well, er, thank-you,” she said. “Your Lordship.”

“Lord, or All is an acceptable address,” said the man, climbing on to his own horse.

She took the reigns of her animal, somewhat overwhelmed, and looked it over.  Her knowledge of horses was limited, but it looked like a good beast to her.  Its flank was spotted with dark brown patches, but otherwise it was an even orangey-tan color.  A fine leather saddle and matching saddlebags were slung over its back.  It seemed to be only slightly smaller than average beast she usually saw on the streets, though it was dwarfed by All’s mount, which he was now sitting comfortably astride.  His was the biggest horse she’d ever seen, matching his stature, and it looming over her.  It was all white, and wore studded leather barding, making her wonder if it was a war horse.  It certainly looked like it could be one, and the glare it gave her seemed to say ‘don’t mess’. 

Nurn’s mount, by total comparison, was short, squat and gray.  A donkey more than horse, it was busy trying to find something to eat under the snow.  Nurn grinned at her from his saddle, and indicated she should mount.

Velvet hesitated for a moment.  She’d ridden of course, most people had at one time or another, but it had been a while.  Patting her horse, her horse!  She managed to lift herself onto its back with no serious mishap.  It snorted, but otherwise remained still. 

“Which way?” asked the Lord of All. 

She opened her mouth to speak, but then paused, trying to orientate herself.  Where was she exactly?  She looked about, trying to find a landmark, and finally spotted a familiar tall, pale pink looking building which she knew was near the local market. 

“That way,” she said more confidently, pointing right. 

All nodded, and turned his horse in the direction she had shown.  Velvet kicked her horse with her heels and pulled on the reigns.  Whether it was responding to her, or just following the large white stallion she didn’t know, but it followed.  Nurn brought up the rear.

Riding through familiar streets on horseback seemed to make the city look completely different in some indefinable way.  She kept grinning to herself and patting her horse as she rode through the snow.  She would have to name her mount, she thought.  What could she call it?  Spot? Dapple?  She discarded both as too unoriginal.  She didn’t like to be the same as other people.  Ah well, it would come in time.  Of course, she’d have to sell the beast once her little task with her new companions had finished.  There was no way she could afford to feed a horse on her meager wage.  She barely made enough to pay the rent for her room and still feed and clothe herself. 

Velvet sighed, but then smiled and sat up straight.  She would enjoy herself now and worry about the future when it came.  Her thoughts were interrupted by All.

“Which way?”

They were at a junction. Velvet recognized it as Water Street, although further along than she usually walked.  At least she was back on familiar ground now. 

“Left,” she said confidently.

The big man nodded and they set off again, the horses’ hooves muffled by the snow.  As they traveled the city began to wake up properly.  Water Street was a long, fairly large avenue, lined by some of the better shops in the district. The proprietors started to emerge, and began clearing the snow from the storefronts, shoveling it into large piles near the middle of the road and creating new thoroughfares within the street.  The three were forced to detour around large mounds more and more frequently as the morning wore on. 

They finally came to the end of Water Street and entered a maze of smaller roads, lined with one and two storey ramshackle red brick houses.  Plumes of smoke rose from chimneys, dark streaks rising into a still overcast sky, creating a vivid contrast.

People stared at them as they rode past.  This area was not affluent, and people with enough money for mounts would hardly want to be seen slumming it so.  Velvet began to feel nervous.  Robbery was far from unknown, especially in these areas where the city militia patrolled infrequently.  Then she realized who she was with and relaxed.  A couple of thugs were hardly likely to challenge a large, well equipped and mounted warrior like the Lord of All.  Especially in daylight.  She remembered how he had dealt with her own attackers in the alley the night before.

In any case, they were emerging from the hutong* into the more prosperous merchants’ quarter by the river. 

Even with the bad weather the area was bustling.  Trade was always brisk in the morning, especially for foodstuffs, and the snow had already been cleared into vast piles around the square, to allow business continue.  Velvet saw two men shake hands on a deal over a couple chickens.  The seller posed a question to the buyer, a skinny man with a long nose dressed in a warm jacket. The buyer nodded, and the seller threw the chickens onto the floor hard, killing them instantly.  The man picked the corpses up and stuffed them into a sack, moving off into the crowd.

“We should get some supplies,” said Nurn, speaking for the first time since they had started riding.  “We’re running a little low.”

“We can last a little while longer,” replied the Lord.  “Our business must take precedence.”

Nurn, riding alongside Velvet now, nodded.  “Fine, but I need something to eat at least.”

“Buy something you can eat on the move then,” said the Lord.

“Are you hungry?” asked Nurn.

Velvet looked about and then realized the Grey was asking her.  At the same time her stomach rumbled.  They hadn’t had time to eat anything before they had left.  She nodded her head.

Nurn stopped at a small stall selling fried squid skewered on long wooden sticks, and purchased four.  He handed two of the things to Velvet, and kept the other two himself, biting into one with gusto.

Velvet chewed on hers.  It was fairly tough and spicy.  Still, it did the job and filled a hole.

She ate both squid as they meandered through the market, stopping only once more to buy some watered down wine, which was poured into the canteen Nurn pointed out to her, hanging on her saddle. 

The merchants’ quarter went on and on.  They rode through the different zones.  Past the food sellers, into the jewelry and precious metals district.  Here the stalls were replaced by discreet shops with bars on the windows.  This area was not so heavily populated, and they managed to pick up the pace a little, quickly moving into the weapons quarter. 

The stores here were larger, and displayed a variety of lethal weapons and armor.  Smithy’s were frequent, their open fronted workshops radiating small islands of heat in the cold.   Brawny men inside worked hot metal into swords, armor, or just plain old horseshoes. 

The clientele of this district were mainly warriors.  Clad in heavy robes with blades swinging from their sides or strapped over their backs, they appraised the party closely as they went by, sizing up the Lord of All especially.  Velvet’s nervousness began to return. 

It was unfounded, they passed into the next district with no problems.  Morning gave way to noon, and noon to afternoon.  The clouds thinned slightly, and a pale sun peered down upon them.

“At least the snow’s stopped,” was Nurns’ comment.

They rode through the furniture market, where most of the shops were closed and shoppers were few and far between, and back into a residential district again.

“Is it much further?” asked Nurn eventually.  “Two squid aren’t enough to last me through the day you know.”

“We’re nearly there,” said Velvet, smiling to herself.  She often went without anything from breakfast to evening.  “See that road there?”  She indicated a turning ahead and on the left.  “That’s the start of the magic quarter.  Rumpold lives only a short way in.”

“Good,” said Nurn.

The Lord of All said nothing, but adjusted course to head towards the turning Velvet had mentioned. The group turned into the street and immediately noticed the difference.  This road was wide and well maintained.  The cobbled streets were all but clear of snow.  Where it had gone was anyone’s guess, but there was no sign of it.  The houses were large and tall, rising four or five stories high and painted in pastel colors.  Most of them were behind sturdy brick walls.  The ones that Velvet could see into had neatly kept gardens, some still had flowers blooming, despite the fact it was the middle of winter. 

“It seems your wizards look after themselves anyway,” said Nurn, head turning left and right. 

“Well, in the main strip at least,” Velvet replied, remembering previous trips.  “The backstreets aren’t quite as grand.  These dwellings,” she gestured at the buildings, “house some of the more powerful magic users.  They are often rather proud.”  She paused a second, then, because you never knew who was listening and it wouldn’t do to make a wizard annoyed, added: “They probably have every right to be, there are some of the foremost mages in the world around here.  Didn’t you come here already?  If you’re searching for a magic user, this is the first place to look.”

“I have been here,” said the Lord of All.  “However, information about wizards seems hard to come by.  People would not speak with me.”

“Well, they’re probably scared.  You don’t go around talking about mages if you want to keep out of trouble.  They are a very… protective bunch.”

“Mmm,” said Lord, frowning.  “What do you know of Rumpold?” 

“He’s not one of the top wizards, as far as I know,” Velvet replied.  “Though I’m just going by his house and where he lives you understand.  I’m not privy to the names of their hierarchy, they keep that pretty quiet, though some of the more prominent mages are known simply because of where they live and how much influence they seem to wield with others.”

“Sounds like most of the wizards I know,” said Nurn.

Velvet nodded, and pointed out another turning ahead.  “Take the next right,” she said.

They turned down the road, which was narrower than the last one, though just as clean and just as empty of traffic.  However, the snow returned in the next street.  The houses were smaller and far less grand that the ones on the main avenue, although they were still well built, rising two or three stories and painted in the same pastel colors as the larger ones.  The buildings had small gardens in the front, but most of these reflected the season, lying under blankets of snow.  Several had paths cleared to the front door, and this clearing was far too regular and thorough to have been done by a man with a shovel.  More magic.

“Does Rumpold live here?” asked Nurn.

“The next street,” Velvet said, and then frowned, suddenly unsure.  It had been several months since she had delivered to the wizard, and things looked different in the snow.  “I think.”

“You think?”  Nurn raised eyebrows.

“Don’t worry, I’ll know it when I see it.”  Velvet waved a hand.

“Will he remember you?” he asked.

She nodded.  “I think so.  He’s always been quite friendly when I’ve done deliveries, in a detached sort of way.  These wizards don’t mix much with commoners if they can help it, but he’s polite enough.  Down this road here.”  She pointed.  “He lives in one painted pale blue.”

“Mmmph.” Nurn made a peculiar sniffing noise. “I don’t think any wizards I know of in my… area would live in a house painted pastel shades.”

Velvet noticed the pause in the Grey’s sentence, but before she could comment further Lord held a hand up. 

“Does Rumpold live over there by any chance?” he asked.

She looked and nodded. “How did you know?”

“Because the door is open and I can hear sounds of fighting,” the big man said.  “And I don’t believe in coincidence.” 

Velvet barely heard the last part of his sentence, as he had spurred on his horse and was trotting over to the house. 

“Come on, but stay behind me and be careful,” said Nurn, kicking his own mount in the sides.

Velvet managed to keep up somehow, jolting about in the saddle somewhat until she managed to get the rhythm. 

Lord of All slid off his giant beast in one easy movement, dropping to the floor like some giant mountain cat.  He slid the smaller sword at his side from its sheath and stalked forward, up the path and towards the open door. 

Velvet dismounted more carefully, but still landed in the snow with an unbalanced stagger.  “Will he be alright?” he asked Nurn in a low voice. “It’s dangerous to go into a wizards’ house unannounced.”

“He’ll be okay.”

They both crept forward, up the path after the large warrior.  Nurn pulled a sharp and wicked looking dagger out from within his robes.  “Just in case,” he shrugged when Velvet looked at him with raised eyebrows.

As they reached the open door, which was a dark blue, there was a sudden shout, followed by the sound of metal on metal.  A small explosion quickly followed, and then Nurn pushed Velvet roughly to one side. 

Just in time.  Two men dressed in black tunics ran from the door.  One of them looked at Velvet as he passed, two pale blue eyes noting every detail over the mask that covered the lower half of his face. His hair was long, and braided in a ponytail that ran half the length of his back.  He had a belt slung over his shoulder.  Velvet thought she glimpsed several daggers hanging from it.

She stepped away, but apart from the look the men ignored her, racing past in a swift, silent gait. 

“Come on,” said Nurn, pulling her into the house as the assailants fled down the street.

She followed him in, and found herself in a pleasant parlor, furnished with comfortable seats around a low wooden coffee table set in the middle.  Several landscape paintings hung on clean white walls, and a cabinet was pushed to one side.  A cup and teapot had been knocked off the table and were now leaking their contents onto the plush blue carpet that lined the floor.

Another door on the left was closed, but Velvet heard talking coming from a narrow spiral staircase opposite.  She moved cautiously to the bottom of it and looked up, Nurn close behind her. 

“If they’re talking it’s probably safe,” the Grey whispered.

“So why are you whispering then?” Velvet replied.

“Just go!” Nurn pushed her, ignoring the comment.

Velvet went, climbing up the staircase slowly and as quietly as possible.  The plain wooden stairs had been recently varnished, and she held onto the rail tightly, afraid she’d slip. She didn’t though, and reached the top with no incident, stepping hesitantly forth into a small room.

Within the room the Lord of All was squatting over a body, dressed as far as Velvet could see, in a similar fashion to the men who had run out of the house earlier.  The short round figure of Rumpold was also there, sitting down in a chair and panting hard. He was wearing his navy blue wizard robe, decorated with yellow moons and stars, but his hat was missing and his thin, graying hair was tousled and untidy.  After a moment Velvet saw his hat, lying on the floor in the corner.

“Is it safe?” asked Nurn, peering around Velvet.

“They are gone,” said Lord.  He plucked something from the body and stood up, filling the small space with his presence, completely overshadowing the wizard.

“Are these people with you?” croaked Rumpold. 

“My assistant, Nurn, and a friend of ours,” replied Lord, examining the thing in his hand.

“I know you,” said the mage.  “You’re from the supply shop.  I don’t remember ordering anything recently.”  He frowned.

“Sorry sir,” Velvet replied meekly.  “These gentlemen needed to speak to you urgently.  I showed them where you live.  I hope you don’t mind.”

“Considering your large friend here probably saved my life, I think I’ll forgive you this time.”  Rumpold made an attempt to smooth his errant hair and looked about for his hat.

“These men attacked you?” asked Velvet. “Who are they?”

“Assassins,” Lord answered for the wizard.  “Do you know this symbol?” He held up the thing he’d been examining, which turned out to be a pendant, fashioned in the shape of a question mark. 

Velvet shook her head.  “Sorry, but then I try and keep away from these sort of people.”

“How about you wizard?” asked Lord, dangling the pendant in front of the man.

“I don’t recall seeing one before,” said Rumpold, bending down to retrieve his lost headgear. 

“Mmm,” said Lord, narrowing his eyes. 

“Why were you being attacked?” Velvet asked.  “I thought no one dare attack a wizard.”

“You’d be surprised how wrong you are my dear,” said Rumpold, dusting of his hat.  “These ruffians were no doubt sent by an enemy of mine.  They caught me off guard I admit, that’s all.”  He waved a hand dismissively.

“Oh,” said Velvet, but something in the mans’ tone didn’t fully convince her.

The wizard placed his hat on his head again carefully.  “There, that’s better.”  That task done, he turned to look at Lord.  “This young lady said you wanted to speak with me.  You have done me a favor, so how may I help you?”

“It’s a delicate matter,” said Lord.  “I must ask you for your full discretion.”

“We wizards are known for our discretion, never fear, I can keep my mouth closed.”

“Very well.”  The Lord of All, stood still for a moment, considering his words.  “We have a small problem. An enemy of mine has managed to exile me from my… home.  To return to where we came from we need to locate a portal.”

“A magical portal I assume,” Rumpold said.  “Which one is it?  The Portal of the Dragon?  Fools Gateway?  The Threshold of Beyond?”

“Are they all magical portals?” asked Velvet, fascinated by this insight into the occult world.

“Some of the better known ones at least,” said the wizard, pulling his belly up and trying to look important.

“Ah, no, not those.  I believe it’s called… The Everywhere Door,” said Lord.  He winced slightly as he said it.

Rumpold’s eyes widened.  “The Everywhere Door?  What…  I mean where…” he stopped, took a deep breath and started again.  “Are you sure you need that one?  There must be another…”

The Lord of All shook his head.  “No, it has to be that one.  So you can see our problem, and why we came to you.”

Velvet watched as a look of realization passed over the mages’ face.  “Oh.  I see, of course.  Oh dear.”

“Oh dear?” said Nurn. “What does ‘oh dear’ mean?”

“You must know that no one knows where the door is at any one time?  It always moves, and never to somewhere easy to find.”

“That’s why we need the Eye,” said Lord.

“Yes, I thought you’d say that,” said Rumpold.  He took a deep breath.  “I don’t know where you get your information from,” he went on. “But I’m afraid it’s mistaken.  I have no idea where the Eye is.  I’m afraid you’ve come all this way for nothing.”


*Hutong.  A maze of small houses within the city.

[Saint]

Ooooh. Can I take te oportunity here to say that this is my favourite of your stories.

And a comment, or more of a suggestion, no actually its just an observation.

That powder was obviously very expensive. And now they're going back to the shop that Velvet took it from. Perhaps they bump into the angry wizard it was supposed t be delivered to while they're there?