No Fixed Address

The frost encroached further with the wind picking up the leaves once more; but Donovan thought he could make out a shape or two within the shadows.  They had slowed down after Amelia had called out but they were just shadows.  Diving deeper, he could see the bright flame of Amelia but that seemed to be all.  Only at the very edges of her aura could he detect even a hint of a shadow.  The whirlwind move forward suddenly, encircling Amelia in a vortex of leaves, frost and dirt but she didn’t cry out and even though it pained him, he did not draw her back into the cave.  The noise was unearthly and it howled around the entrance to the cave and around the trees; it sounded pained almost, Donovan thought.

Amelia kept her hood up around her in an effort to keep most of the debris that managed to escape the vortext out of her face.  At first it had been farther away but it had slowly started to close in on her.  In the remaining light she began to see faces in the vortex.  She let the top layer of reality fall away and there they were; the shadowy figures that she had seen retreating on the wind.  Now that they were closer, she thought she could make out rudimentary faces.  Her amulet of protection started to glow and emit it’s on aura which highlighted the wispy features and she gasped.  It couldnt’ be.  She shook her head and ripped off the amulet, it wasn’t going to hold them back much longer and she was sure if the vortex closed on her, she’d be shredded just like Erik.

“You have been warned!”  She shouted loudly, hoping that Donovan could hear her and realize she was still alive.

She tossed the small stone on the ground, raised her staff up high and then brough the butt down as hard as she could upon the amulet.  There was a blast of energy and light and she felt the vortex explode outwards and the Shadows flee with it.  Without wasting a second, she took the opportunity to half jump and fall backwards into the mouth of the cave.

Donovan was rammed over by Amelia tumbling back into the cave, breathing heavily and smelling of the winter cold.

“Woah,” she said, “I can’t believe that worked,” and then pushed her hair back to smile down at Donovan.  ”Did you see them too?”

“What on earth did you do?” He asked just amazed that she was safe; somewhat safe, he could see she had not escaped completely unscathed – there were several small cuts on her face and hands.

“I broke one of my protective amulets,” she replied, “I wasn’t quite sure what would happen but I’d hope it’d distract them for a second.  I don’t think its killed them, maybe if we’re luckily it hurt then a bit.  Maybe sent them back but the wind’s died down completely.”  She scanned off into the distance but she couldn’t see them within a close distance. “I think they’ve gone. “

“Was the amulet working against them?”  he asked.  “It’s not a very powerful charm.”

“I think they were frightened of it, at least initially,” she replied, getting up off Donovan and offering a hand up to him. “But it wouldn’t have held them back much longer.  They were inching closer and closer, the eye of the vortex was closing in on me.  If you had pulled me out, I may have been ripped apart.”  Amelia reported back so calmly Donovan thought, she had a very deep strength that he would have to trust in if they were to get some leverage over these Shades.

“Are you alright?”  He asked as he picked leaves out of her hair, then held her chin to check if the scrapes on her face needed any more attention.  They were all superficial, but she was right, the vortex would have ripped her apart.  So much for their good plan.

“I’m a bit cold,” she replied, “and shakey from the adrenaline, but I think I’m fine.  That was so weird, I swear I could see faces in the vortex.”

“I think they are mainly shadow but that’s no reason for them not to have some sort of shape you can recognize,” he replied.  ”It was hard to see them from my perspective, still all shadow.  Did you have a better image than before?”

“No, the fact that they had faces wasn’t the weirdest part,” she said shaking her head, “At first they just looked shapeless, but as soon as they were within the aura of the amulet I could make out more details. They have to be near us, or something.  But I swear on my honour one of them looked like Erik.”  Donovan studied Amelia’s face; her cheeks red from the cold with the scratches from the vortex but her eyes were clear and bright, focussed on him.

“You must be sure of this,” Donovan said quiety, “no tricks of the light or seeing things that were not there.”

“Upon my honour as a member of the Vanguard, Donovan of Armagh, I swear it to be true,” she said, swearing a formal oath.

“Oh my dear girl,” he pulled her in close, wrapping his arms around her shivering frame, “you’ve done well.”

“You wouldn’t think it, with that tone of voice,” she replied laughing a little, teeth chattering.

“Aye,” he said and then pulled away so he could see her face, “but that has nothing to do with you.  This is very unsettling but what you’ve told me and something Farro said about Erik’s woulds has given me a lead to go on.  But if my hunch turns out to be correct, it will be a very tough truth to come to terms with.”  He kissed her forehead and then turned inwards to the cave.  ”Come let us prepare camp for the night and get a fire going, I can feel the cold still radiating from you.”

Further into the cave, a rudimentary camp appeared.  There were deep indentations in the walls where a bedroll could be laid out.  There were four such holes, stacked like bunk beds on either side of a central hearth where a fire could be built.  Amelia set about starting a fire with her flint and kindling.  There were stacks of dry wood close by that would help them keep warm during the night.  Donovan found the well at the back of the cave and set about preparing a simple soup with some bread in their packs for a simple but warm supper.  Amelia was glad for the tiny flames in the gloomy cave and nursed the fire until the larger logs started to crackle and throw off larger flames.  She started to feel the cold ease out of her clothes and she could peel off some of the outer layers of her cape and jacket.  She got Donovan to clean the small wounds on her face as she had no mirror.  Donovan then prepared the simple soup while Amelia dealt with the cuts on her hands.  They were slight and would heal soon but it was a very real introduction to the dangers that they face.  They sat together at the edge of the fire, watching the cave entrance through the haze of smoke and flames.  Amelia had a blanket draped around her shoulders and hugged the warm bowl of soup to her chest for a bit before eating it.  The cold from the vortex had really seeped into her and was only slowly giving up its hold.

“So do you think it was Erik?”  asked Amelia after they had finished their meal.  She walked up wrapped in the blanket, still wanting to preserve as much warmth after the events of the day.  Donovan was going to take the first watch; even though he didn’t think they could get in through the Guards, he didn’t want to be caught asleep.

“There are very old and strange magics,” he replied, “their knowledge somehow lost or forgotten over the years.   Some, I know, we hoped would never again be unleashed upon the world but I suppose no matter how far you bury or how far you’ve rooted out the last vestiges of their knowledge some still remains and is found.”

“But why would anyone want to find it?  Why would anyone want to bring the dragons forth?” Amelia asked aghast, “I know there are bastards in the world but this would destroy all of it!”

“Some may want that, some may have been corrupted by the darkness that we can never completely surpress, some may think they can control the powers that bring form.  They are all forms of madness, in a way, but that is what happens,” Donovan replied.  ”You will no doubt meet them; they can be the most charming and wonderful people to the rest of the humanity, but you will be able to see through them; their auras will be tinged with red and purple, maybe even fading into blackness.  You must be wary of them; some may know you are a Guard from the moment they set eyes on you, others will not be able to see you but either way, you must be watchful at all times.”

“What should you do when you meet these people, I mean, do we…” Amelia trailed off, uncertain of how to phrase the question.  Donovan turned to face his student.

“If they threaten us, yes, but it is not our job to clear the world of those people who do bad things.  We would bring more harm and indeed attention upon ourselves,” Donovan replied.  ”Sometimes it feels like you should remove them from this plane of existence but you must resist the temptation to.  There have been Guards who’s own bright flame has darkened when they went down that path.”  Amelia tried to hide a yawn but failed and Donovan chided her for still being awake.  ”You’ll be awake soon enough.”

“Good night Donovan,” she distracted him for a moment with an warm embrace before parting sleepily and heading towards her bedroll.

Donovan watched her retire back into the cave.  The days events had certainly taken their toll and he hoped she’d sleep well.  He looked back to watch the stars and the night unfold.  He knew he had to contact Carmichael as soon as possible with the information that Amelia had risked her life for but he was sure that they’d be watched upon their journey.  At least, he believed, the Shades would only attack at night as they had done with the Ravens.  Though they were growing more powerful as they had sought them out in the near darkness that evening.  They would have to move quickly and be within a protected shelter before dusk each day.

With what Farro had said to him about how Erik succumbed to his wounds, Donovan was sure that they were indeed, Shades.  It was an ancient magic – one that they had safely thought had been eradicated many millenia ago.  Donovan only recalled scraps from what he had read about the formation of the Vanguard.  The reason why he couldn’t see the Shades normally is that their aura had been cancelled; the normal bright flame of the Guards had been extinguished by their killers; those evil enough on their own or corrupted by fissures from the other world.  He’d have to ask Amelia how she actually saw them fleeing the scene of the murder of the Ravens.  He worried that there were more Shades – the shadows of murdered members of the Vanguard – corrupted and twisted from their original forms and noble nature.  They might be waiting for Guards that would never come or would start to be targeted individually.

Donovan pulled out the latest book of his journal and recorded their efforts and observations thus far on the journey.  He wanted to be in a safer location before reporting to Carmichael, even though it felt like the Shades had withdrawn, something had tried to force its way inside this waystation.  The Vanguard was being encroached upon from various angles, perhaps they were all from the same source but there was no way to tell until they were attacked.  He moved away from the cave entrance to sit by the fire and get conformable for the long night.  Amelia was tucked away in an alcove, her head barely visible buried deep in her bed roll.  Donovan sat staring at the cave entrance, occasionally searching for things by looking through to the shadows or even further but everything was very quiet.  He was glad when his shift was up and he could wake his young student to take her turn.

“Thanks,” she said sleepily as he handed her a cup of strong, black tea, “how was it?”

“Very quiet,” Donovan replied, “don’t go outside the entrance though, I don’t trust the night.”  Amelia nodded and walked to the front of the cave with her tea, wrapped up in her coat and cloak to look at the night.  She looked back at her teacher, already settled into his bedroll and falling asleep.  Her life had completely changed in the blink of an eye and she found herself on a dangerous path far from all she had ever found familiar and normal.  Yet the feeling of drowning and new knowledge wasn’t so frightening any more as the skills she now used without second thought.  It was one of these feelings that was tickling the back of her mind as she stared out into the darkness.  And there it was, there was literally nothing out there, no sense of life other than the minutest insect.  There was no noise and no animals for at least several miles around.  She wondered if this was an affect of the protection from the cave but she felt that was not something that would bother animals.  This was far more hostile and threatening, something dark and powerful.  Amelia walked to where she could feel the tingle of the membrane of power that kept them safe from prying eyes and evil forces.

“Erik of Hanover,” she whispered to the night, “show yourself.”  She waited patiently not moving from her position to see if her hunch was correct.  She shifted her sight to see slightly beyond the world to its shadow.  Slowly a dark form approached, it was merely a shadow at first but through some effort of itself or from the power emanating from the cave to repel him, she could start to discern the face she saw in the vortex.  It was pained, unnatural and grimacing from anger and back to pain in the blink of an eye.  It didn’t or couldn’t speak but merely stared at Amelia from its side of the barrier.

“Erik of Hanover,” she bowed her head, “I am sorry for you and the pain you suffer.”  The spectre merely continued to look at her with its shifting expressions.  Amelia took the time to look at it from every angle and level of perception she could to see if there was any kind of weakness or ability to detect its presence.  It was a shadow upon a shadow it seemed.  Almost imperceptible until confronted with something that it once could pass, something that once was a fundemental part of them when they were alive.  ”Erik I wish I could let you rest. Tell me how you can find peace?”  The spectre merely tried to press farther against the barrier, Erik’s features becoming more twisted and angry…or Amelia thought suddenly, very hungry.  ”Oh no.”  That was it, she felt, they were attracted to those energies that used to sustain them, the life of other members of the Vanguard.  They’d be able to hone in on anyone of them at any time.  They lived in the shadows and would be able to see them from miles.  She turned away from the horrible deformed face of the Guard she used to know and went to sit by the fire and wait until dawn broke.

There was no way out of the city but to walk it; the infrastructure of London had completely shut down following the earthquake.  Parts of the road were buckled and collapsed, Victorian watermains had burst; parts of the underground were reported to be flooded or collapsed in completely.  It took several hours for Amelia and Donovan to escape the city but Donovan wanted to go through the centre to assess the damage.  They stalked like silent shadows through the devastation, observing what could be repeated elsewhere in the country or worse yet, the world.  St. Paul’s cathedral’s dome had a giant crack but still stood; though the Gherkin close buy had many of its windows shattered.  It had rained glass and Amelia and Donovan’s heavy boots crunched over what had fallen.  It got a little better the farther they got from the Tower; it seemed it had been the epicentre of the quake.  Though other fragile and older buildings hadn’t even been able to withstand what had shook them and various old pubs and listed buildings were nothing more than heaps of rubble.  In Trafalgar Square, Nelson’s column had toppled into the fountains but there was still one proud lion staring out from the debris, defiant against London falling down around it.

Police and volunteer forces were out in strong numbers; many crowded around Parliament, the various museums housing historical treasures and art from several centuries.  The Royal Standard was flying over Buckingham palace as the Queen returned to the capital to meet with the Prime Minister and discuss how to address the nation.  London hadn’t seen this much damage since the Blitz.

There were crowds of people around either staring in horror, fear or just in simple disbelief.  There were others calling to those trapped in some of the debris, helping those who needed first aid or simply consoling those who looked lost and afraid.  The air was still so chilly and many were shivering while working, hands white with the cold.

“I wish we could help them,” Amelia said quietly.   Donovan nodded but reiterated that there would be more events like this and even worse if they didn’t do their duty.  Amelia nodded in mute agreement but the part of her that had once been concerned with this world was very wounded and ached for her adopted city.  She silently vowed that she’d find out who caused this damage, if it was indeed linked to the Lock being broken as they believed, and would do all she could do have them punished.  London needed to have justice.

Donovan and Amelia had left in the late evening under the cover of darkness but by dawn they were reaching the outermost limits of the city.  They had walked slowly at first but then picked up their pace as the worst of the devastation was left behind.  They stopped for a few minutes to eat and drink but Donovan pushed them on, wanting to reach a safe house before night fall.  They also had to check some caches and stores on their way which would taking them vereing away from the safe house.

“I don’t fancy us being out in the open quite yet at night,” Donovan said as he scanned the horizon.  “There is too much uncertainty.  I hate not being able to see the face of my enemy.”

“It’s very strange to have an enemy,”  Amelia finally said when they were moving again.  The weak light from the winter sun was filtering through the bare branches of trees, casting flickering shadows an her teacher.  “It’s not something I’ve had before, really.”  Donovan’s head dropped forward, it was so easy to forget the times.   He dropped back to walk beside her, even though the path was narrow and so Amelia took the opportunity to casually link her arm in his.  Donovan was always suprised at the easy affection she gave to him.  It was a different time but this aspect of it he very much enjoyed and appreciated.

“I don’t know how to explain the mindset,” he said after a moment, “it is not something you can teach but that you learn on your own.  But what you must remember is that they, whoever they are at this point, will want to harm you as they did the Ravens and Erik.  You must not hesitate if you think you can strike them.”

“But we don’t know how yet,” she replied.

“Then you must not hesitate to run and get somewhere safe.  You have your map and you’ll be able to see them,” he said and then instructed her to see through the surface reality.

“Ahhh,” she said picking up a few points of light.  They weren’t exactly like what Guards showed up like but they were a solid imprint of warmth and light.  Guards’ images would waver like candle flames but these were like glowing eyes in the darkness.

“You will be able to gain access to them as it is your nature as a guard.  These caches, byways and Houses are mostly left empty so there would be no one to answer the knock,” continued Donovan.  “But until we know what is going on, you must promise me to not hesitate and attempt to get inside if I tell you to.”

“What about you?”

“I have more experience and I am your teacher; your protection falls under my responsibility not mine under yours,” he said firmly.

“That’s a bit rubbish,” she replied defensively, “how am I supposed to learn anything?”

“Oh you will, there are other dangers on this path that we’ll have to deal with when they arise,” Donovan laughed, “but in all seriousness, if these beings were able to attack Erik and the Ravens without us knowning until the very end, they are capable of seriously harming us.  I have other skills to draw upon at this point whereas you may not.”

“This is so weird,” she muttered.  “I know this all to be true and have half formed memories of them but I still sometimes can’t believe it all.  Even though I can see beneath all of the trees, grass and rocks to some other reality and am carrying a great ruddy dagger at my hip.”

“It’ll get less strange, I promise,” he replied.  She smiled up at him and gave him an awkward hug, considering all their gear and weaponry.  He allowed himself to give her a brief kiss on the forehead before parting from her side to scout ahead once more.

The day passed without much comment; they both were constantly on the look out for danger.  Occassionally Donovan would point out tracks or some other article of interest.  When they finally approached one of their first tasks – a small store of weapons and other supplies, it looked undisturbed and still well protected.  Donovan expected as such, it was far too small for a raiding party or hostile group to take notice of.  The next store was slightly larger but still undisturbed.  Donovan checked the log book; the last Guard to pass through the small waystation had been in 1923.

The light was growing thin and they were a few miles away from the place where they’d rest for the night.  It was another small waystation but enough for them to make camp.

“It’s a small cave, really,” Donovan said consulting his map, “but its an ancient place.  Not many people would enter it, I guess to other people it would seem quite creepy. Some become tourist attractions like Stonehenge and others stay nestled in a patch of wood for centuries.”

“Have they always been protected or is it something the Guards did?”  Amelia asked, intrigued by these ancient spots.

“Some of them have always had a power against darker forces.  Most of the time we amplify them with charms buried within them or what the more powerful members of the Guard can weave around them.  Once they are enfolded in the tapestry of the Vanguard’s power they’ll stay safe unless compromised.  Astyages, I imagine could weave one in, that is his power.  He can draw upon the powers of this world and weild it, change it and manipulate it for certain purposes.  George was the same; very old and powerful magic.”

Donovan pointed out to the more thickly wooded area they were approaching.  It was only a mile or so away with the sun setting behind it, covering the ground ahead of them in shadow.

“Donovan,” Amelia said suddenly with a hint of urgency in her tone, “the air, the cold, its dropping too quickly to be natural.”  It’s like the night the Raven’s were killed, that edge on the cold.  Donovan drew his sword and his eyes clouded as they pushed passed reality.  Amelia gripped her staff tighter and peered through it as well.

“It is exactly like before,” Donovan agreed, “something wrong on the air.”

“They move on the air,” Amelia said whipping her head to face east and pushing herself to see far into the distance.  She couldn’t quite see them but she could sense that they’d be coming.  ”We have to run, Donovan, they’ll come quickly.  I know they are going to come.”

“Then go,” he grabbed her hand and pushed her in front of him, “keep following the path it’ll lead you straight there.  I”ll be right behind you.”   They would only need a couple of minutes at the rate they were running; even with no sleep and walking all day.  The air kept growing colder and burning their lungs nonetheless.  Suddenly the wind picked up as well; the autumn leaves rustled and started to rise, swirling around their footsteps and trying to block their sight of the path ahead.  Amelia knew it could only be moments ahead as the beacon that drew her to it was growing stronger.  She could still hear Donovan’s heavy steps only seconds behind her.

“There!”  She cried out as she saw the mouth of the cave; but there was something slightly wrong with it.  “Something’s tried to get inside!”

“Get in! The seal was never broken, it’s still safe,” Donovan shouted.  Safer than it is out here anyway, he thought to himself.    He could see his breath again, as it had been those nights he had been on Guard.  It was almost as cold, though there was no snow.  Amelia ran full tilt into the cave mouth, she could feel the barrier set up to keep all those who were not a part of the Vanguard at bay push against her before letting her pass.  Moments later Donovan was beside her, breathing heavily but still focussed.

“What can you see?”  He asked, his eyes already clouded over.

“Nothing, but they are there, I can feel it,” she replied.  The rocks suddenly shuddered and heaved as if being pounded from above or shaken from below.

“Shadows, they want to force us out but I think this will hold fast,” Donovan stated.  They stood facing the outside world, bits of dust and debris dislodged from the roof of the cave but nothing else happened.  The shuddering eventually stopped but Amelia and Donovan could still sense the presence; the air was almost brittle from the cold and they both shivered in the near darkness of the cave.

“I don’t like it, I don’t fancy them, whatever they are hanging outside the entrance all night,” Donovan grumbled.

“What if we give them a feight, something to draw them out?”  She suggested.  The light was fading fast now and soon it would be completely dark.

“I don’t like it but at the same time, I don’t know how we’ll draw them out so we can see them,” Donovan replied.  ”We need to know what they are before we can figure out a way to kill them.”

“I’ll go,” Amelia stated dropping her pack and grabbing the climbing rope tied on the outside.  ”Wrap this rope around my waist.   If I’m hurt you can pull me back through.  I can’t do the same to you.”

“Aye,” Donovan gritted his teeth.  She was right, it was the best option though he would have rather been the one to take the risk. Even though Erik looked to have put up a fight, his wound would not heal.  If Amelia was hurt there was nothing he’d be able to do.  But this was their job, see the face of the enemy so they all would stand a chance in defeating it. “Keep a careful eye.”

“They are going to be quick,” she gripped her staff tightly, sheathing the dagger for the moment.  Her hands were white on the staff and her face set.  ”Dammit, dammit,” she grumbled.  Before either of them could say another word she pushed though the barrier and exited the cave.  Donovan could see a frost slowly descend over the forest and hear things start to freeze.  Whatever was going to happen it was going to happen in seconds.

“Halt!”  Cried Amelia, “I am of the Vanguard and consider your actions as hostile.  You are warned that any further attack or attempts upon the lives of my fellow Guards will be met with equal force with no quarter.”

Carmichael had arranged all the tables to form a very rough round table, most of the group had already taken their seats but a couple were still out on their last rounds.  Donovan sat beside Carmichael while Amelia went to sit with the other new recruits.  They formed a hierarchy around the circle; with the oldest running on one half and their younger counterparts on the other.  When all the remaining Guards, minus Helmut were seated; Carmichael began.

“I, Carmichael of York, call to order the emergency session of the Vangard,” he intoned, “all present please speak your name and let it be entered into the ledger.”   The went around the table to the right, finishing with Donovan who was sitting to Carmichael’s left.

“There are three pieces of business to attend to,” Carmichael opened, “the first will be the vows and inductions of the newest recruits so they may fully participate in the council’s business.  Will their appointed teachers pledge their belief in the suitability of the candidate and their intention to invest their time and talents in their appointed recruit.”  Ah, Donovan thought to himself, of course.  Their decisions here would impact all the Guard and would be privy to only those who had been inducted.  It was slightly unorthodox but not completely outside the normal rules of the Vanguard.  He listened as all the recruits had been inducted and finally stood up to welcome Amelia.

“Amelia of Boston,” he stood up and began, “do you accept to abide by the traditions of the Vanguard; uphold its duty to protect this reality from incursions of those to wish it harm and to in good faith, honour the members of the Vanguard as if brothers and kin?”

“I do,” she replied confidently, standing opposite him from across the table.

“I do pledge,” he said to the rest of the circle, “that this candidate has the suitable talents and strength of heart to fulfil her training.  She will be an asset to the Vanguard and upon my honour I do swear to do all that is in my capacity to teach her the skills she needs to join the ranks of the Vanguard.”

“Are there any objections?” Asked Carmichael.  None were raised and Amelia grinned from ear to ear, despite the seriousness of the occasion.

“Then as it is my prerogative, I do declare that Amelia of Boston shall be entered into the ledger as a member of the Vanguard,” Carmichael concluded.  Everyone clapped, cheered or whistled now that all the new recruits were formally recognized as members of the Vanguard.  It was the only brief moment of happiness that would occur in their business that evening. 

“Now that our full compliment is here,” Carmichael said after the cheering had quieted down and the recruits had taken their seas, “we will deal with the results of the investigation into the murder of the Ravens.”

“Yes,” Astyages stood up to report, “unfortunately, there is not much information to relay to the council.  It was determined that no blade was used in he murder.  There were no footsteps marking the site of the crime.  This all speaks to a powerful force that had planned this event well in advance – conspiracy or at least a deliberate desire to break the Lock.”

“There was a presence,” Donovan followed, “it was almost impossible to trace; its darkness was fleeting and not of this reality.  Amelia managed to catch a glimpse only minutes after the crime but they had fled already across to the continent.  I could not track them but saw their mark where the Lock stood.  It was dark, the kind we have encountered before but never have I seen a similar signature of presence.  I don’t know if anyone else has but older sources need to be scoured to see if this has been seen before.  Perhaps it is a darker, older evil or entirely new in its make up.”

“Amelia, could you more fully explain what you saw?” Carmichael asked, “anything revealed may be of use to the Council.  As the only to see those that committed the murder, it is vital that you try your best to convey what you were able to see.”

“I will try,” Amelia said standing to face the council.  She pursed her lips and her brow furrowed as she searched for the words.  ”There is the shadow of the wind that almost all of us can feel.  However these things managed to be in the shadow, travel with it so fast across the continent.  

When I jumped from the window I ran to the Ravens, being the first instinct to see if they were alright.  I saw upon the lock the black mark that Donovan of Armagh stated.  It was…oily?  As if it had been smeared and I could only just make out the direction they left.  I ran to the top of the walls to see if I could see them but they were already far off.  I dropped further into the shadow of reality and tried to follow them, but they moved so quickly and so far.  I had to break of contact.  However, it looked like maybe southern France or Spain; there were mountains and it was in that direction.”

“This is your area of expertise Donovan,” Astyages began, “is this possible?  Could something travel within the shadow of the wind?”

“It’s possible,” Donovan agreed, “but it could not be those who inhabit this reality, those like us as we are solidly attached to this earth by our bodies even though we can see beyond it.”

“Ghosts?”  Farro proffered, “or something of that ilk?”

“Something incorporeal I do not doubt, but how they managed to come across and do something physical is beyond me,” Donovan concluded.  

“Our first duty then is to find out whether through new investigation or consulting other guards and the sources left behind to us to determine what kind of being would be capable of such a thing,” Astyages stated.  “We need to know what form the enemy can take and what we can do to defend ourselves against it.  Whatever killed the Ravens also killed Erik, yet he managed to put up a struggle.”  He let that sink in for a moment before continuing, “we will be no good in the Breach if we cannot see or defend ourselves against an enemy that can take us from this earth without much of a fight.”

“That leads us to the last part of this council’s purpose,” Carmichael said sadly, “as those who have been stationed here in the Tower for the last few centuries will no doubt hate that this needs to be brought up.  But the lock is broken and will reform elsewhere; we must make a decision what to do in the mean time.  There are many things that need to be done; other Guards have to be found, new ones recruited if possible, the seals of old houses must be found to be intact, assessing supplies.  In short,” Carmichael said firmly, “we must prepare for the worst and assess what we have to combat it.”

“I am saddened that such a hospitable and well guarded location must be left at such a time, but I do not see any other way,” Astyages agreed.

“I suggest we still leave a presence here for those Guards that may still show up, following the last glimmers of what was the Lock,” Farro suggested.

“As soon as the Lock reforms, we must have an full Guard to complement it, that must also be decided tonight,” Donovan added.

“Does this all have to be decided now?” Mitchell asked, wondering why they were moving so quickly.

“It does indeed,” Dafedd replied, “if such a force was able to penetrate the most well guarded and protected place, without prior detection, who knows what they could have penetrated.  I have a feeling that once this council is closed preparations will be made to vacate almost immediately.”

“You are correct Dafedd,” Carmichael bowed his head in agreement.  ”I’m sorry to say it, but the Tower will no longer be the home it once was.  We will disperse briefly to assess our possessions but for the next several months most of us shall be itinerant.”

The new recruits were not as worried about the travelling but they still had not seen much of what the Vanguard was supposed to do.  There were stores, armouries, safe houses and possibly new Guards to meet.  The last vestiges of magic and enchantments were still there waiting to be revealed to them.  However, as the Old Guard cautioned, separated they would all be open to much greater danger.  Especially with the uncertainty of the enemy that could hunt them and kill them without the ability to fight them back or perhaps, even see it coming.  The Old Guards had all spent many years on the road and did not relish the return or the dangers that they would face.  However, their duty called to them and they already felt uneasy around the broken Lock.

They talked around the table for many hours about the best method of dispersing and finding out information.  It was ultimately decided that they would go as pairs, to cover as much ground as possible.  First off would be student with teachers and then the remainder would be paired up.  Lists were given out by Carmichael to the Houses and other areas of interest that each group would go visit.  They would depend on modern conveniences to keep in contact but were also to equip themselves with other charms to warn other parties in case of danger or if they required help.  There were faster ways to travel, portals of a sort, that were still active though the Vanguard did not like to reveal their locations to potential prying eyes and so were only used in emergencies.  Carmichael and Kaitlin were to remain the tower, as a temporary Headquarters to continue investigating what had happened.  When everyone felt the pull towards the new Lock, they would reconvene.  If it formed before a possible breach; it was unspoken but appreciated that this was a hopeful estimation.

The great exodus was going to start as soon as people could head out, most gave a maximum of two days to pack and prepare their routes.  They each looked around at their neighbours, finding it so strange that those they had grown so close to either over a great period of time or very short, were suddenly going to be gone.  Who knows if they’d ever meet again, or when they did, how different they would be.  What trials and spectres would they have to face before reuniting once again.

“Is there any other business?”  Carmichael asked once all the particulars were dealt with.  No objects were raised to the closing of the council and so it was passed.  The Vanguard quickly dispersed as they had a lot to deal with before they left the Tower.  Carmichal and Donovan remained in the common room, sharing a last pint before while they were still able to.

“Well, old friend,” Donovan raised his glass, “it will be strange to not have you around.”

“Indeed, Donovan,” Carmichael clinked glasses, “I will be sad to see everyone go, but you most of all.  I do hope that time will still grant us some years together.”

“How is your student doing?”

“As well as can be expected; she’s certainly fragile but I think she understood what the Ravens were trying to tell us.  They were angry because they could sense the danger, something subtle that perhaps we interpeted as that feeling of unease and danger, but yet we took no action.  They were trying to tell us and Kaitlin I think would have, if given just a little more time and knowledge would have foreseen it.  She’s beating herself up terribly about it.”

“These young guards,” Donovan shook his head, “they are quite something.  I am afraid I won’t have much to teach them soon.”

“Indeed, Amelia shows great promise.”

“Aye, but she is a rash one, dashing out there in the bloody snow like that, I hope she’ll be more patient when we are out on our own,” Donovan replied.

“Hmm, rash? That doesn’t sound like anyone I knew at all,” Carmichael teased.

“Oh, I’ve mellowed out over the centuries!”

“I know, old friend,” Carmichael smiled sadly, “just be careful, both of you.  I am not being a selfish old fool who wishes to linger yet, poking fun at his friends.  As the Vanguard leader we need every single one of you to be careful and to be ready to fight.”  Donovan didn’t feel like leaving his friend but at the same time he needed to pack the belongings he wanted and store the rest until or if he could return for them.  He needed to head to the store room and kit out Amelia as well.  He walked passed her room and knocked on the door even though it was open.

“Hello,” he said when she looked up, “I know it’s late but do you feel like packing right now?” 

“Sure,” she said, putting the book that she was reading down on the end table, “I’m feeling so restless.  Probably the way everyone is feeling, eh?” 

“Yeah, like an itch you can’t scratch,” Donovan replied.  “It gets irritating and then kind of fades into the back ground.” 

“Great,” she said sarcastically and rolled her eyes.  “So what do I need to take?”  Donovan grinned and told her to follow him to the stores.  Some of the other Vanguard were already there, topping up supplies or getting fully equipped like he and Amelia were going to be doing.

The Vanguard House ran deep, as deep as the Thames would allow, and the stores were at the very bottom.  It kept things cool and dry, less exposed to fluctuations in temperature.  It was divided into four different quarters; the first was Vanguard members’ personal belongings that had been left for safe keeping; the second was general stores for day to day living in the House, the third were supplies for those who needed to go in the field and the fourth was the small but useful armoury.  Donovan took Amelia over to the field supplies to get kitted out for the next several months on the road. 

“The trick is to pack light,” he said, “I guess like if you were going backpacking again.”  Just like the Vanguard, there were things from many different eras.  It all came down to personal preference and as long as it remained in good repair it was kept.  

Amelia had already been given a uniform of the Vanguard but he made sure she got another one, as well as a winter coat to go underneath the cloak.  They were only going to take one set of cooking gear, firelighting equipment, one tent, two bedrolls and as much dried goods that would amount to 10kgs each.  More importantly, they needed to take weapons both old and new.  

Donovan already had his back in his room but Amelia had not been introduced to the Armoury or any weapon practice as of yet.  Luckily, she had some experience with firearms.  Knowledge, including the ability to use weapons that one had never used, was another thing that the Vanguard absorbed.  It usually complimented innate skills or previous knowledge of weapons, no matter how slight.  It’s why there were so many types of weapons and almost all, weather ancient or modern, could come in handy depending on foe.

“We’ll do some training when we are out in the field, but certain things grab you,” he assured her as she wandered through the armoury.

“Wow,” was all she could say for several minutes as she looked at all the weapons.   There were relics from every century going back to the roman period.  “Can you imagine how much a museum would freak out over this?”  Donovan could only smile and shake his head.  He never got tired of recruits getting excited over the history accumulated by the Vanguard in people and objects.

Amelia wandered around, touching and picking up various things. Most of them as a joke, a morningstar was impractical and heavy but fun to pick up, as well as a halberd and heavy crossbow.  Finally though, she settled on a long bo-staff, a long dagger, a rifle and set of throwing knives.   It was a good selection, Donovan told her, with only one really heavy weapon to worry about and the staff having more than one use.   There were some charms and amulets that were available as well; Donovan mostly picked these out for her as Amelia would not really know what to look for.  There were a couple for protection against dark magic, one for entering certain dangerous areas with some protection and others that were more offensive.   Once loaded down with all the stuff, they went back to their rooms to sort out how to pack it all.  Donovan had no trouble packing all his belongings; he knew from long years of experience what to take and what to lock away for the duration of their absence.  He soon had his pack sorted and all his belongings stowed away in his trunk.  He’d ask Carmichael weather or not he should leave it in his room or put away in the stores in the morning.  Amelia had already sorted most of her pack as well; having not accumulated much since her arrival at Vanguard House.  All her belongings from her previous life were still in storage or she had sold them before moving into her current room. 

“Well,” she said, blowing a lock of hair out of her face, “I guess that means we are sorted.”

“I suppose so,” Dononvan said.  They both stood slightly awkardly in the room not really knowing what to do.  They were both equally attracted to one another and first moves made, but the time and tension of the previous day’s events made contemplating such thoughts difficult to translate into action.

“Are we going to leave in the morning then?” She asked, “I mean, since we’re all packed and everything.”  Donovan nodded silently.  Of course they would, he had wanted to stay another day but he was being pushed into quick action and would bend to the forces propelling them onward.  It was hard to leave but equally hard to stay. “So it’s going to be just the two of us then?”  She asked with a bit of a shy grin.

“Oh dear,” Donovan tried not to grin too widely, maintaining a modicum of teacher authority about him but failed.  Amelia smiled too and then walked up and got wrapped up in his arms.  They were content for the moment just to have someone to hold on to, feeling safe and secure in spite of all that was happening.

“Um,” she said after a moment, “in perfect seriousness, is the ground moving?”  They broke apart quickly and both ran towards the wall.  Sure enough, they could feel a tremour in the stones.  “It can’t be an earthquake, can it?  They don’t happen here..”  Donovan didn’t know but didn’t want to find out while covered by tonnes of stone. 

“Out!” he called and then yelled up and down the hallway, “outside! everyone outside!”  No one questioned the command and rapid steps came from all the stairwells, emptying out into the common room.  They could start to feel it then; the ground not quite connecting with the floor the way it should and hear it when the glass from the bar started to rattle and then crash. 

“Against the wall!”  Donvoan commanded when everyone was out.  Carmichael had the heavy iron key around his neck so they’d be able to get back inside.  The stones started to vibrate even more and they watched as the courtyard turned into chaos.  The scaffolding at the Jewel Tower was teh first to go; crashing down and taking it with it piles of bricks and mortor.  They could hear all the wood crack and splinter and debris crashing into the solid walls and smash through brittle windows.  Next to go was the Tudor housing; without any solid foundations or brick work – what now housed offices disintegrated in front of their eyes sending up blooms of dirt and debris.   

All around the Tower grounds glass was breaking and shattering over hard stones.  They could see some of the canons fall off their perches and crash heavily, no doubt cracking the ancient metal and crushing stones underneath.  Some of the Tower walls cracked and threatend to fall but still held as the earth heaved and shuddered beneath them. 

“Oh by the earth and shadow,” Carmichael whispered and then shouted for the rest of the Vanguard to look at Tower Bridge.  The Thames was roiling, huge waves creste the embankment and occassionally would lick the bottom of the bridge.   They could see the water drench the pavement even though it was dark; lamp posts threatened to topple against the onslaught and some benches were pulled against the railing.  They heard it before they could see when the supports holding up the roadworks stretch and then finally begin to snap.  First it was one by one but then in bunches.   The lights across the bridge flickered and went out, but by the light of the moon they could ee the road buckle up and finally break apart, crashing into the Thames.  The tower struts groaned, painfully echoing across the courtyard but they too crashed into the water. They could see darkness spread across the city even as the rumble started to fade and they could move away from the protection of the wall. 

They all stared in shock at what had just happened; soon they could see the tell tale signs of fire across many parts of the city.  Sirens soon followed and the lingering sounds of destruction as foundations couldn’t deal with the strain from the quake.  Around them, they heard the walls creak and groan as they settled back into position.  The moonlight reflected light on thousands of shards of broken glass.

“Those that can leave now, go,” Carmichael ordered quietly his hands clenched and shaking in anger, “this is just the start.”  He looked around in the darkness at his comrades and saw some still in shock, others in tears at the devastation that London was experiencing.  Donovan and Amelia both had a far away expression in their eyes as they were scanning the city for any indication of what happened.  However, it seemed that it was an earthquake and not some subtle and cunning magic.  It was the first sign of the Dragons attempting to break through to their world though and they all knew it.

Carmichael unlocked the door and a couple of the Guards went inside to make sure it was safe and the structural integrity of the House had held up against the shaking.  Once they were given the all clear, all the Guards went inside.  Some went to the bar to clean it up and to find a stiff drink, others to their rooms.  Amelia, Donovan, Dafedd and Mitchell, Farro and Moe quickly went up to their quarters and changed into the Guard uniform.  They all descended down the stairs in rapid succession, checking over packs and clicking clasps in place.  Carmichael made rounds with funds, maps and other necessary supplies.

“Be swift and silent,” Carmichael said to them.

“Be steadfast and strong,” Donovan stated in formal reply to a traditional parting phrase.  They nodded at eachother, there was nothing else to be said but only their duty to attend to.  Carmichael stood at the door as the six Guards departed in the night; alive with fire and a confused and worried populace.  Donovan took one last look around the Castle courtyard that had remained such a safe and comfortable for so long; then he turned his back and headed out into the night and didn’t look back.