Thread: Shadows in the Light: Prologue

I've still got another installment or two of this particular tale. So...why not? Scotland was always a nice place to visit, made more so when you could sneak onto a plane unseen, and never risk getting caught. He'd not paid for a ticket to anywhere since he'd learned to Step. Granted he was always spending his time in the cargo bay of the planes, it still beat having to pay his fare. But he was back, and needed to check in with his old comrades, the people who stood for the Order, and would likely be happy to have him back. As he walked along the grass covered ground, he cast a glance along the rocks to his left. Not for the first time, he wished that the headquarters was a little more accessible. It was a long walk, and the area was specifically warded against entry from any layers besides the Material Realm. Looking around, he paused to make a nod of respect at a row of graves, the people buried in the First Layer, safe from any mortal attempts to find them, or disturb their rest. Governments tended to not want to let people be buried wherever they wanted. He hesitated, seeing three more in the row than he remembered the last time he'd come this way, and hesitantly approached them. He knelt, and concentrated again, making the grey wash sharpen until he could read the stones. Marcus Campbell. Mary Wellington. And Alcadizzar. Nicolas sighed. He'd known Alcadizzar personally. Not enough to know what his given name had been at birth, but well enough to know that he'd taken a new name after joining with the order. He'd been one of the best warriors and scholars of the generation, and his loss was a heavy blow. Nicolas stood. He needed to get a proper update. And that meant picking up the pace. He began to jog towards the building that would give him the answers. The small cottage didn't look like much at all, let alone the headquarters of the Order. But a layer deep, Nicolas saw the imposing edifice that rose a full five stories over his head. He stepped the front door of the cottage, and knocked. Who's there? Are you selling something? A voice called from the other side. Nicolas smiled. The code phrases had always been amusing. Nothing but cold forged iron ma'am. He replied. The voice was a bit muffled, and he was sincerely hoping that he hadn't just insulted a higher voice man. And why would you want to sell that to me? So I can come home. One more time. The door unlocked and opened. The person on the other side looked like she was well into her sixties, and nodded to him. Welcome home lad. The Order welcomes you. The cottage was bright, and Nicolas knew why. On the far wall was a large portal, ablaze with the trapped energy that let it stay open constantly. He didn't speak farther to the woman. It was nothing against her, but after the code phrases, speaking was discouraged in the Material Realm. Much safer with the First Layer. Reaching the Portal, Nicolas blew out a breath, running his mind through the steps he needed to let him do what was needed. Closing his eyes, he Stepped. The portal left his skin tingling, as it always did. When he opened his eyes, he was within a stone hall that led to the west. Just like he remembered it. Nick? Nicolas, that you? A voice called as he was walking. He turned to see a familiar face, and grinned. Barry! Son of a bitch, good to see you! Nicolas replied, seeing the large man step closer, arms out. They shared a brief hug, and then stepped apart, hands slapping each others shoulders. Barry was pushing six feet, and thickly built, outweighing Nicolas by sixty pounds or more. And Nicolas knew from experience that very little of that weight was fat. Barry was not a man to take lightly. Thought you quit on us? I did. But...had to help out a friend, and now...here I am again. Nicolas resumed walking, Barry keeping pace with him. Never saw you as being happy with that whole 'normal life' crap. Nicolas hesitated before answering. I wasn't really. But...I was happy enough waking up and not worrying that someone else I knew was going to get killed because I wasn't quite fast enough. Barry winced. Damn it Nick, it wasn't your fault. Everyone else sees that, why not you? I'd say because they weren't there. Or weren't the one responsible. But I'm here again, so what have I missed? Barry sighed, and began to speak. So that's the whole of it. Some dead, some new recruits, and we keep soldiering on. Barry said after the speech. It hadn't been good news really. More dead than recruited, but that was nothing new. The Order had been dwindling in number for as long as anyone could remember. Every now and again there would be a sudden influx of new acolytes, mostly family to the current members, but it was enough for the organization to limp forward. What happened to Alcadizzar? Nicolas asked. Barry shook his head. We don't know what killed him. But he wasn't... Nick, he Looked deeper. Made it another layer, and he just... couldn't take it. Nicolas looked at him with surprise. But he was already the best of us! He saw what, fifteen layers deep? And number sixteen showed him something couldn't deal with. So he left, ran really, and vanished for about a year. Found his body about a mile away from the gate. Looked like he was trying to get back here when whatever got him finished him off. Nicolas was quiet, and didn't ask any of the obvious questions. The Order knew what it was doing, and would have investigated the death of one of the greatest warriors of an age. It wasn't exactly the kind of homecoming that he'd been hoping for. The main office was still the same chilly, dimly lit place that Nicolas remembered. The staff didn't seem to have changed in the least. He leaned on the main desk, and smiled at the woman on the other side. She was in her late fifties, and had always seemed so out of place in such a drab place with how happy she always seemed to be. She looked up to see him. Well bless me! Nicolas? Coming back to us after all? She asked him, face breaking into a wide grin. He nodded. Thought I might check in. See if there's anything that I can do to chip in. He explained. Of course! I'll make sure you're back on the active list! You can grab yourself an assignment off of the board down in the mess hall! And welcome back. She winked at him. He nodded to her. Thanks Doris. He pushed off of the desk, and left. Nicolas lifted a page from the board, only to have Barry snatch it from his hand. Oh nice, a run to Hawaii! Good choice Nick! Be glad to help you, don't worry about it. Barry said calmly, tucking the sheet into his pocket. Barry, give me the sheet back. I can do this just fine on my own. Barry grinned. Nope. First assignment after returning from a leave of absence, you need a partner. Them's the rules buddy. So how about it? Me and you, just like old times? Fuck you too Barry. Let's do it. The two men grinned, and set off. They had a few planes to catch.