Written by: Ed

Bonus material (and kicks up the backside): Kahreen & Vashkoda

Edited by: Vashkoda

Art by: Llewelyn

***

A late Neolithic site had been unearthed nearby and had caused quite a stir with its discovery. It was rich with artefacts, and one in particular had caught Thaylog's attention.

Thaylog nodded. "It’s doubtful the humans know what they have discovered among those ruins. But if that artefact is what I believe it to be, we must get our hands on it. Even if it’s only to prevent anyone else from getting it, especially potential foes who could use it to their advantage."

"In other words," Kahreen said, "you won't be the only one who would have recognized it."

"In all likelihood, no, hence the urgency."

"What exactly do you think it is?" Kahreen asked.

Thaylog frowned. "If I am correct, it is a powerful talisman, one that would allow its user great power and influence. If it fell into the wrong hands, it could alter the fate of nations. I cannot say with absolute certainty that it is the same talisman, but by the same token I'm not willing to take that chance."

***

"If there's one human around there's bound to be more. It'll be quicker to glide back to your ship. So quit griping. Let's go."

"Not bloody likely," the biomech responded as she wrenched herself from his grip. Unfortunately in the process, the artefact slipped from her hands and fell to the ground, breaking into several pieces.

Kahreen looked at the broken talisman. It was beginning to hum. Wisps of smoke and a strange glow began to emanate from it. The pair started to back away.

"I think we should leave now," Flynt whispered. But the pair didn't move two steps before they were enveloped in a blinding flash of light. When it subsided, there was nothing left of the talisman. It had disappeared... along with Flynt and Kahreen.

***

The trees swayed slightly in the warm evening breeze. A rocky outcrop loomed over the rubble-strewn archaeological dig. Police tape was splashed liberally around the perimeter, although the police force itself had departed. A few makeshift sheds and tents dotted the landscape, but by the time Thaylog’s car drew up, many of the people had disappeared. The only signs of life were the faint glow of a lamp inside one of the sheds and two security guards prowling around the perimeter.

Thaylog took the winding path down the ridge and crossed a small ramp leading towards the digging area. He glanced around, his eye falling upon the shed, which glowed less dully as the night closed in. He swept towards the shed and knocked sharply.

A pause. At length, a wiry rubber-lipped man with a shock of brown hair stepped out.

“Oh. Oh. Mister Legacy. Mister Legacy sir, I didn’t know you’d be coming. I mean, I would have scheduled a tour and look I know there’s been-”

“I’m not going to withdraw funding, Professor Davies. But I need to know what happened.”

From out of the shed wandered somebody younger, unshaven and dishevelled, fingering a plastic bag containing some dirt and a clay shard. Placing it on a bench he launched into: “Mr. Legacy, Mr. Thaylog Legacy? My name’s Ed Robinson from the Newbridge Telegraph, and I heard there was a break-in here. Do you confirm that these burglars may not have been human; do you suspect that-”

“I have no comment; now leave my dig site.”

“-But on the rumours of unethical and even illegal associations between your corporation and-”

“Leave my dig site.”

“-non-human individuals, and even dealing with the rumoured extra-terrestrial presence that the Dominion-”

Thaylog crossed the distance between the men in a step, grabbed him by the collar and in a smooth moved threw him over the dig site and out into a shock of bushes by the perimeter. Thaylog adjusted his loose cufflink and fixed his attention back on the professor.

“Professor Davies?”

The Professor checked his stare and gulped several times sharply before gathering himself together. “Right. The, uh, the break-in, yes, well, there’s not exactly any evidence really because you see the, er, security cameras? Well they weren’t exactly, wholly in a manner of speaking, well the thing is sir, that they er… they didn’t exactly work sir.”

“I know. I shut them off.”

“You - you - I mean, you… oh, yes, you had your reasons but I really-”

“It’s Flynt and Kahreen, Davies. Where are they?”

“Are they? Are they? I don’t know - why I should know? I mean, there’s a bit of, you know, smashed pottery and that but there’s really nothing that suggests that they were-”

“Artefact 18G. What of that?”

“Artefact 18G… wasn’t uncovered. They probably took it with them, sir.”

Thaylog looked grim for a moment, casting his eye steadily over the dig. He eventually spoke, but slowly and without intonation. “This is ground-breaking work, keep it up. And if you find anything out…”

“Right, yes. Sure thing, sir.”

Thaylog was already walking away however, and barely heard him. As he approached his limousine, he met the journalist again. He too was entering a car, but with the weight of a security guard behind him.

“If you don’t give me anything to work with, I’ll just report what I’ve got, Mister Legacy! Suspicious goings on and broken pottery and you throwing me from the centre of the dig site to the… bushes… in one…throw… yes, well…”

He trailed off and as he met Thaylog’s eyes, then flushed slightly with embarrassment. The businessman got into the back of the car and the chauffer started the engine. Ed sighed and rubbed his back, before meeting the eye of the guard and also pulling away.

***

“The company, Leah: IDE Inc. They’re up to something, I can feel it!”

“Yes, funding the University of Newbridge does rather give away their shady underworld schemes, doesn’t it?”

“Hilarious, Leah,” said Ed as he grabbed a new file from the stack on his desk, overbalancing a teacup and splashing the Venetian blinds on its way down.

“There!” cried Leah excitedly. “Knocking over cups of tea! All part of their evil scheme! Oh, and next: hypnotic suicide-inducing screensavers.”

“They say sarcasm’s the lowest form of wit.”

“So true. But hey, we’re both up and coming young graduates - there’s plenty of time to work up to those higher wit-forms.” She paused as she watched the carpet grow dark as the tea sank in. “Or at the rate you’re going, at work down… to floor cleaning. Say and there’s plenty of practice to be had down there already. Well, each to their own... I’m heading home to rest up; all the better for my splendid performance tomorrow! Good night!”

Ed shot her a cold look and muttered something under his breath as she sauntered away. He grabbed a nearby tissue roll and pressed it absently on the floor, eyes still purveying the sea of information. The content of the Internet site he was looking at was unfortunately fairly vacuous and dull, praising the ethical virtues of archaeology in the twenty-first century and with particular praise to Thaylog Legacy of IDE: Inter-Dimensional Enterprises.

He threw the tea-soaked tissue towards the bin on the opposite side of the room. It overreached and slid down the side of the wall. As he went to put it in the bin, he caught site of the IDE building, silhouetted against the pink of a dawn sky. It was the central office for Thaylog’s company, which was growing to international status at an alarming rate.

“Thaylog Legacy,” he promised himself quietly, “I’m going to find out what your secret is. Just you wait and see.”

And then he swore as he tripped over a computer wire and knocked an empty cup off the table.

***

Thaylog’s penthouse office had only been recently decorated in a calm pastel shades, with a few plants adorning the offices. He sat with his back to a small window, the Venetian blinds closing out the sun which was just tipping over the eastern horizon. Thaylog had been very specific about an office looking east.

As Professor Davies, grubby and with wild hair, entered the office it seemed to him that Thaylog looked more like an old man than ever before. His eyes were bleary, his white hair pushed back, and his tie loosened. He twitched nervously and his smooth businesslike manner of twelve hours ago seemed now rather jaded. As Davies reached the desk, Thaylog looked up with something akin to surprise, as if he was seeing the academic for the first time.

“Professor… any news?”

“No. Not really, sir. But I have the artist’s drawing and photograph; and some information about the source of the artefact. It seems to be… well, this may sound odd but…”

“I’m not easily surprised.”

“Well sir… I believe… I mean I’m not sure, but… it could be for t-transportation. Or rather, teleportation. Time travel even, maybe. But at any rate, some transference of matter using an incredible magical force. That… that’s all I can imagine.”

“That would make sense. At least it would explain the disappearance of my friends. But does it help us with our problem?”

“It could do, sir. Especially if this were one of the Eleven!”

“The Eleven?”

“I-in Meyenbrock’s doctrine of universe construction in 2007, he s-suggested that space and dimensional barriers could be-”

“Ah yes,” said Thaylog suddenly. “I remember reading about that. In fact, last I heard, he was last disgraced; thrown out of his job and has become a packer for the Crunchi-Crisps factory in Newbridge South. But great minds are seldom appreciated in their day. He may not be a Galileo but… well, we know that alien life is not so remote as he might think. Perhaps he knows something that would be useful. Still… I fear that for the time being at least, Flynt and Kahreen are beyond aid. I trust their warrior’s instincts. I’m not sure I trust them not to be at each other’s throats all the time…”

He paused, his eyes glazed in thought. Collecting himself again moments later, he boomed, “Thank you Professor Davies, that will do. Now, I think you ought to get some sleep.”

“Yes sir! Thank you sir!”

As he scuttled away, Thaylog sighed and moved to a small wardrobe in the corner of his office. Bringing out his gargoyle loincloth and dressing, he set about changing. Then he opened a hatch on the side of the building and leapt out. He swept away south: towards Newbridge wood and the Mansion situated in it. Thaylog flew slowly over the forest, stopping several times to breathe in the air and revel in the morning sun and the forest. Unlike other gargoyles, he was fortunate that his heritage allowed him to remain awake during the day. He sighed and headed towards the mountains, where would have a view of the outlying land.

Quietly he muttered towards the valley, although it seemed that the valley did not hear. “Goodbye, friends Flynt and Kahreen. Too short a time were we companions. I hope that we may someday be reunited. Good luck, wherever you are.”

His eyes had glassed over. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, allowing twin tears to slide down his cheeks. Then he opened them and looked at the world with fresh eyes. Realising that midday had already come, he began to walk back down towards the forest. The trees were largely bare, but even so early in the year, the hint of blossom touched some of the trees. The river running through the forest sparkled coolly. It was a pleasant walk, and by the time he reached the Mansion, the evening was closing in. He retired to his study to await the awakening of the gargoyles.

In half an hour, the sun sank below the forest. A chorus of screams rose into the night as the gargoyles awoke. As Thaylog went to the door he noticed how much higher the pitch of the cry was without Flynt’s voice.

It was when he was in this state of introspection that Chaz leapt out to greet Thaylog, an inane grin on his face and with actions bearing clear signs of laboured rehearsal. Bringing himself under control, he neatly shuffled his arms and legs into a respectful position and said as if reciting poetry:

“Hello, Thaylog, you look well. Can I get you a drink?”

Thaylog blinked, mumbled something inaudible and strode past the child.

He called out to the others, “I am going to hold an urgent meeting in the Great Hall to discuss matters arising from the absence of Flynt and Kahreen. See that you do not dawdle; it shall start in ten minutes.”

“Okay,” said Sabrina, “but we’ll be short Shaiya; she said she’d be out…”

Chaz had disappeared inside the Mansion, and once Silver had followed him a little way to check that he had gone out of earshot, she returned and - interrupting Sabrina - launched upon Thaylog with a rage borne of a scorned mother too long restrained.

“What the hell was that? My son was trying his best to-”

“I don’t have time for this,” he sighed as he walked inside.

“I don’t give a damn what you have time for; you want this clan to be united and yet you treat my son like-”

“He’s a child, not part of the clan.”

“He lives here, doesn’t he? Don’t you think that- no, look, I’m not going to discuss this. But you’re going to apologise to my son. Chaz is a good boy, why can’t you see that”?

“Look, children aren’t really my… cup of tea.”

“So when he comes of age, suddenly you’ll what? Take him out for a drink?”

“Guys?” voiced Sabrina, standing behind as the argument raged.

Thaylog ignored her. “Look, I own this mansion and I let him stay here, but I’m also a businessman and have a great number of items of value. I don’t want them to be - to be endangered by a little kid! He can stay, that is enough.”

“Oh, my host, my hero!” Silver checked herself, and said darkly, “I thought this was a clan.”

“It is.”

“Well I grew up in a clan, and I don’t remember an age qualification. But I was a ‘little kid’ then, so obviously I was too busy ‘endangering things’ as I was wont to do at that age. Look Thaylog, you’re willing to discuss Flynt and Kahreen because they’re our missing clan-mates, but you’re stubborn enough to split this clan in pieces because kids are your poison?”

“I’ve been up for thirty hours, I just don’t have time for-”

“He was giving you a greeting! And I sat there and told him, ‘Hey, Thaylog’s not so bad actually, he’s our clan leader’. But why did I bother? Because you don’t care about having a clan, you don’t care about family. You swan off to work and have a whole other life and just come back here to hang out for hot and cold running friendships. If you want the swinging twenties lifestyle, go get a bachelor pad like a human. But this is a clan.”

They had reached the Great Hall by this time. It was a large room with a staircase adjoining and a long table that reached down the centre of the room. Sabrina, Llewelyn and Vashkoda glanced at each other, as Thaylog took a seat at the head of the table.

“A clan which my business career funds,” he continued.

Silver opened her mouth to reply but Thaylog quickly spoke over her, and she let the subject drop.

“On the subject of Flynt and Kahreen. A few nights ago they went on a mission to investigate an archaeological dig site, to seize an uncovered item recovered around sixty miles from here by the University of Newbridge. It seems that they reached the dig site, because there was evidence of a break-in and the artefact in question has - it would seem - gone missing. But Flynt and Kahreen have to all appearances vanished. They never came back from the dig. You should know that… well, there is something about the item they were sent to recover. I do not know the full details and I have no way of being sure, but I brought it to their attention because I sensed danger about it. It seemed likely that this item was an artefact, a talisman. One of great power - perilous in the wrong hands.”

“You think they were captured in the theft by somebody who wanted the talisman?” asked Vashkoda.

“No, I think not. Although it is true the artefact has also gone missing, Flynt and Kahreen would hardly have surrendered quietly, and I have not heard that there was any indication of a fight.”

“Yeah, but who told you that?” asked Llewelyn, “And if you’ve got connections, maybe you could organise-”

“No, nobody else ought to know of the existence of the clan-”

“That wasn’t what I meant-”

“-or of Flynt and Kahreen. But I do have a photograph of the artefact. Does it look familiar to anyone?”

He produced the photograph and passed it around the table. Llewelyn and Vashkoda in particular stared at it. The object was round, carved delicately with various runes and markings; upon closer examination, it seemed that at least eight different types of markings could be distinguished. Nobody could read the language however.

“These jewels around the edge,” remarked Vashkoda. “Are they rubies?”

“No, I think not. Rubies, for one thing, would require much heavier security than I believe a small site like that had. But if this is some kind of talisman, then it was probably a conjuring stone of sorts. Here, you can see on the photograph where it has been worn by the energy passing through it.”

“What do you think it is, Thay?” asked Sabrina.

The ivory gargoyle paused for a moment, and met her inquisitive eyes with a strange look of consideration. He finally ventured, “My only hunch is that it may have the power of teleportation. If this is the case, then Kahreen and Flynt may be… far away by now. Quite likely beyond our reach; we have no way of finding them, or of discovering where they have gone. Not unless we can decipher the inscriptions at any rate.”

“Can you read any of the markings?” asked Silver.

“No,” said Thaylog, rather quickly.

A moment of silence fell upon the group.

“No… no! We can’t just give up on them! It would be wrong,” cried Sabrina. “Thaylog, you’re a powerful figure in the human world, right? You must have some connections which could help find out what the language is. We must find a way to help them.”

“She’s right,” said Vash. “We need information. We need the human world to help us. And no, before you say it, I don’t think we need the clan to be revealed. But we share this world with humans. We can’t simply hide while members of our clan may be in danger because we won’t put our heads above the parapets.”

Thaylog paused. “I do not have any connections to the dig; that avenue is not open to us.”

“I didn’t say connections to the dig…”

“But… I remember you talkin’ to some guy… on business.”

The clan turned around to stare at Chaz. The small navy gargoyle had been hovering on the staircase and listening in, fingers now twitching at Thaylog’s glare.

“I mean, I was just gettin’ a ball from the corridor and you were on the phone and I heard you talk about that dig and…”

Thaylog’s eyes flared. “How dare you-”

“-Bust your secret?” offered Silver. “Thaylog, what are you hiding in that company? Why won’t you help us?”

“There is nothing hidden, and it is none of your concern. The meeting is over and this discussion will not be resumed. If you wish to help find our missing clan members, I suggest you get to work deciphering those runes.”

He strode out of the hall before the clan could catch him, and as they reached the door, he had already swept into the sky. Silver rushed to follow, but Vashkoda laid a hand on her arm. Silver turned around and the two exchanged a look from which Silver gleaned an understanding. She nodded and drew a breath, moving to the staircase to lift Chaz down.

“If he won’t help us,” she said, “we must help ourselves, starting at the source of the problem. I, for one, won’t see this clan fall to pieces.”

“Sounds like a girl with a plan,” smiled Llewelyn.

Sabrina looked at her. “The source of the problem? You mean… you think that we should explore the dig site?”

“Do you even know where it is?”

“I do,” said Vash. “I was reading about it in the paper…”

“Then let’s go,” said Silver. “The night is still young. We may be able to make it before sunrise if we hurry.”

And so it was that Sabrina, Vashkoda, Silver, Llewelyn and Chaz soon were soaring through the skies, as Sirius leaned against the balcony and mournfully watched them disappear.

They took advantage of the updrafts to speed their journey over the forest, and they kept in parallel with the Newbridge ring-road, although out of sight of traffic. Eventually they came across the turnoff for the east and began to rise in the sky, covered by the clouds.

“I don’t understand,” said Sabrina as they travelled. “Why is Thaylog lying to us? It doesn’t make any sense.”

“Maybe he’s just having trouble keeping his clan life and business life separate?” mused Llewelyn.

“Or maybe, IDE’s a bigger priority for him,” said Silver grimly,

“Well that’s his business,” said Sabrina, “and after all, he does pay for the Mansion with it. I just want to find Flynt and Kahreen.”

“It doesn’t make sense though,” said Llewelyn. “Just recently there’s something… strange about him. I wonder what he’s hiding…”

***

“Hiding away in the back of the office searching up leads all night and… this? This is what you come up with?”

The editor threw down the sheet of paper disdainfully and looked up at Ed. “I offered you a graduate position on the paper because you had potential. But if you want to mess me around with this… this ‘Tattler’ garbage, then go and find yourself a gossip magazine.”

Ed opened his mouth to speak, but the editor got in, “You’ve been warned before; my decision is pretty clear.”

“It’s important information, and connected to the case of the archaeological dig theft-”

“You’re fired.”

***

As Ed left the office, flushed, he found a large cardboard box flung into his arms. He looked up to see Leah, who gestured over to his desk. She had already swept the mess of papers and long-dry mugs away. Smiling she trilled, “sorry about you being fired, Ed, have a nice day!”

And deliberately she sat down at the desk. Ed shuffled silently past.

***

Since Thaylog’s visit, two large floodlights had been installed to improve surveillance around the dig site. The shadows fanned out in a multitude of shades as the beams crossed each other’s light. It was evident however that anybody trying to sneak into the site would be painfully obvious to the security guards, of which there were now three. The light was also quite dazzling, especially to the gargoyles’ eyes which were normally accustomed to darkness.

Sabrina, Silver, Llewelyn, Vashkoda and Chaz looked down from the outcrop where they were hiding, not feeling altogether thrilled at the prospect of sneaking onto the site..

“Look,” said Sabrina. “I can turn invisible, so I’d best go first. Scope the place out, look for danger, see if there’s any way we can deactivate the lights while we explore.”

Without waiting for a response, she faded from view and slid down the path. The gargoyles’ sharp ears caught the scratch of talons on the rocks as she hopped down the cliff. A bend in the police tape as she crossed was the last sign of her for several minutes. The gargoyles waited above quietly. At one point they thought they had been found and rushed for the cover for a nearby bush. A security guard came up, his gun visible although still holstered. He only moved to a car and left. Dawn was evidently coming and the security was being scaled down. When the car had moved away, the gargoyles gradually returned to their vantage point from the outcrop and soon Sabrina returned.

“Right,” she said breathlessly upon returning. “I went down and had a good look around. It’s a good thing I went down alone; we’d never have been able to see anything with all those security cameras dotted around. But I did pick up two bits of information. Firstly, I read the information board on the site and you’ll never guess who’s funding the project…”

She paused for a moment to savour her piece of news.

“None other than Inter-dimensional Enterprises, the company owned by-”

Vash finished her sentence, realisation dawning. “Thaylog.”

“And guess which person,” continued Sabrina, “bearing a very similar name apparently stopped by the other evening?”

“You’re kidding,” breathed Llewelyn.

“I don’t get it though… why didn’t he tell us? For that matter, why send Flynt and Kahreen to steal something he funds and visits and can steal and take for himself?”

“He funds it,” said Vash, “but that doesn’t mean he owns it. And if he wanted this artefact, well, it makes sense to steal it if he’s able.”

Silver’s eyes were glowing green in the dark. “What is it and why does he want it, I wonder…”

“A quick investigation of the dig site may give us a clue as to the first question, and if we can answer that, maybe we’ll have some insight into the second. I have an invisibility cloak, and Sabrina can become invisible herself,” said Vashkoda, “If we get caught, we’ll be able to escape, but we’ll need a distraction.”

Llewelyn gave a little whoop. “Boiled or fried? Oh, leave that to me- it’s my special talent, after all. Don’t worry, I’ll sort it out for you!

“Good,” said Silver. “Chaz, you and I will remain here-”

“-But-”

“-where we will be ready to take messages should any problems arise.”

“Oh, okay,” he grumbled. “But I wish I could be the distraction.”

“Well watch and learn my young hombre,” said Llewelyn. “One day you too could be playing with fire and… and…”

She caught Silver’s eye.

“Well, that is, playing with fire is a really naughty thing to get involved in, and nice young respectable gargoyles like yourself who don’t have pyromaniac tendencies should certainly steer well clear at all times, especially without adult supervision.”

“Ready then?” asked Vash.

“Wait!” said Sabrina. “Don’t we have some kind of secret clan handshake or salute or something?”

“You’re right,” mused Llewelyn. “It goes something like…”

She raised her hand and shot out a spinning burst of flame. It opened into the sky in the form of a Phoenix before fading. “Time for some gunpowder, treason and plot,” she giggled.

***

It was afternoon in Newbridge, and Ed had returned to his flat.

Steam belched out of the kettle, and the button snapped to the off position. After a few moments, Ed got up to grab a mug and pour it. He reached for a teabag, and groping around in the dusty box, pulled out the last one. Sighing, he dunked it in the tea and watched lazily as the colour mushroomed out around the bag. Soon it had diffused around the cup, and Ed reached for a teaspoon to draw it out with. His hand fell upon yesterday’s copy of the Newbridge Telegraph.

‘Leah Daunton interviews Maxwell Maxley, page 14,’ he read. He grabbed a spoon, dunked it into the mug and scooped out the teabag, his hands splashed by the boiling water. Cursing, he flung the teabag onto the paper, hitting the words ‘Leah Daunton’ square. He folded up the paper around the teabag, and wedged it into the bin, standing fatly beside the sink.

He emptied the remainder of a bottle of milk into the cup just as he heard someone knock on the door. He balanced the bottle on top of the bin before approaching the door. Carefully, he opened it; and choked at what he saw.

“Mr. Legacy?”

“Ah, Ed Robinson; we met before if you recall.”

“Yes, I remember you from soaring through the sky. What can I do for you?”

“It’s more what I can do for you.”

“Oh? And what you can do for me?”

“Are you going to invite me in?”

Ed paused a moment, and then proceeded to show Thaylog in. “Tea?”

“Please.”

Ed looked towards the side and noticed the empty box. He picked up the cup he had made and offered it to the guest.

“Listen, I won’t keep you longer than needs be,” said Thaylog, taking a sip. “I heard that you’re recently unemployed.”

Ed was surprised; he had only been fired the previous evening. “Yeah… how did you-”

“Well, you see I have a job opening. It’s in -ah- public relations. Well, not-all-that-public relations might be more accurate. The pay is good, and there’ll be a lot to investigate. You will have to get used to working nights. There is a chance, a good chance, that it will become dangerous at that point; but there is also a chance that it could change your life. I will be interviewing all the selected candidates tomorrow at 3pm. If you want the job, come along.”

He paused, and placed the tea on the table. “Anyway, I’ll leave you to decide. I can see myself out.”

***

When dawn was humming on the horizon, an expedition of gargoyles returned to the mansion. Sabrina nursed a laser-shot to her left wing, and landed heavily and awkwardly. They had managed to search the site that night, but had not come away unscathed. They had fled and spent the day in hiding.

That evening they started back, but security had caught them nearby and taken several shots - one of which hit Sabrina. Therefore, the journey back was slow, and they returned to the mansion only a little while before the next day was about to dawn.

Upon reaching the mansion, they encountered the large ivory figure of Thaylog in the doorway. Silver pointedly said nothing, and simply walked past carrying Sabrina.

“I’d better… help,” said Vashkoda quietly, as she followed the injured gargoyle.

Llewelyn and Chaz remained on the balcony. Chaz hovered towards the edges. Sirius trotted out lazily, yawned and looked towards the brightening horizon. Thaylog continued to say nothing. Llewelyn opened her mouth for a moment, and then shut it thinking better of it. After a few moments had passed where it became clear that nobody else was going to say anything, Llewelyn took a breath and adopted what she thought was a stern tone, the sort of tone you were expected to take when telling a clan leader that he had been negligent and deceptive.

“It’s funny,” she began. “You know the whole ‘we’re a clan’, toot the trumpets thing that you do? I kind of… thought, hoped, that Silver was wrong and that it really was important to you. And when we battled the Dominion that it wasn’t just us fighting together because - well, evil aliens from the planet what-the-hell’s-an-optician attacking. I thought you wanted to be part of the clan.”

Thaylog said nothing. Llewelyn, deciding to soldier on, gathered herself to speak again.

“You and Flynt… you were the founders of the clan, you led it, shaped it. You trained with Flynt, more than you ever did with anybody else. But now he’s gone. And you lied to us… you turned away from us… you keep us at arm’s length. I mean, maybe there’s some Alkyrian ‘that time of the month’ thing going on, or you’ve just eaten some bad Crunchi-Crisps, or you’re a closet Maxwell Maxley fan or something. But assuming not… you funded that dig site. You sent Flynt and Kahreen to find out the dirt on an artefact that you could have gotten info on just like that. And when they disappeared, you denied it happened. Now we’re trying to find our friends. So you’ve gotta…”

She trailed off for a moment, and as inspiration dawned, she concluded emphatically, “get with the programme, buster!”

There was silence, as Llewelyn smiled her pep talk. Thaylog continued to stare blankly.

“Finished?” asked Thaylog.

“Yeah, I think so.”

“I’ll say it once. IDE did fund Newbridge University’s archaeological research department, but I only just realised that. My sponsors aren’t my top priority. But if you want to find out what you can about the artefact, then the only source I own which will give suitable information on magical artefacts is in this mansion. Go down to the storeroom and find the ‘Book of Zeroth’. It contains a comprehensive guide to talismans and includes some predictions on where they might be uncovered.”

“Storeroom?” asked Llewelyn. “The storeroom? We can go into the store cupboard?”

“I’ll leave you to it,” he said. “I have places to be. Good luck.”

Llewelyn left. “Wow, this is as exciting as… as…”

“… as it was for Judge Grogmuch when he found himself trapped in Martha’s Vineyard?” prompted Chaz.

“Exactly! Wait, do you watch ‘Judge Blobman: Space Interrogator’ too?”

“Yeah, but… can you keep that a secret? It’s on at the same time as ‘Norman Nicely’s Nature Narrative’ and ‘Learning is Cool and Fun’, the one where they have a six-letter word that they sing every episode.”

“Ooh, and I can guess which your mother thinks you’re watching.”

“Yeah, she’s really overprotective. I mean, it’s like I don’t know anything!”

“She’s just trying to keep you from watching… nasty programmes. Stuff you shouldn’t watch.”

“But I know lots of words! I know what ‘sex’ means and stuff like that, but I’d be in big trouble if I told her that I knew.”

“Chaz!” cried Llewelyn glancing around guiltily as if she expected Silver to jump out at any minute. “You know, uh, the birds and the bees are sort of, um, oh dear, private? And… there’s some things that get some people uncomfortable and…”

“What birds and bees? Why is talking about whether somebody’s a boy or a girl uncomfortable? That’s just weird.”

Llewelyn let out a sigh, quickly recovering by saying, “Weird indeed. Yep. I thought that too. Weird, all right.”

The pair followed Vashkoda into the library. She then walked up to the broken grandfather clock that decorated the far side of the room, and brought together both hands of the display so that it read twelve midnight. At that moment, an entire bookcase pushed away from the wall and slid outwards, revealing an open doorway behind it.

Llewelyn glanced back down at Chaz. “We’re in!”

“Just like Judge Deepsneak in the latest episode!” he replied with glee.

Another voice interrupted: his eyes widened and his shoulders stiffened as he heard it. It was Silver. “Chaz! If you’ve been watching that television programme again, I…”

“No!” interrupted Llewelyn. “It was my fault. I was talking to Chaz about ‘Judge Blobman’. He was talking about er, that other programme, ‘Learning is Cool and Good’!”

“Fun,” prompted Chaz in an all-too-loud whisper.

“Fun! Right, I meant that!”

“What was the word of the episode?” said Silver.

Llewelyn said the first thing that came into her head and before she could blanch at what she had said, she had already blurted, “Sex!”

“‘Sex’ was the word of the episode on ‘Learning is Cool and Fun’?”

“Did I say ‘sex’, I meant… uh, ‘six’!”

“Funny, I didn’t think they had three letter words.”

“Oh, it was a, uh, special episode. They had two three-letter words.”

Vashkoda and Sabrina, the latter’s wing now bandaged up, were standing close by, watching this exchange with amusement. But - to the palpable relief of Llewelyn and Chaz - Sabrina chose that moment to speak.

“So this is where the secret storeroom is! I’ve been looking for this for years. Well, since he mentioned it the other week actually.”

“Oh, I found out about it the other day. But, please - storeroom? The Clan SteelClaw En-Suite Supernatural Leads Emporium I think you mean! But anyway, there’s a book in here that may contain some information on the talisman that Flynt and Kahreen went after. Maybe we can figure out what the inscriptions are, what it does, how it works… and where it would take a gargoyle and a biomech.”

“I think it’ll have to wait,” said Sabrina, pointing to the window above. The sky was bright, and the five gargoyles froze into statues. Across the room, Sirius was caught in stone sleep in the act of raising his leg to a lamp.

The room was perfectly quiet.

***

“I don’t like lying to them, Davies,” said Thaylog. “They’re starting to suspect.”

“But sir… will they try to interfere?”

“I doubt it, not for a while. The Book of Zeroth is huge and infamous for being incredibly vague, inaccurate and badly indexed. They won’t find anything, but it will occupy them long enough to distract them until after it’s done. But it doesn’t make lying any easier.”

“Well s-sir… maybe you should… um… tell them?”

“NO! No… no… nobody knows. Nobody needs to know. You hear?”

“There is a danger, sir… even if we are able to open the contact, you might be sucked through. If you don’t come back then… your disappearance could cause some problems.”

“I’m aware of that, Professor. I’m handling it. In fact,” he said, looking at the television screen, which displayed the hall outside, “I’m dealing with it right now. You’d better get back to work.”

“Right you are, sir.”

As he left through the door, he started briefly to see Ed there. He nodded to him to enter, which the reporter did.

“Ah, the prodigal ex-journalist,” said Thaylog coolly.

“I like the office,” said Ed. “Nice colour scheme.”

“It is calming, and I have need of that more often than not. Take a seat.”

Ed, having shaken Thaylog’s outstretched hand, took the seat available. On the desk, he noticed a printed page with ‘Meyenbrock Theory 2007’ printed in large letters. Thaylog followed his gaze, and quickly moved it from view.

“A report I commissioned,” he explained. “Nothing to do with your… assignment.”

“Wasn’t Meyenbrock that crazy scientist? The one that was talking about aliens and creatures from other dimensions a year ago?”

“That is none of your concern.”

Ed took the hint and said no more about the sheet. He looked around. “So… you said you’d be interviewing all the approved applicants this afternoon,” he said lightly. “They, er, aren’t around.”

“You are the approved applicants.”

“Oh.”

“I have a video to show you. It will answer some of your questions and cause you to have many more questions thereafter. But understand that once you watch it, you are committed to the job. Any attempt to share the information or to leave the job will put yourself in dire jeopardy…”

Ed met Thaylog’s eye; the businessmen had never broken the gaze in the first place. Thaylog’s expression was illegibly blank. “Is that a threat?” Ed asked.

“No. A warning.”

“How can I commit to something when I don’t even have a clue what it is?”

“Well, really that’s your decision to make.”

Ed sighed, his mind whirling. It was afternoon and the sun had poked under the window frame and was dazzling him.

“Is it dangerous?”

“There are jobs with more danger, and jobs with less. Nothing that a man of your skills will be unable to cope with, I assure you. I want this job done properly, and I have chosen you in the belief that you are the person best suited and qualified to do this properly. So it seems that what I’m asking - the final qualification - is: ‘do you trust my judgement?’”

“Is there any good reason why I should?”

“Well that all depends on what you judge to be a good reason.”

There was a long pause. Ed shifted in his seat to avoid the heat of the sun, and Thaylog closed the Venetian blinds, plunging the room into shadow. Ed studied the businessman before him; he was young but had white hair, and a voice that seemed to belie pain and wisdom. There was something about Thaylog that he had sensed even before he had met the man, something in the reports of the founding of the oddly-named Inter-Dimensional Enterprises that suggested the CEO’s strange and murky background was shrouded in mystery. His superhuman strength was balanced with a practised composure. As Ed stared, he became convinced that Thaylog was not quite as he appeared or claimed to be, but somehow he felt that this did not matter.

“Okay then,” he said at last. “Okay. Let’s see this video.”

Thaylog reached for the videotape and was about to put it on, when he turned to scan his eye down Ed. “First things first, give me the Dictaphone.”

“What?”

“The Dictaphone that you are using to record this whole conversation. Give it to me.”

Ed reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and drew it out. “How did you know?” he asked.

“I didn’t. But I’m a good guesser. Now, your first task will become clear to you.”

He dimmed the lights, set the tape running and turned off the lights. During the tape he slipped quietly out of the room.

The film shifted from close circuit television images to amateur footage. They showed creatures: some gargoyle, others not. They flew, walked and talked. It was evident that they were sentient. One did not have wings; one seemed to have hands that occasionally caught fire or seemed to be bathed in swirling orange flames; one seemed to disappear into thin air. But these weren’t monsters. They talked. They laughed. One scene showed them being chased by a security team, and tracked them leaping over a fence to safety. The tape was five minutes long and ended suddenly, cutting to a snowy image.

“Who are they?” asked Ed.

But Thaylog had left the room. On the edge of the table was a beige folder, which Ed reached out and took. There was a post-it note on the flap: ‘start your search here’. Ed looked inside to see some maps of the surrounding area and a few Internet addresses.

***

The following night, Thaylog returned to the mansion to find it uninhabited save for Sirius, who was snoring gently in front of the fire. The storeroom was open, and he looked inside. In the midst of a haze of ancient items, he noticed a large leather-bound book. He opened it and read the first page.

Thaylog rolled his eyes and flicked through the book to where a scrap of paper was sticking out. There was a design on the page that he recognised instantly: round, finely inscribed in an ancient language, with decorative stones and an image in the centre. Thaylog’s heart fell.

“So Zeroth really did know what he was talking about…” he muttered, reading the text.

“Five winged ones… oh no…”

Thaylog threw down the book and ran out of the storeroom, slamming the bookcase behind him. Grabbing the telephone in the hall, he began to dial quickly.

“Thaylog Legacy, the clearance code is 729348. Listen, the Lozenge Valley location looks like it does have an amulet after all. I need you to get a team down there now to retrieve it, and deliver it at the special depot. If any gargoyles try to interfere, stun but do not injure them!”

He slammed down the telephone, and soared back towards Newbridge.

***

Lozenge Valley lay in the midst of the mountain range which loomed near the mansion. A mountain spring erupted into a waterfall here, feeding a winding river that eventually passed through the forest. Near the banks of this river, the clan convened.

“Under shadow of three mountains,” said Llewelyn as she looked around. “It’s a bit hard to tell at night, but this seems to be the only place nearby that is near three mountains. Look, one has Stein Falls running down the side, and there’s another two here and here.” She waved around her.

“Yes, but the shadow wouldn’t cross from three mountains at once, would it?” said Sabrina.

“It would,” mused Vashkoda, “if it was coming through that gap the river flows through. That way, the mountains would probably cross under the shadow of the waterfall. Which means that the shadows would cross under the lip of the waterfall.”

“Right,” said Silver cautiously. “It’s a good theory anyway.”

Llewelyn looked nervously at the water. “Looks cold. So I guess somebody should dive in and get it.”

Sabrina walked to the edge of the river and peered towards the waterfall. “Volunteering, Llew?”

“I would volunteer to go swimming at midnight in winter, but you’re missing a couple of motivating factors. Like a gun to my head. Besides, these hands aren’t really meant for deep-water diving, you know?”

She held up her hands, which were still burning softly with flames, though her skin was not burning.

“I’ll go,” said Silver softly, and looking towards the waterfall, took a running jump and swooped in.

The rest of the gargoyles watched by the bank, breath bated. After about a minute, Silver came up clutching a large circular object. “I’ve got it,” she panted.

Swimming with difficulty because the force of the waterfall made it difficult to move, she dropped the amulet by the shore.

“So this talisman is just like the one that Flynt and Kahreen found?” asked Vashkoda curiously, as she reached out to take it. “It looks-hey!”

A large metallic bird had swooped down and snatched the amulet from her hands, and was already disappearing along the valley at lightning speed.

“Into dark claws it will go?” asked Llewelyn as she watched.

“That’s our only lead,” cried Vash. “We’ve got to follow!”

Sabrina was staring intensely into the distance however. “That metal bird… it seems that it’s being met by a van. And the logo is… I know! It’s the same one that the furniture removal company had, ‘Phoenix Carrying’: Hey, haven’t they…”

“… Just been taken over by Thaylog’s company, Inter-Dimensional Enterprises!” finished Llewelyn.

“Have they?” asked Vashkoda, surprised.

“Well I don’t know, but it’s a good guess isn’t it?”

“This is getting ridiculous,” said Silver. “Thaylog’s trying to keep us in the dark on purpose, it’s the only explanation. He used ‘Phoenix Carrying’ before, he knew that we would come here, he wanted the amulet Flynt and Kahreen received. He probably just wanted us to do the legwork for him.”

“Well you know, he does let us stay with him,” said Sabrina.

“He’s been lying to us, and keeping secrets!”

“Well, secrets are just that! If I thought he was hiding stuff that was dangerous then fine, but his personal business…”

“Flynt and Kahreen have disappeared because of him!”

“You know Thaylog would not do anything bad to them, they were his friends.”

“That’s what worries me. If he betrayed them, how do we know he won’t betray us as well?”

“I think it’s unlikely that he betrayed Flynt and Kahreen, or at least not intentionally,” said Llewelyn, noting with surprise and unease the look on Sabrina’s face; a stubborn passion that seldom crossed her placid countenance. “But I think… I think he probably has some kind of problem. Or secret. Something that he doesn’t want us to know about. Or perhaps he’s afraid.”

“That would explain it,” said Vash. “The long absences, the irritability, the lies…”

“So we must find out what his secret is,” said Silver.

Sabrina looked away. “If Thaylog didn’t want us to know, I don’t think we should interfere.”

“What about Kahreen and Flynt? Should we just abandon them?”

“Thaylog and Flynt were close allies, dear friends. He would not betray him; and would not betray Kahreen either, I don’t think.”

“Want to know what I think?” asked Llewelyn, feigning a voice of heroic determination. “I think there’s only one thing to do.”

“Follow that van?” prompted Vash.

“Oh. I was going to say shamelessly read Thay’s diary, but now that you mention it…”

***

In Thaylog’s penthouse office, the blinds were closed and the door locked. He slid a large brown package onto the middle of the desk, checking that the label was fastened. He took a deep breath and flicked open a small panel hidden next to the top drawer. He pressed the button under the panel before moving to the centre of the room.

A digitalised voice sounded. “Entrance to Maximum Security level requires clearance. Speak the password.”

“Friend,” said Thaylog.

The floor began to sink to a lower level. In front of him were two pressure panels and a laser beam. “Fingerprint and retina identity confirmation,” muttered Thaylog as he pressed his hand to the pad and levelled his eye with the laser. The floor began to sink further down while a fake floor snapped shut above him.

Eventually, he sank to the level of a dingy little lounge. The only light came from behind a slightly torn lampshade, and the carpet was smothered in a ring of sand. On the sofa lay a weak and shivering navy gargoyle, his skin gnarled and wrinkled with age. Thaylog approached and bent down next to him.

“Hello, father,” he said to Thailog. “We’re ready. We’re going to make you well again.”

***

Ed pulled into the car park, and reached for the sepia file on the back seat. He got out of the car.

And paused. And listened. Locking the door, he looked around but could see nobody else in the car park. He shivered, though he wasn’t cold. Slowly and with deliberate quietness, he walked towards the lift. The hairs on the back of his neck began to prick. He walked faster. He became aware that he was clutching the file tightly. He walked faster. He looked around, but nobody was present, and he finally rounded the corner and reached the lift. The doors were shut.

He pressed the button, and a light told him that a lift was coming. He turned around to face the car park. There were several cars, but no movement apart from a Crunchi-Crisp packet bobbing along the wall and glittering in the moonlight. He turned to the lift. The light indicating that it was coming still shone. He turned back across the car park.

He felt something. Something unexplainable. Something he couldn’t imagine. Suddenly, an image crossed his mind; a red figure with a sea of flaming bracken for his hair. It was gone. Ed shuddered and collected himself.

The lift beeped as the door opens. Still shivering, he turned around to the open lift, but as he stared inside he blanched; he was faced with-

***

Thaylog spoke slowly and rhythmically, his eyes closed and his feet crossed in the centre of the room. A white star with four points was laid around him.

“Spirits of the East and West; Rulers of the light lands and the dark lands; by the Spirits of the Eleven Planets; by the half-blood an Earth child. It is the time. It is the date. Come before me. Alkyries, open the door. NOW!”

A white light engulfed the ivory gargoyle, and Davies and Thailog shielded their eyes. After a moment it faded, but the wall shone white and a reflection-a figure like but unlike Thaylog-spoke. He was taller, with whiter hair, and keen ivory eyes and remarkably slender fingers.

“Half-Child,” said the figure. “You have sought your parents’ realm and we have answered. Speak.”

Thaylog tried to keep his hands over his eyes as he spoke. “One of the Alkyrie people, my mother Verlyn, once bestowed upon a mortal gargoyle of this world immortality. But now against this promise he is cursed, and withers.”

“What concern is this to us? It is not our custom to meddle in such matters.”

“He is my father. I was born of Verlyn and Thailog. You command that no Alkyrie may mate a mortal and so Verlyn remained faithful to this decree - until now. You must restore his immortality.”

“I would first have to cross to your world.”

“I know a way! The earthen Talismans have mostly been lost, save only the Talisman of Kithan and that… is beyond our reach now.”

“Then I cannot help you.”

“But I have the last talisman, that of earth itself… the Talisman of Earth. Let me use it to bring you here so that you can heal my father.”

“Then break it before this illusion and I shall materialise in your world.”

“I… I do not have it yet. It was retrieved earlier this night, and will be delivered shortly. I had to call you first or the time of alignment would have passed and I would have been unable to summon you. But it will be delivered in minutes. Please wait.”

“You try my patience, Half-Child…”

***

Sabrina, Vashkoda, Silver, Llewelyn and Chaz soared above the city, following the orange van from ‘Phoenix Carrying’ as it made its way towards Inter-Dimensional Enterprises. They were careful at all times to remain high enough in the sky so as to avoid unwanted attention.

“And if he is going to Inter-Dimensional Enterprises,” said Silver, “we can take it back on the way in.”

But as the van entered the car park it did not slow down and merely kept on apace towards the side of the building. A pair of doors opened in the wall and the van drove straight through. The doors closed and the van disappeared from sight.

“Okay,” said Sabrina. “Now what do we do?”

But before they could answer, a flash of light carved its way through the night, originating from the adjoining car park building.

“Looks like laser fire,” said Llewelyn. “Let’s check it out.”

***

Ed turned to the open lift and started at what he saw.

The figure staring back at him was not small, but her enormous head bulged out of a red suit of what looked to Ed like a futuristic coat of arms. Her hair was draped in locks that looked snake-like, and two serpentine eyes peered from the blank, white countenance. To all appearances, the creature was female.

“Hello,” she said softly.

Ed stepped back, holding the folder up in defence. “Wh-what… or who, are you?” he said.

“I am Tetra, of NOIR - the New Olympian Isolationist Regiment. I have been ordered to find you, and kill you for crimes against New Olympian secrecy. My condolences.”

“What? Wait! Why?”

Tetra held up a weapon of some kind; it was odd-looking and futuristic, with a strange luminous orange colouring. It resembled a gun, although the end was flattened.

“You left New Olympus despite the dangers to our people. If the human world finds out about us… our technology is strong, but no match for the world at large. You must not be found, and there is only one way to ensure that happens.”

“Look, you’ve got the wrong guy! I’ve never even heard of New Olympus!”

“Tell me about your childhood.”

“I… I don’t know. I can’t remember anything about my past, not since twenty-nine months ago.”

“Then you are the person whom I seek. Your mission was to last three years. Three weeks ago I was alerted to your absence, and so I set off. As insurance, NOIR has taken my husband and children into… special accommodation. If I fail, then they will probably be killed.”

“That’s insane!”

“It is… logical. They couldn’t leave the task to somebody whose emotions over taking a life risked interfering with the assignment. I was chosen because I was the most skilled in NOIR, but taking a New Olympian life is no contract to be entered into lightly, even for someone who passionately believes in the cause. As long as you remain in the world, there is a danger that the humans could learn of New Olympus. Then my family would be as good as dead anyway. This I cannot allow to happen. And so you must die. Don’t worry, Halo will make it quick.”

“Halo?” said Ed, weakly.

“My weapon,” she said, raising the gun-like object, which was now pulsating with orange light. “It is the most advanced and powerful killing weapon on New Olympus. It will be painless.”

“Or,” said Ed, “it won’t happen!”

He threw the folder at her and sprang aside. Tetra moved to let off a round of fire. Several shots blasted into the open sky by the car park, one hit a pillar that exploded into dust, and one blasted a car, which then exploded. In the chaos, Ed ran towards the stairs but a shot destroyed the ceiling and blocked it off. Only a few cars and a wall separated Ed from the assassin. He looked around but could see no escape; the car park was forty feet up.

“Please die quietly. I want to put this behind me…”

But before Tetra could move, a volley of fireballs shot towards her. She collapsed to the ground as one grazed her arm although they seemed to have little effect on her armour. She turned around to find that four gargoyles had just landed in the car park.

“Stay out of my way, gargoyles,” ordered Tetra. “I have a job to do, I must do it now; intercept me and I will have to kill you.”

But she suddenly realised that Halo was being forced out of her hands. She shouted and fired straight through the roof several times, but Sabrina materialised and wrestled it away.

Sabrina coughed. “No, I’m sorry, as fashion statements go, killing humans really isn’t in vogue. Now, why don’t you just tell us what the problem is?”

Tetra looked put out. “No, you don’t understand! I’ve got to kill him! I’ve got to kill him now!”

Silver stood in her way. “We cannot let you kill a person without knowing that the decision is correct.”

“No, it’s not that… I’m out of time! Out of time! Out of time! Out of time! Out of time!”

“Just a guess here,” said Llewelyn, “but are you out of time.”

Tetra trailed off incoherently, clutching her head and screaming madly. Suddenly she seized up and crouched on the floor for a moment. As the gargoyles started to close towards her, she leapt up and wrestled Halo from Sabrina. She ran towards the edge of the car park and with a terrible scream, jumped into the sky.

In mid-air, her head exploded and her body fell from the car park.

The gargoyles looked dumbfounded. Llewelyn rushed to the edge of the building to see what had happened, but it seemed a hovercraft of some kind had appeared from nearby and caught the creature. The craft was now zooming away with the corpse. After a moment, they turned to find the human. Ed had been unable to go anywhere, but was watching fascinated from behind the pillar.

“I think you know what that was about,” said Vashkoda.

“I… I don’t know,” said Ed, his eyes widening as he recognised the gargoyles from the video Thaylog had shown him previously. “I’ve never seen her before in my life. But… who are you?”

“That is none of your concern,” said Vashkoda cautiously. “But since we saved your life, I think it is we who should be asking the questions. If we are satisfied with your answers, perhaps we shall answer yours.”

“My name’s Ed. Ed Robinson. I work for Mr. Legacy, or at least-”

He didn’t get a chance to finish his sentence, as the car behind them exploded. With the flames still dully burning on scraps of paper where Llewelyn had shot her fireballs, a trail of petrol leaking from a car damaged by the caved in roof had now gone up. A nearby car followed suit.

“Never fight with fire with gas-guzzling cars around,” said Llewelyn grimly as she held out her hands to calm the fire.

Then, out of the lift a team of uniformed guards rushed out. The gargoyles fled as Ed scooped up the folder, shoving the papers back into it, and ran for cover. From a pillar, he watched the creatures disappear into the night.

“Uh… thanks?” he called out feebly after them.

***

Davies entered the secret lounge, where Thaylog and Thailog were waiting; in his hands was the ornate circular Talisman of Earth. He gave it to Thaylog, who held it carefully.

“Thank you, Professor. With the Talisman of Earth, I will now be able to cause a rift such that one individual may between worlds and heal you, father. All I need to do is…”

But in seconds, Thailog had leapt from the sofa and violently pushed Thaylog into the wall, which still glowed white with the vision of the Alkyrian world. The Talisman smashed and Thaylog, the portal and the talisman all disappeared. He smiled.

“That gets rid of him. Davies, my medicine if you please?”

Davies reached into his pocket and drew out a test tube. Thailog drank it swiftly. “Ah, I feel better already. Immortality you see, Davies, was never the problem. The problem was that I was a mortal and not built for immortality. Unlike other immortals, I don’t have a source of magical energy sustaining me, and so my finite life energy was expected to last for an eternity. And as a clone, I had already been aged at an unnatural rate. But this medicine is… sufficient to allow me to sustain myself. And this makeup to create the appearance of death… it was most convincing.”

“Th-Th-Thaylog bought it, sir.”

“He did indeed. Ah, nine hundred years of life and still he believed in redemption and wanted to help me. Sweet, but foolish. Well, now that he’s out of the way, I’d best see about my - ah - inheritance.”

Davies nodded.

“And Davies? I know I can rely on you not to… try anything awkward. You’ve been loyal so far, but I’m not very… trusting.”

He flicked a laser rifle from his pocket and in one smooth motion blasted Davies through the heart. The man staggered and collapsed. He was dead by the time he hit the ground.

“Ouch,” chuckled Thaylog as he took the lift back to Thaylog’s office. “When the cleaning bill comes, it’ll hurt me more than it hurt you.”

***

Silver was grim as the clan soared over the forest. “It’s a shame to have to return to the mansion. Still, it’s near morning and the security probably would have stopped us.” Suddenly she noticed a piece of paper in her son’s hand and inquired as to what it was.

“I picked it up to give to that human. It… it says something. You should see.”

“That’s private, Chaz!” said Sabrina firmly. “You shouldn’t go nosing around in his work.”

“But-”

“That’s enough!” said Silver, and took the file away. “We’ll find a way to return this tomorrow. The sun is almost up now.”

Diving, the five gargoyles landed on the lawn outside the mansion and just had time to pose before the sun rose.

***

In his flat, Ed took the package he had found on Thaylog’s desk. It was labelled, ‘Attn: Ed Robinson’. Inside was another video. Shrugging, he took it out and played it. Thaylog’s image appeared on the screen. He listened as the image spoke:

My name is Thaylog Legacy. I don't care what you've heard of me, or what you yourself believe. You know nothing about me, nor do you need to know.

My friends, however, are a different matter. I feel it is necessary to tell you a little about them. Take care not to betray them--or my trust--or you will find yourself in greater peril than you could possibly imagine.

And before Ed’s eyes, a series of images and descriptions flashed before him: Flynt, Shaiya, Silver, Kahreen, Vashkoda, Sabrina and Llewelyn. Legacy described each one before the image reverted to the man himself.

I had previously asked you to research the clan, so you should already be familiar with what they look like and where to find them. Now that I have told you more about them, I hope you realize that they are good people. Yes, most of them are gargoyles, but one in your profession should know not to place too much weight on appearances.

The white-haired human rose from his desk. In seconds, his already pale skin turned the color of ivory, and his eyes glowed a bright red. The man's body grew taller, and as the wings and tail appeared, it was clear that he was no longer a man - if he had ever been one at all.

Yet I fear that I will not be able to watch over them much longer. There are things that I must take care of which may keep me away from them for a time. How long, I do not know. Two of our friends have just left us, and if the clan loses me as well, they will be alone. That is why I need someone else to look after them, and act as their link to the human world. They need someone to protect them from it, and connect them with it. As you've probably surmised, I have chosen you for the task.

The VCR clicked as the video came to an end. Ed used the remote control to eject the tape, overcome with awe. He reached into the package and found a series of instructions: maps, directions, information on gargoyles, instructions for grant claims on the Mansion. Some of this he had already found; but he realised with a curious mix between fear and excitement that the details were the specific locations of the group.

***

A few days had passed. Flynt and Kahreen had been gone for a week now. Thaylog's absence had gone unnoticed by the public; or rather, someone had leaked to the press the excuse that he was on vacation at some undisclosed location, and had someone else temporarily take over for him. Business at IDE over the last few days, therefore, went on as usual. But when Thaylog failed to return home that night, or the nights thereafter, the clan’s sinking feeling turned to fear, which turned to grim certainty. Thaylog was not coming back.

The sheet of paper Chaz found was another cause for concern. It contained details about gargoyle activities in Newbridge. Robinson claimed to work for Thaylog, but Thay wasn't around for the clan to question. Some recalled seeing the man's name appear in the Newbridge Telegraph as a reporter, although he hadn't been printed there for some time.

The clan planned to hold a meeting that night. Shaiya was absent, but then that had been happening more and more frequently of late. No one knew where she went, but knowing that she had a closer relationship with Thaylog than any of them, and understanding how she must be feeling, they decided it was normal for her to need some time alone.

***

Vashkoda headed for the stairs, wondering if she was already late for the meeting. She passed in front of the library and glanced at the clock, remembering at the last second that it was broken. Then something caught her eye- the two hands were both pointing at the twelve.

She entered the library and headed for the bookcase door. She pulled it open, only to reveal a young gargoyle on the other side. His expression shifted between fright to embarrassment.

"Um...hi Vash! Er...I was just looking at these books for a...um, bedtime story."

"What's that in your hand?" she asked, reaching for the dark blue pages. Chaz quickly rolled them up and tucked them under this belt.

"Don't play games with me," Vash frowned.

The look of fright returned to the small gargoyle's face, but he remained stoical. “It’s nothing, really…”

 But Vashkoda had already firmly taken the pages from his hands, and she proceeded to study the pages for several moments.

Quietly, she asked: “Chaz, do you know what these are?”

 “They’re maps. Maps of the mansion.”

 “Yes, they’re called blueprints. And these here are notes, writing - it looks like the same as…”

 She stopped herself. Doubt was quickly vanishing from her mind that the handwriting was that of Ed Robinson, the reporter the clan had encountered a few nights previously. She would need to study the other paper, but there was little doubt.

“So you've been hiding these from you mother?”

 “Please don't tell her! I wasn't being bad, honest! I just thought that… well, this would be kind of like an adventure. I thought it might be a treasure map, and if I find the gold, it could help the clan. You know, so that we don't have to move now that Thaylog's gone.”

 Chaz trailed off, his bravado failing and a scared countenance now facing Vashkoda. Moved with pity, she gave him a quick hug.

“We aren't going to move. Don't worry, we'll find a way to make things right.” She looked down at the blueprints in her hand.

"Was this all that you hid from your mother?"

Chaz blushed. “Well, no, there's also the picture. I thought it was kind of neat, so I kept it. It's right over there.” He pointed to a small table. Vash picked up the picture and examined it. It showed Llewelyn and Sabrina in a room she recognised as Thaylog's office. Something about the picture struck her as odd. She decided to hold onto it.

“How about this. If you give me this picture, I'll forget I saw you here tonight.”

 The young gargoyle smiled in relief. "Deal,” he said, reaching out to shake Vash's hand. Suddenly she remembered the meeting, and cursed silently to herself.

“Chaz, I recommend you do your exploring someplace less obvious. Everyone knows about the storeroom now, and it wouldn't be wise to let them find you here.”

 “Yeah, I guess so,” he said, following her out as she pushed the bookcase shut.

He pattered off down the corridor, but she maintained a steady pace, her shadow trailing across the window from the dim corridor lights. She looked down at the picture in her hand, and muttered slowly to herself.

“Ah, Thaylog. I wonder what other secrets have you left behind? Well, it seems that there’s only one place to find them, if only his Newbridge office isn’t too heavily guarded. I can go quietly, and I can go unseen. A clan could hardly better perform the job of infiltrating the base than one lone infiltrator. I shall go tomorrow night. All my life I’ve hunted truth. Tomorrow perhaps, I’ll find it.”

 By this time she had reached the door to the main hall where the others had gathered. Discussions had apparently already started. She hid the picture in a pouch and took her seat quietly. After a moment of silence, Sabrina vocalised the mood of the meeting.

“So… what now?” she asked.

...to be continued.

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