Free Faerie Wars 01 - Faerie Wars by Herbie Brennan Page A

us to do,' Grayling nodded.

    'We understand -- without prejudice -- there is a boy,' said Glanville.

    'Some miscreant,' said Grayling.

    'Some tort-feasor,' Glanville added.

    'Larcenous.'

    'Trespassing.'

    'And missing,' Brimstone said drily, to shut them up.

    'Ah, yes,' said Glanville, 'missing! Taken by the Emperor's men, to the best of our information, knowledge and belief.'

    'Abducted, one might say,' sniffed Grayling slyly.

    Glanville smiled. 'And Mr Chalkhill would like him back.'

    Grayling smiled. 'Mr Chalkhill would like him back,' he echoed.

    'Never mind about that,' said Brimstone. 'I want you to run your eye over a contract.'

    'Contract law!' Glanville exclaimed, not at all put out. 'Your speciality, I believe, Mr Grayling.'

    'I want you both to look over it,' hissed Brimstone.

    'I want the best legal advice you can give me.' He flicked nervously at the thumb of the Hand of Glory and small flames ignited at the fingertips. Brimstone blew them out hurriedly.

    'You shall have it,' said Glanville.

    'You shall have it,' said Grayling.

    Brimstone pulled a single sheet of parchment from the drawer of his desk and handed it across. Glanville took it, read it, then passed it without comment to Grayling. Grayling took a little longer reading, but looked up eventually.

    'Is it binding?' Brimstone asked.

    'Yes,' said Grayling.

    'Yes,' said Glanville.

    'It's with a demon,' Brimstone pointed out.

    'Makes no difference,' Grayling said. 'Demonic contracts still have force in law.'

    Glanville reached out and took the parchment. 'I know everyone tries to get out of them and demons are notoriously slapdash when it conies to legal matters -- '

    'They prefer to kill you,' Grayling explained, smiling brightly.

    ' -- but the fact remains,' Glanville continued, 'if this -- ' he raised his spectacles and peered at the parchment closely ' -- Beleth wished to institute proceedings on foot of this document, they would certainly be entertained in court. Unless, of course, your signature is forged or you could prove duress. That means the demon forced you into signing,' he added helpfully.

    Brimstone shook his head. 'I signed it all right. Without duress.' The Hand of Glory was beginning to sweat a little so he set it down. 'There's a penalty clause ...'

    'I noticed that,' said Grayling soberly.

    'I take it this contract has not yet been executed,' Glanville said.

    Brimstone shook his head again. 'Not yet.' The Hand of Glory began to crawl away and he pinned it to the desktop with a paper-knife. All five fingers wiggled weakly. 'I want to know my chances of getting out of it.'

    Grayling jiggled his spectacles. 'My dear Brimstone, this is signed in blood.'

    'The form of words is clear,' said Glanville. 'You have agreed to make specific sacrifice to Beleth. He has agreed to grant you a specific wish.'

    'The penalty clause is equally specific,' Grayling said. 'Should you fail to make the sacrifice within a month, this Beleth creature takes your soul.'

    'No getting out of it,' said Glanville.

    'No getting out of it at all,' Grayling confirmed.

Seven

    Pyrgus could only see as far as the backside of the Imperial Guardsman walking three strides ahead of him. The man was so large he blocked much of the view in front. There were stone-faced guards on either side of him and one behind. If he tried to run, he would get maybe a stride and a half..These characters were experts.

    But he had to try.

    'I've a pebble in my shoe,' he announced loudly. If they stopped to let him get it out, there might be a chance of distracting them.

    They ignored him.

    'I could be crippled if you keep me walking on a rock. Your officers won't thank you for delivering an injured prisoner.'

    Apparently their officers didn't give a hoot. The guards continued to ignore him.

    They reached the bridge where the four men around him were joined by six more of their colleagues. They wore helmet masks and uniform riot gear with stun wands in every