Free Order of Britain: Stone of Madness by Ben Myatt

more Wallace's style anyway.”
    The three glanced up as Nathaniel and Elizabeth entered. Nathaniel grinned as he saw Clarence.
    “I gather you've had a change of heart?”
    “It seems my services are still required, and so the Guild calls upon me once more. Rest assured, I shall make sure things are turned right again.” He said the words with a twinkle in his eyes, and then he gestured towards the back door.
    “For now, though, lets turn you three loose.”
    He walked over to a seemingly innocuous flagstone at the side of the kitchen. Kneeling down, he tapped on it three times, paused, then tapped thrice more. The stone floated up as if it was a bubble, and gently moved to the side to reveal a ladder leading down into the darkness. He looked up at their surprised faces.
    “Did you really think I wouldn't know a way through the sealing spell? This leads down through the foundations to the sewer. You should be able to make your way to the street from there.”
    He stood up, and smiled grimly
    “I'm afraid we won't be able to offer you much in the way of support, my friends. Even if I manage to convince Cameron that he's in the wrong, the sealing spell takes about six hours to close down. Once you're out there, you're on your own.”
    Nathaniel nodded, and extended his hand. Clarence shook it, and turned away.
    “You'd better get moving. I have my own work to do – and Callum, if all else fails, remember exactly who you are.”
    “What does that...”
    But Clarence had already entered the voidgate, and closed it behind him. Callum shook his head.
    “I hate it when he does that.” He tapped his finger to his earlobe. “Gordon, are you set up?” 
    “Ready when you are.”
    The trio of agents smiled at each other. 
    “Best get moving then.” Elizabeth said.
    ***
    The sewer stank, as sewers are wont to do. Nathaniel and Elizabeth gagged as they reached the bottom of the ladder where Callum stood, revolver in hand.
    “How can you stand this?” Elizabeth asked.
    “I've smelt worse,” he shrugged. “Shall I take the lead?”
    Elizabeth nodded, and unlooped her carbine from her shoulder. Above them, the flagstone slipped quietly back into place, a golden sheen covering its surface. Nathaniel raised his hand, palm up, and summoned a glowing ball of light.
    “You really need to teach me that trick,” Callum grinned.
    “I suspect it may be rather too subtle for you,” the brown-haired man replied, a grin on his face.
    They set off through the stinking miasma, looking for the next ladder that would take them to the street outside the Guild. Elizabeth tried to close her nose, or at least to ignore the stench as they wandered alongside the stream of effluent.
    “This is truly ghastly,” she said.
    “Try not to think about it.”
    “I'm trying, but that's damned near impossible,” she grumbled.
    A faint movement at the end of the tunnel caught her eye, and she raised the rifle.
    “Movement ahead.”
    They paused, readying their weapons.. no further movement came, and they advanced.
    There was a brief metallic glint in the darkness ahead, and Elizabeth raised her rifle again.
    “Did you...” 
    “I saw it too,” Callum said. “Nathaniel?”
    The tall agent nodded and sent the ball of light down the corridor. There was no-one there, but leaning against the ladder was a bow. It was elegantly carved from tempered yew, and bound in silver. Next to it was a quiver full of arrows.
    “That is not what I expected to see,” Callum said. He knelt next to the bow, and gently laid a finger on it. It seemed to subtly vibrate under his touch. He frowned and stood.
    “It's definitely magical, but I'm damned if I know how it got here.”
    “Perhaps we should leave it here then. I can barely use a gun, never mind a bow,” Nathaniel replied. 
    “I can use it,” Elizabeth said quietly. “I learnt when I was younger.” 
    They glanced at her, then at each other.
    “I'll take any help we can get,” Callum said,