Free Order of Britain: Stone of Madness by Ben Myatt Page A

hefting the bow and passing it to her. As she took it in her hand, it seemed to fold in on itself, becoming a narrow baton of wood in her hand.
    “That's different,” Nathaniel said, an edge to his voice.
    Elizabeth said nothing, instead tucking the folded bow into the belt of her trousers. She looped the quiver over her shoulder, and  glanced up at the ladder.
    “Shall we?”
    Callum shrugged, and began to climb the ladder up to the street. He pushed aside the sewer covering, and lifted himself out into the fresh air.
    The street was abandoned, the lights in the lanterns high above sputtering in the late night air. Callum holstered his revolver, and helped Nathaniel out of the manhole, then lifted Elizabeth out.
    Wordlessly, they headed off into the streets of London, heading for the centre of the darkness.
    ***
    Clarence calmly walked through the halls of the Guild, the heels of his shoes clicking on the stones of the floor. His face was calm, almost amiable, but anyone who looked into his eyes  would have been terrified of the fury that lay deep within. Those who knew him would also have noticed the purpose of his walk as he headed for the council chamber.
    The chamber was abandoned when the rotund mage entered. The council members, having given into Cameron's demands, had convinced their new leader to go and get some sleep. Clarence smiled grimly to himself, and headed for his traditional chair – facing the door directly and, more importantly, it was the seat of the chairman. He made himself comfortable and began to read his annotated copy of “Magics consequences.”
    He settled himself in to wait, thumbing through the much loved book. The door popped open briefly, a guard looking into the room, backing slowly out, and scampering off down the hall. Clarence ignored him, seemingly focussed entirely on his book.
    He didn't even glance up when Cameron burst into the room, his grey hair tousled and sleep still in his eyes.
    “What the hell do you think you're doing?” the councilman snapped.
    “I should think that's obvious, Wallace. I'm taking back my place as chairman. There's a funny little part of our rules that says if the man who replaces an active chair proves to be unsuitable for the role, the previous chair can resume his position.”
    Clarence delicately closed his book, and laid it gently on the table. When he looked at Cameron, his eyes were cold.
    “And thus, it is time for me to clear up the mess you've caused. Right now the members of the Order of Britain are moving to stop the chaos out in London. I, on the other hand must deal with you.”
    Cameron laughed. There was an edge of madness to that laugh, a manic, staccato sound that chilled most listeners to the bone. He turned away.
    “I don't have time for this. When I come back, I expect you to be out of my chair, Clarence.”
    The rotund mage casually lit his pipe, the blue smoke beginning to spiral up towards the domed ceiling of the star chamber.
    “You are vain, power hungry, and malicious, Cameron. All of these I could forgive, but you've also shown yourself to be an incompetent coward. And worst of all, you have betrayed our oath to protect the people of Britain from magical dangers.” He took a deep puff of tobacco, and exhaled a cloud of sweet-smelling smoke. “Thus, if you do not step aside and allow me to resume my position, I have no choice but to invoke the high mages challenge.”
    Cameron turned slowly to stare at him. A sick grin spread across his face, as he glared at his former chief. Suddenly, his hand whipped forward.
    “Challenge accepted.”
    A blast of energy flashed from his fingertips, aiming for Clarence's chest. Clarence swatted it away as it if were an annoying fly, and continued to calmly watch his opponent.
    “Did you really think that would work, old boy?”
    Cameron snarled, and launched another crackling bolt of elemental magical force. It splashed against Clarences shields, and dispelled instantly. Casually,