literature

WIP - Mage

Deviation Actions

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Literature Text

I arrived home to a letter; neat old fashioned parchment sealed with wax. I didn't need to wonder who had sent it, the white rose resting on top of the envelope made it abundantly clear. The fact they were still watching my every move was little surprise, what sent alarm bells ringing was that they were making contact again. It was never a good sign when the Order of the White Rose started sending summons, more often than not, it meant trouble.

The handwritten message was short, no explanations, no indication as to what it was about. Such was the way of the White Rose. It read simply: Leeds Station, Starbucks, Saturday, 12:00 pm. I knew better than to be late.



....



Leeds was, as always, unpleasantly crowded. The glorious sunshine, rare for the north of England, seemed to draw everyone out into the city center to shop. I hated the place at the best of times but on a Saturday in the height of summer it was unbearable.



The station was packed, hot and stuffy. I made a bee-line for the tiny coffee shop on the concourse, ignoring the nagging sensation in the pit of my stomach. I knew what to expect. At least, I thought I did.

The man who greeted me as I entered was not one I recognized, and I never forget a face.

He was short, overweight and balding. There was something about him that reminded me of a rodent, or perhaps a weasel. He extended a pudgy hand which I politely ignored. If he'd been told anything about me, he'd understand.



Ushering me quickly to a seat, he introduced himself as Mr Ronguer.  The name was more than appropriate.

Sat with gloved hands crossed over my lap, I waited for him to get to the point: why was I here and what did they want?

His attempts at small talk evaporated beneath my stern gaze and fanning himself with a newspaper, he extracted an envelope from a breast pocket, passing it across the table with a grunt.

He was suffering in the heat, his greasy face a brilliant shade of pink. He panted like a dog in the midday sun, still waving the newspaper about ineffectually.

I adjusted my glasses and read the note carefully, doing my best to ignore the ragged breathing of my repulsive companion.

The task was simple enough, I was almost insulted.
why me?" I inquired cooly, casting my gaze over the instructions once more so I wouldn't have to make eye contact with the revolting wretch sat opposite
W.. well you see.." the rodent sputtered, wiping the sweat from his brow with a stained pocket handkerchief. "given your previous experience, we felt your particular... talents... may come in useful. The others could use someone of your... expertise." I couldn't bring myself to look at the blubbering oaf any longer, he was making me sick.
I work alone" I'd worked as a group before, it only brought me grief. I'd learned over the years that there was only one person in this world I could rely on, and that was myself.
Oh i'm certain we can come to some sort of agreement... can't we?... Mr Bryce?" I barely contained the shudder. It was no surprise they knew my real name; after all, the council seemed to have their noses in everyone's business these days. Still, it was unsettling to say to least. True names had power, everyone knew that and I didn't like the way this rat spoke.
Is that a threat?" The place was crawling with sleepers, I couldn't afford to make a scene. Even so,  I wasn't about to let a remark like that slide.
Oh, of course not" the fat man chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Though Miss Sofia would be terribly... disappointed... should you refuse." A faint smirk played across the foul vermin's flushed face, I felt my hands clench into fists. "She has such.. faith in you you see." He continued, pausing to take a sip of his bottled water. Those tiny beady black eyes seemed to bore into my very soul. I bit my tongue and slid the envelope back across the table.

The ever benevolent Sofia, of course she had to be involved, little got done in this city without her interference. I thought she was done with me after the Shepherd case, I should have known better.
Tell Miss Sofia, I don't appreciate thinly veiled threats" I stood, preparing to leave. I'd do their damned job, I had no choice. This meeting was nothing more than a bureaucratic farce, an act to make it seem like I had some say in the matter. What Sofia wanted, she got.
We'll be in touch" the bloated weasel of a man chuckled, tucking the envelope back into his jacket.



I fumed quietly to myself as I headed back through the throng, how dare Sofia send some pompous lackey to do her dirty work. Maybe we mere subordinates simply weren't worthy of her time any longer, or perhaps she knew what i'd do if I saw her smug pretty little face again. I'd never appreciate the way she treated us lesser mortals. I often suspected we were all merely pawns in a greater game she was playing, though against whom and to what end was anyone's guess.



I headed home, glaring pointedly at the black cat preening itself on the wall in front of the house. It glared back, hissed and disappeared beneath the hydrangea.

I was under surveillance and this time, they weren't even trying to hide.



...



Weeks passed with no further contact from Sofia or her minions. That cursed feline however, was ever present.

It wasn't just at home either, the damned thing would be waiting when I left work. I'd catch glimpses of black fur out the corner of my eye as I ate my lunch, feel those yellow eyes watching me from the darkness on my way home.
Even a visit to Swansea to see my parents didn't succeed in losing the animal. It was waiting for me at the station when I arrived and sat sunning itself on my parent's back fence during dinner.

Wherever I went, the cat went. I was beginning to believe there were more than one of them.



A full twenty eight days had come and gone before another letter appeared through the letterbox. As concise as ever, the message contained an address on the outskirts of the city and a time. I knew it would probably prove detrimental to my health were I to refuse the summons.

As I said, Sofia ALWAYS gets what she wants.


Jen Mayo 2008

Ok so I haven't actually worked out where this is heading yet... my punctuation is atrocious and it's my first attempt at writing in the first person.

I so seldom write stuff, so yeah... savor the fact I actually posted some writing for once.

YES it's based on the World of Darkness, so technically it's fanfic? I dunno.
I intend to keep the references on the low down anyway.

What's the job? why has the main character been asked to do it? i'm not sure yet... oh dear.
© 2008 - 2024 kyan
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francesdance's avatar
I thought the introduction of it started off a a little slow but as I kept reading it built up some momentum. I don't really know the theme or where this is supposed to stem from, so I don't thnik I can give that good a feedback on it but it has potential. Keep working on it. Also, this is all just based on opinion and what I've learned myself about writing, so don't take it too seriously. lol