Operation Barghest - Part Three
Previously - Reporter Rebbecca Brenner and retired professor and former military adviser Dr. Douglas Telford are convinced that someone is up to no good at a local military installation. That person or persons are using fae magic in ways which break long-standing protocols and treaties between the human race and the Seelie Court. Unsanctioned by anyone in power, they have made it through the first layer of the military base’s security. They still aren’t safe from the possibility of being discovered for the frauds they are.
“Wasn’t that a bit too easy?”
Douglas sighed. “Without going into the details of how hard it is to craft a glamour as convincing as this,” he tapped the sealed scroll, “I’ll simply say, getting past this is no guarantee of anything. It’s mostly meant to keep gawpers away from the castle. The tests lay ahead of us yet.”
Rebbecca followed the road, having little choice since it was blocked on either side by thick hedge rows. He knew they would be enchanted sufficiently to keep any single person ensnared in their spiny depths and could likely stop a car at full throttle. Finally, they came to a stop in front of the castle proper. The main tower jutted up from the wings on either side. By modern standards, its height wasn’t impressive, but the construction was solid. This close, he could feel the potential power, and by closing his eyes could just make out some very subtle protective runes. He had missed them at a distance, but they were no less powerful for their subtlety. The workmanship impressed him.
Rebbecca opened his door for him and he stepped out. As he did, the iron gates swung open. They had not glowed, as it was dreadfully hard to get ferrous metal to retain a magical charge of any kind. They were strong though and free of rust and pit. The solid-looking man that stepped out to meet them was easily as stalwart. He wore the tartan of the Black Watch paired with a tunic festooned with a dozen medals.
Douglas extended a hand, “Sir William.”
The other man clasped it in his own, swallowing it. “A pleasure to meet you, Doctor Telford. Your reputation precedes you.” His voice had the lilt of a native Highlander. “You’ll excuse the formality, but if I could see your papers?”
“Of course.” He handed over the scroll.
The Scot took it in his left hand and examined it casually. He then passed his hand over it, a signet ring on his middle finger glowing deep crimson as he did. Satisfied, he pressed the ring against the wax seal, and the scroll opened for him.
Douglas had set it only to open for this man and felt pleased when it did. This proved William was as genuine as the scroll was fake.
Sir William nodded as he read and then frowned. “Code Geist, eh? Oh this is most disconcertin’.” He rolled the scroll shut. “You must come with me, Doctor Telford.”
“Douglas. Please call me Douglas. I insist.”
“Afraid I can’t do that, sir. Too much respect for you. I read your treatise on the Unseelie Court when I was studyin’ under the good Brothers at Saint Aloysius’. It’s what made me decide to enter the Ministry. If I may be so bold, it’s a shame you’ve retired. We could use someone with your skills here.”
This was unexpected. He didn’t have many fans in the Minstry, but there were a few people who still genuinely looked up to him, if his sources were to be believed. No one very highly placed, that was certain. “Thank you, Sir William.”
“Now it’s I must insist on somethin’. You call me Stuart. I’ll answer to nothin’ else.”
“Stuart it is then. Stuart, this lovely young lady is my assistant, Ms. Becky Tanner”
Sir William took her hand as one might the finest china cup. “A pleasure, miss. Well, let’s go into my office and talk about this most serious matter.”
He led them through the gates and to the tower house at the heart of the courtyard. Cawdor was by no means a large edifice, but it was solid in its construction. Douglas kept his eyes open and wits about him. A half-dozen guards were visible. Each carried mundane weapons, and they also wore black ribbons on their arms with a metal lozenge at its center. He knew it served a protective purpose. He was uncertain as to what it was protection from, without closer scrutiny.
They entered the house through large oak doors and proceeded to an office on the first floor. It looked to him as though it had served as a sitting room at some point. Now it contained a field desk and several map tables.
Sir William gestured to a pair of opulent chairs near the desk and took a seat in the folding chair near his desk.
Douglas chose one, noticing as he did the dark-colored shaft of what appeared to be ivory near the soldier’s hand. He knew the wand to be standard issue for members of the Black Watch. They were necromancers of the first degree. The thought made him shudder.
“Are you cold, Douglas?” Sir William gestured to the cold fireplace. “My apologies we can’t keep it warmer in here. An experiment we’re currently runnin’ won’t allow for a fire.”
“Quite all right. We’ll get straight to business. As you saw, I’ve been called upon to root out a rather nasty leak you fellows have in this operation. I’ve been told you’re cleared of any suspicion.”
Sir William opened the scroll again, nodding as he did. “So I see here. If I can ask you, Douglas, how do you plan on investigatin’ this? It hardly seems to be in your bailiwick, if you’ll forgive me for sayin’ so.”
Douglas caught the change in Rebecca’s expression from the corner of his eye. He nodded, hoping it would help keep Sir William’s attention. “True, Stuart. As you no doubt know, my standing with the Ministry in particular and the magical community at large is shaky. I am an outsider and as such some think I’m not to be trusted.” He was a little miffed at Sir William’s continued nodding throughout his recitation. As true as it was, one didn’t like to be reminded of it. “But the nature of the leak is singular and indeed does fall into my area of expertise.”
“Is that right?”
“Yes. It’s my understanding you are currently working on using Fae in some unique and interesting ways.” When Sir William didn’t comment, he continued. “It is the belief of those in the highest ranks that your leak is a result of the work. They believe the individual is using the Fae here to send encoded communiques of your activities to outside sources.”
The Scot’s ears began to turn pink. “That’s highly unlikely. We have safeguards in place...”
Douglas held out a placating hand. “I understand, and I respect your abilities.” He nodded to the bone wand. “You are doing everything within your powers to ensure the safety of your men and the information you have been entrusted with. If there were no leak though, how would you explain my presence? The Ministry would hardly send me here if there was any doubt in their minds.”
“I must admit, you’re right. How will we know for sure?”
“Take me to your research area. I will make certain examinations and see if there is indeed something you’re missing. If not then the leak is internal and entirely human in nature.”
“Not possible. I trust every one of my men implicitly.”
“Of course, as you should. I’m certain the Ministry has been meticulous in their choice of personnel.” He stood. “Take me around your facility, and we’ll find this leak and squash it.”
Sir William stood and gestured to Rebbecca. “What about your assistant? Does she have your level of clearance?”
“Yes. She is to document this all for the Ministry. You know how they are about documentation.” He chuckled darkly and exchanged a knowing look with Sir William.
“True. ‘Tis all somewhat irregular, but then so are our operations.” Sir William tucked his grey wand into its sleeve holster. He then pulled a cube from the portable desk. “You must each have one of these.” He held out two of the black ribbons the soldiers outside had been wearing. “They’re a precaution in case we should have a mana leak. If you hear an alarm, simply pull the lozenge free and you’ll be shielded long enough to reach an exit.”
