Episode 8 - Chapter 9

“I'm afraid,” Raven says sadly, “That that's not my decision to make.”

“Of course it isn't,” the Angel snaps in irritated reply, “You're obviously just a bloody soldier, but you know who the generals are, and how to contact them. Can you do that?”

The pulsing in Tom's cloud slides into pink. “What we mean to ask,” he says, “With the greatest respect, is would you be willing to broker a meeting with ourselves and whoever leads the Forest?”

Raven thinks for a moment or two before saying “That wont be as easy as you'd like to think. There is no real chain of command to the Forest itself, it's much more informal than that. Intuitive, you might say. But there might be a way.”

“Excellent!” the Angel declares, “Which means it's time for you to return to the Warp.”

Episode 8 - Chapter 8

“I'm not sure you're correct,” Raven says, “But even if you are, why tell me?”

“We want to help prevent it happening,” Tom replies, yellows seeping into orange. “There are some in the Weave who desire nothing so much as they desire human civilization returning to a new stone age.” Orange darkens into a deep scarlet. “But there are others, such as ourselves, who understand what that would mean for us.”

“We would work with the Forest,” the Angel interrupts, “To help guide mankind to a new attitude towards their environment, a more balanced way of living.”

“The Lord of Doors has done much to prevent people finding their own way,” Tom says, purple ripples pulsing through his cloud. “Promoting industrialisation, whispering to scientists, advancing climate scepticism. Let us help to counter that, before it's too late.”

Episode 8 - Chapter 7

Fiona watches as Raven paces, clearly agitated. “The Forest does not interfere in the affairs of men,” he says, as much for his own benefit than anybody else's she thinks. “The agreement is clear, we deal with the threats this place imposes, the end.”

“Well, clearly, a new agreement is very much in order,” the Angel replies, “While there is still a Warp for the Forest to protect.”

“What's that supposed to mean?” Raven asks sharply, coming to a halt.

“Have you paid no attention to them at all?” the angel smiles, “Even when they're not at war, and that's a rare event in itself, but even then, everything they do damages their environment, your environment. It's only a matter of time before things have gone too far, and your home is rendered uninhabitable.”

Episode 8 - Chapter 6

“But then again you wouldn't, would you?” Raven continues, “Bit before your time.”

“We know our history,” the Angel snaps, “Nevertheless, there is imbalance in the Warp that the Forest ignores.”

Raven sighs. “What is it then?” he asks, “What's your great imbalance?”

Fiona gasps with surprise when the Angel points at her and her husband. “Them,” he says confidently.

“Them?” Raven gasps, “I thought you said they were bodyguards, and in case you hadn't noticed, they're certainly not in the Warp.”

“Oh Corvus, don't be obtuse,” the Angel replies, “Not those two, obviously, but people, human beings, homo sapiens. They're getting to be a bit of a problem.”

Episode 8 - Chapter 5

“What imbalance?” Raven snaps. Fiona can see by the look in his eye that he's clearly irritated by the suggestion. “There is no imbalance, the Forest makes sure of that.”

“Oh but there is,” the Angel purrs, “Really, if you think about it, there must be. It's the only explanation that makes any sense.”

“What are you talking about?” Raven begins to pace. “Is this more of your riddles.”

“Tell me,” the Angel inquires, “How do you account for the changes in the Warp?”

“What changes?”

“Well, the temperature, for a start.” The Angel strokes his chin. “Or the fact that entire species are being killed off.”

“That's the planet,” Raven counters, “It's always done that. Remember the dinosaurs?”

Episode 8 - Chapter 4

“You mean to tell me,” Raven blusters, “That these two are hear to be my body guards?”

“The Lord of Doors has a long memory,” the Angel replies, “And he's not inclined to forgive, or forget. He will do everything in his power to have his vengeance on you, and here you are, right at the heart of his power and utterly defenceless. So yes, we're giving you some fire power of your own.”

“We even went to the trouble,” Tom sparkles with hues of green and blue, “Of training one of them for you.”

“What?” Robert asks, surprised. “I thought you were helping me.”

“I was,” Tom replies, green ebbing into yellow, “Helping you to help him.”

“Whatever,” Raven grunts, “So why do you want to talk to the Forest?”

“Imbalance,” the Angel smiles, “At the heart of the Warp. An imbalance the Forest is seemingly blind to.”

Episode 8 - Chapter 3

“Hidden strings be damned,” Raven replies, “Why don't you answer the question for a change?”

“Answering questions,” the Angel arches his eyebrow, “That's not really in my nature now, is it? It's not something that comes that naturally.”

“In that case,” Raven counters, “You could probably do with the practice. Why have you brought us here?”

“A fair point, I suppose,” the Angel scratches at his ear, “We wanted to talk to you.”

“Me in particular,” Raven asks, “Or any representative of the Forest?”

“You were our preferred choice,” he winks, “But beggars can't be choosers.”

“That explains why I'm here,” Raven snaps, “But why those two?”

“Getting you here was relatively simple,” his voice is thick with smug satisfaction, “But getting you out? That may prove more problematic, given your history with our mutual friend. We believe a pair of wake walkers might improve the odds.”

Episode 8 - Chapter 2

Fiona watches as the Angel preens with obvious mock surprise at Raven's question.

“The three of you?” he says, “Why it was only you that I invited.”

“Invited? Yes,” Raven spits in reply, “But I don't believe for a second that you're not behind their presence here now.”

“I'm sure I don't know what you mean,” the Angel smiles, “How ever would I manage such a thing?”

“You've already admitted to messing with her head,” Raven points at Fiona. “And you've managed to get a claw into his parents' house.” He nods at Robert. “The house where he was raised. Don't try to tell me you've no influence over him.”

“Ah Corvus, you wily old bird,” the Angel shrugs, “You've got me. You always could see the hidden strings, couldn't you?”

Episode 8 - Chapter 1

Some say I am merely the first of their kind. They are wrong.

Some of them call me father. I have no children.

Some meet in secret to plot and scheme, tugging on their tiny strings to the hearts and minds of men. This is foolishness and will be addressed in good time.

They think me antiquated, an anachronism, lost and out of touch. They will learn they are mistaken.

They are part of me, struggling to assert their individuality, developing their so-called personality. I will tolerate it no more. They will be returned to my bosom.

Every child knows me. Every mother fears me. Every father would kill me, had I head to sever or heart to pierce. When you stare into the dark abyss, it is I who stare back.

Due to personal circumstances 'Twixt the Warp and the Weft will be taking a break for a couple of days.

Episode 8 will begin on Friday 23rd August on the web, or Saturday 24th if you subscribe by email.

Thanks for your patience.

Seventh Interlude - Part Fourteen

“There must be something we can do,” Brock insists.

“What?” Tulip demands in reply, “What can we do? We all walked in naked, through the decontamination process. There isn't a single atom in here that came from outside. No insects, no bacteria, nothing. All we can do is sit and wait for more of us to show up or our captors to tell us why we're here.”

“The paving stone?” Brock asks, “In the pantry? I left it open. Whoever comes next will see that, might make them more wary.”

“We all left it open,” Wren tells him, “Somebody puts it back.”

“Well then,” Fox springs to life once more, “Who do you think the Forest will send next?”

Seventh Interlude - Part Thirteen

“Trapped?” Brock asks sharply, “How do you mean trapped?”

“This place,” Tulip replies, “This Facility, it's a prison for Agents of the Forest.”

“I still won,” Fox dances.

“Shut up about winning,” Wren screams at him, “Or I'll peck your bloody eyes out.”

“A prison?” Brock asks, “Who would build such a thing?”

“Apparently the Weave has its' own agents in the Warp,” Tulip replies, “And they're dedicated enough to build a remote prison like this.”

“Can't we tell the Forest?” Brock asks, “Warn them in some way?”

“I was just saying,” Fox comes to a stand still, shoulders slumped with disappointment.

“Tell them how?” Tulip asks, “Nothing comes in but the agent themselves.”

Seventh Interlude - Part Twelve

“I win,” Fox shouts, jumping to his feet to perform an odd sort of shuffling dance. “I win! I win! I win!”

“Calm down Vulps,” Tulip says languidly, “It's not that much of a victory is it?”

“But I win,” Fox replies shuffling sideways, “No matter what you say, a win is a win is a win.”

“Win what?” Brock asks, now even more confused.

“I said it'd be one of the Weasels, and here you are. I win!”

“One of the Weasels?” Brock realises he's getting more lost with every word that's said.

“We had a wager,” Wren tells him, “To pass the time more than anything. What kind of agent would the Forest send next.”

“And I said it'd be one of the Weasels,” Fox declares, still dancing, “Badger is a kind of Weasel. Here you are. So I win.”

“Win or not,” Tulip snaps, “We're still trapped here.”

Seventh Interlude - Part Eleven

“Facility is it?” Brock asks himself, as a second draw slides out of the wall beside him. Contained within is a red jump suit and a pair of white slippers. He dresses quickly, eager to continue his journey, feeling like he's closer now.

The corridor turns again, bringing him to another glass wall, beyond which the walls are once more white. Again the wall slides away as he approaches, and he's instantly assaulted by some very familiar aromas when it does. He quickens his pace, confused by this new turn of events.

“How?” he asks himself, “How can I be smelling them? Down here, in this so-called facility?”

The corridor turns again, opening out into a large open plan kitchen. There are three other figures in the room, all dressed as he in red jump suites and slippers.

“Fox?” he asks, “Wren? And Tulip? What are you all doing here?”

Seventh Interlude - Part Ten

“By all the rivers,” Brock mutters to himself as he starts to undress. He's soon naked, his clothes and footwear neatly folded, block nesting gently on top. The draw seems to know when he's finished, sliding neatly and seamlessly back into the wall, leaving no trace of its' existence. Brock turns towards the third wall, which disappears into the wall as he approaches.

“Please follow the line on the floor,” the voice says as a line in the centre of the corridor lights up. “Do not stop. Do not deviate from the line. Begin.”

Brock starts walking. He is rewarded for his cooperation by a blast of warm air, coming at him from every direction. This is quickly followed by a liquid of some kind, he's sure it's not water. He keeps walking. A second blast of warm air is followed by another soaking, a different liquid but still not water. He keeps walking. A third blast of air precedes a third liquid, then more air.

The line he's following goes dark, disappearing before him. “Decontamination Complete,” the voice declares, “Welcome to the Facility.”

Seventh Interlude - Part Nine

Brock proceeds along the corridor as it turns to the left, arriving shortly at another glass wall. There's no keypad by this one, but the wall slips away as he approaches. The walls beyond are painted red, which he finds odd, but he continues nonetheless. When the glass slides back into place he hears a female voice speak.

“Welcome to phase one: Decontamination,” it says, “Please remove all articles of clothing, jewellery as well as any personal objects. All articles should be placed in the receptacle provided.”

As the voice finishes, a draw slides effortlessly out of the wall. Brock looks around, trying to find the source of the voice, but he can't see a speaker anywhere. He starts to continue walking when a third glass wall slides into place ahead of him.

“Alert,” the voice declares, “Decontamination Incomplete.”

Seventh Interlude - Part Eight

Brock walks for a good ten minutes before he finds himself faced with a glass wall. Beyond the glass is not more cave, but corridor instead, with white painted walls and linoleum floor. To his left, mounted at waist height on the wall, is a simple key pad. Brock sniffs at the glass, taps it, pushes it, sniffs again then examines closely its edges that disappear into the wall. Sighing, he holds his block in front of the key pad for a moment, then types in the eight digit number it reveals to him. With a gentle whooshing sound the glass disappears into the wall. He sniffs again, noting the air beyond smells cleaner, before stepping forward. Several paces on and the glass wall slides back into place behind him.

Seventh Interlude - Part Seven

Brock takes a pen knife from his pocket and uses the blade to scrape away at the edges of the scuffed flag stone. Once the edges are clear of any remaining muck, he eases the blade between the scuffed stone and its neighbour, using the knife as a lever to lift it. A crack of light appears between the two stones as he squeezes his fingertips under the stone then drags it away from its bed. He's not at all surprised to find there's a flight of concrete stairs leading down into a cave below. Wasting no time, he descends quickly, arriving in a well lit cave stretching into the distance. A quick glance at his block confirms what he already knows: he's getting closer.

Seventh Interlude - Part Six

Once he's back in the pantry, Brock begins a forensic like search of every square inch. Starting with the empty wooden shelves that line the walls, he touches, sniffs and scrutinises. Once satisfied that there's nothing untoward about them, he turns his attention to the beam that runs through the ceiling in the centre of the room. There are hooks on either side, he presumes for hanging meat, and each in turn is tugged and twisted. The walls are next to be stroked and sniffed, and although the render is old and slightly flaky, there's nothing unusual about them. Finally, it's down to hands and knees to get a better look at the flag stone floor. Most of it is highly polished, shiny even, but one corner stands out with some odd looking scuff marks.

Seventh Interlude - Part Five

Brock stands on the landing of this deserted farmhouse, furiously stroking and stabbing at his block. The nuanced changes in the grain and the subtle shifting of the knots tell him one thing, but the evidence of the building itself are another story entirely.

“Relax,” he says to himself, “You're not going to get anywhere going at things in a frenzy. What have we got? Empty house? Yes. No traces of any inhabitation at all. Correct. No dust. Why isn't dust settling.” He pauses, sniffing the air around him. “Not just a lack of dust,” he continues, “No living creatures whatsoever. No rodents under the floors, no birds nesting in the eaves, no insects even.”

He closes his eyes, allowing his mind to go blank for a moment or two, waiting. The first thing that surfaces in his mind is the pantry. “Something not right there?” he asks, before heading back downstairs.