Atop the Gilded Spire, the last of the Pentari took their place in the circle. Finally, the pledged protectors of the Promised City had resumed their position of perpetual guardianship, though even now it may be too late. Overhead, the unnatural vessels of the Concordant were already flying in from over the ocean, seeped in darkness and malice. Strange technological aberrations held aloft by no visible means, like ships that sailed on the very air! Dragonfire burst forth from their prows, incinerating entire buildings of the city below with a single breath, while the warrior mages cast bolts of sickly blue energy at the townsfolk fleeing for their lives. Sildar, leader of the Pentari, spoke gravely, "We are too late. The old rituals will not be enough to save the city. Only the unbound rite may save us now."
"You can't be serious." spoke another of the circle. "The circle will be broken. We have watched over this land for nigh on a millennium!"
"Then it is perhaps time for some new blood. I trust you will find an adequate replacement. We do not have the time to argue." Sildar held his arms over his chest, intonating a complex spell, as the embossed dragon symbol of his chest plate began to writhe. Suddenly the shape flung its wings wide as Sildar's head was thrust backwards. The dragon seemed to grow, reaching past the confines of the armor, and stretching onto his very skin. With a blinding glow and a howl of pain, Sildar himself began to morph, until he was replaced by a gigantic golden dragon. And then, even the dragon disappeared, consumed by the blazing light, which continued to expand, emanating outwards in a sphere of intense magical energy, until it formed a protective dome over the entire city. The fleet of Concordant airships were unable to penetrate such a shield, while the ones within the city bounds touched by the sphere were damaged beyond their ability to fly and began to crash down across the city.
"Sildar has bought us some time, but that barrier will not protect us for long. A new member of the Pentari must be found if we are to repel these invaders."
"There will be time for questions later! One if those sky ships is going to impact with the tower!"
With a thunderous impact, the vessel pierced the side of the tower, lodged half in and half out. The remaining Pentari, and the small group of adventurers accompanying them struggled to maintain their footing as tremors shook the building. A number of warrior mages had survived the crash and were emerging from the wreck.
"Roll for Initiative!"
"Actually, do you mind if we call it there?" Dave asked, as he stood up from the table. "I've an early lecture tomorrow morning."
"No bother." I replied, adding "The warrior mages will wait patiently until next week. OK boys and girls, D&D same bat time, same bat channel next week."
Conversation rippled around the table as the game finished. While I tidied away the dice and other materials, Dave began to gather his things and Tony and Sarah helped themselves to the last of 'our' sweets. As both author and narrator, I feel the need to address a few points at this juncture. It has been about two months since I introduced Susan to the world of Torchwood. Since then, we have also invited Dave to join us in defending Cork, which he accepted with his customary indifference. Moat people would be skeptical at best or hostile at worst if you told them you fought alien incursions, but Dave just shrugged and tagged along. None of us think Tony or Sarah are ready for the truth however, and we wouldn't really want them in the Hub anyway. Tony is a bad enough team player in a board game, never mind life or death situations.
Dave, Susan and I have had several successful cases since forming, including one about a banshee which I have recounted elsewhere. Also, Susan has taken to being called by here middle name, claiming 'Ashley' is a much better name for a secret agent. I told her that because we're secret, names aren't really important, which she rightly countered by pointing out 'Arven' is my D&D / college nickname, so I was one to talk.
Most of the chatter was centred about the new tech startup in Cork city. A local business, which was poised to compete with the biggest names of the industry, whose flagship product was set to launch in just a few days time. Our collective inner geek was salivating at the prospect of the device.
"Anyone getting a set on launch day?" I heard Ash ask as I put away the last of the gaming materials.
"Day one Tech Specs for me. I backed the Kickstarter." Dave responded.
"I missed out on the early bird offers, so I held off. Think I'll wait for the revised version in six months time, when they've patched out the kinks." I added.
"What are we talking about?" Tony asked.
I resisted the urge to facepalm. How he didn't know about the locally designed next big thing in gadgetry was beyond me. It had dominated news both locally and internationally for months now.
"Tech Specs, supposed to be the next iPad, and poised to succeed where Google Glass failed." I replied, instead.
"Oh, that thing." He muttered, losing interest. Tech Specs claimed to be the first workable wearable technology. A pair of glasses, with the capabilities of a smartphone, all tucked into a neat and tidy frame. These could record video, let you replay things in real time with zoom functionality, browse the web. See something you like while out and about? Tech Specs will scan it and find it for you on sale online. All controlled by harnessing latent brainwave activity. Point and think glasses. The potentials were mind bogglingly exciting.
"Tony! Can I get a lift home from you?" Dave asked, politely.
"*sigh* I suppose you're on my way back anyway. But you'll have to make it worth my while." Tony replied, testily.
"If it's an imposition, I'll walk." said Dave.
"Oh no. I'll bring you. I'm just having my fun." Tony said, his words oozing with condescension. "But Sarah gets the front seat."
I shot a quick glance at Dave, rolling my eyes theatrically behind Tony. Dave struggled to stifle a laugh, and instead left the room, towards Tony's car. Everyone else followed, leaving me alone with Ashley.
"So Ash, do you want a spin home too, or do you wanna stay here?"
"Is that a question I really have to answer?" She said, coyly.
I made a show of patting my pockets. "Right, where did I leave my keys so?"
The two of us laughed for a moment before sharing in a kiss, which was interrupted by a text message. I pulled away from Ash and checked my phone, wondering what Tony had left behind him this time. But it wasn't a message from him, it was an alert from the Hub computer, which monitored social media feeds, news sites & a barrage of scanners and sensors for potential spots of extra-terrestrial incidents. A Weevil had been spotted along the harbour.
"Duty calls?" Susan asked.
"Duty calls."
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