Primeval Secret Santa Fic: All's Well That Ends Well - for Fififolle
Title: All’s Well That Ends Well
Author: knitekat
Word Count: 4611
Characters: James Lester, Hilary Becker, Danny Quinn, Connor Temple, Tom Ryan, Abby Maitland, with mentions of several others.
Rating: 15
Disclaimer: Primeval belongs to Impossible Pictures. Certainly not me. Writing for fun and will replace.
A/N1: For Fifi and her prompts 1) "I said tutu, mate.", 2) White wine is a gamble here, 3) Closed in winter, and 4) Vol-au-vents. Most are blink and you’ll miss them. Hope you like it.
A/N2: Thanks goes to Fredbassett for the beta. Any remaining mistakes are mine.
Lester was brushing his teeth when a sense of strangeness and otherworldliness disturbed his morning routine. He spat and concentrated for a moment, before huffing a note of displeasure when he located his unwelcome guest and padded towards his lounge.
When he entered his apparently completely empty lounge, Lester commanded, “Make yourself known.”
He waited and frowned when his guest didn’t appear. He might have dismissed at as nothing, especially when he noticed some of his files had fallen onto the floor. Except he knew better. His gaze swept the room before a letter appeared as if out of nowhere, fluttering as if on a breeze, before just hovering before him. He heard the sound of soft laughter and scurrying footsteps hurrying away as the sense of strangeness and otherworldliness faded.
The letter’s fluttering became more and more frantic as Lester stared at it for a long moment. He shook himself before summoning it and his letter opener before the letter did something Lester would probably regret.
His mobile ringtone shattered the silence and he cursed softly, who the hell could be calling Lester at, he glanced at the clock, six in the morning? There were only a few people with the number and… Lester knew none of them would be bearers of good news.
He groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose as he read the caller ID. Just perfect. Still, he couldn’t ignore it, even if he would have preferred an anomaly opening to whatever disaster the Minister had caused. “Lester."
"Of course, Minister."
"No. No, sir. We haven’t had an anomaly alert."
"Yes, sir, I’ll check with the ARC personally."
"Ah."
"Yes, sir. I’ll see you at seven sharp, sir.” Lester reined in his emotions and desperately tried not to put any Will into his thoughts about the bloody annoying man.
***
Lester pulled into the ARC car park and stopped to dry swallow his tablets. As he had expected, the meeting with the minister had been pointless - he sometimes wondered if he really needed to be present, considering the minister never listened to Lester’s answers to his… questions would be too kind, more like accusations to bludgeon Lester.
He shook his head, it was something he would just have to accept, if he wanted to remain in control of the ARC. Still, he clearly needed to have stern words with his field team and there was no time like the present.
He frowned on entered the ARC to find them absent, before belatedly recalling the anomaly alert text during his meeting. He glanced at his watch, that message had been hours ago. “Has there been an update from the field team?”
The backup ADD technician - his name escaping Lester for the moment - started. “Um.. No, sir.”
“Excellent. Have you tried to contact them?” Lester asked, sighing as the man’s… that was it, Gadling’s … eyes widened. “Well, try calling them.”
“Yes, sir…. No one is answering.”
“Wonderful, just wonderful. Is it too much to ask for people to do their jobs?” Lester noticed Gadling pale and bit back a curse, struggling to keep both his temper and his Will in check. He really didn’t have the budget to replace any equipment he accidentally overloaded. However, before Lester could utter another word which would have metaphorically - rather than literally - cut Gadling to the quick, the letter in his pocket quivered. The words died unspoken as the letter he must have absent-mindedly thrust into his pocket when the minister called started to wake up from the slumber the minister’s banal aura had induced. It was fluttering like a bird attempting to escape its cage and he knew he had ignored it long enough. Lester barked, “Keep me updated,” as he strolled into his office.
Once inside he pulled the letter out and just stared at it for a moment. He carefully prodded it with a sliver of Will when it did nothing except continue to flutter.
It remained stubbornly quiet.
Lester sighed and glanced around for a letter opener before slitting it open. His gaze darted up and around at the faint flash of light and musical tones which emanating from it, only relaxing when no one reacted to it. At least the sender had curtailed any loud fanfare, considerate of them, that and sending it to his home address.
He smiled briefly as he read the missive - an invite to ‘Meg’s Marvellous Merchandise Market’ for Yule. He needed to restock certain items and, even if the Council disapproved, Meg’s was a good opportunity. At least, it was if any buyer kept their wits about themselves and was careful what they bargained. Excellent, she would be open be open for three nights and he would avail himself of… he frowned, remembering he had best not get ahead of himself. He still had his field team to chastise and the minister to appease if he wanted to keep control of the ARC.
With that thought, Lester decided Gadling would have had time to contact the team and headed towards him. “Well, what excuse have they offered for their tardiness.”
Gadling swallowed. “They… they’re not answering sir. I was about to contact you.”
Lester doubted that but he was more interested with their location than Gadling’s apparently lack of a spinal column. “Very well, where is this anomaly?” He paled at the location, the words ‘Oh fuck!’ running through his mind as the ADD began to fizzle before he clamped down on his Will and nodded. “I see I shall have to deal with this matter personally.”
“Um… All the soldiers accompanied them, sir,” Gadling said hesitantly.
“Of course they did,” Lester muttered, thankful for Cutter’s and Hart’s absence as he wondered for an instance if this situation was due to his delay in opening Meg’s letter. Not that he would ever know for there were some questions that were best left unanswered. Still he was not fool enough to go near what might be an anomaly without any backup.
Lester returned to his office and stared at his mobile, considering all his options but knowing he only had one. One he didn’t want to use but he saw no other choice, not if he wanted to get his people back.
“Happy Yuletide you as well, Christine."
"I, well, I need to borrow Wilder."
"Yes, I know I have my own soldiers, they are all currently at an anomaly.”
He paused, however considering it was Christine, he would have to tell her the truth.
“I believe they might be at Meg’s."
"Yes, that Meg’s."
"Yes, I know what the Council thinks of her."
"I would have stopped them but I was with the minister."
"You can apologise later, Christine. This is the reason we have a truce four times a year."
"Look, can I borrow Joe or not?”
Lester closed his eyes.
“What do you mean he’s busy."
"Ah, please pass on my congratulations to him and his new husband.”
He bit back a sigh, it really was a pity Wilder was on his honeymoon, he knew his way around the markets. Now what did he do? There was only one choice and that was to go alone, after a visit to the armoury.
“Yes, I’m still here."
"Oh, you have someone I can borrow? Excellent."
"Does he know?"
"I see."
"Yes I’ll keep an eye on him but do tell him to obey my orders or I’m not responsible for his condition on his return."
"I’m so glad you understand. Excellent, I’m sure you know the address."
"Yes, I know you also frequent Meg’s. Thank you, Christine.”
***
Lester stilled his impatiently tapping fingers as he waited for his backup, one Captain Hilary Becker. He would have preferred Wilder but, well, anyone, even someone unaware would be better than no-one. A rap on his window almost caused a small fire, Lester rapidly curtailed anything more than a slight wisp of smoke. “Captain Becker, I assume?” Lester asked as he eyed the man dressed all in black. Bloody easy on the eyes and what the hell had Christine been thinking? He’d be prime stock if the wrong fae saw him… luckily, Meg had strict rules. Still, he had little choice and could only hope Becker know how to obey orders, even bloody odd ones.
“Yes, sir. Ms Johnson ordered me to report to you.”
“Excellent. Did she tell you why?”
“Something about dinosaurs, sir.”
Becker sounded absolutely calm about that and Lester found himself wondering if the soldier believed what Christine had told him, not that it mattered. He raised an eyebrow. “Do you know why you’ve been assigned to me?”
“I assume my extensive experience in dinosaur wrangling, sir.”
“I make the jokes, Captain.”
“Of course, sir.”
Lester fought down the smile that threatened, he might have to see about making this arrangement permanent. If he could convince Christine she owed him for breaking their truce, even if the minister had delayed the meeting. “Now, this situation is dangerous. My field team and my Special Forces detachment are not responding. I have no idea what is inside,” Lester half-lied. “What I need you to do is to obey my orders. Every order I give, no matter how strange it may seem.”
“You’re going inside, sir?”
“You are here in case we encounter a creature. I’m here to deal with any other... encounters.”
“Sir?”
Lester raised a hand and was grateful when Becker subsided. “If we encounter a creature, I will follow your instructions.” He noticed Becker relax slightly as his words. “However, I need you to follow these rules. Do not eat or drink anything inside. Do not start any violence. Do not touch anything without permission. Actually, don’t touch anything. And do not, and this is extremely important, do not make a deal with anyone for anything.”
“A deal, sir?” Becker queried before nodding. “I won’t buy anything.”
“Excellent,” Lester murmured before heading towards the front door, he could only hope Becker kept his word but… well, he knew how tempting the Market could be.
“It says the stately home is closed for winter.”
“I can read, Captain.” Lester snapped, before sighing. “My apologises.”
He paused, knowing he would need to give some explanation to his companion, much as he would have preferred otherwise, especially when Becker chambered a round and asked, “Are they squatters selling something illegal, sir?”
“Not precisely,” Lester hedged. The mundane authorities wouldn’t know about it and the Council hopefully didn’t, at least, not until it was too late for them to do anything about it. “Meg ‘borrows’ properties for a few days. Her people repair any damage to the property in exchange.”
“How do you know that, sir?”
“Personal experience,” Lester replied, not willing to go into how he had first met Meg. “Now, remember your orders. Don’t make any deals, in fact, just stay with me, I’m sure you have experience in close protection.” Lester didn’t wait for Becker’s response, instead stepping through the open gates and striding up the path to the front door. He paused as he consider what the letter had said about how to enter the Market.
“Sir?” Becker sounded tense. “Do you want me to effect entry?”
“What?” Lester said, looking up from the letter.
“Do you want me to effect entry?” Becker repeated, moving closer to the door.
“No!” Lester barked. He needed to think. What was the chance his people hadn’t encountered the Market? The house was huge… But if he was wrong, if they had… he doubted they’d know how to enter the Market.
“Sir?” Becker turned to him. “Is something wrong?”
Lester almost smiled at that. “Just deciding what to do, Captain.” The best protection he could provide Becker - and himself - would be to formally enter and be bound by the rules of the Market - and the protection those same rules would give them. It would be the best protection he could provide for Becker, at least, if his orders were heeded.
“Watch carefully,” Lester ordered before he knocked three times on the door, turned around twice, knocked another two times and turned in the opposite direction thrice.
“That is an interesting code, sir,” Becker murmured, his gaze astute as he considered Lester.
“Please repeat it.” When Becker hesitated, Lester added, “That is an order, Captain.” Lester forced himself to remain still as he felt himself examined before the door slowly creaked open. He started to move forwards only for Becker’s hand to stop him.
“Let me check it first, sir.”
“After you, Captain.” Lester gestured for Becker to proceed him, after all, this was why he had brought the soldier. He followed close on Becker’s heels, his gaze and Will darting about as he sought any trace of his team, the Market or an anomaly. He almost walked into Becker when the soldier stopped and raised his shotgun, before moving around him and pushing the shotgun barrel towards the ground.
He nodded at the unfamiliar, rather craggy faced and red haired man leaning casually on the counter, just oozing the strangeness and otherworldliness of the fae.
“Welcome one and all to Meg’s Marvellous Merchandise Market. What might thee be after? Fruit for thy ills? Ingredients from hither and thither? Thy dreams come true? All is possible within Meg’s purview.”
“Greetings,” Lester said, feeling his way through the conversation with the fae he was sure was the Market’s Gatekeeper, one who could still bar their way, even with their proper entry. “Have you seen anything strange?” He knew how odd that sounded from the look the fae gave him. “I mean, odd lights or creatures or unknowing strangers through the door.” He rather doubted his team knew how to enter the market, although with Temple, he could never be too certain. “I doubt they entered the proper way.”
The red-haired fae considered Lester for a moment before glancing around the empty room. “Aye, strangers came without the way.”
“And was there a fractured mirror of light spinning in midair within these walls?” Lester inquired. “One leading to somewhere else, neither Here nor There?”
“That I knowst not, mine place is here,” the fae replied, looking rather disgruntled at being the Market’s Gatekeeper.
Lester nodded thoughtfully. “These strangers, were some clad as this man?” He almost cursed his words when the fae’s eyes fell on Becker, hunger growing within them.
“Good sir?” Lester moved between them, as if only to gain the fae’s attention.
The fae grinned and Lester took a step back at the sharp teeth momentarily revealed to his Sight, along with a red brush of a tail. Trickster then. Possibly the Gatekeeper for punishment, possibly as he was good at sniffing out other troublemakers, possibly even both.
“Is he thine?” The fox-fae asked.
Lester knew better than to lie. “Not as such, however I am responsible for his safety within the Market.”
The fox-fae nodded, a pleased smile on his craggy face. “Mine Word I will not harm thee or he, if thee honour the rules three.”
“Sir?” Becker queried, clearly wondering what the fuck was going on.
“Not to worry, Captain, just stick with me.” Lester repeated before fixing Becker with a firm eye. “No wondering off, no making deals or bargains.”
“Be thee here to buy or sell or… other reasons.” The fox-fae asked as his gaze racked up and down Becker once more.
“To find my team,” Lester replied, “Although I have some items I might purchase, depending on the deal struck.”
“Sir?” Becker grasped my arm. “I thought we weren’t doing any deals?”
“You aren’t,” Lester replied somewhat haughtily. “This market may have some items not found elsewhere.”
“Such as?”
“The sound of a cat’s footstep, the taste of a rainbow, a breezy summer’s day,” the fox-fae replied. “And all manner of dreams come true, if thou art willing to pay.”
“Dreams?”
“Captain!” Lester snapped, before sketching a bow to the fox-fae. “If thou couldst grant our entrance to the Market fair?”
The fox-fae smiled, a smile which had all of Lester’s senses alert for it was a smile directed at Becker and just boded trouble. “Come ye, come ye, the Market beckons. Dreams and all manner of things lie within.”
“Thank you, Gatekeeper,” Lester said before grabbing Becker’s arm when the captain seemed ready to remain behind. “Stay with me, Captain. I have no wish to explain your… absence to Ms Johnson or Wilder.”
Becker seemed to shake himself awake before nodding at Lester. “Sir, yes, sir.”
“Oh, well trained,” the fox-fae grinned, raising a hand at the glare Lester shot his way. “No harm I said and no harm I meant.”
Lester narrowed his gaze at the fox-fae before nodding. “After you, Captain.”
***
Lester led Becker down a corridor following the rising noise until they came to the grand hall. Within it had been turned into a riot of colour, stalls set amongst the furniture and furnishing, the enticing scents of food known and unknown filled the air.
Within the grand hall had been turned into a riot of colours, stalls set amongst the furniture and furnishings, the smell of foods known and unfamiliar, the squeal of beasts and calls of vendors filling the air.
“Where are we?” Becker asked, looking around wide-eyed at everything.
“Stay with me, Becker,” Lester ordered as he strolled into the hall. “And keep an eye open for the anomaly.”
“Is that the, what did you call it? A ‘Fractured mirror of light spinning in midair?’”
“Yes, Captain, that,” Lester replied. “And please remember I do the jokes.”
“Sir,” Becker murmured before glancing around again. “But where the… where are we, sir?”
“Between Here and There,” A woman’s voice rose above the noise. Lester turned to face her and smiled at the tall, slender woman, her hair dark as the night sky and her eyes as bright as stars. “So, mine dear James, thou hast answered mine invite?”
“I was unavoidably detained, mine dearest Meg,” Lester replied, walking towards Meg, bowing and kissing her raised hand. “Thy Market is as fine as ever.”
“Thy words flatter.” Meg smiled. “What doest thee desire.”
“I hast a few thoughts,” Lester replied. “But first, I believe mine people may have entered, without formal leave.”
“They were thine?” Meg asked. “Some stepped through the mirror.”
“And the others?” Lester asked before he felt something nibbling at his sleeve. He swung around and frowned at the creature standing before him. It looked a little like a cross between a horse and a bearded antelope. Three horns spiralled from its forehead, its long ears were also twisted. Long silken white-blond hair covered its body and Lester swore softly when he met its blue eyes. Familiar blue eyes. He quickly glanced around and counted the other such beasts. “What did they do?”
Connor’s voice almost startled him as the young tech genius hurried towards him. “Lester! You came! I wassoworried.”
Lester raised a hand. “Temple! Slowly. Tell me what happened.”
Connor nodded. “We entered and found the anomaly. Ryan took his team through to scout before we were going to follow but it closed.”
Lester closed his eyes. Bloody hell, all he needed on top of his current mess. All he could do was hope Ryan… and his men.. were safe until the anomaly reopened. He had to believe it would. He took a deep breath and forced down his fear.
“Lester? I’m sure they’ll be OK,” Connor said, proving far too preceptive for Lester’s peace of mind.
“Tell me what happened,” Lester demanded. He needed to concentrate on this problem before dealing with anything else.
“We were trying to decide what to do when Abby noticed some creatures. She thought they were trapped and went to free them.” Connor shrugged, and pointed at one of the other creatures, “Captain Stringer helped and then… they changed. The soldiers tried to stop it and…”
“They were caught in the same spell,” Lester finished, ignoring Connor’s whoop at his confirmation of the supernatural world. “And what have you been doing?”
“Um… just trying to keep out of trouble. Keeping an eye on them.” Connor paused, worry filling his face. “Is it permanent?”
Meg spoke up, making Connor jump. “They broke Market rules.”
Lester nodded, “Which they knewst not. They did not formally enter the Market. They know, well they knew nothing of There.”
“Thou knowst the rules, knowst or unknowst, they broke them.”
Lester nodded, wondering how the hell he would get his people back and what price he might have to be prepared to pay. “They do make rather fine beasts.”
“Lester!” Connor’s cry was almost drowned out by the chorus of half-neigh and half-squeaky snorts.
“Captain Becker,” Lester called out, turning when he receive no response and he sighed. Bloody hell, this all he needed. “Becker!”
“Lester! What about them?” Connor pointed at the herd of… whatever they were.
“I’ll deal with them in a minute,” Lester muttered. “Becker! What part of stay with me didn’t you understand?” He turned towards Connor, “Stay with them and try and keep them out of any more trouble.”
“Where are you going?”
“To find Becker and a certain fox-fae before they do something I’ll regret.” Lester stalked towards the entrance, muttering under his breath and feeling the wind pick up in his passage.
“Someone’s in trouble,” Connor singsonged, glad it wasn’t him for once.
“Becker!” Lester near-bellowed, the entrance doors clashing open as he approached. “Oh my dear…” Lester cut himself off, some words were best left unspoken this close to There. “What have you done? Did you not hear me say NO DEALS?”
“Um,” Becker muttered, his face flushing as he glanced between Lester and his deal. “But I need it.”
Lester shook his head before fixing the fox-fae with a glare. “I really hate to enquire, but where did you acquire a Challenger 2 tank from?”
“Here and there.” The fox-fae grinned. “He really loves it.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.”
“Careful,” the fox-fae said when a candle exploded.
Lester forced his Will under control. “I see, and when do you need to return it?”
“Return it?” Becker almost yelped.
“I believe the army might miss it and Ms Johnson won’t let you keep it.”
“Would you?”
“No, I won’t.” Lester sighed. “What did you bargain for this…”
“Um.”
“Well?”
“Nothing bad,” the fox-fae replied. “I gave thee mine word not harm would befall him. I just… I wanted to make him happy.”
“Out with it.”
“I have to wear a costume.”
Lester’s eyebrows made a determined effect to hide in his hair. “A costume?” He shot the fox-fae a look.
“Well.” The fox-fae shrugged. “It’s just something silly. Got to make a deal and well, I said tutu, mate, didn’t I?” he asked Becker.
“He did,” Becker muttered, downcast and blushing.
“I really don’t want to know.” Lester shook his head. “Right, Becker sort yourself out. You.”
“Name’s Danny,” the fox-fae offered.
Lester nodded. “So, this is serious?”
Danny nodded.
“Fine. Get rid of the tank and Becker stop pouting, it doesn’t suit you…” Anything more Lester was about to say was cut off by a scream. “Now what?” he cried as he hurried back into the great hall.
Pandemonium greeted him.
The anomaly spun in midair.
Fae ran everywhere, their goods scattered and trampled.
Raptors leapt with claws unsheathed at anything and everything.
His transformed soldiers and Abby snorted before charging into the fray, leaving stunned raptors in their path.
He gathered his Will and sent fire racing towards a raptor stalking Meg. “Force them back through the anomaly.”
The raptors hissed and snarled as Abby and the soldiers stood shoulder-to-shoulder, horns lowered, and herded them backwards, aided by Lester’s fire, hail and wind, and the roar of Becker’s shotgun peppering the ground before them.
The raptors snarled and snapped at horns as they slowly, step by reluctant step, gave ground.
“It’s working!” Connor cried.
The anomaly flared.
Lester cursed and channelled his Will into a blast of icy wind towards a raptor looking as if it would make a break into the hall. Just what they needed, more bloody raptors, if not worse. “Keep them moving.” He paused, what if he was wrong. He had men through there. Men he might be herding pissed off raptors towards.
The anomaly flared again.
“Something was coming through,” Connor cried.
“Hold your fire!” Lester bellowed. “They might be friendlies.”
The herd bent their heads to their task, pushing, shoving and poking any recalcitrant raptor back and back. Lester kept them bunched up by sniping at the pack’s flanks with stinging hail and fluttering flames.
Finally, one broke, squawking as it fled through the anomaly with its tail smouldering.
Then another one fled.
Then two.
Three.
Then, as one, the remaining raptor turned and ran through the anomaly.
Calm fell onto the field of battle.
Lester took stock, a few minor injuries to his… people, even if they weren’t currently human. He turned his attention to the anomaly, almost Willing his people back home, safe and sound, but some Laws even he was cautious about bending.
“Incoming!” Becker cried out as the anomaly flared again, his shotgun pointing at it, as was every horn.
“Bloody hell!” Ryan swore as he raced through the anomaly. “Who sent those raptors through?”
“We did, Captain Ryan,” Lester informed him. “Where are your men?”
“Right behind me, sir,” Ryan said, snapping off a salute as he looked around. “Did you have a party well we were gone?”
“Not precisely.”
“James?” Meg’s voice made Lester start.
“Meg?”
“Thy friends broke mine rules but saved the Market today,” Meg said before clapping her hands. Light flowed from them to cover the transformed herd. Several gasps sounded as Abby and the soldiers shifted and twisted back into their human form. “And, in honour of thy service to the fae.” She looked around at her somewhat wrecked market. “And because Ryan is correct, a party to celebrate our survival is a must.”
“Meg, that is…” Lester began, not willing to lose any more of this people to the victuals of the fae.
“Come, sup, James. Thou hast mine Word. No harm shall befallest thee and thine. They art now friends of the fae”
“Oh good,” Lester murmured. He could just imagine the Council’s reaction to the news… actually, the least said about it to them, the better.
***
Lester selected a vol-au-vent from a passing plate and decided events had ended far better than he could have hoped for. No one had died and any embarrassment had been minimal, well… maybe not for those involved. Of course, the Council would, once again, be less than impressed by his actions. They’d be even less happy if they knew the entire truth, not that he had any intention of ever telling them.
He smiled as he chose a second vol-au-vent and observed his people - and Danny.
The fox-fae was all over Becker and… no, fae might twist words but Danny had given Lester his Word. Not that he couldn’t imagine Christine putting up with the fox-fae… Well, he had considered poaching Becker, maybe this was his ‘reward’ for those thoughts during their truce.
“Drink, James.” Meg held a white wine out for Lester.
Lester raised an eyebrow, white wine is a gamble here, especially fae white wine. It could have an… interesting effect on humans, even if they were Mages. Still, they had won and any effects would be minor and he had no wish to piss off the fae when he had just regained his team.
“Thank you, mine dearest Meg.” Lester raised the glass in a toast. “To us. To friendship.”
Author: knitekat
Word Count: 4611
Characters: James Lester, Hilary Becker, Danny Quinn, Connor Temple, Tom Ryan, Abby Maitland, with mentions of several others.
Rating: 15
Disclaimer: Primeval belongs to Impossible Pictures. Certainly not me. Writing for fun and will replace.
A/N1: For Fifi and her prompts 1) "I said tutu, mate.", 2) White wine is a gamble here, 3) Closed in winter, and 4) Vol-au-vents. Most are blink and you’ll miss them. Hope you like it.
A/N2: Thanks goes to Fredbassett for the beta. Any remaining mistakes are mine.
Lester was brushing his teeth when a sense of strangeness and otherworldliness disturbed his morning routine. He spat and concentrated for a moment, before huffing a note of displeasure when he located his unwelcome guest and padded towards his lounge.
When he entered his apparently completely empty lounge, Lester commanded, “Make yourself known.”
He waited and frowned when his guest didn’t appear. He might have dismissed at as nothing, especially when he noticed some of his files had fallen onto the floor. Except he knew better. His gaze swept the room before a letter appeared as if out of nowhere, fluttering as if on a breeze, before just hovering before him. He heard the sound of soft laughter and scurrying footsteps hurrying away as the sense of strangeness and otherworldliness faded.
The letter’s fluttering became more and more frantic as Lester stared at it for a long moment. He shook himself before summoning it and his letter opener before the letter did something Lester would probably regret.
His mobile ringtone shattered the silence and he cursed softly, who the hell could be calling Lester at, he glanced at the clock, six in the morning? There were only a few people with the number and… Lester knew none of them would be bearers of good news.
He groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose as he read the caller ID. Just perfect. Still, he couldn’t ignore it, even if he would have preferred an anomaly opening to whatever disaster the Minister had caused. “Lester."
"Of course, Minister."
"No. No, sir. We haven’t had an anomaly alert."
"Yes, sir, I’ll check with the ARC personally."
"Ah."
"Yes, sir. I’ll see you at seven sharp, sir.” Lester reined in his emotions and desperately tried not to put any Will into his thoughts about the bloody annoying man.
***
Lester pulled into the ARC car park and stopped to dry swallow his tablets. As he had expected, the meeting with the minister had been pointless - he sometimes wondered if he really needed to be present, considering the minister never listened to Lester’s answers to his… questions would be too kind, more like accusations to bludgeon Lester.
He shook his head, it was something he would just have to accept, if he wanted to remain in control of the ARC. Still, he clearly needed to have stern words with his field team and there was no time like the present.
He frowned on entered the ARC to find them absent, before belatedly recalling the anomaly alert text during his meeting. He glanced at his watch, that message had been hours ago. “Has there been an update from the field team?”
The backup ADD technician - his name escaping Lester for the moment - started. “Um.. No, sir.”
“Excellent. Have you tried to contact them?” Lester asked, sighing as the man’s… that was it, Gadling’s … eyes widened. “Well, try calling them.”
“Yes, sir…. No one is answering.”
“Wonderful, just wonderful. Is it too much to ask for people to do their jobs?” Lester noticed Gadling pale and bit back a curse, struggling to keep both his temper and his Will in check. He really didn’t have the budget to replace any equipment he accidentally overloaded. However, before Lester could utter another word which would have metaphorically - rather than literally - cut Gadling to the quick, the letter in his pocket quivered. The words died unspoken as the letter he must have absent-mindedly thrust into his pocket when the minister called started to wake up from the slumber the minister’s banal aura had induced. It was fluttering like a bird attempting to escape its cage and he knew he had ignored it long enough. Lester barked, “Keep me updated,” as he strolled into his office.
Once inside he pulled the letter out and just stared at it for a moment. He carefully prodded it with a sliver of Will when it did nothing except continue to flutter.
It remained stubbornly quiet.
Lester sighed and glanced around for a letter opener before slitting it open. His gaze darted up and around at the faint flash of light and musical tones which emanating from it, only relaxing when no one reacted to it. At least the sender had curtailed any loud fanfare, considerate of them, that and sending it to his home address.
He smiled briefly as he read the missive - an invite to ‘Meg’s Marvellous Merchandise Market’ for Yule. He needed to restock certain items and, even if the Council disapproved, Meg’s was a good opportunity. At least, it was if any buyer kept their wits about themselves and was careful what they bargained. Excellent, she would be open be open for three nights and he would avail himself of… he frowned, remembering he had best not get ahead of himself. He still had his field team to chastise and the minister to appease if he wanted to keep control of the ARC.
With that thought, Lester decided Gadling would have had time to contact the team and headed towards him. “Well, what excuse have they offered for their tardiness.”
Gadling swallowed. “They… they’re not answering sir. I was about to contact you.”
Lester doubted that but he was more interested with their location than Gadling’s apparently lack of a spinal column. “Very well, where is this anomaly?” He paled at the location, the words ‘Oh fuck!’ running through his mind as the ADD began to fizzle before he clamped down on his Will and nodded. “I see I shall have to deal with this matter personally.”
“Um… All the soldiers accompanied them, sir,” Gadling said hesitantly.
“Of course they did,” Lester muttered, thankful for Cutter’s and Hart’s absence as he wondered for an instance if this situation was due to his delay in opening Meg’s letter. Not that he would ever know for there were some questions that were best left unanswered. Still he was not fool enough to go near what might be an anomaly without any backup.
Lester returned to his office and stared at his mobile, considering all his options but knowing he only had one. One he didn’t want to use but he saw no other choice, not if he wanted to get his people back.
“Happy Yuletide you as well, Christine."
"I, well, I need to borrow Wilder."
"Yes, I know I have my own soldiers, they are all currently at an anomaly.”
He paused, however considering it was Christine, he would have to tell her the truth.
“I believe they might be at Meg’s."
"Yes, that Meg’s."
"Yes, I know what the Council thinks of her."
"I would have stopped them but I was with the minister."
"You can apologise later, Christine. This is the reason we have a truce four times a year."
"Look, can I borrow Joe or not?”
Lester closed his eyes.
“What do you mean he’s busy."
"Ah, please pass on my congratulations to him and his new husband.”
He bit back a sigh, it really was a pity Wilder was on his honeymoon, he knew his way around the markets. Now what did he do? There was only one choice and that was to go alone, after a visit to the armoury.
“Yes, I’m still here."
"Oh, you have someone I can borrow? Excellent."
"Does he know?"
"I see."
"Yes I’ll keep an eye on him but do tell him to obey my orders or I’m not responsible for his condition on his return."
"I’m so glad you understand. Excellent, I’m sure you know the address."
"Yes, I know you also frequent Meg’s. Thank you, Christine.”
***
Lester stilled his impatiently tapping fingers as he waited for his backup, one Captain Hilary Becker. He would have preferred Wilder but, well, anyone, even someone unaware would be better than no-one. A rap on his window almost caused a small fire, Lester rapidly curtailed anything more than a slight wisp of smoke. “Captain Becker, I assume?” Lester asked as he eyed the man dressed all in black. Bloody easy on the eyes and what the hell had Christine been thinking? He’d be prime stock if the wrong fae saw him… luckily, Meg had strict rules. Still, he had little choice and could only hope Becker know how to obey orders, even bloody odd ones.
“Yes, sir. Ms Johnson ordered me to report to you.”
“Excellent. Did she tell you why?”
“Something about dinosaurs, sir.”
Becker sounded absolutely calm about that and Lester found himself wondering if the soldier believed what Christine had told him, not that it mattered. He raised an eyebrow. “Do you know why you’ve been assigned to me?”
“I assume my extensive experience in dinosaur wrangling, sir.”
“I make the jokes, Captain.”
“Of course, sir.”
Lester fought down the smile that threatened, he might have to see about making this arrangement permanent. If he could convince Christine she owed him for breaking their truce, even if the minister had delayed the meeting. “Now, this situation is dangerous. My field team and my Special Forces detachment are not responding. I have no idea what is inside,” Lester half-lied. “What I need you to do is to obey my orders. Every order I give, no matter how strange it may seem.”
“You’re going inside, sir?”
“You are here in case we encounter a creature. I’m here to deal with any other... encounters.”
“Sir?”
Lester raised a hand and was grateful when Becker subsided. “If we encounter a creature, I will follow your instructions.” He noticed Becker relax slightly as his words. “However, I need you to follow these rules. Do not eat or drink anything inside. Do not start any violence. Do not touch anything without permission. Actually, don’t touch anything. And do not, and this is extremely important, do not make a deal with anyone for anything.”
“A deal, sir?” Becker queried before nodding. “I won’t buy anything.”
“Excellent,” Lester murmured before heading towards the front door, he could only hope Becker kept his word but… well, he knew how tempting the Market could be.
“It says the stately home is closed for winter.”
“I can read, Captain.” Lester snapped, before sighing. “My apologises.”
He paused, knowing he would need to give some explanation to his companion, much as he would have preferred otherwise, especially when Becker chambered a round and asked, “Are they squatters selling something illegal, sir?”
“Not precisely,” Lester hedged. The mundane authorities wouldn’t know about it and the Council hopefully didn’t, at least, not until it was too late for them to do anything about it. “Meg ‘borrows’ properties for a few days. Her people repair any damage to the property in exchange.”
“How do you know that, sir?”
“Personal experience,” Lester replied, not willing to go into how he had first met Meg. “Now, remember your orders. Don’t make any deals, in fact, just stay with me, I’m sure you have experience in close protection.” Lester didn’t wait for Becker’s response, instead stepping through the open gates and striding up the path to the front door. He paused as he consider what the letter had said about how to enter the Market.
“Sir?” Becker sounded tense. “Do you want me to effect entry?”
“What?” Lester said, looking up from the letter.
“Do you want me to effect entry?” Becker repeated, moving closer to the door.
“No!” Lester barked. He needed to think. What was the chance his people hadn’t encountered the Market? The house was huge… But if he was wrong, if they had… he doubted they’d know how to enter the Market.
“Sir?” Becker turned to him. “Is something wrong?”
Lester almost smiled at that. “Just deciding what to do, Captain.” The best protection he could provide Becker - and himself - would be to formally enter and be bound by the rules of the Market - and the protection those same rules would give them. It would be the best protection he could provide for Becker, at least, if his orders were heeded.
“Watch carefully,” Lester ordered before he knocked three times on the door, turned around twice, knocked another two times and turned in the opposite direction thrice.
“That is an interesting code, sir,” Becker murmured, his gaze astute as he considered Lester.
“Please repeat it.” When Becker hesitated, Lester added, “That is an order, Captain.” Lester forced himself to remain still as he felt himself examined before the door slowly creaked open. He started to move forwards only for Becker’s hand to stop him.
“Let me check it first, sir.”
“After you, Captain.” Lester gestured for Becker to proceed him, after all, this was why he had brought the soldier. He followed close on Becker’s heels, his gaze and Will darting about as he sought any trace of his team, the Market or an anomaly. He almost walked into Becker when the soldier stopped and raised his shotgun, before moving around him and pushing the shotgun barrel towards the ground.
He nodded at the unfamiliar, rather craggy faced and red haired man leaning casually on the counter, just oozing the strangeness and otherworldliness of the fae.
“Welcome one and all to Meg’s Marvellous Merchandise Market. What might thee be after? Fruit for thy ills? Ingredients from hither and thither? Thy dreams come true? All is possible within Meg’s purview.”
“Greetings,” Lester said, feeling his way through the conversation with the fae he was sure was the Market’s Gatekeeper, one who could still bar their way, even with their proper entry. “Have you seen anything strange?” He knew how odd that sounded from the look the fae gave him. “I mean, odd lights or creatures or unknowing strangers through the door.” He rather doubted his team knew how to enter the market, although with Temple, he could never be too certain. “I doubt they entered the proper way.”
The red-haired fae considered Lester for a moment before glancing around the empty room. “Aye, strangers came without the way.”
“And was there a fractured mirror of light spinning in midair within these walls?” Lester inquired. “One leading to somewhere else, neither Here nor There?”
“That I knowst not, mine place is here,” the fae replied, looking rather disgruntled at being the Market’s Gatekeeper.
Lester nodded thoughtfully. “These strangers, were some clad as this man?” He almost cursed his words when the fae’s eyes fell on Becker, hunger growing within them.
“Good sir?” Lester moved between them, as if only to gain the fae’s attention.
The fae grinned and Lester took a step back at the sharp teeth momentarily revealed to his Sight, along with a red brush of a tail. Trickster then. Possibly the Gatekeeper for punishment, possibly as he was good at sniffing out other troublemakers, possibly even both.
“Is he thine?” The fox-fae asked.
Lester knew better than to lie. “Not as such, however I am responsible for his safety within the Market.”
The fox-fae nodded, a pleased smile on his craggy face. “Mine Word I will not harm thee or he, if thee honour the rules three.”
“Sir?” Becker queried, clearly wondering what the fuck was going on.
“Not to worry, Captain, just stick with me.” Lester repeated before fixing Becker with a firm eye. “No wondering off, no making deals or bargains.”
“Be thee here to buy or sell or… other reasons.” The fox-fae asked as his gaze racked up and down Becker once more.
“To find my team,” Lester replied, “Although I have some items I might purchase, depending on the deal struck.”
“Sir?” Becker grasped my arm. “I thought we weren’t doing any deals?”
“You aren’t,” Lester replied somewhat haughtily. “This market may have some items not found elsewhere.”
“Such as?”
“The sound of a cat’s footstep, the taste of a rainbow, a breezy summer’s day,” the fox-fae replied. “And all manner of dreams come true, if thou art willing to pay.”
“Dreams?”
“Captain!” Lester snapped, before sketching a bow to the fox-fae. “If thou couldst grant our entrance to the Market fair?”
The fox-fae smiled, a smile which had all of Lester’s senses alert for it was a smile directed at Becker and just boded trouble. “Come ye, come ye, the Market beckons. Dreams and all manner of things lie within.”
“Thank you, Gatekeeper,” Lester said before grabbing Becker’s arm when the captain seemed ready to remain behind. “Stay with me, Captain. I have no wish to explain your… absence to Ms Johnson or Wilder.”
Becker seemed to shake himself awake before nodding at Lester. “Sir, yes, sir.”
“Oh, well trained,” the fox-fae grinned, raising a hand at the glare Lester shot his way. “No harm I said and no harm I meant.”
Lester narrowed his gaze at the fox-fae before nodding. “After you, Captain.”
***
Lester led Becker down a corridor following the rising noise until they came to the grand hall. Within it had been turned into a riot of colour, stalls set amongst the furniture and furnishing, the enticing scents of food known and unknown filled the air.
Within the grand hall had been turned into a riot of colours, stalls set amongst the furniture and furnishings, the smell of foods known and unfamiliar, the squeal of beasts and calls of vendors filling the air.
“Where are we?” Becker asked, looking around wide-eyed at everything.
“Stay with me, Becker,” Lester ordered as he strolled into the hall. “And keep an eye open for the anomaly.”
“Is that the, what did you call it? A ‘Fractured mirror of light spinning in midair?’”
“Yes, Captain, that,” Lester replied. “And please remember I do the jokes.”
“Sir,” Becker murmured before glancing around again. “But where the… where are we, sir?”
“Between Here and There,” A woman’s voice rose above the noise. Lester turned to face her and smiled at the tall, slender woman, her hair dark as the night sky and her eyes as bright as stars. “So, mine dear James, thou hast answered mine invite?”
“I was unavoidably detained, mine dearest Meg,” Lester replied, walking towards Meg, bowing and kissing her raised hand. “Thy Market is as fine as ever.”
“Thy words flatter.” Meg smiled. “What doest thee desire.”
“I hast a few thoughts,” Lester replied. “But first, I believe mine people may have entered, without formal leave.”
“They were thine?” Meg asked. “Some stepped through the mirror.”
“And the others?” Lester asked before he felt something nibbling at his sleeve. He swung around and frowned at the creature standing before him. It looked a little like a cross between a horse and a bearded antelope. Three horns spiralled from its forehead, its long ears were also twisted. Long silken white-blond hair covered its body and Lester swore softly when he met its blue eyes. Familiar blue eyes. He quickly glanced around and counted the other such beasts. “What did they do?”
Connor’s voice almost startled him as the young tech genius hurried towards him. “Lester! You came! I wassoworried.”
Lester raised a hand. “Temple! Slowly. Tell me what happened.”
Connor nodded. “We entered and found the anomaly. Ryan took his team through to scout before we were going to follow but it closed.”
Lester closed his eyes. Bloody hell, all he needed on top of his current mess. All he could do was hope Ryan… and his men.. were safe until the anomaly reopened. He had to believe it would. He took a deep breath and forced down his fear.
“Lester? I’m sure they’ll be OK,” Connor said, proving far too preceptive for Lester’s peace of mind.
“Tell me what happened,” Lester demanded. He needed to concentrate on this problem before dealing with anything else.
“We were trying to decide what to do when Abby noticed some creatures. She thought they were trapped and went to free them.” Connor shrugged, and pointed at one of the other creatures, “Captain Stringer helped and then… they changed. The soldiers tried to stop it and…”
“They were caught in the same spell,” Lester finished, ignoring Connor’s whoop at his confirmation of the supernatural world. “And what have you been doing?”
“Um… just trying to keep out of trouble. Keeping an eye on them.” Connor paused, worry filling his face. “Is it permanent?”
Meg spoke up, making Connor jump. “They broke Market rules.”
Lester nodded, “Which they knewst not. They did not formally enter the Market. They know, well they knew nothing of There.”
“Thou knowst the rules, knowst or unknowst, they broke them.”
Lester nodded, wondering how the hell he would get his people back and what price he might have to be prepared to pay. “They do make rather fine beasts.”
“Lester!” Connor’s cry was almost drowned out by the chorus of half-neigh and half-squeaky snorts.
“Captain Becker,” Lester called out, turning when he receive no response and he sighed. Bloody hell, this all he needed. “Becker!”
“Lester! What about them?” Connor pointed at the herd of… whatever they were.
“I’ll deal with them in a minute,” Lester muttered. “Becker! What part of stay with me didn’t you understand?” He turned towards Connor, “Stay with them and try and keep them out of any more trouble.”
“Where are you going?”
“To find Becker and a certain fox-fae before they do something I’ll regret.” Lester stalked towards the entrance, muttering under his breath and feeling the wind pick up in his passage.
“Someone’s in trouble,” Connor singsonged, glad it wasn’t him for once.
“Becker!” Lester near-bellowed, the entrance doors clashing open as he approached. “Oh my dear…” Lester cut himself off, some words were best left unspoken this close to There. “What have you done? Did you not hear me say NO DEALS?”
“Um,” Becker muttered, his face flushing as he glanced between Lester and his deal. “But I need it.”
Lester shook his head before fixing the fox-fae with a glare. “I really hate to enquire, but where did you acquire a Challenger 2 tank from?”
“Here and there.” The fox-fae grinned. “He really loves it.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.”
“Careful,” the fox-fae said when a candle exploded.
Lester forced his Will under control. “I see, and when do you need to return it?”
“Return it?” Becker almost yelped.
“I believe the army might miss it and Ms Johnson won’t let you keep it.”
“Would you?”
“No, I won’t.” Lester sighed. “What did you bargain for this…”
“Um.”
“Well?”
“Nothing bad,” the fox-fae replied. “I gave thee mine word not harm would befall him. I just… I wanted to make him happy.”
“Out with it.”
“I have to wear a costume.”
Lester’s eyebrows made a determined effect to hide in his hair. “A costume?” He shot the fox-fae a look.
“Well.” The fox-fae shrugged. “It’s just something silly. Got to make a deal and well, I said tutu, mate, didn’t I?” he asked Becker.
“He did,” Becker muttered, downcast and blushing.
“I really don’t want to know.” Lester shook his head. “Right, Becker sort yourself out. You.”
“Name’s Danny,” the fox-fae offered.
Lester nodded. “So, this is serious?”
Danny nodded.
“Fine. Get rid of the tank and Becker stop pouting, it doesn’t suit you…” Anything more Lester was about to say was cut off by a scream. “Now what?” he cried as he hurried back into the great hall.
Pandemonium greeted him.
The anomaly spun in midair.
Fae ran everywhere, their goods scattered and trampled.
Raptors leapt with claws unsheathed at anything and everything.
His transformed soldiers and Abby snorted before charging into the fray, leaving stunned raptors in their path.
He gathered his Will and sent fire racing towards a raptor stalking Meg. “Force them back through the anomaly.”
The raptors hissed and snarled as Abby and the soldiers stood shoulder-to-shoulder, horns lowered, and herded them backwards, aided by Lester’s fire, hail and wind, and the roar of Becker’s shotgun peppering the ground before them.
The raptors snarled and snapped at horns as they slowly, step by reluctant step, gave ground.
“It’s working!” Connor cried.
The anomaly flared.
Lester cursed and channelled his Will into a blast of icy wind towards a raptor looking as if it would make a break into the hall. Just what they needed, more bloody raptors, if not worse. “Keep them moving.” He paused, what if he was wrong. He had men through there. Men he might be herding pissed off raptors towards.
The anomaly flared again.
“Something was coming through,” Connor cried.
“Hold your fire!” Lester bellowed. “They might be friendlies.”
The herd bent their heads to their task, pushing, shoving and poking any recalcitrant raptor back and back. Lester kept them bunched up by sniping at the pack’s flanks with stinging hail and fluttering flames.
Finally, one broke, squawking as it fled through the anomaly with its tail smouldering.
Then another one fled.
Then two.
Three.
Then, as one, the remaining raptor turned and ran through the anomaly.
Calm fell onto the field of battle.
Lester took stock, a few minor injuries to his… people, even if they weren’t currently human. He turned his attention to the anomaly, almost Willing his people back home, safe and sound, but some Laws even he was cautious about bending.
“Incoming!” Becker cried out as the anomaly flared again, his shotgun pointing at it, as was every horn.
“Bloody hell!” Ryan swore as he raced through the anomaly. “Who sent those raptors through?”
“We did, Captain Ryan,” Lester informed him. “Where are your men?”
“Right behind me, sir,” Ryan said, snapping off a salute as he looked around. “Did you have a party well we were gone?”
“Not precisely.”
“James?” Meg’s voice made Lester start.
“Meg?”
“Thy friends broke mine rules but saved the Market today,” Meg said before clapping her hands. Light flowed from them to cover the transformed herd. Several gasps sounded as Abby and the soldiers shifted and twisted back into their human form. “And, in honour of thy service to the fae.” She looked around at her somewhat wrecked market. “And because Ryan is correct, a party to celebrate our survival is a must.”
“Meg, that is…” Lester began, not willing to lose any more of this people to the victuals of the fae.
“Come, sup, James. Thou hast mine Word. No harm shall befallest thee and thine. They art now friends of the fae”
“Oh good,” Lester murmured. He could just imagine the Council’s reaction to the news… actually, the least said about it to them, the better.
***
Lester selected a vol-au-vent from a passing plate and decided events had ended far better than he could have hoped for. No one had died and any embarrassment had been minimal, well… maybe not for those involved. Of course, the Council would, once again, be less than impressed by his actions. They’d be even less happy if they knew the entire truth, not that he had any intention of ever telling them.
He smiled as he chose a second vol-au-vent and observed his people - and Danny.
The fox-fae was all over Becker and… no, fae might twist words but Danny had given Lester his Word. Not that he couldn’t imagine Christine putting up with the fox-fae… Well, he had considered poaching Becker, maybe this was his ‘reward’ for those thoughts during their truce.
“Drink, James.” Meg held a white wine out for Lester.
Lester raised an eyebrow, white wine is a gamble here, especially fae white wine. It could have an… interesting effect on humans, even if they were Mages. Still, they had won and any effects would be minor and he had no wish to piss off the fae when he had just regained his team.
“Thank you, mine dearest Meg.” Lester raised the glass in a toast. “To us. To friendship.”