Chapter 8 - when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?
Deep in the depths of Paddington there lay a family of witches. Relatively unknown to the world, even other magi themselves were not aware of their presence. Their blood tracing back to the witching days of Salem. A quiet, bumbling family specialising in potions and elixirs of many varieties. Though not popular their drinks were often a hit with those fortunate enough to encounter them in a dark alley. They kept to themselves mostly, diligently studying and passing down their craft from generation to generation. One could question, was Paddington built around them or did they build Paddington? They had been there for so long, quietly just minding their own as the metropolis around them thrived and hustled. Rarely venturing out of their little homes, only leaving to collect materials for their spells and trinkets. It made Ruler question why they, of all families had been selected for the war. He mindlessly trundled through the city as he mused about how he would greet such a withdrawn family. How would he find them firstly? Would they even speak to him? Heck did they even know what their command seals would be? He was honestly amazed Waver had managed to find anything on them at all. That kid he sent. Flat? That was his name right? Well he had certainly outdone himself this time.
As he walked further through the city, boarding a train he once again sifted through his notes. Sure they were in Paddington but that didn't really help at all did it? Where would they hide? How could they hide? Did they use magecraft to hide themselves? Then again if they did surely they would've been properly found by now, not just snippets and rumours. He was certain it was them though, no other magus family lived in Paddington, in fact no magi lived in Paddington except them. The area was so overrun with business and technology that it honestly disgusted most magi. As he arrived at Paddington station he left the train, elegantly and effortlessly weaving through people as he made his way to the clearing, when it dawned on him. Of course. It made perfect sense when he thought about it. Maybe they lived underground, it'd make sense that no one could find them if they never went above ground to begin with, using only the tube to collect materials and go back home. He mused with himself further as his wondrous brain started to work its magic, the gears turning as it whirred to life and started calculating every single little detail.
A cauldron bubbled and popped as it continued to boil away, the glowing green mixture stirring away as strange voices could be heard with each bursting bubble. Three witches, very small in stature, circled the vessel. Casting incantation after incantation as they dropped various objects and specimens into the broth. Dramatically waving their arms as the liquid continued to hiss and pop. In the corner lay a small black cat, only a kitten, it slept happily in the rocking chair as it listened to the trio chant away their little mantras. They continued to circle the cauldron, taking it in turns to conjure spells unto the boiling soupy mixture. They plunged various items into it, the objects in turn dissolving as the liquid turned from a bright green into a neon red, then a hot pink. The colour show seemingly amused the cat who half asleep continued to watch the three little witches go about their work. The pace of their mantras increased as blue mist started to rise from the brew. One of the trio stood forward attempting to inhale the vapours as their forehead started to glow a bright crimson. Taking on the shape of two eyebrows and a single eye, these marks had formed and started to pulsate. They were command seals.
The grail has chosen its next master, a little witch in Paddington, was to participate in this war. The other two suddenly stopped as they noticed the glowing mark, starting to giggle and laugh as they danced around the cauldron. Though not knowing what such marks meant they seemed happy. Ruler stood in their doorway slightly dumbfounded as he watched the trio celebrate, maybe it was best to not interfere. For all he knew this could be their summoning ritual and he wasn't about to interrupt them. Resolving to return later he turned around walking back through the doorway leaving them when he heard a sudden panicked cry. One of the witches had tripped and accidentally thrown a skull they were wearing into the cauldron, panicking they tried to run as the cauldron suddenly exploded. The impact shocking even Ruler as he was thrown through the flaming corridor, flying headfirst into a concrete staircase. His head colliding with the cold stone as he tried to piece together what had just ensued. The room was now devastated, a black dust patch now where the cauldron once lay. The unfortunate trio now covered the walls in scarlet as their entrails decorated the macabre display.
His head throbbing and aching from the impact, Ruler stood in shocked disbelief. How had this happened? Not sure whether to laugh or cry he trembled, slowly processing what had just happened. Only he could have such bad luck as a Ruler. One candidate had kicked him out, one nearly bled to death and now his most recent one had accidentally blown themselves up. He put a hand to his face as he numbly surveyed the remains. Brick work now lay in ruins as moonlight flooded the room exposing the decrepit surroundings to the night sky. To his amazement the rocking chair which had sat in the corner of the dingy room was completely unscathed, whatever enchantment was over it had seemingly protected it. It sat there gently rocking as if nothing had happened, not a single scratch lay on its structure. Its oak frame untarnished. Inspecting the chair Ruler gulped, the cat that had been watching the trio was sound asleep as it lay there sprawled across the seat. It lightly moaned as Ruler gently stroked its face, apologising as it abruptly woke up looking unimpressed. Its face glowed crimson as it gave Ruler a mean look. How dare he interrupt its slumber.
Taking a step back Ruler struggled to control himself as he muffled a rather morbid laugh. The rule of command seals was that if a master died before summoning their servants, they would be transferred to the nearest suitable candidate. That in this case would be Ruler himself. Or so he thought at least. He inspected his wrist, counting each mark, fourteen, two for each servant in the war. He had not inherited the seals. Looking down at the cat that sat grumpily before him as he stood in silence. Such a ludicrous predicament he had indeed found himself in, on its face lay three glowing tiger stripes. Pulsating intently as it continued to glare at Ruler unperturbed by the gruesome scene that lay before the pair. This cat, no this kitten had been deemed suitable by the grail? Ruler reaching forward went to stroke the kitten again as it stretched it's little legs, claws extending from its tiny paws, before suddenly jumping into the air as Ruler's hand made contact. It pounced and hissed comically as it attempted to bite his fingers, chasing them with such ferocity.
Defeated, Ruler scooped the kitten up, much to its displeasure. Something it made apparent by yelping. Climbing onto his shoulder it grumpily sat there, biting his ear as it did so. Gently smiling, Ruler stroked the creature's head before they both dispersed into the air. The kitten happily purring away as it was greeted by the warmth of Waver's office. Waver in turn sitting in stunned silence, his cigarette falling from his now slack jaw. The little creature lay on his desk as he gawked at the site before him. How was this even possible? He had read of a case in America where a dog summoned a Lancer, but that whole fiasco was a different kettle of fish. The London Holy Grail War was certainly a unique case in itself, but this, this was something else entirely. Waver's face was incredulous, he didn't know what to make of the situation.
Looking up at Ruler both men stayed in their relatively awkward silence.
'Can't you remove it's command seals? Don't tell me it's already summoned a servant! How do we even explain this one? We aren't allowed pets in the Clock Tower! We need to cover this up immediately! Can you imagine the fallout if this leaks to the associations?' Waver hysterically rambled as his brain slowly fried. Ruler was sure he could see steam escaping the man's head. Pursing his lips Ruler attempted to explain.
'Luckily this little fellow here hasn't summoned a servant, or at least the grail hasn't done it for him yet. Secondly this is where the problem arises.' Ruler went silent as Waver stared at him intently, 'I can only remove command seals if a master willingly relinquishes them before summoning a servant.' Ruler elaborated rather sheepishly.
'W-wait y-y-you don't mean to say?' Waver's question was met by further awkward silence.
'Yes it would appear this kitten, well master I guess, has no intention of giving up it's command seals.' Ruler answered as he gestured to the kitten which was now attempting to eat Ruler's pipe, biting and swiping at it with a determined look. His luck really was the worst. Only he would encounter such a predicament, he could hear the other Ruler's laughing at him right now. His eyebrow twitching uncontrollably, no amount of stiff drinks would solve this one.
Both sat there in complete silence for what seemed like an eternity, pondering over what their next move would be. They had really dug themselves a hole this time.
'Why do I do this to myself,' Waver whined as he proceeded to down about 3 glasses worth of brandy. Ruler only chuckled as he did so honestly unsure of how to react. 'Does it have a name?' Waver asked as he started to stroke the kittens head. The little cat had sprawled across his desk, sticking both of its back legs in the air as it slept soundly, enjoying the warmth of the office. Ruler stared blankly, he hadn't even considered that yet. He had been in custody of the fluffy little thing for what must have been about 7 hours now and it hadn't even crossed his mind. Covering his face with his hand to hide his increasing embarrassment Ruler sighed. Waver had become rather tipsy having drunk his eighth serving of brandy that night, started to play with the kitten as it sleepily chased his fingers. 'How about Lestrade?' He asked absentmindedly, more absorbed in kitten which was now biting at his fingertips. Ruler raised his eyebrows at the rather unique name. It was certainly an odd suggestion but he actually quite liked it. A smile crept across his face as he sank exasperatedly into his chair.
'Sure. Lestrade it is.' Glancing at the kitten he smiled, 'I expect great things from you little master.'
Hello everyone. I hope you once again don't mind the lighter tone of this chapter, the intention behind this master in particular is to bring some levity to the story as once it enters the actually fighting it will become a lot more serious and dark. Especially as the inclusion of both Ikuru and Assassin into the war will bring a much more serious vibe. Lestrade as a master was an idea I debated with for a long time, but after reading StrangeFake seeing that Enkidu was summoned by a dog I felt it was well within the realms of possibilities. I hope you all liked this chapter and I hope that the setting up of the war isn't dragging for any of you. I hope to speed it up a little soon. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated and all the support you have given me so far honestly means the world to me.
