She had to do this. She didn't
know why, but something inside told her that she should and that she
was meant to do this. So, what? She was meant to be a Necromancer all
along? After all the effort Skulduggery and Tanith had done to teach
her the art of Elemancy. Could she turn all that hard work to save
her teacher, her partner, her friend?
But most importantly,
could she trust Solomon Wreath? Valkyrie's head spun as Tanith rode
her motorbike expertly and they arrived at the old Waxworks museum,
the holding place of the Sorcering council. The Sanctuary. They met
Fletcher Renn standing, his arms crossed and nodded to them as they
approached. He wore a frown and pointed to a wax model, He won t let
me in. The usual wax statue of Phil Lynott, the singer of the band,
Thin Lizzy stood by the entrance posing with his guitar. He was the
key. He smiled to the two of them.
"I haven t seen you in awhile. What is your business here?"
He ignored Fletcher, who he didn't know and refused to let him enter. Tanith answered him,
"We wish to speak to Guild or anyone who holds the files."
"I shall ask,"
Then the wax work stood still and stared as if suddenly his soul had just left his body. Valkyrie knew he was checking with the new Administrator, who was Tanith's colleague from the London Sanctuary, Frightening Jones. This was one of the clues that other countries were worming in to the Irish Sanctuary. Phil came back and nodded,
"You may enter, but Guild is in a foul mood. Be gentle."
Tanith winked, "We'll try," Then Phil added,
"Is he with you?" He gestured Fletcher, Valkyrie nodded.
"He follows us like a lost pup, we can t get rid of him."
The wax model smiled and smiled to Fletcher, who didn't return one back. Valkyrie smiled sadly when she walked through the wall door to the Sanctuary. She remembered when Skulduggery said she was his lost puppy who he found and couldn't get rid off.
As
they entered, Cleavers were lined everywhere, security had tightened
and there was another entrance to pass through before they actually
could get to the main hall. The Cleavers stood there with their
Scythes and asked for the password in a special language Valkyrie nor
Fletcher didn't understand a word of. Only Tanith answered it.
Valkyrie still had no clue how to pronounce it.
They were allowed
in as the Cleavers stood apart and Fletcher looked at Tanith.
"It's the language the Ancients spoke long before Gaelic or English came upon these shores."
Valkyrie nodded, seeing as she was a descendant of the Ancients, she thought she could try out the language. She asked. Tanith nodded,
"It would be useful to learn it. I only know a few words myself, so I couldn't teach you. But I know someone who can."
"Who?"
"She's lovely but can be quite intimidating at times. Her name is Genevieve Strop. The name gives you a clue of her personality." Tanith explained.
"Charming," Thought Fletcher. Since the death of Mr Bliss, Guild had to find other Elders. He chose a trustworthy person to himself and to the Sanctuary, his name was Fortunatus Phoenix. He was a gentleman and very patient, and Valkyrie remembered when she had first met him with Tanith and he certainly left an impression, particularly with Tanith. Valkyrie grinned, seeing Tanith flatten her hair unconsciously before she entered. Fletcher rolled his eyes. Valkyrie slowed in her pace when she saw Fortunatus Phoenix waiting in the middle of the hall to meet them. His grin grew wider when he saw Tanith along side Valkyrie. Fortunatus had raven black hair, curly and bouncy. He wore slight stubble and his skin a light pink. He had green eyes any woman would melt at. Valkyrie couldn't help but admit he was very handsome.
"Miss Cain, Miss Low, Mr Renn. Very nice to see you again."
The two girls smiled, Fletcher shook his hand reluctantly.
"How are things?" Tanith asked. Since they found out Thurid Guild wasn't apart of the Diablerie they did feel a bit guilty at doubting him. But Guild wasn't making it easy for them to like him. So they weren't too caught up about it.
Fortunatus
shook his head. "He is slightly under the weather. Constantly other
Grand Mages are sticking their noses in our business." He
sighed.
"Is he willing for us to talk to him?" Valkyrie asked
hastily.
He smiled a wide toothy smiled. Valkyrie felt Tanith falter a little. Fletcher nudged Tanith.
"I don't think he's willing to talk to anyone. But who am I to stand in the way of his work."
He gestured to go ahead of him and
they walked to Guild s office. Fortunatus followed behind. Tanith got
the feeling he was checking her out. Fletcher gave him a look that
could've killed him. But, on to saving Skulduggery
Pleasant!
Valkyrie tapped at the door and waited for an answer.
After a moment pass, everything was silent. Tanith bounded on harder.
Still, nothing. Then Fortunatus came forward and opened the door, his
head going through the small crack.
"Grand Mage," He informed him, "You have visitors."
Valkyrie couldn't see the Grand Mage but Fortunatus just nodded and opened the door wide for them.
"He permits you." And Elder Phoenix left with a ripple of his robe behind him.
Valkyrie came in first. She saw that Guild was sitting at his desk. Since his kidnap he had looked much paler than usual but he resumed his cold stare towards the three of them.
"Is this about the mission to save Skulduggery Pleasant from the Faceless Ones?" Guild, as always put aside any pleasantries.
Valkyrie nodded, "We think we have a link to where the skull could be located. Apparently, a Troll had stolen the skull whilst Skulduggery was asleep not long after he was raised back to life. Ghastly is now working out where they are."
Guild held his chin, his forefinger stroking his beard. He looked bored. Fair enough. Tanith folded her arms. She couldn't hide her displeasure at Guild's non enthusiasm.
"We must find the skull before it falls in to enemy hands. We can t risk the gate being opened again in order to release the Evil Gods." Valkyrie nodded, "We were hoping that you could spare agents or detective to help in our search. There is only a handful of us and we have no equipment nor an official case. We require help from the Sanctuary."
Guild contemplated this. Silent.
"Why would I wish for the return of Skulduggery Pleasant?"
Valkyrie's jaw dropped. You don't honestly believe he is still the enemy?!"
"You cannot be too careful."
Valkyrie was outraged. "He saved you! He risked the planet in order to save you. He put Fletcher's life and rare ability at danger!" She pointed at Fletcher, who was staring at Guild, trying to pinpoint what was so special about this guy the Diablerie wanted to swap him for. "Please, after all that has happened between you and Skulduggery, that you put that aside and forgive him and admit you were wrong. The same way Skulduggery admitted he was wrong about you!"
Valkyrie was incredibly emotional and desperate. She stopped, suddenly sensing Tanith and Fletcher staring at her. Valkyrie sighed seeing Guild unmoved. She shrugged her shoulders and turned to get out.
Guild stopped her, "Alright. I see how important Skulduggery is to all of you. And Skulduggery was one of the most successful Detective I had." He nodded. "I file this as official Sanctuary business."
He didn't continue. He yet to apologise of mistrusting Skulduggery. But, then again, Skulduggery wasn t here to accept it. Tanith shook his hand.
"Thank you."
Fletcher waved his hand and followed Tanith, who met Valkyrie at the door. Valkyrie nodded to Guild and left the room.
Fortunatus met them at the door and clapped his hands, ready to work.
"Right, I guess we need some help."
Tanith raised her eyebrow, "Were you listening?"
Elder Phoenix shrugged, "I have authority to know everything what is happening in the Sanctuary." He looked at them. "I think I know who can help you." He added.
He
turned on his heels and the others hurried behind him, following him
down twisting corridors. Valkyrie saw the Sanctuary full at work.
There was rooms where Detectives work out their clues together and
tried to solves cases. Skulduggery never had been involved with these
Detectives however.
Valkyrie saw about thirty Detectives
exchanging papers and ideas and theories.
"This is our Detective Department." He told them. Some detectives noticed him and bowed their heads respectively.
"What are they investigating?" Valkyrie asked curiously. Fortunatus walked by the working men and women and they followed. "Currently there have been a few murders."
"Of who?" Tanith asked concern.
"Humans. At the hand of magic."
"Why would Sorcerers be killing humans?" Fletcher wondered. Fortunatus shrugged, "Perhaps they are still Diablerie out there? Those who wish for revenge?"
Tanith disagreed, "No, I don t think so. If they wanted revenge they would be after us." Tanith glared at Valkyrie and Fletcher worried. "They are not vampires? They seem to be the only creatures who harm humans."
Fortunatus shook his head, "There have been no signs of physical wounds on the victims. Vampires kill to feed and these bodies haven't been fed upon. We should get involved." Tanith persisted.
"No," insisted Fortunatus, "You have problems of your own. I haven't known Skulduggery Pleasant except for that mere meeting a few years back, but I respect his remarkable work. I, and everyone here, shall be involved in the mission to retrieve back Detective Pleasant."
Valkyrie smiled fondly at him, "Thank you," She really was grateful.
"Now," added Fortunatus, "on a cheery note. I have some people who would help you. Let me introduce you."
Fortunatus turned to the room and called out a name, Omen Fury. A man with long black hair down to his back, stood up from his working booth and approached the four of them. He was around thirty-five with emerald eyes that gleamed. He took Tanith s hand and kissed it and did the same with Valkyrie. Valkyrie couldn't help but wipe her hand when she took it back. Fletcher gave his most manly hand shook he ever gave. Fortunatus continued.
"Omen is an expert on Trolls and other magical creatures. He should be handy for when you travel the tunnels that lead to Dead Man's Coven."
Omen nodded and added to them, "Dead Man's Coven is riddled with creatures of such magic and wonder. Years before, the time of the Ancients, Sorcerers created a Sanctuary, as it were, from suspicious mortals. It was their band of existents that was apart from humans. But now it is no longer much use to us as we are adaptable amongst them. We blend in with them and we are well comfortable. I think that has evolved as we have grown close to them." Omen gave an air about him of a scholar. He brimmed with knowledge and curiosity. He seemed generally interesting in Valkyrie too. It was obvious he was fond on history and Valkyrie was apart of that lost history.
"Of course, there are many more to introduce you to." Fortunatus called out another name, Jacintha Ghost. A tall woman with brown, curly hair approached. She was wearing black bike leathers, not unlike Tanith's brown leathers. She was beautiful but she had a scar along her neck. A long hideous scar. Valkyrie didn't want to think what had happened when that was caused. A permanent imprint of the intention to kill. She closed her eyes slowly and opened them again. Valkyrie saw the woman smile. She was very young. Only twenty herself.
"Hey," She hugged the three of them. She had a character that didn't bother hiding and being conscious. She was outgoing. Valkyrie liked her.
"Just call me Jack!" She said casually.
"She
is in charge of weaponry." Fortunatus explained.
Valkyrie raised
an eyebrow. Fortunatus frowned at her.
"Do you not know?"
"Know what?" Tanith asked.
"There seems to be others who are intending to find the skull before you do."
This was new to Valkyrie but Tanith had thought this would happen.
"How would any body else know?"
"Perhaps Wreath didn't only tell me."
Tanith shook her head. "I don t think so. As much as I don t trust him, I don't think we'll inform enemies too. He wanted us to get it."
Fletcher thought. "Maybe he wants us on a wild goose chase?"
Jacintha pointed out, "Wreath is a Necromancer. I think we should just forget him and concentrate on these bad guys."
"Righto," Tanith agreed.
"Anyway, there is one other you should know about."
Valkyrie,
Tanith and Fletcher waited for another agent come. Before Fortunatus
called the name someone rose from one of the booths. It appeared they
had been listening to the conversation.
Valkyrie's jaw dropped,
for she knew him and she smiled slightly at the thought of them
working to each other. But he was gifted. She knew that when he had
located where the gate was. It was the Seer, Finbar Wrong.
He winked and grinned. "Looks like I've finally made it in the big shot." Then he said quietly, for only Valkyrie to hear. "And I am so nervous."
Fortunatus introduced them. Surely he could locate Skulduggery's skull. He must know how to. Valkyrie looked at the team. They were seven strong, and that excluded China and her agents. Omen, Jacintha, and Finbar. Now she wondered if she could included Wreath in to it. Only tonight she would know. She felt the card he had gave her in her jacket pocket
