Sleeping. Packed in a close fitting crate lined with straw. His eyes closed
but not dreaming. Bloated he lay. If the crates lid was not sealed one
would see a middle aged man flushed with life. He was flushed with life. He
was warm. He could easily pass for a mortal. So easily have moved amongst
the crowd and they totally unaware, no eye to linger on the paleness of his
skin or gasp at the coldness of his touch if they were unfortunate enough
to brush against his bare skin. But he was sleeping and ready to be loaded
on board the cargo ship at four, safely sealed in his second skin crate.
On the docks the only living being that knew of the Barons where abouts was throwing stones at the seagulls. Wilbur watched over the shed in which the Baron slept with a piece of canvas over the crate. He was being paid to watch of course, Not that he need bother no one went in there anyway. Wilbur had a sneaking suspicion that he was being forced to stay here he couldn't leave the dock or his head started spinning and his legs bought him back to the dock. He was under the Barons influence. He always had been. Ever since he met Killishandra his will and mind felt not entirely his own.
Wilbur thought it was perfectly ridiculous to go to such lengths as a month cruise at least on a cargo ship to London. Wilbur had offered to secure a portkey. He had refused Wilbur had even offered taking the Baron through a number of loo networks to is destination. Then he had offered the use of one of Ali's magic carpets. Refused. Finally Wilbur had suggested a charm. This had been rebuked by: " I am not to be the subject of your vand vavink vhich I am sssure iss no offence to yourself. I vish a more respectable and traditional vay of travellink." Wilbur had nodded. In his mind he substituted "traditional" for safe and "respectable" for nailed into a crate aboard a rat-infested ship.
He had not seen the baron last night. Vladimir had slipped out with the last rays of the dying sun; Wilbur had waited for his return at the boat yard until the early hours of the morning. He had seen Vladimir come back red and vibrant from so many kills. Wilbur was disgusted and had barely concealed his contempt. He had however enjoyed hammering the nails into the crate whilst the baron lay inside. He knew of course that the Baron could break out anytime he wished but it was a pleasure just the same.
A muggle car pulled up on the courtyard where several boathouses lay including the one Wilbur was watching over. The car was grey with blacked out windows. It was stylish and modern but other than that there was nothing unusual about it.
"MR Armitage? Wilbur Armitage?"
" Yes. That's me"
"Please get in. I have been sent to collect you." The monotone stated. "I believe it will be very profitable for you. This token should relieve your fears."
The driver dropped an envelope onto the floor. Wilbur scooped it up and looked inside. Galleons.
"More awaits you"
Wilbur fingered the coins. He had money enough. Greed however got the best of him. With his hand in his pocket he felt his wand. And opened the door to the car and got in.
Wilbur squirmed and the leather seat creaked. The drive had said nothing to him since he had got in. At first the silence was comfortable but they had been driving quite a while now and Wilbur didn't really have a clue where he was being taken. What had at first seemed a good idea now seemed folly. His stomach was turning and his head had a slight fuzzy feel to it. It had started when he left the boat yard. It wasn't a spell he tried all types of charms and counter curses, he knew what it was, it was the Baron.
The car slowed down. It stopped in the driveway of a well to do house. The curtains were closed and there seemed to be no movement from within. The driver had got out and was holding Wilbur's door open. Wilbur slowly climbed out. The driver slammed the door and walked zombie like to the front door of the house.
"Right this way Mr Armitage"
Wilbur found the monotone voice unsettling. The driver reached out his hand to the door and pushed it open. Wilbur followed the driver in and up the stairs, He pulled out his wand for protection and light. The door slammed shut behind him. The driver led him to the sitting room.
On the docks the only living being that knew of the Barons where abouts was throwing stones at the seagulls. Wilbur watched over the shed in which the Baron slept with a piece of canvas over the crate. He was being paid to watch of course, Not that he need bother no one went in there anyway. Wilbur had a sneaking suspicion that he was being forced to stay here he couldn't leave the dock or his head started spinning and his legs bought him back to the dock. He was under the Barons influence. He always had been. Ever since he met Killishandra his will and mind felt not entirely his own.
Wilbur thought it was perfectly ridiculous to go to such lengths as a month cruise at least on a cargo ship to London. Wilbur had offered to secure a portkey. He had refused Wilbur had even offered taking the Baron through a number of loo networks to is destination. Then he had offered the use of one of Ali's magic carpets. Refused. Finally Wilbur had suggested a charm. This had been rebuked by: " I am not to be the subject of your vand vavink vhich I am sssure iss no offence to yourself. I vish a more respectable and traditional vay of travellink." Wilbur had nodded. In his mind he substituted "traditional" for safe and "respectable" for nailed into a crate aboard a rat-infested ship.
He had not seen the baron last night. Vladimir had slipped out with the last rays of the dying sun; Wilbur had waited for his return at the boat yard until the early hours of the morning. He had seen Vladimir come back red and vibrant from so many kills. Wilbur was disgusted and had barely concealed his contempt. He had however enjoyed hammering the nails into the crate whilst the baron lay inside. He knew of course that the Baron could break out anytime he wished but it was a pleasure just the same.
A muggle car pulled up on the courtyard where several boathouses lay including the one Wilbur was watching over. The car was grey with blacked out windows. It was stylish and modern but other than that there was nothing unusual about it.
"MR Armitage? Wilbur Armitage?"
" Yes. That's me"
"Please get in. I have been sent to collect you." The monotone stated. "I believe it will be very profitable for you. This token should relieve your fears."
The driver dropped an envelope onto the floor. Wilbur scooped it up and looked inside. Galleons.
"More awaits you"
Wilbur fingered the coins. He had money enough. Greed however got the best of him. With his hand in his pocket he felt his wand. And opened the door to the car and got in.
Wilbur squirmed and the leather seat creaked. The drive had said nothing to him since he had got in. At first the silence was comfortable but they had been driving quite a while now and Wilbur didn't really have a clue where he was being taken. What had at first seemed a good idea now seemed folly. His stomach was turning and his head had a slight fuzzy feel to it. It had started when he left the boat yard. It wasn't a spell he tried all types of charms and counter curses, he knew what it was, it was the Baron.
The car slowed down. It stopped in the driveway of a well to do house. The curtains were closed and there seemed to be no movement from within. The driver had got out and was holding Wilbur's door open. Wilbur slowly climbed out. The driver slammed the door and walked zombie like to the front door of the house.
"Right this way Mr Armitage"
Wilbur found the monotone voice unsettling. The driver reached out his hand to the door and pushed it open. Wilbur followed the driver in and up the stairs, He pulled out his wand for protection and light. The door slammed shut behind him. The driver led him to the sitting room.
