Prologue, Part II
Cologne, Prussia
0500 Hours
I walked on the side streets on a mundane errand; dreamy of the glory to come.
It was a cold winter. Snow fell lightly on the streets of the city; giving it an angelic look.
How wrong can you be? Soon the snow will be soaked red.
A morbid thought.
"…" I wondered whose blood it will be. Death was blind. Was
it enough? Was I enough? Will they stay true to their promise? They
were magicians after all…
It matters not. Soon a war will won.
Soon we will be free.
…
Rote dame Street.
I was finally summoned back to my master. I didn't bother with too much theatrics.
Ah, now to report on events…
I came as a Czech boy, blood oozing from numerous wounds. Three guesses who.
"Bartimaeus." I took in my surroundings; a huge plush bungalow type of thing. It had a multitude of pentacles painted on the floor, excluding an unhealthy aura. I was mildly surprised to see Queezle and Faquarl and co. The other magi were present too. "I charge you to relate the events at Paris."
"Relate events? The French got slaughtered, that's what happened. The British were advancing; they'll be here soon. You know that informant vacancy is still open…"
"And the shriveling fire is still ready." He said dryly. "As usual your opinion is ill considered and unasked for. The French were traitorous; the British punished them for us." Punished them? I remember the death shrieks of the Djinn, the crying infants, the screams, the horror… Humans and your sad affairs, why can't you leave us out of it.
"Now the British will be dashed at our stronghold here." Really? I observe the activity around us; Impressive in all counts, worthy of an Empire's army… but I still had that gut feeling of impending doom…
My master ranted some more and asked for details; I gave him the details, with grotesque accuracy.
I got that much needed dismissal.
…
YA-HOO! Part II!