Seeing the Light

by Lovelyruthie

It all started with the 'Colour of Magic' but now there's a new book, 'The Colour of Magick' and it's so insistent to be read that it up and brought itself into existence. Ankh-Morpork is about to be painted red...and orange and yellow. It will take the the Watch, the Wizards, the Vampires and plenty of ingenuity to check the book back into the library before the city checks out.

4. Chapter 4

Arthur Charlie Albertine had just finished his final cup of tea. He wasn't aware it was the last he would ever have. Perhaps if he had he might have dunked a biscuit and made the most of it. Instead, he was stood on the doorstep calling for, "Doreen? Doh-reeeeen? C'mon then, c'mon then gel!"

Where was she? He heard a sound and came out further into the dark street, "Doreen? You got yerself a mouse? I gots you a dish 'o cream indoors." He heard a meowl to his right.

He turned to find a hooded figure in front of him, in his hands a book.

"You seen my Doreen?" Arthur asked, fear in his voice.

"Oh what I have seen," the figure responded before opening the book. "Let there be light!"

And there was.

Blinking, Arthur was greeted by another hooded figure, this one much taller and holding a scythe rather than a book.

"GOOD EVENING ARTHUR" he addressed the man, not unkindly.

"Oh, I'm dead then." Arthur sighed, "What about Doreen?"

"DOREEN?"

"My cat?" he looked down the alleyway and saw her sat at his feet, his dead feet. "Who's gonna feed my Doreen?"

"I BELIEVE SHE WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF. AS WILL YOU. THERE IS A SPECIAL PLACE FOR THOSE WHO ARE KIND TO CATS."

They began to walk away together in the dark, "Is there?" Arthur asked hopefully.

"I HAVE MADE SURE OF IT."

###

Early next morning Sergeant Detritus and Corporal Reg Shoe were on the beat. All officers had been briefed to be on the lookout for any kind of magical disturbance and the scene in the alleyway definitely qualified.

"Look like someone wanted to paint town red," Detritus quipped, looking at the spray of colour that obliterated much of the wall and the top half of the now late Mr Albertine slumped against it.

"I'm not sure that's paint," Reg said looking closer, "nor blood."

"What is it den?" the troll rumbled.

"Red?" he looked down to see a cat weaving in and out of his skinny legs, "Oh...hello." He went to stroke the cat, but noticed too late that the end of her tail was also red. As it connected with him it sent a streak of scarlet up his arm and he stepped back in horror.

"Don't touch it!" he warned Detritus, "I think we're going to need back up!"