A Life Less Ordinary by Christopher Nuttall Read Free Book Online Page A

set within a hollow and is actually lower than most of the surrounding area of Edinburgh. Once, long ago, it was a market in truth, but now the modern world has passed it by. There are a handful of shops and cafes that had spilled out onto the pavement, yet most of the area’s charm is long gone. I watched as the tourists stared up towards the castle – which dominated the skyline – and took hundreds of photographs. I wondered if any of them saw the magical field surrounding the castle. Even in daytime, I could see the haze glowing against the sun.
    “So,” Master Revels said. He touched my cheek, gently, but firmly pointing me down towards the bridge at the end. “What do you see?”
    I scowled, realising that it was another test. The Grassmarket didn’t look very busy, apart from the tourists and a single piper droning away, massacring The Flower of Scotland . I looked from one end to the other and then realised that I was wasting my time. I should be looking beyond . It was hard to focus with the piper blaring away in the background, but somehow I managed to peer into the magical world. A moment later, the market opened up before us.
    “My god,” I said, in awe. I’d seen how magic could be used to fit an entire castle into a small house before, but this was fantastic. “This is the real market?”
    Master Revels nodded. “We stand here between the worlds,” he said, seriously. He gave my hand a squeeze as I stumbled back against him. “Many of the other worlds have points that intersect this location in space and time. This is neutral ground. No one, not even the most powerful and dangerous of the Great Powers, would dare to pick a fight here. The market itself would rise up against them.”
    He took my hand and led me into the market. There were stalls and people everywhere. Here, where the mundane world couldn’t see them, most of them had dropped their glamour-spells and walked uncovered, allowing everyone with the right eyes to see them. I saw goblins, elves, fairies and a strange creature that looked like an eyeball floating without any visible means of support. Even more surprising, when I had finished staring at the creature, was the small goblin lady walking beside it, as if they were a married pair. A massive humanoid wolf walked past them and I lost sight of the odd couple in the crowd. I looked up as a shadow fell over the market, only to see a dragon flying overhead. Fiona was tiny, but this one was larger than a train. Its bright red eyes gazed down on the humans and humanoids below as if it were considering dinner. Master Revels seemed unconcerned by the possibility and so I tried to force myself to ignore it. It wasn’t easy.
    I saw, standing in a private circle, a couple dancing to the beat of an inaudible tune. The man was the darkest man I had ever seen, wearing a white suit and a dignified expression that seemed to contrast oddly with the joy of his partner. The woman was as pale as a ghost, with a long dark dress and very dark hair. Her face was suffused with joy. They were dancing together, completely unaware of the outside world. I felt a twinge of envy. They were happy in their own way.
    “No one knows who they are,” Master Revels said, when I asked. He looked oddly pensive at the thought. “They have been dancing for far longer than I have been alive. The magic around them won’t let anyone interfere with the revels.”
    He shrugged, dispassionately. “There are three basic rules to remember here,” he added, as we reached another strange statue. It was of an angel, with stone wings and a sad expression, from what little of it I could see. The angel’s hands were permanently covering its face. “Be extremely polite to everyone you meet here, don’t steal anything and don’t start any fights.” He smiled as he passed me a pouch of gold coins. “If you want to buy something, you can – but make sure you bargain first.”
    I looked up at him, surprised. “You’re not