City of Dreams and Nightmare by Ian Whates Read Free Book Online Page A

given your various talents.”
    “He won’t last five minutes in the City Below.”
    “Oh, I think he might; after all, you’re going to be there to ensure that he does.”
    “Am I?”
    “Quietly, of course.”
    “And why would I want to do that?”
    Magnus turned to face his companion for the first time. He resisted the answer that sprang instantly to mind – because I told you to – and instead responded, “Because while that buffoon is blundering around drawing everyone’s attention, no one will notice the real hunter skulking in the shadows.”
    Now the other smiled, an act that saw his bland features take on a darkly sinister animation.
    “Ahh, that would be me, I take it.”
    “Precisely. Find me that boy. Bring him to me.”
    “I don’t get it. Why is this runt so important to you? So what if he saw you knife Thomas? You’re up here and he’s down there. What harm can he possibly do?”
    “No loose ends!” Magnus snapped; then, as if relenting, added, “My elevation to the ranks of the Masters is so close, Dewar, I can almost taste it. The culmination of everything I’ve been working towards – I won’t let anything threaten that.” All of which was true, though it was only part of the answer. “He resisted me, Dewar,” Magnus added quietly. “Can you imagine that? First he hid within metres of me and I never knew he was there – which is something very few people could manage – and then he broke my command to halt. Even fewer are capable of that. And yet this kid, this grubber, this nobody from the City Below, managed it; he defied my will. I need to see this boy, to talk to him, to find out how that’s possible.”
    The man called Dewar inclined his head, accepting the information. “Very well. I still think you should have let me take care of Thomas in the first place.”
    Magnus shook his head. “I had to be sure. Thomas was far too valuable as a potential ally to simply be killed out of hand. Besides, he was no fool, and I knew that he would let his guard down with me, would allow me to get close enough. It would all have gone perfectly if not for that wretched street-nick, but no matter. This one I will leave in your capable hands.” The arkademic gazed back to the embers of the fire. After a handful of silent seconds, he signalled the conversation was over with a dismissive wave.
    Dewar started to turn away, but paused and asked, as if it were an afterthought, “What about the Kite Guard?”
    “Once he has served his purpose, do with him as you will. The City Below is, after all, such a dangerous place to be.”
    If the earlier smile had caused the man’s face to seem sinister, this one made it look positively evil.
    “Oh, and Dewar, just so there is no misunderstanding; if you should fetch the boy back alive, I would be delighted. Dead would be acceptable. Returning without him would not.”
    The factotum raised his eyebrows in apparent surprise. “I took that much for granted.”

THREE
    Before starting the final descent, Tom paused for a moment to gaze upon the City Below. At first he did this with simple and heart-felt relief, but then more practical considerations came to the fore, as he took stock of exactly where he was and searched for familiar reference points.
    His grazed arm had been throbbing for some while and the sole of his left shoe had worn through completely, but Tom didn’t care. This was home.
    His fears regarding the Swarbs and their intentions towards him had proven to be unfounded. Red took him through a bewildering sequence of dimly-lit corridors, chatting garrulously along the way. Tom walked beside him in sullen silence, making few attempts to respond. It was a reticence he subsequently regretted.
    He was so preoccupied with his own misfortune that he remembered little of that march other than the lingering impression that this was a dour and unwelcoming part of the city. Finally, after travelling for some while and going through more twists and