The Infernal Aether (First Draft)

Chapter 19 - With Friends Like These...

"How many's in a legion?" asked Kate.

"A Roman Legion would typically contain 5,400 soldiers," said Maxwell. "Of course, the Biblical sense is a lot less specific, and it is more likely that that is the true source of the term."

"And how does the Bible define it?" asked Kate.

"Legio mihi nomen est," muttered N'yotsu. "Quia multi sumus."

"My name is Legion, for we are many," I translated automatically, the Latin bringing back memories of musty schoolrooms and overzealous teachers.

"So it's somewhere between 5,400 and 'Many'?" said Kate. "And there's thirty lots of that? That doesn't sound good."

"Indeed," said N'yotsu, looking out of the window. "However, we may need to continue this conversation later. It appears that we have reached our destination."

A grand country house loomed out from behind immaculate rows of trees; at its centre was one of the largest front doors I had ever seen, flanked by pure white columns which put me in mind of the finest in Ancient Greek or Roman architecture. The house was nothing short of magnificent, with row after row of windows reflecting the sunshine spotlessly back at us, hinting at the wealth of the occupiers and their disregard for the old Window Tax. The whole thing was an enormous but perfectly formed testament to prosperity and achievement.

"Wow," said Kate.

#

I sat in an incredibly comfortable chair with a fine glass of whisky in front of me, listening to the rhythmic ticking of at least a dozen clocks dotted round the room. We were sat in a room from my wildest dreams, the home I should have had if I had but been a bit luckier with life or wiser with money. Indeed just the room itself was the same size as my own lodgings back in London. The floor was covered with the finest Persian rug I had ever seen, a work of art which I scarcely dared stand on. Elegant artwork and engravings covered every wall, while the broad windows looked out on a sweeping garden leading down to a lake which glistened in the afternoon sun.

"Richard has done well for himself," I noted to Maxwell. "I still remember him as that shy, spotty kid who used to run after you in the playground."

"Family money," said Maxwell to N'yotsu. "His parents both died a few years ago. Richard was the sole heir to the estate; I had no idea that the estate was quite so lavish."

"Indeed," I said. "I never thought such wonders existed up here in Yorkshire. My assumption had always been that it was full of mills and illiterate farmworkers."

N'yotsu smiled. "I thought you had travelled widely. Did you not take in the Northern counties?"

"No. I mainly prefer to travel overseas. England is just so dull. Or at least I always thought so." I looked around. "Of course, it appears that I may have to revise my opinions on that score."

A maid arrived with a tray of tea and cakes, followed by the butler. "Mister Fitzsimmons is currently indisposed," he said. "He has asked that you make yourselves at home in the meantime."

"How long will he be?" asked Maxwell.

"A little while," said the butler.

"And how long precisely is that?"

"A little while," repeated the butler.

Maxwell stood. "Could we maybe visit his laboratory while we wait? Your master has been writing to me about a number of interesting experiments that he has been undertaking, and I am keen to view them."

"I am afraid that would not be possible," said the butler. "Mister Fitzsimmons is very particular about his laboratory. He does not care for people entering it unaccompanied."