An Arkham Welcome

It would be inaccurate to say that the Sage of Wales was pleased to be landing in Boston on this particular January morning. In fact, he would rather have been sitting on the opposite side of the ocean just passed over, reading by the fire, his dog Eden by his side. Alas, The Sage had been summoned by his Alma Mater to address them about some of his recent exploits in the study of and battle against Cthulhu.

It was at M.U. that he studied for and received his PhD many years ago when he was in his late twenties. The University school included with the invitation a mid-class ticket on Virgin, his airline of choice, increasing the Sage’s incentive to accept. On balance, the trip would be worth it, but he would prefer to be heading straight north to Maine rather than off south-westerly to Arkham. Indeed, the trip to Maine might have to be put off, depending upon their reception at Arkham. The conference was to include two professors of environmental science. Now just what relation their specialty might be to the Sage’s was something he had just not had time to figure out.

The town of Arkham, while nowhere near as dire as Hull or any other town in the North of England, was not the most happening place in the world. Given its location, university, and unique placement in the world of Cthulhu, Arkham could never be seen as a very friendly town. The university students, again like in any northern town in England, tended to stick to their own for fear of being beaten up. Not much progression beyond the old “town and gown” conflicts. Town and gown conflicts continued to occur, but not with the violence of some past times. The Sage’s special invitation had mentioned that Arkham was experiencing a renaissance of good relations with the university, which he found hard to believe.

The Sage was tempted to bring Rupert along on this trip for protection and company. In his stead, the Sage opted for a lower profile companion in the form of Claire. At home, Claire and Rupert often worked together investigating “issues” which the Sage was called upon to identify or solve. Claire was far less head-strong than Rupert and so for the current trip less likely to get into any bother in a local establishment. The locals were all too prone to nasty remarks about any stranger and the more so with one as outstanding as Rupert. The Sage determined that he would resist the temptation to revisit Innsmouth down the river from Arkham. His curiosity about the place had run its course. He was planning simply to arrive in Arkham, give his lecture, and leave. It all should go according to the schedule the university had sent him, he told himself.

Claire manoeuvred the heinously ugly Dodge Charger rented car towards Arkham. Despite his resistance to it, the car company insisted on upgrading him. The Sat-Nav had been programmed to get them to their hotel in Arkham. It periodically would inform Claire before a turn was in order. The trip was spent mostly in silence. They had chatted most of the way across the Atlantic. Now Claire was listening to a Boston rock station, leaving the Sage to his thoughts. The Sage knew from experience the signal would soon disappear into a mush of static. Radio did not function terribly well in Arkham, not even satellite radio. The Sage wondered if the Sat-Nav, would suddenly go blind and dumb once they hit the Arkham limits.

Claire, for her part, was enthusiastic about seeing Arkham first hand, and with the Sage, too. She had heard so much about it from others on the Cthulhu scene. Reviews were mixed, but Claire’s interest was based on the place being the centre of the occult activities she had found herself flung into. It was Claire’s plan to visit a few of the bookshops that served the university to add to her collection of texts. She was still unsure whether she would be wanted to attend the lecture or would even be welcome. It was her understanding that Arkham, like many Ox-Bridge colleges in her own country, was not that keen on overly clever females. Still, her coming along was better than Rupert beating three shades of dung out of some inbred retard from the sticks. And there was no way she was going to let the Sage go alone. The radio cut out right on cue.

The sudden noise and then silence brought the Sage back to his senses. And sure enough, the Sat-Nav was wobbling, too, so the Sage started looking around to give directions if necessary. It was patently obvious as Claire let her carriage glide over the streets of Arkham that either she had the sense of direction of a bloodhound or she had studied the map as a back-up to the rather flaky GPS system. Claire worked on the old be-extra-prepared principle. The nondescript, if pleasant looking hotel came into sight as they rounded the last corner in the centre of town. Before the Sage knew what he was doing, he was walking up to the desk with only his document bag, as Claire, with their bags was checking them in. The surroundings were not unfamiliar to him. In some ways, with the New England rusticity completely unchanged since his last visit many decades earlier, a bit too familiar. Considering that the University was responsible for most of its custom, it was not surprising the decor of the hotel fit in with the whole Miskatonic U theme. Their room was high enough to have a view of the University’s namesake river, a rather ugly looking body of water, that, while moving, always looked a big stagnant pool.

“Have a nice stay,” was the only thing he heard from the checking-in sequence. Well, that and the unnecessary bell-hop comment, “Nice looking assistant you got there, Prof.” Not deterred by the lack of response, he continued, “we don’t get many women from away ‘round these paahts.”

The boy certainly had a bit of the look of the area, one developed from hundreds of years of limited contact with the rest of the state. Surprising that this isolation, similar to northern Vermont, persisted so close to the large metropolitan areas of Boston and south. The accent hadn’t changed much, either. So it must still be the case that few outsiders came to this town for anything but the university. Arkham was missed by the map makers for many years, a cartographer oversight only recently corrected. The famous Arkham gloom and darkness hovered outside the window before the blinds were drawn.

As the hotel had no room service, the Sage and Claire would have to eat in the restaurant. As he neatened himself up in the bathroom, Claire warded the room for their stay. She would refresh the wards before they turned in. Dinner was filling, but not really much more than that. It was soon time for a bit of reading and bed. Arkham really was not the type of town to go out in. You just did not fancy a nice walk there unless you were with a big group. It still retained that aura of dread and malice, even though nothing major had happened there for a long time. The Miskatonic Valley was one of those places on earth that was never “quite right,” never able to outlive its less than savoury past. Sure, the state had given the town money to improve its roads; the town was still no more appealing for having decent roads. Redevelopment aid hadn’t helped much, either.

The Sage’s sleep was bereft of scenes of anything odd or nasty. He dreamt of nothing, which meant it seemed that he did not sleep long, but that was preferable to the alternative. Claire, on the other hand, did not sleep well. Her face gave it away. She was obviously troubled.

“Sleep well, my dear? I hope the area did not affect you too badly.” The Sage regretted his simple good wishes as soon as he had made them. Something not very good was announcing itself through Claire’s sensibilities.

“Um, yes, well, I slept; not sure if I would call it well.” She knew better than to lie to him as she looked at the Sage’s coal-like eyes looking at her. “Nothing specific, but my dreams did not seem wholly my own.”

“Well, then, it is good you warded the place. You certainly know what you’re doing. I would like to think the occult activity around this town is in the past.

“I do not know the specifics, since I have concentrated on threats in our own islands, but I know from what I have heard it’s a rather dodgy area,” Claire responded vaguely as she made her way to the bathroom.

“Yes. And some would say haunted by your kind of the occult, and by a few black magicians as well,” he responded to her disappearing back.

“I’m guessing these witches were of the black variety as well?”

“Very much so, as black as your hair. I would be very wary of any inference that you practice the occult arts during your stay. They do not share your view of the light and dark variety around here.”

“I will take that into account, Sage. But now, I had better get ready to go.”

“Thinking of that, I think it may be best if we stick together while we are here. I would recommend that we limit our activities to the university and the hotel. Mixing with locals tends to be unwise at the best of times. And it’s best to move around in a group.”

“Are these bad times? Claire was starting to put a few more things together including elements of her night feelings, premonitions.

“My dear there really is no such thing as the best of anything ‘round here. All the intelligent people get out as soon as they can. It’s only us daft twits that actually come back here.”

Hmm,” Claire thought, “is the Sage reconsidering his decision to come here?”

A few minutes later, they headed downstairs to the dining room for breakfast. The Sage thought it odd that no one else was in the hotel. His invitation had clearly stated that he would be speaking at a symposium, so by rights there should be quite a few other guests in town.

As they finished their breakfast, the Sage said, “I know it might sound daft, but we should probably drive to the university.”

Claire said, “Well, it is the middle of winter and in this creepy place, so I won’t object.”

The trip to the university was uneventful, save for a few less than welcoming stares from the locals. Not that this wasn’t normal for the perennially decaying town. Just the rental car was enough, and occupants not from here, besides. Since The Sage’s last visit, a few new shops had opened, a few had closed and the empty shops had moved around a bit, but the town looked pretty much the same. The atmosphere sure was the same.

The Sage would be speaking at the Atwood Science Hall in front of students, faculty, and invited symposium guests. He was still wondering where the guests were. The Sage had been allotted thirty minutes to speak. A single index card held his three main points. He planned to expand the speech as appropriate to the audience. He pretty much tailored his talks to the level of interest he saw in his listeners. Today, he was dressed as one would expect from an ageing academic. Miskatonic had always been a bit less than impressed with Andrew’s old world title. They surely would have frowned had he worn his best Eisteddfod garb. But for some reason, they had overcome their distrust of him enough to invite him back for this event.

The Sage and Claire arrived at the main building on time. No one was there to meet them. The Sage and Claire made their way to the Hall along quiet corridors. As the Sage approached the Hall, he could tell that a meeting was in progress. Perhaps it was some earlier event. By his reckoning, he should be early enough to get settled well before his speech. There were none of the usual student assistants outside the hall to welcome speakers and guests.

The Sage opened the door to the Hall. “I see you have finally arrived Andrew. As you can see, we have already started,” boomed a voice across the hall. The Sage felt every eye in the room focus on him.

A slightly quieter voice spoke, “I told you he brought that vile witch with him. And we wonder why things have gone the way they have?”

“Oh bugger,” the Sage said to himself, not realising he had said it loud enough for Claire to hear.

“Whom I chose to bring with me to Miskatonic is none of your business, young man. My assistant is a valuable colleague.” He was cut off.

A voice boomed out, local and angry, “How dare you bring a witch to Arkham! Didn’t you learn any local history while you were here?” The speaker paused to gather his breath. “I suppose you’re going to tell us that she had nothing to do with the disappearance of the rest of the speakers today!”

“Don’t be daft. Or rather, in terms you use here, absolutely not. And what are you talking about?”

“Let’s get the police to lock em up!”

“There will be no arrests of these two. They were invited here by the University and are under the protection of the University. No matter how vile they happen to be by your lights. ” The President of the University paused and without aid of a microphone intoned, “You, Hyacinth, heard the eyewitness reports. This had nothing to do with your witch legends. This is a case of agents of a non-human nature: ones with which Andrew is well acquainted in his role as Sage of Wales.” There was no doubt of his contempt when he said those three words. Was this completely sarcasm? Was he referring to these reports?

“Bloody charming, this lot, aren’t they?” grumbled Claire, entirely to herself.

“Typical a fucking Brit shows up and all hell breaks loose.” came a remark from a bystander sporting a typically fake Massachusetts Irish accent.

Claire spoke before the Sage could catch her. “Wales is an independent country now, you finian oaf. And I would watch your tongue speaking to the Sage. Show some manners.”

“Why you bit…!”

“I will have quiet now if you please.” The President was seeking to restore order and perhaps get to his next step in whatever this meeting was meant to accomplish. “Next remark like that will get an immediate and physical expulsion!” He paused and looked directly at the Sage. “I suppose we should tell you exactly what we know.”

“Yes, that would help,” mumbled Claire to herself. “Do you mind if we sit down?” she said a bit louder, leading the Sage to an empty seat.

“Welcome to Arkham,” snorted the Sage, but to himself. ” What in all Hades was I thinking coming back to this place!”

The stern President firmly grasped the lectern, his knuckles going whiter and whiter, as he began to explain the details that were available, glaring at anyone who even attempted to interrupt him.

“We do not know much. But I have been told by the police the following: The car disappeared early yesterday evening just outside Arkham in the county on the main road. There were several witnesses in cars travelling in both directions on that stretch of road. The car containing your fellow speakers, Dr Emmett Claridge and Dr Frank Gordo, was suddenly enveloped in a large black cloud that came from the sky. The cloud then rose from the road, and there was no vehicle. No other car was affected.” He paused and sighed. “There has been no signs of either the occupants or the car, since.”

“Has there been anything odd going on recently, before that?” asked the Sage.

“No. Not that I know off. I had hoped all that was in the past,” he said wearily.

The President was interrupted. “Of course not. Nuthi’ bad happened until you and your witch came along!”

“I can assure you we had nothing to do with this. We were not even on that road at the time to witness this.” responded the Sage in quiet tones, partly to the President and partly to his attacker.

“It might be a good idea to leave, before this lot get hostile,” quipped Claire, just loud enough for the Sage to hear.

The Sage continued in quiet tones directly to the President, “I will be happy to look into the matter further. I understand this is what you are requesting.”

“Yes, as I have heard you do that sort of thing, I would hope you could lend a hand, Andrew.” The President sounded sincere, his expression however was more of a sneer.

“Then I will get right on to it. Please send your information to me at my hotel. I will make some enquiries.”

The President, seeing that he had in fact given the Sage leave to depart, not quite what he had intended, said. ” I suppose I could do that, but wouldn’t you rather stay here and use our facilities?”

“Um,” the Sage said to himself, “that would not be wise.” And to the assembled company, “I would prefer to use my own resources in this case.”

“As you wish.” The President was not happy with this result and neither was the quiet but murmuring crowd.

Before he knew it, the Sage was in the car heading to the hotel. Claire drove quickly and kept a keen eye on the rear-view mirror. Why did the Sage have such a strong desire to get the hell out of Dodge?

Their room was undisturbed, not even by the hotel’s cleaning staff. Claire looked relieved.

“If it were anyone else but you, Sage, I would think that you would be keen to head straight out of town and leave this nasty place behind. But then again, I know you.”

“Well we are probably leaving. Just going to do a bit of investigating along the way. I know this lot very well and have seen what they can do to someone they don’t like. Especially when connected to the university. That doesn’t mean we are not going do anything. We’re just not going to make it too obvious. Too bad. I know they won’t send us any information! We need to go on what they told us.”

“Yes, I thought as much, so I borrowed a copy of the information that was handed out at the meeting before we arrived. Someone in front of us had put it beside him on an empty seat. “It is headed ‘The Arkham Society for Purity and Decency.’ Looks more a call to arms than anything else!”

“Do you think we can sneak out of the hotel?”

“Why? We can’t sneak our rental car out of town, in any case.”

“Well yes, but we can at least get ourselves some lead-time, if we play it right.”

“Hrm. Do you have any idea where we are going?”

“Yeah, we’re heading back to Boston. I am going to drive. I want you to see if you can sense anything once we get to the point where the car disappeared.”

“Ok. It is scribbled in here on the sheet where the disappearance took place. A call to posse it may be, but useful to us, anyway.”

“Yes, now let’s hurry.”

The two quickly gathered up their things. They used the back staircase. It was musty and creaky but did not attract attention. The car was just where they had left it and in fine condition. They were both starting to worry about everything. The Sage triggered the locks, and they tossed their things into the back seat.

“We are going to head back to the University and then out of town,” said the Sage as he carefully negotiated the several streets back to Miskatonic. “When we get there, I want you have lots of papers in your hand and act as if you are getting them together to get out of the car.”

Why?”

“I want it to look as though we are back to meet with people here. Trust me, these people are not as quick-witted as in other places. We will make it look as though we are staying here a while. But then, after slowing down around one or two of the buildings as if heading into the parking lot, we will get out of sight of the Hall. I will head out the back entrance to the University. When we get moving on that main road, we will try to figure out exactly where the car went missing. Hopefully those notes you have will be helpful. You will know when to start sensing. I’m guessing there will be quite a bit of residue in the air.”

They did as planned. There were few students about in the back area of the campus and their departure was likely not observed. So, after a few minutes, they were on their way. The supposed place of the disappearance was several miles out of Arkham proper, but there was nothing there. No police cars or residue. It was just another stretch of badly maintained Miskatonic Valley blacktop. The Sage drove at a decent pace, but not fast enough to look like someone fleeing.

“Nothing” Claire sighed. “You put too much faith in my abilities this time. Maybe it is because I am out of my element.”

“Shush. Pay attention. I suspected they might have lied about the location. Now, look at this. This is one place you don’t want to be caught loitering.”

The road was very narrow and badly over-grown. On either side was an impenetrable forest that seemed to absorb any light. The trees on both sides bent over the road almost blotting out the sky.

They continued to drive towards the county line. Claire was feeling more and more confused.

” Do you think they were lying about the other professors? To get to you?”

“Possibly. But I doubt it. Just hold on. Let’s concentrate on this here. The Sage’s familiarity with the countryside here was suddenly kicking in. I think we may have something here.”

As they approached the county line they could see the sides of the road clearing before them. After some high scrub on either side, obscuring the county line, farms opened up on both sides of the road.

“Start paying real attention now,” ordered the Sage.

He began to slow down checking his rear-view mirrors for… anything. After the first set of farms there was an open field on both sides of the road. Claire began to perk up.

“Things just got creepy, Sage. Like back in Arkham, but far more concentrated.” She shivered as she spoke.

“Alright, at the risk of treating you like a bloodhound, try to tell me which way they went!”

“I think it is over towards that building, over there near that ridge.” Claire was pointing to a tumble-down barn of incalculable age almost leaning against a hillock.

The Sage slowed down and carefully drove his the car along the dirt road towards the decaying building. As he approached, he quickly turned the car around to face towards the road.

“Alright. We will have company fairly soon but hopefully not as bad as if it were after dark. We need go have a look and then leave very quickly They will know the minute we open that barn door.”

The two of them got out of car, slowly approaching the barn near the hillock.

The Sage said, “I suggest that I go on in,” to Claire. “You keep watch. If you see or feel anything, yell, and I will come immediately. You know the rest.”

The Sage opened the creaky barn door, cursing the old hinges. He needn’t have bothered. The door fell off in his hands. The dimming January sun was bright enough to shine off the metal a few feet inside. After carefully removing the other barn door to give a little more light, the Sage approached the driver’s side of the car. He spotted a bottle of water in the back seat. He opened the rear door to grab the bottle, quietly shutting the door of the car. As he approached the front of the large American rental care he saw two shapes that looked vaguely human and completely still in the gloom. Whispering a small cantrip to himself, he opened the water and then the front driver’s side door. He violently shook the water trying to aim it where he thought the heads might be, then quickly stood back.

“What the…?” exclaimed one of the two men.

“What the hell are we doing in this barn?” the other said, as he sat bolt upright in the car, instinctively dusting himself off.

The Sage was invisible to both in the gloom. “Get out of the car quickly and come with me. Move fast!”

“What?” exclaimed the younger one.

“Now!” commanded the Sage as he heard Claire begin to scream his name.

The two men did move, propelled by the Sage towards Claire’s voice. They felt themselves being shoved along towards another car. Blinded by the sun, they stumbled forward as one across the frozen gravel road. They were pushed into the back seat of the car. It was then the Sage heard the horrible sound he had heard before The hissing cacophony filled his ears and drove him to distraction.

“Whatever you do, don’t turn around. Keep looking straight ahead. You
are safe now.”

Claire and the Sage jumped into the car. The Sage started the engine and floored the accelerator. He could not prevent himself from looking into the rear-mirror to check on their flight from the menace, as the car twitched and swung about in the gravel. The large engine screamed in anger as the car hit the paved road, slamming all its occupants into their seats. the noise almost cancelling the screech of the black cloud behind them glowering at them all. Just at that moment, the barn erupted into green flame, followed by a red explosion. The Sage concentrated on his driving, listening to the scream of the engine to try to block the screeching in his head. They did not slow down for many miles, finally pulling into a gas station.

“You drive,” said the Sage as he slid over into the passenger seat. The Sage collapsed against the just closed door, barely having enough strength to fasten his seat belt. Claire jumped into the driver’s
side.

By the time the gas attendant saw he had a customer, they were already moving again, towards Boston and relative safety.

“Will he be alright?” asked the younger professor, Doctor Gordo, as they soon learned.

“I hope so,” replied Claire.

They drove in silence.

At the hotel near the airport, the two Professors, Claire, and the Sage checked in, and they agreed to meet for dinner. A half hour later. the Sage got a call from the two Professors pleading for their help with the rental car company. It seems they were facing a demand to pay for the car, the whole car. Fortunately, the hotel had a branch of the rental car company in its basement. The Sage was not happy to be awakened from his sleep, but he agreed to help.

As you might expect, the blmbo at the desk did not give him much time. Fortunately, this was such a serious problem that the local area manager, at Logan, raced over to relieve his new hire. The Sage, either due to fatigue or angst, was on a roll. He was sitting in the bar waiting for this manager to show up, using his anger to avoid thinking about what had transpired during that long day.

The local area manager did not know what he was in for. Claire, had she known what was about to happen would have felt sorry for manager. The manager rushed into the room extending his hand to the Sage while looking for the other two gentlemen whom he knew to have rented the car.

“Excuse me, I was wanting to speak to the people who rented our car,” said the man.

“I’m afraid they are not in any condition to speak to you. They have asked me to speak on their behalf. I have advised each to go home and stay safe in the future.”

“Are you their attorney? Because I really have to say there is no case.”

“Actually I am.” he paused and rose in his seat, “the Sage of Wales.” He paused to let information that sink in before continuing. ”...and I have seen what these poor men have been through.”

“So you were there when the vehicle went missing?”

“Yes, in fact, I was there saving the two men from being taken.”

“Ah, is there a police report?”

“Yes. You can contact the Arkham Police Department. They will tell you what has happened to these two men. And to your car.” The manager went pale and lost his bravado. He reached for the closest glass, taking a stiff gulp from the Sage’s beer. The Sage continued on the offensive. “I think that it might be wise if you were to let this one go. I could tell you what actually happened, or you just consider it stolen.” He looked at the pale, uncomfortable man and stared into his eyes.

The young man, initially full of vim and vigour, now tried to regain his composure. “Is there any way that you can assure my manager of your eminence?”

“Yes, of course, what do you need? I can promise you that I will make sure your manager knows that I am legitimate in my position. Leave your details at the front desk and I will be in touch when I get home to Wales.”

As the young man scurried out of the bar back to the airport, the Sage finished his beer. He suddenly became tired, so very weary. The next day he was not sure how he had made it up to his room before he feel asleep.

His sleep was not as calm as it was in Arkham, but the Sage finally slept, the promise of a swift return to his home in Wales in his mind’s eye.

1 comment

There is a new way to earn some dosh from your blog. The Europe based income source for bloggers is called ebuzzing and it aims to improve the experience of earning money from your blog. The site is rather clean and clear; running nicely while at the same time functioning well. Not a lot of rubbish on the front page. I am pleased to see yet another player in this field and lets hope it goes well. So why not head over and check out ebuzzing to see if it is right for your blog. Its good to see sites like this opening up in Europe and more importantly paying in local currency.

No comments

In this opinion piece in today’s Telegraph. This person has the cheek to expect us to feel sorry for them and talks about “moderate Hamas member.” What is a moderate Hamas member one who just wants to kill Jews but not wipe out Israel?

Gazans supported a terrorist organisation and the world ignores them. Gee I wonder why? I have no sympathy for them at all. It might help their cause a bit if they stopped their fellow Gazans from firing rockets to kill innocent civilians in Israel.

This piece is not shocking. An NGO head sucking up to terrorists. This is the reason NGOs continue to lose credibility and support.

As I have said for a very long time to friends. Next time you think of giving to an NGO make sure you know what they are really up to with your money. Oxfam has been off my list for quite a while and this just makes it clear I was right.

And its not just NGOs that empower Palestinians terrorist “Christian Peace Teams” are at it as well.

As you may or may not already be aware, members of the Watcher’s Council hold a vote every week on what they consider to be the most link-worthy pieces of writing around… per the Watcher’s instructions, I am submitting one of my own posts for consideration in the upcoming nominations process.

Here is the most recent winning council post, here is the most recent winning non-council post, here is the list of results for the latest vote, and here is the initial posting of all the nominees that were voted on.

No comments

Barack Obama has announced that one of his first acts if elected president will be to hold a summit meeting with leaders of Muslim countries, at which he will “listen to their concerns.” Of course, those concerns will be: “Israel, Israel,...

read more | digg story

No comments