Eald: An Urban Fantasy

Eald: Episode 1

Evening Mass had ended and Father Salinas was busy dusting the altar of the Virgin Mary, with reverence.

He mumbled something under his breath concerning the need to talk to the monsieur about updating the cleaning schedule of the church, when a feeling crept over him.

He stopped dusting and cocked his head to the side so he could hear better.

Nothing.

Except for his breathing and the muffled sounds of traffic off on 4th street.

The silence was deafening. Holding his breath, he turned slowly.

The church pews were empty except for a lone figure near the front row.

He let out a breath filled with relief and exasperation.

"Eald" he managed to say in his best Sindarin. "You really need to stop doing that." The priest added in a scolding but loving way.

"Apologies, Father" Eald replied putting his hands together in a prayer fashion while trying unsuccessfully to hide a grin.

"What brings you to the house of the lord?" Father Salinas said as he stepped down from the dias and gestured to the church roof. "Have I converted the grugach finally?" He knew he would have an easier time plucking a feather off the wing of Angel Gabriel.

He was rewarded with a snort from Eald.

Chuckling, he made his way to the pew before Eald's and sat down next to the ancient elf.

"I don't think so, your congregatillon wouldn't know how to deal with me." answered Eald with a smirk.

The father nodded. "Only if you wore your hair in a ponytail.

Father Salinas voice changed to a more serious tone. "Why are you here?"

The elf wouldn't come to the house of God unless he had good reason. That concerned the father, he had enough human daemons to battle in his parish without something really serious invading his corner of the world.

The Vatican made it their business to know the whereabouts of certain entities, old and new that roam the earth. Since the early days of the church they kept register of them in "The Liber Daemonum".

Eald actually added some names to it. " There are still some nasties about" he would say. In return the Vatican gave Eald a wide berth

Of course the original was hidden in the vaults somewhere in St Peter's, but there was an online version available to the Priests. Although Father Salinas always forgot his password.

They had known about Eald for sometime now and treated him as a neutral yet benign being. They knew he could be useful from time to time so they let him be. Just as long as he didn't break any rules.

Eald reached into his coat and produced the piece of old worn burlap with a symbol stained on it. He handed it to the priest who looked at Eald for a moment then took it with hesitation.

"Do you recognize that symbol?" Eald asked leaning back as Salinas examined the cloth.

He nodded and hurriedly handed it back to Eald. "I've seen it on some walls around here recently, its a gang sign." He shook his head and made the sign of the cross

"I need to know where they are and who is putting them there, Padre."

"You're chasing gang members now? Don't you have bigger fish to fry?"

"That's not a gang sign...its an old sigil," Eald let out a breath and rubbed his temple. He was going to need some wine after this.

"How old?" Asked the Father.

Eald was surprised how uttering a single word still manage to strike him so deeply.

"Mordor"

"Mordor?" Salinas said, slightly recoiled

"It's the great eye, Father." Eald folded the rag and put it back inside his long coat. "This is not a gang problem. Well, at least not a local one.' He added in mild irony.

"Mother of God" Father Salinas leaned back and reached for the cross that hung around his neck.

"You might want to see if she is available," Eald added with a smirk as he stood up to leave with the grace of a panther "We may need her in this one."\

Father Salinas nodded in agreement. " I ah, I will see what I can do."

He called after Eald as he made his way down the center of the pews' Go with, God."

Eald looked back "I take as many as I can get my hands on , Padre!" He replied. And with a wink and a nod he walked out the doors of Saint Mary's and into the Albuquerque evening.