A number of heads were turning as the two Professionals ambled in the streets of London. Not that the status of Professional was obvious, but having black people in London was an extreme rarity. There were more of them than during the century before, owing to the Liberation of Haiti helped by the British, and the subsequent relationship between the Dessalines heirs and the British Crown. But not that many. Most of Haiti disliked every European, no matter which country they hailed from. Only the enlightened people from there travelled around.

Of course, none of the Londoners had any inkling that the two well-dressed black men came from a very different place than the island of Haiti.

The two foreigners came upon one of the inns of the British capital and wasted no time getting into the establishment. They had a meeting arranged there, and both brothers were more than happy to be notified that one of their local contacts was there, and even early.

“So, Mr Daams.”

“Pleased to meet you, gentlemen. It’s not that often that we see people from the colonies around.”

“Business knows no borders.”

“Well, us Dutchmen used to practice that. Until the Tyrant took over home, that is.”

“I should not say that in front of you, but he, unfortunately, pays well for oversea trade.”

Kasper Daams spat to the side, indicating how he thought of the prospect.

“Anyway, I know the Professionals you’re talking about. I even saw them. Was there during the grand parade last year.”

“What do they look like?”

“Well, ordinary people, I’d say. But then, if you are not wearing some of the exotic stuff from the Labyrinth, it’s sometimes hard to tell.”

“Oh. Nothing distinctive?”

“None. I know Professionals can be strange up close. But from a distance? They’re normal. Why?”

“Well, we heard they had great powers of the Labyrinth.”

“Ah. The only thing I know is that they could open the closed Gate. Now, that one was the weirdest thing I ever saw. I know the Professionals see things that are not of this world, but… when you looked at the Gate when it was closed, you could see those things. Like writing, except it wasn’t really there. Writing in your mind rather than in front of your eyes. It was as if you were a bit of a Professional.”

“You’re not one, I surmise?”

“Nah. I paid a shilling to get examined, and they said the biggest potential I had was something like 16, which was two short of the requirements.”

“Still, you saw something. No one in the… The United States… ever saw anything about any Gate. Even Professionals can’t.”

“Well, the British Empire is happy to have these guys, I guess.”

The two brothers kept on, teasing more details about the local Professionals.

“So, they do not come out often,” Zenzele said as the two made their way toward the Queen’s Gardens and the beating heart of the British Empire.

“No. If we want to see them, we’ll have to do it in the Labyrinth itself. Unfortunately, we’ll stand out even more in there. The Americans have quite a few descendants from the central countries among their Professionals and they usually can’t distinguish among us, but the British probably have no one.”

“We’ll improvise. Besides, based on what she said… we can pass as that woman’s commercial representatives or something. Say hello from her, or something.”

Kwazele laughed.

“That is, until she sends someone for real.”

“The problem with you, brother, is that you always think of what can go wrong.”

“And you of what can go right, which is why we both made it so far.”

“That is true.”

The soldier guarding the entrance to the massive area around the Great Gilded Gate stopped them. They presented their papers, which caused great consternation from the guards.

“So what’s this about?”

“These gentlemen have some papers, but it says they’re American.”

“And, based on the accords signed last year during the Gate closure, employment and rights between the Americas and England are equivalent and reciprocated. Which means that, by virtue of being lawfully employed, we are entitled to cross the Gate here,” Zenzele pointedly said.

“Lieutenant?”

“I think they are right, Egerton. As long as they are lawfully employed by an American company, they do not need a British company to sponsor them. Do you gentlemen will stay in the British sector, or do you intend to cross back to your sector?”

“I have to come home, unfortunately, but my partner still has business to do in your… Gatepost, right?”

“That’s the name of the borough beyond the Gate, yes.”

“Then, we should be on our way,” Kwazele added.

“Did you get the Gate?”

“I did. The only problem is that I can no longer swap my Core now unless I want to lose this one.”

“At least you can keep it. I can’t afford to lose my tier one travel, and I don’t have this option.”

“But you are not to stand guard for three moons.”

“And you should be going. Your watch starts in five days, and if you don’t report, people are going to notice.”

“Don’t worry about me. Worry about finding the ones with Meshindi’s power.”

“They are contradictions. If they look normal, how can they be equal to him? No one would ever mistake Mhambi Meshindi for a mortal.”

“That’s what we need to find out. No. That’s what I need to find out.”

Kwazele smiled.

“While I spend one moon bored to tears watching a Gate for the ones who would hunt Meshindi but never do. Thanks, brother.”

“Anytime. Good luck.”

“Keep the luck for when we finally move.”

Iridescent Onyx Orb

Core

Artefact

Requires: Level 564

Provides: +3 Fire Funnel rank, +2 Entomb rank, PRE+133, FOC+125, INT+120, WIS+112, +1585 mind, +1363 health, +8% regen, +6% levels, +1 fast travel option