Chimon Tendo

The moon had risen to its highest point in the month. The path of Venus was ascending. The six stood on the Edge viewing the plain of Cheshire towards the distant Pennies.
It had been seven days since one of there numbers had vanished from this site. In his honour they had met at the last place he had been. However they were one short the Maester Cleric had not yet arrived.
George turn to Simon and said “we should continue with out MC ”
“don’t be daft we cannot our rules demand seven to be present, 1 Maester Cleric 2 Cleric Guardians, 2 Priests to sanctify our work and two watchers to learn our ways”
Wayne pipped up “sounds like someone has been reading to much Tolkien.”
“ahem “, said a tall old man, the six men bow deeply
“Let us connive Conclave”

The lounge was lit by the reading lamp from the corner of the room. The coffee tavle had two wine glasses half full of malbec wine. Next to it was a basket of bread, the floor was laid with Rose pellets. The whole place was set for a romantic evening.
But the place was empty, the tv was off , the real was playing the greatest love songs, the dinning table was laid for a candle lit supper,
The fireplace was lit, yet the room was empty, all this work but nothing and no one to enjoy it.  Above the fireplace was a mirror, it reflected the room as an opposite,  the was a painting that hung on the opposing wall , showed a less romantic scene, a lady in red, screaming as a demon clawed at her body, at its feet a body of a man torn to shreds. In the corner of the picture was a musicbox that looked like the one on the mantlepiece.

The day had not started well, Claire had missed the alarm. She had slept through it and she was now behind schedule. Something she had never liked being it had all stemmed from missing one interview. But that was another story.

This time she had had a late night and the start of a head cold, Claire however needed to make the train otherwise her plans would be over before they could begin.

Entering Piccadilly station she stopped to view the railway timetable, she had 20mins excellent, enough time to grab a coffee she thought. Taking the right side of the timetable she headed for Starbucks. There was no cue when she ordered a skinny Carmel macchiato venti. She lent against the counter wiliest it was being made.
Claire subtly watched the entrance to the cafe a group of five walked in. 3 went and sat down and two queued for coffee. She turned back to the waitress who was maker hers