Crystals of Time

        A knock sounded on the eight-foot-tall mahogany study doors. An old man with a bald head and a silver goatee looked up from the article he had been reading. "Come in." His deep voice was surprising, considering his height and weight.Candles around the room flickered as the doors groaned and a tall butler stepped smoothly over the marble floor to the desk at the end of the room.
        "My lord Chronum, Dr. Adalbert wishes me to inform you that the crystals have been correctly uncontaminated with the right cleaner. They are ready to be used at the eclipse tonight."The old man laughed a horrible creaky laugh that shook the whole room, making half the candles go out in a puff of smoke.
        "About time, too. I had been waiting for such a long time. Go tell Dr. Adalbert to be ready for the train in a half-hour. We must transport the time crystals safely to Mount Vesuvius before 11:47 pm."The butler bowed his head and left with a swish of his silken coat.

MORE TO COME!