The Phenomenals: A Game of Ghouls Read Online Free PDF Page B

‘No, not a Lurid, something else. My father came home once covered with this muck. It’s called “ghouze” and it’s poisonous to eat. He told me
the creature’s name, but I can’t remember it. I’m sure I saw a picture of it in the book.’
    Folly ran her fingers through her damp blonde hair one last time, then took out Kamptulicon’s book and flicked towards the end. Here there were many pages devoted wholly to creatures of
the Supermundane, a gruesome litany of Superents.
    ‘My word, but it’s like Homer’s catalogue of ships,’ commented Citrine, and spent a few sombre seconds reminiscing about her schoolroom days. Folly pointed to an ink
drawing of what could only be described as a shapeless blob. ‘It was this one.’
    ‘It doesn’t look like it was ever a person. I always thought Superents were the shades of dead people.’
    ‘Lurids are,’ said Folly, ‘but there are plenty of other Superents that were never human. This is a Pluribus. Listen.’ She proceeded to read from the book:
    ‘“Green in colour, a Pluribus (plural Pluriba) is composed of ghouze, a semi-liquefied Supermundane substance, created from invisible atmospheric particles called minuscules (thought
to be the fifth state after solids, liquids, gases and plasma), which are attracted to each other whenever there is a disturbance of significance in the Supermundane world. Pluriba exist overground
and are generally thought to be a harbinger of disaster or a malevolent event.”’
    Vincent snorted, annoyed that he hadn’t yet had a chance to tell his story. ‘Are you sure about that? I mean, this is Quodlatin after all. It could mean anything.’
    Folly ignored the jibe, which referred to the time she had mistranslated the deceptive language. ‘It’s not
all
in Quodlatin. Some of it is quite straightforward. It’s
the secret stuff, the rituals and mysteries, that can be confusing.’
    ‘I wonder if it’s all connected to Kamptulicon summoning the Lurid,’ mused Citrine aloud, stirring the slumgullion. Folly continued to look through the book and Jonah was still
on his hands and knees by the plinth. Vincent took out the bottles of wine from his pockets and set them down rather loudly on the table. ‘Rather more appetizing than your ghoul goo,’
he said.
    Citrine was impressed. ‘They look very good.’ She noted the labels. ‘I’ve seen ones like them in my father’s cellar.’
    ‘Only the best for Leucer d’Avidus.’
    Folly closed the book. ‘Leucer? Don’t tell me you’ve been in the Governor’s Residence.’
    ‘No, at the wine merchant’s, Salmanazar’s. I’ve just had the narrowest escape ever.’
    Jonah raised a sceptical eyebrow. ‘Another one?’
    ‘Leucer and the merchant came in. I had to fight them off.’
    ‘You mean they saw you?’ Folly sounded increasingly incredulous.
    ‘I escaped just as the quake struck.’ This wasn’t exactly how it had happened, but Vincent was not going to allow Folly to spoil his moment of glory.
    ‘He’s not the only one to have had a narrow escape,’ said Citrine. Unlike Vincent, her face reddened as she told Folly about the near miss with the Urban Guardsman.
    Now Folly looked aghast. ‘Are you sure you weren’t followed? If the Urgs find us here, we’re in big trouble. And you, Vincent, you’re just reckless. You keep telling us
how skilled you are, but next time you might not be so lucky. Nine lives ’n’ all that.’
    ‘Oh, crunk,’ said Vincent rather rudely. ‘I know what I’m doing. And you all benefit from the fruits of my little escapades: lanterns, food, drink. Who put you in charge
anyway?’
    ‘We
are
grateful for the things you bring back,’ Citrine said quickly, and diplomatically, seeing the look on Folly’s face, ‘but we’re a team now –
that’s all Folly’s trying to say.’
    ‘Some team! You’re ganging up on me.’
    ‘Well, what do you expect when you say you like to work alone,’ said Folly, barely able to