Hidden Depths

Maison du Gran Ma Ma - Continued

His hearing came back first, and by the sounds of things, Nikolai was still in character.

'But he's so young,' said the crone.

'Yes, but look how strong he is. And he's the most naturally gifted fighter she's ever seen,' a slightly clearer version of the same voice replied.

'Yes, well the dose, you need to sort out the dose. Just look at the state...Ah, I think he's waking up.'

As Rashid opened his eyes, he expected to see Nikolai snapping disturbingly between multiple personalities, but his eyes focused on an actual old woman standing over him. Nikolai was bending down next to her and reached out to help him up.

'There you are, my man, back on your feet again,' said Nikolai, back in his usual playful tone. 'I'm not surprised you made a break for it, she scares the bejeezus out of me too.'

The old lady feigned insult but only lightly tapped Nikolai's bum with her walking stick.

'No, no it's not that,' said Rashid. He wanted to avoid insulting Gran Ma Ma, but he wasn't about to admit his real reason for bolting. 'How long was I out for?'

'Just a minute,' the old lady replied.

'Have you eaten?' she asked, then turned and began leading off down the hallway. 'You must be starving let me make you something.'

Rashid began to follow and Nikolai came too, throwing his arm around his shoulders and slowing the pace to an unhurried amble.

'Food and drink are a great idea, Rich, but tonight we'll dine in more salubrious surroundings than even Gran Ma Ma's elegant abode.'

Gran Ma Ma turned right at the end of the hallway but Nikolai turned left, pulling Rashid with him. They continued down an even darker mahogany panelled corridor, leading to a couple of stout-looking doors that were standing opposite each other on either side of the path ahead.

Nikolai's hand went to his pocket and he pulled out an old-looking, long black key that Rashid assumed opened one of the two doors in front. But Nikolai brought them to a standstill a few metres short of the doors and leaned on Rashid's shoulders as he stretched his finger out to push the corner of a mahogany panel.

A small square section of the wood popped out and Nikolai flicked it so it pivoted on its tiny hinges to reveal an old keyhole.

'Care to do the honours, Rich?' Nikolai asked, handing Rash the antique looking key. The manoeuvre that followed required all of Rashid's coordination, dexterity and control, but, after a couple of failed attempts, he managed to dock the key into its hole with all the precision of a lunar landing.

He turned it anti-clockwise with a deliberate twist of the wrist and the door swung open to reveal a passage that was just tall enough for Rashid to walk through.

Nikolai ducked as he led the way into the dark corridor. Rash could just make out that it was made of large limestone bricks that appeared much older, yet much better maintained than the house that surrounded them.

A single brick protruded from the wall at shoulder height to Rashid. Upon it lay an old-fashioned candle holder, made with a metal disc to catch dripping wax and a carrying loop just big enough for a single finger. An egg-cup sized hole had been carved into the top of the brick and Nikolai plucked a match from within it, striking it with practised panache, before lighting the candle and closing the door behind them.

They made their way along the corridor that gently sloped down to an official-looking black metal door. Nikolai was supporting Rashid with one arm and holding the light with the other. When they reached the door he held the candle up to Rashid's face.