My head felt so heavy the next day, and looking around the group, I wasn’t the only one suffering. Tea was brewed and I greedily drank one after the other. We at last felt fit enough to move, and began, once again, to pack the sleighs.
Dagdar asked to speak with me in private, and we walked to a clearing away from the camp. ‘I know I was bewitched, and the terrible things I did were not in my control; but I still feel the guilt weighing heavily on my heart.’ I tried to argue with him but he begged me to listen. ‘I have thought long during the night, Abigail. I have come to a decision and I hope you will honour me in agreeing with it. I need to repent for the sake of my soul, and therefore, I would like to stay here and help these poor beings. From here I will travel through the country, giving my help wherever it is needed. This is the only way I can give back to the people I have unwittingly wronged.’
He looked so soft now, but his eyes were full of remorse. I smiled and hugged him. ‘As long as you understand, the blame belongs to Cailleach Bheur, and not to you. You are a good man, Dagdar, and this act you wish to do, shows that. I wish you luck and hope you find peace in your heart.’
He came to see us off, and we could see him standing, long after the others, until we were too far away. Our journey continued, the weather warm and sunny, and the snow dropping in depth as we travelled over it.
It was late afternoon, when the sleighs drove down my little lane, and turned the bend, to the sight of my beautiful home. As we were pulling up, the huge grey dog ran over to us, howling and crying. I stepped out of the sleigh and went over to him. I was just about to put my hand out to stroke him, when he changed in front of me.
Where the dog once stood; Seth stood in his place. After everything I had seen and been through; this revelation still shocked me. I had, not once, thought of Seth as anything but a mortal gardener; albeit one who knew of the happenings that went on in the cottage.
‘You must hurry Abigail, it’s Clax, he took ill not long after you left, and I fear he doesn’t have much time left.’ I raced into the house, my mind blurred, he had to pull through, after all this he couldn’t die now.
He was in the living room, and as soon as I saw him, I knew Seth had been right. I lifted him slightly, and sat down, so his top half of his body was in my arms.
‘Clax my dear friend, what is wrong and why didn’t you say before that you were ill?’ He spoke, quietly, but without fear; ‘Abigail, I am glad I have been able to see you again before I go.’ Tears immediately fell down my cheeks. ‘Don’t cry for me dear, I have known for a while my time was almost over, but I wanted to hang on to see you through your first battle. I am honoured to have known you, Abigail, you will be one of the greatest Intercessors in history.’ I tried to speak but it came out in little sobs; ‘I can’t manage without you Clax, but apart from that I have grown to love you, you have been the best friend I could have wished for.’
‘You will manage, my dear friend, and I will tell you now, I love you too Abigail and I wish I could have spent more time with you, but that is not my fate. Don’t weep for me, for I shall be watching over you, I would never leave you without help. You will always be in my thoughts, even in my after life. Goodbye, my dear sweet Abigail. Intercessor of the Netherworld.’
With those last words he died in my arms, and all I could do was sob. I kept my arms around him for some time and then he faded away. There was no body, nothing at all was left of my beloved Clax.
I couldn’t move, I was full of grief and I did nothing to stop the flow of tears. My friends left me to my grief, and I sat for hours as nightfall came.
I had exhausted myself, and was just about to doze off to sleep, when I heard a noise in the hallway. I listened, and it sounded like a kind of shuffling heading towards the doorway. As I stared, I saw a small head peep around the door frame. It was covered in brown hair, and the face was brown. The eyes twinkled, they seemed full of joy and mischief. ‘Who are you?’ I whispered.
‘Claxton Metterhorn the Fifth, at your service.’
But that is another story…………….
EPILOGUE
So that is how it all began.
I have had many more fights since then to keep the balance right for the sake of all worlds. I may tell you about them one day.
So what do you think? Fact or fiction? Of course I know the truth, but I would never force it on you. You must make up your own minds. Those of you who believe me however, watch out for the signs, and let it be known you would be willing to help me if I need it. Tell the trees, the word will get back to me don’t worry.
For those who don’t believe me, well I hope you enjoyed it anyway. If I do my job right, you can live in the belief that the mystical world is nothing but fantasy, and everything strange that happens, has a logical reason behind it. I hope I can continue to make that happen.
The Intercessor Page 9
