The Shadow Ruins

by Glen L. Hall

  It wasn’t long before Kenrick returned, carrying a tray full of sandwiches and a large pot of tea. He set everything down on a large round coffee table and sat down in a leather chair opposite Emily, who remained fast asleep.

  ‘Come along,’ he said stirring the tea and pouring everyone a cup. ‘I am so glad you have found your way to my home. I have heard a lot about you, Sam, this past year.’

  ‘Really?’ Eagan sounded irritated again.

  Kenrick sat back on his haunches. ‘Yes, Eagan, I sat with your father and mother not a week ago at the bookshop and listened to Sam’s words – and they fair turned my blood to ice.’

  Sam felt his cheeks burn a little as he sipped his tea. Alice had said the same thing. It seemed there had been more people listening to that conversation than he knew.

  Eagan scowled. ‘I just don’t understand why my father would keep such news away from me.’

  ‘Didn’t he send you to seek help from the Forest Reivers?’ Kenrick asked. ‘There isn’t one amongst us who could have found them so quickly. No one knows those rivers and valleys the way you do.’

  He patted Eagan lovingly on the arm.

  ‘And who else was listening to Sam’s words?’ asked Eagan.

  But his uncle waved his hand in the air. ‘That’s not important. What is important,’ he turned to Sam, ‘is that you are safe and sound. You are very welcome to stay here as long as you need. We’ll wait for Eagan’s father to arrive before we discuss what to do now, but before you retire to bed, do tell me a little of what has happened since you left Oxford.’

  ‘Don’t you already know Sam’s every move?!’

  ‘No, Eagan, though we have had some news from two visitors this week. Carl Lawrence—’

  ‘Professor Lawrence!’ Sam broke in excitedly. ‘He was at Cherwell College with Professor Stuckley and Professor Whitehart! He helped me to escape.’

  Kenrick smiled. ‘Ah yes, Professor Stuckley and Professor Whitehart, alias Brennus and Drust! I bet Brennus has been loving the chance to lecture on physics!’

  Sam smiled back. How long ago that seemed…

  ‘Well, as I was saying,’ Kenrick was continuing, ‘Carl called in here on his way north. I wouldn’t like to be going that way myself. Some very strange things have been happening in the borderland.’

  ‘Where was Professor Lawrence going?’ asked Sam, a little perturbed by the man’s words.

  ‘To Edinburgh. To make sure that Angus was safe.’

  Sam almost dropped his cup. ‘Angus? The Angus who was at Cherwell College with me?’

  ‘Yes, we wanted to keep you both together.’

  ‘Why would you keep us together?’

  But this time Kenrick rubbed his chin, unwilling to give a quick answer.

  ‘I’ve perhaps told you too much in my excitement.’

  ‘I wouldn’t worry. He has met Oscar in the Garden of Druids,’ Eagan yawned.

  ‘The Garden of Druids now!’ Kenrick looked at Sam. ‘Well, I am staggered. Though I admit my view of reality has been challenged this week, you must be mistaken. There has to be a different explanation. It can only have been a representation of the real place. Perhaps even a reflection.’

  ‘Why is that?’ Eagan asked.

  ‘Because there is only one way into the Darkhart and one way out.’

  ‘And the garden’s there?’ Eagan was puzzled.

  Kenrick ignored him and kept his eyes on Sam. ‘Well, that’s what Oscar said. But his fellowship never made it to the Darkhart anyway.’

  ‘Really?’ said Sam. ‘But they can’t have failed, because the Fall survived and the Shadow was locked away…’ He found his voice trailing off in confusion.

  ‘Oscar never went to rescue the Fall, but a child.’

  ‘A child?’ Sam felt himself sinking back into the couch.

  ‘Yes. Oscar kept it all very quiet, of course, but I had it from Braden’s father, and he was one of the few who came back.’

  ‘Who was the child?’ Sam could barely get the words out.

  ‘Ah, that I can’t tell you. It seems there was some confusion and I don’t know whether Oscar told anyone the full story. But I heard that it had to be brought to the Mid-land for safekeeping.’

  ‘Did they bring it to the Mid-land?’ Eagan was leaning forwards in his chair, his dark eyes fixed on his uncle.

  ‘Apparently. But I don’t know what arrangements Oscar made after that. He went back to Alnmouth and very rarely said anything to anyone about what he’d done, as far as I understand it. I think he was embarrassed because most of his fellowship perished at the Dead Water. I don’t think they exactly covered themselves in glory.’

  Sam’s mind was whirling. ‘Who knows where this child is now? It will be grown up… Who is it?’

  ‘I really can’t tell you, I’m afraid,’ Kenrick said, picking up his cup of tea.

  ‘Why didn’t Alice tell us about this?’ Sam wondered.

  Eagan shrugged. ‘Wait until my father gets here, or Brennus and Drust. If anyone knows more, they will.’

  ‘Anyway,’ said Kenrick, ‘we’re all tired and I think I’ve said enough for one night. I can only guess what trials and hardships you have faced these last few days. Now is not the time for more questions. I will show you to your rooms. A good night’s sleep will clear your minds and then we can think about what to do next.’

  It was as if Kenrick’s words had reminded Sam of just how tired he was. He found himself taking deep breaths as he got shakily to his feet. Emily was still slumped in her chair fast asleep. Sam could not wake her, so he and Eagan lifted her between them, then Sam carried her in his arms.

  Kenrick took them back through the doorway into a short corridor that led to a staircase that had perhaps seen better times. As they climbed the creaking stairs, Emily opened her eyes and gave Sam a faint smile, then she was asleep again.

  At last they came to a number of doors leading off a corridor. Kenrick opened the first one. ‘You can leave Emily here.’

  Sam walked into the room. Through the long windows he could see the darkness was quickly receding west and a deep blue sky was rushing in to fill the void. He laid Emily down on the bed, threw a cover over her and gently closed the door.

  Back in the hallway, he caught sight of Eagan scowling as he opened a door directly across the hall. Kenrick was standing there, looking at Eagan with an expression Sam could not decipher. Then Eagan closed his door with a thud and Kenrick turned back to Sam.

  ‘These are strange days for all of us,’ he said. ‘But I hope you know how glad I am that you have made it to my home. This is your room.’ He opened another door. ‘You will be safe here.’

  Sam felt his eyes growing heavy and the only reply he could offer was a nod before he too fell into bed and was quickly asleep.

  An Unexpected Visitor

  How long he had been staring at the pattern on the bedroom ceiling he couldn’t say. Light was streaming through the large window. He sat up slowly and realised every part of his body ached.

  Kenrick’s words quickly came back into his mind. He’d only just met him, but had discovered more in those few minutes than he had in the week or more of running from place to place. And the woman. The Faerie. He would not easily forget meeting her. She had filled him with joy, hope and sadness. Sadness that he had never seen her before and might never see her again. But he knew she was there, supporting him, and somehow she always had been.

  He took a deep breath and sat on the edge of the bed, looking out over the neatly manicured lawns where a sprinkler was in full flow. He couldn’t tell how long he had slept, but he knew it hadn’t been long enough. He stood, stretching and yawning at the same time, and went in search of clean clothes and a shower.

  A little while later, dressed in some rather ill-fitting clothes, he found his way out to a small pat
io area overlooking the well-tended private gardens. To one side of the lawn he saw a table with a single figure sitting reading beneath a large umbrella.

  ‘Feeling better?’ asked Emily.

  Sam took the seat across from her and looked around the empty garden. Emily was looking refreshed. Her long hair was tied up, showing off her long neck, and she was also wearing clean if slightly ill-fitting clothes.

  ‘What time is it?’ asked Sam.

  ‘It’s early afternoon. I’ve been awake for a few hours. I’ve met Eagan’s auntie, who has kindly fed and watered me. Hey, I’ve got something for you.’

  She stood up and came to sit beside Sam. Then, without saying another word, she kissed him on the lips.

  ‘A little thank-you for saving me last night.’

  She stroked his face.

  Sam flushed. He didn’t know what to say. Emily always had the knack of surprising him.

  ‘When you go to Holy Island, I want to come with you,’ she continued.

  He turned away, unable to meet her eyes. The intensity was a little too much.

  ‘I don’t understand—’

  But Emily didn’t let him finish. ‘I don’t want you getting any ideas in the middle of the night and coming to the conclusion you’re better off without me – you aren’t. You might be getting it into your head that the road ahead is too dangerous for me, and it isn’t. Eagan was right in what he said back in the boat – we’re all already part of this fellowship.’

  She kept her eyes firmly on him and the space between them was full of ribbons of sunlight that only seemed to make her beauty stand out even more.

  ‘So you must take me and Eagan with you.’

  ‘Okay, okay!’ Sam felt almost panic-stricken. She was so beautiful and so close to him. ‘Where is Eagan anyway?’ he asked hurriedly.

  ‘Where do you think? He’s gone to see whether he can recover the Celtic Flow.’

  ‘I’ve never seen anyone so upset about a boat!’

  ‘Well, that boat is special. It’s been in the family for generations. Eagan spends half his life in it. And now he’s the one who’s lost it. I suppose it’s no wonder he’s feeling terrible about it.’

  Sam sighed. ‘Where’s Kenrick?’

  ‘He said he had business to attend to in Craster.’

  ‘But his wife has food in the kitchen?’

  Emily nodded.

  ‘Right, I’m hungry. No, really I’m starving.’

  Emily laughed. ‘I’ll come with you.’

  She reached out to pick up the book she had been reading and the loose sleeve of her blouse fell back from her arm.

  ‘Emily! How did you get those cuts?’

  ‘The crow men did it.’

  ‘What?’

  Sam took hold of Emily’s arm and turned it over, examining it. ‘You didn’t feel it?’

  Emily looked irritated. ‘Not really, but they were pulling me into the water at the time, if you remember. It’s no big deal, Sam. Stop fussing.’

  ‘You should have been poisoned, just like Eagan.’

  ‘But I wasn’t.’

  Sam couldn’t take his eyes off the long livid wounds. ‘Why didn’t you mention in the boat that you were injured?’

  ‘I didn’t know I was injured until I took a shower this morning. Why are you looking at me like that?’

  ‘Aren’t you surprised that their poison hasn’t had any effect on you?’

  ‘Well, perhaps they decide who gets the poison and who doesn’t.’

  Sam shook his head. ‘I don’t know.’

  He dropped Emily’s arm. The sight of the cuts had unnerved him.

  ‘Look, let’s just go in and have some lunch. We might as well enjoy being here whilst we can. You never know when we might have to leave suddenly.’

  Emily smiled. ‘Does that mean you’re taking me with you?’

  ‘Possibly,’ answered Sam a little awkwardly.

  ‘Come on, you know we make a good team. Who knows what would have happened last night without me protecting you?!’

  Emily grinned, stood, stretched and took off across the lawn, leaving Sam running to catch up.

  * * * * * *

  After lunch, they had coffee in the private garden and then decided to go for a walk in the grounds. The hall was well known for its gardens and arboretum. Neither Eagan nor Kenrick had returned and for once there seemed to be a small oasis of calm.

  ‘Let’s make the most of the peace and quiet while we can,’ said Emily, slipping her hand into Sam’s.

  They left the private garden the way they had arrived the night before and crossed a small pasture whose grass was wild and knee-high. The sun was high in the sky, and for the first week in September, it was warm. Sam drew a deep breath and allowed himself to relax.

  They came out of the tall grass and found a small dirt track that cut the field in two. Walking north, they found the entrance to the Bog Garden, which had grass paths surrounding a central pond. To give it structure, a number of trees and shrubs had also been planted in and around it.

  As they walked, they felt the familiar buzz in their ears, the gentle ripple in a distant corner of their minds. Sam knew even before he fully surveyed the pond that it had the look of the one in Oxford. The Keepers of the Druids were connected through the emblem of Cherwell College and these garden and ponds in a way that he was only just beginning to understand.

  They passed through the Bog Garden to a long narrow lawn adjoining the Wild Garden, a little touch of wilderness in the middle of the ordered serenity. For the first time since arriving in Warkworth, for long moments they felt totally carefree. It was as if the tranquillity of the gardens could not be broken.

  When they came to the Walled Garden and found a gate there, they were no longer surprised to find the circle with the unknown tree crafted in its twisted iron. When they pushed against it, though, it was unmoving, even though there were no bolts holding it shut. They could see into the garden, and it was full of trees and shrubs, but they could not penetrate its depths.

  Instead, they turned and continued walking down the narrow lawn until they reached the end, where they sat down on a single wooden bench looking back the way they had walked. At first they did not speak. In the warm sun their hands were moist with sweat and Sam couldn’t help but feel a little flustered.

  It was Emily who broke the silence.

  ‘It’s so lovely here, but the Faerie woman said you had to go to Holy Island quickly to find this talisman. So how long are you planning on staying? Until Uncle Jarl gets here?’

  Sam shook his head. ‘Who knows when that will be? But I do want to question Kenrick a little more. He seems to be willing to tell me more than anyone else so far. Up to now I’ve just been stumbling around in the dark.’

  ‘Yes, that’s true,’ Emily replied slowly, ‘although I think people have just been trying to protect you, Sam. But what has Kenrick said so far? I don’t remember anything after we sat down by the fire.’

  Sam laughed. ‘That’s because you were asleep!’ Becoming more serious, he took his hand from Emily’s and shifted on the bench so he could look straight at her. ‘Whilst you were asleep, Kenrick told me a few things that I found hard to believe, but there is no reason not to believe him.’

  Emily was looking at him intently. ‘Like what?’

  ‘Oscar never went to rescue the Fall. By all accounts, he went to rescue a child.’

  ‘A child?’ repeated Emily.

  ‘That’s what he said. Apparently Braden’s father knew. He was with him. It’s probable that Brennus, Drust and Jarl all knew as well.’

  ‘Is that why they have been protecting you?’

  ‘I don’t know. Kenrick says he doesn’t know who the child is. They did bring it back, but Oscar was very secretive about it and I’m not sure whether
they even know where it is now. They seem to have been covering a few options. Apparently Professor Lawrence is up in Edinburgh keeping an eye on Angus.’

  ‘Angus!’ said Emily. She frowned. ‘Well, it does make sense,’ she added slowly. ‘He was the only other person with you at Cherwell College and he was attacked by crows.’

  ‘But were they attacking or protecting?’

  ‘I don’t know, Sam. But he was with us the night the Shadow first appeared, remember? At the old school house?’

  ‘I remember only too well.’ Sam grimaced.

  ‘Where is he now? Is he still in Edinburgh?’

  ‘I suppose so.’

  ‘And presumably Professor Lawrence isn’t a real professor either?’

  ‘No, I suppose not…’

  ‘So what’s the significance of this child? Why did Oscar go and get it?’

  ‘Because it had to be brought here for safekeeping.’

  Emily frowned again. ‘‘Well, somebody had better find out who it is then. Though if you ask me, I know already. Did Kenrick tell you any more about it?’

  ‘No, but he did say that Oscar had never been to the Darkhart. That his fellowship came unstuck at the Dead Water.’

  Emily leaned back on the bench and crossed her arms. ‘So Oscar doesn’t know the way to the Darkhart?’

  ‘I don’t know. That’s one of the reasons why I need to speak to him.’

  Emily sighed. ‘So let me get this straight. According to this Faerie woman, you have to gather together a fellowship because this – what is it? – First Light has to be carried into the Darkhart.’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Which will presumably stop the Shadow, or the Ruin, which sounds even worse?’

  ‘Yes, as far as I understand it.’

  ‘So you need to go to the Darkhart, which is on the other side of the Dead Water – is it?’

  Sam shrugged. ‘Oscar needed to get past the Dead Water, so yes, I suppose so.’

  ‘And Brennus and Drust have already gone to the Dead Water, and if that letter’s right, they aren’t coming back.’

  Sam shifted on the bench, looking very uncomfortable. ‘Please don’t remind me about that.’