Perigord

by Marc Lindsay

  “Jason, listen to me we can’t afford to be spotted.”

  “Relax, we’re too far up, nobody can possibly see us,”

  “I’m not asking, I’m telling you. Get your ass back to the car Jason.”

  “I just want to swoop over the lake. One swoop, I promise,” and without waiting for permission, Jason streaked ahead.

  “Jason!” Ulysses yelled, but it was useless.

  “Bloody kids,” Ulysses muttered and with that he took off after him.

  Jason had dived down toward the water and was gliding inches above it when Ulysses collided with him from above, their momentum propelling them into the water with a loud splash. A family that had been hiking near the lake didn’t see the two griffins, but saw the erupting water from their entry. They stopped to see what had caused the commotion. As Ulysses and Jason tumbled into the depths of Greymeade Lake, they were separated by the force of the impact. Ulysses quickly transformed, ditching the guise of the griffin and adopted a form better suited to the water. Jason flipped and spun in the dark water, his lungs bursting for air. Completely disorientated, he couldn’t work out which way it was to the surface. The wings that made him soar through the sky were now a hindrance. Panicking from the lack oxygen, Jason reverted back to his human form. The exertion of the change and his reduced lung capacity had taken its toll. His vision began to fade and just before he blacked out, he caught a glimpse of a figure darting through the water toward him, a vaguely human torso and octopus tentacles where the legs should have been.

  Ulysses grabbed the now unconscious Jason and took off toward the far bank like a torpedo. As he tore through the water he checked Jason’s pulse and was happy to find the inert figure had now grown gills that were running along his jaw line. They reached the bank but remained below the water line. Ulysses knew about the family near the lake and decided to stay low until he was sure they were gone. As he waited, Jason came to and began to thrash about in his grip.

  “Hold still, your fine,” Ulysses said gripping Jason firmly until he felt the boy relax in his grip.

  “Where are we?” Jason attempted to say, only his words were garbled by the water.

  “You only partially changed, your body went into survival mode when you passed out. Look at me and try to copy. The combination of your will and our skin touching should be enough to complete the change. Jason stared hard at Ulysses, then taking a deep breath he transformed, his body replicating the librarian right down to a cellular level.

  Jason moved the tentacles that were his legs and was amazed at what he was seeing, his eyesight clearly able to see through the murky water. Apart from Ulysses he could see everything under the lake, weeds, fish and an old car, the only thing he couldn’t see was the lakes bottom. After a moment the gravity of the situation hit Jason and he looked at Ulysses.

  “I’m so sorry Ulysses,” Jason pleaded.

  “And so you should be. You ignored my instructions and nearly revealed us both.”

  “I know.”

  “No you don’t. I brought you out so we could see the extent of your abilities without human eyes watching. But instead you disobeyed my words and consequently we were nearly discovered by a nearby family. Not to mention you nearly drowned,” Ulysses growled.

  “I don’t know what to say,”

  “How about I’ll never do that again Ulysses. From now on I’ll only do as you say Ulysses. I’m a complete turd and I’ll try harder Ulysses.” Jason looked completely ashamed.

  “You’re right there’s no excuse for my behaviour and I promise…,” Jason was cut off mid-sentence.

  “Hold it there, don’t make promises you can’t keep. Besides you’re not entirely to blame, I should have laid down some boundaries before we started. So let’s put this down to shit happens and move on,” Ulysses said.

  “Works for me,” Jason said, happy that they weren’t going to dwell on his mistake.

  “I want you to wait here while I conduct a quick recce topside, okay?” Ulysses asked. Jason nodded in agreement as his mentor departed for the surface. Ulysses returned a short time later.

  “The coast is clear, are you ready to go?”

  “I am, but I have to admit I’ve started to feel very comfortable down here under the lake,” Jason said.

  “That’s one of the benefits of who we are. Once our kind inhabit a form, the longer we remain in it, the more it feels completely natural to us.”

  “Any form?”

  “That’s right,” Ulysses replied. The pair swum to the surface then climbed onto the bank, both of them adopting their human forms. Jason was shocked to discover he was naked, then he remembered his transformation into the griffin earlier had destroyed the clothing he had worn. However Ulysses was dressed in the clothes he had worn from before. Jason attempted to cover himself, feeling completely embarrassed about his appearance.

  “How come you’re clothed?” Jason asked.

  “Well that’s because I’m wearing cloth made from unstable molecules, an item that can change into anything I want and adapt to any form I become. Otherwise, well, it would get very expensive,” Ulysses replied.

  “Handy thing to have,” Jason stated with interest.

  “I agree, in the meantime why don’t we shift and we can continue our discussion on the way back to the jeep.”

  “Any ideas?” Jason asked with a grin.

  “How about this?” Ulysses said as he fell to his knees. Hands on the ground, he turned into a dog, long limbed, lean and healthy. The dog regarded Jason as it sat on its haunches.

  “A German Short Haired Pointer. Unusual choice, but what the hey,” Jason said. Stepping forward, he touched the dog on the head, concentrated, and then transformed himself. Jason turned three times sharply, then sat down and faced Ulysses.

  “Why did you do that for?” Ulysses asked.

  “That’s what dogs do when they sit down isn’t it?”

  “Idiot. When they lay down, and not always,” Ulysses said with a sigh as he stood up and began to walk off toward an open trail. Jason let out a bark and chased after him.

  The two dogs trotted down the trail, the padding of their paws breaking the silence in the forest.

  “So why a dog? Why not a wolf, or a werewolf, that would be cool!” Jason said.

  “Kids,” Ulysses said shaking his head. “Something like a dog isn’t going to be noticed by other people, not to mention leaving behind unusual paw prints will raise suspicion. Besides, you’re still receiving essential training.”

  “Am I?” Jason asked.

  “Too right you are. Concentrate and smell your surroundings,” Ulysses instructed. Jason inhaled deeply then sneezed suddenly. After shaking his head he tried again and was amazed at what he could smell.

  “Oh my god, is this for real.”

  “Tell me Jason, tell me what you smell?”

  “I can smell everything, birds, animals, you,” Jason laughed. “I can even smell the water.”

  “Good now do the same with your hearing,” Ulysses replied. Jason closed his eyes and let the surrounding sound wash over him. He turned his head from side, to side picking up the chirping of a bird, a climbing squirrel, the wind rustling through the leaves.

  “Impressive isn’t it? Something as simple as a dog can have abilities and uses other animals or creatures can’t. This guise you’re wearing can do things brute strength and ferocity can’t,” Ulysses said. Jason was silent as he pondered this.

  “Imagine an ant the size of a human and you would have a being that could lift five tonne, be able to run 70 miles per hour and smell food from miles away. Now that’s what I call impressive,” Ulysses added.

  “Why is the transformation easier when we touch something we want to change into?” Jason asked.

  “Good question. Now you’re starting to think. That touch gives us access to it on a molecular level. Without it we’re just guessing.”

  “But I was able to turn into a griffin,” Jason replied.

&nbs
p; “No not really, you became your idea of what a griffin is but not the real thing,” Ulysses said. Jason looked a little dejected and confused.

  “I don’t think I understand,” he said.

  “Imagine a simple scenery, then take a dozen artists and tell them to each paint the same scene. Do you think you would have twelve identical paintings?”

  “No of course not, each painting would be subject to the artists own interpretation.”

  “And it’s no different with us. Without the physical touch of what we want to become, we have to improvise. However…”

  “However what?” Jason asked.

  “However once you have an intimate knowledge of a subject its then with you forever. Our people call it cataloguing,” Ulysses said with what Jason thought was a grin.

  “So whenever I want I can become this form now?”

  “Correct.”

  “That’s pretty bloody cool.”

  “Whenever you have the opportunity, practice and learn your body’s abilities.”

  “Will do. Hey Ulysses, let’s see who’s faster,” Jason replied as he waited for a response from his mentor, only to be pushed aside as the older man charged past him and bounded up the trail.

  “Last one back buys the coffees” Ulysses barked.

  “You’re going to need that head start old man,” Jason replied as he took off in pursuit.

  Ulysses had reverted back to his human appearance and was leaning against the bonnet of the jeep when Jason finally made his way into the clearing. He was panting heavily as he trotted over and around the other side of the jeep changing back to his regular form.

  “You wouldn’t have a towel or something I could cover up with?” Jason asked.

  “As a matter of fact I have just the thing you need,” Ulysses replied and produced a small bundle wrapped in plain brown paper. Jason took it with a nod of thanks and unwrapped its contents. Inside he found a grey pair of coveralls. He looked slightly disappointed at his discovery, which was painfully obvious to Ulysses.

  “Gee thanks, you shouldn’t have,” Jason said.

  “You’re welcome, try it on,” Ulysses replied with an enthusiasm the boy couldn’t understand. However he thought to himself it was better than riding back into town stark naked and at least his mentor had the foresight to bring something in the first place. He dressed quickly, donning the coveralls behind the jeep. Once dressed he walked around to Ulysses. Jason’s outfit was a little baggy and covered him from the neck to his feet, and as he zipped up the front the most amazing thing happened. The coverall started to tighten around his body, conforming to his length and girth until it fit snugly. On inspection, Jason could see no loose areas of material.

  “It feels so comfortable,” Jason marvelled.

  “It gets better. Try to imagine something you would like to wear.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes really. Concentrate, picture the clothing in your head.”

  Jason thought for a moment then his face lit up.

  “I’ve got it.” Suddenly the cloth started to change colour and shape, conforming to the idea in his head. One minute he was wearing the tight grey jumpsuit and the next he was wearing a black tuxedo and matching dress shoes. Jason attempted to adopt a sophisticated pose against the jeep.

  “The name’s Page, Jason Page,” he said with a poor Scottish accent. Ulysses shook his head in confusion.

  “I don’t get it.”

  “You know, like the secret agent?” Jason threw his hands up in disgust. “Bloody hopeless,” he added. Jason’s tuxedo melted away and was replaced with camouflaged pants singlet and combat boots. He immediately flexed his muscles.

  “I’ll be back,” Jason drawled.

  “I get it you’re Clint Eastwood,” Ulysses said, evidently proud of deduction.

  “It’s Schwarzenegger. How the hell did you get Eastwood?” Jason said disgusted.

  “Give me a break, they’re very similar.”

  “Similar? One’s got huge muscles and speaks with an Austrian accent and the other is a lean, tough guy with a gravelly voice. What’s the point?” Jason said shaking his head.

  “Well apart from my massive faux pas concerning two famous sporting heroes, how do you like the gift?” Ulysses asked. Jason let out a sigh concerning Ulysses comment and decided to let it go.

  “It’s fantastic. It doesn’t even feel heavy. Wait a minute, did you say gift? You mean it’s mine to keep?” Jason asked stunned.

  “That’s what a gift usually means and I take your reaction for happiness and gratitude.”

  “Yes, yes, thank you Ulysses, this is amazing.”

  “You’ll never have to remove it ever again. The clothing does not require washing and neither will you as it consumes the waste and bacteria from your body,” Ulysses stated, Jason looked a little nervous at this comment, which his mentor picked up on.

  “However if you so desire, the clothing will retract in on itself to the size of an atom so that it’s completely invisible to you and anyone else, awaiting for you to summon it,” Ulysses instructed. Jason looked suitably impressed as his clothing changed into jeans hoodie and sneakers. He rubbed his hand along the fabric.

  “It feels like the real thing.”

  “It is, no one on earth would ever know the difference. Let’s head back,” Ulysses said. The pair climbed into the jeep and departed for the library.

  Chapter 25

  They arrived back at the library on dusk and found Ms Jax and Selene drinking tea in the staff lounge. Much to their surprise they were laughing and appeared to be getting along quite well. They stopped when Jason and Ulysses entered the room.

  “What are you two talking about?” Jason asked suspiciously. Ms Jax and Selene gave each other a knowing glance as they sipped their tea.

  “Oh you know, girl stuff,” Selene answered and Ms Jax let out a little giggle, much to the surprise of everyone in the room.

  “Okay. I think you two better get home, it’s getting late,” Ulysses said.

  “Yeah, I won’t argue, I’m buggered,” Jason agreed.

  They walked slowly home through the park. Jason regaled Selene with what had happened in the forest and how Ulysses had shared information on his ancestry, abilities and his new clothes.

  “New clothes?” Selene said eyebrows raised. “That’s, um, nice.”

  “Try not to be too condescending will you?” Jason replied with a smirk. “They’re special.”

  “I can see that, “Selene giggled. Without trying to explain it further, Jason thought for a second. Smiling, his clothes melted and reformed into a complete set of samurai armour. The whole transformation took seconds. Selene’s jaw dropped open as she stared gobsmacked at his newly acquired outfit. After a few moments of silence she reached out and tapped his shoulder with her fist and felt the hard steel plates through the soft silk.

  “That’s freaking awesome!” Selene squealed as she jumped on the spot and clapped her hands together. This brought a huge smile to Jason’s face.

  “I wasn’t sure I could do it, but there you go, pretty impressive, isn’t it?”

  “I’ll say, what else can you make it do?”

  “How about this?” Jason said and the armour melted away, replaced with a batman costume. He placed his hands on his hips, threw his shoulder forward and raised his head.

  “I’m Batman!”

  “Corny, but cool.”

  Without waiting for further prompting, he changed his clothing again. This time he stood before her dressed like the lead guitarist from KISS. Jason started to play air guitar in imitation.

  “You have no shame,” Selene laughed.

  “No shame, hey?” Jason muttered with a sly grin. This time the clothes changed into a revealing Tarzan style loin cloth. Selene blushed a little as her eyes roamed his muscular body. Jason was unaware of her heated stare and started to thump his chest, letting out the trademark lord of the ape’s call, which echoed in the abandoned park.


  “Keep it down, idiot!” a distant voice yelled back. This made Jason blush and he quickly changed back to his hoodie and jeans.

  “Since you’re finished with your impromptu catwalk romp, maybe we should get going,” Selene said wistfully.

  “I think that’s a good idea,” Jason replied, still a little red in the face.

  Jason stopped outside Selene’s house and leaned against the gate.

  “Do you think Ulysses could get me one of those?” Selene asked hopefully.

  “I don’t see why not, you’re part of the team too,” Jason replied.

  “Hey, don’t forget we have to be at school early tomorrow,” Selene said. Jason raised an eyebrow.

  “Did you forget about the school excursion to the Black River Brewery?”

  “Um, yeah kinda.”

  “I suppose with everything that’s been going on in your life lately. You’re to be forgiven with these momentary lapses” Selene said.

  “Why are we going to a brewery anyway? Doesn’t that just promote teenage drinking?” Jason asked.

  “I suppose, but one in four adults work there and the town itself depends on its success. Not to mention the brewery pumps a lot of money back into the school. Well I guess you can see where I’m coming from.”

  “Yeah, I am kinda interested to see the inside, might be fun.”

  “That’s the spirit. We’ll make a yokel out of you yet,” Selene said as she unlocked the front door. “Goodnight Jason.”

  “Night Selene, I’ll see you tomorrow,” Jason replied as he walked off into the night.

  Chapter 26

  Helen awoke the following morning to find Jason entering her room with a tray bearing freshly brewed coffee, toast and marmalade. She sat up and gave him a warm smile as he placed the tray on her lap.

  “I’m pretty sure it’s not my birthday and Mother’s day has been and gone, so what’s the occasion?” Helen asked suspiciously.

  “Hey, am I that much of a butthead that when I do something nice there’s an angle?”

  “Well,” Helen replied. Jason pretended mock hurt.

  “I’m kidding!”