As they made their way out of the woods, Jack quizzed the girls about Helena but they were as puzzled as he was. Jack didn’t dwell on it though as she had told them that Aaron was ok. He didn’t know how but considering she saved their lives he was willing to trust her.
The air was cold. It looked as though smoke was shooting from their mouths at every breath. Although the rain had stopped and the wind was nothing more than a whimper, Jack felt cold. He felt his heart rate beat faster than it had when he was running. He stopped and leant on a tree to try and catch his breath. Lily turned to find out the reason for the delay.
“What’s the matter” she said softly.
Jack felt bad. His stomach was in his chest. Everything was spinning and to top it off he couldn’t force out a full breath. “I don’t…I don’t know it’s…” Jack clutched his arm as he fell to his knees.
“Jack” Frankie said coming to a stop with Helena.
“What’s wrong with him?” Lily cried.
Helena rushed to Jacks side. Searching for the source of his pain she soon found the wound on his arm and shoulder where he’d been struck earlier. “We need to hurry” she said, a look of real concern on her face.
“What’s wrong with him?” Lily cried again
“He’s been struck by a banshee. The poison is spreading and if we don’t get him help he’ll die. So come on. And hurry” her tone was a lot more urgent now.
The girls helped Jack up; Lily on one side and Frankie on the other. Jacks eyes were blurring and his body was shaking. Sweat poured from his body.
“This way, Come on” Helena said changing direction in the woods.
Within minutes they were back on the road and rushing uphill. Jack looked up and saw two figures knelt next to a body before his head dropped back down. He had no control over himself. All he could feel was sickness. Suddenly his veins began to pulse.
“Helena?” Lily screamed.
Helena took one look and hurried them forward.
“Come on there’s no time”.
Half a minute later Jack felt himself hit the floor. Bodies were bent over him but whose he did not know, his eyes could barely stay open and the pain in his body was excruciating. All he could hear was voices.
“He’s been infected” he heard one saying.
“Give me the vial” a man’s voice said.
“Help him!” he heard Lily cry.
“Aaron?” Frankie said kneeling down next to Aaron.
All he could hear after that was muffled voices as everything became numb. The world seemed to be spinning out of control and he was in the center of it. He felt a sudden burn in his arm but couldn’t control the pain. Everything after that was a blur for Jack. Every now and then his eyes flickered open to see passing trees, leaves and clouds. Soon after, he fell unconscious.
Chapter six
Unexpected Truths
Jack awoke to the warmth and comfort of a soft bed. He twisted and groaned as his eyes came to life. A sudden feeling of relief swept over him as he mentally filed his recent memories as a vivid and distressing nightmare. Sitting up, he was thinking about breakfast when he looked down to see he was wearing plain black pajamas, pajamas which he didn’t own and hadn’t seen before. Feeling confused he looked around the room. It was a sparsely furnished room; pushed against a wall at the end of the bed was a pine wardrobe, beside hung a painting of a woman and a man. Staring at the painting, Jack thought she looked in her thirties and she was stunningly beautiful with long brown hair and there was something about her face, a kindness to it. Looking at the woman’s face in the picture, Jack couldn’t help but feel he’d seen her before but he couldn’t place her face. Next to her stood a man; Jack could not remember seeing either of these people in his life; even though the female looked familiar he definitely didn’t know them. Who were they?
A wooden chair was placed next to the bed in front of a pine table on which sat a small bowl half full of clear water, a face cloth soaking in it. As Jack looked past the table to the closed door he felt a sudden pain in his arm. Groaning, he slowly took the pajama top off. Three long scars running across his shoulder and the top of his arm told him that it hadn’t been a nightmare, instantly making him recall the figure from the woods. A chill ran through him as he clutched his arm. Although looking as if they were healing, the scars throbbed and were hot to touch.
A creaking sound came repeatedly from outside the door, like something rolling back and forth on a creaky floor. Then footsteps could be heard, several sets Jack guessed. He stiffened with fear but his anxiety was replaced by relief when he heard the familiar voices of Lily and Frankie.
“Can we go in?” he heard Lily ask.
“Sure but don’t wake him if he’s asleep” a man said firmly “he needs his rest.”
The door opened and Lily, Frankie and Aaron came in wearing the same clothes as the night before. However Aaron’s top at the front was torn and bloodied.
“You’re awake!” Lily said with an excited smile as she sat on the bed.
“Aaron?” Jack exclaimed, surprised, “how?”
“I don’t know, I woke up this morning and I was fine. Look.” he lifted his tattered t-shirt up and revealed his chest which showed no sign of the previous night’s wounds.
“There‘s no marks” Jack gasped, shock in his voice “but how?”
Aaron looked as shocked as Jack. “I don’t know but I feel great”
“Ah you’re awake then” a man said walking through the door behind Frankie and Aaron.
Jack looked at him and noticed it was the man in the picture. He looked well-built and was wearing a long brown overcoat underneath which he had a brown ragged shirt. Jack couldn’t help but notice that instead of buttons it seemed to be laced. His pants were a darker brown, though had the same well-worn look as the shirt. The man’s face was similar to his style. He was no longer the man in the picture, young and handsome, but more ragged and careworn. He seemed in his late fifties and he looked like he’d seen his fair share of misfortune. His eyes were brown and his nose sharp. He had a small vivid scar on the top of his lip on the left, partly concealed by a short black unkempt beard that, like his long tousled shoulder length hair, was going grey in parts. The man grabbed the wooden chair and sat by the bed.
“Who are you” Jack said clutching his arm as another spasm of pain made him grit his teeth.
“My name is Delaius” The man moved his arm towards Jack’s. “May I?” he asked lightly.
His voice was that of a well-spoken Irish man. His English was clear and his voice was confident. Jack didn’t resist and Delaius examined his arm, patting it with the wet cloth.
“Seems like it’s almost healed up” he said as he wrung the cloth out. “Those banshees have a lot to answer for.”
“Banshees?” Jack asked.
“Yes banshees.” Delaius said angrily “But I wouldn’t be concerned about them anymore.”
Jack look stunned. “You know about them?”
Putting the cloth back in the bowl the man gave Jack a concerned look. “Yes I know about them and it’s troubling that they’d reveal themselves to you given the fact you’re normal people.”
“Normal people?” Jack reiterated.
“We are from two different worlds you and I. By that I mean there are things in my world which you couldn’t imagine. Like you, we are born, love, grow old and die but the lives we live are very different.”
Jack looked at his friends who were listening intently, though they wore the same confused expression as Jack. Delaius continued.
“The stories you hear about the unnatural, such as werewolves, vampires, ghosts and wizards, these stories all come from somewhere.”
“So that other thing was a werewolf?” Jack asked eagerly.
“Yes” Delaius replied. “The stories you hear are exaggerations of encounters that people have had. Do you get my meaning?”
Lily looked excited though Frankie wasn’t as convinced. “You can�
�t expect us to believe this?” she said.
Delaius looked stunned. “You’ve seen them for yourselves have you not? The banshee, the werewolf. You four have all seen them and yet you refuse to believe it?”
“Ok so say you’re telling the truth. What are you then?” Aaron quizzed.
Delaius stood up and began walking to the door. “I’ll return shortly to check on you. Your wound should heal though you will have a scar.” Jack stopped him before he could leave.
“Aaron doesn’t have a scar and his was a lot worse than mine?”
Delaius seemed concerned; ignoring the question he muttered “get some rest.”
Lily looked puzzled. “That’s it? You can’t just tell us all that and then leave.”
Delaius left with a smile.
You don’t actually believe him do you?” Frankie muttered
“Well there was that thing, that banshee or whatever he called it.” Aaron argued.
Lily looked at Jack, “what about that thing you saw?” she asked.
Jack sat back “It was…it could have been an animal. I mean it was dark.” Jack said trying to convince himself that the whole thing was natural. Lily wasn’t having it.
“No way, from that banshee with flying creatures coming from it to massive wolves, you have to admit that Delaius might be telling the truth. I mean why would he lie?”
“He might be joking with us?” Frankie said with a hint of hope in her voice.
“I don’t know.” Jack replied with a sigh of defeat. His arm was still hurting and all the talk of fantasy was giving him a headache. “Where are we anyway?” he grimaced.
Aaron responded first telling him they were at Delaius’ house and then he went on to tell him that they had been sat waiting for him to wake up all morning.
“Honestly mate we didn’t know if you were gonna make it. Lily’s been worried sick.” Aaron said with a cheeky grin washing over his face.
Lily seemed embarrassed “oh shut up” she said as she elbowed Aaron in the stomach.
Jack smiled before turning to Aaron. “How come you’re ok and I’ve got a scar. No offence mate, but you were a lot worse than me.” Jack said grudgingly “What did he do to you?”
“Don’t have a clue,” Aaron replied, “like I said I was out cold and when I woke up I felt fine.”
Ignoring the conversation Frankie jumped in “do you think we can trust him?”
“He saved our lives I think if he wanted to kill us he would have left us there” Aaron told her.
Jack couldn’t get his head around Aaron’s lack of scars as they started to relive what had happened the night before.
They had been sat talking for a while and it was early afternoon. Aaron sat on the chair with his feet on the bed where the girls had taken residence at one end. They all stopped talking when they heard a knock on the door.
“Don’t worry its only me” Delaius said as he walked through the door “you all still shaken up then eh?” He said with a smile. “How is it” he said as he examined Jack’s arm.
“It’s ok I think” Jack said with a slight grimace.
Delaius looked at the rest of the group; “Can you give us a minute?” he said to the other three.
Lily looked at Jack who nodded. They all left the room. Jack looked puzzled.
Delaius waited until their footsteps faded before he spoke. “There’s something strange about you” he said with an inquisitive look “are you sure it’s alright?” he asked.
Looking into his eyes, Jack knew he wouldn’t be able to lie to him but then he had no reason to.
“Yeah I get small pains every now and then but otherwise its fine.”
“And the movement?”
Jack moved his arm around, twisting it and rolling his hand. “Feels ok” he replied.
Delaius smiled “well that’s good news. Thankfully it’s no longer infected so you’ll be fine.” he gave him a concerned look “Though I would recommend you stay the night just to be sure”
Jack sat up as if forgetting something “I don’t think that’s a good idea I mean we should be getting back”
“Well if you want to go I can’t stop you but please think about staying. I want to be sure it’s ok before I let you go.” Delaius stood up to leave.
“Wait!” Jack said, louder than he’d intended. Delaius turned back to Jack. “Jack I know what you want to know but I don’t have the answer.”
“Why Aaron hasn’t got scars where he was hit?” Jack said as if that was the question.
“No Jack.” he said with a hint of shock “why you have.”
“What do you mean?”
Delaius sat back down. “What I mean is that I possess the skill to heal a person depending on the context of the wound and what caused it. A banshee strike, as rare as they are, is easily healed leaving no scars at all if you know how to do it and reach the victim in time. However you seem to be…” he paused searching for the right words “resistant to spells.” he finished.
Jacks eyes lit up “Spells?” Jack smiled “So you’re a wizard then.”
Delaius looked as if he was thinking for the right words before he spoke “I possess relatively similar skills to those you may believe practiced by a wizard, though mine and your understanding of a wizard may be different. However I haven’t been called a wizard for a long time.” he said smiling “Though that’s a conversation for another time.”
“Ok, so say I believe you, what exactly is it you mean when you say I’m resistant to spells?” Jack asked.
Delaius smiled “It’s exactly how I said it. Look at it like this, I could put a spell on your friends and have them do anything I want, but if I were to try it on you it would be useless.” Delaius said matter-of-factly. “However, just because you are immune does not mean you cannot be harmed by a spell. It is still a force impacting your body and so you may still be hurt by one or worse…”
“No I get that.” he answered “but why don’t spells work on me?”
Delaius shook his head “That is something I’ve been wondering myself, but I can’t seem to conclude an answer. Don’t you see I have never heard of anyone like you?” Delaius said, awe in his voice, “nor do I expect that there will ever be another.” he finished sadly.
Jack looked puzzled. “So, are you saying that I can do magic?” Jack asked a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
“Unlikely. If a spell cannot harm you it is highly doubtful that you would be able to use one.” Delaius said sternly.
“Well I suppose it was worth a try” Jack said disappointedly.
“Jack you’re a normal person with normal problems, the only difference is that you have a rare gift. Why isn’t clear, but it’s one you have no need for nor need you worry yourself about it.”
“So what do I do now then?”
“Nothing, you go on with your life as normal, act as if nothing has changed and above all don’t tell anyone.”
“How come?” Jack asked
Delaius shot him a serious look “Jack, what you have is a gift but also a curse. If word gets out about your attribute then you would attract attention from those who would see you as a threat. That is why the banshees attacked you.” he said sternly.
“The banshees attacked me for that?” Jack asked surprised.
“Not for it but because of it. They sensed you were dangerous and so attacked.”
A sudden fear came over Jack. “What so I’m in danger now?”
“No Jack but you must keep it to yourself. Tell no-one of this gift” Delaius said “even your friends mustn’t know.” He looked at Jack awaiting a response.
Jack thought about it for a second and then agreed. “But what if someone comes after me? Or a banshee…”
“As long as you tell no-one then no-one will and banshees don’t go into built up places like towns and cities, they mainly dwell in woods, so it’s probably best you stay out of any large woods. Only you and I know of this and I will keep your secret.”
Jack nodd
ed in agreement as Delaius got up. “Come on, you could use some fresh air” Delaius said cheerily “the weathers nice outside and Helena and William are due back soon.” Delaius rolled his eyes. “I’ll introduce you if you like, though you’ll have to watch William. He tends to have a temper.” Delaius smiled.
Jack still felt perplexed but with the weekend he was having he wasn’t surprised. “I’ll be down in a minute. Just need to put something else on” he said looking at the pajamas he was wearing. “Hey Delaius” he said as Delaius turned to face him at the door. “How about a little magic, show you’re legitimate eh?” he said grinning.
Delaius chuckled and left the room. As Jack heard him get to the stairs he watched as the door shut by itself. He heard Delaius shouting from halfway down the stairs. “How’s that?”
Jack didn’t look amazed “pretty poor to be honest.” he said with a grin “could have been the wind.” he muttered.
He heard Delaius chuckle down the stairs. He looked in the wardrobe for his clothes, but they were nowhere to be found. Looking behind him he saw them folded neatly on the bed.
“No way” Jack said aloud in amazement. Smiling, he dressed and headed out of the door and made his way downstairs.
The living room sat through an open arch on the right of the stairs. Jack glanced in but it was darkened with heavy curtains shutting out the daylight. The massive area of the hallway could have been used as another living room; instead it seemed to be a small library. At the far end of it were dozens of shelves filled with books. There must have been hundreds. As Jack scanned through them, one book caught his attention as it hadn’t been put back properly. Picking it up he read “A History of Order: 15th - 20th Century edition 3 by Nelly Wanwacker.” Jack opened the book and began reading bits from the introduction.
“This book tells the story of how order was kept in the 15th century up until the start of the 21st century.” Jack saw a highlighted circle with red writing that almost jumped off the page at the reader “also includes the rebuilding of the council and how order was re-established after the recent Redmond rebellions.”
The Amulets (An 'Amulets of Andarrin' tale) Page 5
