Jack was intrigued but didn’t have time to read anymore as the sound of footsteps drew his attention. Putting the book back, Jack rounded the stairs, passed the front door and walked into the spacious and well-appointed kitchen. Lily was coming through the open door.
“Hey you’re up” she said “how are you feeling”
“Better” Jack replied with a smile “how about you?”
Lily chuckled “what you mean apart from thinking I’m insane from all that’s happened. Then yeah I couldn’t be better.” They both laughed as Jack looked past Lily and out of the door.
“Everyone’s outside” she told him “you should go out. The fresh air will do you good.”
“So I’ve been told” Jack said unconvinced.
“Well I’m just going to freshen up so I’ll see you out there.” Lily said as she headed for the stairs.
Jack gave her a cheeky look as she left. “You need any help?”
Lily smiled “very funny. I‘ll see you outside.”
“Yeah sure” Jack replied with a feeling of disappointment. He thought he’d rather read more of the book but instead made his way out of the kitchen door to join the rest of his friends.
The view outside was picturesque. Delaius didn’t have a garden instead his house sat on a hill with a wide vista of trees and fields. Not bad for a garden Jack thought.
The smell of freshly cut grass filled the air. A sea of green made the landscape with two mountains standing out in the distance under the bright blue sky. It was a beautiful day. There was hardly a cloud in the sky. The sun smiled down at them; humouring them with its warmth. Patches of trees and bushes lay scattered about the landscape and Jack couldn’t help but feel lost. About a quarter of a mile to his right was a stand of trees which looked like they should have been in an art gallery; they had clearly been pruned and trained to form a large maze. The outer trees stood at least twenty feet tall and Jack would have bet his life that it would look great from above. Muffled voices signaled that Aaron and Frankie were at the back of the house. Jack followed the house round to the left. A forest grew to within thirty metres of the house and as he made his way round to the back he realised it spread for miles. A beautiful stone bowl sat half way towards the forest edge with a statue of a woman with what appeared to be an eagle on her shoulder. She was holding a shell, water poured from it filling the basin.
Everyone was sat around a big wooden table seemingly in high spirits as they chatted, The only other object in the clearing was a large brown shed which sat at the end of the house with the first trees of the forest overhanging it. Jack could tell it had been there for a while because the paint had faded and some of wood looked rotted. A shiny padlock the size of a book kept people from getting through the stout studded door. Jack couldn’t help but notice the diamond shaped key hole. Before he had time to dwell on it, Aaron called him over.
“Here he is” he said signaling him to sit down.
Jack obliged and sat next to him, opposite Frankie and Delaius. A big jug of fresh orange juice sat in the middle of the table.
“Juice?” Delaius asked.
Delaius began pouring a glass for him and handed it to him with a grin. Jack glanced down at his clothes, smiling back he muttered “nice trick” as he took the glass from Delaius.
“Trick?” Delaius countered, though Jack knew he was aware of what he was referring to.
Jack grabbed his t-shirt, willing Delaius to explain what had happened. Delaius continued his puzzled expression “I don’t do tricks. Drink,” he insisted, “it’s good for you.”
Aaron and Frankie looked at each other, puzzled by the interchange.
Lily soon returned and it seemed Delaius had been waiting for her because once she sat down he started to speak, concentrating his attention mostly on Jack but also judging the reactions of the others as he spoke.
“Now I said I would help you deal with your wound and I am a man of my word, but it is up to you whether you want my help. It is the last day of the Fenvairie Festival today and many from all over Nanantharim attend each year. One of….”
“Nanantharim?” Lily interrupted puzzled.
“Nanantharim is the world from which I come.”
They all looked at each other unbelieving. Delaius just smiled and continued.
“Believe what you will, for now. I will be the crazy man that lives in the countryside talking rubbish, but the truth is I have a friend at this festival that can heal you Jack; she is an expert in all things medical and not just in humans. If we go, we will stay there the night and you can all see the sights and make up your minds as to whether I really am just a crazy old fool. In the morning we will return to your car and you can all go on your way.” He smiled “But of course I cannot make any of you go, so the choice is yours. If not, I can take you to your car” he focused his attention on Jack, “but you will have to keep that scar concealed, no more going out topless.” He said seriously. As he finished speaking, an agitated conversation broke out amongst the group.
“No I don’t think it’s a good idea, we don’t even know him.” Frankie was saying before turning to Delaius “no offense”
“I’m not so sure either” Aaron agreed.
“I say we do it” Lily said, “we’re still supposed to be here till tomorrow anyway and aren’t you a little curious” she said to the three of them. Frankie immediately shook her head to say she wasn’t the least curious.
“Well yeh, but…” he said thinking and turning to Delaius “how far is it?”
“It should take us no more than an hour to the festival”
“What do you think” Aaron said turning to Jack but Jack had already made his decision and told them all confidently what he planned to do.
“I’m going. If you lot don’t want to that’s fine, I’ll meet you back at the hotel tomorrow but I need to get rid of these marks.”
“Why” Frankie said.
“Because they’re not normal and they kinda hurt…” he said as if she should have known “look I’m going if you don’t want to come then that’s fine.”
“I’ll go with you” Lily said smiling at Jack who returned the smile gladly whilst Frankie sat there open mouthed.
“Lily!” she said quietly.
“What, oh come on, it’ll be exciting.”
“Count me in too then” Aaron added and Frankie realised that she had no choice; she wasn’t going back on her own.
“Fine, but you’ll take us back to the car tomorrow won’t you?” she asked Delaius.
“Of course, we will go straight there from the festival, you have my word.” He smiled “Since we are all in agreement, there’s a few things I need to do and then we’ll head off, in about an hour or so.” He finished.
Frankie gave Delaius a defeated look but feeling her belly rumble she gave in to the thought of food “I’m starving, is there anywhere around here we can get something to eat?” she asked holding her belly.
Delaius got up “I’ll fix you all something before we leave.” He smiled before leaving them to talk amongst themselves.
“I can’t believe we’re going to this Nanantharim place, it’s probably a trick and he’s luring us somewhere, urgh I can’t wait to get home, if I get home!” Frankie became animated, “Wait till everyone hears about this.”
Jack shot her a nervy look “What? You can’t tell anyone, they’ll think we’re crazy!”
“Probably” Aaron agreed, “but come on, after all that’s happened. Plus you’ve got that scar on your arm as proof and that doesn’t look like any scar I’ve ever seen.”
“That’s because I was clawed by a banshee…and so were you. If yours has healed so will mine.” he said grudgingly “plus that’s why we’re going to this place, to heal it. Listen you guys we can’t tell anyone” he pleaded.
The rest of them weren’t paying that much attention to what Jack was saying and Jack knew that they would most definitely say something, especially Frankie who seemed to tell all her
friends about everything. If you wanted someone to keep a secret Frankie was definitely not the person to tell it to. Jack spent the next few minutes concerned that if they said something they would get him killed. What if someone comes for me? He asked himself.
Delaius returned with a huge platter. “That was quick” Lily said as he placed it on the table.
Fine cut strips of lovely white roast chicken piled next to some bread rolls made Aaron’s mouth water. It smelt beautiful, fresh chicken and warm bread with the smell of warm butter. Aaron couldn’t hold back and within moments everyone but Jack was digging in. Jack however held back, still thinking about what might happen if word gets out about the weekends adventures.
“Right then give me an hour or so and we’ll head off” Delaius repeated as he left them to eat and headed for the house. Jack got up to follow.
“Where are you going?” Aaron said through a mouthful of chicken.
“I’ll be back in a minute” Jack replied rushing to Delaius’ side.
He reached him as he got round the side of the house and shouted to stop him.
“Vegetarian?” Delaius asked, believing Jack had come to complain about the food.
“No, no” Jack said “the food is fine. It’s just…” Jack paused
Delaius waited for Jack to go on.
“Well I think my friends are going to tell everyone about what happened and you said that it might put me in danger. So… well I don’t know what to do.” Jack said nervously.
Delaius smiled “I wouldn’t worry about that. I’ve still got a few tricks up my sleeve, even in my old age” he chuckled. “Now I have a lot to do. Go and join your friends and don’t worry yourself about it.” Jack didn’t know what he meant but decided to leave it for now and left Delaius to join his friends back at the table.
They finished off the chicken and speculated about the trip to Nanantharim.
“What do you think’s there”
“Werewolves? Vampires?”
“Banshees?”
“More like a shed with a family of cannibals.” Frankie said grumpily.
“Oh shut up wingeing, you don’t have to go.” Aaron told her.
“Well who’s going to keep you two out of trouble if I don’t?”
“I like it when you look after me, makes me feel like you’re actually a person” Aaron retorted.
Frankie gave him a sigh and they continued talking excitedly but, as the time passed, they were beginning to get bored and impatient and time began to drag.
Chapter seven
The Werewolf and the Vampire
The girls had told Jack earlier that Delaius had said the banshees only wander at night and that the hills and woods around the area were all protected. Jack didn’t know what that meant and he didn’t think any of the others did either but he wanted to spend some time alone with Lily if he could. After all, despite all of them experiencing the scariest moments in their lives the night before, he felt as if he and Lily were closer.
Jack would do anything to be with Lily and, considering he would now only see her in class where she was surrounded by her friends, he knew this would be the only time he’d get a chance to talk properly with her one on one.
Lily and Jack had been exchanging glances with one another since they’d been sat outside and Jack decided it was now or never. “Can we talk” he said quietly to Lily.
“Sure” she replied “what’s up?”
“Somewhere private?” he asked nervously. What if she says no he thought suddenly feeling panicky. “I mean you know…well…just…” He quickly added though his words were more mumbles than actual words but, saving him from any more embarrassment, Lily agreed “Sure, I could do with a walk” she smiled.
They both got up and headed towards the statue.
“Where are you two going” Frankie shouted feeling as though she was missing out on something. Aaron was sitting back, stuffed and looked as though he couldn’t care less.
“Just for a walk” Lily shouted.
“Well thanks for inviting us” Frankie mumbled under her breath.
“It’s ok we get to spend some quality time together” Aaron teased.
“Urgh, I don’t think so” she grimaced.
“Am I that bad” Aaron chuckled.
Lily and Jack headed off past the statue and into the forest. It wasn’t half as scary in the daylight, but this wasn’t the same place they had seen the banshee the night before. The forest was filled with the scents of spring. “So what’s up?” Lily asked, stepping over a fallen branch.
“I just thought I better make the most of the time that I’ve got to spend with you whilst we’re here” he continued unable to contain a grin. He kept looking around self-consciously as he spoke. “I mean, I know you have a boyfriend but I just enjoy spending time with you.”
“I understand Jack and I enjoy spending time with you but I am with someone” she said sincerely.
“I know, and I know you like him because you’re always talking about him but I just got the impression that you…” Jack paused too embarrassed to continue.
“And I do”
“So why...”
“Jack” she stopped him. “I’ve been with Ben for six years. I love him to bits” Jack tried saying something but Lily continued “I like you I really do. Apart from being scared to death this weekend and nearly killed” she paused as they both chuckled. “I’ve had such a good time with you.” She placed a hand on his face “and you came back for me” she said emotionally. “I wish it was different I do but I can’t do it to Ben.”
Jack felt defeated, she was right and he couldn’t argue against it. He was lost for words. She was everything he wanted. He felt so alive around her and now he‘d been told that he would never be with her. He couldn’t help but envy Ben. “I understand” he said sadly. “As long as your happy then, you know, it’s fine.” And as much as it crushed him to know she loved another, what he said he whole heartedly meant.
“I’m sorry Jack” she said with sincere sadness. Jack knew she liked him and what crushed him the most was that she was so near and yet unattainable.
“Suppose I’ll have to settle for a hug then” he said forcing a smile.
“I think I can do that” she said as they embraced. The hug lasted at least a minute before Jack heard Lily’s muffled sob in his coat.
“What’s up?” he said gently as she brought her head up, small tears tracking down her cheeks.
She didn’t say anything. Jack gave her a sympathetic smile “you’ll end up making me cry.”
He looked at her as she gave a small chuckle. “Come here” he said wiping her cheeks with small strokes of his thumb. As he wiped the last few away she grabbed his hand, moving it to her side she pushed herself towards Jack until their lips softly touched. Filled with emotions he slowly kissed her, savouring every second. One hand rested on her side the other on her head as his fingers smoothed through her hair, treating her as if she was a precious treasure. Everything seemed to stop. Sound and smell all faded as they embraced in this slow kiss. Jack didn’t want it to end and it seemed that neither did Lily. Slowly their lips parted and their eyes opened. Seconds passed as they gazed longingly into each other’s eyes. Lily slowly took a step back, her hand sliding down Jacks chest as she did so.
“I’m sorry.” Jack said as a tear dripped down her cheek.
“Don’t be” she said softly, “I’m glad, I just…I need some time.” She looked at Jack “is that ok?”
“Sure, yeah. Take all the time you need” Jack said.
He knew what he wanted her comment to mean but was unsure as to what she really thought. Jack wasn’t certain. All he knew was that in that moment he’d felt more alive than he’d ever felt.
“I suppose we’d best head back?” he told Lily, unsure as to what was the right thing to do.
“Yeh you’re probably right, they might be waiting for us,” she said as they turned to head back through the forest towards the house.
Jack knew Lily’s mind must have been flowing with thoughts and guilt as they walked back but she kept it hidden and warmed his heart by smiling at Jack every now and then, making him feel a whole lot happier but Jack’s reverie was broken by a noise coming from behind them.
“What’s that?” Lily asked looking behind her.
“I’m not sure” Jack replied but it was getting closer.
They began walking faster as the thought of the banshee filled Jack’s head. Not again! He thought, not now things are looking up. “Come on” he said and they began to run.
The noise was a lot closer now. Whatever it was it was moving with super speed through the forest, bounding off trees here and there, all that could be seen was a blurred shape and the disturbance of the trees as it sped past. As they glanced back in panic they thought they could detect something else following a few metres behind the first, almost parallel to the other moving thing. With relief, Jack and Lily ran out of the confines of the forest, relieved to see the familiar sight of the statue. Frankie and Aaron were still sitting at the table, talking. They raced forwards hoping for Delaius but he wasn’t there. “There’s something coming” Jack shouted.
“Delaius said they don’t come out in the day” Aaron panicked as he got to his feet.
Reaching the bench Jack and Lily turned and watched as whatever was in the forest slowed and their true form was visible for the first time. The first figure dived out of the forest from high in the trees, as it did it swiveled and spun through the air as if in the Olympic Games; it twisted and back-flipped to a standstill in a martial arts stance, legs bent, left arm out with its palm facing the forest and its right arm bent in towards its stomach, fist clenched. Though now it could be seen clearly it definitely wasn’t an ‘it’ but rather a woman, the red headed woman from the night before, Helena. She grinned as something big, at least eight foot in length and covered in hair, pounced out of the tree line heading directly towards her. Its eyes were dark yellow; razor sharp teeth filled its gaping jaws. It looked like a giant wolf, giant sharp claws on the end of each paw which clawed the ground as it landed in front of Helena.
The Amulets (An 'Amulets of Andarrin' tale) Page 6
