My home was certainly the first port of call. It was without question I needed to see my grandfather. One benefit I had was that I could conceal my wings by retracting them; I didn’t want to startle Egbert.
After a day with my old friends, my power had fully healed Thea. I opened a ley-line to home. Bjorn had joined the Hare’s to say farewell, but it wouldn’t have been forever. I was their watcher and protector.
We stepped inside and returned to Roan Hall.
Chapter Eighteen - Forever Young
We held hands and walked the full length of my driveway. It was a warm summers day. Sammy, Mollie and the pups came to greet us with their tongues wagging uncontrollably. They were a bit standoffish at first, which was unusual. The dogs could sense a change as well.
I knelt down and lifted my hand up for Sam to smell. He timidly accepted my gesture and smelt my skin. His eyes lit up and the silly dog licked my face in recognition.
“Hello old chap, where’s Grandpa?”
Sammy led us to the manner. On arrival, the front door slightly creaked open and Mr Turnside appeared. “Can I help you?”
“Certainly Sir, I’m here to see my grandfather…” I replied.
My old servant rubbed his spectacles and gave me another look; “Master Lucius? Is that you?”
“Hello, Arthur.”
“Your back! Your both back! Thea!” squeaked Mr Turnside. “Mary! Mary! Look who’s here!”
Mrs Turnside came at once. “What’s all the yelling about? Old fool!”
She stopped dead in her tracks and dropped a vase on the floor. Mrs Turnside grabbed us both in a tight huddle and gave us a squeeze. “I can’t believe it!”
I’d never seen the two so joyous to see me, I wasn’t the easiest to raise, as you may know.
“You look different Lucius. I think the sun has caught you,” observed Mrs Turnside. “And Thea you’re looking too skinny lass!”
“It was a hard journey Mary, but we were okay,” said Thea.
The two servants gestured for us to come in. We had no baggage for our rooms, so Mr Turnside had taken our coats.
The house looked old in comparison to our last visit. Having the animals live in the Manner over Christmas would’ve set them back on their duties. We were away for seven months since we left for Lithillion in the Celestial’s world, but to me, it felt like years.
“Where is Grandpa?” I asked.
It turned out his new love of automobiles had subsided for the summer and he was back doing what he truly loved, but there was some bad news. He had become forgetful and uneasy on his legs. Hamish was permanently by his side and acted as Egbert’s ward. The Turnside’s were living in the house full-time, which made me happy.
Thea stayed at home, whilst I ventured down the little hill where the orphanage Headmaster was tripped by Idle and Kara; although, that memory was now obsolete due to the Timekeeper’s efficiency towards deleting anomalies in time. I thought of Iobar and his heroic ability to shapeshift; I owed a lot to that little timekeeper.
Hamish the guard dog slept as usual and snuggled in the warmth of the sun. I stopped and gave him a hug. His doghouse had gone, which meant he lived inside the house at night.
The door to the wall-garden awaited. I had a flashback of my younger hand turning the handle before going in.
Grandpa had filled the garden with the most exotic flowers I’d ever seen. The colour matched the meadows in Eve. Egbert had his back to me and seemed to be planting a new flower with the utmost care.
“Not too deep now,” I jested.
He stood up and replied, “Hello my boy. Are you going to help?”
I’d expected him to say welcome back but from the look he gave me, he didn’t realise I had gone anywhere. So, I replied: “Of course, I will. Can’t keep me away from one of my favourite past-times.”
“Pick up a trowel and let’s get digging!”
After planting a few more beautiful flowers we sat on the stone garden bench. He looked happy and at ease. “Wonderful, isn’t it?”
“You’ve outdone yourself this time.”
“Yes – yes.”
We sat in silence for a bit soaking up the sun, but it was too quiet.
“Grandpa, I’ve been away.”
“Have you? Course you have, how was it?” he asked.
There wasn’t any recognition of when I left Portsmouth harbour on a military boat. He didn’t know what happened prior, and in a way, I thought it was best. He was still there, his charm and friendly nature. I slightly envied him at that moment. I sometimes wished to forget most of my adventure, but I had an important decision to make and I was lost.
“Shall we go back, Lucius? It’s getting a bit nippy out here,” gestured Egbert and I obliged.
Hamish escorted us to the house, and we found ourselves in the kitchen were Mrs Turnside prepared a delicious meal. Luckily, my Grandpa recognised Thea. “I would never forget such a lovely face,” he smiled.
That night, my family enjoyed a tremendous Domhill meal and the traditional game of draughts; to my surprise, I’d lost three games to Egbert.
We slept soundly amongst the comfort of our home. I had the dogs on the bottom of my bed; twitching and snoring. The canine ruckus didn’t disturb Thea, she was a heavy sleeper.
In the morning, I rose early to catch the sunrise on a hill near Fairfax farm; the Lillyford’s were hard at work and seemed content. Luckily, they’d forgotten the attack of the Vampire of Maylok. I presumed the earth’s timekeeper had some involvement. Kara was with them busying in a pea field and her brother Idle was back from the war. I made sure he was safely returned to his family; one perk of being a Celestial, but the important question towards my godly duties prayed heavily on my mind. It was a power I couldn’t take for granted and I had an obligation. The two Celestials had left a gap in the world and I had to fill it.
A shadow appeared next to mine. Thea had been looking for me all morning.
“You okay?” she asked.
“Just stretching my wings,” I replied.
She looked at my back: “Figuratively?”
We shared a chuckle before she rested her head on my shoulder. That sequence gave me the same comfort I’d felt in the carriage with my parents.
“You look troubled,” said Thea.
“I am.”
She kissed me: “How about now?”
It was her lips that swayed me. At that moment I’d decided to stay and live as a human; with a watchful eye. I hoped for a normal life despite being forever young. I would stay with Thea until death takes her. As I write these final words, I can tell you that our lives have never been more perfect and the world’s rest in tranquillity.
The end
About the author:
Robert Ian Wilson was born in the summer of 1988 at Leeds St James's Hospital, West Yorkshire, England. He currently resides in the Wolds of Lincolnshire, studying at the Open University and working towards a degree in Creative Writing. Growing up in an artistic family and being an avid film enthusiast, greatly influenced the development of his craft. His works include the dark fantasy series, The World Trilogy. The titles Egbert's World and Lucius's World were well received within the science fiction and fantasy community.
www.robertianwilson.wix.com/author
Books In This Series
The World Trilogy
Egbert's World
An old prophecy foretold of a knight who will save two worlds from horror. Set in the early 20th century, a boy named Lucius Domhill tells his tale of his great adventure into the world of Eve. This is where he must find his missing Grandfather, Egbert, and his dog, Sammy; who had mysteriously disappeared in a blinding light. With a long journey ahead, he must face off against an ancient Evil that manipulates and devours the realms of Eve, to reach its own personal goals.
Lucius's World
The door to Eve is closed and the balance of all worlds is in turmoil. A journal is found, containing a map to humanities salvation. With t
he help of a time traveller, Lieutenant Lucius Domhill must correct the chaos by retrieving the Key to Eve; but he's pursued by a relentless servant, of the dark.
Celestial's World Page 10
