The Dark Age

by Traci Harding

  ‘Well, to tell you the truth, Naomi and I haven’t been spending as much time at the dig of late,’ Brian was pleased to say. ‘And Thurlow travels a lot, he never seems to be there. Look, if he bothers you so much, you could always take Teo with you,’ he suggested, tongue in cheek.

  ‘Yes, I can just imagine how they would take to each other.’

  ‘I don’t see what you’re so worried about, if Thurlow gets out of line just hit him.’ Brian dangled his car keys before her eyes, and Tory grabbed hold of them to stop the annoying noise he was making. ‘So why are you going up there, anyhow?’

  ‘I just want to have a look around. I’ll let you know if I discover anything of interest.’

  Tory reached Llyn Cerrig Bach that afternoon. There was very little resemblance between the valley she drove through and the one she remembered, and although the road to the dig ran the same course as the old dirt track, much of the fairy wood had unfortunately disappeared.

  She was pleased Maelgwn hadn’t visited Gwynedd during his stay; she had taken a detour to see the remains of the citadel at Degannwy and found nothing but the mound on which it had been built. Where the great house at Aberffraw had once stood on Anglesey, as home to the Kings of Gwynedd for generations, there was but one small cottage on a vast expanse of land overlooking the ocean. To see both his estates completely obliterated would surely have rattled Maelgwn — it bothered her and she’d fully expected to find them thus.

  Miles had been impatiently awaiting Tory’s arrival all day. This wasn’t at all like him, as he was usually too absorbed in what had been going on in the world centuries ago to worry about anybody or anything in the present. Yet today he had the concentration span of a two year old. He couldn’t stop his attention from drifting to the entrance to the carpark, all the while praying that Tory hadn’t changed her mind.

  She’s married, he reminded himself as he spotted Brian’s car and so left his office to greet Tory. ‘How do I look?’ he asked his secretary, Amanda, as he passed through the reception area.

  ‘As windswept and handsome as always. Why?’

  ‘No reason,’ Miles replied. ‘Remind me to give you a raise.’

  Professor Paradis opened his office door, and emerged reading a report that was falling to pieces in his hand. ‘Was that Miles I just heard come through here?’

  ‘I think so, he must be ill.’ Amanda sounded quite serious. ‘He’s all … playful.’

  ‘Playful. Miles?’ Paradis sounded rather sceptical.

  ‘Well, he just gave me a raise for saying he looked nice.’

  ‘What?’ Paradis moved to the door to see if Miles was still about, and spied him speaking with Tory. ‘Uh-huh, well there’s your answer right there.’ He chuckled as Amanda hurried over to take a look for herself. ‘Must be Renford’s daughter. Apparently this psychic thing runs in the family. She told Miles about the altar months ago.’

  ‘Wow! Just like Brian.’ Amanda took another look to see Miles and Tory heading for the office. ‘Quick, they’re coming.’ She hustled Paradis back to the desk and she sat down, sporting an innocent look, just as Miles entered with his guest.

  ‘Wait till you see it, it’s just beautiful.’ Miles was truly excited by the significant find.

  Tory just shook her head with a smile. ‘I’ve already seen it, Professor. I keep telling you.’

  Miles opened his office door and invited Tory in. ‘Could we get some tea, Amanda? Thanks.’ He closed the door.

  Paradis stared at his partner’s office in disbelief; it was not like Miles to skip an introduction. Professor Thurlow was notorious for being preoccupied with his work, but never so with a woman. Paradis shook his head finally. ‘It’s a pity she’s married.’

  After Amanda had brought in the tea and left the room Miles said, ‘I’ll show you, as soon as you finish your cuppa.’

  ‘No, I need to see it when nobody else is around, like tonight,’ Tory stated very matter-of-factly. ‘Can you arrange that?’

  ‘Not tonight, no. There are others who want to see it. But perhaps tomorrow night, as it’s Sunday, it’s a safer bet.’ That worked out well, he thought, Tory would have to stay overnight.

  Tory just nodded, accepting the delay as she sipped her tea.

  ‘May I ask why you have to see it alone?’

  Tory placed the cup on the table and smiled. ‘No, that wasn’t part of the deal.’ She stood up, tossing the strap of her bag over her shoulder. ‘Do you know of a good hotel around here?’

  ‘I do, in fact.’ He paused. ‘My place. It’s on the island, it’s quiet.’

  ‘It sounds way too nice for a happily married woman like myself. I’m afraid a hotel will have to suffice.’

  ‘I wouldn’t hear of it. I was your guest in Oxfordshire.’

  ‘You were my father’s guest,’ Tory said, smiling at his persistence as she headed for the door; his grin was starting to get to her. ‘I’m sure there must be a nice hotel around here somewhere.’

  ‘There isn’t.’ Miles leant on the door to block her escape. ‘They’re all terrible.’ His dark eyes met hers.

  ‘Look Professor, I’m married.’

  ‘I know,’ he stressed, taking a few paces away from the door. ‘I just want to spend some time in your company. I find you … interesting.’

  ‘I realise this, and that’s why I’m not going to sit around all night while you make a mockery of everything I say.’

  ‘But I think you’re for real.’

  ‘Well there’s a breakthrough.’ Tory clapped her hands together with a laugh.

  ‘Why are you being so hard on me? You don’t know me.’

  ‘Oh, yes I do. You’re exactly like my father aged, what … thirty-seven?’

  ‘Thirty-five,’ he corrected her, catching her drift.

  ‘Whatever. But even Dad’s wising up in his old age,’ she said.

  ‘Wising up to what?’

  ‘The greater mysteries.’

  Miles stared at her then asked, ‘What is this hunk of rock we’ve dug up?’

  ‘It’s an altar.’ Tory wondered why he’d asked when she’d already told him.

  ‘Right. An altar that even a crane can’t lift.’ Miles folded his arms.

  ‘You tried to move it? You shit, Miles!’ Tory whacked his shoulder. ‘You specifically promised me you wouldn’t.’ Her eyes became stormy, as did the weather. Miles was silent in the wake of his betrayal, and Tory gave him a shove to wake him up. ‘You could have destroyed it, don’t you realise.’ She calmed down to a degree, knowing that anger wasn’t going to help the situation any. ‘This isn’t just some ancient stone you’ve dug up, it is a sacred site. You can’t take off with part of it.’

  ‘Apparently not.’ He frowned. ‘And now that you’ve told me what it isn’t, could you kindly tell me what it is?’

  ‘I don’t see why I should tell you anything.’

  ‘Well, perhaps the reason I don’t understand is because you never explain whatever it is you’re talking about,’ he said, throwing his arms in the air, exasperated. ‘Every time I have a conversation with you, I just end up with this labyrinth of answers that I can’t even recall the questions to. For instance, what did you mean when you said that I had no idea of the toys with which I played? Were you referring to the stone?’

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous, Professor. That’s only a piece of rock, what could it possibly do?’ Tory said sarcastically.

  ‘Okay, I deserved that. But if you’d just give me a straight answer, I promise I’ll believe it.’

  Miles appealed to Tory in a way that reminded her of Maelgwn, and it was just as hard to resist him. ‘I’ll show you tomorrow night, and I can guarantee you won’t want to move it anywhere. So, I suggest you look into restoration.’

  ‘Restoration! You can’t be serious?’ There was little profit to be had in restoration, and in this case it would require a huge initial outlay. ‘I’m not in the restoration business, I’m afraid.’

  ‘Look, I
’m just trying to save you some time.’

  Miles shook his head, as he fell into his seat and observed her for a moment. ‘You are the most peculiar person I have ever met.’

  ‘Peculiar is good,’ Tory decided.

  ‘Please allow me to cook you dinner. I’m a great cook.’ She looked as if she was about to decline again, and Miles held a hand over his heart. ‘You’ll be perfectly safe, I promise.’

  Tory knew he was trouble, but there was nothing to be gained by running away from it. ‘Then, I accept.’

  Naomi reached the house at Oxfordshire about five hours after Tory’s departure. The altar was foremost in her mind and the news of it threw Brian into a state of panic.

  That’s why Tory’s so interested all of a sudden, Brian surmised. She’ll tell me if she discovers anything of interest … no way! I’m tired of missing out on all the action.

  ‘Brian, what’s wrong?’

  ‘Nothing,’ he answered, pulling on his jacket as he stood. ‘We have to get up there.’

  ‘What! But I just drove all the way down here.’

  ‘Shit!’ Brian wasn’t paying the slightest attention to Naomi’s grievances. ‘Tory’s got my car, you’ll have to drive.’

  ‘But what about our weekend together? I’ve been looking forward to it all week.’

  ‘We’ll still be together.’ Brian helped her to get moving, pulling her gently but impatiently from her chair. ‘And that’s the most important thing, right?’

  ‘I suppose so,’ Naomi growled. ‘At least tell me why?’

  ‘I just have a premonition, I have to find Tory. Will you help me, please?’

  Naomi sighed; how could she possibly say no to such a rueful face.

  Tory left Brian’s car in the enclosure at the site and Miles drove them back to his place. Tory hadn’t given any thought to where he might live, until the car pulled into the long dirt driveway. It was the cottage on the point at Aberffraw where the house of Cunedda had once stood. She hit herself on the head for not guessing. ‘You live here?’

  ‘Yes. What’s wrong with that?’

  ‘Nothing.’ Tory began to laugh.

  ‘What’s so funny?’

  ‘Nothing, really.’ Tory caught her breath. ‘I love this place, and it just seems a coincidence that you own it.’ She tried to cover up what she was really thinking as he certainly wouldn’t believe the truth without proof.

  ‘All the way down to the water,’ Miles said with pride.

  As soon as Tory climbed out of the car she romped off across the property like a woman possessed, laughing and exclaiming with delight. She didn’t care what Miles made of this behaviour, the call of the familiar consumed her as she ran towards the beach. ‘I’m home … yes!’

  The clouds rumbled as lightning flashed across the sky, yet Tory wasn’t swayed from her course; the storm’s pending fury only added to her release. She discovered that something of the house at Aberffraw did remain — the stairs that led to the beach. Tory stopped still, astounded by the sight of a familiar landmark. She and Calin had argued in this very spot. ‘Ha!’ she shrugged, running down to the beach.

  ‘Tory, it’s going to pour any minute,’ Miles called from the bottom of the stairs.

  ‘I don’t care!’ she cried out, but didn’t stop running.

  ‘You’ll catch your death,’ he insisted, not prepared to follow her further.

  ‘No, I most certainly won’t.’

  ‘Well where do you think you’re going, exactly?’

  Tory laughed. ‘Exploring, wanna come?’

  Miles was exasperated; she did pick the strangest times to do things, and this wasn’t really what he’d planned for this evening. ‘Then who would cook dinner?’

  Tory merely shrugged and flashed him a cheeky smile, then continued on her way.

  ‘Damn it!’ Miles couldn’t figure out if he was annoyed because Tory had run off on him, or because he hadn’t followed her. She was a real wild child alright, being in her company was like the magical mystery tour. But she was fascinating, for she lived in a world so much more wondrous than his own. Her world was more like the relics he dug up from the ground, the remnants of the fabled Old Ones.

  He watched her disappear along the beach; she would surely return once it began to rain.

  By the time Brian and Naomi arrived, the dig was practically deserted. Brian found his car at the site, but nobody there could tell him where his sister had gone.

  ‘Great!’ He gave his tyre a boot.

  ‘What’s so important?’ Naomi asked, becoming annoyed. ‘If you don’t tell me, Brian, I’m not going to pursue this little adventure any further, and remember, I’ve got the car keys.’

  Brian took hold of Naomi, figuring he’d get around her with a bit of charm. ‘When you get all riled up like that … I gotta tell ya, that accent just makes me crazy.’

  Naomi laughed. ‘So what are you going to do about it?’

  Good question.

  Tory had to return to the car sooner or later, and it wouldn’t be the first time he’d slept on a back seat.

  The rain came, as did nightfall, and Tory still hadn’t returned. As he’d finished cooking dinner, Miles grabbed a torch to go after her.

  He opened the back door and was startled to see her looking like a drowned rat on his doorstep. ‘Where the hell have you been?’

  Tory only smiled as she pulled a chunk of rock and metal from behind her back and placed it in Miles’ hands.

  ‘What is this?’

  ‘A little more credibility for me, another perplexing mystery for you.’

  Upon closer inspection he discovered that it was an iron helmet, or part thereof, that looked like it had been embedded in the rock for some time. His smile grew suddenly. ‘Where did you get this?’

  Tory pulled off her wet jumper. ‘In a cave down by the beach. Your beach,’ she stressed.

  The professor was speechless; he’d explored nearly every corner of the world in search of antiquities, but he never thought that he’d find them in his own backyard. ‘I grew up here and there’s no cave down by the beach.’

  ‘Oh yes there is. At low tide there used to be a cave leading up inside the cliff face. Unfortunately it’s now permanently underwater, so I had to go swimming. Could you direct me to your bathroom?’ she asked as she was dripping all over his kitchen floor.

  ‘You went swimming? In this! Below a rock face, in near darkness! Tory, are you mad?’

  Tory knew the cave was there, alright. She may have been heavily sedated when Cadogan carried her through it, but she remembered. The temptation to investigate the remnants of Aberffraw had been too great. In the water she had felt battered and confused, panicking as the waves pounded her under. Finally, she was forced to let go and stop breathing, only to discover there was no need. Not far down the cliff face she found the underwater cavern and was thrust by the sea up inside it. Afterwards, when Tory had made it back to the beach, her body healed itself as before, so now she was just a bit shaken and cold.

  ‘One more question,’ Miles asked as he showed her to the bathroom. ‘How could you see anything in there?’

  She pulled Brian’s car keys from the pocket of her jeans, holding up a mini torch. ‘It’s waterproof, there’s a Swiss Army knife on it too.’ She tossed them to Miles and grabbed her bag. ‘Hey, nice place you’ve got here, Professor.’

  Miles stared at her intently. ‘How come your clothes are all tattered and yet there’s not a mark on you?’

  Tory just smiled, waving a finger at him. ‘You’ve used up your twenty questions for this hour, now I’m going to take a bath, if I may.’ She looked to the large, footed tub with relish.

  ‘Of course.’ He examined the dripping wet chunk of rock in his hand. How could Tory be married when she was the perfect woman for him? He might not understand her at all, but how nice it would be to have a lifetime to figure her out. Her husband was fortunate indeed. Miles only hoped that he realised it, for if he were married
to such a woman, he would certainly not be leaving her on her own.

  Tory came out from the bathroom to find dinner on the table, and they ate in relative silence for a while.

  ‘This is very good.’ Tory gave her compliments to the chef, whose thoughts seemed elsewhere.

  ‘So what’s he like, this husband of yours?’ Miles suddenly emerged from his daze. ‘Brian said I look a lot like him.’

  ‘Quite.’ Tory took up her wine. ‘But you’re very different in other respects.’

  ‘How so?’

  ‘You don’t think alike, or have anything in common, as far as I can tell.’

  ‘But surely, some of our physical features are different?’ Miles reached for the remote control and aimed it at the stereo.

  ‘Well, he’s of a bigger frame than you, though you’re probably about the same height.’ Tory observed Miles closely, trying to define the other differences, and shrugged. ‘You’re a bit older …’ The music began to play, and Miles’ choice rocked Tory to her foundations. ‘Albinoni.’

  ‘He is one of my very favourite composers.’ Miles put down the remote to get back to his dinner. ‘Some say this is the saddest piece of music ever written, but I find it rather beautiful and uplifting.’

  Tory smiled in agreement, absolutely speechless, her heart pounding in her chest.

  ‘So then, are you ready to tell me about your little discovery?’ He referred to the helmet. ‘And I am warning you now, I won’t believe you found it by accident.’

  ‘I don’t know what I can tell you, Professor. I just know things about certain places, certain people.’

  ‘Well, you have my fullest attention,’ Miles encouraged her to continue.

  ‘I am wary about saying any more as I fear that you shall sell off the treasures left here by your ancestors, just as you intend to sell that altar to the highest bidder.’

  Miles was a little stunned by the remark. ‘How did you find out about that?’

  ‘If restoration is not a possibility, Professor, it doesn’t take a genius to figure it out,’ she reasoned. ‘Can I ask why you got into archaeology?’