The Dark Age

by Traci Harding

  ‘You’re asking me?’ Miles could barely speak, let alone think. ‘Just don’t touch it. According to fairytales, they can only be touched by a virgin.’ He grinned.

  Tory took a few hesitant steps towards the beautiful white beast before bowing to it. To her surprise the animal stopped and bowed to her also. Then, to discredit Miles’ claim, the unicorn came forward to place its snout under Tory’s hand and gave her a soft nudge.

  ‘I could be wrong, of course,’ Miles said, admitting he stood corrected.

  Like me, thou art eternally virtuous, Tory was informed by a sweet and somewhat mischievous male voice. ‘Who are you?’ she asked as she stroked the animal’s nose gently.

  A messenger.

  ‘And what be thy message?’ Tory smiled, delighted they were understanding each other so well.

  Miles was confused; Tory appeared to be having a conversation with the animal, yet all he could hear was the singing of a choir — the voices more beautiful than anything he’d ever heard.

  The adverse presence that plagues thee hast gone into hiding and shall remain thus until both thy homes are within thy sight. She desires to keep thee here, but it be not safe for thy babe. The child must return.

  The animal began to back away, the mist thickening in its wake.

  ‘What are you saying, that I do not go? I must!’ Tory pleaded. ‘Taliesin has left for Atlantis, and I have no way of contacting him if I am delayed again.’

  The long road home be no longer. The mist consumed the beast completely.

  ‘Wait,’ Tory pursued it. ‘I don’t think I understand.’ Tory came to a standstill when she realised her chase was useless. I don’t want to understand. Please don’t let anything go wrong, I couldn’t bear another year here alone.

  Time proved the unicorn right; no one saw or heard from Teo, not even Brian. Tory worried for his safety, as Mahaud would be feeding his lesser desires to increase her power.

  Tory had more or less left the project at Llyn Cerrig Bach since her job there was done. She’d been spending all the money she’d earnt on necessities to take back with her and gifts for all the friends she so dearly missed, the largest of which was a Spanish guitar for Selwyn. Tory just hoped all the excess baggage she was carting wouldn’t be too much of a strain on poor Taliesin.

  Days before Tory was due to depart, her father and Aunt Rose made the trip up to Mon. Tory had told them of the Otherworld warning, thus none of them were prepared to take Rhun from the protection of the property at Aberffraw until the last minute.

  Brian, who had classes to teach, said he would meet Tory at the stones to say goodbye. They’d spent a lot of time together of late, and neither one wanted to stretch out their farewell. Her brother was presently of two minds; he didn’t want Tory to leave but he couldn’t go back with her either, as Naomi was now pregnant with their child and so his life was here.

  Miles, too, would prove hard to leave behind, Tory thought. His support and company had been nothing short of a godsend to her. Yes, she was in love with him, and she hoped that when her time with Maelgwn had come to an end she would somehow be able to find Miles again.

  In the early hours of the eve of the summer solstice, Miles was wrapped up in a blanket on his lounge still wide awake. Tory would soon leave him, and his heart wouldn’t let him rest. It was near daybreak when he heard weeping coming from his room, and he walked quietly over to find the door open. Moonlight streamed in through the window onto Tory who was propped up on her pillows, her head in her hands.

  ‘Are you alright?’ he asked in a whisper, fearing he would wake the child.

  ‘Damn it,’ Tory cursed upon seeing him in the doorway. ‘I didn’t want to wake you.’

  ‘Who can sleep?’ he joked, leaning against the doorframe to support his weary head.

  ‘You’ve been so good to us, Miles. It’s not fair the way things worked out.’

  ‘Oh I don’t know, it’s not really so bad. The project is coming along nicely, I’ve got this new head space to explore, and I even had a family for a while.’

  Tory’s heart split in two, as she knew how hard it was for him to refrain from saying what he really felt. ‘If I wasn’t married I would stay, really I would. Perhaps someday …’

  Tory stopped abruptly and Miles moved closer. ‘Go on.’

  ‘Forget it.’ Tory had a mental flash of Miles still waiting around for her when he was sixty and her never showing. She couldn’t make him a promise she wasn’t sure she could keep.

  ‘Tory.’ Miles knew she was edging around something. ‘I love you.’ He sat down and took hold of her. ‘If there is any way you can foresee that we can be together in this life, I want you to tell me.’

  ‘I love you too,’ she admitted, softly. ‘I can promise I’ll try to find my way back here, Miles, but the cosmos works in strange ways, so you must not wait for me.’ She gave a heavy sigh. ‘I’m going to miss you, Professor.’ The tears began to flow again down her cheeks. ‘I just don’t know where I’m supposed to be anymore. No matter where I am, I will always miss someone else, somewhere else.’ She raised her eyes to look at him.

  ‘That’s the story of my life.’ Miles placed his arm around her. ‘But from what I can gather, we shall be together at some point. So we’ll just look forward to then, shall we?’

  Tory nodded with a sniffle.

  ‘Alright then.’ He let go of her to take up his blanket. ‘I’ll see you at breakfast.’

  ‘Goodnight, and thanks again, for everything.’

  ‘Anytime.’

  She lay down to sleep, but her anxiety made a mockery of her attempt. This time tomorrow I shall be with him, and nothing will go wrong, she told herself. Yet all the while in the back of her mind, the Otherworld prophecy played on her fears.

  Brian had finished his last class for the day and decided to take a shower while he awaited Naomi’s arrival. They planned to eat dinner somewhere then meet up with everyone at the stones later. Tory and the others had planned not to arrive at the site until a half an hour before midnight, to minimise the danger.

  By the time Brian was dressed Naomi still wasn’t there, so he presumed she was just running late, as usual. Glancing out his bedroom window, he spied her car and, to his horror, Teo’s as well.

  This sent him rocketing downstairs, and outside to investigate. Brian found no trace of either of them, though the engines of both cars were still warm. If he touches her, his life won’t be worth living. Brian crept around the side of the house to the gym. As he peeked his head around the corner he was startled by Teo, waiting for him. The laughter that echoed from his friend chilled Brian to the bone.

  Teo looked and smelt awful, sick even. His features appeared more hardened than before, dark rings circled his eyes and his whole body exuded perspiration. When his laughter ceased, Teo’s mere breathing was a worry as it loudly resounded with the growling presence of a beast — like a lion but more human.

  ‘What’s happening, bro?’ Brian thought he’d best handle this calmly.

  Teo smiled, the pupils of his eyes burning red. He motioned Brian to follow him down to the gym, then disappeared into thin air.

  ‘Oh shit!’ Brian looked about him, then back to the gym where his friend reappeared. Teo opened the door and vanished into a red haze that appeared to emanate from inside, closing the door behind him with a laugh.

  ‘Naomi!’ Brian tore to the door. After battling to open it, he was overwhelmed by the abomination he found seething within.

  The gym floor dropped away into a bottomless fiery pit that was crawling with life forms so hideous and vile smelling, that Brian gagged on the first whiff of their putrid existence. Evil spirits joined to form a whirlwind of red gases which girded the centre of the room. Here Naomi was huddled, terrified by the hellish abyss surrounding her. She didn’t dare raise her head as the archfiends in the whirlwind lunged at her to frighten her back into retreat.

  Holy Mother! Brian gasped; he’d taught a class in here not a
n hour before.

  Teo appeared again on the island in the centre where Naomi was stranded. He took hold of a clump of her hair, dragging the sobbing girl to her feet.

  ‘Teo, you son-of-a-bitch, I know you’re in there somewhere. Don’t you hurt her.’ Brian was at a loss for what to do.

  ‘Oh, we don’t want to hurt her.’ The creature that was Teo put his arms around Naomi. ‘We like her.’ He licked her cheek.

  ‘Brian!’ Naomi struggled to get away from Teo’s restraint, she was going to be sick.

  ‘And,’ Teo added, passing a hand over her belly and raising his eyebrows.

  ‘What do you want?’ Brian snarled, as if he had to ask. ‘We want Tory of Gwynedd.’ Teo’s own voice was now completely drowned out by the other. It gargled and snarled so loudly that Naomi passed out from shock. ‘Bring her back to us. And be sure she brings the child with her, or thee shall pay with the life of thy own!’ The force of the words blew Brian back from the doorway and the door slammed closed.

  He sprang to his feet, but the door handle burnt the flesh of his hands and Brian was forced to let go. Although the evil voice that stemmed from Teo sounded male, Brian knew well enough who it was. ‘The bitch must pay!’ He kicked the door, melting the toe of his shoe.

  They were doing splendidly, Tory thought, arriving at the stones with only fifteen minutes to spare. But when Brian met her with his news, Tory was frustrated to admit that the Otherworld had been right; she was not going anywhere, just yet.

  She was no longer afraid of facing Mahaud, now she was just plain angry. ‘What does it take! All I want is for my husband, myself, and our child to be together in the one place, at the one time. Really! Am I asking too much!’ Tory shouted at the heavens. She asked for a pen and paper to quickly write a note, which she tied around Rhun’s waist so it would not go astray.

  ‘Be brave little one, thy father awaits thee at the other end.’ Tory lay Maelgwn’s medallion across Rhun for protection and kissed him goodbye, for who knows how long. Still, she remained calm and accepting so as not to unduly upset him.

  As Brian witnessed his sister leave her child’s basket in the middle of the circle, he became alarmed. ‘She said you had to bring Rhun.’

  ‘And the folk said he had to go back to his father.’ Tory was not in any mood to be reckoned with. ‘Don’t worry, I have a plan.’

  ‘Tory! You weren’t there, you didn’t see’

  ‘You wouldn’t believe what I’ve seen!’ she roared. ‘And I’m telling you, if you march in there unprepared she’s going to fry us all.’

  ‘Listen to her, Brian, she’s right.’ Miles knew from Maelgwn’s recollections of the instance to which Tory referred.

  ‘What are you going to do, child?’ Renford wished he could help but he wasn’t very knowledgeable about such things.

  ‘We’re going to find your bloody memory …’

  A cloud appeared in the night sky, and lightning flashed down to make contact with the King’s Stone.

  Tory could feel Rhun’s fear and he began to cry. She wished with all her heart that she could run to his comfort, and into the comfort of Maelgwn’s arms, yet somehow she remained still as the mist ascended into the heavens, her child along with it. ‘Myrddin is my only way back now.’

  The basket containing Rhun materialised in the Dark Age, along with all Tory’s gifts. But everyone at the stones became disgruntled when, once again, their sensei did not show.

  ‘Be this in thy plan, also?’ Maelgwn angrily quizzed Taliesin, as he approached the manifestation to claim his son.

  The Merlin didn’t have to answer, the look of horror on his face said it all.

  The King held his child, who had grown so since their last meeting, and read out aloud the note he carried.

  Major problem hast erupted. Mahaud.

  Could use thy help, if thee can lend it.

  I am seeking Myrddin. WAIT FOR ME.

  Love thee, miss thee, Tory.

  ‘Maelgwn, you must concentrate right now. Every second thee wastes, be hours, days passing,’ Taliesin urged, somewhat bewildered by this unforeseen development.

  ‘Well, am I not there too!’ Brockwell pointed out, stepping forward. ‘I am not afraid of the witch, we’ve met before.’

  ‘True,’ Taliesin considered his plea, motioning the King to the spot before him. ‘But Maelgwn hast been taught certain techniques that enhance his soul’s mobility and allow him to concentrate for extended lengths of time.’

  ‘But with thy help, High Merlin,’ Brockwell insisted. ‘Please, can I not try?’

  ‘No harm in that, I suppose.’ Taliesin ushered him to a seat beside Maelgwn.

  Maelgwn passed the child to Katren. ‘I want my Queen back before this night hast passed,’ he announced to Taliesin in warning.

  The Merlin was weary from incanting and was running a tad short on patience. ‘Then let us get on with it.’ He placed one hand on Brockwell’s forehead, the other on Maelgwn’s. ‘Close thy eyes now, and be at peace.’

  Miles drove all night and the party reached Dinas Emrys by dawn. As they climbed out of the car and stretched, Tory woke her father who’d slept most of the way.

  Upon finding himself at the site, Renford was convinced they would only be disappointed by pursuing the legend of Myrddin’s cave here. ‘Tory, my sweet, didn’t I tell you I have already sought out this area to no avail?’

  ‘But the legend required a blond-haired, blue-eyed youth,’ Tory said as she waved Brian over. ‘Does it not make sense that your son would be the key?’

  ‘I’m not a youth!’

  ‘Compared to Myrddin,’ Tory threw an arm around Brian’s shoulder, ‘you’re a baby. Let’s go.’ She gave him a slap on the back and headed off towards the mountain.

  Aunt Rose, although she would loved to have gone, settled back in the car. Poor Renford, however, was obliged to make the hike.

  ‘Come on, Dad,’ Brian urged him along, as Miles gave him a hand.

  Tory led them round the base of the mountain, and Miles drew her attention to the mist rolling in. They all stopped in their tracks as the haze rolled over the landscape and surrounded them. There were no lights this time, but as the legend stated, there were bells — sweet, resounding bells — that filled the senses with a lovely feeling of peace.

  ‘I think we might be onto something,’ Renford said, though he didn’t sound too keen, especially when he heard the growling.

  From the mist emerged a large, black, wolf-like dog, its eyes blazing yellow, its upper lip raised to expose its huge, white fangs.

  ‘Easy boy.’ Miles attempted to calm the animal but it only snarled louder, forcing him to back up before it took off his hand. ‘Jesus Tory, are you sure about this?’

  ‘Allow me.’ Brian came forward to try his luck.

  As soon as it caught sight of Brian, the dog humbled itself. It began to whimper as it approached him, as if apologising for mistaking him.

  ‘Hey boy.’ Brian absolutely loved dogs, so he rumbled and patted the animal affectionately. ‘I think he likes me, hey?’ He then looked at the dog rather curiously and asked, ‘Did you say something?’ He paused for confirmation. ‘Yeah, we are as a matter of fact.’

  The dog took off in front of him.

  ‘Okay.’ Brian stood to follow the animal, presuming everyone else had heard their conversation. ‘Well come on, you heard the dog.’ He rolled his eyes and disappeared into the mist.

  ‘Oh dear,’ was all Renford could say as he obliged.

  ‘I just love your style of archaeology,’ Miles commented to Tory as they fell in behind the others.

  The dog led them to a stone wall in the cliff face at the base of the mountain, and instead of stopping before it as expected, the animal disappeared into the stone obstruction. Brian reached out to the rock face before him, passing his hand through it. ‘Whoa, way cool!’ He motioned everyone in behind him as he penetrated beyond.

  ‘I don’t believe it.’ Renford paused h
alfway, unwilling to face his destiny. So Tory and Miles grabbed hold of him on their way through.

  The cave was torch lit. Brian followed his guide down a long, stone passageway that led to a door with no handle. Brian tried to push it open but without success. ‘Damn, now what?’

  Tory shook her head; how thick he was at times. She took up his right hand and placed it on a silver plate embedded in the wall, and the door simply disappeared. ‘Indiana Jones you ain’t, mate,’ she commented, wandering in to take a look at their findings.

  ‘What is it all?’ Brian asked as he followed her.

  ‘Nobody touch anything,’ Tory warned them. ‘Amongst this lovely little collection of antiquities be the Thirteen Treasures of Britain.’ She recognised Dyrnwyn (White Hilt), the sword of Rhydderch, mounted on the wall.

  ‘I thought you said Taliesin had the Thirteen Treasures.’ Brian was confused.

  ‘He has. I presume he picked them up at a later date.’ Tory was drawn to a large obstruction that was covered with a glittering golden cloth. She cast the cover aside to reveal a strange silver chariot. The disc-shaped vehicle could have been mistaken for a space-age motor-scooter, but Tory knew well enough what it was and she squealed with excitement.

  ‘What is it?’ Brian couldn’t imagine.

  ‘This be my ride home,’ Tory answered as she circled it, running her fingers over its frame. ‘Behold the Chariot of Arianrod, it is said to take one quickly to the place of one’s desire.’

  ‘Hold on a minute, this looks like it’s from the future,’ Brian protested.

  ‘But it isn’t. It’s more likely to have Atlantean origins. What do you think, Miles?’ Tory turned to seek his opinion.

  ‘That’s an interesting theory.’ Miles gazed fondly at Tory a moment, before they were all startled by a movement overhead.

  An owl came swooping out of the shadows to take a seat on a perch next to Renford. It’s about time!