Between Darkness and the Light

by Paul T. H. Mitchener

  They managed to find a large, hollowed-out old yew tree. It was damp inside but at least they were out of the rain. Hazel motioned to Bree to go in first, but as Bree knelt down to crawl in, Hazel noticed that one of her wings was damaged but decided not to say anything until they both got inside and out of the rain. Hazel knew that wings were notoriously difficult to mend. Without healing powers they might never mend. On seeing the horror on Bree’s face when she told her, Hazel tried to reassure her that with her help it should be repaired in no time. However, to give them both a chance to heal they would have to stay put for at least a day or so, a proposition neither relished. However, needs must… They were both in no state to be of help to anyone, so they decided to stay where they were, and should Henry or any of the others come looking for them, on finding the body of the creature, they would not have trouble in finding them.

  Young Henry made good progress despite the weather and, as such, was in reasonably good spirits considering what he was going to have to face at the end of his journey. Grog and Nog hadn’t said much since they left the others. They just seemed to follow him like well-behaved pets. They had been walking for just over five hours and Henry had started to flag some time back, but decided to press on as long as he could. However, with the consistently heavy rain and the hard going of the terrain, he needed to find shelter. As if he was reading Henry’s mind, Nog pushed past him and headed off in another direction.

  “Master needs to rest.” Henry sighed and followed. Just a short while later they found themselves walking under a dense canopy of evergreen trees that towered over them, here, it was much darker, allowing only a little light through the canopy; but it was just light enough for Henry to see where he was going. On the plus side, the canopy was quite efficient in keeping the rain at bay, and the ground underfoot was almost dry. “Soon be there, master,” Grog said as he rushed by to get in front of Henry and disappeared out of sight.

  Henry followed their general direction and after a few minutes he could just make out the unmistakable silhouette of the two fluff balls standing just a few yards ahead of him. However, something didn’t feel right. Both Grog and Nog stood perfectly still. Henry slowed, curious as to why they had stopped. Maybe there was something dangerous ahead… But the Wyvern hadn’t responded to any threat, so perhaps there wasn’t anything to worry about, so what was it that the two odd balls were looking at? Henry gingerly walked up to stand beside them.

  At first, he couldn’t make out anything, all he could see was that the dense woodland had opened out to a clearing. As his eyes adjusted to the poor light he could just make out an old door that was well hidden and set back into an embankment. “Mr Kreedy,” Nog announced. “Who?” Henry said in surprise. “Mr Kreedy Wormwell,” Grog answered, “a clever man.” Nog continued. “Yes, very clever man… reads books… lots of books,” Grog confirmed. Henry was still none the wiser, but was too tired to get into word games with these two. Without another word, Grog and Nog hurried forward, but Henry felt it wise to stay where he was for a moment before being urged to follow them.

  By the time Henry reached them they had already knocked on the door, and were dancing around hand in hand. “Mr Kreedy,” one of them said like a little kid at a fun park. It took a little while before the door partly opened. A funny-looking face peered through the crack in the door. “Mr Kreedy… Mr Kreedy!” they both shouted with excitement. The door flung open, revealing one of the oddest-looking men Henry had ever seen. On seeing the two fluff balls he smiled, making his face look even more odd. “Nog!” he shouted, grabbing his hand. “Grog!” He was now holding the other’s. “Where have you been…? I’ve missed you so.” He let go of Grog’s hand and without waiting for an answer said, “Come in… come in.”

  He looked up and noticed Henry for the first time, who still stood a respectable but safe distance from them all until they had finished their greetings. The smile went from his face. “And who’s this?” he said in a sinister tone, whilst blocking the doorway. Henry didn’t answer but found himself just staring at the man. “This is our master… the host master,” Grog answered, with a huge grin on his face. “Our master,” Nog said, looking just as pleased. “Been waiting a long time… now that our master is here we are very pleased.”

  Kreedy’s smile was now completely gone, a look of distrust replacing it. He stepped out from the doorway. “The host master, ah… is that right?” he said to nobody in particular. “I see.” Henry felt very uncomfortable being scrutinised by this odd-looking stranger. “You see what,” Henry said abruptly. Kreedy stepped closer. “You’re very rude,” he said sarcastically. “Ya… so everybody keeps telling me.” Kreedy extended his hand for Henry to take. “Kreedy Wormwell,” he said, now smiling. “Keeper of the books and guardian of all things past.” Henry took his hand. “Henry Harris.” Kreedy immediately pulled Henry closer with a grip stronger than Henry would have expected. “Harris… Henry Harris,” he said. Henry felt even more uncomfortable being so close to the man. He looked over to Grog and Nog, both of whom were looking just as confused as him.

  Henry looked back at Kreedy. “Yes,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. “What’s the problem?” Kreedy took a step back, letting go of his hand. “No… nothing… sorry for the reaction… but I already know someone of that name.” Henry shrugged his shoulders again. “My uncle perhaps.” Now it was Kreedy’s turn to look disturbed. “Your uncle, you say.” Henry nodded. Kreedy pushed his face right up to Henry’s face. It didn’t matter how angry Kreedy got, Henry couldn’t take him seriously, he looked so funny. “And who may I ask is your mother?” Henry stood back a little. He didn’t like being so close to someone he didn’t know. “Hazel… or should I say Lady Aldin… But something tells me you already knew that,” Henry replied in a matter-of-fact way. Kreedy gave a wicked smile. “Lady Aldin… a child.” He stepped forward again. “Why wasn’t I informed of this…? I am in fact…” He cut himself off in mid-sentence. It took Kreedy a second or two to compose himself. “Where’s my manners…? Let’s get inside out of this rain.” Without waiting for a reply he turned and headed back to the door. “Come,” he said, showing them in. He gave Grog a pat on the back as he passed him and did the same for Nog, then almost sarcastically he bowed to Henry and said, “And welcome to the master of the host.” Henry didn’t respond: he was only too pleased to find somewhere dry, and followed the others inside.

  Once inside, he found himself standing in a small, cluttered kitchen totally amazed to see so many books. However, the smell of cooking mixed with that of leather polish felt so very welcoming. “A towel,” Kreedy said, pushing past him. He then headed off between the stacks of books. Henry wondered at first whether he should follow him, but noticed unsurprisingly that his two companions remained in the kitchen, both too large to fit between the book stacks. “Just stay there a mo… I’ll get a towel and a change of clothes.” Moments later he was back. “Here,” he said, dumping the towel and clothes in Henry’s arms. “Follow me,” he said, just before he disappeared behind a stack of books. The man never seemed to stand still, dashing this way and that. Henry reluctantly followed and after negotiating a number of large stacks of books found himself in a small, warm, cosy room with one sofa and a chair near the fire. “I’ll be back in a while with something hot… but I must catch up with my two friends first… not seen them in a while.” With that, he left Henry standing alone with a handful of clothing.

  Henry turned towards the warm, welcoming fire and placed the clean clothes on the sofa and looked around the room. Like the kitchen, it was stacked full of books of all shapes, sizes and ages. He then noticed the picture above the fireplace. “Grog and Nog,” he gasped. “Why on earth?” He hadn’t known the two for long and didn’t really know them, but to find out that they were old friends of this Kreedy fellow did surprise him.

  He was increasingly becoming suspicious of the three strange individuals and decided to at least try to stay alert. His gut feeling, however, told him th
at there was nothing to worry about, but taking recent events into consideration, it would pay him to be on his guard, or at least until he got to know them better. He took off his wet, muddy clothes and dumped them on the floor, dried himself, and then dressed in the brown and green leather hunting clothes Kreedy had given him. To his surprise they all fitted except the jacket which was a little too large. However, he was grateful just to be dry again. He had just finished lacing up his tunic when Kreedy reappeared from behind one of the stacks of books. “My lord,” he greeted him, but this time with no sarcasm. “My friends have explained it all,” he continued. “Please… follow me… and I’ll get you that hot meal I promised.” Henry didn’t reply: he was only too happy to follow and would risk anything for something hot to eat.

  Grog and Nog cramped themselves in the only corner of the kitchen that wasn’t cluttered and Kreedy was standing by the cooker with his back to Henry. “Sit, my lord,” Kreedy blurted. Henry did as he was told. He removed a small stack of books from one of the chairs and placed them carefully on the table. Kreedy was now facing him, holding a plate of steaming food and with a strange grin on his face. He placed the plate in front of him. “I see you have respect for books,” Kreedy said whilst pouring a hot mug of tea. Henry had no idea what he was on about, and to be honest, he was more interested in the tasty-looking meal in front of him. Kreedy placed the tea on the table next to Henry’s plate.

  “The books… I see you have respect for them.” It then dawned on Henry that Kreedy was referring to how he placed the books on the table. Kreedy pulled up a chair and sat next to Henry, watching him tuck in. Normally Henry would have been put off by somebody watching him eat, but he was so hungry that it didn’t seem to bother him. Kreedy leant forward. “Tell me something about yourself,” he said, out of the blue. “What do you want to know?” Henry replied with a mouthful of food. “I don’t know… maybe tell me what makes you so special.” Henry swallowed hard, a little taken aback by Kreedy’s comment, but at first he didn’t answer. Kreedy was still sitting staring at him with a weird look on his face. “How do you mean?” Henry replied, not fully understanding what Kreedy meant by special. “I’m no more special than the next man.” Kreedy smiled once more, showing his uneven, slightly stained teeth. “That’s not what I’ve heard,” he said, his smile now gone.

  “According to our two little friends here… you are the one… the true one.” He paused again. “And in my books,” he said, looking around him, “in my books that makes you pretty damned special… don’t you agree?” He was now sounding sinister and Henry didn’t feel comfortable being questioned in such a manner, especially by a complete stranger. “Well, Kreedy,” Henry said, trying not to sound intimidating, “if you continue questioning me in this way… you may find out for yourself just how special I am.” Kreedy sat back in his chair as if he had been struck. “My goodness… my goodness me… Here I am feeding you with… with food… food that I personally cooked myself just for you and… and…” Kreedy was lost for words and started to stammer, “and… and wearing the very clothes I made with my own bare hands… You then have the impertinence to… to…” Henry put up his hand. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry… I didn’t…” Kreedy cut him off in mid-sentence. “No you didn’t!” he shouted. Grog and Nog stood quietly in the corner: both knew better than to intervene. “No, you didn’t… you haven’t shown any appreciation for my hospitality.” Henry stood up from the table, knocking his chair over.

  Kreedy immediately went quiet, realising that he may have overstepped the mark. “Let us put things in perspective now, shall we…? Firstly, Mr Wormwell” – Kreedy didn’t miss the tone in Henry’s voice – “I am very grateful for your hospitality … for the food and for the dry clothes… But don’t think for one minute that it gives you the right to interrogate me.” He paused and leant over Kreedy, who tried to sit further back in his chair. “I am the host master… and that’s all you need to know… and you will treat me as such… I may be young but that doesn’t make me stupid or naive.” Kreedy for the first time in ages sat quietly, sighed and got up from the table. “My lord… please accept my apologies… I seem to have forgotten my manners,” he said, bowing. Henry smiled. “We’ll put the matter behind us,” he said, placing his hand on one of Kreedy’s bony shoulders. However, unknown to Henry, Kreedy hadn’t quite finished with his questions. He was never aware that lady Hazel was even in a relationship, not since Alfwald, so how on earth did she have a child without his knowing about it? He was the holder of all knowledge, after all, and should have known, it was his pride and reputation at stake here. “Forgive me, my lord, but I must ask you a few more questions… for the books you understand.” Henry looked livid and was about to speak when Kreedy raised a bony arm. “My lord… I know you find my questioning intrusive… but I am the keeper of the books and I record all that has happened… It’s my duty to record…You must understand.” Henry sighed. “Okay… but please excuse me eating.” He picked up his chair, then sat back down to finish his meal.

  Kreedy, now excited, rubbed his hands together and then sat down opposite Henry. “Why do you think that I’ve never known of your existence?” Henry swallowed a mouthful of food, shrugged his shoulders, and answered, “My mother… Lady Hazel… didn’t want me to have any involvement with the guardians… or the darkness.” He took another mouthful, swallowed and then took a sip of tea before he continued. He could see that Kreedy was becoming impatient, so he took his time in answering. Henry smiled to himself and thought perhaps he could have a little fun. Placing his cup back down on the table, he sat back in his chair, purposely taking his time before continuing. “You see… when I was born, my mother decided to move from the woodlands and live in the town… amongst humans.” Kreedy sat forward. “But why?” he asked, trying to hold back his excitement. “Why do you think?” Henry replied. “To hide me from my responsibilities… to try and keep me safe.” He leant forward. “So that’s why you’ve never heard of me until now.”

  Kreedy was about to ask another question but Henry interrupted him by saying, “That’s it for now… no more questions… Now it’s your turn to tell me something.” Kreedy sat back with a concerned look on his strange face. “Anything my lord,” he said. “Then tell me how you know these two,” he asked, looking in the direction where Grog and Nog stood quietly in the corner of the kitchen. Kreedy smiled. “Oh… they’re great friends of mine… and have been for many, many years… Isn’t that right, Grog?” he said, now looking at them himself.

  The two fluff balls smiled. “Mr Kreedy has been a good friend to us,” Grog said. “A good friend indeed,” confirmed Nog. Kreedy turned back to face Henry. “I haven’t seen them for so many long years… not until today when they turned up with you.” Kreedy looked back to Grog and Nog. “Where have you two been hiding yourselves?” he asked. “I’ve been worried out of my skull.” Grog stopped smiling. “Had to wait,” he said sheepishly. “Yes, had to wait,” Nog confirmed. “Wait…? Wait for what?” Kreedy asked abruptly. Both Grog and Nog looked down at their feet as if they had been told off like two little schoolboys. “Sorry,” Kreedy said apologetically, “it’s just because I worry…Where were you?” Nog answered first. “In the realm of the elves,” he said quietly. “What…? Why?” Kreedy managed to say, a little shocked. “Yes, for many years… waiting,” Grog said. “Yes waiting… waiting a long time for…” Nog said, now looking at Henry.

  Henry said nothing: he was too busy enjoying his food, but was interested in what they were saying. He was about to put another spoonful of meat and potatoes in his mouth but stopped halfway when he noticed that Grog and Nog were looking directly at him with those huge, brown eyes. Kreedy also turned to face Henry. “What?” he said, looking from face to face. No one replied, they just stared at him. He placed his spoon back on his plate. “What?” he said again, but this time it was a little more irate. Grog spoke first. “You, master… we waited for you.” Nog simply nodded. Kreedy, now looking at Henry, sa
id, “Oh… I see now.” Henry pushed back his chair and stood up again. “Well… I don’t.”

  Kreedy was the first to reply. He stood up and walked over to Grog and his brother and stood between the two. If Henry was in a different state of mind he may have laughed at the strange sight standing before him. “How much have my friends here told you about themselves?” Henry shrugged his shoulders. “Not much… just that they had to serve the host master… Why?” Kreedy walked back over to Henry. “Their whole existence relies on you… or more to the point… the host master.” He paused to look back over to his friends. “A more trustworthy friend and companion you’ll never find.” He turned back to Henry. “Now that you’re the host master they will serve you… and only you… they will never leave your side… not even if you order them to do so… And without a second thought they would lay down their lives for you,” Henry felt a little uncomfortable and had to clear his throat before he spoke. “Well, let’s hope that won’t be necessary.”

  Kreedy stepped a little closer to Henry and whispered in his ear. “But they need you to accept them… They won’t just take it for granted.” Then he stood back. At first Henry didn’t really know what Kreedy meant by “accept them”; perhaps they just needed him to tell them as much. He nodded, now having a better understanding. “I’ll speak with them soon.” Kreedy smiled with approval. “Then let’s have another hot cuppa.”

  Kreedy made his way through the clutter to the sink and filled the kettle from an old, rusty tap. “And how is your mother?” he said without turning around. “Not that good… but my hopes are that she’ll recover soon.” Kreedy placed the kettle over the hob fire. “Oh… is she unwell?” Henry pulled the Moonstone from out of his tunic. Kreedy was on him quicker than a cat. “The Moonstone,” he said, almost in awe. “How… but it’s…” he said. Henry looked down at it. “It nearly killed her… She used to find Bree and me when she and the others were at the High-stones.” Kreedy was still in wonderment of the stone: he had heard of it, of course, and seen drawings of it in many of his books; but to have it there in his kitchen was more than even he could ask for.