“You’ll have one last drink before you leave,” Kreedy said, as he banged a large kettle over the hob flame. “Tell me about this Henry fellow… what sort of host do you think he’ll make… He looks a bit, too… well, a bit too childish for my liking.” Walt shrugged his shoulders. “I’ve no idea… I know nothing about him… except that he’s lady Sophia’s nephew.” He paused to mop his face. “I believe his mother, Lady Hazel, had kept him in the dark over the years, especially over who she was… Other than that, I know nothing about him.” Kreedy turned to face him. “You’re not trying to keep things from me now… are you?” he said in a menacing tone. Walt shook his head. “That’s all I know… really.” Kreedy held his gaze for a second, making poor Walt fidget uncomfortably in his seat.
Satisfied that Walt was telling the truth, Kreedy sighed and turned his attention back to making the tea. Placing the tea on the table in front of Walt, Kreedy pulled up a wooden chair and sat facing him. “Then tell me all you know about the elf king,” he ordered, whilst sipping his own tea. Walt picked up the hot tea but spilt a little on his lap, making him jump up and curse. “Oh blast!” he shouted. He placed his tea back on the table and wiped his trousers down with his hanky. “I’m not sure I can help you… I’m as much in the dark as you are.” Walt could see the unpleasant look on Kreedy’s face and nervously looked away. “But I’ll tell everything I know… but it’s not much”, Kreedy smiled and indicated for Walt to sit and continue.
Walt then told Kreedy everything that had happened since Acca called Bert. He then told him about his encounter with Alfwald and the shadow master. Kreedy sat forward, his long, skinny, strange-looking face staring at Walt, making Walt feel uncomfortable as he listened intensely, hanging onto his every word. Once Walt had finished, Kreedy sat back in his chair and drank the last of his tea and, without saying anything, got up and took Walt’s cup and placed them both in the sink. “Is that all…? You’ve left nothing out?” he said as he turned to face Walt again. Walt mopped his head and nodded. “I try to keep out of harm’s way… so I’m never around when trouble starts.” He wiped the sweat from his face. “Sorry I couldn’t tell you any more.” Kreedy nodded. “No need for apologies, o’man… but you must be off now… As you’ve said… You’ve got quite a walk ahead of you.”
Walt had the feeling that he was being dismissed, now being of no use to Kreedy, he wanted him gone, which in fact suited Walt. As far as he was concerned, the sooner he got away from him, the better. Walt struggled to get up from the chair and made his way around the large kitchen table to the door. “Thanks again,” Walt said, but Kreedy was too busy banging pots and pans around. Walt waited a second or two for some response but none came. He opened the door and turned back to Kreedy. “Goodbye, then,” Walt called out. With his back still to Walt, Kreedy gave a half-hearted wave. “Do call again, o’man!” he shouted as he stuck his head into a cupboard.
Once outside, Walt pulled the collar of his jacket around his neck and huddled his arms around himself in a poor attempt to ward off the winter chill. The rain had stopped but there was a heavy grey mist that made visibility further than thirty feet or so difficult. Walt had always been ill-equipped for the outdoors, never having worn anything other than his suit jacket and pyjama top under his shirt. He took a second to get his bearings and then with his head lowered, he reluctantly headed for home. He had already decided earlier that morning that he was going to take the most direct route: he was in no fit state to clamber through brambles and undergrowth – in fact, he never had been. Still unaware that the woodland was now safe, he was nervous and started to think that perhaps he was taking too big a gamble with his life by staying out in the open, but he had little choice.
He knew the tracks and rides that ran though the woodland well, but whenever he left the familiar track to take a shortcut through the trees, he always became disorientated, which inevitably meant that he got himself lost. No, he was adamant that this time he was going to take the quickest and easiest way to his home. And to help push away his fears and discomfort, he put his mind on home as he made his way along the muddy trackway. The mere thought of his nice, warm, cosy living room and his soft bed made him walk just that little bit faster, his beady little eyes glancing from one side of the track to the other as he imagined shadows and figures behind nearly every tree. But he did manage to keep his mind on his little bungalow and reassured himself that every step he took was just that one step closer to home and safety.
“Where do we go from here?” Henry asked Bert. Since leaving home with his mother some days ago, Henry’s feet hadn’t really touched the ground, and now all they seemed to be doing was hanging around the clearing near the old oak. If he was to be quite honest, he was becoming a little bored with it. Sophia had gone off somewhere without saying anything to him, Mylon, Alk and Poppy had now left for home, leaving him with Bree, Bert, the two brothers, and Ben, wherever he was. “We wait,” Bert replied in a matter-of-fact way, “until Acca wishes to speak again.” Henry glanced over at the tree, then back at Bert. “I thought it was all over…When I killed the shadow master, I thought it would be the last of it.” Bert smiled. “The last of it… Ha… It’s just begun, lad…Ya ave a lot ahead of ya… The world’s in a terrible state, lad… Lots of hurt and lots of hatred.” Bert paused and placed his large hand on Henry’s shoulder. “Ya ain’t gonna be able to fix it all… No bugger can… but ya ave to do what ya can, right…? That’s all anybody could ask of ya.” Bert’s voice softened. “Nuffink more, lad… just do ya best.” He patted Henry’s shoulder. “I believe Acca is now ready for us.” Henry looked a little confused. “How do you know?” he asked, looking back at the tree. “It calls me, lad… come… and it will call you, too, when ya needed.” With that, he walked towards the tree. Henry looked to Bree: she gave him a smile and nodded for him to follow.
Both now leaning against the oak, Henry and Bert closed their eyes and concentrated on communicating with Acca. Seconds ticked by, then, ever so slowly, Henry felt his hands sink into the tree once more. “Open your eyes,” the voice echoed. Henry did as he was ordered, but when he did, he was more than surprised to find himself looking out at a familiar sight. He and Bert were standing on the edge of the Saxon village he was shown the first time he met Acca. For a moment, Acca said nothing, allowing Henry to take it all in. As before, the open fires were scattered amongst large, round houses, some with pots boiling over them, while others were a pile of smoking embers. “Look to the great hall,” Acca commanded, but when Henry did there was nothing to see, except for one man who sat cross-legged on the ground, lacing up his animal fur boots. Henry turned to Bert and was about to say something, when the large doors of the hall opened and several large Saxon warriors stepped out.
Henry caught his breath when, amongst them, he noticed Alfwald. He was about to rush forward to speak to him when Bert grabbed him by the arm, indicating him to stay put. “Just watch, lad,” Bert whispered, so Henry did as he was instructed and stood watching as Alfwald, who was now standing in front of the slightly open door to the hall, was talking to two other men. Then, taking Henry even more by surprise, his mother walked out and greeted the three of them. She looked absolutely amazing, dressed in her green, full-length cloak and fur boots, her brilliant red hair cascading over her shoulders. Her face lit up when Alfwald took her arm. Tears welled up in Henry’s eyes as he fought not to run over to her. “Your mother is happy and now at peace,” Acca announced. “She had lived most of her life caring for the land and for others… Now she has been granted the life she’d always dreamt of… A simple, carefree life among those she loved… this host master… is her reward for her sacrifice.”
Henry watched with a smile on his face and tears in his eyes as his mother joked and laughed with his father and the other two men. He had never seen her so happy as she hung onto Alfwald’s arm. “Grieve no more, host master… your mother is where she wants to be… where she belongs.” Henry didn’t speak, just content for th
e moment as he watched. He had missed her so much. “You didn’t have to show me this… I mean, I’m glad that you have… but why did you?” Henry asked without taking his eyes off Alfwald and his mother. “You carry a great deal of responsibility as host master. As such, many will rely on you over the coming months and years… As host you cannot afford to be distracted by the past…You will witness great sadness and sorrow within your lifetime… However, through your successes, you will also experience great joy and love.” Acca paused a moment, allowing Henry to take in what he was saying. “What you have witnessed is only the start… you have more hardships ahead of you…You must be strong… when you think of your mother… think of her as she is today and how happy she is.” Acca paused.
“I wish to share one more thing with you, host master.” He paused again. “In this time,” he said referring to Saxon times, “everything was magic to the people: the changing of the seasons, the sun and moon, even the trees and crops, all magic.” He paused. “Years, even centuries have gone by… but nothing has really changed… it still is magic today… But most people are too busy to see it. Everything the Lord has given us is magic in its own way, magic that all can see if only they open their eyes.” Acca paused again. “People study the wonders of nature, they probe and examine, trying to understand how a plant could grow… But they never see the wonder that is in front of them… They look but with closed minds… That host master is one of your biggest challenges… Open your mind… see what is around you… feel its energy and accept it for what it is… magic.” Acca paused again. “Go now, host master… we will speak again but for now go and be the man you are destined to be.” Henry looked to Bert. “Never seen er so appy,” he said. Henry then turned back to watch Alfwald and his mother one last time. “Bye, Mum,” he whispered. Just then, both Alfwald and his mother turned and looked directly at him and smiled. Henry’s heart jumped with joy. He raised his hand in a gesture to say goodbye and, to his surprise, they both raised theirs back just as they faded out of sight. “Close your eyes,” Acca announced. Both Henry and Bert did as they were told. “We will speak again,” Acca said, just before they found themselves back in the clearing, leaning against the old tree.
For a second or two, Henry stayed where he was, not wanting to let go, his eyes filled with tears. Bree rushed over to him and placed his hand on his arm to help reassure him, but Henry just lowered his head and began to cry openly, not because he missed his mother – that went without saying. No, he cried out of relief and because he was so happy for her… and his father. The guilt and shame Henry had felt for not being there for her were now gone, replaced by a newfound determination to become the best person he could be. His mother had lived her life caring for the world and ultimately gave her life to help save it. It would be doing her a great dishonour to do anything less. He wiped his eyes and looked down to Bree, seeing the concerned look on her face. He gave her a brief smile. “I’m fine,” he said.
Taking Henry by the hand, Bree led him over to where Grog and Nog were. “What are your plans now?” Henry asked them. Nog stood up. “Must care for my brother, master… the elves might help… Mylon told me to go there if Grog was not better,” he answered. Henry knelt down next to Grog. “Is there anything I can do to help?” he asked softly. Grog smiled but didn’t answer. Bree placed her hand on Henry’s shoulder. “Can we talk?” she whispered as she stepped away. Henry got back up and followed her. “I’ve been thinking,” she said, “Lady Hazel was a powerful healer… your mother could do wonders… She could heal the dying and revitalise the sick.” Henry put up his hand. “Wo… wait a minute,” he said, realising where she was going with this conversation. “I may have newfound powers… but that’s due to the Wyvern, not me… I…”
Bree placed her finger on his lips to silence him. “My dear sweet Henry.” She smiled. “You have no idea of what you’re capable of until you try…Your mother was a lady of nature and your father a host master himself.” She paused. “My sweet… you can’t afford to dismiss things so easily. A lot of people depend on you… I depend on you… You need to push yourself to find your own limits; only then will you reach your full potential as a man and a host.” Henry looked into her large eyes. He knew what she was saying was right. He needed to find out for himself what he could do but he didn’t ever think for one minute that he could inherit powers from his mother. He looked back over to Grog. He was half-sitting on part of a moss-covered fallen tree and looked to be on the verge of collapse. He turned back to Bree. “I want to help… but I don’t want to put his hopes up… What if I can’t help…? Even worse… what if I do him more harm?” Bree smiled again. “You won’t… please try.” Bert walked over and placed his hand on Henry’s arm. “Ya do fine, lad.”
Henry looked back over at poor Grog and nodded. “I’ll try,” he said. Bree took Henry’s hand and both walked over to Grog. Bree jumped up and sat down next to him. “Henry is going to try and help you… is that okay?” she asked him softly. Weakly Grog looked to his brother. “If master thinks he can help… let master try,” Nog said. Grog then looked up at Henry and nodded. For a moment, Henry just stood looking down at him, having no idea what he should do next. He had been told by Bree how his mother healed the land, and he had seen her put up the orange barrier around his aunt’s house some days ago. So, using his mother’s example, he took off his boots and then knelt next to Grog. “I’ve no idea what I’m doing… or…” Grog gave a weak smile and nodded.
Henry placed his hands on the area of damage around Grog’s shoulder, dug his toes into the earth, and closed his eyes as he looked inside himself to find any power that wasn’t from the Wyvern. At first there was nothing. He could feel the Wyvern’s presence as it lay at rest, then something happened, deep inside, something came awake. This time it wasn’t the Wyvern. No, this was something else, something that belonged to him… part of him. It started with a soft, warm sensation throughout his whole body: instead of his feet being cold as he dug them into the wet ground, they felt warm as the energy in his body fed from the earth, travelling through his entire body and then into his hands. Spreading into Grog’s shoulders, he could now sense for himself how badly damaged Grog really was. Bert was right when he said that it was more than just a physical injury. The shadow master had poisoned him, just like he had his uncle and countless others over the years, and for some unknown reason Henry knew that, if left, Grog would eventually stop being himself and start to go over to the darkness.
Moments passed as Henry slowly and gently allowed the energy from the earth to flow through him and into Grog. It was as if he were just the connection between Grog and the life force that came from the world itself. Henry could feel the energy as it worked in healing Grog’s injury. However, it was just the physical side. The deep damage seemed not to be affected by his healing process. Then it dawned on him that he would have to wake the Wyvern: it was the only power that could fight the darkness, but first Grog had to be strong enough to take it, so Henry concentrated solely on healing him and making him stronger physically.
Bree, Bert and Nog stood back and allowed Henry the time and the space to do his work. From where they were standing, they could see the orange glow around Henry’s hands and feet, the same orange glow that his mother gave off when she was healing. “Strong lad ya got there,” Bert muttered to Bree. She smiled. “I know.” Bert then patted Nog on the shoulder. “He’ll be fine now,” he said. Nog, however, wasn’t that convinced. He could see and sense for himself that his master was healing his brother’s wounds, but could also sense that the darkness was untouched. It was sometime later when Henry sat back on his heels. Instead of feeling tired by his efforts, he felt fresh, almost reborn. The energy had healed him as much as it had Grog, if not more so.
Unknown to Henry, that was why his mother and aunt had lived so long. Like Bert and Ben, they were all creatures of nature and all had to replenish themselves from time to time from the life forces around them. Still kneeling in front of
Grog, Henry looked up at Bert and, without having to say a word, Bert knew precisely what Henry was thinking, having sensed the darkness himself. He knew that in order for Henry to heal Grog completely, he had a little more work to do. “How are you feeling now?” Henry asked Grog. Grog gave him a big smile. “Better, master… much better.” Henry sighed. “I haven’t finished yet… Do you understand?” Grog nodded. “Master must take the badness out.” Henry smiled. It was like talking to a child. “Yes, master must take the darkness out,” he repeated with a smile.
Again Henry placed his hand on Grog’s chest and closed his eyes once more. However, this time he had to wake the sleeping beast within him. Slowly he felt its powers spreading through him until both Grog and himself were encased in a soft, yellowy, golden glow. Henry worked to find the source of the darkness and wasn’t surprised that it was deep within Grog’s mind. Very gently he allowed the Wyvern to penetrate into Grog’s mind, snaking its way around every inch, digging into his deepest thoughts and far-off memories, nothing hidden from him, everything Grog had known or done. Henry now knew and Grog made no attempt to stop him. Once Henry found the poison that the shadow master had planted, he immediately went to work in extracting it, pulling at it, dragging it out from Grog and into himself, where the Wyvern’s powers would take over and destroy it.
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