Isabella's Heiress

by N. P. Griffiths

  “No! No!”

  Taryn went rushing down the stairs and Emma went racing after her. She flung the door of the church open and flew through the yard. At the lichgate Emma caught up with her and jumped in front of her.

  “Slow down. If we go up there, we put everything they have done at risk.”

  “They’re losing, Em! I can’t just stay here!”

  Emma wanted to argue, she wanted to say that they had to do as Father Eamon said but she knew Taryn was right. “Okay, we go to the end of the road and stay there but if they can’t beat it what chance do we have?”

  Taryn nodded and they rushed to the top of the hill. Emma stopped as she got there and took in the scene in front of her. The few guides that were left were desperately trying to distract the creature from Sister Ignacia for long enough so that Father Eamon could reach her and pull her out of harms way. They weren’t having any joy but it was hampered by the leg wound that Sister Ignacia’s swords had inflicted on it and its progress was slow.

  Father Eamon was dragging Sister Ignacia backwards but she was a dead weight and Emma knew that it was only a matter of time before the creature reached them. One of the guides had managed to climb on to a nearby roof and was now crouching with his sword drawn back over his head in a guard position. He leapt forward off the roof and towards the creature’s neck but he had barely left the red pantiles before a spindly arm swept upwards cutting him in half with the scythe. His soul completed the journey for him but his sacrifice gave Father Eamon just enough time to lift Sister Ignacia on to his shoulders and stumble towards the nearest building. A door opened and a man rushed out towards him. Emma recognised Rodolfo as he passed Father Eamon. He was carrying a staff which he now placed directly in front of him as he faced up to the creature. He adjusted his hands so that they held it at three-quarters height and raised the staff above his head before ramming the end of it down in to the ground as he shouted something that Emma couldn’t make out. The ground shook and the creature fell backwards. It regained its feat almost instantly but by then Father Eamon had got Sister Ignacia into the relative safety of the house.

  In its anger it swung the scythe at Rodolfo, who ducked out of the way. The return swing knocked him sideways and as he fell, Emma could see that he was completely at the mercy of the axe that the creature was now raising above its head in readiness to plunge into the prone figure in front of it.

  “Over here! I’m the one you want, not him!”

  It wasn’t a conscious effort on Emma’s part. She just found herself standing in the street shouting at this thing that was now preparing to kill someone else in its quest for her. It froze in place before slowly turning towards her and lowering its arms.

  The few guides that were left looked on aghast as Emma walked slowly backwards towards the side of the church.

  “Emma! Are you mad? What are you doing?” Taryn joined the guides in their looks of panic.

  “I have no idea.” Emma was completely calm and her eyes never left that of the Soul Gorger, who was now lumbering towards her with gathering speed but just as she was about to turn and run, she felt the oxygen sucked out of the air around her. A deep whooshing was accompanied by a bright orange flash that knocked everybody standing to the floor. It was followed by a second then a third. The ground shook with every impact and Emma found herself being thrown up into the air like a rag doll.

  As the dust settled, she jumped back as the creature was revealed less than six feet away from her. Its arms hung limply by its side and it released a whimper that belied its size. The dust cleared further to reveal three streaks of flame running through it and finishing in the ground below, the points of impact looking like little pools of cracked glass. It dropped its weapons and tried to pull at them but each time it touched one of the blazing ribbons, it tore its hands back with a scream of pain.

  Emma felt the air return at the same time as a sharp downdraft that caused her to drop down to one knee. She covered her eyes as dirt and dust were kicked up in a stinging cocktail. The downdraft passed and Emma spat out the dirt that had lodged itself in her throat. She looked towards the street to see a woman landing in front of Rodolfo whilst the wings that had borne her there folded into her back. She lifted him to his feet as if he weighed no more than a newborn child. Then she turned towards Emma. She walked over at an unhurried pace and it wasn’t until she was almost on her that Emma saw that it wasn’t the same angel as yesterday. This one was taller and had a deep bronze tan. Her hair flowed around her shoulders as she walked and Emma was reminded of all the women she had grown to hate, as she had got older. On this occasion though she realised that she had a lot to be grateful to this woman for.

  As she approached, Emma saw a bow slung loosely across her shoulders and a quiver of arrows hanging from her waist. Emma looked from them to the three flames that were currently causing the creature so much pain. So that’s what they are. The feelings she had felt when Ambrosia had landed the previous day came back with a vengeance and she dropped her eyes to the ground.

  “You need not fear it, Emma. It cannot go anywhere.”

  She walked up to the creature and took hold of its hood. As she ripped it back, it let out a last agonised scream before dissolving into the air.

  “Hmm…That I wasn’t expecting.” The angel was she an angel or a woman? Emma couldn’t decide, walked over and extended a hand down. Emma took it and found herself being lifted up by an irresistible force.

  “And you must be Taryn.” She offered her hand and Taryn slowly accepted it never once taking her eyes away from the ground as her face went from pink to scarlet.

  A sound behind the angel caused them all to look towards the main street. Father Eamon was walking over; his face set in a look that Emma knew probably wasn’t good.

  “Odysseia, I’m glad you could get here. I owe you a debt of thanks.”

  “There is no debt; you have done the same for me on many occasions if I remember correctly.”

  Father Eamon smiled briefly, “All the same, thank you. Emma what you did was brave but it put you at a risk which we did our utmost to avoid. Please heed my words in future.”

  Emma felt embarrassed to be admonished in front of this woman; she was a woman she decided, as that was much easier than trying to tackle all the questions that taking her for an angel brought up.

  Odysseia looked over at the house Father Eamon had come from, “How is Sister Ignacia? I saw her take a nasty kick just before I arrived.”

  “She is well. She was winded but nothing more. She will be here in a minute.”

  Emma was aware of Taryn letting out a deep breath next to her at these words.

  “And who was the man that used the staff? Was it who I thought it was?”

  Father Eamon nodded.

  “Do you wish me to mention him in my report?”

  “No. If the council have confirmation of his existence in this realm then they will want him. ‘Tis better for them not to know just yet.”

  “I understand but he will not stay an enigma for long. Word is bound to reach them.”

  “I know but it is better they do not know for now.”

  Odysseia turned to the three flames that were still burning as brightly as when they had landed and ran her hand over the top of them. They instantly turned to ash and vanished in the air.

  “How many fell?”

  Father Eamon looked grim, “too many. We cannot afford to keep losing good men and women like that.”

  “I agree, but we have dealt with this threat and the price they would have had to pay for its service would have been grievous. They will not send another I think.”

  Father Eamon nodded in agreement. He looked around and as Emma followed his eyes, she could see people looking out of windows and now walking into the street. All eyes were trained on Odysseia, and Emma could see an uncomfortable look in Father Eamon’s eyes.

  “You had better leave. Word will get back of your presence here before long.”


  “They broke the rules so we bent them in response, nothing will come of it I think but I will have to report to the council.”

  Odysseia walked into the street and spread her wings. They extended with a muffled woof that reminded Emma of an umbrella being opened and stopped the realms residence in their tracks. As she headed skywards, all they could do was follow her up, their mouths open.

  “Emma, was that an…?” Taryn could hardly bring herself to mouth the word.

  “Angel? Yes.”

  “So they…”

  “Exist? It looks that way.”

  “Oh, my god, she was beautiful.”

  Sister Ignacia emerged from the house ruefully rubbing her waist. Taryn raced over to her and embraced her guide as tears rolled down her face.

  “How’s Rodolfo?” Emma was looking over at the man who was now sitting on the ground outside a house that looked like it was going to collapse on him if he took his weight away from the wall.

  “He will be fine.”

  “What’s going to happen to him?”

  Father Eamon thought for a second before answering, “To be truthful, I do not know. His appearance is unexpected and I will have to speak to him and find out why he has chosen now to make himself known.”

  “Why is there all this mystery over him?”

  “To explain that would take more time than we have here. Suffice to say his views would be deemed heretical in certain quarters.”

  Emma paused, “What happens to me know?”

  “Now you go about your task as before. I agree with Odysseia on this. They will not try to stop you again, at least not by a measure such as this.” Father Eamon nodded towards where the Soul Gorger had been.

  “Well that’s comforting to know. All I’ve got to do now is pass an impossible task to stop myself from going south.”

  Emma walked over to Taryn and Sister Ignacia, ignoring the looks coming her way from the people now huddled in groups and looking at her or pointing to the sky.

  “How are you?”

  “I’ll be fine, I’m just winded. The important thing is that you are untouched. Taryn, you need to leave now.”

  Taryn’s face dropped “What’s the point, by the time I get to the station it’ll be mid-afternoon. Besides, I’m nearly done. All I’ve got left is to set the clock back an hour.”

  “Taryn!” Sister Ignacia’s face went alabaster white as the buildings around her caught alight and the bells of St Pauls tolled out a deep mournful peel.

  Taryn realised her mistake too late and looked to her guide for help as mist filled the air less than ten metres away.

  “What happened?” Father Eamon was racing over from where he had been talking to Rodolfo.

  “Taryn let slip her task in front of Emma.” Sister Ignacia’s voice was weak with resignation

  “Oh, Taryn.” Father Eamon’s shoulders slumped as the sky went red and the first fragments of an arm emerged from the mist.

  “It was an accident. I didn’t think!” Taryn’s eyes were wide as she looked at the two guides.

  “Stay behind me, Taryn.” Sister Ignacia placed herself between Taryn and the oncoming Gentle Men.

  Emma went to stand by Taryn but she felt an arm placed firmly around her waist. She turned to see Rodolfo standing behind her.

  “There is nothing you can do here, child.” His face was fixed in a grimace but his eyes were pools of pain as he watched Sister Ignacia and Father Eamon making vain efforts to protect Taryn from her fate.

  “She’s my friend! I’m not going to leave her to them!”

  “I’m sorry, child, but you are too valuable to risk on a fool’s errand. She is doomed. Her actions have condemned her.”

  “No! They can take me. I won’t let her go.”

  “WON’T LET HER GO? WON’T LET HER GO! WHO ARE YOU TO PRESUME TO DICTATE TO THE OLDEST, GREATEST POWER EVER TO WALK THE EARTH? YOU MIGHT HAVE GOT LUCKY AGAINST OUR FRIEND EARLIER BUT EVEN YOU CANNOT CHANGE THE ANCIENT LAWS OF THE PLANE!”

  The voice tore through the realm, goading and tormenting Emma in just the same way it did on her first time out.

  “SOON, EMMA. SOON IT WILL BE YOU. FATHER EAMON YOU MUST RESTRAIN SISTER IGNACIA, YOU KNOW THE RULES.”

  “Do not dare to tell me the rules of this plane, dolt. I have more experience of them than you!” Father Eamon raised his eyes to the sky, his fists clenched against his sides before turning to Sister Ignacia. “Come Ignacia, you know the rules as well as well as I. We can do no more here.”

  “No! I will not let her go! You know what they will do to her in there.” Sister Ignacia was fighting back tears and her words were mixed with sobs. “I cannot let her go! She does not deserve that fate, no one does!”

  “Don’t let them take me, please.” Taryn’s voice was trembling and her eyes were brimming with tears. She held her arms out towards Sister Ignacia who responded by trying to take them in hers but Father Eamon held her back.

  “I’m sorry, Taryn. There’s nothing I can do.” Sister Ignacia was close to collapsing and it was only Father Eamon’s strength that kept her up.

  “Tttarryn. Wee welcome you. It will bee a pleasure corrupting your beauty.”

  Emma struggled hard as she watched the Gentle Men close around Taryn. As they placed their skeletal hands on her limbs and lifted her off the ground, Taryn’s whimpers became screams. She looked directly at Emma, her eyes pleading.

  “Em, please. Don’t let them take me. I don’t want to go.”

  Emma wanted to scream at them to let her go but all she could do was reach out towards Taryn and gasp as words failed to come.

  They half-dragged half-carried Taryn to the mist and allowed it to swallow them up. Taryn let out a last desperate cry as the mist disappeared leaving behind it an empty road. The cry continued as Emma dropped to her knees looking at the place where her friend had been less that ten seconds earlier.

  For the second time in less than an hour, dust was settling back down on the road. Sister Ignacia sat a short distance away just looking into space, her face vacant of any expression as Father Eamon knelt next to her talking. Emma could see her faintly nod her head as Father Eamon embraced her before standing up.

  Rodolfo stood up and joined him in the middle of the street. They exchanged words and Father Eamon headed over to Emma.

  “Come, Emma. We must head back to the sanctuary. Rodolfo will take care of Sister Ignacia.”

  “Why didn’t you stop them?” Emma’s eyes were still set on the spot where the mist had been. “Why didn’t you tell them they couldn’t have her?”

  “Because it was not in my power to. If I could I would but once Taryn had spoken, there was nothing I could do.”

  Father Eamon went to help Emma up but she pulled away from him. “Leave me alone. I hate you! I hate you and everything else to do with this fucking place!”

  “I know, Emma, I know, but staying here will be of no help to anyone.”

  “I’ll make my own way back! I don’t need any help.”

  Emma got up and looked around the street. Those inhabitants that had chosen to leave their homes when the Soul Gorger had been destroyed had now disappeared back inside. Only the four of them were left.

  “Emma it would be wise if you waited for us.”

  Emma rounded on Father Eamon. “If you couldn’t stop them taking Taryn, what good are you to me?”

  A hurt look flitted across Father Eamon’s face but it was gone in a second, replaced by a look of resignation.

  “I will meet you back at the sanctuary.”

  “Yeah, sure.”

  Emma walked in a daze, as her vision became prisms of red, green and blue until she wiped away tears from her eyes. The choked sobs became full-bodied heaves as the grief of losing Taryn took over.

  The sounds of her pain echoed through the streets as they filled the void left by the inhabitants’ sudden retreat.

  Emma knew that the void left by Taryn’s loss would never be filled.

 
Chapter Twenty-One

  Trouble at Billingsgate

  The days after Taryn’s loss blurred into a mixture of anguish and grief for Emma as she struggled to accept what had happened. Journeys into the twilight plane brought back first memories then tears and Emma would abandon whatever it was she had been doing at the time and return to her room at the sanctuary.

  Father Eamon tried to console her but whilst she made all the right noises in response, nothing he could say helped. The loneliness brought on by Taryn’s loss just increased with each passing day.

  It was always the same, she would wake in the morning and for a few seconds everything would be okay until she remembered that Taryn was no longer there and then the pain would start all over again. She would force herself to go through the motions of the day but her heart wasn’t in it and she knew that, as things stood, she would never complete her own task. Twice now she had walked towards London Bridge Station with the intention of getting a train to her sister’s studio. Both times she had turned back when she had reached the bridge, as all the willpower drained from her. Each day brought with it fresh feelings of guilt and recrimination. Emma knew that she would have to deal with them but for all that she couldn’t shake the feelings of responsibility for what had happened. Twice now she had lost Taryn and twice she had been powerless to do anything about it. At times it felt like the guilt would overwhelm her but it was at these moments that a plan started to form.

  At first it felt like a knee jerk impulse to Taryn’s loss but the more she thought about it, the more she managed to convince herself that it could be done until by the time a fortnight had passed it was all she was thinking about. Plans raced through her head with indecent haste until finally one stuck which had the makings of something that might be able to be pulled off.

  Over the next few days, Emma left the sanctuary with a renewed purpose. She hunted down side streets and river inlets as she worked her way through the different ages of the plane. Now that the Soul Gorger had been destroyed, Father Eamon seemed more content to give her some more freedom to move around on her own, although she was sure that there were people looking over her as she continued with her plan. In the back of her mind, she knew that she would have to put the plan to one side to deal with her own problems but she figured that she had time to deal with that and besides, once she had completed her task, if she completed her task, she corrected herself, she would be leaving this plane and then what good would she be to Taryn? No, she would set all the pieces in place for this before she did anything else.