The Ancients: Book 3 in the Cedarstone Chronicles

by Sean Stone

  "James listen to me," Nick said calmly, his voice gentle, but still firm enough to cut through his pain and make him listen. "I cannot cure your lycanthropy, I tried and I failed. You can stop the transformation, though"

  "No, I can't," James said between sobs, rolling around on the grass. He could feel fur forcing its way through his skin.

  "You felt Kristen heal your pain. Pain caused by your transformation. You know how magic works. Only you can heal yourself fully," Nick continued.

  "I can't heal lycanthropy. It's not an injury!" James yelled. He could feel his nose and mouth starting to elongate.

  "You can stop it. You can control it. If you try. You have taken enough power to cast almost any spell. Draw on all of the power you have at your disposal. Remember that night in the cemetery. When you were changing and Benjamin stopped it. He had the power to stop your transformation. You can do that too. You can use all of your power to stop this."

  Kristen was at his ear again. "Listen to him James. Do as he says. Trust him. Trust me. You can do this."

  "Do it for me," he begged, looking up at Nick. If James could do it then surely Nick could.

  "I could, James. But I won't. You need to learn to do this yourself."

  James squeezed his eyes shut and tapped into his magic. He'd gotten so used to using magic now that it was almost second nature. He barely noticed the way it felt in him anymore. He tapped into it, he sent it through him like a current. Commanded it to stop the transformation. There was no gradual easing of the pain. No tingling or flowing sensation like he expected. It was instantaneous. The pain was gone. The transformations reversed. He felt amazing. All his suffering had stopped in the blink of an eye. Just like the night in the cemetery when Benjamin had done it.

  Kristen reached out and pulled him up to his feet. She smiled fondly at him, proudly. He smiled back and let out a small laugh. "I'm cured, aren't I? I'm really cured?"

  "In a manner of speaking," Nick said. He was smiling too, though far more subtly. "There is no cure for lycanthropy it would seem. But with enough power, you can control it."

  James nodded. It looked like as long as he wanted to avoid turning into a beast he would have to remain a warlock. It wasn't the cure he'd been looking for, but it was a cure nonetheless. He tried to shake off his disappointment and enjoy what he had but it was difficult when he knew that at his core he was still an animal and nothing could change that.

  "James, I know you want to leave," Nick said.

  "What?" James said.

  "I know you want to go and try to have a life with your son," Nick said. James was surprised that he didn't seem angry. If he knew that then why had he still gone through with the ritual? "Almost every one of my disciples has a similar goal. We don't intend to be together like this for eternity. We are all a means to an end. We've come together to help each other achieve our desires. Our ultimate goals. We made a deal, James. You agreed to join us in exchange for your cure. But you can leave. As soon as we've finished our task. Once I have completed my ultimate goal, everybody else's goals will be achieved as well. Then, you are free to do as you wish."

  James nodded. "I understand," he said. It was more than reasonable. They'd made a deal, Nick had fulfilled his end and now James had to fulfil his. "But when will we be finished?"

  "We are so close now James. That is why I have kept you all in this house. I cannot afford to take any risks. We've all come too far to jeopardise that now. In no more than a couple of months, we will have finished what we set out to do and you can go and find your son," Nick said. There was such passion when he spoke about completing his goal. James had to admire him for his commitment; whatever it was that Nick wanted had driven him for centuries and now here he was, about to realise his desires.

  "What is it, though? What is it you're going to do?" James asked. He had to know what this thing was that had motivated a man to gather so much power, to bring together the most powerful warlocks in the world, to take on the most powerful beings in existence.

  "We are going to do the impossible," Nick said with a sly grin and then he told James exactly what he intended to do.

  *

  CHAPTER NINE

  1399 Elysium

  Arden showed Nick to a washroom where a bath was already waiting for him. It was a large communal bath that was built into the floor so Nick had to step down to climb inside. The water was piping hot, hotter than any bath Nick had ever had, and he found it very easy to relax in. A tray of soaps had been left at the side of the bath along with several washcloths. Nick couldn't fathom why Arden — or whoever had prepared the bath — thought he would need so many soaps and cloths, but he didn't question things. Nick grabbed the nearest bar of soap and immediately began scrubbing away, eager to remove the dirt of the wild. Arden saw that he needed no further assistance and left him to it. By the time Nick was done washing Arden had returned with towels and fresh clothes. Nick climbed out of the bath and dried and dressed in the new attire provided for him. Once dressed Nick made his way out of the room where he found Arden waiting patiently. The servant nodded for Nick to follow him and then led him back to the staircase.

  "How long have you been a servant for Kayla?" Nick asked as they made their way through the temple.

  "I am not a servant," Arden said, clearly taking offence. "There are no lords and ladies here, Nickolas, and there are no servants."

  "I'm sorry if I offended you, you just seemed as though you worked for Kayla."

  "I do work for Kayla, but it is my own choice. I could choose not to," Arden said, somewhat pompously.

  "Well, if you serve a person through choice or otherwise, it makes you a servant," Nick replied smugly.

  Arden stopped and turned to face Nickolas. He was a tall man and he towered over the boy who still had plenty of growing to do. "Find your own way to dinner," he said and then marched away. Nick smirked at the man's petulance.

  Although the temple was huge, the smell of food carried throughout so Nick had no trouble letting his nose lead him to the dining room. It was a small room not far from the entrance hall. Inside was a simple circular wooden table, with four basic wooden chairs around it. Kayla was already waiting and Nick, resisting the urge to bow when he entered the room, pulled himself up to the table opposite her.

  "You look much fresher, young man," she said kindly. There was a plate laid before each of them and in the centre of the table was a platter of meats and bowls of boiled potatoes and vegetables. "Tuck in," Kayla said.

  Nick piled a more than generous helping of food onto his plate, he hadn't realised until the food was before him that he was absolutely ravenous. Kayla smiled at him and waited patiently and once he was done serving she selected a modest amount for herself. Comparing her plate to his, he was suddenly ashamed at his lack of manners and greed.

  "I am sorry to have been so greedy," he said, feeling his cheeks flush and burn.

  She waved a hand. "Nonsense child, you are a growing boy. You need more food than I." Her words eased his shame and he quickly tucked in.

  "I understand that you are eager to get back home so I will ask Arden to prepare a boat to take you as soon as possible," Kayla said. She ate slowly, seemingly savouring every mouthful. Nick shovelled forkfuls of food in as though he were terrified someone might take his plate away at any moment.

  "No, no," he said through a mouthful of potatoes, shaking his head profusely. "Not home. I cannot go home. I am on my way to France."

  "Of course. To meet with your companions?" she clarified.

  "Yes," he said, and then added, "That is, of course, if they survived the storm." The chances of anyone surviving a storm like that were slim to none. But then Nick had survived it.

  "If you like I can find out if they survived for you. You are welcome to stay here until I have done so," she offered.

  "That is most kind. Might I ask how you will find out?" It seemed an impossible task for a woman in such a remote land to obtain information about four random t
ravellers.

  "I have friends all over the world. They will be able to tell me whether your friends lived or died."

  "They weren't friends. I barely knew them," Nick said.

  "Tell me, Nickolas, are you a devout Christian?" Kayla asked, abruptly changing the subject.

  "I…" He didn't how to reply. Truthfully, no. His faith was far from strong. He had read the bible back to front as he was instructed to. He had studied the texts in his lessons, but he had never fully believed in it. With every story written in the book so many questions were raised. Questions which no bishop or tutor Nick had met could answer. They had told him that faith did not require answers to everything, but as far as Nick was concerned if God wanted his faith then he needed to answer his questions. So no, Nick was not a devout Christian, but he was still reticent to say so. He had learned that in order to avoid punishment he had to pretend.

  Kayla sensed his unease and continued. "Christianity is not practised in Elysium. Our beliefs are simple. If you bring harm to none in your life then you will have an easy afterlife. No commandments or regulations. Just simple goodness. However, if you wish to practice your faith then you are more than welcome to, so long as you do not try to force it on others."

  "I have no desire to practice Christianity," Nick said at once. He thought of King Richard's firm belief that God had appointed him as king of England. If he was God's man then why had it been so easy for Bolingbroke to overthrow him?

  "So this is the Black Wood boy is it?" a man said with intrigue as he entered the room. He pulled out one of the spare seats and joined them at the table. The man was tall and thin, with a face untouched by age, and hair as golden as the sun.

  "Yes, this is Nickolas," Kayla said. She seemed reluctant to introduce them but did so all the same. "Nickolas, this is Set, he lives here in the temple with me."

  "A pleasure to meet you," Nick said, inclining his head.

  "A premature statement if ever I heard one. This meeting could prove to be anything but a pleasure yet, boy," Set replied. "You didn't lay a plate for me?" he said upon noticing the lack of plate before him.

  "I didn't think you would be joining us. Arden said you had gone for a few days."

  "I came back early. Not to worry." He waved his hand over the table and a plate appeared out of nowhere. Nick jumped back from the table, knocking his chair over as he did so.

  "What is this?" he exclaimed, staring intently at the plate as though it were a wild animal.

  "A dinner plate. No different from yours," Set said, as though talking to a simpleton.

  Kayla gave Set a reprimanding look and then stood up. Nick took a step back and she did not approach. She'd made comments before about magic but he'd not believed she was being serious. Not properly. Not until now. She held her hands up, palms out. "Nickolas, please try to relax. There is nothing to be afraid of. Magic is—"

  "Magic?" Nick near shouted the word. "Witchcraft is forbidden."

  "Not here. I told you, Christianity is not practised in Elysium. Magic is. Magic is common here. It is natural here," she spoke gently, trying her best to calm him.

  "But…" he spluttered. He wasn't scared as such, more shocked. He hadn't been expecting it. He'd never seen magic until this very moment. "So you can do magic too?"

  "Yes."

  "You're a witch?" he asked in an accusatory voice.

  "I am not, but there is no shame in those who are," she replied. Throughout Set was forking meat into his mouth, clearly enjoying Nick's confusion.

  "What are you then?"

  "I think that is best left for another time," she said. "Please, finish dinner with us."

  Nick returned to the table slowly, wary of Set doing something else that would send him reeling all over again, but he did not and soon enough Nick relaxed and resumed eating, although he thought it unlikely that he would now finish all the food on his plate. They ate in silence. Set looked ready to say something at one point, but Kayla stopped him with a simple look.

  Once the meal was done Kayla showed Nickolas to what was to be his room for the duration of his stay. It was much smaller than any room he'd had before. It had only enough space for a single sized bed, a dresser and a desk and chair. There were decorations on the plain stone wall and only one narrow window, which overlooked the temple gardens. The gardens were exquisite and he planned on exploring them when he found the time. He imagined that he would not be here long, just until Kayla found out the whereabouts of his companions, then he would go and join them.

  When Nick rose the following morning Kayla was not about. Food was laid out in the dining room again and Nick ate his morning meal alone. After he was finished eating he wandered outside and sat down at the top of the steps leading out of the temple. He sat watching the trees that surrounded the temple and wondered what would happen when he left Elysium. Would Lord Edward's plan still be workable? Did Edward know about the storm and the shipwreck? Maybe he had already assumed Nick was dead and had accepted Bolingbroke as the undisputed king.

  Nick's thoughts were interrupted by Set who strolled out of the temple and sat down next to Nick. Nick tensed up, wary of Set, unsure of what he was or what he wanted. "I'm sorry if I scared you last night," he said. "I didn't think before I acted. Magic is the norm in this place, I'm not used to hiding it."

  "I wasn't scared. I was just surprised," Nick replied, although he had been a little scared. Who wouldn't be?

  "Naturally. So, what do you think of magic?"

  Nick took some time to consider the question and Set didn't push him for an answer. "I'm not sure."

  "Do you think we should all be burned at the stake?"

  Nick laughed. "As I told Kayla, I am no devout Christian." The church would probably condemn Nick just for associating with witches, but Nick had never had much truck with the church. It was just another authority figure using the fear of the unknown to keep people in line and the people swallowed everything the church told them. Nick had never understood how fully grown men could accept so easily that which a child could not.

  "Perhaps you would like to see more magic?" Set offered, one eyebrow raised.

  Nick nodded. "As it happens I think I would."

  Set smiled from ear to ear and Nick noticed how perfectly symmetrical his face was, and how unnatural it looked. Set leaned forward and picked up a broken fragment of rock from one of the steps. Resting it the palm of his hand he passed his other hand over the top like a court magician. Unlike a court magician, however, Set achieved something truly spectacular. The marble chunk shone bright and then turned gold. Nick gasped and emitted a giggle.

  "Take it," Set said, still smiling. Nick reached out with a cautious hand as if frightened it might bite him and nimbly took the rock into his fingers. It weighed more than he expected it to and once he had his whole hand enclosed around it, he realised that Set had not changed its colour to gold he had changed its very substance — the rock was now made of gold. With a power like that, he could make many a man incredibly wealthy. "You are impressed?"

  "I am. That was amazing," Nick said, grinning like a fool.

  "Keep it, it's yours."

  "Really?" He would probably be able to buy a small army with such an amount of gold. He could live in splendour for the rest of his days.

  "What use do I have for it? I can always make more, and besides, gold is purely ornamental here. It has no currency."

  "What currency do you have then?" Nick asked, curious as to how they bought things at market.

  "None, we just share things," Set said. Nick may have imagined it, but he thought that he saw some contempt on Set's face. If he did it was gone in a heartbeat. "So, boy, tell me your story. What led you to end up on this island?"

  Nick recalled everything that had happened from Bolingbroke's return to England to Nick's departure and shipwreck. When he finished Set remained silent for a good while, thinking about all he had said.

  "Such a troubled life and only eleven years of age," he said at
last.

  "I imagine growing up here was far easier," Nick said enviously. Elysium seemed to be such a carefree place. They shared everything, had no superiors and could conjure anything they desired.

  "I didn't grow up here," he said, looking out of the trees.

  "Where did you grow up?"

  "You're an inquisitive fellow. I grew up in a land called Egypt, but my childhood was so long ago that I can scarcely recall it now."

  Nick looked at him in confusion. He did not seem so old that he should have forgotten his youth already. "I have heard of Egypt. It lies on the other side of the world. But you do not look so old to have forgotten your childhood already?"

  Set cackled and looked down at Nick. "Things are not always as they seem. The longer you stay here the more you shall come to realise that. So, what do you plan to do to this pretender king when you return to England?" he asked, changing the subject.

  "Just… depose him I suppose," Nick said, aware of how foolish he sounded. He hadn't given it much thought, he was just following Edward's directive.

  "You suppose? How exactly will you depose him? You don't know, do you? If I was you that would be the first thing I would have figured out. That man stole everything from your father and essentially banished you from your home. And you haven't even thought about revenge?" Set said.

  Nick had thought about revenge just not in any great detail. He was angry with Bolingbroke. By returning to England and waging war on the king he had upended Nick's entire life. Nick had been happy enough as a page but to think that Bolingbroke had robbed him of the chance to be royalty as well. The man deserved nothing less than death. He told Set that, but Set waved his hand as if brushing Nick's words aside.

  "Dying is all well and good, but the dead do not learn. Kill him if you must, but he must still be punished, should he not? Should he not be sent to his grave thinking about all the wrongs he has done, and wishing with every fibre of his being that he could go back and undo it? Think about how you can achieve that and then you shall have your revenge." Set stood up and took his leave, leaving Nick to ruminate on what he had said. Nick found that he agreed fully with everything Set had suggested. He did want Bolingbroke to go to his grave regretting all he had done. After all, Nick's life was not the only one which had been ruined. Lord Edward was most probably having a hard time and all the others who were loyal to the king.