We are working on that right now, said House. You should speak to Alex or Thalion.
‘We need to do it without frightening them,’ said Carrie.
‘I wouldn’t worry about that,’ said Sammy. ‘They’re more frightened when you lot go out fighting than of monsters.’
Paige stood. ‘Are any of you coming swimming?’
‘Yeah,’ said Carrie, ‘let me get changed.’
~~~~
It wasn’t long after when Alex and James walked towards the lake with big smiles on their faces.
Torgon watched them. ‘What are you two smiling about?’
Alex rubbed his chin. ‘It appears a few have gone swimming.’
‘What’s funny about that?’ Thalion asked, and Alex told them.
Luella approached. ‘What’s going on?’
Thalion grinned. ‘Quite a few have gone swimming by all accounts.’
‘What’s wrong with that? I’m going myself now.’
‘Just watch when they run back,’ said Alex, as the children walked over to them.
‘Why would they do that?’ Luella asked, as some of the women ran back. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘There’s something in the lake,’ said Kristina, ‘and it’s very big.’
‘That sounds fun,’ said Alex, as he and James carried on towards the lake with the children.
‘You’re not going in there with it?’ said Carrie.
‘Yeah, and the children.’
‘You cannot take them in there,’ said Blaze, as the children ran to the lake.
Alex laughed. ‘Looks like I’m too late to stop them.’
‘Have you been taking something?’ Claire asked, none too happy.
‘House bring them back,’ said Blaze, as the children jumped into the water.
They are quite safe, said House.
‘What’s wrong with you lot? This is the Elf World and nothing can be harmed here,’ said Alex, as he reached the lake where the children were swimming.
‘It’s true,’ said Torgon, ‘but there should be nothing big in there.’
‘There is now,’ said Alex, as a huge serpent came into view.
Luella gripped Alex’s arm. ‘Get them out now.’
‘I’ll do it,’ said Adair, and raised his arms.
‘Put your magic away, Uncle,’ said Alex, as the children climbed on the back of the serpent. James and the two elves burst out laughing.
‘Lord Torgon, did you know it was in there?’ Daralis asked.
‘I only found out a few moments ago, great lady.’
Carrie stood in front of Alex. ‘You did this on purpose.’
‘Well yeah, the children wanted to ride on its back, and it’s hard to refuse them.’
‘And you didn’t think to tell us?’ said Michelle.
Alex shook his head. ‘Not a chance.’
‘Where did it come from?’ Claire asked.
‘You really don’t know?’
‘No, how should I?’
‘Remember the sea dragon?’
Claire narrowed her eyes. ‘That bloody thing is Birkaz?’
Carrie stared across the lake. ‘How were we to know as it looks so different?’
‘Oh yeah,’ said Alex, ‘it had to change so the children have something to hold on to.’
‘You scared the crap out of us for nothing.’
‘I didn’t think anything could scare you,’ said Alex, as seven fully grown wolf cubs also jumped into the lake.
The gnome children ran to the edge but would not step into the water.
‘Are you not going in?’ Alex asked them.
‘Gnomes cannot swim,’ said Fergal, ‘we be too heavy.’
‘You can swim in our lakes and pools, as nothing can drown in one,’ said Torgon. It was a green light to the gnome children who jumped in and went under, but soon came back up and floated with the look of glee on their faces. Alex jumped in, showed them how to use their arms, and helped them onto the dragon before it swam around the lake.
CHAPTER TEN
The Lost Crystals
After dinner, they sat around the crystal campfire. Carrie sat next to Alex with Shaula on her lap. The children had enjoyed riding on the back of the serpent as did a few of the adults. Birkaz was never called Uncle Grumpy again.
Adhara stared at the crystal fire glowing in the darkness. ‘Who’s gonna tell us a story tonight?’
Briana sat cross-legged while sipping on a drink. ‘I could tell you a ghost story.’
Sarin’s eyes grew big. ‘Ghosts are very scary.’
‘Are they scarier than zombies?’
‘Yes, much scarier, as you can’t always see them and you couldn’t outrun one.’
Briana smiled at her. ‘So you don’t want to hear it.’
Sarin nodded. ‘Oh yes, we have to hear it.’
‘Well, this is the story of two sisters who lived in a big house over a hundred years ago.’ Briana glanced around before she started.
‘The Ghost of Harrington Hall.
Just over a hundred years ago, Sarah and Jane Harrington were sisters. Sarah was eight years old and Jane a year younger. They belonged to a rich family and never went without. Their parents always doted on them, and even the maids loved them. There, however, was an uncle who the girls didn’t like, he was very unpleasant and shouted a lot.
One day their father was taken ill. The doctors had never seen the illness before and believed it was some tropical disease Jack Harrington had picked up on his travels. His wife and two maids became his nurses. It wasn’t an illness which would kill him, but he would be stuck in bed until he got better. It was a fever which made him feel very weak, but was always happy when his daughters came into the room to see him. Because of his illness his brother visited and took over the running of the house. He wasn’t needed as the girls mother was very capable as were the staff who worked there. The brother was older and very short-tempered, which caused many of the staff to leave through fear.
Mary Harrington tried telling him, but he just ignored her. She was also frightened of the big man.
Liam Harrington had always been a bully. He had bullied his younger brother when they were children, which changed when Jack grew up. He might have been smaller than his older brother, but Jack was fast and clever. One threat too many ended up with Liam on his back with his brother telling him that he ever tried it again, he would kill him. Liam had never forgotten, and now with his brother bedridden, it was a chance to get his revenge. He would tell Jack all of this as he slept. Liam was also in love with Mary, and decided she would be his soon as Jack died. He never cared about the children, and as far as he was concerned they could follow their father.
The girls searched for places around the house so they could hide from Uncle Liam.
It was winter and snow lay thick on the ground. Sarah and Jane were looking for somewhere to hide from their uncle, who was on the warpath with his belt in hand. Their mother had tried to stop him, but he struck her and the girls ran crying. It was all because they couldn’t finish their dinner, and he tried to force them as he was very mean with money and hated waste. The girls stepped outside into the dark
Jane shivered as she looked through a window, I’m cold.
Sarah rubbed her hands together. So am I, let’s go to the sheds.
The girls ran through the thick snow where their path was blocked by a light. A ghostly apparition, white and twisted out of shape, appeared in front of them.
No, it hissed.
The girls, terrified, ran back towards the house where Marcy, one of the maids, was looking for them.
You poor devils, what on earth made you come out here dressed like that?
Uncle Liam was going to beat us, said Sarah.
Well, come in here, said Marcy, and I will hide you in the kitchen for a while.
Won’t you get in trouble for helping us?
Oh, I don’t bother with all that, I’m too old to worry about bullies like him, said Marcy,
who was in her sixties but tough as old boots.
Will father get better soon? Jane asked.
Marcy ushered them inside. Of course he will.
Henrietta the cook looked up from a table. Your Uncle Liam has been trying to add things to his food.
Jane sat opposite her. Like what?
Poison, he comes in and mixes it with his food, but I see what he does and change the plate without him noticing.
Sarah’s eyes grew big. He wants to kill our father?
Marcy nodded. If your father died, he would stake claim to this house and your mother.
He hit mother earlier.
Marcy narrowed her eyes. He will not do that again.
Sarah slumped down on a chair. We have to stop him.
Henrietta stroked her hair. We know, and that’s why we change the dinner plates all the time.
Jane looked up, her eyes big. We saw something out in the garden.
What did you see? Marcy asked.
A ghost, said Sarah, well, we think it was a ghost as we’ve never saw one before.
It was probably just the weather playing tricks on you, said Marcy, It can do that.
We both saw and heard it, said Sarah.
What did it say? Marcy asked.
It stood in front of us and said “no”.
It was probably the wind you heard.
Henrietta stood. You can go to bed now, as your nasty uncle has fallen asleep.
How do you know that? Jane asked.
Henrietta winked at her. I put something in his food, too.
The children went to bed, and were woken before dawn by strange noises. Sarah looked up and saw a dark shape floating by the ceiling.
What is it? Jane asked.
Sarah climbed out of bed. I don’t know.
Jane was too frightened to move. Is it that thing from last night?
Sarah pulled Jane off the bed. Could be, but we better get out of here.
The girls walked towards the door as the dark shape floated down blocking their way. The girls ran back and hid in the wardrobe.
I’m frightened, said Jane, as she hugged her sister,
Shush, we need to hide, and that means being very quiet, said Sarah, as the bedroom door burst open. They could see through the gap in the door, it was Uncle Liam with his belt in hand. He glanced around the room looking angry as he approached the wardrobe.’
‘No he can’t get them,’ said Talitha, as she hugged Luella.
‘But it’s a scary story that you wanted to hear,’ said Alex, as he felt Carrie tense up next to him.
‘Let Briana finish the story and you will find out,’ said Luella.
Alex glanced around at everyone as the story was told, his mother told it to him before, and noticed her and Briana’s faces were more of delight than fear.
‘Well,’ said Briana, and continued.
‘The girls were terrified as their uncle approached them.
What’s happening in here? Marcy demanded.
Liam turned and scowled at her. This has nothing to do with you, old woman.
I beg to differ. This is Lord Jack’s home, and he and Lady Mary run it, not you.
Liam approached her menacingly. I’m the older brother, and will do as I please.
I hope you’re not intending to use that belt on anyone, said a man larger than Liam, as I would have to defend them.
Liam looked at him with disdain. This has nothing to do with you, Peter, get back to your work.
Peter stood firm with his arms folded. I think not, and if you ever touch Lady Mary with it I will break your neck.
A threat from a servant, one which could get you hanged.
Maybe, but the district magistrate is a friend and godfather to the girls. He would want to know why you were in their bedroom.
Have it your own way, Liam snapped, and pushed past him. My friends will be here soon and it would be best for you if you were gone.
Marcy looked up at the big man. Thank you, Peter.
I best get out there and watch out for his so-called friends.
Sarah watched them leave. We have to get away from here.
We can’t just leave, said Jane, what about mother and father?
He wants to kill us, and I think he wants to do that before he kills father. We can’t stop him or his friends, and there’s the ghost. If we leave, he will come looking for us first.
Jane opened the wardrobe door. Let’s go now then.
Sarah nodded. OK, we will have to take warmer clothes and get out of here.
The girls wrapped up in their warmest clothing and tried sneaking out the house, only to be confronted by Marcy. Where do you think you’re going?
Sarah wrapped a scarf around her neck. We have to get out of here, or he will kill father.
Marcy raised a brow. What makes you say that?
Because he hates father and wants to tell him we’re dead, or just show him our bodies before he kills him.
What an imagination you have, but maybe you’re correct.
Henrietta gave them a food parcel each. You cannot leave without these.
Sarah put the parcel inside her coat. Where are we to go?
Marcy gave her a gentle smile. Not far, there’s a place where you will be safe until your father is better.
Peter leant on the door frame. I’ll take you there.
They left their home and followed Peter. They walked for half an hour before they came across a small wooden house.
Peter opened the door. You’ll be safe here, and I’ll bring you some food tomorrow, do not leave as you’re hidden.
The girls stepped inside, it was comfortable, but their only thoughts were of their parents.
I want to go back, said Jane.
We can’t, it would be too unsafe at the moment. Sarah opened the door and saw men on horses in the distance. Her view was blocked by the ghost looking even scarier than it did before, and she shut the door quickly.
What is it? Jane asked.
Sarah stepped away from the door. The ghost is out there.
Jane lowered her head and tears fell. So, we’re trapped in here, will we ever see mother and father again?
I don’t know, said Sarah, not able to find any words to comfort her sister.
Do you think the others are in on it?
If you mean Marcy and Henrietta, they couldn’t be as they’re our friends.
But they haven’t been here that long, and they might have known Uncle Liam before they came here.
Sarah considered it. Then we will leave it for a while and go out of the back.
An hour later the girls climbed out of a window at the back of the small wooden house, and started walking back to their home through the trees. It grew dark and the shadows appeared to follow them as they clung to each other.
Sarah glanced around in the dark. I don’t know what we will be able to do when we get back.
I know, but I have to see mother and father again.
They saw the house in the distance and made their way forward, they were very frightened of what they might find, but had to carry on. They neared the house and heard shouting as figures appeared in the garden.
Liam stood with four other men. Where are they?
Marcy shook her head. We will never tell you that.
Liam glared at her. If you don’t, you’ll see your friend die before your very eyes.
You really believe you could scare a couple of old ladies.
Are you insane? Said Mary. My husband will be up on his feet soon.
Oh, but he won’t. As you see, my dear sister-in-law and soon to be wife, I’ve been putting something in his food, said Liam. Go and get the old cook and let’s see how long it is before they talk, he told two of the men.
They approached the women, as Peter came running, knocking both to the ground. The other two men went to help but Jack ran out of the house to help the gardener.
No, said Liam, that’s impossible . . . you should be dead by now.
Hardly, as I switched plates, said Henrietta. When you sat there thinking you were feeding your brother poison, you were in fact nursing him back to health.
Liam pulled out a knife. You will die for that, old woman.
No, both the girls shouted.
Girls, what are you doing here? Said Marcy. You were supposed to stay hidden.
A much better prize, said Liam, and ran at them, only for the ghost to appear in front of him. He screamed in shock and ran towards the sheds where the girls first saw the ghost. The ground collapsed under his feet, and he vanished.
Two of the four men lay unconscious and the others ran. The children ran to their father who hugged them.
What happened to Liam? Mary asked.
Marcy peered down the hole he had vanished into. He has drowned, as the pond was covered in ice and snow. He didn’t know it was there, and now he has fallen into his icy grave.
A suitable end for him, said Jack.
That’s where we first saw the ghost, said Sarah. We would’ve run over it, but the ghost stopped us.
So it wasn’t trying to frighten us just protecting us, said Jane, as the ghost appeared again. It was not twisted out of shape or hideous, but that of a grey haired woman.
Grandma, said both the girls.
Mother, said Jack.
The end,’ said Briana.
The children loved it and ran to her, and most of the adults enjoyed it too but remained seated.
‘Are ghosts real?’ Shaula asked.
‘Yes, they are very real,’ said Luella.
‘We have a haunted mine, and many elves will not go near it,’ said Torgon, even though the only ones that had ever died on the Elf World were a couple of witches and demons.
‘Is it far away?’ said Adhara.
Torgon shook his head. ‘We will pass not too far from it tomorrow.’
‘Will we see any ghosts?’ Tia asked.
‘I have never seen any, but they’re believed to just haunt the mine.’
‘It’s a shame really,’ said Thalion.
‘Why is that?’ James asked.
‘It has green crystals in there, and they’re quite rare.’
Adair scratched his chin. ‘Are they the rarest of all crystals?’
‘No, the orange ones are, we have only ever found a few.’
The Final Destiny: Vesta Mansion Trilogy - Book Three - Fantasy Page 16
