‘Remember the bath tub?’ Hebro asked as she reached for another stone on the ground.
‘What?’ Tahir asked blankly.
‘You’ve forgotten already, I’m appalled.’ Hebro chuckled as she held out her hand and the rope hanging from the branch wound its way to her. ‘Fornicleus climbed into a gravity well and it cost him sixty-five million years, you haven’t got that much time.’
‘That’s a black hole?’ Tahir scoffed as he looked at the small pit before him.
‘You’re obsessed with size aren’t you.’ Hebro chuckled as she pulled on the rope to make sure it was secure. ‘In this universe your brains taking what it’s been given and making it work for you, trust me this is a gravity well and you’re stood on the accretion disc looking down.’ She finished slowly. ‘We already discussed how you can’t climb down, you’ve got to jump.’
‘Ok, my head’s hurting now.’ Marissa whimpered as she started to rub her forehead.
‘Are you ok?’ Hebro asked as she saw the look on Marissa’s face.
‘Bad headache.’ Marissa replied as she looked at Hebro and began to sway slightly.
‘I’ve got you.’ Tahir whispered as Marissa stumbled backwards into his arms.
‘She can’t stay here.’ Hebro growled softly as a white light surrounded Marissa and in a flash, she was gone.
‘Where’ve you sent her?’ Tahir asked as he looked down at his empty arms.
‘I didn’t do that.’ Hebro replied shock spreading across her face.
‘She’s safe T.’ Stefan’s voice whispered on the breeze.
‘Show yourself.’ Tahir demanded loudly as a small flash of light and Stefan stood over the top of the pit.
‘You know what to do.’ Stefan whispered as he vanished into nothing.
‘You saw that right?’ Tahir asked as he looked across at Hebro who was shaking her head, eyes wide and struggling to accept what she saw.
‘Let’s get this done.’ Hebro whispered as she tied the rope around Tahir’s waist and then her own. ‘You ready?’ she asked as she made sure the rope was tight.
Tahir nodded his head then leapt into the abyss. ‘Geronimo.’ He shouted as he disappeared into the darkness. Hebro had a second to realise she was gonna be dragged down just as quickly, in a puff of dust where they’d been stood vanished into darkness.
‘Hebro how far do we have to fall?’ Tahir shouted back to Hebro as they fell.
‘Dunno.’ Hebro replied as she pulled herself alongside Tahir and smiled.
‘Oh great.’ Tahir chuckled softly as he watched the walls of the pit hurtle passed. ‘How far have we travelled now?’ he asked curiously.
‘Distance has no meaning here, it’s all about how much times slowed down as we fall.’ Hebro replied softly as she looked across and saw a creature of some sort climbing down the wall and pointed to it. ‘He’s been moving for about ten million years.’
‘How do you know?’ Tahir asked as he clocked the creature and saw an arachnid type creature scaling the wall.
‘His race died out eight million years ago, they were rumoured to have found the well of forever and sent an expedition into it, nothing was ever heard from them again and two million years later their sun went nova.’ Hebro cried softly.
‘How do you know that?’ Tahir asked as he felt a pang of guilt in his chest for the creature.
‘I don’t know, I just do.’ Hebro replied as she turned to focus on the floor of the pit.
‘Spooky then.’ Tahir chuckled to himself as he followed where Hebro was looking.
‘Nearly there.’ Hebro said as the bottom of the pit came into view.
‘This is gonna hurt.’ Tahir said as he closed his eyes to brace himself for the inevitable contact.
‘Tahir, you can open your eyes.’ Hebro whispered as she tapped him on the shoulder.
‘Where are we?’ Tahir asked as he looked down and saw he was stood on solid ground.
‘You’re at the bottom of a gravity well.’ Tahir replied pointing up where Tahir could see the tree the rope they’d used was clearly attached.
‘Don’t do that.’ Hebro warned as she saw Tahir about to undo the rope.
‘Ok.’ Tahir replied as he began to move around extending his hand to the wall.
‘Don’t touch anything, damn you’re a pain.’ Hebro grumbled as she looked at a small box that had appeared in the centre of the pool of light she was shedding.
‘What’s that?’ Tahir asked as he moved to Hebro’s side.
‘The ancient Greeks called it Pandora’s Box.’ Hebro replied as she placed her hand on the top of it.
‘What where all the ills of the world were kept?’ Tahir asked as he reached out to touch but pulled his hand back when he saw the look on Hebro’s face. ‘Sorry.’ He whispered before wrapping his hands around his chest.
‘That’s the legend. In reality it’s the most secure prison in the universe.’ Hebro chuckled as a seal glowed on the front.
‘How bad do you have to be to get put here?’ Tahir asked as he looked up at the walls.
‘Pretty bad.’ Hebro chuckled as the seal faded and the lid lifted.
In an instant Tahir and Hebro were stood in an expensive looking corridor with doors on either side.
‘Whatever you do don’t touch any of the doors.’ Hebro warned as she looked down one way then the other.
‘This reminds me of the Savoy in London.’ Tahir whistled as he followed the corridor to the end.
‘Unfortunately, in here you’d check in but never leave.’ Hebro replied as she looked again at either end before turning to go one way.
‘You do know where you’re going don’t you?’ Tahir asked as Hebro picked up her pace slightly.
‘Nope, just being nosey.’ Hebro chuckled as she reached a junction and turned left.
‘If it all looks the same where are we going?’ Tahir asked as they reached yet another junction and again turned left.
‘Have faith.’ Hebro said as she sniffed the air softly. ‘This way.’ She said as they reached another junction and again to the left turn.
‘We’re gonna end up back where we were.’ Tahir scoffed as they reached another junction and again Hebro turned left.
‘How’s your ancient Greek?’ Hebro asked as she pointed to a plate on the wall above an opulent looking door.
‘Not a clue.’ Tahir replied as he focused on the plate, the words began to change before his eyes. ‘It says King Minos.’
‘Welcome to the Labyrinth.’ Hebro chuckled as she turned and headed off down the corridor.
‘Wait, this is where Theseus vanquished the Minotaur?’ Tahir asked as he raced to keep up.
‘Not quite, it wasn’t a mythical creature Theseus fought, it was someone like me.’ Hebro replied as she reached a large door with a solid gold padlock and thick chains across it.
‘What’s in there?’ Tahir asked cautiously.
‘Nothing you need to worry about.’ Hebro replied as she reached out and touched the padlock. It glowed for a second before withdrawing into the walls and the door opened. Inside a small exquisitely decorated room resplendent with solid gold fittings sat. ‘Whatever you do in here don’t touch anything.’ She warned as she tentatively stepped across the threshold.
‘Is that you dear?’ A man’s voice echoed from behind a partially closed door.
‘Hello Minnie.’ Hebro replied softly almost lovingly.
‘Hello Hebros.’ The man said lovingly as he walked out a white towel in his hands.
‘Minnie, did I leave something here this morning?’ Hebro asked as she stood between Tahir and the small man who’d walked out of the anteroom.
‘You forgot your scroll there.’ Minnie replied as he pointed to a length of parchment on a small table by the fireplace.
‘Thank you.’ Hebro said as a flash of power shot between her eyes and the man headed back behind the door.
‘Have a good day.’ Minnie whistled as he disappeared from view.
&nb
sp; Hebro reached out took the scroll and motioned for the door. Once out in the corridor she handed Tahir the scroll which began to glow dimly.
‘Who was that and what is he to you?’ Tahir asked quietly as Hebro pulled the chains from the walls and placed the padlock back into place.
‘King Minos of Crete, actually an ascended called Minos tera, he was caught trying to do what we’re going to do a few thousand years ago, this was before we knew about Bhan escaping on his own, so he was sent down here as punishment.’ Hebro replied softly as she reached out for the scroll but withdrew her hand quickly when the scroll caught fire in her hand. ‘It would seem you’re the intended person for this.’ She finished as she leaned forward and whispered ‘Think of the bottom of the pit.’ In Tahir’s ear.
In an instant they were stood back at the bottom of the pit looking up at the overhanging tree.
‘Take this and hold really tight.’ Hebro said as she handed Tahir the rope they’d come down on.
‘Why?’ Tahir asked seriously as he felt the rope pull hard through his fingers.
‘Because you might get stuck.’ Hebro replied as their feet landed on the ground beside the hole.
‘Ok, can we get out of here?’ Tahir asked as he looked at where the tree was being swallowed up by the ground.
‘Yes.’ Hebro replied quietly as her eyes flashed once again and they were stood next to the altar.
‘T.’ Marissa screamed as she wrapped her arms around Tahir’s neck.
‘Mary, how?’ Tahir mumbled as he wrapped his arms around Marissa and squeezed tightly.
‘Got space for me?’ Stefan asked from the shadows.
‘Cuz, where are you?’ Tahir wept as he swung his head to see where Stefan was stood.
‘He’s not here physically.’ Marissa wept as she ran her fingers over Tahir’s face.
‘Where is he?’ Tahir asked as he looked at Marissa then Hebro who’d slumped forward against the altar.
‘Hebbie.’ Marissa screamed as she let go of Tahir and raced to where Hebro was slumped.
‘I’m ok, it just taxed me more than I was expecting.’ Hebro replied as she turned so her back was resting against the altar. ‘Have you got the scroll?’ she asked as she wrapped her arm around Marissa who snuggled up tight.
‘Here.’ Tahir replied as he held out his hand and the roll of paper caught in the moonlight and instantly turned to ash. ‘No.’ he screamed as it blew into the space of the Minster.
‘It’s ok, I know what it said.’ Hebro chuckled as she leant forward and kissed Marissa on the top of her head.
‘You mean we went through all that for nothing?’ Tahir growled as he stood and ran his hands over his head.
‘No, not quite.’ Hebro replied sombrely as a bright light appeared over the little group.
‘Hebronicleus you’ve returned.’ A deep voice announced from the shadows. ‘Antiqui autem non receperint vos.’ The deep voice continued.
‘What? Marissa asked quietly as she strained to see where the voice was coming from.
‘We welcome you ancient one.’ The deep voice chuckled as a form began to emerge from the shadows under the organ.
‘Stick to English please.’ Marissa quipped as she reached for a torch and aimed it at the emerging form. As the light from the torch found the form Marissa let out a small cry. ‘How?’ she asked as she saw a tall man with dark beard stood before her.
‘Hello, I think you’re looking for this?’ He asked as he reached into his coat and pulled out a small shaft of silver metal.
‘No, that’s not the spear.’ Hebro replied softly as she moved to reach her feet.
‘Are you so sure?’ The man asked as he raised his hand and bolts of energy loosed from both ends impacting the walls and floor.
‘Yes.’ Hebro snarled as she raised her hand to shoulder height and released a bolt of energy. ‘Cave qui deciptur, beware the deceiver.’ She hissed as a bolt smashed into the shaft of metal causing it to shatter.
‘You cannot hope to stop us.’ The man growled as he flashed into a floating ball of flame.
‘Are you so sure?’ Hebro asked as she loosed another bolt at where the ball was, seeing it vanish the darkness returned and all three slumped against the altar.
‘Ok, what just happened?’ Marissa asked after a few moments getting her breath back.
‘We always knew there were those opposed to Bhan’s return and they’d do anything to scupper us succeeding.’ Hebro replied as she pulled herself from the altar and looked up at the ceiling.
‘So, what now?’ Tahir asked as he followed Hebro’s gaze.
‘If they’re willing to come out in the open like that we must be on the right track.’ Hebro said softly as she followed the pattern down the length of the Minster. ‘Who’s the most powerful person in this building?’
‘The Archbishop of York.’ Tahir replied softly as he pulled himself up onto his feet.
‘And where do we find him at this time of night?’ Hebro asked as she held out her hands, Tahir took her outstretched hand and helped her up.
‘I don’t know.’ Tahir replied after thinking for a moment.
‘It says here his official residence is Bishopthorpe Palace.’ Marissa whispered as she flicked over the screen on her phone. ‘Sounds nice, gets a palace.’
‘Where’s Bishopthorpe Palace?’ Hebro asked as she turned to face Marissa, her eyes glowing dimly.
‘Err, few miles down the road, in a place called Bishopthorpe, how original.’ Marissa chuckled as she closed the screen down and placed the phone back in her pocket.
‘Of course it is.’ Hebro whispered as the Minster flashed into nothing and all three were stood in the middle of the river looking up at the side of an imposing country house.
‘Err, don’t mean to be funny Hebbie, but can we stick with dry land please.’ Tahir said softly looking down pointing at a fish going about its business beneath him.
‘Sorry.’ Hebro said as she turned to look at the bank behind them looking out over the Palace, as she blinked her eyes the bank appeared beneath their feet.
Chapter 6
Bishopthorpe Palace York
As the moon shone brightly overhead the three sat on the bank under a clump of trees looking out over the river, Tahir scrolling down the screen of his tablet while Marissa observed the windows overlooking the river.
‘Mary what can you see?’ Tahir asked as he ran his fingers nimbly over the screen.
‘What are we looking for?’ Marissa asked quietly as she lowered the binoculars.
‘I don’t know.’ Tahir chuckled as he looked across at Hebro who was sat cross legged on the floor. ‘What are we looking for?’
‘I seem to remember a shaft about six feet in length, but it was fifteen hundred years ago so I’m hazy.’ Hebro replied quietly as she looked up at Tahir and smiled.
‘What was on the scroll, did it help?’ Marissa asked quietly as she lifted the binoculars and scanned the windows.
‘I didn’t see anything other than flames.’ Tahir replied quietly. ‘But here’s a thought, what does the Archbishop carry when he’s out in public at big events?’
‘That big crook thing.’ Marissa replied quietly without looking away from the side of the Palace. ‘You said the shard can shift its appearance to hide in public sight.’
‘Yeah, that’s what I thought.’ Tahir replied quietly as he started scanning down the results he’d found.
‘Why doesn’t it change its appearance when the job holder changes?’ Hebro asked as she looked down at her fingers.
‘Remember, this is a piece of Bhan, it retains some of his knowledge as well as the power.’ Tahir replied softly as he flipped the tablet around to reveal a picture of the Archbishop in full ceremonial regalia.
‘It knows it can’t just change, so its stayed the same.’ Hebro said softly, as she looked up a flash of power shot between her eyes.
‘Exactly, we need to find the staff.’ Tahir whispered softly as he turned his
head to where a twig had been snapped.
‘What makes you think it’s even here at the Palace?’ Marissa asked quietly as she turned her head in the direction of the sound.
‘Just a feeling.’ Tahir replied as he reached into his bag and produced a small torch with a coloured lense, he pointed it towards a small tree and flicked the switch on top. ‘Hello.’ He whispered as the beam of light illuminated a small dear foraging on the ground. The dear looked up at the three sniffed the air then turned back to the ground.
‘Hebbie, can you get me a little closer?’ Marissa asked as she reached out and stroked the dear under its chin.
‘How close?’ Hebro asked as she held out her hand.
‘Right outside the windows.’ Marissa replied softly as she stroked the cheek of the dear and watched it walk off into the woods.
‘Done.’ Hebro whispered as her eyes flashed.
As Marissa’s eyes accustomed to the dark again she looked around and saw they were both stood next to one of the ornate windows on the first floor, she looked down and realised she was floating twenty feet in the air with no visible means of support. ‘You sure no one can see us up here?’ She asked as the shock wore off.
‘I’ve taken us slightly out of phase with the rest of the universe, you could be carrying the most powerful torch and no one would see you.’ Hebro replied with a wry smile.
‘How about the large dog I’m looking at?’ Marissa asked as she looked through the window at a large Doberman type dog which was tilting its head slightly.
‘It shouldn’t be able to.’ Hebro replied as she turned to look at the dog which had started to snarl.
‘Well its looking at me as if it can see me.’ Marissa whispered as the dog moved forward so its nose was literally touching the glass.
‘Get back here.’ Tahir’s voice whispered on the breeze.
‘What?’ Marissa whispered as she turned her head and saw Tahir sat next to her.
‘I’ve got something you really need to see.’ Tahir replied softly as Marissa looked down again and saw the ground materialise under her.
‘Ok so what’s so important?’ Marissa asked quietly as she held out her hand for the tablet Tahir proffered.
Spear of Heaven: The Fallen Page 10
