by June Wilson
THE BOY IN THE DARK
Book 4 of the Middengard Sagas
“The little boy lost in the lonely fen,
Led by the wand’ring light,
Began to cry, but God ever nigh,
Appear’d like his father in white.
He kissed the child & by the hand led
And to his mother brought,
Who in sorrow pale, thro’ the lonely dale
Her little boy weeping sought.”
William Blake: The Little Boy Found
“There once was a maid, free of all care,
Who met her true love on midsummer’s day.
Give me your heart, said he, and I promise thee fair,
I shall never forsake thee and here I shall stay.
But the promise was broken and her love did go,
So the foolish maid was left a-yearning.
Every day she watched till midwinter’s snow,
Until her heart was stone and full of mourning.”
Old Middengard Text: The Maid’s Lament
AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 2008
Chapter 1
It was a sunny day towards the end of term and Alice and Josh were eating hotdogs. They’d come to watch Toby in the All Schools Running Championships and were waiting for his race to start. From their vantage point in the grandstand, Alice had a good view of the assembled crowd - a mix of parents, schoolmates, teachers and officials. There was almost a festive atmosphere, with the promise of school holidays to come.
“There’s tons of people here,” Josh said, licking tomato sauce off his fingers. “To watch running. I mean, who knew?”
“Not you, that’s for sure. The most running you do is from one ice cream shop to another.”
Josh gave her an eye roll but didn’t take the bait. He’d taken much more interest in exercise since their return from Middengard. And whilst Josh wasn’t in Toby’s league (and really, who would be?) he was a far cry from the lazy boy she’d met in Portsea over six months ago. He cycled and jogged and went on long hikes with his father.
Josh’s father – Adrian Winter. Even though Alice knew there was no trace of Jonas left in the eccentric millionaire, she still felt nervous around him. She had to keep reminding herself that the Doom Stone had literally obliterated Jonas, so he was no longer a threat to the human world or to Middengard. His destruction had been Freya’s plan all along. Despite the sun overhead she shivered, remembering Freya’s hall of ice on Mount Odin. She hoped she’d never have to visit it again. Scary didn’t do it justice.
“Hey – look – they’re coming!” Josh got to his feet as the competitors for the 800-meters jogged onto the Oval. “There he is! The hero of Skellstor! Go for it mate!”
“Josh – I’ve told you before – don’t mention Skellstor.” Alice looked round nervously. Thankfully no one seemed to be taking any notice.
“Chill out Alice - no one knows what I mean. Well, except the important people. That’s you me and Tobes, right?”
“I suppose so.” She gave him a reluctant smile. He was right – anyone overhearing them would think they were talking teenage rubbish. And now everything had been set to rights in Middengard, there would be no disguised Hilderinc wandering the streets of Melbourne, so nothing to worry about there. She needed to relax and enjoy the day.
But despite the buzz of excitement in the stadium, she had an uneasy feeling. Maybe she was nervous for Toby. He’d been training like crazy the last six months and she knew how important this race was to him. If he placed first or second in the final he’d get to compete at State level. But he had to qualify in his heat first.
“You do think he’s going to get through don’t you?” she said. “He’ll be devastated if he doesn’t make the State trials.”
Josh gave her a pitying smile and dug her in the ribs. “Anyone ever told you, you worry too much? Of course he’s going to get through. I don’t need my Intuition to tell me that.”
Well, that was something Alice supposed as she watched Toby line up with the other runners. He looked ridiculously good in his running gear. He was lean and tanned, his dark hair on the unruly side, the way Alice liked it but Toby’s mother Rebecca didn’t. She thought she saw him look towards the grandstand where she and Josh were sitting, then the siren went and he flew out of the starting blocks.
Toby was in a middle lane – a good position. He didn’t need to come first to qualify for the final, just place in the top three, but Alice knew he’d want to win. After the first two hundred meters the runners broke and moved towards the inner lanes. They were tightly bunched and for an agonizing moment she couldn’t tell where Toby was. But then he emerged at the head of the pack, with only one runner on his shoulder – a short, stocky boy who’d started in lane one. By the time the field had completed the first four hundred, Toby and his rival were well ahead of the rest. By the time they got to the final hundred, they were neck and neck.
“Go Toby!” Alice yelled as Toby edged ahead. Then the other boy surged, passing him. Alice gasped and put her hands over her eyes. “I can’t watch,” she said, reaching for Josh’s hand. But then the crowd was cheering and Josh was hugging her and they were doing an awkward little dance in the grandstand.
“Told you,” Josh said. “Easy.”
“I’m so relieved.” Alice let out a breath, wondering if she could bear to watch the final. The whole experience had been completely nerve-wracking.
“Hey! Got a hug for me?”
Alice spun round. Toby had made his way to the grandstand and stood grinning at them. “Or perhaps I should shower first?”
“Course not, silly.” Alice threw her arms round him. She could feel his heart beating. Fast, like hers.
Josh slapped him on the back. “Good effort. You were toying with that kid, weren’t you?”
Toby’s eyes widened in mock innocence. “Who – me?”
“You mean you let him get past you on purpose?” Alice pulled away and thumped him. “You nearly gave me a heart attack!”
“Ouch! I’ve told you about that habit of yours. You’ve still got your super powers, remember?”
He was teasing, but it was true. As Stone Keeper, Alice could use her Hilderinc abilities in the human world. So far she had chosen not to – it was spooky, being able to read people’s minds, not to mention having the strength of someone twice her size. She’d promised herself she would only use her skills in an emergency.
“Yeah, well, sorry about that,” she said with a smile. “But please don’t do that again. I don’t think I can stand it a second time.”
But Toby didn’t get chance to reassure her, as just then a group of girls pushed their way towards them. Alice recognized the sweatshirts they were wearing – St Michael’s, Toby’s school.
“You were awesome Toby. You’re in amazing shape,” a tall blond girl said, ignoring the fit of giggles that broke out behind her. “I bet no one can beat you – you’re bound to win the final.” She flashed him a smile that seemed way too familiar. Alice had no idea who this girl was but Toby was looking very embarrassed.
“Um, Lucy, have you met Alice and Josh?” he said.
Lucy’s eyes flicked over Alice. She didn’t even look at Josh. “Have now,” she said.
“Lucy’s the Head Girl at school,” Toby went on, producing another fit of giggles from Lucy’s followers. If possible, he was looking even more embarrassed than before.
“Oh, I’m more than that, surely,” Lucy gave Toby a meaningful look. “Anyway, gotta’ go. Have to give a medal out or something.” She flicked her long hair over one shoulder then elbowed her way back through the crowd, her cohorts trailing behind her.
“Alice – it’s not what you think,” Toby started.
Al
ice folded her arms. “And how would you know what I think? Your Intuition doesn’t work properly here.”
Josh groaned. “Come on guys. Don’t fight. Toby doesn’t need his intuition to tell him you’re angry Alice. Lucy Porter has that effect on everyone – she’s a pain.”
“It’s true,” Toby said quickly. “No one really likes her – only those stupid friends of hers who do everything she says.”
“And you,” Alice snapped then felt immediately guilty. She was spoiling things when Toby had been so happy. “Sorry – forget it. She was rude, that’s all.”
“I can’t stand her – honest. She just likes to cause trouble.” Toby pleaded, giving her one of his looks - a look that made her stomach do a little back flip. It was impossible to be angry.
“Toby – it’s fine. I get it. What time’s the final?”
“Not sure yet - probably another hour or so.” Toby scanned the crowd, looking anxious suddenly. “Have you seen mum? I thought she’d be up here with you.”
Alice shook her head. The last time she’d seen Rebecca, her aunt had been with Josh’s parents.
“Gina’s probably cornered her,” Josh said. “Captive audience. Dad doesn’t talk that much and Gina never shuts up. In fact, isn’t that her causing a fuss?”
They all looked up to see a woman pushing her way towards them. Alice knew Josh got along much better with his stepmother now, and that Gina genuinely cared for him, but she was still – well – rather noticeable. Today she was wearing skin-tight white jeans and a low-cut tee shirt. And whilst she had been a platinum blond when Alice first met her, her most recent hair colour was a startling red.
“Well done Toby!” Gina waved at them, dispensing half the contents of a takeaway coffee into the crowd at she did so. Josh groaned and muttered something inaudible under his breath.
“Did you see him go? Did you?” She beamed at Alice then pinched Josh on the cheek, as if he was a baby. “You’re looking good today Joshie. That top really suits you.”
Josh rolled his eyes at her. “Whatever. Where’s Dad?”
Gina waved her hand in the general direction of the Oval. “Talking to Matt somewhere. About one of his gadget thingies.”
“And my mum?” Toby asked hopefully.
“What?” Gina spun round. “She was right behind me a minute a go. I can’t imagine where she’s got to.”
Alice exchanged a quick look with Toby. She knew they’d both felt it – a sudden change in the air. Rebecca had been shadowed for years by Geraint, who had used her to get close to Alice. But Geraint was dead and it was unlikely anyone else from Middengard would seek out Rebecca.
“I’ll go look for her.” Toby said. “Coming Alice?”
Alice shrugged a quick sorry at Josh and followed him. She could hear Gina’s voice trailing after them: what’s the problem? Is something wrong? Maybe they were just over-reacting, but Alice knew Toby wasn’t about to take any risks where his mother was concerned. Even though Rebecca had no memory of Toby’s disappearance, he still felt guilty. Which meant that even when the smallest thing happened he tended to be over-protective. It was sweet really – and totally mystifying for Rebecca herself.
“There she is!” Toby shouted and pointed to the nearest exit. Rebecca was standing by the turnstile, searching faces in the crowd. As they pushed their way towards her Alice could see her aunt looked pale. She didn’t even notice them until they were standing right in front of her.
“Mum! What’s going on? Are you okay?” Toby said, hooking his arm through hers.
“What?” Rebecca looked blank for a moment. “Oh, Toby... I was just looking for someone. You won, didn’t you?”
Toby’s face fell. “You didn’t see the race?”
“The race? Of course I saw it! You did so well.” She smiled and smoothed down Toby’s hair. Which Alice knew he hated, but he let it go.
“Are you feeling sick or something mum? You look a bit, um…”
Dreadful, Alice thought. Her aunt was still pale and she was frowning despite her attempt to be upbeat.
But Rebecca shook her head. “I’m fine - honestly. Probably been drinking too much coffee.” Her gaze flicked to Alice and then back again. “The weird thing is, I thought I saw your father Alice. I know it’s not possible, but I’m sure it was him.”
With back up from Toby, Alice managed to convince Rebecca she’d been mistaken. Her father had been declared officially dead by the police in the UK – which was of course a long way from the truth. Tom had left England to take up his rightful place as joint ruler of Middengard (as much as Middengard had rulers). Hardly something Alice was about to explain to her aunt.
But it was possible Rebecca had seen him and the thought was making Alice nervous. Her father never appeared in the human world outside his scheduled meeting times – and certainly never in such a public place. So if he was at the race meet it could only mean one thing: he needed to see her urgently.
“Why do you think he’s come?” she asked Josh, once they were on their own again in the grandstand. Toby had gone to get ready for the final and Gina had taken Rebecca for lunch. “It must be important – I only saw him last month.”
“Stop worrying,” Josh said. “It might not have been him – there’s plenty of good-looking blokes about your dad’s age round here.”
“Yes but…”
“But nothing,” Josh said firmly. “Shut up and watch the race.”
Alice suppressed a smile. Josh could be quite bossy when he wanted. She wondered if he realized it made him sound like Iris. She was pretty sure he wouldn’t like that comparison. And perhaps he was right – her aunt could have made a mistake. There was no reason she could think of that would warrant her father making an unscheduled appearance. Last time she’d seen him, he told her events had settled down in Middengard. A treaty had been negotiated with the dark elves in the north and the rebels in the south had surrendered. The only sticking point was that they hadn’t located Magnus. But that was only a matter of time. Magnus without Jonas to help him was no match for Alice’s parents.
Still, she couldn’t help worrying. Her father was always so careful – usually they met at the Shrine, late at night. So if he was here now, there had to be something wrong. Maybe Magnus had joined forces with some other power and her parents needed the Doom Stone or, worse, her mother had been injured or...
“Toby looks like he’s going to win,” someone behind her said suddenly.
Alice swung round. The voice had been deep, but the owner was just an ordinary boy in shorts and a hoodie, with the beginnings of a straggly beard. Then Alice’s eyes widened as she saw through the glamour.
“Dad!” she squealed. “So you are here after all!”
“Yes – and there’s not much point to the glamour if you broadcast it.” The boy gave her a lopsided grin.
“Sorry!” Alice giggled. “But why are you here? And how come aunt Rebecca saw you?”
Josh was looking at the boy with interest. “Nice gear, Mr. Morgan. Kind of Bondi surfer meets city hipster.”
“Thank you Josh – glad you approve. Unfortunately it didn’t fool Rebecca. I haven’t seen her for years but there’s still a family bond between us. I’m sure you convinced her she was dreaming.”
“We did – but what was that you said about Toby? About him winning?”
“That was honest cheating, I’m afraid. Me – not him,” he added hurriedly. “I took a peak into the future, in case you miss the race. You need to come with me Alice. Somewhere quiet, where we can talk properly.”
MIDDENGARD
Chapter Two
The damage inflicted on the city of Skellstor by the barogs had been fully repaired - walls rebuilt, battlements re-fortified and all the inner courtyards restored to their former beauty. In some quarters there were remnants of the festivities that had marked the return of the Children of the Dawn: a jaunty banner here, a gaily-painted door there. The merchants had restored their workshops and the weekly market
was as bustling and colourful as ever. Orla’s grandmother, who had a taste for the dramatic, had pronounced it a new era - a return to the glorious days of old.
Which was why, when everyone around her was full of joy, Orla knew she should be feeling happy. Or if not happy, content. But she was neither of those things. She felt ill at ease and the question was - why? She ticked off the possibilities: she was worried about Isolde (who was still frail but recovering); she was missing Alice, Toby and Josh (and Josh especially, if she was honest); Magnus hadn’t been captured (the wicked, wicked man) and – last but not least – she had been recently appointed to the role of junior priestess by Lord Regil. Which was a dubious honour as far as she was concerned. It meant she had to spend all her time in the cold and gloomy temple, instead of in the woods and open fields she loved. With Isolde’s help, she’d learnt the language hidden in every rock, river and valley – how could she bear to be away from them?
She sighed. She was Freya’s servant and should be content with her lot. But she’d been experiencing a prickling sensation in her fingers and toes for days. Pins and needles, grandmother called it, but it was more than that. Every time she walked barefoot, or gathered healing plants from the garden, the sensations spoke of a disturbance in the earth power. She hadn’t shared her suspicions with anyone – not even Isolde. The last thing Orla wanted to do was to worry her. Yet she should tell someone. Perhaps Lord Regil? She knew the Ealdor held her in high regard, but he was so important. And if she were mistaken she would be wasting his time for nothing.
She sighed again, sounding like some lovelorn maiden. Yes, it was a quandary but not one she could solve now. She was late and ran swiftly up the temple steps. It would mean another black mark from Karin, who had oversight of her training. And the high priestess had already made it clear she thought Orla too young for her new appointment.
Once inside the cavernous temple, she slowed her step. She still found the building with its marble floor and high glass dome unnerving. She looked round for Karin and saw she was at the main altar, kneeling, head bowed. Orla was supposed to be learning the evening prayer ritual and it appeared the priestess had started without her.
