by Sharon Gibbs
As Henry and Clarence’s hands had faced each other, the stones converged and spun above Christopher as he lay asleep on the altar. A pale green light seeped from Christopher’s small form and mixed with the stones. As it drew up, the candles’ flames flickered and dimmed and the stones collided together with a cataclysmic bang. Christopher’s essence had changed to a dark emerald green light and it had radiated throughout the cavern, to light the walls with its eerie glow. As the mass came together the stones and light fused into a sphere and trapped Christopher’s essence within the spinning orb.
The light disappeared, the sphere stopped and the black orb had hung in mid-air. It was etched with Christopher’s magic and the emerald green scars had danced upon the orb as it had pulsed to the beat of Christopher’s heart.
The sphere plummeted towards the boy’s small body. The candles had burst back to flame as the sphere had plunged towards the child’s chest. As the orb reached Christopher it slowed and settled gently upon him as he slept on.
‘It is done!’ the Ancient One had said and then his light disappeared from the circle. Gradually the other Wizards disappeared, too, until only Brother Asterly and Hierarch Astern’s lights had remained. They’d watched the boy a little longer before they vanished as well. Clarence had then lifted the sphere from the boy’s chest and collected the hair from the bowl and Henry had given Clarence back the amulet.
Henry had lifted the boy from the altar and walked back over to the fire where he placed Christopher back upon the cot. He’d taken the sphere and lock of hair from Clarence and Clarence had searched for a box to store them in. He’d returned the amulet and then he’d chosen an old wooden box and stuffed it with small pieces of cloth. Henry had taken care as he placed the sphere and the lock of hair inside, and then from his pocket he’d removed Eric’s necklace and added it with the other items and closed the lid.
‘Rest tonight, my friend,’ Clarence had said. ‘You’re tired and need some sleep before you continue on your way to The Dale.’
Henry had conceded and after a drink he’d settled down by the fire to rest. Before Clarence knew it Henry had fallen asleep, and he’d covered him with warm furs and had taken to his own bed. They’d needed to be up and away early, he back to Canameer and Henry and Christopher to travel on towards The Dale.
They’d woken before first light and Clarence had been busy as he’d packed food Henry would need for his journey. When Henry had secured everything in the cart, he’d strapped a tarp over the supplies to keep out any rain and conceal its contents.
The fire had gone cold, no embers remained, just the small black coals within the ash. Christopher had stayed warm, wrapped in the furs while Henry carried him over to the cart and placed him in the back. He’d then tucked more furs around his grandson to keep him warm while Clarence had placed a sack of foodstuffs and two skins of water for their journey behind the driver’s seat of the cart. Together they’d dragged the cart through the walkway to where the horses had been penned and while Henry had fastened his horse to the cart they’d talked about the journeys that lay before them.
‘Clarence, what will you do when you get back to Canameer?’ Henry had asked.
‘I’ll return to the Chancellor and help the people survive this invasion. Hopefully the Chancellor will surrender for the people’s sake and not insist on a fight to save the manor. If he chooses unwisely many lives will be forfeit. I’ll stay with the town and help the people where I can,’ he’d told Henry.
‘It’ll be a dangerous time for you, Clarence,’ Henry had said to his friend. ‘Try and stay out of harm’s way. I’m proud of you and your commitment to the people.’ Henry had worried for his friend. After what he’d seen at the Keep, the people of Canameer needed someone strong to guide their choice, to fight or surrender to survive.
Clarence had then stopped and placed his hand upon Henry’s arm. ‘I’ll survive, and hopefully the Chancellor does the right thing for the people.’
The horse had been readied and Henry had led her through the tunnel to give Clarence room to saddle his own horse. That done, they’d ventured to the portal. Clarence had checked and made sure the way was clear as the sun lit the sky above the horizon and they’d left the safety of the cave and ventured outside. Clarence had sealed the portal again and the two friends had embraced.
‘Until we see each other again,’ Henry had said.
‘Yes, my Brother, until we’re reunited once more, may your journey be safe.’
Henry had known he wouldn’t see Clarence for a long time. They couldn’t risk being seen together for if they were ever caught it would mean death for them both.
They’d headed out in opposite directions and Henry had glanced back to look at Clarence and he’d prayed his friend would be safe within the walls of the Chancellor’s manor.
Mary gazed at Henry. She could hardly believe Henry had survived. The day had sped on and it was now afternoon and the children would be home soon.
‘Would you like to stay for the night and eat with us? I’m sure Thomas would enjoy spending the evening with you before you head off,’ Mary said as she tried to convince him to stay.
Henry wasn’t sure. He’d already spent most of the day with them and should be on his way.
‘What’s one more night, Henry? Christopher will still be there tomorrow and besides I think you should bathe and shave that face of yours before you arrive, or you might scare him half to death,’ Thomas said.
Henry laughed and before he could think of an excuse, Thomas left the table and was on his way to put Henry’s horse in the barn and Mary returned inside to prepare dinner. They’d made the decision for him and left him in the garden at the table.
When Thomas returned, his two youngest children had arrived home from school and now sat with Henry. Thomas smiled at the sight of them as they sat around the table and talked with their adopted uncle. He thought about all the time Henry had missed with Christopher and a little sadness crept into his heart for his dear friend.
Thomas greeted his children as he approached the table. ‘How was your day at school?’
‘Hello, Father. We learnt some new things today,’ Ellis said. ‘Sums, oh and about the Meer River. Where it begins in the Challisberg Mountains and the places it flows through before it finally ends up out in the sea.’
‘Good,’ Thomas said. ‘Now off into the house with you and help your Ma with the dinner.’
‘Bye, Henry,’ they both said before they ran off.
Henry loved Thomas and Mary’s children. They reminded him so much of his own family and how much of Christopher’s life he’d missed.
‘Henry, will you help me feed the animals before we head inside for dinner?’
‘What kind of question is that? As if I wouldn’t help.’ Henry liked to poke fun at Thomas and as they headed off to the barn, Henry thought about how much Clarence would like Thomas.
When they’d finished with the animals, Thomas and Henry entered the back door of the house.
‘You two better wash up before dinner. It’s nearly on the table,’ Mary said.
Henry rubbed his hands together. He did enjoy Mary’s hard work in the kitchen. ‘We already washed up at the barn, Mary,’ Henry said.
The children were seated around the table as Thomas and Henry took their seats. Mary placed a large pot of soup in the middle of the table, along with a plate of bread and butter—the last from that morning’s milking—and then she served out the soup.
Henry always enjoyed the time he spent with the Bartholemews. He loved to hear the children share the events of their day. The sounds of family chatter and the laughter in their voices brought him joy.
Leonie was the oldest of the Bartholemew clan at nearly twenty and with her beautiful black hair, she’d grown into a lovely young lady. She worked at the bakehouse in town and sometimes the owner would let her take home a loaf of bread.
Jonathon was next in line at seventeen. He worked for the local blacksmith. Hi
s job was to lift the heavy iron bars off the wagons and stack them in the storage shed. He wasn’t allowed to work the iron as of yet, but he enjoyed the work and was able to watch the smiths as they pummelled on the metal bars and shaped them into beautiful tools.
Mary and Thomas’ middle child’s name was Margareet. She was thirteen and attended the school in the town with the youngest two children of the household. The twins were now at the ripe old age of eight and thought they knew everything. Katherine and Ellis brought much joy to the household in the way they questioned everything and always had much to say on every topic.
Henry watched them as he ate. Their banter and play as they teased each other always amused him.
It was late by the time the meal was over and the children prepared for bed.
Mary made a pot of tea and passed Henry a cup as they gathered around the fire.
‘How do you feel about Christopher? You’ll see him tomorrow and he’ll learn who you are,’ she said.
‘I don’t know, Mary. I don’t know how he’ll react to my appearance after all these years. Will he hate me for leaving him with Albert and Rose? Will he understand? Will he want to know of his heritage? All these questions have been on my mind, but I’ll be happy to see the boy face to face. I’ll be glad to no longer keep secrets from him, and I hope he accepts me back into his life.’
Mary could understand his turmoil. ‘Do you have any idea how Albert and Rose will react to your return?’
‘They always knew this time would come, Mary. They have loved Christopher as their own and I expect them to do what is right and respect the choice he makes just as I will. He has a great responsibility. Will he choose to rise up against the oppression he’s known all his life, or will he take the road most travelled and make the best of his circumstances? I’m hopeful he’ll choose to unite the people and lead them in a rebellion to take back our lands. Of course each man’s destiny lies with himself and it’ll be up to the people to choose how they continue to live.’
It was late and Mary made Henry a bed near the fire where he’d stay warm. He tossed and turned for hours as he thought of Christopher until he finally fell asleep.
Early the next morning Henry prepared to continue on to The Dale. After a brief farewell and promises from the Bartholemews to come if Henry or Christopher needed them, Henry was on his way. It’d take him until evening to reach the home where Christopher had spent the majority of his life. Henry thought a lot on the journey about how he’d tell Christopher all that he needed to know and he wondered how long his grandson would need to come to terms with the truth of what had happened to his family. Henry was unsure about a lot of things, but one thing he knew was that he loved his grandson more than life itself and would abide by any choice he made.
It was early evening when he rode up the path that led to Albert and Rose’s home. Soon he’d be reunited with Christopher. He could feel the power that emanated from the sphere inside the box. Christopher’s essence knew it’d come home.
Henry sat on his horse outside and watched the glow of the candles as they shone through the windows. He was glad he’d placed Christopher with Albert and Rose. They’d been a wonderful family for him to grow up with.
Christopher had finished out in the workshop and locked up for the evening. As he walked towards the house, he saw a figure astride a horse. As he neared he could tell it was a man and that he watched the house.
Who would be watching them? Had someone found out about the meetings between his friends and himself? He walked towards the stranger.
‘Who are you? What is your business here?’
The man on the horse turned to look in his direction. There was silence as the man on the horse gathered his wits. ‘My name’s Henry,’ he said. ‘I’ve come to see you, Christopher.’
Albert opened the door and peered out into the darkness. ‘What’s going on out here?’
‘It’s Henry, Albert.’
‘Come in, Henry, we’ve been waiting for you. Wasn’t sure when you’d be here. Christopher, take the horse to the barn and settle her for the night,’ Albert said.
Christopher was taken aback. Who was this man his uncle had expected? ‘Yes, Uncle,’ Christopher said as Henry dismounted and unstrapped his blanket and saddlebags from his mare. Henry thanked Christopher and followed Albert into the house while Christopher led the horse off towards the barn.
Chapter Seven
Arnak stormed out of his father’s room, and as he left he called to the men who now were his own.
‘Prepare the carriage. I leave at dawn to see Athena.’
‘My Lord,’ Jefferson, his father’s personal guard, said and he chose his words with care. ‘We can’t leave yet. Arrangements need to be made for your father’s body to be prepared and sent off to the Other World.’
Arnak stopped. He turned and stared at Jefferson. ‘Have my men build him a pyre, up on top of the cliff where my mother was sent to her maker. We leave at dawn!’
‘Yes my, Lord, it’ll be done,’ Jefferson said as his eyes sought the sanctuary of the floor and Arnak walked away.
Just before the sun rose to warm the silent city of Reist, Lord Arnak and his men stood on top of the cliff that overlooked the resting place of his grandfather, mother and now his own beloved father. All was ready and Arnak’s men waited in silence. The funeral pyre had been built, many men had worked through the night to see that it was done and his father lay nestled atop, dressed in his finery. His golden robe glistened in the last beams of moonlight and soon the sun would begin its ascent into the sky.
Arnak walked over to the drum near the base of the pyre where a small fire burnt to light the torch. He took hold of the resinous wood and placed it in the heat, where the flames quickly took hold of the flammable material. Arnak stared at his father’s body, motionless inside the formation.
‘Father, for the love of our family, I will avenge you!’ he said. Then he touched the torch to the structure and the flames greedily licked at the dry wood. His men came forth and lit the pyre on all sides so it would burn evenly, and the flames devoured the structure and caught hold of all they touched. Within minutes the whole pyre roared to life and Arnak turned and made his way to his carriage. As he passed the garrison of men that were to escort him to see the Sorceress in the Mystic Swamps he threw his gloves at them.
‘We leave now!’
Chapter Eight
Athena sat in her bedroom in front of the mirror. She brushed her hair to make sure her appearance was suitable for her visitor. As she sat there and looked at her reflection, she knew he sat at the table and waited for her. He waited to tell her yet again of his desire for power and vengeance.
At the age of twenty-two Athena was a vision of beauty. Her long blonde hair fell just past her shoulder blades and was so straight that it seemed as if a thousand tiny weights held it down. Her fringe had been cut in a blunt line which sat above her eyebrows and framed her face. When she felt she looked her best, she moved to her gown which hung on the door of the closet. She slipped the gown over her head and enjoyed the feel of the silk as it caressed her skin. It hung low over her breasts to expose her neck and the majority of her shoulders and the fabric cleaved to her youthful body. The embossed leather belt pulled the material of the dress in and it fell from her waist in soft folds to rest upon the floor. Its sleeves moulded to her upper arms and fell away at the elbows to billow and float around her wrists. The gown was the colour of sapphires and it matched her eye colour and enhanced her features all the more. A single moonstone adorned the leather choker she wore around her neck. It glowed beautifully in the flicker of the candles that surrounded her.
Athena stepped out from behind her bedroom curtain and walked into the room at the front of the building.
He sat at the table where she performed her readings. She could tell by his agitation that this wasn’t just another visit. Her voice purred as she spoke. ‘Arnak, what can I help you with this time.’
‘Athe
na, Lord Antrobus is dead!’ he said. She heard the sorrow in his voice and was taken aback by this news.
‘Did he suffer much?’
‘Yes, Athena, he suffered. Just as he’s always suffered.’
Athena bowed her head and she took the Lord by the hand. ‘I’m sorry for your loss,’ she said and gazed at him with genuine concern. ‘How can I help you, Lord Antrobus?’
‘I’m Lord now, but I won’t be known as another Antrobus. While I may still carry the name, I, from this time forward, will be known only as Arnak.’
‘As you wish, Lord Arnak.’ She looked at him and somehow he’d changed. This wasn’t the boy that had come to her before. He was now a man, not the young lad that had come before her many times to half-heartedly seek vengeance. He now had a set look to his face, a determination that wouldn’t waver.
‘What do you desire, my Lord?’
He looked into her eyes and saw the tenderness within them. ‘You know why I’m here. I seek the path. The path of vengeance to make those who dishonoured the family pay, and pay dearly. I want them to rue the day they cast the Antrobus’ out of the lands of Solencia. I want those at the Keep to bend before me in fear and quake in their shoes. I want to rule it all and rule it with you, Athena.’
Athena smiled at him. ‘But you know there is a price to pay for this information and guidance.’
‘I know, Athena, you’ve told me before.’
‘So are you ready to pay it and sell your soul for all eternity to the one who rules the great magic of the Underlands?’
‘Are you?’ Arnak said and then he reached out to tenderly touch her cheek.
‘I already have, dearest brother. I already have.’
Chapter Nine
As Clarence rode back to Canameer from the Caves of Choice, he thought of all that lay before Christopher and Henry. Theirs would be a difficult time. Henry would be unknown to his only family and he’d have to remain anonymous to Christopher in order to keep him safe.
